About us

Safe Bars team members are dedicated to making bars, restaurants, breweries, and other alcohol-industry venues safe and welcoming for all – including those who work there. Safe Bars has certified more than 40 establishments in Washington, DC, and helped set up Safe Bars teams in 25 cities, towns, and counties (and several breweries!) in the U.S. and Canada.

Staff

AJ Head
Program manager

Amie Ward
Executive Director
Trainer

Aya Laurel Iwai-Folk
Trainer
Server, bartender

Farah Fosse
Trainer

Lauren Paylor
Nightlife ambassador, trainer
Beverage director, general manager

Lauren R. Taylor
Founder, consultant, trainer

Nikki Del Casale
Trainer
Bartender

Xitlalli Velazquez
Trainer

Zack Sanders
Trainer
Bar Manager

Board of Directors

J. Jackson-Beckham, President
Crafted for All*

Jennifer Crawford, Treasurer
Sparent*

Ryan Fletcher, Secretary
Movement Media*

John McCourt
Weber Shandwick*

Kutina Ruhumbika

Claudia Withers
Civil Rights Corps*

 
 
*Affiliation provided for identification purposes only

Defend Yourself and Collective Action for Safe Spaces co-founded Safe Bars in 2013 and went their separate ways in 2016.