Action Research Team
Adam Phillips (he/him/his): Savannah Chatham E-Learning Academy
A thorough researcher and avid reader, Adam finds solace in the comfort of knowledge and works to find ways to spread his passions to the community around him. He strikes injustice straight in the heart with sarcasm-drenched wit, eyes constantly set on the underlying issues rather than the surface-level frills that catch most people’s attention. Despite his dry demeanor, Adam is a fast friend and supports the community around him with an open mind and strong heart. He feels that an equitable Savannah features fair wages, accessible healthcare, housing, and education, and that it should be home to second chances, culture, diversity, and bright futures. His favorite book is Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland by Sally M. Walker, and is a metal fan in his downtime- his current favorite song is Slaughterhouse, by Motionless in White.
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Andrew White (he/they/she): Richmond Hill High School
Andrew is a hands-on, bright-eyed extrovert that finds joy in making the world around him laugh and move. She spreads the joys of the arts through his world, pursuing acting as well as writing, and takes inspiration from community forums and online projects (“People Talk” by ccreator on Wattpad is a favorite). Andrew is a musician, crafting emotional masterpieces through vocal and instrumental performances alike (stream Ghost in the Machine by SZA right now!!). They could talk all day if she felt like it, but knows when to stop and focus on projects he constructs in order to create a diverse and equitable future. Andrew feels that in order for Savannah to be equitable, it needs to be accessible, and advocates for disability representation alongside his investment in queer culture. Ever the optimist, he drops positivity bombs that remind her community to take it easy and not sweat the small things. After all, if it won’t matter in 5 years, why spend more than 5 minutes worrying about it?
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Bryah Gillison (she/her): Jenkins High School
Bryah molds her energy around the fact that she will not accept a life she does not deserve. A passionate artist and fashion icon, she stomps injustice in platform heels and brings revitalizing color to a grayscale world. She’s passionate about amending the failures of the education system, and fights for a pollution-free, fully homed city. In her downtime, Bryah enjoys reading, and her current favorite is That’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini. She absolutely jams out to “Amelie” by Teddy Hyde! In addition to drawing, she partakes in the art of written word, crafting lines of sharp wit and full passion. One particular quote truly defines her take on the world around her: “Carpe diem! Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.”
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Eeshani Malkar (she/her): Jenkins High School
Eeshani Malkar is the daughter of Indian immigrants and moved to the United States at the age of 10. While trying to learn, break, and understand the cultural barriers and simultaneously discover her interests, she found herself passionate about people. Wanting to connect to people, she began working with 9-10 different student organizations in her high school, also in and around her community. Eeshani continues involving herself in the community through her work with the Peer Mediation Center and now Deep Center. She now hopes to reach out to a broader audience and make sure to work together for equality and representation for everyone. Her favorite quote by motivational speaker Gaur Gopal Das: “We are called humankind and it’s important for us to be human and be kind, both. If we are not human and not kind, why are we even humankind?” It perfectly encapsulates what we as humans need to be thoughtful of in order to make change in our society today.
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Harrison Tran (he/him): Jenkins High School
Harrison is an organizer, leader, movement scholar, and the son of Vietnamese immigrants. Born and raised in Savannah, he began organizing with nonprofits like the Georgia Youth Justice Coalition and Deep Center, as well as political campaigns such as Wade Herring for Congress and Stacey Abrams at only 14. His ongoing passion for change in a world that seems not to want change is fueled by the injustice happening in our classrooms and communities across the state of Georgia and the entire country. Entering his role as ART Policy Fellow, he hopes to make the legislative impact that will better the lives of young people in Savannah and across the state. He believes that when young people band together for a common cause and vision, they can do absolutely anything. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing, listening to music, and dabbling in graphic design. If you need him, you can probably find him at some cafe downtown drinking coffee or on Instagram @nosirriah!
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Leah Spann (she/her): Savannah Early College
When you ask Leah what she wants to do, who she wants to be, or how she wants to live, she’ll give you one answer: “I want to help people.” Although vague, her statement extends across her character in such a vibrant, encapsulating sense that it leaves little room for confusion- Leah is a strong advocate for human rights in every regard, and does not stand down when presented with challenges. She is the definition of a fighter, a person intent on pushing for change and unstoppable until she gets what she wants and what she feels people need. Dry of humor and sharp of tongue, she can come off as hot-headed upon first glance, but a heart of gold nestles beneath her thorns that beats with the purity of a youth wanting to make the best of everything. As Emily Dickinson once said, “To live is so startling, it leaves little time for anything else.” Leah is the embodiment of this message, leading her life with startling pride and advocacy for a future that makes her and the world around her truly happy. How could she possibly waste time on anything else?
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Legend “Lele” Clark (she/her): New Hampstead High School
Legend is always seeking to make a real impact on her community and the world at large. Helping others is at the core of her being; whether it’s through action-oriented research projects, volunteering for community causes, or simply being there for those in need, she’s dedicated to fostering positive change. She believes that, together, we can build a more compassionate and supportive community. Her curiosity extends beyond borders, though– she’s deeply passionate about staying informed about daily events worldwide, exploring diverse perspectives, and appreciating the richness of global cultures. Knowledge is the catalyst for transformation, and she’s committed to staying engaged in the worldwide conversation. Life as a young Black girl comes with its own set of hurdles, but Legend sees them as stepping stones to success. She’s here to inspire and prove that with determination, solidarity, and resilience, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way.
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Tori Lewis (she/her): Savannah Arts Academy
“This is my canvas, imma paint it how I wanna.” -J Cole
Tori is a researcher at heart, finding fascination in the complexities of anything from crosswords to the human psyche. She wields the pen as a sword, slamming unjust school policies and oppressive societal expectations with sharpened wit and writing of steel. A feminist icon in her own right, Tori digs for connections between identity and self hidden within the histories of art, literature, and culture. She strives for a Savannah that pushes for its residents to agree to change for the better, and advocates within her community through ART to create equitable spaces for those changes to blossom. Her favorite book is The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, and she loves “Call me Everyday” by Chris Brown and Wizkid.
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Vincent Lowe (they/he): Savannah Chatham E-Learning Academy
“I am not a beginning. I am not an end. I am a link in a chain.” -Keith Haring
Vincent, a lifelong resident of Savannah, is always seeking to build a more equitable Savannah that has the structural capacity and support to effectively help its marginalized groups in the school system, justice system, and community at large. They’re highly opinionated on current political and social justice issues across large swaths. He loves listening to others’ opinions on the most pressing issues, both present and past, and you can find them keeping tabs on politicians who wield greater authority. Vincent, like any young person seeking systems change, wants to see that change in the world– a change in how people who aren’t cis-white men are treated equally and just. If they can even in the slightest way possible, even if it is likely to have a forgettable impact, that suffices them.
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Vivian Ortiz (she/her/Ella): Savannah Arts Academy
“No matter your walk of life, we all come from the same beginnings.” This is what Vivian lives by, a message of equality that extends through her kind spirit into her firm advocacy. A huge music fan, her top songs form an extended album of her personality, ranging from Ni Contigo Ni Sin Ti (Pepe Aguilar and Los Ángeles Azules) and Que Vuelvas (Carin Leon) to Bloody Samaritan (Ayra Starr). Ella spends her time with her friends and family, reveling in the shared time and bonds of eating together, shopping together, and attending bailes together. Vivian loves to learn and spread new information throughout her community, especially to other Hispanic/Latinx people, and feels that if we speak up and fight for our rights as a team, we can truly embrace changes for the betterment of our educational and societal systems. Ella illuminates the world with goals for a future rich in diversity of thought, representation, and culture, and she is dedicated to inclusive community outreach in the present through language justice. She strives for a Savannah that emphasizes and prioritizes lived experiences and takes all views into account. Opportunities. Equality. Listening. Helping. Coming together as a whole. These core values are what makes a better world, and what makes Vivian, Vivian.
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Ytinu Ymè Mcdonald (she/her): Savannah Early College
Pick up a dictionary and flip to the back, to the Y’s. Right there, under the word YOLO? Who is that? Ytinu, that’s who. A modern-day muse, Ytinu flourishes in the realm of the arts, spreading the joys of poetry and music wherever she goes. She doesn’t waste time on negativity, and washes out oppressive constructs with splashing colors and indomitable spirit. Ytinu focuses on gender inequality in schools, and advocates for free spaces to share identities and spread good vibes away from the restrictions of outdated policies. She embraces the book Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson, and interweaves its complexities of misogynoir and young female representation into her advocacy. Her favorite song is “Doctor, My Eyes” by Khamari.
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Zoe Jama Hutton (any pronouns): Savannah Arts Academy
Zoe is an Ecuadorian American artivist who is passionate about using the arts to build community and collectively imagine and advocate for equitable education. They believe every young person should have access to quality education, as she has struggled with it themselves and wants to spread the joy of confidence and comfort in learning without fear of judgment. He takes pride in his artistry and often spends time sketching the world around her, picking out details the average person would gloss over and illustrating them from a vibrant, starry-eyed perspective. Zoe’s current theme is La Vida es un Carnaval by Celia Cruz, and when not kicking ass in the political scene, they revel in the ever-expanding mysteries of the scientific world.
Zoe Is.