Advisory Committee

Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy

Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy is a professor of English Literature at California State University, Los Angeles. He is the founder of WordsUncaged, an organization with headquarters in downtown Los Angeles that provides a platform for incarcerated artists and writers to engage with the public, through book publishing, art exhibits and digital media. Bidhan is also currently the faculty director of the first in-prison degree program at Los Angeles County Prison, Lancaster and researches new pedagogical approaches to teaching in prison. He has been teaching in prison since 2004 and is a passionate advocate for prison reform in California. He currently serves as co-president of WordsUncaged, as well as on the boards of California Humanities foundation and 4Hunnid Waze.

CECELIA TURNBEAU, ESQ

Cecelia is a social technological entrepreneur who has helped start scale and represent a number of startups in the fintech arena. She is currently an entertainment attorney based in Los Angeles, CA, with a passion for community endeavors and social justice. Cecelia has an undergraduate from Northeastern State University and a J.D. of Law degree from Pepperdine School of Law, in Malibu, CA. 

Michael Cole

Michael Cole, a true diamond in the rough, a seasoned executive who boasts close to 20 years of industry experience, with a diverse tenure consisting of positions at major record labels. Michael has helped impact the visibility of high-profile record labels such as, Priority Records (America’s #1 Hip-Hop & Rap Label home of gangster rap NWA, Ice Cube, Mack 10,Master P, and Jay Z with his Classic Debut “Reasonable Doubt” album).

Michael has also worked for Capitol Records (Legendary recording home of Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Coldplay and Snoop Dogg). Michael Cole is a driving force in all the projects he handles or contributes to. He possesses a unique and diverse repertoire of skills collected from his years of experience in the music/entertainment industry. 

Lastly, Michael Cole bestows powerful contributions upon each and every entity that has had the opportunity to engage him, in turn leading these entities on to be very prosperous and successful. He formally held the post of Vice President/Visual Promotions at Interscope Geffen A&M Records (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J Blige, Keyshia Cole, Black Eye Peas, Kendrick Lamar and Lady GaGa), to name a few for nearly 10yrs. Successful in cultivating strategic partnerships while excelling in brand management, he’s utilized multi-platforms of marketing to help increase sales and profits through various Promotions & Marketing

Yvette Wyatt

Hello my name is Yvette Wyatt. I was born and raised in Compton, California. I own two businesses one of which is event planning. I have been an event planner for the last 20 years. I love giving back to my community that has helped made me the person that I am today.

Amy Rafe

My experience comes from over 45 years of Community Advocacy involvement. Working alongside Organizations such as The  Mothers of Watts, Operation P.U.S.H, The NAACP, and numerous other organizations advocating for change. Continuing to bridge the gap, opening doors, and educate our underserved communities has been my life’s mission. I plan to use my past experiences and self-driven passions to continubuilding bridges and assist in developing stronger, more viable, and healthy communities.