Milan Taylor President/Founder

Raised in the Rockaways, Taylor attended local public schools along the Peninsula prior to his enrollment at CCSU (Central Connecticut State University) in New Britain, Connecticut where Taylor ran track and field at the Division 1 level. While at CCSU, he was the President of the Black Student Union and a member of the Student Government Association. Taylor ultimately decided to transfer to John Jay College of Criminal Justice to be closer to his hometown and use his leadership skills to improve his community. Upon his return, Taylor became active in the local community; specifically in local politics. He began his journey by obtaining an internship with City Council member James Sanders Jr. From this opportunity, he was appointed to Queens Community Board 14, becoming the youngest active member of the board. As a result of his newly appointed position, he became acquainted with several community leaders with the intent of growing his knowledge of the issues surrounding the Rockaway community. Taylor began to analyze the needs and concerns of the residents. His participation grew as he attended various community meetings discovering the lack of youth participation in the community. In fact, there were few politicians who were truly focused on youth-related problems in the Rockaways. As a young person with concern over his generation, Taylor decided to take action. Looking around, he realized there were few places where young people in the Rockaways could grow and learn to be great leaders. Therefore the vision of RYTF came to fruition - an advocacy organization created and ran by the youth of the Rockaways to properly address youth issues in the community.

Silaka Cox Vice President

Silaka was born in Brooklyn and moved to Far Rockaway 10 years ago. She is currently a high school senior at Scholars Academy. She has been actively involved in sports and extracurriculars since elementary school, and plans on going to college to study science or business. She was recruited into the Rockaway Youth Task Force by RYTF member Shanice Harris, in November 2011. Silaka was interested in joining because she wanted to make a difference in the community among the youth. Her goal as a member of RYTF is to promote positive change within the community among adults and teens. Through her involvement with the Rockaway Youth Task Force, she has acquired an internship working for Ready Rockaway, a local emergency preparedness organization. She has also had the opportunity to meet many local elected officials, and to learn more about her community by attending local civic meetings.

Soye Oloruntoba Treasurer

Abisoye (Soye) was born in Lagos, Nigeria but move to the Rockaways with his parents and siblings 15 years ago. He attended JHS180 (now Scholar Academy) and Far Rockaway High School. After high school, he studied Computer Science at NYU Polytechnic Institute and graduated in 2003. He has since been working as a software developer for a major financial institution in the Equities Trading division. He strongly believes that organizations like RYTF were the best way to see the change he would like to see in the Rockaways. He is currently serving as treasurer for the organization helping with managing finances and raising funds.

Arielle Newton Communications Director

Arielle was born and raised in Far Rockaway. She currently attends Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts where she will receive Bachelor degrees in Political Science and International Affairs in May 2013. She plans to attend law school in the near future to study Constitutional Law. With a strong interest in civic organizations, she joined the Rockaway Youth Task Force as a means of reaching youth who are marginalized and underrepresented. Her most vital concerns are getting youth reading and writing at exceptional levels, developing their professional potential, and enhancing their sense of self worth.

Calvary Oyeleye

Calvary was born in Nigeria and moved to the United State at a young age. She is currently a student at Beach Channel Educational Campus, and plans on going to college to either major in theater or sociology. She decided to join because she felt that the youth in the community were finally doing something positive and she wanted to be a part of that. Her goal as a member of the Rockaway Youth Task Force is to help enforce peace in the Rockaway community, especially amongst in the youth. While in the Rockaway Youth Task Force Calvary has met elected officials, as well as helped organize events throughout the Rockaways.

Rashida Wisdom Chair of Events

Rashida was born and raised in Far Rockaway. She currently attends St John’s University and will be receiving her Bachelors of Science in Childhood Education in May of 2014. She plans to later attend Graduate School to receive her masters in either Secondary Education or Special Education. Rashida learned about RYTF through Facebook and found that their commitment to youth involvement in the community was something that she wanted to actively be a part of. After volunteering at one of the organizations Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, Rashida was positive that RYTF was an organization that would enable the youth of the rockaways to flourish.

Nora Schreiber Chair of Civic Engagement

Nora is Chair of Political and Civic Engagement in RYTF. She is currently a high school senior at the Scholar’s Academy and will attend CUNY Brooklyn College next year. Nora grew up in upstate New York and moved to Rockaway at the age of six. Her father and family have been long time Rockaway residents for over 60 years. Nora grew up with a love of music, people, nature, and old stories of Rockaway. She plays guitar and sings locally at the Rockaway Artist Alliance (RAA) with other Rockaway kids and loves long nature walks on the beach or in Fort Tilden. Nora reached out to RYTF to bridge the gap between residents who live on the west and east side and make Rockaway a stronger community. She believes in empowering people of all ages by keeping them engaged politically. Nora hopes to see Rockaway’s resources well protected and the community’s potential flourish to the benefit and enjoyment of the Rockaway community in the future.

Khaleel Anderson

Khaleel was born in Brooklyn and moved to Far Rockaway 6 years ago. He is currently a junior at Channel View School for Research. He has been actively involved in political engagement and campaigning since elementary school. Aside from RYTF, Khaleel is currently a member of mouse corps, a technology DESIGN organization and works as a technology repairs specialist. Anderson is also an intern at TIME Inc. Anderson says he volunteers because he feels he may inspire someone else to do the same.

Tashaun Hester

Tashaun is a student at CUNY/ New York City College of Technology and majors in Graphic Arts and Advertisement. His lack of community involvement encouraged him to join the Rockaway Youth Task Force. Tashaun’s involvement with RYTF helped him to fulfill his need to make a change in his community. Hester has taken his free time to do something to become informed about our community.