Meet the 2026 UMOJA Board
Mariama Njie
Co-Chair
Mariama Njie is a Senior at the University of Pennsylvania, double-majoring in Communications and Africana Studies on the Pre-Law Track. In addition to being Co-Chair for UMOJA, she serves as Vice Editor of the Faces of Black Penn Magazine, which showcases art and creative writing curated by Black students on campus. Mariama is also a student assistant at the Platt Center for Performing Arts and a new member of the Sphinx Senior Honor Society, the University's very first honor society.
Mariama hopes to pursue a career in Law & Journalism, with particular interests in social equity, corporate social responsibility, and civil law. She hopes to work in the intersection of cosmetology and business in the future, establishing adequate product representation for all skin types and tones.
As Co-Chair of UMOJA, Mariama oversees and executes all UMOJA programming and initiatives and manages relationships with coalitions, faculty and entities at the University of Pennsylvania.
Gabrielle Cayo
Co-Chair
Gabrielle Cayo is a Senior at the University of Pennsylvania, double-majoring in International Relations and Urban Studies. She is originally from Brooklyn, New York. On campus, she serves as the Co-Chair of UMOJA, the Director of Asé Academy, the social chair of NAACP, and is a member of the Netter Center Student Advisory Board.
Gabrielle aspires to work in public policy, particularly surrounding the issues of affordability, access, and systemic injustice in urban cities.
As Co-Chair of UMOJA, Gabrielle oversees and executes all UMOJA programming and initiatives and manages relationships with coalitions, faculty and entities at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mackenzie Hill
Internal Chair
Mackenzie Hill is a Senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. Originally from Hazel Green, AL, Mackenzie is studying International Relations in her pursuit of a career in civil or human rights law. Mackenzie is passionate about prisoner rights advocacy, bipartisan political dialogue, and working to address injustices across the Deep South. As a continuation of her efforts, Mackenzie received a U.S Department of State Critical Language Scholarship for Portuguese, was awarded the Making a Difference Fellowship in Grenada to work on drug policy development for youth, and was recognized as a Fulbright-Hays Fellow in South Africa, where she studied principles of nonviolent activism and the Zulu language. On campus, she is a Civic Scholar, Kite & Key Tour Guide, SNF Paideia Ambassador, and social sciences researcher.
Mackenzie intends to pursue a career in public interest work, specifically in the area of environmental or international human rights law.
As Internal Chair, Mackenzie works closely with the Co-Chairs to maintain a consistent and organized executive board structure, coordinating board meetings by reserving spaces, taking notes, and creating action items. She also handles internal communications, including emails and updates, and organizes internal social events.
Avery Brobbey
External Chair
Avery Brobbey is a Junior at the University of Pennsylvania studying Political Science and History on the pre-law. She is a proud Ghanaian-American from Akron, Ohio. On campus, she serves as Secretary for Beyond Arrests: Re-thinking Systemic Oppression and Editor-in-Chief of the Black Pre-Law Association’s XIII Law Journal. She is also a Logistics Committee Board member and tutor with the West Philadelphia Tutoring Project, as well as a sports writer for The Daily Pennsylvanian. Avery is a member of the Gamma Epsilon Philadelphia City Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she serves as the chapter's Ivy Leaf Reporter.
Avery aspires to be a lawyer, and she is particularly interested in issues of criminal justice, systemic inequality, and public policy.
As the External Chair, Avery is tasked with developing and maintaining relationships with alumni, strengthening partnerships with external entities such as the Office of the Vice Provost and assisting in the coordination of annual UMOJA programming like Black Convocation.
Brad Ferdinand
Finance Chair
Brad Ferdinand is a Junior majoring in Philosophy, Politics & Economics and Urban Studies. Brad is interested in constitutional law and is passionate about promoting equity in the financial and legal spheres. Aside from UMOJA, Brad serves as the Financial Sub-Chair of Penn’s Black Pre-Law Association, is the Freshman Liaison of Penn’s Caribbean American Student Association, and is involved in Penn Alternative Investments Club, Penn Moot Court, Penn Coloured Pages, and Wharton Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Club. Brad is a member of the Mighty Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
Brad intends to pursue a career in Corporate Appellate Law.
As Finance Chair, Brad manages UMOJA's budget to ensure the equitable distribution of funds to constituents, represents UMOJA on financial advisory boards, and leads all fundraising efforts.
Juliet Adam
Political Chair
Juliet Adam is a Junior in Wharton concentrating in Business Economics and Public Policy (BEPP), and Statistics as an aspiring Development Economist. She is Sudanese-American and originally from Greensboro, NC, but currently resides in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. On campus, she serves as the Vice President and Co-founder of the Sudanese Association at Penn and the Inaugural President of the Penn chapter of The Accountability Initiative. She is also a part of Pi Lambda Sigma (POLIS) and a mentor for the International Peer Mentorship Program.
Juliet aspires to become a Development Economist, and she is particularly interested in African development, economic policy, and Middle Eastern/African affairs.
As the Political Chair, Juliet expresses UMOJA’s political voice within the University community, orchestrating responses to issues affecting the Black community and informing constituents of political developments and campus news.
Janet Omoruyi
Community Service Chair
Janet Omoruyi is a Sophomore studying Mathematical Economics and Sustainability and Environmental Management. She is a Ron Brown Scholar and Milken Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania. Hailing from Staten Island, New York, she is a second generation Nigerian-American. She gets involved on campus as a Policy Consultant for Penn Climate Ventures, where she has conducted energy research for leading environmental firms like the Natural Resource Defense Council and PennEnvironment. She has also been involved with the performing arts, joining groups such as The Inspiration and New Spirit of Penn Gospel Choir.
Janet Omoruyi hopes to impact the clean energy space--whether she's advancing energy policy, technology, or finance, she aims to lead a net-zero carbon future.
As Community Service Chair, Janet enforces UMOJA’s community service requirement, plans several service events each semester, and maintains partnerships with community organizations like the Netter Center and Civic House.
Naiima Jabati
Marketing Chair
Naiima Jabati is a Junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Africana Studies and Data Science & Analytics. Aside from UMOJA, she also serves as the Director for Penn's contemporary West African dance troupe, WAVe (West African Vibe). She also serves as the Marketing Chair for the Africana Undergraduate Advisory Board. She is heavily involved in research, where she is currently a Student Researcher at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Center for Autism Research. Naiima is also a member of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Co-ed Business Fraternity (AKPsi).
Naiima intends to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology, working with children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders. She is also passionate about implementing psychological science in medical treatment and its connection to health outcomes.
As Marketing Chair, Naiima is responsible for creating and promoting all UMOJA marketing materials, maintaining a consistent marketing schedule, updating UMOJA’s online platforms, and designing apparel orders.
Tjaden Litwiler
Constituent Engagement Chair
Tjaden Litwiler is a Senior majoring in Health and Societies with a minor in Chemistry and is a passionate campus leader and research advocate working to advance healthcare equity and community support. Aside from UMOJA, Tjaden is the Alpha Phi Director of Philanthropy and the Students Care Volunteering President. She is also a Lab Research Assistant at Penn Med and a Black Women's Health Imperative Task Force Member.
Tjaden aspires to be a future Physician.
As the Constituent Engagement Chair, Tjaden serves as the primary liaison between the Executive Board and UMOJA’s constituents and coordinating all constituent communications.