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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.

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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
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

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.

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

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.

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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.

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District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones
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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Bay Area

State Controller Malia Cohen Keynote Speaker at S.F. Wealth Conference

California State Controller Malia Cohen delivered the keynote speech to over 50 business women at the Black Wealth Brunch held on March 28 at the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center at 301 Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco. The Enterprising Women Networking SF Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) hosted the Green Room event to launch its platform designed to close the racial wealth gap in Black and Brown communities.

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American Business Women’s Association Vice President Velma Landers, left, with California State Controller Malia Cohen (center), and ABWA President LaRonda Smith at the Enterprising Women Networking SF Chapter of the ABWA at the Black Wealth Brunch.
American Business Women’s Association Vice President Velma Landers, left, with California State Controller Malia Cohen (center), and ABWA President LaRonda Smith at the Enterprising Women Networking SF Chapter of the ABWA at the Black Wealth Brunch.

By Carla Thomas

California State Controller Malia Cohen delivered the keynote speech to over 50 business women at the Black Wealth Brunch held on March 28 at the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center at 301 Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco.

The Enterprising Women Networking SF Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) hosted the Green Room event to launch its platform designed to close the racial wealth gap in Black and Brown communities.

“Our goal is to educate Black and Brown families in the masses about financial wellness, wealth building, and how to protect and preserve wealth,” said ABWA San Francisco Chapter President LaRonda Smith.

ABWA’s mission is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support, and national recognition.

“This day is about recognizing influential women, hearing from an accomplished woman as our keynote speaker and allowing women to come together as powerful people,” said ABWA SF Chapter Vice President Velma Landers.

More than 60 attendees dined on the culinary delights of Chef Sharon Lee of The Spot catering, which included a full soul food brunch of skewered shrimp, chicken, blackened salmon, and mac and cheese.

Cohen discussed the many economic disparities women and people of color face. From pay equity to financial literacy, Cohen shared not only statistics, but was excited about a new solution in motion which entailed partnering with Californians for Financial Education.

“I want everyone to reach their full potential,” she said. “Just a few weeks ago in Sacramento, I partnered with an organization, Californians for Financial Education.

“We gathered 990 signatures and submitted it to the [California] Secretary of State to get an initiative on the ballot that guarantees personal finance courses for every public school kid in the state of California.

“Every California student deserves an equal opportunity to learn about filing taxes, interest rates, budgets, and understanding the impact of credit scores. The way we begin to do that is to teach it,” Cohen said.

By equipping students with information, Cohen hopes to close the financial wealth gap, and give everyone an opportunity to reach their full financial potential. “They have to first be equipped with the information and education is the key. Then all we need are opportunities to step into spaces and places of power.”

Cohen went on to share that in her own upbringing, she was not guided on financial principles that could jump start her finances. “Communities of color don’t have the same information and I don’t know about you, but I did not grow up listening to my parents discussing their assets, their investments, and diversifying their portfolio. This is the kind of nomenclature and language we are trying to introduce to our future generations so we can pivot from a life of poverty so we can pivot away and never return to poverty.”

Cohen urged audience members to pass the initiative on the November 2024 ballot.

“When we come together as women, uplift women, and support women, we all win. By networking and learning together, we can continue to build generational wealth,” said Landers. “Passing a powerful initiative will ensure the next generation of California students will be empowered to make more informed financial decisions, decisions that will last them a lifetime.”

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Bay Area

MAYOR BREED ANNOUNCES $53 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT FOR SAN FRANCISCO’S HOMELESS PROGRAMS

San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded the city a $53.7 million grant to support efforts to renew and expand critical services and housing for people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco.

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Mayor London Breed
Mayor London Breed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Contact: Mayor’s Office of Communications, mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org

***PRESS RELEASE***

MAYOR BREED ANNOUNCES $53 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT FOR SAN FRANCISCO’S HOMELESS PROGRAMS

HUD’s Continuum of Care grant will support the City’s range of critical services and programs, including permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing, and improved access to housing for survivors of domestic violence

San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded the city a $53.7 million grant to support efforts to renew and expand critical services and housing for people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco.

HUD’s Continuum of Care (CoC) program is designed to support local programs with the goal of ending homelessness for individuals, families, and Transitional Age Youth.

This funding supports the city’s ongoing efforts that have helped more than 15,000 people exit homelessness since 2018 through City programs including direct housing placements and relocation assistance. During that time San Francisco has also increased housing slots by 50%. San Francisco has the most permanent supportive housing of any county in the Bay Area, and the second most slots per capita than any city in the country.

“In San Francisco, we have worked aggressively to increase housing, shelter, and services for people experiencing homelessness, and we are building on these efforts every day,” said Mayor London Breed. “Every day our encampment outreach workers are going out to bring people indoors and our City workers are connecting people to housing and shelter. This support from the federal government is critical and will allow us to serve people in need and address encampments in our neighborhoods.”

The funding towards supporting the renewal projects in San Francisco include financial support for a mix of permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing, and transitional housing projects. In addition, the CoC award will support Coordinated Entry projects to centralize the City’s various efforts to address homelessness. This includes $2.1 million in funding for the Coordinated Entry system to improve access to housing for youth and survivors of domestic violence.

“This is a good day for San Francisco,” said Shireen McSpadden, executive director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. “HUD’s Continuum of Care funding provides vital resources to a diversity of programs and projects that have helped people to stabilize in our community. This funding is a testament to our work and the work of our nonprofit partners.”

The 2024 Continuum of Care Renewal Awards Include:

 

  • $42.2 million for 29 renewal PSH projects that serve chronically homeless, veterans, and youth
  • $318,000 for one new PSH project, which will provide 98 affordable homes for low-income seniors in the Richmond District
  • $445,00 for one Transitional Housing (TH) project serving youth
  • $6.4 million dedicated to four Rapid Rehousing (RRH) projects that serve families, youth, and survivors of domestic violence
  • $750,00 for two Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) projects
  • $2.1 million for three Coordinated Entry projects that serve families, youth, chronically homeless, and survivors of domestic violence

In addition, the 2023 CoC Planning Grant, now increased to $1,500,000 from $1,250,000, was also approved. Planning grants are submitted non-competitively and may be used to carry out the duties of operating a CoC, such as system evaluation and planning, monitoring, project and system performance improvement, providing trainings, partner collaborations, and conducting the PIT Count.

“We are very appreciative of HUD’s support in fulfilling our funding request for these critically important projects for San Francisco that help so many people trying to exit homelessness,” said Del Seymour,co-chair of the Local Homeless Coordinating Board. “This funding will make a real difference to people seeking services and support in their journey out of homelessness.”

In comparison to last year’s competition, this represents a $770,000 increase in funding, due to a new PSH project that was funded, an increase in some unit type Fair Market Rents (FMRs) and the larger CoC Planning Grant. In a year where more projects had to compete nationally against other communities, this represents a significant increase.

Nationally, HUD awarded nearly $3.16 billion for over 7,000 local homeless housing and service programs including new projects and renewals across the United States.

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