NEW YORK, NY (April 1, 2025) – Today, Comic Relief US, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty, announced its third cohort of Youth Advisory Council (YAC) members. Representing Argentina, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Tanzania and the U.S., these eight next gen changemakers, aged 20-24, are driving transformative change in communities facing poverty, inequality and injustice.
The YAC is a 12-month program that administers a weekly curriculum focused on the fundamentals of philanthropy and grantmaking. Council members receive mentorship, professional development and lead the Youth Change Makers Fellowship Program, which aims to provide representatives of youth-led organizations with expertise that will position their projects for future funding opportunities.
The YAC will also direct the Juntanza Fund, a grant-making initiative that is seeded with an annual contribution from Comic Relief US. Juntanza Fund grants have addressed urgent issues such as food security in Kenya, empowering Afro-Colombian youth as mental health advocates, training survivors of gender-based violence in Somalia, and improving education in Cambodia.
“The Youth Advisory Council grew out of an intention to center the voices, wisdom and knowledge of young people in our grant-making and decision-making processes,” said Ayo Roach, Senior Vice President of Grant Programs at Comic Relief US. “There is a lack of funding available across the philanthropic sector for youth leaders. At Comic Relief US we are committed to moving funding directly into their hands, to ensure they are empowered to shape their futures and develop solutions to challenges they identify.”
Global issues facing today’s youth such as climate change, economic instability, and the digital divide are unprecedented and are disrupting children’s lives, limiting their ability to thrive in a complex and changing world. In fact, nearly 400 million children live in countries where debt distress overshadows social investments that are essential for youth development and well-being.
“Young people are a driving force for change but to be truly successful they need the tools and resources to be fully empowered. The Youth Advisory Council is empowerment in action, driving change for youth, by youth, and equipping next generation leaders with the skills they need. We are proud to welcome this new cohort of bold, visionary leaders,” said Michele Ganeless, CEO of Comic Relief US.
The new cohort includes: Eric Andrew (22, Nigeria) is the team Lead for AgrofixiNG, working at the intersection of agriculture, data and climate action to drive sustainable development in Nigeria; Justina De Pierris (20, Argentina) is the focal point for Girl Up Latin America in the United Network of Young Peacebuilders; Bipana Dhakal (23, Nepal) is the founder of The Learning Fortress, a non-profit initiative empowering rural communities through education and youth representation; Jecinta Egbim (24, Nigeria) is the founder of the Friends Advocacy For Mental Health Initiative and Safe Haven Community, focusing on preventive and intervention programs for marginalized groups; Ain Husniza (20, Malaysia) is the founder of Pocket of Pink, an initiative combining art, advocacy and education to empower youth; Yazid Salahudeen Mikail (24, Nigeria) is the founder of Nest Africa AI Innovation Lab, he is a core team member of Climate Change AI and has worked with the UN Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data; Emmanuel Cosmas Msoka (22, Tanzania) is the founder of the Peace Library Project, focusing on youth empowerment and sustainable development; and Chimdindu Okafor (20, United States) works on youth advisory councils, focusing on racial justice and health equity, while excelling in various campus leadership roles.
YAC members were selected after a competitive process that included more than 125 applications from 30 countries.
For more information on Comic Relief US and the Youth Advisory Council, visit www.comicrelief.org.
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About Comic Relief US
Comic Relief US is a nonprofit committed to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty. It harnesses the power of entertainment to drive positive social change, mobilizing donors of all ages through powerful content-driven campaigns and new digital platforms. To date, the nonprofit has raised over $436 million, positively impacting more than 35 million children and young people in the US and around the world. Donations are invested in grantee partners and social impact programs that ensure children are safe, healthy, educated, and empowered and that address the root causes of poverty in the most impacted communities. Comic Relief US, also known as Comic Relief, Inc., is a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity. For more information about Comic Relief US and its impact, visit https://www.comicrelief.org. Follow @ComicReliefUS on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Keita Jones, k.jones@comicrelief.org