our vision?

To build a world where education moves at the speed of culture.

our mission

State of Play is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit initiative dedicated to changing the game for our communities by using sports, gaming, and digital media to educate, engage, and empower the next generation of leaders.


We design programs, partnerships, and creative content that transform entertainment into a tool for learning, connection, and community development.

A classroom with students seated at desks, facing a young male instructor standing at the front near a whiteboard. The classroom has a beige wall, an air conditioning unit, a red exit sign, and several students have laptops open.

Meet the Team

  • A young man in a black suit with a white shirt and striped tie, standing confidently in a dimly lit, elegant setting.

    David Echeverria

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    David Echeverria is a strategist and organizer working at the intersection of politics, community organizing, and digital entertainment. David earned his B.A. in Political Organization from the University of Louisville, with minors in Socio-Cultural Anthropology, Political Science, and Social Change. In 2025, he participated in a global practicum abroad with Gen.G Esports in South Korea, exploring how gaming and international entertainment can serve civic engagement. That same year, he was named an inaugural fellow of the Adam Clayton Powell Political Institute, recognizing his leadership in shaping the future of organizing and politics.

    A 2023 Inno 5 Under 25 honoree, David now consults with Atlas Strategy Group (Bronx, NY), where he helps design culturally resonant campaigns across the country. He continues to challenge the status quo by building infrastructure, platforms, and pathways for the next generation to level up their impact.

  • A woman with dark curly hair smiling, wearing a black and white outfit, with a pink button on her shirt.

    Da'Sauni Singleton

    DATA & CURRICULUM ANALYST

    Having earned her Master of Science in Applied Political Analytics from the University of Maryland, Da’sauni is passionate about bridging the gap between data science and the political sphere in order to drive informative and strategic decision-making.  Her experience spans law, data analytics, and campaigns, where she’s committed to helping people think critically, resist propaganda, and contribute to educational advancement that challenges ethnocentrism, driven by W. E. B. Du Bois’s quote, “Education must not simply teach work – it must teach life.”  Outside of her professional work, Da’sauni enjoys anime, gaming, and historical fiction books.

  • Young man smiling and giving two thumbs up outdoors in front of a wooden fence, wearing a blue patterned shirt.

    Tarek Bos-Shadi

    RESEARCH ANALYST

    Tarek is an organizer and policy expert with a B.A. in Political Science from Carleton College and an M.A. in Globalization, Poverty, & Development from Newcastle University. With experience ranging from political and issue based organizing to policy research he brings a dedication to economic and racial justice that involves every aspect of his work. Working with State of Play he develops educational curriculum based around the intersection of technology, financial literacy, and civic education.

  • Maliya Homer

    CREATIVE PROJECT MANAGER

    Maliya is a community organizer, visual artist, and life-long learner,
    who is committed to resource building and storytelling.  Maliya graduated from the University of Louisville with a degree in Pan-African Studies where her research focused mainly on Black/African religious histories, as well as lesbian and queer experiences.

    Her skills in conflict transformation, digital marketing, youth voter engagement, political education, and event planning, make her a great asset to our growing team. When she isn’t working, she is likely keeping up to date with the planetary transits, tending to her house plants, reading, writing, or playing with her dog, Neptune!!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A smiling man in a dark suit with a patterned tie, wearing a watch and pins on his lapel, stands in an indoor setting with a wooden floor and blurred background.
A woman standing behind a table in a professional setting, looking at the camera, dressed in a white blazer and black top, with a whiteboard in the background.
A woman smiling, wearing a red top and braided hair, against a white background.
A young man wearing a black suit, white shirt, and diagonal striped black, white, and gold tie, standing confidently with a blurred warm-toned background.
A man wearing glasses, a straw hat, and a pink shirt smiles outdoors with palm trees in the background.

  • CHAIR

    Lamah Bility is a Liberian-born nonprofit leader and CEO of Didomi, dedicated to global access to clean water. After immigrating to the U.S. in 2008, he now serves as a Manager at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, supporting youth advocacy and alumni programs. Lamah also serves as an Impact Advisor to Lift Up, a Saint Paul Neighborhood STAR Board Member, and President of the BGCTC Alumni Association.

  • TREASURER

    Carlene Pinto is a Cuban-Irish New Yorker, strategist, and organizer known for transforming crises into movements. She is the Founder of NYC Action Lab, advancing campaigns in civil rights and immigration. She helped lead efforts like New York for All, and 13th Forward. Carlene has been awarded the NY State Senate’s Woman of Distinction honor and inclusion on City & State’s “Top 50 Most Powerful in Community” list.

  • SECRETARY

    Ugonna Okorie is a public health professional specializing in healthcare policy and equity. She holds a B.S. in Public Health from the University of Louisville and an MSPH in Health Policy and Management from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she was inducted into the Delta Omega Honor Society in 2024. Ugonna is committed to advancing policies that promote health equity and social justice.

  • FOUNDER

    Born on the Gulf Coast of Florida to a family of formerly undocumented migrant farm workers, David’s Mexican-American heritage fuels his commitment to equity, education, and grassroots power. His organizing has spanned immigration justice, education reform, and racial and economic equity- beginning with “Know Your Rights” trainings and growing into national campaigns that merge culture, media, and movement work.

  • Dr. Jason Gainous is a political scientist specializing in the intersection of information
    technology and politics, political behavior, and comparative public opinion. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Florida and has held academic leadership roles at the University of Louisville, Duke Kunshan University, and the University of Sharjah. He currently serves as Dean of Social Sciences at KIMEP University in Kazakhstan.