ROBESON SCHOLARS & FELLOWS
Class of 2026
The Robeson Scholars & Fellows Program was developed to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of youth and young adults who have committed themselves to the expansion of a sustainable and broad vision of Robesonian social justice.
This exceptional group of young visionaries from diverse backgrounds across the country embody Robeson’s enduring legacy. They draw inspiration from Robeson’s life, advocating for equality and the power of unified voices to influence generational change.
Ananya Anand
Advancing immigrant dignity through singing and law.
Ananya is an exceptionally thoughtful leader who consistently follows a deep commitment to community, equity, and service. She is the kind of person who not only identifies problems that directly affect her community, but also works to take meaningful action to address them with persistence and empathy.
Christopher Antoine
Transforming society through art and athletics.
What distinguishes Christopher is his ability to connect what he is learning to the world around him. He is not only interested in mastering legal doctrine, but in understanding how it applies to real people and real issues. He has contributed meaningfully to conversations about justice, fairness, and access, and has shown a growing confidence in using legal frameworks to analyze and speak about these topics.
Deyba Barsir
Championing equal protection and labor rights.
Deyba’s leadership has directly influenced DC law to expand available resources to survivors of campus sexual violence. Although a leading factor, her infectious joy alone isn’t what advanced the policy. Her ability to visualize legislative strategy and appropriately delegate projects to her team are what nudged policy over the finish line.
Mumtaz Cooper
Advocating global dignity through poetic expression.
“Taji’s work speaks for itself. As the logistics director for Pencils Not Prisons, a nonprofit she founded, and as co founder of Nisa Rise, an organization dedicated to uplifting and mentoring young Muslim girls, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, she is constantly thinking about how to create opportunities for others.”
Micah Dixon
Empowering youth through activism and leadership.
“I want to use my voice to challenge injustice and help build systems that uplift people rather than limit them…[T]he work of fulfilling the promise of freedom [in the Emancipation Proclamation] remains unfinished. I hope to use the legal profession to advocate for policies that address issues like educational inequality, criminal justice reform, and voter access…”
Jada Grey
Mobilizing communities to challenge racial injustice.
“The Sacramento community has been my life’s work. I’ve seen what happens when someone genuinely cares versus when they’re just checking boxes. Jada cares. She’s studying social work down at Southern University in Louisiana, which makes perfect sense to me. She’s always been more interested in people than points on a scoreboard.”
Zola Grey
More than an athlete: Promoting student voices through athletic excellence.
“What strikes me most is that her leadership has never been about the platform she was standing on…Her ability to connect with others is just as significant as her resilience. She does not lead from a distance. She knows her teammates. She knows what people are carrying and she finds ways to meet them where they are…Showing up. Staying present. Making people feel like they matter.”
Josiah Hall
Platforms of performance and speech for peace.
“Josiah is a true leader and such a special young man. Seeing how he is revered by his classmates is truly amazing, and it is because he values everyone and makes everyone feel they have a place. He has a positive influence on his peers, and that is beautiful to witness.”
Kayla Hill
Challenging social indifference through moral resistance.
“In 20+ years of working with smart, dedicated young people, Kayla is the one who has been the MOST engaged in the worlds of civic engagement and human rights. In addition to being a curious and engaged scholar, Kayla leads the NJ Amnesty International chapter’s statewide youth advocacy efforts through coordination with local/school chapters, mobilizing her peers to take action on human rights issues.”
Anisa Mascoll
Building unified communities through athletic leadership.
“Anisa is a quiet, confident, and observant leader and learner. She is willing to step up and help others and get involved when and where she can. Her athletic skills are very strong; playing three sports and balancing her academics means she practices discipline.”
Oorja Munot
Innovating for global equity and representation.
Oorja has consistently demonstrated an exceptional commitment to making a tangible impact on the communities she serves, both locally and globally. One notable example is her role in the implementation of the SMART Classrooms Project in India, despite encountering obstacles such as funding constraints and forming partnerships with people across the world.
Arsh Parekh
Advancing global citizenship through civic technology.
Arsh is a rare student who is focused more on the greater good than individual success. He has committed himself to embodying a “servant leadership” mindset. After his summer experience with Boys State, his dedication to the greater good has exponentially increased. His sense of gratitude is refreshing.
Jailah Shakoor
Advocating universal human rights for children.
“…the Universal Declaration for Human Rights pushed American ideals of liberty and justice beyond our borders, turning them into a global mandate. It asserts a powerful truth: human rights aren’t a gift from a government; they are inherent to being human. My vision for change in this moment consists of the just treatment of children and adolescents.”