Born and raised in Louisiana, Jack founded Below Sea Level Aid to support the community that nurtured them. Their dedication to public health began as a research associate for the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) project, where they focused on the People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) cycle. Jack then went on to manage the largest syringe exchange program on the Gulf Coast, further deepening their commitment to harm reduction and mutual aid. With a deep commitment to community care, Jack created Below Sea Level Aid to uplift the voices of Louisianans and fight for access to basic services in the South and rural areas.

Clara is starting medical school at LSU, where they hope to bring the values of harm reduction, community care, and health equity into their work as a future physician. Their passion lies in creating nonjudgmental, life-saving access to care for people who use drugs and strengthening public health systems across Louisiana.