Young Innovator in Behavioral Health Awardee

Andre Simms, also known as DayOneNotDayTwo, is an artist, activist, and entrepreneur committed to dismantling systems of oppression and fostering community healing through creative expression. After being incarcerated at 17, Andre turned his passion for music into a tool for personal transformation and societal impact. As the founder of DayOneNotDayTwo, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering BIPOC communities, he leads an intergenerational movement that builds collective power through narrative and art. Andre’s leadership led him to play a crucial role in recognized national and local initiatives, such as: developing the nation's first Youth Participatory Defense Hub, facilitating youth-led trainings for Philadelphia’s Public Defender Office, organizing the Biden-Harris White House Interagency Youth Policy Summit, and spearheading the Delaware County Youth Diversion Planning Committee. He currently serves as a New Deal 4 Youth Changemaker with the National Collaborative for Transformative Youth Policy. Andre's work, recognized by PBS WHYY, CSPAN, and the Ford Foundation, exemplifies his dedication to amplifying youth voices and driving positive social change.