Meet the 2022-2023 class of Advocacy Corps Organizers. These young adults from around the United States will be advocating for the establishment of a Truth and Healing Commission on residential Native American boarding schools.
Jamie Canty
Newport News, VA Advocacy Corps Organizer
Jamie is a rising senior at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, majoring in Biology and Leadership Studies.
Aiyana Coard
New York, NY Advocacy Corps Organizer
Aiyana Coard is an active and proud tribal member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation and a student at the NYU School of Professional Studies, pursuing her master’s degree in Global Affairs with a focus on human rights and international law.
China Copperstone
Briny Breezes, FL Advocacy Corps Organizer
China is a resident of south Florida and studies Plant Science at the University of Florida.
Julie Flores-Castillo
Redbank, NJ Advocacy Corps Organizer
Julie Flores-Castillo is currently running for county committee in her town and, at age 18, is the youngest candidate.
Dillon Grubb
Norfolk, NE Advocacy Corps Organizer
Dillon Grubb is majoring in Economics and International Studies with a minor in Russian at the University of South Dakota.
Helina Kassa
Silver Spring, MD Advocacy Corps Organizer
Helina Kassa goes to the University of Notre Dame, where she is studying Philosophy.
Shyamaa Khan
Amherst, MA Advocacy Corps Organizer
Shyamaa Khan is a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, majoring in Journalism and English and minoring in Political Science, with aspirations to attend law school.
Meril Mousoom
St. Paul, MN Advocacy Corps Organizer
Meril Mousoom is from Queens, New York, and goes to school in Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
Kiran Nwakanma
Orlando, FL Advocacy Corps Organizer
Kiran Nwakanma is a rising sophomore at the University of Central Florida, where he is studying Architecture and African Studies.
Rachel Overstreet
Legislative Representative for Native American Advocacy
Rachel Overstreet (Choctaw Nation) is FCNL’s legislative representative for Native American Advocacy. She advocates for policies that honor tribal sovereignty, help Native communities succeed, and repair relationships between faith communities, the government, and Native people.
Destini Amaris Perkins
Vista, CA Advocacy Corps Organizer
Destini Amaris Perkins resides in Carlsbad, California. She is a multicultural Black woman with Mexican, Japanese, Greek, and Native American roots.
Karime Rodriguez Ramirez
Phoenix, AZ Advocacy Corps Organizer
Karime was born in Mazatlán, Mexico, and is a Dreamer living in Arizona. She currently attends Grand Canyon University and hopes to one day become a great advocate for her community.
Anne Rants
Arcata, CA Advocacy Corps Organizer
Anne Rants resides in Arcata, California, and attends Cal Poly Humboldt, majoring in Child Development with minors in American Indian Education and Women’s Studies.
Jessica Russell
McEwen, TN Advocacy Corps Organizer
Jessica Russell is originally from Huntsville, Alabama, and graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in 2017 with a BFA in Photography.
Taylor Treviño
Austin, TX Advocacy Corps Organizer
Taylor Treviño is an organizer and former educator from Austin, Texas. She graduated from the University of North Texas in 2018 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Art and Design and a minor in Spanish.
Ky'Asia Washington Blanchard
Schenectady, NY Advocacy Corps Organizer
Ky’Asia Washington Blanchard is a community organizer and writer based in Schenectady, New York.
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