Above: photo in order of appearance.
Jude Hammoud is the co-founder of Potentia360, an organization empowering youth from all backgrounds with the skills and mindsets necessary to thrive in a technology-driven future. He is currently finishing his Masters degree in Bioengineering at Northeastern University while working as Researcher in the EPIC brain lab studying brain network connectivity precision mental health treatments. Jude is dedicated to making mental, physical, and social well-being accessible to everyone through his impact-oriented pursuits. Jude also loves fitness and yoga, plant-based nutrition, leading meditation sessions, making music, laughing, and figuring out cool new things to enjoy.
Mauryce Thomas II, a student at Fisk University majoring in Psychology, recognizes the pressing need for more Black male therapists in the mental health industry in America. He firmly believes that mental health education is essential for the future. In January 2021, Mr. Thomas launched The Breakable Cycle, dedicated to educating the Black Community on mental health. With a longstanding commitment to advocating for Black mental health, Mauryce’s interest in psychology sparked in high school. Through his own experiences and supporting friends with mental health challenges, he felt called to pursue a career in psychology. His ultimate goal is to obtain a master’s degree in child psychology, establish a private practice, and create a safe space for Black youth.
Dorsa Taheri is a 16-year-old at Franklin High School in Franklin, Tennessee. She is passionate about music, nature, and the intersection between the humanities and technology. Her work with AI and machine learning has led her to explore the modern-day consequences of technology in the real world and how to sustainably use it to better humanity.
Vanessa Namubiru currently attends Ravenwood High School. She has a passion for swimming, drawing, and traveling to new places.
Jada Scott is not just a STEM enthusiast, she’s a dedicated advocate for science and math. Her life-long passion is to inspire others to explore these fields. As a published author and visual artist of the children’s book Talking Planets, she uses her creativity to educate young children about the solar system. Her fun and colorful storyline, told from the planet’s point of view, is a testament to her commitment to making learning enjoyable and accessible. Jada serves as a tutor in the Mu Alpha Theta math club and plays varsity tennis, but she’s also a member of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and the MLK Leadership Academy of Rutherford County. She participated in the Girls Who Tech AI Scholars Program in partnership with WITT and Amazon AWS. In her free time, she gives back to her community by volunteering at the local tennis club, indulges her creative side through drawing, and broadens her horizons through travel and reading.
Jayla Lyle, aged 17, finds solace and variety in collecting hobbies. Among her interests are writing poetry and stories, crocheting, and reading. She holds particular affection for books like “All the Bright Places” by Jennifer Niven and “Identical” by Ellen Hopkins.
Marcus Keon Knight is a 24-year-old content creator, singer, actor, producer, motivational speaker and more, harnessing a voice and message of optimism and authenticity. Marcus recently graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Belmont University in Nashville, TN, one of the top business and music industry specialized schools. He has been a little of everything – from 4 years in residence life to a year-long host of a nationally recognized student showcase series. Marcus is an avid lover of all things dealing with digital marketing, social media, personal branding and human development. When he isn’t working on something, he watches a new series on Netflix or hangs out with friends and family. He currently serves at his alma mater in a year-long fellowship, diving into higher education and strategic initiatives university-wide. He wishes to be a true connector, reconciling the world back to its truest and purest form.