Akeel Williams, a 51-year-old father of six daughters, was born and raised in Oakland, California. A member of Beyond the Bars for four years, Akeel has faced significant challenges in life, including systemic misuse of power due to a lack of knowledge about his rights in both workplaces and courtrooms. Motivated by his experiences, Akeel joined the We Rise! Academy to build his advocacy and organizing skills, with a focus on workplace safety. He is passionate about empowering others to understand and protect their rights.

Olga Castillo, originally from Mexico, is passionate about cooking and caring for plants. She is a domestic worker organizer in Houston, Texas, and a member of the Fe y Justicia Worker Center.

Olga is dedicated to educating her community about self-care and workplace safety and is an active member of the local COSH group. Her goal as a Rising Leader is to promote awareness of workplace rights and empower her community to prioritize health and safety.

Javier Torres was born in Toro Valle, Colombia, and worked in retail before emigrating to the United States at age 30. Since his arrival, he has worked in construction and has been a dedicated member of WeCount! for over 18 years. Javier has taken on leadership roles in several committees, including the Day Laborers Committee and the Outdoor Workers Committee, which spearheaded the ¡QUE CALOR! campaign. He also contributes to the newly formed Construction Workers Committee in Miami and serves on the boards of WeCount! and NDLON.

Javier is enthusiastic about participating in the We Rise! Academy to enhance his leadership and public speaking skills, enabling him to better support workers and advocate for safer working conditions.

Marta Helena Patiño, originally from Chinchiná, Colombia, has lived in Boston since 2021. She enjoys floral arrangements and decorating. Marta works as a cleaner in buildings and is a member of the Immigrant Worker Center at MassCOSH.

Marta joined the We Rise! Academy to empower herself and advocate for safe, healthy, and equitable workplace policies for the working community and the business sector. Collaborating with MassCOSH, she aims to promote fair wages, safety, and dignity for immigrant workers in her community.

Connor Warmuth (they/them) is a Chicago-based barista and Desi American who loves making and sharing chai with friends and family while educating others about its rich history.

As an active member of ILCOSH and Chicago Jobs with Justice, Connor has been working to organize their coffee shop and has participated in solidarity efforts with Starbucks Workers United. They work in an industry where exploitation and prioritization of profit over worker safety are pervasive at every level of coffee production.

Connor is motivated to be a Rising Leader to empower workers by organizing unions, building worker power through issue campaigns on health and safety, and teaching others how to identify and address OSHA violations in the workplace. Additionally, Connor is involved in Asian diaspora organizing in Chicago and hopes to bring the knowledge gained from the We Rise! Worker Leadership Academy to these spaces, inspiring and empowering Asian workers to fight for healthy and safe conditions in their workplaces.

Originally from Havana, Cuba, Alejandro Rodríguez Vázquez works as a dispatcher in the transportation industry, managing logistics for a small trucking company. He is a graduate of the Miami Dade College Honors Program and has overcome challenges following incarceration, which strengthened his dedication to personal growth and community advocacy.

As a member of Beyond the Bars, Alejandro supports organizing efforts for workers with criminal records and their families. He joined the We Rise! Academy to enhance his leadership skills and advocate for workplace safety, driving positive change in his community.

Hailing from Greenville, Mississippi, Latasha Palmer is a basketball enthusiast who played at both the high school and collegiate levels. She serves as the Administrative Assistant at the Mississippi Workers’ Center for Human Rights.

Latasha joined the We Rise! Academy to enhance her organizing skills and continue supporting low-wage workers in their fight for improved workplace conditions and quality of life.

Noé Vázquez Guerrero, from San Luis Potosí, Mexico, is passionate about gardening and loves cats. He works in the automotive industry, specializing in gasoline engines, and is a member of the local COSH group at Fe y Justicia Worker Center in Houston, Texas.

Noé joined the We Rise! Academy to strengthen his leadership skills and share knowledge with his community, empowering others to advocate for safer working conditions.

Wilfrido Avilés, a 55-year-old upholsterer originally from Ecuador, has been living in Houston, Texas, for three years. Passionate about community work, he enjoys helping seniors and people with disabilities. Wilfrido is a member of the local COSH group at Fe y Justicia Worker Center.

He joined the We Rise! Academy to further develop his leadership skills and advocate for safer working conditions for all.

Rosalia Tenorio is a Mexican immigrant who arrived in the United States 34 years ago. A mother of three, she has always lived in Illinois and is passionate about supporting her community. Drawing on her experience working in factories, Rosalia addresses the poor conditions many workers face, particularly migrant workers who often feel vulnerable and afraid to speak out for better treatment.
 

Now an organizer, Rosalia educates workers about their rights and provides training on workplace laws, empowering them to advocate for themselves and support their coworkers. She also focuses on health and safety, teaching workers how to identify workplace hazards, report accidents, and request proper protective equipment.
 

Excited to join the We Rise! Leadership Academy, Rosalia aims to expand her knowledge and share it with her coworkers and community. She is committed to creating safe and healthy work environments for all.

A proud native of Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood, Freddy Pierre grew up with his two brothers and hardworking parents—a father who worked as an electrician and a mother employed at Publix. Their example instilled a strong work ethic in Freddy, but economic struggles and challenges in his neighborhood led to a difficult period in his life, including incarceration.

In 2021, Freddy's path shifted when he was introduced to Beyond the Bars by a former bunkmate while attending court. This connection transformed his life, leading him to join the organization. As a community organizing fellow, Freddy honed skills in public speaking and organizing. By 2023, he became a community organizer, engaging in canvassing, relationship-building, and leadership development within his community.
Freddy is committed to amplifying the voices of his fellow community members in Miami, using his experiences to inspire change and empower others.

Jorge Mejia de Avila was born in Mexico in April 1965, where he grew up and completed high school. He joined the Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center (CIWC) several years ago and has since become an active member and worker leader within the organization. In 2024, Jorge was honored with CIWC's Workplace Safety Leader Award for his activism as an injured worker. For three years, he has been fighting to improve workers' compensation access and safety conditions at the manufacturing plant where he works. His commitment extends beyond his own situation, as he continually seeks ways to support others.

Jorge’s steadfast efforts have already led to significant changes at his workplace, including improvements to the assembly line that will help prevent injuries for years to come. His motivation for joining the We Rise Academy is to further develop his skills and empower others in the community to embrace their leadership potential. Jorge aims to inspire workers to organize unions in their workplaces, emphasize the importance of workplace health and safety, and raise awareness about the benefits and opportunities that come with union membership.

Originally from Venezuela, Tony Pineda began his journey with the Josefina Ahumada Worker Center after facing unemployment in 2016. While working as a day laborer, he connected with the Federation of Cooperatives, which helped him start a rainwater-saving cooperative project. Now a volunteer project coordinator at the center, Tony focuses on empowering workers and helping them overcome the challenges he once faced.
 

Health and safety are deeply personal to Tony, particularly after witnessing the lack of protections and exposure to harmful chemicals in car washes. He envisions every worker as a family member deserving of respect and safety. Tony believes fostering strong connections between workers and organizers is key to driving meaningful change and building an informed, empowered community.
 

Tony is joining the We Rise! Leadership Academy to learn how to improve working conditions, empower workers, and develop practical solutions for workplace safety and rights. He is passionate about providing new arrivals with essential information on their rights, workplace safety, and job training to reduce accidents.

Milixa Hernández, from Valledupar, Colombia, is a member of the local COSH group at Fe y Justicia Worker Center. Currently unemployed, Milixa is inspired by her community and seeks to contribute to its growth.

Through the We Rise! Academy, she hopes to enhance her leadership skills and empower her community to thrive.

Originally from Honduras, Yuris Reyes has lived in the United States for 16 years. She is a leader and organizer with the restaurant workers' committee, a role she embraced during the pandemic while supporting her family and community through food preparation and distribution efforts.

Through workshops, Yuris gained valuable knowledge about workplace rights, enabling her to train others, present at the Mexican Consulate, and advocate for budgets that prioritize worker safety. She joined the We Rise! Academy to continue empowering the Spanish-speaking community and championing health and safety in the workplace.

Norma Torres, from the beautiful city of Besaber, is a dedicated volunteer with Border Workers United. She is passionate about empowering workers and advocating for their labor rights. Norma has gained knowledge about OSHA regulations and workplace safety, emphasizing the importance of employers providing proper safety equipment to protect workers from preventable dangers.
 

She joined the We Rise! Academy to strengthen her leadership skills and further contribute to her community by advocating for safer and fairer working conditions.

Elizabeth Torres Vergara, originally from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, is an experienced educator with 38 years of experience in child care and cleaning services. She enjoys international cuisine, experimenting with flavor fusions, and reading magical realism. Elizabeth is a member of Fe y Justicia Worker Center in Houston, Texas.

Through the We Rise! Academy, she seeks to advocate for her community, raise awareness about workplace rights, and empower others to stand up for equitable and safe working conditions.

Originally from Matamoros, Mexico, Marcelina Martínez Villarreal has lived in Brownsville, Texas, for 29 years. As a health promoter for 17 years, Marcelina has dedicated herself to improving community well-being and fostering healthier cultures.

Through the We Rise! Academy, she seeks to expand her leadership skills, advocate for justice, and fight for safer workplace conditions, empowering workers to achieve meaningful changes and better benefits.

Margarita Aguilar joined SoCalCOSH after experiencing bullying and psychological abuse at work, which left her feeling discouraged and unable to continue her job. A friend recommended the center, where she found support and began taking classes. Eager to join the We Rise! Leadership Academy, Margarita is focused on developing her skills as an organizer and learning how to educate, support, and empower others. She is motivated to share information about workers' rights and to provide the same sense of support she received during her own struggles.
 

As a mother, Margarita is inspired to be a strong role model for her daughters, demonstrating the importance of perseverance and fighting for justice. Her goal is to reduce injustices in her community and empower workers to stand up for their rights.

Luis Cuevas, originally from Mexico City, has lived in Houston, Texas, for over 20 years. Passionate about sports, fitness, and music, Luis works in restaurants and events and is an active member of the local COSH group at Fe y Justicia Worker Center.

He joined the We Rise! Academy to grow personally, expand his knowledge, and connect with others who share his vision for safer and healthier workplaces.

Pastor Robert Lacy, M.Ed.Psych., has served as a leader at St. Andrew Missionary Baptist Church for four years, actively supporting his congregation and community. He has also utilized his carpentry and engineering skills to assist restaurants and small businesses in reducing overhead costs. Over the past year, he has connected with WorkSafe through employment rights training and has been instrumental in bridging the gap between WorkSafe and the Christian community. He leverages platforms such as church events, citywide revivals, and the California State Baptist Convention to share vital information on employee rights.

Worker safety and health are personal priorities for Pastor Lacy. His experience as a former de-escalation manager, where he addressed workplace mistreatment but faced termination after advocating for employee rights, has strengthened his dedication to fostering safe and equitable workplaces.

Through the We Rise! Leadership Academy, Pastor Lacy seeks to deepen his knowledge, empower his audience, and grow a team of leaders to expand their collective impact. He is passionate about equipping others with the tools and information they need to advocate for themselves and their rights.

Miriam Guanche, originally from Cuba, loves gardening and making desserts. She works as a domestic worker and cares for children. Miriam is a dedicated member of the local COSH group at Fe y Justicia Worker Center in Houston, Texas.

She joined the We Rise! Academy to help, teach, and support other women facing challenges due to a lack of knowledge or resources, empowering them to create better opportunities for themselves.

Markelia Ellzey became connected to the Mississippi Workers’ Center for Human Rights after attending a seminar on workplace issues. Her involvement was inspired by her own experience of mistreatment at work following a health condition post-pregnancy and her newfound understanding of workers’ rights and advocacy for better conditions.

Motivated to join the We Rise! Leadership Academy, Markelia seeks to learn how to recruit and educate others about workplace rights, build trust among workers, and encourage them to speak out about issues. She also aims to increase participation in the worker center and raise awareness of its programs.

Worker safety and health are personal priorities for Markelia, shaped by her experiences and her observations of unsafe and unfair working conditions faced by her sister and brother. She advocates for better pay, improved working conditions, and protections against overwork.

Martín Luna, originally from Mexico, is passionate about fitness and enjoys exercising. Although currently unemployed, he is an active member of the local COSH group at Fe y Justicia Worker Center.

Martín joined the We Rise! Academy to support the Hispanic community in achieving their goals and becoming successful entrepreneurs while advocating for workplace health and safety.

Proudly Mexican, she was born in the state of Puebla, Mexico. She has lived in Yonkers for 23 years. She loves designing and making all kinds of decorations for social events or parties and creating endless crafts. She has 22 years in the nail industry and is passionate about keeping her clients' nails healthy. (Not just dressing them up).

Six years ago she met the NYCOSH organization and they gave her the help she needed for her license. She has currently been collaborating with NYCOSH for 2 years and does not regret it because helping makes her very happy. She experienced labor and health injustices when she began working in nail salons. When she met NYCOSH she was able to see the wonderful humanitarian work that this organization did and it sparked in her the curiosity to want to learn more about her rights and possibilities to be able to take better care of herself as a worker, and as a human being to stay safe from the risk of continuing to damage her health. So your reason for being a WeRise Leader: It is because you love being able to help and guide on the labor rights and care that we must have in order to take care of your health as well as that of your clients.