Highlights Part 6 - The Pandemic’s Lasting Impact on Human & Mental Health

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Enjoy our slideshow of photos from the organizations featured below in our Highlight Episode Part Six, which is focused on The Pandemic’s Lasting Impact on our Human and Mental Health.

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"Our mental health care workers rarely get the same recognition as other healthcare heroes. But during this pandemic, Edgewood’s staff proved every single day that they deserve it.”Justine Underhill—Edgewood Center for Children & Families

In this our sixth and final highlight of our COVID-19 special series, host George Koster brings together the voices of community leaders confronting the pandemic’s deepest wound: its lasting impact on human and mental health across San Francisco.

Featured guests include mental health expert Jennifer Baity; Justine Underhill and Greg Biggs of Edgewood Center for Children and Families; Anu Menon of Oasis for Girls; Faith Jackson of Uplift Family Services; Doug Styles of Huckleberry Youth Programs; Charles Lerner and Demaree Miller of At the Crossroads; Sakeenah El-Amin of Third Street Youth Center and Clinic; Lyslyn Lacoste of BMAGIC; Dr. Noha Aboelata, Aquil Naji, and Ky’Tavia Stafford of Roots Community Health Center; 

Joe Goode and Michelle Lynch Reynolds of Joe Goode Performance Group; Elena Botkin-Levy and Leah King of Women’s Audio Mission; Adrienne Price and Rose Oser of Z Space; Stephanie Linder, Dean Mermell, and Mauro Ffortissimo of the Flower Piano Show; and Anne Bluethenthal, Shavonne Allen, and Joel Yates of the Sky Watchers Ensemble.

Scroll down to learn more about each guest in their bios. Then listen, subscribe, and share this episode so these voices reach every corner of our community.

Justine Underhill—Chief Program Officer, Edgewood Center for Children & Families

Justine Underhill is the Chief Program Officer at Edgewood and a longtime clinical leader in child and adolescent mental health. Drawing on her decade at UCSF, where she directed multiple family‑centered programs and taught on the clinical faculty, she brings deep insight into the realities of frontline care. Her work and published research ground this episode’s

To hear Justine describe the heroism of mental healthcare workers who don’t always get the recognition they deserve, and how a young client left behind a thank-you note for the coping tools that replaced suicidal thoughts, listen to our full conversation in Episode 54.

Gregg Biggs—Director of Advancement,Edgewood Center for Children & Families

Mr. Biggs is Edgewood’s leader for fundraising, communications, and volunteer engagement, bringing more than 30 years of nonprofit experience to this episode’s conversation. His career has focused on strengthening financial and community support for programs serving marginalized populations worldwide. Formerly a senior development executive with World Neighbors, he has worked across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Listeners gain a grounded perspective on how philanthropy drives meaningful, community‑centered impact.

To hear Greg share how a residential client earned his Eagle Scout badge by building a Zen garden on the Edgewood campus during COVID—leaving behind a legacy of mindfulness for future youth—listen to our full conversation in Episode 54.

Lyslyn Lacoste—Executive Director, BMagic & Third Street Youth Center & Clinic

Lyslynn Lacoste is a New York Bar–licensed attorney and longtime youth‑justice advocate. With more than fifteen years dedicated to leadership development, mentoring, and juvenile justice reform, she brings deep insight to this episode’s focus on community‑centered safety and opportunity. A former Legal Aid Society intern and current Chief of Staff for the San Francisco Public Defender, she offers a grounded perspective on how systems can better support young people.

To hear Lyslyn describe how her small but mighty team distributed a record 2,600 backpacks during the pandemic and why families trust BMAGIC when other systems have failed them, listen to our full conversation in Episode 51.

Sakeenah El-Amin—Deputy Director, Third Street Youth Center

Sakeenah is an educator, youth‑development leader, and former public‑interest attorney whose work is rooted in the belief that young people see the world as it should be. After realizing legal remedies alone couldn’t drive lasting change, she turned to teaching and leading programs that center youth voice. Now Deputy Director at 3rd Street, she champions heart‑centered leadership—offering listeners insight into how compassionate systems can better serve Black and Brown communities.

To hear Sakeenah describe why housing is healthcare and how Third Street became a stabilizing force in the Bayview when the community needed it most, listen to our full conversation in Episode 51.

Elena Botkin-Levy—Managing Director,Women’s Audio Mission

Elena Botkin‑Levy is a youth‑media educator and producer with more than a decade of experience at the intersection of storytelling and youth development. Formerly Director of Media Education at YR Media, she has led multimedia training programs for young creators across the Bay Area and beyond. Her work with Out Loud Radio, ZUMIX, and national media organizations gives listeners a clear sense of how youth‑driven media can shift narratives and build power.

To hear Elena describe the moment a young person put her hands on a studio fader for the first time and said, “I see myself as a boss in this space,” listen to our full conversation in Episode 55.

Leah King—Director of Education,Women’s Audio Mission

Leah King is an Oakland‑born arts educator, music producer, and trained facilitator with deep expertise in culturally responsive education, SEL, trauma‑informed care, and mindfulness. Her career spans the NYC Department of Education, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Girls Rock Camp. After years as a touring musician and youth arts mentor in Berlin, she now brings her creative and pedagogical leadership to WAM, offering listeners insight into how arts education strengthens confidence and community.

To hear Leah explain how virtual learning opened unexpected doors for different styles of learners and why representation in audio engineering starts in the classroom, listen to our full conversation in Episode 55. Go to Seasons One & Two of our Where Art Meets Impact Series for more amazing stories of Art’s impact on our lives.

Julie Baker—Executive Director, California for the Arts

Julie Baker is the CEO of California’s statewide arts advocacy organizations, leading statewide efforts to elevate the visibility and political influence of artists and cultural workers. A champion of cross‑sector coalitions and the architect of California’s month‑long arts advocacy campaign, she has shaped major policy wins for the creative economy. Her leadership roles across state and national arts networks give listeners a clear view of how advocacy drives resources, protection, and opportunity for the arts.

Listen to the complete, original episode 91 featuring Julie, Jason, and Ralph discussing the economics of the creative economy.

Ralph Remington—Director of Cultural Affairs, SF Arts Commission

Ralph Remington is the Director of Cultural Affairs for the San Francisco Arts Commission and a nationally respected arts leader. With a career spanning arts administration, government service, theater, and screenwriting, he brings deep insight into how public investment shapes cultural life. A former NEA Director of Theater and Musical Theater and recipient of the NEA Chairman’s Distinguished Service Award, he helps listeners understand how arts policy strengthens creative communities. Ralph will step down on June 30th, 2026. Follow Ralph’s new adventures.

For the full story on the economic impact of the arts on our communities in the original panel discussion with Ralph, Julie, and Jason in episode 91. Go to Seasons One & Two of our Where Art Meets Impact Series for more amazing stories of Art’s impact on our lives.

Jason Blackwell—Director of Community Investments, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts [YBCA]

Jason M. Blackwell is the Director of Community Investment at YBCA, where he leads the organization’s re‑granting portfolio and develops strategies that center on artists and cultural practitioners. His leadership on initiatives like the California Relief Fund and Artist Power Convenings reflects deep expertise in equity‑driven arts funding. With prior roles at Grants for the Arts and the Irvine Foundation, he offers listeners a clear view of how investment systems can advance cultural equity.

For more insights into how Jason and YBCA support artists in the art economy, listen to the original interview with Jason, Julie, and Ralph in episode 91. Go to Seasons One & Two of our Where Art Meets Impact Series for more amazing stories of Art’s impact on our lives.

Meg Friedman—Senior Consultant,AMS Planning & Research

Meg is a senior consultant at AMS Planning & Research with more than 20 years in the arts, culture, and entertainment sector. Drawing on her early career as a freelance stage manager, she now leads research and planning that guide strategic decisions for organizations of all sizes. A principal researcher behind Return to the Stage, she offers listeners clear insight into how data, equity, and industry trends shape the future of performing arts.

For more about the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Creative Economy’s workforce and listen to the panel discussion with Meg and Dave in episode 56.

David McGraw—Associate Professor & Director of Arts Administration, Elon University

David McGraw is the Program Coordinator for Elon University’s Arts Administration major and a longtime manager of professional performing arts projects nationwide. His recent Fulbright Specialist work with the South African State Theatre highlights his global perspective on arts management. As a published writer and producer of Standby Cue 101, he brings listeners clear insight into how research, training, and international collaboration strengthen the performing arts ecosystem.

To hear the full story behind the development of the “Return to Stage” longitudinal study and its outcomes, listen to the informative discussion with David and Meg in episode 56.

Mauro ffortissimo—Cofounder,Sunset Piano

Mauro is an Argentine-Italian-American multidisciplinary artist whose work blends experimental sound, visual art, and community‑centered creativity. A founding member of 849 Folsom Music, he helped energize San Francisco’s pre‑dot‑com underground arts scene. Through the Enso Art Collective and the Miles Davis Memorial Hall, he explores expanded tonalities through piano deconstruction. Listeners gain a window into how global influences, collaboration, and everyday experience shape his approach to making art accessible to all.

To hear how Dean and Mauro hide grand pianos in a botanical garden and discover unknown virtuosos among the public, and how Stephanie is making the Gardens accessible to all, listen to our full conversation in Episode 97.

Dean Mermell—Cofounder,Sunset Piano

This artist spent years as a nationally represented studio glassmaker, with work placed in prominent collections and architectural commissions, before shifting toward a more personal creative practice. Now making films, producing music events, and living in the California desert, he creates without the constraints of traditional artist‑statement formality. His journey offers listeners an honest look at how an artist evolves, sheds pretense, and reconnects with creativity on their own terms.

To hear how Dean and Mauro hide grand pianos in a botanical garden and discover unknown virtuosos among the public, and how Stephanie is making the Gardens accessible to all, listen to our full conversation in Episode 97

Stephanie Linder—CEO, Gardens of Golden Gate Park

Stephanie Linder is the CEO of the Gardens of Golden Gate Park, leading the public‑private partnership that stewards the Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, and San Francisco Botanical Garden. With more than 25 years in nonprofit leadership and a career rooted in park advocacy, she brings deep expertise in conservation, public space, and community engagement. Her work with Emerge California underscores her commitment to developing women leaders—insight listeners will hear throughout this episode.

To hear how Dean and Mauro hide grand pianos in a botanical garden and discover unknown virtuosos among the public, and how Stephanie is making the Gardens accessible to all, listen to our full conversation in Episode 97

Adrienne Price—Writer & Co-Composer,The Red Shades

Adrienne Price is a San Francisco–based playwright, songwriter, and educator whose work centers queer and trans storytelling. She is the writer and co‑composer of The Red Shades: A Trans Superhero Rock Opera and co‑creator of Totally Normal, now in development. A member of the Dramatists Guild and alum of the Asylum Arts Retreat, she brings 18 years of teaching experience and a multidisciplinary creative practice that helps listeners understand how trans artists build community, lineage, and liberation through art.

To hear Adrienne describe how the Compton’s Cafeteria Riots of 1966 inspired a seven-year creative journey, and how Rose and the Z Space team brought it to a world premiere, listen to our full conversation in Episode 100.

Rose Oser—Interim Producing Director, Z Space & Lead Producer of The Red Shades

Rose Oser is a theater producer, playwright, and performer, currently serving as Interim Producing Director at Z Space. She has been a key creative force behind The Red Shades since 2018 and is the book writer of Shoshana in December, an NEA ArtWorks–supported musical. Her work also includes the hit show Tinderella. She offers listeners an inside look at how new musicals are developed, nurtured, and brought to life.

To hear Adrienne describe how the Compton’s Cafeteria Riots of 1966 inspired a seven-year creative journey, and how Rose and the Z Space team brought it to a world premiere, listen to our full conversation in Episode 100. Follow Rose’s adventures in live performance production

Dr. Noha Aboelata—Founder & CEO,Roots Community Health Center

Noha Aboelata, MD, is the founder and CEO of Roots Community Health Center, an Oakland‑based organization dedicated to eliminating health disparities through community‑rooted, whole‑person care. A nationally recognized leader in expanding access for underserved communities, she has grown Roots from a volunteer effort to a multi‑site provider serving 10,000 patients. Her work—including founding the Community‑Rooted Provider Coalition—offers listeners a clear view of how culturally competent, community‑driven health systems transform outcomes.

To hear her describe how Roots set up the first walk-up COVID testing site in the Bay Area and why she is planning not five years ahead but five generations ahead, listen to our full conversation in Episode 94.

Aquil Naji—COO,Roots Community Health Center

Aquil Naji is the Chief Operations Officer of Roots Community Health Center and a founding member of the Think Tank that shaped the organization’s creation. A seasoned business leader and community advocate, he brings 25 years of management experience and a deep commitment to eliminating health disparities in East Oakland. He created the Roots Emancipators Initiative, offering listeners a powerful example of how reentry support, workforce training, and advocacy can transform lives.

To hear Aquil share the story of a twenty-four-year-old with no skills who came in with his mother and left with a hospital job earning forty dollars an hour, listen to our full conversation in Episode 94.

Ky'Tavia Stafford Carreker—Referral Coordinator/Patient Services Specialist,Roots Community Health Center

Ky’Tavia Stafford‑Carreker is an incoming PRIME‑Drew medical student at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science/UCLA, committed to advancing health equity through community‑rooted scholarship. A UCLA graduate in History with departmental honors and a minor in African American Studies, she founded Afro Latinx Connection to bridge diasporic communities. Her award‑winning honors thesis on reproductive racism offers listeners a powerful lens on how Black women’s experiences shape the future of women’s health.

To hear her describe advocating for patients whose referrals were being denied and why Roots prepared her for medical school in ways no classroom could, listen to our full conversation in Episode 94.

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