Adreenah “Dreezy” Wynn (she/her) will spend the Summer of 2022 interning at the Creative Reaction Lab. Dreezy is a queer, black, female, graphic designer, thriving with anxiety, depression, and a blood disorder called Sickle Cell Disease. Dreezy graduated from the University of Florida in 2017 with a dual degree in Graphic Design and Art+Technology as well as a minor in Sociology and Arts in Medicine Certificate. Dreezy is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Design and Visual Communications at UF. Dreezy considers herself a Social Designer, Digital Storyteller, and Art Activist.

Dreezy uses design as a catalyst to initiate real conversation, amongst real people, about real issues. Much of her work has a social justice theme. Her top medium would be video and digital media. You can check out more of her artwork at: www.adreenah.com. Dreezy has volunteered and facilitated art and story-telling workshops in UF Health Shands Hospital, juvenile detention centers, and within the community including schools. She’s spent these past few years community organizing, including participating in AAPD’s Fannie Lou Hamer Program which played a role in her on-going journey to make an impact in the Black Disabled Community.

In her community, she advises state legislators on reforming sexual health education for disabled youth as a State Youth Advisor for Virginia’s Disability-Inclusive Sexual Health Network. Zandy also advises the Department of Labor and state policymakers on creating policies to help disabled youth transition into higher education and workplace environments as a member of the CAPE-Youth Working Group (Center for State Governments). Her work in both science and policy has been recognized by the NIH/NINDS, Cochlear Americas, and the American Association for People With Disabilities. Her story and advocacy efforts have also been featured in international news coverage from Teen Vogue and the Washington Post. In her free time, she enjoys running, composing piano music, and watching figure skating.

Aubrianna’s passion for disability justice, inclusion, and accessibility leads her to actively work towards dismantling systems of power and privilege within Middlebury’s institution. She loves helping her peers learn (serving as a Chemistry Laboratory Teaching Assistant and a Calculus Grader) and have equitable access to education. She has supported student survivors at Middlebury as an advocate on the 24/7 crisis hotline and the Director of the Student Government Association’s Relationship and Sexual Respect Committee. As the student representative on the Advisory Group on Disability, Access, and Inclusion, an executive board member on the Concerned Students of Middlebury, and the sole senator for her junior class on the SGA, Aubrianna has been instrumental in uplifting underrepresented voices and implementing inclusive community practices through anti-ableism and anti-racism projects.

Aubrianna received the Williams-Hutchins Health Equity Award from the Centers for Disease Control for her exceptional work as an Undergraduate Public Health Scholar in the MCHC/RISE-UP program. Ultimately, Aubrianna intends to pursue an MD/PhD in Health Policy in order to center the needs of those most impacted in healthcare. As a physician-advocate, Aubrianna aims to dismantle harmful barriers to access and create bridges to trauma-informed and patient-centered care.

While serving as the Director of Communications for NYU’s Student Veterans of America chapter, Brian piloted NYU’s inaugural Veteran Mentorship Program where he and other student veterans served as a bridge between incoming student veterans, military-connected dependents, and the NYU student body, faculty, and staff. Through three years of volunteering with America Reads-America Counts, Brian gained exposure to the educational system working as a teacher, tutor, and mental health advocate. He has also worked as an Academic and Career Counseling Intern at Fordham University. Brian finds meaning in helping bring people together to build more resilient lives, and plans to pursue a PhD in Counseling Psychology. His goal is to ensure that students and military-connected students achieve their greatest potential by eliminating all barriers to success.

Brooke A. Evans is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison where she earned her undergraduate degree as a homeless and unaccompanied youth from a first-generation, low-income, non-traditional, independent, disabled, and transfer student background. Brooke is a nationally known activist and advocate for basic needs security, socioeconomic well-being, and affordable and accessible higher education. She has experience in organizing, government, analysis, research, authorship, and public speaking. Brooke has contributed policy on select issues for Secretary Julián Castro’s 2020 presidential campaign, culminating in the first comprehensive presidential platform to make ending homelessness — including basic needs instability in higher education — a primary campaign commitment drafted hand-in-hand with Americans navigating homelessness, eviction, and housing instability. She is a particular proponent of bridging the divide between constituency and policy and affirms unequivocally that housing is a human right.

Prior to beginning his government service, Jack served as president of the George Washington University Interfaith Council, interned at the International Relations Council in Kansas City, and worked in the education and interpretation department at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City’s internationally renowned art museum — in each role, convening communities around cultural themes in pursuit of social change. He co-founded and currently serves as vice president of Out in International Affairs, the Elliott School’s organization to connect and empower LGBTQ+ students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Committed to advancing human rights and human flourishing, Jack aspires to a career of government service.

Kay’s first experience with disability advocacy was in high school speech and debate. In 2014, Kay began doing Congressional Debates in their speech and debate program, where they wrote a bill about disabilities and LGBTQ+ hate crime prevention. Kay’s bill received fourth place at their first competition. After graduating high school, Kay began working on research in the OSU Children with Disabilities Lab, which focuses on independent and confident movement for children with disabilities. While there, they designed a playground for infants with disabilities which was influenced by the social model of disability. As a coping mechanism during the pandemic, Kay embraced their artistic abilities and began taking art classes at their local community college. Kay hopes to one day use their art skills to create a graphic novel in which they visually depict cerebral palsy and its effects on their body.

Sandra also has many personal experiences of being her own advocate in the face of interpersonal and structural racism, ableism, and other forms of oppression. These drive her personal desire to work on social justice issues. She has adamantly and effectively advocated for her needs and rights with federal and local governments, educational institutions (from when she was 11 years old through her secondary education experiences), and with medical professionals. Sandra’s career goal is to create an organization that will assist people with disabilities in becoming self-advocates and entrepreneurs. She is excited to bring her passion, life experiences, and compassion for others to her work at The Kelsey.

Sheila graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Humanities and Science, and is currently pursuing dual Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees at Harvard University and the Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania.

After observing the way that the media has historically reported on marginalized communities and reflecting on their own identities, Shruti developed a passion for social justice reporting with a focus on the intersection of race and disability, and enjoys exploring underrepresented stories and intersectionality. In the past, she has interned at AsAmNews, where she reported on the intersection of disability and Asian American identity. Though she aspires to pursue a career in journalism and shed light on intersectional marginalized voices, Shruti also hopes to continue working directly within her communities. Currently, they are spearheading the newly formed advocacy committee at The Asian Americans With Disabilities Initiative, as well as working with Massachusetts Jobs With Justice.