Stay up to date on upcoming events, deadlines, news, and more by signing up for our newsletters!
The Startup: The Flossy Organization
The Founder: Jibreel Jalloh (Wagner '26)
Participated In: Startup Accelerator Program, Startup Coaching
For Jibreel Jalloh, community impact isn’t just a passion — it’s a lifelong mission. As the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Flossy Organization, Jalloh is dedicated to addressing structural inequities by closing the advocacy gap in marginalized communities.
Jalloh is currently studying Management & Leadership at NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. In 2024, he participated in the Summer Startup Sprint.
Below, learn more about Jalloh’s journey, the inspiration behind Flossy, and his vision for a brighter future for underserved communities.
From Brooklyn, For Brooklyn
Jalloh traces the roots of his entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic to his upbringing as the son of immigrants in Canarsie, Brooklyn.
“I’ve always loved tackling tough challenges and being solution-oriented,” Jalloh said. “It's something I got from my parents, who immigrated from Sierra Leone and instilled a strong work ethic in me. In undergrad, I remember juggling a full-time job, full-time school, and being super active on campus.”
While working as Brooklyn Borough Advocate in the office of NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Jalloh traveled extensively across Brooklyn and teamed up with local groups to boost issue-based campaigns. After leaving the Public Advocate’s office, he desired to continue using the skills he’d learned to teach others about changemaking — leading to the origins of Flossy.
Building a Strong Foundation
Flossy’s approach is rooted in community engagement and practical support. Through partnerships with schools, local organizations, and businesses, the nonprofit works to close the advocacy gap by equipping people with training to organize grassroots campaigns and address inequities in their communities. Additionally, the nonprofit engages directly in a number of issue-based campaigns ranging from anti-violence to transit equity to climate justice.
Last fall, Jalloh was one of 30 rising leaders selected for the 2024-2025 Obama Foundation Scholars program at Columbia University. The prestigious program gives emerging leaders access to a robust curriculum of leadership development, training, networking activities, and customized support throughout the academic year to gain real-world skills and expand the impact of their work.
The Future of Flossy
Up next, the Flossy Organization will showcase its work on the national stage as a Student Startup finalist at the 17th Annual SXSW Pitch, taking place in Austin, March 8-10.
Flossy’s pitch will highlight its CivicTech Platform & Mobile Advocacy Hub, showing how the org is leveraging tech to supercharge grassroots advocacy and organizing.
"We’ve been doing this work on the ground for years, and now we’re bringing tech into the equation to make advocacy more scalable and sustainable,” Jalloh said. “SXSW is the perfect place to build partnerships, and take our impact to the next level.”
To learn more about the Flossy Organization and how you can support its mission, visit their website or follow them on Instagram and LinkedIn.
