UcheChukwu Agbo is a PhD student in the English department at Southern Methodist University, Dallas. His research focuses on the ways in which terrorism, in Sub-Saharan Africa, is constructed, sustained and represented through storytelling, to audiences outside the continent. When he’s not a student, Uche actively collaborates with international organizations to implement intervention programs that promote peace-building and sustainable development in Africa.

I'm currently a Junior graduating early in December 2025, double majoring in Journalism and Corporate Communication & Public Affairs. Hoping to attend law school following graduation.

Caden Gamez is a driven student at Southern Methodist University, pursuing dual degrees in Marketing and Creative Computing as a Hilltop Scholar and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society member. Even before attending SMU, he graduated high school while earning an Associate of Arts degree with Phi Theta Kappa honors and published his first book, The Candleberry Chronicles. His love for storytelling fuels his deep passion for literacy advocacy, believing that every child deserves the opportunity to unlock their imagination and find their voice through reading and writing.

As an entrepreneur and creator, Caden has built a diverse portfolio. He is a UGC Creator for Roblox, designing 3D digital assets, and the founder of SimpleCardz, a thriving Etsy-based digital invitation business. His work as a self-published author and book cover designer highlights his expertise in branding and digital marketing.

Beyond business and design, Caden is committed to children’s literacy advocacy, actively volunteering to support young readers and working toward policies that expand access to literacy resources. He believes in the power of storytelling not just as a tool for education but as a way to inspire creativity, confidence, and self-expression in every child.

With a strong academic foundation, entrepreneurial mindset, and passion for marketing, storytelling, and social impact, Caden is ready to make a lasting difference in business, digital media, and literacy advocacy.

My name is Taylor Good, and I am a sophomore majoring in Journalism with a minor in English and Spanish. I am the co-founder of a women's ministry called Daughters of Sarah, Vice President of Broadcast for SMU's Association of Black Journalists (ABJ), Outreach Coordinator for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and a Hegi Career Leader. Since childhood, I have always had a deep appreciation for writing, from writing poems in my tattered journals to reading pieces from prominent writers like Maya Angelou and James Baldwin. I am incredibly excited to participate in an event that caters to and celebrates both aspiring and current professional writers. 

Jordan Young (she/he/they) is a senior at Southern Methodist University, studying creative writing. Her poetry focuses on the modern pressures of identity and how she navigates these struggles as an individual. After graduating, she hopes to get her MFA and start a small press. She is the 2023 winner of SMU's Margaret Terry Crooks award and the 2024 2nd place winner of SMU's David R. Russell Poetry prize.