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NANTASHA WILLIAMS INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STATE BLACK, PUERTO RICAN, HISPANIC AND ASIAN LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS the youth organization when she’s not working as interim executive director of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus. She said she is passionate about giving a voice to people who are underrepresented—including those not yet old enough to vote. If young people don’t have a voice, she asked, “how can they have a positive impact on their community?” Williams and several lawmakers who are part of the caucus are currently working on a criminal justice subcommittee charged with developing policy priorities for more effective community policing. The group, which was formed in March, is looking at everything that impacts communities, from recidivism rates to the quality of education. “What else is existing in the communities besides police officers? Do we have adequate schools? How can we look at all these things to see how someone interfaces with the criminal justice system?” Williams said. “It’s just looking at different policies or charges or infrastructure that are used to penalize and criminalize people in certain communities. How can we make changes there?” Age: 27
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n March, Nantasha Williams attended an art show hosted by the Brooklyn-based organization The Voice of Youth Changes Everything, where she saw young people energized by the opportunity to showcase their talents. “They don’t have a lot of platforms to display their artwork,” said Williams, who volunteers with
If you could have any hero superpower, what would it be? “If I could have any superpower, it would be the ability to remove hate out of people’s hearts.” If you could change one thing about state government, what would it be? “Making the process more accessible to the everyday New Yorker. Creating an environment for people to be involved.” —AP cityandstateny.com