I am Zayda Sorrell-Medina and I am committed to equity, inclusion, diversity; innovative approaches to addressing communities problems; elevating individuals and communities by integrating research, teaching, community engagement and the arts. I am presently a PhD candidate at the University of California, Irvine in the Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy. My research interest broadly centers on measuring the impact of organizations in addressing pressing urban and community problems. In my recent work, I examine the effectiveness of organizations in contributing to immigrant inclusion in US cities, peaceful coexistence among  Christian and Muslims in Jos, Nigeria, and positive behaviors among African American children with families of drug addiction.  My professional background is in nonprofit management, community organizing, and youth development. I am also the founder and Director of Yemaya Productions, a social enterprise that specializes in the development of community programs that integrate art and research to promote social change in communities in the US and abroad. I have a bachelor’s degree in the Arts from the University of Missouri Columbia and a master’s in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. I am also multi-lingual, and my languages include English, Spanish, and French.   
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