Makayla Rivera

Makayla Rivera joined the Center on Gender Justice and Opportunity as a Youth Storyteller in Residence in February of 2023. Makayla received the New Jersey Governor’s Award in Arts Education last year and was a gold medalist in the state-wide competition for the NAACP Act-So Program in the category of poetry written. She also performed an original piece, “Part of Your World”, at the Initiative’s “Celebration of Black Girlhood” 10th Anniversary event. She uses her poetry to give voice to the experiences of young, Black women; Makayla’s poetry is a testament to struggle, joy, and the full spectrum of humanity as a Black teen.