About Us

Skye Alex Jackson, the founder and president of Affinity Spaces for Change is a student at Brown University. I am passionate about ensuring that all students feel accepted and secure in themselves to thrive in their learning. Advocating for safe spaces under the NBSA and now in our expansion, I am so grateful for how far we’ve come.

Amy is the vice president of Affinity Spaces For Change, currently a student at New York University, studying Black and Indigenous sociocultural anthropology. As a Guyanese-American woman who has attended predominantly white institutions, I have dealt with the psycho-social trauma of being a person of color at white institutions. After co-founding @blackatehs with Skye to highlight experiences of racism at our high school we became passionate about creating safe spaces for BIPOC students.

Sharnell O’Neal attends the #1 Public Historically Black College, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, studying political science, pre-law. I am very passionate about making an influence through effective communication which is why I want to be able to bring inclusion into the spaces where there otherwise may have not been diverse thinking.

Leslie Reyes Garcia studies Ethnicity, Migration, and Psychology. I’m passionate about the intersectionality of race, gender, and class with mental health. Being Mexican-American, I know the toll societal barriers can take on one's well-being and I’m committed to helping individuals overcome such obstacles.

Ethan Epstein is a student at Brown University from Edison, New Jersey, studying visual art and health and human biology. I am passionate about connecting students with resources and communities through which they can engage in important dialogues and celebrate their shared identities.

Amritha Rameshkanna is from Ontario, Canada finishing her IB diploma at Burlington Central High School. I am passionate about advocating for positive spaces and making sure people find their space where they can thrive and feel like they belong, which is why I am a part of Affinity Spaces for Change.

Lourdes Russel is a student at Columbia University. I co-created the National Black Students Alliance in 2020 after witnessing and experiencing the lack of community and safety available for Black students in PWIs. Since then, this has become an organization that I am so proud to be a part of.

Zoe Smith is a political science major at Brown University. I chose to be a part of Affinity Spaces for Change because of my passion for education reform and the betterment of educational experiences for BIPOC students. I am passionate about advocating for safe spaces in and outside of classrooms.

Millicent Stiger is a linguistics major at Brown University. I am passionate about inclusion and find lived experience to be crucial for creating meaningful and sustainable connections. I look forward to finding ways to aid this process across spaces where diversity is both encouraged and celebrated!

Akinbusola is an Applied Mathematics major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I joined Affinity Spaces for Change because I am deeply committed to creating inclusive educational environments where BIPOC students can thrive. Together, we can make a difference by advocating for diversity, providing support, and fostering a sense of belonging for every student.