Mixner LGBTQ+
Equal Rights Fellowship

Annabel Savarese is a third year undergraduate Macaulay honors student at Hunter College, majoring in Psychology with a certificate in Human Rights. She is interested in clinical and health psychology, particularly surrounding underserved populations such as sexual minorities. She hopes to approach psychology from a public health perspective and address disparities in psychological research and education. Annabel is on track to graduate in Spring 2026 and plans to pursue an M.D. or Ph.D. post-graduation. She hopes to use the skills learned through this fellowship to advocate for LGBTQ+ populations through her research.

Doris Yeboah is a sophomore at City College of New York, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Black Studies. She identifies as a Queer Black Woman. Growing up in an African home, she used to think she must marry a man to achieve life’s goals. However, upon moving to the United States at the age of 13 and starting school, she no longer felt alone, finding herself surrounded by friends who identified as LGBTQ+ or were allies. Doris attended an all-girls’ school for high school and parts of middle school, where she noticed that people within the LGBTQ+ community were hesitant to see the school therapist. They feared being outed and not feeling seen or safe, and often confided in other queer individuals or allies instead of seeking professional help.

Doris’s mission in life is to become a therapist for everyone, particularly those who identify as LGBTQIAA+ and any form of gender. She wants to spread awareness within this community that seeing a therapist is okay, safe, and a vital part of self-care.”

Dylan Bhigroog is a proud Queens native juggling the worlds of Computer Science and Women & Gender Studies as a junior at Hunter College. Whether streamlining initiatives at the NYC Deputy Mayor’s office or delving into LGBTQ research at GLAAD, Dylan thrives on advocacy and community ties. His heart beats for making a difference where technology, policy, and inclusivity intersect – because behind every line of code is a human story waiting to be told.

Lily McAndrews is a pre-law student at Hunter College. Whether she is creating initiatives for reproductive justice in the Midwest or NYC area or diving deep into queer theory at The LGBTQ+ Policy Center at Roosevelt House, Lily tries to build sustainable communities wherever she goes. She is excited to join the 2024-2025 Mixner Equal Rights Fellowship and learn more about how policy, advocacy, and inclusivity intersect in the academic and professional worlds. In her free time, she enjoys reading science fiction, calling her grandma, and playing soccer. 

Maleek Williams Bey is a senior who will be majoring in Psychology and Minoring in black studies during the 2024-2025 school year. He was born and raised in New York and is a first-generation student. He has an interest in community work, especially the intersection between the black community and LGBTQ+ issues. He takes up activities such as crocheting and poetry and wants to explore all creative things. He hopes to enter the mental health field to help those across all communities, but specifically those in the B.I.P.O.C. and LGBTQ+ community, in hopes of opening local community centers that provide accessible, affordable, and unbiased mental health care.

Barry is a Sophomore at Queens College. He is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Creative Writing and Film. Barry is interested in normalizing trans representation as well as alternative queer aesthetics in all environments, especially in professional settings. Barry likes to cook, write, listen to music, Photograph, and have intellectual conversations about politics, philosophy, and psychology.

Shivani Ramsaran is a senior in the Psychology BA/MA program at CCNY and a Macaulay Honors College student. She is interested in working with non-profit organizations, government branches, and other policy-making sectors that aim to advocate for and achieve equal rights for minorities. She also has a passion for understanding the relationships between policy-making and mental well-being about LGBTQ+ issues. In her spare time, Shivani enjoys exploring new places around NYC, making arts & crafts, and playing video games. She is also the Social Media and Outreach Manager for the Macaulay Queer Alliance.

Tess (they/she) is an English Lit major and a senior at the City College of New York. She identifies as a femme lesbian and is invested in empowering and educating LBGTQ+ and GE youth. She’s a second-gen Afro-Latina and a writer, artist, and LGBTQ+ advocate. Her ultimate goal is incorporating LGBTQ+ history into NYC’s middle/high school curriculum.