Ryan Odom

Ryan Odom, a first-generation college student, recently graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) with a BA in Liberal Studies, where he also participated in the student-led social outreach organization Kingdom of Youth, aimed to uplift BIPOC youth in the Greensboro, NC area. He was raised in Durham, NC by a family and community that’s deeply rooted in a legacy of social justice. Ryan has a robust background in science and technology and its intersections with human experiences. A deep-thinker with an innovative spirit, Ryan has a strong commitment to community-focused work as a connector and resource mobilizer. Ryan has been an integral part of several mentoring groups for young people, including Duke University’s BOOST Science program and the John Hope Franklin Young Scholars program, where he played a vital role in the publishing of Running For Hope: A novel by the John Hope Franklin Young Scholars with illustrations from the autobiography of John Hope Franklin. He has also launched numerous local outreach initiatives under the motto ChangeDurham including organizing clothing drives and facilitating cross-community dialogues on poverty, violence, and drug use. Ryan is dedicated to supporting and uplifting his community and beyond and is committed to supporting justice-focused groups across the South.