Staff
Andrea Quijada
Andrea Isabel Quijada is the Executive Director of the Media Literacy Project. With more than a decade of experience as a media literacy trainer, and more than 18 years as a community organizer, Andrea has a deep passion for media justice. She presents nationally and internationally on the impact of media on culture, politics, and technology, serves on the Leadership Team of the national Media Action Grassroots Network, and is a 2010 alum of Women’s Media Center Progressive Women’s Voices. She is an advisory board member of Generation Justice (formerly KUNM Youth Radio Project), and is on the Board of Directors for Enlace Comunitario. She has co-founded various organizations in Albuquerque, including Young Women United, an organization by and for young women of color. She is particularly interested in media as a tool for self-determination and movement building. Andrea has strong cultural and community ties to the Southwest. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, she has happily made New Mexico her home for the past 15 years. Andrea earned her M.A. in Art History from the University of New Mexico with a focus on Chicana feminist art and art of social movements.
Jessica Collins
Jessica Collins, originally from Kansas City, has lived in New Mexico for over a decade. Jessica joined Media Literacy Project in 2003 and has trained thousands of youth, educators, and community leaders across the nation on media literacy topics including gender, race, sexuality, violence prevention, body image, reality television, and digital storytelling. She runs Media Literacy Project's Girl Tech Collective program for young women of color who learn about media justice, reproductive justice, and video production. She has also developed several multimedia educational resources including Challenging the Debt Industry, a documentary and media literacy resource on predatory lending. Jessica has a passion for film, storytelling, and working with youth. She enjoys deconstructing TV shows, music videos, and target marketing tactics. Jessica has over ten years of filmmaking experience and is a graduate from the University of New Mexico where she earned a B.A. in Media Arts.
Hakim Bellamy
Hakim Bellamy, born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in South Jersey, arrived in New Mexico on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2005. As the Strategic Communications Director for the Media Literacy Project he is the primary liaison between the organization and media outlets and develops messaging for all programs and campaigns. Prior to joining the Media Literacy Project, he was the Community Outreach Coordinator at the New Mexico State Office of African American Affairs. Hakim has worked at KOB-TV as a part of their tech crew and as a radio journalist and producer for KUNM. He currently serves on the governing council of Gordon Bernell Charter School, as an advisory board member for Young Non-profit Professionals Network and as a board member for Quote…UnQuote. Hakim is a nationally acclaimed performance poet, journalist and community organizer. He is currently completing his M.A. in Communications at the University of New Mexico.
Rusita Avila
Rusita Avila is an Albuquerque native. With over 20 years of experience as a community organizer, Rusita has organized for the American GI Forum, La Raza Unida, Kalpulli Izkalli, and Bernalillo County Place Matters Team. As the Media Justice Organizer, Rusita ensures that the message and effort of Media Literacy Project’s campaigns are connected to partners, members, and constituents. Since 2000, Rusita has served as co-director of the South Valley Dia de Los Muertos Marigold Parade and Celebration, and currently sits on the board of South Valley Prep Charter School. Rusita has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics/Biology from Brown University and a Masters in Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University.
Ariel Diamante Madrigal-Wiseley
Ariel Diamante Madrigal-Wiseley was born and raised in New Mexico. She joined Media Literacy Project in 2011 as the media administrative assistant. She assists with maintaining inventory and databases, as well as media production. Prior to joining Media Literacy Project, Ariel worked with the deaf and hard of hearing community. Ariel is currently in her second year at the University of New Mexico, and is working towards her Bachelor of Busniness Administration with a minor in psychology. In her free time, she enjoys learning guitar, reading, music, and movies.
