Tarissa Prim Peterson
Board Co-Chair
Tarissa is returning to the board as a Senior at Classical and in the Co-Chair position! She has been a dedicated member of our family, being part of every event and opportunity since she joined us. One of her biggest strengths she will bring to the board is she always speaks the truth- she is not one to hold back and will elevate her concerns, excitements and thoughts. She also translates this to passion and execution, and has been a big contributor to our events and programming throughout the year.
Vethlie Milcette
Co-Coordinator
co-coordinators@youthinactionri.org
Hi! I’m Vethlie and I’m one of the Coco’s at Youth In Action. I’m currently a senior in high school and am very grateful for all the time I’ve spent surrounded by my YIA fam! In programming, me and my peers have made so much change that I’m very proud to see. I’ve learned so much about my own identity and how my social location influences my experiences in the world, and hope to be able to help others learn more about themselves as well!
Jasley De Jesus
Digital Marketing Intern
She/Her/Hers
Hi, my name is Jasley and I’m a senior in high school. This is my 4th year being a member of Youth in Action and I’m excited to start my last year of high school being the Digital Marketing intern for a program that is giving me the opportunity to give back to my community. As a Digital Marketing intern, I hope to create attractive designs that will make Youth In Action stand out even more and show the world all of the great work our youth are putting in.
Susanna Yim
Program Coordinator
susanna@youthinactionri.org
(she/her)
Susanna was born and raised in Rhode Island. She has been a longtime advocate for intersectionality and diversity within the climate justice movement as well as in her daily life. She uses her advocacy to not only help her understand the world around her but to navigate it. As a child of refugees, Susanna deeply cares for a multitude of issues that impact not only her family but also her community. Susanna embraces her creativity through improvisational comedy, spoken word poetry, and asymmetrical hairstyles.
Susanna has made it her goal to help change the world from a young age. She has always wanted to help others and make sure that every space is welcoming. She uses her passion for issues as a way to channel her advocacy to help change the world.
Ayana Melvan
Board Member
University of Massachusetts Amherst 2006
BA in Communications with a Film Certificate
White-Riley-Peterson Fellow 2020-2021
Ayana Melvan is the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships for Mission Programs at Mystic Aquarium. Ayana is responsible for cultivating strategic partnerships that will substantially grow Mission Programs reach, revenue, and impact with a strong focus on environmental justice and racial equity. Ayana Melvan came from the United Way of Rhode Island. Ayana has worked in the field of youth development and education for over 20 years in several capacities, including most recently heading up the Youth Development work at United Way, and leading the Rhode Island Afterschool Network, with a heavy focus on environmental justice with a racial equity lens. Ayana has led work with local and statewide initiatives including the Rhode Island Working Cities Challenge from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston on ending racism and helping the City of Cranston create more equitable opportunities for youth and families. She has also led the work on eliminating the school to prison pipeline in Rhode Island for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) youth with national and local entities. Ayana has worked as a partner with Mystic Aquarium for over a decade in Connecticut and Rhode Island to help bring conservation-focused STEM education opportunities to lower income and BIPOC youth in out-of-school time. In her spare time, Ayana enjoys hanging out with her family at the beach, pool side, or outdoors and loves living in Westerly, RI. She spends most of her free time with her husband Mark, father Dwight, and two beautiful and amazing children Phoenix and Kingston along with Percy and Pippin’ the furbabies of the house.
Dupe Akrinrimisi
Board Member
Dupe serves as the Family Planning and Sexuality Educator for the Woonsocket Health Equity Zone through Thundermist Health Center, where she supports health initiatives decided by and for teens. In this role she teaches, writes curriculum, provides parent education, and professional development trainings. Dupe advocates for the expansion of healthcare access and believes all teens deserve an opportunity to improve their quality of life. Dupe develops her interest in policy by working with legislators, community members and stakeholders to create systems that provide equitable treatment to women of color and their children. As an alumni of YIA, Dupe understands the importance and impact of creating opportunity for young people and hopes to continue to support the organization by bringing her unique expertise to the board of directors
