Glenn Alexander, II 

Unlock Your Mind, “Alumni Experience”

An emerging young conductor who is adamant on giving concert-goers an in-depth musical experience, Glenn Alexander II, possesses a special knack for providing audiences with both a unique and passionate interpretation of the orchestral repertoire.

In 2020, Glenn was named a Project Inclusion Conducting Fellow with the Chicago Sinfonietta under the tutelage of Mei-Ann Chen.

As a pianist, Glenn was awarded the opportunity to perform for Steinway & Sons President, Ron Losby, as a result of Prairie View A&M University becoming an "All-Steinway School." Glenn also participated in piano masterclass with renowned pianist Awadagin Pratt. Also an undergraduate, Glenn served as assistant music director to several school productions including “A Soundtrack to Black History” and “Black Nativity.” Glenn was also appointed as student conductor over both the University Concert Chorale and University Orchestra.

Not only is he heavily involved in classical music, but he is an accomplished gospel musician, having recorded his own album entitled "The Christmas Project" which he completed as a senior in high school. He has served as a pianist and organist for many different congregations.

As an educator, he has taken many private students over the years from all ages and levels. Alexander also served as a staff accompanist for the Port Arthur School District for students participating in the Texas Universal Interscholastic League (UIL) Solo and Ensemble Contest.

Glenn received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Prairie View A&M University and received a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Bard College Conservatory of Music. He is currently studying conducting at the Manhattan School of Music with George Manahan. His teachers and mentors include James Bagwell, Damien Sneed, Dr. Vicki A. Seldon. Glenn is a brother of both Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America.

From Hobart to Harlem | Glenn Alexander, II | TEDxPVAMU

Jayla Allen 

Unlock Your Mind, “ Civic Engagement & Activism”

Jayla J. Allen is a voting rights advocate, activist, and organizer.

She is a recent graduate of Prairie View A&M University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Legal Studies, cum laude. Throughout her undergraduate tenure, Jayla entered into the world of activism and organizing. While at Prairie View, she served in various student organizations and held leadership positions across campus.

In her first semester, Jayla was appointed precinct chair within the school’s county, making history with her appointment. She then began a university- wide campaign, focused on student civic engagement. In this role, she partnered with her peers and colleagues, hosting a range of events centered on voter registration drives, candidate town halls and roundtable talks on political participation.

In 2018, Jayla joined alongside the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, as a student plaintiff in Allen v. Waller, a federal voting-rights lawsuit. It was after Jayla joined the lawsuit, where she began participating in nationwide efforts of tackling voter suppression throughout the U.S. She has appeared on The Real News Network, MSNBC Politics Nation, NowThis News, an interviewee for Amazon Studios-All In: The Fight for Democracy and has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee. She’s also been featured in the Washington Post, the Texas Observer, Reform Austin and O.C. Advocate.

Jayla is a native of Dallas, Texas. She currently serves as a 2020-2021 AmeriCorps member, serving within Dallas under-resourced schools. Jayla plans to attend law school next fall and become a civil rights attorney.

Service Above All | Jayla Allen | TEDxPVAMU

Orok Orok 

Unlock Your Mind, “ Heart work – Community Engagement”

Inspired by almost every living thing, Mr. Orok Orok has endeavored to study life and the people that live it through his work as a higher education professional. Mr. Orok’s work has been catalyzed by the amazing students he has encountered who have shared numerous stories and experiences that he uses to help shape their future. Finding a connection with students through DJing, photography, and graphic design, Mr. Orok continues to create unique opportunities for students to express themselves as it related to their future pursuits.

Heartwork | Orok Orok | TEDxPVAMU

Inès Frazier 

Unlock Your Mind, “Student Life”

Inès Frazier is graduate of Prairie View A&M University with a degree in Agriculture and Chemistry at Prairie View A&M University. She is interested  in creating solutions to problems that exist within the worlds of agriculture and environmental sustainability.

In 2019,she participated in Switzerland’s School for International Training’s (SIT) Study Abroad Program for Food Security and Nutrition. She spent six weeks examining food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and slow food culture in Switzerland, Italy, and Croatia.

Recently, she gave a presentation on her research “ The Colored Roots and Food Justice: A Look into Racism in Agriculture”.

From Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Food Sovereignty | Inès Frazier | TEDxPVAMU

Alzo Slade

Unlock Your Mind, “Creative Work”

Alzo Slade is an Emmy award winning correspondent at Vice News. He’s covered a wide range of issues from Trump’s Border Wall to the protests in Minneapolis to men’s hair weaves. In addition to his work at Vice News, Alzo Slade is a professional documentary/fashion photographer and stand-up comedian. Between Journalism and Comedy his work can be seen on HBO, Showtime, Hulu, Vice, Amazon and Comedy Central.

Breaking the Invisible Chains of Society | Alzo Slade | TEDxPVAMU

Taylon Owens

Unlock Your Mind, Organizer

Chelsee B.H. Young

Unlock Your Mind, Co-Organizer