Staff & Board

Cheryl Fabio is the Executive Director and founder of the Sarah Webster Fabio Center for Social Justice (SWFCenter), a 501(c)(3) organization. Originally incorporated as SafeSpaces.org in 2003, the organization changed its name to SWFCenter in 2009. Fabio produced and directed the feature documentary A Rising Tide, which explores the impacts of homelessness on Black children and families in Alameda, as well as Evolutionary Blues: West Oakland’s Music Legacy. Raised in East Oakland, she earned a B.A. in Sociology from Fisk University, an M.A. from Stanford’s documentary film program, and a J.D. from J.F. Kennedy University in 2009. She has worked extensively in the nonprofit sector and as a teacher at both the elementary and university levels.

Malaika Parker, co-chair, is the Executive Director of the Black Organizing Project (BOP) and the founder and director of Hummingbirds Urban Farming Collective. She is also a curriculum specialist and community organizer. She earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Holy Names University and an M.A. in Equity and Social Justice in Education from San Francisco State University. Malaika spent over 12 years as an adoption specialist for families of color at Pact, an Adoption Alliance in Emeryville. She has also served as the Director of Community Action at Justice Matters and the Director of Police Watch at The Ella Baker Center. An Oakland native, she is committed to cultivating urban farm spaces and creating new pathways for engagement with disproportionately underserved communities.

Tamura Wallace is the co-chair of the SWFCenter board and a Director of Project Management at Bayer Healthcare. She earned an A.A. in Liberal Arts from City College of San Francisco, studied pre-med at San Francisco State University, and completed her B.A. at Ashford University. Since joining Bayer in 2001, she has held various roles, from biotechnician in cell culture fermentation to supervisor of API and sterile fill finish. Passionate about her work, she finds her positions at Bayer well-suited to her interests and background. In addition to her professional career, Tamura has been a certified doula since 2007, assisting in several births. A dedicated board member of SWFCenter since its inception in 2003, she values the opportunity to contribute to her home community, stating, “Being on the board gives me a sense of accomplishment. I know I’m helping out in my home community.”

Muhammad Alabi is a Principal at Jeanpierre & Co., a CPA and management firm, and has served as the Board Treasurer of SWFCenter since 2010. Originally from Nigeria, he is an accountant and economist who lived in England before moving to the United States. He holds a B.A. in Accounting and an M.A. in Applied Economics from San Francisco State University. Passionate about youth education, he tutored math for four years at Golden Gate Library before becoming a commissioner representing Emeryville on the Oakland Library Advisory Commission. With his financial expertise and commitment to community service, Alabi plays a key role in both nonprofit leadership and financial management.

Safi Jiroh, a third-generation Oakland native, is a board member with over 25 years of leadership in public and nonprofit sectors, focusing on arts, education, youth development, and racial equity. She is the Executive Director at LeaderSpring Center in Oakland and a former dancer, poet, certified coach, and Christian minister. She considers herself a cultural worker with expertise in grant-making, policy development, and community engagement. Her experience includes research for the CAC Arts Council, roles with the Western Alliance of Arts Presenting Administrators, and event production for the City of Oakland. She has spoken at major conferences, served on grant panels for organizations like the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame and the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributed to arts policy development. Jiroh holds both M.A. and B.S. degrees.

Imani Parker, a new Board Member, is a second-year biology student at Chabot College with a minor in Ethnic
Studies. She has three younger siblings and is a big advocate for kids using their voices to share their stories and
find power.

Michael A. Munson, a board member, is an Oakland native with over 30 years of experience in broadcast television, television production, production management, and producing. Passionate about storytelling, he strives to create compelling narratives that engage viewers and encourage them to form their own perspectives. Currently, he serves as the Operations Manager of KTOP TV-10, Oakland’s government television station.

Biko “Skyscraper” is an Oakland native with a deep passion for music, both as a creator and a listener. A dedicated rapper, he also owns a custom printing business specializing in t-shirts and sweatshirts under his design line, Crakk Egg. Outside of music and design, he loves to cook and can always be found at the grill during the holidays.

Theresa Hilaire Hogg and her team at Hilaire Consulting Group serve as SWFCenter’s accounting consultants. With over 30 years of experience, Hilaire Consulting specializes in assisting nonprofits, startups, and small businesses with financial transaction management, human resources, federal and state compliance, and administrative support.