Zen (he/him/él )
ChangeMakers Leader

Zen is a 13-year-old MDCPS eighth grader in South Miami. They are immensely passionate about contributing to the well-being of others, particularly those in the queer community where they have personally found much compassion and comfort. As a multiracial, bisexual, trans-sexual, Zen appreciates that many queer people exist at the intersection of numerous identities. Zen’s own array of experiences has informed their acute awareness of structures of oppression and cultivated Zen’s empathy and political consciousness. As a Changemakers leader, Zen is excited to take direct action to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people, and also looks forward to honing their teamwork, community outreach, and professional writing skills. Their areas of focus include how cultural identities influence how queer people conceptualize themselves, improving mental health access, addressing mass houselessness of queer children, and reducing the hate crime rate against trans women of color.