Sakeenah S. El-Amin ★ Founder |
“Girls of color have everything that they need to become the women that will lead this country to a more balanced and just place—as educators, we just have to create the container. “ This is what motivates Sakeenah— working with young folks keeps her connected to her highest self.
Sakeenah started her journey in public interest law and realized quickly that legal remedies were not enough to effectuate substantive change. After graduating from law school, she turned to education and never looked back. Since then, she has had the privilege of teaching high school students the beautiful complexities of US history and leading several youth development programs. Sakeenah defines herself as an initiator; she saw the need for Girls Taking Up Space (GTUS) and created it. She is so grateful for all the people that have wrapped their arms and hearts around GTUS to bring it to light. When Sakeenah is not working with young folks, you can find her painting, spending time in the redwoods, running into large bodies of water, and writing short essays. |
Zavi Smith ★ Lead Instructor |
Zavi attended camp for the first time when she was ten years old. That one week made her feel more capable, confident, and connected than she had ever felt, and she knew that she wanted to do work that would help others feel the same. Zavi began her service career in elementary school, as a Kindergarten Mentor, Cafeteria Helper, and AAA School Safety Monitor. Now, she is an experiential educator who thrives on a mix of mentoring, facilitating, and project management. Zavi helps youth do their best, whether that means finishing a 10 mile hike, improving grades, or amplifying their voices.
She has 15 years’ of experience in youth service and programming. She's worked for The Mosaic Project, Naturebridge Yosemite, Radical Monarchs, and Girl Scouts of Greater LA. Zavi is from Southern California where she grew up reading, rollerblading, and going to concerts. Her passions include healing, living joyously, and liberation for all. In her free time you can find her making costumes, doing crossword puzzles, and (pre-covid) throwing eco-friendly parties in Oakland, California. |
Jewel Collins ★ Instructor |
Jewel is from the small state of Rhode Island, but has big dreams of supporting young girls of color to take up space in the world. “No matter where in the world you are, I want young girls of color everywhere to see themselves in a positive light and share that light with the world." Jewel has over 10 years of experience in direct service work related work, case management, event coordinating and serving as a mentor and a facilitator working with marginalized children and youth.
Jewel received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from The University of Rhode Island 2013, and has received her graduate degree in Human Services from Wilmington University 2019. In her free time Jewel loves listening to music and podcasts, dancing, and traveling! |
Sonia Montoya ★ Yoga Instructor |
Sonia Montoya (she/her/ella/they/their), is a movement teacher, educator, ancestral storyteller, and holistic self-healer based in the East Bay. She received her RYT 200hr certification in vinyasa yoga in the first graduating class from Community Rizing: People of Color Yoga Teacher Training with founders/yoga trainer Rolf Gates and meditation teacher/author, Spring Washam.
Her journey as a queer femme Chicana/Latinx teacher is to share the offerings of yogic healing in the body by reclaiming the roots of yoga to one's practice in liberating ourselves toward healing. Sonia returned to yoga through her holistic self-healing journey while in recovery with a chronic illness that threatened her life. She gives gratitude everyday to her yoga practice for saving her life by bringing her back home to her body temple, mind, and spirit. Sonia honors and creates courageous space for all to be seen and witnessed in their practice. She believes teachers are always students first. Sonia brings courage, radical compassion, and a conviction in treasuring the community with her wherever she goes. Her mission is to inspire liberation and embodiment in the body. Off the mat, Sonia is a change agent in higher education with 10+ years of experience in academic and student affairs. In her most recent role, she incorporated holistic wellness in student advising and facilitated self-care workshops/retreats for first-gen, low-income, and students with disabilities. Sonia received her graduate degree in Women's and Gender Studies from The University of Texas, Austin and her bachelor's degree in Public Relations from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications with a minor in Women's Studies from San José State University. She has two passion projects, becoming a storyteller as she is working on writing her first book manuscript on ancestral healing retelling the story of her family's contributions in Mexican American herstory; and second creative project is a personal blog about her healing journey along with other womxn of color warriors shared stories living and thriving with chronic illness. In her free time Sonia loves roller skating, vision boarding, oracle card readings, music, and exploring adventures in Mother Nature! |
Hân Ngô ★ Program Coordinator |
Hân (she/her and they/them) graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2019 with a B.A. in Politics (concentration in theory). Hân is interested in critical pedagogy and interdisciplinary curriculum. They believe that the classroom should ground itself in art, music, storytelling, and diaspora + anti-racist + de-colonial literature. Moreover, they think the outdoors is a vital space for healing and hopes to center the outdoors in their future work with students, especially with youth of color! Currently, Hân is pursuing a path in teaching. They are gaining meaningful experience working with Girls Taking Up Space and as a Resident Teacher at an all girls middle school.
Hân loves to lay out a big beautiful blanket on grassy fields or on sandy beaches to listen to music, eat yummy food, and dive into a book. At their more daring moments, they will pick up creative projects or embark on a backpacking trip. |