Baruch College Alumnus Jibreel Jalloh Named a 2024-25 Obama Scholar

Baruch College Alumnus Jibreel Jalloh Named a 2024-25 Obama Scholar

Recognized for being a nonprofit advocacy leader through his organization, The Flossy Organization

October 15, 2024

The Obama Foundation announced that Baruch College alumnus Jibreel Jalloh ('17), Founder & Executive Director of The Flossy Organization, was named to its seventh cohort of Obama Scholars made up of 30 emerging leaders from around the world who will participate in an immersive program at either Columbia University in the City of New York or the University of Chicago for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The Obama Scholars program plays a key role in advancing the Foundation's mission to build the next generation of leaders. The program, founded in 2018, equips Scholars from across the world with practical skills, tools, and experiences that will amplify the impact they make when they return home to their communities.

Throughout the academic year, students will engage in academic, skills-based, and experiential learning opportunities on their campuses participating in weekly seminars, personal and professional development workshops, audited courses, and other specialized programming created in close collaboration with the Foundation.

"We're thrilled to welcome another group of exceptional changemakers into the Obama Foundation family," said CEO Valerie Jarrett. "These Scholars bring with them a wealth of talent, passion, and a deep commitment to making a difference in their communities and beyond. By joining our global network of leaders, they will not only gain valuable insights and support but also contribute to a collective effort to address some of the world's most pressing challenges. We are confident that, together, they will maximize their potential and make their local impact global."

Jalloh: A Nonprofit Advocacy Leader

Jibreel Jalloh founded The Flossy Organization to dismantle inequities through local change-making tactics, civic engagement, and collective action. Through his work, Jalloh is building a grassroots movement of informed advocates who have the skills they need to change their communities from within.

Their partnership with Brooklyn, NY residents successfully prevented the installation of a pesticide facility in their community, and they have trained hundreds of New Yorkers to lead issue-based movements on causes ranging from anti-gun violence to climate justice.

Jalloh plans to build on his work by leveraging AI-powered technology to enhance The Flossy Organization's advocacy work and expand its reach to marginalized communities. Jalloh seeks to use the Scholars program to develop this novel blend of technology and grassroots advocacy in an effort to transform passive community members into active changemakers.

"I grew up in Canarsie, Brooklyn as a child of immigrants from Sierra Leone & watched my parents sacrifice deeply for greater opportunities. I wake up every day and work hard to make them proud," said Jalloh.

Jalloh is a social entrepreneur and veteran community organizer, recognized through numerous awards and fellowships, including the New York City Urban Fellowship, New Leaders Council Institute, Edwin Gould Foundation Accelerator, Communitas Ventures Accelerator, and the 4.0 Fellowship. His experience includes participating in the Edward T. Rogowsky program, where he served in the U.S. House of Representatives on Capitol Hill. Previously, he worked in the President's Office at the Open Society Foundations and in the Mayor's Executive Office at New York City Hall. Jalloh also contributes a weekly column for the Canarsie Courier.

He obtained a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from Baruch College's Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, and is currently a candidate for a master's degree at New York University.

About the Obama Scholars Program

The Obama Scholars program is the Obama Foundation's only international cross-regional leadership program, uniquely designed to connect dynamic leaders across geography and issue areas.

The innovative nine-month program empowers individuals with a proven commitment to service by equipping them with the tools, networks, and values-based leadership skills needed to tackle complex global challenges. Through a blend of academic coursework, experiential learning, and the Foundation's comprehensive leadership development curriculum, Scholars gain practical knowledge and mentorship that prepares them to drive impactful change in their communities and beyond.

To date, 161 Obama Scholars from around the world have participated in the program. Learn more about the 2024-2025 cohort.

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