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

April 23, 2016 - African Americans Making Connections - FREE

April 30, 2016 - MoAD Vanguard - It's Afropolitan

For more events, visit theREGISTRYBayArea.com

City of Oakland Pays $12K+ per month - Race & Equity Consultant

"Dante James, who heads the Office of Equity and Human Rights in Portland, Ore., will steer the City of Oakland's new department on Race & Equity until permanent employees can be found, with a salary of $12,250 a month.  The Oakland City Council voted unanimously in June to grant the new agency $467,000 each year in perpetuity, approving an ordinance to ensure its annual funding. The city is kicking in another $150,000 to get it started. Eventually a director and program analyst designated for the agency will be hired and they will be expected to train other city employees to understand how racism is entrenched in government and society.."

Read more here - City of Oakland's New Race & Equity Department

Out On The Town: Donna Brazile | Twitter | David Glover Legacy Awards | Bishop Keith Clark | Tristan Walker and more...

November 3, 2015 - Diversity & Inclusion - A Twitter Moment.  Twitter Engineering Manager Leslie Miley, the only black engineer in a leadership position at Twitter, just publicly announced that he has left the company. In his post, he says his reasons for leaving have everything to do with the way Twitter is addressing diversity and inclusion. Though Miley was laid off as part of Twitter’s cuts in October, he says he had already told Twitter that he had planned on leaving at the end of October. He also passed on the severance package so that he could speak openly about his experience at Twitter. So, it seems as if Twitter was hoping to silence Miley by bundling him into the company’s layoffs.  Read the rest of the article here.

On October 25, 2015 OCCUR hosted their 2^nd Annual David Glover Legacy Awards at Impact HUB Oakland.  Mr. Glover, who passed away in 2013, was the Executive Director of OCCUR for over 20 years where he led in the development of the Eastmont Technology Center and the “A Model Built on Faith” program.  Widely recognized for his leadership, execution skills, and vision, during his lifetime Glover was honored with Community Service Awards from the Niagara Democratic Club, the National Association of Black Planners, the National Council of Negro Women, and the Bay Area Black United Fund. He also received a Profile in Excellence Award from KGO TV, a Leadership Award from Black Business Listings, an Outstanding Citizen Resolution from the City of Oakland and a recent proclamation from the City as well.  Some of the recipients of the legacy awards this year were: Paul Cobb, Publisher of Post Newspaper | Regina Jackson, CEO & Executive Director, EYODC | Christian D. Anderson, Director, Venture Design Meyehoffer, Inc. and others.  Read more about OCCUR here.

On September 29th at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center in San Francisco, USA Today hosted a panel discussion on the topic "How Much Disruption Do You Need to Succeed" with Change Agents in the tech field.  The event was moderated by USA Today Change Agents columnist Marco della Cava and San Francisco Bureau Chief Jon Swartz. Panelists included leading tech entrepreneurs Ron Johnson (Enjoy, formerly Apple, Target), Tristan Walker (Walker & Co. Brands, foursquare) and Meredith Perry (founder of uBeam wireless charging) and venture capitalist Shruti Gandhi (Array Ventures, formerly True Ventures, Samsung).   as they reveal the challenges and rewards facing entrepreneurs who are looking to invent new business paradigms. Is investor Peter Thiel’s "Zero to One" maxim the only way to roll, or are there ways to find success by tweaking the status quo? Whether you’re an industry veteran or looking to write your name in the tech firmament, don’t miss this first-in-a-series of lively tech-world downloads, which will result in a story in USA TODAY. - See more here.  

On October 1st the National Diversity Council hosted its Northern California Diversity & Leadership Awards and Conference in San Francisco with the keynote address being delivered by Veteran Democratic political strategist, Donna Brazile.  Some of the awards for the Most Powerful Influential Women included Peggy  Abkemeier Alford, VP @ PayPal | Lisa Cleary, VP @ Dreambase | Yvonne Thomson, VP @ Symantec.  Some of the recipients of the Multicultural Leadership Awards went to Rachel Williams, Head of Diversity & Inclusion @ Yelp | Keith White, Senior VP @ Gap |and Jolin Anderson, Sr. VP @ Visa.  Lastly, the Diversity First Leadership Awards went to Barbara Williams Hardy, Director of Diversity & Inclusion @ Oracle and also to the Black ERG of Blue Shield of CA.  For more information about the Council read here.  Y’Anad Burrell, Board VP, Bay Area Chapter – California Diversity Council.

On October 4, 2015, the Word Assembly, A Family of Churches celebrated Bishop Keith L. Clark’s 22 years of leadership at the Word Uptown Campus, 2333 Harrison St., Oakland.  Bishop Clark has taken the City of Oakland beyond a 21st Century millennial experience through skillful leadership and diligent heartfelt efforts to make a positive impact and change in the community and beyond. Under his leadership, Word Assembly now has 5 campuses throughout the Bay Area and their Food Ministry program, known as "Love-N-Action", has expanded from one location to two, now serving both East and West Oakland.  Bishop Clark, known as a "Man's Man", has been given the special gift to uplift, motivate and encourage men. He has made a major impact in the lives of men in Oakland and throughout the Bay Area with a Men's Ministry that started with a movement he created, 'Bring Our Men Back' (BOMB). Read more about Word Assembly here.

On September 15th the Karen Jenkins Johnson Gallery in San Francisco hosted the Museum of the African Diaspora ( MoAD) VIP Reception for their upcoming 10th Anniversary Gala.  This reception is in anticipation of MoAD’s annual gala as it allows an opportunity to meet and network with their Board of Directors as well as institution leaders.  As a MoAD Vanguard Advisory Leader Member, I really look forward to this annual reception as it's my opportunity to invite people of color who are interested in the arts to not only a space which has one of the most intriguing and dynamic exhibits throughout the year, but also to meet donors and art enthusiasts.  See more about MoAD here and the hosted space here.

Read about more event here: theREGISTRYbayarea.com