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

Yaffa Gallon (she/her)

Lansing, Illinois

  • In School

    • Holds leadership positions in clubs

    • Always helps when needed

    Outside of School

    • Avid music listener

    • Enjoys baking

    • Always at the mall

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

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

Milo Tamashiro VanderKloot (he/him)

Chicago, Illinois and Northfield, Minnesota

  • In School

    • First-year college student exploring new language, science, and social studies classes

    • Participates in clubs and other student groups on campus

    • Works toward a potential major in biology with concentrations in Asian Studies/Gender and Sexuality Studies

    Outside of School

    • Explores Chicago and his college home of Northfield

    • Stretches his creative muscles by making zines, printmaking, pottery, and fiber arts

    • Spends time with his family and cat, Stormy

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

2024-2025

Alexis Corazon-Rodriguez

Washington, D.C.

Cory Newman

Lansing, Illinois

Jalene Lugo

Queens, New York

Taylor Poole

Lansing, Illinois

Kayla Ruano-Lumpris

New Haven, Connecticut

Jaylen Wright

Charlotte, North Carolina

2023-2024

Makenzie Dobbin

Brown Summit, North Carolina

Jakhi Poole

Greensboro, North Carolina

2022-2023

Alitzel Barocio

Woodburn, Oregon

Kody Evers

Woodburn, Oregon

Cayla Roach

Memphis, Tennessee

2021-2022

Angel Amankwaah

Denver, Colorado