RENEW DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION CELEBRATES THE GRADUATION OF ITS INAUGURAL FELLOWSHIP CLASS
WASHINGTON D.C. – This month, in the Members Room of the Library of Congress, the ReNew Democracy Foundation celebrated the graduation of its inaugural fellowship class. The milestone event marked meaningful progress in the organization’s mission to create a more inclusive Congress.
The five fellows honored were chosen from a highly competitive pool of applicants from across the country. Luisa Lopez of Somerton, Arizona, served in the office of Congressman Morgan McGarvey, representing Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District. Jamal Sayid of Lithia Springs, Georgia, served in the office of Congresswoman Nikema Williams, representing Georgia’s 5th District. Isaiah Simpkins of West Palm Beach, Florida, served in the office of Congressman Lou Correa, representing California’s 46th District, and joined the House Ways & Means Committee as a staff assistant in April. Ezana Tamrat of Arlington, Virginia, served in the office of Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, representing Colorado’s 7th District. And Harrison Poku-Yeboah served in the office of Congresswoman Suzie Lee of Nevada’s 3rd District and is now a director in the DC Mayor’s Office. For nine months, these aspiring public servants were placed in paid positions within center-left, problem-solver offices, where they received mentorship and gained an inside look at policymaking. Through their capstone projects, the fellows also tackled issues that mattered to constituents back in their home districts.
“The Renew Democracy Fellowship is more than just a foot in the door,” said Congresswoman Sharice Davids (D-KS), who serves as the program’s Honorary Chair. “It’s a powerful example of how we can break down barriers and build a stronger, more representative Congress. We need that now more than ever. [The fellows] have shown what’s possible when we open doors and invest in emerging leaders.”
These fellows have already made their mark in Congress. Ezana Tamrat led an appropriations letter on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Luisa Lopez produced a documentary about the Cuban immigrant community in Louisville, Kentucky. Isaiah Simpkins laid the groundwork for an ocean conservation bill before joining the House Ways and Means Committee. Three of the five fellows have already secured full-time roles in public service.
“[They] went from being completely new to D.C. to becoming seasoned Hill veterans,” said interim Executive Director Mark Henson.
Launched just over a year ago by former New Democrat Coalition Chair Rep. Annie Kuster, former Chief of Staff to Rep. Jim Himes Mark Henson, and senior advisor to former Vice President Kamala Harris, Andy Flick, the ReNew Democracy Foundation Fellowship was created in direct response to the lack of diversity and low pay for junior Congressional staff.
The fellowship provides a life-changing and perspective-shifting opportunity to participate in public service at the highest level. This sentiment was echoed by Isaiah Simpkins, “Growing up it felt like… people didn’t see humans like myself, or that we were just fading into the background. But, now I see the amount of people that work every single day to fight against what sometimes feels like an impossible battle, but it’s a battle worth fighting for.”
Ezana Tamrat reflected the fellowship’s goal of bringing people who understand firsthand the communities Congress serves into the halls of Capitol Hill when she said, “We learned how to bring our diverse perspectives to the table, how to ask tough questions, and how to collaborate across different policy portfolios.”
Luisa Lopez, who moved cross-country for the fellowship, said, “I learned a lot. I’m not talking about writing a memo or logging calls, which are very important, but I learned the power of helping others succeed with you… I’m grateful to this program for taking this chance on me.”
Apply to Be A Fellow:
If you are a driven, underrepresented college graduate who wants to make a difference in Congress, apply to be a part of our next class. Applications are open now through June 30th, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT. The new class will kick off January 2026.
Visit renewdemocracyfoundation.org to learn more or to become a supporter of this important work.
About ReNew Democracy Foundation
The ReNew Democracy Foundation seeks to open doors for a diversity of new voices from across the country who want to make a difference in pragmatic, solutions-oriented, center-left congressional offices by supporting these future leaders with educational development opportunities, mentorship and professional networking through the ReNew Democracy Fellowship.