Bay Area
NCBW Holds 25th Annual Madam CJ Walker Recognition Luncheon
The atmosphere was fully charged at the 25th annual Madam C.J. Walker Business and Community Recognition Luncheon and Empowerment Forum held by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) on Friday, March 24 at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.
![Darlene Goins: Executive Vice President, Head of Banking Inclusion Initiative Consumer and Small Business Banking, Darlene Goins of Wells Fargo, center, receives the NCBW Oakland Legacy Award from NCBW Oakland President Frances Cohen left, NCBW Oakland Luncheon Chair Shari Woolridge, right. Photo By Carla Thomas](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CJ-Walker-Luncheon-featured-web.jpg)
By Carla Thomas
The atmosphere was fully charged at the 25th annual Madam C.J. Walker Business and Community Recognition Luncheon and Empowerment Forum held by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) on Friday, March 24 at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.
Kicking off the luncheon to the sounds of Whitney Houston’s rendition of “I’m Every Woman,” each NCBW Oakland chapter member strutted to the center of the event space sporting solid black dresses accented by their NCBW 100 pin.
Within minutes the crowd applauds the chapter joined by the girls’ empowerment members of the organization’s Positive Steps program dressed in black and white apparel, representing the next generation of leaders in training.
The luncheon, named in honor of the first African American millionairess in the country, Madam C. J. Walker, is always graced by the presence of Walker’s great-great granddaughter, A’Lelia Bundles. “I am filled with joy as I see what has blossomed through the NCBW’s work with women and girls and creating the largest annual event celebrating Madam Walker’s legacy.”
NCBW Oakland President Frances Cohen said, “It’s an honor to celebrate the legacy of Madam CJ Walker and recognize the accomplishments of our honorees while showing our young girls what excellence looks like.”
![Jacqueline A. Thompson: Allen Temple Baptist Church Senior Pastor, Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson, center, receives the NCBW Oakland Pioneer Award from NCBW Oakland President Frances Cohen, left, and NCBW Oakland Luncheon Chair Shari Woolridge. Photo By Carla Thomas.](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NCBW-Jacqeline-Thompson-caption1.remini-enhanced-169x300.jpg)
Jacqueline A. Thompson: Allen Temple Baptist Church Senior Pastor, Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson, center, receives the NCBW Oakland Pioneer Award from NCBW Oakland President Frances Cohen, left, and NCBW Oakland Luncheon Chair Shari Woolridge. Photo By Carla Thomas.
![Yvonne Hines: Yvonne’s Southern Sweets owner, Yvonne Hines, center, receives the NCBW Oakland Entrepreneur Award from NCBW Oakland President Frances Cohen, left, and NCBW Oakland Luncheon Chair Shari Woolridge right. Photo By Carla Thomas](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NCBW-Yvonne-Hines-caption-2-300x169.jpg)
Yvonne Hines: Yvonne’s Southern Sweets owner, Yvonne Hines, center, receives the NCBW Oakland Entrepreneur Award from NCBW Oakland President Frances Cohen, left, and NCBW Oakland Luncheon Chair Shari Woolridge right. Photo By Carla Thomas
Keynote speaker Orlena Nwokah Blanchard, president of the Joy Collective and chief architect of the Crown Act, a movement to end race-based hair discrimination gave a heartfelt speech.
Blanchard shared her personal story of rediscovering her resilience after mourning the death of her father and after shouldering the burdens of racism as she fought for social justice. Blanchard was influential in reintroducing the Crown Act in March of 2021 in the U.S. Senate, passed by the House of Representatives in 2022. The Crown Act provides protections for women that might otherwise be discriminated for wearing their natural hair at work.
Positive Steps essay contest winner Adeyemisi Rucker, a senior at Bishop O’Dowd, read of her commitment to excellence and making a difference before the audience. “As young women who will eventually become leaders in our community, it is important that we work together to make a positive impact and create change in the society we live in,” said Rucker. “Through Positive Steps, I have learned that if we stand together and make a commitment to excellence, we will see a notable difference in the world around us.”
Awards were presented to Ernestine Nettles, Compliance Officer of the City of Oakland for Advocacy and Yvonne Hines of Yvonne’s Southern Sweets for entrepreneurship.
Hines, whose company has grown from a shop in San Francisco’s Bay View Hunters Point to having space as a vendor at the Golden State Warriors’ Chase Center, acknowledged her mother in the audience. “Mom, I want to thank you for all of your support.”
Rev. Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson of Allen Temple Baptist Church received the Pioneer Award as her congregation members in attendance cheered.
LaSandra Hunt of JP Morgan Chase received the Corporate Award and thanked the NCBW for the mentoring she received as a teen in the Positive Steps program. “I would not be where I am today without the Positive Steps program,” said Hunt.
Darlene Goins of Wells Fargo was presented the Legacy Award. Goins served on the philanthropic side of Wells Fargo for five years prior. Her thought leadership contributed to the creation and launching of the new trailblazing department she leads. “We are expanding our services to reach the unbanked and underbanked community members,” she said.
Before the luncheon, the NCBW hosted an empowerment forum moderated by Verlena D. Green-Telusca, a senior partner at the V.D.G. Law Group. The forum featured Small Business Banker Hayet Akuaku of Wells Fargo Bank, Cassandra Lewis Cummings, associate director of Marketing for Clorox, and Certified Small Business Consultant and Vice President of the Minority Entrepreneurs Initiative, Nykole Prevost of J.P. Morgan Chase.
“Financial literacy and economic empowerment with the right partnerships will help our communities move forward and create legacies of generational wealth,” said Cohen, who, along with NCBW Event Chair Shari P. Wooldridge, was given special recognition for their service to the NCBW.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of July 24 – 30, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 24 – 30, 2024
![](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/oakland-post-7-24-24-featured-web.jpg)
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.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of July 17 -23, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 17 -23, 2024
![](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/oakland-7-17-final-featured-web.jpg)
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.
Bay Area
Op-Ed Senate Bill 966 Threatens Health Equity in East Bay
My East Bay community is struggling to get by. A proposed State Senate bill would set us back even further. Serving the East Bay community has been my life’s work and my greatest joy. After leaving the Bay Area to complete my seminary, I returned home to found The Community Church in Oakland. From the outset of my time as the church’s pastor, I have been guided by the belief that my service must extend beyond the pulpit, because the health and economic needs of my community are so great. Our church has organized free food banks, COVID-19 testing clinics, and a housing and re-entry program for those suffering from addiction.
![Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook.](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/VanHook-featured-web.jpg)
By Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook
Special to the Post
My East Bay community is struggling to get by. A proposed State Senate bill would set us back even further.
Serving the East Bay community has been my life’s work and my greatest joy. After leaving the Bay Area to complete my seminary, I returned home to found The Community Church in Oakland.
From the outset of my time as the church’s pastor, I have been guided by the belief that my service must extend beyond the pulpit, because the health and economic needs of my community are so great. Our church has organized free food banks, COVID-19 testing clinics, and a housing and re-entry program for those suffering from addiction.
Through my service, I have seen the challenges that our community members are facing. Oakland, my hometown, has the third-highest rate of violent crime in the state. The local economy is strained. Oakland-based businesses are leaving our community because they’re struggling to get ahead.
Both East and West Oakland has disproportionately high rates of respiratory illness due to heavy air pollution. While our local efforts have brought some aid to those in need, we are also counting on our state elected officials to help us address the systemic health disparities afflicting the community.
Chief among the health concerns of community members is having reliable and affordable access to prescription drugs. Equitable access to medications gives us the peace of mind that we can keep ourselves and our families healthy and safe. Our community should not have to choose between paying rent or purchasing prescriptions.
Unfortunately, rather than taking action to combat soaring prescription drug prices, some California lawmakers are pushing legislation that could raise patient costs at the pharmacy counter.
The Legislature is currently considering SB 966, a bill backed by special interests that would undercut the few tools we have to keep prescription drug costs contained, letting big drug companies increase their prices, profiting on the backs of working families – some of whom already live paycheck to paycheck.
SB 966 would target the fundamental programs through which small businesses, unions, and government health programs are able to offer their employees and members quality and affordable healthcare. Millions of Californians rely on these plans to obtain essential medications at the lowest-possible cost.
The bill would make it illegal for employers and unions to incentivize the administrators of their prescription drug plans to negotiate for the lowest possible cost for prescriptions. Right now, small businesses and unions can choose to pay these administrators more for taking on big drug companies and securing discounts – a choice that will be outlawed under this bill.
As a result, employers will have no leverage to stop big drug companies from setting sky-high prices, disproportionately impacting working families.
As these health costs quickly add up, employers will have little choice but to pass the increases down to their employees. That means California patients will see higher healthcare costs and co-pays.
From my perspective, most concerning is that the bill would exacerbate the health disparities impacting my community and other underserved populations. If SB 966 becomes law, the most vulnerable may be forced to skip prescription doses, stop filling their prescriptions, and avoid essential care.
By rejecting this cash grab by big drug companies, our state elected officials can send a clear message that they stand with the community, patients, and working families.
We cannot afford SB 966.
Rev. Dr. VanHook is the founder and pastor of The Community Church in Oakland and the founder of The Charis House, a re-entry facility for men recovering from alcohol and drug abuse.
-
Arts and Culture3 weeks ago
Rooted in Tradition: The Intricate History of Black Hair Braiding
-
Bay Area4 weeks ago
“I Will Not Be Bullied,” Says Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao
-
Bay Area2 weeks ago
PG&E Increases Rates While Bay Area Households Are Struggling to Stay Afloat
-
Business3 weeks ago
Gov Newsom: Raising Fast Food Minimum Wage to $20 Pays Off as Jobs Multiply in Industry
-
Activism4 weeks ago
Opponents of Mayor Sheng Thao Are Calling on Her to Resign Following FBI Raid
-
Community1 week ago
Hundreds Come to Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Assembly Hall for Three-Day Program of ‘Good News’ in Fremont
-
Bay Area2 weeks ago
Juneteenth Mass Shooting Suspect Charge with Multiple Counts of Felony Assault by Alameda County DA Pamela Price
-
Activism4 weeks ago
Oakland Coliseum Sale to AASEG: A Model for Community Development and Inclusion