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Liberatory Creative Foundation Advisory Board
Scott Faris
Board Chair: Education
A student-focused administrator with 30 years of experience—currently serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean of Student Life (AVC/DOS) at UC Santa Barbara. As an executive manager in the Division of Student Affairs, Katya serves as the control point for 10 Student Affairs departments. In her campus leadership role, Katya demonstrates broad concern for issues that pertain to the quality of student life of UCSB students (especially outside of the classroom); facilitates problem-solving and crisis response; promotes inclusion in the campus community and equitable access to UC Santa Barbara learning environment by students of all identities and liaises between students and University administration by listening broadly to student input and representing student perspectives and interests. Katya completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara, her Master’s in Education from Azusa Pacific University, and her doctorate (Ed.D) in educational leadership from a joint program between UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She is a trained facilitator for The Leadership Challenge Workshop®, teaches a leadership course in the UC Santa Barbara Gervitz Graduate School of Education, and works on special projects, especially around campus climate and diversity.
A student-focused administrator with 30 years of experience—currently serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean of Student Life (AVC/DOS) at UC Santa Barbara. As an executive manager in the Division of Student Affairs, Katya serves as the control point for 10 Student Affairs departments. In her campus leadership role, Katya demonstrates broad concern for issues that pertain to the quality of student life of UCSB students (especially outside of the classroom); facilitates problem-solving and crisis response; promotes inclusion in the campus community and equitable access to UC Santa Barbara learning environment by students of all identities and liaises between students and University administration by listening broadly to student input and representing student perspectives and interests. Katya completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara, her Master’s in Education from Azusa Pacific University, and her doctorate (Ed.D) in educational leadership from a joint program between UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She is a trained facilitator for The Leadership Challenge Workshop®, teaches a leadership course in the UC Santa Barbara Gervitz Graduate School of Education, and works on special projects, especially around campus climate and diversity.
Katya Armistead
Education Committee
A student-focused administrator with 30 years of experience—currently serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean of Student Life (AVC/DOS) at UC Santa Barbara. As an executive manager in the Division of Student Affairs, Katya serves as the control point for 10 Student Affairs departments. In her campus leadership role, Katya demonstrates broad concern for issues that pertain to the quality of student life of UCSB students (especially outside of the classroom); facilitates problem-solving and crisis response; promotes inclusion in the campus community and equitable access to UC Santa Barbara learning environment by students of all identities and liaises between students and University administration by listening broadly to student input and representing student perspectives and interests. Katya completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara, her Master’s in Education from Azusa Pacific University, and her doctorate (Ed.D) in educational leadership from a joint program between UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She is a trained facilitator for The Leadership Challenge Workshop®, teaches a leadership course in the UC Santa Barbara Gervitz Graduate School of Education, and works on special projects, especially around campus climate and diversity.
A student-focused administrator with 30 years of experience—currently serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean of Student Life (AVC/DOS) at UC Santa Barbara. As an executive manager in the Division of Student Affairs, Katya serves as the control point for 10 Student Affairs departments. In her campus leadership role, Katya demonstrates broad concern for issues that pertain to the quality of student life of UCSB students (especially outside of the classroom); facilitates problem-solving and crisis response; promotes inclusion in the campus community and equitable access to UC Santa Barbara learning environment by students of all identities and liaises between students and University administration by listening broadly to student input and representing student perspectives and interests. Katya completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara, her Master’s in Education from Azusa Pacific University, and her doctorate (Ed.D) in educational leadership from a joint program between UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She is a trained facilitator for The Leadership Challenge Workshop®, teaches a leadership course in the UC Santa Barbara Gervitz Graduate School of Education, and works on special projects, especially around campus climate and diversity.
Danny Gibson
Board Chair: Humanity
Experienced Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the computer software industry. Developing and maintaining Big Data applications written in JS, Go, and Java. Bachelor of Science focused in Mathematics and Computer Science from Loyola Marymount University, and a. diverse background that includes teaching high school math, and competing in NCAA D1 distance running
Experienced Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the computer software industry. Developing and maintaining Big Data applications written in JS, Go, and Java. Bachelor of Science focused in Mathematics and Computer Science from Loyola Marymount University, and a. diverse background that includes teaching high school math, and competing in NCAA D1 distance running
Dr. Chris Martin
Humanity Commitee
Chris is a lawyer, community organizer, singer and songwriter. He grew up in South Central, Los Angeles, where he graduated from Dorsey High School in 2006. He then attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he graduated with a double major in English and History, and holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. At UC Hastings, Chris served as Co-President of the Black Law Students' Association.
In 2018, Chris became the Director of the Legal Team for Black Lives Matter, Los Angeles. Through his work with BLM-LA, Chris helped organize a team of over 700 lawyers to reach out to 900 protestors who were arrested for protesting the killing of George Floyd, and successfully negotiated with LA City Attorney and District Attorney to drop all charges against most of them.
In 2020, Chris co-founded the Reimagine Child Safety Coalition, which is dedicated to community organizing for families who are trying to either stay together or get back together after they become entangled with the foster care system.
In his spare time, Chris loves to sing. He is the lead singer of the band, Brownsuede, and their debut EP has nearly surpassed a quarter of a million streams on Spotify. He has performed in venues all across California, and is also a former member of the Los Angeles Lawyers’ Philharmonic.
Chris is a lawyer, community organizer, singer and songwriter. He grew up in South Central, Los Angeles, where he graduated from Dorsey High School in 2006. He then attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he graduated with a double major in English and History, and holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. At UC Hastings, Chris served as Co-President of the Black Law Students' Association.
In 2018, Chris became the Director of the Legal Team for Black Lives Matter, Los Angeles. Through his work with BLM-LA, Chris helped organize a team of over 700 lawyers to reach out to 900 protestors who were arrested for protesting the killing of George Floyd, and successfully negotiated with LA City Attorney and District Attorney to drop all charges against most of them.
In 2020, Chris co-founded the Reimagine Child Safety Coalition, which is dedicated to community organizing for families who are trying to either stay together or get back together after they become entangled with the foster care system.
In his spare time, Chris loves to sing. He is the lead singer of the band, Brownsuede, and their debut EP has nearly surpassed a quarter of a million streams on Spotify. He has performed in venues all across California, and is also a former member of the Los Angeles Lawyers’ Philharmonic.
Meagan Turner, Esq.
Board Chair: Productions
Meagan is a Senior Consultant and Program Lead in the legal services industry. Having a passion for people-centered work, she brings together strategic thinking and project leadership. Raised in Southern California, she earned her degrees in Psychology and Black Studies from UC Santa Barbara, and later completed both her JD and MBA at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While there, she served as Treasurer of the Black Law Students Association and was part of the inaugural cohort of the Innovation Immersion Program, bridging business and legal innovation.
Outside of work, Meagan serves on the executive board of Pomona Valley Habitat for Humanity and regularly volunteers with other community organizations. In addition, she’s especially interested in the evolving role of AI in education, law, and everyday life. In her free time, you can find her hiking, traveling, discovering new music, or getting lost in a good book.
Meagan is a Senior Consultant and Program Lead in the legal services industry. Having a passion for people-centered work, she brings together strategic thinking and project leadership. Raised in Southern California, she earned her degrees in Psychology and Black Studies from UC Santa Barbara, and later completed both her JD and MBA at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While there, she served as Treasurer of the Black Law Students Association and was part of the inaugural cohort of the Innovation Immersion Program, bridging business and legal innovation.
Outside of work, Meagan serves on the executive board of Pomona Valley Habitat for Humanity and regularly volunteers with other community organizations. In addition, she’s especially interested in the evolving role of AI in education, law, and everyday life. In her free time, you can find her hiking, traveling, discovering new music, or getting lost in a good book.
Daniel Choi
Productions Committee
Daniel Choi was born and raised in Los Angeles. He attended California State University, Fullerton. Daniel is the founder and CEO of Dream Bridge recruitment consultancy. Dream Bridge was established with one thing in mind, to help bridge the gap on talent! We are committed to connecting first- class talent to our amazing clients to help build successful teams. We are dedicated individuals who are passionate about providing a red-carpet experience to both our clients and candidates. Our goal is to deliver results and ensure that the recruiting process is a smooth and positive experience, where everyone is thoroughly supported from beginning to end.
Every single day Daniel has an opportunity to connect with people to help them land their dream job, or partner with them in furthering their careers. Filling an open position with talented, passionate and candidates excited about the mission of Dream Bridge is such a satisfying experience that he can't get enough of it!
Daniel Choi was born and raised in Los Angeles. He attended California State University, Fullerton. Daniel is the founder and CEO of Dream Bridge recruitment consultancy. Dream Bridge was established with one thing in mind, to help bridge the gap on talent! We are committed to connecting first- class talent to our amazing clients to help build successful teams. We are dedicated individuals who are passionate about providing a red-carpet experience to both our clients and candidates. Our goal is to deliver results and ensure that the recruiting process is a smooth and positive experience, where everyone is thoroughly supported from beginning to end.
Every single day Daniel has an opportunity to connect with people to help them land their dream job, or partner with them in furthering their careers. Filling an open position with talented, passionate and candidates excited about the mission of Dream Bridge is such a satisfying experience that he can't get enough of it!
Founder | CEO | Chairman
Anthony is the Founder of the Liberatory Creative model, framework, and organization. Born and raised in south Los Angeles, Anthony is a third-generation college graduate, and liberatory creative educator. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he earned degrees in sociology and Black studies. Anthony also attended the University of Oklahoma where he earned his masters in education administration and supervision of curriculum. He is a Teach For America Tulsa alumni. As a corps member and Alumni he has led and coached new and seasoned teachers at the Phoenix and Tulsa Institutes for six years. He was also the regional Executive Director of the African American Affinity organization.
Anthony utilizes his national experience serving and co-creating with communities such as North Tulsa (Greenwood Black Wall Street), Phoenix, Denver, Los Angeles and New York City (Harlem). He has served in various capacities from school teacher, literacy director, special education director, director of school culture and family engagement, regional diversity equity and inclusion director, district administrator, and school principal. He is a servant leader and a community organizer committed to dismantling oppressive mindsets and systems.
Anthony works to co-create spaces and places where communities can live, lead and learn as their authentic selves. He believes in disrupting and dismantling oppression, instilling critical thinking, culturally relevant pedagogy, financial literacy, and self expression through the creative arts in schools. Anthony leads through a lens of love ethic, liberation, community co-creation, and creative innovation. Anthony loves to hike, spend time on the beach, and cook with family and friends.
Anthony utilizes his national experience serving and co-creating with communities such as North Tulsa (Greenwood Black Wall Street), Phoenix, Denver, Los Angeles and New York City (Harlem). He has served in various capacities from school teacher, literacy director, special education director, director of school culture and family engagement, regional diversity equity and inclusion director, district administrator, and school principal. He is a servant leader and a community organizer committed to dismantling oppressive mindsets and systems.
Anthony works to co-create spaces and places where communities can live, lead and learn as their authentic selves. He believes in disrupting and dismantling oppression, instilling critical thinking, culturally relevant pedagogy, financial literacy, and self expression through the creative arts in schools. Anthony leads through a lens of love ethic, liberation, community co-creation, and creative innovation. Anthony loves to hike, spend time on the beach, and cook with family and friends.
Liberatory Creative Schools Advisory Board
Liberatory Creative Foundation Advisory Panel
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