Master Mariano Silva

Master Mariano Silva brings over two decades of experience into his work as a teacher, performer, artistic director, and community leader. Master Silva was born in the birthplace of Afro-Brazilian cultural arts, Salvador, Bahia. He began training as a youth and founded his own academy in Salvador in his early twenties. Upon arriving in the United States, Master Silva continued his legacy of providing a comprehensive cultural experience, founding the Brazilian Cultural Arts Center of Santa Barbara.

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Jordan Killebrew | Co-Founder Juneteenth SB

Jordan Killebrew is a cofounder of Juneteenth Santa Barbara and wears many different hats within the community. He is a community organizer that has an abnormal love of the community, especially in Santa Barbara. His day job is at the Santa Barbara Foundations while his free time is spent volunteering with local nonprofits. He is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, and he revels in the pride of being a Gaucho alum. Learn more about him at jordankillebrew.com.

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Dr. Azure Stewart

Dr. Azure Stewart, is an educator with a big heart who spills her love and joy of the Black community through mentoring and her teaching and healing through yoga.

We are grateful that she has offered meditation and yoga as it is incredibly important for us to nourish our bodies in this time. Dr. Stewart can be reached at azurestewart@gmail.com or (805) 316-0448.

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Launch Student Success

LaDonte King is a southern CA native and 2001 alum of UC Santa Barbara, where he was an active student-leader in various student organizations and a 3-year letterman on the UCSB Men’s Basketball Team. With over 15 years of experience as a collegiate students affairs professional, LaDonte has developed a keen and thoughtful passion for coaching college-aged students to academic success. Outside of helping students to achieve their goals, LaDonte also enjoys music, being the best uncle to his nieces and nephews, and golfing. La Donte is the Vice President of Academic Support at Launch Student Success. Learn more about his work at Launch Student Success.

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Buggie Bear's Big Idea | Children's Book Reading

AAC // Aaron A. Carey is a children's book author, illustrator and artist. Aaron was born and raised in the heart of Silicon Valley; he is a proud graduate of Fremont High School and UC Santa Barbara. After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 22, he aspires to arm as many people as possible with will-power, perseverance and self-determination. Aaron has always been a huge supporter of education, art, music and teaching today's youth the importance of acceptance, tolerance and believing in ones self. Buggie Bear's Big Idea is the first book in the Buggie Everest Bear series, packed with affirmations for children of all ages. Learn more about the creator.

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Rita Madlock | Monkeytails Intelligent Fitness

For over 20 years, Rita Madlock has been a fitness instructor, presenter, developer, and manager. She is a graduate of Bay View High School of the Performing Arts, and of the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. In addition to founding Equinox Centre, Brookfield, WI and Santa Barbara’s Monkeytail Intelligent Exercise, Rita has taught her unique exercise program internationally. Learn more at monkeytailintelligentexercise.com.

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Martin Luther King Jr. Committee

Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara, fosters positive relationships between the many diverse groups in the Santa Barbara Community and the surrounding areas; and sponsors programs and events which exemplify the teachings of Dr. King; and to observe, and celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.” mlksb.org.

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Alumni Association Pacifica Graduate Institute

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend in January of 2020, Diane Travis-Teague the Director of Alumni Relations at Pacifica Graduate Institute brought together alumni and community members for their Coming Home to Pacifica Event themed on “The Stories We Tell”. Lito Hernandez and Darius Simpsons were performers and delighted the crowd with their art. Learn more about Pacifica Graduate Institute, Lito Hernandez, and Darius Simpson.

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Dominic King

Dominic King, is a family support specialist at Kids and Families Together and UCSB alumni. He is currently finishing his doctorate in Depth Psychology and in partnership with Healing Justice Santa Barbara has been leading healing circles for Black Santa Barbara residents. Here he shares about the healing roots of African dance and step culture. Dominic can be reached at dominicking.imf86864@yahoo.com.

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Akivah Northern

Akivah Northern, is a certified Family Wellness Trainer and holds a Master in Divinity from Yale. Here she shares about her late husband, Babatunde Folalyemi, a fierce advocate for Santa Barbara youth and Santa Barbara city council member. Listen as she describes the pride and resilience of her Santa Barbara roots.

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Luther Richmond

Luther Richmond III, is an EOP counselor and also coordinates the Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP) and the American Indian Cultural Resource Center (AICRC) at UC Santa Barbara- class of 2007. He and his family have lived in Santa Barbara for three generations. Luther shares how his grandparents acquired land in Santa Barbara and built their family home.

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Black Rock Coalition - Let's Rock!

Thank you to Darrell and Sally McNeill, Santa Barbara locals who love music and helped plan the 2020 Black History Month Culture House with Black Rock Coalition. Darrell is the Director of Operations for the Black Rock Coalition.

Black Rock Coalition - The Black Rock Coalition, founded in 1985, is the nation’s only 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to championing the work by progressive/alternative artists of color whose work goes largely underrepresented by mainstream media outlets and the music industry. The BRC was co-founded by Vernon Reid, Greg Tate, and Konda Mason and is headquartered in New York City. Learn more at blackrockcoalition.org/.

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