I am an educator, social scientist, advocate, author, intellect, and podcaster dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and positive transformation among individuals and communities. I have a PhD in Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy (University of California, Irvine) and a Master's in Social Work with an emphasis in Community Organizing (University of Pittsburgh). I presently hold a position as an Assistant Professor at California State University Northridge.
As a researcher, my goal is to enhance understanding of inclusion and exclusion among marginalized populations enacted by (non)governmental entities (e.g., nonprofits, cities, local governments). Populations I have studied are immigrant, ethnic, and religious minorities, and individuals with experiences of foster care, adoption, and youth homelessness. My research is interdisciplinary contributing to the field of nonprofits, immigration, citizenship, urban planning and policy, social work, and social movements. My research interest also includes theory development, empirical testing, and scale development. I developed a theory called citizenry exclusion, which explains and predicts various outcomes related to immigrant and ethnic nonprofits and beyond. My future research agenda expands upon this theory.
As an educator, my philosophy is to create a learning environment that keeps equity, anti-oppression, and wellness in mind. I have over 10 years experience in nonprofit management, youth empowerment and education, community organizing, program evaluation, and art-based programs. For five years, I worked as a nonprofit manager at the Urban League, a national African American civil rights organization, where I managed a mentoring program for African American students in Pittsburgh Public Schools that aimed to promote academic equity in the city. I also founded and served as the Artistic Director of Yemaya Productions, a collaborative project specializing in the development of art-based programs that promote cultural inclusion and social change.
I am furthermore an advocate for the foster-adopt-homeless youth community. In my podcast, the Voice, I combine story telling and research to give voice to topics related to this community, and other social work and urban topics. For speaking opportunities, please send me an email inquiry.
As a researcher, my goal is to enhance understanding of inclusion and exclusion among marginalized populations enacted by (non)governmental entities (e.g., nonprofits, cities, local governments). Populations I have studied are immigrant, ethnic, and religious minorities, and individuals with experiences of foster care, adoption, and youth homelessness. My research is interdisciplinary contributing to the field of nonprofits, immigration, citizenship, urban planning and policy, social work, and social movements. My research interest also includes theory development, empirical testing, and scale development. I developed a theory called citizenry exclusion, which explains and predicts various outcomes related to immigrant and ethnic nonprofits and beyond. My future research agenda expands upon this theory.
As an educator, my philosophy is to create a learning environment that keeps equity, anti-oppression, and wellness in mind. I have over 10 years experience in nonprofit management, youth empowerment and education, community organizing, program evaluation, and art-based programs. For five years, I worked as a nonprofit manager at the Urban League, a national African American civil rights organization, where I managed a mentoring program for African American students in Pittsburgh Public Schools that aimed to promote academic equity in the city. I also founded and served as the Artistic Director of Yemaya Productions, a collaborative project specializing in the development of art-based programs that promote cultural inclusion and social change.
I am furthermore an advocate for the foster-adopt-homeless youth community. In my podcast, the Voice, I combine story telling and research to give voice to topics related to this community, and other social work and urban topics. For speaking opportunities, please send me an email inquiry.
