Zenzile Riddick
About Zenzile Riddick
I am a Ph.D. student at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Admitted to the program as a Harvard Presidential Scholar, my research focuses on the historical and contemporary landscape of Black educational institutions, leadership, and achievement. In 2019 I received a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in History from the University of California, Santa Barbara. While there, I conducted award winning research on decolonial educational practices and the decriminalization of youth of color as well as financial aid access and expansion. In addition to conducting academic research, I have designed and led various mentorship programs for low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented college students. Currently, I serve as the Logistical Coordinator for Building Audacity, a Boston-based organization focused on youth leadership development. As a first-generation college graduate myself, my primary goal is improving the educational experience of low-income youth and youth of color, constructing viable pathways for their academic and holistic success!