Sojourn Project Leadership
& Board of Directors

Our Leadership Team

jeff_steinberg

Jeff Steinberg

Founder and Executive Director

Jeff Steinberg is an educator, speaker, and nationally recognized leader in experiential learning who has dedicated his life to helping young people understand the power of history, empathy, and civic responsibility. After 14 years teaching Advanced Placement U.S.History, Jeff founded Sojourn out of a belief that students learn best when they step beyond the classroom and experience history where it happened.

For more than 25 years, Jeff has led over 10,000 students through immersive civil rights journeys across the American South, connecting them directly with the people, places, and stories that shaped the movement for justice and equality in America. His work is rooted in a rigorous standards-based curriculum built from primary source documents, firsthand testimony, and meaningful dialogue designed to challenge students to think critically about injustice, moral courage, and their own role in creating change.

Known for his passionate storytelling and dynamic teaching style, Jeff delivers hundreds of presentations annually across the country, inspiring audiences through the enduring lessons of the Civil Rights Movement and the importance of compassion, inclusion, and human dignity.

For his decades of work in education and social impact, Jeff and the organization have received numerous state and national honors, including the Coretta Scott King A.N.G.E.L. Award and the National Arts and Humanities Youth Programs Award.

Jeff’s mission has always remained clear: when young people walk the ground where history was made and hear directly from those who lived it, education becomes transformational.

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Steve Schulz

Assistant Director of Operations

Steve Schulz brings strategic insight, operational leadership, and a deep commitment to immersive civil rights education to his work with Sojourn. Since graduating from the University of San Francisco in 2011, where he studied U.S. History and Business, Steve has supported Sojourn in numerous capacities, helping strengthen the systems, curriculum, technology, and logistics that make each student experience possible.

Before joining Sojourn, Steve worked as a teacher and research assistant, served with the TEAMS/AmeriCorps program, tutored literacy in San Francisco to children, and interned with the National Park Service on Alcatraz Island, focusing on the American Indian Occupation of Alcatraz.

At Sojourn, Steve’s role continues to evolve. His work has included developing the organization’s multimedia anti-racism and civil rights presentation, seen by more than 10,000 students and teachers each year, supporting curriculum development, managing technology and equipment, and coordinating logistics on each journey.

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Omar Elkalyoubie

Director of Marketing

Omar Elkalyoubie serves as Marketing Director for Sojourn Project and leads Celebrity Weekend, helping bring the organization’s mission to life through storytelling, fundraising, partnerships, and large-scale community events.

With more than 25 years of nonprofit and community engagement experience, Omar has helped grow awareness and raise millions of dollars for meaningful causes such as Orange County Library System, Give Kids The World Village, Over The Edge, Smiles Fur Miles, and Cannonball Kids’ Cancer.

With a background in marketing, media, social engagement, and large-scale event production, Omar leads Sojourn’s marketing, partnerships, social media, fundraising, and special events. His work focuses on bringing communities together through storytelling, experiential learning, and meaningful experiences that inspire empathy, kindness, civic responsibility, and lasting impact for future generations.

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Brianna Hart

Logistics Coordinator

Brianna Hart serves as the Head of Event Logistics for Sojourn Project and is an integral part of ensuring each journey runs smoothly from start to finish. Her attention to detail, dedication, and commitment to creating meaningful experiences help make Sojourn’s immersive educational programs possible.

Beyond her work with Sojourn, Brianna serves as a camp counselor for a program dedicated to children battling cancer, where she provides support, encouragement, and joy to young people facing extraordinary challenges. Inspired by these experiences, she is currently pursuing medical school with the goal of becoming a pediatric oncologist, combining her passion for service with a desire to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and their families.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Reena Evers

Board President

Reena Evers is the daughter of civil rights leaders Medgar and Myrlie Evers and serves as Board President of Sojourn Project. At just 8 years old, she witnessed the assassination of her father, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to justice, education, and civic responsibility.

A respected communications professional and frequent public speaker, Reena has worked with organizations nationally and internationally to promote dialogue, understanding, and human dignity. She also serves as Executive Director of the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute, continuing her family’s legacy by inspiring future generations through education, historical truth, and the ongoing pursuit of equality.

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Shannon Couch

Board Treasurer

Shannon Couch serves as Board Treasurer for Sojourn Project and brings decades of experience in education, curriculum development, and youth advocacy. She earned her B.A. in English and Humanities from Notre Dame de Namur University and a master’s degree in Humanities from San Francisco State University.

Throughout her career, Shannon has worked extensively with at-risk teens and teen parents, helping create supportive and student-centered educational pathways. Most recently, she served as Professional Development Coordinator at Peninsula Alternative School, where she helped lead the transition to Common Core-based curriculum and strengthened instructional practices for educators and students alike.

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Wayne Taylor

Board Secretary

Wayne Taylor has supported Sojourn Project for nearly two decades, serving in a variety of roles including webmaster, writer, photographer, fundraiser, and trip chaperone. A longtime storyteller and communications professional, he has worked as a content writer and producer across television, print, and digital media since 1997. Wayne currently serves as a Web Production and Training Manager at Adobe, bringing his expertise in digital engagement and storytelling to help advance Sojourn’s mission.

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Eric Pleschner

Board Member

Eric Pleschner brings to Sojourn Project a lifelong commitment to youth empowerment, philanthropy, and the arts. A graduate of California State University, Sacramento with a B.S. in Business, Eric has combined entrepreneurship with nonprofit leadership throughout his career, including serving as CFO of a multi-million-dollar organization and participating in international cultural exchange initiatives.

In 1997, Eric helped establish the Charles A. Becker Foundation and has served as its President for nearly three decades, helping guide more than $10 million in grants supporting youth and community development programs. His dedication to Sojourn reflects a deep belief in the transformative power of education, opportunity, and positive influence.

Our Team

Davina Gazula

Logistics Coordinator and Educator

Kenneth Mason

Curriculum Advisor

Cliff Mayotte

Consultant and Strategic Advisor

Minnijean Brown-Trickey

Advisor/Speaker

Elizabeth Eckford

Advisor/Speaker

Jonathan Whitley

Support Specialist

Accounting Team

Andrea Glavas, Aimee Lenz, and Cassandra Davis

Anne Brickeen

Marketing Assistant and Celebrity Weekend Coordinator

Asya Whitley

Registered Nurse

Audra Gray

Photographer

Security Team

Frank Davis and Anthony Quentin

Bus Drivers

Earl Richardson, Jimmy Page, Jackie Robinson

team

  • Brianna Hart, Logistics Coordinator
  • Davina Gazula, Logistics Coordinator and Educator
  • Kenneth Mason, Curriculum Advisor
  • Cliff Mayotte, Consultant and Strategic Advisor
  • Minnijean Brown-Trickey, Advisor/Speaker
  • Elizabeth Eckford, Advisor/Speaker
  • Jonathan Whitley, Support Specialist
  • Accounting Team – Andrea Glavas, Aimee Lenz, and Cassandra Davis
  • Anne Brickeen, Marketing Assistant, Celebrity Weekend Coordinator
  • Asya Whitley, Registered Nurse
  • Audra Gray, Photographer
  • Security Team – Frank Davis and Anthony Quentin
  • Bus Drivers – Earl Richardson, Jimmy Page, Jackie Robinson

What our students, teachers, and leaders are saying…

  • "Witnessing students discussing the complexities of the history and policies of the United States in our nation’s revered landmarks is one of my most treasured teaching moments."

    K. McNulty Middle School Teacher, Sojourn Project Alumni
  • "Life-Changing. Transformative. Soul-Softening. Seeing myself as a sister to my fellow brothers and sisters in the walk of life of justice... and Making a gracious oath to no longer be a silent witness in every aspect of my life."

    W. Morgan Student, Sojourn Project Alumni
  • "The goal of teaching is to be able to instill confidence and skills in a student to go along with content knowledge and relate it to the student’s life. Sojourn was able to do that with me by teaching me as a high school student more than just the history of the Civil Rights Movement, but to take action and be a voice of my community…"

    Pablo Aguilera Graduate, Stanford University, U.S. History Teacher, Sojourn Project Alumni
  • "I thought no one cared about us. During my Sojourn Journey, I felt recognized, validated, and empowered for the first time. You could feel it. American Civil Rights speakers talking about their firsthand experiences and showing us that we don’t need to be quiet. Any one of us can bring about change."

    A. Vasquez Pre-Law Student, Social Activist, Sojourn Project Alumni
  • "The students I met on Sojourn Project…received valuable lessons in tolerance, nonviolence, compassion, forgiveness, faith, and social responsibility. These are the concepts that will give rise to tomorrow’s social leaders."

    Congressman John Lewis 5th District of Georgia, Civil Rights Leader, Sojourn Project Mentor
  • "The most impactful thing was meeting Reverend Billy Kyles, because he made me realize that I do have a dream. All I have to do is believe in myself."

    Sojourn Project Alumni
  • "…Before Sojourn,…I was closeminded and judgmental. My grades were suffering and I was lacking inspiration. From Sojourn, not only did I learn about the Civil Rights Movement, I learned about myself. I began to realize that I was capable of succeeding…I now attend college and am interested in becoming a lawyer or police officer…"

    I. B. Sojourn Project Alumni
  • "The goal of the teaching is to be able to instill confidence and skills in a student to go along with content knowledge and relate it to the student’s life…"

    P. Aguilera Graduate, Stanford University and History Teacher, Sojourn Project Alumni
  • "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."

    James Baldwin Civil Rights Activist, Writer, Social Critic
  • "…As the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s death approaches, we need to recall his messages more than ever, 'Now is the time to lift our national policy from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of human dignity.'"

    Minnijean Brown-Trickey Member of the Little Rock Nine, Civil Rights Activist, Environmentalist, Peacemaker
  • "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Spokesperson and Leader of the Modern Civil Rights Movement
  • "I recently partook in a different program, with a similar theme. However, I liked your program more because it was such an emotional experience that really changed who I am as a person. I still think about that trip to this day and all of the amazing people I got to meet on that trip. I would love to accompany you on another trip and possibly teach a lesson with one of the staff."

    J. Manning Sojourn Project Alumni
  • "There is a difference between the remembrance of history and reverence for it. We are talking about truth."

    Mitch Landrieu Former Mayor of New Orleans
  • "Sojourn Project allows participants to not just touch history, but to touch those who made history."

    Reverend Samuel Billy Kyles Civil Rights Leader
  • "If not us, then who? If not now, then when?"

    Congressman John Lewis 5th District of Georgia, Civil Rights Leader, Sojourn Project Mentor
  • "I have witnessed non-engaged students from my school learn and appreciate the value of education on Sojourn and apply those lessons upon their return to school…most gratifying…"

    California County Teacher of the Year Sojourn Teacher Alumni
  • "Engagement with and between the kids is incredible. The preparation pre-trip gets them ready for something that's so deep, it seems beyond their comprehension, yet their responsiveness and comments prove how much they're not only getting, but how much they are retaining…It's also about a much bigger picture for them as young adults, developing a level of understanding other people that truly sets them apart – in whatever path they take. I'M BLOWN AWAY!"

    E. Pleschner Sojourn Adult Participant & Alumni
  • "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that 'all men are created equal'."

    Abraham Lincoln U.S. Representative, Lawyer, U.S. President
  • "Witnessing students discuss the complexities of the history and policies of the United States in our nation’s revered landmarks is one of my most treasured moments."

    Karen McNulty Middle School Teacher, Sojourn Project Alumni
  • "The most impactful thing was meeting Reverend Billy Kyles, because he made me realize that I do have a dream. All I have to do is believe in myself."

    Sojourn Project Alumni
Sojourn Project | Experience history. Inspire the future.

Sojourn Project/Sojourn to the Past is a wholly unique, transformative living-history experience rooted in truth, empathy, and moral courage.

875 Lomita Ave, Millbrae, CA 94030
EIN 94-3336985

UPCOMING JOURNEYS

2026-2027

Middle School Trip
November 7-14, 2026

High School Trip
February 13-20, 2027
March 29 – April 5, 2027

CONTACT US

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