Who We Are

COMMA (Community Organizing & Multidisciplinary Mentorship Through the Arts) is a Black-led, arts-based community organization grounded in cultural healing, narrative change, and systemic equity. We are educators, teaching artists, poets, organizers, and community builders committed to dismantling racial inequity through accessible, culturally relevant creative programming.

Founded in Santa Barbara County, COMMA grew out of a community need: culturally grounded, healing-centered spaces where youth and adults can create, be heard, and be supported. Since our founding, we have partnered with schools, community centers, arts organizations, and local leaders to bring storytelling, mentorship, and transformative arts education to diverse communities.

What We Do

Through workshops, residencies, mentorship programs, performances, and community cultural events, we help young people and adults:

  • explore identity, history, and resilience

  • improve academic outcomes for students in literacy and reading

  • develop artistic and leadership skills

  • build emotional wellness and creative agency

  • strengthen community connections

  • participate in civic and cultural life

  • challenge and shift systemic narratives that cause harm

Why We Do It

Disparities in education, arts access, mental health, and community representation have real impacts on the well-being of Santa Barbara’s historically marginalized communities. COMMA exists to disrupt these inequities and create community-driven systems of cultural safety, joy, quality education, and opportunity.

Meet The Founders

Ademola Oyewole-Davis is a Brooklyn-born artist, educator, and activist whose work spans music, poetry, and social change. Performing since the age of eight, he’s toured nationally and is currently working on a second album with his father, Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets, alongside his debut solo project, Lib(er)ation. With over seven years of teaching experience—including with Urban Word NYC—Ademola cultivates conscious, creative learning spaces rooted in justice. He also consults on education and DEI strategy, recently delivering the MLK Day keynote at Cate School and leading artistic workshops across the country.

Tayllor Oyewole-Davis is an internationally recognized poet, educator, and social impact strategist committed to arts, equity, and community transformation. She is the Founder of Sisterhood(verb), Inc., where she develops DEIB training, cultural content, and strategic programming for marginalized communities. Her expertise spans curriculum design, public speaking, and community-centered consulting. A former Artist-in-Residence at The Riviera Ridge School and Teaching Artist with Turnaround Arts, Tayllor has led arts-integrated education with an emphasis on social-emotional growth. She’s presented at national conferences like NAIS and the Mount Holyoke College Women of Color Trailblazers Leadership Conference. Her poetry, which explores identity and justice, has been showcased globally in anthologies and galleries.

Together, Ademola and Tayllor use their talents to inspire, educate, and build lasting change through performance, education, and community-led initiatives.

Meet Our Board

CO-CHAIR

Michelle Holmes is an innovative educator and equity practitioner. As Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, she has secured substantial grant funding and established a multilingual campus. With an MS.Ed from Bank Street College and extensive experience in institutions like the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and Poughkeepsie Day School, Michelle's work has been nationally recognized. Her leadership extends to curriculum development, faculty & board training, and SEED facilitation. Michelle's global perspective and commitment to experiential learning inform her approach to creating inclusive environments that celebrate diverse cultures and histories, from elementary classrooms to board-level strategic planning.

CO- CHAIR

Connie Alexander has been Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Gateway Educational Services since 2009. She has 30 years of experience in education, including teaching and student services. She holds degrees in Political Science and History. Her role with Gateway includes daily operations, curriculum development, training, and the College Readiness Program and Summer Camps.

Connie has served as President of the Santa Barbara NAACP since 2022. The Santa Barbara NAACP was awarded best small branch in 2025.

Connie is a facilitator, trainer, and motivational speaker.

Lelia Richardson is a health and wellness practitioner, educational consultant, and advocate for equity in education and healthcare. As a Certified Massage Therapist and full-spectrum Doula, accessible wellness resources, advocacy, and holistic care are her top priorities. Lelia has a diverse and extensive background in educational programming, program management, facilitation, and is a circle keeper. Inspired by her work with schools, camps, colleges, and nonprofit organizations, restorative practices and trauma-informed care motivate her to provide personalized support and care.

Lelia is currently pursuing a graduate degree at Antioch University in Allied Health with a concentration in Healthcare Administration, focusing on maternal and birth justice. She also serves as an advisor to the statewide California Community Colleges Umoja program at Santa Barbara City College, supporting initiatives that advance student success, belonging, and educational equity.

Refueling in and around nature is a form of radical joy for Lelia. She enjoys hikes with loved ones, spending sunny days at the park, studying plant medicine, and beekeeping.

SECRETARY

Kathy Kelley is the Development Director at the Marjorie Luke Theatre and has been a resident of Santa Barbara since 1the early 1980's. Her professional background includes business management, educational programming, youth development, and youth theatre production. An experienced nonprofit fundraiser, Kathy specializes in donor relations, database management, and the planning and execution of dozens of successful fundraising events and community engagement initiatives.

Outside of work, Kathy enjoys spending time with family and friends, swimming, practicing yoga, and singing. She is the proud mother of two adult daughters and can often be found enjoying Santa Barbara's beaches with her dogs, Felix and Sprout.

Contact us

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