Staff
Loyda Colón
they/them
Executive Director
Loyda Colon is a Nuyorican, born and raised in the projects of the Lower East Side. They have been an organizer and activist for over two decades, including through struggles for racial justice, rights of LGBT and gender nonconforming people, economic justice, and against police and state violence. Loyda first joined the Justice Committee as a member in the 2006, served as Co-Coordinator, and became full-time staff as JC's Co-Director in 2013. Loyda initiated JC's copwatch program, which helped to form NYC's Cop Watch Alliance; and leads JC program work, including organizing families whose loved ones were murdered by police, integrating healing practice in the organizing, leadership development of members, and digital and social media platforms. Prior to coming on staff full-time with the Justice Committee, Loyda's experience included serving as the Coordinator of the Coalition for Community Safety at the Center for Constitutional Rights; Coordinator of The Audre Lorde Project's organizing work against police & state violence; and Coordinator of ALP's first LGBTST youth organizing program.
Yul-san Liem
she/her they/them
Director of Development & Operations
Yul-san has been taking it to the streets, raising funds, and making art as part of New York City's social and racial justice movements since 2001. She is currently the Justice Committee's Director of Development and Operations, after serving as a JC Co-Director from 2012-2021 and a volunteer and consultant prior to that. During her time as Justice Committee staff, Yul-san helped to found and lead the citywide CopWatch Alliance and the multi-sector campaign, Communities United for Police Reform - for which she sat on its Steering Committee and Executive Committee and co-chaired its Community Empowerment Working Group. In the past Yul-san has been a staff member and consultant for Nodutdol for Korean Community Development, CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities, and the Audre Lorde Project. From 2003-2010 she served as Co-Coordinator and artist for the multimedia exhibit, Still Present Pasts, Korean American and the “Forgotten War.”
Maria Luisa Ramirez
she/her/ella
Development Coordinator
Maria Ramirez is a first generation Latinx American, activist, trainer, facilitator, Spanish-English interpreter, and fundraiser. She is the product of the Newburgh Enlarged City School district, a graduate of SUNY New Paltz, and life-long Hudson Valley Resident with extensive ties to New York City's social and racial justice movements. She is a Board member of an award-winning non-profit, Swish Ally Fund and previously co-founded and was the Executive Director of the Newburgh LGBTQ+ Center. She is an ex-Marble Meathead (at a local queer w) and forklift driver. She brings to the Justice Committee over eight years of experience creating and facilitating LGBTQ+ centered spaces and a lifetime of experience navigating racist and discriminatory state systems and advocating for marginalized communities.
Donavon Taveras
he/him
Community Safety Coordinator
Donavon Taveras is a dedicated organizer born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn. His journey into community organizing began with Make the Road New York, where he initially participated as a member in 2015. Driven by a passion for change making and empowerment, Donavon went on to organize for various organizations, including Make the Road New York, FIERCE!, and El Puente. His work has been centered on developing disciplined and strategic leadership within communities. As an artist, he has always recognized the value of cultural organizing and using the arts to further the demands and messages of the People. Donavon has also been trained in facilitation by masters in the field of education through the NYC Urban Ambassadors Program. In addition to his organizing efforts, Donavon finds joy and healing through Hip Hop production and rhyming.
London Arnold
She/her
Program Associate
London learned her BA in International Studies from Spelman College and her Masters of Arts in Sociology of Education from New York University. An advocate for social and educational equity, London has worked in research, education, and social justice orgs throughout her career. She worked in youth development for the past four years, and is now a staff organizer at JC. London has been a JC member since 2019 and joined staff in 2020. In her free time, London enjoys reading, boxing, yoga, cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Valerie Bell
She/her
Program Associate
Valerie Bell is a dedicated advocate, contributing her passion for justice to the fight against police brutality. A native of New York City, Mrs. Bell holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from York College in Queens and spent over 20 years in the healthcare field before retiring in 2018. Despite her professional background in education and billing, her life's work shifted toward activism following the tragic loss of her son, Sean Bell, who was fatally shot by police in 2006.
Since then, Mrs. Bell has channeled her grief into advocacy, working alongside organizations like the Justice Committee to support families affected by police violence and push for systemic reforms. Her faith in Jesus Christ remains her foundation as she continues to dedicate her time and efforts to fighting for accountability and justice.