Spelman College’s Spotlight Award honors students making a profound impact in their communities, and Aiyana Ringo is a shining example of this. As a junior at Spelman, Aiyana has already demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public service and community engagement, setting a precedent for leadership and advocacy that extends far beyond campus.
Reflecting on the honor, Aiyana shared, “I was really surprised. I didn’t even realize I was being considered for this, but I love the blueprint this award sets. It’s so important to honor students and their work, and I’m really excited to be a part of it.”
Her journey in public service is deeply personal. “When I was young, my father was incarcerated for five years. That experience exposed me to the realities of mass incarceration, particularly for Black men. It inspired me to work toward reforming the system and creating a world that truly supports and empowers Black women, men, and children.”
Aiyana’s advocacy is rooted in empathy and love. “There’s often no empathy for people who are incarcerated, no compassion, and no understanding that people make mistakes. I use my compassion to make connections and work toward fixing society as a whole.”
One of the most transformative experiences during her time at Spelman was speaking on a panel for the Netflix documentary Daughters, which highlighted the experiences of young women visiting their fathers in prison. “It was an incredibly humanizing experience. The key message was that incarcerated people are still people—they love their families, and they want to be there for them. Having an open discussion about that helped me heal and, hopefully, helped others as well.”
Balancing academic excellence and advocacy is no small feat, yet Aiyana maintains a 4.0 GPA while holding numerous leadership roles. “It’s all about scheduling and time management. I push myself because I know this work has to be done, and I hold myself accountable.”
As a Social Justice Fellow under the Prison Reform Initiative, Aiyana is most proud of her work with Unlocked Minds, an organization that provides a support system for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women. “[Unlocked Minds] started as a book club in prison, but after COVID, it grew into events surrounding prison reform. One event we organized was a block party to educate incarcerated individuals on their voting rights. A lot of people don’t realize they can still register to vote.”
Her passion for advocacy extends beyond prison reform. Through her work with Justice for Black Girls, an organization whose mission is to disrupt educational, carceral and cultural systems that harm young Black girls, she focuses on Black girlhood studies. “Black women’s studies often center on adulthood, but it’s just as important to understand how being Black, young, and a girl shapes your life. As a Black girl, you’re not always allowed to simply be a child. I want to help change that by making this work more visible and advocating for young Black girls in every space.”
Aiyana’s internship at the Georgia State Capitol stands out as a pivotal experience. “Being in the midst of policy was eye-opening. Georgia is a predominantly Republican state, so witnessing the effort people put into making progress, despite challenges, was inspiring. Even small steps forward matter.”
As she looks toward the future, Aiyana envisions continuing her advocacy in new ways. “I want to go back to school and deepen my knowledge of law and policy reform. Personally, I’m working on becoming more outspoken and confident in every space I enter. Taking what I’ve learned from Spelman and applying it elsewhere is a priority.”
Her advice to incoming Spelmanites passionate about social justice? “Be involved. Go to events. Just show up. The way I’ve gotten to where I am is by being present and committed. When people see your dedication, more opportunities come your way. And remember—this is a welcoming space. Don’t be afraid to step in.”
For self-care, Aiyana turns to fitness and reading. “I call myself a ‘gym baddie,’ and I love books. The gym helps me manage stress and anxiety, giving me an outlet when things get overwhelming. One book that deeply influenced me is Salvage the Bones [by Jesmyn Ward]. It’s set in New Orleans, where I’m from, and it explores the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The way it addresses policy failures and their impact on Black lives really resonated with me.”
Aiyana Ringo’s legacy at Spelman is already taking shape. “I want to be remembered for my advocacy and for making an impact. If I come back years from now, I want to talk about what I did for Black people, how I worked to increase equity, and how I proved that even as a student, you can make a difference.”
Through her unwavering dedication to justice, Aiyana embodies Spelman’s mission—uplifting communities, amplifying voices, and shaping a better future for all.
