An organization geared towards working with the youth to build community relationships among people of color while exploring identity, and creating art. Grounded on history, students will be introduced to concepts and history to engage in dialogue and use art mediums to develop their own narratives through collective engagement. All students will be able to gain leadership skills and play a critical role in community activism.
Board Chair | James Kale
James Kale is a Bronx native and seasoned educator with experience spanning from elementary education to higher education, international education, and community-based organizations. He obtained both his BA in Applied Psychology & Human Development and Sociology, and M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction and Teacher Education from Boston College, being the first in his family to graduate from college. James is a Fulbright alumni and the former regional manager for the Fulbright program in Brazil. He is currently serving as the Chief of Staff for a founding work-based learning charter high school, centered on computer science in the South Bronx and consults in college admissions, educational equity & inclusion, organizational development, and translation services all rooted in and for the liberation of Black and Brown minds and bodies.
Co-Founder | Co-Chair
Marquell Byrd
Born and raised in Virginia, Mark moved to New York City at an early age to study at LaGuardia Community College for Music Recording Technology. He is currently studying at Berklee College of Music for Production.​ Mark is a writer, audio engineer, educator and founder of The Variety Group who currently is living bi-coastal and is passionate about giving back to his local community.
Secretary | Rafaela Garcia
Rafaela, a Compton native, attended UC Santa Cruz and earned a B.A. in American Studies and an M.A. in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University. She’s been teaching high school and middle school for the last several years, and has participated in various parent engagement efforts. She is adamant about helping students and families access resources throughout school and their community.
Chief Financial Officer | Terry Allen, PhD
Terry Allen is currently a Ph.D. candidate in education and J.D. student at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is also a graduate student researcher for the Million Dollar Hoods project at UCLA. Terry received his B.A. degree from the University of California, Berkeley and M.A. degree from Columbia University. Immediately after his undergraduate studies, Terry interned for the White House and later served President Barack Obama as an advance associate. He has worked in various research positions at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, RAND Corporation, U.S. Department of Education, Denver Public Schools, Education Pioneers, and Pacific Gas & Electric Company. He currently holds research positions at the School of Law and Academic Advancement Program. Terry’s research is concerned with structures of inequalities, and the important role of education, law, and policy.
Founder | Executive Director, Abigail Lopez-Byrd
Growing up in Compton, Abigail quickly became passionate for the arts and social justice. She is the first in her family to go to college and the first to obtain a masters degree. Abigail holds her BA in Sociology and Art from the University of California, Santa Cruz, her MA from Columbia University and is currently pursuing her PhD in Education, Society and Culture from the University of California, Riverside.
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Abigail founded Color Compton in 2019 with a goal of bringing programming and curriculum around local black and brown history and art to Compton and South LA youth. As the Executive Director, Abigail oversees programming, curriculum and partnership initiatives.
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GirlSpace International
We want to hold a safe and brave space for young women and non-binary youth in Compton to engage one day conference with workshops and activities that promote unity, confidence and leadership. We are centered in our belief that learning to love yourself the way you are allows each individual to grow into who they are truly meant to be.
Compton G.IRLS Club
Compton Girls Club is a client-centered girls empowerment group based in Compton California. We reach out to girls via workshops, introductions to new skills, and field trips. These meetings take place several times a month within high schools and local community centers.
It is our intention to connect girls with the resources that are available within their communities. With this, they will begin to see the value of their own neighborhoods.
The Variety Group
TVG strives to help make your multimedia room, studio, classroom or non-traditional educational space a hands on experience like no other by installing the latest technology to educate. We believe that a multimedia room, recording/film studio should not only be used for musicians, producers and artists but also be utilized to learn the craft of film, music, business, and production.