Meet Our Wonderful
MOSAIC – Legacy Staff

Dr. Judy D. White is the founder of MOSAIC, former trustee for the College Board, Member of the Board for CAAASA, Create Thirst, and Consultant for One Step Beyond. She served as the first person of color and first woman elected in the role as the 12th Riverside County Superintendent of Schools. In her role, Dr. White worked with the county’s 23 school districts and the staff at the Riverside County Office of Education, to ensure high quality education that invests in all students while developing and sustaining strong collaborative relationships with students, teachers, parents, and the community for student success.  prior to RCOE she served as superintendent of Moreno Valley Unified School District and teacher, principal, and Deputy Superintendent of San Bernardino City School District.  

Retired Superintendent White was born in Los Angeles, California. She graduated with honors from Cajon High School in San Bernardino and earned an academic scholarship to Occidental College where she obtained a degree in Sociology. Dr. White received a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in Counseling from California State University San Bernardino and a teaching credential from UC Irvine. She later attended UC Riverside for her administrative credential and Azusa Pacific University for her doctorate in Educational Leadership. 

 The community calls her a “history maker and stereotype breaker” because of the numerous recognitions and accomplishments she has earned. To name a few, Occidental College 2024 Alumni SEAL Award, GIA 2024 Inland Impact Award, CALSA Women in Leadership Award, Q10 Quantum Impact Lifetime Leadership Award, Azusa Pacific 2022 Distinguished Alumni of the Year, Western Region Association 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award, Palm Springs Rotary 2020 Citizen of the Year, 2019 IEEP Education Partner of the Year, 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award, Riverside Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity 2016 Community Member of the Year, Labor Management 2015 Collaborator, and NAACP 2015 Educator of the Year.  She was the 2017 Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 19 Superintendent of the Year and (CAAASA) 2017 Superintendent of the Year, Moreno Valley 2014 Citizen of the Year. To date she has received over 150 awards.

Dr. White is the wife of 45 years to Mr. Anthony Wayne White. She is the mother of four children, grandmother of ten, and a member of Living Way Christian Fellowship. She describes herself as a servant leader and has added value to every position that she has ever held by increasing graduation rates, empowering students through internships, and facilitating a citywide adopt-a-school process.  

Today Dr. Judy White promotes racial healing through her book” WE.” She commits her life to helping individuals, and organization to go “One Step Beyond” toward success and unity.  

Dr. Sullivan has been an educator for over 20 years serving students, teachers, staff, parents, and the community across four large counties: Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange. She specializes in serving marginalized populations who have experienced intergenerational inequities and marginalization and has built a rapport as an equity leader for county offices, comprehensive and alternative schools, and programs throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Teaching Credential from Cal State Dominguez Hills, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Cal State San Bernardino, and a PhD. in Education with an emphasis on Urban Leadership from Claremont Graduate University.

Vinh Tran has been in the education field for over twenty years. Her desire and commitment is to continually serve as an educator to facilitate and support changes on a global level. She believes in the importance of education being a pathway to bring a community to be better than yesterday. She was inspired to join MOSAIC as this group serves to bring people together through building relationships, lifting each other up, and creating lifelong partnerships in order to collectively work together to create a more equitable society.

Adriana García-Pulver is the Chief Administrative Officer for the California Schools Talent Collaborative. With over 20 years of experience in education and non-profits, Adriana has served as the Chief Executive Officer for REACH, a non-profit organization supporting individuals with diverse abilities, and as Executive General Manager for Think Together, a non-profit partnering with school districts to enhance educational support services.

Adriana holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations from the University of California, Riverside, a multiple-subject teaching credential, and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration from Chapman University. She is also a founding board member of MOSAIC, a non-profit dedicated to developing student and community leaders to create systemic change in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In her leisure time, Adriana enjoys exploring new wineries, traveling, and savoring great food with her husband, Paul. She also enjoys spending time with her two sons Andrew and Matthew, and her extended family and friends.

Dr. Lissette Magana earned an Ed. D. in Educational Leadership.

She currently serves as Director I, CTE in the School of Education at the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) . She has been an educator and school administrator for over 20 years serving students, parents, and communities in the Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties.

Her research interests include the impact of high school reform on the academic performance of Latino and African American students in California and the impact of career academies on the overall achievement of minority students.

Leah Belote was born and raised in Southern California. Being the first in her family to attend college, she has a master’s degree in American History and a Masters degree in Teaching.

As a public school teacher Leah has taught history and AVID at the middle school level for 17 years. Throughout the course of her teaching career Leah has acted as advisor for the Junior Black Achievers club and her school site’s (African American Parent Advisory Committee) AAPAC representative. Additionally she has held positions such as 100 mile club facilitator, girls basketball coach, History Department Chair, and grade level lead.

Her passion for education is displayed through her commitment to all students, continuing to mentor students as they advance to high school and college.

Karena Zermeno, is the Sr. Business Development Officer for Altura Credit Union. She is also the founder and committee member of the Student of the Month Program in Banning/Beaumont, and Hemet/San Jacinto.

Karena Zermeno was born in Bakersfield, California on September 4, 1978. She graduated from Adison High School in June 1996 and attended Cerritos College in California while she began here banking career in the Los Angeles area.

Dr. Stacy Meyer has been an educator, locally and globally, for the past 29 years.  Currently serving as the Associate Dean for the School of Education at California Baptist University (CBU), she is dedicated to preparing future teachers to impact lives, both domestically and abroad.

Stacy’s passion for international work began as a high school exchange student and has grown through the over 30 teams she has both led and/or served with since that time. In 2017, Stacy took a transformative trip to Malawi, Africa, where she witnessed firsthand the impactful work of local Christian educators and the great need of the people. Since then, she has focused on training teachers, encouraging leaders, and researching effective ways to increase school retention in developing nations. 

Currently, she continues to serve in Malawi. In addition, she works with CBU colleagues to design and lead teams of university students who want to make a difference in practical and meaningful ways around the globe, and in our local communities. 

Rosalba G. Rodriguez is honored to serve as a board member for MOSAIC, where she supports the organization’s mission to promote diversity and unity across cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. With 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, principal, and program administrator (RCOE), Rosalba has dedicated her career to uplifting multilingual learners and fostering inclusive communities.

As someone who began her own journey as an English language learner, Rosalba brings a personal connection to the work of empowering others through education and equity. She is grateful to be part of MOSAIC’s efforts to provide scholarships, celebrate educators, and inspire meaningful connections that make a lasting impact.

Nicole” Nikki” Taylor is a long-time proud resident
of Moreno Valley whom has been serving in K-12
education for over 25 years. She is a dedicated
public servant serving students, teachers,
parents, and the community across San
Bernardino and Riverside Counties. She is an
expert in Human Resource Management and has
owned two very successful e-commerce small
businesses. She earned a bachelor’s degree in
Business Management from the University of
Redlands as well as a Master’s in Public
Administration from California State University,
San Bernardino.

In addition to running businesses and serving K-
12 students Nicole serves as an Adjunct

Professor for Western Covenant University.
Teaching core business courses to undergraduate
and graduate students. She also currently serves
as the Director of Communications for Mosaic
Legacy which is a K-12 Diversity and Inclusion
non-profit organization that has raised thousands
of dollars and given away over $30,000 in
scholarships to Riverside county students. Civic
participation is one of her proudest
accomplishments. Her actions speak volumes as
she currently serves as a Planning Commissioner
for District 1 for the City of Moreno Valley. When
she is not dedicating her time as a public servant
she enjoys mentoring young women as well as
spending time with her two children Michael and
Brooklynn and her fur baby “Cuddles”.

Jessica Gomez, an award-winning educational leader with 25 years of experience, serves as the Director of Continuous Improvement and Accountability at Menifee Union. With 14 years as an elementary principal in Title I communities, she’s driven by personal experiences to embed people-first practices in education. Recognized as 2023 CALSA Region VI Site Administrator of the Year, 2021 ACSA Region 12 Elementary Principal of the Year, and is a Co-Fellow of NAESP’s Center for Women in Leadership, Jessica’s influence extends nationally.

An author and presenter, she released “Lead with Collaboration: A Complete Guide for Transforming Staff Meetings,” and conducts workshops on diverse topics like school culture transformation, leadership development. Her dedication to being a connected educator fosters nationwide Professional Learning Networks.

Jessica’s leadership thrives in transforming school cultures and climates, inspiring educators nationwide to innovate and be champions of equity for historically underserved students. Her passion lies in closing opportunity gaps through standards, instruction, and assessment alignment.

For over 30 years, Micki Rechelle Poole Grayson, often lovingly referred to by many students as  “Mama Micki,” has worked empowering students and families to understand and navigate the  educational process and pursue their dreams. Micki currently serves as the Director of the Office of  TRIO Programs at Moreno Valley College where she oversees four federal TRIO programs – ACES  Student Support Services, Upward Bound Math and Science, Educational Talent Search, and Upward Bound. Micki works with middle school through college level students to help them matriculate to  college, navigate the college experience, and graduate from college. Micki has worked at several  colleges throughout her career, including UC Riverside, Pitzer (Claremont Colleges), CSU Fullerton,  and Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State University). It was at Texas State  University that Micki started her journey with TRIO as a Grant Specialist with Educational Talent  Search. Since then, Micki taught with Upward Bound at UC Riverside. She served as the Director for  inaugural cohort of TRIO Scholars at UC Riverside before moving to Moreno Valley College to  serve as the Director of the Upward Bound Math and Science Program. Since starting at Moreno  Valley College, Micki was instrumental in helping expand TRIO to five programs (SSS, UBMS,  ETS, UB, and VUB) and serves as the Director of the Office of TRIO Programs.  

Micki has actively served countless hours volunteering with several community programs and  organizations to promote access, advocacy, and citizenship for students and families. She has been  named Outstanding Leader in Education by the African American Coalition, and the recipient of the  Dr. Margaret Hill Service Award, Dorothy Ingraham Educator of the Year Award, Community  Service Award from the National Council of Negro Woman. Additionally, Micki has served on  numerous community, college, district, and regional committees, including being one the founders of  Moreno Valley Unified School District’s African American Advisory Council, a member of the  Riverside County African American Achievement Initiative, and one of the founding members of the  Hesabu Circle, a national collaborative of math faculty and educators to promote culturally relevant  practices in math to improve K-post doctorate math experiences and increase outcomes for students  of color. She is one of the Board of Governors for Riverside Friends of Speech and Debate and a  board member for MOSAIC Legacy.  

Micki earned her BA from UC Irvine, a Masters from the University of Southern California and is  currently a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Southern California in Organizational Change  and Leadership. As a published author of The ABCs of You: Words of Inspiration and Affirmation in  Celebration of Women and an inspiring speaker, Micki is often called to serve as keynote and lead  workshops and trainings. Of her many accomplishments, Micki is most proud and blessed to have  been the wife of her late husband, Philip R. Grayson, Jr. and be the mother of three children and two  bonus children (4 college graduates and 1 in her second year of college).