Meet the 2025 UMOJA Board
Dahai Yonas
Co-Chair
Dahai Yonas is a Junior majoring in Neuroscience and Bioethics on the pre-medicine track as an aspiring doctor specializing in Neurology and Pediatrics. Dahai has been involved in UMOJA since his sophomore year, initially joining the board as Political Chair. Aside from UMOJA, Dahai is the Vice President of Penn’s African Student Association, the Vice President of Alumni Engagement for the Wharton Undergraduate Healthcare, the Treasurer of Future Black Men in White Coats, and is a Public Health Research Assistant as a Wharton Dean SUMR Scholar.
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As Co-Chair of UMOJA, Dahai oversees and executes all UMOJA programming and initiatives and manages relationships with coalitions, faculty and entities at the University of Pennsylvania.
Menna Delva
Co-Chair
Menna Delva is a Junior majoring in Criminology with minors in Legal Studies & History and Africana Studies. She’s been involved in UMOJA since her sophomore year, initially joining the board as Community Service Chair. Aside from UMOJA, Menna serves as the Vice President of External Affairs of the Black Pre-Law Association, the Co-Executive Editor of the Penn Undergraduate Law Journal and a fellow for the Office of Social Equity and Community.
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As Co-Chair of UMOJA, Menna oversees and executes all UMOJA programming and initiatives and manages relationships with coalitions, faculty and entities at the University of Pennsylvania.
Faith Dempsey
Internal Chair
Faith Dempsey is a Junior majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology, aspiring to become a Psychiatrist. Faith has been involved in UMOJA since her sophomore year, joining the board as Constituent Engagement Chair. Beyond UMOJA, Faith serves as the President of Penn’s African Student Association, the Vice President of The National Society of Black Women in Medicine, and a research assistant for the Children’s Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
As Internal Chair, Faith 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.
Damia Ballentine
External Chair
Damia Ballentine is a Sophomore majoring in PPE: Public Policy & Governance with a minor in Urban Education and is an aspiring teacher and advocate for education policy. Aside from UMOJA, Damia is the founder of Promoting Excellence and Achievement at Penn (PEAP), a club dedicated to guiding and mentoring high school students. She is also part of the SNF Paideia Fellowship at Penn, the Treasurer of Aspiring Educators at Penn and a teaching assistant for a Penn GSE course and a teaching fellow for the National Education Equity Lab under Professor Angela Duckworth.
As the External Chair, Damia 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 Freshman 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 and the Freshman Liaison of Penn’s Caribbean American Student Association.
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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.
Mariama Njie
Political Chair
Mariama Nije is a Sophomore double majoring in Communication and Africana Studies and is an aspiring Commercial Lawyer with a passion for advertising, marketing, and product growth. Aside from UMOJA, Mariama serves as a coordinator for Peers Helping Integrate New Students (PHINS) and the Director of Marketing for the Black Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Collective.
As the Political Chair, Mariama 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.
Gabrielle Cayo
Marketing Chair
Gabrielle Cayo is a Sophomore double majoring in Urban Studies and International Relations. Aside from UMOJA, Gabrielle serves as the Connections Coordinator for ASE Academy, an intern for Books Through Bars, a Robeson Cooper Scholar, and a member of the DEI Branch of the Daily Pennsylvanian.
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As Community Service Chair, Gabrielle 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.
Kara Butler
Marketing Chair
Kara Butler is a Junior double majoring in Communication and Anthropology and is particularly passionate about education and experimental ethnography. Aside from UMOJA, Kara is the Marketing Chair of the Africana Studies Department Undergraduate Advisory Board, a Student Ambassador for Makuu, an Illustrator for The Daily Pennsylvanian and a Penn Arts Leader.
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As Marketing Chair, Kara is responsible for creating and promoting all UMOJA marketing materials, maintaining a consistent marketing schedule, updating UMOJA’s online platforms, and designing apparel orders.
Mackenzie Hill
Constituent Engagement Chair
Mackenzie Hill is a Sophomore majoring in International Relations and is a passionate student government leader and technologist working to represent diverse voices and use technology as a medium for equity. Aside from UMOJA, Mackenzie is the Class Board Vice President of External Affairs and the Admissions Dean’s Advisory Board Member. She is also a member of Kite and Key Society, tasked with welcoming and acclimating prospective students onto campus.
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As the Constituent Engagement Chair, Mackenzie Hill serves as the primary liaison between the Executive Board and UMOJA’s constituents and coordinating all constituent communications.