The African American Community Service Agency (AACSA) is excited about the upcoming 43rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon program on Monday, January 16, 2023 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm.
Jaden is a junior at Stanford University majoring in economics and minoring in data science. After his undergraduate studies, he plans to attend law school. His interests inside and outside of the classroom align with his professional and personal interests. At Stanford, Jaden served as an Undergraduate Senator representing the student body and conducted economic policy research at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. This past summer, he worked as a Summer Associate at the Boston Consulting Group in social impact consulting and is excited to return to the firm this summer. He currently works as a foreign policy research assistant at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, is co-president of the Stanford Pre-Law Society, is an undergraduate fellow at the Stanford Law School Constitutional Law Center, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity.
Jaden deeply values community service, engagement, and mentorship. He has participated in multiple volunteer groups throughout his life. In 2019, he was recognized with the US President’s Volunteer Service Award. In 2021, he was added as a student member to the Board of Directors of the African American Community Service Agency. Jaden has been featured as a speaker at numerous community events and panels over the years, and he relishes opportunities to engage in community dialogue and celebration. He is honored and humbled to be able to host such a special community event today.
Seasoned political strategist, former CNN political commentator, and author Symone D. Sanders is a gifted communicator with a passion for problem solving, social justice, and in-depth analysis of today’s most important issues. Sanders previously served as the national press secretary for U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, the youngest person to ever hold that title. She served as a senior advisor for President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign and was appointed as a senior member of the Biden-Harris administration, and will now bring her nuanced and critical insight to MSNBC as the host of SYMONE, as well as serving as an anchor and hosting a show on The Choice, MSNBC’s digital streaming arm. In her book No, You Shut Up: Speaking Truth to Power and Reclaiming America, Sanders shares her take-no-prisoners approach to life, politics, and career success, advocating for a new generation to be powerful in their own right. A rousing call to leadership, Congresswoman Maxine Waters raved, “Symone’s honest and profound reflection on standing up and speaking out is sure to inspire young people across the country to become the change agents the world needs.”
Sanders is a highly sought-after commentator and speaker, from her TED Talk Stop asking permission!, to an invigorating conversation at SXSW, Politico’s 2019 Women Rule Summit, the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity, and many more. She served as the National Chair of the Coalition of Juvenile Justice Emerging Leaders Committee, a member of the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice, and in her role as principal of the 360 Group, Sanders worked on leading-edge solutions to tough political and social problems. Sanders shares her expertise in communication and political strategy, in-depth analysis of key political issues, and the challenges and possibilities for radical change with authenticity, humor, and insight.
With humility uncommon to those of like talent, Prentice Powell approaches every stage from London to South Africa, sharing his gift while allowing his art to speak for itself.As the former host/ curator of the prestigious open mic Mouth Off Wednesdays in Oakland California for six years, Prentice is an educator, family man, writer and a highly accomplished spoken word artist.
He has been recognized as a National Slam Finalist & Grand Slam Champion and is also a NAACP Image Award Nominee.
Powell has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder,Stevie Wonder, The Roots, Sevyn Streeter, Anthony Hamilton, Faith Evans, and along with his fellow Fiveology members, opened for Jill Scott during her 2013 Summer Tour. Prentice has recently began writing commercials for the luxury car brand Lexus and McDonalds.
Recently landing his first role in the Hollywood feature film "She Ball" with Nick Cannon & Chris Brown. He has become a reoccurring performance artist at the Annual Essence Fest Held In New Orleans.
Prentice is the only poet to have appeared on all six seasons of Lexus Verses & Flow with eleven episodes to his credit and became the only artist to perform on the Arsenio Hall Show, a record three times. Recently writing and appearing in a commercial campaign for the 2020 Emmys.
Prentice Powell's spoken and written talent is notable, considering that both adequately communicate the depth of his consciousness in rhyme.
As a distinguished member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., he embodies the mentality of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the desire to uplift humanity, all in the midst of continuing to define himself.
Victoria Thúy Vi McDowell is a 19 year old artist that can sing in 8 languages, play the piano, and play the violin. She is currently a second-year Vocal Performance Music Major at San Jose State University. She has a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and was named the “Voice of San Jose, Jr.” by the San Jose City Council for singing the US, Vietnamese and African American Anthems at San Jose City Hall, stadiums, and many community events. She was just recently renamed by the San Jose City Council as “The Voice of The Capitol of Silicon Valley”. She is honored to sing often at many events for non-profits that support children, the elderly, the disabled, and the underserved.
In 2015, she won best emotional vocals on VSTAR Kids and signed a one year contract with Thúy Nga Paris By Night Productions. In 2016, she traveled to Naples, Italy to perform at Piazza del Plebiscito plaza for a PBS special. In 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, she won the Gold Star for the Northern California NAACP ACT-SO competition for Contemporary and Classical Vocals and also won in the Classical Instrumental category with the piano in 2020. In 2018, she won first place in the South Bay Teen Idol competition. In 2019, she was crowned as Miss Teen Vietnam USA. She has been featured in the center fold of Silicon Valley’s Concierge magazine, on the cover and in an article of Sống Thần magazine, and more recently on the cover and in an article of Bút Tre Magazine. She released two Vietnamese albums in 2014, “Tôi Mơ” and “Em Đến Chùa”, and released her third album, “Hoa Tím Người Xưa”, in 2021, now accumulating over 4 million streams in total over many platforms. In 2022, she had the honor of performing in a choir at Carnegie Hall in New York representing her school and performed in the choir on stage with Andrea Bocelli at the SAP Center in San Jose and Chase Center in San Francisco.
Capture the attention of the complete Virtual MLK Luncheon attendee or pinpoint a group particular to your organization’s specialized interests by being a sponsor at the 43rd Annual MLK Luncheon. With one of these unique opportunities you have the flexibility to deliver a message, drive brand recognition or create an opportunity for interaction. A representative from the African American Community Service Agency, the host for the luncheon, can provide you will full details, options and pricing for any of the high-visibility Premier Opportunities identified here.
As a virtual vendor, not only will you be able to distribute your information at the 43rd Annual MLK Luncheon, we also will provide you additional exposure via our web site. A representative from the MLK Luncheon Vendor Selection Committee, can provide you with full details on the package and information needed to ensure your business is promoted on our website before, during and after the event.
Thank you to those who chose to be a part of the MLK Luncheon experience by placing your ad in our Souvenir Journal!
Please view this year's journal with acknowledgments, awardees, special guests, vendors & sponsors, by clicking the link below!
Proceeds of the Souvenir Journal goes toward the African American Community Service Agency programs.