About the 2026 Annual SLCY Fundraiser Speakers, Performers, and Awardees
(in order of appearance)
Garrett Mason (he/they)
Emcee & Member, SLCY Board
Angela Rofael, Esq. (she/her)
President, SLCY Board
Renée Young
Performer - Spoken Word &
Former SLCY Client
Liz Harding Chao, Esq., MPA (she/they)
Founder and Executive Director, SLCY
Representative Akbar Ali
2026 Fearless Youth Advocate Awardee
Representative Samuel L. Park, Esq.
Keynote Speaker
Legend Elite Dance Co.
Performance Group
Dr. Christy Perez
2026 Fearless Youth Advocate Award Introduction
Kayla Abercrombie
2026 Youth Justice Champion Awardee
Princess Jauan T. Durbin, M.S. (he/she/they)
SLCY VP of Programs & Partnerships
Macy Richardson
2026 Community Partner of the Year Awardee
Adrienne Gates
2026 Community Partner of the Year Awardee
Miracle Rankin, Esq.
Keynote Speaker
Bella Bautista (she/her)
2025 Fearless Youth Advocate
Jalayah
Performer - Song
2026 Fearless Youth Advocate Award Nominees
Lena Ford (she/her)
Founder, Positively Lena“Lena uses her voice to raise awareness about the experiences of foster and kinship youth, partners with community organizations, mentors younger children, and encourages others to serve vulnerable families. Her advocacy is rooted in the belief that every child deserves to be seen, celebrated, and given the opportunity to thrive.”
Yana Butra (she/her)
“Whenever I’m around her, she has brilliant words. She is consistent in her action. As co-founder of the GYJC, she has spent the last five years building young people’s power where decisions get made. Georgia Youth Justice Coalition has become a well-respected organization doing policy work and legislative advocacy largely because of Yana’s efforts. “
Community Organizer and Strategist, Georgia Youth Justice Coalition
Omarion Smart (he/him)
Pathways to Partnership Coordinator, BAIN Inc. Center for Independent Living“Being Black, queer, young and disabled, constantly overcoming obstacles and simultaneously working to make the world around him a better place for others. Marion is representative of so many intersections. He doesn’t let his disability or anything else deter him from showing up when so many people make excuses with far less that they have to overcome.”