Thank you to our 2024 panelists and roundtable moderators. 

Dr. Vanessa Goodar, an esteemed educator from Chicago’s south side, specializes in understanding the experiences of Black women, particularly at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). As Assistant Professor of Psychology at Hampton University, she uses Photovoice, a participatory action research method, to empower individuals through community-focused photography. This approach fosters cultural-community health and social justice by creating inclusive spaces for belonging, safety, and wellness. Dr. Goodar holds a PhD in Community Psychology, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Studies, integrating academic knowledge with practical application. With over 15 years teaching in Chicago Public Schools, she deeply understands students’ diverse needs. Supported by initiatives like the McNair Research Scholars Program and Virginia Humanities, her advocacy empowers students to address critical issues within Black communities using Photovoice, aiming for policy reform and lasting impact. 

Ariana Lewis, a graduating senior majoring in Psychology from Loudon County, Virginia, has played a pivotal role at Hampton University's Self-Care Lab for two years. There, she mastered photovoice methods and successfully led two research projects using this approach. Ariana also holds positions as the social media chair and historian within Hampton University's Peer Counselors Organization, an involvement spanning three years. Post-graduation, she aims to pursue a career as a child psychologist. Beyond her academic pursuits, Ariana finds fulfillment in working with children and indulging in reading during her spare time. 

Janiah Carroll is a graduating senior majoring in Psychology at Hampton University. Janiah has been actively engaged in various clubs, organizations and research during her tenure at her "Home by the Sea." Janiah currently participates in the Hampton University chapter of the Action Activists, the Hampton University Choir and the Hampton chapter of Campus Curlz. Recently, Janiah collaborated with Dr. Vanessa Goodar to participate in Hampton University’s inaugural Photovoice Exhibition. Janiah’s photovoice research centers on the emotional and psychological impacts of bullying on Black/African-American students, as well as the abuse of power directed towards Black women within university environments—participatory action research she is eager to delve deeper into. 

Jordan Lockwood, a graduating senior at Hampton University, majors in Psychology with a minor in Entrepreneurship. A Ronald McNair Research Scholar and Psi Chi Psychology Honors Society member, she also serves as Vice President of Career Development and Alumni Relations for Student Support Services. Jordan's Photovoice research examines over-policing at HBCUs and its impact on Black women's self-care. She is a foundational researcher in the HU Path 2 Peace Community Self-Care research lab and helped organize the university’s inaugural Photovoice exhibition. Founder of The Happy Project LLC, Jordan leads campus yoga, meditation sessions, and art therapy workshops, mentoring students & promoting mental and physical health awareness. In the summer of 2024, Jordan interned at Emory University, focusing on childhood trauma and substance abuse research. Jordan maintains a 3.80 GPA and is on the Dean's List, aiming to advance mental health services in community or school psychology, especially in early education. 

Rodney Bond is a Hampton University graduating senior majoring in nursing and minoring in psychology from Middletown, Delaware. Rodney currently serves as the 2024-2025 chapter president of the Beta Chi chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Rodney is passionate about community service and mentors the next generation through his leadership. Rodney's journey in Photovoice research began with a qualitative research course in psychology, enabling him to effectively convey the personal narratives of his participants. His dedication was recognized with his co-researchers earning the Community Impact Award for an exceptional Photovoice project showcased during the April 2024 exhibition. Looking forward, Rodney aims to pursue a master's degree in nursing post-graduation, followed by a doctorate in nurse practitioner studies. His educational and professional goals are motivated by a desire to significantly contribute to healthcare advancements and foster community well-being. 

Da’Naira Dent is a graduating senior majoring in Psychology from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who exemplifies dedication and versatility. Da’Naira’s experiences at the Baldwin School for Girls influenced her award-winning 2024 photovoice project exploring how the predominantly white high school experience impacts Black students at HBCUs. Engaging with the HU Path 2 Peace Research Lab, Da’Naira played pivotal roles in Hampton’s inaugural Photovoice exhibition as a participant, award recipient, and facilitator, highlighting her commitment to exploring social issues through photography and research. Last summer, Da’Naira interned with the Boys and Girls Club of America and with the Art of Listening Therapy. She also attended the 2023 American Psychological Association conference in Seattle. At Hampton University, Da’Naira has leadership roles in the Vegang Club and Social Society U. After graduation, Da’Naira plans to pursue a master’s degree followed by a medical degree, aspiring to specialize in herbal and holistic psychiatry. 

Bria Miller is a dedicated advocate for social justice with a strong foundation in psychology and qualitative research. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hampton University, Bria has extensively utilized photovoice methodology to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities. Through her research, she has explored critical issues such as the impact of misogynoir on Black women's psychological self-care and the safety concerns of Black women reporting sexual assault. Her findings have been presented at esteemed platforms like the Southeastern Teaching of Psychology Conference and won recognition at Hampton University’s inaugural Photovoice exhibition. Bria aspires to continue leveraging photovoice to illuminate decolonial healing methodologies, particularly at the intersection of Black populations and Black women, fostering holistic well-being and empowerment. Her goal is to merge her academic insights and passion for advocacy to drive meaningful change and promote a more equitable society. 

Maryam Khaled is a project coordinator at The Community Hub. She is a passionate advocate for mental health and enjoys applying innovative tools to her work with Photovoice. 

A professional Egyptian translator with a Bachelor's degree in Arts, English Literature and Linguistics Department, and two diplomas in simultaneous interpreting and written translation from the American University in Cairo. She has over 25 years of experience in both simultaneous interpreting and written translation, distinguished by her high efficiency and accuracy in providing translation services across various fields. She works with numerous local and international institutions, including United Nations organizations. She is a certified translator for several prominent organizations, including UNESCO, the International Trade Centre (ITC), UNESCO-UNEVOC, the International Labour Organization ILO, the International Organization for Migration IOM, the African Union, the International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC, and the British Council. She has contributed to major translation projects in diverse fields, inside and outside Egypt.

Sondos is a senior influencing specialist at the community hub. Sondos has worked on several Photovoice projects with different communities exploring topics such as social entrepreneurship, parenthood, experiences of persons with disabilities and careleavers, and enjoys going through the journey of photovoice with people and connecting with them through it. 

Alaa is a 22 year old travel and tourism student, and a passionate young individual who is an advocate for his fellow care leavers through many advocacy and leadership programs through Sanad.

Yasmine El Hagry, the Executive Director of Wataneya Society. She is a certified Strategy and Business Professional by KPI Institute and a certified Positive Psychology Life Coach by ICF. She was named among the 100 sustainability champions in the Middle East and North African (MENA) included in the 2023 and among the 2022 list of the most influential Arab figures in the CSR and sustainability domains which was issued by the Regional Network for Social Responsibility. Her passion for serving children started when she was at college. Through her work as External Relations Manager, Yasmine participated in developing and advocating for the National Quality Standards for Care within Orphanages in Egypt, developed by Wataneya in participation with the civil society. She initiated and managed various events and awareness campaigns such as "Know me! I'm not Just an Orphan” and “A Chance to Know Us!” to build positive perception towards the orphans and their caregivers. She managed to build fruitful partnerships and successful collaborations within the civil society, the private sector, the media, the schools and universities. She succeeded in winning grants and awards for Wataneya’s programs and projects. In 2017, Yasmine was responsible for managing Wataneya’s strategy implementation. She led the content development of SANAD 1st Regional Conference on After Care in partnership with the Ministry of Social Solidarity in 2019. She participated with the Ministry of Social Solidarity and UNICEF in developing the first draft for the Alternative Care Law to provide a supporting system for children and youth without parental care in Egypt. She dreams that all children are raised happily and safely within their biological, extended or a foster family and that orphaned youth will be empowered with necessary skills to improve their lives and lead them to a brighter future.

Stephanie J. Lloyd, MA brings more than a decade of experience in the non-profit, academic, and social impact sectors where she has both implemented and evaluated numerous volunteer and youth development programs. Her ambition and expertise lie in working with organizations to design effective programs and evaluation tools, and use data to inform strategy and recommendations that positively impact individuals and communities. Stephanie holds a Master of Arts in Applied Sociology from University of Massachusetts Boston. Stephanie has been passionate about photovoice since graduate school and has served as a trainer and project consultant for PhotovoiceWorldwide LLC since 2018. Stephanie believes in the power of people being asked to share their opinion and community service to change our world. Outside of working and volunteering, Stephanie enjoys snaping way too many photos, seeing the world with her family, and watching sports.   

Melanie Sonsteng-Person is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Salem State University. Her work centers a liberatory praxis that connects her research, teaching, and activism as she works with various collectives to dismantle institutional trauma. Melanie bridges participatory action research with mixed methods to inform policies and practices that address institutional conditions that produce and maintain racism, violence, and trauma throughout K-12 and higher education. Over the last four years, she has partnered with various co-researchers on photovoice projects that aim to identify and address individual and institutional racism embedded within Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs).  

Alexia Oduro is a fervent proponent of addressing and eradicating racism within higher education. Her research focuses on the intersections of race, racism and educational policies in higher education, examining their impact on students' well-being and academic achievements. Her primary goal is to develop institutional policies that bring about significant changes in the way racist incidents are handled by higher education institutions.

Oduro earned her Bachelor's in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) from San Diego State University (SDSU) where she created and served as co-coordinator of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) committee. She served as an academic coach for Black second-year students and served on the board of directors of SDSU’s student government. Following graduation, Oduro worked as an Equity and Retention Trainee at SDSU before pursuing her Master's in Social Justice & Human Rights at Arizona State University (ASU). She is a researcher for the Black Lives Matter All the Time Collective, an organization that researches Black students' experiences at predominately white institutions to inform policy and practice in higher education.