Meet The Team:
Youth Leaders

Full name: Iyon’a Austin

Refer to me like this: She/her

Hometown: Baltimore city, Maryland

I fell in love with Baltimore when: the block would smell like soul food and Baltimore music was the intro to the party

Current + favorite life role/s: Being a big sister

Role/s w/in ARS: Youth Leader

Years w/ ARS: 5 years

Education: in College

Gifts/areas of wisdom + expertise: Calming and Goofy presence

Why ARS snatched me up: It was a new and usual setting that was very welcoming, so I already knew I belonged.

A personal achievement I’m especially proud of: I am finally pushing myself to my full potential in all aspects

A professional one I be bragging about: Im a youth leader here

A big, scary goal I’m bigger and scarier than: Taking my creative journey seriously

A quote that makes my soul crawl on out of its hiding place: Being Unusual is getting Uncomfortable with being the same, so be Authentic -unknown

The book that saved my life: The Masters tools will never dismantle the masters house- Audre Lorde

My favorite Black woman author/s of all time: Audre Lorde

The tenderest, most beautiful thing I ever witnessed or experienced at ARS: The balance of tears, laughter, and knowledge into one summer that leaves you wanting more.

Why I am a part of the ARS journey: It provides everything the world keeps locked up and gives what the world make seem unreachable.

Full name: Breyauna Nelson

Refer to me like this: she/her; Bre

Hometown: Baltimore, MD

I fell in love with Baltimore when: I realized how culturally pleasing and resilient it was

Current + favorite life role/s: Daughter, nanny, sister, partner

Role/s w/in ARS: Youth Leader

Years w/ ARS: 8 years

Education: College student on a mental hiatus

Gifts/areas of wisdom + expertise: cooking, baking, childcare

Why ARS snatched me up: from day one I knew that it was something I wanted to be a part of, even in its early stages. From the very beginning the passion that was poured into ARS drew me in.

A personal achievement I’m especially proud of: Being able to uphold my boundaries in any situation

A professional one I be bragging about: My skills as a private nanny are really paying off. I currently work for not one, but two wonderful families! 

A big, scary goal I’m bigger and scarier than: Graduating college

A quote that makes my soul crawl on out of its hiding place:  “I fell apart many times.

so. what does that say about me besides

I live through wars.” -Nayyirah Waheed

The book that saved my life: Salt by Nayyirah Waheed

My favorite Black woman author/s of all time: Toni Morrison

The tenderest, most beautiful thing I ever witnessed or experienced at ARS: how beautifully we embrace each other during circle time

Why I am a part of the ARS journey: The program makes me a better daughter, sister, friend, and person overall. It really has changed my life for the better!

Full name: Sol Leandry

Refer to me like this: She/Her

Hometown: Baltimore, MD

I fell in love with Baltimore when: I was in the 7th grade and I finally found girls that look me. I felt like I was home.

Current + favorite life role/s: Daughter, sister, and friend

Role/s w/in ARS: Youth Leader

Years w/ ARS: Since its beginning! This year makes 8 years.

Education: Morgan State University

Gifts/areas of wisdom + expertise: I am a good listener. I always have great advice for those who need it. 

Why ARS snatched me up: ARS co-director (AKA my mother), knew that I needed to see black women represented authentically through literature, which indeed has changed my life. 

A personal achievement I’m especially proud of: I completed my very first costume design project in summer 2021!

A professional one I be bragging about: I started a business when I was 19 years old and it has persevered ever since!

A big, scary goal I’m bigger and scarier than: I want to take my business to the next level. I want my business to be known all around the world and for everyone to feel beautiful in my clothing.

A quote that makes my soul crawl on out of its hiding place: “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any” – Alice Walker

The book that saved my life: The Bluest Eye

My favorite Black woman author/s of all time: Andria Cole

The tenderest, most beautiful thing I ever witnessed or experienced at ARS: I have witnessed plenty of young girls grow physically, spiritually, and emotionally. 

Why I am a part of the ARS journey: I am a part of the ARS journey because I am consistently learning to love myself even more each summer. I meet make new sisters every summer. And I growing spiritually and emotionally every summer. 

Full name: Zawadi Songhai Sankofa

Refer to me like this: she/her

Hometown: Baltimore, MD

I fell in love with Baltimore when: I walked up to the intersection of W North Ave and Pennsylvania Ave in 2019 and it felt like home.

Current + favorite life role/s: student, daughter, artist, speaker, listener

Role/s w/in ARS: Youth Leader

Years w/ ARS: 4 years

Education: The Bryn Mawr School and A Revolutionary Summer

Gifts/areas of wisdom + expertise: holding space to discuss difficult topics tenderly and productively

Why ARS snatched me up: my passion is contagious 

A personal achievement I’m especially proud of: drawing in my sketchbook almost every day

A professional one I be bragging about: being featured in a series of articles about youth activists published by “We Need Diverse Books”

A big, scary goal I’m bigger and scarier than: expressing my feelings without fearing conflict

A quote that makes my soul crawl on out of its hiding place: “Sometimes I feel discriminated against, but it does it not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company?” Zora Neale Hurston

The book that saved my life: “Their Eyes Were Watching God” Zora Neale Hurston

My favorite Black woman author/s of all time: Toni Morrison, Sister Souljah, Jesymn Ward, Zora Neale Hurston

The tenderest, most beautiful thing I ever witnessed or experienced at ARS: black girls laughing, crying and singing together all at once

Why I am a part of the ARS journey: Black girls deserve to learn themselves and their histories. 

Full name: Kalea Lynell Harris 

Refer to me like this: She/Her also known as this baddest chick on the block.

Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland 

I fell in love with Baltimore when:  I can’t remember when, it sort snuck up on me. One day I just looked around and knew this was home. 

Current + favorite life role/s: daughter and sister.

Role/s w/in ARS: Daughter and Youth Leader

Years w/ ARS: 4 or 5 

Education: High school graduate, currently studying Anthropology and African American studies.

Gifts/areas of wisdom + expertise: makeup and poetry 

Why ARS snatched me up: I’m loud, crazy, intelligent, and compassionate

A personal achievement I’m especially proud of:  My bride of chucky cosplay

A professional one I be bragging about: Being a published author

A big, scary goal I’m bigger and scarier than: Curatoring my own museum 

A quote that makes my soul crawl on out of its hiding place: "I get angry about things and then I go on and work.” - Toni Morrison 

The book that saved my life: Salt by Nayyirah Waheed

My favorite Black woman author/s of all time: Assata Shakur

The tenderest, most beautiful thing I ever witnessed or experienced at ARS:  Toward the close of a retreat ( the start to our program) Everyone was asked to use one word to describe how they felt about how the retreat made them feel and almost everyone said ‘seen’ or ‘at peace’. That warmed my spirit!

Why I am a part of the ARS journey: ARS is one of the only organizations that puts black girls and women as their only focus. ARS helps black girls find their crowns, and then find ways to help them shine even brighter.