Elsie Kindall
Dallas, TX
Elsie Kindall is the Government Affairs Associate at Equality Texas. She is a low-income first-generation college student from Dallas, Texas. Their lived experience as well as the experiences of her peers inspired her to make change in the world of education for students of multiple marginalized identities. They hold a bachelor’s degree in educational studies from Colgate University and a Master of Public Policy degree in Education Policy from Vanderbilt University. She joined the Young Advocates Program to improve their advocacy skills in preparation for the next Texas Legislative session. Elsie currently resides in the DFW area where you can find them online gaming with her longtime friends.
Isadora Paul
Dallas, TX
My name is Isadora Paul, and I am currently a sophomore at the University of Texas at Arlington with a major in Philanthropy and minors in Spanish Linguistics and ASL and Deaf American Studies. At UTA I am a Student Director for Alternative Breaks, and participate heavily within service-based activities on campus. I am excited to join Young Invincibles as a Youth Advocate to learn more about advocating for public policy and community engagement regarding social issues Texans are facing! In my free time, I enjoy making miniature kits, embroidery, and reading.
Alondra Valerio
Dallas, TX
Hello! My name is Alondra Valerio, and I recently moved to Texas with my family from California. I enjoy the outdoors by hiking and exploring with friends and enjoy traveling around the world with my sisters. Having a family who immigrated from Venezuela due to the political regime, a curiosity towards social reform and justice developed later in my life. This has inspired me to look forward in the pursuit of dedicating my life to those who need assistance. I intend to pursue a legal career where I will be able to represent entire communities, individual voices, and advocating on international levels.
Ale Cardenas
Austin, TX
Alejandra, a Houston native, is a student majoring in Psychology. She is passionate about human sexuality education and promoting healthy conversations around it, which led her to start the Safe and Empowering Knowledge for Sexuality Club on her campus — which aims to provide a supportive and educational space for students to explore and discuss topics related to human sexuality. As part of a few programs, she is helping her community providing them with information and useful resources. Outside of academic pursuits, she enjoys activities that promote her well-being. This includes things like spending time with her friends, family, and cats. She also loves to journal and spend time outside. She enjoys going to new parks, and has an admiration for music. Overall, her experiences as a student have positively contributed to her personal growth, and she continues to search for new ways to help her community and those around her.
Christopher Grizzafii
Austin, TX
I am from Houston, TX. I am pursuing a biology degree with an emphasis on plant biology at the University of Texas at Austin under the pre-med track. I love the arts, from playing the piano/flute and singing to drawing and sketching, photography, cooking, and architecture. I also adore planting; whether it is mushrooms, succulents, herbs, or trees, I will grow it. I am deeply connected to helping people and improving everyone’s lives. As a result, I love to volunteer, whether at a food pantry, donation center, etc. Because of this, I am committed to pursuing this ambition of improving the lives of people in my community.
Yulissa Chavez
Austin, TX
“From Galveston, Texas, Yulissa Chávez is the eldest daughter of a Mexican family of five. She is a first-generation American and a first-generation student. She grew up learning Spanish as a first language and is a proud Norteña from Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
Yulissa’s policy interests are in democracy, healthcare, education, and immigration. She specializes in education policy, specifically how Texas public schools are funded and how education affects the quality of life of a person, from health to incarceration, and wealth. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Government from The University of Texas at Austin and her Masters of Public Affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. During her tenure, Yulissa became a Friar, was one of the Barbara Jordan National Forum Student Co-Chairs, and was the Communication and Marketing Director for the LBJ School’s first-ever Latino Policy Research Symposium.
Yulissa has worked across the political spectrum as a political cartoonist, researcher, activist, and public school teacher in Austin ISD. As a public school teacher and grassroots organizer, Yulissa has led workshops, produced content to empower and inform the public of legislative issues, mentored and guided first-generation students, and researched a variety of policy issues.
In her spare time, Yulissa enjoys playing with her cats, painting, creating faux cakes, and watching films.”
Anosha Qurashi
Austin, TX
Anosha Qurashi is a current sophomore at The University of Texas at Austin, where she is majoring in Health & Society and minoring in Law, Justice, and Society. Originally from Houston, Texas, Anosha is a passionate advocate for increasing healthcare equity and inclusion. As a Pakistani American, she is deeply committed to addressing disparities in the healthcare system and aims to bring a positive impact to Young Invincibles. Her background includes roles as a Clinical Research Intern and as Chief of Staff at a women’s health initiative. Anosha aspires to attend law school and pursue a career in health law and policy, with the goal of shaping policies that advance justice and equity in healthcare.
Anthony Williams Jr.
Houston, TX
I’m Anthony, born and raised in Houston. I have a three year old son, Amir. I graduated from Booker T.Washington 2016. I started youth advocacy this year in February and I want to continue to make difference and making a change.
Noelle Nguyen
Houston, TX
Noelle is a junior majoring in Public Health at the University of Houston. She is deeply passionate about community health, youth civic engagement, and medicine, and aspires to pursue an MPH degree and attend medical school after graduation. Starting in high school, Noelle has worked closely with the grassroots organizations Mi Familia en Acción and OCA Greater Houston to boost voter registration and civics education among Houston youth. Outside of her academic pursuits, she is a leader in her university’s largest community health organization, where she manages elementary school respiratory education and intellectual disability initiatives. Noelle is eager to leverage her experience to create tangible community change and to expand her policy knowledge and advocacy skills through the Young Invincibles program.
Elizabeth Perovich
Houston, TX
Elizabeth Perkovich is a Ph.D. student at the University of Houston in the Developmental, Cognitive, and Behavioral Neuroscience program. She was raised in Mckinney, Texas and dedicates her time to volunteering with Special Olympics Texas and researching infant development among sociodemographically diverse populations. She has a passion for increasing access to higher education and healthcare services, particularly when it comes to self-advocacy and diagnosis awareness.
Jesus Nieto
Houston, TX
Jesus Nieto is a dedicated graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Public Policy at the Hobby School of Public Affairs with a concentration in Higher Education. They hold a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, complemented by minors in Communications and Public Policy & Public Administration, from the University of Houston-Downtown. With five years of experience in student advocacy within the University of Houston System, Jesus Nieto has developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within higher education. Currently, they serve as a Graduate At-Large senator for the University of Houston Student Government Association, where they continue to advocate for student interests and contribute to the development of policies that enhance the academic and social experience of their peers.
Cere’yah Miller
Houston, TX
Hey! I am from San Antonio, Texas by way of Indianapolis, Indiana, and I am a college student trying to find her place in my communities, and learn how I can continue to be impactful outside of a classroom environment. Learning that not everyone’s journey looks the same seemed ground breaking to me , but it helped me realize it does not mean one is more important or meaningful. Also I love peaches and cheesecake!
Sydney Medina
Houston, TX
Sydney Medina is an incoming Masters of Social Work student with experience in policy advocacy and organizing. Over the past year at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, Sydney led grassroots mobilization efforts to support reproductive health legislation. Previously, as a Texas Rising Student Leader with the Texas Freedom Network, she spearheaded voter engagement campaigns and facilitated advocacy forums. During her undergrad, Sydney was a Betsy Schwartz Fellow at Mental Health America of Greater Houston where she lead community outreach programming on integrated behavioral health care. Sydney joined Young Invincibles to enhance her knowledge and skills in health policy research and advocacy.
Sahibpreet Kaur Khara
Houston, TX
Hi, I am a junior from Houston, currently majoring in Public Health at the University of Houston, where I’m also on the pre-pharmacy track. My academic journey is driven by a passion for research, particularly in the field of neuro pharmacology. Over the past two years, I’ve worked as a pharmacy technician, which has given me a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and sparked my interest in how neurological medications can be developed to improve mental health outcomes. In addition to my academic and research pursuits, I’m passionate about men’s health, with a focus on addressing the unique challenges that men face in maintaining both mental and physical well-being. I’m also dedicated to supporting minority groups, especially within South Asian and Middle Eastern communities, and I aspire to develop culturally sensitive interventions that can better serve these populations. In my free time, I love watching MMA/UFC. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue expanding my knowledge and skills, with the goal of making a lasting impact.
Eva Caranzariti
Houston, TX
Eva Olivia Catanzariti is a recent graduate of University of Houston’s Theater MFA program. In undergrad, she studied political science with a concentration on sexual violence. She co-founded and facilitated a support group for queer and trans youth in her hometown in Massachusetts, where she also volunteered at the South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center. In school, Eva worked alongside Title IX to create programming around sexual assault and intimate partner violence prevention. After graduating, she was a grant manager through the New Bedford Women’s Center to improve the criminal justice response to domestic violence and sexual assault. Eva hasn’t been in Houston for long, but she loves this city and hopes to learn how to better understand and serve her new community.
Angelina Johnson
Dallas, TX
Hi, I’m Angelina! I see myself as an advocate on a mission to promote equity by redefining achievement and tearing down violent norms. I am originally from Prairieville, Louisiana and my southern roots helped cultivate my passion for promoting joy in unexpected places. I have remained in the South, now living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where I work as the Survivor Advocate at University of North Texas. I am a licensed social worker, and earned my Master’s of Social Work from Fordham University. I also have two Bachelor’s degrees, one in Psychology and one in English, from Louisiana State University. I passionately believe that every person has the right to a healthy community and that institutions have the responsibility of creating safe environments for all of their members. I spend most of my time hanging out with loved ones, going to dance classes, and/or drinking matcha. I also love trying new coffee shops and practicing yoga!
Jessaly Chavez
Houston, Texas
YAP Program Coordinator
My name is Jessaly Chavez, and I am a rising Junior at Rice University majoring in Political Science and Latin American Studies on the pre-law track. My passion for social justice and legal equity came from experiencing and observing the systemic injustices my community faces. Being raised in a low-income, minority based community revealed to me the nuance of injustice – although our people are being disadvantaged, oftentimes they do not have the resources to properly advocate for themselves. Through my studies and work, I have found the power that stems from passion and have vouched to become a voice for those, who feel they have been silenced. As the YAP Program Coordinator, I am excited to collaborate with our incoming cohort on informative and interactive events that can educate our communities on how they can overcome systemic barriers.
Mariah Adeeko
Austin, Texas
Texas Policy Fellow
Mariah Adeeko is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Rhetoric and Writing with a minor in Health Communication. Passionate about advocacy and social justice, Mariah is dedicated to advancing the voices of underrepresented communities through legislative mobilization. As a Policy Fellow at Young Invincibles, Mariah is excited to explore the intricacies of policy-making and grassroots advocacy, eager to contribute to impactful change that empowers young adults and promotes equity in higher education, healthcare, civic engagement, and beyond.