Johnson Justice Fellowship

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR THE SECOND COHORT

We are pleased to announce that applications for the second cohort of the Johnson Justice Fellowship are now open. Below, you'll find a link to apply, a link to register for our information session on Friday, March 7, 2025 (where we'll answer any questions from prospective applicants), and a link to our press release for more details.

Apply by Friday, April 11, 2025 | info session on Friday, March 7, 2025 | fellowship begins in September 2025

APPLY HERE

“This fellowship emerged from a recognition that New York City's greatest strength is the cross-pollination of ideas between passionate people working to improve their communities. By investing in mid-career leaders and providing them the resources, network, and support to innovate, we're helping ensure that the people most impacted by inequity have the tools to create lasting change."

Asa Johnson, Trustee, Johnson Family Foundation

“I grew up in this city and this fellowship feels like it was created for me...Growing up in the Bronx, I saw how lack of opportunities and resources pushed narratives onto our communities that the only way to succeed, is to leave your community. The fellowship allows me to address that narrative, by showing that where we live is worthwhile and that opportunities and resources are there. We have to advocate and push our systems to work for us. Not for the few, but for the many."

José Galarza, current fellow, new american leaders

MORE ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP

Building on the remarkable success of our inaugural cohort—whose inspiring work over the past 18 months has truly set a high standard for emerging social justice leadership—we’re excited to seek a new group of fellows dedicated to serving the public good.

Our mission remains unchanged: to build a pipeline of rising social justice leaders and to ensure that our public sector reflects the diversity of communities we serve. For the second cohort, we are proud partner with New American Leaders, New Economy Project, and Riders Alliance.

Overview & Details

This is a full-time, two-year fellowship based in New York City.
Its designed to build a pipeline of rising social justice leaders.
Each fellow will work full-time at one of the following organizations – New American Leaders, New Economy Project, and Riders Alliance.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, April 11, 2025.
COHORT TWO BEGINS: September 2025 (i.e. when the job starts).

HISTORY & MISSION

Our public sector should reflect the people we serve. That’s why JFF launched a fellowship program to help build a pipeline for rising social justice leaders.

Launched in September 2023, the Johnson Justice Fellowship is a full-time two-year fellowship, based in New York City, for people interested in leading careers in the service of the public good. The inaugural cohort of Johnson Justice Fellows—Abraham Logo, Salma Allam, and José Galarza—started in September of 2023 and are currently working at Riders Alliance, Center for Popular Democracy and New American Leaders (bios below).

Meet THE current Fellows

Abraham Lugo (he/him) | Center for Popular Democracy

Abraham Lugo Bello is a long-time community advocate and immigrant from Caracas, Venezuela. Abraham graduated with his Bachelor of Political Science from the University of Nevada and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration in Urban Development and Non-Profit Management at Baruch College.

Abraham grew up in Southern Nevada, where he quickly integrated himself into the political arena through several public service roles. He finished his time in Las Vegas by organizing around economic and workers justice at Make the Road Nevada, which is focused on the elevation of human rights for working-class immigrant communities around the state. In order to extend the reach of his advocacy and grow further, he relocated to New York City in 2021, where he continued to organized in North Brooklyn for the New York City Council. He hopes to use his role in the fellowship to develop concrete strategies that will help win meaningful policy change.

Salma AllAM (she/her) | Riders Alliance

Salma Allam graduated from DePauw University in 2020 with a double major in English Literature and Middle Eastern Studies. After college, Salma went on to work for the Arab American Association of New York where she initially started as an Immigration Navigator and was soon promoted to Immigration Program Manager.

Salma has been organizing formally and informally since her high school years. She’s passionate about movements for liberation and building a world that addresses the needs of the many, rather than the few. She is committed to being in accountable solidarity with all oppressed peoples of the world.

JosÉ Galarza (he/him) | New American Leaders

Jose was born and raised in the Bronx by working-class Puerto Rican parents. Growing up, he had many experiences that shaped the way he became involved politically. He volunteered for his first electoral campaign in 2017 for a progressive running for New York City Council. He did not know it at the time, but the campaign was critical to his personal growth and put him on the path of electoral politics.

In 2019 he worked as an Iowa Field Organizer for the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign and eventually worked on the campaign’s national team. After the Bernie campaign, he transitioned to the Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez team as one of their field organizers. He managed a 30-person team, also referred to as the “SuperVol Squad,” which solidified the foundation for his organizing philosophy.

For the past two years, Jose has worked on different projects that range from training people on the 2020 redistricting process to the launch of a vote-tripling effort in the Bronx with the New American Leaders Action Fund. Jose graduated from Hood College with a degree in Business Administration and a concentration in non-profit management.