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
- Mentors and advises underclassmen
- Advocates for the rights of students to create the best possible learning space
- Challenges how educators approach and execute diversity and inclusion
Outside of School
- Drinks way too much coffee
- Binge-watches The Walking Dead
- Plans events and outreach with her Nonprofit, Citywide

Makenzie Dobbin (she/her)

Brown Summit, North Carolina

In school
- Participates in everything the school has to offer
- Meets new people
- Questions everything in the after school philosophy club
Outside of School
- Volunteers with the church to help those in need
- Spends time with her family
- Smiles and gives affirmation to anyone who needs it

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

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!

Jahki Poole (he/him)

Greensboro, North Carolina

In School
- Always looks our for others
- Creates a fun but focused space
- Lends the staff a helping hand
Outside of School
- Exercises to stay in good health
- Volunteers at the community food pantry
- Keeps the laughs going on the game with friends

Kayla Ruano-Lumpris (she/her)

Harlem, New York

In School
- Majors in Law & Society at Brooklyn Technical High School
- Serves as the principal double bassist in the advanced orchestra
- Member of the Black Student Union, ASPIRA, and National Honors Society
Outside of School
- Writes and publishes articles with the help of Youth Communication
- Volunteers as a tutor at MASA, a nonprofit that works to improve literacy in Hispanic community
- Participates in a weekly program that helps her understand the law to advocate for marginalize communities

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

Youth Advisory Council

Former Youth Advisory Council Members