The Be Kind People Project

Anthony Kelly (AKELLZ) was born and raised in New York and graduated with a BFA in dance and BA in theatre from Arizona State University.  In full-circle fashion, AKELLZ is now teaching at the college/university level as a dance professor at ASU and surrounding schools and has traveled as a solo artist and teaching artist nationwide. 

AKELLZ currently serves as a Be Kind Crew member and The National Manager of Creative Content and Be Kind Crew Experiences:  developing dance/spoken word and video content for schools and communities across the country.  

With a BFA in dance from Arizona State University, Kayla Tomooka has been with The Be Kind People Project™ for three years as a member of THE BE KIND CREW™ and most recently as the Special Care Manager with our School Support Group.

As someone who is passionate about youth development, she is honored to have the opportunity to be part of and help implement the programs we create.

As a socially-engaged practitioner, educator, choreographer, and director, Melissa Britt has demonstrated excellence in innovation and creativity through art projects, initiatives, and programming development that focuses on community inclusion, youth development, and student arts leadership.

Prior to joining The Be Kind People Project, she served as a Professor of Dance at Arizona State University from 2011-2019 with a focus on dance practices, community-site performance, and community engagement. Currently serving as Senior National Director of Strategic and Creative Education Practices, she oversees Be Kind programs, CREW creative and content development for assemblies, school programs, community events, and major fundraising efforts. She believes that inspiring and motivating youth through arts and character education is essential for the development of the next generation of leaders. 

ADL Los Angeles

Ann M. Ortega-Long has worked in the field of Public Health and Community Education for 16 years. Having worked with diverse communities in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties, Annie has expertise in delivering both evidence-based classroom curricula, and design and delivery of innovative education programs. She has provided services in English and Spanish related to Kinship Care, Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention, Mental Health, Anti-Bias Education, and Bullying Prevention.  

As Education Director for ADL Los Angeles, Annie directs all aspects of the A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute, by marketing, designing, and coordinating training programs for educational anti-bias training programs and initiatives, as well as recruiting, training, and supervising a cadre of trainers.

SBCUSD

Dr. Marlene Bicondova is the Director of Positive Youth Development in the San Bernardino City Unified School District where she leads in the areas of expulsions, suspensions, attendance, and bullying. Marlene has 21 years of educational experience and holds her doctoral degree in educational leadership from Azusa Pacific University where her research was centered around restorative practices.

In this session, participants will learn how SBCUSD is using a unique approach to bullying prevention and intervention without the need to shame and blame the student doing the bullying.

Participants will also be able to summarize the highly effective and unique restorative practice called the Undercover Anti-Bullying Team.

The LGBTQ+ Center of Riverside County

Tammy Vavken-Hylton is a California native. She graduated from Vanguard University with a BS in sports science and has her master’s in organizational leadership from UMass Global. She is married to her wife, Toni, and they have five kids, two dogs, and a cat.

Tammy is one of the co-founders of The LGBTQ+ Center of Riverside County which she started with three other friends to educate and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community while providing safe spaces for our youth.

The LGBTQ+ Center of Riverside County was founded in 2018 with the following vision: To guide and support the local LGBTQ+ community and its allies. To help them become who they aspire to be. To achieve their goals with courage and pride. To form friendships and connections with members of the community through different programs that will inspire them to be the best they can be. To be free. To love all and be loved by all.

The odds were stacked against Shelomo Solson from the beginning. He was bullied for 15 years because other kids thought he spoke funny, did not come from a wealthy family, failed every reading assessment, encountered racism/prejudice, and, to top it all off, experienced great loss when four of his best friends died in a car accident. He discusses how he was able to overcome life struggles and how other students can do the same to become their version of success.

Shelomo Solson is a Youth Motivational Speaker, the author of “Never Fight Alone,” and has a podcast that has been listened to in over 30 countries.

Best Buddies

Melissa Peterson is the Program Supervisor of the Friendship and Leadership Programs in Southern California. Melissa has 15 years of non-profit experience and has developed and managed multiple youth programs, both in school settings and the great community.

Lizz Beeman is the Program Manager of Mission Expansion for Best Buddies in Sacramento, California. With a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Biology, she has worked with youth in the school setting for 8 years promoting equity and inclusion for all students. Prior to Best Buddies, Lizz spent four years as an AmeriCorps member working with students from elementary school to high school in California and Oregon.

“Hi, there! My name is Callie and I’m currently the Program Manager, Mission Expansion of San Diego and Orange County for Best Buddies. I moved to San Diego in 2017 so I could attend college at UCSD, but I’m originally from Palm Springs, California. I’m so excited to meet you all and share how Best Buddies can make your school campus more inclusive and empathetic.”