Young people are at the heart of everything we do at Project Unloaded. Our teen and young adult leaders are the creative engines behind our social media campaigns, reaching their peers with the life-saving message that guns make us less safe. Project Unloaded is proudly supported by two teams of young people. Our Youth Council advises on upcoming campaigns, shapes our digital presence, and develops their own creative and community projects to engage their networks around the message that we’re safer unarmed. In 2024, we expanded our opportunities for young leaders, with the formation of our inaugural Creator Corps, which focuses on social media strategy and content creation. Get to know them below:
The Youth Council is led by four college students who’ve completed at least one term as a member of our Youth Council. The fellows are tasked with managing Youth Council projects, running their meetings, and setting the agenda for their annual in-person retreat.
Esha Ambre (she/her) is a sophomore at the University of California, Irvine, majoring in International Studies and Political Science. Originally from the Bay Area, she is passionate about the intersection of youth advocacy and social media. She first became involved with Project Unloaded after a family member was impacted by gun violence. Since then, the issue has become even more personal, as several people close to her have been in proximity to shootings during her first year of college. As a Youth Council Fellow, Esha is honored to give back to a program that has had such a meaningful impact on her while helping grow the Youth Council’s efforts to challenge gun culture and promote safer communities. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants (and logging them on Beli), going to concerts, reading, running, and taking spontaneous day trips with friends. She is excited to work alongside this year’s cohort and looks forward to the impact they will make together!
Emma Hackbarth (she/her) is a junior at Rutgers-New Brunswick majoring in Journalism and Media Studies. Born and raised in New York City, she is excited about the culture change work at Project Unloaded, and the compassionate, relatable content the Youth Council makes. Years of theater training and Buddhist meditation practice have given her insight on the value of emotional awareness and stability in communication. In her third year with Project Unloaded, Emma aims to strengthen the creative workspace in collaboration with the Youth Council, Youth Council Fellows, and board. She is hyped to be back! In her free time, Emma enjoys nature, dance, and travel.
Jay Geeslin (he/him) is a junior at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he is majoring in political science. He grew up in Falls Church, Virginia, and spent his freshman year at the College of Wooster, where he was an active member of the Model United Nations team. Passionate about public policy and global affairs, Jay dedicated part of his first year to studying the gun violence epidemic in the United States. In his free time, he follows Indiana sports closely and is a devoted fan of the Pacers and the Colts.
Zoe Kaufman is a senior at Brown University majoring in Political Science, originally from Evanston, Illinois. On campus, Zoe is a Social Innovation Fellow working on refugee economic development, serves as President of the Brown Women’s Pre-Law Association, and is a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority, Brown Votes, and the Brown Initiative for Policy. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, fashion, traveling, and exploring new places, especially coffee shops and local restaurants. Zoe joined Project Unloaded in 2023 to help promote safer communities through youth engagement and education, and she has since served two terms on the Youth Council and one term in the Creator Corps. Zoe is excited to step into a new role as a Youth Council Fellow, where she looks forward to engaging more young people in creative ways and continuing to spread the crucial message that guns make us less safe.
Our Youth Council consists of 22 leaders aged 15-20, who serve as advisors and creatives behind our campaigns to spread the message that Gen Z is safer without guns around.
Aarna Suresh (she/her) is a high school senior from Mountain House, California. She is extremely excited to serve her second year as part of the Youth Council to continue to help contribute to changing the stigma around gun violence, which has not only affected her, but millions of youth across this country. She is looking forward to working towards creating a lasting impact on young people’s right to live safer and stronger. Outside of this role, Aarna is heavily involved with the California legislature, focusing on educational policy to ensure a strong future for all students.
Anabelle Sanchez (she/her) is a junior at Michigan State University, where she is double-majoring in Political Theory and Public Policy. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, she is passionate about civic engagement, education policy, and advancing equity through public service. After experiencing a lockdown at a shopping mall and attending a university that was impacted by gun violence, Anabelle is committed to changing the culture surrounding guns and helping build safer communities through her work with Project Unloaded. In her free time, she enjoys photography, scrapbooking, exploring museums, and listening to Japanese Breakfast.
Andres (he/him), Andy for short, is a well-being advocate from El Paso, Texas, and a freshman, hoping to study government at Bowdoin College. He is passionate about creating spaces for people to be seen and supported. Inspired by his lived experience, he believes in shifting the narrative around guns and preventing gun violence across the United States. When you don’t find him advocating, you can find him walking his chihuahua, Peanut, adding to his ongoing collection of digital cameras, or spending time with his friends.
Anushka Praveen (she/her) is a freshman at the University of California, Los Angeles, with a pre-major of Psychobiology. She grew up in the Bay Area and was previously on the Project Unloaded Creator Corps. With her passion for neuroscience, she hopes to explore the intersection between public policy, health law, and neurology. As a part of the Project Unloaded Youth Council, she is dedicated to studying and showcasing the public health risks of gun ownership and violence, especially for today’s youth. In her free time, she loves reading, baking, creating graphic designs on Canva, and trying new matcha flavor combinations!
Anvika Jain (she/her) is a high school senior in Dripping Springs, Texas, passionate about driving change in gun violence. After several personal interactions with gun violence, she has become a strong advocate for changing the cultural narrative surrounding firearms. She is excited to return to the Youth Council for her second year and to continue amplifying teen voices and promoting safer communities. Passionate about policy and youth engagement, Anvika serves as the Texas Youth Governor, the chair of the Texas State Board of Education Youth Advisory Council, and a TED-Ed speaker and mentor. In her free time, she enjoys collecting postcards and spending time on the lake.
Cassidy O’Sullivan (she/her) is a high school junior from Chicago, Illinois. She became involved with gun violence prevention a few years ago after her local high school’s homecoming was cancelled due to a shooting threat. As a Youth Council member, Cassidy hopes to inspire young people to have meaningful conversations regarding gun violence prevention and help create safer communities. At her school, Cassidy leads two student organizations focused on creating a safe environment for students and encouraging students to give back to the community through volunteering. Outside of advocacy work, she enjoys competing with her school’s speech team and soccer team.
Charlie Wells (she/her) is a senior in high school from Eaton, Ohio, involved in Academic Bowl and Science Club while working as an assistant for several teachers. Outside of school, she’s involved in organizations like the Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network (OYLPN), doing her best to promote youth advocacy. As a part of the Project Unloaded Youth Council, Charlie hopes to extend the resources available for youth to involve themselves in advocacy, specifically within the realm of guns, and she wants the chance to tell her own personal story through that work.
Divine Oludimu (she/her) is a senior at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she is majoring in Political Science with a minor in Public Affairs. Born in Nigeria and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Divine is passionate about public policy and youth advocacy. She is excited to serve on the Project Unloaded Youth Council because she believes every young person deserves to grow up in a safe community free from gun violence and wants to help amplify youth voices in creating meaningful change. In her free time, she enjoys trying new coffee shops, listening to Afrobeats music, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. Through the Youth Council, she hopes to strengthen her advocacy skills, connect with young leaders from across the country, and help advance solutions that make communities safer for future generations.
Jennie Outen (she/her) is a senior in high school from Charlotte, North Carolina. Jennie is passionate about helping others in any way she can. She has been a competitive cheerleader since she was six years old. She loves to travel and has been to more than seven different countries. She also loves to shop and hang out with friends and family. At Project Unloaded, Jennie hopes to grow and learn more about herself and others.
Joseph Antunez (he/him) is a freshman at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he is majoring in Sociology. He grew up in Los Angeles County, where he was an active member of the community. He dedicates himself to youth advocacy, volunteer work, and pushing for social reform. He cares deeply about advocating against gun ownership because of the violence he has had to witness among friends, family, and the community-at-large. In the summer of 2026, he worked as an intern at the Los Angeles Metro and the Center for Scholars and Storytellers at the University of California, Los Angeles. For leisure, Joseph writes poetry and listens to artists like J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Nas. He cares deeply about those around him and is personally motivated to bring about change.
Kalan Dundas (he/him) is a freshman at Borough of Manhattan Community College, where he is majoring in Computer and Informational Sciences. He grew up in Queens, New York. Kalan is an avid viewer of European football, Basketball, and other sports alike, and his favorite team is Chelsea FC.
Krystyan Thompson (he/him) is a Belizean-American senior in high school from Chicago, Illinois. Krystyan is passionate about medical research and currently serves as a researcher on infectious and rare diseases. He is passionate about any sort of civic activity and getting involved around his community. Krystyan is also passionate about fighting for immigrant rights as well as fighting against injustice. He loves listening to music and can listen to any genre of music as long as it has a good beat. He loves trying new things, new foods, and new bus routes in Chicago, as long as he is doing it by himself or with someone he loves. He also loves to travel, even though he doesn’t travel enough to call it a hobby. He loves horror and thriller movies, even though he can’t remember their titles, and he loves to take pictures in new places with other people. He hopes to become a better civil rights activist and communicator for voices that are not heard enough and he hopes to learn to become a better student.
Millie Grant-Prince (she/they) is a college freshman at Northeastern Illinois University, originally from Chicago, Illinois. She is excited to be on the Youth Council this year to help communities stay safe. She loves to crochet, paint, watch anime, and play video games. Millie is excited to make friends with people who share her passions and network with different organizations across Chicago and beyond!
Neely Rogan (they/them) is a senior at the University of North Carolina Asheville getting their degree in Political Science. They were born and raised in Athens, Georgia, and attended Apalachee High School. Neely has always been passionate about gun violence, as both their parents were teachers. They have worked in the non-profit sector for gun violence prevention organizations as well as on political campaigns. Neely spends their free time driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, working at Urban Outfitters, and attending drag shows.
Olivia Sun (she/her) is a junior in high school from the Pacific Northwest and is passionate about educational equity and youth representation. She serves on her city’s Youth Advisory Board as well as her state’s Youth Advisory Council for Public Health, where she’s learned through data how gun violence impacts students around the nation. At Project Unloaded, she hopes to address these concerns through policy on a statewide and nationwide level. Outside of her work, you can find Olivia exploring a new cafe or eating blue raspberry Sour Patch Kids.
Suhani Ahuja (she/her) is a sophomore at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, double-majoring in Economics and Philosophy. She grew up in the Bay Area, California, where her interest in policy and advocacy first took root. Joining Project Unloaded’s Youth Council for her first term was her first real step into gun violence prevention work, and she’s back again to keep building on the impact she’s seen it make. Outside of school, Suhani enjoys running, reading, taking photos, and finding new restaurants to add to her Beli list. On campus, she’s part of Model UN and writes for HER Campus, and she’s hoping to grow as a leader and help make sure more young people have a say in the conversation around gun violence.
Sharon Sanju (she/her) is a senior at the University of Florida from Orlando, Florida , where she is double majoring in Political Science and Criminology. Throughout college, she has been involved in more than 15 organizations and has pursued professional experiences since the age of 17, working across federal and county government, nonprofit organizations, journalism, and law. Sharon is excited to serve on the Project Unloaded Youth Council because she has seen firsthand how gun violence has impacted communities across Central Florida. She believes young people deserve to grow up feeling safe and wants to help create solutions that prevent violence before it happens. She is especially interested in using education, storytelling, and public policy to make a lasting impact. Outside of school and work, Sharon loves traveling and is always planning her next adventure, whether it’s exploring a new city or taking a spontaneous day trip. She also enjoys playing musical instruments, especially the piano.
Will Radzik (he/him) is a senior in high school from outside of Chicago, Illinois. Will became aware of the issue of gun violence in the United States through school and decided to get involved. He’s in his second year on the Youth Council. Over the summer and throughout the school year, Will works at his high school theatre doing maintenance. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends and crocheting.
– Lillian Lee-Sin to the Augusta Chronicle, November 2022
Our inaugural class of Creator Corps focuses on social media content creation and amplification to reach their peers on the social media platforms where they’re already spending their time.
Emma Hackbarth
Isabella “Izzie” Hodkinson
Anushka Praveen
Chyanne Swain
Danielle Phillips
Mumtaz Cooper
Kriti Raj
Nico Leonardo
Rifa Alif
Courtney Williams
Malini Parikh
Calynn Ellis
Aashi Jain
Zoe Kaufman
The presentations to city officials and civic leaders were the culminations of a summer program that recruits teens from the South and West sides, many
Teens from the South and West Sides Pitch Ideas to Peers and a Panel of Judges with the Goal of Inspiring Young People to Decide
New Study Shows the Heavy Toll Gun Violence Takes on the Mental Health and Daily Lives of American Youth and Demonstrates Efficacy of SNUG Campaign
Project Unloaded, an organization working to create a new cultural narrative that guns make us less safe, is seeking applicants for its 2023-2024 Youth Council. The council, which will be made up of 12 – 16 young people ages 15 – 20, will be a critical part of Project Unloaded’s upcoming campaigns and strategic planning.
Members of the council will be asked to weigh in on upcoming Project Unloaded strategies and campaigns, support the creation of content and materials for Project Unloaded programming, as well as speak out on the issue of guns in our homes, neighborhoods and communities.
The council will meet virtually once every month to discuss upcoming Project Unloaded programs, hear updates on how current programming is progressing, and brainstorm new projects that the organization should take on. There will also be one in-person meeting that all Youth Council members are expected to attend, with travel expenses paid by Project Unloaded. In between monthly meetings, members of the council can expect to hear from Project Unloaded staff at least bi-weekly over email, with requests like giving feedback on an upcoming campaign or tactic, or creating social media content, such as graphic feed posts for Instagram and short form videos for TikTok.
The council will have some duties that are public-facing. On rare occasions, they may be asked to be quoted on behalf of Project Unloaded in a statement to the media or to be interviewed by a reporter about their work with Project Unloaded. In cases like these, members of the council would receive media training and support throughout the request. All members of the council would also be publicly named on the Project Unloaded website. Members of the council will be selected annually, with the expectation that members would serve a year-long term, though some may extend their participation beyond the year.
For young people who are concerned about gun violence and making their communities safer, this is an opportunity to take action. By being part of the Youth Council, you’ll be able to help shape future campaigns to educate other young people on the risks of having a gun.
Additionally, council members will have opportunities for leadership as part of the council, become stronger public speakers through media training and experience, and understand more about how non-profit organizations work. The first council will run from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Each member of the council will also receive a $999 stipend for their time and work with Project Unloaded. The stipend will be paid in installments.
Fill out the brief application available here. If under 18, applicants must submit a signed parental consent form to info@projectunloaded.org. All minors must have their parents’ permission to contact us and must be at least 15 to participate.
Applications are due to the Project Unloaded team by May 26, 2023. Applicants moving forward in the process will then be asked to take part in a brief video call with Project Unloaded staff to learn more about being on the council and answer a few follow up questions about their interest in working with Project Unloaded. The council’s first meeting will be in the fall of 2023.
All applications and all interaction with participants and parents will be subject to the privacy practices disclosed in our Participant Privacy Notice.
