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Dr. Anne Huang
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Antinette Jackson
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Cora Barnes
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ANDRÉA SPEARMAN
Program & Marketing Manager Andréa Spearman balances life as an Artist and Arts Administrator. She has supported artist-led community development work, and increased visibility for dance artists, locally, nationally and internationally for over 100+ dance artists. Spearman has served on grant funding panels for several organizations including the San Francisco Arts Commission, Dancers’ Group, California Arts Council, and an artist relief fund led by Dancers’ Group, Theatre Bay Area and InterMusicSF. For 20+ years, Spearman has been a student, teacher, choreographer, and performer of a variety of modern-based movements. She creates works that draw on a diverse set of deeply rooted cultural traditions and an eclectic mix of styles. She is also the Executive Producer & Host of the award-winning podcast, The Black Landscape, The show is an interview series that highlights emerging and established Black San Francisco Bay Area leaders of various industries. Spearman takes audiences through journeys of past and present intricacies to reveal the depths of the guests current endeavors. |
JASON DITZIAN
Grants Manager
Jason Ditzian (he/him) is a multi-wind instrumentalist and composer, Jason has performed, recorded and toured internationally with artists such as Charming Hostess, Oakland Symphony, Dohee Lee, Joan Baez, Frank London, inkBoat, Kitka, San Francisco Mime Troupe, Lord Loves a Working Man, Kiosk, Hadi Tabatabai, Faun Fables and Kunst-Stoff. He is clarinetist/leader of old-world klezmer ensemble, Kugelplex.
In 2003, Jason began working with various organizations to produce projects and festivals, and create marketing and development strategies. Jason has helped raise millions of dollars for nonprofit arts organizations. Career highlights include: co-founding and co-producing the International Body Music Festival with Keith Terry; receiving a 2011 American Council of Engineering Companies Engineering Excellence Award for the Bowls Project with Charming Hostess and a 2005 Isadora Duncan Dance Award in MUSIC/SOUND/TEXT for his work with Hiroko and Koichi Tamano.
Currently, Jason is the Managing Director of Dohee Lee Puri Arts and Director of Communications for Asian Refugees United. Jason founded nonprofit arts consulting firm, Narluga Arts in 2019 to further his capacity to support amazing artists realize their visions and to help further the field of socially-engaged arts.
KRISTA SMITH
Co-Director Grants Accelerator Program
Krista Smith's (she/her) job is to support our Grants Accelerator Program
participants to submit competitive grant applications. Krista co-leads WAW GAP and teaches grant writing workshops to our cohort participants. Krista brings 22 years of experience as an artist, artistic director, grant writer, arts organization administrator, and arts advocate to the San Francisco Bay Area’s arts and culture landscape.
Her experience includes serving as the Development Director of the Queer Cultural Center, Fresh Meat Productions, and Frameline and as as a panelist for the California Arts Council and MAP Fund. In addition to grant writing, Krista has also led strategic planning processes for NAKA Dance Theater, Foglifter Press, Queer Rebels Productions, Still Here Productions, and 3Girls Theatre, and serves as a speaker, workshop facilitator, and coach with a focus on grant writing, artistic programming, organizational development, and racial and cultural equity.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
KIAZI MALONGA
BOARD CHAIR
Kiazi Malonga is a second generation Congolese American born into a family of artists. He was first introduced to the Ngoma drum at age two by his father Malonga Casquelourd, a world- renowned traditional drummer, dancer and choreographer from Congo Brazzaville. Casquelourd traveled to the US in 1972 and shortly thereafter began to build his exceptional legacy in the traditional arts in the US.
It was in this setting that Kiazi Malonga was trained and learned about his Congolese cultural heritage. He became the lead drummer of his father’s dance company, Fua Dia Congo, at age 16 and began teaching at that time as well. Kiazi has taught and performed throughout the US, Canada, Costa Rica, Europe and Africa. He currently teaches Congolese traditional music in Oakland, CA. Kiazi released his debut album, Tembo Kia Ngoma (https://linktr.ee/KiaziMalonga) in March of 2021; which incorporates never before recorded compositions from the late Malonga Casquelourd as well as newly composed music.
In addition to music, Kiazi founded and runs a US based nonprofit social enterprise, Pelisa Energy (https://www.pelisaenergy.com/support). Pelisa Energy aims to close the energy gap in Central Africa by supplying solar-powered technologies that have immediate benefits to the health, education and livelihoods of the Central African people.
Kiazi completed a dual masters in International Affairs and Natural Resources and Sustainable Development and has an undergraduate degree in International Relations from Stanford University. He has gained working familiarity with environmental, social, and governance criteria and ESG reporting frameworks.
RON P. MURIERA
VICE CHAIR
Ron Muriera is Director of Arts Industry Support for the City of San José Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs where he manages the city’s arts and cultural funding portfolio of over $5M, operating agreements for the City of San José’s six cultural facilities, and oversight of various artistic and creative initiatives and programs.
With over 20-years’ experience and knowledge as an arts and cultural administrator, multi-disciplined performing artist, community activist, educator, historian, consultant, and advocate for underrepresented communities in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, California and throughout the nation, Ron has dedicated his life’s work to addressing issues such as: racial, social, and economic justice, arts & cultural representation, and educational equity. His nonprofit board service includes: Board President of Californians for the Arts, Vice President of California Arts Advocates, National Trustee for the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) , Founding Board President of Red Ladder Theatre Company, and Board Trustee with the California History Center - De Anza College.
Ron has also served two terms on the San José Arts Commission holding positions of Vice Chair and Public Art Committee Chair; He currently serves on the advisory board of Global Artists' Creative Collaboration for Empowerment (GAACE), an international arts association. As a multi-disciplined performing artist in dance, theatre, music, and comedy, Ron was an original member of the Afro-Haitian dance group Roots of Haiti/Petit La Croix where he danced in the early years of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival and Carnaval. In the theatre realm, Ron was a member of the Asian American Theatre Workshop/Company, and the San Francisco Mime Troupe. A graduate of the American Conservatory Theatre (A.C.T.), he performed in over 20 productions throughout San Francisco.
As a musician, Ron was a founding member of San Francisco’s iconic squeezebox band, Those Darn Accordions! (TDA!) playing in various clubs and venues throughout California. TDA! played an integral role in making the piano accordion the official musical instrument of San Francisco.
In the comedy world, Ron began his stand-up journey in the mid-70s in San Francisco at the Holy City Zoo, Other Café, and Punchline. He also held membership with San Francisco’s longest-running improvisational comedy group, The National Theatre of the Deranged. Ron has been recognized for his work both as a performing artist and social justice advocate receiving numerous awards and commendations for his volunteer work across communities.
RON P. MURIERA
VICE CHAIR
Ron Muriera is Director of Arts Industry Support for the City of San José Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs where he manages the city’s arts and cultural funding portfolio of over $5M, operating agreements for the City of San José’s six cultural facilities, and oversight of various artistic and creative initiatives and programs.
With over 20-years’ experience and knowledge as an arts and cultural administrator, multi-disciplined performing artist, community activist, educator, historian, consultant, and advocate for underrepresented communities in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, California and throughout the nation, Ron has dedicated his life’s work to addressing issues such as: racial, social, and economic justice, arts & cultural representation, and educational equity. His nonprofit board service includes: Board President of Californians for the Arts, Vice President of California Arts Advocates, National Trustee for the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) , Founding Board President of Red Ladder Theatre Company, and Board Trustee with the California History Center - De Anza College.
Ron has also served two terms on the San José Arts Commission holding positions of Vice Chair and Public Art Committee Chair; He currently serves on the advisory board of Global Artists' Creative Collaboration for Empowerment (GAACE), an international arts association. As a multi-disciplined performing artist in dance, theatre, music, and comedy, Ron was an original member of the Afro-Haitian dance group Roots of Haiti/Petit La Croix where he danced in the early years of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival and Carnaval. In the theatre realm, Ron was a member of the Asian American Theatre Workshop/Company, and the San Francisco Mime Troupe. A graduate of the American Conservatory Theatre (A.C.T.), he performed in over 20 productions throughout San Francisco.
As a musician, Ron was a founding member of San Francisco’s iconic squeezebox band, Those Darn Accordions! (TDA!) playing in various clubs and venues throughout California. TDA! played an integral role in making the piano accordion the official musical instrument of San Francisco.
In the comedy world, Ron began his stand-up journey in the mid-70s in San Francisco at the Holy City Zoo, Other Café, and Punchline. He also held membership with San Francisco’s longest-running improvisational comedy group, The National Theatre of the Deranged. Ron has been recognized for his work both as a performing artist and social justice advocate receiving numerous awards and commendations for his volunteer work across communities.
VIJAY PALAPARTY
TREASURER
Vijay Palaparty’s creative and professional practice lives at the intersection of performance, design, cultural diplomacy, and community engagement. Drawing on a rich background in classical South Indian dance, storytelling, communications, and strategic research, he brings together movement, visual culture, language, and place to create experiences that are both deeply embodied and socially grounded.
Through Spilling Ink, a multi-arts organization he founded, Vijay leads projects that span disciplines and geographies—curating performances, residencies, and community initiatives that link dance, music, visual art, and literature with themes of identity, history, healing, and belonging. His collaborations with museums, schools, and cultural institutions, including the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, demonstrate a commitment to translating tradition into contemporary, participatory experiences. These efforts are rooted in a belief in art as a vehicle for transformation, cross-cultural dialogue, and social connection.
In parallel, his work in policy, research, and higher education reflects an ongoing investment in equity, systems thinking, and the ethics of representation. At the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, he contributes to national efforts around community economic development and participatory, trauma-informed research, applying storytelling and design strategies to surface community voice in policymaking. His academic work spanning teaching and consulting roles at The New School, and current doctoral research at RMIT University explores how embodied knowledge, particularly through yogic philosophy and somatic practice, can inform creative research, pedagogy, and curatorial design.
Across all his endeavors, Vijay operates with a commitment to care, presence, and reciprocity whether facilitating a movement workshop, shaping strategic communication for public institutions, or mentoring students through community-based projects. His work invites a reimagining of how creative practice can nourish public discourse, make space for memory, and move communities toward collective empowerment.
Instagram: @holybrowncow @spillinginkdc
Web: www.spillingink.org
BLANCHE BROWN
BOARD MEMBER
Blanche Brown first began dancing as a 10 year old girl in Berkeley, California. She attended San Francisco State as a business major, and took dance classes there, but her true calling came to her at age 35, when Blanche returned to her first love of dance. She returned to SF State, studied all styles of dance she could, including ballet, tap, jazz, andfolklore, while also dancing with the Wajumbe ethnic dance troupe. Blanche received her Bachelor’s degree in physical education, with a focus in dance, from San Francisco State in 1974. In 1988, Blanche formed the dance troupe Group Petit La Croix. Blanche created the troupe to fully express and visually explain the Haitian culture by combining western choreography and techniques with traditional Haitian dance and drumming.
Blanche has since taught ethnic dance in the California University system from UCLA to Hayward, Sonoma, to Santa Cruz. Blanche has taught classes at Mills College, Santa Clara University, The Modern Dance Center, The Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, and at Third Wave Dance House in San Francisco for many years.
Over the years Blanche has been widely recognized for her contribution to the dance community. In 1977 she was the first dancer to be appointed to the San Francisco Arts Commission, and served from 1977-1981. In 1996 Blanche received the Artist Educator Award from the California Dance Educators Association. In 2003 she was President of the Board of World Arts West. And in 2008 Blanche received the Malonga Casquelourd Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Ethnic Dance and Music. Today, Blanche still teaches and challenges people from all walks of life at ODC in San Francisco, and is beyond pleased to be rejoining the World Arts West board. Blanche now lives in Oakland among her children, grandchildren, and a great grandson.
HERNA CRUZ-LOUIE
BOARD MEMBER
Herna is the Managing Director of HR and People Support at Asian Americans for Civil Rights & Equality, where she leads human resources strategy and workplace culture to foster organizational effectiveness and a dynamic environment of growth and learning. She also serves as the Program Director of KULARTS, the leading presenter of tribal and contemporary Pilipino/a/x arts, where she oversees the Agos Youth & Music Program (formerly the American Center of Philippine Arts). Guided by indigenous belief systems and cultural practices, Herna’s work centers on exposing the history of colonialism, immigration, and systemic inequity affecting the Pilipino/a/x community.
With over 17 years of experience as a nonprofit administrator, community organizer, youth development practitioner, and HR professional, Herna blends operational expertise with a lifelong passion for Pilipino/a/x cultural arts and intergenerational community engagement. She holds a B.A. in Asian American Studies from San Francisco State University and an M.S. in Human Resources Management from Golden Gate University. She is also a certified community mediator and earned a Certificate in Diversity & Inclusion from Cornell University.
Herna’s leadership and impact have been recognized widely: she was named one of the 100 Most Influential Filipinas by the Filipina Women’s Network in 2011 and honored in 2024 as a Reclaiming Our Space awardee by SOMCAN in the SoMa Pilipinas Cultural District.
SAMAD GUERRA
BOARD MEMBER
Samad Raheem Guerra is a director, multidisciplinary performing artist and arts educator based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He received his BA in World Arts and Cultures/Dance from UCLA in 2014. During this year, he was also awarded a Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad scholarship to study Arabic Gnawa culture in Morocco. He collaborated with local artists on a multimedia project which was featured in his thesis work. Since graduating, he has worked as a teaching artist, program coordinator at a youth homeless shelter and toured internationally with CONTRA-TIEMPO ACTIVIST DANCE THEATER. He has also performed at the Hollywood Bowl and Ford Amphitheater with Viver Brasil and Sergio Mendes, and co-produced his own work at the LACMA, Main Museum in downtown Los Angeles, Hamburger Bahnhof and daadgalerie in Berlin, Germany.
Currently, Guerra directs the World Dance Department at Ruth Asawa School of Arts, an audition-based public high school in San Francisco. He is also in the process of receiving a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Dance at CSU East Bay as a part of California’s first cohort. When Guerra is not teaching or working on art projects, he enjoys spending time in the wilderness, at the beach and with loved ones. He finds it very healing to be in nature and goes on hikes to escape city life. A big part of his healing practice also includes the ancient practice of sweating, which involves prayer and meditation. Being inside the sweat lodge has helped him stay grounded and connect to his higher purpose in life, which is to work with children and make art that inspires positive change in the world. He is grateful to the community of Navajo elders and teachers who introduced him to the practice and continue to be a source of inspiration in his life. Aho Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ (To All My Relations). Às̩ e̩ (So, Will It Be).
SUHAILA SALIMPOUR
BOARD MEMBER
Suhaila Salimpour is a first-generation belly dancer from the SWANA region (Southwest Asia and North Africa), renowned as a pioneer in her field. The visionary behind the first certification program & pedagogy in belly dance, Suhaila introduced a revolutionary methodology for both performance and instruction that has inspired a global community of dancers to approach the art form with dedication and depth.
Suhaila directs the global Salimpour School of Dance, preserving the heritage and values of her mother, Jamila Salimpour, while expanding its reach through licensed instructors worldwide and an extensive online instructional platform. Suhaila has choreographed three full-length theatrical stage shows, was nominated for an Isadora Duncan Award, and recorded over 23 albums featuring some of the most profound Arabic musicians of our time. She continues to inspire students through in-person classes, workshops, lectures, and performances around the world. In addition to her artistic endeavors, Salimpour is committed to academic pursuits, having completed her BA in Performing Arts in 2024 and currently pursuing an MFA in Dance at Saint Mary’s College of California.
BOARD MEMBER
Suhaila Salimpour is a first-generation belly dancer from the SWANA region (Southwest Asia and North Africa), renowned as a pioneer in her field. The visionary behind the first certification program & pedagogy in belly dance, Suhaila introduced a revolutionary methodology for both performance and instruction that has inspired a global community of dancers to approach the art form with dedication and depth.
Suhaila directs the global Salimpour School of Dance, preserving the heritage and values of her mother, Jamila Salimpour, while expanding its reach through licensed instructors worldwide and an extensive online instructional platform. Suhaila has choreographed three full-length theatrical stage shows, was nominated for an Isadora Duncan Award, and recorded over 23 albums featuring some of the most profound Arabic musicians of our time. She continues to inspire students through in-person classes, workshops, lectures, and performances around the world. In addition to her artistic endeavors, Salimpour is committed to academic pursuits, having completed her BA in Performing Arts in 2024 and currently pursuing an MFA in Dance at Saint Mary’s College of California.
VICTOR TORRES
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Victor Torres, Ph.D., is a Full Professor in the Department of Chicano and Latin American Studies at California State University, Fresno. He is currently director of Fresno State’s Los Danzantes de Aztlán Mexican dance program, one of the Central Valley’s most established and accomplished programs. Under his direction, the program has earned top awards in Binational (US-Mexico) and national competitions. The group has made three recent appearances in the prestigious San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. Dr. Torres serves on various Boards of Directors. He is Vice- President and parliamentarian for the Asociación Nacional de Grupos Folklóricos (National Association of Folklóric Groups). He serves as Chair for World Arts West (a San Francisco-based non-profit organization that supports the cultural arts). He is President of Danzantes del Valle Advisory Committee for Arte Americas, Fresno’s major Latinx cultural center. Dr. Torres founded various folklórico-based programs that promote higher education, primarily to low-income, rural, Latinx students in the Central Valley. These programs include the annual Festival de Los Danzantes folklórico state-wide conference, the annual California State University Folklórico show, and the High School Folklórico Summit, which utilizes folklórico to motivate high school students to pursue higher education. At the university level, Dr. Torres serves in various leadership roles. He is a Co-Vice-Chair of the President’s Council for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and the Coordinator of the university’s Latinx graduation celebration, which draws over 14,000 people.