The Activist
Organizer. Social Entrepreneur. Narrative Disruptor.
“A wise woman once said…to the wrongs that need resistance, to the right that needs assistance, to the future in the distance, give yourselves.”
– Anya Dillard
Organizations & Affiliations
The Next Gen Come Up
Founder and President
The Next Gen Come Up is a nonprofit that has been encouraging youth to pursue activism, organize with their peers, get involved in community service, and raise awareness through creating thought-provoking works of art since 2018. Through hosting community outreach events, organizing protests, mentoring youth, and publishing articles about current events, The Next Gen Come Up strives to spark conversations about everything from the most relatable teen dilemmas to the most controversial socio-political issues impacting our society. Anya hopes that one day, The Next Gen Come Up will have helped to develop a worldwide community of like-minded leaders who can come together to express their sociopolitical views, use their creativity to disrupt narratives and spark real change in their communities.
The Youth Never Let Up Coalition
Co-Founder, Lead on Community Engagement, and Frontline Support
The Youth Never Let Up Coalition is a collective of 10 youth leaders from across the country who specialize in community organizing, government relations, brand partnerships, and content creation. Individually, their work has been featured in mainstream media and entertainment platforms including Teen Vogue, Forbes, BET, CNN, BBC, and many more. When they aren't working on YNLU initiatives, you can find many of them working with the NAACP, National Action Network, White House & State Departments, Until Freedom, National Urban League, and many others.
Marisa Conners, Anya Dillard, Kavin Haldo, Denia Smith, and friends standing in front of the Princeton Public Library at the conclusion of their protest for abortion access (Photographed by Jordan Spector — @jordan_spector on Instagram)
Anya Dillard participating in a march for abortion rights, following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, in Times Square (July 4, 2022).
Anya Dillard participating in a march for abortion rights, following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, in Times Square (July 4, 2022).
Anya Dillard and a group of West Orange Highschool students participating in a walkout in support of the National Climate Strike (2019).
Anya Dillard, Kahlil Greene, Channing Hill, Nupol Kiazolu, Tylik McMillan, and Jerome Treadwell-Richardson (of The Youth Never Let Up Coalition), US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, and leaders from across the African Disora at Swahili Village The Consulate Restaurant in Washington, DC. (August 2022)
Anya Dillard, Jerome Treadwell Richardson, Channing Hill, Devan Vilfrard, Marquise Hunt, Kahlil Greene, Tylik McMillan, Zayla Bryant, and Kiara Williams (of The Youth Never Let Up Coalition) at Print Shop in George Floyd Square. (July 2022)
Anya Dillard, Jerome Treadwell Richardson, Channing Hill, Devan Vilfrard, Marquise Hunt, Kahlil Greene, Tylik McMillan, Zayla Bryant, and Kiara Williams (of The Youth Never Let Up Coalition) meeting w/ Attorney General Keith Ellison of Minnesota. (July 2022)
Anya Dillard, Kahlil Greene, and Jerome (Treadwell) Richardson -- of The Youth Never Let Up Coalition -- at Swahili Village The Consulate Restaurant for a meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. (August 2022)
Anya Dillard, Marquise Hunt, Nupol Kiazolu, Devan Vilfrard, Kahlil Greene, and Jerome Treadwell Richardson (of the Youth Never Let Up Coalition) at a screening of the Till Movie in New York. Joined by Nia White (of Freedom March NYC), Deborah Watts, Terri Watts, Jaribu Hill, Keith Beauchamp, Kimberly Bernard, and Shakee Merritt. (August 2022)