MEET OUR TEAM
Byron Jones II
President, Harambee
Byron Jones II (he/him) is a Master of Divinity candidate at Harvard Divinity School. He is a native Houstonian of Texas.
Byron obtained his BA in English with a minor in Religious Studies at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va. He has a passion for religion, politics, ethics, and the Black Church. While at HDS, he serves as president of Harambee; Chair of BRSCC; and the Harbus Foundation at Harvard Business School. He has interned at several Black Churches and hopes to continue his work with churches.
Vice President, Harambee
Ahmaad is a Master of Divinity student from Louisville, Kentucky. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Leadership Studies from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. Ahmaad’s passions include Black liberation theology, racial justice and healing, and community empowerment. He loves coffee, bowling, biking along the Charles River, and spending time with his grandparents during school breaks. Ahmaad describes his life in ministry as an opportunity to make positive deposits of love, justice, and healing in our world. He is truly honored to begin serving at First Church in Cambridge.
Tracey Robertson Carter
Treasurer, Harambee
Tracey Robertson Carter is an entrepreneur who is dedicated to impacting equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in the various philanthropic efforts she is involved in that support incarcerated youth, the arts, and the environment. Tracey is a student at Harvard Divinity School and currently serves as a Trustee with New World Symphony, Artists in Residence in the Everglades (AIRIE), Shelburne Farms Vermont and the Chicago Sinfonietta.
Co-Chair BRSCC
Kenashia Thompson (she/her) is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity Degree with interests in Womanist Theology, Black Church Studies, social justice movements and comparative theology. Kenashia is the Student Body President of Harvard Divinity School for the 2022-2023 school year. While at HDS, she has also served as the treasurer for Harvard Divinity School’s Student Association, treasurer for Harambee: Students of African descent at HDS, treasurer for the Black Graduate Council, a member of the Noon Steering Committee, and is a Edward Hopkins Shareholder recipient. Currently, she works part time at a Women’s shelter in downtown Boston and also interns with Senator-Elect Liz Miranda. As a proponent for all things Black and as a minister in the AME Zion Church, Kenashia has a passion for social justice work and advocacy that centers and uplifts the poor Black woman’s voice. After graduating in May 2023, Kenashia plans to recover from the traumas of graduate school.
Social Engagement Chair, Harambee
Aliyah Collins (She/hers) is a scholar- activist, from Jackson, Tennessee. She is a 2020 graduate of Fisk University and is currently pursuing her Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School. Aliyah specializes in exploring trauma recovery models as forms of spiritual care. She focuses on traditional African religious worldviews to practice spiritual care and healing towards addressing the impact of structural racism against Black communities. Aliyah has served as Harambee Co-President, Social Engagement Chair, and is a founding member of the Womanist Group. She is currently a Social Justice Intern with City Mission Boston and a part-time teacher with Reconstruction where she teaches online Black history courses to middle school students in Memphis, Tennessee. After graduation in 2023, Aliyah will continue her work on trauma recovery, spiritual care, and healing initiatives for marginalized communities.