ABOUT US
Cultivating Hope equips traditionally underserved communities with educational tools, knowledge and deep connections for professional academic growth. Our team supports sojourners to see with different eyes, to hear with new ears and to speak abundant life into existence. Our coaching and training are uniquely designed for school learning communities and organizations to reach their desired goals. We offer professional development and a variety of workshops and classes for all ages. Our founders are educators with over 30 years of experience partnering with traditional public schools, private schools, charter schools and local non profit organizations.
Leadership Team
Barak Bomani is enjoying over twenty years in the field of education as a tutor, teacher, principal, consultant and coach. Barak graduated with a BA in English from Dartmouth College and an MA in Educational Leadership & Supervision from San Jose State University. As a founding high school principal in his hometown East Oakland, California, Barak and faculty created an atmosphere where 100% of their graduating seniors were offered admission to four-year colleges and universities. After transitioning from ten years of school leadership to independently consulting with organizations, Barak continues to build the whole village throughout California's major schools districts.
Amare has dedicated his life’s works to the empowerment of underserved communities through education and volunteering. Amare has worked for non profits, community organizations and school districts. He earned his AS from Norco College and his BS from UCLA. . During his undergrad years he was able to engage in a depth of research opportunities with the Black Male Institute (BMI), Statistical and Applied Mathematical Science Institute (SAMSI), Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (IPAM), as well as faculty-supported independent research projects. He is the creator and co-author of the Math Football League.
Internationally renowned author, actor, lecturer, coach and educator, Sharaud Moore, one of the Original Freedom Writers, is presently coaching and teaching in the Long Beach Unified School District. He earned his BA from Iowa University and is pursuing a degree in law. Even though Moore tested at a genius level in the second grade, he was labeled as an un-teachable delinquent, a label that led him to make poor choices. Once a homeless youth born to an unwed teen mother, Moore uses his life's challenges to motivate his students and the community to reach their greatness. After being expelled, Moore was forced to attend Woodrow Wilson Classical High School where he met Erin Gruwell, an English teacher that inspired him to dream about his future.
Kevin Taylor is a California native with over 20 years professional educational experience. He spent 8 years as a teacher in the classroom, 6 years as a high school principal and 8 plus years in district leadership positions. Kevin was the founding principal at Langston Hughes Academy in Stockton, California which quickly became the highest performing 6-12 school in the city. As an Associate Superintendent in Oakland, Kevin was responsible for 17 high schools and earned local recognition for his efforts. He currently is a Chief Academic Officer and supervises over 30 schools in the greater Sacramento area. Kevin earned his BA in Sociology from Cal State Northridge and MA from San Jose State University in Administration & Curriculum. Kevin has received Community Hero Award from the 100 Black Men of America, Future History Maker Award from the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, and the Bay Area Educational Leadership Award. He remains committed to improving the educational outcomes for all students and mentors youth throughout California.
Born and raised in Salinas, California, Alvaro Venegas, affectionately known as Coach Al, has been cultivating hope since 2007 when at 18 years old, he began exercising his creativity to deliver powerful content and messaging through writing and public speaking. “Instead of changing the world,” Coach Al encourages communities “to create the world they want to live in.” Coach Al authored his RECESS STANDARD (adopted by Santa Rita USD) that fosters diversity, culture and equity for social spaces in schools. Coach Al is the business owner of a successful health and wellness company that provides inspirational training to students in schools as well as teachers, families and military personnel.
A dynamic strategic planner with a passion for student learning, Dr. Crechena Wise is an educational innovator, who has been a catalyst for change in schools. As a graduate of the Rossier School of Education from the University of Southern California with a Doctor of Education, she completed her dissertation study focusing on high performing schools in socio-economically depressed areas. Dr. Wise serves as Vice President of the ACSA Secondary Schools Committee and is the ACSA Region 14 representative. Dr. Wise is currently, the principal of Gahr High School in the ABC Unified School District in which she has been employed over ten years. She has increased AP course offerings for students and created a transitional language program with her feeding middle school. The focus of the site is to ensure all students, whether they choose college or career, have opportunities to pursue their passions which hopefully lead to life success. Currently, Gahr High School has a 100% graduation rate.