Today we’d like to introduce you to Chikle.
Hi chikle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Well… a lil over 7 years ago I had the privilege of sharing what I had been up to with SD Voyager and needless to say, a lot has happened since! At the time, we were running two small businesses, Golondrina and Project Reo Collective, both rooted in cultura, community, and collaboration. They were thriving right up until the whole COVID-19 thing flipped everything upside down.
What I didn’t mention back then, and maybe didn’t fully embrace yet, was that I was also a high school Art Teacher. And over the years, that part of me grew. I’ve now been serving as a Dean of Culture for the past 6 years, helping cultivate the kind of school environment that honors humanity, identity, and joy.
Outside of school, I’m still all about keeping the community at the heart of it all. As the two small businesses closed, I made new friends and began collaborating on what is now the Emo Brown Foundation. We’ve been putting together monthly community rooted art shows at our HQ in Chula Vista. These aren’t just art shows, they’re cultural activations, celebrations, and spaces for local artists of all ages and stages to be seen and heard. I even tried my hand at grant writing to help us grow this work and compensate artists, curators, performers, and storytellers the way they deserve!
And because mental health and community healing matter, we teamed up with Vision Culture Foundation to co-host a monthly men’s support group called The Link Up – A space to gather in unity, common ground, and story. The Link Up is a safe, supportive space that welcomes the men in our community to sit with one another, connect, and heal as we navigate life’s challenges. We’ve now had a solid core of participants meeting consistently for two years!
It’s been a journey filled with pivots, lessons, purpose, and more than anything; I’m proud to still be doing work that connects people, uplifts cultura, and builds something bigger than ourselves!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road, but I’ve learned that some of the best moments in life are in the bumps, the twists, and the turns.
Like many folks, COVID hit hard. We had to shut down both of our small businesses, and with that came a kind of grief, especially since we were just hitting our stride in both places. We had poured our hearts into those spaces, and suddenly it felt like starting over. At the same time, I was navigating the emotional toll of being an educator during a global pandemic. I had just started my journey as a Dean and went from settling into the role to finding ways to support students, families, and staff while also figuring out how to take care of myself and my family.
Stepping into leadership as a Dean of Culture wasn’t easy either. You’re holding a lot, including student needs, staff needs, systemic challenges, and life “after” COVID, all while doing your best to center healing, equity, and culture in a system that wasn’t built for that. We continue leaning into the discomfort and keep showing up authentically. We understand that honest restorative practices are a long-term endeavor, so we keep pouring love into our students and into the belief that all can be great.
On the art side, we, my partner in life Selina Calvo and I, have been able to paint more murals and continue to create for art shows. I received one of the Far South/Border North grants, which really helped us grow both The Link Up and the group art shows at the Emo Brown Foundation HQ. Two of the biggest recent highlights have been getting invited to participate in the Tribal Street Legacy show and collaborating with San Diego FC, first with their Chrome Ball Tour and then with a Merch of the Match design that was really successful.
And on a personal level, just balancing all these roles (educator, artist, organizer, partner, community member, dad) isn’t easy. I’ve learned to lean on my people, stay rooted in purpose, and give myself grace more than ever along the way.
So, not exactly smooth. Just a life full of blessings that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work lives at the intersection of art, education, and community. I’m a visual artist, muralist, educator, and cultural organizer. Most of what I do, and what I am most proud of is rooted in building relationships, telling stories, and creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.
By day, I’m a Dean of Culture at a local high school, where I help lead restorative practices, celebrate student identities, and work toward a school culture that honors the humanity of every student. I’m also an art teacher at heart, and I still find time to mentor young creatives and bring art into community spaces.
Outside of school, I create and curate art with my partner in life, Selina Calvo. Together we’ve painted murals throughout the region, and we organize monthly community art shows through the Emo Brown Art Department. These shows center local artists, from emerging voices to established creatives, and often tie into larger themes like mental health, culture, and collective healing.
What sets my work apart is that it’s not about ego or individual recognition. It’s about collaboration, connection, and commUNITY! I try to show up authentically in every space I’m part of, whether that’s in a school hallway, at a paint wall, or in a community meeting. I’m proud of the work I’ve been able to do, but even more proud of the people I’ve done it with. We don’t just make art or organize events. We build family. We build memory. We build something that reflects the people who inspire us!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
In both education and the arts, I see a shift already happening, and I’m committed to being part of that change over the next 5 to 10 years.
In education, I want to continue disrupting the status quo and pushing for school experiences that connect authentically with our diverse learners. That means honoring who students are, where they come from, and what they bring to the table. More than ever, we need to center culture, identity, joy, and purpose in our classrooms. I see a future where education is more human and more responsive, where restorative practices, community voice, and creativity are just part of how we do things, not something “extra.”
On the art side, I see myself transitioning back into the small business world as my kids graduate from high school. I’ve been dreaming about reconnecting with the kind of space that blends a coffee shop, gift shop, and community gallery all in one. A place that’s more than just a business. A space where artists, neighbors, and friends can come together, share stories, and feel at home. Something that keeps the spirit of cultura and commUNITY alive and well.
Whether in the classroom, on a wall, or in a neighborhood space, my hope is to keep building toward a future that reflects the people and places that raised me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://elchikle.com
- Instagram: @chikle79
Image Credits
Family foto, and the rest are my original art pieces. One, with the rainbow, is a collaboration with my wife.
