MEET OUR TEAM

Lilly Marcelin

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Meet Lilly

Lilly Marcelin is a community activist and organizer who has dedicated herself to a lifelong journey around racial and social justice equity. Ms. Marcelin has worked on a broad range of issues from gender-based violence, human trafficking, health and socioeconomic disparities to women’s reproductive health and rights. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Resilient Sisterhood Project (RSP) with a mission to inform and empower women and young adults of African descent about the common diseases of the reproductive system that disproportionately affect them. Ms. Marcelin strongly prefers to work in partnership with–rather than on behalf of–black women to address deeply rooted systemic racism.

Ms. Marcelin holds educational degrees from:

Wellesley College
Tufts University
Boston University School of Management – Certificate from the Institute for Nonprofit Management and Leadership (INML) program.

Katie Durant

COMMUNICATIONS AND OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Meet Katie

Before joining RSP in January of 2022, Katie Durant earned a BA from Wellesley College in 2011 and an MFA from Bennington College in 2014. Besides having more than 15 years of experience in writing and editing for various publishing companies, Katie has taught college-level English and Creative Writing for seven years. She is thrilled to be able to combine her skills in writing and teaching with her passion for women’s reproductive health and rights.

I work for RSP because I want to engage with and make a difference in the world around me. RSP gives me an opportunity to use my skills in a way that is full of meaning and purpose.

Aleyana Momplaisir

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Meet Aleyana

Aleyana is a graduate of Northeastern University, where she studied Political Science. Because of her personal experiences and work at the Resilient Sisterhood Project, Aleyana is passionate about how Black women are treated in the American healthcare system and continues to understand the impact government policies have on access to supportive, conducive care. Aside from the U.S. government and reproductive health, Aleyana has several interests, including language learning, visual arts, housing and education, and development in Caribbean nations. As she learns more about government and public health, Aleyana hopes to incorporate visual arts to share crucial information and messages through different media forms.

I work with the Resilient Sisterhood Project because the environment allows me to learn. Not knowing is not shamed, and research for social media work and projects is encouraged. I have learned a lot since joining the team, and there is no end in sight to that at RSP.

Kadriana Saintelus

PROGRAM MANAGER

Meet Kadriana

Kadriana is a recent graduate of City College of New York, where she studied and received her Bachelor's in Psychology with a pre-med concentration. Because she has witnessed her family members endure reproductive diseases, Kadriana views knowledge and community as powerful tools to help overcome the impact those diseases have on generations. She also weaves her passion for mental health into her interest in reproductive health, considering the mental toll and trauma Black women can unwillingly experience when seeking medical care.

I work for RSP as a way to contribute to positive change. Using my voice and energy to advocate and educate, I know I am helping to achieve better reproductive health care and outcomes for Black women.

Liz Sohn

DATA MANAGER

Meet Liz

Liz began her journey with RSP in 2017, while completing her education in Psychology, Health, and Wellness, as well as International Affairs at Northeastern University. Her desire to advance women's health and wellness fuels her commitment to RSP's mission. Liz works to enhance access to accurate information and invaluable resources, empowering women to make well-informed decisions about their reproductive health.

RSP's relentless fight for Black women's reproductive education and justice has continued to inspire and challenge me over the years. I firmly believe in the power of education and advocacy to drive meaningful change in women's health.

Djoulissa Louis-Jean

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COORDINATOR

Meet Djoulissa

After growing up in the tropical city of Miami, Djoulissa became interested in the intersection between communities, the environment and public health. This led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies at the University of Central Florida, following up with a Master of Science in Public Health at Tulane University in New Orleans. Her studies and community health work in New Orleans during the pandemic helped define her interests in eliminating the impacts of environmental injustices on community health. She has recently begun her studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Design to pursue a master’s in urban planning to build skills in creating spaces for BIPOC that are safe, accessible, and resilient. In her free time, she enjoys watching and analyzing tv series, having picnics, and writing short stories.

I work for RSP because I have always sought out spaces that strive to protect and advocate for the well-being of people of color. As a firm believer that the environment has a great impact on the health of communities, I plan to use my knowledge and passion to improve health outcomes for black women.

Cierra Brown

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Meet Cierra

Cierra is a Massachusetts native and joined RSP in 2024. Cierra is a graduate of Harvard College with a joint-degree in Chemistry and African American Studies as well as a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences with a master's degree in Chemistry. Cierra has always had a vested interest in activism and is extremely interested in the intersection between science, activism, and the black community. With that being said, Cierra is very excited to work with RSP to engage the Boston community surrounding reproductive health issues and their implications. Outside of RSP, Cierra is interested in educational equity, community building initiatives for BIPOC in schools, and in her free time enjoys reading, playing the viola, and seeing plays.

I work for RSP because my experience in the United States has taught me that advocacy and change is not often taken up by the public and government until key stakeholders force them to pay attention. Health, especially reproductive health, has huge implications on the welfare of a community and interventions in this area are essential to further any higher form of progress and reform in the Black community. I cherish the opportunity to work with empowered women in a space dedicated to uplifting the voices of these stakeholders and taking steps towards this progress.

Caroline Gable

PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

Meet Caroline

Originally from Boulder, Colorado, Caroline is a third year undergraduate student at Northeastern University pursuing a combined bachelor's in Health Science and Psychology with a minor in Spanish. Deeply committed to health equity and health education, Caroline is a health equity researcher, peer educator, and journalist covering topics like environmental justice and breast cancer. Caroline is honored to be a part of RSP and their work to dismantle barriers to reproductive healthcare for BIPOC individuals. Outside of RSP, Caroline is passionate about neuroscience, poetry, travel, and all things nature.

I work for RSP because I believe our work is critical to improving health outcomes in women and BIPOC communities. Meaningful change for Black women is happening here, and I’m proud to be part of an organization that drives this impact. Everyone at RSP is deeply committed to our mission and genuinely cares about the people we serve. Curiosity is actively encouraged and I am so grateful to work in an environment where I can grow as an ally, activist, and individual each day.

Volunteers, Practicum Students, and Capstone Students

Abby Penalver

INTERN

Dana Berger

VOLUNTEER

Gleanza Industrious

INTERN

Sophia Cassim

CAPSTONE STUDENT

Tiana Mason

PRACTICUM STUDENT

Meet our Young Advisory Leadership Council

A Message From Our Founding Director, Lilly Marcelin

A message from our founding director, Lilly Marcelin:

I am often asked what motivated me to start the Resilient Sisterhood Project. I always wish that I could respond with a quick and simple answer. In reality, the concept for this organization is a culmination of my steadfast beliefs in women’s rights and health, my love of science, and many years of advocating and working in partnership with underserved women who experience(d): incest, domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, domestic servitude, labor exploitation, and other forms of social injustice.

While working with many of these women I became keenly aware of their countless health burdens, particularly around diseases of the reproductive system. This awareness compelled me to inquire about the prevalence and impact of these diseases in women of African descent. The findings from my inquiries gave me a more in-depth understanding regarding the seriousness and consequences of these diseases in our communities.

In addition, I gained greater insights into

the prevalence of these diseases in many women of African descent including young adult girls.
the pervasive under-diagnosis and under-treatment by medical professionals.
the general lack of attention to these diseases for this racial group.
class and racial stereotypes.
stark medical and social inequities.
limited or no knowledge of these diseases.
emotional, familial, financial, and other hardships.
a culture of silence and secrecy in dealing with these diseases.
the impact of environmental toxins and synthetic hormones in our food and common household products.

These are some of the reasons behind the genesis of RSP—with its unwavering commitment for transformative social change toward more equitable reproductive health education and policies, as well as healthier women in our communities.