Ayanna Houston

Ayanna Houston

Director of Youth Programming

Ayanna Houston is the Director of Youth Programming for the Sickle Cell Association of Texas Marc Thomas Foundation, where she has dedicated herself to empowering children, teens, and adults living with sickle cell disease since 2014. A proud graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences with a minor in Child Development before continuing her education at Barry University, where she received her Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences.

Ayanna first connected with the Marc Thomas Foundation as a freshman at UT Austin and quickly found her passion for serving the sickle cell community. In 2015, she was appointed Director of the organization’s summer camp and has led the program ever since. Under her leadership, the foundation expanded its programming by launching Camp Next Level in 2017 for transition-age warriors, followed by the creation of an adult camp, E.S.C.A.P.E. in 2018.

As a sickle cell warrior herself, Ayanna brings both personal experience and heartfelt compassion to her work. Having not met another person living with sickle cell disease until adulthood, she is deeply committed to ensuring that children and families never feel alone in their journey. She is passionate about creating safe spaces where warriors can build community, confidence, and lifelong memories.

Beyond her professional and advocacy work, Ayanna is a devoted wife, mother of two, and a woman of strong faith. Her guiding motto in life is: “Diagnosed, but not defeated.”