Melissa simpson President

Melissa Simpson serves as the President of the Rutgers University Chapter of The Accountability Initiative. She also was the previous United Black Council Representative last year. As a junior on the Pre-Law track, she is passionate about advocacy and hopes to build a career dedicated to amplifying the voices of individuals and communities who may not otherwise have a platform. By combining her interests in politics, law, and the French language, Melissa aspires to pursue a career in international relations and make a meaningful impact on a global scale.

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yvanabel thomas vice president

Yvanabel Thomas currently serves as the Vice President of the Rutgers chapter of The Accountability Initiative . She is a Public Health major at Rutgers University with minors in Biological Sciences and Health & Society. Yvanabel was the secretary for TAI last year. She aspires to become a healthcare professional focused on reducing health disparities, particularly in maternal health. She is also passionate about supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and addressing the barriers that can significantly impact their health and overall well-being. Her passion for public health comes from recognizing that behind every statistic and health outcome are real people, experiences, and stories. She believes that health is not simply defined by lifespan or the absence of illness, but also by the overall quality of a person’s life and their ability to thrive. Understanding the societal factors that contribute to health inequities has motivated Yvanabel to advocate for others, serve her community, and work toward creating a more just and equitable healthcare system.

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kate-lyn st. felix secretary

Kate-Lyn St. Felix currently serves as the Secretary of the Rutgers chapter of The Accountability Initiative. She is an Exercise Science major at Rutgers University on the Physician Assistant track. Kate-Lyn is highly interested in addressing health inequalities and social inequities, with particular interests in racial discrimination, gender inequality, immigration rights, and access to education. She is passionate about understanding how social and structural factors can influence individuals’ opportunities, health outcomes, and overall well-being. Through her involvement in various activities and organizations, Kate-Lyn strives to broaden her perspective, connect with others, and contribute to positive change in her community. Outside of her academic and organizational commitments, dancing is one of her main interests and serves as a meaningful outlet for stress relief and self expression. Kate-Lyn hopes to carry her passion for advocacy and service into her future career as a Physician Assistant and work toward promoting greater equity and access within healthcare and beyond.

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marissa grapine social media chair

Marissa Grapine currently serves as the Social Media Chair of the Rutgers chapter of The Accountability Initiative. She is a Public Health major at Rutgers University with a focus in Biostatistics. Marissa is passionate about addressing health disparities and advocating for marginalized communities, particularly in relation to health issues that disproportionately affect underserved populations. She is especially interested in the impact of funding cuts to sickle cell research and the importance of continued research and resources for individuals affected by sickle cell disease. Marissa is excited to be a part of The Accountability Initiative and looks forward to using her role to help raise awareness, support important causes, and contribute to meaningful change within her community. Through her passion for public health and commitment to service, she hopes to help create greater awareness of health inequities and promote better health outcomes for all.

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tra’sean nichols mentorship chair

Tra’Ssean Nichols currently serves as the Mentorship Chair of the Rutgers chapter of The Accountability Initiative. She is an Animal Science major at Rutgers University on the Pre Veterinary track with a minor in Business Administration. Tra’Ssean is passionate about animal education and outreach and is committed to creating opportunities to educate others about animal health, care, and well being. Through her academic interests and community involvement, she hopes to make a positive impact by sharing knowledge, supporting others, and encouraging greater awareness of the connection between animals, people, and their communities. As Mentorship Chair, Tra’Ssean is excited to support and guide fellow members while helping foster a welcoming and collaborative environment within The Accountability Initiative. She looks forward to using her experiences and passion for service to contribute to the organization and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

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kimora simms united black council representative

Kimora Simms currently serves as the United Black Council Representative of the Rutgers chapter of The Accountability Initiative. She is a Biological Sciences major at Rutgers University and hopes to attend medical school to pursue a career as a pediatrician. Kimora is passionate about healthcare equity and access and is committed to addressing social injustices across systems, including criminal justice and education. She is particularly interested in understanding how systemic and historical inequities shape health outcomes and contribute to disparities within marginalized communities. Kimora recently presented the findings of her research paper examining distrust of the medical system within the Black community, an experience that broadened her perspective on the lasting impact of systemic and historical inequities on health. This research further strengthened her dedication to advocating for greater trust, equity, and access within healthcare.