Hunter Buchheit is a sophomore at Emory University studying U.S. History and Business Administration. Over the past several years, he has worked within the Georgia non-profit and journalism spaces, working to empower the next generation of youth leaders and storytellers. During his time as a Policy Analysis Intern for the ACLU of Georgia, Hunter researched upcoming policies related to the issue areas most important to him, including LGBTQ+ rights, students' rights, and educational freedom. Hunter has also interned for Georgia Equality and the Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project, delving into queer advocacy and learning from trailblazing Georgia organizers. He is deeply invested in Georgia politics, and he served as a Narrative Team Co-Lead at the Georgia Youth Justice Coalition, wherein he participated in on-the-ground canvassing and outreach efforts and created a multi-week journalism education program for Georgia high school and college students. As a current Editor for The Emory Wheel, Emory University's only student-run newspaper, and a freelancer who has been published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Rough Draft Atlanta, NPR-WABE, Teen Vogue, and StudentNation, Hunter uplifts the stories of community members and youth activists. And last summer, Hunter served as an intern for the Truth + Transformation team at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, participating in the selective Emory University Ethics and Servant Leadership program. For the past three years, Hunter has served on the Board of Directors for VOX Teen Communications, a youth-led organization through which he has mentored dozens of metro Atlanta teen writers. Looking to the future, Hunter hopes to work at the intersection of policy and storytelling.

Joi Gala is a dedicated student and emerging leader with a strong commitment to community service and academic excellence. She actively engages in campus and community initiatives that promote education, mentorship, and health equity. Through her involvement in service-oriented programs she seeks to build meaningful relationships with professionals who inspire her growth and impact. Joi is passionate about advocating for underserved communities and advancing awareness around public health and social responsibility. She consistently demonstrates initiative by pursuing mentorship, leadership opportunities, and service projects that align with her long-term goals in healthcare. With a balance of academic dedication and community engagement, Joi strives to create lasting, positive change both locally and beyond.

Montenez “Monte” Lowery (he/him) is a multidisciplinary Black American artist and writer based in Atlanta, GA. Working primarily with alternative photographic processes, his practice explores Black identity, memory, and loss, with recent work examining colonial infrastructures, photography’s role in shaping racial narratives, and contemporary cultural appropriation. Lowery’s work invites viewers to reflect on the past while recognizing their place within ongoing histories.

He holds a BFA in Photography from the Ernest G. Welch School of Art. His work has been featured in Analog Forever, The Hand Magazine, and Atlanta Center for Photography’s New South Vol. II. He is a recipient of the IDEA Capital Grant and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Nexus Fund Grant through The Atlanta contemporary, and has received honors including the 2026-2027 Creatives Project Fellowship and recognition from the Sony World Photography Awards Student Competition. His work has been exhibited at Somerset House (London), Colorado Photographic Arts Center (Denver), Swan Coach Gallery (Atlanta), and Georgia Perimeter College (Atlanta).

With beloved familial connections in Atlanta, Elijah McRae is a community advocate and faith-driven leader based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and the founder of the Jamelle Moral Law and Education Church. The Church’s mission is to educate the public on procedural rights, due process, and lawful governance rooted in moral law and human dignity. Its work includes Family Court process oversight education, community workshops and curricula, and promoting accountability through transparency.

Through church-based outreach and community engagement, Elijah equips individuals with the knowledge necessary to navigate systems lawfully and responsibly. He believes that remedy is most effectively achieved through discipline, proper procedure, and respectful engagement with institutions.

As a devoted father of two daughters, Elijah’s leadership philosophy centers on responsibility, integrity, and being present where you are needed most. His work blends faith, civic literacy, and community empowerment to strengthen both families and communities.

Freddi Rogers (they/them) is a first-year student at Agnes Scott College who is interested in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, as well as Anthropology, Human Rights, and Sociology. Originally from Brookhaven, GA, they were active in the GSA at Dekalb School of the Arts and co-founded a group called Gayme Day with their twin sister and dad who is pastor where youth played games and had boba or coffee while talking about issues facing queer and allied youth. A dynamic leader, Freedi was part of the youth leadership team at the Oak Grove UMC Youth Group and on the committee for queer inclusion. Finally, Freddi is a first-year representative on the Exec Board of ASCEND!— an organization that works to creative events that are inclusive of queer people.

Demetri Burke is an Atlanta based artist with a primary focus in painting. He received his degree from Georgia State University with a BFA in Studio Art. His work has been shown nationally in galleries, museums, publications, and public spaces. Highlights include his 2022 solo exhibition– And Then We Heard the Thunder at Mint Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia– as well as having artwork published in New American Paintings South #155, being a featured illustrator in 2023’s The New Brownies Book: A Love Letter to Black Families by Karida L. Brown and Charly Palmer, an Adult Swim x Living Walls public artwork commission, and being a featured artist in the Artsy Post-War and Contemporary auction. Burke is also a 2023 Queer Art Fellow Alumni and previous 2023-2024 artist-in-residence for the Midtown Heart of the Arts Residency in Atlanta, Georgia. Recent acquisitions include his work being collected in Coca-Cola’s Fine Art Collection, featuring artists like Auguste Rodin and Andy Warhol. His artworks are such materials that are examinations of his own life, present and past, and repeat themselves in theme: Black like the skin and still like the clouds.

Jaila Hatch is a junior Political Science major, Economics minor on the pre-law track at Spelman College. She is deeply committed to advocacy, legal equity, and community empowerment. Jaila serves as Co-Chair of Afrekete’s Political Awareness and Action Committee, where she has helped organized mutual aid initiatives and educational events centered on social justice and Black queer diasporic resistance. She is an active member of Morehouse Moot Court developing strong legal research and oral advocacy skills. Beyond campus, Jaila has mentored young Black girls through The Brains with Beauty Project, a mentorship initiative where she supports and uplifts young Black girls. She aspires to become a public defender dedicated where she can advocate for underserved communities and work to make the legal system more equitable and accessible.

Royce Mann is a lifelong Atlantan, spoken word poet, experienced community organizer, and former candidate for the Atlanta Board of Education. His prior experience includes serving as Legislative Director for March for our Lives Georgia, as a Student Activist Coordinator for Amnesty International, as Youth Engagement Coordinator for Sen. Raphael Warnock’s re-election campaign, and as a Lead Campus Organizer and Georgia Deputy State Director for the RISE Education Fund. Royce remains active in numerous community and political organizations, including the Atlanta Democratic Socialists and the Young Democrats of Georgia. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Emory University where he was a recipient of the Woodruff-MLK Jr. Scholarship. In his spare time, Royce enjoys traveling, watching movies, and cheering on the Braves and the Hawks.

Emanuel 'Manny' Palax Ocampo is a sophomore at Central High School dedicated to youth empowerment, advocacy, and community service. As the Founder and Chair of the Carroll County Youth Board of Commissioners, he leads initiatives that amplify youth voices in local government, growing the board from 11 to 30 members within a month. Emanuel serves on several statewide and national advisory councils—including HealthMPowers, GUIDE Inc., Silence the Shame, and NoFiltr—where he advocates for adolescent well-being, mental health awareness, and digital policy reform. A member of his school’s Mock Trial, and Model United Nations teams, Emanuel demonstrates leadership across civic and academic settings. Recognized for his strong communication skills and ability to connect diverse communities, he has completed over 70 hours of community service and continuously seeks to create meaningful impact. Through his work, Emanuel exemplifies youth leadership grounded in compassion, responsibility, and action.

Caleb Sprowl is a 2025 graduate of Morehouse College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology. A dedicated researcher and advocate, Caleb served as the President of Morehouse MoreGreen, leading initiatives at the intersection of environmental sustainability and community health. His professional journey includes extensive research experience at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute and the Quave Research Group at Emory University, where he focused on the intersection of biology and public health. Beyond the laboratory, Caleb is a Scientific Diving Trainee with "Diving With a Purpose" and a lifetime member of the NAACP. He is committed to utilizing his scientific expertise to advocate for equity and advancement within the African Diaspora, focusing on how environmental and biological research can empower underrepresented communities.