Yareliz Mendez-Zamora is a fourth year English and History major with a Certificate in Latin American Studies at the University of Florida. Her previous involvement includes being an ambassador at the Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures, being a part of the Membership Leadership Program for the Hispanic Student Association, programming Hispanic Heritage Month’s Forum event, and being a student Senator. Yareliz is passionate about change that truly impacts the community, advocacy, and Latinx empowerment. She wants to shatter preconceived notions about Latinas and encourages all Latinas to accept and liberate every part of themselves.
She is a proud Nicaraguan.
Richard Lainez is a fourth year student here in the University of Florida majoring in Biology. He began volunteering with SPOHP through the Latino Diaspora in the Americas Project (LDAP) last fall and is one of the current coordinators of the project.
Richard is currently an ambassador for the Institute of Hispanic-Latino Affairs while also holding various Executive Board positions in multiple campus organizations. He seeks to hear stories of others’ journeys through immigration and hopes to one day help those often underrepresented be respected and confident with whom they are.
He is a proud Honduran.
Brittney Mejia is a fourth year History Major at the University of Florida. She is currently finishing her undergraduate thesis work focusing on minority rights and education. Brittney has been involved with the Samuel Proctor Oral History Project for the majority of her collegiate career and has gone on several research trips to Mississippi and Arizona. Her most recent trip was to Washington D.C. to witness and be a part of the Million Man March. Brittney is a dancer, proud advocate for her community who strongly believes in Latina empowerment, acceptance and visibility for Afro-Latinidad, and creating Brown and Black solidarity.
She is a proud Dominican.
