Gianni Solorzano

Gianni Solorzano is a social scientist, qualitative researcher, and cultural worker whose scholarship and practice explore the transformative power of language, story, and embodiment. With a Ph.D. in Sociology from North Carolina State University, Gianni’s research—deeply inspired by the work of Dr. Angel Acosta—centers counter-storytelling as a healing modality for students of color navigating the complexities of predominantly white, rural school environments.

As an educational equity consultant and interventionist, Gianni designs and facilitates place-based trainings for educators, mentors queer and BIPOC youth, and cultivates healing-informed approaches to equity and inclusion. Their work integrates somatic practices and community-rooted frameworks to foster sustainable infrastructures of care and belonging. Grounded in a Freirean ethic, Gianni believes we are not just agents of change—we are the paradigm shift itself.

Through the Acosta Fellowship, Gianni is excited to deepen their practice in community with other visionary educators and cultural strategists. They bring to the cohort a powerful blend of sociological inquiry, embodied wisdom, and a fierce commitment to equity, healing, and collective liberation.