Alex Brackett - Graphic Designer
Alex James Brackett, known to close friends as “Magic,” was born on March 21, 1986 in Fresno, California. Growing up, his grandparents had a huge influence on the way he was raised, helping him develop into a caring, funny, honest and motivated man. Alex attended high school at Roosevelt School of the Arts and participated in several sports. He played football and basketball for all four years and golf for three years, and he was named the MVP of the golf team two years. In addition, Alex was Homecoming King, “Youth of the Year,” and was also voted by peers as Best Artist, Best Dressed, and 1 of 5 Best Senior Athletes. In short, you could call him well-rounded.
After completing high school, Alex attended Fresno Community College for two years to continue his education as an architect student. Through self-reflection he realized that he did not want to be an engineer. Instead, he wanted to find another field where he could use his creativity… minus the math. With hard work and dedication, he was accepted and admitted into UCLA’s Design/Media Arts Program (DESMA). He received his Bachelor of Arts, in Design/Media Arts in 2008.
Currently, Alex works as a Quality Assurance Manager for GOGII, Inc., a software developer specializing in mobile applications (best known for their Top 50 app, textPlus). As the Creative Director for Yoo-N-LA Magazine, Alex gets to express his creativity through designing the print issue, as well as contributing ideas to the design of the website.
Random facts: Alex’s hobbies include drawing, playing basketball, golfing, and collecting shoes–a sneaker connoisseur, if you will.
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Lissa Prudencio – Music Section Editor
Lissa Prudencio was born on June 9, 1986 in Salinas, CA. As a child, Lissa wanted to participate in sports, but instead was placed in piano and violin lessons. With much coaxing, she convinced her parents that she’d be able to maintain good grades while playing sports. She joined her 7th grade basketball team, and continues to play competitively to this day.
Lissa attended North Salinas High School, where she participated in basketball, tennis, and track & field. She maintained her good grades as promised, and was accepted to UCLA where she received her B.A. in Communication Studies and a minor in Education in 2008. Unsure about her next career move, Lissa decided to continue her education at the Annenberg School of Communication at USC (where she met Janae Jacobs, founder of Yoo-N-LA Magazine). She received her Master’s in Communication Management in 2009. A few months before graduating, she turned an internship at Fox Sports into a full-time position, working in music licensing for two years. Lissa currently works at Google in YouTube TV/Film Business Development. As the Music Section Editor at Yoo-N-LA Magazine, she hopes to provide creative input with her knowledge and love of music.
Random facts: Lissa loves Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, cartoons, pick-up basketball, video games, and Scrabble. She’s also (mentally) allergic to onions
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Ericka Santos – Writer
Ericka Santos was born on May 24, 1981 in Managua, Nicaragua. Working as a Southern California based writer Ericka Santos has years of experience writing for newspapers, magazines and online forums in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Her dedication to finding fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and building networks through versatile story leads has led her to work with clients like Yoo-N-LA Magazine, 944 Magazine, TheOnlineGrapevine.com, StreetAdvisor.com and more.
When she’s not out-and-about absorbing the world and sharing her experiences with readers, she’s enjoying time with family, friends, movies or a good book & food. Keep a look out for more from this passionate and versatile writer as she makes her way through the journalism world. Web site with details on her projects, portfolio and contact information for any of your writing needs COMING SOON.
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Jacquelyn Herbert – Writer
Spawned from that town…you know… the one in New York, Jacquelyn has lurched her way into the minds of Angelinos with her persistent cackling and “In yo’ face” writing style. Although widely known as a creature of awkwardness, Jackie still summons the courage to interview new and upcoming artists who are far more interesting and oftentimes even more awkward than herself. When she is not writing, Jackie is actively pursuing the arts of film and photography, as to find new ways to embarrass herself and others.
And if you are one of those people who just happens to be curious about social misfits like Jacquelyn, she also enjoys eating french fries and reading anything in her Chucks.
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Jason Goodlett – Writer
Jason Goodlett! Born in Oceanside, California. Proud Alum of the University of Southern California. Leisure writer extraordinaire. Ok, maybe I’m not that good, but I do what I can do when I can do it. Life is about continual progress and self-improvement, I believe, and Yoo-N-LA is a great opportunity to hone my craft (if you wanna call it that!) and step outside my comfort zone. Read my stuff! Cheers.
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Jennifer Davis – Writer
Jennifer grew up in Los Angeles and is a freelance writer and an observer by nature. She writes everything down, hoping to one day figure it all out. She works full time in Hollywood and loves to travel but because the two don’t meet enough, finding unique, fresh ideas in LA has become her new passion. Keep changin’ it up! To email: jenny@yoonlamag.com
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Kumasi Lewis – Photographer
A native of Los Angeles, CA, Kumasi Lewis grew up immersed in the music, entertainment and performing arts communities throughout the city. With a true passion for the visual arts, Kumasi has developed an eye for presentation and focus through various projects within the film and television industry as well as still photography and post-production. His hobbies include video gaming, volunteering with the Sickle Cell Foundation of CA and spending quality time with family and friends.
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Lasana Smith – Magazine Host
Lasana Smith, also known as America’s Hosting Sweetheart, is a vivacious television host and dating and relationships expert who has contributed her knowledge and expertise as a freelance writer for the Tyra Banks show online magazine’s “Single and Fierce” section and continued its success with her latest blog, “Love and Life.” As a host, she covers television, web and special events with the mission of engaging, educating and entertaining viewers.
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NaTasha L. Weatherspoon – Community Relations Manager
Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and wouldn’t have it any other way. Proud graduate of CSU Bakersfield and now looking forward to being a MASTER!!! Community section is my involvement with Yoo N LA because I enjoy connecting with all kinds of people. Working with Yoo N LA has brought about great opportunities and I know that it will bring about many more… Yoo N LA… Yoo Yoo N LA!!!!
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Waverly Coleman – Writer
Like a Californian cow, Waverly is a happy and native grazer amongst the stars and celebrities of L.A. Brighter than most in wardrobe and character Waverly seamlessly laughs her way into your heart. Prone to sweet potato fries and champagne Waverly writes with the same intensity in which she approaches the obstacles of Café World. She is on level 52 not only in café management but in amazing-ness. She hopes to retire at the ripe age of 35 to pursue extensive travel and marital relations with her man, Lil Wayne.
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Jennifer Holley – LA Neubie Section Editor
Born in the roughest toughest part of South, Los Angeles, Jennifer Holley grew up loving education and every aspect of it. As a graduate of Cal State Bakersfield she continues to educate her mind as well as her students. She is now serving as a Site Director at Jordan High school, Jenny lives for today, tomorrow and yesterday with her outgoing personality. She is currently working on her Master’s Degree and helping build Yoo-N-LA to its most highly viewed audience.
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Emilee Sutherland – Writer
It has been such a pleasure serving alongside the YooNLa team! I am a recent graduate from Biola University with a degree in Journalism, Public Relations. I am a writer, blogger, crafter, artist, and lover of all things vintage. When I’m not writing for the magazine, I’m writing on the development team for a non-profit in LA. And when I’m not working, I usually find myself painting, taking polaroids, and reading classic fiction like Fitzgerald, Bronte, Austin, Wharton, and Steinbeck. I am the oldest of 6 children and I love chocolate and coffee more than most food, and I could eat ice cream for just about any meal of the day!
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Kelley Mashburn – Copyeditor
My name is Kelley Mashburn. I am a school teacher by day and an even ”nerdier” editor by night. I have been told I am a perfectionist, and I do love to correct things… hence, the school teacher. I enjoy my many jobs in this world and hope to continue to make a difference in others’ lives.
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Erin English – Copyeditor
I’ve quite possibly become a member of that infinitesimal society that actually does my job—copyright editing—for the sheer fondness of it. While being a high school English teacher is my main occupation and carries its share of stress and challenges, the job trickles over into my leisure time when I find myself hoping for another article—or anything for that matter—to edit. Sad? Unquestionably. OCD? Most likely. Despite this, I have an ounce of normalcy in the typical attributes of designer compulsions, indie rock, the Irish, and of course, the glory that is LA.
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Peter Chung – Editor
Peter Chung was born in Seoul, Korea to a stage director father and a mother who was a piano teacher. He immigrated to America when he was nine and graduated from Boston University with a degree in Computer Science. It was in college when he fell in love with film. He worked as a software engineer in the Silicon Valley for four years, but his love for film grew into a love for filmmaking. He moved to Los Angeles in 2001 to pursue filmmaking full time. 2007 marked a turning point for Peter, as he embarked in a new direction to make films focusing on issues of justice and compassion. He worked as a film editor at The Ant Farm and continues to direct projects that speak to his passions.
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Briana D. Tucker - Copyeditor
Name: Briana D. Tucker
Favorite Color: Blue
Most Hated Food: Bananas….Disgusting
I want to be an attorney when I grow up. One of my other life goals is to become the personal biographer for Kanye and Jay-Z. I really need to finish writing the book about my undergrad experience. (Present status: I’ve barely started). When I finish the book, I would like to be a guest on Oprah, but seeing as her show is wrapping up, I’ll settle for an appearance on the OWN Network. A secret about me: Everyday I strive to wear my warts pretty………..Shout-out to Bakersfield, CA….You’ve helped create some pretty amazing people.
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Jessica Knott - Writer
Jessica Knott. Cance Survivor. Very passionate loving person who loves God and everyone on his earth.
