AUTHORS SHANEL WILSON takes pride in providing sustainable social and community development programs for everyone. She, in rare and audacious form, driven by her commitment to “filing in the gaps” in creating initiatives and strategies to resolve unmet social needs. As a Social Engineer and prospective Law Student, her goals include providing administrative strategies to national leaders, facilitating women’s development programming, and advocating for socio-economic development in Bluefield’s, Nicaragua. Shanel got her start in the field of social development while a student at Howard University where she was involved in reviving the Transfer Student Association, an integrating system for students who transferred to Howard university from community colleges or other universities. In her free time, Shanel continues to pursue child advocacy for orphaned youth, takes as many Solidcore classes as possible, Bake and assortment of goddess, and brainstorm more original programing to birth into the world. Shanel’s roots spread across Compton, CA, Oceanside, Ca, Bluefield’s, Nicaragua, and where she currently resides, Washington, D.C. KYLA DENWOOD is a recent graduate from Tulane University where she earned dual degrees in Economics (B.S.) and International Development (B.A.) to understand the role of the private sector in promoting social change. Her research and career interests lie at the nexus of labor, international education, social innovation and social entrepreneurship, and economic development. She has been fortunate to pursue relevant opportunities in Kenya, Paraguay, the United Arab Emirates, and New Orleans. Kyla recently finished her tenure as a Youth Ambassador at Expo 2020 Dubai where she represented Illinois and Louisiana as a cultural ambassador at the U.S.A. Pavilion. Inspired by her international experiences and quantitative research, she now works as a Research Associate for the International Programs department of NORC at the University of Chicago, where she researches a variety of topics ranging from youth engagement to poverty alleviation to democracy and governance in countries across all regions of the world. In her freetime, Kyla enjoys playing flute, ballroom dancing, and learning to skateboard.
MARI FAINES, MSc is the Director of Communications and Outreach for Physicians for Social Responsibility, a podcast host, and diversity & equity activist. Faines holds a Master of Science in the Politics of Conflict, Rights, and Justice from SOAS University of London. Her Undergraduate research from Colgate University and Postgraduate Academic research specialize in conflict resolution, transitional justice, and racial disparities in the US, sub-Saharan Africa, and throughout the diaspora. Faines serves on the Board of Women of Color Advancing Peace and Conflict, UK, and as Steering Committee
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