Monica Doherty

Big-Hearted Facilitator

Monica dreams of living in a world that’s supportive of all people living happily, equitably and peacefully; a world in which all people not only feel safe, loved and celebrated for their unique selves but where they actually ARE safe, loved and celebrated in their lives.

She believes deeply in the Soul Shoppe lessons and experiences and the depth of inclusivity and belonging they can cultivate. For nearly two decades, she’s witnessed the powerful impact of this work and is committed to creating a peaceful, fun and happy life together!

Monica’s a Bay Area native and has produced socio-emotional programs with Challenge Day and The Be the Change Movement for over 14 years, taught dance and theatre at various performing arts academies and facilitated I.BE.Me youth empowerment workshops.

She leverages that experience with her educational background in Sociology, Ethnics Studies, Inclusive and Social Justice Performance and Nonprofit Management, which inform her commitment to equity, accessibility and liberation.

Often sought out for her peacemaking nature in personal relationships, she’s grateful to be sharing her heart with Soul Shoppe.

“My fun and happy life includes going on adventures with my spouse, traveling near and far, dancing and singing my way around the world, being curious and learning new things, performing in musical theatre productions, dressing up in costumes any time of the year, connecting and laughing with family and friends, being a ‘guidemother’ to five amazing young people and playing and snuggling with my nephew. When I asked him what he thought I should say in my bio for Soul Shoppe, he said ‘You love kids. That’s all.’ It’s true!”

Anthony Jackson

(he/him)

School Care and Facilitator Coordinator

Anthony has worked with youth in many capacities for over 25 years. As a counselor, instructor and facilitator, he’s developed and implemented life-changing programs and curricula. Certified in Multicultural Awareness for the Helping Professions, he’s adept in resiliency models, VARK learning strategies, generationally relevant material and cultural sensitivity.

it’s important to him that diversity and inclusion be part of everyday life. “Soul Shoppe is in alignment with my desire to positively impact the world by embracing our differences and honoring the importance of the empathy and compassion humans need to feel and share in order to have a fun and happy life.”

Anthony has worked with thousands of kids faced with common, day-to-day challenges as well as those affected by poor economic circumstances. He’s an author and activist for Cultural Relativism and liberation. He received a Martin & Malcolm Award for philanthropy.

“I love animation, art, writing, nature and anthropology. I love having the opportunity to utilize some of these things I love as the Lead Illustrator for Soul Shoppe workshops. Living in the diversity of the Bay Area, it’s important to me that the kids can see themselves in my illustrations and facilitation.”

Jillian Sequeira

(she/her)

Program Administrative Manager

Jillian has delivered social emotional learning programs to schools across the country, bringing safety and joy to conversations about mental health. As a young person, Jilliaan was passionate about the intersection of art and activism, fascinated by how creative expression helps us better understand each other.

After studying how and why young people get drawn into violence at the London School of Economics, she worked in violence prevention at Sandy Hook Promise, delivering programming to thousands of teachers and teens across East Bay and beyond. She then shifted into the afterschool space at Ever Scouts, a program that taught elementary schoolers how to advocate for themselves and build healthy relationships with their classmates.

Having worked as both an in-classroom instructor and a behind-the-scenes program manager, Jillian’s number one priority is sharing lessons that are a blast for students and a cinch for teachers.

Soul Shoppe is a place where she can help make vulnerability and honesty feel less like a frightening leap and more like a comfortable, natural step we take together.

Today, Jillian still finds joy in all the greatest hits of her elementary school art classroom: collage, acrylic painting, and of course, pipe cleaner creatures.

Shawn Mountcastle

(she/her)

Finance Director | Ambassador of Random Magical Things

Shawn is a burnt-out poet and painter-turned-entrepreneur who has worked in the publishing, healthcare, insurance and tech industries. She has interfaced with startups, early stage ventures and nonprofit organizations throughout her career. She has a particular interest in organizational development, focusing on business growth and change strategy as a means to create equitable and just work environments.

Seemingly random events of life and career led her to Soul Shoppe at the end of 2016. “It has been personally transformative to be part of this community of changemakers and to play a part in bringing these fundamental skills to children.” She wishes that Soul Shoppe had been part of her elementary school experience.

Shawn holds a master’s degree in Social and Clinical Psychology and is a certified facilitator for both Appreciative Inquiry and The Human Element organizational development systems.

On the side, she’s obsessed with bringing a vegan food product to market.

Arek Bryant

(he/him)

Curriculum Production Manager

Arek began teaching elementary school math while earning his BS in Music Engineering. After returning home to Oakland, he joined a coalition of African-American male educators that formed an alternative school for boys who were not performing well in traditional brick and mortars. Arek’s “off-the-cuff” style of teaching engaged and encouraged his students and proved to be successful, as the majority of his 12th grade students went on to pass their state exams and many went on to college. He believes, “The best learning happens when you’re having fun.”

As program director for the McCullum Youth Court, Arek worked to reduce the recidivism of youth crimes in Oakland and Berkeley. Realizing the problem was not the youth but their circumstances, he began to have one-on-one relationships with each young person he worked with to influence change in their circumstances. Arek has continued to focus on uplifting and educating youth through teaching, musical mentorships and ministry.

Along with the joy of homeschooling his children, Arek has enjoyed an amazing musical journey. From George Clinton to Teddy Riley to Janet Jackson, Arek has been blessed to work with many truly amazing artists. He currently runs Chamberz Studio (Winner of the Oakland Soul Indie Award) and is an on-air personality for KCBZ Global and KPFA Berkeley.