As my time as a 2025 summer Karel fellow comes to an end, I can honestly say that I will not leave empty-handed. I have been equipped with the tools to continue to advance my communications skills, better engage with the communities I intend to collaborate with, and begin building the foundation to becoming one step closer to my professional goals.
Throughout my entire summer, while completing tasks, I continued to brainstorm and ask myself how I can take this experience with me in my leadership work at my institution, as well as the greater New Orleans area, in which I have two more years to pour into before I walk the stage as a first generation college student. It is no coincidence that I was paired with Hip Hop Caucus this summer, which has strong ties to that city I’ve grown much love for.
My organization fights many battles on many different battle fronts with just 25 staff and an impact too great to contain. What great inspiration for a young man with multifaceted goals for advocacy endeavors. My supervisor, who directs the Storytelling & Communication department as well as our great team, has taught me the importance of collaboration and highlighting individual expertise to contribute to the completion of common execution goals.
Youth need to be able to get on board with the movements in their communities that are working to tackle the issues they care about. Therefore, they need content and messaging that meet them where they are. I had a lot of fun focusing on Gen Z and youth relations and ensuring the Caucus considers our voice, language, opinions, and expertise in their many campaigning efforts, outreach, and advocacy.
I had the chance to fly down to New Orleans with some of the team for the org’s first Youth Climate Comedy workshop and showcase. Firsthand, I witnessed and captured advocacy seeds being planted in relation to climate justice and injustice. I saw and captured the youth translating their passions for comedy into communication that highlights their voices and brings awareness to concerning climate-related issues. I even did my own skit that brought awareness to my and others’ hurricane experience while stuck on campus.
I’m excited to announce that my work with the Caucus will continue beyond this fellowship experience. We are near the Org’s 20th annual Hurricane Katrina Commemoration community engagement event in New Orleans on Aug 29th. I will be boots on the ground and plan to get my Xavier community involved. There is much work to do in our city and I as a Programs Community and Development Director for my universities community service organization M.A.X will connect the Caucus and Xavier community to work towards common goals of inspiring student and community activism, and deepening connecting with the greater New Orleans area to work towards common goals.