Jo

Founder/Executive Director

Joann “Jo” (she/her) is a community collaborator who practices hands-on healing, poetry, love for food and the outdoors with emphasis on social justice, honoring ancestors and undoing negative perceptions of the out- doors and wellness. She has been working as a self-care educator for 21 years and holds an MS in Exercise Science and Physiology. Working in health care, fitness, education, and within prison systems has shaped her communication as well as her desire to work in community with Black and Brown farmers and youth. Jo spends her days organizing Movement and Education Outdoors, a youth outdoor experience program, supporting community-based organizations in understanding inclusion and equity, and uniting with educators and leaders of color to increase access to health and wellness in the education system for low-income, Black, and brown students in Rhode Island.

Cai

Program Director

Cai (all pronouns) is a Visayan jungle born, urban transplant who landed in the shores of the north east. Their time goes towards building a more liberated future through practical magic, expansive imagination, and rooting our hands in the soil whilst compassionately listening to the stories of elemental forces. Cai holds a passion for decentralized community led + social justice oriented knowledge sharing, and believes that mending our relationship to land, ecology and the more than human world, is one of the major roots of individual and collective healing.

They have trained as a farmer apprentice, herbalist, birth worker, researcher, street medic, programs manager, artist, youth educator and hold a BFA in art history + ceramic minor, with specialization in Indigenous Art History of the Americas. Cai was a co-organizer of New Moon Mycology Summit and is a board member of Taíno Woods Sanctuary and Emergent Forest. Cai’s toddler Inara, is their North Star, the guiding light on how to be an ancestor in training.

rinne-julie

Outdoor Experience Program Coordinator

Rinne-Julie (They/Them/Elle)  is a Queer Black & Peruana, facilitator, educator, herbalist and dreamer born and raised in E.Hartford Connecticut (Poquonook and Sicaog Lands). With a BA in Communications, and Diversity and Inclusion Leadership, Rinne-Julie has served the last 10 years in various roles facilitating on topics such as social justice education, white supremacy culture and community care with groups ranging from K-12, university students and senior level professionals. 

Rinne-Julie has experience in holding restorative justice and racialized healing spaces, and is passionate about skill sharing and tapping into the collective brilliance around us all. What roots them into this human experience is making time to honor Pacha Mama, connecting to their ancestress’ practices of farming, exploration, cooking, dance, community and play.

Annie

Sophia Academy x MEO Program Assistant Facilitator

Annie (she/her) is a junior at the University of Rhode Island studying Accounting and Economics. She grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, the daughter of Laotian refugee parents who taught her the meaning of resilience, gratitude, and community. Annie joined MEO in 2018 as part of the very first youth cohort. Over the years, she’s grown from a learner to a leader, carrying with her the lessons of curiosity, connection, and care for the land.

Her roots in Providence fuel her passion for making education and environmental awareness accessible to all. Through MEO, Annie found a deeper understanding of her community and the stories the land holds. She now shares that knowledge with younger folks, hoping they too see how everything around us is connected. Annie dreams of continuing this work beyond MEO, giving back to her community and someday shaping change through public service.