"When I was growing up in Commerce and East LA, I noticed the on-slot of polluting sources in my community. I felt a need to connect with people in my neighborhood to help transform our community to a healthier and safer place to live."
Angelo Logan co-founded EYCEJ in 2002. He serves on several committees, such as: AQMD's Environmental Justice Advisory Group, I-710 EIR/EIS Community Advisory Committees, Southern California Association of Governments Goods Movement Task Force, City of Commerce Environmental Justice Task Force, and is Co-Chair of the Los Angeles Port Working Group.
“As a child I would save a portion of my lunch money for a year to donate to a charitable cause, thinking it would make a real difference, and then I grew up and discovered organizing.”
Before joining East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice in Fall 2009, Debbie worked as a union organizer with Service Employees International Union, organizing public employees and health care workers throughout the country. She holds a B.A in Sociology from University of California, Santa Cruz.
"In college, I grew to understand the inequity that globalization and free trade bring to many abroad nations, but as I joined the EYCEJ team, I learned how my community (and many others) face a similar injustice, which in turn drives me to work with my community to secure a healthy and safe environment for all."
Isella Ramirez grew up in the City of Commerce, and has 3 years of experience with community organizing in the Commerce/ East Los Angeles area. While in college, Isella played a leadership role in the campus immigrant rights campaign that mobilized hundreds of students. She has participated in the UCLA’s community scholars program holds a B.A. in Latin American & Latina(o) Studies from Vassar College.
"Protecting the health of vulnerable populations has always been a passion of mine."
Prior to joining EYCEJ, Jocelyn worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health as an Assistant Policy Analyst for the PLACE Program (Policies for Livable, Active Communities and Environments). She is currently a fellow with UCSF's Reach the Decision Makers Program and recently completed a fellowship with the Women's Policy Institute in the environmental justice & reproductive justice team, a member of Cal EPA's Truck Rule Advisory Committee, alternate for Cal EPA's Global Warming Environmental Justice Advisory Committee, and a board member for the LA Streetsblog. Jocelyn holds a B.S. in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention with a minor in Health Policy and Management as well as a Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Southern California.
"I always knew, growing up in Commerce, that our community was different. When I learned about East Yard I knew this was my opportunity to take part in making our community better."
Marisela Knott grew up in the City of Commerce and has been with EYCEJ since 2003 and has 12 years of administrative assistance/office management experience. She has strong relationships with community residents and organizations in the Commerce/East LA area. Marisela attended Los Angeles Trade Tech College for Business Administration.