The Radical Imagination Fellowship
Building the Next Generation of Leaders
The Radical Imagination Fellowship is a 6-month program that empowers former foster youth and Transition Age Youth (FY/TAY) through training, policy research, and storytelling to develop community-rooted solutions for youth in LA County and beyond.
About the Fellowship
The inaugural Radical Imagination Fellowship is dedicated to reimagining a future for foster care impacted youth in LA County and beyond. From April – September 2025 the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) CA Education Equity team worked alongside 7 emerging leaders 18-25 years old in building advocacy skills in the areas of policy, podcast production, movement building and event design.
Our youth change-makers used their voices, ideas, and creativity to make a positive impact on the landscape of foster youth and transition age youth through their small group projects in: Freedom Schools, Story Map, Podcast Production, and the Child Watch Convening.
Florencia Valenzuela, Student, UCLA
“I hope accessibility barriers will continuously be removed for the betterment of supporting transitional-age foster youth. Difficulty accessing resources and receiving support should not be the reality for young people who don’t have the privilege of receiving traditional familial support.”
Clarissa Pena
Clarissa is a dedicated Advocate, Social Impact Consultant, Content Videographer, and Researcher specializing in Youth Advocacy, Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, and intersecting systems. With a strong background in leadership development and youth advocacy, Clarissa has established a proven track record of driving policy initiatives and empowering youth-led advocacy efforts.
Meet the Staff
Ryan Bell
Ryan Bell is a Policy Associate with CDF-CA’s Education Equity team. His experience spans across a number of years within the education and non-profit sector. This includes educating through CDF Freedom Schools, community organizing with Los Angeles based non-profit Community Coalition, and collaborating with community members on advocacy initiatives. His current work with The Children’s Defense Fund is dedicated towards addressing child poverty, child welfare, community development and education equity.
Learn about CDF-CA’s Education Equity Work
Yasmine-Imani McMorrin
Yasmine-Imani McMorrin is an attorney, equity advocate, and mom. McMorrin is proud to have served with Children’s Defense Fund – California as Director of Education Equity since 2022. McMorrin is the Program Manager of the Inaugural Radical Imagination Fellows Program. She is honored to work alongside brilliant young minds to imagine (and co-create) a world where all young people, especially former foster youth and transition age youth can thrive.
Learn about CDF-CA’s Education Equity WorkWhat We’ve Been Up To
The curriculum for the Radical Imagination Fellowship (RIF) was based on the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Movement Building – Leadership & Advocacy Training program Workbook, current events from the federal, state, county and local levels, and CDF history.
Each month a different topic was highlighted.
Child Watch L.A., September 2025
Child Watch uplifts youth voice, leadership, and vision for systems change. Hosted by CDF-California (CDF-CA), this event centers young people with lived experience in foster care as they lead conversations, share policy priorities, and shape the systems that impact their lives. Speakers from this year’s event included Dr. Charity Chandler-Cole, LaJuannah Hills, and Martine Singer.
Watch the keynote speech featuring Dr. Charity Chandler-Cole below and learn more about the event by clicking here.
CDF Freedom Schools®
The CDF Freedom Schools program provides summer and after-school enrichment with a research-based, multicultural curriculum, focusing on academic and character-building enrichment, parent and family involvement, civic engagement, servant leadership development, and nutrition/health. Fellows participate in “Freedom Schools Engagement + Movement Building,” contributing to the program’s goals.
Since 1995, the CDF Freedom Schools program has served over 200,000 children and trained more than 23,000 young adults as Servant Leader Interns. Our work has led to over 81% of students maintaining or gaining an average of nine months in reading levels.
Bridging L.A: A Radical Imagination Production (Coming Soon!)
Bridging L.A. is a podcast produced by the Children’s Defense Fund, featuring real stories, real challenges, and real solutions from foster and transitional youth across Los Angeles. Stay tuned for the release of our first episode!
Telling Stories of Change: Radical Imagination’s Storytelling & Storymapping Workshop
The Radical Imagination Fellowship’s Story Map Project is a powerful initiative that fosters profound self-discovery and empowerment. Through guided reflection on their educational journeys, participants gain invaluable insights into their past, present, and future selves.
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