OUR FOUNDING STORY
Six years ago, a desire to honor my late mother Mary Jane and to keep her spirit alive was the driving force behind the creation of THE MJ PROJECT. Fellow educators, my wife Leslie and I shared not only a love of books but also knowledge of the crucial role reading plays in the success of our students, that books swing open the door to a whole new world of possibilities.
We also knew that choice was essential, that putting a book of high interest into the hands of young readers was the key. For many it would be their first such experience, one never before considered, in part due to a system clueless about their wants and needs. What a responsibility, one we took seriously, one student at a time, one book at a time.
Mission accomplished! First came classroom libraries, where teachers and students chose every single selection, which were lovingly delivered and placed in handmade bookcases stamped THE MJ PROJECT. The rest is history, a ripple effect from programs we’ve enacted that hopefully change not only the lives of the students we serve but also those around them who witness their newfound enthusiasm for reading and its ability to empower.
Thank you, mother, for inspiring us to change young lives. One book at a time.
Tom Nelson, Co-Founder & Board Member
OUR FOUNDERS
LESLIE LIPTON & TOM NELSON
LESLIE LIPTON
Co-Founder
Leslie brings wide-ranging professional experience to THE MJ PROJECT. In her youth a working vocal coach and pianist in New York City, she spent her next years in Hollywood as a television development executive, after receiving her MBA from Stanford. In 2001, she answered an insistent call from the natural world and moved to the mountains of Central California. It was then that she committed her professional life to serving underserved teens, as a middle and high school science and technology teacher. What started as her service to them became theirs to her, as her classroom filled with laughter, mutual respect, learning, and occasionally, tears.
Teenagers will be themselves, whatever that looks like, and that fight and fierce determination inspire Leslie. She has learned that while her youth of abundant opportunity set her up for success in the professional world, most of her students received few of those advantages. Once these kids get what they deserve, including resources and good teaching, they soar. That’s why she and husband Tom founded THE MJ PROJECT.
Leslie fills much of her non-MJ time in her California native plant garden and mentoring others in turning their own properties into wildlife habitat. She grew up in Miami, FL and is a graduate of Ransom-Everglades High School, Yale College and Stanford Graduate School of Business.
TOM NELSON
Co-Founder & Board Member
Tom has experience as an entrepreneur, writer for television, and educator whose passion is at-risk teenagers, all occupations that have felt more like play than work for this lucky guy. For the past twenty years, it’s been his privilege to serve the underserved in a high school setting as both teacher and tutor. His passion is leveling the playing field for these often forgotten students who, when given the proper support both emotionally and educationally, are able to succeed beyond their wildest imaginations. Tom is also a bona fide book junkie.
What inspires Tom is his students. He’s inspired when Edward who doesn’t even have a bed to sleep in catches two buses to do Algebra with him at 7:30 in the morning. He’s inspired when Marisa pushes her stroller through the front door and takes a test while he holds her baby. He’s inspired when Alberto works in the fields all morning and at least pretends to give a damn about The Great Gatsby that same afternoon. He’s inspired when, against all odds, all of the above don a cap and gown on Graduation Day.
Tom knows in his heart that The MJ Project consists of good people trying to do great things— that one student at a time, this organization befriends, instructs, and empowers a population in dire need of the type of direct assistance that leads to success. What’s not to love about that?!
OUR BOARD
WILL AMES
Born in Boston, MA, William Ames is an alumnus of Davidson College and Teach for America. After six years in the education world, he is now a full-time MBA student at UCLA. Growing up, Will benefited from a plethora of extracurricular activities, good books, and quiet places to read.
In his professional work, he hopes to help students not immediately surrounded by these resources. He enjoys philosophy in all its forms and also watching professional cycling.
LIZ LITTON
Liz is an educator and a lover of the outdoors. After teaching high school English in Los Angeles for 10 years, she decided to move to the mountains of Big Bear Lake with her husband and their cat.
Liz enjoys backpacking, reading, mailing things, tootin' her saxophone, tracking the International Space Station and fashioning gifts out of yarn for the little ones in her life.
Working with THE MJ PROJECT has provided her an amazing opportunity to stay connected to students and to continue sharing interesting books with teens who are on the verge of discovering the awesome power of reading.
OUR STAFF
ALICIA JOHNSON
STAFF WRITER
Alicia is a former high school Journalism and English elective teacher. She is also a freelance writer and staff writer for The MJ Project’s BE KIND Blog.
After earning a Journalism degree, she joined her passion for communication with her teaching practice through a Master of Arts degree at Loyola Marymount University.
As a lover of literature and reporting, Alicia is on a mission to help depict the great stories of others and draw readers closer to the world around them.
LUIS CRUZ
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Luis is a graphic designer and artist from Lemoore, California and one of Tom's close friends. He attended West Hills College and graduated from Fresno State University.
One day he thought it would be fun to create a logo for THE MJ PROJECT, and he has been creating various art and design projects for the organization ever since. An avid learner, Luis is constantly trying to improve his craft, and as a designer he is always looking to bring fresh and new ideas to the team.
Luis is also passionate about sports, and is an avid fan of basketball, soccer and boxing. Through sports he inspires local youth by coaching basketball, soccer, and cross country.
VIOLETA REINA
AICHS DIGITAL MEDIA PROGRAM FACILITATOR
Violeta is a native of Los Angeles and a graduate of Claremont McKenna College with degrees in Spanish Literature and History. She also holds a master’s degree in Public Policy from Pepperdine University.
Since college Violeta has worked on numerous projects in various capacities ranging from wardrobe and set design to writer and producer. Her first short film Casey screened at many festivals but most notably was nominated for an Imagen award in 2015.
For the past 15 years, Violeta has served as a high school teacher in the Los Angeles area teaching English, History, and Creative Writing while also running the Digital Media Program for young, aspiring filmmakers. Her passion is telling stories that reflect her students' experiences and inspiring a new generation to share their stories and to see film and the arts as a viable career option.
ROMEL NUSDORFER
AICHS DIGITAL ESSAY PROGRAM FACILITATOR
Romel is an American Lit and AP Language and Composition instructor at Ánimo Inglewood Charter High School. An instructor of 14 years, she understands that, given the necessary support, patience, and opportunity, every student can meet the demands of content area standards.
Supported by THE MJ PROJECT, she has developed a multimedia-based unit that allows students to demonstrate their understanding of argumentation through the medium of digital media. The unit is high-interest for all student groups, especially English learners and students with special needs, which significantly impacts classroom engagement.
Romel is pictured in her husband’s childhood hometown in Malmo, Sweden.
MIGUEL DURAN
FILMMAKING PROGRAM MENTOR & ADVISOR
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Miguel was the first in his family to attend college. He graduated from Claremont McKenna College with a degree in Film Studies and Psychology.
Miguel honed his craft with several short films and web series, which earned him accolades and recognition. “Monsoon,” his first feature film as writer/director, won multiple film festival jury and audience awards and was nominated for two Imagen Awards – Best Director and Best Actress. “Monsoon” premiered on VOD in September 2018.
Miguel is passionate about working with youth and providing them opportunities to tell their stories. As a mentor and advisor with THE MJ PROJECT, he is able to help teens find their voice and bring their projects to life.
STAFF MEMBERS NOT PICTURED:
ROMEO BROOKS: DIGITAL MEDIA PROGRAM FACILITATOR