Kayla Matos

Kayla Matos, born and raised in Ithaca, NY, is a passionate advocate for equity, justice, and community empowerment. As Deputy Director of Southside Community Center, she plays a key role in developing and leading programs that support youth, celebrate culture, and strengthen community resilience.



In addition to her work at Southside, Kayla serves as a Councilmember on the Ithaca Common Council, where she focuses on policies that promote social and economic justice. Her efforts to create meaningful change have been recognized with the Kirby Edmonds Action Award, honoring her commitment to collective healing and transformative leadership.