Brandon "Cyrano" Tatum, Esq.
Special Counsel

Mr. Tatum is originally from the south side of Chicago. He is a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Political Science. While at Emory, Mr. Tatum became a member of the oldest Black-Greek fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. -- an organization dedicated to community service. Mr. Tatum earned his Juris Doctorate degree and graduated near the top of his class from the University of Southern California's Gould School of Law. Mr. Tatum continued his education at the UK at the London School of Economics and Political Science, earning his Masters in Intellectual Property law. He became a licensed attorney at the age of 24 after passing the California Bar exam on his first attempt. Mr. Tatum is a former associate at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP of Century City, CA and has taken on the role of Special Counsel for AIM. As Cyrano, a professional rapper and one of the most dedicated artist-educators for AIM, he has built a strong global fan base with celebrated performances in North America, the U.K., the European continent, Jordan, and more. Above all else, Cyrano's passion for the plight of under served and underprivileged community is unwavering and reflected in his life's work.

Asher Underwood
Strategic Relations

Mr. Underwood entered the world of arts-education as soon as he touched down on planet Earth. As the son of an artist and art historian on one side, and equipped with a business mind on the other, Asher has navigated the intersections of artist development and activism for the last 15 years. He went on to receive his undergraduate degree in the Comparative History of Ideas Program at the University of Washington in 2007, spending critical years developing a unique approach to arts, and particularly Hip Hop education. After moving to the Southwest United States to begin an interdisciplinary degree program in Business Management and Marketing (with an emphasis in social media), Asher connected with Leila Steinberg which begin his relationship with the AIM Family. In 2008-2009, he spearheaded an after school Hip Hop arts program, in collaboration with a State funded initiative to positively effect youth at an underfunded middle school, and producing a documentary. The following year, Asher came to Los Angeles to work with AIM directly, and launched what has become a popular new media social networking website www.TruthAboutTupac.com that has now reached a global audience, positioning AIM with a new niche for Online outreach. Now working as the U.S. Representative for an international investment company, Asher is strategically positioning our community intersections across several impacting avenues for AIM growth. One of his goals for 2012 is to be a significant factor in organizing a mass voter registration drive promoting political consciousness amongst youth.

Mrs. Ibanez is a Cuban-American with 4 years experience working with AIM as both an artist facilitator and senior coordinator for AIM Long Beach, California’s artist development workshops. She also co-facilitates human relations based programs with the California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ). Marisol holds a Master’s Degree from the University of La Verne in Educational Counseling and has over 13 years teaching experience working directly with high-risk youth in California public schools. She has extensive experience in curriculum development. A full-time teacher at Polytechnic High School, Marisol has authored and designed the framework for the Ethnic Studies, Asian Studies, Latino Studies, Current Affairs, International Relations and Social Justice courses. With nearly 20 years of activism and organizing experience working with American Indian, Latino, and Indigenous Rights organizations, she is an active poet, silversmith, and multi-media artist.

Cheryl Rich
Community Service Liaison
under the guidance and supervision of the Founder of Public Counsel, Paul Freese

For many years, Ms Rich has been one of AIM's most consistent supporters: a fearless champion for the enduring transformation of at-risk young lives through sharing honest reflections of her own extraordinary life's journey. Learn more at www.CherylRich.com

http://www.PublicCounsel.org