Beyond studying institutions and political theory in the classroom, I was able to learn more about the current political climate in South Africa directly from my host family’s lived experiences. Although my journey in South Africa was cut short due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, this experience made a lifelong impression on me regarding the immense value of cultural exchange.
Upon graduating from Pomona in 2021, I relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where I worked full-time as an Associate for a Political Action Committee (PAC). I originally started at the PAC as an intern during my junior year at Pomona, and I received an offer to join the team full-time to support progressive candidates seeking to win elections in highly contested races. I discovered the power of relational organizing and empowering people to help get their friends, family and neighbors out to vote.
I brought this same passion for organizing to my next experience as an Organizer for a statewide advocacy nonprofit in Georgia that believed in free and fair elections. I helped contact over a million people during the 2022 state and federal elections in Georgia with election reminders and motivated two hundred volunteers to attend their local government board meetings. I saw people using their voice to demand real changes and accountability for their communities. I feel privileged to have been able to spend the last few years in Atlanta organizing around school board elections and legislative sessions under the Gold Dome.
When I applied to the University of Bristol, I felt conflicted about leaving the community work I became deeply invested in to pursue graduate studies abroad.
