Congratulations 2020 Next Generation Leadership Institute Graduates

by Giovanteey Bishop, Next Generation Leadership Institute Program Manager

In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Agenda hosted the Next Generation Leadership Institute inaugural cohort graduation ceremony on May 20, 2020. Staff members and fellows gathered virtually to honor the dedication and commitment that our nine bold fellows displayed throughout the program. These students are fearless champions of Reproductive Justice and courageous campus leaders. Over the past two years, fellows have devoted their time, energy, and abilities to uplifting Reproductive Justice on their campus and within their broader communities. Each fellow has strengthened their leadership, communication, and movement building skills throughout the program. Next-Gen fellows have rallied on Capitol Hill, served as speakers on national conference panels, and created innovative programming that centered raising awareness about a wide array of issues impacting Black women.

Congratulations to the Next Generation Leadership Institute 2020 graduates:

Zhana Bishop: Spelman College
Zhana is a graduating senior health science major and spanish minor from the Bronx, New York, with interest in public health. During her time at Spelman College. She has been a student ambassador for the college for three years while volunteering in the community and completing HIV prevention research at the Morehouse School of Medicine Prevention Research Center. This fall, Zhana will be pursuing her graduate degree at Boston University School of Public Health, concentrating in community assessment, program design, implementation, and evaluation.

Shamya Hutchinson: Lincoln University
Born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, Shamya is a passionate, motivating, and determined scholar. She is currently on a full scholarship majoring in psychology and human services, with aspirations of pursuing a career in industrial psychology. Shamya is dedicated to her studies and the advancement of her community. Last year she founded her organization, KNOW MORE: Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative, it is the first student-led organization of its kind at Lincoln University. The organization provides support to survivors of abuse and sexual assault while actively addressing the rape culture epidemic and the importance of safe sex.

Emily Laurore: Spelman College
Emily Laurore is a graduating senior political science major from Hershey, Pennsylvania.  She is a 2020 Women of Excellence Leadership Scholar, vice president of membership for the Spelman College Mock Trial Team, and a Phi Beta Kappa initiate. Additionally, Emily is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and vice president of the Morehouse-Spelman Pre Law Society. She is graduating Summa Cum Laude and will be attending law school in the fall.

LydiaPaige Moffett: Dillard University
LydiaPaige Moffett is a Mobile, Alabama native, junior, political science major. From the beginning of her collegiate career she has serviced her community through scholarship, the student body government, and athletics. However, she spends most of her time engaged in legal advocacy. LydiaPaige showcases passion through her leadership as she is the President and Captain of Dillard University’s Mock Trial team. She is a 2020 cohort member of the L.E.A.D. program, which provides LSAT preparation to students with aspirations to attend law school. She is also a pre-law pipeline scholar for the University of Houston.

Jenai Patrick: Lincoln University
Jenai Patrick is a rising senior at Lincoln University, majoring in finance with a minor in Black studies. Jenai is passionate about advocating for Black women’s rights and wellness. Through her fellowship she has had the opportunity to meet with members of Congress on Capitol Hill in support of bills that positively affect minorities. Jenai also has had the opportunity to host various events on her campus in support of all Black women and their fight for Reproductive Justice.

Jenieya Peterson: LeMoyne Owen College
Jenieya Peterson is a junior at the LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Tennessee.  She is a social work major with a psychology minor. She aspires to be a sexual and reproductive health educator. Jenieya says her Next Generation Leadership Fellowship has led to  several amazing opportunities and created lifelong memories.

Kaylan A. Tanner: Dillard University
Kaylan Tanner is an urban studies and public policy scholar with a minor in criminal justice from Los Angeles, California. She excels as a student athlete and leader. Kaylan is now the 85th Miss Dillard University and not only strives to empower the women on campus but young girls off campus to advocate for themselves. During her time with In Our Own Voice she has interned for Black Women for Wellness, facilitated a workshop at the Creating Change Conference, worked with Action New Orleans, and spoke at the My Decision My Right Supreme Court rally. After graduating, Kaylan will continue to work in the Reproductive Justice space and wants to start her own foundation and nonprofit to uplift and mentor young women and girls. Ultimately, Kaylan wants to become the first Black woman President of the United States.

Michyah Thomas: Hampton University
Michyah Thomas is a graduating senior at Hampton University studying political Science and history. She was raised in Roselle, New Jersey. Michyah has always shown an extraordinary desire to help people and has a long-standing history of community service, loving and wanting to provide for her community.  Throughout undergrad, she made strong efforts to implement positive changes to the university wide community; specifically, around the issues of gender-based violence and women’s health. In 2017, she started a campus organization of her own in service of Reproductive Justice. In 2019, she launched a nationally recognized peer-to-peer healthcare distribution model that has since been researched and replicated at several historically Black institutions across the south. Upon graduation, she will begin her career as a teacher in Wilmington, Delaware teaching Reading and Writing for Social Change.

Aman Tune: Hampton University
Aman Tune is a graduating senior double major in political science and international studies on the pre-law track. As a student at Hampton University Aman has had the pleasure of serving as the vice president and co-president of Generation Action an organization that seeks to educate students on reproductive health and Reproductive Justice. She has also served as the first vice president and president of the Hampton NAACP College Chapter, received a grant from the Democratic National Committee, been an SGA Senator, was inducted in the Pre-law society, is a Spring 2019 initiate into the Gamma Iota Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  Aman plans to attend the London School of Economics and Political Science.