About Us
Mission
The Afro Latin Collective is a home for music and self-discovery. We seek to learn, teach, grow and foster each other in the pursuit of wisdom, unity, beauty, love, art, and truth. Our community stems from a mixture of Indigenous, European, and African ancestry, to be Afro Latin is to emphasize the African element of this trifecta. We utilize the power of the oral tradition, embrace unique multicultural perspectives to heal & unite our communities, and assist students through providing private lessons.
We prepare students to comprehend, contribute to, and thrive in an ever-evolving global society through the mediums of music and mentorship. We ensure that our students develop both the musical and performative skills that are essential to excel in the contemporary setting. We also advance pragmatic cultural knowledge so people can better understand our world, who we are, and improve conditions for our global communities.
Gracias, Obrigado, Merci!
Dr. David Rowland
Treasurer
My training has given me a diverse background in arts and sciences following the Western tradition. I completed conservatory study in F Horn at UCLA, as well as bachelors and doctoral studies in biophysics at UCLA and University of Michigan in the field of computational microscopy. I use my experience as a physics and chemistry researcher and teacher at the college level to inform my views on effective teacher-student communication and teaching methods. I use my experience as an artist using Western classical music as well as digital photography to understand, explain and utilize social themes that my community cares about to engage, inform, and educate. I monitor and regularly inform the board about the Afro Latin Collective's income, expenses, and corporate structure. I also interpret financial reports and provide counsel for financial decisions.
Karen Jimenez
Secretary
I moved to the Bay Area from Los Angeles to pursue my dream of becoming an educator and I currently teach second grade at a bilingual school in Oakland. My educational background includes a Masters in Education from University of California Berkeley and two Bachelors in Sociology and Education from University of California, Irvine. I am passionate about bringing art, music, movement, and healing to my students and the community. In my free time, I love to water my plants, run, and eat delicious food. My role as secretary is to take notes and prepare the minutes for board meetings. I also brief the board about upcoming meetings, keep them updated, track our activities, and make sure that those activities coincide with the Afro Latin Collective's bylaws.
Dr. David Chong
President
I am the child of Caribbean immigrants who moved to the United States to pursue a better life. My educational journey began as a music major studying classical voice at Los Medanos College. Then, I transitioned my major to the piano and received a bachelor's in Jazz from California State University, Sacramento. Finally, due to a growing interest in my own culture, I acquired a master's in Afro Latin performance from California State University, Los Angeles. Meanwhile, I taught various subjects to fund my education, which evolved into a yearning to become a masterful teacher; hence, a Doctorate in Post Secondary Education.
My dissertation investigated how to reproduce an Afro Latin music program at the Post Secondary level. However, the exclusivity of higher education necessitated that I provide a path for all people to learn about Afro Latin music and culture. Inevitably the collective was conceived. As the president, I use my leadership skills and deep commitment to our mission & vision to lead the board and supervise the Afro Latin Collective. I also develop relationships with various communities to help promote our mission & vision. I currently teach at a community college in the Bay Area, and in my spare time, I enjoy sailing, songwriting, performing, reading, and writing.
Vision
Driven by pragmatism and a sense of responsibility, we seek to accelerate the creation, application, and exchange of music and culture in order to unify and create meaningful impact in our communities. The scope of the challenges we face today necessitate a new method for fighting against the many deep-rooted issues that threaten our communities and our planet. The importance of incorporating online education is vital to everything we do.
We focus on:
Expressing through music.
Enhancing our knowledge of the world and ourselves.
Advancing accessible quality online education.
Unifying and supporting our diverse communities.
Danki, Thank You, and welcome to our family!