Ashanti Sturgis is a 2nd semester senior at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Majoring in Psychology and double minoring in Criminal Justice and Communications, Ashanti cares deeply about people and endeavors to engage in work that helps people know that they are cared for and valued. In her free time, she is a volunteer counselor at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp – a camp for kids living with chronic illnesses. Ashanti started her Next Step journey as a participant in STRIVE – and has attended and helped Next Step plan our annual campferences. Today, Ashanti continues to serve as an advocate at Next Step – by assisting in the delivery of fundraising and community awareness presentations that help others find community like she did.

Kepler Jeudy is the Program Director at Next Step, where he has spent the past 15 years supporting young adults living with chronic illnesses in building empowering, community centered connections. With 20 years of experience in leadership development, youth empowerment, and peer support programming, he has worked extensively with teenagers and young adults from diverse backgrounds facing complex health challenges. His work centers on creating empowered communities—spaces where young people can see themselves, share their stories, and realize they are not alone in navigating life’s hardest challenges.  

Kepler specializes in program design, facilitation, and social justice–driven initiatives that foster resilience and belonging. He earned his BA in English from Wheaton College and completed his MS in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Rhode Island. 

Dr. Sharl Azar is the medical director of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Center and the Robert K. Kraft Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.  He received his medical degree from Oregon Health & Science University where he also completed his residency in internal medicine and his fellowship in hematology and medical oncology while also serving as Chief Fellow. He went on to complete an advanced fellowship in hemostasis and thrombosis at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Azar is passionate about the care of patients with Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia, and other hemoglobin disorders. His work focuses on improving systems of care and political advocacy for patients living with sickle cell disease to build a true medical home while combatting inequities in health care.  @TheSickleDoc on Twitter, Bluesky, and Instagram.