Comprehensive sexuality education expands beyond prevention - it includes skills and themes that play critical roles in our everyday interactions and social relationships. From discussing the nuances of consent to taking a deep dive into gender expression, we can learn so much by learning about, reflecting upon, and celebrating our identities, bodies, and desires.

Papaya Project’s intersectional feminist approach invites people to recognize and honor all parts of themselves. By centering consent and pleasure, our programs invite participants to critically examine how they would like to relate to their body, their loved ones, and their community at large.

Founded in 2022, Papaya Project seeks to increase confidence, relationship skills, and build community through educational workshops and events.

Intersecting Sexuality Education & Social-Emotional Learning

Why the name “Papaya Project”?

Papayas are juicy, healthy, and sensual fruit. They are consumed in many countries around the world, used as natural remedies for illnesses, and often act as symbols for female genitalia. So, what better way to represent the pleasure and juiciness of healthy sexuality than a papaya?

The Papaya Project logo was drawn by Naomi in 2021 under the name of “Super Clit.”

Hi, I’m Naomi!

Naomi Price-Lazarus (she/her) is an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, artist, and the founder of Papaya Project. Naomi believes that people of all ages, identities, and backgrounds deserve access to informative, inclusive, and empowering sex education. Her approach is based on intersectional feminism and international solidarity frameworks that center community building, cultural responsiveness, and student-led learning.

Naomi grew up in Seattle, WA and received her BA in Women's and Gender Studies at Carleton College. After graduating, she worked in a variety of educational and community-oriented spaces, ultimately leading her to the field of social emotional education. In 2021, while working with underserved youth in South King County, she realized the need for more queer-centered, comprehensive sexuality education. Informed by the School of Sexuality Education, Naomi developed a comprehensive sexuality education program called Relationship, Identity, and Sexuality Education (RISE). After successfully piloting the RISE program, Naomi shifted her career to become a full-time sex educator.

In 2022, Naomi founded Papaya Project. In 2023, Naomi attained her Certificate as a Holistic Sexuality Educator from the Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment (ISEE). In 2024, Naomi obtained her Sex Educator Certification from the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT).

Naomi works for Neighborcare Health, where she offers sexual and reproductive health education and counseling services at school-based Teen Health Centers in the Seattle Public Schools.

Naomi also creates and sells art that features the clitoris and vulva in a variety of fruity, silly, and kinky forms. Learn more @PapayaProjectOrg

Board of Directors

  • Edwina Mante Koch (she/her)

    Treasurer

    Edwina is a traveler, dancer, mover, teacher, and laugher. She is the founder of the non-profit Au Pair, Oh Paris and author of How to Be An Au Pair in Paris, which has helped hundreds of au pairs move abroad. Her career has been led by her passion for gap year education and extending access to higher education for under-represented students.

    Edwina is originally from the New York area where she grew up with a love for dance, singing, and theatre and she has performed on stages throughout the New England area and in France.

    Currently, Edwina lives in Portland, Oregon where she works as a doula – an emotional, physical, and informational support for women giving birth.

    @SuperDoula_

  • Alexandra Friedman (she/her)

    Secretary

    Alex is the Founder of the social wellness company, Connection Feast, where she hosts online and in-person events and experiences that help people connect on a deeper level. Through Connection Feast, Alex cultivates a community of inspiring people who like to dive deep and explore big questions, so that together, we can all experience more meaningful connections with ourselves, other people, and the world.

    Alex’s professional background covers a myriad of content and creative roles at Udemy, MeetMindful, Airbnb, Amazon Web Services, and her own content studio & agency.

    Alex is naturally curious, and has a passion for creating community and facilitating deep and meaningful conversations. She also loves ecstatic dance, meditation, hiking, travel, and creative writing. Alex currently lives in Seattle, WA.

    @ConnectionFeast

  • Andi Garcia Brown (she/her)

    Andi completed her master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University where she focused on understanding how nonprofits work and how best to support organizations. Health education has been a huge part of her career, with a passion to guide and facilitate during transitions, she brings her doula energy to all that she does. Birth work has led her to dive deeper into liberation work within herself and leaning into practicing love in her work and personal life. She incorporates this bell hooks quote into her life and projects: “love is a combination of care, commitment, knowledge, responsibility, respect and trust.”