AeYanna Latise Yett

AeYanna Latise Yett
is graduating with a community-focused, dual-title master of social work and infant mental health from the School of Social Work. As a Black woman scholar-activist,

Yett centers liberation work to uplift the voices, lived experiences and healing practices employed by Black women that promote resilience when overcoming trauma.

In her time at the School of Social Work, Yett learned the importance of applying her learning from the classroom into the community. Grounded in empowering change for social justice, she served as president of the Association of Black Social Workers and as a Student Senate representative of the School of Social Work on campus.

In the community, Yett applied her passions to serve as an Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Fellow to develop and implement a community healing project with the SASHA Center, titled “Metamorph- SIS,” to improve access to wellness in a sacred space for Black women in Detroit. Additionally, to increase equity and justice in her home community, she serves as the first chair of the historic African American Coalition in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Because of this work, Yett has received the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers’ 2022 Student of the Year award, the Coalition of Community Social Workers 2022 Student Excellence in Social Justice Award and the Sterling Heights Volunteer Group of the Year Award. As a graduate of Wayne State University, Yett plans to continue her commitment to leadership and service as she envisions a world liberated from oppression and free for all.

Currently, Yett is applying to pursue a Ph.D. in sociology and continue her contributions to protecting Black girlhood, increasing community engagement and ending gender-based violence against women as a community worker, therapeutic facilitator, program consultant and independent researcher. After graduation, Yett also plans to continue her participation in grassroots activism

to create an affirming homeplace for those with marginalized identities.