Lorna Avila is an environmental justice planner who was born and raised in Calexico, California. She graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Environmental Science and a concentration in Environmental Systems and Society in 2022. During her undergraduate career at UCLA, she was the founder and president of ROOTS, a student-led environmental justice organization. Through this experience, she learned very meaningful skills such as community organizing and strategizing. She also learned the importance of having environmental justice conversations with individuals in order to raise awareness about issues such as green gentrification, park equity, etc.

Lorna hopes to take all the skills and strategies that she has learned and implement them back at her hometown as well. She believes in cultivating a harmonious relationship between individuals and their environment. In her free time, she loves going on hikes and exploring new coffee shops throughout the city.

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.

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.

Since coming to the organization in 2014, I’ve participated and supported TRUST’s events, programs, and staff. I think this work around land and housing is the most important work I could do as a Leader, and I am very happy to be an active member of TRUST South LA. I feel the most proud when I am inviting new community members to our organization, leading and helping facilitate our meetings and events, and giving input on our programs and work. I’m very proud to represent TRUST South LA in all spaces I am a part of.

Ms. McNeill has been involved in community building work for over twenty years, working with community-based organizations and coalitions, which have each approached the problem of wealth and resource inequality through a range of strategies.

As principal of Sandra McNeill Consulting, Ms. McNeill is committed to enhancing the capacity of non-profit organizations and community-based initiatives by offering her experience, skills and services in policy and program development, community education and technical capacity-building, and strategic planning for organizations and campaigns.  From 2007 to 2017, Ms. McNeill served as the Executive Director of T.R.U.S.T. South LA (Tenemos que Reclamar y Unidos Salvar la Tierra-South LA). Her previous work also includes co-founding Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE), an economic justice organizing group, and coordinating the Figueroa Corridor Coalition for Economic Justice (predecessor to UNIDAD) and the Share the Wealth coalition

Ms. McNeill holds a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, with a concentration in Community Economic Development, from University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA); and currently instructs the Community Collaborative program at UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs. She also holds a Bachelor of the Arts in Political Science, with a minor in Spanish Language and Literature, from Williams College in Massachusetts.

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.

Shakeara Mingo is a Grant and Fund development professional who grew up in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Shakeara has been writing and managing Grants for 3 years and has secured 2 million dollars for BIPOC led nonprofits, For-profits, and grassroots organizations. Shakeara has been servicing low-income and minority communities for over 11 years. Shakeara began her early career working as a  Case Manager. She helped families who were experiencing homelessness obtain permanent supportive housing. She also helped people on government assistance obtain employment. Shakeara is known for her Community Organizing. She has organized numerous direct actions around canceling rent for people who have lost wages due to COVID-19. Shakeara currently holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland College Park. Shakeara also completed graduate coursework in Urban Planning at Georgetown University.

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. Ms. Quintanilla has professional experience as an Immigration Paralegal and retail manager.

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 2.5 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. 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.