CO-FOUNDER

Alexandrea is a Detroit native, where the sociopolitical landscape mirrors that of Memphis. She came to Memphis to pursue her passion as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Memphis, where she could uplift the voices of youth through her work as a scholar-activist. Having been a youth activist herself, Alexandrea understands the importance of youth’s voices being heard and values their insight, expertise, and creativity to create a better world. She has had the privilege to work with youth over the past 5+ years to help youth identify issues impacting them in the community, imagine interventions for improving those issues, and implementing the changes they wanted to see. She looks forward to opportunities to amplify the voices of Memphis youth.

CO-FOUNDER

Elizabeth is a community psychologist who has lived with her family in Memphis for the last 12 years. She is a professor, Plough Chair of Urban Studies, and Interim Dean of Faculty Development at Rhodes College. She has extensive experience as a research collaborator, instructor, and mentor partnering with middle and high school students, as well as undergraduates on her research team. She has learned that the research process and outcomes are greatly enhanced by different forms of knowledge and expertise, including young people who are experts in their own lives. She presents and publishes her work broadly as she practices locally in collaboration with adults and youth toward more democratic, inclusive, and just communities.

CO-FOUNDER

Caitlin is Texas native who found her true home in the Memphis community. Through her work at BRIDGES as the program evaluator, she supports youth empowerment and youth leadership development. Her experience in intergenerational community organizing and advocacy has taught her that this work is most impactful, effective, and sustainable when it centers the expertise of those with lived experience. Caitlin is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the state of Tennessee and received her MSW from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2019. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Social Work at Tulane University.

Amanda was born and raised in Memphis, TN. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Rhodes College. Amanda's research examines factors across the social ecology that influence mental health functioning among youth and families affected by adversity, with an emphasis on resilience resources that promote adaptive functioning. She is particularly interested working with community stakeholders to disseminate and evaluate interventions designed to promote positive functioning among youth, with the ultimate goal of improving access to evidence-based interventions and reducing mental health disparities. Amanda is a licensed clinical psychologist with health service provider designation in the state of Tennessee.

Jennifer is a Southern California native who moved to Memphis in the fall of 2022, to start a position as an Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology in the University of Memphis College of Education. Her research is focused on the intersection of community, developmental, and educational psychology. She is a community-engaged researcher, with prior experience facilitating research-practice partnerships with both schools and educational nonprofit organizations, and conducting youth-participatory action research. Her approach to YPAR and desire to increase youth voice in research is informed by her own experiences as a youth activist.

Dr. Bell is an adolescent medicine physician scientist conducting adolescent health services research. Her work leverages community-based participatory approaches to collaboratively enhance access to and implementation of evidence-based, youth-friendly care for vulnerable adolescents and young adults. As an adolescent medicine subspecialist, her clinical expertise includes strengths-based provision of substance use treatment, detection/treatment of sexually transmitted infections, LGBTQ+ care, contraception, HIV prevention, eating disorder care, and treatment of anxiety and depression.