John has a background as a storyteller with screenwriting, filmmaking, and journalism. He graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from CSU, Long Beach, where he founded the student chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. In 2021, John joined the Americorp Fellowships program Public Allies and served as a Communications Associate with Inclusive Action for the City. After graduating from Public Allies, he founded Artivists United, an organization that creates film/video, events, and programming that merges art and activism. John is currently set to graduate from USC in May with a Master’s in Specialized Journalism and will be continuing his studies at USC as he pursues an MFA in Screenwriting from the School of Cinematic Arts. He’s excited to contribute his storytelling skills to advancing the mission of T.R.U.S.T. South LA.

Arlon joined T.R.U.S.T. South LA in 2019.  She has 11 years experience as an Executive Assistant to the CIO in one of the largest banks in the Philippines.  She has a degree in Business Management.  She is part of the team that handles the day to day operation of T.R.U.S.T. office, providing clerical support, updating member files, social media and website management.

Aishah (she/they) was border town raised with the privilege of growing up between Tijuana, B.C., and San Ysidro, CA. Their experience as a fronteriza led Aishah to dedicate their time and service to understanding health as a social effect, health as an institution, and abolition as a process of regeneration towards community-led systems change. While receiving her B.A. in Public Health with a minor in Public Policy at UC Berkeley, they served local community-based organizations centered on Environmental Justice coordinating service events and developing an EJ curriculum for UC Berkeley students that centers narratives and efforts toward systems change by impacted communities and away from the academy. After graduating, Aishah served capacity-building initiatives for community-based organizations, and initiatives to influence public health departments, and philanthropic institutions to uplift grassroots efforts for health equity. While pursuing her dual Master’s in Social Welfare and Public Policy at UCLA, Aishah developed skills in developing therapeutic relationships as they counseled high school students through the COVID-19 pandemic and supported incarcerated men completing their community-based treatment programs toward a housing placement. Aishah is now an associate project manager with T.R.U.S.T. South LA supporting preservation and small-scale development initiatives to stabilize South LA neighborhoods and its residents by expanding access to quality permanently affordable housing and shared ownership models.

Gabriela Nunez was born and raised in South Los Angeles. She has been volunteering weekly at T.R.U.S.T. South LA since summer 2017. At T.R.U.S.T. South LA, Gabriela has been involved in projects like the “Welcome to Our Neighborhood Dream” Slauson & Wall community event and their resident-led Sustainable and Stable Slauson plan. In addition, she has worked in T.R.U.S.T.’s office; organizing files, drafting and publishing bilingual social media posts, drafting letters, and assisting with many other clerical needs. She is earning her Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Los Ángeles, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Chicana/o Latina/o Studies.

Jessica was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. Inspired by hearing her father’s experiences growing up in South Central as an immigrant during the crack-cocaine epidemic, she pursued her BA in Politics from the University of San Francisco. After graduating, she began her professional career as an organizer in South Central LA organizing around criminal justice policies, policies in education involving equitable funding, and gun reform. She’s worked towards building thriving and sustainable communities, rooted in justice and equity through systems change work, by implementing a community school model in LAUSD schools and coordinating the South Los Angeles Building Healthy Communities collaborative while enrolled in UCLA’s Masters in Urban and Regional Planning Program. She graduates in June 2022 and looks forward to working with TRUST South LA as their Director of Policy to combat displacement, develop innovative strategies to create community-controlled development, and build power among residents in South LA.

Rashad Douglass is a dedicated political science scholar with a passion for progressive politics, housing/transit advocacy, and community organizing. Receiving his B.A. in Political Science & Government at Dickinson College, where he graduated magna cum laude, Rashad has distinguished himself through his academic excellence and commitment to social justice. Born and raised in South LA, Rashad’s experience growing up in a predominantly Black and Brown community and being raised in a single-parent household informs the community-centered and socially conscious work he does now. He enhanced his global perspective through a prestigious study abroad program at the University of Oxford, where he focused on Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. Rashad has extensive experience in organizing and coordinating campaigns aimed at increasing voter turnout, advocating for affordable housing, and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. His roles have included serving as a Voter Engagement Coordinator at Dickinson Votes and as a Community Organizer with the Dolores Huerta Foundation in Los Angeles. He has also interned with T.R.U.S.T. South LA, contributing to policy research on housing advocacy and facilitating community engagement events. Throughout his career, Rashad has led and participated in multiple projects focused on racial justice, food insecurity, and environmental sustainability while pursuing personal interests in transportation and housing policy, environmental justice, and urban planning. In addition to his professional experience, Rashad has earned numerous honors, including the Howard Lane Rubendall Senior Scholarship and the Posse Foundation Full-Tuition Scholarship, a leadership and career development program that focuses on supporting students of color in historically disadvantaged communities through college and beyond. He is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa and has actively contributed to organizations such as the President’s Commission on Environmental Sustainability and the Black Student Union (now the Afro-Diasporic & Cultural Collective), where he served as treasurer. With a unique blend of policy knowledge, leadership skills, and a commitment to community empowerment, Rashad continues to advocate for equitable social change.

Suairis Hernandez serves as T.R.U.S.T. South LA’s Housing & Real Estate Steward. She brings a solid background in real estate development, housing justice, and community engagement, which mixes with a proven ability to lead impactful projects and secure funding. As the founding Executive Director of a sister CLT, she led housing and economic resilience initiatives, raised over $4M in grants and assets and built strong community partnerships. She is experienced in asset management, overseeing multi-family properties, managing tenant relations, and working with government agencies, community groups, and funders. Her past roles involved managing asset portfolios, guiding development project projections, and ensuring compliance. With organized women of color, she developed the fundamental framework and approaches that guide her work, strengthened her leadership, and engrained a commitment to social, housing, environmental and economic justice.

Neyda Quintanilla was born and raised in South Los Angeles, having experienced racial and social injustice growing up influenced her decision to follow a career in politics and law. The housing crisis of 2010 personally impacted her life, which led to her volunteering with the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), where she learned about the speculative housing market, and the effects of predatory lending and banking. During her time at ACCE, she participated in direct action organizing strategies that helped bring attention to the housing crisis and inequality experienced by South Los Angeles residents.

In 2012, Ms. Quintanilla earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from California State University, Northridge. Ultimately in 2016, her focus on law led her to obtain a Paralegal Studies Certificate. She brings a diverse background and experience that led her to become an Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Manager at T.R.U.S.T South LA. Ms. Quintanilla and her ERAP teammates have helped award 6 million dollars to South LA tenants impacted by Covid-19. In addition, she has helped community members access and navigate legal resources to address illegal evictions as well as other local resources. Ms. Quintanilla is invested in seeing South Los Angeles residents thrive to reach self-determination.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones at concerts, amusement parks and exploring new places that Los Angeles offers.