Dr. Chris Jones, former head of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, a nonprofit organization based in North Little Rock, is running for governor of the state as a Democrat in the 2022 race. A newcomer to politics, Jones, 44, said he had been turned off by the political divisions and chaos of the past few years. Jones has received wide acceptance by Arkansans with recent endorsement by prominent citizens of Arkansas.

“Our campaign is about lifting people up and building a fair Arkansas so there are opportunities for all of us,” he said, adding that “the reality of this moment in our nation’s history is that if we want our politics to be different, we have to be different.”

An ordained minister, Jones will appear at Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church, 1188 12th St., Oakland on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. The luncheon is from 11:00-2:00 p.m.

“The Journey to the Vision”

Faith-based organization leaders often discuss their visions today, but not the struggles that brought them to now. On Sept. 27, 2022, OCCUR and San Francisco Foundation FAITHS will present a special Zoom Leadership Forum and AMBOF Year-End Celebration “The Journey to the Vision.” Guest speakers include Fred Blackwell, CEO, San Francisco Foundation; Wanda Johnson, Founder, the Oscar Grant Foundation; Dee Johnson, Executive Director, the Lend a Hand Foundation; and Dr. Nadine Scott, Founder, Ariel Outreach Mission. Like so many leaders working in the trenches daily to make life better for us all, these extraordinary individuals have, somewhere along the line, confronted a moment that made the difference in how they emerged into who they are today.

“Some of these stories we know about, such as Wanda Johnson’s tragic loss of her son Oscar Grant, others we’ve yet to learn. During this Forum, these champions for change will teach faith-based and nonprofit leaders serving underrepresented communities of color how to push forward, despite facing difficult and even hostile environments in a time that many people deny that this is our reality,” says Carmen Bogan, the Program’s Director. Participants will learn how to turn tragedy into purpose, build powerhouse organizations from little or nothing, reinvent their organization or themselves, honor and build legacy in their work, stabilize their funding once and for all, and find their base of community support and action.

The journey to the vision can lead to change, transformation, and triumph. Join us for the celebration!

Date/Time: September 27, 2022, 9am-11am PST

Location: Zoom

How to Attend: Please RSVP on our website, amodelbuiltonfaith.org

Questions: Email info@occurnow.org, or call (510) 839-2440

NABVETS and other Bay Area veterans groups will join together with East Bay Regional Park District to go fishing, 9:00am to 2:30pm Saturday, September 27 at the Oakley Regional Shoreline (Antioch Pier) at Bridgehead Road and Wilbur Avenue, Antioch, CA.

Buses will provide free transportation from Richmond and Concord. For information, view the flyer below or call 510-545-2554.