Meet the Team
The Color of My Voice would not be possible without the help of individuals from all different backgrounds and walks of life.
Keidaï Lee
hint: "hey, hi! It's Keidaï " rhymes
Founder, Director, Storyboard and Hand Choreography, Website
Monroe Community College '19
Johns Hopkins '22
Like how philosophy captures ideas science can't measure, I think media and art analogously articulate what policies and formulas cannot. That's why I started CMV: to shine a spotlight on those who are systemically overlooked, using storytelling to give them power, recognition, and a second chance to rewrite their narrative. But hopefully, this need will become increasingly rare. I wish to work to create a future generation that no longer needs to unjustly fight for the right to thrive.
One time, I tried to bring my friend Jilli to school with me for Bring Your Child to Work Day as my sister. PS she's not my sister.
Omolara Uthman
(oh-mo-lah-rah oo-th-man)
Lead Scriptwriter
Johns Hopkins '21
I joined this project because I believe in the power of storytelling. It's been an honor to learn from the wonderful people we feature, and work to make sure their stories are told in the most effective way possible. I've learned so much through The Color of My Voice, and am constantly blown away by the work that we produce!
I can spell the alphabet backwards 🙂
Lorraine Rinaldi
Lead Producer
Johns Hopkins '23
As a film major, I love how films can be used to connect with people at such an empathetic level and discuss topics that are often difficult to talk about. The Color of My Voice does both of these in a beautiful and evocative way. I am so proud to call myself a member of this team!
I can make the Perry the Platypus sound from Phineas and Ferb!
Sophia Lin
Scriptwriter
Johns Hopkins '24
I'm excited about being able to create change through creativity — and to share such diverse, important, and unforgettable stories!
I was a taco for the last three Halloweens :))
Semhal Beyene
Animator
Johns Hopkins '22
I agreed to work on this project because I liked how it gave people the opportunity to share their experiences that they personally may think is not worth sharing. They are then able to talk about their experience in a way that others can view and understand. I'm also excited about people being able to watch our videos and gain a new perspective.
I like to roller skate
Isabel Salas
Scriptwriter
Johns Hopkins '25
I joined CMV because I love writing and getting the opportunity to help other people tell their stories, especially when those stories are so important and impactful.
My favorite animated work is either "Bojack Horseman" or "Turning Red," I can't decide
Amy De Lury
Researcher & CMV Video Lab
Johns Hopkins '23
I joined the Color of My Voice to get the opportunity to share my story as well as amplify the platforms for people of color.
I was interested in Shakespearean tragedies since I was 10 🙂
Varshni Veeravignesh
She/her
HR & Operations and Scriptwriter
Johns Hopkins '24
I joined CMV because I wanted to learn more about people’s experiences with racial discrimination and understand how identifying with different cultures impacts their experience with discrimination.
I like that we give priority to creating a community within CMV and how we are all supportive of one another! I also like that we have flexibility with our work, both time-wise and creative.
Yellow and orange are colors that lift up my mood. I like them so much that my laptop's screensaver is simply a plain yellow backdrop!
Elise Silvestri
She/her
Music
NYU '26
I brought CMV because I wanted to use my musical skills to help effect change and meet more audio people!
I like CMV's emphasis on scientific backing- I feel like the methods we're using are effective in reaching people. I also love the people, and it's great to have a space of audio folks to joke around with.
I broke my wrist when I was six by falling off a swivel chair that I was dancing on.
Anna Mengani
She/They
Audio Editors + SFX
NYU Steinhardt 2024
I loved the idea of sharing stories to help spread the message or acceptance and empathy, especially because of how much hate people hear about on the news. I also thought it would be a great opportunity to better my audio editing skills for video because my career goal is to be a film scorer.
I have a scar on my knee from slipping on a banana peel.
Dannica Sims
She/her
Animator
Johns Hopkins '25
I joined CMV because I love the message the group portrays. I originally found CMV through a Hopkins email.
I like learning more about animation.
I own an emotional support fish.
Brianna Fatane
She/her
Lead Musician
NYU '24
I learned about the opportunity through the Music Technology department at NYU!
I love how highly motivated everyone is, even though we are all doing this work voluntarily. It’s so cool to see what amazing results people can produce driven by passion alone!
One of my favorite pastimes is intensely researching curly hair maintenance. I could talk about it for hours. I am about two years into the Curly Girl Method and it’s easily the most frustrating and time-consuming (yet rewarding!) form of self-care I’ve ever done!
Rex (Youjian) Xiao
He/him
Video Editor
Johns Hopkins '24
I joined CMV because I wanted to learn more about people’s experiences with racial discrimination and understand how identifying with different cultures impacts their experience with discrimination.
I like that we give priority to creating a community within CMV and how we are all supportive of one another! I also like that we have flexibility with our work, both time-wise and creative.
Yellow and orange are colors that lift up my mood. I like them so much that my laptop's screensaver is simply a plain yellow backdrop!
Orion Tian
He/him
Storyboard and Hand Choreography
Cornell University '25
I joined CMV to be part of an animation team and to help the goal of increasing understanding and compassion.
I have an extra bone behind my ear.
Somesh Yatham
(So-Mesh Yatham (Gotham but with a Y))
He/him
Music
NYU '26
I joined as a means to help tell stories I feel really matter. Audio undoubtedly has an effect on the effectiveness of how a message is spread and being able to contribute to that, I believe adds a greater meaning to what I do beyond just temporary entertainment.
I enoy the larger community of people who work on these projects instead of just one director.
I am yet to eat a bagel, but everyone keeps hyping it up, so now I'm honestly too scared to from a fear of being highly disappointed
Yueran Joy Yu
Just call me Joy, my Chinese name pronunciation is a boss-level challenge for non-speakers
She/her
Writers: Communications
Johns Hopkins '25
I was intrigued by the idea of animated storytelling. As someone who appreciates both great visual art and great stories, I believe CMV is the perfect place for me.
I like the experience of browsing the wide range of topics that are related to the actual work of CMV. Apart from storytelling, I am learning much more about the media industry and independent art/social impact projects in action.
I was born on April fool's day, it automatically makes me cool and funny 😎
Haziq Ahmad Farid
Audio Editors + SFX
NYU '22, Audio Editor
Stories have always had the ability to make us feel less alone in a world that can oftentimes feel very isolating. What brought me to CMV was the desire to be a part of a team/community that provides a platform for people to share their stories.
I like to take things apart and figure out how it works.
Joshua Lee
Audio Editors + SFX
NYU '21
I saw a great opportunity to help contribute my skills to something personally meaningful. Getting different people's experiences with discrimination and putting it out there can really open people's eyes to what injustices people are experiencing and create empathy for these "other" peoples.
CMV is a great environment and very super supportive in getting ideas from everyone and being focused on improving whatever they can improve.
I play the guitar!
Sean Porio
"Shon"
He/him
Audio Editors + SFX
NYU '21
I think watching CMV's videos and hearing our goals made me feel like it was it a very powerful and important project and that I would love to help share these stories.
I had dinner with Miley Cyrus when I was a kid!
Tashia Ethridge
they/them
Writers: Scripts
Duke '23
I have always been passionate and active in Racial Justice work! I am constantly expanding how I engage in the work and exploring it through different mediums. Color of My Voice felt like a beautiful space to lean into that expansion, meet great people, and share great stories!
I really enjoy the dynamic of the team so far though. CMV feels non-hierarchical and like people can address their concerns, hopes, and ideas in a safe space and TRULY be heard.
I have the same birthday as Curtis Mayfield, Josephine Baker, and Allen Ginsberg.
Miu Sato
"Me You :)"
She/her
Video: Musician
NYU '25
The idea of using animation as a means to highlight issues pertaining to racial injustice intrigued me. I believe in the power of storytelling in empowering underrepresented communities and therefore to have the opportunity to be a part of a community that values this brought me to CMV.
I appreciate everyone's determination and the hard work that goes into these projects - it all comes down to passion and effort.
I religiously listen to Demi Lovato's music - Don't Forget and HWGA eras go hard.
Alumni Team Members
A big salute to the countless hours and labor of love that The Color of My Voice's foundation rests on.
Willa Grinsfeld
Scriptwriter
Johns Hopkins '21
I am excited to listen to the stories that people would like to share with the world, and help them shape those stories into the videos that will appear on our platform!
I harbor a deep desire to live in a bookstore as a little troll, jumping from stack of books to stack of books and reading all day long, every day.
Evelyn Zhang
Audio Editor and SFX
Johns Hopkins '22
I'm excited about being able to create change through creativity — and to share such diverse, important, and unforgettable stories!I like how this project offers me an opportunity to talk to people about their experience with discrimination.
My funniest fun fact: I'm waiting for my brain to fish out the funniest fun fact.
LOCH RAVENN
Musician
aka Andrew Mallinoff
I love the creativity with which the Color of My Voice tells complex (and sometimes difficult) stories. We've often silenced or diminished the voices of non-white people in America. I love that this project celebrates diverse voices while also showing us that our differences are actually what make us special.
Once, I road tripped 3000 miles across the country in a 1977 school bus!
Melody Lei
Video Editor, Audio Editor and SFX
Johns Hopkins '23
I want to provide a medium to share other people's stories and perspectives.
I once taped green pants to a wall to make a green screen. It worked 😁
Jennie Fung
Animator, Logo Designer
Johns Hopkins '23
I'm excited to be part of a new and more creative approach towards social change!
I have a weird birth mark on my armpit so I question how I died in my past life
Amara Gammon
Animator, Storyboard, Voice Actor
Johns Hopkins '23
I'm sooo excited to put out our first videos! We have all put so much work and time into this video product and I truly hope that our hard work reaches people and helps them feel connected.
I collect bells from states and countries-I have 54 in my collection and my goal is to hit 100 by 2030!
Basilio Daniel Gonzales
Video Editor, Audio Editor and SFX
University of Maryland '24
I'm most excited to help spread a wonderful message that not only encourages open-mindness over ignorance, but let's people going through similar know that they aren't alone.
I have three first names
Sean Conlon
Audio Editor and SFX
Columbia '23
As an aspiring broadcast journalist, I love how the Color of My Voice communicates underrepresented stories to the world. I am excited about working on the creative and technical aspects of these stories, and I regularly enjoy meeting individuals from all walks of life.
I used to be a competitive figure skater
Sayo Ogunleye
Scriptwriter, Social Media
Johns Hopkins '22
I love the Color of My Voice mission and I always look forward to having conversations with people and discovering new perspectives on life.
I am citizen of three countries!
Alice Xie
Scriptwriter, Social Media
Johns Hopkins '22
Surprisngly, COVID-19 has pushed me past my typical boundaries of introverted-ness, and in an effort to maintain my sanity, I regularly look forward to talking with prospective storytellers/having (virtual) human contact!
I can move my tendons off my knuckles 🙂
Jared Free
Hand Choreographer
Columbia '23
I'm super excited about hearing other people's stories!
I love SHINEE
Angela Yang
Social Media
Tufts '23
I'm excited to be working with a unique platform that stands to amplify the voices that have been silenced for too long.
One time I met Ruth Bader Ginsburg on a school trip.
Yen Jung Chang
Animator
National Taiwan Normal University (國立臺灣師範大學)
Coming soon!
Coming soon!
Katie Li
Scriptwriter
Johns Hopkins '23
I'm really excited to tell people's stories in this format! I think this format is beautiful and clever, and I hope it does help to increase people's empathy and awareness of these issues.
I'm in a sport called dragon boat!