Alumni
Amanda Brown
Alameda County
Joyce Martinez
Alameda County
Emprezz Camille Nontzikelelo Hill
Kern County
Ucedrah Osby
Kern County
Isai Garnica-Palma
Merced County
Lorraine Tuala Logoai
Riverside County
Moyosore Buari
San Diego County
Asma Hussein
San Diego County
Jonathan Butler
San Francisco County
Quincel Quiambao
San Joaquin County
Tanice Wallace
San Joaquin County
Joycelyn Philliips
San Joaquin County
Model & Curriculum
Together Toward Equity Leadership Fellows engage in virtual and in-person learning and growth opportunities. They dedicate time each month to grow in their power and leadership potential. Leadership Fellows will also work to advance a self-identified project that not only creates opportunities to apply learnings, demonstrates growth and directly impacts their organization, but most importantly, provides a benefit to their community of focus.
The Fellowship will be implemented across 3 Phases of learning and leadership.
Phase 1,
Self-Assessment-
will allow Fellows to learn more about themselves and in turn understand more about their leadership potential and work with others.
Phase 2,
Foundational Leadership-
will focus on building understanding of leadership and health equity.
Phase 3,
Dynamic Leadership-
will emphasize the need for adaptability in leadership and public health and focus on how to be an effective leader and make the most of opportunities in the field.
Amanda Brown, Alameda County
Amanda Brown is the Sr. Program Manager at Roots Community Health Center. She has a passion for serving diverse populations and empowering the underprivileged to educate themselves and their community in order to make lasting change in their lives. Having earned a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Ethnic Studies from St. Mary’s College, Amanda is very equipped with a strong foundation in critical thinking. She is excited to create a dynamic pathway towards achieving our shared goal of an effective, sustainable, and equity-focused public health infrastructure. She is eager to contribute her skills, experiences, and passion to this transformative journey and to work collaboratively with The Public Health Institute to bring about positive change.
Fellowship Project
Amanda’s project aims to address racial and health equity by encouraging economic and community development in defined geographic areas experiencing disinvestment (East Oakland, California). Prioritizing the well-being and success of Black residents of East Oakland by conducting needs assessments and crating space to gather this work will create a ripple effect that uplifts and empowers all members of the city. The project will take power back to the community to define health equity, develop data about their needs, and create conflict resolution.
Joyce Martinez, Alameda County
Joyce Martinez is a public health professional who currently serves as a Program Manager with Community Health Partnership (CHP). Over the past two years, she has led the implementation of the Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) workshops at CHP, overseeing the workshop facilitators and managing program sustainability. She also serves as a Health Educator for the Every Woman Counts (EWC) program, where she educates individuals on breast and cervical cancer detection and screening services. Joyce is a Santa Clara University graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Public Health Science and Spanish Studies. With over 7 years of experience as a direct service provider, she has worked as a coordinator for Meals on Wheels and other food and nutrition services, and has also facilitated and coordinated evidence-based chronic disease management and falls prevention programs. Joyce is passionate about helping communities access services and resources needed to be healthy and is an advocate for programs that increase access to care. Her goal is to create sustainable systems that make it possible for every person to have equitable access to health care services. During her free time, she loves to go on hikes with her husband and chocolate Labrador and enjoys reading thriller books.
Fellowship Project
Joyce’s project endeavors to make the Diabetes Self-Management Program more accessible to individuals. The program will be offered in various languages and at multiple locations throughout Santa Clara County. In addition, increased access and reach creates opportunities to form new partnerships with Community Health Centers and helps inform community resource guides with new and existing services.
Emprezz Camille Nontzikelelo Hill, Kern County
Camille Hill aka Emprezz Camille Nontzikelelo Hill, is a Blezzed Vizionary who serves as Community Engagement Specialist for the Circle of Life Development Foundation dba MLK commUNITY Initiative. She resides in Bakersfield, CA, and is the mother of 5 adult children (1 deceased) grandmother of 20 plus and great grandmother of 7 plus. Emprezz Camille was born in Oakland, CA and grew up in Bakersfield, CA with 10 siblings in the lower socio-economic Mayflower-Sunset District, a primarily Black community, where she continues to live and advocate for the area. She is a writer, designer, singer/performer, motivational speaker, wellness coach/educator and many things in between. She holds a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies for Sociology, Applied Social Psychology and Pan African Studies. Emprezz Camille loves reading, dancing, traveling, gardening and crossword/sudoku puzzles. She continues to maintain an adventurous zest for life which is fueled through the learning of new things.
Fellowship Project
Emprezz aspires to support a “movement” that will result in a BLACK WALL STREET ON THE “BLVD” (Dr MLK Jr Blvd). This work addresses the rebuilding of an economically depressed area of Bakersfield, by establishing a Black Collective of current Black-owned properties and building a coalition of Black identified community-based organizations.
Ucedrah Osby, Kern County
Ucedrah Osby, is Executive Director of Community Interventions, founder of the Bakersfield chapter of All of Us or None, and Co-founder of Sister Warrior Freedom Coalition. She is our very own Central Valley trailblazer and social justice warrior addressing issues through the eyes of a Black woman with a history impacted by incarceration, trauma, and historical disinvestment. She is a daughter, mother, sister, aunt, and cousin that is passionate about increasing the quality of life for people who look like her!
Fellowship Project
Ucedrah’s project addresses health equity for the Bakersfield community. Listening sessions hosted in marginalized communities are used to gather, inform, and support necessary policy changes. Based on community input, Ucedrah’s organization, Community Interventions, shares findings with local agencies and change agents to help move to action.
Isai Garnica-Palma, Merced County
Over the past ten years, Isai’s dedication to empowering communities and driving impactful policy changes has shaped his journey. It all began at the University of California, Merced, where he earned my degree in Sociology and a minor in Spanish, igniting his passion for advocating for policy, systems, and environmental changes through an equity lens. In October 2020, he co-founded Valley Onward alongside our Executive Director, Sol Rivas. A proud achievement was establishing Merced County’s first grassroots cohort of Community Health Workers amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Guiding 200 students through a Participatory Budgeting Process, they empowered them to allocate $10,000 in educational funds. He spearheaded grant pursuits resulting in over $500,000 for Valley Onward and formed crucial partnerships with local school districts to launch a civic engagement programming. During Isai’s tenure at Building Healthy Communities (BHC), Merced, their team achieved significant policy reforms, including a Safe Haven Resolution at Planada Elementary, district elections in Merced, establishing a youth council, and a healthcare pilot program for the uninsured in Merced County. Facilitating programs like Joven Noble and Parent Leadership Training Institute allowed me to deeply connect with communities, imparting essential leadership skills. His commitment to health and racial equity fuels his work. He firmly believes in granting every individual the opportunity to thrive, and he is steadfast in transforming this belief into reality.
Fellowship Project
Isai’s project targets educational equity in Merced County’s underserved areas. It focuses on a comprehensive needs assessment in a local school district. The work amplifies the voices of parents, students, and educators to help understand and tackle barriers to quality education using advocacy and policy change.
Lorraine Tuala Logoai, Riverside County
Lorraine Tuala Logoai is the Program Manager for the Southern California Pacific Islander Response Team (SoCal PICRT), an organization dedicated to assisting and supporting Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders(NHPI) by linking individuals and families to community resources, relevant health information and local community events to keep families safe and healthy. Lorraine has been working in the non-profit sector for over a decade and continues to advocate for mental health resources and services for the NHPI communities. She has served in many capacities such as case manager, clinician and even leadership roles such as program manager in which she manages and supervises teams of case managers and clinicians. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2018 and has experience working with clients of various ethnic backgrounds including Cambodian refugees. She also has provided many mental health and wellness workshops, presentations on mental health and outreached to the API communities both in Orange and Los Angeles counties. Lorraine’s educational background includes a Master’s Degree in Social Work with an emphasis on Families and Children from the University of Southern California. Lorraine also received her BA in Psychology with a minor in Education from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and family, watching Korean dramas with her best friend and discovering new music!
Fellowship Project
Lorraine’s project provides culturally relevant mental health education, resources, referrals, and linkages to care for the Pacific Islander (PI) community. Increasing access to care through links to physical locations and virtual platforms as well as utilizing traditional practitioners/providers from the PI community. Lorraine’s work supports culturally appropriate care by assessing current services and providers available with knowledge and understanding of the needs of the PI community.
Moyosore Buari, San Diego County
Moyosore Buari is excited about directing nonprofit systems that develop and sustain cooperation between stakeholders to improve social determinants of health (SDOH) policies for vulnerable and underserved populations. An inspiring, lifelong learner with over 15 years of combined nonprofit public health experience, project management, technical skills, and clinical background to efficiently direct operations to benefit nonprofit programs. Moyosore’s passion for serving to improve the health-related social outcomes of large, underrepresented, and underserved populations within diverse communities has led her to utilize Lean Six Sigma methodologies to implement cost-effective solutions. As the Program Manager of the Community Health Initiative (CHI) at the San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition (SDRCC), Moyosore’s primary objectives are creating partnerships, fostering cooperation among stakeholders, and influencing policies that positively impact the SDOH of refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities. Moyosore’s ultimate goal is to enhance the overall health and well-being of San Diego residents, by addressing one social driver of health at a time. Moyosore is a healthcare management expert who takes pride in her work and strives to provide exceptional community health services in collaboration with a team of trusted messengers through the SDRCC’s diverse platform of thirteen Ethnic Community-based Organizations (ECBOs), in San Diego, California.
Fellowship Project
Moyosore’s project supports the BUILD Health through Housing (HTH) project. HTH is focused on improving housing stability for San Diego refugee populations to advance health equity through collaboration with community partners. Using multi-sector community-driven approaches to increase access to housing navigation services with education, and advocacy to influence policies and drive systems change among housing and healthcare stakeholders in the region.
Asma Hussein, San Diego County
Asma Hussein Ali is of Somali origin and currently resides in San Diego, CA. Asma graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. She currently holds the role of Youth Program Coordinator at Somali Family Service of San Diego. In her position, Asma works closely with refugee and immigrant youth, placing a special focus on leadership development and mentorship. Additionally, Asma serves as a patient representative in the Arab American Health Network Alliance. This engagement reflects her commitment to fostering equity in health research, specifically for the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) population. In her community work, Asma has developed significant experience working with vulnerable populations, incorporating trauma-informed approaches. As well as coordinating and developing programs that address the unique needs of diverse communities. Asma is committed to amplifying the voices of her community in spaces where they are often overlooked
Fellowship Project
Asma’s project focuses on addressing resource disparities within the refugee and immigrant communities. Her project empowers youth to transition into roles as peer supporters. This work includes expanding internship opportunities for college and high school students.
Jonathan Butler, San Francisco County
Dr. Butler is the Executive Director of San Francisco African American Faith-Based Coalition (SFAAFBC). Established in 2016, the SFAAFBC is a coalition of 21 churches in San Francisco, formed to elevate the quality of life of Black San Franciscans to become whole, healthy, and productive citizens, by empowering community through a faith- based network, and to deliver wholistic support and services. Under his leadership, the SFAAFBC has distributed more than 750,000 prepared meals and more than 70,000 produce boxes to 1600 households (2300 individuals) in San Francisco. The coalition has hosted testing and vaccination clinics in the churches testing approximately 5000 and vaccinating over 1200 individuals. Dr. Butler is the Associate Director of the Black Health Initiative at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) and faculty in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and San Francisco State University. He is also a consultant of UCSF’s Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI). He is an Associate Minister at the historic Third Baptist Church of San Francisco. He currently serves as the Chair of the SF Homelessness Oversight Commission.
Fellowship Project
Jonathan’s project hopes to equip pastors with advocacy skills to support the San Francisco African American Faith-Based Coalition’s goals. This includes trainings on priority issues, advocacy strategies, and communication methods in hopes of empowering pastors to tackle multifaceted needs of their underserved communities.
Quincel Quiambao, San Joaquin County
Quincel Quiambao (she/her) is a community-driven director at Little Manila Rising’s ECHO (Equity in COVID and Health Outcomes) program, located in South Stockton, California– home to the Central Valley Miwok & Yokuts Tribe. As a 1.5-generation immigrant from the Philippines, Quincel has witnessed the stark realities of health inequities and disparities. Driven by a deep commitment to health equity and social justice, she aspires to serve underserved communities, address health disparities, and provide equitable services to these populations. Her commitment to the fundamental principle that healthcare is a human right forms the cornerstone of her vision for equitable access to health and well-being for all. She majored in biological sciences at the University of the Pacific, sparking a strong interest in public health and the whole-person care approach. During the pandemic, she diligently worked at a local emergency department and Little Manila Rising, utilizing her knowledge to advocate for health equity, promote healthy lifestyles, enhance health literacy, and improve overall health outcomes. Quincel embodies a commitment to community empowerment and patient advocacy, all while embracing gratitude and a life of service, along with a deep sense of cultural humility. Her career aspirations are interwoven with grassroots advocacy and health justice, emphasizing collective liberation and the healing of vulnerable and marginalized individuals in society. Her vision for the future is to build a resilient, equitable, and sustainable public health infrastructure, acknowledging the deep-rooted issue of racism as a public health crisis. Beyond her professional pursuits, Quincel finds joy in spending time in nature, hiking, exercising, enjoying live music, serving at her church, and embarking on food adventures.
Fellowship Project
Quincel’s project develops and strengthens community-centered whole-person care practices in South Stockton. Using needs assessments to identify and inform the needs of community, Quincel aims to increase access to health care services, while simultaneously strengthening community ties, through pop-up clinics as well as creating space for health education, and community empowerment workshops.
Tanice Wallace, San Joaquin County
Tanice is the Deputy Director (DD) for The Amelia Ann Adams Whole Life Center (AAAWLC). As DD, Tanice has the privilege of working with the community in several different programs. For the past three and a half years Tanice has been determined to make connections with the young people of Stockton to learn their needs, desires, and how best to be an adult ally. Tanice’s work with AAAWLC focuses on building young people up to strengthen their innate leadership skills. Tanice’s passion lies in working with youth to illuminate disparities by analyzing how they are related to more complex structural problems. This step in building relationships with youth is crucial in empowering them to realize their voice and agency to make change. Tanice has had the pleasure of working with youth on issues including but not limited to school-based discrimination, mental health awareness and stigma reduction, childhood trauma awareness, substance abuse disorder prevention, and Juvenile Justice transformation work. Tanice is an Oakland, CA native but has lived in Stockton for over 15 years. Tanice holds a Bachelor of Sciences in Public Health and a minor in Sociology from San Diego State University. Tanice’s education in combination with her lived experience drives her to seek out injustice in all areas of her life and the lives of those around her. She truly believes that youth voices are a vital contribution to the community and hold solutions to some of today’s most pressing issues.
Fellowship Project
Tanice’s project supports emerging non-profit organizations to become trauma-informed and trauma-reducing. This work enhances the capacity of organizations to effectively engage with the public while minimizing the risk of re-traumatization. The project implements trauma-informed systems training for staff and volunteers within organizations. I addition, Tanice collaborates with leadership teams to develop and adopt comprehensive policies that acknowledge the impact of trauma and commit to practices that avoid re-traumatization.
Joycelyn Philliips, San Joaquin County
Joycelyn is an Administrative Specialist at The Amelia Ann Adams Whole Life Center. It is her life’s joy to assist people in reaching their goals and overcoming barriers in their lives. She is a Stockton Native who has served my community my whole life. She has volunteered her time and efforts as a member of her congregation, community organizations, student and as a professional. Her affinity for her city and its residents fuels my commitment to continue serving and advocating for more equitable changes for her community and our future. In her role, she pledges to be an advocate for equitable change, to make sure that the work keeps going on and people continue to grow.
Fellowship Project
Joycelyn’s project benefits entry level employees and participants at Amelia Ann Adams Whole Life Center (AAAWLC). It utilizes economic mobility through job readiness workshops, resources, and trainings. The ultimate goal is that participants access jobs that align with their needs.
Koji Lewis, San Joaquin County
Koji Lewis (he/him) is a young professional passionate about advancing community health through a social justice, BIPOC lens. He is passionate about echoing my city’s resiliency and motivation in the face of historical hardship and disinvestment. He graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. Using the knowledge of social systems and history, he strives to make space for underserved marginalized communities everyday and to promote holistic health wellness.
Fellowship Project
Koji’s project centers on building a Health Equity & Advocacy Educational Curriculum for South Stockton residents. Workshops are hosted in accessible locations of the South Stockton community. Topics in the curriculum focus on health equity including social determinants of health, precision medicine, understanding medical jargon, long covid, housing and air quality.
Kary Carbone, Shasta County
Kary joined United Way of Northern California in September of 2021 and is currently the Senior Program Manager of Community Impact where she focuses on health programs and financial stability within the region. Previously, Kary was a Community Health Supervisor in Umatilla County, Oregon where she implemented drug, alcohol, and problem gambling prevention education and led Umatilla County’s COVID-19 response from 2020 to 2021. Kary holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from Oregon State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She is a native Oregonian and moved to Shasta County in September 2021. In her free time, Kary enjoys riding her horses, spending time with her family and pets, playing board games, reading, and exploring beautiful Northern California.
Fellowship Project
Kary’s project advances an online partner portal that provides local grassroots and nonprofit partners a centralized hub for United Way Northern California (UWNC) grant information, management tools and educational resources. This portal fosters collaboration and amplifies community impact in Northern California. The online portal provides immediate improvements and efficiency for grantees with plans to grow the Portal into a larger Information Hub.
Arturo Rodriguez, Tulare County
Arturo Rodriguez Leon and was born and raised in a Rural Farmworker town in Tulare County named Poplar, one of 13 communities identified by Tulare County as communities without future. His parents, immigrant farmworkers who just arrived in this country, did the best that they could in raising him. In grade school he remembers teachers telling the farmworker kids that the most they would amount to is to become an equipment operator or work in retail. Fortunately, he became the first in his family to attend college and begin a 10 year career working for the State of California in Forensic Mental Health. Arturo’s career was such that he had the opportunity to move throughout the state and learn how beautiful and diverse his state truly is. With this newfound knowledge he decided to return home and address the rural inequities faced by farmworker communities. He co-founded Central Valley Empowerment Alliance where they have and continue to addressed Health, Housing, community development, youth development and leadership development.
Fellowship Project
Arturo’s project strives to address health equity in rural communities through strategic planning, and capacity building. It focuses on alliance capacity growth, infrastructure development, language support, & grassroots community development in the most rural communities of Tulare and Kern County.