Leah Abraham (she/her)
Senior Communications and Development Coordinator
Leah Abraham is a storyteller, journalist, and communications specialist. She began her career as a reporter at a community newspaper in Seattle and later transitioned into nonprofit communication. She is the editor-in-chief of SheLoves Magazine and finds deep joy in working with writers of color. Leah grew up in India and relocated to the U.S. in her teens. Her life’s calling is to be the best cat mom ever and to decolonize the world around her.
Aminah Ambush (she/her)
Out-of-School Time Tutoring Manager
Aminah is a native Bostonian and long-time 826 Boston parent who has seen six of her seven children participate in various 826 Boston programs over the last seven years. She received her B.A. from Lesley University in Elementary Education and Family Studies and is currently pursuing a Certificate in Project Management, as well as courses in social-emotional learning, trauma-informed teaching, and deconstructing problematic narratives of marginalized communities in education. As a seasoned homeschooler, former elementary school teacher, and advocate for high-quality, equitable, and culturally conscious education for all, she is looking forward to bringing her talents to the 826 Boston team. Aminah loves to spend her time with her kids, camp on Cape Cod, and indulge in B3 ice cream from Cambridge’s Toscanini’s as often as possible.
Olivia Arnold (she/her)
Writers’ Room Manager at the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science
Olivia is a writer and educator. Originally from New Jersey, she graduated from Northeastern University in 2018 with a bachelor’s in journalism and minors in political science and international affairs. During her undergraduate career, Olivia reported breaking news for The Boston Globe, worked at girls’ education nonprofits in India and Zambia, and won an Emmy award for her coverage of the refugee crisis in Greece. She then taught 8th and 9th-grade history for four years in Boston schools and earned her master’s in education from Boston University in 2021. As an educator, Olivia‘s interests centered on inclusive history education, social-emotional learning, and amplifying young people’s voices through student newspapers and governments. Outside of writing and reading, Olivia loves spending time with her cats, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and shamelessly watching The Real Housewives.
Gena Barenholtz (she/her)
Finance Manager
Prior to joining 826 Boston, Gena (she/her) held positions at HarbourVest Partners, LLC as a Senior Tax Accountant, Commercial Union as a Senior Accountant and Fidelity Investments as an Accountant. Gena graduated from Bentley University with a Masters in Taxation and a Graduate Certificate in Accountancy. Undergraduate she studied at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. Gena enjoys people, traveling as well as being outdoors running, biking and being active.
Jude Barrera (they/them)
High School Specialist at Margarita Muniz Academy
Jude is new to Boston and excited to explore the city. They are a recent graduate of Mount Holyoke College, where they studied English, Spanish, and Latin American studies. Originally from Miami, they appreciate taking long trips on the Green Line and the abundance of crosswalks on Boston streets, though they do miss their old neighbors’ fresh mangoes. Before joining 826 Boston, they worked as a live event technician at their alma mater. Between chapters of a good book, they collect fragments of novels and chapbooks they hope to write someday in their notes app. They love documenting the mushrooms they find on their walks through parks, borrowing books from the library, and doing crosswords from the local newspaper. On an average day, they can be seen sitting cross-legged with their laptop open to no fewer than a million tabs.
Miranda Burel (she/her)
Publishing Manager
Miranda is a Michigan native who discovered her passion for amplifying student voices during her undergrad at Aquinas College. There, she studied Community Leadership, English, Writing, French, and Irish Studies, and learned the importance of intersectionality in all aspects of life. She loves the nuance of language and feels most joyful when talking to others about writing and editing. In time spent away from writing and reading, she can be found baking bread, building a cheeseboard, and quoting hundreds of movies.
Celia Mendoza (she/her)
Writing Workshops Coordinator
Celia is a proud Michigander with a passion for multilingual education. She recently graduated from Suffolk University with her B.A. in Sociology and Spanish and a TESOL certificate. Coming from a family of educators, writers, and Spanish speakers, she’s excited to bring her experience to 826 Boston. When not at work, Celia can be found eating dark chocolate and contemplating the decolonization of the Latine identity. Unless the weather is nice, in which case she’ll most likely be salsa dancing on the beach.
Daphne Constantinides (she/her)
K-8 Specialist at Boston Teachers Union Pilot School
Daphne is a Filipino-Greek-American writer and educator from Cincinnati, Ohio, who still romanticizes the Midwest, despite living in Massachusetts. She received a BA in Creative
Writing and English Education from the University of Cincinnati, and has worked as a museum educator teaching science and history programs for the past few years. Daphne’s love of writing and literature was fostered and nurtured at a nonprofit writing organization much like 826 Boston, and she’s excited to help create and contribute to those same spaces where students can share their stories and amplify their voices. Daphne spends her spare time writing, reading, teaching Filipino folk dance, and is probably drowning in half-finished crochet projects and her weight in yarn.
Yoly Cuevas (she/her/ella)
Writers’ Room Manager at Boston Teachers Union
Yoly Cuevas has been an educator since 2011. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston with a major in Political Science, and minor in French. She started her career in education as an early childhood bilingual public Montessori school teacher. She moved to Boston in 2017, and has worked with local non-profit organizations since. You can find her at different coffee shops around the city. She enjoys making “kitty lattes” for friends, and painting with espresso.
Emma DeLaRosa (she/her)
High School Specialist at New Mission High School
Emma DeLaRosa graduated from Boston University with a major in English and a minor in philosophy. She grew up on the New England coast, living in both Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut, so she has a special place in her heart for the beach. When it comes to writing, she loves to explore different styles but ultimately gravitates most toward experimental poetry. The most rewarding part of writing for her is bringing it to life, as she did with a play she produced. Her favorite authors are James Baldwin and Clarice Lispector, with her favorite book being The Passion According to G.H. by Lispector. Outside the realm of writing, Emma is a lifelong musician. She plays piano, guitar, bass, and sings in four different bands, so you can often find her performing live throughout the Boston music scene.
Sara Dowler (she/her)
Program Specialist at Boston Teachers Union
Sara Dowler is an amateur baker, crocheter, and crafter from Columbus, Ohio. After earning her degree in English literature from Ohio University, she left “the heart of it all” for ocean air and further education, receiving a master’s degree in children’s literature from Simmons University in 2023. Sara often finds herself living in chaos; while pursuing these degrees, she embraced it in order to gain professional experience in early childhood education, editing, and publishing. When she isn’t reading Ella Enchanted (again) or thinking about children’s books, she can be found exploring Boston with friends, chatting with her cousins, or discovering new snacks at the nearest Trader Joe’s.
Kelly Durning (she/her)
Volunteer Engagement Program Assistant
Kelly is a lifelong resident of Massachusetts who discovered her passion for community engagement and civic learning through Northeastern University’s Alliance of Civically Engaged Students. She graduated from Northeastern with a combined BA in sociology and international affairs and a minor in Spanish. She has enjoyed exploring the city of Boston through volunteer opportunities across various neighborhoods and organizations. After working in roles engaging college students and local Boston residents in community events and volunteering, she is very excited to continue forging connections in the 826 Boston network. She aspires to ensure that community members feel a sense of belonging and empowerment to make the change they wish to see in the world. In her leisure and train commute time, Kelly can be found crocheting, embroidering, knitting, and sewing clothes.
Kassy Edouard (she/her)
New Mission Writers’ Room Manager
Kassy is a Bostonian, born and bred (go Patriots, Celtics and Red Sox!). She recently graduated from University of Massachusetts, Lowell with a B.A. in English Literature. Her passion for writing and reading started with a scholastic book fair catalog and a half-empty piggy bank stash. Drawn to 826 Boston’s mission of transforming students into published authors and empowering them to find their voices, Kassy intends to support students on their journey becoming confident storytellers. When Kassy isn’t reading multiple books at a time or spitting poetic wax on paper, she is a pretend sleuth watching true crime television or spending quality time with her friends and family in the city.
Tyisha Edwards (she/her)
Senior Director of People, Operations, and Program Supports
Tyisha Edwards is a graduate of Curry College and is joining 826 Boston with eight years of Human Resources expertise. Specializing in employee experience, Tyisha has a passion for fostering positive workplace environments. Before joining 826 Boston, she excelled in managing leave and benefits administration, ensuring seamless processes for employees. She holds a dedication to enhancing the employee journey through onboarding, engagement, and benefits administration. Tyisha is a lifelong Bostonian, a mother to an amazing daughter, and loves to travel. Outside of work, Tyisha celebrates her Caribbean heritage and is a founding member of the Boston Society of Caribbean Culture and Heritage (BSOCCAH).
Jay Enciso (he/him)
Bilingual In-School Program Director
Born in Cali, Colombia, Jay moved to the Greater Boston Area at the age of nine, and he has stayed ever since. Jay joins 826 Boston having spent time as a youth worker, informal STEM educator, and author of an unfinished comic book back in seventh grade. Prior to 826 Boston, Jay advocated for youth at Breakthrough Greater Boston and Cambridge School Volunteers; he even learned to conduct lightning at the Museum of Science. Outside of the office Jay, works as a freelance stage manager and sound designer, enjoys digital drawing, and is trying to eat at every restaurant in the city.
Saffron Forsberg (she/her)
High School Specialist at Albert D. Holland High School of Technology
Saffron (yeah, just like the spice!) graduated in 2023 with a B.A. in English from Oberlin College in Ohio, where she was also editor-in-chief of the alternative student newspaper and a senior editor of a campus literary magazine. Before that, she grew up in a small, hurricane-alley town just south of Houston, Texas. Needless to say, she’s no Boston native but she’s eager to spend time in Dorchester this year at the Albert D. Holland High School of Technology’s Writers’ Room. A deep believer in the transformative power of the written word, Saffron is a voracious reader and writer of fiction, non-fiction, and everything in between. She especially loves anything weird, experimental, or boundary-breaking. When she’s not being an overgrown Matilda, you can find Saffron oil painting on her bedroom floor, play-fighting with her cat, or seeking out live music.
Peter Fray-Witzer (he/him,they/them)
High School Program Specialist at Jeremiah E. Burke High School
Peter is a writer and aspiring editor who grew up in the greater Boston area and is thrilled to have the opportunity to connect with students and diverse communities in a city he holds dear. This past year, Peter received a BA in comparative literature from Oberlin College and loves writing, translation, and world languages. Most recently, he’s been trying to learn Greek. While in school, he worked in the Writing Center and with the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as a consent trainer, and he holds a strong commitment to student learning and safety within classroom settings. When he’s not working through his miles-long list of books he’d like to read, he enjoys biking, boxing, writing poetry, and hanging out with his cats, Ben and Jerry.
Lindsay Gavin (she/her)
Senior Community Engagement Coordinator
Lindsay grew up in Baltimore and took an interest in serving her community in the wake of an increase in police violence and mayoral corruption in the city. These events served as a catalyst for her to be involved with youth issues, volunteering, and politics. As Lindsay grew more in her advocacy, she decided to leave Baltimore and moved to Boston in 2017 to attend Suffolk University. There, she spent the next five years completing both her B.S. in Political Science with a concentration in American Politics and a minor in Journalism, and her Master of Arts in Applied Politics, graduating with both degrees in May 2022. Now Lindsay calls Boston home but still keeps those issues in Baltimore close to her and uses them as a grounding force to continue her advocacy and passion for community engagement.
Cade Giordano
Operations Assistant
After growing up at the mouth of the Merrimack River, Cade received a BFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) at Tufts University. A printmaker by trade, Cade’s artistic practice combines woodblock relief printing, book arts, and archiving to uncover and map global working-class history and its enduring relevance today. With previous experience as an
outdoor art teacher, Student Departmental Assistant for the SMFA at Tufts Dean’s Office, and freelance tchotchke collector, they bring a developing set of creative skills to 826 Boston’s operations. When not in the office, Cade enjoys reading, baking bread, knitting, and chatting with friends at the kitchen table.
Catherine Gomez (she/her)
Programs Support Director
Catherine graduated from Hollins University in 2012 with a degree in Spanish and International Studies. She completed two years of AmeriCorps, first teaching English to immigrants and refugees in New Bedford, and then advocating for children in foster care as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Boston. Most recently, she was the Site Manager with Jumpstart for Young Children, working with both college students and preschoolers in Roxbury. She is currently working on completing her Masters of Education at Northeastern University. She is passionate about service, books, and social justice.
Rasheeda Graham (she/her)
Out-of-School Time Tutoring Coordinator
Rasheeda was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, and recently graduated from Bard College with a Bachelor’s degree in Written Arts. As an undergraduate, she pioneered change on campus by co-heading a club for women of color to prioritize their mental health, as well as academic requirements through bi-weekly meetings and monthly events. She also became a mentor for incoming freshmen, aiding in their acclimation to collegiate life. When not in the classroom or on the job, Rasheeda spends most of her time reading, writing, watching sunsets, and eating good food!
Deion Hawkins (he/him/his)
DEI and Growth Manager
Deion S. Hawkins, Ph.D., is a staunch advocate for equity, liberation, and social justice issues. With over 10+ years of teaching experience and research centered around Critical Race Theory (CRT), Dr. Hawkins has always believed in validating students and creating a brave space where empathy, accountability, and student growth are paramount. Deion fell in love with writing and storytelling through speech and debate, an activity he continues to dedicate time to. In addition to his work at 826 Boston, Deion is a professional mediator, advocacy professor, and debate coach at Emerson College. Deion’s commitment to the community remains unwavering. For example, he proudly serves on the Board of Directors for Boston Healthcare For The Homeless Program. He also engages in mentorship via Black, Gifted & Whole, an organization dedicated to ensuring Black queer men thrive in college. His writing has been featured in Salon, Yahoo, Fortune, HowStuffWorks, and The Reckoning.
Anya Henry (she/her)
Publishing Specialist / FAO Schwarz Fellow
Anya is 826 Boston’s inaugural FAO Schwarz Fellow. After graduating from Harvard in 2024 with a degree in history and literature and African American studies, she is excited to explore her passions for writing, education, and youth empowerment at 826 Boston. A firm believer in going where her curiosity leads her, Anya has interned at a local Boston music label, researched and collaborated with scholars at UCLA’s Art and Global Health Center on the efficacy of entertainment education in teaching safe sex practices in juvenile reentry spaces, and served as chair of the Arts Board of The Harvard Crimson. Outside the office, Anya can be found exploring nature, craving the beach, going on absurdly long walks, making new playlists, or sharing food and laughs with the special people in her life.
Asiyah Herrera (she/her)
Youth Literary Advisory Board Teaching Artist
Asiyah began working at 826 Boston in 2017 while still in high school. She asked, “Why isn’t there a program for teenagers who don’t go to schools with Writers’ Rooms?,” and YLAB was born! She attends Simmons University, where she is pursuing a Writing major, with minors in History and Education. Her passion lies in including GenZ in the arts and activism communities in Boston. In her spare time, she enjoys writing poetry and YA novels. If she is not writing, she is likely reading the aforementioned genres.
Isata Jalloh (she/her/hers)
In-Schools Program Director
Isata is a Boston native who grew up just blocks away from 826 Boston (If only it had been 826 Boston during her childhood…). She received her B.A. in communications with a concentration in digital journalism and a minor in sociology from Newbury College. Isata fostered her relationship with 826 in the spring of 2016 as a program intern, volunteer, service member, and now staff member. If Isata had to choose one author whose work changed her life it would be James Baldwin.
Susanna Kemp (she/they)
Writers’ Room Manager at Dr. Albert D. Holland High School of Technology
Susanna is a Boston-area native who’s back in the city after a hiatus in the Midwest and Spain. She graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in journalism and minors in Spanish and creative writing. As an undergrad, she helped create and edit pieces for organizations including Futuro Studios, StoryCorps, and WNUR. One of her favorite college gigs was a summer spent scouring the internet for real-life horror stories to produce on WNYC’s Snap Judgment Presents: Spooked. During those years she also volunteered as a high school health educator and journalism instructor, and after graduating she co-led a project-based high school design course outside of Chicago and assistant-taught ESL in Galicia, Spain, on a Fulbright grant. Outside of 826 Boston, you can find Susanna baking a cake for a made-up occasion, at a concert, or biking around the city.
Cleo Kidd (she/her)
Out-Of-School-Time Tutoring Assistant
Cleo Kidd is currently Bunker Hill Community College student studying creative writing and education. She went back to school after years of living in the deserts and bayous across the country with her cat, Ava, in tow, working at any literary festival she could find.
A Boston native, Cleo (and Ava) are so happy to be back in the city learning and teaching true freedom through writing. When not at 826 Boston, Cleo is making linoleum prints and photo books, teaching art at a daycare, and trail running while listening to Berlin techno music.
Sarah Kristeller (she/they)
AmeriCorps Program Manager
A proud product of Massachusetts’s public school system, Sarah earned her B.A. in English from the University of Massachusetts Boston in 2020. She is excited to bring her passion for mentoring to her new role at 826 Boston, and is especially interested in supporting student mental health and neurodivergent learners.
When not sampling Boston’s restaurant scene and sharing insights about the service industry, Sarah can be found traveling, dreaming of traveling, or journeying into the depths of Wikipedia. She credits her relationship with writing to an early love of books and Scrabble games with her grandmother.
Jenna Leschuk (she/her)
Senior Director of Development
Jenna Leschuk got her foot in the door with writing as a student tutor at Dartmouth College’s Composition Center. After graduation, she used the power of words (and recruitment!) to help find and train the next generation of environmental leaders with Green Corps. She worked in communications with Public Interest GRFX and as a freelance writer and graphic designer before joining the development team at 826 Boston.
Charlie McEnerney (he/him/his)
Communications Director
Charlie McEnerney is a marketer, writer, musician, and, most importantly, a dad to Adacie and Declan. He has served in a variety of marketing and communications roles at HBO, GBH/PBS, Jamaica Plain Music Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, ArtsBoston, The Grommet, Emerson College, and Fast Company, Inc. and MovieMaker magazines. A native of Flushing, Queens in New York City and a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, he has lived in Jamaica Plain for 25 years. Charlie writes songs, short stories, gift books, and loves to read, see live music, be in nature, and travel.
Isabella Medina (she/her)
High School Program Specialist at John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science
Bella was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. In 2020, she moved to the East Coast to study English, journalism, and visual arts at Boston University. Bella has always had a love of storytelling, but during her undergraduate years, she helped lead an AAPI-centered zine known as Untangle, which sparked her passion for working with fellow creatives. As a former yearbook editor, she is also excited to help students at John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science Writers’ Room develop their narrative skills and explore new outlets through writing and art. Outside of work, Bella is slowly building her arsenal of grandma-esque hobbies and training for the 2028 Olympic handball team.
Rachel Miller (she/her)
Senior Manager of Volunteer and Community Engagement
Rachel (she/her) grew up in Northern Virginia, a stone’s throw away from the nation’s capital. She attended Western Carolina University, where she graduated with degrees in Sociology and International Studies. Her love for education began while working as an outdoor educator in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. In an effort to serve youth in a different capacity, she served as an AmeriCorps Service Member within Asheville City Public Schools. This began an intersection between her two passions, serving youth through the nonprofit sector and education. She has worked as a Volunteer Manager with various organizations, and as a Middle School Science and S.T.E.M educator. Outside of the office, Rachel enjoys spending time with friends, reading, hiking, and snowboarding. Rachel is looking forward to utilizing her youth development and education background to help amplify the voices of youth and young adults at 826 Boston.
Carolyn Navikonis (she/her)
Senior Director of Impact
Carolyn (she/her) joins 826 Boston with more than ten years of experience in education as a classroom teacher and nonprofit program leader. She began her career teaching English at Mills E. Godwin High School in Henrico, VA, opening the school’s first writing center. Upon relocating to Boston, Carolyn joined the team at Citizen Schools. She first served as Director of Civic Engagement, recruiting, training, and engaging hundreds of volunteers across the private and public sectors. She then transitioned to Director of Eighth Grade Academy and Alumni Services, launching and leading innovative programs to support students through their middle to high school transition. A New Jersey native, Carolyn can often be seen pumping her fist and driving down the Turnpike with her husband and daughter in tow.
Katrina Newfell (she/they)
High School Program Specialist at Boston International Newcomers Academy
Katrina Newfell grew up in Massachusetts. They recently completed their bachelor’s degree in linguistics and German from the University of Vermont. Katrina is excited to dive into their year of service with 826 Boston, where they’ll be working with students and watching them grow throughout the school year. When not in the Writers’ Room, Katrina loves cooking, staying active, and playing guitar. They’re looking forward to seeing what you’re working on and helping you along the way!
Kanyin Olorunnisola (he/him)
Writers’ Room Program Assistant at Boston International Newcomers Academy
Kanyin Olorunnisola is a storyteller, educator, and community organizer with nearly 10 years of pedagogical experience. A native of Ibadan, Nigeria, he credits the iconic city of brown roofs with sparking his interest in documenting untold histories and amplifying necessary voices. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the University of Ibadan and an MFA in creative writing from the University of Alabama. His publication history includes two chapbooks and a forthcoming full-length poetry collection. His favorite pastimes include listening to alternative music, watching bad comedies, and discovering new recipes.
Storm Palacios (she/they)
High School Specialist at Margarita Muñiz Academy
Having lived in Boston all their life, Storm is intimately familiar with the sights, the cold, and, most importantly, the educational system. A first-generation Mexican American college graduate from the University of Massachusetts Boston, where they studied creative writing and anthropology, Storm has strived to help others capture and share what they hold closest to their hearts through their writing at 826 Boston, across a variety of roles and with innumerable students.
In any given free moment, you might find Storm writing the latest chapter of their prospective book, planning their D&D group’s next chaotic session, stressing over the most imperceptible details of their art, voraciously devouring a new book that has been sitting on their shelf for over a year, or contemplating the endless and beautiful wonders of the universe.
Luna Rodriguez (she/her)
Margarita Muñiz Academy Writers’ Room Manager
Luna is a Texas native who grew up in South Texas and Mexico. She’s going to receive her B.A. in History, with a minor in Pre Law, from the University of Texas in the Rio Grande Valley. Coming from a border town, she really wants to be able to give back to her community and communities just like hers. Her mission is to make a change, which is why she’s decided to pursue teaching. In her free time, she likes to write poetry, read tarot cards, and spend time with her cats (Hyde and Fez).
Rome Sauls (they/them)
High School Program Specialist at New Mission High School
Rome is a storyteller and artist from western Kentucky. In 2022, they graduated from the University of Louisville with a B.A. in narrative craft and received the Leon V. Driskell Award for Excellence in Creative Writing. Their written work often focuses on obsession, spectacle, and the invisible boundaries that divide all things. Outside the office, they make a mean trivia team member and enjoy abstract painting. Ask them about their favorite dinosaur—and tell them about yours!
Logan Smith (she/her)
Senior Human Resources and Internship Coordinator
Logan graduated from Colorado College in 2022 with a degree in English Creative Writing and Feminist and Gender Studies, which allowed her to explore the intersections between writing and envisioning new worlds. She believes that creativity is a great outlet for empowerment and dismantling oppressive systems. She recently moved to the Boston area from Los Angeles and has a background in editorial freelancing, working with a variety of genres, from nonfiction novels to screenplays. She enjoys developing characters in her own writing, hiking in the sunshine, and collaging with friends. She is so excited to join the 826 Boston team and support the incredible work of student writers.
Lux Steinberg (they/them)
Donor Relations Coordinator
Lux Steinberg is a queer and non-binary Jewish writer/neuroscientist originally from San Francisco (and newly located to Boston!). They attended Reed College and graduated in 2021 with a B.A. in Neuroscience. They have won multiple awards for LGBTQ+ activism in the sciences (Genentech gPRIDE scholarship, Stonewall Foundation scholarship, and more). Lux most recently worked in the laboratory of Dr. Rafael Yuste at Columbia University, researching a new treatment for skin cancer using LED light. They also helped coordinate Dr. Yuste’s NeuroRights Foundation at Columbia, which works with international governments and industry to develop ethical guidelines for upcoming AI and neurotechnology. In their free time, Lux writes magical realist short stories and plays with their cat Bagel.
Maya Stroshane (she/her)
Institutional Giving Senior Manager
A native Bostonian and former Boston Public School student, Maya (she/her) is excited to bring her nonprofit grant writing experience and her lifelong love of fiction writing to the 826 Boston mission. After studying literary arts at Brown University, Maya cobbled together a career as a content writer and editor for various companies, with her most recent venture being a grant writer for UTEC, Inc., which provides support services to gang-involved young adults in the Merrimack Valley. She hopes to continue to learn and thrive in the nonprofit world at 826 Boston. In her natural habitat, you will likely find Maya with earbuds in, lost in an epic fantasy soundtrack or a Broadway musical, daydreaming about the exploits of fictional characters (including her own).
Rachel Tarby (she/her)
High School Program Specialist at John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science
Rachel is from Auburn, New York, and recently graduated from Emerson College with a BFA in creative writing. She has been enthralled by the art of storytelling and using creative writing to amplify the voices of others from a very young age. Rachel started at 826 Boston as a volunteer and interned with the 826 Boston publishing team while finishing her undergraduate degree. She has worked on various publications, such as lifestyle magazines and blogs, and was the editor-in-chief of Her Campus Emerson, a digital publication that amplified the stories of women-identifying and nonbinary-identifying writers. In her free time, Rachel enjoys writing fiction, pitching freelance articles to various outlets, reading literary fiction and memoirs, hanging out with her dog, and spending time in the sun.
Paloma Valenzuela (she/her/ella)
She/her/ella
Paloma Valenzuela is a screenwriter/filmmaker and lecturer originally from the city of Boston. She is a 2018-2019 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Neighborhood Salon Luminary and a 2019 City of Boston Artist Fellow. Her work has been an official selection at film festivals such as The New Orleans Film Festival, CineFest Latino Boston, and the Roxbury International Film Festival. She has taught screenwriting and film at GrubStreet, Brandeis University, and the Institute of Contemporary Arts Boston’s Teens Fast Forward Film Program.
Richard Wheelock (he/him/his)
Writers’ Room Senior Manager at Boston International Newcomers Academy
Richie moved to Boston in 2013 after growing up in Illinois. He received his B.F.A. in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College, and he spent his first postgrad year as an AmeriCorps VISTA at 826 Boston, recruiting volunteers and building community partnerships. Richie is a writer, pianist, and illustrator, and he knows how to steam green beans just right. His favorite short story is “Sweet Jam in Las Vegas,” by Julian, a second grader from Chicago.
Corey Yarbrough (he/him)
Executive Director
Corey (he/him) brings nearly 15 years of senior management experience to 826 Boston. Most recently, he served as Assistant Principal for Brooke High School. He previously served as the Founding Director of Operations at Brooke High School and Brooke’s 8th Grade Academy. He was also the co-founder and Executive Director of the Hispanic Black Gay Coalition. A native of Norfolk, VA, Corey discovered his voice and love of writing while crafting speeches on his high school debate team. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from James Madison University in Justice Studies. In his spare time, he loves playing tennis, reading biographies, and traveling to new destinations.
Loni Zelfon (she/her)
Development and Events Senior Manager
Loni first learned of 826 Boston through a collaboration in her former role managing youth programs at Future Chefs. She fell in love with Boston and its people more than fifteen years ago while completing her degree in Nutrition Science at Boston University. Loni brings her unique combination of fundraising and youth work experience to the development team, along with many cute photos of her babies.
Are you looking to join our team? Internship and full-time opportunities, when they are available, can be found here.
