We are a group of organizers, educators, visionaries, cultural workers, thinkers and fighters committed to the systemic transformation of a society rooted in equity, justice and human dignity.
Co-Executive Director
Claudia was born in the South Bronx to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic. She is a popular educator, community organizer and theologian. In her role as Co-Executive Director at The People’s Forum, Claudia is committed to contribute her experiences and skills in the creation of cultural-educational space with organizers, educators and cultural workers/artists to continue producing, promoting and uplifting the cultural traditions that nourish and strengthen our communities in our struggles towards social justice.
For over 20 years, she has been committed to movement building, and has actively participated in collective grassroots spaces, particularly in the communities of Washington Heights and The South Bronx.
Claudia was Pastor of her home-church, Iglesia San Romero de Las Americas-UCC- a community church rooted in the traditions of Latin American Liberation Theology and grassroots organizing. Through her ministry she found her passion, and has dedicated most of her life to the leadership development of youth through political education and culture.
In 2004, she co- founded Da Urban Butterflies Youth Leadership Development Project (D.U.B). Her experiences in D.U.B informed her participation in the development of cultural and political education programing at The Rebel Diaz Arts Collective (RDAC-BX) for almost 5 years.
Contact Claudia at claudia@peoplesforum.org
Co-Executive Director
Manolo is a popular educator and organizer from the Caribbean. He is committed to the radical transformation of the world at the hands of the poor and oppressed. Versed in the histories of struggle and methodologies of education, Manolo seeks to engage a new generation of visionaries and fighters.
Before joining TPF, he organized solidarity and education programs in Latin America. When in need of leisure time, nothing makes him happier than the fresh breeze of the Caribbean and good books at hand.
Contact Manolo at manolo.e@peoplesforum.org
Education Director
Layan is a popular educator, organizer, and lifelong student of historical and contemporary struggles of the oppressed. Layan developed her educational approach while working with youth and families in schools, libraries, and community and feminist organizations. In her role at TPF, she is committed to developing political education programming and resources to support the building of working class, internationalist movements.
Layan approaches her work with optimism and the conviction that a world free from the control of imperialism and capitalism is possible. When not studying or organizing, Layan cooks for friends, enjoys poetry, and dreams of returning to a liberated Palestine.
Contact Layan at layan.f@peoplesforum.org
Education Coordinator
Saidi was born on the beautiful and bountiful island of Jamaica and migrated to NY at the age of 6. She is a graduate from the University of Virginia, where she studied Sociology and Foreign Affairs. Inspired by radical Black Feminist thought and popular education, Saidi is passionate about liberatory education and youth development.
Before joining TPF, she lived and worked in the Caribbean, with a range of organizations advocating for comprehensive sexual education and gender justice in the region, as well as furthering research on Black women and girls. As an Education Coordinator, she develops programming and coordinates courses. Outside of TPF, you can find her dancing, laying in the sun, and eating chocolate chip cookies.
Contact Saidi at saidi.m@peoplesforum.org
1804 Books Editorial Coordinator
General Manager
David is the General Manager at The People’s Forum where he handles administrative responsibilities and supports the effective operation of The People’s Forum.
David was born in Korea, immigrated at the age of three, and grew up in Woodside, NY. Before joining TPF, David held roles in development, advocacy campaign coordination, and community organizing in various organizations. David first started organizing in 2012 because of his lived experiences as an immigrant.
A graduate of Hunter College yet he credits his political education and principles to movement organizers and working class communities. During his free time, David enjoys being outdoors and taking long walks with his dog.
Contact David at david.c@peoplesforum.org
Operations Manager
Ryan is the Operations Manager at The People’s Forum where he helps to maintain the day-to-day workings and coordinate activities in the space.Ryan was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He moved to Montana when he was 16 and later moved to Pennsylvania, where he became involved in political organizing. He then moved back to his home in Denver, where he helped to build community and political organizations before moving to New York.Ryan is committed to building working-class power and fighting for a better world. He loves to spend time with his dog, to cook, and to read.
Contact Ryan at ryan.h@peoplesforum.org
Accountant
Mary Gana was born and raised in Nigeria. Having traveled from Nigeria to the United States to exult in her independence, Mary graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. After planning a one month vacation to NYC, she fell in love with the city and decided to stay and began working. Prior to joining The People’s Forum she worked at a few start ups in the finance and accounting departments.
In her role as the staff accountant, she will manage the accounts receivables and payables, track budgets and financials and oversee other tasks as it relates to the finances and accounting of TPF.
Mary considers herself an ambivert and a spicy -food connoisseur, she loves to cook, travel, mediate and spend time with friends. She’s excited about connecting and building relationships with people from all backgrounds, because she believes there is beauty in diversity.
Contact Mary at mary.g@peoplesforum.org
Communications Coordinator
Yuwei believes that art is a tool to make the unimaginable and invisible into the tangible and believable, and to invigorate radical re-imagination of our future. Born and raised in Fujian, China, they arrived in the United States at 18 to pursue an education in Fine Art at Washington University in St. Louis and recently completed her Master’s at NYU Gallatin in Speculative Design and Social Change.
Yuwei organized NYU grad workers towards a historical strike in Spring 2021 as the organizing co-chair and served later as a unit representative for GSOC-UAW2110. As the Communications Coordinator, Yuwei leads content and communications strategy and helps build relationships with the press, supporters, and our member organizations around the world.
You can reach Yuwei at yuwei.p@peoplesforum.org.
Research Assistant
Miya is originally from the Bay Area and an organizer based in Brooklyn, New York. She formerly studied East Asian Studies at Barnard College. She is passionate about working to dismantle the elite class and developing popular and political education.
In her free time she is trying to read too many things at once, sharing food with friends, or making art. Before this, Miya has worked at coalition-based non-profits like the New York Immigration Coalition and the Coalition of Asian American Children and Families.
Janitor
Andy was born and raised in Haiti, then migrated to New York to better himself. He found an opportunity at Goddard Riverside as a custodian where he worked for several years. As a Janitor at The People’s Forum, he brings his experience and knowledge to get the job done effectively and efficiently.
Prior to working at TPF, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in health service administration and learned many ways to help people. Andy is a passionate and dedicated individual who on his spare time enjoys working at his church helping people with language translation and computers. Andy is a people person who enjoys working with and helping others.
Contact Andy at andy.d@peoplesforum.org
Art Space Coordinator
Hannah is an artist, designer, performer, and organizer dedicated to building movements of art and culture on the left. Originally from the Midwest, Hannah studied theater and performance art at Antioch College, worked at Headlands Center for the Arts in the Bay Area, built an international collective of performance artists, and developed a professional practice as a graphic designer in Los Angeles before making her way to New York to work with the People’s Forum.
In her role in the art space, Hannah coordinates artist residencies, organizes art classes and workshops, and develops art exhibitions and cultural programming. Hannah builds with the confidence that revolution is possible—in her work in the art space and beyond, Hannah lives by Claudia Jones’ powerful words: “a people’s art is the genesis of their freedom.”
Contact Hannah at hannah.c@peoplesforum.org
