Our Team
Nikki Chan is a community advocate, graphic designer, and journalist from Stockton, CA. She graduated from Dominican University of California with a BA in Communication and Media Studies. As a community advocate, she uses her skills in design and journalism to help ignite and raise voices of people who are marginalized. She has helped her hometown City of Stockton in numerous health initiatives like the Healthy Beverage Ordinance, Greenlining the Hood, and issues affecting Asian American Pacific Islanders.
Originally from Northeast Stockton, California, JR Arimboanga (he, him) is a queer, second-generation, Filipino American teacher, organizer, photographer, and potter. He has been working alongside high school-aged youth for over a decade in San Francisco’s Southeast neighborhoods, East Oakland, and back home in Stockton, California, where he fought for and taught the first high school Ethnic Studies courses in the districts. JR also helped to grow the Stockton Unified Ethnic Studies Program as their first Ethnic Studies Teacher On Special Assignment. He earned a B.A. in Asian American Studies and a minor in History from San Francisco State University and a Masters of Art in Teaching: Urban Education & Social Justice from the University of San Francisco.
Donald Donaire is a second-generation Filipinx American who was born in Daly City but grew up in Stockton. They studied Ethnic Studies at the University of California in San Diego and returned to their hometown to do youth and education work. Donald is also involved with the San Joaquin Delta College Pride Center and the Little Manila After School Program.
Born in a refugee camp and raised in Stockton, CA, he served 22 years in prison from the age of 15 and was released in 2018. Now, as the Digital Media Director at EMAC (Empowering Marginalized Asian Communities), he amplifies Southeast Asian narratives through film, advocacy, and civic engagement. His work focuses on reentry, anti-deportation efforts, and community healing, ensuring that marginalized voices are heard. Choy's storytelling earned him the Society of Professional Journalists Northern California award for best feature, and he has shared his journey of resilience, identity, and redemption in a 2023 TEDx talk. He is currently co-directing a documentary on the 1989 Cleveland Elementary School shooting in Stockton, furthering his commitment to preserving history and uplifting communities impacted by violence and injustice.
Jaelyn Galasinao Sanidad is an Ilokana Pinay born and raised in the Southside of Stockton. Like many other Southeast Asians in Stockton, her parents immigrated to the city between the late 80s-mid 90s. As a Southside kid, she attended Marshall Elementary and Edison High School; then decided to continue education through San Joaquin Delta College and transferring to San Francisco State University where she attained BAs in Race & Resistance Studies and Race, Ethnicity, & Health, with a Minor in Queer Ethnic Studies. Above all, Jaelyn is committed to loving, learning, and being with her people more and more in order to collectively organize toward a reimagined, liberated world — from Southeast Asia to Stockton California.
Currently 22 years old, CJ was born in Sacramento and moved to Stockton at the age of 5. Presently living in Stockton, CJ is an alumni of our 2023 209 API Homies Circle Program. He possesses a diverse set of skills, including interpersonal, teamwork, problem solving, and adaptability skills. In his free time, he enjoys staying active, listening to music, and spending time with his family and friends. As always, CJ looks forward to growing as a leader, and is always enthusiastic to see what future opportunities await him.
