Grassroots Voices Empowering young women leaders making an impact in their communities

Yochi Hobson attended an all-girls high school and was raised by a single mother, shaping her deep commitment to women’s rights and equity. Appalled by the economic disparities she witnessed in her hometown, Yochi was inspired to found Project Pink Tax in high school, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to combating period poverty by providing free, high-quality menstrual products to those in need. While this has been her primary experience in the equity space, it has also been an invaluable journey in leadership, organization, and advocacy. Through Project Pink Tax, Yochi has developed a passion for creating sustainable change and continues to seek opportunities to expand her impact. 

Hobson balances this work with her studies at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to being a student, she has consulted for non-profit organizations worldwide, including in Costa Rica, Mexico, and Thailand, leveraging her experiences to support social impact initiatives. 

Wawa Gatheru is a climate activist and Rhodes Scholar passionate about cultivating a climate movement that is made in the image of all of us. She is the founder and Executive Director of Black Girl Environmentalist, the only national organization dedicated to addressing the pipeline and pathway issue for Black girls, women, and gender expansive individuals in the climate sector. 
 
In addition to her role at BGE, Wawa sits on boards and advisory councils for Greenpeace USA, Climate Power, Sound Future, National Parks Conservation Association, and EarthJustice. Wawa is also an inaugural member of the National Environmental Youth Advisory Council of the US EPA – the first federal youth-led advisory council in US history. 
 
For her work, Wawa has been recognized as a Glamour College Woman of the Year, a L’Oreal Paris Woman of Worth, a Climate Creator to Watch by Harvard, and has been named to several notable lists – including Forbes 30 under 30, Ebony Power 100, the Independent’s Climate 100, Grist 50, and AFROTECH Future 50 – and is an established public speaker who has presented at Harvard University, The Washington Post Summit, and the New York Times Climate Forward. She most recently featured on the January 2023 digital cover of Vogue alongside Billie Eilish and 7 other climate activists. 

Rania Harrara is a gender equality advocate, climate expert, and social entrepreneur dedicated to empowering women and girls across the SWANA region.  

As the founder of Climate Sirens, an award-winning social enterprise focused on economic empowerment, technology, innovation, and sexual and reproductive health rights education, Rania fosters sustainable solutions rooted in indigenous knowledge and feminist values. She co-founded the Young SWANA Feminist Collective, which focuses on advancing political empowerment for women and girls in the region, and co-leads the Girl Up Arab World Coalition. For her work, she was named a UNICEF Morocco Climate Champion, UN Women National Gender Activist for Morocco and an Aspen Institute Climate Future Leader, and a UNESCO Women Pioneer in MENA Peacebuilding. She has mobilized + 70K in funds to support young women in SWANA region survive conflict and crisis and leading a helping to provide legal assistance and support for women facing violence in the region. She is aspiring to attend law school and use her degree to protect women from violence internationally. 

Natalie founded her business Garden of Awareness two years ago in Spring 2023 with the mission of holding space for people to reconnect with their body’s and nature, in reverence to a world of harmony that begins within the individual. She received a certification in Holistic Nutrition and Coaching in September 2022 and went on to pursue 250 hours Yoga Teaching Certification in an immersive experience in Bali, Indonesia in November 2022. Through the tools of Yoga, Holistic Nutrition, and a lens of Indigenous wisdom she seeks to help individuals, especially women, decolonize their relationships with their selves and find physical, mental, and spiritual liberation. Natalie will be moving to Madrid, Spain this September 2025 to deepen her studies and pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Race and Gender studies. Natalie will continue to expand her mission of helping the collective live more mindfully and with reverence to the Earth and her ecosystem, which they are a part of. 

For a majority of Mariah’s life, she has naturally been drawn to leadership and taking on those spaces. On campus, she currently has the honor to serve as a College of Arts & Sciences Flagship Ambassador and Team Captain where she has facilitated and planned college and campus wide events and activities, maintained effective communication with her campus director, and orchestrated meetings with her team while representing Howard University on and off campus, including internationally.  

Mariah is also the Culture Committee Chair of Revolt, Incorporated, where she maintains the positive and inclusive environment of the organization, facilitates and organizes events for bonding between members and the executive board, and represents the organization in multiple capacities. In addition, she is also currently the Team Lead of the First-Year Experience sub-department within the Howard University Student Association where she gets to advocate for the needs and interests of first year students and underclassmen on campus while planning events to establish community among Howard students. Lastly, Mariah also serves in mentorship and educational development programs through various organizations on campus including Revolt, Incorporated, the Howard University Chapter of NAACP, and a club that she is currently in the process of helping develop through the Rising Voices program, called Pathways. 

Maya Manchester founded Period101, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to fighting period poverty. Period poverty is the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products. Period101 creates period product kits, which are canvas bags filled with menstrual products and a motivational note. Manchester Co-Founded the first Period101 Chapter at Thomas A. Edison High School, and Period101 has since expanded to other schools through chapters and partnerships. Period101 has donated 3,000+ period product kits and 17,900+ individual menstrual products.  

As a First-Year Student at American University in Washington, DC, Manchester is majoring in international studies, hoping to focus on international development or human rights and pursuing a minor in French. In the past, Manchester participated in the Global Leaders of Fairfax County program as a Fellow and hopes to seek out more opportunities relating to international relations in the future.  

Khadija Nazari grew up in rural Afghanistan, where she experienced firsthand the barriers to accessing education. Her resilience and deep understanding of the cultural and political challenges in Afghanistan have shaped her into an empathetic leader and advocate for change. 
 
After graduating from high school, she received a scholarship to study at the American University of Afghanistan. She later continued her studies at the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she had to return to Afghanistan. 
 
When the Taliban seized control, Khadija came to the United States. She is now studying at Brown University, majoring in International and Public Affairs and Entrepreneurship. 
Khadija refuses to forget the girls in Afghanistan who remain determined to pursue an education. She is the founder and president of Support for Afghan Girls’ Education (SAGE), a Rhode Island-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides financial and program support to girls and young women in Afghanistan who have been denied schooling under the Taliban’s rule. 

Kayla Austin is an entrepreneur, activist, and creative visionary dedicated to driving social change through innovation. She is a graduating senior at Howard University, majoring in Television and Film, where she has maintained a 4.0 GPA while serving as Vice President of Howard University ELITE Models and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. 
 
At just 12 years old, Kayla founded *My Gun’s Been Moved*, a groundbreaking gun safety startup designed to prevent accidental shootings through innovative technology. Her entrepreneurial journey has been recognized nationally—she received her first investment from Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize and raised an additional $120,000 through independent crowdfunding. Kayla’s work has been featured in *Teen Vogue*, *Black Enterprise*, *AfroTech*, *ABC 7 Chicago*, and *Fox Chicago*, and she was honored as an AT&T HBCU Rising Future Maker, one of just 25 students selected for the inaugural cohort. 
 
In addition to her entrepreneurial pursuits, Kayla has extensive leadership experience, including participating in the HBCU Founders Initiative and the 1867 Undergraduate Assembly Assistantship Program at Howard, where she engaged with the university’s Board of Trustees. She is also a creative force in media, producing and directing content for major brands like Meta, with projects reaching over 16 million views. 
 
Kayla’s passion for community impact is reflected in her *Shoot for Safety* initiative, a community event aimed at raising awareness about gun violence. She is committed to using entrepreneurship, storytelling, and activism to create a safer, more equitable world. 

Kamina Griffin is the founder of SECURE, a tech-driven initiative dedicated to transforming career accessibility for minority college students. SECURE leverages AI-driven technology to connect students from underrepresented backgrounds including race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, and religion with scholarships, internships, mentorship, and career resources. Griffin believes that by creating equitable opportunities, historically overlooked students can gain access to the support and tools needed to thrive in higher education and beyond.  

Griffin has held leadership roles centered on education, economic empowerment, and community advocacy. She is a White House Historical Association Next Generation Leader and serves as President of Spelman College’s First Generation Scholars Program. She has collaborated on business cases with the Minnesota Twins and Rare Beauty, participated in corporate and investment banking programs, and championed financial literacy and career advancement for marginalized communities. She has also been recognized as an AT&T Rising Future Maker Scholar, an Essence Panelist, and an HBCU Consulting Fellow x PNC, among other honors. Griffin is a Spelman College senior, completing her Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Comparative Women’s Studies with a minor in Management & Organization. 

Kadijah Mansaray is a compassionate, driven, and multifaceted individual who combines her passion for service with a relentless pursuit of excellence. Deeply committed to caring for others and lifting others as she climbs, Kadijah founded MIRR Mentors, a mentorship program that connects Howard University students with young learners from marginalized communities. Her advocacy extends to children with sickle cell anemia, where she partners with local organizations to raise awareness and provide support.

Kadijah’s tenacity is evident in her actions, when she saw the lack of a DECA chapter at Howard University, she took initiative to establish one. Additionally, despite the HU ASB community service program typically selecting upperclassmen for leadership roles, Kadijah promoted herself and was chosen as a Team Leader as a Freshman. 

Her multifaceted nature shines through in her diverse interests. She is passionate about fashion and is working to launch her own clothing line. She also has a love for psychology, which led her to join a psychology research group at Howard. Kadijah is driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact and continually strives for growth and excellence.

She aspires to leverage her education and experience to make a lasting impact in her community and beyond, working toward a future where underrepresented voices are empowered through education and opportunity. 

Jocelyn is a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania from New Jersey. She currently holds multiple leadership experiences as a Residential Advisor for her University, Vice President of Show for the UPenn Figure Skating Team, and Deputy Vice President of Technology for the Wharton Retail Club. She enjoys puzzles and finding new solutions through creative strategies. Previously, she held a summer internship abroad in Singapore where she worked in a small ed–tech company in the solutions and consultancy team. At school, she works as a Research Assistant for the Business Economics and Public Policy Department. Outside of academics, she can often be found reading various types of books, trying out new restaurants, and engaging in policy discussions. 

Esther Edohwokui ’26 is majoring in Diplomacy and International Relations with a minor in Russian and East European Studies. She is a member of Seton Hall’s School of Diplomacy’s DiploLab–a research hub for Diplomacy students and has a research interest in international human rights and law. She also holds a leadership position in a human trafficking awareness organization as the Director of Impact and Events. She has interned with the U.S. State Department in the Office of Global Criminal Justice. Her focus on the lack of comprehensive civic and political education in low-income communities has led to her developing EngagedED, an outreach program designed to close that educational gap and promote stronger civic engagement and voter participation. 

England Meadows is a student and education equity advocate based in Washington, DC. Born to Nigerian parents and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she studies at American University’s School of Public Affairs, pursuing a double major in Political Science and Philosophy. 

As co-founder of BRIDGE, Meadows champions the belief that education transcends the traditional confines of classroom walls. Her work stems from a deep conviction that learning is boundless – crossing geographical, cultural, and societal boundaries. Through her leadership roles, she develops frameworks that leverage education as both a tool for social action and the great equalizer in society. 

Her extensive campus and community involvement reflects this commitment to comprehensive change. As Director of Outreach at SPEAR, she works to translate complex policy concepts into accessible advocacy strategies. In her role as Mid-Atlantic Coalition Leader for Girl Up, she leads more than 100 clubs across four states, while also serving as Education Chair for the NAACP campus chapter and College Ambassador for Planned Parenthood’s Spill The Tea initiative. 

Meadows’ leadership extends to her work as Events Coordinator for Sister Sister, supporting Black women through programming focused on academic success, and as a Fellow with The Civic Life Initiative, facilitating meaningful conversations on pressing regional issues. As Deputy Director of Community Outreach for Students for Change, she empowers students through intersectional programming that unites people across race, class, gender, and religion. 

Through her position on the Veritas Alumni Advisory Board and experience with the Veritas Debate Institute, Meadows develops support systems for Black students’ undergraduate success and champions the power of intellectual discourse. She firmly believes that education is not just a pathway to success, but a revolutionary tool for liberation and social transformation. 

Dania Verbena is a second-year student at Rhodes College, where she is double majoring in International Studies and Latin American and Latinx Studies. She is currently a representative of the Youth Observatory sponsored by the Carter Center, where she promotes democratic values and youth political participation. Originally from Esquipulas, Guatemala, Dania’s leadership extends beyond the classroom. She learned English through the U.S. Embassy Access Microscholarship Program in 2016, which paved the way for her to become a translator. Passionate about making a difference, she founded Activistas Guatemala, a feminist collective focused on women’s empowerment, and organized community service projects that tackled gender inequality.

In 2022, Dania founded the “Girls Also Matter” Program, an initiative dedicated to empowering young girls in Guatemala through education, leadership training, and bodily autonomy awareness. Most recently, Dania received the prestigious award Premio “Joven Inspiración Guatemalteca” (Young Guatemalan Inspiration Award) from the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala and Jóvenes Artistas por la Justicia Social (JAXJS NGO) in August 2024, awarded to 50 young Guatemalans for their innovative leadership and transformative impact on society. 

During her high school years, Dania’s dedication to public service was evident as she led efforts in public audits, citizenship, and youth involvement in political spaces across the city of Chiquimula. She continues this work today, focusing on fostering democracy and political engagement among youth across Guatemala. Her passion for empowering young women continues to drive her work. She is committed to breaking down gender stereotypes and creating spaces for women in traditionally male-dominated areas. Dania’s future goals include deepening her understanding of social issues and advancing solutions that provide better opportunities for Guatemalan citizens, especially women. 

Cherie Animashaun is the Founder of Her Rising Initiative, a nonprofit focused on closing the opportunity gap and increasing the number of women in leadership positions. Her Rising hosts statewide “Girls Who Lead” conferences, with free workshops in STEM, humanities, and business to middle school girls. Her Rising also offers inspiration through our customized mindfulness journals and podcast.

Cherie is also very passionate about advancing policy, she spoke last year at the White House Youth Policy Summit and has done various projects with the Department of Education. She is currently studying policy on a pre-law track at Cornell University.  

Carina Laventure is leading the development of Artistry in Action, a mentorship project that fosters youth civic engagement through art. The program pairs high school students with experienced artists to conduct an art-centered exploration of a community issue they have identified. Through a structured curriculum, mentees will learn how to choose a thematic focus for their work and develop artistic techniques that effectively raise awareness for their selected issue. 
 
Carina is currently enrolled in the Honors Philosophy program at Howard University on the pre-law track. She serves as a class representative on the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Association Executive Board and is an active member of Howard’s Mock Trial Team. At Howard, she is also co-president of the Philosophy Club, Youth Program Coordinator for the NAACP, and an Acquisition Editor on Ukweli, the undergraduate research journal. Additionally, Carina is an inaugural member of the Youth250 National Advisory Bureau. 

Brianna Gallimore is a writer, storyteller, and creative visionary known for her ability to craft narratives that resonate with depth, emotion, and authenticity. With a background in fiction and content creation, she weaves stories that capture the complexities of human experience, blending lyrical prose with raw, heartfelt emotion. Her work is characterized by a deep sense of connection—whether she’s writing about love, loss, or the quiet moments in between, her words have a way of making readers feel seen.

Beyond her writing, Brianna is passionate about storytelling as a means of empowerment and change. She understands the transformative power of narratives and uses her skills to create work that is both evocative and impactful. Whether through fiction, branding, or advocacy, she brings a unique voice that bridges the personal and the universal.

With a style that is immersive and intimate, Brianna continues to shape the literary and creative landscape, proving that stories—when told with heart and intention—can leave a lasting imprint on the world.

Her advocacy efforts have led her to introduce a legislative bill in the New York Senate, be quoted in The New York Times, and be featured on Fox News for her work in education and community leadership.

Brianna also founded a nonprofit focused on tech equality and is developing an initiative dedicated to the storage and application of wisdom for posterity. Her lived experience with first episode psychosis fuels her commitment to mental health equity, ensuring inclusive, empathetic approaches to systemic issues. Thoughtful, relentless, and deeply invested in her work, Brianna thrives in spaces that challenge convention and build bridges between policy, ethics, and human experience. 

Angela Zhong is a recent Harvard graduate, where she earned a degree in economics and environmental science public policy, along with a citation in Mandarin. Angela has been invited to speak at events including but not limited to: the World Economic Forum, World Bank Spring Meetings, SXSW, the past 3 UN Conference of Parties, the C40 Cities Summit, and many more. For her work, Angela was recognized as the G20 Indonesia 2022 Youth Sustainable and Livable Planet Champion and a Common Purpose 25 under 25. She is currently an analyst at TPG. 

Aissata Sackho is working to establish a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the migrant community in Louisville, Kentucky. With a particular focus on recently arrived Senegalese migrants, she has been deeply engaged in helping them navigate life in the United States, from improving their language skills to accessing essential resources. Understanding the complexities of migration, she has collaborated with local organizations and national NGOs to strengthen support networks and bridge the gap between new arrivals and established community members. In addition to this work, Aissata serves as a liaison for families facing challenges related to arranged marriages, advocating for children’s right to education by engaging directly with parents. This experience has reinforced her commitment to community empowerment and social justice, driving her to continue advocating for vulnerable populations. 

Aissata Sackho holds a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, French, and Women & Gender Studies. She has presented at several prestigious conferences, including the Johns Hopkins Mosaic Conference (Spring 2021), where she explored African feminism through So Long a Letter, and the Global Citizenship for Campus, Community, and Careers: Crossing Borders and Boundaries Conference, hosted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). At the latter, she delivered a presentation titled Cultivating Purpose through Global Engagement: Ecovillages in Senegal, highlighting the transformative impact of sustainable communities on global citizenship.