Introducing Our 2022 GO! Fellows!
In our inaugural Grassroots Organizing (GO!) Fellowship, participants learned the activism and organizing skills needed to advocate for real solutions and change. They are leaving this change-making program with the skills, relationships, and strategic plans needed to launch their own organizing project and start making a difference in their city or town.
We’re proud to introduce our first graduating class of GO! Fellows and see the impact they make in their communities! Interested in joining our 2023 Class of GO! Fellows? Be sure to sign up for the AF mailing list to be notified when the application opens!
What They’re Saying
“GO! Fellowship was the perfect catalyst to cultivate and evolve my ideas into an action plan that I intend to actualize in the upcoming months and years!” – Franklin Lee
“I didn’t know what to expect and this fellowship exceeded all of my expectations. The mentors are exceptional, the topics are needed, and the projects are life-changing. I’d recommend this to anyone looking to make a difference in their community.” – Joshua Crowder
Josh Crowder is a queer artist and mystic. He graduated from SCAD with a B.F.A. in Photography. He is also certified as a Reiki Master/Teacher and Meditation coach. In his personal life, he strives to build a better world through healing as a collective as well as spreading liberty through documenting and exposing the inequities caused by the governmental bodies. Josh became a libertarian when his time in the Navy showed him how the government operates and how little they actually do to help their citizens and constituents. He officially joined the liberty movement during the 2020 election cycle, supporting the Jorgensen/Cohen ticket. After graduating college, he became involved with the Libertarian Party of Atlanta, where he is currently the Vice-Chair.
Project: Creating an accessible firearms training program for individuals who may not be able to afford safety training.
Hannah Henriksen joined The Advocates for Self-Government in late 2020. Since beginning her role as the Social Media Director for The Advocates, Hannah has increased their social media following by 65%. Hannah is grateful to work at a small nonprofit that allows her the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and prides herself on being unafraid to ask tough questions. Hannah earned a Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration from William Jessup University. Outside of work she quilts, is a gym enthusiast, and spends time with her three German Shepherds and boyfriend.
Project: Building the California Hub of America’s Future.
Franklin Lee supports the R Street Institute’s Criminal Justice & Civil Liberties team by providing broad administrative and research support on team projects. Previously, Franklin worked as a paralegal for Lutheran Social Services of New York (LSSNY). Additionally, he worked as an Immigration Know Your Rights Trainer, funded by the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), to teach immigrants about workers’ rights as well as the Fourth and Fifth Amendments so that they could protect themselves in the event of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid. Franklin has published two books, The Art of Napping: The Sleeping Samurai and the Dormant Dragon (New Degree Press; Oct. 2017) and From Harvard to Homeless: Journeys of a Millennial Nomad (New Degree Press; Jan 2022). Franklin graduated from Harvard College with an A.B. in East Asian Studies and Anthropology in 2015. He received his Master’s in Asian Studies from the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service in 2017.
Project: Creating a safe haven for van livers and car livers for those who are pursuing alternative mobile housing options
Sam Moses is a liberty advocate, history buff, and avid outdoorsman. He is a member of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) where he helps connect FEE’s mission with the philanthropic goals of its major funders. When he’s not serving FEE’s donors, Sam can be found educating hikers on the Appalachian Trail, finding new fishing spots, and exploring historic sites.
Project: Rise Up Atlanta pairs high schoolers from underprivileged neighborhoods with young professional mentors.
Rebecca Robinson is a recent graduate of the University of Arkansas and moved to Washington D.C. in early 2022.She has been interested in policy since high school and dreamed of merging her love for politics with social media. In her free time, Rebecca likes to take walks at the Smithsonian Zoo and watch musicals.
Project: To supply educational resources to young adults to increase awareness of the warning signs of abusive relationships to protect themselves and others. Then, create financial resources for those getting out of an abusive relationship to provide opportunities to pay for a divorce, find new living situations, seek therapy, and more.
Matthew Wexler obtained a law degree while working the night shift on the factory floor of Intel. He was also part of a law review and taught at-risk high school students legal principles. He interned at Cato and researched emerging technology. Since then, he has worked part-time, remotely while learning programming to create tools to empower individuals in holding the government accountable.Matthew is currently scraping the D.C. Court Database to determine how many people may be eligible for legal records expungement, as that information is not readily available.
Project: Create a tool to identify people with DC arrest records that are eligible for expungement and to create a tool that will automatically create and file the motion necessary to complete the process.