China grew up in a world of food and plants. Her mother and dad are both prominent chefs, restaurant owners and gardeners. At an early age, because of the mixed ethnicities of her parents (her mom is half Chinese and half Trinidadian; her dad’s mother is from Spain and his father is from Puerto Rico); vegetables, fruits and plants always fascinated her. The sustainability of food — how it’s created, grown, utilized and recycled, has always peaked her interest. Prior to gardening, China operated and owned a restaurant serving the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She then started volunteering at a garden in the public school near her home in Harlem where her love for gardening with children developed. “There is only one thing better than having my hands in soil — it is having many little hands in soil!” China has transformed the Roosevelt Island Living Library into a vibrant hands-on educational space.

Antonio has always been involved with his native community which is intricately connected to the care and stewardship of all living & open spaces within and around the bay area. His interests and consequent skills, knowledge and “green thumb” has followed him since his grandmother, paternal, instilled the seed of interest in the healing properties of plants. His reason for assisting in care, propagation and education of community gardens via  A.L.L., in general, is to share and teach the essentials of proper conscience gardening, so that future generations are given the opportunity to acquire basic ecological knowledge which can potentially save our, only, Earth and its ability to continue gifting humans & all living creatures with life giving sustenance, oxygen and the renewal of life itself. Antonio is our Director of Gardens where he oversees the maintenance of all A.L.L.’s gardens and teaches staff, interns and students sustainable gardening techniques and environmentally friendly etiquette.  

Rita Vanessa (RitaVee), a seasoned Digital Marketing and Communications Specialist with over 11 years of experience, is deeply committed to education and community transformation. Alongside her role in spearheading strategic marketing initiatives, she passionately supports initiatives like A Living Library (A.L.L.), aiming to transform diverse public spaces into ecological learning sites. Leveraging her project management expertise, Rita Vanessa executes tailored digital marketing campaigns, enhancing brands’ online presence and communication. Certified as an entrepreneurial business advisor by Cornell University, she is recognized for her speaking engagements at NYC Social Media Week and representation at the Facebook Community Summit. With a collaborative spirit and a focus on innovation, Rita Vanessa consistently exceeds objectives while advocating for meaningful change nationwide.

Jaden’s love for the outdoors began in the Scouting program, where he spent ten years learning wilderness survival and naturalist skills while backpacking across Southern California. Growing up in urban Los Angeles, these experiences inspired a lasting passion for protecting the environment and promoting sustainable habits. He led the Nature Conservation Club in Culver City, organized community cleanups and landscape restoration projects, and helped pass a local ban on polystyrene takeout containers—legislation that later expanded to include other harmful plastics. Jaden went on to study Mathematics and Philosophy in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was influenced by the country’s progressive environmental and social policies, including near-total reliance on renewable energy. After graduating, he worked in London as an Environmental Business Analyst, focusing on ESG metrics and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, but ultimately found his passion in hands-on, community-based work. He now tutors Math, Science, and Writing, and is excited to be part of A Living Library, where he continues to support environmental awareness and community engagement.

Dheyanira is a dedicated mother and long-time resident of the neighborhood, she brings deep community knowledge, warmth, and a strong commitment to building connections between families, schools, and local organizations. Her lived experience and bilingual skills make her an invaluable bridge between our program and the diverse communities we serve. As Community Liaison, she plays a key role in outreach, engagement, and fostering trust—ensuring that residents feel seen, heard, and included in the transformational work happening within our SF branch libraries. We are excited to have her on our team and know she will be a powerful force for community empowerment and collaboration.

Alrie  stepped in to continue the vital work started by Bonnie. She brings a wealth of experience, vision, and passion to the Seneca Avenue Transformational Nature Walkway. A pioneering advocate for California native plants and ecological design, Alrie recently came out of retirement to join our project—a testament to her deep commitment to community-based environmental restoration. Her decades of work across the state, particularly with The California Native Garden Foundation, have helped reshape how urban spaces can support biodiversity, education, and resilience. We feel incredibly fortunate to have Alrie’s leadership and expertise guiding this next phase of our work.