Mohawk (they/them) has been a harm reduction tornado and a staple of NYC harm reduction culture for 10+ years, building out community resources and offering popular drug education through their project @therebeleducationist. While Mohawk was the backbone of the NY DanceSafe Chapter for almost a decade, their work has a much broader focus than just nightlife communities. Their mixture of lived experience, astute know-how, and fierce advocacy makes them an extremely versatile and knowledgable community fixture. Being a finalist for the David Prize is a huge deal - a very well-earned one. Mohawk’s presence in this field is moving mountains. It is truly a privilege to watch. You can read more about Mohawk’s history at the link in our bio. Champagne emojis say "thank you, Mohawk!" 🍾 From their nomination: Mohawk, also known as The Rebel Educationist, is a harm reduction educator focused on young people within NYC nightlife. Advanced drug checking technologies exist that analyze substances for their exact content, but these technologies are expensive, time-consuming, and not accessible to those most vulnerable. And while accessible methods can be found in club bathrooms, their efficacy is limited and the results unreliable in these environments. Mohawk is championing a pragmatic approach to drug use to ensure New Yorkers can accurately test substances and reduce risks associated with their use via a mobile drug checking unit that offers risk reduction and overdose prevention education, and testing results on the spot. Mohawk’s vision is to increase safety, awareness, and reduce unnecessary deaths in New York City’s youth populations – without judgment. Head to the link in our bio (https://therebeleducationist.com/) to learn more about Mohawk’s work! 📸: Janick Gilpin (@janickgilpin)