Our Crew

Shawn Ginwright, PhD is one of the nation’s leading innovators, provocateurs, and thought leaders on African American youth, youth activism, and youth development. He is Professor of Education in the Africana Studies Department and a Senior Research Associate at San Francisco State University. His research examines the ways in which youth in urban communities navigate through the constraints of poverty and struggle to create equality and justice in their schools and communities. Read More

Nedra Ginwright is our Chief Flourish Officer. She has a Master’s Degree in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from California State University East Bay. Nedra previously co-founded and led Leadership Excellence, an organization which provided leadership development to African American youth. Read More

Heather Daniels has a B.A. in Education and African-American Studies from Smith College and a M.A. in Education Leadership: Politics and Advocacy from New York University. She has spent the past decade working with diverse student populations to lower the opportunity gap in education, and is committed to not only promoting equitable education practices, but also creating healing spaces in academic institutions. Heather’s interests include: travel, holistic health, and spending quality time with her loved ones. Read More

La'Cole Martin is a West Oakland native and proud graduate of McClymonds High School. In 2004, La’Cole received her B.A. in African American Studies from the University of California Berkeley, and in the 2011, La’Cole completed her Master's Degree in Ethnic Studies with an emphasis in Africana Studies at San Francisco State University. La’Cole has 14 years of experience as an educator in the city of Oakland, starting her career in 2006 as a sixth grade English teacher for the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). Since leaving OUSD as a classroom teacher in 2008, La’Cole has worked in various capacities for non-profits throughout the city of Oakland including Mills College Upward Bound, Youth Together, Alternatives in Action, EBAYC (East Bay Asian Youth Center) and Lincoln (formerly Lincoln Child Center). La’Cole also served as an instructor of African American Studies at Laney College from 2011 to 2018. Read More

Brett comes to Flourish with a variety of experience in small businesses, event support and financial services for primarily non-profit community, theatre and arts presenting organizations, though he has also owned high-end custom stationery stores in San Francisco, was part of producing team that ran a yearlong production on the life of Buckminster Fuller, and worked on features films in Los Angeles. Brett has a passion for providing opportunities that connect people with new ideas in meaningful and impactful ways, that can change their lives and our communities. Read More

Deborah, lovingly known as Deb, is a native San Franciscan and brings over 20 years’ experience to our team, having provided high-level administrative support to C-suite Executives, Boards of Directors and top senior management. She is a servant leader who "rolls up her sleeves" to lead by example, inspire others and promotes a positive work environment with a sense of humor.  Read More

Chris Nguon is an Oakland native and graduate of the University of California-Berkeley. An avid learner and advocate, Chris has held numerous community-based roles as a public service professional, spanning commitments in elementary schools, affordable housing, recreational centers, residential services, and family resource centers throughout various neighborhoods in West Oakland. Chris firmly believes that radical healing, consistency and follow-through, cultural competency, and community awareness are the foundational hallmarks of impactful work. Read More