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

Out On The Town: Van Jones | Never Park Again | Hot Shot of the Week | Colors of Christmas | 100 Black Men and More...

Dec. 10th - Movement 50 Hosts Van Jones.  Earlier in the day Mr. Jones moved the crowd with his introduction of keynote speaker Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Intel/Diversity in Tech event in Santa Clara, CA.  During the evening, the same day, Mr. Jones commanded the stage at Impact HUB Oakland and in his true to form nature, always having a strong message to deliver, he addressed the movement around "Black Lives Matter" to the mission of #YesWeCode, which is a new initiative, founded by Mr. Jones, to train 100,000 people from low-income communities to code.  Mr. Jones put into very plain context that it's not that law enforcement officers are afraid of the violence that African American boys and men may do to them, but rather they are afraid of the potential of success of these individuals.  Movement 50, the group that hosted the event, are a group of new leaders, activists, artists, entrepreneurs, and pioneers energized about the future direction of Oakland and motivated to engage the larger community in joining that movement.  The organization started with the need to bring together the Bay Area's diversity and talent in order to harness that collective power towards change.

 

Dec. 13th - 100 Black Men of the Bay Area, 26th Annual Scholarship Dinner.  The damp weather in San Francisco did not stop close 600 supporters from gathering at the Marriott Hotel dressed to impress and ready to celebrate the many successes of their various programs throughout the year. The organization has several programs supporting youth: Youth Movement Program, The Junior 100 College Bound Mentoring Program, and The Collegiate 100 Black Men at UC Berkeley.  In 2014 they awarded $25,000 in scholarships and since their inception in 1988 they have awarded over $1.2M in educational scholarships and grants. The Gala Chair this year was Mr. Danny L. Williams and the MC of the hour was the funny and talented Daniel Dugar, and award recipients were: Michael Morgan, Oakland East Bay Symphony - Community Achievement Award; KBLX 102.9 - Corporate Community Achievement Award; Kazan, McClain et al - Corporate Achievement Award; and Robert L. Harris, Esq. - Lifetime Achievement Award. 

100 Black Men of America, Inc. seeks to serve as a beacon of leadership by utilizing our diverse talents to create environments where our children are motivated to achieve, and to empower our people to become self-sufficient shareholders in the economic and social fabric of the communities we serve.  Now more than 100 chapters and 10,000 members and still growing.

{Photo Lf to Rt: Daryle Wyte, 100 Black Men; Dr. Pastor Charley Hames, Jr., Beebe Memorial Cathedral; Michael DeFlorimonte, theREGISTRYBayArea}

 

ZIRX - Never Park Again.  I think I've FINALLY found a driver - well a driver of sorts - and I never have to worry about parking again.  For the many meetings and events that I attend in a day, I have to actually factor in time just to find parking which can add close to two additional hours to the hustle and bustle of the day.  Thank the stars for ZIRX, a parking concierge.  You simply download the app on either your Android or iPhone, stop you car near the address where you're going, request a driver/agent via your cell phone and usually arrive within 5 minutes they show up.  The agent will then take your car while you shop, do errands, attend meetings, etc..  Then, when you're done just call the agent and within about 15 minutes they show up with your car.  The $15 daily price includes it all: pickup, storage, redelivery, and tip.  Go online to read more about insurance, full day rates, etc. Read more - Zirx

 

Dec. 16th - Colors of Christmas w/Peabo Bryson @ Davies Symphony Hall.  From joining the crowd to engage in selfies to serenading the women and children, Peabo Bryson is a crowd favorite every year and I look forward to the event every year.  The Colors Of Christmas is an annual holiday musical celebration hosted by R&B sensation Peabo Bryson. Joined by a changing selection of musicians, Peabo Bryson and friends ring in Christmas every year with a musical evening full of favorite pop and Christmas hits.

This year, Peabo Bryson was accompanied by Taylor Dayne, best known for her No. 1 single Love Will Lead You Back and Tony and Grammy winner Jennifer Holliday, as well as American Idol Ruben Studdard, for an unforgettable performance. Every year the concert is backed by a full orchestra and the selected choir has been directed by the highly regarded and internationally known director, singer, songwriter, musician and Bay Area's own Jeffery Williams. - {Photo Lf.: Carolyn Tyler, Anchor ABC7)



 

Dec. 18th - The African American Employee Network (AAEN) Holiday Mixer @ W San Francisco.  Did you make it? I hope so because it's certainly an annual holiday event that you don't want to miss.  Some of the most influential movers and shakers in the Bay Area are all in the house, under one roof at one time which is rare.  It's not about passing business cards but more about 'cultivating a relationships' with the men and women who are moving the dial in both as corporate professionals and entrepreneurs.  As much as they are professionals they also know how to party and 'get it in' do it was not a 'stuffy' evening, but rather lot of good conversation, great music and smooth vibes.

AAEN of the Bay Area is a collaborative network of African American employee resource groups from the private, public, and educational sectors in the Greater Bay Area community. AAEN was organized by representatives from EY (Nicole Felix), Merrill Lynch (David Spencer), michaelD. Communications (Michael DeFlorimonte) and PG&E (Dela Weeks ) in direct response to a need expressed by members of the corporate community.  AAEN objectives are focused in four areas: Career/Professional Development • Financial Management • Work/Life Balance • Technology.  AAEN launched in Oct. 2011with an event sponsored by Merrill Lynch. Fifteen Bay Area corporations were represented. Today, AAEN is in contact with 30 Bay Area employee resource groups and associations.

 

 

Dec. 13th, 100 Black Men Annual Scholarship Gala.  Ms. Natalie Gunn and Mr. Bakari Adams were the 'BEST DRESSED couple of the evening. Done and Done!


And go!