Mario is a GRAMMY-nominated, platinum-selling R&B singer, songwriter and hitmaker hailing from Baltimore, MD. A dominant 2000s run, which began after the church-bred singer was signed by Clive Davis to J Records during his teenage years, included Top 5 hit “Just A Friend,” and “Let Me Love You,” the generation-defining serenade that spent nine weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, earning the singer widespread acclaim. Mario’s subsequent album, Turning Point, generated a ‘Best Contemporary R&B Album’ GRAMMY nomination as well as two Billboard Awards, and is part of a robust catalog that includes four debuts inside the Top 5 of Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, beginning with his gold-certified debut, Mario.
Mario’s hit-making prowess and status as a superior vocal performer led to a spot on Billboard’s ‘Artist of the Decade’ list. His expanded entertainment profile includes an independent label, New Citizen, launched in 2016, and a slew of marquee acting appearances, including major roles in blockbuster films and shows Step Up, Freedom Writers, and Empire. Mario will make his film production debut this holiday season, when his New Citizen-produced Christmas film, Style Me For Christmas, airs on BET.
This December, Mario is releasing his sixth studio album as part of his new deal with Epic Records, marking his first solo LP since 2018. Glad You Came, is executive-produced largely by James Fauntleroy, who worked for over a year on the project in-studio with Mario. “James and I have a similar philosophy when it comes to the love of timeless music. The omnipresence of all of the things that lends itself to the writing process. Our stories, our lives, what we observe and absorb.”
Born and raised in Gardendale, Alabama, 27-year-old R&B / country / Gospel trailblazer Tiera Kennedy is in bloom. Inspired by artists like Aaliyah and Loretta Lynn, Tiera released her full-length debut album *ROOTED* on October 18, 2024. Fully embracing newfound independence, reaping the harvest of what she’s sown over the past 8+ years of making music, cultivating and growing a sonic lane all her own – *ROOTED* takes a moment to smell the roses across 11 unfiltered, self-penned songs.
A singer-songwriter, musician, radio host, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, the multi-hyphenate found another watershed moment last year when lifelong hero Beyoncé asked her to be a featured vocalist on 2025 GRAMMY *Album of the Year* and *Country Album of the Year* winner, *Cowboy Carter,* singing on “BLACKBIIRD” and providing background vocals on “TYRANT.”
Invested in by generations of cross-genre talent before her, Tiera has also been mentored by pop country icon Shania Twain since the inception of her career, and collaborated with Dolly Parton and Dionne Warwick on the music video for their duet, “Peace Like A River.” She’s opened for Kelsea Ballerini, Nelly, and more, and serves as direct support for GRAMMY-nominated duo The War & Treaty this spring. “I’m stepping into an era publicly - both musically and personally - that is entirely me,” she shares. “It’s been inspiring to find myself; in what I thought was my lowest low, I could finally see the roots of what had been growing all along.”
Social Links
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tieramusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tiera
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TieraMusic/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tieramusic
You can download her promo image here.
Marcus Washington anchors “Today In The Bay” 4:30a -7a and “NBC Bay Area News at 11” alongside Laura Garcia.
Before joining NBC Bay Area, Marcus served as anchor and reporter at WJZ (CBS) in Baltimore, Maryland. While working in “Charm City,” he covered a broad range of stories, but his life and approach to reporting were most deeply impacted by Freddie Gray’s death and its aftermath. In the midst of Gray's funeral, explosive unrest in the city, the political fallout, and community rebuilding, Marcus was there reporting live from the front lines and continued the months following. David Zurawik with the Baltimore Sun writes, "Marcus Washington again did solid and authoritative reporting for WJZ from Penn and North avenues, the epicenter of protests following the funeral of Gray last year." His careful and caring coverage of the unrest earned him an Emmy nomination.
Dreams of becoming “one of the people who tells the news” came early for Marcus. He still remembers sitting in his living room at the age of 5 and telling his mom, “I want to do that,” referring to the work of veteran Memphis journalist Joe Birch. Marcus' career in media began while he was a student at the University of Memphis, after inquiring about reading news for Memphis’ WUMR-FM morning show. On his third day of orientation, Marcus received an invitation from the station manager to fill-in to host Thursday's 4p-7p slot. After just 5 minutes on-air, the station manager was so impressed with Marcus’ voice and personality that he walked into the DJ booth and told Marcus, "from now on, this is your slot." Beginning in that moment, Marcus became one of the hosts of Memphis' only jazz station.
He went on to work as an associate producer in Memphis, Tennessee; and as a reporter in Nashville, Tennessee; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Charlottesville, Virginia, all before his time in Baltimore.
Marcus has been acknowledged by outlets like the Baltimore Sun and the Washington Post for his reporting. He is also flattered (and amused!) to be named one of “Nashville's 25 Most Beautiful People” (per Lifestyles Magazine in 2011) and number fourteen among “The 50 Hottest Anchors in the World” (according to Buzzfeed.com in 2017).
Marcus is also member of The National Association of Black Journalists, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, and the Church of Christ.
He is excited to explore the Bay Area and all the great treasures—especially the food, music, and community—it has to offer. So, don’t hesitate to say hello if you see Marcus out—and follow him on social media for news updates and chronicles of his adventures.
Janine Rubenstein is Editor-at-Large and host for PEOPLE Magazine where she splits her time between penning exclusive cover stories and emceeing the brand’s key events and activations, including PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly’s Red Carpet Live specials. An accomplished entertainment journalist and TV personality with more than a decade of experience covering breaking news and interviewing top tier talent, Janine has held numerous roles at the world’s most successful entertainment brand, which reaches 100+ million people. Previously Senior Editor of music content she's also covered television, crime and human interest news. Onscreen, Janine can be found speaking as an expert on shows like Good Morning America and E! News, and she annually hosts PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly’s Red Carpet Live from Hollywood's biggest red carpet events. Janine is a San Francisco native and proud alumna of the University of California, Berkeley, where she was initiated into Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 2005. She later received her Master's Degree from USC’s Annenberg School of Journalism and is now a proud member of AKA's award-winning Tau Beta Omega Graduate Chapter in Los Angeles. Above all she is the happy wife of Douglas Rubenstein, a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and mom to their amazing 10-year-old son Reece and 4-year-old daughter Ramey. Find the 49ers fan and Black Barbie collector on Instagram and TikTok @JanineRube
An Oakland Original
Ayo is an 18yr old Tenor/Soprano saxophonist from Oakland Ca. He is known for his soulful and expressive style of playing, drawing influences from jazz legends such as John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner and Sonny Rollins. Ayo is dedicated to preserving the legacy of jazz music while also pushing the boundaries of the genre with his innovative approach. Keep an eye out for Ayo Brame as he continues to make waves in the jazz world and beyond.
Flag Presentation, History of Bill Picket & Rodeo at our Grand Opening of the Juneteenth In The Streets Festival! Featuring the Horses Debut. Freeway, Biscuit, Jellybean, Sinbad & Misty.
DJ D Sharp was not born with an equal edge. His melodic congruence is boosted by his Oakland influence. The spin of his turn tables rips dance floors and push all the right angles. From Rome to Rio… From Manila to Madrid… There is no border that has not been blazed by the wunderkind. Combining subtle melodic shifts, synthesized with a devastating touch. D Sharp bleeds a vast array of musical genres with a fluidity and fluency that is unrivaled. His prestigious and robust client list only cements his rhythmic wrath on the wheels of steel. A veritable cornucopia which includes Fortune 500 companies, foreign dignitaries, and the hottest venues in the world. Rocking the social networking halls of Facebook.
Blowing the roof off of the shimmering, iridescent towers in Las Vegas. Even tickling the vinyl for former Commander in Chief, Barack Obama. Now the official DJ of the reigning Champs Golden State Warriors, DJ D Sharp raises the decibel levels of 20,000 strong at the now infamous Chase Center. So as you see… There is no venue too quaint or no arena too grand that this DJ can not mold and bend to his skillful hands. If music is the elixir for the soul, then D Sharp is the instrument to help you move your bones. There is no mob he cannot cut. No crowd he cannot pierce. Because while all men may be created equal… DJ D Sharp reminds us that this is not the case for all DJ’s.
Kim Burrell, an award-winning singer, songwriter, and vocal arranger, is celebrated as one of the most influential voices of her generation. Her three-decade plus career showcases a signature blend of gospel, jazz, R&B, and soul, marked by exceptional vocal agility and a rich tone. Born in Houston, Texas, Burrell honed her craft in church, drawing inspiration from icons like Ella Fitzgerald and The Clark Sisters. Her groundbreaking 1998 album, Everlasting Life, established her as a force in contemporary gospel, introducing her unique sound to a wider audience.
Burrell's extraordinary talent has led to collaborations with renowned artists across genres, including Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, and Pharrell Williams. Her work with Houston on "I Look to You" and her collaboration with Williams on "I See a Victory" (featured in Hidden Figures) highlight her versatility. Beyond performance, Burrell is a sought-after vocal coach and mentor, shaping the artistry of numerous contemporary singers. Her influence on vocal technique, particularly in improvisation, phrasing, and jazz-gospel fusion, has earned her reverence among musicians.
An ordained pastor and speaker, Burrell can connect through both song and message which shines light on her multifaceted influence. Kim Burrell's legacy is one of innovation, excellence, and artistic integrity, solidifying her status as an enduring and transformative figure in music.
Lena Byrd Miles, the darling of the Oakland Bay Area has been singing since the ripe old age of 4. Coming from a musical family, she launched her singing career at her Grandfather's Church where she faithfully lent her gift until other engagements came calling.
After inking a deal with Grammy® Award Producer Warryn Campbell Lena has released several singles such as, "This is the Day, Watch Me and recently Walk on Water;" and we now anticipate the release of her first project this summer.
This Stellar Award Winners gift has opened many doors allowing her to mount many prestiges stages such as the 2022 Oscars, the Trumpet Awards and more. She has also shared the stage with such luminaries as Kanye West, Lalah Hathaway, Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett, Deitrick Haddon, Dorinda, John P Kee, and more.
More than an artist, Lena is a wife, daughter, sister, and friend with a unique ability to connect with people. Her innate comedic prowess and infectious laugh draws you in, but her compassion for mankind will cause you to appreciate her heart.
Pittsburgh, PA native Travis Malloy is a Grammy nominated Singer-Songwriter who has written and/or produced for and with a wide range of musical legends including Zaytoven, Coko (SWV), Jermaine Dupri, Case, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Kool & The Gang, Fred Hammond, and Faith Evans.
In 2021 he launched the Dream Currency unisex apparel line which featured the Millions.Billions.Trillions. collection. In a year's time, the wildly popular line garnered six figures and is supported by noted public figures like Rev. Al Sharpton, Missy Elliot, Erica Campbell, D.L. Hughley and dozens more. The viral success of the clothing brand led to a partnership with Reach Media/Radio One, the largest African American-owned media conglomerate in the USA.
Lance Gross is an accomplished actor, producer, and photographer. Notable credits include Fox TV series "Our Kind of People", opposite YaYa DaCosta, Nadine Ellis, Joe Morton, and Miles Chestnut. Produced by Lee Daniels. “Hawaii 5-0” (CBS), a series regular on “Star" (Fox) as ‘Maurice Jetter’, the role of ‘Billy Colton’ on ‘MacGyver” (CBS), Amazon's "Too Old To Die Young" with Miles Teller (Dir. Nicolas Winding Refn), a series regular on “Sleepy Hollow’ (Fox) opposite Nichole Behari, and also the lead of the NBC drama “Crisis” opposite Dermott Mulroney, Gillian Anderson, and Rachael Taylor.
Lance is the first actor to win four NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on Tyler Perry’s "House of Payne."
He has also starred on TV One’s “When Love Kills: The Felicia Blakely Story” directed by Tasha Smith; the BET anthology series “Tales: Trap Queen” directed by Benny Boom; and “The Bobby Brown Story” (BET).
Lance created, produced, and starred in the MACRO digital series “I Turned My Camera On” (Essence), which combined his love of photography with a series of celebrity interviews. Season one featured Michael B. Jordan, Omari Hardwick, and Kelly Rowland, amongst others.
Lance lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Rebecca, and their beautiful daughter, Berkeley, and son, Lennon.
Alphonso David, one of the foremost civil rights attorneys and a life-long advocate for social and economic justice, serves as the President & CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum. Mr. David brings more than two decades of experience in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, where he has worked to advance the rights of marginalized communities through policy, legislation, litigation, and advocacy.
As a business leader and lawyer, Mr. David successfully defended the Fearless Fund and Fearless Foundation, a venture capital firm, and a charitable organization, in a federal court challenge that sought to shut down their business practice of helping under-resourced entrepreneurs. He was also instrumental in creating one of the most sought-after addiction treatment centers in the United States. In public service, he helped to transform broken systems that impeded the lives of the most vulnerable, including restructuring the workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance systems in the State of New York to reduce inefficiencies and deficits that had plagued these vital social safety nets for decades. As a non-profit leader, he created and expanded groundbreaking programs for marginalized communities, including an impact litigation program to advance the rights of LGBTQ+ people and an HIV and Health Equity Program to address the disproportionately high rates of HIV among Black and Brown communities throughout the nation.
As an advocate, Mr. David has worked on a broad range of issues including racial and economic justice, immigrants’ rights, and LGBTQ+ equality. Notably, he and his legal team secured more than $23 million for immigrants who had been defrauded by illegitimate legal service providers, stopped a racially discriminatory rating system in broadcast radio from being implemented in the United States, and compelled all large pharmacy chain stores to provide language access services to customers. Further, during his time in public service for the State of New York, Mr. David was instrumental in drafting and advancing landmark legislation that removed legal barriers allowing same-sex couples to marry, paving the way for the United States Supreme Court to rule in favor of marriage equality nationally. His work helped actualize the Paid Family Leave Act, ensuring individuals receive paid leave to care for sick family members. His record of achievement also includes the Minority and Women Business Program, which tripled contracting opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses throughout New York State.
As President & CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum, Mr. David engages with world leaders, business executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs, activists, and consumers globally on thought leadership; corporate and entrepreneurial career development; and advancing economic and social justice for marginalized communities across the globe. The Global Black Economic Forum’s innovative, multi-faceted organizational structure includes a strategic consulting practice that partners with major corporations and business leaders on leadership development, skill building, and organizational assessments; summits and conferences that bring together key leaders from all sectors; a foundation dedicated to social and economic justice policy; and an emerging technology platform focused on advancing equity. In the face of recent legal and political attacks on Black communities, the Global Black Economic Forum launched the Council for Economic Opportunity & Social Justice, which convenes major social justice and civil rights organizations in the nation. Mr. David, a resident of Brooklyn, New York, is a prolific writer, thought leader, and sought-after media commentator on a wide range of topics.
Jacob Mitchell currently serves as the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the California Region. Jacob joined us from the Oregon/SW Washington region, where he served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Prior to that, he served as Senior Director of Business Development for the California region.
Before Comcast, Jacob held several positions with AT&T, beginning as a Retail Sales Consultant in Seattle and steadily progressing to Area Retail Sales Manager in Colorado, Director of Sales and Distribution in Portland and San Jose, and then Director of Operations in Dallas.
Jacob earned his MBA from JWMI-Strayer University and his bachelor’s degree from Western Oregon University. In his free time, Jacob enjoys traveling with his wife and two daughters.
Maria Garcia is a seasoned nonprofit leader with expertise in communication, community relations, fundraising, and philanthropy. In her current role as Vice President, Strategy & Programs, she leads the agency’s Grantmaking strategic planning, operations and communication strategy.
Maria serves as a Board Member for the Leo M. Shortino Foundation and has held leadership roles with the Latino Leadership Alliance, the Hispanic Foundation’s La Familia Committee, and the Santa Clara County Commission on the Status of Women. As Chair of the Crime and Violence Committee, she co-authored Female Inmates in Santa Clara County & the Need for a Gender Responsive Protocol, advocating for gender-responsive reforms at Elmwood Correctional Facility.
Her civic engagement includes serving as a National Delegate for her Congressional District and as a State Delegate for four years. A committed advocate for leadership development, Maria is a graduate of the Latino Leadership Alliance Academy (Cohort 2), Leadership San Jose, the Women’s Foundation of California’s Philanthropy & Public Policy Institute, and Grantmakers In Health’s Terrance Keenan Institute Fellowship.
Maria holds a B.A. in Communication from Santa Clara University and an M.A. in Speech Communication from San Jose State University.
Allan Madoc who joined Knight Foundation in 2023 brings over 15 years of distinguished experience in global capital markets and technology investment banking spanning regions across Asia Australia and the United States. In his most recent role as Managing Director of Technology Media and Telecommunications (TMT) US West Coast Coverage at HSBC USA he oversaw Fortune 500 public and private equity-sponsored companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Prior to this Allan held several senior positions in Australasia including Head of Origination and Sector Coverage at HSBC Australia.
Notably Allan has been a fervent early-stage technology venture investor for more than ten years aligning his passion with his deep-rooted connection to the city of San Jose where he has garnered significant expertise in the technology sector over the course of a decade.
As a native of Australia Allan holds distinguished degrees in Laws and Actuarial Science (with honors) from the University of Melbourne and an M.S. in Management from the Stanford Graduate School of Business where he was honored as a Robert Joss Scholar.
Lynell Bevels is an accomplished financial industry professional dedicated to helping individuals, families and small businesses realize their financial goals. She currently works at Umpqua Bank as VP Community Lending Manager covering the California, Nevada, & Arizona regions. A true financial advocate with strong community connections, Lynell believes in the power of team and collaboration.
Along with the community lending team, Lynell coordinates with local and regional leadership in the design of tactical marketing plans to maximize lending parity for under-resourced communities, including low-to-moderate income areas to support Umpqua’s $8.1 Billion Community BenefitsAgreement. The team also works with nonprofit housing organizations,chambers of commerce, real estate trade organizations, and engages with local elected officials and state agencies to advocate toward affordable housing solutions.
References:
https://www.umpquabank.com/our-impact/community-lending-team/
LaToya Rowell serves as the Vice President and National Community Affairs Manager for Comerica Bank. In this role, she is charged with overseeing external community initiatives and partnerships.
Rowell also helps develop and implement Comerica’s corporate affairs strategy by building and sustaining national community stakeholder relationships. She works in partnership with the External Affairs Market Managers to identify volunteer opportunities that strengthen the bank’s community outreach and financial education initiatives.
Rowell joined Comerica in 2006 holding various positions of increasing responsibility, including Business Affairs Coordinator, Contributions and Volunteer Coordinator, Corporate Contributions Budget Specialist, Contributions Officer, and Community Affairs Coordinator.
During her 19-year tenure at Comerica, Rowell has been honored for her outstanding service to the community. In 2024 she was awarded Junior Achievement of Dallas’ Company Coordinator of the year award. She was instrumental in Comerica’s Hispanic Business Resource Group being named one of Latina Style Magazine’s 2024 Top 16 Employee Resource Groups.
In 2023 she led Comerica’s volunteer recruitment efforts in support Dallas-based nonprofit the Wilkinson Center’s education program, which resulted in Comerica being named their 2023 Volunteer Group of the Year. The year prior to that, the Wilkinson Center presented Rowell with its 2022 Great Volunteer Connector award for her ongoing efforts and contributions.
She received one of Rolling Out Magazine’s 2022 Sisters with Superpowers awards, which celebrates multi-generations of women in entrepreneurship, business, fashion, the arts and entertainment for their career accomplishments and contribution to society and culture as well as creating safe spaces for others. Under Rowell’s leadership, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship South named Comerica its 2022 Corporate Volunteer of the Year.
Rowell recently completed McKinsey & Co.’s Black Management Accelerator program. Last year she joined Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship’s national board of directors. In March of 2024 she received a Certificate in Corporate Citizenship Management from Boston College’s Center for Corporate Citizenship.
In 2022, the National Diversity Council awarded Rowell with its Certified Diversity Professional designation after she successfully passed the DiversityFIRST™ certification program and examination. That same year, she also participated in the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement’s Multicultural Leadership Program, receiving a Certificate in Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies.
A graduate of the 2022 Comerica Emerging Leaders Program, Rowell participated in the 2019-20 Communities Foundation of Texas Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy program. In 2018, the New Leaders Council invited Rowell to take part in its fellowship program, which recruits the next generation of leaders who aspire to create change in their communities. During her time with NLC, she served as the co-lead for their annual fundraiser and the 2019 finance co-chair.
Rowell, a proud University of North Texas Alumni Association member, earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree (Cum Laude) and a Certificate in Volunteer and Community Resource Management from UNT. She also holds a degree in Multimedia Design with an emphasis in Multimedia Production from the Art Institute of Dallas.
Founder of Black History Saturdays | National Geographic Explorer | Reparations Strategist | Cultural Historian
The Kristi Williams Speakers Bureau exists to amplify truth-telling, memory-keeping, and justice-driven education. Through powerful storytelling, history, and grassroots insight, Kristi inspires institutions, communities, and individuals to take bold steps toward equity, healing, and transformation.
To bring Kristi Williams to your next event, contact:
Email: BlackHistorySaturdays@gmail.com
Phone: 539-664-2460
Website: BlackHistorySaturdays.com
Speaker Honorarium Range: Available upon request (Sliding scale available for grassroots, youth, and justice orgs)
Moses joined Silicon Valley Community Foundation in September 2024 as executive vice president of community action, initiatives, and policy. Previously, he served as chief executive officer of San Joaquin Community Foundation, where he launched numerous initiatives to address housing needs, improve access to healthcare, and build more inclusive local economies. Under his leadership, SJCF cultivated a culture of collaboration and partnership-building with other organizations to attract outside philanthropic investment, including support from the James Irvine Foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and the Gates Foundation.
Moses began his career in public service in 2012 when he was first elected to the Stockton City Council. There, he was a staunch advocate for greater transparency, elevating the community's voice in public discourse, and improving public safety through community policing. In 2016, former California Governor Jerry Brown appointed him to the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, where he was elected by his peers as chair of the board. During his tenure, Moses promoted government accessibility, co-chaired the county's first homelessness task force that led to reforms, and advocated for environmentally friendly transportation legislation.
Born and raised in Stockton, Moses is the son of Mexican American immigrants and the first in his family to graduate from college. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California and his law degree from Humphreys University School of Law in 2010. He also holds a master's degree in public affairs from the University of California, Berkeley.
Vanessa is a Tulsa Native who graduated from Thomas Edison High School in 1989. Vanessa attended Jackson State University in Jackson Mississippi where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/Pre-Law in 1993. She also received a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from The University of Tulsa in 1995. In preparation for running for the office of City Council, District 1 (2014), Vanessa returned to school and earned her Master of Science in Management (MSM) degree in 2013 from Southern Nazarene University.
Vanessa Hall-Harper has served as the Tulsa District 1 City Councilor since 2016. She is also a Political Science Adjunct Professor at Tulsa Community College as well as a private consultant. Vanessa worked for over 25 years in the Tulsa County system. She was employed with the Tulsa Health Department for over 20 years. Prior to working in public health, Vanessa was an Intake Counselor at the Tulsa County Juvenile Bureau for over 6 years. Vanessa has been married for more than 25 years to Lt. Marcus Harper (Tulsa Police Department) and they have one daughter, Kaylyn.
Vanessa is also a community activist who is passionate about uplifting her community. She volunteers and serves on a plethora of boards and committees such as the:
She has also been involved in several community initiatives such as the creation of the African American Affairs Commission within the City of Tulsa infrastructure, the rebuilding of B.C. Franklin Park, the creation of the Tulsa Expungement Expo, the District 1 Housing and Policy Committee, the Tulsa Black Contractor’s Association, Public Hearings on Tulsa’s Equality Indicators related to Policing and the need for an Independent Monitor Office to monitor the Tulsa Police Department. In addition, Vanessa led a successful campaign for a moratorium on discount dollar stores and the implementation of a Healthy Neighborhoods Overlay to address the proliferation of dollar stores in District 1. She further addressed the food security problem in District 1 by bringing a quality grocery to the area which opened in May 2021. Vanessa is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Vanessa also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, playing dominoes and spades, singing in her church choir at Paradise Baptist Church and watching her Dallas Cowboys!
As Vice President – Community Impact & Systems Change, Camille Llanes-Fontanilla plays a key role on the Sobrato Philanthropies’ leadership team with responsibility for creating and implementing an overarching vision and strategy for impact across the Silicon Valley region, policy and systems change at the state level, and influencing place-based models and investments across the nation. She inspires and unites key stakeholders towards collective community-centered action and systemic, scaled outcomes.
Previously, Camille served as the Executive Director of SOMOS Mayfair, working alongside community members to spur resident-led solutions in education, economic justice, and community development. During her tenure, Camille led sizable organizational growth; built deep community partnerships; and brought over $30M of investments into east San Jose. Camille serves on the advisory boards of SPUR San Jose, Housing Accelerator Fund, and San Jose Downtown Association, and is a founding member of the Si Se Puede Collective.
Camille was born and raised in east San Jose and continues to raise two young children there with her husband, Ryan. She has a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and a minor in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, Berkeley and a master’s degree in Public Administration from San Jose State University.
Meet Taylor-Rae West, a 22-year-old business consultant and community organizer who proudly calls Tulsa, Oklahoma, home. His love for exploring the incredible world God has crafted for His people brings him immense joy.
Taylor's commitment to leaving no brother, sister, or youth behind extends beyond his love for brotherhood connections. Taylor-Rae is deeply involved in the AME church. For four years, he served as the Vice President of the Young People's Division at Historic Vernon AME, followed by a year as Parliamentarian in the Oklahoma conference and a five-year tenure as Worship Director for Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Beyond the church walls, Taylor's journey takes him into the heart of Oklahoma's political landscape. Then a two term Chair and 1 term Vice Chair of the Young Democrats of Oklahoma Black Caucus, he actively engaged in the political discourse, working on various campaigns from US Senate and US House to the Oklahoma Senate, House, grassroots initiatives, and within the Oklahoma democratic party executive administration.
Currently on the academic front, Taylor is pursuing a degree in Organizational Leadership at Langston University. Taylor is also a member of the Langston University Marching Pride, the LU National Association of Black Journalists Chapter, and the current Chief Justice of the general counsel.
In 2021 Taylor began contributing to the Episcopal operations for the Office of Bishop Francine Brookins, Esq. and the Office of Mother Supervisor Dr. Miriam Burnett, overseeing 5 South African countries from 2021 - 2024, and 2024 - Present states Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansa, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Professionally, Taylor wears many hats, he is currently a Content Producer at Rolling Out Magazine of Atlanta, GA, elevating black entrepreneur and black venture capital stories. Simultaneously, as a Corporate and Community Relations Intern for Reworld Waste, a world-leading waste-to-energy company, and the youngest Commissioner serving on the City of Tulsa's Reparations Commission. As the journey continues, Taylor is devoted to making a sustainable impact one community at a time.
Ken Cherry is a visionary and success-driven business leader, with a track record of delivering sustained business results through integrated balanced leadership and supply chains strategies. He joined Amazon in June 2022 from UPS, where he spent almost 38 years, most recently as President, US Operations Transformation, directing operations for numerous business units in U.S. Small Package, Supply Chain Solutions, and Information Technology. Ken’s accomplishments include leading transformation efforts, designing and implementing processes to improve the customer experience and drive efficiency in frontline operations. Ken built, from the ground up, a new operations training team, comprised of more than 130 team members, to design and administer curricula for every small package operations management role.
Ken Cherry is the Vice President of the newly formed Devices Planning, Logistics and Technology (DPLT) organization at Amazon Lab126 in Sunnyvale. Ken is a visionary and success-driven business leader who leads his organization to develop easy and seamless experiences for our customers, maximizing access to Amazon products and services. Ken places heavy emphasis on “Character”, “Results”, “Change” and “Inclusion” as key tenets for his team success.
In Ken’s Own Words:
Working with people and seeing them grow and succeed have been what I enjoy most about any job I’ve held. That’s why I am excited to be part of the Amazon team. I look forward every day to hear the ideas and ambitions of this exciting group of people and help guide the direction of things to come.
I’m motivated by my family. My wife, Shannon, and I have four children who remind us every day that amazing things are possible. I’ve lived in many parts of the United States and always treasure seeing and experiencing new people and places. I enjoy playing golf and exercising.
This is the African American Community Service Agency's 44th year producing the Juneteenth in the Street Festival in San Jose. For over 43 years, the Juneteenth Festival in San Jose/Silicon Valley has averaged over 6,000 attendees. Entertainment has ranged from artists like Anthony Hamilton, Case, Faith Evans, Ledisi, Jon B., Reuben Studdard, and Brandy to groups like the Drifters with a wide range of local artists from Rap/Hip Hop to R&B, Gospel, and Jazz. Our wide variety of food, artwork, retailers, community services and local businesses have been a major draw for event attendees. The Festival celebrates African American heritage and is an opportunity to educate the community on topics ranging from health to educational and financial literacy. This year, as the community is re-emerging after a long year of struggle, celebrating our resilience together will be especially meaningful.