Zayda Consulting
I provide consulting on the development and implementation of community-based programs, initiatives, and curriculum material that aim to achieve inclusion and other social change outcomes. My research background is in nonprofits, immigrants, inclusion, and exclusion. I am adept at qualitative and quantitative approaches. I have extensive professional experience in nonprofit management, community engagement, developing community and art-based programs, and working with diverse populations. Combined, my research and professional background provides me the skills and unique analytical lens to provide holistic support to my clients. For over ten years, I have worked with nonprofits, universities, local governments, small businesses, and market and public sector entities.
Services
- Program development and implementation support: I aid in the development and implementation of programs that aim to promote inclusion and other social change outcomes. This includes a wide range of support such as developing programs from scratch, providing support to existing programs on recruitment and retention, and designing lesson plans and exercises.
- Program Evaluation: I develop and analyze assessments and write reports so that you can evaluate program effectiveness.
- Immigrant inclusion assessment: I have developed and validated a measure and conceptual framework to assess the degree to which cities are inclusive towards immigrants. This service includes evaluating immigrant inclusion, providing research on what other cities are doing to promote immigrant inclusion, and suggestions for strategic planning on immigrant inclusion efforts.
- Independent Research: I provide independent consultation on projects related to nonprofits, immigrants, inclusion, and exclusion.
- Social change programs in a box: I presently offer two social change programs in a box. By this, I mean that the program is already developed with all of the materials and evaluation components. These are also programs that have been piloted and evaluated and deemed effective. I work with the client to implement the program in the format that works with their needs. I also tweak the program where needed to meet the clients' needs. The first is a peace program that utilizes art to program peace. The second is a social and environmental justice training that uses theater to promote theater.
Get Started
I provide a free 15 minute consultation to answer any questions that you may have. Send an inquiry to zaydasorrellmedina@gmail.com
History
In 2012, I developed Yemaya Pittsburgh in effort to address the need for more culturally diverse programs in the region. While Pittsburgh has a rich cultural scene, I observed that the city offered very few cultural activities that promote African diasporic traditions. As a person of African and Latin descent, I felt the need to create a space where individuals of like backgrounds can find a sense of community in Pittsburgh. I addressed this need of cultural inclusion by offering Afro-Latin dance performances at community festivals. I eventually expanded the project to include a wider variety of services and activities over the years, such as study abroad to Cuba, community and dance workshops, and plays. My work was made possible by partnering with the community, such as local artists, students, youth, and organizations. The project eventually morphed into an LLC, called Yemaya Productions, in 2017. Between 2017 to 2023, I was pursing my PhD. The entity expanded by integrating research as an element of program design. In the height of Covid Yemaya Productions went on a hiatus. In May 2023 after obtaining my PhD and going into academia, I decided to replace the Yemaya Productions, LLC with Zayda Consulting and to center my focus on providing consulting support to entities that aim to promote inclusion and other social change outcomes.
About Yemaya
Yemaya Pittsburgh/Productions is the former name of Zayda Consulting. The name "Yemaya" was chosen for its symbolism. Yemaya stems from Yoruba tradition from Western Nigeria. She is the great mother of all living things, representing the community and our stewardship with the earth. The name reflects our deep abiding commitment to serve humanity and make the world a better place.
Past Activities
From the Margins Follow-up
Eight month follow-up with FTM participants in Jos Nigeria to evaluate program outcomes
August 2021
Tea date with Zayda Sorrell-Medina and Eileen Chung
Online Zoom event that focuses on topics center on immigration, race and identity in America
December 8, 2020
Engaging Our Communities Program
Pittsburgh, PA
April to September 2018
[video link]
Beyond Climate Change Theater Production
Glitter Box Theater
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2018
[video link to full play]
[video link for highlights]
Social Justice Networking Brunch
Glitter Box Theater
Pittsburgh, PA
July 14, 2018
Puerto Rican Bomba Dance Workshop
Sankofa Village
Pittsburgh, PA
October 14, 2017
Third Annual Yemaya Celebration
Irma Freeman Center
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2017
Taste of Cuba Festival
Absolute Ballroom and Los Sabrosos Dance Company
Pittsburgh, PA
June 4, 2016
Cultural Dance and Music Retreat
Sankofa Village
Pittsburgh, PA
January 9, 2016
[video link]
Second Annual Evening with Yemaya Celebration
Hill House Association
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2016
Travel Abroad Cuba Program
Havana, Cuba
July 2016
First Annual Evening with Yemaya Celebration
Hill House Association
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2015
Caribbean Dance Workshop Series
Assemble Studio
Pittsburgh, PA
Every Wednesday in July 2015
Eight month follow-up with FTM participants in Jos Nigeria to evaluate program outcomes
August 2021
Tea date with Zayda Sorrell-Medina and Eileen Chung
Online Zoom event that focuses on topics center on immigration, race and identity in America
December 8, 2020
Engaging Our Communities Program
Pittsburgh, PA
April to September 2018
[video link]
Beyond Climate Change Theater Production
Glitter Box Theater
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2018
[video link to full play]
[video link for highlights]
Social Justice Networking Brunch
Glitter Box Theater
Pittsburgh, PA
July 14, 2018
Puerto Rican Bomba Dance Workshop
Sankofa Village
Pittsburgh, PA
October 14, 2017
Third Annual Yemaya Celebration
Irma Freeman Center
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2017
Taste of Cuba Festival
Absolute Ballroom and Los Sabrosos Dance Company
Pittsburgh, PA
June 4, 2016
Cultural Dance and Music Retreat
Sankofa Village
Pittsburgh, PA
January 9, 2016
[video link]
Second Annual Evening with Yemaya Celebration
Hill House Association
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2016
Travel Abroad Cuba Program
Havana, Cuba
July 2016
First Annual Evening with Yemaya Celebration
Hill House Association
Pittsburgh, PA
September 7, 2015
Caribbean Dance Workshop Series
Assemble Studio
Pittsburgh, PA
Every Wednesday in July 2015
Invited Dance Performances
Yemaya Dance
Goddess Museum
Irvine, California
December 10, 2019
Yemaya Dance
Goddess Museum
Irvine, California
November 3, 2019
Oya Dance
Sustainability I Undergraduate Lecture
University of California Irvine
Irvine, California
November 2018
[video link]
Yemaya Dance
School of Social Ecology Winter Festival
University of California Irvine
Irvine, California
January 25, 2019
Yemaya Dance
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, California
November 7, 2017
[video link]
Yemaya Dance
Pittsburgh Symphony
Heinz Hall
Pittsburgh, PA
May 13, 2017
Ochun Dance
Pittsburgh Festival Opera
Pittsburgh Golf Club
Pittsburgh, PA
April 22, 2017
[view media]
Orisha Dance
Penn State New Kensington
December 2, 2016
Oya Dance
Pittsburgh vs Cuba Boxing on the Bridge
Pittsburgh, PA
July 2016
Oya Dance
Featured with Yudi Valdez
Washington DC
June 13, 2016
Yemaya Dance
Three Rivers Arts Festival
Pierce Studio
Pittsburgh, PA
June 11, 2016
Oya Dance
CAPA School
Pittsburgh, PA
December 31, 2015
[video link]
Ochun Dance
Emiliano’s Fiesta Latina
Pittsburgh, PA
November 1, 2015
Yemaya Dance
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Gallery Crawl
Pittsburgh, PA
May 31, 2015
Invited Music Presentations
Live Cuban Music
Tropical Forest Cuba Festival
Phipps Conservatory
Pittsburgh, PA
February 10, 2018
Yemaya Production & Flor de Luna Live Cuban Music
Phipps Conservatory
Pittsburgh, PA
February 10, 2018
Youth Music Workshop Series
Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
October and December 2018
Tropical Forest Cuba Festival
Phipps Conservatory
Pittsburgh, PA
February 10, 2018
Yemaya Production & Flor de Luna Live Cuban Music
Phipps Conservatory
Pittsburgh, PA
February 10, 2018
Youth Music Workshop Series
Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
October and December 2018
Invited Talks
Art and Sustainability
University of California Irvine
Sustainability I Undergraduate Class
Irvine, California
October 2018
What Does it Mean to be Black Panel Discussion
Giant Eagle
Pittsburgh, PA
February 27, 2016
Latin/Cuban American Jeopardy
Adda’s Café
Pittsburgh, PA
September 23, 2016
What Does it Mean to be Black Panel Discussion
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
November 2016
University of California Irvine
Sustainability I Undergraduate Class
Irvine, California
October 2018
What Does it Mean to be Black Panel Discussion
Giant Eagle
Pittsburgh, PA
February 27, 2016
Latin/Cuban American Jeopardy
Adda’s Café
Pittsburgh, PA
September 23, 2016
What Does it Mean to be Black Panel Discussion
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
November 2016
