“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.

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 undergraduate student in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences major at San Diego State University, with an emphasis in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. She finds joy in watching those around her grow. Therefore, A.M.A.N.I was a program aligned with her interests, goals, and personality! Motivated by her goal of becoming a school-based speech pathologist, Madison values mentorship and community building as vital to fostering culturally inclusive learning. She is excited about A.M.A.N.I’s future and the change it is ever-growing change it’s making. 

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.

Abigail Asare is a second year-undergraduate student at San Diego State University from Olympia, Washington. She is majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and minoring in Interdisciplinary Studies and Child and Family Development. In the future she hopes to become a speech-language pathologist and work with children from underrepresented communities in an elementary school setting.

Abigail is passionate about the A.M.A.N.I project because she believes that it is crucial to provide black students with a space to be unapologetically themselves and grow through mentorship. Outside of her studies, she enjoys listening to music, traveling, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family!

Anni Chen completed her associate degree majoring in Visual 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. Her academic aspirations focus on graphic design and visual media arts. Her career goal is to become a UX designer.

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.

Salah is an international student from Zanzibar, Tanzania. He completed his Associate degree at Bunker Hill Community College, majoring in Business Transfer. He transfers to the University of Massachusetts Lowell to pursue a bachelor's degree in Business Analytics and Operations Management.

Studying abroad has helped Salah become adaptable, resilient, and open to new experiences while growing both academically and personally. He enjoys learning from different cultures and working with people from diverse backgrounds, which inspired him to join the A.M.A.N.I. Project Boston. Through his work with A.M.A.N.I., he hopes to make a meaningful impact by supporting the community, building strong relationships, and helping create opportunities that improve the lives of others.

Outside of school and work, Salah enjoys driving, swimming, camping, and gaming. He is also a passionate soccer fan and enjoys watching matches whenever he has the chance. He believes that staying active, exploring new experiences, and connecting with others are all important parts of personal growth and living a balanced life.

Joshua is originally from Costa Rica and is currently working toward his business degree at Bunker Hill Community College. Next spring, he plans to transfer to U Mass Amherst majoring business operations, with a concentration in international business and supply chain management.

He decided to join the A.M.A.N.I. Project Boston because he cares deeply about building a strong community. He wants to help create positive opportunities that support young scholars and guide them toward reaching their goals.

In his spare time, Joshua loves exploring the world of specialty coffee as a hobby that connects right back to his Costa Rican roots. He also enjoys researching world news and learning about what is happening across the globe.