Life of a Fellow: Brianna

Brianna studied Cultural Anthropology at Rutgers University before joining the 12+ team. They are committed to providing students with access to meaningful education, and are already working hard to do so during the virtual start to our school year. We count ourselves lucky to have them as a Fellow at Kensington Health Sciences Academy this year!

I think we can all agree that this year has been life-altering for all of us. In May I graduated from my living room and was thrust into an uninspiring job market. For weeks I diligently sent my resume out into the void, never to be seen again. When I received a job offer from 12Plus, I was elated. This would be my first full-time job. One that I earned, Bachelor's degree in hand. 

In the weeks leading up to training, I grew anxious. “What is workplace casual, do I need new clothes? What is a Funsie? Will my pronouns be respected? How do I fill out FAFSAs? Will the students like me? Will my coworkers like me? How will the pandemic impact my work? How will I know if I’m doing a good job?” My anxieties melted away as I entered our workspace at MaKen North for the first time and saw seven other faces that looked just as nervous as mine and I realized that I was not alone. 

Getting to know one another - from a distance - on the first day of training!

Brianna and Kara, our Fellowship Coordinator, spend a lunch period hanging out on Zoom with KHSA junior Genesis.

Over the course of our two-week in-person training, all of my questions were answered. Workplace casual just means no ripped jeans. Funsies (Also known as Franksies when organized by Belmont Site Director Frank) are monthly get-togethers. While FAFSAs are intimidating, 12Plus has developed a culture of support in which questions are encouraged. The students are amazing; I’m thankful for the opportunity to witness their growth. My coworkers are talented, hardworking, and fun-loving people with a wealth of knowledge. It doesn't matter if they like me because I like them. 

One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had thus far happened on the first day of training. I noticed homemade signs that read “stalls only” and “stalls and urinals” had replaced the traditional “women” and “men” bathroom signs. This seemingly insignificant gesture speaks to the ways in which 12Plus is committed to creating safe and inclusive spaces for students and staff alike. As a Black queer non-binary person, it can be difficult to gauge the safety of work environments from a distance. However, the care that was placed into making gender-inclusive bathroom signs and ensuring that all HQ members were aware of my pronouns is a care that is actively practiced. 

A quick round of Family Portrait between training sessions.

This year has been, and will continue to be, unlike any other. Fortunately, my coworkers and I serve as systems of support for one another as we continue to work virtually and exist through a pandemic, an unprecedented election season, and attempt to reimagine education, for Black and brown folks, in an anti-racist world. The school year has just begun and the challenges we face are vast, but I have no doubt that together we can generate radical change.