BOARD and STAFF
Dixie L. King, MFA, Ph.D., Founder
Dixie King received her doctorate in cultural anthropology from UCLA in 1996, with a specialization in medical and psycho-cultural studies. She is a native of Kern County, and returned here in 1991 to work for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. At KCSOS she taught staff from schools how to set up prevention and intervention programs to meet the needs of students who are at risk for academic failure, substance use, dropping out, and teen pregnancy. In 1997, Dixie opened her own business, Transforming Local Communities (TLC). The staff at TLC specializes in evaluating grant-funded programs in education, health, and criminal justice, using participatory action research whenever possible to involve the community in researching, understanding, and working to solve neighborhood and community problems. Dixie also provides training in cultural diversity, facilitation skills, and grant-writing. In 2018, after completing a project for Kings County Behavioral Health in which she and other members of her team worked with 16-24 year olds to research and address the mental health needs of young people, she was hooked! (You can see the Kings County video these young people produced at: https://youtu.be/JK93Gy6YVq0). Working with Lisa Elliott and others, she launched TYM4Change in October 2018.
Kelly Bernard, Board Member
Kelly Bernard is a Career Coach at Northern Arizona University where she supports undergraduates in identifying their interests, skill areas and competitive advantage, determining internships and jobs they want to apply for and then preparing strong applications and interviews. She recently started a Job Shadow program to help sophomores and juniors get more hands-on learning experiences in the hospitality industry. In 2018 Kelly earned her M.S. in Youth Development Leadership from Clemson University, where she focused on engaging youth in hands-on experiential learning, community service and cultural exchange activities. Since moving to Flagstaff, AZ in 2016, Kelly has enjoyed serving on the Board of Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and the Early Childhood Regional Partnership Council of First Things First Arizona, and being a Wish Granter for the Make A Wish Foundation. Kelly is a graduate of Yale University and lived and worked in Guatemala and Uruguay with entrepreneurship and youth development nonprofits. Prior to moving out west, Kelly worked as the Director of Civic Engagement for Citizen Schools, an education nonprofit that connects volunteer professionals with low-income middle school students to help them discover career paths and achieve their dreams. Kelly gets excited about helping young people develop the skills and opportunities they need to become their best selves and strong contributors to the community, which is what makes her so passionate about the work of TYM4Change.
Charlie McCarthy, Board Treasurer
Charlie McCarthy, CPA, grew up in the Kern River Valley, and has always been drawn to volunteer work. She joined the staff of Brown Armstrong in July, 2010 after graduating from California State University, Bakersfield with a degree in Business Administration. She is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). She also has completed the AICPA not-for-profit certification II program. When not working or volunteering, you’ll find Charlie, a runner, training for her next race.
Autumn Paine, Board Member
Please welcome Autumn Paine, the newest addition to our Board of Directors! Autumn is a criminal defense lawyer with 13 years of experience in Oakland. She works primarily with youth in juvenile proceedings, work-aftercare, and collaborates with those who are underserved or unrepresented.
Jovon Dangerfield, MTh, Executive Director
Jovon Dangerfield is a man that enjoys wearing many different hats from community activist, to city leader in music and art initiatives, and much more. He's a locally renowned media personality with a home at FORGE 103.9 and uses his show, The Danger Zone, to draw attention to issues that impact our community and discuss potential for change. Jovon is passionate about creating positive changes in our community and uplifting those around him. He's making great strides as TYM4Change's new Executive Director and is pumped for the awesome future we have in store!
Crystal Parks, Staff Supervisor and Lead Youth Coordinator
Crystal Parks is a Bakersfield native that received her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from CSU Bakersfield. After retiring from the criminal justice field as a Corrections Officer after 16 years of service, she discovered her passion. She has been dedicated to serving youth exhibiting at-risk behaviors and strengthening underserved communities. She began her new career path with Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) as a Program Educator. Her tenure with CAPK allowed her to be involved in numerous programs such as the Justice Assistance Grant, Gang Prevention, Realignment For Success, and Starbucks Prep Works, among others. Since June 2019, she has been the Youth Coordinator for TYM4Change. Youth empowerment is how sustainable change happens and Crystal feels very honored to be a part of this organization.
Antwan "AJ" Newton, Film Coordinator
AJ is the Film Coordinator at TYM4Change. He has over ten years of experiences working firsthand with video cameras, editing software, music equipment, and more. He graduated from Film Connection Film Institute in 2021. AJ is looking forward to teaching as much to his youth and his peers as possible while trying to reach our goals here at TYM4Change.
Kira Hudson, Youth Coordinator
With 17 years of experience in state service, Kira is a dedicated professional and mother of two. Raised in Southern California, Kira has held various roles, including managing teams, overseeing payroll, and ensuring operational efficiency. In addition to these roles, Kira currently assists TYM4Change with administrative tasks and grant writing. Committed to serving the greater Bakersfield area, Kira is eager to leverage her skills and passion for innovation in a part-time role that supports community-focused goals.
Bri Vergara, Administrative Assistant
Bri is a passionate creative with a love for theatre, photography, film, and music. Originally from Los Angeles, she studied Musical Theatre at The American Musical Arts Academy. Her experience spans various roles working with youth, from serving in youth ministry to managing Cafe ROC at the Regional Occupation Center, where she mentored and taught students in the Culinary Arts Program. Bri has also taught theatre to junior high students as a part of the Summer Camp Program at ROC and CTEC. As an active member of the local community theatre scene, she is passionate about preserving the arts and helping young people discover their creativity and express themselves. Since joining TYM4C in July 2024, Bri is thrilled to collaborate with the youth and witness their drive for change within the community.
Desiree Calloway, Youth Coordinator
Desi, a Bay Area native, has resided in northern and central California for most of her life before moving to Bakersfield. She originally joined TYM4Change as a Youth Volunteer, and was granted an opportunity to become a part of the team as a Marketing Staff and Youth Coordinator. Desi has earned her Associate's Degrees in Liberal Arts and Early Childhood Education at Bakersfield College and her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing at CSUB. Some of her interests and passions revolve around cinematography, cars, fitness, faith, and spending time with loved ones and her community. Desi hopes to be a mentor one day as well as become a part of growing positive change and the rise of youth empowerment locally.
Dylan Dueñas, Youth Coordinator
Dylan is a student at Bakersfield College, studying sociology. He joined TYM4Change in the summer of 2022 and within a year of lots of growth and opportunity, he was able to join the staff team as a Youth Coordinator. Dylan looks forward to contributing in making a difference in his local community.
Rafael De La Mora, Youth Coordinator
Rafael is a student at Bakersfield College. He enjoys writting and going on hikes in his freetime. Rafael joined TYM4Change in January 2023 because he enjoys giving back to his community and is working to becoming a teacher in the future.
Josh Rasmussen, Media Support
Josh is a graduate from John Paul the Great Catholic University, where he studied Communications Media. He is very passionate about filmmaking and is enthusiastic for making a difference in the community, while utilizing his filmmaking skills.