JCLC 2026
Committee Chairs & Members
Meet the dedicated volunteers who are working tirelessly to make JCLC 2026 a success.
Our committee members represent all five National Associations of Librarians of Color (NALCo’s), bringing diverse
perspectives and expertise to every aspect of the conference planning process.
Steering Committee
JCLC Conference steering committees consist of two members from each NALCo. These members co-chair two conference committees and regularly review progress together to ensure the conference is successful and engaging for all.
2026 Steering Committee Members:
AILA
Tara Kenjockety
Cassandra Osterloh
APALA
Regina Gong
Kat Bell, Co-Chair
BCALA
Nakenya Lewis-Yarbrough
Tamela Chambers
CALA
Anthony Chow
Dora Ho, Co-Chair
REFORMA
Celia Avila de Santiago
Nicanor Diaz
Awards & Scholarships
Responsible for preparing the guidelines and qualifications for awards and scholarships. Soliciting applications from each of the five caucuses in various categories as well as the selection of winners and presentation of awards and scholarships.
Co-Chairs:
Anthony Chow and Regina Gong
Members:
Claire Imamura, APALA
Denise Klasen-López, REFORMA
Aaron LaFromboise, AILA
Karina Martin, BCALA
Innocent Awasom
Ven Basco, APALA/CALA
Elissia Buell, REFORMA
Delores Carlito, REFORMA
Ayanna Gaines, BCALA
Caterina Reed, APALA
Luna Saber-Bilder
Margarita “Maggie” Shawcross, REFORMA
LaMonica Wiggins
Concurrent Programs, Poster Sessions & Proceedings
Prepares guidelines for program and poster session proposals. Responsible for soliciting and selecting program and poster session proposals that best reflect the conference theme. The committee will also solicit and review contributions to the conference proceedings from conference presenters for posting on the conference website.
Co-Chairs:
Cassandra Osterloh and Tamela Chambers
Members:
Marissa Alcorta, REFORMA
Danilo M. Baylen, APALA
Brianna Chatmon, BCALA
Jessica Dai, APALA
Michele Fenton, BCALA
Raven Hill
Lavoris Martin
Wen Nie Ng, CALA
Evangela Q. Oates, BCALA
Neil Kepoʻo Ordinario, AILA/APALA
Carmen Sanchez, REFORMA
Angela Tang, CALA
Juanita Thacker, BCALA
Angel Truesdale, BCALA
Elizabeth Wawrzyniak
Conference Planning, Logistics & Local Arrangements
Responsible for overseeing the planning of special events and general operations and the coordination of all conference events in collaboration with Local Arrangements members and Steering Committee members. Coordinates needs/requirements of Registration, Concurrent Programs, Poster Sessions, Exhibits, Placement Center and other events for space in the convention center (e.g. break-out rooms, ballrooms and reception areas, staff offices/break room, etc.), as well as any outside-of-convention center events (e.g. events held outdoors or in a local library, museum, etc.).
Co-Chairs:
Nicanor Diaz and Cassandra Osterloh
Members:
Vivian Bynoe, BCALA
Alexa Carter, BCALA
Richenda Hawkins, AILA/APALA/REFORMA
Monica Jedine, BCALA
Helen Lee, APALA/CALA
Zulema Martinez, REFORMA
Destiny Rivera, REFORMA
Jennifer Siron, APALA
Dorothy Terry, BCALA
Serena Vaquilar, REFORMA
Ziyang Xu, CALA
Exhibits & Placement Center Committee
Responsible for overall management of the Exhibits operations including preparing exhibitor solicitation materials and the recruitment of exhibitors, in collaboration with Fundraising and Sponsorships Committee.
Co-Chairs:
Celia Avila de Santiago and Tara Kenjockety
Members:
Gyasi Evans
Shaunna Martz, BCALA
Sandy Rodriguez APALA/REFORMA
Isabel Soto-Luna, REFORMA
Fundraising & Sponsorships
Develops an action plan for fundraising strategies and efforts, creates sponsorship communications including levels and naming opportunities, prepares and executes campaigns and events for 2025 and 2026 ALA Annual, oversees donation methods with the Exhibits and Placement Center Committee, and manages limited swag for JCLC 2026.
Co-Chairs:
Kat Bell, Anthony Chow, and Jamie Kurumaji, APALA
Members:
Orolando Duffu
Del R. Hornbuckle, BCALA
Cristina Springfield, REFORMA
Jessea Young, APALA
Marketing & Conference Website
Responsible for preparing and executing a multi-media marketing campaign, including email blasts to 5 national associations of librarians of color member listservs, social media, ALA divisions/round tables, other (affiliate) associations, etc. Handles all on-site publicity and media marketing during the conference. Also responsible for newsletters, onsite printed materials, advertisements, and website.
Chair:
Celia Avila de Santiago
Members:
Tiffney Gipson-Goodwin, BCALA
Laura Ishizaka, REFORMA
Madeline Peña, REFORMA
Lorena Villegas, REFORMA
Registration & Conference Evaluation
Responsible for developing the RFP for registration and determining deadlines and pricing for each category. Involves designing, distributing, and analyzing the conference evaluation survey, as well as drafting and presenting the final evaluation report to the Steering Committee. Manages the registration process via Whova, maintaining participant profiles and records, and coordinating committee members to staff the registration booth during active hours.
Co-Chairs:
Nakenya Lewis-Yarbrough and Tamela Chambers
Members:
Cynthia Charles, BCALA
Allison Escoto, REFORMA
Natalie McCall, BCALA
Shabrina McPherson, APALA/BCALA/REFORMA
Cristina Ramirez, REFORMA
Elaine Tai, APALA/CALA
Pre-Conferences, Keynotes & Authors' Events
Responsible for preparing guidelines and selecting pre-conferences, as well as identifying and selecting keynote speakers with input from the JCLC Steering Committee. Arranges authors speaking at programs and author luncheons.
Co-Chairs:
Nicanor Diaz and Tara Kenjockety
Members:
Tamara Nelson, BCALA
Emily Ping O’Brien, APALA
Glenda Pucket, BCALA
Ashley Walker-Tyler, BCALA
Past Volunteers
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers who began this conference journey with us. Although they were unable to continue, their hard work and dedication during the vital early stages of planning are deeply appreciated.
Jamia Williams, BCALA
Tamara Nelson, BCALA
Emily Ping O’Brien, APALA
Awards & Scholarships:
Criss Guy, BCALA
Chanda Briggs, BCALA
Patricia Tarango, REFORMA
Marketing & Conference Website:
Mariel Matthews, BCALA