• Ericke "Smoke" Lowery, Lead Organizer

  

  Please don't let the name fool you. I'm a young, strong-minded, respectful, well-educated, smart, Black African-American. I was born and raised in Southeast Washington, D.C. I came into the field of youth organizing through Metro Teen Aids, a non-profit organization whose mission is to prevent HIV/AIDS and STDs among today's youth. I'm here at YEA to help do all I can to better the schools and juvenile justice systems. I really enjoy working with the youth, it’s a very interesting developmental work field to be in. Carefully read this quote that I made up: "If you have a vision for a year, plant a tree. If you have a vision for a lifetime, train people on it."

  
  

• Jonathan Stith, Executive Director

  

  I believe real education leads to liberation and young people change the world because they still believe in its promise. These two thoughts are what push me to come to work every morning. I have been a youth worker / organizer for about 10 years. Before I came aboard YEA, I jumped in the game at Community IMPACT! I started as an AmeriCorps*VISTA coordinating youth service programs and eventually became the North East Youth Organizer. From there, I was the first Director of the DC Youth Advisory Council. When I am not riding for YEA, I am a steering committee member of the Justice for DC Youth Coalition.  
  
  Since working at YEA, the one lesson I have learned is a movement is only as good as its organizers. I read that in the autobiography of Kwame Toure. It’s true. A house is a reflection of the architect. I am oversimplifying but you get the point. Where is Jonathan going? Besides crazy, I don’t know. But I do know once justice is achieved in the world, I will retire to operate a ferry in a Caribbean island, where I will spin tall tales to tourists over fat beats. Hip-Hop is definitely the soundtrack of my life. I love just about anything from Dead Prez but you can catch my ear with anything with a dope beat and a message.