People Power Progress Awards 2023

THE VIBIANA

214 S. Main Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 HONORING

Antonia Hernández Judy Belk Dr. Robert K. Ross

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Judy Belk

Dr. Robert K. Ross

Antonia Hernández

TONIGHT’S HONOREES

The California Wellness Foundation The California Endowment California Community Foundation

PERFORMERS

S.H.I.N.E. Muwasi is a women’s drum circle based in the historic Leimert Park area of Los Angeles.

The acronym S.H.I.N.E stands for Sister’s Healing, Inspiring, Nurturing, and Empowering in the Hands of God. Founder / director René Mims aka Mama Néné is a dancer, vocalist, hair stylist, master percussionist, and one of the lead artist / organizers of the Festival of Masks.

Makeen Yasar (he/him) is a poet, activist, and aspiring physician based in Los Angeles whose writing speaks to and celebrates Black heritage, resistance, love, and liberation. Yasar is the selfpublished author of Lay Me Down by the Water, a collection of poems that explores Black people’s connection to the water as a source of life and liberation. Yasar is currently studying for his M.D. as a medical student at Charles R. Drew University.

Based in South Central Los Angeles, Benin Lemus (she|her) published her debut poetry collection, Dreaming in Mourning, in November 2022 on World Stage Press. A poetic meditation on grief, loss, and finding one’s way back to the resting place of radical love, Benin’s poems — rooted in social equality in all its forms — stem from her engagement with her world as a Black woman of the African Diaspora, poet, educator, and activist.

Kristine “DJ Puffs” Ono Born in Los Angeles, and raised in Monterey Park, DJ Puffs has spent nearly two decades elevating dancefloors and driving social change through music. Most notably, she served as Mayor Karen Bass’ Campaign Music Director and DJ, and energized the peoplepowered culture and connection that was present throughout the campaign through her carefully curated sets.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS Qiana Charles

Luis Sánchez

Arnulfo De La Cruz

Michele Siqueiros

Donna Estacio

Ben Tarzynski

Rafael Gonzalez

Chavonne Taylor

David Hyun

Kendal R. Turner

Mary Lee

Keith Weaver

Julie Mungai

Carolyn Webb de Macias

Dr. Manuel Pastor

Michelynn Woodard

Karen Bass Founder’s Circle

SPONSORS

Annenberg Foundation Southwest Mountain States Carpenters

Movement Builder

SPONSORS

SEIU Local 2015 Eli and Edythe Broad Family

SPONSORS Community Champion AEG Avery Dennison California Community Foundation LA84 Foundation Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor: Holly Mitchell, 2nd District Kaiser Permanente

Katie McGrath and JJ Abrams Family Foundation Paula and Barry Litt SEIU, Local 99 Sony Southern California Edison Weingart Foundation

SPONSORS Ally 21st Century Fox America

First 5 LA

Power CA

Amazon

InnerCity Struggle

SEIU-UHW

AT&T Broadband

Jemmott Rollins

Spectrum

Brotherhood Crusade

LA28

The California Endowment

California Wellness Foundation

Lee Andrews Group, Inc

UFCW, Local 770

Community Builders Group

Loretta Cooper

Deborah Bryant

Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital

United Way of Greater Los Angeles

DoorDash Englander, Knabe & Allen

USC

Maya Jupiter + Aloe Blacc

Verizon

Planned Parenthood

Waymo

SPONSORS Community Friend Alliance for College Ready Public Schools Carolyn Webb de Macias Catalyst California CHIRLA Genesis LA Greater Public Schools Now (GPSN) KIPP SoCal Public Schools

LA VOICE Logic Tech Consulting Group Office42 Scope LA SEIU, Local 721 Social Good Solution (SGS) St. John’s Well Child and Family Center

The Partnership for LA Schools UCLA Labor Center Urban Wealth Management

Community Coalition is proud to honor the work of

THE PEOPLE’S HEROES

its 2023 People, Power, Progress Award honorees for continuing the legacy of “the people’s heroes.”

These awards are named after distinguished individuals who might not be famous today but are heroes nonetheless to those committed to social change in South LA.

Charlotta Bass once said, “Win or lose, we win by raising the issues.” Charlotta Bass was a dynamic force to be reckoned with among her fellow colleagues in the news media. She was the editor and publisher of the California Eagle, the oldest African American newspaper on the West Coast, and an astute political theorist and activist in her community.

She was the first African American woman to run on the Progressive Party ticket for Vice President of the United States in 1952. Ms. Bass is known for leading a campaign against segregation and discrimination in Los Angeles voting procedures and employment practices. Additionally, she was involved in the fight against police brutality, the Ku Klux Klan and restrictive housing covenants. Ms. Bass showed no fear in the face of conflict and demonstrated perseverance in her

Charlotta Bass (1874-1969)

quest to eradicate injustice.

Actress, activist and community organizer, Frances E. Williams was one of the most colorful and knowledgeable stage and screen personalities of our time.

Perhaps best known for the role of Miss Marie on the television series “Frank’s Place” in the late 1980’s, Williams’ acting career spanned more than six decades beginning in the 1920’s at Karamu House, the oldest black theatre in the United States.

Ms. Williams fought continuously to expand and elevate the roles portrayed

by African American actors and others in Hollywood. Whether working as an actor in films, a wardrobe mistress on stage productions, or as the assistant director on the landmark film “Salt of the Earth,” she was prepared to fight against injustice of any kind. Ms. Williams founded nine theatres, including the Frances Williams Corner Theatre behind her home in the Exposition Park area of Los Angeles.

As a community activist, Ms. Williams challenged Ralph’s supermarket to hire African Americans. She co-founded the Art Against Apartheid Movement in Los Angeles in the 1980’s, a celebrity anti-apartheid

Frances E. Williams (1905-1995)

variety show that toured high schools. Ms. Williams was the first African American woman to run for the Los Angeles City Council and the California State Assembly.

It has been said that Bert Corona embodies the belief, “Si Se Puede,” or “Yes We Can.” He dedicated over sixty years of his life to the movement for peace, justice and equality.

Mr. Corona was a powerful labor activist in California.

A resolute advocate for Latinos in the struggle against socioeconomic injustices and racism, he took leadership roles in organizing campaigns for the Congress of Industrial Organizations in the 1930’s. Mr. Corona’s determined commitment was the catalyst for the creation of such groups as the Mexican American Movement, the National Congress of Spanish Speaking Peoples, and the Association National Mexico-Americana. In 1951, he founded the CASA Hermandad Mexicana Nacional, a social service and activist organization that works on behalf of new immigrant workers in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Throughout his career, Mr. Corona successfully engaged mainstream politicians,

Bert Corona (1918-2001)

as demonstrated by his role as California Co-Chair for both President Lyndon Johnson’s and Bobby Kennedy’s presidential campaigns.

Augustus Freeman Hawkins was California’s first African American Congressman. A graduate of South Los Angeles’ Jefferson High School, The University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Southern California, he set the standard for achievement within the political arena for people of color.

Prior to his election to the House of Representatives, he served as a Democratic member of the California State Assembly (1935-1962).

He was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1963 where his political agenda included educational, labor, and employment issues. During his time in public office, he authored some of the most important civil rights legislation of our time, including the Fair Employment Practice Act of 1959, the Fair Housing Act of 1963 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Additionally, Congressman Hawkins, in collaboration with Howard University, formed the Black Education Leadership Summit, a coalition of education, civil rights, nonprofit, business and community groups designed to enhance the education of all African American students.

Augustus F. Hawkins (1907-2007)

Congressman Hawkins died in November 2007, shortly after turning 100 years old.

Born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Rubén Salazar was a staunch advocate for the Latino community. He was educated at the University of Texas and emerged from academia to become the first Latino reporter to work with the mainstream press.

Mr. Salazar was known for being a hard-hitting, streetwise reporter, who never relinquished his commitment to the unheard Latino community. He joined the Los Angeles Times in 1959, covering the Mexican American community. His columns concentrated on the injustices suffered in what he termed the “forgotten communities.” Mr. Salazar wrote about the educational alienation of Chicanos, urban problems and the tensions between Mexicans and African Americans.

Through his writing, he delivered impassioned pleas for cross-cultural and cross-generational understanding. His career of activism and advocacy for his community was cut short at age 42 when he was killed by an LAPD tear gas canister while covering the historic anti-Vietnam war protest

Rubén Salazar (1928-1970)

in East Los Angeles. He was truly “la voz para la raza” or “the voice of the people.”

CHARLOTTA BASS AWARD

Dr. Robert K. Ross The California Endowment Robert K. Ross, M.D., is president and chief executive officer for The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation established in 1996 to address the health needs of Californians. Prior to his appointment in September 2000, Dr. has prior experience as Director of Health and Human Services Agency in San Diego County and as Commissioner of Public Health in the City of Philadelphia.

During his tenure as President & CEO at The California Endowment, Dr. Ross has provided leadership in supporting the vision of underserved communities and grassroots leaders for a healthier California and a healthier America. The California Endowment has provided advocacy and funded efforts in support of “Health For All” across the state, expanding health coverage for undocumented residents, farmworkers, and “Dreamers”, strengthening diversity in the health workforce, advancing wellnessdriven school climate reforms, improving health advocacy for young men and young women of color, and providing leadership for health-oriented criminal justice reform. Through the Endowment’s 10-Year Building Healthy Communities campaign, he has supported the engagement and leadership capacity of young people and community residents to fight for improved health and wellness at the community level. He also served as a founding board member of Covered California, the entity responsible for the successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act in California. More recently he served as Chair of the Los Angeles County Task Force on Alternatives to Incarceration, developing a strategic roadmap for the County to reform the criminal justice system in support of health-focused strategies to reduce incarceration. In 2021, Dr. Ross worked in partnership with the Board of Directors to raise $300 million for a first-ever social bond by philanthropy in California, designed to invest in systems-change and movement-building support of grassroots activists in social justice.

Dr. Ross has also lent his voice and support to broader philanthropic and nonprofit collaboration to promote equity, racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in philanthropy, and has chaired or co-chaired collaborative efforts on Boys & Young Men of Color. Dr. Ross has an extensive background in health philanthropy, as a public health administrator, and as a clinician. His service includes: Commissioner, Philadelphia Department of Public Health; medical director for LINK School-Based Clinic Program, Camden, New Jersey; instructor of clinical medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; and faculty member at San Diego State University’s School of Public Health.

Dr. Ross has been actively involved in community and professional activities at both the local and national level. He served as a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans; Co-Chaired the national Diversity in Philanthropy Coalition; and has served as a member of the California Health Benefit Exchange Board, the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Board, National Vaccine Advisory Committee, and on the boards of Grantmakers in Health, the San Diego United Way, and the Jackie Robinson YMCA. He is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pediatrics, served on the President’s Summit for America’s Future and as chairman of the national Boost for Kids Initiative. He was honored by the Council on Foundations as the Distinguished Grantmaker of the Year for 2008 and received the American Public Health Association’s highest award in 2020. Dr. Ross received his undergraduate, Masters in Public Administration and medical degrees from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Most recently he has been invited to serve as Stanford University’s Distinguished Visiting Professor for the 2023 academic calendar.

CHARLOTTA BASS AWARD

Judy Belk The California Wellness Foundation Judy Belk serves as Senior Advisor to the California Wellness Foundation, where she provides strategic counsel to the CEO and Board of Directors. Most recently, she served for nine years as the foundation’s President and CEO and a member of the Board of Directors, stepping down in September 2023. As CEO, Belk had responsibility for overseeing a $1 billion endowment, $60 million annually in grants and program related investments, and a $17 million operating budget.

During her tenure, Belk re-engineered the foundation’s operations, grantmaking initiatives, investment management and institutional voice to align with its mission of improving the health and wellness of all Californians with a focus on racial and social justice.

Under her leadership, the foundation invested $13 million in two new initiatives to address health issues that disproportionately impact women of color, launched a mission-related investing strategy to leverage the foundation’s endowment, and led the founding of the Hope and Heal Fund, the state’s first donor collaborative on gun violence prevention.

She integrated Cal Wellness’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion into every aspect of the foundation’s operations.

Prior to joining Cal Wellness in 2014, Belk served as senior vice president for Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors where she oversaw RPA’s West Coast and Midwest offices, advising individual donors, family foundations, as well as private and corporate funders on their giving around the globe. She also served as vice president of global public affairs for Levi Strauss & Co., where she reported directly to the CEO in overseeing global communications, corporate social responsibility, government affairs, and the Levi Strauss Foundation.

A prolific writer, thought leader, and speaker on organizational ethics, race, social change, philanthropic trends, and nonprofit management, Belk has been published in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, and National Public Radio (NPR) in addition to other news outlets. More of her writings can be found at www.judybelkwriter.com.

Belk currently serves on the board of Hedgebrook, a women’s writing retreat on Whidbey Island in Washington state that promotes women’s voices and social change. She is a board member of the Surdna Foundation, a national private family foundation. Previously she served on the boards of the ACLU of Northern California, the Ms. Foundation for Women, and the Berkeley Repertory Theater. She has received the Southern California Coro Crystal Eagle Leadership Award, the Northwestern University 2021 Alumni Medal, the James A. Joseph Lecturer on Philanthropy by the Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE), and most recently, the “Ann Reiss Lane Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Women Against Gun Violence (WAGV). Belk received a BS in communications from Northwestern University and an MA in public administration from California State University, East Bay, where she was recognized as the 1999 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Belk has been inducted in the Alexandria African American Hall of Fame in recognition of her writing and public service leadership. She currently resides in Los Angeles.

CHARLOTTA BASS AWARD

Antonia Hernández California Community Foundation Nationally regarded for her expertise in immigration, civil rights and philanthropy, Antonia Hernández has spent more than four decades advocating for social justice and improving the lives of underserved communities in Los Angeles County and beyond.

Since 2004, she has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of California Community Foundation, one of Southern California’s largest and most active philanthropic organizations, which has served Angelenos for over a century. The Foundation partners with more than 1,800 individual, family and corporate donors and holds assets of more than $2.3 billion. During her tenure, California Community Foundation has granted over $3.4 billion, with a focus on health, housing and economic development, education, and immigration programs.

Previously, Hernández was president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), a national nonprofit litigation and advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights of the nation’s Latinos through the legal system, community education and research and policy initiatives. Hernández began her legal career as a staff attorney with the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice and worked as counsel to the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary before joining MALDEF in 1981 as regional counsel in Washington, D.C. Hernández is a member of the board of directors of the Automobile Club of Southern California, Educational Testing Service, Forest Lawn Memorial-Park Association, Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, and Urban Institute. She currently serves on advisory boards and committees including the Commission on Presidential Debates and for the Anne Ray Foundation among others. Hernández is a frequent public speaker and has been awarded several honorary degrees and awards.

Hernández is a member of the State Bar of California, United States Supreme Court, District of Columbia Bar, American Bar Association and the Mexican American Bar Association of Los Angeles. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Law Institute.

Hernández earned her B.A. in History at UCLA in 1970 and J.D. at the UCLA School of Law in 1974.

Mission Community Coalition works to help transform the

ABOUT COMMUNITY COALITION

social and economic conditions in South LA that foster addiction, crime, violence and poverty by building a community institution that involves thousands in creating, influencing and changing public policy.

OUR CORE VALUES Leadership Development

Education and Training

Enhancing the capacity of historically disenfranchised people to become empowered, responsible leaders who can initiate and lead efforts for long-term, sustainable change.

Developing the skills and knowledge needed to influence, shape and create the type of policies and programs that will improve the quality of life for South LA families.

Community Involvement

Advocacy

Uniting residents beyond racial and generational lines to become engaged in the civic life of their community and to use Community Coalition as a vehicle to transform the socioeconomic conditions of South LA.

Uniting people to work collectively to advocate on their own behalf for more equitable social and economic policies.

Contribute to the Building of a Social Movement Generating and sustaining relationships and strengthening alliances with other organizations dedicated to social and economic equity. efforts for long-term, sustainable change.

Wallis Annenberg AND THE

Annenberg Foundation IS PROUD TO SUPPORT

Community Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR

2023 People, Power, Progress Awards CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HONOREES

Antonia Hernandez, Dr. Robert Ross, and Judy Belk

ANNENBERG.ORG

The long-term care providers of SEIU Local 2015 are proud to take part in the 2023 PEOPLE POWER PROGRESS AWARDS. We thank Community Coalition for being an ally in uniting our communities and building a better, brighter future!

SEIU Local 2015 is the largest union in California, representing nearly 450,000 long-term care workers (home care, skilled nursing facility, and assisted living center workers) throughout the state. Its members are as diverse as the state’s population but united in their commitment to caring for California's older adults and those with disabilities.

The Education Workers of SEIU Local 99 are proud to partner with

Community Coalition We believe that, united, we have the power to improve our livelihoods, our schools, and our communities.

We salute tonight’s honorees and look forward to continuing to build strength for progress.

seiu99.org

The Weingart Foundation salutes Community Coalition for over three decades of power building in Los Angeles with Black, Brown, Indigenous, and People of Color.

We thank all of this year’s People Power Progress Awards honorees for their leadership and committment to transformative service.

JUDY BELK

Advisor & Fmr. President & CEO of California Wellness Foundation

DR. ROBERT ROSS President & CEO of California Endowment

ANTONIA HERNANDEZ

Ret. President & CEO of The California Community Foundation

Cal Wellness applauds Antonia Hernández, Dr. Robert Ross and Judy Belk, the 2023 recipients of the People, Power, Progress Awards.

We are ever inspired by CoCo’s continued commitment to building the power of Black, Brown and Indigenous communities.

ANTONIA HERNÁNDEZ President and CEO, California Community Foundation

DR. ROBERT K. ROSS President and CEO, The California Endowment

JUDY BELK President and CEO, California Wellness Foundation

The mission of The California Wellness Foundation is to protect and improve the health and wellness ofthe people of California by increasing access to health care, quality education, good jobs, healthy environments and safe neighborhoods.

C OM MU NI T Y BUIL DE RS G RO UP IS PR OUD T O SU P P OR T

COMMUN LT COMM U N IT Y C OA L TI COMMU OAL TI O N

AN D THEIR EFFOR TS IN UN ITIN G C OM M UN ITY MEMBER S IN C AMPAIGN S TO T R AN S F OR M OUR NEIGHB O R H OODS

CO NGRA TULA T ION S TO T THE TO HE 20 23 PE OP WE R,, PROG RE SS EO PLE E,, PO P OWER RES S OREE S A W A RD S HON OREES

Congratulations to the 2023 honorees and Community Coalition for over 30 years of transformational impact in the lives of the residents of South LA

J UDY B EL K P r e s id e n t , T h e Cali forn i a W elln es s Fo un da t io n

AN T O N IA H ER N À N DEZ P r e s id e n t , C al i for n ia C om mun it y Fou n d atio n

DR . RO B E RT K . R OS S Th e CB G. c om

P r e s id e n t, T h e Ca li forn i a En dow me n t

-DEBORAH BRYANT

First 5 LA

congratulates

Producing results for our clients.

Congratulations to the 2023 People Power Progress Award Honorees!

this year’s People, Power, Progress honorees and thank the Community Coalition for their continued commitment to Los Angeles’ youngest children and their families.

Strategic thinking, fundamental tactics.

www.ekapr.com

First 5 LA is a leading public grantmaking and child advocacy organization.

Thank you to Community Coalition for being a powerful and unwavering voice for South LA Youth and Families for over 30 years. congratulations to the wonderful leaders being honored tonight – Dr. Robert Ross, Antonia Hernandez, and Judy Belk.

Congratulations to the Community Coalition: our North Star for Social Justice and to our Philanthropy Heroes Dr. Bob Ross, a friend and ally to JRG since our founding in 2003 who fueled health philanthropy to new heights Antonia Hernandez, our champion for immigrant rights and empowerment for all underserved communities Judy Belk, our powerful and prolific voice for ethics and fairness; uplifting the soul of philanthropy

jemmottrollinsgroup.net (323) 293-7074

THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITY

Congratulations The more than 100,000 frontline healthcare workers of SEIU-UHW congratulate honorees Judy Belk, Antonia Hernandez, Dr. Robert K. Ross and thank the Community Coalition for your committment to creating a safer, healthier South Los Angeles for all.

VISIT US AT SEIU-UHW.ORG AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA BELOW @seiuuhw

@unitedhealthcareworkers

@seiu_uhw

@seiu_uhw

@SEIUUHWOnline

To all you forward thinkers, thanks for striving to make things better.

Spectrum is proud to support Community Coalition and the 2023 People Power Progress Annual Gala.

CREATING L.A.’S FUTURE. TOGETHER.

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United Way of Greater Los Angeles proudly joins Community Coalition in honoring the 2023 People Power Progress awardees

JUDY BELK, ANTONIA HERNÁNDEZ, AND DR. ROBERT K. ROSS for their outstanding leadership and service.

We are deeply grateful for the decades of partnership working together in creating a more prosperous and equitable Los Angeles. Congratulations!

Join the LA waitlist via the QR code

CONGRATULATIONS HONOREES OF

CONGRATULATIONS 2023 HONOREES

Together, we can advocate and organize for a more inclusive and vibrant Los Angeles.

2023

P E O P L E P O W E R P R O G R E S S AWARDS

Judy Belk Dr. Robert Ross

Antonia Hernandez

Thank you for your work in supporting power building in Los Angeles.

Excellent Education. Powerful Families. Strong Communities.

paralosninos.org

OUR STAFF Executive Team

Collective Management Team

Alberto Retana

Glauz Diego

Aurea Montes-Rodriguez

Miguel Dominguez

Leslie Cooper Johnson

Christian Flagg

Gerri Lawrence

Patricia Guerra

Dr. Ryan Smith

Carlos Leon

Hector Sanchez

Marsha Mitchell Yolanda Nash

STAFF Nicole Thomas

Enrique Gaspar

Mariana Villafaña

Oscar Alvarez

Kamani Harris

Damien Valentine

Brianna Carmichael

Jose Hurtado

Briana Walker

Kimberly Carrillo

Renee Henderson

Judy Wong

Ben Casar

Carolyn Hernandez

Shahrukh Kabir

Robert Collins

Ansley Jean-Jacques

Sequarier McCoy

Jacky Contreras

Jathan Melendez

Netra Bhat

Julio Esperias Jr.

Victoria Millet

Kalani Robinson

Rosalind Jones

Antwon Mitchell

Eddie Cruz

Courtney Nunley

Ernesto Rocha

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