Who is Thiago Alves?
Not because I was proud—because I was hiding. Hiding the accent. The name. The roots. Hiding the fact that I came to the U.S. from Brazil at eleven and quickly learned that assimilation was currency. So I spent years perfecting my English. Rewriting my backstory. Shrinking the parts of me that didn’t fit.
It took me six years—and one decision—to undo all of that.
Senior year, I directed my school’s Inaugural Hispanic Heritage Assembly. It was the first time I let myself be seen—fully, honestly, unapologetically. I cried after the last curtain call. Not because I was sad. Because I was free.
I used to tell people I was from Canada
That moment didn’t just change how I told my story. It changed why I tell stories at all.
I’m Thiago Alves, a strategist, researcher, and creative currently studying Marketing and Business Analytics at Seton Hall University, with a minor in Legal Studies. But before any of the titles—I'm a builder of bridges. Between cultures. Between disciplines. Between ideas and action.
I founded Enclosed Calls, a digital magazine exploring identity, ethics, and society through a new kind of storytelling. I co-developed Tipsy, a conceptual wearable tech piece that aims to combat impaired driving. I’ve designed campaigns, led panels, built branding systems, contributed to think tanks, and studied how AI, robotics, and algorithmic bias are reshaping the way we live and learn.
But my favorite question still isn’t What did you build?
It’s Why did you build it that way?
I believe creativity is a tool for justice.
That strategy is a form of storytelling.
That leadership doesn’t start with having the answers—it starts with asking better questions.
That’s why I do what I do: to reimagine systems. To expand the table. To make sure voices like mine—and voices that have long been left out—aren’t just included, but centered.
My goal is to develop impactful solutions that integrate innovation, education, and social responsibility, expanding access to critical information, digital literacy, and civic empowerment. Through digital platforms, educational programs, and communication strategies, I aim to strengthen ethical decision-making among young leaders, educators, and policymakers, especially in underserved communities. By combining strategic leadership, data analysis, and storytelling, I transform knowledge into accessible tools that prepare communities for the digital age.
This portfolio is a window into that work:
The research. The design. The words. The impact.
Not perfect. Not polished. But true.
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:
Excellence means nothing if it isn’t shared.
And identity? It’s not a destination.
It’s a lifelong act of becoming.
Want to build something meaningful together?
Let’s Connect
Whether you have a project in mind, a conversation you want to start, or a story you think I should hear—I’d love to connect.
I’m always open to opportunities that align with curiosity, creativity, and community impact. Whether it’s a collaboration, internship, research idea, or just a message from someone who resonates with the work, your words are welcome here.
Fill out the form, shoot me an email, or find me over coffee—real or virtual.