At Sweet July, Ayesha Curry Hosts Author Aurora James
CHELSEA GRAY, 2023 WNBA ALL-STAR - BAY AREA NATIVE
On July 15, 2023, bay area native Chelsea Gray, WNBA Las Vegas Aces Point Guard, made the all-star team for the fifth time, playing with an advantage on home territory. Gray, a celebrated and one of the top players in the WNBA, is highly decorated and has achieved the Commissioner’s Top MVP Award, the Final’s MVP Award, and is a two-time WNBA Champion. Gray is known for her relentless and masterful moves in passing, often in a direction she is not looking. A skill that catches players off guard all the time. She did not disappoint in this area in this year's all-star game.
During the press conference, Gray talked about how many WNBA players go overseas during the offseason, given more significant pay and a broader visibility for branding. The conversation and negotiations around increased compensation overall for WNBA players have been ongoing for several years. Still, in the meantime, players are serious about their careers and being paid their worth. Hence other opportunities, such as playing overseas, are viable options.
Gray is excited about Dwayne Wade’s ownership stake in the WNBA’s Chicago Sky as she believes it will positively impact the WNBA overall. Also, Gray looks forward to having a presence in the Bay Area, being born, and raised in Hayward, CA. Details she hopes to share soon.
ESSENCE Festival of Culture 2023 – A MOVEMENT!
The 29th ESSENCE Festival of Culture™, presented by Coca-Cola®, was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, from June 30th to July 2nd, 2023. The theme was Celebration of 50 Years of Hip Hop. It was an unprecedented vibe and energy throughout the city and multiple surrounding cities. Everywhere you turned, there were long lines of ‘happy’ people waiting to get into restaurants, bars, and clubs. Even in the 100+ degree weather, it was nothing given the reason for the celebration. The event is far beyond an entertainment experience – it's an absolute MOVEMENT! Last year's attendance attracted over 167,000 attendees per day, and this year it is estimated the number increased exponentially.
On day one the connection between Hip-Hop and Gospel was celebrated at ESSENCE Get Lifted™: Gospel Celebration with performances by Erika Campbell, Tweet, Cory Stewart, Authentically Anointed, Dee-1, Wande, and a surprise performer Young, Gifted & on Fire. A riveting sermon was delivered by Pastor Jamal Bryant, who encouraged the audience to walk in with their purpose. All taking place at the Morial Convention Center.
The FREE and open-to-the-public daytime experiences were held at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and there has been no cost to attend these events since the festival's inception. Thousands flooded the convention center, and the design, organization, flow of events, and overall excitement to be in the building filled the air. From children to our beloved seniors, everyone enjoyed the activation installations that greeted every attendee as they entered the convention center. Let's just say 'mini-movies and reels' happened at the entrance. Simply FAB!
The ESSENCE Global Black Economic Forum™ featured panel discussions with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell moderating a conversation with Major Eric Adams of NYC, Major Karen Bass of LA, Major Sylvester Turner of Houston, Major Justin Bibb of Cleveland, and former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial. When you have the attendance and attention of over 150,000 people, it's essential to use that platform opportunity to address issues most pressing for Black people. The insight shared in this conversation gave attendees information to help them navigate this current and forthcoming economic climate.
Also at the convention center, Vice President Kamala Harris joined the Global Black Economic Forum™ providing attendees with insight into the fight for reproductive freedom with lawyer, journalist, author, and television host Sunny Hostin and executive director of Sister Song Monica Simpson. Oprah Winfrey joined Essence Ventures President and CEO Caroline Wanga for a Chief to-Chief conversation which was followed by the Page to the Stage and Beyond a discussion of the nearly 40-year legacy and impact of The Color Purple featuring Blitz Bazawule, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, and Fantasia Barrino.
ESSENCE Studios Film Festival™ continued to showcase storytellers across the African diaspora at the convention center. The film festival also included the Nigeria Day Film Festival, an entire day of Nigerian shorts, feature films, and panel discussions around the growth of the film industry in Nigeria, and fruitful opportunities for those looking to invest in international film distribution.
The ESSENCE In His Zone™: Men's Experience with speakers such as Rick Ross, Deon Cole, NBA players, and more drew large crowds of men who attended with their sons, nephews, brothers, and mentees and to hear the rich dialogue around responsibility, education careers, advocacy and more. It was standing room only, and the deep blue velvet décor from the seating to the ambiance lighting was the right touch to set the atmosphere.
The nightlife of ESSENCE at the Superdome was magnetic and unprecedented. There were more than 40 performers during the 3-day festivities, which included Missy Elliott (the first female Hip-Hop artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame), Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, Ice Cube, E-40, T.I. Doug E. Fresh, Juvenile, Janelle Monae, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Wayne, Trina, Remy Ma and more!
Next year will be ESSENCE's 30th-year celebration, and you can only imagine how exciting this will be for the nation's largest party of Black culture.
NAACP CA/HI Honors Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos
On June 24, 2023, at the 11th Annual Legacy Hall of Fame Ceremony, the NAACP CA/HI State Conference honored ’68 Olympians Dr. Tommie Smith, Dr. John Carlos, as well as Dr. Harry Edwards and Dr. Kenneth Hoel, co-organizers of the 1967 Olympic Project for Human Rights. More than 300 guests gathered at the Grand Sheraton Hotel in Sacramento, CA for this highly anticipated annual event.
The Legacy Hall of Fame allows the CA/HI NAACP to honor outstanding community leaders who have fought tirelessly to advance the civil rights movement and creates funding for local unit capacity building, youth leadership programs and NextGen Leadership programs and initiatives. Past honorees have included: The Honorable Gwen Moore & Posthumously The Honorable Mervyn Dymally (2013); The Honorable Willie L. Brown Jr (2014); Mayor Kevin Johnson (2015); Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (2016); Lloyd Dean, President of Dignity Health & Posthumously Marcus Foster, Superintendent of Oakland Schools (years) (2017); Ambassador Diane Watson & Congresswoman Barbara Lee (2018); Bernard Tyson, CEO Kaiser Permanente, Posthumously Ron Dellums, former United States Representative (2019); President Emeritus, Dr. Alice A. Huffman (2021); Congresswoman Maxine Waters (2022).
Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. NAACP has over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Its mission is to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. For more information about CA/HI NAACP visit www.cahinaacp.org
Press Release | Lancaster School District Taps Civility Training For Employees and Parents
(Lancaster, CA, June 6, 2023) Narrowly focused professional development on harmful behaviors or “isms” or specific groups did not appeal to the Lancaster School District (LSD). They wanted an inclusive program with a comprehensive and proactive approach that would transform mindsets, encourage civil engagements, preserve human dignity, and welcome healthy interactions between all school stakeholders: administrators, staff, teachers, students, and parents.
Schools are struggling to find effective ways to respond to the civil unrest, conflict wars, oppression affecting our society as well as the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, school shootings, and the killing of George Floyd and others. Harmful engagements and words between people are nothing new, but the recent bold attacks and mistreatment towards who and what is disliked demonstrates we have a long way to go. These uncivil engagements between people are taking a toll on the school environment and directly impacting student learners, school employees, parents and families, and communities.
Lancaster School District’s Director of Special Education, Rosemary Napoleon and Director of Student Equity, Access, and Outcomes, Alesha Cayce contacted The Civility Zone’s founder, Dr. Rhea Settles about offering an organization-wide series of trainings on her Mindful Civility® methodology for all stakeholders including administrators and parents for the 2022-2023 school year.
Mindful Civility® is a self-regulation tool for people to use so they can share resources and spaces and engage with others without harming or being harmed. Mindful Civility® fits the civil engagement and human dignity framework whereas its elements include knowing and monitoring assumptions, biases, and privileges, and creating an individualized action plan to intentionally avoid harming or being harmed. Dr. Settles has developed an inclusive, intriguing, and progressive self-regulation model that benefits everyone, not just a select few.
Lancaster School District participants are receptive to Mindful Civility® and putting it into practice. They believe this is a huge gap in schooling systems that they are filling at such a crucial time as this. Psychologist Dr. Haim Ginott says, “children are like wet cement, whatever falls on them makes an impression”. Lancaster School District wants that impression to be peace, safety, and learning.
About The Civility Zone:
The Civility Zone is a civil engagement and human dignity education agency focused on coaching, teaching, leading a human-centered culture and climate, and providing learning seminars on how to use the Mindful Civility®(MC) methodology, tools, and protocols to self-regulate when engaging with others so as not to cause harm or be harmed in Learning Places (schools & colleges), Living Places and Workplaces. (www.thecivilityzone.com)
Media Contact:
Glass House Communications
Y’Anad Burrell, Director
Email: yanad@glasshousepr.com
Phone: 510-424-6723
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Allen Temple BC. Green The Church and Tesla Bring Sustainability to Neighborhoods
CHBA Scholarship Gala 2022 Raises $250,000
CORRECTED CAPTION
From Left to Right (Front): Melissa Sladden, Judge Jennifer Madden (Alameda County), Venus Johnson, Nedra Shawler, Nichelle Holmes
From Left to Right (Back): Ret. Judge Horace Wheatley, Eric Casher, Cathy Ongiri, Kwixuan Maloof, Rozenia Cummings, Andrew Houston, Judge Demetrius Shelton, Vernon Goins, Kimberlei Evans Dixon, Thomas Broome, Robert Harris, John Burris, Terry Wiley
BELOW ARTICLE IN OAKLAND POST Dec. 21 - 28, 2022 PUBLICATION
Terrance Riley Named New Executive Director for Hack The Hood
GREEN THE CHURCH VIRTUAL SUMMIT 2021 - GREEN LESSONS FROM BLACK WALL STREET: INFRASTRUCTURE, AGRICULTURE ENERGY & EQUITY
(Oakland, CA - Oct. 8, 2021,) This year Green The Church (GTC) focuses on a call to action for the Black Church to address the need for Infrastructure, Agriculture, Energy, and Equity, the elements that protect health, build wealth, and bring resources back into Black communities. Through its theme “Green Lessons From Black Wall Street” this virtual national summit is a gathering that will consist of worship services, breakout sessions, panel discussions, networking, and much more. Faith and lay speakers participating in the conference include Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby, William Barber, III J.D., Dr. Margot Brown, Rev. Dr. Franklyn Richardson, Rev. Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley, and Ms. Shantha Ready Alonso and more.
For over 200 years, Black churches have been on the front lines of the most important social movements in the US and have been centers of resilience meeting people’s needs. But we have been largely unsuccessful in influencing policy and ensuring laws protecting human health and the environment are administered and enforced fairly and effectively.
Over the past ten years, in collaboration with major environmental, sustainability, food security, faith, and community-based non-profit organizations, GTC has created a cadre of Black churches engaging in the environmental justice, climate, and sustainability movement. We presently work with more than 1,000 pastors and congregations in eight states in the US as well as with groups in the Bahamas, Ghana, Nigeria, and the UK.
Green The Church has activated programs and conversations around environmental justice, energy and building efficiency, food sovereignty, and public health in the communities in which we serve. Supporting community-driven green infrastructure and resilience projects ensures that any solutions aiming to address these issues are also accountable to and co-created with the communities who are most impacted by them.
Media Relations: Y’Anad Burrell, Glass House Communications, yanad@glasshousepr.com or (415) 845-1667
For the full agenda and list of conference speakers, go to: www.greenthechurch.org
Press Registration: https://bit.ly/3uQWFY3
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Green The Church, founded in 2010 by Rev. Dr. Ambrose Carroll, Sr., helps galvanize Black churches and their local communities and leaders to address issues specific to populations historically disengaged from conversations around pollution and health, climate change, and sustainability and energy efficiency. The organization collaborates with major environmental, sustainability, food security, faith, and community-based non-profit organizations and everyone committed to “creation justice”—care and justice for God’s people and the planet—and building the beloved community. To learn more, visit: www.greenthechurch.org
44th President BARACK OBAMA at Dreamforce 2019 | 10 Things He Said That Resonate
On November 14, 2019, at Dreamforce, President Barack Obama shares many thoughtful gems around leadership, the future generation, technology, environmental sustainability and more. Here are 10 THINGS that resonated during President Obama’s fireside chat with Mark Benioff, CEO, Salesforce.
1. Diversity is not a charity and something you do to be nice.
2. The most valuable advice he gives to his daughters and to young people – “Be kind and be useful”.
3. The best leaders are those who can see the innovation and creativity in others and help to nurture the next generation of leaders. Leaders who just surround themselves with ‘yes’ people have insecurity issues.
4. Technology cannot solve every global problem.
5. Women at the table make more money for the company and they are in less trouble.
6. The record-breaking voting turnout of individuals in their 20s was the game-changer for President Obama winning a two-term presidency.
7. When you form meaningful relationships you build trust. This came naturally for President Obama and was the fabric of what gained the millennial vote.
8. Millennials are frustrated with the long-standing institutions and they gravitate to structures of change that bring value.
9. We have so much technology to the point that we’re working in silos and heavily depending on the internet for information.
10. “I figured out very early into my first term as President, that it was my junior staff members who did all the work, had more information and could solve problems better than the senior leaders at the table”.
AfroTech Hits Oakland For The First Time!
On November 8 – 9, 2019, the 4th Annual AfroTech took place in Oakland, CA, for the first time. In previous years it was held in San Francisco, CA. AfroTech is the largest technology conference for African-Americans, and it grabs the attention of just about every technology company nationally and internationally. The conference, produced by Blavity, Inc., Morgan DeBaun, Founder, attracted more than 6,000 attendees. During Ms. DeBaun's opening session roll call, more than 80% of the crowd responded to being first-time attendees.
Despite the thousands of talented and qualified candidates of color, Silicon Valley/Bay Area technology companies continue to have a challenge with their hiring practices, which is far beyond a ‘pipeline’ issue. Black employees make up less than 3 percent of the Silicon Valley workforce, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, so the statistics show the lack of diversity is real! Meanwhile, not every young, gifted, and Black genius will wait on a call from a recruiter for a job. These innovative entrepreneurs also attend AfroTech to stay on the pulse of new tech innovations as they sharpen their tools in preparation to pitch their ideas to venture capitalists, employers, celebrities, and also to their colleagues.
The AfroTech EXPO allowed attendees to interact with more than 50 technology companies who, in addition to sharing their Diversity and Inclusion strategy, also gave information on who in their organization to contact for new technology innovation trends. From VR demos to free swag, the AfroTech Exhibit Hall was the hot spot during the two-day conference. The AfroTech outdoor Community Park was held for local technology non-profits to have space ‘at no charge,’ a great give-back from AfroTech. However the only time the majority of the attendees were aware of their existence was during the lunchtime hour. With attendees focused on eating and getting back to their sessions, it was hard for these non-profits to get the attention they very well deserved.
Many powerful and inspiring speakers graced the main stage, including Charlamage, from The Breakfast Club. Charlamagne shared the importance of always inspiring new talent. “You don’t know who’s going to be the next Byron Allen or Charles King. You truly don’t know. So I’m the type of person that if you have a good idea, I will check it out,” he told the audience.
The startup pitch competition proved to be one of the most talked-about events at AfroTech. Several teams of budding tech entrepreneurs pitched their ideas for a chance to win cash. Kliit, a platform that provides on-demand answers to questions about sexual and reproductive health, walked away with $10,000.
The healthcare sessions were well received at AfroTech. Gerren Wilson, Pharm.D., Genentech, Head of Patient Partnerships, Alliance, and Advocacy Relationships shared with a packed audience the importance of advancing inclusive research. “Billions of dollars are invested into clinical research and healthcare, but communities of color are left out of the research equation,” says Mr. Wilson. He further educated the audience on how the industry must be more intentional about ‘precision treatment’, which requires treatment to be done specifically to the particular cells that are impacted without affecting the surrounding cells. While the industry continues to fall far behind with including people of color, particularly Black people, in clinical research studies that advance healthcare technology, Mr. Wilson talked about 23&Me, a genetic research company that allows everyone to be included in the clinical research studies and at the same time learn about ancestry lineage.
Mr. Bernard Tyson @ AfroTech
Many attendees were in high anticipation to hear Mr. Bernard Tyson, Chairman and CEO, Kaiser Permanente, speak at AfroTech on November 9, 2019. Mr. Tyson shared powerful leadership tips and also spoke about the advancements Kaiser Permanente is making in healthcare technology, including the use of drones in a way they are still exploring. For all the Black tech millennials and others in the room, this was a high point as there is an opportunity to design technology to pitch to Kaiser. Mr. Tyson also talked about the new medical school Kaiser is building in Southern California, which currently has 11,000 applicants for 48 slots. Each time I’ve heard Mr. Tyson speak he has always been one of the most engaging, thoughtful and intentional speakers by far.
When we found out the next morning that Mr. Tyson passed away in his sleep, one could only gasp for air in disbelief. It was tremendously hard to believe that just a few hours before his sudden passing, a beloved and respected giant in the healthcare industry, throughout the community, and so beloved by Oakland and the entire was no longer with us so quickly. It was an honor to capture this video snippet of Mr. Tyson speaking at AfroTech on November 9th. HERE is the clip.
What’s Next
Now that AfroTech has finished its 4th year of a successful conference, many await the results of recruitment. The technology vendors used iPads to have attendees sign up to be contacted by a recruiter so the wait begins. The ultimate goal of such a conference is to HIRE Black talent into the thousands of open roles the technology companies have available. We hope to hear from AfroTech on how many pepole were interviewed and of that number how many were HIRED. With over 6,000 attendees at AfroTech and more than 50 technology companies exhibiting, each of who have HUNDREDS of openings, it’s hopeful that more than networking and exchanging of great conversation took place at AfroTech.
And go!
The Black Church – A Refuge For Congregants Suffering From Mental Illness
Cultural competency training is critical for mental health professionals, especially those who are the treating physicians for African Americans. Research has shown that the absence of this area of training has been the cause for a plethora of misdiagnosis which has lead to years of long term health challenges for African Americans. Mental health professionals cannot dismiss the affects of slavery that remain vivid in the minds of millions Black people. There are generation of children studying the history of their ancestors who are also experiencing trauma as a result of knowing the truth about what the generations before them have gone through. This history of mistreatment of Black people has caused a domino effect, ultimately leading to high level mistrust and skepticism of White people who have given their opinion of a mental illness diagnosis and further prescribed medication for treatment.
From Grandma’s hand to the song “We’ve Come This Far By Faith”, one very prevalent and consistent presence in the lives of Black people is church and faith. Whether it’s every Sunday, every now and then Sunday or once a year on Mother’s Day, many Black people find comfort and mindful healing under the covering of the church. To church attendees, these faith leaders are physicians who treat in a way that is trusted. While there are still churches who have a challenge embracing those who have visible mental health challenges, the accepting of those who have both visible and non-visible mental illness is far greater than those churches who still have a long way to go in understanding the importance of equity across the isles in every area of life.
Is it possible that faith leaders can be the first line of care for Black people suffering from mental illness? If those who need treatment find more healing and comfort through their worship experience, then why not? This does not replace the need for licensed physician treatment, but the aforementioned cannot be glazed over, unrecognized or not addressed. A voluntary act, attending church service, is something that comes so very natural and the culminating feeling after the experience is often one of less stress, high hope and excitement. One of the exhilarating moments that happens during the one to two and every blue moon three to four hour church services, is in most Black congregations you will hear the faith leader says, "Touch your neighbor and tell them....". That single touch is sometimes the only touch a person receives during that entire week, and research has shown how the touch from another human being brings balance, clarity and a sense of acceptance to one who lacks that humanistic connection from family, friends or even strangers. This is always a mental healing moment during the church service for thousands of people.
Socio-economic factors plays a large part in the mental health challenges for many African Americans. Growing up in neighborhoods where there are health inequities, high unemployment, limited access to grocery stores that have fresh fruit and vegetables, heavy crime and inadequate education, is a direct pipeline to illnesses such as stress, anxiety, drug addiction/abuse, depression and more. The Black church, in many cases, are intentionally planted in these communities to be a refuge to this population of marginalized voices. They are the olive branch that is often not extended by health institutions and government entities who have been funded to serve these communities. The Black church has the capacity to have their doors daily for mental healing, without the individual needing an appointment, insurance coverage, or pre-screening, pipelines that are often barriers to those in need receiving mental health services.
From the Black Panthers, originators of the free breakfast program for children, to the churches’ year-round outreach feeding programs for individual and families that impact millions, Black people helping to heal Black people is a natural trajectory that requires no law enactment or medical prescription. "The church is a hospital for sick people who come every week for healing”, is a slogan very familiar to many and the church has operated in that capacity for thousands of years.
A collaboration between faith leaders and mental health professionals can be the first step in bridging the gap to ensure there is an intentional effort to ensure Black and Brown people receive the much needed mental health services they need and deserve.
And go!
Climate Change & The Church
Global warming is one of the biggest threats facing humanity today. The very existence of life – life that religious people are called to protect – is jeopardized by our continued dependency on fossil fuels for energy. Every major religion has the mandate to care for Creation. We were given natural resources to sustain us, but we were also given the responsibility to act as good stewards and preserve life for future generations.
There are two faith organizations, Green the Church and Interfaith Power & Light, who are moving the dial in promoting and encouraging the faith leaders, through their church buildings, to become climate game changers in the fight against global warming.
“The mission of Interfaith Power & Light is to be faithful stewards of Creation by responding to global warming through the promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.” In the religious community, many times the first thought when it comes to congregants and members is fellowship, sometimes advocacy and more often family. However, there is a tremendous opportunity when a faith leaders have the attention of hundreds of people on a weekly basis and sometimes more than once a week given weekday services. The information that trusted faith leader can share with licensing years is extremely monumental.
For 20 years Interfaith Power & Light (IPB) has been helping congregations address global warming by being better stewards of energy and their data shows that they have educated hundreds of thousands of people in the pews about the important role of people of faith in addressing this most challenging issue, and the carbon footprint in these congregations have reduced tremendously. IPL’s mission also includes being advocates for vulnerable people and communities that are the most heavily impacted by climate change. From air pollution to droughts to rising seas, it is poor people who are being hit first and worst by global warming. IPL’s goal is to ensure that climate policies provide adaptation and mitigation support for communities domestically and internationally whose health and survival is at stake.
“Green The Church (GTC) is an initiative designed to tap into the power and purpose of the African American church community, and to explore and expand the role of churches as centers for environmental and economic resilience.” – www.greenthechurch.org. GTC is an organization that started here in the Bay Area over five years ago, but its impact and reach has spread to various cities and states including Baltimore, MD, Detroit, MI and several other cities. In full circle, the summit returns to the Bay Area, October 7 – 9, 2018 at Glad Tidings COG, 970 Glad Tidings Way, Hayward, CA, Bishop J.W. Macklin, Pastor. The goal of the summit is to empower, educate and enlighten the faith community, faith leaders, climate change advocates and policymakers around the importance of their aggressive participation and needed voice against global warming. GTC engages congregations in the fight against climate change and helps churches serve as centers of resilience that ensure their communities survive – and thrive – in the face of disasters.
There is rarely a community conversation among faith leaders and the faith community on the subject of climate change and global warming. However, when we consider that there are hundreds of elected officials, civic leaders, corporate executives, venture capitalists, tech influencers and other highly respected individuals who attend church regularly, this is a tremendous opportunity to have their ear regularly and engage them more fully in this very critical conversation.
Some of the keynote speakers during the 5th Annual Green The Summit, October 7th – 9th, 2018 at Glad Tidings COGIC are Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, Rev. Dr. John R. Adolph, Pastor Welton Pleasant, Rev. Michael McBride, Chef Mimi, and many others. Some of the panel topics are: Social & Environmental Justice, Charging The Next Generation, African American Food Sovereignty, Theology of Light, The Future of Energy and more. Register at www.greenthechurch.org for this summit. Attendees will learn to work together to create an equitable green economy and ensure a sustainable planet.
And go!
Inauguration of London Breed | The First African American Female Mayor of San Francisco
It was a “Oh Happy Day” about to happen when I arrived at City Hall in San Francisco in great anticipation of the historic inauguration services of the first African American woman to be elected as Mayor of San Francisco - LONDON BREED. I had no idea that my arrival at 6:30 am, for a program that began at 11 am, would be noticed by the KRON4 news crew. I was asked to do a live interview about the inauguration that would air in 15 minutes. I was thrilled for the opportunity. I shared in the KRON 4 interview that as a native of San Francisco, growing up in the Bayview-Hunter’s Point neighborhood, I’ve watched London’s trajectory since she was around 19 years old, and given the journey this historic new chapter in her life was destined. It was a tremendous honor for me to start the day giving my thoughts and accolades to the first African American woman to be elected as Mayor of San Francisco.
As a millennial thinker and 21st-century innovator, Breed understood the value of the arts and how it impacts the lives of inner-city children as she chose to lead the African American Art & Culture Complex as the Executive Director. The journey continued in 2012 when Breed was first elected to the Board of Supervisors and was re-elected in 2016. She was elected by supervisors in 2015 to serve as the board’s president. This next monumental step in leading one of the finest cities in the nation, San Francisco,the city is fortunate to have her leadership.
There were 3,000 chairs set up in preparation of Breed’s swearing-in by Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, and there was standing room only by the time the program began. In her inauguration speech, Breed, 43, vowed to stand by immigrants during this very stressful and uncertain time in their lives. She addressed the need to care for the mentally ill population, and she gave hope to the housing situation that the city has been facing for some time. I am very excited about Breed’s leadership and I was very happy to hear her intentional attention to the mental illness community. A much-forgotten population who need our attention and more importantly who deserved it. For those who have served our country in the military and now they face this illness, they have earned our help.
London grew up in public housing in San Francisco and gives continued honor and respect to her grandmother who raised her. We know the challenges ahead for Breed are monumental, but when the people of San Francisco voted for her as their new leader, there was assurance that she could get the job done.
San Francisco has embraced Breed’s innovative millennial thinking, and the supportive voters are standing by her side to help in any way they can. We will begin to see a city in action like no other, and it’s going to be leadership at its best by far.
Breed is set to serve the remainder of former Mayor Ed Lee’s term, which ends in January 2020.
United State of Women 2018 Summit
On May 5th & 6th, 2018 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, more than 5,000 women gathered for the 2nd Annual 2018 United State of Women Summit. The energy in the building was beyond excitement as GenXers to Baby Boomers and beyond, these ladies were 'lit' with anticipation of what was to come. The line-up of speakers were impeccable and included Forever First Lady Michelle Obama, Tracee Ellis Ross, Senator Kamala Harris, #MeToo Founder Tarana Burke, Olympic Medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad, Activist and Actor Yara Shahidi, Comedian/Inscure AMANDA SEALES and many many more.
This is the first summit I've ever attended where I witnessed in true form a genuine love, passion, solidarity, interest and trust between women whose only agenda was to lift up the person to the right, left, in front or behind them. The conversations were not just in passing, but rather women took time to look one another in their eyes and listen, respond and celebrate. That's rare!
In 2016, the feminist organization United State of Women staged its first summit in Washington, D.C. Held in partnership with the White House Council on Women and Girls and featuring Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey. Again at that time the summit brought together 5,000 women, girls and allies to discuss issues ranging from entrepreneurship to violence against women. This summit happens every other year and I can hardly wait for #USOW2020.
Here are just a few takeaway statements that resonate with me to this day:
"If our vote wasn't important, people would not be trying to take it away from us. If our voices didn't matter, you would be trying to silence people like us. The systems are not broken, but rather they were designed to do exactly what they are doing." Brittany Packnett
"Be gentle with yourself and take care of yourself. The work will always be here to be done." Tanara Burke, #MeToo
"Women know how to speak truth and they've had to do it for a long time." #ElectionsMatter. Senator Kamala Harris
And go!
Uber Celebrates Bozoma Saint John
Bozoma Saint John is one of the most sought after brand marketing influencers in the tech industry by far. From Apple to now Uber's Chief Brands Officer, when Saint John speaks people are definitely all ears. One will never miss Saint John's beauty and style because no matter where you see her, regardless of the occasion, she is giving a 'I'm in here' presence without words.
It was no surprise that Saint John was a part of the stellar line-up of speakers at the Black Enterprise Magazine Tech ConneXt 2017. Her interview schooled many and for others they were drawn into her enchanting and engaging conversation. Saint John shared a few comments about her new role at Uber, but of them all, this one statement was refreshing and at the same time a bit hard to swallow. "It was the first time in my entire career when I walked in the door {Uber} where I was celebrated", said Saint John. When we look back on Saint John's past endeavors including Apple, we are excited, proud and feel just a bit more powerful that while Saint John was in these various roles, she still thrived knowing the celebration of her being present was not where maybe it should have been. Still I Rise and that she did. Black Girl Magic at its best! #blackgirlmagic
Another profound moment during the interview was Saint John's around performance interviews - "I've never had a good review. There was always something negative on my reviews". What? For many it's assumed that given Saint John's remarkable career as a music industry influencer, she ranked very high when it came to job performance reviews, hence her high demand in the tech industry. Not the case at all. This is inspiring news for thriving and aspiring career enthusiasts, don't get hung up on thinking because you're doing a great job at your company, that when it's review time that you will see nothing but 'exceeding expectations' marks through and through. Let's just say, that if according to the powers that be you need improvement in some areas, embrace that opportunity to continue to refine your skills and talents. Let perfection be a journey, not a destination.
And go!
THE MoAD Afropolitan BALL RAISES $1M to keep black culture in san francisco
When the Hiplet Ballerinas of Chicago, IL get the party started at a gala, you know you're in for an absolute treat. The MoAD Afropolitan 2017 Gala took place on October 28, 2017 at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco and it was outstanding as expected. Hundreds attended and more than $1M was raised towards MoAD's goal of keeping Black Art & Culture in the City of San Francisco. It's no secret that the African American population in San Francisco has decreased tremendously over the last 20 years, so while the people, in many cases, have been forced to make an exodus from the city, keeping the black history and culture that made the city what it is today, is extremely important.
It was very refreshing to see so many young professionals attending the MoAD Afropolitan Gala this year. MoAD's commitment to advancing the message of the need to elevate the voice of black art in San Francisco is critical to this movement - a movement as I call it. MoAD understands the value of embracing young professionals and millennials in the conversation as they will soon be, or they already are, those 'next in line' to bring the message full circle, not just in San Francisco, but nationally. MoAD's Vanguard Leadership Council has the charge of outreach to young professionals throughout the Bay Area, many who don't know about the museum and others who have desired to find a place to share their artistic talent and other professional skills that the museum can use.
The honorees of the evening were Betye Saar – Lifetime Achievement in the Arts and Fred Blackwell – Visionary Leader in Philanthropy. It would be great to see next year a young philanthropic professional honored as this would even further elevate the reach to a group of people who are open to being included and can bring money and talent to the table.
And go!
Y'Anad Burrell on Huff Post HERE