Is What Liberation Looks Like

Amelia Lopez-Helm (she/her) is the Interim Operations Manager for Be The Change Consulting, making sure the coordination of all we do happens in flow! She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Policy (2011) and Master’s Degree in Public Policy (2012) from Mills College, Oakland. Amelia previously worked in local and state government offices and non-profit organizations developing and using her skills in project management, systems development, and communications. Amelia’s specialty is attuning to client needs and synchronizing Be the Change systems to meet them. She lives in Oakland on Ohlone land.

In her 20 years working with young people, Aminta has been a Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership Instructor and Program Director. Aminta majored in Community Studies, has studied Recreational Program Design and is a Certified Self Defense Instructor. Her areas of expertise as a capacity builder include Cultural Competency, Health and Safety Awareness and Community Building. Aminta is an enthusiastic cheerleader for her coaching clients, listens attentively, pays attention to details and acts as a compassionate guide through even the most difficult transitions. Aminta has a black belt in Kung Fu, and when not working you can usually find her kicking and punching her way to a more peaceful world.

Ed Center has worked in education, non-profit, government, and philanthropy for over 25 years. The throughline in his career is his commitment to children and families of color. Ed is a master trainer and facilitator, specializing in program design, strategic planning, community-based research, leadership coaching, and meditating difficult conversations.

His core values in working with groups are unearthing competing truths, getting people to say the hard thing, and engaging the voices of those with less power. Ed is an alumnus of the Annie E Casey Children and Families Fellowship. He recently founded The Village Well, an organization that brings tools and healing to parents of color.

Kelsey Rogoff is a passionate youth advocate and educator. As a proud Xicana and product of Boyle Heights, she honors her roots by championing equitable access to opportunities for youth who mirror the identities of her former students. Her experience as a high school teacher in East Oakland and past work in various youth development programs informs her role with Be the Change Consulting. As Program Coordinator, Kelsey partners with colleagues to ensure BTC’s training are a positive and impactful experience for all participants. She received her BA in Political Science with a minor in Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Volunteerism from the University of Southern California and her MA in Urban Education from Loyola Marymount University. In her free time, Kelsey coaches CrossFit and enjoys throwing weight around in the gym.

Lauren Martinez has worn many hats in the field of education and youth development. They have specifically coached basketball for over five years for UCLA recreation department, taught chess in an after-school capacity, and now are currently working for Be the Change Consulting as their Racial Justice Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Manager both the PM for the antiracist virtual public series and a facilitator for some of the offerings. They hold a BS in Psychology and Biology and are currently pursuing two master’s degrees, a Master of Social Change and Master of Divinity at “the most progressive seminary in the United States,” Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA. Their intentions are to remind people, in particular youth of color, through spiritual embodiment practices that center a social justice healing lens of their internal power and inherent worth whilst expanding communities understanding of ways to counter oppression and live an authentic life.

Sangita Kumar is a results-based organizational development consultant and facilitator dedicated to the empowerment of individuals and our communities. Sangita’s experience over the past 15 years ranges from coaching, professional development, strategic planning, program design, and curriculum development. Sangita holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Development, is a Certified Life Coach, and completed a two-year certification in Somatics and Trauma.