Arlington – September 24, 2026 -- Communities In Schools (CIS) has appointed 10 alumni to its National Alumni Advisory Council, a body tasked with shaping engagement strategy across the organization's national network.
Ten alumni from CIS affiliates nationwide join the new council
The cohort draws from CIS chapters including Atlanta, Tacoma, Georgia, Los Angeles, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Eastern Pennsylvania, Nevada, South Carolina, East Texas and Nation's Capital. Members are Ariana Ellis, Leanna Esquivel, J'Niyah Freeman, Bryan Harris, Amanye Jinwright, James Leap, Kaylee Main-Gomez, Miracle Mozzee, James Rivera and Kuniya Young. The group will advise on alumni programs, network connectivity and leadership pathways.
Council members already attended two Washington policy conferences this month
Four alumni participated in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Leadership Conference, including conference sessions and a CHCI reception with policymakers focused on educational and economic opportunity. Five additional council members then joined the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference, engaging with programming on leadership, civic engagement and public service.
First in-person convening runs September 24-27 in Memphis
Council members will gather in Memphis, Tennessee, for four days to align on CIS's national alumni strategy and identify engagement priorities. The meeting marks the group's inaugural face-to-face session since formation.
Cecilia Lee, Principal of Alumni Relations at the CIS National Office, said the new members bring perspectives that will guide and strengthen the organization's work. Rey Saldaña, President and CEO of CIS National Office and a CIS alumnus himself, said the council's participation in CHCI and CBCF programming is "just the beginning" of its involvement in national leadership initiatives.
CIS operates inside more than 3,500 schools across the country.