Board
KEVIN AL PEREZ
he • him • his
President
Kevin Al Perez is a proud queer Guatemalan, born and raised in San Fernando Valley, CA. Kevin's movement work began together with his mother who introduced him to local community work like neighborhood council meetings, union meetings, and school advocacy work as a child. It is through these local involvement Kevin was empowered and encouraged to practice community organizing and strategizing for social change throughout his lifespan. Kevin became hugely involve in school organizing and social justice throughout his educational career. Kevin graduated with a B.A in History & Queer Studies in California State University, Long Beach and a Master in School Counseling with a PPS Credential at California State University, Northridge.
Recently, he served in the Los Angeles Unified Human Relations Commission for diversity and equity, was part of the Resist Foundation Grant-Making panel which redistributed resources to frontline grassroots groups across the U.S, and in June 2023 recognized as a California State Capital Pride Honoree. Kevin hopes to create a brave San Fernando Valley for all our LGBTQ+ community members to thrive and turn up for social justice.
Email: kevin@somosfamiliavalle.org
Alexandra Casanovas, born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, is a first generation, queer, Bolivian- American, woman of color. Since 2015, she has been part of SFV pride committees, helped produce community events across the valley, and also served as an LGBTQ+ Youth Mentor. Alexandra graduated from California State University, Northridge with her B.S in Health Administration and Masters in Public Health.
Alexandra hopes to create the queer representation she only dreamed of having when she was younger in the valley. As a daughter from a conservative Bolivian family, Alexandra understands the importance of education for parents when it comes to family acceptance and she hopes more programs will become available in the valley in the future. On her free time Alexandra enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening, hiking, watching movies with her partner, and trying new foods.
Email: alexandra@somosfamiliavalle.org
ALEXANDRA CASANOVAS
She • Her • Hers
Vice President
Kevin Franco
He • They
​Secretary
​Kevin Franco is a non-binary, Queer Guatemalan living in Van Nuys. As a scholar practitioner in the field of higher education and student affairs, Kevin is passionate about enacting system-wide educational change. His experience builds on 12+ years working in the non-profit and higher education sector in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City with high school youth, undergraduate students, and graduate students from diverse backgrounds. He is a proud alumni from the University of California, Berkeley where he received his BA in Sociology and New York University where he received his Masters in Higher Education and Student Affairs with a concentration in Social Justice.
Kevin joined the Somos Familia Valle board because he wants to be involved in the local movement of making the San Fernando Valley LGBTQIA+ friendly. As a product of LAUSD and the Valley (818), Kevin believes that LGBTQIA+ valley residents are deserving of resources and assistance to reach their full potential. In the board, Kevin serves as Somos Familia Valle's Secretary and grant writer. In his free time, he enjoys dancing, going to festivals, and exploring the food scene in the San Fernando Valley.
Email: kfranco@somosfamiliavalle.org
Advisory Board
Erika Cervantes
She • Her • Hers
Advisory Board Co Chair
Erika Cervantes is a policy and advocacy leader committed to advancing equity for underserved communities across Los Angeles. As Director of Policy and Advocacy at Alliance for a Better Community, she leads policy development, legislative priorities, and coalition efforts across education, economic mobility, health, and digital access.
As a daughter of Mexican-immigrant parents and a first-generation college graduate, Erika brings lived experience to her work, grounding her approach in the realities and strengths of the communities she serves. That perspective shapes her passion for building pathways to opportunity and ensuring community voices are reflected in policy decisions.
Erika directs multi sector partnerships, including the College for All Coalition, convening organizations across California to advance higher education access and success. She has mobilized students, families, and community leaders to engage in advocacy campaigns and public efforts locally and in Sacramento. Her work connects community based organizations, philanthropy, and government to strengthen alignment and expand impact.
She also serves on the Steering Committee of the Southern California College Attainment Network and is Director of Finance for Latinas Lead California’s Young Professionals Network. Erika received two Bachelor degrees in Economics and Urban Planning from UC Irvine and a Masters in Public Policy from UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
Jay Cruz
He • Him • His
Advisory Board Co Chair
Dr. Jay Cruz is honored to serve as Co-Chair of the Somos Familia Valle AdvisoryBoard. He is the Founder and Director of The Cruz Center, P.C., a clinical practice dedicated to serving children, families, and educators in charter school communitiesacross Los Angeles County with excellence and integrity. As an occupational therapist with more than 25 years of experience, Jay has devoted his professional life to helping others thrive, especially those navigating complex systems and significant challenges. His training and extensive work in public education have strengthened his commitment to equity,access, and culturally responsive care.
Born and raised on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Jay is of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent and has called the San Fernando Valley home since 2003. Hisinvolvement with Somos Familia Valle is both deeply personal and profoundly meaningful,as this role represents an opportunity to stand fully in community and give back with purpose. Jay brings empathy, cultural humility, and a strong commitment to service. Hebelieves in the power of belonging and in helping build a world where LGBTQ+ individuals and families are safe, affirmed, and connected. On his free time, he enjoys gardening,cooking, and traveling.
Edwin E. Soto Saucedo is a queer, Latino, undocumented immigrant from Mexico City and a grassroots organizer with over 20 years of experience advancing immigrant rights, LGBTQIA+ equity, and labor justice. A proud and life-long San Fernando Valley resident, his work centers on uplifting Latinx and BIPOC communities through community empowerment, coalition-building, and civic engagement. Edwin has partnered with localand national community groups, nonprofits, and elected officials to advance policies and initiatives that support and protect immigrant, BIPOC,and LGBTQIA+, working-class communities.
He brings extensive board and leadership experience, having served withorganizations including Somos LOUD of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation,as well as academic alumni boards. He currently serves as Vice Presidentof the CSUN’s Entertainment Alumni Chapter, where he strengthens alumni engagement andindustry connections. His experience includes building strategic partnerships, organizing large-scale events, and leading mutual aid fundraising efforts that directly resource underserved communities. Edwin was recognized as a Latinos 40 Under 40TM honoree in 2025. He holds an MBAfrom California State University, Northridge, and is a Program Manager in the Equity and InclusionDepartment at SAG-AFTRA, where he helps the advancement of equity-focused programming andadvocacy within the entertainment and media industry.
Edwin E. Soto Saucedo
He • They
Advisory Board Member
Tonya Lee was born and raised in South LA, a low-income, heavilypoliced, systematically disadvantaged community. Her corevalues are unity, justice and freedom. She believes in the Africanproverb “Ubuntu”, meaning “ i am, we are”
She has worked in non-profits and community-based organizations for most of her career. She has led initiatives to increase equitable access to care, shaped policy and funding strategies, and developed intelligence frameworks for economic justice campaigns- all while prioritizing racial and social equity. Tonya holds a Master’s degree from UCLA in Public Policy, where she was honored as Student of the Year, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from CSUN with a minor in Africana Studies.
Tonya Mclendon
She • Her • Hers
Advisory Board Member
Daniel Vigil Rodriguez (he/they) is a system-impacted, community-centered organizer and multimedia artist grounded in compassion, healing, and intergenerational power for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. Specializing in educational programming, partnerships, and community outreach, Daniel draws on a background in graphic design and a care-first approach to create impactful events that empower communities and uplift the collective narrative of Los Angeles.
Daniel Rodriguez
He • They
Advisory Board Member
Staff
Damiana Cano is a community member born and raised in the North East San Fernando Valley, with roots in Jalisco, Mexico. She has been a long time organizer with Somos Familia Valle, beginning her journey as a founding member of the Somos Familia Valle Youth Council in 2016. Since then Damiana has continued to organize community events, mutual aid funds, and demonstrations in support of her communities. She has a B.A. in Comparative Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley in 2022 with a personal focus on Queer & Trans histories and Chicane studies.
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Damiana is a proud Chicana trans woman who aims to build on the legacies of trans and immigrant organizers who have come before her. At the core of Damiana’s work is her values for abolition and liberation of people affected by colonialism. One of her current goals is to strengthen her communities’ networks of resilience and solidarity. On her free time, Damiana can be found relaxing and enjoying the sun, going to a museum, or dancing with her friends.
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Email: dcano@somosfamiliavalle.org
Damiana Cano
She • Her • Ella
​Community Organizer
We Are California Squad
