Asia-Vinae J. Palmer (they/them) is a multidisciplinary artist and the Program Manager of Campus and Community Partnerships at the Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking. Their relationship-building and culture-bearing expertise informs their interests in equitable and sustainable connections with individuals, organizations, and the environment.
Palmer is a proud graduate of Eunice High School where they participated in Upward Bound, annually achieved state honors for interpretive monologues, served on Homecoming Court for their senior class, was awarded the title of Miss Black Eunice, and received the TOPS award upon graduation. Familial ties to Eunice and Crowley, Louisiana; San Jose, California; Greensboro, North Carolina; Tulsa, Oklahoma and the Philippines motivate their focus on history, interconnectedness and EDI communication tools.
Their experience interning with American Friends Service Committee and Ashé Cultural Arts Center as a young adult influenced their career and their values. Palmer is a multifaceted, curious intellectual with an array of affiliations including but not limited to: Last Call: An Oral History Project, Forward Together, IDAPO, Young Audiences of Louisiana, NOAAM, Pass It On NOLA Open Mic, Break-Out!, Team SNO, BYP100, The House on Claiborne, Grow Dat Youth Farm, and VISIONS Inc.
Palmer is intent on establishing an anchor at Tulane University, incorporating their creative resources and skills into the Program Manager role. They are excited to learn how social innovation and design thinking will add to their many communities and to the world they love so much. Palmer holds a B.A in English from The University of New Orleans, they are an active Side-By-Side Artist at Ashé Cultural Arts Center, and a loyal family member of Community Book Center on Bayou Road.