Youth organizers collaborating on a community project in Alabama
PYA · EST. 2024

— Progressive Youth of Alabama

Our Mission / 01 — The Foundation

Building a digital civic signal for our future.

Progressive Youth of Alabama began with a simple, urgent realization: our communities possess the solutions to the challenges we face, but they often lack the digital infrastructure to amplify their voices. We started in a small community center, mapping out how we could bridge the gap between grassroots organizing and modern digital accessibility. We wanted to create a space that felt as deliberate and trustworthy as the work our members do every single day.

Before we launched this initiative, our team spent years working in policy advocacy and youth development. We saw firsthand how vital information was often buried behind inaccessible platforms or generic, uninspired design. We missed the clarity of direct, honest communication. Organizing, when done with purpose, is a slow, visible act of building power. You move through a campaign, and the movement grows. That, to us, is worth every hour of development.

Every tool we build is open-source, accessible, and designed for longevity. We prioritize clear, official, and clean interfaces that respect the user's time and intelligence. null of this is a marketing tactic; it is simply how we would want to be treated if we were seeking resources, so it is how we build for you.

If you join us, we will treat your mission like a vital record in our collective history—noticed, documented, and supported. That is our promise. Thank you for standing with us as we build this foundation together.

in solidarity,

§ TEAM — THE LEADERSHIP OF PROGRESSIVE YOUTH OF ALABAMA

OUR /
LEADERSHIP.

Our leadership team is dedicated to building a future where every young person in Alabama has the resources, voice, and opportunity to thrive. We are committed to transparency, civic action, and sustainable growth.

Portrait of Marcus Thorne

DIRECTOR — OPERATIONS N° 02

Marcus Thorne

Specialty: Community outreach & policy, 15 years.

— EST. 2009
Portrait of Elena Rodriguez

LEAD COORDINATOR — PROGRAMS N° 01

Elena Rodriguez

Specialty: Youth mentorship & advocacy, 12 years.

— EST. 2012
Portrait of Samuel Jenkins

SENIOR STRATEGIST — OUTREACH N° 04

Samuel Jenkins

Specialty: Civic engagement & education, 10 years.

— EST. 2014
Portrait of Anneliese Vance

PROGRAM MANAGER — YOUTH N° 03

Anneliese Vance

Specialty: Leadership development, 14 years.

— EST. 2010
Portrait of Olufemi Adeyemi

DIRECTOR — ADVOCACY N° 06

Olufemi Adeyemi

Specialty: Policy reform & justice, 18 years.

— EST. 2006
Portrait of Claire Bennett

COMMUNICATIONS LEAD — MEDIA N° 05

Claire Bennett

Specialty: Public relations & storytelling, 9 years.

— EST. 2015
Portrait of Rohan Miller

DIRECTOR — FINANCE N° 07

Rohan Miller

Specialty: Nonprofit fiscal management, 20 years.

— EST. 2004
Portrait of Eun-Ji Park

DIRECTOR — PARTNERSHIPS N° 08

Eun-Ji Park

Specialty: Strategic alliances & growth, 11 years.

— EST. 2013

§ PROGRESSIVE YOUTH OF ALABAMA — BIRMINGHAM

08 LEADERS / 08 DEPARTMENTS / 112 COMBINED YEARS

Get Involved

Join the movement for change.

Progressive Youth of Alabama is building a future rooted in equity and civic engagement. Whether you are a student, an educator, or a community advocate, your voice is essential. Connect with us to learn about our initiatives, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help shape the next generation of leadership.

Youth leaders discussing community policy in a meeting room
Community members gathering for an outreach event
Students participating in a leadership workshop
Youth activists organizing at a local rally

“Empowering the youth is the only way to secure our future.”

PYA Leadership · Alabama