BGLA Co-Founder/ Executive Board Member

Jazzalyn D. Livingston is the Co-Founder of Black Girls Leadership Academy, a national organization committed to serving the needs of Black women and girls.

Currently, she is the National Program Director at the One America Movement, a national organization committed to eliminating toxic polarization across religious, political, and racial divides in our society. Previously, she served as the National Program Manager for the NAACP Youth and College Division. She managed local, state, and national programs that engaged Black people on issues of criminal justice, civic engagement, education reform, environmental & climate justice, economic advancement, and health.

Livingston is an alumnus of the University of California, San Diego, where she double majored in Psychology, B.S. and Public Health, B.S. with a minor in African American studies. Livingston received her M.S. in Multicultural Counseling and Social Justice Education from San Diego State University. During her graduate career, she served as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Southern Indian Health Council, a Native American organization committed to protecting and improving the physical, mental, and spiritual health of our Indigenous community.

Her commitment to social justice and equity has inspired her to continue her work to liberate historically marginalized communities. She enjoys traveling the world, reading intriguing books, and practicing and teaching yoga. She is a proud native of South-Central Los Angeles but now calls Washington, DC, her home.

BGLA Co-Founder/ Executive Board Member

Victoria Gichohi is a true community advocate for all. Victoria holds a BA in Sociology and minor in African American Studies from UC San Diego and Master’s in Public Health at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA. She currently resides In her beloved hometown of Compton, California

She is most passionate about finding resources and tools that make lives more sustainable and advocating for others. This stems from her upbringing as a child. Growing up in Compton, she was accustomed to seeing poverty in her community. She has seen some of her peers and loved ones encounter housing issues, environmental disparities and even substance use and abuse. She continuously urges families, residents, and stakeholders to combat and create equitable measures for all populations that they serve and invite communities to the table on how to make a more sustainable community.

Currently, Victoria is the Digital Organizing Supervisor at Rescue Agency where she and her team are developing a policy campaign with hopes to improve conditions of parents with children 0-5 years old and childcare providers across the state of California. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to music, catching up with her close friends, spending time with her family, dancing, and all things Beyonce’.

Executive Board Member

Nancy Nezifort is an Educator who believes in the power of education and the impact that it has on our youth. Her passion stems from her parents who moved to the states from Lagonov, Haiti. They moved to the U.S. for an opportunity to have a better life for their growing family. While growing up, Nancy's parents constantly spoke about the importance of an education. They instilled in her that education meant a better future. A better life. It meant open doors and it meant respect. Nancy continues to carry these teachings with her.

Nancy was born in Fort Pierce, Florida where she graduated from Fort Pierce Central High School in 2012. She then completed her Associates Arts degree at Indian River State College and went on to graduate from the University of Central Florida with her Bachelors in Elementary Education in 2017.

After graduation in 2017, Nancy received a teaching position at Shingle Creek Elementary. She was an educator for 4 years. She has taught grades K through 2nd. She believes in the power of creating a strong education foundation and teaching her students that they are able to accomplish anything, through chants, songs, affirmations and dance.

When Nancy is not working, she enjoys working out, watching movies, traveling and spending time with her family and loved one.

Executive Board Member

Lesa Mickle currently serves as a senior Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) career counselor for the US Army Reserve, stationed in Tustin, CA, where she assists Soldiers in navigating their retention or transition process. With 16 years of dedicated service in the US Army Reserve, Lesa brings a wealth of experience, having served as a military science instructor, administrative reviewer, and observer, coach, and trainer (OC/T). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and has supplemented her military expertise with certifications in the fitness field, diversity, equity, and inclusion, project management, and IT support. Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Lesa has a passion for supporting others, both within the military and the greater community of young Black women. Outside of her professional commitments, Lesa enjoys giving back to her community as a volunteer track coach and spending quality time with family and friends. She also enjoys bowling, outdoor activities, working out, listening to music, and spending time with her dog.

BGLA Academic Fellow

Hello everyone, I am a BGLA Fellow from Charlotte, NC. I attend Johnson C. Smith University, majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. I love serving my community and doing DIY projects in my downtime.