Staff

*Photo credit: Michael J. Elderman

Public History Director

Audrey Maier, PHD

Audrey Maier is a fifth generation resident of San Bernardino County, growing up in Colton and Loma Linda CA. After studying Art History at the UC, San Diego she received her MA and PhD in History/Public History from UC, Riverside. Her work in the community began shortly after returning to the Inland Empire (I.E.) for graduate school. She was inspired to research her own family’s history as she knew from passed-down stories that the family immigrated to San Bernardino Country from Mexico in 1911. Realizing the gaps in the archives inspired her to create new ones, tapping into community stories, networks, resources, and carefully preserved photographs and ephemera to build out new sources to tell the underrepresented stories of I.E. communities.

Maier has since worked to create alternative community-centered archives, oral history projects, and history exhibitions, working with a number of other Inland Empire cultural organizations to develop K-12 lesson plans, host community festivals and collaborate with local artists on site specific installations.

Previously Maier was a digital and public humanities consultant with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and she also co directs A People’s History of the I.E. Maier will now work with executive director, Sabrina Gonzalez and the board of directors to advance the mission of The Civil Rights Institute across Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

*Photo credit: Michael J. Elderman

Education and Community Outreach Specialist

Shardé Alexander

Shardé Alexander, is a Riverside County native, who was born and raised in Moreno Valley, CA. She attended the University of California, Los Angeles where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Art with a minor in Film. After her studies, she returned home, where she became more involved in her community and received a position as an Education Coordinator at a local museum. During that time she learned more about the lack of resources in her community. This awareness sparked her desire to be involved and influenced her approach towards community-centered programming, partnerships with local organizations, and the development of enriching environments for students.

Her mission is to bridge the gap between youth and accessibility to art. She aims to provide a space for the Inland Southern California region to express their creativity and rebuild the cultural and historical enrichment of the community. Working with members of the region, she is consistently learning about the various cultures that make up the region. Through connections with cultural leaders, to respectfully acknowledge and highlight the subcommunities, she looks to build educational programming and arts workshops that introduces the broader public to the region’s rich history, cultural traditions, and practices.

Currently, Alexander works with the Executive Director to help strengthen The Civil Rights Institute’s reach. Her duties involve conducting community outreach, deepening engagement, and developing educational programming to broaden impact and teach the history of the Inland Southern California region.

*Photo credit: Michael J. Elderman

Operations Manager

Corey Romo

Corey Romo is an experienced community leader and Inland Southern California resident committed to advancing accessibility, inclusive practices, and educational equity. His journey in community service began at San Bernardino Valley College, where he earned associate degrees in psychology, sociology, and behavioral science, followed by a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Education from UC San Diego. His early work at a childhood education center sparked a lifelong passion for supporting individuals across the developmental spectrum.

Corey’s professional background is rooted in direct service and advocacy for underserved populations. He began his career in behavioral therapy supporting children with autism, followed by three years as a Program Supervisor at a day program for individuals with disabilities. More recently, Corey served as a Program Director in Redlands, where he developed and oversaw housing, community, and basic needs programs.

Joining The Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California represents a vital opportunity for Corey to give back. He is driven to ensure the region develops through positive change that empowers people to feel heard and valued. A staunch advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness, Corey continues to lead in the community and operates a small business providing website design support to local organizations. He is proud to bring his operational expertise and dedication to The Civil Rights Institute to help build a more sustainable and equitable future for the region.

Operations Staff

Yanela Cortes-Orozco

Yanela Cortes-Orozco is a first-generation college student who earned her Bachelor’s degree in Art History and Global Cultures with a minor in Marketing from California State University, San Bernardino.

Throughout her academic and professional experiences, Yanela has been drawn to opportunities that amplify underrepresented voices and connect people to meaningful cultural and civic experiences. Her interest in communications and public history developed through her experiences at The Civil Rights Institute, where she discovered the power of connecting people to history through exhibitions, community programs, and storytelling.

Yanela began her journey with The Civil Rights Institute as a volunteer, where she learned the ins and outs of museum and nonprofit work. She was later hired as a contracted exhibit preparator, contributing to the installation of three exhibitions at The Civil Rights Institute, including two traveling exhibitions. When an operations staff position became available, she joined the team and expanded her role within the organization.

Today, Yanela contributes to The Civil Rights Institute’s communications efforts, including social media content creation and digital storytelling. Through her work, she is committed to making civil rights history accessible, engaging, and relevant for all members of the Inland Southern California community.

Operations Staff

Juan Castellanos

Born and raised in South Bay Los Angeles, Juan Castellanos has long been passionate about community advocacy that is rooted in social justice and built upon a liberatory framework. After graduating from high school, Juan went on to continue their education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where they earned a B.A. in Sociocultural Linguistics and minored in Speech and Hearing Sciences.

In the years that followed, Juan moved to the Inland Empire and began working at a K-12 campus in San Marcos. During this time, Juan had the honor and privilege of serving a diverse community of students and families. This experience reinforced their commitment to working with underserved communities and their belief that radical empathy is a necessary precursor to revolutionary change.

Juan began their time at The Civil Rights Institute as a volunteer before officially joining the team as an assistant to the Executive Director. Soon after, they took on the role of Diversity Center Coordinator, a shift that allowed them to nurture and strengthen The Civil Rights Institute’s relationships with its community partners and establish The Civil Rights Institute as a safe space for important dialogue. Juan now holds the title of Operations Manager and works to intentionally co-create and maintain operational systems that will support the growth and continued success of the organization.