Meet the Team

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Our team works hard to bring BHMI’s initiatives to life.

Staff

  • My life is my work and I am proud to serve my community to improve the lives of all residents of Santa Cruz County. Black Health Matters Initiative (SCCBHMI) was born out of the response to the murder of Mr. George Floyd and the Santa Cruz Black community convening with one another to take action. Through partnerships across the county with multigenerational and multi-focused Black leadership, SCCBHMI embarked upon and mobilized a community initiative that promotes equity through a network of community trust, advocacy, and collaboration to improve the quality of life for Black residents in Santa Cruz County.

    Dismantling systemic racism and the frameworks they hold requires a multidimensional approach through trust, partnership, transparency, and equalizing all voices at the table to develop new frameworks. SCCBHMI believes in the power of cultural placemaking and the arts at the center to achieve this.”

  • Luna HighJohn-Bey is the project lead, lead researcher, and inspiration behind the London Nelson Legacy Initiative. Luna earned her BA in sociology with a minor in philosophy from The New School, followed by an AA in business administration from DeAnza College. Following in the footsteps of her grandmother who was the first Black Woman Park Ranger, she worked for the National Park Service as a tour leader at the African Burial Grounds in New York City. She comes from a long line of family genealogists experienced in researching family histories. Luna founded and directs the Santa Cruz Equity Project, an organization devoted to the holistic support of Black residents in Santa Cruz County, and was part of the renaming committee for the London Nelson Community Center. She currently serves as lead curator for Santa Cruz County Black Health Matters Initiative, which is underwriting some of the research for this project, as well as historian in residence at the MAH. Recognizing that many people of African descent were disenfranchised from their spiritual traditions and laid to rest without proper funerary practice, Luna also serves as an African American healer and spiritualist within the community.

  • Angela Chambers, an Oakland native, is now a long time resident of Santa Cruz County where she has established her role as a deeply rooted community leader, fundraiser and program manager, fierce youth empowerment advocate, and dynamic dance artist.  

    As a dance artist, Angela performs, curates, and produces in Santa Cruz and throughout the Bay Area. She spends most of the season as a lead teacher at the Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center. She is also a seasonal teacher at Motion Pacific and a guest artist/choreographer at local universities, festivals, and productions.  

    When not dancing, Angela is Director of Community Engagement at the Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center—the only Black, female-led nonprofit dance arts organization in the county—where she focuses on the development and commitment to their mission of access, equity, and excellence, leading their fundraising efforts and community partnerships and activation. She is a Youth Protection Advocates in Dance certified health and wellness teacher and pursues her passion for elevating and supporting youth development and community activation as a mentor and coach for young dancers and as the director of the SCC Black Health Matters Initiative Youth Ambassador program. She is also the Program Manager for the the award-winning Initiative that works to promote health and equity through a network of community trust, advocacy, and collaboration to improve the quality of life for Black residents in Santa Cruz County.and serves on the advisory panel. 

    Angela is a current member of the Community Foundation Santa Cruz Rise Together cohort, an intercultural coalition of 32 members, led by People of Color and working collaboratively to advance racial equity in Santa Cruz County. She also serves as an advisor for the Tannery Arts Campus advisory committee and as a producer and centered leadership for the BBQueer (Black, Brown, and Queer Arts) Festival.

  • Alli Wilson is originally from Arizona, but has been a Santa Cruz resident for the past decade. She recently received her Master’s of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling and is working towards licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is currently a Mental Health Clinician at a local non-profit agency, serving children, adolescents, and families from mostly marginalized communities. Alli first discovered the Black Health Matters Initiative in 2020 after years of seeking connection and community with other Black people in Santa Cruz.

    Inspired by BHMI’s mission and events, she has been a long time volunteer and participant in the community. Upon licensure, she hopes to give back to the local Black community with affordable, quality Mental Health care services.

Advisory Board

  • “I stand for dignity, compassion, integrity, and justice – these values are woven throughout the Black Health Matters initiative and it’s where I can lend my heart and thought leadership to progress the Black Community in Santa Cruz County. Black Health is education, financial stability, community engagement, natural environment and well-being. These are the building blocks of a quality of life that I am determined will be a quality of life shared by all.”

    Keisha Browder is the Chief Executive Officer with United Way of Santa Cruz County – she is the first African American and person of color to serve as CEO in the United Way’s 80-year history in Santa Cruz County. She leads multiple county-wide initiatives addressing issues ranging from academic success to youth violence prevention and criminal justice reform. This work led to Santa Cruz County being selected as the 2013 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize Winners for their collective impact approach to equity, justice, and well-being.

    Keisha also leads the robust tracking of well-being with the Santa Cruz County Community Assessment Project (CAP), the nation’s longest-serving collection, assessment, and utilization of community data that includes the voice of the residents

  • “I am where I am today because of the opportunities afforded to me when I was younger. Today, I see that same struggle in our local youth, and it is my goal to help open as many doors for them as possible, so they too can have an opportunity to change the course of their own lives. And it all starts with making sure their fundamental basic needs of health and wellbeing are being met.”

    DeAndre’ James is the Executive Director for the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley since February of 2019. Before coming to CHT, he was the Chief Operating Officer at San Mateo Medical Center and the Executive Director of Dignity Health Medical Group – Dominican. DeAndre’ has always held a passion for serving the underserved, exemplified through his various roles over 20+ years in the healthcare sector. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management from Southern Illinois University and a Master’s in Health System Management from Rush University.

    DeAndre’ is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Health Improvement Partnership Council, and the Board of Directors for the United Way of Santa Cruz.

  • " In creating a healthy and innovative culture it is essential to start with one's individual health. Black Health Matters is creating and nourishing ecosystems of Black Joy, Black excellence, Black creativity and black health in Santa Cruz County. I am honored to be part of the many ecosystems that are being formed in this community. I am also excited to be part of creating a more racially, and culturally diverse community on the foundation of health and wellness. I am proud to be an advisor for Black Health Matters initiative."

    Thomas Sage Pedersen is an American podcast host, Cultural Strategist, Thought leader and author. He is best known for his podcast and social media platform Speak For Change podcast, which broadcasts from Santa Cruz California and has produced more than 100 episodes around a variety of topics with a variety of social leaders in our local and global communities.

    He also is the owner of Everyone's Music School which is an award winning music school in Santa Cruz California and he co founded the black men's group The Black Kings of Santa Cruz County, which has already shifted the cultural fabric of Santa Cruz County by uplifting and connecting the black men of Santa Cruz County.

    The Black Health Matters Initiative has opened the door to a new narrative. As a native New Yorker and someone who was unfamiliar with nature and organic foods, and someone whose partner has a great love for yoga and nature, the door for me was beginning to open slightly to these health and wholeness modalities that I did not see black people at. BUT that narrative is now changing. The fears are beginning to dissolve. The “No we can’ts” are now “Yes we cans!” The “Whys?” are now the “Why nots!” The impossible to possible. Places at the table are being set for the black community. The Black Health Matters Initiative has sparked the levelling of the playing field for all of us to stand in. I am honored to be a part of this team to not only keep the door open but to elevate, celebrate, invite, educate, mentor, affirm, and welcome the black community to embrace the spaces and wellness that are our birthright!! Getting the playing field as level as possible in Santa Cruz County is something I am passionate about.

  • Joy Flynn organized the first peaceful action in response to the public execution of George Floyd in an effort to uplift and bring visibility to the siloed Black community, raise awareness about our experience and need for change in Santa Cruz. As a result of her action Joy worked with former Mayor now County Supervisor Justin Cummings and former SC Police Chief Andy Mills on police policy change around accountability, use of technology, use of force to name a few. She worked with the city of Watsonville on police reform and with the city of Capitola on uncovering bias, and as community advisor for the county’s Criminal Justice Council. Joy has worked on other initiatives such as health inequalities, working with other members of the Black community and with former Supervisor John Leopold to have racism declared a public health crisis. In response Supervisor Leopold created the CARESJ (commission on Anti-Racism, Equity & Social Justice) where Joy was appointed and still serves today. Joy has been recognized both locally and nationally for her work. In 2021 Joy received the Officer Jim Howes award for outstanding service to the City of Santa Cruz and was recognized nationally after winning our regional Jefferson Award.

    Now board emeritus for second harvest food bank, Joy is passionate about addressing issues around poverty, food access inequalities. Joy currently serves as an advisor for BHMI (Black Health Matters Initiative) and is a member of the board of directors for PCS (Pacific Collegiate School) where she helps to bring an equity lens and works on the Diversity Committee. As a single mother Joy loves raising her two teen-aged children in the same area she was raised. Joy is honored to build and serve her community and help make it a safe and thriving place to live, work and play.

  • Micha Scott has performed on stages around the world as a 13-year senior member with the renowned Garth Fagan Dance. While in the company she performed leading roles in many of Mr. Fagan’s works, including ‘From Before’, ‘Collage For Romie’, 'Transition/Translation' and the seminal collaboration with trumpeter / composer Wynton Marsalis, ‘Griot New York’.

    Ms. Scott is deeply involved in the dance community in Santa Cruz, CA, particularly as an advocate for the Black youth dance community. As Executive and Artistic Director at Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center (TWDCC), she highlights the artistic traditions passed on to her by Garth Fagan, including not only the technical and performance aspects of dance, but also incorporating traditions from the Black American experience through music, discussions around race, advocacy and the arts. She is an instructor at Dancenter in Capitola, serves on the Advisory Board of the SCC Black Health Matters Initiative, and on the Arts Council Santa Cruz grants panel.

    “For generations Black people in America have been oppressed by the society in which we exist, seen as second class citizens. We have created communities for ourselves where we uplift, heal and strengthen each other. The Black Health Matters Initiative is a place of upliftment for our Black community here in Santa Cruz. By offering community events and a network for Black and POC to share experiences, information and resources, BHMI is a vital organization and resource for Santa Cruz County.”

  • “Black Health Matters! I am excited to partner with TWDCC and others on the Black Health Matters initiative. Covid-19 has highlighted what has been known for years -- inequalities in healthcare exist in the Black community. A first step to combating these inequalities is to provide our Black community members with a holistic approach to good health, which is a goal of the BHM initiative. Being a part of the movement to improve health equity in our county is inspiring.“

    Brenda Griffin is the current President of the NAACP Santa Cruz County Branch. The mission of the NAACP is to secure the political, economic, educational and social equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. Brenda is also a Board Member of the Santa Cruz Chapter of the ACLU of Northern California, Community Bridges and a member of the County's newly formed Commission on Anti-Racism, Equity and Social Justice.

    Brenda is a co-founder of the Santa Cruz County Black Coalition on Racial Equity and Social Justice and the Racial Equity Trainers Network of Santa Cruz County. The Network consists of local activists working mostly in nonprofit organizations on race, equity and diversity issues. The Network responded to racists events in the county; provided anti-racism education to the community through book circles, and looks to reform anti-racist policies.

  • Esabella Bonner is a long-time Santa Cruz resident, entrepreneur, and visionary working to help bridge our local community. She has been active in making changes in our community by increasing awareness, amplifying Black & POC voices, exposing implicit bias, and working collaboratively with community leaders. Bella co-founded Blended Bridge, a local collective that aims to help connect the community through education, community engagement and service in an attempt to “Bridge our Differences”. She is also the sole founder of Black Surf Club Santa Cruz which aims to promote both physical and spiritual wellness through surf and community for our Black and POC residents.

    “As a long-time community member of Santa Cruz, I have oftentimes longed for more welcoming outdoor community spaces. The Black Health Matters Initiative aims to drive awareness towards the varying social determinants of health that are having a disproportionate effect on our Black Community here in Santa Cruz. Some of these determinants include access to outdoor spaces, healthcare, cost of equipment, and even as far as feeling welcomed and included in these spaces. This initiative is special because it is being led by our community and aims to highlight and bring tangible and meaningful change to Black residents here in Santa Cruz County.”

  • As a BHM Advisor representing Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks, I support the efforts of the BHMI in providing virtual and in-person outdoor programming opportunities for the Black community of the county. Through CPF funding, I help to ensure that activities stress the importance of using COVID compliant best practices and are focused on mental and physical health and wellness of our community. My primary role is as Parks

    Specialist, sourcing outdoor spaces appropriate for activities, assist in park logistics of outdoor program implementation, acquiring program materials and provide staff support, and lead activities on occasion.

    My greatest concern is having a disconnected community: not in touch and not knowing one another. With such a small population in Santa Cruz County, the Black community should have a greater connection and support system, which would, in turn, naturally improve overall health & wellness as historically we thrive with togetherness. The BHM Initiative bridges the gaps, bringing together community leaders and partners to share efforts in reaching and teaching our families to be healthier and seek outdoor play and fun in nature. Going back to basics, connections start on the playground as children and nature fills the spirit and soul, so I hope to keep this philosophy in BHM Initiative work.

  • Elaine Johnson recently launched the new Santa Cruz County Neighborhood Courts Program– a pre-filing diversion program of the Santa Cruz District Attorney’s Office. The program is designed to keep people from entering the Criminal Justice System as well as reducing re-offenses. The program stands on the foundation of restorative justice principles. Elaine earned her Juris Doctorate from Monterey College of Law in 2015. She is especially focused on mediation, juvenile dependency and making a difference for underrepresented groups in all of Santa Cruz County

    ​Elaine currently serves as the first black president of Women Lawyers of Santa Cruz County. She has served on the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s advisory board, was recently added to the Santa Cruz PD Advisory team, serves on the Executive Committee of the local branch of the NAACP, and is a Steering Committee member of the Santa Cruz County Black Coalition. She is passionate about supporting the entire Santa Cruz County community in collaboration with community partners to bring about a safe and healthy environment for the black community.

  • Cheryl M. Williams, one of the founding members of the SCC Black Coalition for Justice and Racial Equity, is a 40 year resident of Santa Cruz County. She has recently retired from County government and couldn't be more proud to serve her community in creating more equitable opportunities for members of the Black Community. Of the BHM Initiative she has this to say, "I've lived through only one other historical moment such as this and am so proud to lend my lived experience in utilizing the SDofH (social determinants of health) to advocate for equitable changes for the entire SCC.

    “This moment in US history of racial and social reckoning has only happened one other time in my life. I couldn't be more excited as this is a pivotal point in my life and that of the nation. Especially since racism is now being declared a public health crisis (yes we've always known this fact) coupled with the fact that racism is intertwined in all components of the social determinants of health, as well as, the knowledge of how this intersectionality negatively impacts the BIPOC communities, it's an honor to be on the advisory board of the Black Health Matters Initiative project to advocate for change here in Santa Cruz”