youth advisory board

Tendekai is a freshman at Princeton University, studying Public Policy. A leader with roles such as Interlochen Youth in Government President and Michigan Youth in Government Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tendekai is committed to gun violence prevention. His diverse experiences, from music and the arts to contributions to organizations like the Civil Air Patrol and the Atlanta Orchestra Noir, shape a well-rounded perspective for making a positive impact during his academic journey.

Hannah is a proud graduate of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where she survived the tragic 2018 massacre. Following a series of tragedies at Princeton, Hannah leveraged both her role as Student Body Vice President and the resilience gained from the Parkland Community, to overhaul University mental health resources, culminating in a landmark report endorsed by the administration. Now pursuing a career in AI Governance, Hannah prioritizes human well-being, community, and belonging, integrating her life’s lessons into creating a more empathetic and inclusive technological future.

Jai is a junior at Harvard University, majoring in Psychology and African-American Studies. As a survivor of the tragic school shooting at Santa Fe High School in 2018, her passion for advocating gun violence prevention, particularly within the mental health community, was ignited. Jai is dedicated to exploring proactive measures and post-incident responses related to school shootings and advocating for mental health support, with a focus on gun violence survivors and those facing mental health challenges. Her studies also extend to understanding the impact of adversity on Black adolescents and youth, at the intersection of mental health and social justice.

Sofia is a 21-year-old senior studying English Education and Spanish at Siena College. For as long as she can remember, gun violence has been present in her day-to-day life through endless lockdown drills and threats within school buildings she has both attended as well as worked at. As both a student and now a teacher, she hopes to spread awareness about the dangers of gun violence as well as help support those who have been affected both inside and outside of the classroom in order to create a safe space for herself, her classmates, her future students, and beyond.

Mia is a freshman at Brown University, majoring in Public Policy and Education. During her freshman year of high school, she survived the 2019 Saugus Shooting. This traumatic event ignited her passion for gun violence prevention. In 2022, she had the opportunity to introduce President Biden during the National Ghost Gun Regulation Announcement at the White House. Mia holds pivotal positions in various organizations and has gained valuable experience through an internship at the Federal Agency for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, as well as speaking engagements like the Milken Institute's Levers of Change Panel in May.

CJ is a 20-year-old student at Emerson College. Having survived the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting at the age of 9, CJ is dedicated to preventing future shooting incidents by supporting life-saving gun violence prevention legislation and initiatives.

Genevieve is a sophomore at Princeton University studying anthropology with minors in African American Studies and Teaching. She is from the North Carolina mountains and enjoys trying new restaurants, drinking warm beverages with friends, and baking. She believes in the power of community organizers to shift the status quo and create a less violent future. After the recent shootings at UNC Chapel Hill she experienced the all too familiar panic of checking in on friends and loved ones. She is excited to join the Unbreakable team as they offer support to young people like her friends at UNC.

Lauren is a junior at the University of Florida. As a freshman at Stoneman Douglas, she experienced a tragic shooting on her campus, igniting an unwavering passion to assist those affected by gun violence and prevent others from experiencing such horrors. Lauren is pursuing a degree in Political Science and is deeply committed to political reform and gun control. Her aspirations include attending law school in the near future.

Chrishay is an 18-year-old first-year student at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she is pursuing studies in finance within the VCU School of Business. Chrishay has been a witness and survivor of gun violence since a young age, and she is dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of gun violence. Her long-term goal is to empower businesses and drive revenue growth in low-income cities to promote economic development and prosperity.

Delaena is a college sophomore and graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2021, where she survived the school shooting on February 14, 2018, and tragically lost some of her best friends. Today, she is a YouTuber with a passion for reading and a commitment to advocating for safety. Within the Unbreakable Organization, she aims to serve as a resource for survivors, helping them heal and find support.

Penelope is a high school senior who also participates in dual enrollment at a college, has been actively involved in grassroots activism and volunteering within her community since the age of 8. Penelope's journey has been marked by seizing every opportunity to create an impact and finding her voice through community organizing. She firmly believes in the importance of her generation speaking up for what is right, which has driven her to fight for lasting change using all available resources and methods of action. Penelope's activism encompasses a wide range of passions, including farmworkers' rights, racial justice, immigration, gender justice, climate action, gun safety legislation, educational equity, unionization and workers' rights, voting rights, and human rights.

Joseph is a 20-year-old junior at Michigan State University, majoring in neuroscience and public health. As the president of MSU's March for Our Lives branch, Joseph is committed to advocating for gun violence prevention laws and policies in Michigan. His dedication to this cause was further fueled by being personally affected by the MSU school shooting last February. Joseph believes that ending gun violence begins at the local level and remains steadfast in his efforts to make a difference.

Kana is a sophomore at Michigan State University, who was directly impacted by the MSU shooting in February 2023. Since then, Kana has been dedicated to creating a safer community and assisting those affected by gun violence. Additionally, Kana serves as the philanthropy chair for her sorority, focusing on mental health and well-being. Her overarching aim is to make a positive impact on her community and the world.

Aisha is a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, actively participates in various programs and clubs, including debate, newspaper, and the Indian Student Association. She firmly believes that despite the trauma of experiencing gun violence in her community, each person is more than just a survivor. Aisha is passionate about community work, crocheting, knitting, and animals.

Megan is a first-year graphic design student at High Point University in North Carolina, is deeply committed to yoga teaching and advocating for human rights. Megan's passion lies in advocating for a safer world through gun control and offering support to those affected by gun violence, with a strong desire to create a safe and compassionate environment for survivors.

Narissa is a 21-year-old elementary education major at the University of Scranton, is deeply motivated to make schools safer. Narissa has witnessed the impact of tragedy on students, teachers, and staff, and believes that no one should have to endure such circumstances. Narissa is determined to ensure that survivors have access to the support they need and that gun violence doesn't affect schools. As Narissa prepares to graduate and become a teacher, Narissa is committed to fostering an environment where everyone can learn and grow without fear.

Olivia is a senior at Michigan State University majoring in Human Development and Family Studies, plans to become a Child Life Specialist upon graduation this spring. Her commitment to gun violence prevention deepened after experiencing a tragedy at Michigan State on February 13th. Olivia is on a healing journey through therapy and mindfulness and aims to support and encourage fellow survivors.