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About
Lolayemi "Lola" Charles is a first-generation Nigerian-American graduate from New York University. Lola grew up in Maryland, where she attended six Title I schools in predominantly minority and immigrant communities. Her experience in independently learning about the college application process and methods to finance her education led her to receive multiple full-tuition scholarships and external scholarships to attend university. This inspired her to mentor students with similar backgrounds, first through one-on-one mentorship, which began in 2020, and later evolved into the nationwide, cohort-based model FGD is today.
Upon graduating from NYU with a degree in Global Public Health and Sociology, Lola received the prestigious Henry Luce Scholar fellowship to move to Hanoi, Vietnam, where she continued her public health research on gender-based violence and reproductive health with a local nonprofit. She later returned to New York City, where she pursued public policy work in health and anti-poverty initiatives under the Mayor's Office for Economic Opportunity as an Urban Fellow, NYC's public service fellowship. Lola is currently completing her MPH ('2026) at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health.
Brianna Farrar
Director of Operations
Brianna is a graduate of Towson University, where she earned her degree in Chemistry after transferring from a community college. Growing up in Title I low-income schools, she understands the challenges of navigating educational transitions and breaking barriers as a first-generation student. Her journey fuels her commitment to the FGD Scholars mission, where she ensures the program operates effectively and continues to grow its impact.
Samantha Santana
Board Member
Samantha earned her B.A. in Individualized Studies from NYU’s Gallatin School and her M.A. in Decorative Arts, Design History, and Material Culture from Bard College. Her interdisciplinary background reflects a deep appreciation for creativity, history, and education. As a board member, Samantha is dedicated to advancing FGD Scholars’ mission and expanding opportunities for first-generation and immigrant students to thrive.