Ayanna's writing explores race and public policy from a global and feminist perspective. A past recipient of Fulbright Fellowships to Eritrea and Germany, Ayanna has lived and worked in Europe, Africa, Asia, and California.

 

Ayanna earned her Ph.D. in Urban Planning from UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs. She also holds a M.A. in African Studies from UCLA and a B.A. (honors) in German Studies from the University of California Santa Cruz.

 

Ayanna grew up in Sacramento, California. Since returning to Sacramento, she has taught sociology and ethnic studies at California State University and served on the boards of My Sister's House and the University of California Santa Cruz Alumni Association.

 

Her hobbies include reading novels, walking dogs, and minimalism.