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Iyana Gross is currently an HBCU Changemaker Fellow at the University of San Diego, where she is pursuing her Master’s in Social Innovation. A proud Morgan State University alumna with a B.S. in Biology, and a Columbia University graduate with a M.S. in Narrative Medicine, Iyana brings an interdisciplinary lens to her work at the intersection of health, storytelling, and social impact.

 

As a Full-Spectrum Doula and committed community advocate, she is dedicated to using research to deconstruct the implicit biases that persist within the healthcare system. Through her role as Logistics Coordinator and HBCU SOUL Liaison, Iyana has supported the successful production of HBCU SOUL Fest since 2023, helping to create intentional spaces for dialogue, celebration, and empowerment. She is deeply passionate about advocating for queer students and expanding access to inclusive, affirming environments that foster growth, belonging, and leadership.