Jordan Ferrell

(He/ Him/ His)

Oakland Roots,  Technical Director

Jordan grew up in Stockton, CA and majored in Sociology at CSUEB. He has over nine years of coaching experience at both the professional and amateur levels. Jordan is also the former head coach of MLS-bound Sacramento Republic’s U-17 and U-19 Academy teams, and was instrumental in building out their club’s scouting network in the Central Valley. He was named Head Coach of the Oakland Roots last year and is one of only two African American pro soccer coaches in the United States. Jordan explains that, “ Sport is activism. It is a pervasive and visible tool to challenge norms and constructs in a way that pushes our society towards fulfillment of the promises made by our founding fathers.”

Rocio Preciado 

(She/Her/Hers)

Immigrants Rising, Community Education Manager

Rocio was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. She emigrated to the United States at the age of nine along with her parents and her younger sister. She grew up in Oakland, California where she had the privilege of attending a College Preparatory high school. Thanks to her optimism, family support, organizations like College Track, and the resources available at UC Santa Cruz, her college experience was a positive one. She graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Feminist Studies. At UC Santa Cruz she interned at the Education Opportunity Programs AB540 Student Services where she supported and mentored college students. Now that she has graduated, she is eager to continue supporting students and ensure that they do not miss important opportunities that can lead to their success in the future.

John Jones III 

(He/ Him/ His)

Just Cities, Community & Political Engagement Manager

As a father of three and third generation East Oakland resident, John is also a formerly incarcerated advocate seeking to transform his community. After being un-sheltered and unemployed for eighteen month, John became involved in community organizing and advocacy to empower himself and others by utilizing his personal story of pain, trauma, faith and transformation to inspire young people, as well as fight for policy change. 

John has been recognized by diverse political and community leaders as a principled, compassionate leader for justice.  He has served as an inaugural member of the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Prop 47 Executive Steering Committee, as well as the Vice Chair and Chair for the Selection Panel for the Oakland Police Commission under Measure LL. John also was appointed as a Democratic Party Delegate by CA 18th Assembly District Member Rob Bonta, where he is also a member of the Affirmative Action Committee.

John has organized on several local and state campaigns and ballot measures, including Measure FF, Measure Z, Prop 47, and Prop 57- all successfully passing. John is a passionate and vocal advocate and transformative justice leader for affordable housing, employment, ending mass incarceration and racial equity. He also leads the Fair Chance to Housing campaign. It promotes access to stable housing for formerly incarcerated people, and a “Ban the Box” initiative focused on housing policies, starting with reform in Alameda County, Oakland, and Berkeley.

Moderator:

Jaelyn Murry

(She/Her/Hers)

KOMU 8 News, Sports Broadcaster

Jaelyn is a 2016 Oakland Promise scholar and Oakland School for the Arts Alum. She is majoring in General Studies W/ components in Sociology, Media studies and English at The University of Missouri - Columbia. She is an aspiring sports journalist and seeks to bridge the gap between sports and social justice issues. She wakes up at 4 AM, 5 days a week to work a 8-10 hr shift at a gas station to pay for her studies. She is a positive role model and inspiration.