Val Thomas-Matson,
Founder
Executive Producer + Co-Host
Val is a community organizer/activist with deep experience in media. In addition to early work at KING TV, she created, produced, and hosted the daily community affairs talk show Communities in Action for King County Government TV for three years. She has also worked extensively with the multi-award-winning production company North by Northwest, serving as co-host on Washington Grown, and managing video production elements for educational, nonprofit and government video campaigns. Hattie McDaniel and Fred Rogers serve as primary sources of inspiration.
Amari Cash,
Associate Producer
Amari is a young professional with an educational background in English Literature and Film and Visual Culture Studies. A recent transplant from Atlanta to the West Coast, she has worked as a program manager, social media coordinator, and script supervisor. Amari has a passion for utilizing media to elevate social justice issues and educating the next generation. She is excited for both the professional and personal growth that working with LL+L TV will bring. Amari holds a bachelor's degree summa cum laude from Spelman College and is a graduate of Spelman's Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program.
Samerawit Hailu,
Administrative Lead
Samerawit is born and raised in Seattle, is a graduate of the University of Washington, where she earned a degree in Law, Societies, and Justice. With extensive hands-on experience in social and production media, she focuses particularly on enhancing personable experiences through positive reinforcement and radical joy. Passionate about creating safe spaces for BIPOC kids to learn and thrive, she has served as a program coordinator, social media lead, and secretary. Samerawit eagerly looks forward to applying her skills at LL+L TV to furthermore amplify voices and empower communities.
Jessica McCarthy,
Sponsorships Manager
Jessica is excited to bring her extensive nonprofit fundraising experience to the LL+L TV development team. Jessica’s background includes 20+ years in the nonprofit and private sectors including roles in marketing, copywriting, and event planning. She values her time spent volunteering in roles as a youth mentor and board member with local organizations focusing on youth empowerment, environmental conservation, and food insecurity. Jessica has called the Seattle area home for most of her life, and has a B.A. from Western Washington University and an M.P.A. from the University of Washington. She enjoys spending her free time in the mountains, at the beach, or enjoying a meal or arts event with friends.
Board of Directors
Look, Listen and Learn is a proudly Black-led organization committed to representing the communities we serve. Therefore our Board must consist of at least 85% BIPOC Directors, and a majority must identify as Black or Indigenous. We are always looking for BIPOC leaders from diverse fields who share a dedication to early learning and racial justice. For information about board service, please contact info@looklistenandlearn.org.
Kiotta Reynolds
President
It brings me so much joy to know that BIPOC kids in our community have an educational source to call their own. LL+L was made for our kids, with them in mind, rather than a revision to include them. At a young age, it can be easy to spark the joy of learning, but can we keep it going? I believe that having this representation in educational material, and from such an early age, is a powerful tool to ensure that spark is nurtured as they grow.
Nolan Phelps
Vice President
A well-rounded pragmatic engineer experienced in software development, system verification, continuous improvement, and cross-functional team leadership. Organized thinker and innovative problem solver with a broad background in computer science. Interacts and communicates very well with team members providing leadership and mentoring.
Cynthia Chavez
Treasurer
As the Chief Financial Officer of Northwest Harvest, Cynthia leads the organization in growing food justice through collective action. She has over 20 years of experience in the not-for-profit and governmental accounting industries and a deep and personal commitment to supporting underserved individuals and communities facing obstacles to economic and social mobility.
Cynthia has supported food justice at Northwest Harvest for the past eleven years. Her prior work includes serving agriculture community outreach at Oregon State University's extension. After completing her MBA, Cynthia worked for the City of Corvallis Finance Department supporting community development, community organizations, public works and local City services. Taking a turn into philanthropy, Cynthia developed the Finance Department from the ground up for the Schultz Family Foundation and served to accelerate the Foundation’s work to address inequality by unlocking greater educational and employment opportunities for individuals in need.
Cynthia is a licensed CPA and the mother of two boys, ages 6 and 8. She enjoys food, music, running, yoga, cycling, snowboarding and living life to its fullest with joy, intention, and purpose.
Kevin Carroll
Secretary
I am drawn to anything creative. Outside of work I have taught myself how to read music and play multiple instruments. I believe in uplifting the community so I spend as much time as I can teaching the youth about financial literacy and helping those that don’t currently qualify for accounts. I have been donating time to help the homeless and those affected by drug addiction and depression. In this role I hope to be someone that can drive our goals of youth education across all socio-economic audiences. I enjoy being a resource to assist anyone with reaching their goals.
Gene Yoon
Look Listen and Learn TV matters to me because children of color are still having to experience and learn about age-appropriate racial and cultural conversations. LL+L’s intentional representation, culturally relevant content and the promotion of healthy eating, exercise, and storytelling is an act of healing for young learners even before the pandemic, and now for the new generation starting off even more isolated.
Sarah Walczyk
LL+L mission and vision are working toward greater social change. I believe that diverse media representation as a key part of addressing systemic racism. I am also passionate about LL+L's specific investment in centering curiosity and joy to build self-esteem in youth.
Maile Hadley
I love the philosophy, I love Val, and I think there is a gap in media for children of color that is joyous in focus, as opposed to focusing on all the hardships and adapting to whiteness.
Ann Rogers-Williams
I believe LL& L's vision nurtures the spark of life, joy, curiosity, and sense of community that helps make it possible for children to dream big and pursue big dreams later in life. I want to help make that happen!
Mercedes Luna
I'm excited to give back to my community and help bridge the education gap of BIPOC children and provide them with fundamental tools to build success
Teri H.P. Nguyen
Teri Hong-Phuc Nguyen (Stamatakis) is an attorney and professor of law. She graduated from University of California Hastings College of Law in San Francisco, California in 2009. After graduation, she served as a Judicial Fellow with the complex civil litigation department at the Alameda Superior Court before starting at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe as an intellectual property attorney in Silicon Valley. For over 10 years, Teri coached law students competing in national moot court/appellate advocacy competitions. She has written articles and law review journals. She has served on the Alumni Board of Governors for U.C. Hastings College of the Law and the board of the National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys, among other legal and diversity bar associations.
Teri recently moved to Seattle with her family to explore interests in public policy, including pursuing a Masters in Public Administration at the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. She is currently Teri Hong-Phuc Nguyen is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at Seattle University School of Law, teaching legal writing and analysis, as well as legal skills such as client interviewing, negotiations, and counseling.
Brenda Fincher
I’m passionate about engaging youth from different cultures, countries and backgrounds so that early learning and higher education is achievable for everyone.