Places I've learned and degrees earned
BA Urban Development and Sociology Social Inequalities Specialization - Graduated: 2002
I designed a coursework schedule for a Urban development degree that included courses in the history of urban form, urban anthropology, urban social movements, the environment and equality, urban inequality and conflict, socio-cultural issues in planning, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Read Full Course Plan
Masters in Urban Planning: Environmental Analysis & Policy Specialization - Graduated: 2011
Two influential reports:
“Zero Waste at UCLA: Is it possible?” a unique document that contains an extensive literature review and report, including several recommendations that will assist UCLA reach its Zero Waste goal, reflecting the state of research, policy, and practice of waste management in the United States and more specifically college campuses.
"International Hazardous Waste Trade" which describes the dangers of the global waste trade, focusing in on how there are hidden human costs to many developing nations who take the hazardous waste of the developed world.
Traditional Work History
Co-Founder / San Francisco, CA / 2013 - Current
As co-founder of Bicis Del Pueblo I have been part of the complete build of the project. Bicis Del Pueblo is a community-based bike project that works towards providing low-income youth and families in the Excelsior District with the knowledge, tools and resources to incorporate bicycle into their everyday lives. I am a bike mechanic who has developed our curriculum, website, social media presence, program design, organizational structure, advisory committee, and project management. We have had tremendous outcomes and continue to plan to expand our efforts and reach more underserved communities in San Francisco.
Founder / San Francisco, CA / March 2015 - Current
Conceived, designed, and built Mapping the Bay Area. This site is intended to be the dribble of mapping projects. A place for mappers to share their projects and use their talents to have a further reach of influence. Too often maps are created for a limited audience, a class, a policy project, a presentation, a conference, a book, or a community meeting and is never made available for the wider public. I made this site to enhance the potential of the mapping community.
Research Associate / Oakland, CA / 2013 - 2015
• Co-Author of the Eden Area Community Profile Report. Oversaw the creation of the environmental, housing, crime, and health sections.
• Developed the Oakland Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative (OSNI) Maps
• Oversaw the data analysis for the programing for Opportunity Youth/Transition Youth ("youth in transition," "transition age youth," "youth aging out") on pathways to stabilization, education, and job training and placement.
• Created a new method of interactive data visualization mapping to present the concentrations of those receiving governmental benefits in the City of Oakland.
• Developed an immersive map for the Oakland Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative (OSNI)Full Map
• Created a tool for low-income individuals and families to find the closest free income tax preparation site from the VITA/EITC program.
• Created a interactive web map and report that makes it easier for EBT clients to find the closest location that accepts EBT benefits without changing a fee.
• Updated the Boys and Men of Color fact sheet, which included data on workforce engagement, involvement in the criminal justice system, and community and family health.
• Completed a minimum wage study identifying and comparing city and county programs to the City of Oakland
Volunteer / Chicago, IL / 2012
This experience planted the seed for my current efforts in building the foundation for Bicis Del Pueblo. I worked as a bicycle mechanic and instructed underserved neighborhood youth (9-16 years old) on the mechanical skills necessary to build and repair bicycles. There was a powerful message in experiencing the power that a safe place to repair bicycles can have on youth from different back grounds.
Teaching Assistant Intro to GIS / Los Angeles, CA / 2009 - 2011
As the teaching assistant for the Into to GIS course I was in charge of updating and designing the curriculum. I also was responsible for delivering class lectures and guiding the lab assignments using mapping to conduct analysis.
I leveraged my knowledge of social issues, programs, data resources, and statistical analysis of various planning issues to teach, supply technical support and assistance, and critique the student projects on environmental issues, barriers to homeownership, and affordable housing development.
In addition I taught GIS to Los Angeles teachers interested in geographic inequities. I supplied them the technical knowledge and resources about GIS and assisted them in designing a curriculum that could be used in the high school classroom that emphasized the the importance of making maps personal and clear for the intended audience.
America Counts Tutor / Los Angeles, CA / September 2009 - June 2010
I got to tutor and mentor 6th, 7th, & 8th grade students in math in the classroom and after school. For me efforts I was awarded BruinCorps Member of the Year for most accomplished corps member of 2009
Municipal Development Volunteer / Camasca, Intibucá / February 2003 - August 2005
It is difficult to fully capture the depth and variety of experiences of the Peace Corps, but to summarize the traditional work; I conducted independent research and developed a step-by-step manual, in Spanish, on how to use GIS and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies to improve the management of local statistical, physical, and geographic data. I trained the extension workers of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in how to use mapping to assist their effort to improve agricultural yields in rural Honduras
Most of my time went to working on designing and presenting citizen participation charrettes to more than 300 community members and training extension workers, high school students, and teachers how to give the workshop.
Lastly, I took the challenge of using my planning knowledge to teach local teachers and students how to create, manage, monitor, budget, and evaluate development projects.