Meet the Director

Under her leadership, the Institute oversees social justice advocacy and equity education on campus, in collaboration with School and community stakeholders, to make an impact on local, national and global issues.

 

Prior to this position, Cassandra served as the coordinator for Empowerment Congress, where she oversaw operations, drove sustainability and conducted administrative functions in support of the organization’s mission to educate, engage and empower local communities. In 2011, she co-founded Read Lead, which aims to transform Los Angeles’ education landscape for underserved students by minimizing the achievement gap through innovative, culturally responsive approaches to education, and continues to serve as its executive director and a member of the board. Read Lead is also an official site sponsor of the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools program, and hosts five sites in LA County and two in Seattle. Cassandra’s in-depth experience with the program will ensure that the Equity & Justice Institute’s Freedom School site, held on the Crossroads campus, continues to thrive. 

Cassandra was born and raised in California and graduated from University of California, Irvine, with a degree in sociology and minors in education, public health and epidemiology. Cassandra is an alumna of the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute and the Riordan Volunteer Leadership Development Program. In addition, she holds a certificate in Advanced Negotiations from Cerritos College. Cassandra is the recipient of several prestigious fellowships and has served on multiple boards for civic-minded young professionals.

“It is with great enthusiasm, commitment and imagination that I begin this journey at  Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences as the director of the Equity & Justice Institute,” writes Cassandra. “I join with the awareness that radical models of education are vital in addressing diverse, systemic, critical domestic and global issues. I embrace the Institute's mission and look forward to building this beloved community, together.”