Since 2019, we have Empowered Futures Through STEM, Because Knowledge Is Beyond Boundaries
Executive Board
Meet Our Ceo
Damon E. Martin, Esq. is a graduate of California State University at Northridge where he earned a B.A. in Political Science the year of the Earthquake (1994). After graduation Mr. Martin worked as a Career Counselor at California State University at Pomona. Mr. Martin ended his career with the CSU system to pursue a different career in law. A year after working, Mr. Martin enrolled in law school at Pepperdine University School of Law. Three years later Mr. Martin graduated from law school in the top quarter of his class. After passing the California State Bar, Attorney Martin began his legal career in 1999 as a Staff Attorney for the County of Los Angeles. For the last several years Attorney Martin has been in private practice with an office in Van Nuys, CA. Attorney Martin’s areas of legal expertise are Family Law and Estate Planning. Attorney Martin has over 20 years of legal experience. Attorney Martin has published multiple articles in the American Journal of Family Law and has been a featured speaker at numerous conferences.
In addition to practicing law, Attorney Martin is a full-time college professor at National University. In July 2018, Prof. Martin was promoted to the position of Academic Program Director of the Criminal Justice Program at National University. When Attorney Martin is not practicing law or teaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife Lia of 23 years, son Taylor and daughter Alex. And sometimes he is even able to play a round of golf.
Attorney Martin has served as CEO of Upward Bound Charities, Inc., since 2019.
Meet our Secretary
Rashad Gilliam is a multifaceted professional with a rich background spanning healthcare administration, technology, and military service. Graduating from California State University, Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration and holding an Associate of Science in Health Information Technology from Charles Drew University, Rashad's commitment to service is evident.
His journey took an innovative turn with a 4-Month Intensive Full-stack Developer Bootcamp at LEARN Academy in San Diego, where he honed his skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Ruby on Rails, and more.
Currently, Rashad serves as a Veterans Service Representative (VSR) at the Veterans Benefits Administration LARO, applying his expertise to determine veterans' eligibility for benefits and interpreting complex VA laws.
Outside his primary role, Rashad dedicates his time to the US Air Force Reserves as a Heavy Equipment Operator, ensuring the construction and maintenance of critical infrastructure while upholding safety standards.
Previously, Rashad contributed his talents as a Disability Retirement Support Specialist II at the Los Angeles County Employee Retirement Association (LACERA), where he meticulously analyzed workers' compensation files and prepared comprehensive disability evaluation reports.
With a robust blend of healthcare, technology, and military experience, Rashad is well-equipped to tackle challenges and drive meaningful change. His unwavering dedication to service and continuous pursuit of excellence make him a valuable asset to any organization.
