Community

Airbnb’s Julie Wenah Honored at Congressional Black Caucus Convention

Published

6 years ago

October 2, 2018

Julie Wenah, Airbnb Consul, Community Operations was recently honored during the Congressional Black Caucus Convention in Washington, D.C. for Excellence in Work, Service and Community. The Rise Luncheon, presented by Big Ideas Group (BIG), at Joe’s Seafood Restaurant featured Wenah and several others.

“This was so unexpected,” said Wenah. “I’ve always strived to do for my family, work and community. It feels great to be honored.”

Wenah, a Georgetown Law School graduate, who previously worked for the Obama Administration says her sense of community comes from her parents, Houston upbringing and Nigerian roots.

Wenah said, “Culture, wherever you are, you carry with you and no matter the space or place we are better together – building one another up.

“Working for President Obama and Mrs. Obama was amazing. I learned a lot from the best – they were a great example. Wenah says she dedicates her award to her deceased father and living mother who taught her the art of persistence and perseverance. “We all face challenges and when we reap the triumphs it makes the journey well worthwhile.”

As the president of the Black Employee Resources Group (BERG) at Airbnb, Wenah leads within one of the most powerful companies of the shared economy. “Our group ensures that people of color, Black, African American, Black Latina, Caribbean or African, have a sense of community within the company that enhances our employment experience.”

The BERG hosted a Black tech panel for Oakland Unified School District students along with a screening of Black Panther during Black History Month.

“It’s always wonderful to see the next generation learning from people who reflect their community. This helps them see more clearly what’s possible, what’s achievable,” said Wenah.

Wenah and the BERG team also hosted a Juneteenth celebration and Black business bazaar at the company’s San Francisco headquarters.

“It’s important to bring the community into our space. Oftentimes large companies are a huge presence in a community with no ties. Our core business is platform that bringing people together throughout the world, so why not open our own backyard,” she said.

Wenah’s peers say she has a knack for bringing people together. At her own birthday party she hosted this summer, she created a self reflective atmosphere by requesting guests to share their favorite song and vision for themselves. Guests were pleasantly surprised that the exercise was in fact a musical cipher that they all participated in as she videotaped.

When not providing legal support for Airbnb, Wenah leads a weekly dance class at work, produces music and attends conferences. Wenah hopes to provide young women and girls with a platform that helps them reach their full potential.

“By providing them the tools, mentorship and living examples, they can transform this world we live in,” she said.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

6 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

6 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.