The Urban Design Forum's 2023 Forefront Fellows will explore design's relationship with social and political issues in New York City

Now in its eighth year, the Urban Design Forum announces its 2023 Forefront Fellows cohort. The 2023 initiative theme, "Free to Grow," focuses on inspiring adults "to center young people in the built environment." The Forefront Fellowship consists of early-to-mid-career professionals working towards exploring ways design can "address a social or political challenge facing New York City." According to the Urban Design Forum, this year's cohort of 33 fellows will "explore urban environments that foster health, well-being, and growth for young people." This year's group is made up of architects, urban planners, artists, researchers, civil rights advocates, community leaders, organizers, designers, and civil engineers. View all 33 Forefront Fellows below...Yousof Abdelreheem Community Liaison, New York City Council District 22Génesis Abreu Senior Manager, Youth Community Programs, Futures IgniteNichole Aquino UX Designer and ResearcherEduarda Aun Program Manager, Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI)Camillia Brown Staff Attorney, Juvenile Rights Practice, The Legal Aid SocietyJenna Carrens Creative Producer and Cultural OrganizerAren Castro Associate Director, Design and Neighborhood Equity, Center for Justice InnovationEmily Chingay Citywide Engagement Advocate, Open PlansClaudia Dishon School and Family Programs Manager, The Friends of the High LineJohnson Durosier Civil Engineer, StantecC. Meranda Flachs-Surmanek Theater Artist, Urban Planner, Freelance ConsultantJames Francisco Masterplanning and Urban Design Leader, ArupGopinath Gnanakumar Malathi Senior Analyst, Karp StrategiesJuan González Civic Sector Consultant, Bennett MidlandNathalie Kauz Senior Urban Planner, WXY StudioJim Lammers Project Manager, Street LabStephany Lin Senior Associate, U3 AdvisorsGina Massari Nonprofit and Public Sector ProfessionalMatthew Mbamelu Senior Urban Designer, NYC Department of City Planning Niyanta Muku Associate Architect, Capital Improvement Projects, NYCSCARita Musello Kelliher Program Coordinator, Institute for Educational LeadershipRujuta Naringrekar Landscape Designer at Future Green StudioNasra Nimaga Senior Associate, Perkins EastmanEamon O’Connor Associate and Urban Planner, GehlAmy Obonaga Team Leader Urban Designer, Department of City PlanningJanaira Ramirez Environmental Program Organizer, The Brotherhood Sister Sol Rajesh Sankat Program Strategist, 3×3Ayana Smith Executive Director, Student VoiceDanielle Steele Architectural Designer and Associate at DLR GroupMelody Stein Founder, studio VISIT; Visiting Assistant Professor, Pratt InstituteMallory Thatch Senior Program Manager of Placekeeping and Community Initiatives, Brownsville Community Justice CenterDonelle Wedderburn Audio Producer and WriterVonn Weisenberger Architectural Designer, MarvelTo learn more about the 2023 Forefront Fellows and their work click here. To explore previous fellowship program initiatives click here.Read the full post on Bustler