The Youth Voice of Learn4Life
The Learn4Life Youth Council provides critical insight, lived experience, and guidance to improve the design, relevance, and effectiveness of our efforts in Early Literacy, 8th Grade Math, and Postsecondary Success. Through their leadership and perspective, Youth Council members help ensure our work remains responsive to the needs and aspirations of young people across the region.
Youth Council Cohort 2025-2026
Sydney Baker is a student at Georgia State University. Her research examines how local property taxes impact K-12 school districts with high percentages of Title I students.
Zaria Jackson is a high school student at Towers High School. Her research examines how to more equitably fund academics, sports, and student clubs at Towers High School in Dekalb County.
Marcus Daniels is a student at Morehouse College. His research examines how Atlanta Public Schools can better leverage funding to support smaller schools within the district.
Cameryn Thorpe is a student at Spelman College. Her research examines how school funding in Atlanta Public Schools impacts access to school nurses and physical services.
Amaya Conner is a high school student at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate. Her research examines funding disparities that exist between schools in Atlanta Public Schools, including KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, and what changes could make funding more equitable.
Gabby Key is a student at Georgia State University. Her research examines how private school competition impacts Clayton County and Fulton County enrollment and funding.
Mashaud Strozier is a Scholar Enrollment Recruitment Coordinator for KIPP Atlanta Schools. His research analyzes why school closures are concentrated in historically Black and low-income neighborhoods in northwest and southwest Atlanta and how this concentration impacts long-term graduation and career and college readiness outcomes in these communities.
Joanna Rhee is a high school student at Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology. Her research examines how school funding and student hidden fees impacts student engagement in student extracurriculars and schools.
Mikayla Johnson is a homeschool student. Her research analyzes the differences in school budgeting between the City of Decatur Schools compared to Dekalb County schools and how this impacts student resources.
Stephanie Ezenne is a high school student at Jonesboro High School. Her research examines how to implement a strategic resource mapping approach to district funding in Clayton County Public Schools to improve teacher retention and instructional quality.
Travis Tatom is a high school student at The Walker School. His research examines how Cobb County’s property tax funding model contributes to resource inequities, particularly in athletic funding.
Arianna Hollins is a high school student at Carver High School.
Cyrus Ogle-Forbes is a high school student at the Galloway School.
Danielle Chatman is a student at Spelman College. Her research examines how per pupil funding differences across Atlanta Public Schools impacts AP, IB, and dual enrollment.
Ephraim Postell is a high school student at Woodland High School. His research examines how funding differences in Dekalb County impacts academic outcomes.
Youth Council Cohort 2
Leadership Team
The Youth Council Cohort 2 Leadership was the first Youth Council leadership team, increasing youth decision-making and impact in the Council and Learn4Life.
Chair, Mashaud Strozier
Marketing Lead, Mikayla Johnson
CHANGE ACTION NETWORK LEADS:
Literacy Lead, Amaya Conner
Math Lead, Stephanie Ezenne
Postsecondary Leads, Cameryn Thorpe and Marcus Daniels
Youth Council Cohort 2 In Action
The Youth Council Cohort 2 participated in several education and civic engagement events around Metro Atlanta, including our Youth Council Action Days coordinated by the Network Leads.
Youth Council Cohort 1 Alumni
Our first Youth Council cohort was launched during the 2024-2025 school year.
- Christopher Hammond
- Hailey Hobbs
- Blair Wagner
- Brie Townsend
- Amari Castell-Jackson
- Rose Messi
- Samira Hardy
- Charlaye Dennis
- Aislinn Armenta
- Adrienna Neely
- Juliette Seymour
- Eryn Nash
- Emily Ngyuen
- Khalil McCaskill
- Zaria Whitfiled
- Jordan Strange
- Baileigh (Tea) Richards
- Adrian Cronin
- Quariyana Ferguson
- Devan “DJ” Plummer JR
- James Wilson
- Zari Massay
- Aniya Walker
- Malone Hunter
- Marcus Peel
- Mahogoney Langston
- Naomi Rice
- Andres Arden