Board of Directors
photo forthcoming |
Eric Ciasullo [bio forthcoming] |
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Jamie Lee Brandi [Board Treasurer] joined the LYRIC Board in November of 2008 and is thrilled to have the opportunity to support the organization's mission and work to create an environment in which LGBTQQ youth can thrive as individuals and grow into the leaders of tomorrow. Originally from New England, Jamie has lived in San Francisco for the past three years and resides in the Mission neighborhood. She currently works for On Lok, a non-profit organization that offers comprehensive health care services for frail, low-income seniors in the Bay area. In her spare time, Jamie enjoys live music, watching baseball, cooking, and spending time exploring San Francisco. Jamie holds a Masters of Public Administration from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University, where she also completed her bachelor's degree. |
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Jennifer Nguyen [Board Co-Chair] is an Educational Advisor for the AACE Talent Search Program, fiscally sponsored by the Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC). When she is not assisting hundreds of low income, first generation college students apply, find funding for, and matriculate to a post-secondary school, she is trying to cover up being a transplant from Houston, Texas -- ironically, by making fun of fellow San Francisco transplants. She is excited about working on behalf of LYRIC's youth and enjoys writing, running, traveling, rooting for the Georgetown Hoyas, and writing in the third person. |
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Lorenzo Herrera y Lozano [Board Secretary] is a queer Xicano born in San José, CA and raised in Chihuahua, MX. Having worked with queer communities of color across Texas and nationally, he is currently the Associate Director of Justice Matters, a national racial justice education policy organization. Lorenzo has served in multiple boards of social justice organizations working covering a spectrum of progressive issues. Lorenzo holds a Masters in Liberal Arts and is a Masters of Science candidate in Organizational Leadership & Ethics, both from St. Edward's University. The author of a Lambda Literary Award Nominated Santo de la Pata Alzada: Poems from the Queer/Xicano/Positive Pen (Evelyn Street Press), he is also the editor of Queer Codex: Chile Love and Queer Codex: ROOTED (allgo/Evelyn Street Press). A Macondo Workshop writer, he appears in Mariposas: A Modern Anthology of Queer Latino Poetry (Floricanto Press), and is a regular contributor to Change.org's Race in America cause. |
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Macio Kendrick also known as Elizabeth Kendrick, is a Los Angeles transplant to the Bay Area with roots stretching back to the Southeast of the United States. After acquiring a B.A. in Sociology through Mills College, Macio chose to establish a home in Oakland. Part of her journey in fostering a community was participating in LYRIC programs and internships. For the past three years she has worked at AK Press as a book distributor and collective member. Currently, she is enrolled in nursing school and can't wait to provide the medical and nutritional needs necessary to build healthier and stronger communities. Community organizing, youth advocacy, exercise and promoting LGBTIQQ events happily consumes her spare time. Macio is one of the lead organizers of Ships in the Night, a monthly queer dance party/fundraiser that takes place in both SF and Oakland. Community is an essential survival tool for Macio. She loves networking, connecting with strangers and meeting new friends. Macio is in full support of LYRIC's ambitions and aspirations and looks forward to serving the LYRIC community. |
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Marco Castro-Bojorquez [Board Co-Chair] is a youth advocate, educator, and community organizer who strives to create powerful solidarity. Born and raised on the Mexican Pacific coast, Marco left his country for political reasons and has lived in the Bay Area for the past 15 years. Marco's commitment to youth development / empowerment comes from his experience in youth leadership program planning, advocacy, safe schools planning, anti-racism curriculum development, and program management. He currently lives in Berkeley, CA and works with BAYCAT to empower young artists and leaders across the Bay Area. Marco likes people who have integrity and believe that this world belongs to everyone and not only a sector of the society. |
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Pui Ling Tam is a social justice educator. She used to teach high school English at a Quaker school in New York and run youth empowerment programs at a community based organization in San Francisco. She is currently a mom, an organizer with Teachers 4 Social Justice, facilitating teacher-led professional development study groups and conferences, and a trainer and consultant with Community Collaborative Consulting. She is excited to support LYRIC and youth by serving on the Board. |
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Tracy Zhu Born and raised in San Francisco, I took off as far as I could - to Massachusetts to study Environmental Studies (concentration in Urban Environmental Justice) at Mount Holyoke College. As a youth, I benefited from programs like LYRIC's employment, Summer Search, and Meritus College Fund, all organizations that I am currently engaged with to build community among former participants. I currently work at a youth employment and environmental education nonprofit in Bayview Hunters Point called Literacy for Environmental Justice (LEJ), managing the programs and operations of San Francisco's greenest building, the EcoCenter at Heron's Head Park. I like to build community, bike, hike, and enjoy being a poet, educator, critical thinker, and an active member of local community development and politics. |
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Board