Urban Promise Academy

Frederick Douglass Mesa has worked in the field of youth development and education for 18 years. Frederick is passionately dedicated to youth empowerment and leadership, cultural awareness and appreciation, and social justice and change. The multiculturalism and commitment to community that Frederick brings supports his community to feel respected and valued.  As a father of five, Frederick understands the importance of positive male role models of color for all youth despite of race, ethnicity, gender or social status. As an inner city urban youth of color raised by a single mother, he brings experience and insight to the issues facing the young people he serves.

Agustin “Base” Barajas has worked in the UPA ASP for 10 years and teachers Urban Arts such as graffiti and airbrushing. Base is also the RJ Facilitator during the daytime and is a UPA Alumini. He is in attending CSU East Bay to obtain a BA degree in Ethnic Studies.

Deisy Godoy Rivera is beginning her 2nd year in the EBAYC UPA ASP. Deisy currently attends San Francisco State University majoring in Sociology and is an UPA Alumini. Deisy instructs our Urban Latin Dance class, a class she was once a part of as an UPA student.

Guisela Ramos is starting her 5th year with EBAYC at UPA ASP. She is currently majoring in Social Justice Studies: Ethnic Studies at Laney College. Guisela is attended Metwest High School and is an UPA alumni. This will be Guisela’s 3rd year as the UPA ASP Program Assistant and works at UPA during the day as an Academic Mentor. Guisela Plans to transfer to Cal State East Bay to obtain her undergraduare degree in Ethnic Studies.

Diego Rivera-Garcia is beginning his 5th year at EBAYC UPA ASP. Diego also works during the day at UPA as the school’s culture keeper. Diego is currently attending CSU East Bay majoring in Ethnic Studies. As a graduate of Oakland Technical High School where he was in the Engineering Academy, Diego instructs Computer Science and Robotics classes.

Arely Ursino is starting her 2nd year with EBAYC UPA ASP. She graduated from Life Academy and is attending currently Merritt College. Arely instructs a class named Healthy Choices where students learn about ways to make healthy choices in their life in order to reach their goals for the future.