Welcome New Board Members!
We are thrilled to introduce our newly inducted Board Members, Alphonso Crawford, Farzana Saleem, and Xavier Rernard! Their role as Board Members will expand the City of Dreams family and broaden our ability to do more for the kids! Learn more about them below:
Alphonso Sean Crawford
Alphonso Sean Crawford is a Senior Software Engineer at Roblox working in Trust and Safety. He has more than 7 years of experience in the gaming industry including working on Facebook's Horizon VR app and Unity3D's Analytics. As a Black engineer coming from a low-income household, Alphonso is passionate about empowering youth and equipping them with the resources they need to achieve their dreams. In his spare time, Alphonso most enjoys live music, anime, and competitive video games.
Farzana Saleem, Ph.D.
Dr. Saleem is an Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University. She earned her PhD in Clinical-Community Psychology from George Washington University and completed an APA-accredited internship, with a specialization in trauma, at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Georgia State University.
Farzana is trained as a clinical-community psychologist and is dedicated to reducing the impact of general and race-based stress and trauma, cultivating culturally relevant practices, and promoting the mental health and well-being of racially diverse youth. Her research and intervention focus on youth, parents, and teachers.
Xavier Rernard
Xavier Rernard Cunningham is a Creative Producer and Art Curator operating at the intersection of TV, Film, and Theatre. A multidisciplinary with a decade of experience in both Fashion and Tech Industries, his productions focus on the transformative powers of storytelling creating a through-line between visual art mediums. Bringing art to life that informs perspective; shifting how we see the world, is a core element in his work. Xavier is a 2023 REACH resident at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He currently sits on the Board for Non-profits, Oakland Film Center and Black Girl Mentor based in North Carolina.
Their conjoined community impact and care for the well-being of others are two essential qualities City of Dreams looks for to join our circle. City of Dreams is excited to welcome these new perspectives into the lives of the youth!