LA FAMILIA TEAM
HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND
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HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND -------
Vidal Quesada Guzman
(He/Him)
Founder, LFP Director of sports programming
Born and raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Vidal came to the USA in 2016 with the goal of finding new opportunities. With a boxing and futbol background, Vidal knows the importance of being active. After years of physical and mental health struggles in a huge city like NYC, Vidal decided to retake control of his life and mind through the sport of boxing and mental health counseling. Realizing the lack of both physical and mental health support and resources in the community, Vidal decided to create an intentional space where everyone in the community can work together to create a healthier identity.
Vidal knows and has seen first hand how through sports and mental health awareness, one can better themselves to create positive change in their lives.
Javana F. Mundy Quesada (She/They) -
Co-Founder, LFP Partnerships Director, Director of Arts & Wellness Programming
Javana F. Mundy is a compassionate and engaging collaborator, connector, and Arts & Wellness Educational Advocate.
She studied and attained her MFA in Theater at The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University which gave her the foundation for her career in acting and educational work. For the past five years she has worked in Educational Advocacy as a Teaching Artist and Educational Specialist while pursuing her artistic career in Acting, Writing, & Producing.
LFP was manifested by Vidal, created through our partnership, and inspired by the youth we have both worked with in our respective careers.
“I seek to continue the development of my work serving systems-involving Black and Brown and gender-expansive youth and young adults through my work in foster care, arts education, wellness education and the performing arts. La Familia has become an extension of that vision. I am passionate about developing platforms through the arts and education where black and brown youth and their communities can be seen and heard with the intention to empower and promote leadership to create actionable steps towards social change. That is my investment for the future.”
Get to know Javana:
Site: www.javanamundy.com
IG: @javanamundy
Christian Barnes (He/Him)
Co-Founder, LFP Lead Boxing & Chess Instructor
Christian Barnes was born and raised in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He has a passion for boxing and personal training dating back 11 years. With his experience gained from competitions and tournaments like the Golden Gloves and Metro's along with his Certification of Personal training from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, he aims to improve the physical and mental well being of others.
“Movement is medicine and there is no movement like boxing.”
Sy “Sun Child” Lu
(They/ Them)
LEAD Wellness and Arts Facilitator & Educator
Sun Child is a multi-disciplinary professional artist from Los Angeles, currently working in New York City. While fostering a career in dance and fashion, Lu taught dance and healing modalities throughout New York State. Always passionate about helping others and building community, Lu works to educate everyone on self-healing. While working within the NYC school system, under Queen Geniuses Inc., Lu developed tailored approaches to engage and inspire students, including those on the autistic spectrum. Lu’s growing passion lies in creating inclusive environments for all to grow, explore, thrive, and heal through movement.
Sun Child has partnered with La Familia since the onset of its Arts and Wellness Programming.
Gregory Poleon (HE/HIM)
LFP Lead Basketball Coach
Gregory Poleon is a former elite basketball player turned passionate coach with over a decade of experience. With numerous championship victories at the high school and collegiate levels, as well as a successful professional career overseas in Europe, Gregory brings a wealth of knowledge to his coaching.
Dedicated to passing on his expertise to the next generation, he has over five years of coaching and personal training experience and is committed to shaping the future of the sport.
Marcus (He/Him)
LFP Lead Boxing Instructor
“When I started boxing in 2013, I got the opportunity to not only train for a sport in which I had a natural affinity, but I also learned a life-long lesson, boxing is a metaphor for life. It teaches you how to tackle obstacles and overcome adversity, while building physical and mental stamina.
With discipline and hard work, I eventually qualified as a finalist in the 2014 New York State Boxing Tournament and later won the 2016 Western Massachusets Golden Gloves Competition. As my passion allowed me to reach my personal goals, I discovered a desire to help others do the same. Since 2016, I have shared the art of boxing with clients of various ages and skill levels, helping each on their journey toward fitness and wellness.”
Get to know Coach M:
IG | @_saeedfit_
Milo (they/them)
LFP wellness Facilitator
Milo (they/them) is a multimodal energy and somatic healer based in Brooklyn. Drawing from a background in child welfare, local government, and system design in New York and Chicago, their work blends expertise in "navigating the systems" with deep, restorative healing, creating a unique space for transformation and growth.
Shekinah-Glory Beepat (SHE/HER)
lFP Lead Martial Arts & Junior Boxing Coach & wellness facilitator
Shekinah-Glory Beepat is a Brooklyn-based martial artist and educator. She is a life-long student, training in Okinawan Karate, Aikido, and the Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education.
Shekinah-Glory is driven to empower and embolden individuals through self-defense workshops, Awareness Through Movement seminars, and martial arts classes. She currently teaches with La Familia Project throughout Brooklyn, Edison Karate in NJ, and 5 Lines online.
Get to know her:
@sgbeepat
Melanie Aguirre (SHE/HER)
LFP DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Melanie is a native New Yorker and an active artist educator community leader. She offers the NYC arts community with dance competitions, community discussions, fundraisers, workshops and theatrical performances. She teaches multiple urban dance styles within the tri-state area, nationally and internationally. She has performed as a solo artist at openings of nightclubs, restaurants and collaborated theatrical performance. She’s was hired as a principal dancer for artist like Usher, Pitbull, Ciara, Marc Anthony and Chromeo. She has worked for companies like Apple Music, Nike, New Balance and Metro PCS as commercial actor. She has curated storytelling museum tours at the Bronx Arts Museum and Hudson River Museum. She was selected in 2017 for a cultural exchange program in Paris, France at La Place Hip Hop cultural center. In 2018, she was chosen as a diplomatic Hip Hop ambassador through Next Level USA cultural exchange program that was funded by the US state department. She continues her passion as a competitive All- Styles Dancer nationally and internationally. With these different avenues of outreach and experience, she has been able to inspire many through creativity.
ARDEMIS KASSABIAN
LFP LEAD GYMNASTICS INSTRUCTOR
Ari spent most of her childhood in gymnastics facilities. While growing up in the gym of a Division 1 collegiate gymnastics team and attending the most prestigious gymnastics academy, Ari developed a deep love for the craft of gymnastics. As she dedicated her first 18 years to studying the sport, she made the transition to coaching while still in High School. After a brief hiatus and years of teaching circus and dance, the passion is still strong. With over a decade of teaching experience, Ari has developed a supportive classroom environment accompanied by a steady hand pushing for growth.