Appointed by Mayor Nutter
Matthew Zaccagni is a Sophomore Public Relations and Political Science Major at LaSalle University. Over the past several years he has been a strong advocate for education reform and advancement. He currently serves as the Chair of the Youth Commission’s Education Committee. He hopes to build a strong partnership between public, private and parochial schools in advancing the quality of education in Philadelphia. He has been honored with the Union League Good Citizenship Award and the School District’s Most Valuable Person Award. He also participated as a Hugh O’Brian Youth Ambassador and served as a Graduate Assistant for Dale Carnegie’s Generation Next program. Matthew was appointed to the Philadelphia Youth Commission by Mayor Nutter in February 2008.Leon Stimpson is seventeen years old and currently a senior at Malvern Preparatory High School. Leon was born and raised in South Philadelphia and is an aspiring Major League Baseball player and Politician. Leon’s goal as a Commissioner is to help make youth more aware of the many opportunities open to them helping them to success in Philadelphia. He wants to help fight violence and create extra curriculum programs help youth become successful. Leon was appointed to the Philadelphia Youth Commission by Councilman Green in February 2008.
Benjamin Dubow was born in 1988 and grew up in the Roxborough section of Northwest Philadelphia. He graduated from Friends Select High School in Center City where he participated in varsity baseball, headed debate, mock trial, and intramural football clubs, as well as serving as Vice President of the school’s SGA. In 2006, he began studying at University of Pennsylvania and is majoring in Urban Studies and Arabic and Islamic Studies with a minor in Real Estate. He serves as a committeeperson for the 18th division in the 27th ward and coaches for Tucker PAL at 48th and Woodland. He has worked in City Hall twice before, and for the Committee of Seventy. Ben was appointed to the Philadelphia Youth Commission by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown in February 2008 where he currently serves as the Commission’s Treasurer.
Barbara Schwartz was born and raised in Philadelphia. She is majoring in Political Science at Temple University, where she is on the Dean’s List. Barbara is also a student member of the University Disciplinary Committee. She is a 2006 graduate of Mount Saint Joseph Academy, as well as a National Merit Finalist. Barbara feels strongly about working toward a better Philadelphia, and in summer 2008 had the opportunity to intern in the District Attorney’s Office. Barbara was appointed to the Philadelphia Youth Commission by Councilman Kenney in February 2008.
Charlotte Jones, 21, is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where she received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology. Obtaining her degree in 3 and a half years at the age of 20, Charlotte defines determination and resilience. At the moment, she is an A.R.I.S.E. life skill coach. She believes that knowledge is one of the key power elements of eradicating many of the social injustices that Philadelphia’s youth face such as illiteracy, teen pregnancy and alcohol and drug abuse. As a Philadelphia Youth Commissioner, she will embrace the youth of Philadelphia by becoming their voice and inspiring and encouraging them to find their own.
Daniel Leo Ceisler was born on June 15th, 1992 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is currently a junior at Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia. Daniel founded the Germantown Friends School Political Action Club, and is a varsity debate team member. He has worked on several political campaigns throughout his life and aspires to a career in politics. In his free time he enjoys baseball and playing guitar in his band. Daniel Ceisler was appointed to the Philadelphia Youth Commission in February 2008 by Councilman Frank Rizzo where he currently serves as the Commission’s Vice-Chairman.
Daniel Cariño is a 19 year old who was born and raised in Eastern North Philadelphia. Through his years he excelled in school and graduated from Edison High School in 2007. Sine 2004, he has been involved in several work ready and leadership programs in Congreso de Latinos Unidos and is currently one of the co-founders and President of the Youth Advocacy Council (YAC). Daniel is now attending Temple University where he is currently undeclared but, is interested in either Political Science or Graphic Design.
David Smith is a seventeen year old senior at West Catholic School in Philadelphia. He is an active member of City Year’s City Heroes program where he participates in over 150 hours of service annually. It was in City Hero’s that David first learned about the Youth Commission. He feels that youth can make a real difference in this world if they are given a powerful voice; the Philadelphia Youth Commission is that voice.
Jerome Bailey is a junior at The Woodlynde School in Strafford, PA. Jerome participates in various sports including track, cross-country, and is a point guard on the varsity basketball team. He currently serves as a member of the editorial staff at his high school newspaper, The Informer. Jerome is also very active in his faith community serving as a communications team leader for his church’s youth group. He hopes that his role as a Youth Commissioner will strengthen his community and his city.
Joe Hill, 18, is a Junior at Georgetown University, majoring in Political Economy, and a graduate of Roxborough High School. Joe's passion for youth empowerment and public policy began in 2007 when he began volunteering with the American Friends Service Committee's Youth and Militarism program, fighting to counter military recruiting and demilitarize schools. Soon after, Joe became involved with the Barack Obama campaign, serving in many roles, including Northeast Field Director of Students for Barack Obama - the student wing of Obama for America.
Joe is also very active in his campus community, serving as Political Action Chair of the NAACP, an Executive Board Member of Georgetown's Student Commission for Unity, and Outreach and Coalition-Building Chair of Georgetown's Student Government. Joe lives in Roxborough with his parents and 7 year-old brother.
Jamira Burley is a native of Philadelphia and graduate of Overbrook High School. As one of 16 children Jamira is the first in her family to graduate High School and to go on to College. As a sophomore at Temple University, she is an International Business major, and a Chinese Language minor. She is an active member in the Temple community and a voice for the voiceless. At Temple, Jamira is a part of the SGA, Black Student Union & Temple RHA. Jamira is the founder of the Overbrook High School Panther Peace Core which is now being implemented in the top ten persistently dangerous public high schools in Philadelphia. Jamira is a young lady that likes to stay active and loves to read, but what’s most important to Jamira is her duty to fight for the ones that can't fight for themselves. Jamira was appointed to the Philadelphia Youth Commission by Mayor Michael Nutter.
James is a resident of the West Oak Lane. James attended Philadelphia Public Schools and went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Florida A&M where he received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration. While attending Florida A&M he interned at Morgan Lewis LLP, Goldman Sachs, and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. He is currently a Sales Representative for Eli Lilly & CO. James James joined the Youth Commission because he feels that it would be a way for him to give back to the city that gave so much to him. Working in the field of healthcare has allowed James to see the value in living a health life style physically and mentally. He wants to use his position in the commission to help the city enhance and develop programs that promote those same values to the youth in the city.
Alexis is a sophomore at Science Leadership Academy and a resident of South Philadelphia. She is a gifted artist who was active in the Poetry Club. Alexis works to create environments where people with different backgrounds can dialogue. Alexis is also a distinguished member of the Youth Leaders Conference. Alexis believes that the Youth Commission is important to show that youth care about their city.
