The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint 2025 Gala Program by Blair Creative Group

News in Transition:

12 th ANNIVERSARY GALA February 7, 2025

Voice & Viewpoint Anniversary Gala Program

OPENING ENTERTAINMENT

Lisa Payton Harris: “A Change Is Gonna Come”

WELCOME

Latanya West, Managing Editor

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

PRESENTATION OF COLORS

Buffalo Soldiers

BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM

The Balm of Gilead: “Lift Every Voice & Sing”

INVOCATION

PUBLISHER’S WELCOME

& PRESENTATION: The State of the Paper

Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

• Acknowledgements

• Why The Black Press?

• Address: The State of the Paper

ENTERTAINMENT

Mariea Antoinette “AFRIKA”

DJ John Phillips

DINNER IS SERVED

PRESENTATION: Voice & Viewpoint 3.0

Latanya West, Managing Editor

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

AWARDS PRESENTATION

Gerri Warren Humanitarian Award

• Roosevelt Brown, Founder, Children’s Book Party

Unsung Hero Awards

• Shearl Lambert, Founder/Executive Director, The Grandparents Connection, Inc.

• Latesha N. Fields, Founder, Inspire SD

• Dwayne Hill, Community Organizer

Good Shepherd Awards

• Rev. Harvey Vaughn, Senior Pastor, Bethel AME Church of San Diego

• Rev, Robert Pope, Senior Pastor, Encanto Southern Baptist Church

ENTERTAINMENT

Lisa Payton Harris: “Feeling Good”

CLOSING REMARKS

CLOSING PRAYER

ENTERTAINMENT

DJ John Phillips

Dr. John E. Warren

Publisher,

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper

Publisher's Welcome

Honored Guest:

Iwould like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and deepest appreciation for your presence this evening as we celebrate 65 years of continuous service to the San Diego community; 197 years of the Black Press in America and our 12th Annual Gala. This is a time we have set aside to honor some among us who have provided extraordinary service to others without any thought of recognition.

In spite of the many challenges to print, the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint has found its way to be both inclusive of print and a growing participant with social media and the digital age. Because of you, our readers, advertisers, sponsors and supporters, we are both expanding and evolving. We are diverse and inclusive not only with coverage, but in staffing and service to the San Diego Community and beyond.

We continue to believe in the power of the printed word, whether on paper or online. We also know that with the vanishing of many local newspapers, there is a growing fear of the loss of accountability by public officials. This past year we will be expanding such coverage. We have instituted a thrice-weekly Newsbytes and expanded the online availability of our coverage with our App and social media.

In addition to the 89 zip codes, 17 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego County, we have expanded to both a national and international audience with readers in more than 100 countries that track us week to week. In addition to our weekly internet radio program, From the Desk of the Editor, we have returned to our in person event, “Biscuits, Grits & Politics” which we stream as we deal with people, politics, and issues of hot topic concern to so many of us. We have also returned to our Town Hall Meetings, providing in person opportunities to share your concerns.

None of these things would be possible without your support not only in readership and advertising, but in sharing the stories in your lives that encourage all of us.

Again on behalf of all of us here at the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, I wish to say, “Thank you”.

Latanya West

Managing Editor,

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper

About the Managing Editor

Since 2018, Latanya West has brought a unique set of skills to the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper as Managing Editor. During her tenure, she has expanded the paper’s digital footprint, introducing the digital epaper and news app and implementing a successful social media strategy resulting in a 30% increase in followers and engagement across all Voice & Viewpoint platforms along with streamlining and systematizing the company’s internal operations.

She is a UC Berkeley graduate with a degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Media and Society. She earned a Masters Degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University after completing graduate level coursework at Cal State LA. She spent a life-changing year in Greece as an American Foreign Service (AFS) exchange student and counts Greek as a second language.

She began her professional career in the entertainment industry with NBC Studios, contributing publicity and marketing collateral to national media campaigns for NBC Media Relations and KNBC News. In addition, she was an Assistant Talent Coordinator for NBC’s ‘The Tonight Show’ and the NAACP Image Awards.

Latanya taught elementary and middle school for 10 years in the Pasadena Unified School District. She later joined McGraw Hill Education as a curriculum sales consultant providing regional in-service curriculum trainings and sales presentations to teachers and school administrators across California, including the California State Board of Education’s Curriculum Adoption Committee, and in the state of Alaska’s Lower Yukon School District.

In 2012 she established WestWordFlow, LLC as a commercial copywriting business, writing articles, grants, curriculum, workshops and marketing materials for select socially conscious businesses and nonprofits. Her client roster included San Diego State’s School of Social Work and San Francisco’s Department of Youth and Family Services. She has a passion for service, serving several years as an Executive Boardmember for the arts and education nonprofit, Playwrights Project, and currently serves on the board of The Huntoon-Van Rensalier Underground Railroad Foundation. She contributed articles to the before agreeing to serve in a consulting role as Managing Editor in February

In September 2024, Latanya was recognized by the San Diego Chapter of The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. as one of their “Phenomenal Women in Action” honorees, and she recently completed the highly regarded California Black Women’s Leadership Development Certificate Program designed to empower California’s Black women professionals to excel in leadership roles in and around the state.

Latanya is honored to be Managing Editor, and is committed to ensuring that the community’s stories and voices are heard in a way that is appropriate, inspiring and deeply respectful of our rich heritage and enduring achievements now and into the future.

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Branch Name

Federal and Euclid 5100 Federal Blvd, San Diego, CA 92105-5429

Address, City, State, ZIP 000-000-0000

Special Guests

DJ John Phillips

John is known for his smooth style and taste in music. He was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. John can be heard every weekday night (Cool Struttin’- 7-10pm) and his company, Golden Voice Productions, offers a variety of Mobile DJ services.

Mariea Antoinette

Mariea Antoinette is a jazz harpist who has redefined the boundaries of her instrument, touring Africa and performing in major jazz festivals across the USA. Her noteworthy achievments include the 2018 Instrumentalist of the Year award by the San Diego Prestige Awards, the 2018 Best Jazz Single for “Overture” by the Black Women in Jazz & the Arts Association, and a BMA Image Award at the 2018 Black Music Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, California.

Lisa Payton Harris

Native San Diegan, graduate of the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts. Three-time NAACP image award recipient for her supporting roles and supporting cast role in San Diego Repertory Theater’s Intimate Apparel and Da Kink In My Hair and Crown’s. Ms. Harris has appeared in numerous television films, commercials and voice overs and has performed hundreds of shows in various productions in the City of San Diego as well as across the country. Lisa is also the curator of “The Well Experience” Woman’s Conference San Diego.

Our Story A Brief History of The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper is an award winning newspaper that reaches, informs and motivates its readers, and has a distinguished record of public service and immeasurable contributions to the advancement of African-American communities in San Diego County.

Established by Dr. Al Graham in 1960, the original San Diego Voice was acquired by the Chula Vista Star News after one year of operation and then, in the late 1960s it was sold to Mr. Earl Davis who created The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint. Mr. Davis and his family operated The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint from 1969 to 1985, when Davis sold the newspaper to Mr. William Thompson, a local developer, businessman, and civic leader. Upon Thompson’s death, the newspaper was purchased by Warren Communications, Inc. a California business corporation operated by Dr. and Mrs. John and Gerri Warren.

The Warrens, like the Davis family, treated The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint as a family project and made an early decision to make the newspaper inclusive of San Diego’s African American communities. Throughout its history, The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint has evolved from a tabloid to a broadsheet format, and today, it publishes community, local, state, national, and international news affecting and concerning African Americans and is lauded as San Diego’s largest African-American publication, reaching all 89 zip codes, seventeen cities and unincorporated areas. In its continual efforts to bring together the communities it serves, The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper and its publishers contributed to the creation of the San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Gold Coast Classic Annual events.

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint is a respected voice in San Diego’s African-American communities and a valuable supporter of community projects and programs, and has maintained its reputation for adhering to and never compromising the principles of journalism.

is your partner in building a

community where all children, individuals, and families have the support they need to achieve

The Warrens’ acquisition of the Voice & Viewpoint in 1987

BRONZE SPONSORS

Latesha Fields, also known as ETURNUL, is the CEO of “805 South” San Diego Clothing Entertainment Company Est. 1998, Founder of the 501c3 Non-Profit Youth Organization Inspire SD (https://www. InspireSD.org). She has dedicated her life to #Educate #Encourage #Empower others.

Fields’ commitment to youth development is exemplified by her founding of Inspire SD, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young people through Music, Arts, and Educational programs, Mentorship, and Community engagement initiatives. Inspire SD focuses on providing resources and opportunities for youth to achieve their full potential, emphasizing the importance of education and posi-

Unsung Hero Award Latesha Fields

tive role models in shaping future leaders.

Her trio roles highlight a dedication to all three: business, excellence and social impact; making her a prominent figure in her community and an advocate for youth empowerment and development.

Latesha has donated over 4100 hours of volunteer community service over her lifetime, and in 2024 she was honored with The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. Latesha and Inspire SD are recognized for their contribution to the community of San Diego and received their Proclamation on December 15th, 2024 from the County of San Diego Acknowledging every third Sunday of December “Inspire SD” and “Overcome Lupus

THE UNSUNG HERO AWARD

Day”. Her special contribution does not stop there, she has recently released a song dedicated to mental health awareness and to inspire others titled “LIFE” which reached #1 on iTunes Charts in South Africa 2024.

She has recently launched The Heart of San Diego TV Media Platform, which promotes, positive and enriching lifestyles, goals, businesses, programs, and more. Through her leadership she has positioned 805 South | The Heart of San Diego as a significant player in the tourism, fashion, and entertainment industries, known for its innovative designs and community-focused ethos.

We live to inspire others, and our goal is to reach the hearts of people one piece at a time! – Latesha N. Fields

This year’s honorees are representative of the many men and women, who like them, have worked tirelessly for so many. BRONZE

Unsung Hero Award Dwayne Hill

to navigate the higher education industrial complex that comprises the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) to matriculate into the university setting. A mentor, recruiter, and advocate, his undergraduate research revealed that only 30% of first-year African American students persist to graduation, which ignited his mission to assist students through the trauma incurred from racial battle fatigue.

Dwayne graduated from SDSU with his bachelor’s degree in Sociology in Spring 2019. A regular

presence at SDCCD board meetings and a staunch Black Men and Women United supporter, he works tirelessly to ensure successful outcomes for young Black students and youth. Dwayne is a well-known community member and regular contributor to San Diego’s Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper. He began his graduate career at SDSU’s M.A.L.A.S. in interdisciplinary cultural studies program in Fall 2020 and graduate class of 2023 and hopes to continue his journey afterward to pursue a PhD and a career in Education.

Unsung Hero Award

Shearl Lambert

inherited an unforeseen situation with little or no resources, let alone emotional support.

The Grandparents Connection along with sponsors and community partners provides members with: mental health awareness trainings, financial literacy classes, legal advice, as well as legal assistance.

Over two decades of community networking and unwavering commitment and dedication, The Grandparents Connection has gained endorsement and support from civic leaders Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe, Mayor Todd Gloria, and Prior (CHAIR) Nora Vargas — as well as being honored by 10 News Lead-

ership Award National Sorority Pl-II DELTA KAPPA, INC in addition to high esteem and recognized from California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber.

Mrs. Lambert holds an Associate Degree in Accounting and is a native of San Diego, CA. She and her husband have been married for 42 years and have been blessed with 8 children, 37 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

The Grandparents Connection Belief: To Much That Is Given, Much Is Required.

Pastor Vaughn holds a B.A. from Columbia College, Columbia, MO, and has a rich background in Business Marketing, Management, and Housing Development for NonProfits. He has worked with the City of St. Louis Housing Authority, providing housing for vulnerable populations through the “Bridge to Home Ownership” programs and as a Certified Housing Trainer for Neighborhood Housing Service— NeighborWorks.

Rev. Vaughn is dedicated to connecting Church and Community through outreach initiatives and ministries that extend beyond the church walls. He began his ministry at twenty-two and served five congregations in the Missouri Confer-

Congratulations TO THE SAN DIEGO VOICE & VIEWPOINT AND THE 2025 GALA HONOREES.

The Board and staff of the San Diego County Water Authority thank you for serving and reflecting the local community.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD AWARD

This year’s award is given for the outstanding and consistent work of sharing the gospel in word and deed during the demanding times of the pandemic and beyond.

Good Shepherd Award Rev. Harvey L. Vaughn, III Senior Pastor,

Bethel

AME Church of San Diego

ence of the 5th Episcopal District of the AME Church before moving to the Southern California Conference in 2010. That year, he was appointed to Fountain of Hope A.M.E. Church in Henderson, Las Vegas, NV, where he built a new sanctuary and added many new ministries.

In Las Vegas, Pastor Vaughn served on the Federal Task Force on Sex Trafficking and as a Clergy Organizer for Non-Unionized Hotel Workers. He also facilitated dialogue on Race and Policing by organizing town halls with elected officials and law enforcement agencies.

In 2015, Pastor Vaughn became the Senior Pastor of Bethel AME Church of San Diego. Since then, he has led the congregation in

renovating the church edifice, grounds, and properties. He is expanding outreach by developing Low to Moderate Income Housing through Bethel Community Development Corporation. He has also expanded the Bethel Food Distribution Program and acquired Bethel Day-Care, partnering with Neighborhood House for the Logan Heights Community.

In addition to his pastoral duties, he represents the 5th District on its General Board and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Southern California Conference. Pastor Vaughn is proud of his ministry to his family, being married to Deidra M. Kirkland-Vaughn, and is the father of three adult children and grandfather of three.

BRONZE SPONSORS

Pastor Robert L. Pope was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and raised in Washington, D.C. He was drafted into the Army in 1970 where he served two years. Relocating to San Diego in 19 8 0, he united with the Encanto Southern Baptist Church in 19 8 1 where he is currently serving. He has served in various capacities at Encanto, such as a Sunday school teacher, Deacon, Deacon Chairman, Associate minister, Assistant Pastor, Co-Pastor, and current Senior Pastor.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both business and management, and a MBA from the University of Phoenix, an Industrial Engineer degree from the University of North Carolina, and a Master of Christian Ministry degree from the Southern California Seminary. He has retired from the Federal Government in 2015 after 44 years of service as Global Logistics Director.

Additional accomplishments and acknowledgements attained during his career to name a few are: Completion of the Naval Operations Senior Corporate Management Development Program, Certified Time Study and

Good Shepherd Award Pastor Robert L. Pope, BSBAM, IE, MBA, MACM

Senior Pastor, Encanto Southern Baptist Church

Motion Engineer by the University of North Carolina, Certified in Total Quality Leadership/ Management from the University of San Diego and San Diego State University, Certificate of Excellence Leadership Award

SILVER SPONSOR

from President William Jefferson Clinton, Team Excellence Award from San Diego State University, and recipient of the highest DoD Civilian award, and the Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award.

Quality health care for all that is you.

Kaiser Permanente is a proud supporter of the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper.

Kaiser Permanente provides inclusive and affirming health care and services, from employees and physicians who reflect the diverse communities we serve. We are proud to be with you on your health journey, in ways that reflect all of who you are today, and all that you’ll be tomorrow. Learn more at kp.org/sandiego

For all that is San Diego. For all that is you.

Born in Helena, Arkansas to a single mother, Roosevelt Brown and his five younger siblings moved across the States eventually settling in San Diego, CA. As a kid, Roosevelt had a prominent stutter which led him

THE GERRI WARREN HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Mrs. Gerri Warren, the late publisher of the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper, was, first, a lover of people. She used her visionary abilities and entrepreneurship to always give back to this community and served it in many capacities. In her spirit, this year’s Humanitarian Award goes to the person who best embodies the spirit of Gerri Warren and her love of community.

The Gerri Warren Humantarian Award Roosevelt Brown

to fear reading and speaking in public. Later in life, he was inspired to encourage youth to discover the power of reading. He did not want children to suffer the same challenges he did as a child. As a volunteer with Friends of the Li-

brary, he received a donation of free books. He set about distributing books to kids in his Southeast San Diego Neighborhood thus sparking a lifelong mission and purpose. He eventually hosted book parties in the backyard of his home.

In 1980 he founded the Children’s Book Party. He continues to pass out books to kids in the neighborhood and various locations throughout San Diego and has hosted the annual Children’s Book Party event for more than 40 years. This annual event is completely free and features entertainment, refreshments, and best of all each kid in attendance goes home with brandnew books! Roosevelt and company partnered with San Diego schools to provide free transportation to kids and their families to and from the event. He remains committed to his mission of encouraging kids to read and build home libraries.

Brown has four sons and three grandkids. He and his wife of 55 years reside in Southeast San Diego. A lifelong learner, Roosevelt has taken classes at the University of Redlands, UCSD, and San Diego State University where you will still find him in class.

SILVER SPONSOR

About the Publisher

Dr. John E. Warren

Dr. Warren is President of Warren Communications, Inc., an African Americanowned media group with community newspapers on the East and West Coast. He serves as Publisher of the 65 year old San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper covering zip codes in San Diego County as a legally adjudicated, paid weekly publication. He is past Co-Publisher of the Florida Tribune Community Newspaper which served three counties in South Central Florida for over 15 years. He is a noted journalist in the San Diego

community where he was a weekly commentator on the local NPR PBS station for almost a decade. He is a member and past Director of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and a member of the California News Publishers Association (CNPA); a past member of the National Bar Association, past member of the American Society for Public Administration and the original Conference of Minority Public Administrators. He is an ordained minister, co-founder and senior pastor of the Eagles Nest Christian Worship Center in San Diego, California.

Dr. Warren has an extensive career in public service. He spent 12 years with three noted African American members of Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives. First as an Assistant to the late

Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. of New York during his Chairmanship of the House Education and Labor Committee. Later he worked as an Assistant to the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm of New York, and as a Legislative Assistant to the House Committee on Education and Labor where he was assigned to work with the Late Congressman Augustus F. Hawkins of California. He is the past Vice President of the National Institute of Public Management where he served as a consultant to the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities Policy Committees in

the areas of Social Insurance and Income Security during the Carter Administration. He is the co-publisher of a 1978 article in Nation’s Cities Magazine on crime in our cities.

Dr. Warren served eight years as an elected Member of the Washington, D.C. Board of Education and four years as an elected Director of the National School Boards Association with 90,000 plus members nationwide at the time. He served as an elected Delegate to the Democratic MidTerm Convention from Washington, D.C. during the Carter Presidency.

Born in Henderson, N.C., he grew up in Washington, D.C. where he attended public schools during the implementation of the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court Decision desegregating public schools. He is a two time graduate of Howard University where he received his undergraduate degree followed by his Graduate Studies at the University of Southern California with an emphasis in Public Policy and Public Administration. He later

returned to Howard University, where he graduated from the School of Law with an emphasis in Labor Law. He holds a lifetime teaching credential with the California Community College District; is both a Past Adjunct Professor at National University in California having taught at several campuses, and he is a Past Member of the National University Board of Trustees. Dr. Warren is a past member of the National Bar Association and in his early years in California served as a Law Clerk to both the San Diego County Counsel’s Office and the City of San Diego’s City Attorney’s Office before becoming an Adjunct Professor at National University.

There he created and taught their Government Contracts curriculum. He also taught in the areas of Public Policy and School Law and Finance.

Dr. Warren served his country in the U.S. Army and is a graduate of the Officers’ Candidate School of Ft. Benning Georgia where he was commissioned as an Officer and holds an honorable discharge. He holds a Black Belt in the Martial Arts, and a vast number of awards from groups and organizations from all walks of life. He and his wife Dolores have 5 children; in order of their ages: Michael, Latanya, Shani Thai, Chida, and Charles; and 5 grandchildren. Both he and Dolores are actively engaged in writing their books and memoirs when not traveling.

Our Negro National Anthem

Something That Everyone Should Know?

Dolores Van Rensalier-Warren Founder & President

Huntoon-Van Rensalier Underground Railroad Historic Monument