Tamaeles y Bicicletas Team

JOSE LUIS VILLASEÑOR, Founder
Jose Luis Villasenor is the son of Mexican immigrants. He is a graduate of Augsburg College with a degree in Ethnic Studies.  He has spent the last 15 years working with homeless youth, Latino students and immigrant families at various community organizations.  As founder and Executive Director of Tamales y Bicicletas, Jose Luis works to raise awareness about the Indigenous cultural roots underlying many of today’s “green” efforts. Through this work, Jose Luis helps people understand that sustainability has always been a major cornerstone of Indigenous ways of living. As a child, Jose Luis vividly remembers the adobe home his father built. In the oral tradition, Jose Luis’ parents would tell him stories detailing the ways in which they constructed a sustainable life in Mexico - biking and walking transportation systems, purchasing or bartering for locally grown food, and using baños secos (compost based toilets). This process of cultural empowerment and reclaiming Mexican Indigenous technology is what informs Jose Luis’ youth work, thereby supporting immigrant students to live in harmony with themselves, their families, and mother earth. Following and rebuilding on these cultural traditions, Tamales y Bicicletas serves as a much needed vehicle for Latino youth and families to learn about and organize for environmental and food justice.
Ashley O'Neill Prado Community Garden Coordinator
A true cultivator of community, skilled in biology and environmental studies and urban farming that centers IBPOC and LGBT voices is how they Strengthen Tamales y Bicicletas work in South Minneapolis.  An avid bicyclists and an advocate for active healthy living actually,  that inspires young adults and community members to continue development  commitment to environmental and food justice.
Francisco G.community coordinator and lead mechanic
 A long time resident of South Minneapolis, a community connector and inspiring father- that has fostered hands-on experience to inspire youth to believe in themselves to recognize a medicine within the mistakes to the healthy states adults in their communities.  As a believer in strengthening one's body through exercise, cultural awareness and healthy eating  are the pillars of being agents equity and justice for all.

Board of Directors

EDGER MIRANDA,MEDICAL INTERPRETER
Edger Miranda has a bachelor’s degree and is an avid bicyclist and environmentalist. He works extensively in the Latino community to increase cultural awareness and heritage. Edger believes that bicycling is a way to connect with the community and better your health. He himself is an all season bicyclist, rain, snow or shine, but enjoys cool evening bike rides along the Greenway. Edger is currently traveling Europe and spending time with his Mother.
ASHLEY SATORIOUS, HUB BIKE SHOP WHOLESALE TECHNICIAN
Ashley Satorius has a bachelors degree and has worked at the collectively run bike shop in Minneapolis for five years. She is an avid bicyclist, community activist and organizer around issues of racial justice and accountability. Ashley works locally, nationally and internationally as an ally to communities of color to recognize and empower community members to uproot the disparities around alternate transportation and access to healthy foods while promoting racial justice. Ashley Satorius bikes all summer to and from local events. Ashley also helps organize and support the International White Privilege Conflict Conference happening in Minneapolis in 2011.
JIMMY PATIÑO,ASSISTANT PROFESSOR DEPARTMENT OF CHICANO AND LATINO STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
From Houston, his research and teaching explores radically democratic practice among marginalized communities.  Receiving his Ph.D. in U.S. History in 2010 at the University of California, San Diego, he is currently writing a book entitled "A Time for Resistance”: The Chicano Struggle for Immigrant Rights in the San Diego Borderlands, 1968-1986.  
JESSICA LOPEZ LYMAN,DOCTORAL CANDIDATE DEPARTMENT OF CHICANA AND CHICANO STUDIES AT UCSD AND INSTRUCTOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Jessica Lopez Lyman was born and raised in St. Paul. She is a Doctoral Candidate in Chicana and Chicano Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her dissertation explores, through the poetry of Palabristas Latin@ Spoken Word collective, Midwest regional identities, community organizing, and art as a vehicle for social change. She has taught courses on Chicana feminisms; visual and performance art; literature; and gender and sexuality. Jessica’s latest performance project is a multi-media piece, Hair Volume, which explores the life of her grandfather (an East Los Angeles barber) and rituals of the home. 
VICTOR SANTAMARIA, LOAVES AND FISHES SITE COORDINATOR
Victor Santamaria is a father of four and is very active in the Latino community. Victor became a board member after his son completed one summer session with Tamales y Bicicletas. Victor believes that bikes play an important role in a young person’s life to give them the means to explore the community while bettering their health. The Santamaria family enjoys summer outings on their bikes around the lakes and to community events. Victor rides his bike all fall and summer to and from work. He is currently working to promote organic and local foods with the Loaves and Fishes site at Holy Rosary Church.