Meet the Team!

Gabriella Hu - Founder and Director

​Hi! My name is Gabriella and I am a rising senior at Deerfield Academy. I was inspired to start this project when I heard from my father, who is a doctor, that the morale at his hospital was extremely low. Doctors were beginning to feel hopeless as they treated many new COVID patients every day. One of the most important values learned growing up is to express gratitude for all those who help you or your community in any way. So, this project was born to thank those workers spending so much time away from their loved ones. I am working alongside students in Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco, to make this into a global movement to express our deepest gratitude for those risking their safety for the rest of humanity. My hope is to expand Kind Words to many more hospitals across America and to many more people in need of some positivity, such as hospitalized patients and people in homeless shelters. 

Herman Bikoko - Media and PR Manager

Hi, my name is Herman Bikoko and I'm currently an 11th grader at Deerfield Academy. IN addition to my contributions to Deerfield's literary and art magazine, Albany Road, I am an Advancement Ambassador , so I help Deerfield coordinate alumni events and help give back to our decorated alumni. I am also a member of Deerfield's CSGC Board, where we coordinate community service opportunities for students. Growing up, I always appreciated the value of community service due to my own mother's steadfastness to serving others. However, it wasn't until my Deerfield years where I saw my own potential to serve in my community and help enact positive change. This coronavirus pandemic helped open my eyes to how imperative the wellbeing of our healthcare staff is, so that's why I resolved to join Kind Words USA and help this organization express gratitude to our healthcare staffers. 

Henry Barrera - Media and PR Manager

Lexi Seriana - Hospital Outreach Manager

Hi! I am Lexi, a rising senior at Deerfield Academy, an independent boarding school in Massachusetts. My passion in life is to serve others who are in need, whether that is physical aid or emotional support. I have participated in several mission trips in and outside of the United States which have all fueled my passion to help those around me. One way I started helping is by creating a club at my school called “The Smile Club.” I co-founded this group to do little things around campus that would boost the student moral, especially in the winter when many are gloomy. When I heard that Kind Words USA’s goal is to boost the morale of healthcare workers that are working tirelessly amidst this frightening pandemic to help people, I knew I wanted to be a part of this. Sending heart-felt notes to those in need of support is one of the most kind ways to help during this time. I am so grateful to be part of this wonderful team.

Alexis Ramon - Homeless Shelter Outreach Manager

Hey, my name is Alexis Ramon and I am a rising senior at Phillips Exeter Academy a boarding school in New Hampshire. I have been reaching out to homeless shelters and food pantries in New York, Chicago, and California. I grew up in a low-income community and both my parents come from Ecuador so I was always taught to give back and pay it forward. I hope that you can help us spread positivity as well. Whether it be locally or internationally everyone can help to make the world a better place. 

Med Coulibaly - Volunteer Coordinator

I'm Mohamed "Med" Coulibaly, and I'm 17 years old from the Bronx, New York City. I'm Malian and French. I'm most interested in business and robotic engineering. My passions include playing video games, listening to music, hanging out with my friends, trying new things with my hair, and adventuring outside. I've done lots of extracurriculars, including robotics, track and field, Teens Take Charge, Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, Black & Latina Men in Medicine, and QuestBridge College Prep Scholars. I am super excited to recruit people that will have the amazing opportunity to write kind letters to essential workers in the time of a pandemic. 

Sheila Camacho - Collaborations Manager

Hi! My name is Sheila Camacho, and I go to Manhattan Hunter Science. Growing up in the Bronx, I always saw opportunities to help my peers and community grow and prosper, whether that be in the shape of helping at a local food pantry or engaging in the community library. It's clear that each good action is rewarded with feelings of compassion and empathy. That's what "Kind Words USA" does, with the corona pandemic our health workers were hurting on an emotional level and relieving that burden from them with words of appreciation, we are able to recharge their motivation to endure another day. Our world is filled with constant hate but a small action of giving someone a heartfelt letter promotes compassion and empathy to make the right change forward. 
Want to become a board member? Click here to apply to join the team!
Please send your kind words and tell your friends to do the same!
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Facebook: @kindwordsusa
Email us at kindwordsusa@gmail.com
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