Person

Payton Garcia

Howard University, Washington D.C.
Pronouns

He/him

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Major

Economics

Expected Graduation Date

May 2027

Your go-to fun fact

I am a black belt in Kung Fu

Your “feel good” album

Die a Legend (Polo G)

If you had to be any type of bird, what type of bird would you be?

Hawk

What motivates you to be a changemaker in your community?

I am motivated by the sacrifices my parents made for my success. Watching their selflessness engrained in me a responsibility to service. I firmly believe the luxuries I have accessed through the gifts of my parents must be used for greater causes.

New year, new us. Same mission.

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is rebranding to honor the legacy of our founder and hero, Mrs. Ethel Skakel Kennedy. From now on, we will proudly be known as the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center

While our name is changing, our mission and work remain the same. We will continue to fight injustice, advance human rights, and hold governments accountable around the world in 2026 and beyond.