News

People’s Pitch Empowers Young Entrepreneurs

Published

6 years ago

June 16, 2018

Project Beanstalk co-founders Glenn Ray Brooks and Isaiah Johnson presented their business idea to a host of panelist judges and advisers at the People’s Pitch Event at the Kapor Center for Social Justice. The duo won $2000 to start their gaming business.

The People’s Pitch event was the place to be for those wanting to meet problem solvers and innovators of the future. Sponsored by Youth Impact Hub in Oakland at the Kapor Center for Social Justice on Thursday, May 24, about 10 millennials ages 18-24 stood before an audience of mentors, educators, venture capitalists, family members and the extended social justice network to share their business plans.

Competing for $1000, the 2018 Youth Hub Fellows presented their three-minute slide shows and enthusiasm for a solution-focused business that would both make money and improve society.

“In collaboration with Youth Business USA and the City of Oakland, our mission is to prepare, launch and grow 100 or more underrepresented young entrepreneurs in Oakland each year,” said Gino Pastori-Ng, Youth Impact Hub Co-Founder.

Prior to the pitch event, fellows took part in a comprehensive year-long social entrepreneurship training and implementation program. Housed at United Roots, the program supports emerging leaders of color from low income areas to create an equitable life-affirming economy by providing socially innovative training, co-working space, and access to networks and resources.

From natural hair care products to tennis shoe cleaning to 3-D printing, the youth demonstrated their desire to make their mark on the world immediately. Participants included Sole2soul, Russell Agustin and Rodolfo James III Agustin, Black Camera Productions, Jean Black and Plan U’s Tria Villanueva. The companies respectively sought to provide athletic shoes and promote a healthy lifestyle to underserved youth, create positive images for people of color and designing a schedule that keeps students organized.

Maleik Dion created BAYAF, to uplift Bay Area artists in the media while Alberto Ibarra dreamed of training minority youth the art of 3-D printing. Dion’s sister Jada Imani, chanted “Get Free – Get Money.” “Being entreprenuer is freedom,” said Imani who co-founded Tatu Vision with Dion. “With my 3-D company, I want to teach youth how to make accessories like cell phone covers and household products so they can sell them for a profit,” said Ibarra.

Shavon Moore of Bright Future’s Music sang throughout her presentation while James Green of Fix My Kicks designed a company that will restore sneakers and prevent them from entering landfills that harm the environment.

Jasmine Curtis of AvoCurl shared how harmful chemicals are in the thousands of unregulated beauty products that Black women worldwide utilize without knowing the dangers. “I began AvoCurl because in Europe 1300 chemicals are banned in our hair care products, but in our own country only 30 are banned,” said Curtis. “I want to ensure women of color have safe products and my products are so natural that they have to be refrigerated prior to use.”

Kabreshiona Smith began her company Move with the Breeze to promote healing practices among African Americans. “In our neighborhoods we either have food deserts (no grocery stores) or low quality foods (fast foods) available,’ she said. “I want to change that by providing healthy food and holistic practices.”

After half of the competitors won $1000 each, a venture capitalist announced that he would give each of the 10 companies $1000. At that point the event turned into an all out jubilee as youth and their mentors celebrated with them. Project Beanstalk co-founders Isaiah Johnson and Glenn Ray Brooks were competition winners and were thrilled to win the additional $1000 to start their business. “African Americans in the gaming sector is a huge opportunity and we are grateful to our mentors who have helped us,” said Brooks.

Panelists that advised the entrepreneurs after their presentations included; Tope Alabi and Lili Gangas of the Kapor Center, Clayton Bryan, 500 Startups, Lisa Gelobter, tEQuitable, Nayelli Gonzalez, Creators Circle, Brandon Nicholson, The Hidden Genius Project, Ismail Maiyegun, Hingeto, Mireya Smith Mojica, Bling, Claire Shorall, Neo, Niles Lichtenstein, Enwoven and Don Loeb of Tech Stars. Sinclair Wu, Education Social Entrepreneurship & Intl. Tech Collaboration, Meghan Freebeck, Simply the Basics, Sharla Turner, Gary Reeves, Andranee Nabors along with Kate Karniouchina Dean of Lorry I. Lokey School of Business and Public Policy also participated.

“Tonight everyone is a winner,” said Co-Facilitator Destiny Iwouoma with a.b. and Jasmine Stallworth. For more information, contact Youth Hub staff and creators; Galen Silvestri, Demario Lewis, Tammy Chan, Javiera Torres and Amanda Greene at www.youthimpacthub.org

Oakland Post

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California Black Media

Yahushua’s Law: Senate Advances Bill to Protect Students from Extreme Weather

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3. The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Published

10 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Yahushua Nyerere Robinson (Courtesy Photo)

By California Black Media

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3.

The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) and co-authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa), SB 1248 directs the California Department of Education to develop comprehensive guidelines for schools regarding student activity during all extreme weather conditions.

“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Hurtado said after introducing SB 1248.

The bill stipulates that schools must implement safety measures which include monitoring weather forecasts, postponing or relocating outdoor activities during hazardous conditions, and ensuring students have proper hydration and access to shade. It also requires schools to establish clear communication plans to keep parents, teachers, and students informed about potential weather hazards.

Supporters of the bill include the Robinson family, advocate Christina Laster, Bold Enterprises LLC, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, Familias Empoderadas del Valle Central National Action Network, The Black Student Advocate, and the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Thanking Hurtado for introducing this crucial legislation, Weber said, “The story of Yahushua Robinson last year was heartbreaking. We have protections for farm workers and other industries in the case of extreme weather, now climate change is forcing us to also extend similar protections to students at school.”

Oakland Post

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Barbara Lee

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Deaths of Humanitarian Aid Volunteers in Gaza 

On April 2, a day after an Israeli airstrike erroneously killed seven employees of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a humanitarian organization delivering aid in the Gaza Strip, a statement was release by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12). “This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

By California Black Media

“This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.

The same day, it was confirmed by the organization that the humanitarian aid volunteers were killed in a strike carried out by Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Prior to the incident, members of the team had been travelling in two armored vehicles marked with the WCF logo and they had been coordinating their movements with the IDF. The group had successfully delivered 10 tons of humanitarian food in a deconflicted zone when its convoy was struck.

“This is not only an attack against WCK. This is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the direst situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable,” said Erin Gore, chief executive officer of World Central Kitchen.

The seven victims included a U.S. citizen as well as others from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Palestine.

Lee has been a vocal advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza and has supported actions by President Joe Biden to airdrop humanitarian aid in the area.

“Far too many civilians have lost their lives as a result of Benjamin Netanyahu’s reprehensible military offensive. The U.S. must join with our allies and demand an immediate, permanent ceasefire – it’s long overdue,” Lee said.

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Commentary

Commentary: Republican Votes Are Threatening American Democracy

In many ways, it was great that the Iowa Caucuses were on the same day as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We needed to know the blunt truth. The takeaway message after the Iowa Caucuses where Donald Trump finished more than 30 points in front of Florida Gov. De Santis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley boils down to this: Our democracy is threatened, for real.

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2024

Oakland Post

It was strange for Iowans to caucus on MLK day. It had a self-cancelling effect. The day that honored America’s civil rights and anti-discrimination hero was negated by evening. That’s when one of the least diverse states in the nation let the world know that white Americans absolutely love Donald Trump. No ifs, ands or buts.

By Emil Guillermo

In many ways, it was great that the Iowa Caucuses were on the same day as Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

We needed to know the blunt truth.

The takeaway message after the Iowa Caucuses where Donald Trump finished more than 30 points in front of Florida Gov. De Santis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley boils down to this: Our democracy is threatened, for real.

And to save it will require all hands on deck.

It was strange for Iowans to caucus on MLK day. It had a self-cancelling effect. The day that honored America’s civil rights and anti-discrimination hero was negated by evening.

That’s when one of the least diverse states in the nation let the world know that white Americans absolutely love Donald Trump. No ifs, ands or buts.

No man is above the law? To the majority of his supporters, it seems Trump is.

It’s an anti-democracy loyalty that has spread like a political virus.

No matter what he does, Trump’s their guy. Trump received 51% of caucus-goers votes to beat Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who garnered 21.2%, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who got 19.1%.

The Asian flash in the pan Vivek Ramaswamy finished way behind and dropped out. Perhaps to get in the VP line. Don’t count on it.

According to CNN’s entrance polls, when caucus-goers were asked if they were a part of the “MAGA movement,” nearly half — 46% — said yes. More revealing: “Do you think Biden legitimately won in 2020?”

Only 29% said “yes.”

That means an overwhelming 66% said “no,” thus showing the deep roots in Iowa of the “Big Lie,” the belief in a falsehood that Trump was a victim of election theft.

Even more revealing and posing a direct threat to our democracy was the question of whether Trump was fit for the presidency, even if convicted of a crime.

Sixty-five percent said “yes.”

Who says that about anyone of color indicted on 91 criminal felony counts?

Would a BIPOC executive found liable for business fraud in civil court be given a pass?

How about a BIPOC person found liable for sexual assault?

Iowans have debased the phrase, “no man is above the law.” It’s a mindset that would vote in an American dictatorship.

Compare Iowa with voters in Asia last weekend. Taiwan rejected threats from authoritarian Beijing and elected pro-democracy Taiwanese vice president Lai Ching-te as its new president.

Meanwhile, in our country, which supposedly knows a thing or two about democracy, the Iowa caucuses show how Americans feel about authoritarianism.

Some Americans actually like it even more than the Constitution allows.

About the Author

Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. He does a mini-talk show on YouTube.com/@emilamok1.