Meet the Board
Gary Olive, JD
DoV's Consultant
Gary was born and raised in Los Angeles and brings a wealth of experience as a former attorney and current Talent Acquisition Specialist at the University of Southern California. Gary’s past community experience includes working for the Black Law Institute in Watts, attending the Million Man March in Washington D.C. and as a former board member for Have Faith Be Strong.
Reverend Patricia Fargas
Community Liason
Rev. Patricia Strong-Fargas hails from Jacksonville, Texas, and is a graduate of California State Dominguez Hills. She completed her Master Degree in Biblical Studies at Bible Believers College & Seminary. Rev. Strong-Fargas is the Senior Pastor at Mt. Salem-New Wave Christian Church in Los Angeles. Her community efforts consist of, National Convention Speaker/Teacher Sheriff Clergy, Church chairman for the ASESLA Movement, frequent contributor on KPFK's Beautiful Struggle, Advisory Board of LA District 9, member of SCLC, Vision Zero Co-hort, Red Cross Ambassador, President of Restore Faith Based Alliance and 1st Vice President of The Christian Clergy United Network Action Team.
Steven "Mr. Steve" Saunders
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DoV's Educational Counseling
Mr. Steve oversees the LECS Middle School College & Career Readiness Program, and is the Co-Director of the Middle School Student Leadership Program. In addition to those duties Mr. Steve brings a wide array of experience including the following accolades: Teacher of the Year (Los Angeles Clippers), Most Innovative Teacher of the Year (UCLA T.I.I.P.), and Volunteer of the Year (Inglewood USD, City of Inglewood & 33rd District PTA Chapter).
Omarri Beck
DoV's Youth Advisor
Omarri Beck is a Junior at Morehouse College in Atlanta Georgia, studying Sociology with a minor in Public Health. He aspires to fulfill a career in Public Health focusing on Epidemiology. Omarri has a passion to help others within the community, to address the practice of healthy habits for a healthier lifestyle. His passion is to volunteer in the community, to make it a better place for others including himself.
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Tanisha Hall
DoV' s Music Coordinator
Founder of the White Hall Arts Academy, Tanisha Hall is a graduate of Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) with an instrumental focus on voice. Tanisha has been teaching private lessons since 2002. Having enjoyed a 15 year career in the music industry before starting WHAA, Tanisha offers a wealth of experience and knowledge. White Hall Arts Academy (WHAA), a performing arts academy located in central Los Angeles providing conservatory level instruction in music, dance and drama. My specialties are artist development and non-profit management.
Maraya Burks
DoV's Newsletter Consultant and Mentor
Maraya Burks is a graduating senior, computer science major at Spelman College from Bowie, Maryland. She serves as president over the Spelman Chapter of Achieve M.O.O.R.E., a community ascension organization striving to promote altruism, camaraderie, and philanthropy in the AUC. Maraya also enjoys fashion and is an entrepreneur of her own styling business called “Styles By Maraya”.