2021 Communications Institute
2021 Communications Institute: Go Beyond
From February 23-25, 2021, The Opportunity Agenda held its 2021 Remote Communications Institute, embracing the new, ever-changing circumstances we’ve found ourselves in to offer social justice leaders the latest, most innovative approaches in virtual communications, narrative and messaging development, digital media, and online organizing.
In this difficult time, when we continue to find ourselves pulled toward the call to action, yet face the constant challenges of navigating virtual spaces, we recognize the essential need to provide advocates, activists, and cultural strategists with an online learning and convening space where they can be trained in the latest communication and narrative practices. That is why this year, the Communications Institute stepped up to the challenge to Go Beyond by going remote.
The Remote Communications Institute is an invite-only fellowship that brought together a cohort of 20 social justice leaders to engage in a comprehensive online curriculum. Fellows learned the latest best practices in a variety of communications skills, including:
- Narrative and Messaging to Persuade and Activate Audiences
- Media Strategy to Engage Effectively with your Target Media Outlets
- Refining Your Power as a Spokesperson
- Broadcast Media Appearances Preparedness
We are proud to recognize the incredible talent, resilience and fortitude of this year’s Fellows, who have faced an unprecedented year of challenges, hardships, and trauma, but also moments of great success and joy in their work. They are the true leaders of the historical moment we find ourselves in, and we are beyond privileged to be supporting them in their endeavors.
Meet the 2021 Fellows
Olivia Peña
Deputy Program Director, Young Center for Immigrant Children’s RightsOlivia Peña is a Deputy Program Director in the Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights Harlingen office. She oversees the Harlingen, Houston, and San Antonio teams where staff are appointed as the independent Child Advocates for unaccompanied and separated children in immigration custody. In addition to supporting and guiding her...
Get To know OliviaMaritza Perez
Director, Office of National Affairs, Drug Policy AllianceMaritza Perez, Esq. is the Director of the Office of National Affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance in Washington, DC where she leads the organization’s federal legislative agenda and strategy to end the war on drugs. Previously, she was a Senior Policy Analyst for Criminal Justice Reform at the Center...
Get To know MaritzaAngelina Rosado
Founder and Executive Director, Returning Hope Inc.Angelina Rosado is a product of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. She attended New York City public school and became a mother as a teenager. At an early age, Angelina witnessed domestic violence and unhealthy relationships at home and in her community. Later on, she would become a survivor. On her...
Get To know AngelinaKatherine Sastre
Campaign Strategist, New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant JusticeKaty Sastre is the Campaign Strategist for the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ), responsible for coordinating and supporting the NJAIJ’s campaign priorities, ensuring members and partners are actively engaged. Prior to joining the NJAIJ, Katy worked as the Program Coordinator for the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights,...
Get To know KatherineAdrianna Torres-Garcia
Program Coordinator, Free Migration ProjectAdrianna Torres-Garcia obtained a Master of Arts in Social Work, Concentration on Social Administration, from The University of Chicago in 2018, and a Baccalaureate of Arts in Psychology from Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedras in 2012. Originally from Puerto Rico, she has an extensive background in social and scientific...
Get To know AdriannaBianca Tylek
Founder and Executive Director, Worth RisesBianca Tylek is the Founder and Executive Director of Worth Rises, a national criminal justice organization working to dismantle the prison industry and end the exploitation of those it targets, namely Black and Brown people. Bianca is one of the nation’s leading experts on and advocates against the prison industry. She...
Get To know BiancaAisha Wells
Paid Family Leave Organizer, Mothering JusticeAisha Wells is the Paid Family Leave Organizer for Mothering Justice. In this position, Aisha organizes with mamas of color in the community to understand the paid leave issues in the workplace to help pass legislation. Before working at Mothering Justice, Aisha interned at the NAACP helping with the freedom...
Get To know AishaCheryl Wilkins
Associate Director, The Center for JusticeCheryl Wilkins is the Co-Founder and Associate Director at Columbia University’s Center for Justice (CFJ), where her work is committed to ending the nation’s reliance on incarceration, developing new approaches to safety and justice, and participating in the national and global conversation around developing effective criminal justice policy. She directs...
Get To know CherylPamela Winn
Founding Director, RestoreHER US.AmericaPamela Winn is known as "The Face of Dignity for Incarcerated Women". She is an activist from Atlanta, GA that studied Biology at Spelman College, obtained three post-secondary degrees in Nursing, and worked more than 10 years as a Registered Nurse specializing in Women’s Health prior to serving a 78-month...
Get To know Pamela