Equity in Youth Outreach

Disconnected by Design

Summary: This research explores why many Black girls ages 12–24 are unaware of the growing number of programs, fellowships, conferences, and scholarships created to support them across various fields. Despite strong interest, outreach methods used by schools, nonprofits, and government agencies often fail to reach or resonate with Black girls, leading to missed opportunities for civic, academic, and leadership engagement.

Research Questions:

1. Why do Black girls miss out on youth programs designed for them?

2. What communication channels do Black girls use and trust?

Full research project available to view here.

Homelessness & Housing

Guaranteed Basic Income: A Solution to Homelessness or Just a Band-Aid?

Summary: The Denver Basic Income Project (DBIP) provides guaranteed monthly income to unhoused people in Denver to test if direct cash can improve housing stability. Created amid Colorado’s new statewide housing initiatives, the DBIP is the largest U.S. program of its kind. This research analyzes its effectiveness, challenges, and criticisms that such programs may detract from broader affordable housing efforts.

Research Questions:

1. Does guaranteed basic income help unhoused people achieve stable housing?

2. Does it divert focus from creating permanent, affordable housing?

Full essay available to read here.

Homelessness, Human Dignity, and the Constitution: A Policy Analysis of Grants Pass v. Johnson (2024)

Summary: The City of Grants Pass v. Johnson (2024) Supreme Court ruling upheld the right of local governments to ban public camping and sleeping, declaring such enforcement does not violate the Eighth Amendment. This 6–3 decision overturned Martin v. Boise (2018), expanding local authority while sparking debate over criminalizing homelessness versus maintaining public order.

Research Questions:

1. How does Grants Pass v. Johnson redefine the limits of the Eighth Amendment?

2. What are the legal and social impacts of restoring local control over homelessness enforcement?

Full essay available to read here.

Incarceration and Reentry

Double Standards Beyond the Bars: The Gendered Divide in Societal Expectations of Women's and Men's Post-Incarceration Reentry

Summary: Despite the rapid rise in women’s incarceration rates, most re-entry programs remain modeled on male experiences, leaving women without sufficient gender-responsive support. This research examines how gender norms and societal expectations shape the re-entry experiences of formerly incarcerated women in the United States, analyzing how gendered barriers impact access to stable housing and how re-entry programs can be reimagined to better support women rebuilding their lives after incarceration.

Research Questions:

1. How do societal expectations of gender influence the re-entry process for formerly incarcerated individuals?

2. What challenges do formerly incarcerated women face in securing post-release housing compared to men?

3. How can community-based organizations design re-entry programs that address the unique needs of formerly incarcerated women?

Presentation: Presented at Harvard University’s 10th Annual Scholarship & Social Justice Undergraduate Research Conference, an event that brings together faculty, students, and scholars nationwide to advance equity-focused research and dialogue.

Overview: View a short presentation summarizing my research project here. (Full essay available upon request.)

Gun Violence

Why Baltimore Struggles with Gun Violence and the Policy Responses Addressing It

Summary: This research examines how decades of disinvestment, racial segregation, and systemic inequities have made Baltimore especially vulnerable to gun violence, analyzing how poverty, housing instability, and weakened trust in law enforcement perpetuate cycles of violence and how community-led initiatives can foster healing, stability, and long-term prevention.

Research Questions:

1. How have historical disinvestment and structural racism contributed to persistent gun violence in Baltimore?

2. What community-based strategies can effectively reduce violence and rebuild trust in the city’s most impacted neighborhoods?

Full essay: Available upon request.

Public-Private Partnerships & Ethics

Little Island, Major Expense: The Ethical Considerations of Public-Private Partnerships

Summary: This research critically examines Little Island, a park on Manhattan’s Hudson River, analyzing how public-private partnerships can shape urban development in ways that prioritize high-profile attractions over broader community needs. The study explores how project design, location, and funding choices influence public access, equity, and the allocation of resources.

Research Questions:

1. Does Little Island meaningfully address a public need, or does it reinforce exclusion by investing public resources into an already affluent, amenity-rich neighborhood?

2. What are the social and political consequences of allowing wealthy private actors to drive the development of public space with limited community input?

Full essay available to read here.