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Our Leadership Team
Our Leadership Team
Mike Taylor
Executive Director
Mike Taylor teaches spoken word to kids of all ages. He has performed on stages from San Francisco to London and he's led national poetry teams in competition. He founded the SPARC Poetry organization and continues to create workshops that connect to the youth from all walks of life.
Mike Taylor teaches spoken word to kids of all ages. He has performed on stages from San Francisco to London and he's led national poetry teams in competition. He founded the SPARC Poetry organization and continues to create workshops that connect to the youth from all walks of life.
Patrick Ohslund
Deputy Director
Patrick Ohslund has been a teaching artist and professional spoken word poet for over ten years. He has toured across the nation as well as internationally and has opened for renowned musical groups such as The Wailers. Patrick currently leads spoken word workshops for students ages five to 25, and is a lecturer at San Francisco State University.
Patrick Ohslund has been a teaching artist and professional spoken word poet for over ten years. He has toured across the nation as well as internationally and has opened for renowned musical groups such as The Wailers. Patrick currently leads spoken word workshops for students ages five to 25, and is a lecturer at San Francisco State University.
Jenna Robinson
Revisions Program Director
Our Board
Mandy Bynum
Board Secretary
Mandy Bynum is a multifaceted leader in social justice, philanthropy, private equity, and public policy. She's a General Partner at Bay Street Capital Holdings, an author, and a former CEO of BLCK VC, the largest Black VC investor network. With a background in corporate diversity and sales leadership at companies like Yelp and SurveyMonkey, Mandy now focuses on impact investing and serves on multiple nonprofit boards while also being an independent board director for series A companies
Mandy Bynum is a multifaceted leader in social justice, philanthropy, private equity, and public policy. She's a General Partner at Bay Street Capital Holdings, an author, and a former CEO of BLCK VC, the largest Black VC investor network. With a background in corporate diversity and sales leadership at companies like Yelp and SurveyMonkey, Mandy now focuses on impact investing and serves on multiple nonprofit boards while also being an independent board director for series A companies
Kiely Corti, M.S.
Board Member
Kiely Corti, M.S., she/her, is an advocate for inclusivity and belonging, who strives to build bridges that empower positive change for underrepresented communities. Currently, she is the Competitive Grants Manager at Oregon’s Apprenticeship and Training Division, where she oversees million-dollar state-wide workforce investments, that support the dismantling of systemic and structural barriers related to post-secondary education pathways. Kiely has over 15 years of non-profit experience that supports the advancement of programmatic development. Through strategic planning and expansion, she works directly with community organizations, like Bay Area Creative, to impact the lives of people served, that provide life-changing, holistic opportunities. When Kiely is not working with community organizations, she spends her time being with her family, traveling, gardening, and acting as a local Girl Scout Leader.
Kiely Corti, M.S., she/her, is an advocate for inclusivity and belonging, who strives to build bridges that empower positive change for underrepresented communities. Currently, she is the Competitive Grants Manager at Oregon’s Apprenticeship and Training Division, where she oversees million-dollar state-wide workforce investments, that support the dismantling of systemic and structural barriers related to post-secondary education pathways. Kiely has over 15 years of non-profit experience that supports the advancement of programmatic development. Through strategic planning and expansion, she works directly with community organizations, like Bay Area Creative, to impact the lives of people served, that provide life-changing, holistic opportunities. When Kiely is not working with community organizations, she spends her time being with her family, traveling, gardening, and acting as a local Girl Scout Leader.
Kelly Mendez Dimond
Board Member
Expert in client development strategy and strategic communications with 14+ years of experience at leading firms working on 700+ proposals from pre-proposal through final presentation for opportunities with Fortune 500 companies across a wide array of industries. I am a strategist and coach working with client service teams to create engaging client experiences to build relationships, demonstrate value, and differentiate in the market.
As a first-generation Latina college graduate from UCLA with a Bachelor’s degree in English, I have always had a deep passion for both reading and writing. From my family, culture, and the working world at large, I was told a degree in English would not lead to success, but I have personally experienced the power of language and built my career on harnessing creative and strategic communications. I have spent the last 14 years working for organizations such as Deloitte and McKinsey & Company coaching teams on and creating impactful client communications. From developing and facilitating Partner-level training on storytelling to leading change communications through transformation to coaching client development strategy and taking pen to creative assets for multimillion dollar proposals, I have a wide range of relevant skills. In terms of volunteer background, I have held associate board positions with two organizations, including one focused on literacy, and have experience in fundraising, event planning, and outreach communications.
Expert in client development strategy and strategic communications with 14+ years of experience at leading firms working on 700+ proposals from pre-proposal through final presentation for opportunities with Fortune 500 companies across a wide array of industries. I am a strategist and coach working with client service teams to create engaging client experiences to build relationships, demonstrate value, and differentiate in the market.
As a first-generation Latina college graduate from UCLA with a Bachelor’s degree in English, I have always had a deep passion for both reading and writing. From my family, culture, and the working world at large, I was told a degree in English would not lead to success, but I have personally experienced the power of language and built my career on harnessing creative and strategic communications. I have spent the last 14 years working for organizations such as Deloitte and McKinsey & Company coaching teams on and creating impactful client communications. From developing and facilitating Partner-level training on storytelling to leading change communications through transformation to coaching client development strategy and taking pen to creative assets for multimillion dollar proposals, I have a wide range of relevant skills. In terms of volunteer background, I have held associate board positions with two organizations, including one focused on literacy, and have experience in fundraising, event planning, and outreach communications.
Jamie Dewolf
Board Member
Darlene Mann
Board Member
Darlene joined the Bay Area Creative board in 2024 after retiring from a 40-year career in the tech
sector. Highlights across her career including serving as the first product planning manager for Lotus
Notes, the first broadly adopted collaboration platform; founding VP Marketing of BroadVision, an early
leader in eCommerce; General Partner at ONSET Ventures, investing in software and internet
businesses; CEO of Siperian, a big data company (acquired, NASDAQ: INFA); and COO of StreetLight Inc.,
a big data platform for mobility analytics (acquired, (NYSE: J). She has served on multiple corporate and
non-profit boards, including co-founding the Pacifica Education Foundation that supports the K-8
Pacifica School District. In addition to enjoying her family, cooking, reading, travel, and water sports,
Darlene is passionate about education, the arts, and supporting positive change locally and nationally.
Darlene joined the Bay Area Creative board in 2024 after retiring from a 40-year career in the tech
sector. Highlights across her career including serving as the first product planning manager for Lotus
Notes, the first broadly adopted collaboration platform; founding VP Marketing of BroadVision, an early
leader in eCommerce; General Partner at ONSET Ventures, investing in software and internet
businesses; CEO of Siperian, a big data company (acquired, NASDAQ: INFA); and COO of StreetLight Inc.,
a big data platform for mobility analytics (acquired, (NYSE: J). She has served on multiple corporate and
non-profit boards, including co-founding the Pacifica Education Foundation that supports the K-8
Pacifica School District. In addition to enjoying her family, cooking, reading, travel, and water sports,
Darlene is passionate about education, the arts, and supporting positive change locally and nationally.
Marcus Scott, Esq.
Board Legal Advisor
Marcus Scott was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California. Marcus earned his Bachelors of General Studies, in English, followed by a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology and Instructional Design from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Marcus came to New England to pursue his Juris Doctorate from Massachusetts School of Law with a concentration in Intellectual Property, and Media and Information Law. He then earned an LLM in Global Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law, from Suffolk University in Boston, MA. Marcus is Licensed in the State of Massachusetts and is focused on complex litigations, including focusing IP and Software matter, as well as Corporate and Domestic Litigation. Marcus’s practice experience includes the Federal District Court of Massachusetts as well as in the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals.
Marcus Scott was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California. Marcus earned his Bachelors of General Studies, in English, followed by a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology and Instructional Design from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Marcus came to New England to pursue his Juris Doctorate from Massachusetts School of Law with a concentration in Intellectual Property, and Media and Information Law. He then earned an LLM in Global Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law, from Suffolk University in Boston, MA. Marcus is Licensed in the State of Massachusetts and is focused on complex litigations, including focusing IP and Software matter, as well as Corporate and Domestic Litigation. Marcus’s practice experience includes the Federal District Court of Massachusetts as well as in the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals.
Kami Caroline Taylor
Board Member
I've spent the majority of my career in program management, design and delivery across multiple verticals for the public sector, corporates and SMEs, including blockchain, retail tech, sports tech and social enterprise.
I am passionate about making the world more inclusive for people of color and migrants, specifically in the workplace. I am a founding member of Together in the UK, a community interest group that promotes inclusion and well-being of migrants in the UK through storytelling and training.
I've spent the majority of my career in program management, design and delivery across multiple verticals for the public sector, corporates and SMEs, including blockchain, retail tech, sports tech and social enterprise.
I am passionate about making the world more inclusive for people of color and migrants, specifically in the workplace. I am a founding member of Together in the UK, a community interest group that promotes inclusion and well-being of migrants in the UK through storytelling and training.
Gloria Tse
Board Treasurer
Gloria Tse is dedicated and passionate about making a difference. Her outstanding communication skills, combined with a relentless commitment to her community, drive her success in business. With a strong background in leadership, consultative sales, and contract negotiation, Gloria strives to forge strategic partnerships and secure corporate sponsorships to support the vital work of nonprofits like Bay Area Creative. Her mission is to create a positive impact on the world through nonprofit work in her community. Gloria is a Bay Area native who likes to spend her downtime with her faithful pup and family; traveling, hiking, and biking.
Gloria Tse is dedicated and passionate about making a difference. Her outstanding communication skills, combined with a relentless commitment to her community, drive her success in business. With a strong background in leadership, consultative sales, and contract negotiation, Gloria strives to forge strategic partnerships and secure corporate sponsorships to support the vital work of nonprofits like Bay Area Creative. Her mission is to create a positive impact on the world through nonprofit work in her community. Gloria is a Bay Area native who likes to spend her downtime with her faithful pup and family; traveling, hiking, and biking.
Our Poetry Teaching Artists
Briana Leung
Teaching Artist Bio
Briana Victoria Leung is a 19 y/o Bay Area based queer non-binary Afro Asian Latinx storyteller and healer who has been writing, performing and competing in the local slam poetry scene for the last eight years. They are an artist and activist who often integrates these two identities into one as an “artivist” when exploring political and social issues through writing. Briana represented the Bay Area on an all BIPOC femme team during the 2018 Brave New Voice National Poetry Competition in Houston,Texas. Today they can be found working as a poet mentor teaching youth poetry workshops with Bay Area Creative's SPARC Poetry program, which is the same program that initially introduced Briana to poetry in elementary school.
Briana Victoria Leung is a 19 y/o Bay Area based queer non-binary Afro Asian Latinx storyteller and healer who has been writing, performing and competing in the local slam poetry scene for the last eight years. They are an artist and activist who often integrates these two identities into one as an “artivist” when exploring political and social issues through writing. Briana represented the Bay Area on an all BIPOC femme team during the 2018 Brave New Voice National Poetry Competition in Houston,Texas. Today they can be found working as a poet mentor teaching youth poetry workshops with Bay Area Creative's SPARC Poetry program, which is the same program that initially introduced Briana to poetry in elementary school.
Brianni Blue
Teaching Artist Bio
Brianni “Bri” Blue is a published author, spoken word artist and motivational speaker from Berkeley, CA. Bri’s passionate and emotionally-charged performances allow her to connect with audiences through empathy, relatability and inspiration. She was the Founder and Host of the weekly “Speak Easy” open mic series, and created the 'Unapologetically You' Awareness Campaign with a mission to uplift and empower women.
Brianni “Bri” Blue is a published author, spoken word artist and motivational speaker from Berkeley, CA. Bri’s passionate and emotionally-charged performances allow her to connect with audiences through empathy, relatability and inspiration. She was the Founder and Host of the weekly “Speak Easy” open mic series, and created the 'Unapologetically You' Awareness Campaign with a mission to uplift and empower women.
Camila Aguilar
Teaching Artist Bio
Camila Elizabet Aguirre Aguilar is a Xicana womxn, warrior, student, educator, and poet. Camila has slammed since the age of fourteen and competed in the 2017 National Poetry Slam on Team Oakland. For over a decade, she has workshopped performance poetry with underserved youth As a bisexual womxn of color, Camila explores the intersections of power and poetry. Camila currently teaches spoken word workshops in the East Bay
Camila Elizabet Aguirre Aguilar is a Xicana womxn, warrior, student, educator, and poet. Camila has slammed since the age of fourteen and competed in the 2017 National Poetry Slam on Team Oakland. For over a decade, she has workshopped performance poetry with underserved youth As a bisexual womxn of color, Camila explores the intersections of power and poetry. Camila currently teaches spoken word workshops in the East Bay
Elle Fardella
Eternity Echo James
Teaching Artist Bio
Eternity is an author, host, and spoken-word artist. She is a proud Haitian-American, neurodivergent, and eclectic performing artist. She is originally from Boston & relocated to the Bay Area from ATL. Eternity is the founder of Eternal Wellness Studios, which began in ATL. She is passionate about creating emotionally safe spaces for artists, children, neurospicy individuals, and any adult seeking meditation.
Eternity is an author, host, and spoken-word artist. She is a proud Haitian-American, neurodivergent, and eclectic performing artist. She is originally from Boston & relocated to the Bay Area from ATL. Eternity is the founder of Eternal Wellness Studios, which began in ATL. She is passionate about creating emotionally safe spaces for artists, children, neurospicy individuals, and any adult seeking meditation.
Jackson Mcbrayer
Teaching Artist Bio
Jordan Abronson
Teaching Artist Bio
Jordan Abronson is a twenty-seven year old bisexual Jewish poet from the mountains of Santa Cruz. His background is in both poetry and theater. He believes in knowing when to hold, knowing when to break, and knowing when to burn. To him poetry is the crack you drive between the walls that keep us apart, and we need this now more than ever. Currently, Jordan leads spoken word workshops for Pacifica youth.
Jordan Abronson is a twenty-seven year old bisexual Jewish poet from the mountains of Santa Cruz. His background is in both poetry and theater. He believes in knowing when to hold, knowing when to break, and knowing when to burn. To him poetry is the crack you drive between the walls that keep us apart, and we need this now more than ever. Currently, Jordan leads spoken word workshops for Pacifica youth.
PG Williams
Raimone "Ghost"
"Sixfootah The Poet"
Teaching Artist Bio
“Sixfootah ThePoet” Turner is an African American Oakland, CA native, and a lifelong Bay Area resident. Tasha’s poetry is a blend of passion, resilience and bold wordsmithing. On stage she aspires to use her talent and personal story to inspire young girls in her community to embrace their uniqueness and ignore negativity; reminding them that they are not alone in the world.
“Sixfootah ThePoet” Turner is an African American Oakland, CA native, and a lifelong Bay Area resident. Tasha’s poetry is a blend of passion, resilience and bold wordsmithing. On stage she aspires to use her talent and personal story to inspire young girls in her community to embrace their uniqueness and ignore negativity; reminding them that they are not alone in the world.
Tino Vazquez
Teaching Artist Bio
Tino V. H. Jr. is a Mexican-American spoken word poet and organizer born and raised in Oakland, CA. He has performed with the UCSC CUPSI slam team and the Legendary Collective in Santa Cruz. His work explores im/migration, indigeneity, the hood, queerness, feminism, and decolonial frameworks. Tino makes a huge impact in the classroom working with k-12 students teaching spoken word.
Tino V. H. Jr. is a Mexican-American spoken word poet and organizer born and raised in Oakland, CA. He has performed with the UCSC CUPSI slam team and the Legendary Collective in Santa Cruz. His work explores im/migration, indigeneity, the hood, queerness, feminism, and decolonial frameworks. Tino makes a huge impact in the classroom working with k-12 students teaching spoken word.
Vialsy "Esperanza"
Teaching Artist Bio
Esperanza Cabrales is a Xicana poet from the 209 that is proud to put the B in LGBT. She fell in love with poetry in 2013 and has been writing it ever since. Her work has been published in the 2021 edition of Havik: The Las Positas Journal of Arts and Literature and The Aesthetic Digital Magazine (where she was a former editor). She has a chapbook called "Can You See Her?" coming soon. Esperanza has performed throughout California from Stockton and Manteca to the bay and LA. She has featured at Las Positas College in Livermore and in Stockton at Hatch Workshop, a makerspace for local artists. Currently, she teaches spoken word to k-12 students in Bay Area Creative’s SPARC Poetry program.
Esperanza Cabrales is a Xicana poet from the 209 that is proud to put the B in LGBT. She fell in love with poetry in 2013 and has been writing it ever since. Her work has been published in the 2021 edition of Havik: The Las Positas Journal of Arts and Literature and The Aesthetic Digital Magazine (where she was a former editor). She has a chapbook called "Can You See Her?" coming soon. Esperanza has performed throughout California from Stockton and Manteca to the bay and LA. She has featured at Las Positas College in Livermore and in Stockton at Hatch Workshop, a makerspace for local artists. Currently, she teaches spoken word to k-12 students in Bay Area Creative’s SPARC Poetry program.
William Gross
Our Dance Teaching Artists
Ausean "Say" Wakefield
Arthur
Teaching Artist Bio
At a young age, you would always find him street showing in downtown SF but it was when his friend brought him into a dance crew that things changed forever. That dance group was Giggiology, now called UNKNOWN. The group sparked him to get more serious into dancing and he started battling and winning all styles jams and dance tournaments. He initially paid his own way to travel and battle across the US and Canada - Arizona, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Boston, Vancouver, etc. Over time, he built his career and started branching into the entertainment industry, working with Mikey Disco from Knuckle Neck Tribe. He worked with Sony, Men’s Warehouse, Trademark Inc, Soul’s of Mischief and, more recently, E-40, Kanye West, Schoolboy Q, and H.E.R. Dopey Fresh’s most iconic moment was being on YG’s “Big Bank” video where you’ll see him shaking his hair with a smile at the very beginning! Though, his greatest accomplishment was back in his hometown when he was the first Black Turf dancer to be featured on a billboard in SF.
You can find him today throwing dance battles as CEO of UNKNOWN CHAMBERS and with his dance group UNKNOWN. He is still teaching and has the fire of Turf dancing to keep him going.
At a young age, you would always find him street showing in downtown SF but it was when his friend brought him into a dance crew that things changed forever. That dance group was Giggiology, now called UNKNOWN. The group sparked him to get more serious into dancing and he started battling and winning all styles jams and dance tournaments. He initially paid his own way to travel and battle across the US and Canada - Arizona, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Boston, Vancouver, etc. Over time, he built his career and started branching into the entertainment industry, working with Mikey Disco from Knuckle Neck Tribe. He worked with Sony, Men’s Warehouse, Trademark Inc, Soul’s of Mischief and, more recently, E-40, Kanye West, Schoolboy Q, and H.E.R. Dopey Fresh’s most iconic moment was being on YG’s “Big Bank” video where you’ll see him shaking his hair with a smile at the very beginning! Though, his greatest accomplishment was back in his hometown when he was the first Black Turf dancer to be featured on a billboard in SF.
You can find him today throwing dance battles as CEO of UNKNOWN CHAMBERS and with his dance group UNKNOWN. He is still teaching and has the fire of Turf dancing to keep him going.
Aziza Thomas
Denzel Koozi
Jamar "Jammer"
Jarell Boyd
Katana Pop
Teaching Artist Bio
Katana is a Chicago born dance performance artist, battle dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist now residing in the Bay Area. Throughout her career, Katana has trained in all different styles from studio styles and then transitioning to street dance in her professional career. Although she has explored many styles in dance, she is heavily rooted in the style of popping, Egyptian bang tutting, and waving. Katana has battled in all over the country and has been in major competitions such as Redbull BC One, and Redbull Dance Your Style, qualifying and competing in the national finals in 2023. Since moving to the Bay Area, Katana has been heavily influenced by Turf dancing and culture (Bay Area created street dance style). She is a part of the Bay Area dance team called; It’s THEM which have been featured in music videos, stage performances, etc. Katana strives to share her deep knowledge of current hip hop dance culture and popping techniques with her students to help them grow their confidence and celebrate their own movement.
Katana is a Chicago born dance performance artist, battle dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist now residing in the Bay Area. Throughout her career, Katana has trained in all different styles from studio styles and then transitioning to street dance in her professional career. Although she has explored many styles in dance, she is heavily rooted in the style of popping, Egyptian bang tutting, and waving. Katana has battled in all over the country and has been in major competitions such as Redbull BC One, and Redbull Dance Your Style, qualifying and competing in the national finals in 2023. Since moving to the Bay Area, Katana has been heavily influenced by Turf dancing and culture (Bay Area created street dance style). She is a part of the Bay Area dance team called; It’s THEM which have been featured in music videos, stage performances, etc. Katana strives to share her deep knowledge of current hip hop dance culture and popping techniques with her students to help them grow their confidence and celebrate their own movement.
Tim McClain
Shaka Perdue