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Gwendolyn Rodgers, President/CEO – YWE Foundation

“Imagine what can happen in the life of a young woman when she is empowered to succeed.”

Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation and  Assemblymember Cheryl Brown invite you to the FREE “Girl Talk II Spring Conference” on Saturday, March, 15 from 9 a.m.  to 2 p.m. at San Bernardino Valley College,  701 South Mt. Vernon Avenue in San Bernardino. 

Young ladies, let’s talk about life! Have you ever needed someone to sit down and talk to you about things that are troubling you? Are you confused about why you are feeling so hurt and letdown? Did you think you found your “Prince Charming,” but he turned out to be less than perfect? Before you can give of yourself to someone, you must first get to know the real you.  You may ask, “How do I get to know the real me?”  “Girl Talk” will open the door to many of the answers you are looking for.

The purpose of “Girl Talk” is to communicate and address everyday issues with teen girls and encourage each to BE Smart! BE Safe! BE Responsible! Growing up with the influence of peer pressure, staying positive is not always easy. However, part of Young Women’s Empowerment mission is to show girls, that while at times it may be hard, it’s not impossible. The half-day Saturday event is aimed at empowering young women by providing pathways to build positive self-esteem, and enhance independent thinking through dynamic, energetic and fun workshops, education, and just plain ole “Girl Talk.”

The “Girl Talk” Conference is rooted in love and sisterhood. A love for our younger sisters and a desire to share with them the legacy of sisterhood that comes from establishing and maintaining lasting relationships with women young and old. The initial vision of “Girl Talk” derived from seeing the decline of the young ladies of our community first hand and the desire to begin an educational process that could help them positively transforms their beings.

Young ladies, ages 12-21, you are invite to experience a POSITIVE, STIMULATING, EDUCATIONAL, and SOCIAL experience. Join us!

Judy Belk

Committed to Increasing Philanthropic Resources for People of Color, TCWF Makes History By Naming Three Distinguished African Americans Into Leadership Roles

Woodland Hills, CA – Judy Belk will lead The California Wellness Foundation as its next president and CEO, effective April 7, 2014, announced Barbara C. Staggers, M.D., M.P.H., chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Belk is currently senior vice president of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, a position she has held since 2002.

“Judy has stellar operational and strategic leadership expertise in philanthropy and a strong sense of valuing the voices of grantees,” Staggers said. “This coupled with her track record in myriad philanthropic efforts that support underserved communities makes her a strong match for The California Wellness Foundation.”

A seasoned leader with more than 25 years of senior management experience in the philanthropic, government, nonprofit and corporate sectors, Belk played a pivotal role in building Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) into one of the nation’s largest independent nonprofit advisory firms, which currently advises on more than $300 million annually in more than 30 countries.

She launched the firm’s West Coast and Midwest operations and helped position RPA as a global “thought leader” in promoting effective strategic philanthropy, impact investing, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Previously, Belk served as vice president of global public affairs at Levi Strauss & Co., reporting directly to the chairman and CEO, with responsibilities for both the company’s and foundation’s leadership in the global fight against AIDS, as well as their economic development, environmental and antiracism initiatives.

“I am proud to join the Foundation and support its mission to promote a healthier California,” Belk said. “Since its founding, TCWF has played a historic role in courageously funding in public health areas that had drawn little or no philanthropic attention.”

Belk said that, in the process, the Foundation has expanded the definition of health and wellness for all Californians, particularly underserved, diverse communities.

“I’m looking forward to working with TCWF’s impressive Board, its talented staff and committed community partners across the state in leveraging the Foundation’s resources and voice in bringing about meaningful health changes,” she said.

Eugene Washington, M.D., vice chair of TCWF’s Board, believes Belk’s vast philanthropic expertise will add valuable insight to the Foundation’s current and future grantmaking programs, especially as they relate to health coverage.

“With the expansion of health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, it is an important time in California and the nation,” Washington said. “I look forward to working with Judy on this vital issue and others that are affecting the health of the people of California.”

The Foundation is recognized nationally for its strategic core operating support that builds and sustains the capacity of health and human-service nonprofit organizations, and for its public policy grantmaking. TCWF has also earned national recognition for funding public education and policy outreach, including groundbreaking, multilingual campaigns in violence prevention, teenage pregnancy prevention and promoting diversity in the health professions.

Belk will bring to the Foundation a strong track record of leadership spanning the nonprofit, government and corporate sectors. At Levi Strauss & Co., she led a global team in pioneering work on AIDS education and prevention, and women’s economic development, and launched Project Change, a national antiracism initiative, which was recognized by President Bill Clinton with the first Ron Brown Award for Corporate Leadership in 1998. She also developed and led the company’s philanthropic efforts in postapartheid South Africa.

Throughout her career, Belk has been a strong advocate in promoting diversity, inclusion and equity both within and outside of the philanthropic sector. She has been a passionate voice in raising awareness of the needs of women and girls, as well as communities of color. She has been actively involved in the D5 Initiative, a national coalition of philanthropic leaders committed to increasing philanthropic resources for women, for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer, and people of color.

“The Foundation is at a key crossroads in its history,” said Cole Wilbur, TCWF’s interim president and CEO. “As we sunset the Responsive Grantmaking Program, the Foundation welcomes Judy, an enterprising leader with deep knowledge in philanthropy, to lead the next era of our grantmaking.”

Belk joins a distinguished roster of executives who have led the Foundation since it was founded more than two decades ago.

Belk is a frequent writer and speaker on organizational ethics, race and social change, and her work has been recognized with several state and national awards. Her pieces have aired on National Public Radio and appeared in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post.

She currently serves on the boards of the Surdna Foundation, a national New York-based family foundation, and the Marlborough School, a Los Angeles-based, independent school for girls. Past board service includes Southern California Grantmakers, Northern California Grantmakers, National Center on Family Philanthropy, the Ms. Foundation for Women, the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and the Independent Sector.

Belk received her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and her master’s degree in public administration from California State University, East Bay, where she was recognized as the 1999 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.

Belk has lived and worked in California for her entire professional career. A current resident of Los Angeles, she is a native of Alexandria, Virginia, where she was recently inducted into the Alexandria African American Hall of Fame. She is married to Roger Peeks, M.D., who currently serves as medical director of Valley Community Clinic in North Hollywood. They have two young adult children.

Assisting the Foundation’s Board of Directors in the search for the next president and CEO was Isaacson, Miller, an executive search firm with offices in San Francisco, Boston and Washington, D.C.

The California Wellness Foundation is a private independent foundation created in 1992 with a mission to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention.

One of the largest health grantmaking organizations in California, TCWF was established in 1992 as part of the conversion of Health Net from not-for-profit to for-profit status. It is completely separate from Health Net and operates as a private independent foundation. The Foundation headquarters are located in Woodland Hills with a small branch office in San Francisco. Since its founding, TCWF has awarded 7,338 grants totaling more than $890 million.

FONTANA, CA- If you have not seen the stage play, ‘Dream Girls’, you still have a chance to until Sunday, March 9. The show plays at 7: 30 p.m. on Fridays, 7 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays at Tibbies Center Stage, 8463 Sierra Avenue in Fontana. The production doesn’t just focus on singing, dancing and performing, but also on the behind the scenes reality of the entertainment industry, the business part of show business that has made this cultural phenomenon possible. Tickets start at $18. For more information and to purchase tickets, please call 909-429-7469 or visit www.centerstagefontana.com.

FONTANA, CA- On Saturday, February 22, the North Fontana Black Awareness Parade Committee held its 45^th Annual Black History Parade. The parade started at Summit and Citrus Avenue, and ended with an expo. Various vendors, elected officials, Chamber of commerce’s, and other community members and residents came out in support of the event. To view more photos of the event, please visit www.wssnews.com.

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA- Let’s celebrate the significance and history of cowboys of color and the American West! The one and only “American Charity Rodeo” will take place on February 22 at 16200 Temple Avenue in the City of Industry. This event will be filled with exciting preshow events, multi-cultural rodeo, education, food, and fun for all ages. Doors open at 1 p.m. and the show starts at 1:30 p.m. Children’s tickets are $17 in advance and $19 at the gate; adults are $20 in advance and $24 at the gate; and celebrity arena seats are $30 in advance and $32 at the gate. The proceeds from this event go to benefit local charities. For sponsorship, vendor, and group sales information call 310-674-6700. This is a onetime event so don’t miss out! (Written by Noelle Lilley)

(Photo Credit: Naomi K. Bonman)
PHOTO CAPTION: The cast and crew of “Blackbird”, which stars Isaiah Washington and Monique. The film was directed by Patrick Ian Polk in an adaption of the novel by Larry Duplechan.

LOS ANGELES, CA- On Sunday, February 16 at Rave Cinemas in Los Angeles, the Pan African Film Festival closed out it’s festivities with the premiere of the film “Blackbird”.   The closing kicked off with a red carpet where the cast and crew posed for photos for the media, as well as other celebrities who walked the red carpet in support of the film. Following the red carpet was the movie screening and question and answer session, followed by a private media briefing and after party.

“Blackbird” is a story that centers on a church choir singer, portrayed by Julian Walker, in a small Mississippi town who feels like a misfit as he struggles with his sexual awakening and the realization that he is gay. This is a coming of age story for that young African American boy or girl who struggles with their sexual orientation. The film is directed by Patrick Ian Polk in an adaption of the novel by Larry Duplechan. Monique and her husband Sidney Hicks are also executive producers of the film. (Written by Naomi K. Bonman)

Assemblymember Cheryl Brown held a reception on Sunday, February 16 at the Hampton Inn in Colton where she announced her candidacy for re-election to the California Assembly.   Many family, friends and other supporters were in attendance.

(Photo credits: John Coleman)

Edith Lara-Trad, information officer at Covered California, welcomes representatives from Inland community groups to the first Covered California regional meeting at Loma Linda University Health.

LOMA LINDA, CA  – Representatives of community groups working to enroll more San Bernardino County residents for affordable health insurance through Covered California kicked off their first regional meeting on Wednesday (Feb. 12) at Loma Linda University Health (LLUH).

About 40 people, representing dozens of community groups, stakeholders, health organizations, elected officials, and local health officials, took part in the gathering, hosted by LLUH.

“One of the objectives of the regional meeting is to focus on increasing partnerships and collaboration within the region, and to share lessons learned from the first weeks of enrollment,” said Edith Lara-Trad, information officer at Covered California, and the regional coordinator for the effort.

“It is about the people who are in dire need of health coverage. We have 47 days to continue mobilizing our efforts and enroll them now. One focus is to use in-person assistance to maximize enrollment,” she said.

LLUH, in partnership with Community Clinic Association of San Bernardino County, is one of 48 lead organizations that received grant awards totaling $37 million from Covered California to help residents access affordable health coverage.  Covered California is the state’s new health care insurance marketplace responsible for reaching out to 5.3 million Californians in need of individual insurance, many of whom may be eligible for financial assistance with the premiums.

“LLUH wants to ensure the residents of the Inland Empire are informed regarding the historic changes in our health care system and we are getting our residents the coverage they need to improve and maintain their health,” said Gerald Winslow, Ph.D., vice president for mission and culture at LLUH, and director of the Institute for Health Policy and Leadership, the organizational entity responsible for administering the grant.

The regional meeting provided opportunities for grantees, certified counselors, providers, community and health agencies, and elected officials to mingle and work in partnerships in existing enrollment events. Covered California partners and the health community have played an integral role to accomplish enrollment to many people thus far and Covered California is providing specific support to the community and partners to drive the regional effort.

Lara-Trad said the challenge is to encourage more people to enroll by March 31, which is the deadline for open enrollment and for obtaining premium assistance and guaranteed health coverage. She said, “We are focusing on key gaps. Latinos, African Americans, and other under-represented communities and young adults are especially targeted for enrollment.” More information is available at www.CoveredCA.com

Rosie Salazar, Covered California certified counselor at Inland Behavioral Health Services, attended the event because she wanted to expand her network and get ideas for getting more people to sign up for health insurance.

“We are in a community where we deal with many homeless and low-income people,” she said. “We do not want them to be left out of affordable health care.”

Jaylin Miller holds certificate of excellence alongside Janet Clayton, Senior Vice President, Edison International.(Photo Credit: Naomi K. Bonman

ROSEMEAD, CA- Los Angeles County’s top attorney Jackie Lacey joined Southern California Edison (SCE) in celebrating the utility’s business and community partnerships, serving as the keynote speaker at the company’s 12^th Annual Black History Month celebration held on Friday, February 7 at SCE headquarters.

“Our annual Black History Month event is our opportunity to show our appreciation to the communities we serve,” Lisa Cagnolatti, vice president of SCE’s Business Customer Division and host of the celebration, said. “Our partnership with our business and community leaders is the cornerstone of service we provide to our customers.”

Returning as the emcee of the afternoon was KTLA Morning News anchor Chris Schauble. He kept the momentum going in between each speaker and presenter. Other speakers in addition to Jackie Lacey (who is also the first woman and African American to serve as the Los Angeles County district attorney since the office first opened in 1850), was Faye Washington. Washington is the president and CEO of YWCA Greater Los Angeles. She is well positioned to lead the YWCA in its mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.

In addition to the speakers, there were three award recipients who were honored which included Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles (Energy Efficiency Participation Award); St. Hare Capital Investment Bankers (Diverse Business Enterprise Award); and YWCA Greater Los Angeles (Community Partnership Award). Jaylin Miller, an eighth-grade student at Marshall Fundamental School in Pasadena, also recited a poem that she wrote entitled, “The African Pledge”. Miller dreams of becoming a pediatrician and is involved in the YWCA and actively volunteers and gives back to her community. She was also a 2013 YWCA Girls Empowerment Scholarship award recipient.  (Edited and Written by Naomi K. Bonman)

RIVERSIDE, CA- On Saturday, February 8, The Riverside Black History Committee held the 35^th Annual Riverside Black History Parade and Expo in Downtown Riverside. This year was a very special one because the event also recognized Dell Roberts for his philanthropic efforts and civic leadership that he provides to the community.  For more photos of the parade, please visit www.wssnews.com.