Meet the team

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John Broadway - Founder

Hello there, my name is John Kwesi Broadway. I am a Black-American with ancestral roots tracing back to Cameroon, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, and other West African nations. I'm originally from Los Angeles (San Pedro), but I spent most of my childhood and teenage years in Tulare, California. I then spent seven years in Long Beach, attending college at Long Beach City and graduating from CSU-Long Beach. After decided to pursue my childhood dreams of filmmkaking, I moved to South Central LA in 2019, where I currently reside.

I've always know my purpose on Earth is to affect positive change and inspire others. In college, this purpose influenced me to become a servant leader. I founded and served as president of the CSULB - National Association of Black Journalists, I served as Vice-President, New Member Educator, and President of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. I was founding member of Greek Intervarsity. I was a tour guide for youth with the Long Beach Leaders. I was a mentor with the Power 4 Youth program. And lastly, I served as a official representative of CSULB president Jane Conoley, as a member of the President's Ambassadors. My list of collegiate accolades include: multiple scholarships, dean's list, Mentor of the Year, winner of the 2016 MLK Day essay contest, Outstanding Contribution to CSULB's Department of Journalism, and various other recognitions of my service. After graduating, my service continued as I raised thousands of dollars for Amnesty International and the Humane Society. I've volunteered and worked for too many nonprofits to list. I've served two years and over 3,400 combined hours of service as a member of the social justice leadership program, Public Allies.

In 2021 I founded Artivists United in order to merge my filmmaking and activist aspirations, while cultivating, inspiring and empowering a community of artivists and community members. As Artivists United grows in success and impact, there are a few things I never want forgotten. Before I was an accomplished leader, I served time in jail, was homeless multiple times, fired from jobs, flunked classes, suspended from my high school, failed as a first-time entreprenuer and I come from a family background steeped in trauma. I never hide these lived experiences because they've strengthen my perserverance, patience, empathy, understanding, and leadership. Furthermore, I hope my story can serve as inspiration for others with similar experiences

 

 

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SunXochitl Castro - Administrative Coordinator

Born in Los Angeles in 1998, SunXochitl spent her formative years in Jalisco, Mexico after members of her family were deported. Though she always dreamt of returning to the city to work in the community like many of her family members in the 90s and continue to do so. In May 2020 she returned to the city as a new single mother and immediately sought out opportunities to volunteer and intern in social justice organizations such as Public Allies LA where she passionately served 2 years. Nearly 3 years since returning she has built her curriculum and community paved her way to deserve this new position of leadership.

 

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Alex Michel - Creative Associate

I am a first generation Caribbean American from Bloomfield, CT, based in Los Angeles. I do a lot of things, but currently focus on making films; directing, writing, & editing. In 2021 I earned my MFA in Film Directing from CalArts. My work explores blackness, absurdity, plants/nature, and their relations to American youth.

For me, storytelling is a means to inspire through diversity and providing new ways of thinking. Along with joining Artivists United, I am developing my first feature film, ‘WANT + NEED’, a story that will explore how the relationship between media and advertising affects young black adults and their conquest to find meaning in their lives.

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Yomila Xoy- Communications Associate

A native of Los Angeles, CA born in June 1993. Her roots are Guatemalan, a Mayan descendant. Spirituality is her passion, she is working towards sharing her spiritual journey through animation. Yomila earned her Associates Degree in Theater Arts in June 2022 from East Los Angeles College (ELAC). She will be earning a certificate in Animation Level 1 in the Spring of 2023 from ELAC. 1st in her family to obtain a degree and the 1st to break generational trauma.

 

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Victoria Xashara- Creative Associate

 Victoria is a screenwriter, director and a social justice through the arts educator. Her work focuses on mental health, race, identity intersections, grief, joy, magical realism, and decolonial/abolitionist healing as a way to honor her Arab and Mestiza grandmothers, her hometown (San Antonio, TX) and her communities. She believes in the future as a healed place- and that television with community collaboration are crucial parts of it. She recently completed her MFA in Social and Environment Arts Practive and is developing a tv show around those themes. She feels honored to be part of the Artivists United team!