WHO
WE ARE

Mariah McClendon is a born and raised Detroiter, spoken word poet, and Ph.D. candidate studying sociocultural anthropology at Wayne State University. Her research explores the relationship between race, gender, and language in urban contexts of structural inequality through a black feminist theoretical lens. ​

 

Mariah holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor where she studied anthropology and intergroup relations. She is also the author of the 2020 poetry book, "Letters to u".  Through her creative and academic pursuits, Mariah aims to show how anthropology and art can elucidate diverse experiences and help identify strategies for creating a more equitable society.​

Jacouri Givens is a data scientist from Fayetteville, North Carolina, specializing in designing innovative geospatial tools that address challenges in analytics and disparities in urban communities. He earned a Master of Science in GIS from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

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Today, Jacouri is an analytics consultant for the Department of Defense, delivering data-driven solutions to national defense strategies, analytical modernization, and business processes. He applies his expertise to help communities identify disparities and develop strategies that foster self-sufficiency and sustainable progress. 

A'Ishah Johnson, MPH is a dedicated public health practitioner with an emphasis on environmental justice and health equity, complemented by a strong STEM and policy background. Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, A'Ishah has contributed to impactful initiatives while working in the Executive Branch of Government as a Civil Servant, including the Executive Office of the President - White House’s Council on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, addressing pressing environmental health challenges, particularly in underserved communities.

 

With a strong STEM foundation, A'Ishah excels at blending scientific insight with policy solutions to drive meaningful change. She is also pursuing her Doctor of Public Health with a focus on food security. 

Rasheda Beckles is a Tuskegee University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business and a Master's in Agricultural and Natural Resources Economics. She brings robust expertise in sustainable agriculture and specializes in agribusiness management and organic farming techniques.

 

Currently serving as a USDA Farm Loan Manager in Southeast Georgia, she covers two offices with a focused mission of supporting minority farmers. Her professional commitment centers on environmental justice and community growth, with a particular emphasis on reconnecting black farmers to land ownership and financial literacy. Rasheda works to bridge historical and entrepreneurial gaps between minority farmers and agricultural support systems.

Fatimata Cham is a published poet and human rights advocate from the Bronx, New York. A first-generation Gambian college graduate, she double majored in Government and Law and Women and Gender Studies at Lafayette College, where she won the 2023 George Wharton Pepper Prize and served as commencement speaker. Fatimata is a 2022 Truman Scholar, a 2019 Coca-Cola Scholar, founder of Climate4Sisterhood, and a former Up teen advisor to the United Nations Foundation.

 

Fatimata advocates for her community through writing and frontline work. She authored a poetry book, "Perfectly Imperfect," using the blend of poetry and activism to address environmental injustice, gender inequality, racism, islamophobia, and more.

Amina Naliaka is a dedicated researcher and educator with a robust background in GIS, hydrological modeling, and environmental sustainability. Currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Environmental Resources & Policy Program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, her research focuses on water resource management, groundwater sustainability, and the complex interplay between human and natural systems under the impacts of climate change. 

 

Amina is dedicated to advancing education, outreach, and DEI. She connects academia, community engagement, and policy to promote sustainable solutions for environmental challenges.