Shandell Maxwell is an activist, change agent and first time filmmaker. She is an alumna of Western High School in Anaheim and has worked in Orange County for over 15 years.

Shandell received a Masters degree in Management and Leadership from Pepperdine University and is working on her PhD in Leadership and Change at Antioch University. Shandell lives in Orange County and works in higher education as a research analyst.

In 2013, Shandell created a short film titled Black Behind the Orange Curtain in response to the publicized hate crimes against OC’s black community and in response to OC weekly’s article titled Where the Black people at in OC?

The goal of the film is to help raise awareness about social injustices impacting OC’s black and non-black communities through shared stories. And to also promote the notion that what affects one, affects us all.

Shandell has a sincere passion for serving her community and plans to use her knowledge, community and network to promote social awareness throughout the county.

Since you've made it this far,

You are obviously connected to your community and value good journalism. As an independent and local nonprofit, our news is accessible to all, regardless of what they can afford. Our newsroom centers on Orange County’s civic and cultural life, not ad-driven clickbait. Our reporters hold powerful interests accountable to protect your quality of life. But it’s not free to produce. It depends on donors like you.

Join the conversation: In lieu of comments, we encourage readers to engage with us across a variety of mediums. Join our Facebook discussion. Message us via our website or staff page. Send us a secure tip. Share your thoughts in a community opinion piece.