Cedrick Brown is pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Studies with a concentration in Cultural Foundations at the  University of North Carolina Greensboro. Originally from North Carolina, Cedrick brings a deep commitment to  educational equity, leadership development, and Black male student success. This summer, Cedrick will be placed with  The Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity, an organization focused on advancing equitable and  excellent education for all students in North Carolina. He has served as a Graduate Research Assistant for The  Collaborative for Black Men Success, a Graduate Teaching Assistant in African American Studies and Education  courses and is a licensed North Carolina K-12 school administrator. Cedrick considers being his past students’ favorite  teacher one of his proudest accomplishments. Outside of academia, he enjoys spending quality time and laughing with  friends.

Naya Chadwick is an undergraduate student majoring in Social Work at Jackson State University. Originally from  California, Naya is deeply passionate about education, social justice, and community empowerment. This summer, she will be placed with Stand for Children TN, an organization dedicated to ensuring all children, regardless of background,  receive a quality education. Naya is most proud of her work as a youth organizer within the Social Justice Academy at  San Leandro High School, where she first experienced ethnic studies and civic engagement-centered pedagogy. At  Jackson State, she has served as Secretary for both the Social Work Student Association and Jewels Inc., a mentorship  program supporting young urban girls. Outside of academics, Naya enjoys working out, practicing yoga, reading, and  spending time outdoors.

Kayla Hayes is an undergraduate student majoring in Elementary Education at Clark Atlanta University. Originally  from Tennessee, Kayla is passionate about early childhood education, community service, and culturally responsive  teaching. This summer, she will be placed with The Emancipation Group, an educational technology and social impact organization developing The Emancipation Game, an interactive learning experience that centers global Black history,  challenges its underrepresentation in school curricula, and equips students with critical thinking and problem-solving  skills to foster a more equitable and inclusive education system. Kayla is especially proud of being accepted into the  Rockdale County Preservice Internship, where she will teach first grade next year, and earning the title of Miss Krimson and Kream as a finalist in the Gamma Kappa Chapter’s Miss Kappa Alpha Psi Pageant. Outside of academics and  service, she enjoys exploring health and wellness through cooking, juicing, meditation, and playing recreational  volleyball.

Raven Morris is a Ph.D. student in Curriculum and Instruction at Texas Tech University. Originally from Texas, Raven is passionate about advancing racial equity in K-12 education through culturally responsive teaching and advocacy. This  summer, she will be placed with the Center for Racial Equity in Education (CREED), a North Carolina-based nonprofit  committed to transforming educational experiences and dismantling systemic racial disparities in education through 

research, advocacy, and coalition building. Raven is proud of her work as a Senior Policy Fellow with Teach Plus Texas  and for creating and earning both a fellowship and research assistantship through Texas Tech University. Outside of  academics and work, Raven enjoys traveling and watching women’s basketball.

Carlos Paredes is a master’s student in Latin American Studies with a specialization in politics at the University of  Florida. Originally from Florida, Carlos is passionate about education, equity, and inclusive public policy. This summer,  he will be placed with Every Texan, a policy and advocacy organization working to advance equity through research,  community engagement, and legislative action. As part of his fellowship, Carlos will contribute to education policy  research and help publish fact sheets on key legislative issues from the 89th Texas Legislature. Carlos is deeply proud of being the first in his family to attend college and earn a master’s degree. He’s also proud of meeting his Goodreads  reading goal every year for the past five years. Outside of work and school, Carlos enjoys weightlifting, beer tasting, cigars, and playing dominoes.

Alan Rojas-Rodriguez is an undergraduate student majoring in Political Science and Peace, War, and Defense at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a minor in Data Science. Originally from North Carolina, Alan is passionate about equitable education policy, budget justice, and Latinx advocacy. This summer, he will be placed with  the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI), an organization that advances equity-centered education and economic  policies through research and advocacy, particularly focused on the impact of the state budget on historically  marginalized communities. Alan is proud to be a first-generation college student and the child of immigrants, as well as serving as Co-President of Mi Pueblo, UNC’s largest Latinx student organization. Outside of academics and work, he  enjoys working on personal growth, including cooking and going to the gym.

Dehja Vaughn is a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at Clark Atlanta University. Originally from California, Dehja is  an educator, podcaster, creative writer, and advocate committed to promoting Black consciousness, educational equity,  and entrepreneurship. This summer, she will be placed with CRESTSprogram, LLC, an organization that promotes the socio-emotional well-being and academic excellence of Black youth by minimizing the impact of race-based stress  through research, professional development, and community outreach. Dehja is proud of presenting her research on the  psychological effects of enslavement on African Americans at the National Conference of Black Political Scientists  (NCOBPS) and of her role as a Lead Social Studies Teacher fostering culturally responsive learning environments.  Outside of her academic and professional work, Dehja enjoys creating spoken word poetry and hosting her podcast,  which amplifies Black excellence and global empowerment.

Joya Wheatfall-Melvin is a master’s student in Data Science for Public Policy at Georgetown University. Originally  from Virginia, Joya is passionate about leveraging data to reduce socioeconomic barriers for Black and Brown  communities, particularly through economic and education policy. This summer, she will be placed with Digital  Promise, a nonprofit working at the intersection of research, practice, and technology to create equitable learning  experiences and outcomes for all students, especially those with the greatest need. Joya currently serves as a Graduate  Research Assistant at Georgetown’s Evidence for Justice Lab, where she leads data analysis on civil summons  enforcement disparities in New York City and its educational and civic outcomes. She has also conducted research with  Brown University, Purdue University, the University of Virginia, and the Institute for Global Dialogue in South Africa. Her research focuses on the intersection of carceral and educational institutions, with particular attention to the integrity of alternative schooling for Black girls. In her free time, Joya enjoys reading with her weekly book club and attending  jazz concerts.