Saturday, April 9, 2016

Out On The Town: Michael Eric Dyson | Diann Valentine | Soledad O'Brien and more...

On April 8, 2016 the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Oakland/Bay Area Chapter hosted their 18th Annual Madam CJ Walker Scholarship Luncheon at the SF Marriott Marquis Hotel in downtown San Francisco.  Their keynote speaker and special guest was Debra Martin Chase, an Emmy nominated and Peabody Award winning television and motion picture producer whose has been affiliated with the Walt Disney Company since 2001.  Ms. Imani Brown, 17 year old high school student and recipient of the Essay Contest Award, gave an outstanding speech that celebrated her father for raising her to be a phenomenal young woman who aspires to study biochemical medicine in college.  She chose this major because of her interest in how DNA works and her interest in finding a cure for cancer.  See photos of this event HERE - Glass House Communications Facebook page and for more information about this organization visit www.onehundredblackwomen.com for more information.



On April 7, 2016 ColorComm launched the San Francisco Chapter with an Inaugural Luncheon at the Rotunda Restaurant inside Neiman Marcus.  The room was filled with excitement as everyone was over-the-moon to see so many women of color who work in the communications industry.  Keynote speaker, Daisy M. Auger-Dominguez, Global Head of Diversity Staffing at GOOGLE, delivered such an empowering and impactful message that everyone in the room connected became even more excited about their own journey in the profession.  The 2016 ColorComm annual conference takes place July 20-22 in Miami, FL and you can find more  HERE. {Photo: Y'Anad Burrell, Netta Haynes, Lauren Wesley Wilson, President Colorcom and Collette Luckie}


On April 2, 2016 Celebrity Wedding Planner Diann Valentine showcased her signature Bridal Cuff at I Do! Bridal Boutique in Oakland, CA.  Some of the best diamonds in a rough come out of Oakland, despite the negative vibe media gives The Town.  From giant tech companies like Pandora to social impact trailblazers like the Kapor Center, Oakland is, by far, one of the most sought after places to live right now.  When you're home-grown here and your life does not resemble what many have heard about this city, we then applaud and celebrate those who have made Oakland proud.  Who would have thought that a #1 Celebrity Wedding Planners would come out of East Oakland?  Ms. Diann Valentine left Oakland at the age of 26 to live in Los Angeles and pursue her 'love of love' and to this day her portfolio includes planning Toni Braxton's wedding  to being a TV Host.  Ms. Valentine was recently in Oakland at the I Do! Bridal Boutique for a trunk show featuring her signature Bridal Cuffs.  Check out her video HERE - Glass House Communications Facebook Page.

In March 2016 Heart and Soul Center of Light in Oakland, CA hosted Michael Eric Dyson as he talked about his book, The Black Presidency.  I have never been disappointed when hearing Mr. Dyson speak.  His perspectives, insights and overall knowledge continues to intriguing, engaging and constantly capturing my attention.  The renown Davey D moderated this event and from the beginning he dived right into reminding Mr. Dyson of his remarks about President Obama that were not so favorable during his first term as President and those views that remain today.  See a snippet of that conversation HERE - Glass House Communications Facebook Page.

On February 24, 2016 UCSF's Office of Diversity and Outreach hosted a Teach-in with CNN Correspondent Soledad O'Brien - Injustice and Health.  Many of us are familiar with Mrs. O'Brien's productions, "Black in America" and "Hispanic in America", and in the conversation UCSF she talked about how there are widespread healthcare injustices taking place towards African Americans, from the lack of a grocery store with fresh vegetables in their neighborhoods to the long period of time between the moment an African American is checked into an hospital to the time they will see a physician.  See my Twitter page @glasshousecomm for several video snippets from the event.

Diversity in Tech/Blacks in Tech.  The conversation has been heated for the last year or so, the lack of diversity in technology, which focused on African Americans, Hispanics and women.  While many corporations are yet still trying to 'figure it out', let's take a moment to celebrate those African Americans who are making waves in technology and doing it well.  Recently KQED did an article highlighting those trailblazers in tech saying, "Here, in the San Francisco Bay Area, there are a number of black engineers who are dedicated to increasing diversity in engineering. So we want to recognize some of those engineers—past and present—that have advanced, and continue to advance, diversity in STEM fields.  Read more HERE.

See you these upcoming event...
April 21 - May 5, 2016 - SF International Film Festival

For more events, visit theREGISTRYBayArea.com