Cohort 2

My name is Aaliyah Christian, I was born in Lancaster, California but I have lived all throughout South Los Angeles. I've recently graduated from Crenshaw High School as class of 2020, after graduating I've been looking for new opportunities to help my community and this CDTECH Career Ambassador's program is perfect for me. I've always been passionate about helping others. I value my community and the youth and families that live within it. In my free time I enjoy reading crime novels, watching unsolved cases and writing my own short stories. I hope to maybe publish some one day.

My name is Arianna Ybarra. I am a Capricorn. I’m a natural born leader. I am a proud Compton native. I love trying new things. I love meeting new people. I enjoy being out doors and going on adventures. Helping others, puts a smile on my face. I’m identified as an obliger; I tend to put others before myself. I’m very spiritual when it comes to matching my energy. I can read someone off their vibe, I don’t even have to exchange words with that person. I love being able to help others around me especially my loved ones. I tend to go out my way, with no problem or hesitation to satisfy other’s needs. I like having fun and living life to the fullest.

Estela is dedicated to connecting communities with opportunities.

Evelyn is passionate about community outreach and helping people. She is currently enrolled in college and continuing her education to move onto bigger things, where she can come and contact others. Evelyn was born in Mexico and knows that she will be able to relate and understand what other immigrants are going through and the obstacles they may face in the future. She is motivated in helping other people and seeing all the amazing things they can overcome.

Francisco Ruiz is a new career ambassador at CDTech. He was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, He is passionate about self care, boxing, personal growth and helping the community members who are in need. I applied for this position as a Career Ambassadors because I want to help at least one person change their life and have a positive effect for the community which allows for the opportunity youth and everyone else to grow and heal and help bring more opportunities to community members in need. This has given me an opportunity to give help to people who live in these underrepresented areas with education, jobs and skills they need to grow to be successful, I would also educate them on the problems and issues that face our South LA communities.

Jason is dedicated to connecting communities with opportunities.

Qiairra Broomfield is a change agent who is committed to supporting and serving under-resourced communities and families. After graduating high school, she decided to take her passion further by enlisting in the United States Air Force. In the Air Force, she was prompted within three months after demonstrating her leadership skills, ability to challenge herself and show that she can thrive in a new position. In this role, she has exemplified the meaning of a woman of high strength, tenacity, and diplomacy. At the age of 11, she began her philanthropy journey volunteering at various community events at local churches, schools, and senior living facilities.

She currently works as the Director of Operations for The Impact Project, a community service movement that provides service projects and resources to disenfranchised communities in Los Angeles and abroad. Since leading in this role, she has successfully supported the execution of several projects that have served over 3,000 children and families to date. She recently graduated from Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institution (LAAAWPPI). There she learned more about public policy, community engagement, leadership and running for office. She was able to make connections with a lot of influential people such as Congresswoman Karen Bass, Councilmember Herb Wesson, and Senator Holly J. Mitchell. In a few short years, she has made a significant social footprint and is committed to establishing herself as a woman of power and prestige and will one day run for a Congressional position.

Ricardo Ortega Martinez Jr. is an active Commissioner, for the Immigration Commission, under Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson 64th District in the State of California. He is currently a Youth Ambassador for California. He previously served as a member of the Mental Health Board, for Transitional Age Youth, in the State of California. Ricardo was the youngest commissioner to serve on the Civil Service Commission, in the city of Huntington Park, California. On December 2nd 2017, he was officially recognized as a Young Senator, by State Senator, Ricardo Lara, for successfully completing the 33rd Senate District Young Senators Program.

Ricardo was a founding member of the Principal Advisory Committee, giving a voice to the student body in the decision making process at their school. Through an early employment opportunity, he worked with the Chamber of Commerce in the cities of Florence-Firestone, Walnut Park, and Lynwood.

Ricardo served as President for the Los Angeles chapter of a non-profit organization, California Youth Connection, he also joined the California Youth Connection Legislative and Policy Committee, and was an Ambassador for the Southern California region.

Taylor Shorty has passion in trying to help people and bring out the better in a person. Taylor inspires people , place life back into individuals that may have felt they have lost inspiration, hope , and confidence. Every individual is great and passionate about something sometimes individuals may need that extra voice to let them know that they can and will make it happen. Taylor loves to advocate for individuals while they become stronger in expressing their own VOICE and still be respectfully in a positive state and productive way.

Jason is dedicated to connecting communities with opportunities.

Jason is dedicated to connecting communities with opportunities.

Jessica V. Moron was born, raised, and presently lives in South-Central Los Angeles. After graduating from Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School, she continued her studies at Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC). As a community member and student from South - Central Los Angeles, she started working as a receptionist at All Peoples Community Center. As a receptionist, she witnessed how impactful community services and resources were to community members. Jessica, a Public Allies Alumni since 2015, was placed at St. John’s Well Child and Family Center; The program allowed her to grow professionally and personally, advocating for quality health care for residents regardless of their status and integrating inclusive. language. After Public Allies, she graduated from LATTC with an Associates in Social and Behavioral Science and transferred to California State University, Dominguez Hills majoring in Psychology. Now, as a Program Manager for CD Tech Career Ambassadors program she provides youth mentorship and models the importance of intervention programs to prepare them for the future. Jessica is passionate about continuing her studies and plans to evaluate and fund community programs as a future Clinical-Community Psychologist.

Jacqueline Perez Valencia serves as the Program Manager of the Career Ambassadors program. Before joining CD Tech she graduated from the Women’s Policy Institute State Fellowship in the Economic Security team where she had the opportunity to learn the legislative process of California state government and was actively supporting bills that helped relieve some of the hardships that under-served communities continue to face.

Jacqueline grew up in Pico Rivera, CA, and earned a B.S. in Sociology with a minor in Business Administration from the University of La Verne. Her diverse experience includes working in campaigns for local/state candidates, as an immigrant rights advocate, and coordinator/administrator for non-profits. At CD Tech, Jacqueline aspires to continue to work and support youth to be able to attain their goals.

Kaylin Dickerson is passionate about making South LA communities stronger. As a student at UCLA, Kaylin was trained in research methods and the multitude of assets and challenges in LA’s communities of color. Alongside her research training, she became a leader in very successful programs designed to create opportunity, experience, and exposure for Black youth of South Los Angeles. Naturally, Kaylin developed a passion for developing evidence-based programs that make an impact on youth’s lives and affect positive change in the communities served. She is dedicated to empowering youth, particularly those affected by poverty, homelessness, poor education, and trauma. As Senior Program Manager of the South-Central LA Career Ambassadors Program, Kaylin hopes to create an environment of growth, compassion, and innovation to create real change in her community. Kaylin's self care practices include drawing, painting, and sunbathing.