Our BOARD
Judy Mitoma
Professor Emerita at UCLA’s Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance, Judy Mitoma founded the UCLA Center for Intercultural Performance. She also founded the World Festival of Sacred Music, Aratani Series, is a producer for Gamelan Çudamani and was an original curator for the LA Festival.
Angelica Loa Pérez
For fifteen years, Angelica Loa Pérez worked with the City of Los Angeles DCA where she oversaw Music LA, a citywide music education program. She now directs the Lincoln Heights Youth Arts Center, an organization that provides multidisciplinary arts education and empowers the low-income youth in her neighborhood.
NIPUN MEHTA
Nipun Mehta is the founder of Service Space, an online portal that celebrates gift economies and culture. His advocacy for ‘giftivism’ has reached millions and attracted more than 500 thousand volunteers. He has been recognized by President Obama and the Dalai Lama for his commitment to a life of love in action.
Emeka Chukwurah
Nigerian-American Emeka Chukwurah is an entrepreneur, musician, clothing designer, craft artist, and community organizer. Alongside his father, elder Onoche Chukwurah, he founded Rhythms of the Village, a cultural center celebrating diverse art, music, language, and textiles of Africa.
Starr Kalahiki
Starr Kealaheleokalani Kalahiki, an Indigenous Hawaiian singer and cultural representative, co-founded the Liliʻu Project with John Signor. They explore the music and poetry of Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawaii's final monarch who championed nonviolent soul force against colonial domination.
Jiro Yamaguchi
Jiro Yamaguchi is a founding member of the three time Grammy award-winning band Ozomatli. He is an international touring artist, drummer, and loving father who is dedicated to the power of change through music.
Safoora Arbab
Safoora Arbab, independent scholar, author, and educator, explores nonviolence, especially through her book 'The Ecstasy and Anarchy of Nonviolence,' applying a feminist perspective to Abdul Ghaffar Khan's movement. She earned her UCLA doctorate and features on the Soul Force podcast.
Arlynn Page
Vocalist, activist and supermom Arlynn Page is a dynamic arts educator at Aveson School where she serves a diverse community teaching chorus, drama, and healthy cooking. She has also written, recorded, and performed with artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Roots, Outcast, Erykah Badu, and Zap Mama.
Dorothy Wong
Hawaiian-born Dorothy Wong is a visionary community organizer, award-winning environmental activist, bicycle advocate, and racer. She is also a film producer, non-profit director, and long-time member of the Altadena Town Council. Dorothy is dedicated to educating the community about local climate change solutions.
SOUL FORCE CORE TEAM
Paul Livingstone
Founder and Artistic Director of the Soul Force Project, Paul Livingstone is a lifelong musician, teaching artist, and activist whose work focuses primarily on South Asian traditions and global music synthesis. Soul Force began with a multi-media concert of international musicians with Paul’s Arohi Ensemble at Occidental College in NELA in 1996.
Lillian Gates
Lillian Gates brings a unique blend of artistic vision and deep community connection to her role as Marketing Director. Her expertise in community engagement and authentic outreach makes her invaluable for advancing Soul Force's mission of cultural bridge-building and healing through music, particularly in Altadena’s post-fire recovery efforts.
Jilly Canizares
Jilly Canizares brings over 15 years of dynamic leadership experience to her role as Interim Executive Director. With expertise in public programming, multicultural leadership, and nonprofit administration, she excels at community engagement and strategic planning. A passionate, mission-driven leader, Jilly is committed to advancing Soul Force's mission of global music synthesis and fostering meaningful connections across diverse communities.