Meet Henriette Alamillo

My passion is anything bicycle  related. I am a bike commuter and travel about 12 miles to and from work. I try as much to actively participate in all events that help promote the use of bicycles. I volunteer with Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, Amgen Tour of California, Bicycle Film Festival and Midnight Ridazz events. My interest include volunteering, music, photography and of course bicycles.

I have supervisory skills and experience in a guest services environment so I would able to use that to help me teach and coach about the uses of a bicycle. I am best known throughout my work, family and friends as a bike advocate and try my best to teach friends and family how to learn to ride a bicycle and simple bicycle repairs. I assist friends to be actively involved in events that help promote the use of bicycles and other recreational activities to be more physically active.  I want to keep being part of this community that has done nothing but exposed to me to positive people and has me leading a healthier, happier life with a confident attitude. If chosen, I would be sharing my experience and knowledge to other women around my community.

I am very excited to be applying for this. As soon as I read about this scholarship program, I immediately knew this was a great way for me to try to give back more than what I’ve already gained as a bicyclist.  I will still continue to try my best to be more of a positive inspiration and motivator.

Meet Kim Phan

I may have a corporate career as a risk analyst, but my heart has always been in independent arts/culture and sustainability.  I believe that proper education is the key to a sustainable lifestyle.  If I can teach someone to grow their own produce -- not only will it be healthier and cost effective, it would also offer an opportunity to teach their neighbors better ways to become sustainable. To that same effect, I see cycling as being more than a leisure activity.  It would provide better air quality, less sedentary living, reduction of stress, and an education opportunity amongst many other highlights.

I think I would be a great candidate for this LCI scholarship since I have lead multiple youth groups and corporations for over a decade.  I have provided support and leadership to create independence, confidence, and skill in different capacities ranging from agricultural farming, preventing human trafficking, to corporate workflow efficiencies.

My past work history involves owning an independent record label that was sold to Atlantic Records.  I have also owned a clothing design company that was in production for five years and closed down due to high demand.  The demand grew a lot quicker than I expected and the focus of the art and craftsmanship were beginning to compromise, so I decided to scale back and put this chapter in my life on hold while I continue my other passions.

Meet Tess Lotta

I am a visual artist, writer, musician, activist, and small business owner armed with a road bike and an addiction to screen printing. I value my time with friends and family and understand the worth of living life in the present. I am fortunate to be part of the local independent businesses movement and enjoy helping people build a strong foundation for their small businesses and nonprofits in my work as a bookkeeper.

A dedicated bike geek, I am a first-hand beneficiary of the universal benefits of active transportation, and I am eager to help people discover safe biking and walking, especially girls and women. I deeply appreciate my garden and the delicious lemons my tree delivers each year.

I co-founded the West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition (WeHoBC) and serve as Facilitating Chair. I am member of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, of which the WeHoBC is a regional chapter.

I am filled with glee that my nerdish love of cycling has brought together my social justice background and bike politics. I am a plus-sized female cyclist – this alone counters body/gender marginalization with every ride. I’ve been lucky to learn the bike from my husband, a cyclist with over twenty years of experience. During the past five years commuting by bike, I have brought a few of my women friends to cycling, helping them pick out appropriate bikes, demonstrating basic maintenance, and spontaneously serving as a riding mentor as they got their legs in traffic. I would be thrilled to do more of this as an LCI.

I grew up in a tough, working-class part of the L.A. Harbor area in a racially diverse family. During the 1990s while living in Seattle, I became involved with feminist and social justice activism. My pursuits included co-founding a nonprofit called Hero Sisters, writing as an independent journalist, and raising funds for other social justice nonprofits, including Books to Prisoners and Home Alive. Back in LA, my writing/English degrees enabled me to work as a creative writing instructor with high school-aged kids serving sentences in a juvenile facility, as well as at a high school in downtown L.A.

When serving on the West Hollywood Bicycle Task Force (BTF) from Jan – Dec 2011, I was not surprised that I became politicized around city transportation politics and the community it serves, especially on issues of inclusivity. Demographically, the BTF consisted primarily of white middle- to privileged-class males. I was one of the few women on the task force, and the only female commuter cyclist.

As a regional bicycle advocate, I understand that this race and class demographic reflects that of West Hollywood, and the race and gender dynamic mirrors that of cycling, in general. However, as an activist, I understand that not all our stakeholders reflect these demographics and have learned that the power of social change starts with galvanizing the voices and experiences of all toward a common goal.

The LCI training is key to WeHoBC’s program goals, including offering bike safety and repair education workshops to a commuter workforce that relies on biking and walking as affordable transportation and implementing programs targeted to bring women and girls to cycling. LCI certification also increases my professional credentials with city staff and city council, offering juice for our campaigns that urge the city to establish and/or fund similar programs. Further, I am excited that LCI certification would give me another skill set to offer fellow transportation advocacy groups and other community organizations, including the WeHoBC’s sister chapters in the LACBC regional partners program.

I come from a large family. My parents involved us in their volunteerism at our school parish. At home and in the community, they taught us the equitable sharing of space and resources. This is the meaning of community I grew up learning and what I would bring to my efforts as an LCI.

hair. I am member of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, of which the WeHoBC is a regional chapter.