Itzamar Carmona Felipe was born in Cruz Grande, Guerrero, Mexico and moved to Huichin Ohlone Land (Oakland, California) at the age of seven. They come from a lineage of storytellers and began their restorative justice journey as a  fellow with the Restorative Justice Department in Oakland Unified School District. They’ve designed and facilitated RJ training for school staff, teachers, and students, with a focus on community-building and integrating games/movement into Circle. They have been part of many interconnected social justice movements ranging from immigration rights, housing justice, workers rights, and the LGBTQ+ movement. They are a product of OUSD schools and a UC Santa Cruz graduate (BA in Latin American and Latino Studies, minor in Education). Itzamar received their Master of Leadership in Sustainability from the University of Vermont. In their free time, Itzamar enjoys writing short stories and poetry, listening to music, and being with nature.

Samantha Pal is a first generation Khmer student leader and graduate of Oakland High School. She served as Student Director on the OUSD School Board from 2020-22. Sam has been an active RJ student leader since 6th grade and enjoys creating and building safe spaces for young people. She is grounded by the roots of her culture and identity and practices Khmer traditional dancing and poetry. She enjoys reading, writing, and night walks to feel peace. She hopes to expand her work and aims to provide Southeast Asian (SEA) youth safe spaces to celebrate and be proud of their culture and heritage through forms of art and storytelling.

Yota Omosowho is a UC Berkeley and Warwick University graduate  in Global Sustainable Development. She is originally from Nigeria and grew up in both Lagos and West Oakland. An advocate for youth voice, she served on multiple decision making bodies including the Oakland School Board and Youth Advisory Commission. She consults with Creative Change Collaborative, facilitating RJ trainings and coaching youth and adults. In her free time, Yota enjoys reading and gardening.

Ana Mendez is a is a student at UC Berkeley pursuing a psychology degree. She was a restorative justice youth leader at Emiliano Zapata Street Academy, a youth coach up with 67 Suenos, and the Student Director of Culture and Climate on the All City Council Student Union in Oakland Unified School District. She is a first-generation Mexican-American student whose roots lie in Oakland. As an alumni she holds circles, leads trainings, and supports youth engagement in restorative justice.

Sandy Chales is a recent graduate of San Francisco State University in Political Science. She is originally from Todos Santos in Guatemala and lives in Oakland. She was a restorative justice youth leader in Oakland Unified School district, co-designing curriculum and leading trainings. Sandy is an active alumni supporting youth engagement in restorative justice and enjoys helping her community. She is an outgoing person who likes to take risks. She also enjoys hiking, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Griffen Castillo is a musician, artist, and a former All City Council Student Union Vice President! As a high schooler, they worked closely with both Oakland Unified Restorative Justice, All City Council, and the City of Oakland to advocate for adequate funding for student programs (Restorative Justice being one of them). Today, Griffen strives to incorporate restorative practices and philosophies to all of the spaces that they hold. Whether it’s a circle, a conversation with a friend, or a session at the studio, you better believe there’s RJ happening.

Linh Le is a student at UCLA. Linh served as the All City Council Student Union President for three years and the Student Director on the OUSD Board of Education 2022-2023. Since middle school Linh has been an active RJ Leader holding circles and workshops at national and local conferences, facilitating virtual and in-person games and movement trainings and holding affinity circles for the API/MENA community for racial justice. Linh is a first-generation immigrant from Vietnam that was raised in West Oakland. She believes that this generation is going to make a huge impact on the world, by being resilient and continuing to fight for the better good and that students are ready to be key change agents in their education. In her free time, Linh likes to play her piano and her ukulele, listen to music, bake different types of goods, and occasionally cook. (photo credit: Amir Aziz)

Natalie Gallegos Chavez is a student at U.C. Berkeley studying pre-law. Natalie served as the Student Director on the OUSD Board of Education 2021-2023 and the LCAP Student Director for two years, representing 35,000 students. Natalie has been a community leader since 7th grade serving as a student representative on the school site council and a restorative justice student council leader. She was inspired to become a leader in middle school when an adult ally helped her get out of her comfort zone and recruited her to participate. After that, she saw things in our school systems that needed to change and made a commitment to fight for what the students need. As a restorative justice leader Natalie has facilitated workshops at the national and local level.

Teresa Sot is a recent graduate of UC Davis in neurobiology. She was born and raised in East Oakland and wants to come back to support her community. As a restorative justice youth leader at Oakland High School she designed and held circles for youth and adults. She believes that the voices of the community matters and restorative justice allows for people to come together. In her free time she enjoys being around her pets and trying new foods.