Imani J. Wallace holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education & Human Development at New York University. Hailing from the Bronx, she is a proud New York native. She is an active leader in her community as a member of the New York Urban League Young Professionals, the North Manhattan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Phoenix Sorority of Minisink, as well as many others. At NYU, her academic area of interest was targeted at enhancing the trajectories of students of color in elite environments through a lens of diversity, inclusion, and social justice pedagogy. Her research consists of ways to advance and empower students of color at PWI's while informing and supporting student affairs professionals through fundamental social justice concepts. Additionally, many aspects of her domestic and international research explore access, equity, and the experiences of navigating to and through educational pathways for underrepresented groups. She has written and performed spoken word poetry since grade school. She is the founder of a poetry and public service organization known as Poetry For Service, Inc., the founder and president of an arts collective called Black Greek Poets, and the co-founder of the longest running open mic showcase for young adults in Harlem, of which she sits on the steering committee for in present day. Through her poetry, Imani strives to inspire, educate and advocate for intersectional social justice issues by merging the arts and activism. She is a 2019 recipient of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs BCA “Bronx Recognizes Its Own” Award in the category of Spoken Word, the 2018 NYU Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Contest Champion, the 2016 Syracuse University Martin Luther King Jr. Unsung Hero Awardee, and the 2015 Syracuse University Poet of the Year. Within the realm of academia, Imani plans to use creative methods of education, diversity programs, and social justice initiatives aimed at students of color to help them succeed throughout their educational and professional endeavors. Ultimately, she plans to pursue research at the doctoral level so that she may continue to educate, inspire and advocate for marginalized identities for the future generations to come.