Samuel founded Fathers & Families of San Joaquin as a catalyst for policy and systems change, reaching youth and families who are entangled in a complex web of systems that confine and hinder their human potential. After experiencing the trauma of community violence and incarceration, Sammy decided to reclaim his destiny and chose to promote peace, harmony and opportunity for all. Since then he has mentored and built power with thousands of young people and families from Stockton to Washington, DC working with inspiration, creativity, persistence and a deep commitment to healing and holistic wellbeing. Sammy has inspired national funders and cross-sector partners to lead with love and to invest in people as a primary tool for community transformation. He is a California Peace Prize recipient and the recipient of the San Joaquin County Architect of Peace Award. His work was also highlighted as part of My Brother’s Keeper Initiative to President Obama and the White House as an effective program working with young men of color. Sammy currently serves on the advisory committee of the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color and is a frequent national and global speaker on topics related to healing, disrupting community violence, and organizing for community transformation and peace. Presentation slides here.

Ei Ei has over 20 years of experience in social impact, with expertise in shaping bold conversations in areas such as educational equity, diversity and inclusion, social and environmental justice, collective impact strategy planning, program and service design, family and community engagement, collaborative partnerships, knowledge management, and organizational culture. She is the co-founder of Seedles, which inspires kids (and their grown ups) to positively impact the planet they are inheriting. In 2017, she was recognized by Congresswoman Jackie Speier for her accomplishments as an immigrant entrepreneur. She gained her aptitude for system and pattern thinking through a combination of oppression analysis, a Pre Med major, and a Religious Identity minor. She holds a Master of Science in Organizational Management and Transformative Leadership and she is certified in advanced facilitation, experiential training, community mediation, conflict transformation, restorative justice, ecological model of leadership, human system design, and motivational interviewing. Ei Ei is Equity Consultant for Samai Group. Presentation slides here.

Bernadette brings extensive experience in community development praxis and public-private partnerships to her role as Acting Director of the Center for Regional Change. She works to build bridges across disciplines and support research that is community-engaged, policy-oriented, and equity-focused. Prior to her work at the Center for Regional Change, Bernadette founded a consulting firm specializing in community development and has worked for an affordable housing developer, redevelopment agency, community development financial institution, and several nonprofit community health organizations. Her projects include Sacramento’s first true transit-oriented development, West Sacramento’s first urban farm stand, and the first project in the country to implement a program combining housing vouchers and health services for disabled adults. Bernadette is co-lead of the Sacramento Area Chapter of the Scholars Strategy Network. She is a Commissioner and former Chair of the West Sacramento Planning Commission, serves on the Executive Committee of the Sacramento District Council of the Urban Land Institute, and provides thought leadership on the California Planning Roundtable, a think tank affiliated with the California Chapter of the American Planning Association. She holds a Master of Science in Community Development from UC Davis and a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from St. Mary’s College of California. Presentation slides here.

Juanita is the STEM, College & Career Pathways Coordinator: STEM, College & Career Pathways at Rialto Unified School District, where she has served the community of Rialto, California for over 15 years. She has taught at the elementary level secondary levels, and served as district science lead. She is passionate about inspiring a love and excitement for science, and her enthusiasm has inspired teachers, administrators, and community partners dedicated to advancing and illustrating that science and the environment can provide the real-world context that gives flavor to all other subjects. As the project director of Rialto’s California Mathematics and Science Partnership grant, she worked vigorously to infuse environmental education into all levels of K–12 curriculum, advocating that all students districtwide get the chance to love their community bionetwork. Presentation slides here.

Isha Clarke, co-founder and activist with Youth Vs Apocalypse, is a high school student born, raised, and educated in Oakland, CA. Isha recognizes that climate change is the consequence of fundamental systems of oppression like white supremacy, racism, and colonialism. Because of this, people of color, indigenous communities, and working-class people are disproportionately burdened by impacts of climate catastrophe. Knowing this, Isha’s work is focused on building a movement that follows the leadership of frontline communities, creates solidarity between other fights for justice, and works to dismantle the systems of oppression that fuel climate change. As a result of this work, Isha was awarded the 2019 Brower Youth Award and has become a nationally recognized speaker, presenter, and writer.