Soffiyah Elijah is a former criminal defense attorney, advocate for civil rights, and the first black woman to serve as executive director of the Correctional Association of New York. She was selected by the New York Women’s Foundation as one of ten women to participate in the Omega Women's Leadership Center’s (OWLC) collaborative pilot program, which led to the creation of our new Juno Leadership Collective in October 2018.
Over the course of a year, Soffiyah took part in skill-building workshops, created an individualized leadership plan, and experienced the immersive, 3-day Juno residency.
Through deep examination of her goals and ideas about leadership and change—and with support from OWLC staff, teachers, and other participants—Soffiyah found the courage to leave her position at the Correctional Association and start her own nonprofit, The Alliance of Families for Justice.
In a recent update Soffiyah told us the Alliance of Families for Justice (AFJ) recently celebrated its 5-year anniversary! Her nonprofit, which began with no paid staff, now has 15 part-time and full-time employees.
"Thanks to my amazing network of Omega sisters and the blessings of the Creator, AFJ has been able to provide support for thousands of New Yorkers whose lives have been impacted by mass incarceration and the criminal injustice system," Soffiyah said.
With gratitude for her experience, and to help other women benefit in the way she has, Soffiyah established a monthly donation to Omega.
“I feel that Omega is like an oasis,” she said. “Frankly, I think that every woman who is going to be a leader in the nonprofit world should have the benefit that Omega brings.”