Amaya Parks (she/her) is a Sociology Ph.D. student at Washington University–St. Louis. Her research interests lie at the intersection of race, gender, and social stratification. As an undergraduate, she conducted research on the relationship between hair styling choices and social mobility among African American women—work she is eager to continue and expand in graduate school. 

Amaya is a proud native of Atlanta, Georgia, and alumna of Spelman College. Upon graduating, she worked as the Programs Assistant for the UNCF/Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship, supporting undergraduate research, student mentorship, and faculty-led research projects.