Larry Abrams
Helping children build personal libraries and improve reading skills
Larry created the largest children’s book bank in the United States to promote childhood literacy. BookSmiles has rescued millions of books from landfills and distributes them to schools, kids, and libraries to inspire young readers, support educators, and strengthen communities.
Paul Winslow
Bringing STEM and career goals to underserved students
Students 2 Science combines STEM education with real-world applications and hands-on learning experiences to inspire students from economically disadvantaged communities to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math, which fosters a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce.
Gilman Choudhury
High school student mentor, public school advocate
Throughout college, Gilman, a Paterson native, mentored students in the robotics club at his alma mater, JFK High School, to help them avoid the area’s drugs and violence and see a better way forward after high school. He is now the Director of Full-Service Outreach & Special Projects for the Department of Family & Community Engagement within Paterson Public Schools, with a firm commitment to creating lasting positive impact for Paterson students and families.
Dominique Lee
Education as a beacon of hope
Dominique turned his passion for teaching and his innovative spirit to helping Newark’s schoolchildren overcome poverty and inadequate educational resources, and foster greater academic achievement. He founded BRICK (Building Responsible Intelligent Creative Kids), a school management nonprofit that supports families from pre-cradle-to-career through holistic place-based programs and services, excellent schools, and clear pathways to college and careers.
Robert Clark
Building more positive futures for Newark’s youth
Robert—a graduate of the YouthBuild Boston program—founded YouthBuild Newark in 2003 to give young people ages 16-24 an opportunity to earn a high school equivalency diploma while gaining on-the-job training for in-demand careers in the construction trades. Now part of Newark Opportunity Youth Network, the Youth Build program addresses core issues facing low-income communities: education, housing, employment, crime prevention, and leadership development.
Joann McCullough
Improving academic outcomes for Montclair youth
IMANI and its College Advocacy Center mentor students of color in Montclair public schools to address the academic achievement gap. The organization provides study groups, SAT/PSAT tutoring, summer enrichment programs, and college application assistance. More than 5,000 middle and high school students have been impacted through this program.
Sr. Barbara Moran
Bringing education and support to Jersey City’s disadvantaged children
A pioneer in early childhood development and education among homeless families, Sister Barbara launched The Nurturing Place, an education program for children experiencing homelessness. Housed within Jersey City’s York Street project, the childhood development center now serves children across the socioeconomic spectrum including homeless, low-income, and York Street neighborhood infants and children. Sister Barbara passed away in February 2025.
Rev. Edwin Leahy
Nurturing responsible, resilient, well-educated young adults
Father Ed has served as headmaster of St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark (from which he graduated) since 1972, fostering the school’s high graduation rate and preparing boys and girls to fulfill their potential through a rigorous curriculum, student empowerment, and community engagement. He has been instrumental in the school’s survival and growth, implementing a student-centered approach to education in Newark. Father Ed was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2024.
