Elijah Olise

Elijah Olise is a passionate advocate, community organizer, and the founder of the Holistic Afro Youth Center, a non-profit dedicated to building holistic housing services and community infrastructures for young adults who have aged out of care. Growing up in care from the age of 3, Elijah's personal experience navigating systemic racism, displacement, and marginalization informs his approach to social justice and policy reform.

Transitioning into independent living just before turning 18, Elijah faced housing, food, and financial insecurity. His resilience and commitment to systemic change propelled him from frontline sales to community organizing, social justice activism, and non-profit leadership. Elijah channels his lived experience into creating solutions that uplift communities, focusing on BIPOC artistic development, urban agriculture, culturally specific housing services, and community-based responses to Anti-Black racism and policing.

At the Holistic Afro Youth Center, Elijah works alongside organizations like QBBE, MYCASA and other stakeholders to provide trauma-informed, culturally grounded social services. His leadership is guided by the principles of Ubuntu, community healing, and empowering youth through mentorship and skill development. Elijah believes that community-driven initiatives, peer support, and advocacy can transform lives and foster long-term resilience.

Elijah's work extends beyond organizational leadership to policy advocacy, peer intervention, and developing programs that address the unique needs of marginalized youth. His focus on child welfare, youth participation, and the transition to adulthood reflects his belief that those with lived experience are essential to shaping more just and humane systems.

Driven by empathy and hope, Elijah continues to build collaborative networks that center the voices of Afro-Indigenous and marginalized youth, challenging systemic barriers and working toward collective liberation.