Aliyah Griffith Is a marine biologist and the CEO and Founder of Mahogany Mermaids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring children of color to engage in aquatic sciences. As a PhD Candidate in Marine Science, her work focuses on coral reef ecosystems, integrating scuba diving, satellite imagery and remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) to study reef resilience and management. Her research experiences have taken her from the reefs of Moorea, French Polynesia to the Caribbean coastlines of Barbados, and has been published in Integrative and Comparative Biology and Reef Encounter.

In 2022, she became the first African American to earn a graduate degree in marine science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her current work on reef management has earned recognition and support from organizations such as the National Geographic Society, the American Museum of Natural History and the International Coral Reef Society. As a National Geographic Explorer, Aliyah has contributed to promotional materials for The Little Mermaid and hosted a screening for families connected to her nonprofit. She also represented National Geographic during ABC Storyteller’s Spotlight at Essence Fest 2023. Passionate about inspiring future generations, she has authored a children’s book, My Secret Mermaid, showcasing careers in marine science and ocean exploration.