Introducing Our New S.O.A.R. Fellows: Nayeli Gomez and Ryan Odom
We are thrilled to introduce our inaugural S.O.A.R. Fellows, Nayeli Gomez and Ryan Odom. These two dynamic emerging leaders bring a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to our work and to the South, and we are excited to see the impact they will make during their time with us over the next two years.
Nayeli Gomez
Nayeli Gomez was raised in Wilson, NC, as the daughter of Mexican immigrants. She graduated as a first-generation college student from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) with a BA in Sociology and Human Development & Family Science, along with a minor in Information Systems. Throughout her academic journey, Nayeli has been a tireless advocate for social justice and equity. As a leader of Siembra NC’s first college chapter, she spearheaded initiatives to raise wages for campus housekeepers, promoted political education, and assisted with voter registration drives.
Nayeli’s commitment to community engagement is further demonstrated through her internships with LatinxEd and Participate Learning, where she honed her skills in database creation, data organization and analysis, and human resources support. She has also been actively involved in programs for new students at UNC and has received multiple awards and scholarships for her academic excellence. Nayeli’s dedication to tackling structural and institutional inequalities at a macro level aligns perfectly with our mission and work at LGF, and we are confident she will make tremendous contributions to philanthropy and social change work in the South.
Ryan Odom
Ryan Odom, also 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’s dedication to supporting and uplifting his community and beyond gives us great excitement for all the ways he will enrich our work and justice-focused groups across the South.
About the S.O.A.R. Fellowship
Laughing Gull’s S.O.A.R. Fellowship is designed to support emerging leaders who are committed to justice and want to engage in meaningful work to accelerate progress in communities across the South. Our fellows are immersed in a dynamic environment that nurtures their skills, hones their leadership abilities, and empowers them to be even more of a driving force in the pursuit of a more just future.
Our first application process for the S.O.A.R. Fellowship was highly competitive, with dozens of outstanding candidates being considered. We carefully reviewed each application, with Nayeli and Ryan standing out throughout the process with their exceptional leadership potential, deep commitment to our mission, and strong alignment with LGF culture and values.
Please join us in welcoming Nayeli Gomez and Ryan Odom to our fellowship program!
For more details on the fellowship, click here. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date with updates on our work together!
