Beyond the Label began as a personal exploratory project aiming to promote empathy by applying different lenses to our own and others’ experiences. My name is Serena Yunis, and I’m currently a high school student in New York City. I’ve grown up surrounded by generations of family who have passed down meaningful stories, both of struggle and of joy, that have shaped who I am today. The value of storytelling was always profound for me. While being wholly invested in my community’s stories created strong bonds, it also left me unexposed to some experiences and identities.

As I move through the world, get older, and grow beyond my home community, I was curious to learn how people with varied abilities want to be supported and how to hone allyship, directly from those people themselves.

The process of interviewing others has been incredibly rewarding, fostering emotional connection and allowing me to understand others, and even myself.

Outside of this project, I am the leader of the Health and Wellness Club at my school that focuses on finding methods to reduce anxiety and stress. I am an editor for the school newspaper where I get to explore my love for writing even more by advocating for the student body. I love to play any kind of sport but am particularly skilled in tennis, volleyball, and swimming.