Born and raised in Jamaica, Kimberly Cross graduated cum laude from Princeton University with a bachelor’s degree in African American Studies. Kimberly is one of the two 2025-2026 recipients of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) Garden State Fellowship aimed at increasing New Jersey’s capacity to tackle critical issues affecting marginalized communities.

She is passionate about social justice, with a strong interdisciplinary background in research, public policy and community-centered advocacy. Her research experience spans multiple dimensions of racial equity, cultural advocacy and systemic harm, including analyzing policing disparities at the Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab, supporting legal and media outreach at Caribbean Legal Solutions, assessing criminal legal projects at Vera Institute of Justice and conducting archival research on the British Caribbean.

Kimberly is guided by the principle of community above self. At Princeton, her proudest accomplishment was reactivating the Princeton Caribbean Connection (PCC) following the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the importance of an active affinity space, she transformed an inactive club into one that now proudly serves over 200 students. Outside of PCC, Kimberly was involved with the Black Student Union, Black Leaders Coalition, Class Government and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Overall, Kimberly is deeply committed to advancing the communities that have shaped her into the woman she is today, and she aims to dedicate her career to that pursuit. Kimberly enjoys traveling, attending concerts, reading books by Black authors and exploring all things related to natural hair.