Fordham University Awarded Grant to Yambo Foundation

The $50,000 grant supports a youth mapping project in the Bronx.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Philanthropy

Brass surveying tripod and optical levels on a concrete city sidewalk with blurred brick apartment buildings in the background. — Fordham University awarded a $50,000 grant to the Angellyh Yambo Foundation to support a youth-led community mapping research project in the Bronx. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Fordham University awarded a $50,000 grant to the Angellyh Yambo Foundation during the summer of 2026. The funding supports the Bronx Community Mapping: A Blueprint for Change project, which utilizes mapping technology to address local safety challenges.

Why it matters

The grant funds a two-year research initiative intended to measure the effectiveness of the youth public safety mapping program. Positive findings from this study could lead to increased recognition and future investment from lawmakers for similar local efforts.

Fordham University provided $50,000 to fund a research project running from July 2026 through June 2028. The initiative aims to analyze outcomes from a youth mapping program that serves as a core component of the foundation's community safety strategy.

The players

Angellyh Yambo Foundation

This organization was launched in 2023 to provide anti-bullying and college-prep classes to local youth.

Fordham University

This private research university in New York City awarded the grant to support local community safety research.

RomoGIS

This company partners with the foundation to provide mapping technology for youth community projects.

Jeremiah Ryan

He was sentenced to 15 years to life for the 2022 shooting incident that led to the death of Angellyh Yambo.

The details

The Bronx Community Mapping project partners with RomoGIS to help students visualize data and propose community solutions during walking tours in the South Bronx. This research project emerged following the 2023 launch of the foundation, which was established to honor the memory of Angellyh Yambo.

In 2022, Angellyh Yambo was fatally shot in Mott Haven.
Mary Hernandez launched the Angellyh Yambo Foundation in 2023.
The two-year research project period began in July 2026.
Workshops are scheduled from February 2027 through April 2027.
The research project concludes in June 2028.

Market Landscape

The initiative follows the 2022 shooting of Angellyh Yambo and represents a shift toward data-driven community safety research. This program positions the foundation alongside other organizations seeking to leverage technology to influence public policy.

Local youth participating in the foundation's program will gain access to specialized mapping technology for community advocacy. Residents may see increased focus on safety solutions as the project progresses toward its June 2028 conclusion.

The takeaway

The foundation utilizes focus groups and mapping technology to empower students to address neighborhood safety challenges. This data-driven approach aims to turn personal tragedy into actionable community policy through research.