Attorney General Schwalb Announces Recipients of the 2025 Office of Attorney General “Right Direction Awards”

Annual Ceremony Highlights District Youth Who Have Overcome Adversity, Are Actively Working to Make DC a Better, Safer Place

WASHINGTON, DC – Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced the 28 awardees who will be recognized at the Office of Attorney General’s 2025 Right Direction Awards this evening, awards that celebrate the resiliency, leadership, and achievements of District youth and emerging adults, as well as exceptional adults who support and empower them.

“This year’s awardees prove that leadership is not about age – it’s about impact. Too often, we make decisions that impact young people without asking young people what they want or need,” said Attorney General Schwalb. “The Right Direction Awards showcase young people who brought their own seat to the table and led by example - determined, talented, resilient teenagers and young adults who represent the best of our community and our future.”

About the Right Direction Awards:

Tonight, we will celebrate 26 impressive young people who have overcome significant challenges and are having a positive impact in our community. These champions have demonstrated perseverance through adversity—including losing loved ones, experiencing gun violence, resettling in the US as a refugee, and suffering from chronic illness—and who are role models, change agents, and leaders working to improve the lives of others. We will also honor two adults who have made significant contributions to the empowerment, support, and advocacy of young people.

Since establishing the Right Direction Awards in 2015, the Office of the Attorney General has recognized over 220 young people as Right Direction Award recipients.

How to Attend the 2025 Right Direction Awards Ceremony:

When: Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM.

Where: Georgetown University Law Center (Hart Auditorium, 600 New Jersey Avenue NW, Enter on 2nd Street NW)

2025 Right Direction Award Recipients

  • Sadaf Ahmadi, 21 years old, Ward 8
  • Pierre Anderson, 17 years old, Ward 7
  • James Bah, 22 years old, Ward 5
  • Elijah Bennett, 17 years old, Ward 8
  • Zoey Brown, 15 years old, Ward 7
  • Amirah Bunn, 17 years old, Ward 7
  • Jeyson Adonay Chavez-Coreas, 20 years old, Ward 4
  • Laura Cruz, 14 years old, Ward 7
  • Kamesha Flemming, 22 years old, Ward 8
  • Bryan Herrera, 18 years old, Ward 5
  • Rain’a Horn, 17 years old, Ward 8
  • Thomas Howard, 24 years old, Ward 7
  • Yewoinhareg Kebede, 22 years old, Ward 4
  • Tony Kenner, 19 years old, Ward 8
  • Genesis Lemus, 20 years old, Ward 5
  • Tay’on Moore, 15 years old, Ward 8
  • Nylah Newkirk, 19 years old, Ward 8
  • Malaziah Peterson, 14 years old, Ward 8
  • Xavier Proctor, 16 years old, Ward 8
  • Issiah Robinson, 20 years old, Ward 7
  • Jamie Steinman, 23 years old, Ward 3
  • Christan Taylor, 23 years old, Ward 7
  • Olivia Thomas, 17 years old, Ward 8
  • Salome Torres, 18 years old, Ward 3
  • Kyle Washington, 16 years old, Ward 8
  • Cire Wilson, 18 years old, Ward 8
  • Tia Bell, Founder and CEO, The True Reasons I Grabbed The Gun Evolved From Risks (The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project) – Youth Empowerment Recognition Award
  • Samantha Davis, Organizer, Free DC and Founder, Black Swan Academy – Youth Empowerment Recognition Award