meet OUR TEAM
We have hard working professionals and parents who help run Curly Me! Get to know us.
Alyssha Dairsow
Executive Director
Alyssha Dairsow has engaged with the community since she moved here 10 years ago. And as the founder and executive director at the nonprofit Curly Me!, she’s passionate about helping her community see its beauty. Focusing on young Black girls ages five to 14, Curly Me! provides mentoring and hosts events that help children of color embrace their best selves. From book clubs to panels to hangouts, she’s building a village around an underrepresented community and empowering them to embrace their uniqueness.
Ms. Dairsow works to provide a platform where the voices in her community are heard, including her own. “Things will not change if I, or anyone else, stays silent,” she says, and laying the foundation for the future of the young Black girls in her community is what she believes will change Utah for the better. I personally would like to foster diversity in Utah because I would like to live in a state that includes me in major decisions are made in government, workspaces, and all the way to the services I receive in a restaurant.
I decided to be a reliable resource for parents and Black girls because I noticed there weren’t many fun and reliable resources for our girls, says Ms. Dairsow, describing where the idea for the nonprofit started. I am confident Curly Me! will continue to grow into bigger and better events and outreach that will cross state lines and country borders.
Chloe Agyin
Program Specialist
Chloe Agyin (they/them) is the program specialist of Curly Me!. Chloe is passionate about the work that Curly Me! does because they understand the struggle it is to be a young black person in a conservative state. In order to better pursue their passion for social justice and systemic change, Chloe received their Masters Degree in Social Work.
Since living in Utah, Chloe has been engaged in social activism through working with a variety of local non-profits and currently serves as a board member and operations director for The OUT Foundation. Chloe hopes that they can continue to find new ways to disrupt the status quo.
Angelyn Ramos
Administrative Assistant | Americorps Member
Angelyn Ramos (she/they) is the administrative assistant of Curly Me! hired through Americorps Thriving Utah program. Angelyn comes from a multi-ethnic background, which has helped to inform her every decision. Angelyn is passionate about the mission of Curly Me! because they understand the importance of community. Especially when you’re in a place where you’re often the odd one out.
Angelyn is currently in school studying to get her degree in linguistic anthropology. They hope that one day to study how language affects culture and how culture affects language. Angelyn is so excited to be working with the Curly Me! community and is eager to learn from everyone.
our BOARD of DIRECTORS
Abby Arellanes
BOARD MEMBER
Abby Arellanes is originally from southern California but relocated to Utah for his love of the outdoors, proximity to immediate family, and growing career opportunities. Abby expects to be able to leverage his finance background, and non-profit and volunteer experience to help Curly Me! continue to pursue its organizational goals and create meaningful change.
As a son of Mexican immigrants and a child raised in diverse communities, he understands and deeply appreciates the importance of community building and equity work. “The mission of Curly Me! resonates with my passion for social change and youth outreach, and I am excited to be a part of the growing team at Curly Me!’
Darnell Crandall
BOARD MEMBER
Darnell Crandall is a Salt Lake City native whose commitment to service and community led him to join Curly Me! in 2022. Darnell works as a Public Defender with Salt Lake Legal Defender Association, representing indigent defendants throughout Salt Lake County. Darnell is a passionate advocate for defendants in the criminal justice system and a firm believer in social and restorative justice.
Darnell has served as a member of the Utah Bar Association, Access to Justice Commission and is a graduate of the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law. As an adopted son, raised in Utah, Darnell understands firsthand the amazing work Curly Me! brings to our community and the incredible impact on the lives of Utah families.
LaTonya Jackson
BOARD MEMBER
LaTonya Jackson has been doing hair for over 27 years, and is co-owner of LaMia Beauty Lounge in Roy, UT. She is the founder of The Butterfly Coils Project, an educational platform created to help Utah families and professional hair care providers learn how to manage, style, and care for tight curly natural hair.
Since 2017, she's been passionate about serving her regular clientele at her full service salon, but mostly enjoys providing various educational resources to the community. These include: Educational Hair Appointments, Natural Hair Care & Braiding Workshops, Natural Hair Care Webinars, Professional Cosmetology Group Classes, Online Digital Courses, and an EBook.
Her work aligns with the mission of the Curly Me! organization, and she is looking forward to extending her knowledge and resources to the Curly Me! families by serving on the Board.