Change Agents

Our Change Agents are at the core of what we do. Any person in our community who is trying to make positive change in the community is a change agent. They come from any and all situations, and everyone has something that he or she can bring to the table. Only together can we make real change happen.

We make an effort to empower our youth and young adult change agents through our programs. We go on out-of-town trips to cultivate their curiosity and help them imagine different futures. We help them understand the value of coexistence and interdependence with others and with nature through community events and trips to rural and natural environments. We also prioritize partnerships and collaboration with other organizations and groups working with marginalized populations in our community.

Nasir Wells

"I help the organization by being an interactive and outspoken member. I enjoy being a part development conversation, new activities, and conversation regarding growth. I enjoy the company of everyone in our organization, and love to communicate with everyone like family. Also I’m striving towards self growth and sustainability, one of our goals."

Ameya Cross (16)

"My name is Ameya, I would like to be a Defense Attorney when I grow up. I help with the organization at their meetings and I also help Takisha and Loria at their giveaways. They also help a lot and are very easy to talk to! I'm so happy that Takisha reached out to me about the organizations that she's in! Takisha is my mom."

Terryck Tyler (23)

"Well first off I gotta be like one the biggest supporters of the organization. I love it, I'm all for it, and all over it when it comes to helpin out. As far as what I wanna be, I just wanna live life momma, but I wanna open a daycare for [my girlfriend] Rabs."

Kayla Smith (21)

"I love & support Loria (Momma Bird) and Takisha (Momma Banngo) for making everyone comfortable to open up about whatever is on our mind and heart, and bringing us together as a family. I’ll love to become a dental hygienist, but my heart is leaning more towards a mentor for kids & gun violence survivors

Amiya Cross (16)

"My name is Amiya. I have been involved with Connect 2 Be the Change since the start. I help put events together, I am involved with group therapy, I would like to be a pediatric nurse when I grow up, and I enjoy making people smile."

Antonia Martinez (21)

"When I work with the organization I help out with pretty much what ever they need or ask me to. And I love doing I wrote a poem and spoke at a protest . Walk and handed out flyers for the Neighborhood. Or even braid little girls hair I love helping and being involved. I’m currently in school working to have a career in Criminal justice."

Frankie (19)

"My name is Frankie and I help the organizations by always being there to support the change in the community and make the streets a safer place for kids to grow up. Somewhere down the line in the future I see myself still helping with #Connect2BeTheChange while trying to start my own branch of giving back to the community."

National Guardsman Antonio Carire (23)

"This program has impacted my life to see the hate that we give each other and how our society does not see the real life situations that are affecting our new and old generations. It has showed that if I can change, so can you; if I can help, so can everyone. It has a meaning more than the title. It’s a group, a family trying to open eyes to others that gun violence is a serious issue—innocent people dying for being somewhere at the wrong time and wrong place. I did not grow up to see perfect but at the end of my day, my family has my back. Connect 2 Be The Change has opened me up to be a better me."