Tracie Johnson (she/her) is the Youth Ombudsperson for the City of Philadelphia.
Tracie has been the Youth Ombudsperson since 2023, previously serving as a Staff Attorney on the Youth Justice Project sponsored by the Hive at Community Legal Services. Tracie first worked with CLS as a certified legal intern on the Youth Justice Project and later as an Equal Justice Works Fellow, where she worked to create career pathways for women and girls of color who face barriers to employment and higher education because of their juvenile and adult criminal records.
Prior to law school, Tracie worked as a Communications Associate at Philadelphia VIP through the Philly Fellows Program. She then volunteered in the legal intake department of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania. She also worked as a Community Outreach Coordinator at a communications and design firm, Social Impact Studios.
Tracie received the Philadelphia Bar Association Public Interest Section Law Student Award for her law school in 2017. Upon graduating, she received The Sarah J. Love Memorial Award, The Henry Kent Anderson Human Services Award, and the Integrated Trial Advocacy Program Award. Ms. Johnson earned her J.D. from Temple James E. Beasley School of Law in 2018. She received her B.A. from Ursinus College in 2013. Ms. Johnson is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar.
Judy Battle (she/her) is the Deputy Youth Ombudsperson for the City of Philadelphia. Judy has been the Deputy Youth Ombudsperson since 2025. As the former Director of Admissions at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center (PJJSC), she streamlined the intake process, enhanced programming, and educational services for the youth in the admissions area and worked to integrated technology for admissions. Judy first worked as the Human Services Program Administrator, Court and Community Services, where she ensured successful reintegration of youth returning from delinquent placements back to the community, implemented a monthly monitoring system for the safety and wellbeing of delinquent youth while in placement facilities, and secured medical/mental health care and health insurance for youth in the community and placement. Judy received her Master of Social Work (MSW), from Widener University in 2013. Prior to receiving her MSW, Judy worked at the Department of Human Services to provide and promote safety and wellbeing for children and youth at risk of abuse, neglect, and delinquency. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Temple University.
Mabari Byrd has been an Associate Youth Ombudsperson with the Office of the Youth Ombudsperson since 2024. Prior to this role, he built a career approaching 15 years in the social impact space, advancing youth development, community safety, and environmental and social equity across Philadelphia.
His earlier experience includes work in substance use treatment and behavioral health/intellectual disabilities with Self Inc. and Devereux, along with facilitating Out-of-School Time programming with EducationWorks. He later served as a Trauma Specialist at Temple University’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine, supporting programs that foster resilience in under-resourced schools across North Philadelphia. As a Campaign Representative with the Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All Campaign, he led youth outdoor leadership initiatives while advancing environmental advocacy through program design, grant and volunteer management, and legislative engagement. At PowerCorpsPHL, he was a Founding Crew Supervisor, leading crews of justice-involved adults and youth in delivering green infrastructure projects while providing workforce development and reentry support.
Beyond his formal roles, Mabari has long served as a youth mentor, coach, and speaker, advancing initiatives in literacy, conflict resolution, parent engagement, health and fitness, and nature-based wellness practices. A Community College of Philadelphia alumnus in Behavioral Health & Human Services and former Temple University School of Social Work student, he brings an authentic, peer-informed leadership style shaped by his lived experience as a justice-involved youth and recognized through national platforms including My Brother’s Keeper, Cities United, and the Environmental Leadership Program.
Kelly Sagastume, MSW, (she/her) has been an Associate Youth Ombudsperson since 2025. Before this, she managed Nationalities Service Center’s Home Study Post Release Services Program for unaccompanied children. She supervised staff, identified partnership opportunities, and conducted strategic outreach to local service providers. Prior to that role, she served as the Program Manager of Project PROTECT at Support Center for Child Advocates, where she represented child victims of human trafficking in their dependency and criminal proceedings. Kelly founded and convened Philadelphia ‘s Youth Anti-Trafficking Coalition and Youth Survivor Advisory Board to advocate for systems-level changes. Kelly is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice where she received her Masters’ of Social Work with a specialization in Child Welfare and Child Well-Being. Kelly received her Bachelor’s in Sociology from Saint Joseph’s University.
Markuah Kromah has been an Associate Youth Ombudsperson since 2026. He is a seasoned professional in both the Human Services field and Social Services field with over 10 years of experience supporting youth in the juvenile justice, child welfare, and behavioral health systems. After earning his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2015, Markuah served as a Juvenile Correctional Officer in Northeast Ohio, before relocating to Philadelphia in 2017.
Upon relocating to Philadelphia, Markuah transitioned into the role of a Supports Coordinator with Public Health Management Corporation in which he helped youth with intellectual disabilities receive state-funded services provided through the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). Shortly after receiving his master’s degree in public health management & administration from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2020, Markuah spent a year serving as a youth Social Worker with Turning Points for Children (CUA 9), in which he managed cases for foster care youth under the supervision of the Department of Human Services (DHS).
Over the past 5 years Markuah has served in a leadership role supporting individuals with autism housed in a state-funded residential setting. While functioning in the role as a Program Supervisor, then a Program Manager, Markuah has had a direct impact on program development within the residential setting, to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of youth residents while also managing effective programming. Markuah’s passion and dedication towards serving underserved, vulnerable youth populations are what drives him to make a difference in the lives of others.