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.
Anouthinh "Choy" Pangthong is a dope community servant, visual storyteller, and social justice advocate. He believes that society can reframe how it perceives formerly incarcerated individuals and marginalized communities when viewed through his captured lens.
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.
Rosie is a Mexican-Filipino community advocate born and raised in Stockton, California. Rosie is passionate about being both an agent of social change and an advocate for social equity. Inspired by a desire to see her hometown flourish, Rosie is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work degree with the goal of becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a commitment to serving Stockton's marginalized communities.
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.
Currently 21 years old, Kong was born in Thailand and immigrated to Stockton at the age of 3. Presently living in Stockton, Kong graduated from Edison High School in 2020 and is an alumni of the 2019 EMAC SEAYP Program. Kong graduated with his Medical Office Specialist degree in 2024, and plans on going back to college to obtain his Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, he loves the outdoors, wildlife, camping in his free time, and spending time with his family and friends. Kong is a community organizer and hopes to help and shape his community for the better in any way that he can.
Currently 19 years old, Jay was born and raised in Stockton. Presently living in Stockton, Jay is an organized young man with incredible potential. He possesses numerous skills such as planning, quick thinking, a sharp focus on organization, and an overall talent with assisting in various roles. He is also experienced with general labor, including mechanics and professional cleaning. Jay is incredibly adaptable to most workspaces and has a strong motivation to learn new knowledge and skills.
