Raised in the Inland Empire and in Mt. Baldy David Mix started leading campaigns for the un-housed at Claremont High. After high school, unhoused community member Jimmy Smith, became a mentor and ally, particularly during the organizing efforts and upheaval that surrounded the killing of an unarmed black citizen, Irvin Landrum. This relationship marked the inception of David’s love and vision for housing. David attended the University of California at Riverside for two years and quickly realized he needed to search for a radical education. After working at the Rough Rock Community School on the Dine’ Reservation, David spent a decade learning traditional American Indian medicine and ceremony, where he learned to serve and support those in need. This culture-based work led David to Sacred Sites organizing and advocacy work on Lakota/Dakota/Nakota treaty land. A one-year internship on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation at Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation became four-plus years of research, fundraising, and program development, including successful coalitions and partnerships for workforce and economic development, sustainability, and energy projects. David holds a Master of Arts in Urban Sustainability from Antioch University, Los Angeles, and spends his leisure time singing at powwows and other community events, working or playing outdoors with his wife, daughter, and son at their home in the Angeles National Forest. David was recognized by the National Ski Patrol (a nonprofit congressionally chartered organization) for “Saving Human Life” and “Lifetime Achievement”. The Mt Baldy Ski Patrol, which David led during his late 30’s, was recognized for many consecutive years for excellence as “Best Small Patrol” both regionally and nationally. As a generalist, David’s top skills are counseling, organizing, facilitation, teaching, writing, and communications, with substantial experience in Program and Risk Management and Fundraising. The two most important words: Equity and Paradox.