Oakland East Bay Symphony Annual Gala 2014

On September 13, 2014, supporters of Oakland East Bay Symphony’s music and education programs came together at University of California, Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium to have a great time for a wonderful cause, raising $105,000 to keep music thriving in Oakland and the East Bay. The Oakland Symphony Ball, chaired by Symphony Board President Jim Bell and sponsored by Bell Investment Advisors and J.Lohr Vineyards & Wines, transported guests to an opening night in the golden age of Broadway - the 1950s! The evening included performances from Oakland Symphony Chorus Chamber Singers, the Symphony’s Assistant Principal Cellist Joseph Hébert, jazz violinist and composer Mads Tolling, who will be premiering a piece on the Symphony’s 2014-15 season, and Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra violinist Casadora Boone, who also shared her story of growth through the Symphony’s education programs.

Photos: Son Lu
Oakland East Bay Symphony

Technology Round-Up (Oakland, CA): MindBlown Labs - Black Girls Code - Hack The Hood

Jason Young – MindBlown Labs

Harvard graduate, JASON YOUNG, is the Founder & CEO of  MindBlown Labs, ,an education technology company based on Oakland, CA that creates highly interactive, experiential learning tools to empower young people to make better life decisions. Its first financial capability solution is Thrive 'n' Shine, a captivating mobile app/game that teaches teens and young adults about personal finance.  This game player creates a character, chooses a career and then starts making choices about where to live, what to buy or spend money on, and how to save for things like college, tuition or mortgages.  Young was inspired to start this company after watching his mother, a single parent, go through an eviction from their home after not being able to keep up with a high interest mortgage loan that ultimately exceed the family’s income capacity.  It was apparent to Young at that time the importance of making the sound financial decisions.

Young was recently appointed to the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young People.  The Council is focused, as Young understands it, on “creating tangible and innovative partnerships between public and private organizations that will drive change. Young is also the co-founded of the Hidden Genius Project which was designed to help low-income youth learn coding skills and develop work habits.

MindBlown Lab’s goal is to impact 20 million teens and young adults by the year 2020. They are pursuing this goal by partnering with high schools, colleges, non-profits, and other institutions that can help us scale our impact.

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Kimberly Bryant – Black Girls CODE

Kimberly Bryant is the Founder and Executive Director of Black Girls CODE, a non-profit organization in Oakland, CA dedicated to introducing girls of color (ages 7-17) to the field of technology and computer programming with a concentration on entrepreneurial concepts.  Since 2011 Ms. Bryant has helped Black Girls CODE grow from a local organization serving only the Bay Area, to an international non-profit organization with chapters in seven U.S. cities and Johannesburg, South Africa serving over 2000 African/African-American, Latina, and Native American girls.  Black Girls CODE offices are located at HUB Oakland, 1423 Broadway Street, Oakland, CA

Black Girls CODE is devoted to showing the world that black girls can code, and do so much more.  By reaching out to the community through workshops and after-school programs, the company introduces computer coding lessons to young girls from underrepresented communities in programming languages such as Scratch or Ruby on Rails.  By promoting classes and programs, Bryant hopes to grow the number of women of color working in technology and give underprivileged girls a chance to become the masters of their technological worlds.

Bryant has enjoyed a very successful 20+ year professional career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries as an Engineering Manager in a series of technical leadership roles for various Fortune 100 companies such as Genentech, Merck, and Pfizer.  In 2013 Bryant was selected by Business Insider as one of the “The 25 Most Influential African- Americans in Technology” she was also honored as a Champion of Change by the White House for her work in tech inclusion and for her focus on bridging the digital divide for girls. Bryant has been identified as a thought leader in the area of tech inclusion.

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Hack The Hood – Google Grant Challenge Winners

An Oakland-based organization, Hack the Hood, which trains youth how to build websites for local nonprofits and small businesses, has received a $500,000 grant from Google as part of its 2014 Bay Area Impact Challenge. Research shows that students from low-income communities aren’t exposed to the math and science training, or tech mentors that lead to job opportunities in the field.  Without this access, these students are underprepared for careers in science and technology.  Hack the Hood will address digital equity by training low-income kids to build websites for local small businesses, actively supporting them to launch their own tech careers. In two years, 5,000 students will support over 25,000 businesses across the Bay Area and receive technology training.  The grant will also help the organization expand in Oakland as well as in the five counties in the immediate Bay Area. In addition, the organization will use the grant to expand its curriculum and training materials and develop partnerships with nonprofits and schools.

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Upcoming Tech Events

Aisha Tyler - A Co-Host on THE TALK - She's Just Good!

The lovely and talented Aisha Tyler is engaging, honest, intelligent, hilarious, grounded and above all your ‘around the way woman’ from the city of beauty, that would be my hometown San Francisco.  On Sept. 3^rd CBS5/KPIX studios hosted a media day with Aisha in celebration of the launch of the 5^th Season of THE TALK which airs on Monday, Sept. 8^th at 1 pm PST.  Aisha makes it all look very easy as she graciously, yet intensely, responded to each media question with passion and humor.

Aisha Tyler was born on September 18 in San Francisco and grew up in the, now known as, Hayes Valley area.  She reminisced that it was called Fillmo’ when she lived in the area.  She is an actress and writer, and her most recent accomplishments are co-hosting THE TALK for the last 4 years, TALK SOUP and Whose Line Is It Anyway.  She also has a very robust podcast Girl on Guy and if you haven’t tuned in yet, I am SURE you will luv luv luv and enjoy the conversation.

Being a graduate of Darthmouth University, a college she immediately applied for after a high school counselor told her it was not be a good idea for her to attend the university, Aisha is extremely witty and she uses her intelligence in the most brilliants ways from comedy to being a best-selling author.  Having her hands in many pots is deliberate because she did not to give Hollywood an opportunity to put her in a box.  And the list of endeavors continue to grow as directing a major film is on her ‘bucket list’ but she is clear there are a number of things she needs to do in order to prepare for such an endeavor.

Aisha thrives on living in the midst of ‘fear moments’, as she deliberately goes after challenges that she has some fear around.  The one thing, however, that she had no fear in sharing last season on THE TALK, was her infertility in having a child.  She faced it head-on and was amazed at the number of women and men who were in relationships with women dealing with infertility, who responded in support of her sharing and how liberating and freeing it was for so many people.

Aisha has a very long successful list of acting and TV Host accomplishments.  To name a few: The Fifth Wheel, Friends, Archer, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 24, MADtv, Ghost Whisperer, Balls of Fury, Death Sentence, Boston Legal and The Boondocks and she is also an NAACP Image Award recipient.  As an author, Tyler’s first book Swerve: A Guide to the Sweet Life for Postmodern Girls  did very well and her 2^nd Self-Inflicted Wounds: Heartwarming Tales of Epic Humiliation--which became a New York Times bestseller -- is based upon questions asked of guests on Girl on Guy.

Tune in Monday, Sept. 8^th CBS5/KPIX at 1 pm PST for the premier of the 5^th Season of the THE TALK with co-host AISHA TYLER.

And go!

Berry Gordy - The Man Behind the MOTOWN Sound

It’s August 18, 2014, 11:30 a.m. and Oakland’s Civic Plaza is packed with people waiting anxiously to see Mr. Berry Gordy emerge on stage to greet everyone.  Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson has proclaimed BERRY GORDY DAY in Oakland, California and the community could not be more excited and thrilled.  If that was not enough, the town is on fire about MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, adding yet another epic endeavor by the genius himself, Mr. Berry Gordy.

Mr. Gordy graced our presence looking ‘dapper’, as usual, wearing one of the most stylist pin-stripped baby blue suits one has seen a 84-year young man rock.  He is all smiles, in great health and happy to be in Oakland for the celebration.  Just about every elected official in Oakland from Congresswoman Barbara Lee to Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed were in attendance in recognition of a man who gave the nation evergreen music that has yet to be compared.  Recognitions and acknowledgements from the Senate House to local government agencies were given to Mr. Gordy and he even received a ‘key’ to the City of Oakland, presented by Mayor Jean Quan.

The crowd then enjoyed several live performances from the casts members from Motown The Musical singing hits from Diana Ross, The Temptations and more.  The musical is currently playing at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco, August 15^th – September 28^th.  Don’t miss it!

Diverse & Dynamic - An Emmy Nomination Celebration

When TV stars and industry executives arrived to the Dynamic & Diverse 66^th Emmy Awards on August 12th, they were not only celebrating the year’s biggest small screen accomplishments but said they were welcoming the “new golden age of television.” The event, held at the Television Academy in North Hollywood, highlighted every form of diversity.  Jason George, who serves as chair of SAG-AFTRA’s diversity advisory committee said that the differences should be enjoyed rather than seen as something that keeps us apart.

The celebration not only highlighted actors, but also showrunners and executives who make their appearances on the show possible. Many pointed to “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” creator Shonda Rhimes for expanding the opportunity for people of diverse backgrounds.  For many of the night’s attendees, more diversity could be achieved on both TV and film. “Scandal’s” Jose Morton said there have been strides but there needs to be greater diversity in the storylines.

The Dynamic & Diverse event is in its second year, sparked last year by Kerry Washington’s nomination for lead actress in a drama series. Organizers said they wanted to once again set aside an evening to take note of diversity on television.  George closed the night’s speeches by excitedly announcing that Dynamic & Diverse celebration would now become an annual event during Emmy season.

And go!

10th Annual Fashion On The Square WEEK - A Huge Success!

The 10^th Annual Fashion On The Square (FOTS) WEEK ended on July 27, 2014 with a finale runway show at the InterContinental Hotel in San Francisco that did not disappoint.  The goal of FOTS Week was not only to showcase the best in fashion here in the Bay Area and honor trailblazers in the fashion and art industries, but it was a fundraising effort for FOTS+The Arts, a non-profit organization that gives grants and scholarships to students in the fashion industry who blend fashion and art in their work, whether it’s on the runway or in a visual representation. 

On Saturday, July 19^th FOTS Week kicked-off with a surprise FashMob in the middle of Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco.  A Sacramento dance troupe was a pleasant surprise to people standing around waiting for the ‘free summer music series’ to begin and the crowd really began to gather when they saw more than 15 models create an outdoor runway on the pavement in the middle of the gardens.  Even children who were not part of the fashion show found their way to the runway to take part in the festivities.  We were in, out and done all under 10 minutes. It was epic. 

On Saturday, July 20^th at Imagine Affairs in Oakland, the FOTS+The Arts Awards and Fashion Show was a phenomenal event and the awardees and attendees certainly made their red carpet attire appearances in style. From the vintage look in fashion by La Belle Moi (Ronita Wheatfall) to enjoying classical pianist and honoree Marcus McCauley, the evening was one that the Bay Area has never experience and it left everyone wanting more and more.  Other honorees who received FOTS+TheArts awards were Brownie Sims, Teresa Washington, Tevia Gray and Nana Kofi Nti.

On Wednesday, July 23^rd a VIP and Sponsor Appreciation Reception took place at the Jenkins Johnson Gallery in San Francisco and it was no stopping the designers that evening as they did not hold back on what they wanted everyone to see.  Guests, including FOTS Fashion Icon Awardee Wilkes Bashford and media mogul Dexter Davis, enjoyed sneak peeks from each designer of one of their signature looks that was going to be shown on the runway.  To add more enjoyment to the festivities, it was an entertainment surprise when ballerina Amanda Whipple tip toed her way down the staircase to the lower level of the gallery performing a very energetic routine while guests were nibbling on delicious miniature cupcakes and sipping Apple Pie wine by SF MEAD.

W San Francisco partnered with FOTS for their Inspire Series Luncheon on Thursday, July 24^th and the guest speaker Caity Shreve, Fashion, Fun and Fitness Blogger.  Caity shared amazing tips on ‘Work-Wear’ and it was enlightening to hear the tips and tricks of the best dress when transitioning careers and fitting into a new environment in the workplace.  It warmed my heart when W’s General Manager presented me with the W Inspire Award.  So excited!

The weekend of fashion, fashion and more fashion took place July 25^th at W San Francsico with Fresh Faces of FOTS, July 26^th on Maiden Lane with the children and teen show which included two adult wear designers and then the finale show on July 27^th at the InterContinental Hotel.  Throughout the entire weekend, more than 5,000 people enjoyed FOTS fashion and it was amazing how the FOTS+TheArts t-shirts sold like crazy the entire weekend.  Designers included Cindy Quach, Rachel Riot, Christina Morgan Cree, Lauren Barisic, Ricky Lee, Jake Wall, Sebastian Threadz, Jordan Epstein, Soazig Kaam, Wesley Yu, Wenting Tina Yu, Kanyarat Tapeneeyakorn and others.

There is always very little time between ending a FOTS year and preparing for the next year.  The 10-year journey has been a solid stepping stone for what is ‘to come’ and the only common denominator that you will find in FOTS 2015 is ‘it will happen’.  Rest assured what is to come for FOTS and FOTS+TheArts next year is nothing that has been seen or done before.  And go!

Press Coverage of FOTS Week: Wear Your Voice {Pre FOTS} Wear Your Voice - FOTS+TheArts Awards FaFaFoom