About Us

This dedicated outreach program brings together two of the leading college organizations (SMART and SSDP) focused on empowering students to impact change on their campus and local community through grassroots organizing, policy efforts, and professional development.

Meet Our Ambassadors

These ambassadors were selected from different HBCUs to be part of our s summer cohort. Our purpose is to involve this generation in making the cannabis industry more equitable and ending the war on drugs. 

With special guest speakers, this 6-week program will upskill these students in key areas to prepare them to impact change this upcoming school year. Meet our Summer 2023 HBCU Ambassadors!

Amina Childs
North Carolina A&T
Journalism & Mass Comm.

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Caroline Parrino
Southern University Law Center
Law

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Jay Collier
Auburn University
Horticulture

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Kiana Thomas
Fayetteville State University
Criminal Justice

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Kyeaira F Austin
Tuskegee University
Animal Science

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Najah Adams
Howard University
Nutritional Sciences & French

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Qua'Nisha Clemons
Elizabeth City State University
Business Admin

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Tremayne Johnson
Morehouse College
Biology

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Xavier Yancey
Florida A&M University
Physical Therapy

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Meet Our Team

DJ Howard
Project Lead

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Scheril Murray Powell
COO, The JÜSTUS Foundation

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Nadir Pearson
Founder and President, SMART

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Jason Ortiz
Executive Director, SSDP

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Jacob Plowden
Operations Coordinator, SSDP

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