WHO WE ARE

CO-FOUNDER
PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Jordan (jojo) Cisneros is a poet, creative writing mentor and behavioral technician based in the 925, where she was raised. Jojo was born into mixed descent with inheritance from the Hopi tribe of Arizona and Guadalajara Mexico by her father and Creole roots from her mother. Jojo resides in Pittsburg in the town that holds her entire upbringing. Jojo was a two-time top 5 finalist in the Bay Area youth poetry competition and a 2 time contestant in the biggest national Poetry competition BRAVE NEW VOICES. READ BIO/ RESUME HERE

CO-FOUNDER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Alex Finn is a poet, author, public school teacher, mentor, and proud Bay Area native. born and raised in the 925 in a devout football family, Finn descends from Mexican Californios, Irish immigrants, and the Xolon Salinan people of California’s central coast. Finn lives in Pittsburg, where he has been teaching, writing, and organizing since 2015. Finn is the 2023 Youth Speaks Radical Educator Award recipient, and he PUSD Equity Award Winner. Most notably, Finn coaches the award-winning youth poetry team, The Pittsburg Prodigies. READ BIO & CV HERE

DEPUTY DIRECTOR
IMS AMBASSADOR

Gabriel Perez Cano is a Chicano college student who majors in Chicano Studies and is pursuing to become an educator for both public schools and universities. Born and raised in the Bay Area to a family of immigrants from the municipality of Pénjamo Guanajuato Mexico. He is one of the founding members of the Pittsburg Prodigious who’s brought attention to La Raza with his powerful spoken word. He’s apart of several clubs and programs such as puente and LatinE club in Los Medanos College and is currently trying to transfer to UC Riverside, UC Santa Cruz Cal Eastbay, or UC Berkeley. READ BIO / RESUME HERE

RESIDENT DJ
IMS AMBASSADOR

Jazmin brings with her a background in education and commitment to community empowerment. Her experience as a bilingual instructional assistant, followed by her time as a teacher at Pittsburg High, inspired her to pursue her current role as an educational administrator. Hernandez's dedication to empowering others is deeply rooted in heritage; having been born in San Jose, CA, to two immigrants from Michoacan, Mexico and proudly representing the Purépecha people. This influence of her upbringing and continued advocacy for the community instilled in her a profound sense of mission and liberation, which she continues to uphold. 

Tina Kumar was born and raised in Fiji and immigrated to California in May 2000. She holds a B.A. in English from Humboldt State University and a Master of Arts in Education from California State University, Chico. As a passionate middle and high school English teacher, Tina loves both learning and teaching. She is especially inspired by the power of storytelling—how the stories we tell about where we come from shape our understanding of people, places, and the world around us.