Oakland Unite Life Coaching Fellows
Oakland Unite and Bright Research Group are excited to announce that the following eight fellows are now Certified Community Coaches (CCC). Fellows were selected through a competitive application process, and completed a rigorous nine-month learning and certification program through Leadership That Works. Congratulations to our 2018 Fellows! Click here to see pictures of their graduation in June 2018.
2017-2018 Fellows
Brian Williams
Community & Youth Outreach (CYO)
Brian is an Adult Case Manager at CYO, providing intensive case management to individuals at the highest risk of being involved in gun violence. Brian was born and raised in the Seminary area of East Oakland. “I’ve been in jail and prison a total of six times. I began changing my life and was eventually released from prison in 1995. As a Ceasefire case manager for CYO, I am committed to giving back to the community I once terrorized as a young man.” Brian is a certified addiction specialist and plans to use his coaching certification to support the life goals of his clients.
Harris Bradford
The Mentoring Center
Harris is an Adult Services Specialist for The Mentoring Center, serving as a life coach and case manager for at-risk young adults between the ages of 18-35. He has dedicated over 9 years of service through various non-profit and faith-based organizations in Alameda County. Harris brings his lived experiences growing up in harsh environments to connect with inner city youth and young adults in Oakland. “My passion is to serve at risk and underserved communities with compassion and integrity. I am overly excited about becoming a certified life coach. It completes my mission. It’s imperative that I’m a certified coach to help the people I serve find the greatness inside themselves.” In his free time, Harris likes to spend time with his family, especially his six children.
Angelica Reyes SOSA
East Bay Asian Youth Center (EBAYC)
Angelica is a Senior Case Manager for the EBAYC Street Team, a program that provides intensive support and guidance to court- involved youth in the Juvenile Justice System. Angelica has worked for EBAYC for over 18 years in a variety of roles, including Case Manager at Oakland High School, Director of After School programs at several schools & Director of Family Services at Roosevelt Middle School. “I am dedicated to working and helping youth and families fight for justice and develop their leadership skills so they can have great educational, living and employment opportunities.” On her spare time, Angelica’s loves cycling and has participated in the AIDS LifeCycle Ride for nine years. Angelica holds a BA degree in Social Welfare and Chicano Studies & Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley.
Earl Simms
Roots Community Health Center
Earl is a Program Coordinator with Roots Community Health Center. Earl’s hometown is Los Angeles, but he came to Oakland after serving 22 years in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. “Now here in Oakland, I’m trying to battle the disease of violence… a disease that I had myself, but that has designed me to be effective in providing a solution to others who are also battling it.” Earl is a leader in the Timelist Group, which provides rehabilitation courses for those impacted by incarceration. He is a member of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) and sits on the Formerly Incarcerated Advisory Board (FIA) in San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon’s office. In his free time, Earl is an artist and aspiring screenwriter.
Kendall Roberts
MISSSEY
Kendall is a Juvenile Justice Case Manager for MISSEY, working with sexually exploited youth in the Bay Area. Her educational and professional expertise is in social work, mental health, and working with former foster youth. Most recently, she held a position at Seneca’s Willow Rock as a Crisis Stabilization Counselor working with youth from an array of different backgrounds. While earning her bachelor’s degree, she interned at Volunteers of America (VOA) Transitional Housing for Former Foster Youth and facilitated women’s empowerment classes to young women and mothers. “I am excited to become a part of this coaching program so that I can be better equipped to support the young people who I am so passionate about.”
Shawn Upshaw
Community & Youth Outreach (CYO)
Shawn is a Relocation Specialist at CYO (Community & Youth Outreach), where he has worked since 2013. Shawn works with victims that have been impacted by gun violence to relocate them to safe and secure locations where they can live healthy lives. Born and raised in Oakland, Shawn prides himself in being an example for change in his community. “I want to be a coach in order to being able to empower the community I work with to educate and bring awareness around violence. I want to give them the tools and empowerment to better their own community, and give them some hope that they can believe in.” In his spare time, Shawn enjoys spending time with family and is an avid sports fan.
Glenn Bell
Oakland Private Industry Council
Glenn is a native of Oakland CA and currently an employment services specialist working with at-risk youth and formerly incarcerated adults at Oakland Private Industries Council (OPIC). Glenn studied Broadcast Communications at San Francisco State University and later worked in Los Angeles Radio. Glenn has also spent more than a decade coaching high school and youth sports. “By applying the principles I learned through Communication Arts and Athletics to my work, I am able to give my clients a voice and a game plan for success.”
Jermaine Ashley
The Mentoring Center
Jermaine is an Adult Services Specialist for The Mentoring Center, serving as a life coach for Ceasefire programs in the City of Oakland. Jermaine has been organizing for social justice and teaching leadership skills to community members for over 20 years in Oakland. He has worked in a variety of settings and capacities—at schools, group homes, Oakland Kids First!, Youth Uprising, and transitional housing settings. “I am excited to be a certified coach because I truly believe in the skillset. This is something that can help people tap into their greatness and give them the tools to support and empower themselves to make positive changes in their lives.” In his free time, Jermaine like to hike, cook, and surround himself with people with positive energy.