2015/2016 NLC Menino Fellow

With the conclusion of the 2016 spring semester, Boston University student Sana Johnson (class of 2017) completed her term as the inaugural National League of Cities (NLC) Menino Fellow. Through this Fellowship, Johnson spent the 2015 fall semester paired with IOC Director Graham Wilson in an on-campus Directed Study program where she researched juvenile justice reform, particularly the experiences of young women of color in the juvenile justice system. Johnson investigated how cities implement gender responsive strategies, what role the federal government plays in those efforts, and how those strategies address the unique hardships experienced by young women of color.

Johnson is an experienced advocate, having recently completed a semester-long internship with Mina’s List, a nonprofit that strengthens the voice and representation of women in national governments around the world. In this role, Johnson helped organize a listening session in Dubai with Afghan women parliamentarians.

On campus, Johnson is a Student Ambassador at the Center for Career Development and Educational Research Center where she regularly plans and leads workshops that assist BU students in developing their professional skills. Johnson is also an active participant in both the Umoja Black Student Union and the Sister’s United Black Women’s Association, and is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Johnson spent her 2016 spring semester in Boston University’s Washington DC study abroad program, where she pursued regular classes and participated in a paid internship in the National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education and Families.

Johnson’s research and work at the NLC focused on youth and juvenile justice. Her blog posts, published via the NLC’s CitiesSpeak site, can be accessed here. She researched and wrote articles on the impact of curfews for minors, advice for city leaders, and NLC’s National Youth Convention.

The National League of Cities Menino Fellowship is a joint effort by the Initiative on Cities and the National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education and Families. It is named in honor of IOC Co-Founder and former Mayor of Boston, Thomas Menino.

If you are a current BU student and interested in becoming a Menino Fellow, information on how to apply can be found here.