Our Team

Staff

Director, Leilani Salvador

Leilani Salvador was born and raised throughout the Bay Area to a single Filipina immigrant mother while her dad, also an immigrant, was incarcerated for most of her lifetime. Beginning her artistic journey in Polynesian Dance at the age of 5, she later expanded her arts practice to include other styles of dance, acting on screens and stages, as well as music. While completing her BA’s in Sociology and History of Art and Visual Culture, she pursued a minor in Dance and directed multiple arts-based organizations. After also acquiring her MFA in Interdisciplinary Art and Writing, she has developed a specialized practice in creating Community Based Artworks with youth and other marginalized communities throughout the Bay Area. As a mother of 3 Black boys, she is also committed to dismantling patriarchy and racism through arts, education, healing and community building in her home and work life
Credentials: BA's History of Art & Visual Culture + Sociology  w. Minor in Dance, MFA in Interdisciplinary Art & Writing
Certifications: Commercial Film & Print Talent, Healing Centered Engagement, Somatic Trauma Therapy
Email: [email protected]

---

PRograms Coordinator, julianna horcasitas

Julianna Horcasitas was born and raised in the East Bay. Surrounding her was strong women mentors such as her mother, sister, and grandmothers. Growing up in strong hispanic culture and values she wanted to focus more on empowerment and transformation. She is attaining a bachelors degree in Psychology while working with non profits around the Bay Area. She has build her strong skills of market media and communications since she was in high school being apart of academy focusing on Business and Finance.  Julianna is a peace advocate for her community and the world. Focuses on decolonization and healing ancestral traumas while her purpose is to be a positive light within the community by supporting transformation and healing by using peaceful ways to challenge violent ways.
Certifications: Healing Centered Engagement, Nonviolent Communications & De-escalation, Domestic Violence Counseling.
Email: [email protected] 

---

community organizer, Jonathan Reyes-carranza

Jonathan Reyes-Carranza, born and raised in Oakland California, he is the son of immigrant parents, and the youngest of three brothers. He's a writer, storyteller, and a leader-in-the-making. Recently, he’s returned to the Bay Area after completing his studies at CSUMB and working with several agencies in Monterey County. Jonathan is called to be of service to the community and giving it what it desperately needs, “healthy healing” a modern twist of curanderismo. He has worked with a network of educators across the nation focused on creating a decolonization curriculum with the goal of “teaching resistance.” He’s experienced in working with class levels ranging as early as TK, all the way up to high school Seniors, and even post Grad. In previous roles, he’s worked with high conflict marriages, and has coached parents through divorce processes and bettering their co-parenting relationship. He is passionate about creating change through active engagement with local leaders and advocating for our youth. Jonathan has a finely tuned approach to confronting conflict to provide healthy solutions similar to a restorative justice model. Jonathan's passion for youth advocacy and community organizing is evident in his academic background and career path. He believes before we lead by example, we must first begin by embodying a pure message.
Credentials: Liberal Studies B.A with Distinction, and Human Development & Family Studies.
Email: [email protected] ​

---

Youth Leader, Layla Bell

Layla Bell was born and raised in the East Bay, living with their Mom alongside many other independent, strong, latin women. As a Youth Leader, they are passionate about working with young people and supporting their growth through the pivotal transition from adolescence to young adulthood. With a focus on youth development, Layla brings a special interest in the psychology behind these formative years, aiming to create spaces where youth feel seen, understood, and empowered to thrive. 

---

advisory board members

Rodrael Guadalupe is a singer/songwriter from the East Bay Area. He started writing songs at 14, while attending performing arts high school in Oakland. Studying creative writing, he continued to cultivate his journey as a young recording artist in college. Attending University of California Santa Cruz, Rodrael joined organizing groups that integrated social justice with the performing arts. Studying political movements of oppressed communities, he understood the transformative and healing power of music...

Jada Imani is an MC, vocalist, and songwriter based in Oakland, California. She began organizing and hosting regular events for underground artists and revolutionaries at age 15 and hasn’t stopped since. She’s passionate about grassroots cultural arts movements and how they can inspire historical change, meet local needs and help people reach self-actualization.

Susan Quinlan is a life-long peace and justice activist who has been working and/or living in Oakland, California for over 30 years. Susan believes that the creativity and brilliance of youth of color is essential to the success of struggles to overcome racism, militarism and other forms of structural violence. It has been her honor to work directly with hundreds of thoughtful and dynamic students and young adults. Susan co-founded BAY-Peace and served as Coordinator on a volunteer basis from 2007-2017. She is currently a free-lance activist and community food distribution volunteer.

Jasmine Rashid (she/her) is a New York-raised, Oakland, CA-based writer, convener, and impact capital strategist who believes deeply in people power. Her first book, The Financial Activist Playbook (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2024) has taken her across North America on a mission to help everyday people reclaim collective wealth and well-being. She recently stepped into the role of Community Lead, US/Canada for The ImPact — guiding individuals and families, weaving community, and designing experiences that enable more impact investments, more effectively.

Dan'iel Drakes is the Founder and Executive Director of Hella Help. As an Oakland native and gun violence survivor, her work is deeply informed by both professional expertise and lived experience. After earning a Sociology degree from CSU East Bay, she built an extensive social service background at Episcopal Community Services and Brighter Beginnings. At Hella Help, she empowers young women of color through case management and life skills development. She is also the visionary behind the 'Un-Triggered' wellness workshops and the 'Culture Club,' a teen youth groups dedicated to history, wellness, and community. She’s essentially a professional professional, but with better sneakers.

---