“Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs only to the people who prepare for it today.”

Ayden serves as a Co-Director for the San Diego AMANI Project team. Ayden graduated from San Diego State University in 2024, with her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, and she is now earning her PhD in the SDSU/UCSD Joint-Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders. She is passionate in advocating for accessible language and literacy resources. Ayden has been a part of the AMANI Project since the pilot year in 2022.

Natalie is a PhD student at Harvard in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology (SHBT) on the Speech Language Pathology (SLP) Track, and a Doctoral Research Fellow in the Speech and Language (SAiL) Literacy Lab at the MGH Institute for Health Professions. She graduated from San Diego State University in 2023 with a BA in Psychology, a BA in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences, and minors in Spanish and Leadership Development. Natalie aims to apply her research and practice to increase culturally and linguistically-affirming educational spaces. Through her work with the A.M.A.N.I. Project, she hopes to build spaces for Black students to feel safe, seen, and supported to thrive from K-12 to higher education and beyond.

Taylor is a rising senior at San Diego State University majoring in sociology with a public health minor and the AMANI Project Co-Director in San Diego. She chose to be part of the A.M.A.N.I. Project because she truly believes in its mission. She wishes she had something like this when she was growing up, and takes pride in giving this experience to others!

Mya Wyatt is a first-year master’s student in Speech-Language Pathology at California State University, Los Angeles, with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University. Mya has personally experienced the power of mentorship and is passionate about expanding access to mentorship, while uplifting and supporting Black students locally, globally, and nationally. Mya loves anything creative and making education culturally and linguistically diverse and inclusive. As curriculum director, Mya brought her education, love for people, and kind heart to her role. Mya is nothing short of excited about the future of A.M.A.N.I and will forever be an advocate for this life-changing organization!

Madison Reaves is a third-year student at San Diego State University majoring in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences with an emphasis in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. She was born and raised in Orange County, California.

Her interests include cooking and baking for herself, friends, or family, hiking/going to the gym/exploring and trying new experiences.

Her motivation to join the AMANI team stems from her major, Speech Language and Hearing Sciences. She knows that previous AMANI leaders are in her field, so forming that network was also important to her. Due to her initial desire to work with children and help foster a sense of mentorship and building blocks of communication, she would love to work as a school-based speech pathologist after she earns her Bachelor’s or Master’s, so practicing mentorship and community building activities is so significant to her goals.

Brianna Alderman is an Economics Ph.D. student at Harvard University. She graduated in May of 2023 with a B.A. in Economics, B.S. in Mathematics, and B.S. in Statistics from the University of Florida (UF). Her current field interests include industrial organization, labor economics, and antitrust economics. Her research interests include examinations of the impacts and policy implications of monopsony power in a variety of input markets, including labor markets.

Interests: Math, board games, romance novels, exploring new cities.

Widmilly Joseph is a second-year finance major at Bunker Hill Community College and is fluent in Haitian Creole, French, and English. His academic aspirations include attaining a master's degree in finance and a degree in political science. Having relocated from Haiti to the United States four years ago, he has been fortunate to encounter plentiful opportunities to engage with, and learn from, individuals from around the globe.

His diverse set of interests includes cycling, enjoying music from various genres and eras, a deep love for soccer, cherishing quality time with family, and a passion for acquiring new knowledge.

Commencing his journey at AMANI as an intern, he is eager to continue his involvement as the project deeply resonates with his principles. As someone committed to making a positive impact, he perceives numerous avenues through which he can contribute meaningfully to his community.

Anni Chen is a second-year student majoring in Integrated Media Design at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston. With a multilingual background in English, French, Cantonese, and Mandarin, she brings diverse perspectives to her work. Anni has experience in various industries, including banking, marketing, and sales, and her academic aspirations focus on graphic design and visual media arts. Her career goal is to start her own business.

In her personal time, Anni enjoys drawing, practicing yoga, sightseeing, visiting museums and exhibitions, cooking, watching movies, and photography. She is also a mother, dedicating time to bond with her son and care for her family.

Anni's motivation to join the AMANI team stems from her love for children and her commitment to the community. She aims to give back by boosting community activities and enhancing children's communication skills. This role also offers her a valuable opportunity to foster a sense of teamwork within administration.