Meet Our Interns
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Aarinii Parms-Green
Role: Digital Communications Intern
Organization: EdTrust
Workmate: Ssanyu Lukoma
School: Xavier University of Louisiana
"The people I admire have taught me that
service is not something you do for communities; it is something you do with them, rooted in genuine relationship, accountability, and presence."
Aarinii Parms-Green hails from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She completed her undergraduate studies at Xavier University of Louisiana, earning degrees across Political Science, History, and Psychological Science. While at Xavier, she co-founded Still We R.O.S.E., a bridge-building initiative spanning all five HBCUs in Louisiana that won first place in the Department of Homeland Security's national Invent2Prevent competition and was spotlighted by the Biden White House as a model program in intercommunity solidarity. She also founded The First Daughter Project, a research and advocacy initiative addressing the adultification and parentification of oldest daughters, and runs The On Purpose Atelier, LLC, a creative studio serving underserved communities through branding and marketing. She is a 2025 Harry S. Truman Scholar for the state of Louisiana for her commitment to public service. Besides spending time with family, Aarinii enjoys fashion, shopping, traveling, reading, and she considers herself to be a lifelong learner.
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Amel Mohdali
Role: Development Intern
Organization: Black Women's Health Imperative
Workmate: Gabriella Wicker
School: Spelman College
"Opportunity comes with the responsibility to uplift others, create access, and advocate for those who may not have the same platform or resources. I believe leadership is most meaningful when it is used in service of others."
Amel Mohdali is a junior at Spelman College, where she majors in International Studies with a concentration in Africa and minors in Economics. She is a John Lewis Scholar and a Social Justice Fellow, with a strong focus on global development, policy, and philanthropy.
Born and raised in Khartoum, Sudan, Amel is a Sudanese researcher, strategist, and humanitarian leader who brings both lived experience and analytical expertise to addressing displacement, humanitarian crises, and structural inequality.
She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Sudan Humanitarian Foundation (SHF), a U.S.-registered nonprofit operating alongside its internationally registered partner organization, the Sudan Humanitarian Fund for Relief & Development. Amel is a board member of the Darfur Diaspora Collective.
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Gabriella Wicker
Role: Programs & Advocacy Intern
Organization: Black Women's Health Imperative
Workmate: Amel Mohdali
School: Xavier University of Louisiana
"When communities have a voice in shaping the initiatives that impact them, they can ensure they receive justice and that the roots of their problems are adequately addressed."
Gabriella R. Wicker is from Folcroft, Pennsylvania. She completed her undergraduate studies at Xavier University of Louisiana, earning a B.S. in Psychological Science with minors in Sociology and Education. During her time at Xavier, she developed a strong foundation in research, leadership, and community engagement through roles in youth empowerment, mental health peer support, student mentorship, and mixed-methods research focused on Black communities. She also served in several leadership positions and programs supporting first-generation students and campus engagement initiatives.
Gabriella is an incoming Master of Social Work student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice, where she will pursue a clinical concentration. Her long-term interests center on Black maternal and reproductive health, with a particular focus on Black perinatal mental health, maternal health literacy, and improving support systems for Black women and families. She hopes to build a career that bridges research, advocacy, and direct clinical practice to advance equitable care and community wellness. She enjoys graphic design, mentoring young people, and exploring creative projects, including designing through Canva and entrepreneurial ventures.
Ssanyu Lukoma
Role: Digital Communications Intern
Organization: EdTrust
Workmate: Aarinii Parms-Green
School: Howard University
"I am motivated every day by knowing that I am walking in my purpose and doing what I can to make a positive impact on communities."
Ssanyu Lukoma is a junior honors broadcast journalism major and political science minor attending The Mecca, Howard University. She is originally from New Jersey and has been a storytelling activist since the age of 13 when she founded a non-profit organization called Brown Kids Read. Since then, Ssanyu has distributed over 16,000 diverse children's books, published 4 books of her own and continues to impact young readers through her community work. At Howard she served as the president of the HU Speech & Debate Team, the first ever Press Secretary for the HU Student Association and now serves as the 88th Miss Howard Unviersity. Her ultimate goal is to become a talk-show host and to keep using stories as a way to change the world.