Banan Garada
Banan Garada is a former co-chair of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Youth Preparedness Councils, initiating national preparedness efforts, such as the creation of a young children’s storybook, personally praised by the First Lady of the United States, along with the Safety Matters Bi-Monthly Webinar Series, as spotlighted on the front cover of her local paper, which connected leaders from top governmental agencies to local communities. As well, Banan is well informed in technology by way of her international fellowship in 2019 to explore AI in medicine at a top Italalien research foundation. As of a minority, Banan became founding member and president of her STEM club and Upstanders Advocacy team. Encouraging diversity and inclusion, Banan secured funding needed to have students present at the state science fair, and, with Upstanders, Banan initiated the sticky notes project and word wall project involving the creation of 10,000 notes with encouraging messages for a safer school environment. Banan is the recipient of various grants and scholarships, including the Coke Scholars, and more recently a RISE Challenge service grant to build necessary structures needed to support more effective gardening within her community.
