Her volleyball teammates named her the glue. That is how the indoor team at Da Vinci Communications High School described Mahalet Yonas, their captain. Not for her statistics. For her presence. For the way she held people together. It is a quiet thing to say about someone. It also says almost everything. On May 20,Continue reading “The LumenSparQ Empowerment Scholarship”
Author Archives: John Umekubo
I Stayed on the Train
There is a difference between reading about someone’s work and standing in the room where it lives. Last fall, we wrote about Alouette Cervantes-Salazar, the coordinator of the Dream Resource Center at East Los Angeles College and a LumenSparQ Lumenary. We described the students she serves, the hope she holds, and the community she hasContinue reading “I Stayed on the Train”
From Soil to Table: How Four 8th Graders Grew a Garden and a Community
Every so often, a project comes along that is quietly profound. It doesn’t try to solve the world’s biggest problems in one sweep. Instead, it starts small — with seeds, and soil, and a group of preschoolers ready to discover what it means to watch something grow. That’s exactly what Lani, Lily, Mira, and SamirahContinue reading “From Soil to Table: How Four 8th Graders Grew a Garden and a Community”
A Quiet Hum in Redondo Beach
There’s something remarkable about walking into a room where everyone is focused, engaged, and at ease, all at once. That’s exactly what greeted us at the Redondo Beach Public Library yesterday, where Micah Presser hosted one of his Check Mates events. The setup alone tells you a lot about who Micah is. Name tags inContinue reading “A Quiet Hum in Redondo Beach”
Elizabeth Sanchez and the Power of Community Voice
Elizabeth Sanchez grew up in Los Angeles, the daughter of immigrants and the granddaughter of a Bracero Program participant whose stories of migration and perseverance never left her. Those stories didn’t just shape who she became. They shaped how she works. Today, Elizabeth is nearing completion of her doctorate in Social Work at the UniversityContinue reading “Elizabeth Sanchez and the Power of Community Voice”
Micah’s Move: Building Community Through Chess
We’re excited to welcome Micah as our newest SparQ. At just 13 years old, Micah founded the Check Mates Project, using the game of chess to bring people together across generations. What began as a simple idea has grown into a community initiative that encourages connection, strategic thinking, and meaningful interaction between young players andContinue reading “Micah’s Move: Building Community Through Chess”
2025 Annual Report
We are excited to share the LumenSparQ 2025 Annual Report, a reflection on a year shaped by connection, collaboration, and care across our Los Angeles community. Throughout 2025, students, educators, and partner organizations came together to support one another in meaningful and practical ways. This was a year defined by relationships, building trust with communityContinue reading “2025 Annual Report”
A Place to Belong
For many students, higher education is about far more than classes and credits. It is about navigating complex systems, managing uncertainty, and finding a place where they feel seen, supported, and safe. The Dream Resource Center (DRC) exists to meet students in that reality. Serving undocumented, formerly undocumented, and mixed-status students, the Dream Resource CenterContinue reading “A Place to Belong”
Welcoming Our Newest Lumenary: Alouette Cervantes-Salazar
We are proud to welcome Alouette Cervantes-Salazar as the newest Lumenary in the LumenSparQ community. Alouette serves as the Coordinator of the Dream Resource Center at East Los Angeles College, where she works alongside students who are navigating some of the most complex and challenging circumstances in higher education today. Her work supports undocumented andContinue reading “Welcoming Our Newest Lumenary: Alouette Cervantes-Salazar”
Passing It Forward
At LumenSparQ, we often remind ourselves that generosity doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes it’s as simple as recognizing a need, sharing what you have, and trusting that your gift will reach the right hands. Over the past few months, we’ve been honored to witness this spirit of giving from our friends, colleagues, and supportersContinue reading “Passing It Forward”