Shoutout to our 2024 CEAs

Our 2023-2024 Community Empowerment Activists (CEA) are finishing up a great year.  These eighteen individuals have embarked on a transformative journey in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area. Through a yearlong immersive experience, they delved into the intricate web of systemic oppression and resistance, honing their skills in grassroots organizing, advocacy, and coalition building. Working alongside community leaders, they tackled pressing issues and disrupted the status quo while standing in solidarity with diverse neighbors. These young visionary organizers are now poised to make a future tangible impact, advancing the vision and initiatives of their host organizations while critically analyzing the complex sociopolitical landscape shaping local communities. Continue reading to learn more about what they accomplished as CEAs! 

 

MacKenzie Blount-Rich ’24
(She/her)
Psychology major, African American Studies minor
United Playaz

MacKenzie, originally from Washington, DC, now resides in San Francisco on USF’s campus. She is deeply committed to transformative justice, particularly in the realm of education, believing in a future where knowledge is key. Her focus lies on empowering youth through education, emphasizing the importance of inclusive spaces where they feel seen, represented, and valued. She advocates for course materials that authentically reflect the diversity of voices and experiences, particularly those of BIPOC communities. Currently interning at United Playaz, MacKenzie is dedicated to helping San Francisco’s youth thrive by preparing them for higher education, employment, and healthy living in a nurturing and collaborative environment. She practices radical self-love and community care, approaching spaces with openness to learn and collaborate on new ideas and creativity.

 

Dominique Chesson ’24
(She/her)
Sociology major, Critical Diversity & Social Justice concentration
Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation

Colorado is where Dominique calls home. Her focus on transformative justice centers around redistributing wealth and resources to BIPOC communities. Excitedly, she will intern at the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation, working on their food justice initiative. Dominique firmly believe that access to healthy food is a fundamental human right. I’m eager to contribute to making this a reality. In her personal ethos, she prioritizes radical self-love and community care, nurturing empathy in all her interactions. Dominique understands that to support her community, she must first support myself.

 

Gabriella Fulton ’26
(She/her) 
Politics major
Housing Rights Committee

Gabby, originally from Memphis, Tennessee, now resides in Mississippi when not at USF. Her passion for transformative justice revolves around promoting more care in the world, especially for those in need. Currently interning at the Housing Rights Committee, she serves black communities in Bayview and D5. Gabby prioritizes radical self-love in community care by spending time with friends, reading, and staying present in the moment. 

 

Maxwell Edmonds-Drati ’26
(He/him)
Politics major, African American Studies minor
No More Tears

Maxwell, originally from San Francisco and raised in Richmond and Antioch, now resides in San Francisco. His transformative justice mission is to empower Black and Brown communities to shape their own destinies through love and community projects. He aims to dismantle oppressive systems by mobilizing people power and advocating for policy change. As an intern with No More Tears, based in San Quentin prison, he contributes to reducing recidivism and fostering healing among incarcerated individuals. Beyond social justice, Maxwell enjoys writing, exploring diverse cuisines, immersing himself in different cultures, attending art galleries and live jazz performances, designing, participating in community events, spending time with friends, engaging in freestyle cyphers, playing the drums, sports, and attending open mic nights.

 

Eliza Quetingco ’26
(She/her)
Politics major
Kapwa Gardens

Eliza, a native of Daly City/San Francisco, envisions a world free from fear. Her passion for transformative justice revolves around nurturing children with love, kindness, and understanding, recognizing them as the future. She advocates for embracing new ideas and cultures to celebrate individual differences. Through radical love and community unity, she believes in shaping the desired world together. Eliza’s internship at Kapwa Gardens focuses on empowering the SoMa Pilipinas community by fostering spaces that celebrate Philippine culture through art, healing, and community events. Kapwa Gardens strives to promote Filipinx culture in SoMa, counteracting historical silence and displacement. Eliza practices radical self-love and community care by engaging in activities that prevent burnout, such as spending time with family, enjoying nature, collecting trinkets, and capturing the world through photography.

 

Chloe Taylor ’26
(She/her)
Sociology major, Enviornmental Sciences minor
Balay Kreative

Chloe, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by oppressed communities, particularly regarding environmental injustice and racism. Their long-term goal is to return to their hometown and actively contribute to eradicating these injustices. In their vision of a reimagined world, the empowerment and well-being of BIPOC and queer individuals are central to fostering a more just and equitable society. Chloe is currently interning at Balay Kreative, focusing on event production, podcasting, and video production initiatives. She practices radical self-love by regularly affirming positive and empowering statements to themselves, ensuring that they can share that love with others once it is cultivated within.

 

Crista Ramos ’26
(She/her)
Politics major, Latin American Studies minor
Veritas Tenant Coalition

Crista, a Bay Area native, is committed to transformative justice, aiming for a world where systems of oppression are dismantled and human rights are upheld for all. Her focus lies in uplifting communities of color and advocating for immigrant rights. Currently interning at the Housing Rights Committee, she contributes to the Veritas Tenant Coalition, organizing communities and fighting for tenant rights. Crista believes housing is a fundamental human right and seeks to build community power among working-class and communities of color in San Francisco. In her self-care routine, Crista finds solace in art, reading, and spending time with loved ones.

 

Julia Laverde ’24
(They/them)
Critical Diversity Studies major, Spanish,
History minor
United Playaz

Julia’s transformative justice passion to a reimagined just world is love in all ways, shapes, and
forms. They strive toward a world filled with community care and the abolition of systems of oppression; a world
where all people have agency and the freedom to exist without violence or shame. Julia is interning with United Playaz, a SOMA-based violence prevention organization that provides all kinds of services and support to local
youth. Julia’s practice of radical self-love in community care is embracing the small joys, giving themself grace, and laughing about all of life’s silliness with the people they love.

 

Aderet Parrino ’26
(They/them)
Critical Diversity Studies major, Spanish Studies, Public Service and Community Engagement minor
Housing Rights Committee

Aderet, originally from Mesa, Arizona, and now living in San Francisco, dreams of a just world where empathy flourishes, fostering interconnectedness and reducing harm with equity. As an intern at the Housing Rights Committee, Aderet works with the Southeast Tenants Association. Their practice of radical self-love in community care involves embracing warm hugs from loved ones, whether physical or through heartfelt words and quality time.

 

Sanae Wolfe ’25
(She/her)
English major, African American Studies minor
SF Rising

Born in Pontiac, MI, but living in Fort Worth, TX since 2015 and currently residing here in the city of SF,  Sanae’s transformative justice passion for a reimagined just world is combating injustice through communal care/mutual aid, education equity, and storytelling. Sanae is interning at SF Rising––working on an array of initiatives/campaigns such as blog posts and articles, phone banks to make sure students and younger people are informed of the importance of the
election year and registered to vote, working with the orgs cohort of student activist, and campaigning for free college in California. Sanae’s practice of radical self-love in community care is honoring herself in showing up in her authenticity and giving herself grace which allows her to show up as her best self for her community.

 

Jadia Peavy ’26
(She/her)
Public Health major, Environmental Studies minor
Coalition on Homelessness

Jadia, originally from Portsmouth, VA, now calls San Francisco home. Her transformative justice mission aims to raise the voices of unheard minority communities, advocate for equity, and promote environmental healing through justice initiatives. Currently interning at the Coalition on Homelessness, Jadia contributes to developing long-term solutions for homelessness, poverty, and housing issues in San Francisco. Her practice of self-love includes sketching, poetry, photography, and finding solace in the great outdoors.

 

Catie Klenske ’26
(She/her)
Psychology major, Neuroscience minor
Coalition on Homelessness

Originally from Riverside, California, and now residing in San Francisco, Catie’s transformative justice passion lies in listening to and learning from diverse perspectives, aiming to honor their pain, joy, and lived experiences. She is interning at the Coalition on Homelessness, dedicated to advocating for the rights and dignity of unhoused communities impacted by displacement and gentrification. Catie practices radical self-love in community care by spending time in nature and fostering deep connections with others.

 

Susu Sharif ’25
(She/they)
Environmental Studies major, Public Service and Community Engagement minor
Filipino Community Center

Currently residing in the city, Susu’s transformative justice passion is centered on liberating colonized lands through resistance. As an intern at the Filipino Community Center, she engages in grassroots organizing campaigns aimed at shifting policy and programming to uplift the needs and agency of poor, working-class families, and communities of color. Susu’s practice of radical self-love in community care involves radical storytelling through creativity.

 

Jasmine Watson ’24
(She/her)
Sociology major, Legal Studies minor
No More Tears

Jas, originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, now embraces the vibrant culture of San Francisco. Her transformative justice passion revolves around amplifying the voices, stories, and healing of underserved communities, particularly juveniles. As an intern at the No More Tears organization in San Quentin State Prison, she works with the Reentry Committee to promote violence prevention, restorative justice, and reduced recidivism rates. Jas practices radical self-love in community care by creating and supporting spaces where individuals can explore their needs, how they wish to be loved, and utilize healing for genuine peace.

 

Mikiko Inayama ’25
(She/they)
Performing Arts and Social Justice double major, concentrating in Music and Critical Diversity Studies
Coalition on Homelessness

Mikiko, originally from Thousand Oaks, California, currently resides in an off-campus apartment. Her transformative justice passion is rooted in the belief that every individual deserves to thrive, and she works towards making this a reality. Interning at the Coalition on Homelessness, Mikiko contributes to the Human Rights Working Group, particularly focusing on the coalition’s lawsuit in the city. Her practice of radical self-love in community care involves creating time and space for making music with others for healing and resistance. Additionally, she finds solace in spending time in nature and attending various artistic events.

 

Lou Corrigan ’25
(They/them)
Environmental Studies major, Urban Studies concentration, Public Service and Community Engagement minor
SOMCAN

Lou, originally from New York and now flourishing in San Francisco, is driven by a transformative justice passion rooted in community healing and recognizing the strength of interconnected existences. They are dedicated to uplifting intergenerational wisdom and Disability Justice within a loving collective. Lou expresses these passions through organizing, zine-making, and collage art. On campus, they serve as a radio DJ at KUSF, fostering engagement among students, and contribute to creating a safe space for queer students and spiritual seekers to embrace vulnerability, nourish community, and embrace their divinity. Currently interning at SOMCAN (South of Market Community Action Network), Lou works towards amplifying the voices of immigrant, people-of-color, and low-income communities. They focus on campaigns to improve air quality and community health for low-income residents residing close to freeways.

 

Tanner Zion ’25
(He/him)
Critical Diversity Studies and African American Studies major, Gender and Sexuality Studies minor
Mo’ Magic

Tanner, originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, now resides in San Francisco. His transformative justice passion envisions a world where love resonates as the key to life, fostering a sacred connectivity where every soul feels acknowledged. Working with Mo’ Magic, Tanner facilitates creative spaces such as documentaries, writing workshops, and community beautification projects with teens in the Fillmore district. Tanner’s practices of self-love and community care include creating and sharing laughter with those around them.

 

Sawyer Mills ’26
(She/her)
Politics major, Legal Studies and Criminal Justice minor
SOMCAN

Sawyer, originally from Chicago, Illinois, has journeyed to San Francisco to continue her social justice work. Her passion for a reimagined just world revolves around finding sustainable solutions for disenfranchised communities and minorities, collaborating with them, and amplifying the voices of the oppressed while spreading love and empathy. Partnering with SOMCAN (South of Market Community Action Network), she focuses on uplifting working-class, immigrant, and youth families in San Francisco through campaigning and community organizing. Currently, Sawyer collaborates with SOMCAN on a campaign addressing air pollution in the SOMA district, advocating for environmental justice. Her practice of radical self-love involves connecting with the Filipino-American Community in San Francisco and leveraging those experiences for broader societal change.

RSVP here to come celebrate with our CEAs at the annual CEA Block party!