Team | The Noire Series

Our Team

Meet the Founders

The Noire Series co-founders originally met in 2014 on the campus of UC Santa Cruz. Their paths crossed in an African American Women's History class, where Gabby was attending the college as a student and Mya as an intern in the Feminist Studies department. In 2015, after completing their undergraduate studies, the co-founders ironically crossed paths again while serving with City Year Americorps in San Jose, at Overfelt High School. As near-peer educators, the pair were granted the opportunity to support at-promise youth in bridging the gap between educational disparity and academic excellence. With a shared love for Black history & culture, the duo collaborated on a workshop to meet the specific needs of the underrepresented youth on the school's campus. The co-founders felt compelled to place these students' realities at the center of their educational journey. Out of this desire, The Noire Series workshops were created.

Gabrielle "Gabby" Donaldson

Gabby is a Los Angeles native whose passions lie in youth activism, gender equality, and Black youth. Gabby attended the University of California Santa Cruz, where she received a B.A. in Feminist studies, and Georgia State University, where she received a Master's of Arts in African American Studies.

Mya Canty

Mya is a Saint Louis native gifted in community building, activism, advising, and educating Black youth. Mya attended Culver-Stockton College, where she received her B.A. in History, with an emphasis in African American History and Women's studies.