Alexis Obinna has been volunteering and giving back to various communities since the age of eight. She started with helping her foster mom watch over daycare children, trash removal at her school, painting her school, planting community gardens, and much more. In 2019 she graduated with her double associate's in sociology, and child development. She attended California State University Los Angeles, where she continued to fight and give back to various communities as a Social Work major. Alexis is a social and racial justice advocate and has fought for the rights of many people of color. She has collaborated with many nonprofits such as California Youth Connections, Los Angeles Reproductive Health Equity Program, the Department of Children and Family Services, Independent City, Youth-Led Participatory Action Plan research board, and so many more. She has been with CYC since 2014 and is honored to do great work to improve the child welfare system. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga and meditation, roller skating, collecting crystals, exploring her city, and making art. She plans on working in a space that provides equitable resources and fair chances that she was denied. She wants to spread hope and positivity, and values working on herself to do so. She has been an independent contractor for 4.5 years with various titles.  Reach out to Alexis directly if you have any questions about her work, she has many resources to offer other foster youth--having experienced the child welfare system for over sixteen years.

I love doing a lot of hands-on art. I really love doing resin art and creating different amazing creations. I also love creating different tye dye patterns.  I love painting with any material, whether it be watercolor, acrylic, etc. I value self care and expressing yourself in whatever way that looks like, so I think it's important to showcase my artwork especially when talking about foster youth advocacy because you don't have to be Van Gough to do the things that you love in life.

I dont have too much experience making a Mini Zine, however I want to show people the different interpretations in life. Something that someone hates is also something that another person may love. I also want to open up people's minds and perceptions of how the world "is supposed to function." I am just excited to share my experience and hopefully inspire others.