OUR FOUNDING STORY
Talking while walking, founding members envisioned a space where they could truly develop youth leadership and positive community change. The founding members decided to take action.
With the help of local youth, colleagues and parents, the LAB (Learning Action Buffet) was created in 2017. Since then, the LAB has brought the community together in various settings, partnering with the city, public schools, and other nonprofit organizations.
Through the LAB’s projects and events, LAB youth leaders have acquired important skills for their careers and life.
"JUSTICE IS WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE IN PUBLIC"
Dr. Cornel West
MEET THE LAB MEMBERS
Armando Arellano
Armando Arellano is an actor and local musician. He is also the Producer of the LAB Radio Hour and he manages the Facebook page and Co Facilitates LAB Drumming Workshops.
Annie Quintana
Annie Quintana is a student at NMSU majoring in Geography and minoring in Political Science. She was a staffer for Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small. Currently, Annie is a Youth Leader for the LAB Youth Voice Matters project and interviewer for the LAB Radio Hour.
"To support youth in creating sustainable and healthy community through the arts, communication, and action"
Our Mission
Andrés Uribe
Andrés Uribe is a high school student in the Las Cruces Public School District. In addition to Andrés working towards a high school diploma, he is also working towards an associates degree from DACC. Andrés has been with the LAB since 2017. Today he is a Youth Leader for the LAB's Youth Voice Matters project.
Carmen Bell
Carmen Bell is a high school student at Alma d’ Arte Charter High School. She plans to teach Kindergarten but currently she is a Youth Leader for the LAB Youth Voice Matters project.
"A community where youth and adults work together to identify and address critical issues of the day, where youth voice and leadership are harnessed in ways that result in positive social and economic change"
Our Vision
Joie Hernandez
Kellin Acree
(a.k.a. DJ Kelz) is an audio engineer and performer, born and raised in Springfield, MA. He is involved in numerous projects spanning film, radio, and music. Kellin brought the LAB Radio Hour to life in 2017.
Joie Hernandez is a student at Las Cruces High School. She is an athlete and is interested in media production. She was on the Radio Hour team for over a year and shadowed DJ Kelz.
Sustainability
Community
Creativity
Action
Integrity
Our Values
Kiara Banka
Kiara Banka is a student at Alma D' Arte Charter High School who's taking additional classes at DACC. She's the facilitator of a social justice group at her school and works with NMCafé from time to time on projects involving social issues and activism. Currently, Kiara is a member of the LAB Youth Voice Matters project team.
Kathryn Trujillo
Kathryn Trujillo also known as Kat, is a founding member of the LAB. As a former SNM ENLACE participant, she guided the LAB from day one. Kat has two Associates degrees (Arts and Science) and is currently pursuing a Nursing degree.
Michelle Valverde
has been a passionate equity advocate for 30 years. Her current work revolves around addressing disparities in the education system. The LAB allows Michelle to partner with others in creating a more just world.
Lamaia Vaughn
has been working directly with young adults in the Las Cruces area for over 30 years. She is a firm believer in the power of career technical education and the arts to transform lives and communities.
OUR BOARD
LAMAIA VAUGHN
Lamaia Vaughn is a professor of film and digital media at Doña Ana Community College (DACC). She was instrumental in developing the film production program at DACC and its collaboration with NMSU’s Creative Media Institute. The main focus of her teaching is guiding students toward meaningful careers and developing a talented and creative workforce.
JUDITH QUINTANA
Judith Quintana is a School Psychologist for the Las Cruces Public Schools. She has worked in community mental health and school based mental health settings for forty years. In these positions, she has worked as a strong advocate for tolerance, diversity, and equity to meet the individual needs of each student.
OLGA CHAVEZ
Olga Chavez has been a lifelong advocate for children and youth in the Las Cruces area. She has touched the lives of many young people while serving in various capacities as a volunteer and also as a leader within a well-established local social service agency that supports children and families.
FEDERICO ALMAREZ
Federico Almarez is a fulltime English Instructor at Doña Ana Community College. He is a poet, a song writer, musician, and an archaeological consultant. He believes in the power of student voice.
ANDREW MONTOYA
Andrew Montoya is a founding member of the LAB. He is a first-generation college graduate and high/middle school classroom educator who believes in the power of community and our youth. Andrew is currently serving as an organizer for the NEA-Human & Civil Rights Department. He brings educators, youth, and community together to create a racially and socially just learning, teaching, and living environment so that our students can become architects of their own future.
Thank you to Chris Acosta, Chris Adams, and Luisa Bannister, all founding board members of the LAB!
Thank you…!
Other youth who contributed in the LAB’s early years include Eunice Martinez Campos, Marina Vasconcellos, Alexis Armendáriz, Kobe Teal, Kathryn Grupp, and Sebastian Santiago.