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.

Co-Founder, LFP Partnerships Director, Director of Arts & Wellness Programming

Javana F. Mundy is a compassionate and dynamic collaborator, community connector, and Arts & Wellness Educational Advocate.

She earned her MFA in Theater from The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University, where she built a strong foundation for her dual career in professional acting and educational arts leadership. Over the past nine years, Javana has dedicated her work to youth and community development and arts advocacy, serving as an Educational Specialist, Teaching Artist, and now Arts & Wellness Director.

Alongside her professional practice, she continues to cultivate her multidisciplinary artistry in acting, writing, and producing, and is currently pursuing Art Therapy as an LCAT Candidate at New York University. Her work centers creative expression as a tool for healing, empowerment, and collective well-being—because art, quite simply, changes lives.

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

Co-Founder, LFP Lead Boxing 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.”

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.

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_

LFP Lead Soccer Coach

Euro Trilll is a Brooklyn-based NASM-certified personal trainer, strength coach, and community organizer with over 13 years of training experience.

Born into a multicultural environment with German heritage and American education , Euro has lived across multiple continents, gaining a global perspective that shapes their approach to coaching and connecting with people. They draw on this diverse background to create inclusive fitness spaces for marginalized communities.

After playing competitive club soccer at Florida State University, Euro transitioned to building strength-focused, queer-inclusive athletic events like the Xthletic Games coming up in June 2025.

With a mission to empower trans and queer athletes, they bridge the gap between athleticism, inclusivity, and self-discovery, redefining what it means to be strong and authentic in the fitness world.

LFP Lead Soccer Coach

Abi Chavez is a proud Mexican-American fútbol community organizer who is passionate about creating safe and inclusive spaces for the POC Queer community. Founder of @pocfutbolbrooklyn, Abi helps bring people together on and off the field, using the game as a way to build joy, connection, and community. The group hosts weekly pickup games where players of all skill levels are welcomed, as well as donation based beginner-friendly lessons designed to make the sport more accessible to those who are new to it. Abi’s organizing is about more than just fútbol—it’s about fostering belonging, celebrating culture, and carving out spaces where POC Queer communities can thrive.

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.

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.

LFP Wellness & 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.

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

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.

LFP Gymnastics Coach & Multi - Sports Instructor

Kaylah is a dynamic coach who brings both passion and perspective to the gym. Athletics has always been a significant part of her life, fueling her growing passion for sports. As a former student-athlete who competed at the Division 1 level, she understands the dedication required for elite performance. To further her interest in athletics, she is pursuing a career in sports psychology, backed by a background in mental health counseling. This allows her to approach coaching with a focus on the holistic well-being of athletes, emphasizing confidence-building and fostering mental toughness alongside physical skills. Kaylahis committed to helping every gymnast realize their full potential, both on and off the mat.

LFP Lead Basketball Coach

Selena is a former professional basketball player with multiple championships earned over the past decade at both the collegiate level and throughout their youth career. “Basketball has always been more than a game to me—it’s been a vehicle for discipline, resilience, and purpose. As my passions evolved, I transitioned into coaching, a decision that became one of the most rewarding chapters of my journey.”

Coaching allows Selena to give back by teaching the next generation the importance of staying active, focused, and committed to their goals. The game has shaped who they are, and through coaching, she pours that knowledge into every player she works with. “Leading by example and giving 100% so they can see what’s possible when effort meets belief.’

“I’m just a kid from Queens who wants young athletes to understand how powerful they truly are. Even without certain resources, I’ve learned that consistency, focus, and self-belief can take you farther than you ever imagined.”

LFP Lead Arts Instructor

Catalina is a multidisciplinary visual artist, award-winning filmmaker and educator based in New York. She writes, directs, and produces both fiction and documentary films. Trained in Photography and Painting in Latin America, she later pursued Media Arts and Women’s Studies at Hunter College. Her work engages with the political and poetic dimensions of image-making.

Her practice challenges ideas of authorship, imperialism, and representation. She collaborates with multicultural and multilingual communities through documentary projects and teaching, bringing a socially engaged perspective to both her art and education. In the classroom, she draws from the social sciences, art history, and contemporary art to cultivate inclusive, critically reflective learning environments.

Catalina is the founder of the Art of Mindfulness Center, which offers creative tools and experiences that support well-being, connection, and purpose. Across all her work, she is guided by a belief in the power of art to awaken radical love and expand our capacity to imagine and create.

IG @katalinastudio

LFP Gymnastics & Dance Instructor

Ro is a Gymnastics and children's sports, art and theater coach with over 10 years of experience working in different early childhood and afterschool centers in NYC. Ro was a competitive gymnast in their hometown of Cancun, Mexico from the age of 3 to the age of 17 years old. They moved to New York City in 2013 and achieved a Musical Theater Accreditation from The New York Film Academy. Soon after graduating, they realized their passion for children's movement, education and physical development, thus awakening this fulfilling career. 

As a proud immigrant and openly trans athlete and performer, Ro finds a lot of importance, joy and fulfillment bringing the importance of movement and self discovery to QTBIPOC youths all around New York. Caroli is extremely excited to be joining the LFP coach community and bringing programming to New York City communities. 

LFP Arts Instructor

I am an Afro-Caribbean multidisciplinary artist committed to building community through facilitating creativity and artistic self-expression while emphasizing the importance of collaboration between teacher and student in all areas of learning. I hope to bring each mind I influence an opportunity to see themselves outside of their physical and realize who they are through what they create. 

I am committed to making art accessible through non-technical projects while maintaining the material integrity of each lesson, ensuring art elements and principles are emphasized. I hope to (re)ignite the love for art and creating, exploring the process, and guiding creative thinking so that each student may begin to use these skills in all aspects of their learning.