I’m a New York City social justice worker, educator, counselor, and program developer whose work is grounded in liberation sociology. I have over 20 years of experience working with organizations and institutions, and use a social justice framework for all my projects.
I’d love to work with you to create a more inclusive world. As educators and social service providers, we’re more than aware of how race, class and gender-based oppressions play out in our communities. But how might our own biases be affecting our work, and how we can dismantle them to improve our services?
In my workshops and trainings, we’ll work together to uncover how different oppressions are enacted and upheld. Then we’ll connect our work towards liberation – for ourselves, and for our constituencies. I facilitate difficult and important conversations about oppression and social justice, providing you and your colleagues with support and training. Your team will be empowered with the tools and strategies to build more inclusive communities, schools, and workplaces. Learn more about how we can work together and read what people are saying about my work.
My Story
Growing up as the child of immigrants from the Philippines, I worked hard to make sure that no one could accuse me of not being able to understand them. I’d listen intently, observing how people interacted. Who claimed their power and place, and who relinquished theirs? How did different people assert themselves, and what role did different spaces play?
Though I wasn’t conscious of it at the time, I was watching how oppression and privilege affected everyone around me, and how Asian immigrant families are set up to be agents of assimilation – a wedge that helps justify class- and race-based oppressions.
I earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Rutgers University-Newark and a master’s degree in social work from CUNY Hunter College. I began my social justice career as an organizer in the Filipino community, co-founding and directing the Jersey City-based youth leadership development non-profit Sumisibol.
Instead of being a wedge, I wanted to serve as a bridge. I broadened my definition of community to include other communities of color, working to address issues of racism and classism. I’ve built social justice projects for students and educators at multiple City University of New York campuses and consulted for organizations including the American Conference on Diversity and California State University, creating and leading workshops and trainings.
Based in New York City, I teach, facilitate, and work as a consultant both nationally and locally.