Meet our Texas 2025 Youth Advisory Board

 

Shelly Baker (she/her)

Shelly Baker has dedicated the last decade to community advocacy, focusing on foster care, climate justice, workers’ rights, and equity. Her initial advocacy efforts began in foster care, stemming from her own experience entering the system at age 17.
From 2011 to 2014, she collaborated with a community group in Virginia to deliver
holistic services to underserved Black and refugee communities, and served on a state
advisory board for foster care policy.

After earning her Master’s degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth
University in 2019, Shelly relocated to Houston for a climate justice fellowship with 350 Action and the Gulf Coast AFL-CIO. She played a key role in organizing Houston’s
largest youth climate strike and advocated for local Congressional support for the Green Deal. Her digital organizing skills led to a position as Communications Director for a 2020 U.S. Senate primary campaign.

In 2020, Shelly utilized her organizing skills to plan Houston’s Breonna Taylor Protest
which led to her founding Say Her Name Texas, a safe organizing space for Black
women. As the founder of Say Her Name Texas, Shelly organized voting registration
drives raised awareness about Black maternal mortality, led the launch of the
emergency mutual aid efforts in Houston during Winter Storm Uri, developed paid
organizing summer internships for Black teenage girls, and supported numerous mutual aid efforts, keeping community members fed and housed.
Recently Shelly served as the Political Director for Deeds Not Words and the Texas Organizing Director for NextGen America where she managed youth voter registration and civic education programs across the state.

Currently, she serves as a board member for the League of Women Voters Houston and as the Voter Engagement Advisor for the Houston Mayor’s Youth Council.

Shelly continues to serve in roles that allow her to build programs and support
grassroots leaders in Texas and throughout the South. Shelly holds a Bachelor’s in
Sociology from the University of Virginia and a Master’s in Social Work from Virginia
Commonwealth University. Originally from New Orleans, she now lives in Houston, with
her dog, Fancy and cat, Pippa. Find Shelly sewing, tackling DIY home projects or roller skating.

 

 

 

 

Toral Talati

Toral Talatii holds a degree in Public Health from University of Houston. She is an advocate for healthcare access and education. Currently, Toral is a patient navigator at a clinic network where she helps patients get coverage for their healthcare needs while also addressing additional social determinants of health that may affect them. Additionally, she serves as a board member for the Make A Wish Young Leaders Board and likes to travel any spare time she gets.

 

 

 

 

 

Janice Tolentino (she/they)

Janice Tolentino is a first generation college graduate from the University of Houston with a degree in Political Science. Janice has experience in Texas Elections in a variety of roles including Field Director in a statewide race, and as an Election Judge. She has also dedicated her time to the East Harris County Empowerment Council, where she learned about advocacy and community organizing. She is an advocate for better mental health and hospital access statewide and in her community. Currently, Janice is working to help bring quality food access to her community. 

 

 

 

 

 

Dayana Iza

Dayana Iza started as a Youth Organizer at Mi Familia en Accion and currently serves as TX State Director. Dayana has been an active member of her community for 10+ years. She finds her passion within assisting the under-represented and contributing to the engagement of the Latine community. 

Dayana has taken part in the Climate Reality Houston chapter and took part in a climate change training led by ex-Vice President Al Gore. Dayana has taken part in various fellowships that have helped her enhance her abilities and work.

Aside from her passion for serving her community, Dayana has always had a high interest in the arts. She is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy- Los Angeles Campus and now resides in Houston and hopes to continue her work doing what she loves the most, inspired by the great leaders that surround her.

In her spare time, Dayana loves to run and cycle. To date, Dayana has participated in several 5k races and a half marathon. She has involved her love of cycling in completing two MS150 cycling races for the cure to Multiple Sclerosis.

 

 

Kristina Nicole Robinson

My name is Kristina I am 24 years old. I am a model and painter. I would love to find other outlets that give me the opportunity to give back to my community. Also be around other like minded individuals with the same goals and interests as me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Khadijat Oni

Khadijat Oni is a first-generation immigrant from Nigeria who now calls Houston home. She’s a college student studying Accounting, hoping to one day become a CPA. Growing up, financial literacy wasn’t something openly discussed in her community, which sparked her passion for making financial education more accessible, especially for immigrants and underserved groups. Beyond academics, Khadijat loves being involved in her campus community. She helps lead a sisters’ book club in her university’s MSA and has taken on leadership roles in various organizations. Through Beta Alpha Psi and NABA, she’s been connecting with professionals, gaining insights, and sharpening her skills for the future. Khadijat is driven by a desire to learn, grow, and give back to the communities that have shaped her

 

 

 

Khalilah Oni

Khalilah Oni is a first-generation immigrant and a freshman at the University of Houston, pursuing a degree in Biology with the goal of a career in optometry. She is deeply passionate about advocacy, particularly for the immigrant community and minorities, ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the future. Khalilah actively volunteers with the Harris County Health System Network and Mission Arlington, gaining hands-on experience in community service and public health. She is also a member of UH’s MSA Campus Life Committee, contributing to student engagement and leadership. Beyond her academic and advocacy work, she dedicates much of her time to reading and playing the flute. Through this program, Khalilah hopes to expand her impact, using her dedication to service and leadership to uplift and empower those around her.

 

 

 

 

Khadijah Aweis 

My name is Khadijah Aweis, I was born in Kenya but raised in the United States. My family and I came into the United States as immigrants 17 years ago. My parents were born in Somalia. I was the first in my family to finish high school and attend college. I am in the process of getting my degree in psychology and also hopefully become a teacher one day. I want to give back to the community one day and help the youth in the Somali Bantu community. Tutoring has been one of my specialties since 2015, and I have been helping people with autism in the community.