Centering youth voice is central to our work. As such, our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is an important force in our organization-wide decision-making.

Youth Advisory Council

Alexis Corazon-Rodriguez (she/her)

Washington, D.C.

  • In School:

    • Double majoring in Political Science and African Studies at Howard University.

    • Works as Resident Assistant, mentoring and supporting students in dorm life.

    • Vice President of First Gen HU, advocating for first-generation students.

    Outside of School:

    • Passionate about yoga and journaling for personal growth and mindfulness.

    • Enjoys spending time with family for balance and connection.

    • Loves attending concerts and watching movies.

Wiotee Kargbo (she/her)

Charlotte, North Carolina

  • In School

    • Focuses on school work

    • Lends a helping hand to other students

    • Greets teachers and peers with a friendly spirit

    Outside of School

    • Listens to music

    • Takes daily walks in the community

    • Watches movies

Cory Newman (he/him)

Lansing, Illinois

  • In School

    • Plays on the varsity football team

    • Participates in the Student Equity Leadership club

    • Always makes sure people feel welcome within the school

    Outside of School

    • Plays video games

    • Spends time talking with friends

    • Listens to music

Jalene Lugo (she/her)

Queens, New York

  • In School

    • Makes sure nobody feels lonely or secluded

    • Checks on the wellbeing of friends and peers

    • Participates in the fitness club and crochet club

    Outside of School

    • Loves to draw but spends way too much on one drawing or scraps it

    • Advocates for better conditions for her community and protests frequently

    • Loves action, non-fiction, and fantasy books!

Taylor Poole (she/her)

Lansing, Illinois

  • In School

    • Models

    • Attends school events

    • Goes to the gym

    Outside of School

    • Goes to church

    • Works a lot

    • Skates

Brianna Sousa (she/her)

Queens, New York

  • In school

    • A loud leader who takes control

    • Shows a lot of school spirit

    • Participates in MSBK club, No Place for Hate, and Theatre programs

    Outside of school

    •Reads murder mystery books

    • Keeps up with the latest fashion trends 

    • Plays games with siblings

Kayla Ruano-Lumpris (she/her)

New Haven, Connecticut

  • In School

    • Majoring in Ethics, Politics, and Economics at Yale University

    • Works as a part of the Yale Policy Institute on volunteer social justice policy projects

    • Works as an event aid for her residential college

    Outside of School

    • Plays double bass

    • Explores new coffee shops

    • Loves to go thrifting

Milo Tamashiro VanderKloot (he/him)

Chicago, Illinois

  • In School

    • Takes AP social studies, science, and language classes

    • Co-President of the GSA, organizes events with other affinity groups

    • Participates in Asian American club, does traditional dance

    Outside of School

    • Goes out for boba and library books with friends

    • Helps his mom facilitate SEED (Seeking Education Equity and Diversity) meetings

    • Spends time with his family and cat, Stormy

Jaylen Wright (he/him)

Charlotte, North Carolina

  • In school

    • Plays on the school’s sports team

    • Helps out my teachers

    • Builds relationships with classmates

    Outside of School

    • Plays video games

    • Spends time with friends and family

    • Re-reads the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Janiala Young (she/her)

Detroit, Michigan

  • In School

    • Loves debate and researching

    • Serves as a school senator in Civic Nation and Gender Sexuality Alliance

    • Asks the questions everyone is thinking but too afraid of the consequences to ask

    Outside of School

    • Serves as the Chair of D.A.Y.U.M. (Detroit Area Youth Uniting Michigan) and a member of Detroit Heals Detroit

    • Advocates for others who don’t know how to advocate for themselves

    • Spends time with family and friends, especially loves the quality time at Sunday dinners

Former Youth Advisory Council Members

2023-2024

Makenzie Dobbin

Brown Summit, North Carolina

Jakhi Poole

Greensboro, North Carolina

2022-2023

2021-2022

Alitzel Barocio

Woodburn, Oregon

Kody Evers

Woodburn, Oregon

Cayla Roach

Memphis, Tennessee

Angel Amankwaah

Denver, Colorado