BK Reader: Brooklyn Org Honors 25 Nonprofit Changemakers

Published In: BK Reader

Brooklyn Org on Wednesday announced its annual Brooklyn Org 25, a list of outstanding nonprofit leaders from across the borough.

The 25 individuals embody community-rooted innovation, leadership and dedication, and were selected for their work on three urgent issue areas including housing, health and well-being and families, organizers said.

“Brooklyn’s success is built on the strength of its people, and the BKO 25 shines a light on the visionaries working every day to make this borough more equitable, healthy, and inclusive,” said Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, president and chief executive officer of Brooklyn Org. “Their leadership represents the best of Brooklyn—fearless, creative and deeply rooted in community.”

The Brooklyn Org 25 Honorees For 2025:

• Barry Cooper, The B.R.O. Experience Foundation
• Katrena Perou, Inspiring Minds NYC
• Caroline Gates Anderson, BloomAgainBklyn
• Angela Terry, Bedford Stuyvesant Early Childhood Development Center, Inc.
• Samora Coles, The Alex House Project, Inc.
• Hewett Chiu, RaisingHealth Partners
• Hannah Anousheh, East New York Community Land Trust
• Michelle de la Uz, Fifth Avenue Committee
• Somia El-Rowmeim, The Women’s Empowerment Coalition of NYC
• Gregory Anderson, Bridge Street Development Corporation
• Ben Fuller-Googins, Carroll Gardens Association
• Makeela Brathwaite, Grow Brooklyn
• Ivy Gamble Cobb, The Family Center
• Ramik Jamar Williams, Kings Against Violence Initiative pka KAVI
• Carrie Zwiebel Bloss, Heights and Hills
• Jenn Chen, Brooklyn FAM
• Nigel Thompson, Kindred Bakery BK
• Joanne N. Smith, Girls for Gender Equity
• Husein Yatabarry, Muslim Community Network.
• Olivia Leirer, New York Communities for Change
• Peter Endriss, Community Help in Park Slope (CHiPS)
• Lauren Blodgett, The Brave House
• Wayne Ho, Chinese-American Planning Council
• Brenda Rosen, Breaking Ground
• Ashley Eberhart, Unlock NYC

The Brooklyn Org 25 will be celebrated at the Brooklyn Org Changemakers Ball on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at ZeroSpace in Gowanus.