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Net Worth Sports
Financial Literacy Partner
Bay Area Magic
Founder and Coach
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Bay Area Magic founder and couch Rae Jackson is a member of the Playbook Board of Directors. As a strategic partner, BAM helps us expand our community reach.
S.T.E.A.M Engine Academy Director and Owner
S.T.E.A.M Engine Academy
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S.T.E.A.M Engine Academy
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S.T.E.A.M Engine Academy
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S.T.E.A.M Engine Academy
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S.T.E.A.M Engine Academy
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S.T.E.A.M Engine Academy
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S.T.E.A.M Engine Academy
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Miss LaurenThe presence of the COVID-19 pandemic has no doubt left many businesses at a standstill leaving them wondering how to carry on business “as usual”, how to continue to provide for their audience, and how to survive Despite these situations, the lack of normalcy created by the current situation has also created the opportunity to innovate. From this, arises the realization that our world is changing and rather than to return to our normal way of life we must adapt. This is exactly what Lauren Baugh aimed to do through the founding of the STEAM Engine Academy.
Lauren Baugh was born and raised in Vallejo, California where she was inspired to become a teacher by the various experiences of education in her youth. Lauren went to a pre school where she felt she wasn’t heard and was judged based on what she looked like which motivated her to become a teacher that advocates for her students; one that hears them and listens to their side. Her teaching style is highly impacted by that of Ms. Shelly Fegoni, one of her grade school teachers who taught her the magic formula of high discipline mixed with high love. Lauren particularly gains inspiration from how Fegoni remained at a level playing field with all of her students and always treated them as equals as well as how she always pushed them to be their best without being punitive. Many years later, Ms. Fegoni’s magic formula is currently applied by Lauren herself who now has over 13 years of teaching under her belt including experience in child care and autism specialisation.
Lauren founded the STEAM Engine Academy during (and because of) the COVID-19 pandemic. The abrupt cancellation of her in person classes inspired her to start a youtube page wherein she made two to three teaching videos a day for her kids. This initial style of virtual teaching led her teaching classes via zoom using only her smartphone and a tripod and eventually Lauren pursued these educational methods individually without the help of the school she originally taught at. What began as this small adaptation made to teach students online has now involved into what the STEAM Engine Academy is today: an organization that provides about 10-11 hours of teaching a day to kids of all ages as well as all locations. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math, but in no way is the Academy limited to only that. Not only has Lauren provided a resource that creates educational opportunities in our new virtual-centric world, but she also does so in a way that allows kids to end up being ahead of where they’re supposed to be. Lauren loves working with the large age range of kids because she believes they can all access the same information and it pushes them to continue learning at a higher standard. Lauren’s current incredible team of seven consists of teachers of different levels of certification and experience ranging from bachelor’s to masters. She places a strong emphasis in only hiring teachers credentialed beyond her in order to create a learning environment for herself as well as her kids.
As someone who is extremely passionate about what she does, it is no surprise that Lauren’s main focus in her educational style is making sure her students pursue what they love doing. She strongly believes in helping kids be autonomous rather than independent. That is, she places a high importance on working with kids to give them the ability to navigate, focus and emotionally regulate with minimal assistance rather than expect them to be self sufficient. She believes that this skillset is key in today’s day and age that is highly techno-centric and distanced. Though Lauren misses the closeness of the classroom as she describes herself to be quite an affectionate teacher, she did mention that distance learning has in a way simplified her teaching methods. She is a strong believer in the fact that overthinking teaching methods online makes it too complicated and adding too many crazy elements is just unnecessary. Additionally she specified that she is still able to form connections through the virtual format, they’re just slightly different. Though she wishes these connections could be better manifested in person, she is grateful that the connections are still very much there. Lauren’s “endgame” goal for the STEAM Engine Academy is to create affordable education for students all across the world in a hybrid campus. Additionally, she’d like to create a summer camp where all the students and staff of the STEAM Engine Academy can meet once a year. She hopes to one day stand on the front steps of the office at the summer camp and watch all the students and teachers, who were once virtual, participate in a positive and fun learning environment where everyone is making connections and being happy.
Lauren is very excited to partner with Playbook Series Inc through the STEAM Engine Academy because she is delighted to be working with another founder that mirrors her enthusiasm and passion. Lauren Baugh and Playbook Series Inc CEO Stephisha Ycoy-Walton have been friends since childhood, and Lauren stresses how Stephisha’s life has served as a resume for her work ethic and that she is excited to match her passion and meet her where she’s at. As both organizations have been founded on the bases of the advancement of students (and of course a little bit of love), she plans to utilize these combined missions to make their support as accessible and as profitable as possible. She hopes to collaborate with Playbook Series Inc to provide a feeling of limitless reach to their respective audiences. Furthermore, she’s thrilled to be working with Stephisha and to cultivate a solid partnership that will show longevity because of Lauren’s motto: “If you want to go fast, do it on your own. If you want to go far, do it with a team.
Oluwafemi AdefesoOluwafemi Adefeso is a Sports Media personality, Sports Development and Youth Empowerment advocate and Social Entrepreneur from Nigeria. He is the Founder at Balls Activating Literacy and Leadership Foundation (BALL Africa) and the Convener of the African Basketball Conversation, a basketball stakeholder conference that unites Africans on the challenges and the solution development of the game of Basketball on the continent.
After a modest Student Athletic and Semi Professional Basketball career. Femi transferred his passion from active sports to Journalism in 2012 as a volunteer at a Community radio station while getting a Post Graduate Diploma majoring in Broadcasting at the Nigeria Institute of Journalism.
In less than a year he became an household and an in house Sports analyst on national TV, hosted his own Sports show THE BASKETBALL ARENA on national radio, recording over a 100 episodes. He has since worked for Pan African Sports media giants Supersport TV, now defunct Kwesé Sports TV and featured on the BBC World Service as an onsite reporter. He also has written published works on ESPN.COM, FIBA.BASKETBALL, Opera News Nigeria and served in the office of the Public Relations officer at Nigeria Basketball Federation (2015-2016) and the Lagos State Basketball Association.
As a field reporter Femi has crisscrossed Africa covering 5 African Basketball Championships between 2013 -2018. Not limiting himself to Africa Femi has also travelled across the Atlantic to cover NBA events, the NBA All-star Weekend at the Staples and LA Convention Center in Los Angeles in 2018 and eight Regular Season Games in between the famous United Center in Chicago and the Bankers Life Field House Arena in Indianapolis, US.
Femi is credited to be the first journalist from Africa to interview Los Angeles Lakers Allstar LeBron James, where he famously invited him to visit Africa. He has also interviewed high profile basketball personalities like Toronto Raptors President, Masai Ujiri; Basketball Africa League President, Amadou Gallo Fall, Chicago Bulls legend Luol Deng, Nigerian-American Indiana Pacers NBA Allstar Guard, Victor Oladipo and seasoned Chicago Sports journalist Sam Smith to mention a few.
With just 8 years between transitioning from an athlete to corperate, Femi has developed a new passion for sports development in Africa through a registered nongovernmental organization called Balls Activating Literacy and Leadership in Africa (BALL Africa) founded in March 2020. He aims to mentor and expose African youths to the entire sports value chain in order to develop holistic athletes and individuals, thereby opening up the opportunities available and growing the sports eco-system.
Femi has a degree in Human Kinetics from Tai Solarin University of Education, an Executive Education certification in Sports Business Management from the Lagos Business School and he is currently an Executive MBA student (2020-2021) at Quantic School of Business and Technology Washington DC, USA.
Coming soon
Rae Jackson Sr.Rae Jackson Sr. has been coaching basketball for over a decade. He started off in the inner city of East Oakland where he was instrumental in bringing youth to the understanding that athletics and academics went hand and hand. From his efforts, a non-profit organization was formed; Bay Area Magic Youth Services. As the founder and director of Bay Area Magic Youth Services, Rae Jackson Sr. has seen over 100+ scholar athletes off to college. He was initially hired at Pinole High School as a Varsity Boy’s Assistant Head Coach with the goal of eventually becoming a college coach. In 2000, he was hired at Contra Costa Community College.
Rae’s tenure at Contra Costa College was one of success. He was instrumental in helping Contra Costa College in two State Final appearances and two Final Four appearances. He was also responsible for all recruitment of scholar athletes to the school.
As Founder and Director of Bay Area Magic he has put together a comprehensive program. He instructs players on the fundamentals of basketball by preparing them for the next level (college/professional). His style of teaching corresponds to that which is expected at the college level, therefore preparing the scholar athletes for the transition from high school basketball to college level basketball. Rae believes that it is necessary to provide each player with educational resources and support. The program is a nationally known program that has prepared over 30 to 40 men and women to accept college scholarships while assisting 60-70 more at getting accepted.
Rae Jackson Sr.’s philosophy is simple: instill principles of discipline, dedication, loyalty, and hard work. He feels that through discipline and hard work anything is obtainable. This ideology is applied in education as well as athletics. The only way to be productive in society is through education. Basketball is nothing more than a discipline to prepare you for life.
Scot AlexanderScot Alexander is an Oakland, CA native and a product of the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). Scot graduated from Fremont High School in 1986 and went on to pursue higher education at Cal State East Bay in Hayward, CA. He graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a teaching credential as well. At 19 years of age Scot started his own AAU basketball club team and earned his first varsity coaching job in 1995, at Thurgood Marshall High School in San Francisco, CA.
After obtaining his degree and teaching credential from CSU East Bay, Scot would transition back into his community by way of becoming a teacher and athletic director at Fremont High School in Oakland, CA, the same school he graduated from. Having first-hand experience with the scholar athletes allowed Scot to better understand the needs of his students. Scot has been a coach for 33 years (10 years at Fremont High School) and a teacher for 27 years (8 years at Fremont High School).
Scot is also the owner of Alexvision LLC, where he exclusively offers his patented product, the Apex Basketball Trainer. He was granted the patent for this product on September 11, 2018, and currently has a goal to distribute 25,000 units in an effort to change the way our scholar athletes train. Scot’s main mission is to improve and enhance the lives of the students in his community by providing equitable tools and resources.
Rae Jackson Sr.Rae Jackson Sr. has been coaching basketball for over a decade. He started off in the inner city of East Oakland where he was instrumental in bringing youth to the understanding that athletics and academics went hand and hand. From his efforts, a non-profit organization was formed; Bay Area Magic Youth Services. As the founder and director of Bay Area Magic Youth Services, Rae Jackson Sr. has seen over 100+ scholar athletes off to college. He was initially hired at Pinole High School as a Varsity Boy’s Assistant Head Coach with the goal of eventually becoming a college coach. In 2000, he was hired at Contra Costa Community College.
Rae’s tenure at Contra Costa College was one of success. He was instrumental in helping Contra Costa College in two State Final appearances and two Final Four appearances. He was also responsible for all recruitment of scholar athletes to the school.
As Founder and Director of Bay Area Magic he has put together a comprehensive program. He instructs players on the fundamentals of basketball by preparing them for the next level (college/professional). His style of teaching corresponds to that which is expected at the college level, therefore preparing the scholar athletes for the transition from high school basketball to college level basketball. Rae believes that it is necessary to provide each player with educational resources and support. The program is a nationally known program that has prepared over 30 to 40 men and women to accept college scholarships while assisting 60-70 more at getting accepted.
Rae Jackson Sr.’s philosophy is simple: instill principles of discipline, dedication, loyalty, and hard work. He feels that through discipline and hard work anything is obtainable. This ideology is applied in education as well as athletics. The only way to be productive in society is through education. Basketball is nothing more than a discipline to prepare you for life
In addition to his duties as founder and director of Bay Area Magic, Rae is the head coach at Ygnacio Valley High School
Chanadoll GarrettChanadoll Garrett is a San Francisco native, but was raised in Oakland, CA. She graduated from Fremont High School in Oakland, CA and later attended San Jose State University where she obtained two bachelor’s degrees. The first was a Bachelor of Art in Criminal Justice and the second a Bachelor of Art in Sociology with a minor in Criminology. Soon after Chanadoll would obtain a Master’s in Social Work from California State University East Bay in Hayward, CA.
After serving at risk youth over several years, Chanadoll settled on social work as her career path where the use of discretion is heavily relied upon. She is currently a full-time social worker and the women’s basketball coach for Ygnacio Valley High School as well as Bay Area Magic basketball club.
Chanadoll finds pleasure in coaching girls’ basketball for Ygnacio Valley and Bay Area Magic basketball club because she was once a competitor for B.A.M. and Fremont High School of Oakland, CA in the 90’s. One of her fondest memories is replaying the moments when scholar athletes called her coach although she didn’t consider herself a coach; she recalls these athletes calling her coach until this day and it makes her smile. Chanadoll has been coaching for approximately 20 years; she is a life coach which simply means coaching life skills on and off the court with basketball being the solid foundation.
Community work is major enjoyment for Chanadoll, she says, because someone did it for her. “It is rewarding to assist others navigate challenges to reach their goals in life. If there isn’t a single individual interested in guiding our children towards the future what will the future become?
Miss MollyEducation has always been a passion of Molly’s. Her love for helping children and youth along the challenging steps of life has been the main motive behind all her past work experience. In every one of her previous positions, Molly accommodated large groups of children of many different ages in a wide array of subjects and activities. Even at a young age, she had an extensive background in nannying and was very active in leading both large and small groups during Vacation Bible School for children every summer. In college Molly was involved in a program named SAGE (Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship) which helped high school students build their own business ventures, while incorporating socially responsible business practices. This experience helped spark in Molly a desire to help students discover their potential.
After graduating with her bachelor’s in science, Molly began teaching at Kids Country, which is an after school extension program for kids in the San Ramon Valley. Molly specialized in creating fun and learning oriented projects for students that incorporated elements of STEAM in students as young as kindergarten. While teaching at Kids Country, Molly began pursuing her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Since obtaining her teaching credential, Molly has taught in the classroom a variety of subjects including: Math, Science, English, and Social Studies. In addition to her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Molly has also recently acquired a Subject Matter Authorization to teach Introductory Mathematics.
Molly has been a resident of The San Ramon Valley for 25 years! In her free time Molly enjoys reading and journaling. Her favorite genres to read include adventure and historical fiction. Other hobbies of hers include skiing, tennis, gardening, and hiking. Molly knows that it is evident that students need someone dedicated who will push them to succeed with rigor, patience, and compassion. She strives to be able to create a conducive learning environment that encompasses numerous learning styles and scaffolds for children of all levels and backgrounds. Molly is extremely excited to meet your child and inspire them to grow and learn in new and exciting ways!
Miss AnithaAnitha Suri has been a Bay Area resident for over twenty eight years and a resident of Dublin for the last fifteen years. She has been teaching art and math for elementary and middle school children, and is currently a substitute teacher for the Dublin Unified School District. She limits her work to four schools, three elementary and one middle school, to build rapport with the students by working with them on a regular basis. At school, she loves to help students in math, one of her favorite subjects. She tries to find ways in which she can gain and capture the attention of children to develop a lifelong passion for numbers. She has also taught elementary school children the Abacus method of learning math for three years.
Anitha has also worked as an art teacher for four years, following a structured approach in teaching art
to elementary school children. She introduced and guided them through the nuances of drawing and
coloring using different tools including crayons, colored pencils, markers, pastels and paints.
Anitha loves working with children, and helping them learn and grow. She believes that every child is
special and unique, and, if given the right encouragement, will thrive. Her hobbies include listening to
music, reading, and cooking.
Miss MinalMinal Mallik holds a Master’s Degree from San Jose State University in Biological Sciences. She is currently employed as a Substitute teacher in Dublin, Livermore and Pleasanton School Districts. Her goal is to help students become independent learners and realize their full potential. She believes that every kid should become skilled at communicating with confidence. She enjoys working with kids of all
age groups. She likes to create an interactive and fun filled learning environment for kids.
Minal volunteered in elementary schools, teaching art (Art in Action) for four years. She also had an opportunity to work as an after school Director at Safari Kid Inc. Before her teaching career, she worked
as a scientist in the field of cell culture and therapeutics. She feels fortunate to be able to make a change in the field of education and strongly believes that teaching is a great way of contributing to society. She is truly excited to meet you at Steam Engine Academy and have a fun filled teaching and learning experience.
Miss VictoriaHello! I’m Miss Victoria! Ever since high school, I have always had a passion for teaching children. I want to better their education and create a safe space, with good vibes in the classroom. I want my students to have fun, AND learn from what they are doing. I have my Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and Education minor from U.C. Santa Cruz! I currently have 10 E.C.E. units, and working on 3 more. By 2021, I will have a full 12 E.C.E. units +!
I have babysitting/nanny experience, I have assisted in a 5 year old classroom and have taught a morning meeting, I have worked in a day care assisting with snack time, recess and play time, I have taught the students as well with story time. I have coached elementary school students hip hop and arts as well as STEAM and coding. I look forward to seeing your child every morning for our preschool programs!
Miss MeganI believe as a teacher I must motivate, inspire, and encourage my students to strive for success. As an educator for over ten years, it was my responsibility to counsel them. One purpose of education is to help students become independent citizens, self-regulating individuals and by providing them with knowledge needed for future careers.
I am trained as a teacher at Brown University and taught in the Communications Department and History Department at Notre Dame Namur University. I am also a graduate of Scared Heart Prep and The College of William and Mary. When I first began studying history, English and journalism, I approached those disciplines from a perspective of genealogy and American family history. Thanks to great teachers, I learned how to construct an impactful argument, write a clearly worded article and grasp the significance of history for the contemporary world. I have also counseled students informally as a lecturer.
I am sensitive to students and colleagues diverse backgrounds, and in my lectures and seminars, I aimed to connect with their personal experiences. I am also taking graduate level classes in Special Education at Notre Dame Namur University and I am constantly trying to learn and improve my knowledge base in order to help my students.
Miss Tamber“Are we having fun yet? Yes! Because learning new things is exciting and fun, and gaining a better understanding of difficult subjects helps keep learning enjoyable. As a teacher and a mentor, I take a holistic approach to working with students.
I’m originally from San Francisco, but I moved to Southern California after graduating from Stanford University. In the years that followed I raised a family, taught middle school and high school English, as well as multiple subjects for elementary students, and tutored. I also provided education consulting and academic counseling. I’m excited to be back in the Bay Area and I look forward to working with you at S.E.A.”
-Tamber Gordon
Mister StephanosBonjour! My name is Stephanos Mukendi. I’m an S.D.S.U. college graduate with a degree in “International Security & Conflict Resolution” ,with an “Environmental” Specialization and a minor in “Religious Studies”. I’m a Marine Corps Veteran, working on my Masters in “International Relations.”
I enjoy talking about the environment, ocean life, animals and geography. I’m in the small group of people that actually enjoy math! Yes! Who would expect there to be people who enjoy such a subject?
Art is my passion; I’m a painter through and through. I love working on mandalas, with clay and anything abstract! Art is an amazing way of channeling creativity. There’s no wrong way to do art! Do what you
feel is right. in your heart.
I look forward to working with and seeing you all!
-Stephanos Mukendi
Meet The FounderI, Stephisha Ycoy-Walton, am a woman of many stories and adventures. Coming from an athletic background and foundation, I have always been very competitive and I truly believe I can accomplish anything! With the right tools and resources (and sometimes without), I pride myself on making the best of any situation or project because I live by 1 motto:
“Do the most productive thing at any given moment.”
With that being said, I was born in Vallejo, CA to two very amazingly determined and dedicated parents. I am the oldest of my sister, Keerah Walton by 7 years. My mother is a criminal justice major and graduate of Sacramento State University while my father is a real estate investor and serial entrepreneur.
It began at Oregon State University I come from a world of college athletics. In high school I was recruited by over 55 Division 1 & 2 universities with 90% being D1. In November 2004 I signed my national letter of intent with Oregon State University while still on the official visit. I would be brought in by Coach Judy Spoelstra, but eventually coached by Lavanda Wagner and staff.
I did not find a match of energy with that program and transferred in January of 2006 (6 months into my freshman year) to Portland State University where I would have the privilege to play for Coach Charity Elliott. She is now the head coach at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
My run at Portland State University was short-lived because Coach Elliot was offered the head coaching position at UCSD in San Diego, CA. Not wanting to experience another blind coaching change, I decided to move back to California (Socal) and finish my college career closer to home. As a former women’s basketball team captain and graduate of Cal Poly Pomona University, I competed under the instruction of Head Coach Scott Davis and Assistant Coach Tamara McDonald. The initial mentorship, leadership and support I was given in my overall life led to my amazing opportunities as a professional basketball player overseas. Thank you to all who were involved.
Vallejo Times Herald wrote about it. CLICK HERE
While still in college, I left early, after completing my NCAA eligibility as a student-athlete, to compete in Luxembourg (2010-2011 season). After returning from my intial professional season, I completed my Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology (the study of human movement) with an emphasis in Exercise Science. I returned to the professional circuit in 2012, to compete in Montenegro for the 2012-2013 season, and eventually ended my professional basketball career November 2013, in Puerto Rico shortly after being accepted to medical school.
I returned to Los Angeles to pass time before entering my first semester at American University of Antigua , but was soon recruited to work with a corporation by the name of Primerica Financial Services.
As fate would have it, I deferred my enrollment to medical school, only to never go. I decided against all of the time and hard work I had put in, and instead decided to transition into a career of life insurance, investments, and finance. I currently hold a life insurance license with the State of California, a Series 63, and Series 6 investment license. I have over $1M in AUM and over 300 life insurance clients as a Regional Vice President (RVP) with Primerica. Since 2013, I have helped over 40 individuals obtain life insurance licenses through the CA Department of Insurance, and I have helped 5 of those individuals obtain investment licenses. My life purpose is to positively effect people!
I offer you, the fellow parent/coach/mentor/student-athlete/entrepreneur/future partner, this insight into my/our journey, so that you may see the trajectory of my life; it is forever changing yet I make the best out of every opportunity I am given. Please tap into the Brain Food page to keep up to date with the latest projects, events, and news. Should we ever have the opportunity to work together, I look forward to learning and sharing in common space while creating magic from original ideas! I mean…that’s what Black Wall Street was all about right?
Very humbly I say, I have mastered the art of accomplishments and life transitions, and I strongly believe this why I am fit to help others pursue their life purpose, goals and dreams. I also believe that I have finally transitioned into the space where I will ultimately make a life changing impact on the world! Our community needs more diversity in the realm of financial education and athletic leadership! I am a 31 year young entrepreneur, community advocate, wife, mother and mentor.
