Post-OSA, I attended Bishop O'Dowd High School and San Jose State, before doing some work in the for-profit sector, and currently settling into a role leading (national non-profit) The Hidden Genius Project's development team.
I'm extremely happy to have been a featured speaker at the Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) Conference for both 2022 and 2023, speaking about Culturally Appropriate Methods to Support Black Male Achievement (2022) and Cultivating Youth Leadership (2023). I'm also proud to have personally served over 4,000 youth across the globe, helping to expose them to tech-related career pathways and opportunities.
Attending OSA allowed me to be exposed to and immersed in so much more than traditional education would have ever allowed for—the various art forms, the people of all backgrounds and demographics, and educators with storied experiences with/careers in the arts and entertainment industries.
Being from Oakland (and the Bay Area as a whole) means that I have the privilege of a claim to one of the countries richest cities culturally, financially, and historically. It also means I bear a responsibility to help maintain those riches for the next generation coming after myself to benefit from.
In 8th grade during a persuasive essay assignment in Ms. Zaugg's English class, I was given an opportunity to give a speech at City Hall about my belief that 9/11 was an inside job—a belief the more adult me is no longer as invested in. Even though I've changed my opinion on the topic, it sticks with me that I was a child granted a platform to share my beliefs in an environment in which many adults must have disagreed with my stance, and celebrated for having the confidence to do so.
Though I am grateful for every educator who poured into me as an OSA student, Ms. Zaugg has hands down had the greatest impact on me. After two years with Ms. Zaugg, I walked away feeling empowered to engage my peers on heavy topics, encouraged to use my voice to the fullest, and inspired to continue being curious about the world and pursue answers to my curiosities.
