Our Team
Hope Housing Community Land Trust was founded by Tiawana Bullock and a group of young African American adults native to Marin City, a small community in Marin County California. Marin City has a rich history dating back to the 1940s, when African Americans migrated from the southern states to work in Sausalito, building warships for the federal government. During this time, African American workers and their families were housed in Marin City, an unincorporated area nearby. Over time, Marin County implemented policies that contributed to redlining, effectively preventing African Americans from renting or purchasing homes in other parts of the county. (See link below for more details.)
https://youtu.be/Z8LK5k-fd0Q?si=heCiaGsnJTa5Ejlq
After generations of redlining, Marin City has undergone gentrification, leaving many young adults and others from the community struggling with the harsh reality of unaffordable housing. They found it nearly impossible to rent, buy, or raise their children in the place they once called home. In response, some residents began attending community meetings to address the housing crisis, and in December 2020, a team was formed with a mission to tackle the lack of affordable housing.
Their first initiative was the creation of Hope Housing, an organization dedicated to assisting those experiencing homelessness, reviewing affordable housing laws, and preserving the remaining land in their community. With many families displaced by gentrification, the team aimed to ensure that Hope Housing's services could also support those affected.
Today, the team continues to make a difference by educating communities on the importance of community land trusts, advocating for affordable housing, offering financial literacy courses, and fostering collaboration between communities and county officials.
Strategic, creative, visionary, passionate and people focused best describes the life work of Tiawana Bullock. As a servant leader, she believes in affordable housing, diversity, inclusiveness, and innovative strategies that can be applied to any nonprofit or business sector. For the past 25 years, she has worked in both the non-profit and business sectors. She has leveraged her diverse background to create efficient systems in both Marin and Colorado. She also has sat on many boards and commissions including the Marin County Women's Commission, and Mt Tam Community Land Trust.
While attending Colorado Mesa University she realized that most of her joy comes from assisting nonprofits both in Marin and Colorado. Her goal is to provide diverse community influence that will tie into the organization's goals. Some of these efforts begin with transforming boards to include diversity, bringing awareness to communities and business on the importance of diversity within their systems. Her recent adventure of co-developing a housing program called Hope Housing Of Marin (now Hope Housing Community Land Trust), has led her into extensive training on building a community land trust. Tiawana's passion continues as she moves forward on building an inclusive environment that will affect this generation and the generation to come.
Board Members
President
John Wallace, Founder/CEO Surviving The Odds Project
John grew up in Marin City and found refuge in the arts as an escape from a troubled home life. Street life and drug use caught up to him, landing John in Marin County Jail numerous times and eventually to San Quentin State Prison for several years. Refusing to give up, John worked hard and earned his GED while in prison. John wrote over 75 songs about his lives experience while in prison. After he was released, John went on to attend classes at College of Marin, Santa Rosa Junior College and Butte College. He is currently a recognized musician, tattoo artist, and hairstylist who often provides his services at low or no cost to those in need. John believes in the importance of giving back and understands the therapeutic value of art and music. The artist name he writes music under is 'FREEDOM.' His self-produced debut EP, All My Life, was released in January 2018 on his very own record label, Revolution Records. His follow up album, Surviving The Odds, was released in July 2018. Founding and creating STOP has developed as part of the natural progression of his life’s work and passion. John also serves as a board member to many other nonprofit organizations within the county of Marin and Sonoma County. John has been nationally recognized for his outstanding leadership in the community by the CBS Evening News and is currently residing in Santa Rosa, Ca. John is the father of five beautiful children and grandfather to two.
Christina is a powerful force in the workplace and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Christina Rubio is an administrative assistant with years of experience working alongside professionals. She now works for a nonprofit where she specializes in administrative technology, and is responsible for the daily management of the office. Her organizational and administrative skills has helped the agency progress in their mission to reach the community. Christina also understands the challenges of finding affordable housing. She has been through that journey with her daughter who motivated her to keep searching for housing. She eventually obtained affordable housing. Christina is now advocating for affordable housing and mental health. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, entertaining family and friends.
Bay Area native who was born and raised in Oakland, Ca. I moved to Marin at the age of 14 to be in a better environment and to get a better education. After graduating from Tamalpais High, I went on to study at UNLV. While I had dreams to become a writer, I’ve always had a nick for numbers. Which led me to a career in Accounting/ Payroll.
As I continued on this path, I realized that I missed writing which was my true passion. The joy that I got from writing poems and short stories and even raps was something that I was missing. I was such a great writer at one point that I received English Language awards and even wrote passages for live events.
I am absolutely thrilled and honored to become a part of the County of Marin, once again! I worked previously for Marin City Library when I was in high school, as a Webster. Now I am a part of the Code Compliance team. I am extremely grateful and thankful that I can now put my writing skills to use again!
Jasmine brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the board of Hope Housing. With a strong background in administrative assistance, she excels in organization, problem-solving, and project management, ensuring that initiatives are executed efficiently and effectively.
Having grown up in the community, Jasmine has a deep personal connection to Hope Housing’s mission. She leverages her communication skills to advocate for accessible housing and works strategically to develop long-term solutions that will empower residents. Her expertise in strategic planning and operational support helps drive impactful programs, fostering stability and growth within the community.
Advisory Committe
Bryan Heagy - Loan Officer Financial Consultant
Francis Mcleevne - Community Land Trust Consultant
Carletha Neal - Strategic Planning Consultant
Sheila Pullum - Business Credit Consultant
Trevor Palacio - Real Estate Advisor
Kristen Wolslgel - Nonprofit Consultant
Ayana Morgan - Community Leader