Diablo Black Men's Group 24th Annual Christmas Gala

DIABLO BLACK MENS GROUP

C H R I S T M A S G A L A

SAN RAMON MARRIOTT FRIDAY, DECEMBER

M A L C O L M X

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

TONI GHTS

P R O G R A M

6:30pm Arrivals of Guest

Toy Collection Photographs No Host Bar

7:30pm Chairman's Remarks

Welcome Guest Introduction of Gala MC

7:45pm Invocation

Singing of Lift Every Voice DBMG Mission and History Recognition of 2022 DBMG Scholarship Recipients Sponsorship Recognitions

8:00pm Dinner Hour and Dessert Auction

Appetizers

Artisanal Rolls and Sweet Butter Wedge of Iceberg Grape Tomato, Smoked Bacon, Gorgonzola Crumbles, Blue Cheese Dressing

Entrée

Pan Seared N Y Steak Bourbon Shallot Demi Glaze, Mashed Potatoes Grilled Filet of Salmon Citrus Chive Butter Sauce, Fingerling Potatoes Butternut Ravioli Sautéed Shitake, Parmesan Cheese, Sage Cream Sauce Chef's

Desserts

Selection of Seasonal Vegetable NY Style Cheesecake with Fruit Coulis

(Attendees will have an opportunity to bid on a selection of desert items)

8:30pm Live Auction

Steve Godfryd ,Pacific Auctions

9:30pm Live Entertainment and Dancing

CHAIRMANS MESSAGE

H O R A C E G I P S O N

Greeting and Happy Holidays,

Welcome to our 24th Annual Christmas Gala, the first in person since 2019. The past few years have been challenging for everyone. The young scholars that we are supporting with this event have been especially affected. Many have missed traditions like prom and their senior year in high school has looked like no other. Despite those obstacles they have persevered and overcome those challenges. This year the Diablo Black Men's Group is very excited to continue our tradition in supporting such worthy young men. Along with your support we have impacted hundreds of lives by providing scholarships to young African American men attending college for the first time Since our group ' s inception we have raised over $200,000 in scholarships for young men living in Alameda and Contra Costa counties

As I near the end of my tenure as Chairman of the DBMG, I’m proud to reflect on our accomplishments in keeping our mission alive Some of which include; our participation in community events like the Martin Luther King Day Celebration as well as the Juneteenth Celebration which actualizes full citizenship among African Americans and other minorities in the Diablo Valley Our monthly meetings which include informative, guest speakers not only allows us to stay connected as a group, and it encourages and promotes fellowship amongst Black men Our Health & Wellness Education along with many other vital connections throughout the Tri Valley area allow us to remain a relevant footprint in our community

Tonight's Gala is essential to providing an incredible need for support to the often marginalized African American male students who wish to attend college. With your generous contributions we can all have a sense of pride in contributing to this effort.

In closing, I would like to personally thank each of you for your attendance tonight. Your presence will impact the lives of so many. The Diablo Black Men’s group could not do it without you.

Sincerely,

Horace Gipson Chairman DBMG

CHAIRMANS MESSAGE

A L A I N D . D A N G E R F I E L D

DBMG Chairman elect 2023 2025

Welcome to All Gala Attendees, As Chairman elect for the 2023 25 term, I’d like to welcome you to our 24th Annual Christmas Gala. Tonight, we want to help you kick off your holiday season with a fun filled evening that includes, dinner, live auctions, and dancing to the The Reed Fromer Band

Our goal is for you to have so much fun tonight that you tell more family and friends about the Diablo Black Men’s Group’s Annual Christmas Gala and bring them with you to our 25th Annual Gala next year

Our theme for tonight’s Christmas Gala is “Opening New Doors ” It highlights how we ’ re working hard to help open doors by providing scholarships to help African American male students graduating from Contra Costa and Alameda County schools

to pursue a college degree It’s our belief that a college degree offers these young men endless opportunities in a variety of career fields, and helps them to achieve their career goals.

In addition to our scholarship program, we also have a high school internship program for young men and women who need community service credit to graduate from their respective high schools You may have met a couple of our DBMG Interns when you checked in tonight

If you know of any high school students (young man or woman) who need community service credit to fulfill their high school graduation requirements, let us know Reach out to us at www.dbmg.org and click on the ‘Contact Us’ link and provide us with your contact information and we will contact you for more details

We appreciate your attendance and participation in tonight’s 24th Annual Christmas Gala. On behalf of all DBMG members, I’d like to wish you and your families a very happy and safe holiday season

Happy Holidays!

Alain D Dangerfield

DBMG Chairman elect 2023 25.

MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES

KBLX Radio Host

KBLX Radio Personality Dr Delores Thompson is a Bay Area native and radio 20 year veteran. Dr. Thompson began performing with the City of Oakland’s Parks and Recreation department at an early age. Shortly after high school she landed a coveted position with Oakland’s very own Soul Beat entertainment television where she dominated programming and entertainment reporting.

Upon relocating to Los Angeles, Dr Thompson continued her career at various LA radio stations prior to beginning a 15 year long stint at Stevie Wonder’s 102 3 KJLH FM, where she was featured in “who’s who in Black LA magazine” and was dubbed “Southern California’s #1 Lady in the Mid Day.”

Dr. Thompson returned to the Bay Area to become the mother, minister, motivational speaker and Executive Director of her own non profit organization, “Sista Girl Network,” where she piloted the inaugural online broadcast for radio station KOSA at the Oakland School for the Arts She also launched the school’s first broadcast department In addition to her work with the Oakland School for the Arts, as a volunteer, Dr Thompson continues to share her many decades of radio experience and expertise with the students at Oakland's Youth Radio.

D R . D E L O R E S T H O M P S O N

by James Weldon Johnson

Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring Ring with the harmonies of Liberty

Let our rejoicing rise

High as the listening skies

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us Facing the rising sun of our new day begun Let us march on till victory is won

Stony the road we trod Bitter the chastening rod

Felt in the days when hope unborn had died Yet with a steady beat Have not our weary feet

Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered Out from the gloomy past Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast

God of our weary years God of our silent tears

Thou who has brought us thus far on the way Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light Keep us forever in the path, we pray Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee Shadowed beneath Thy hand

May we forever stand True to our God True to our native land Our native land

OUR MISSION AND ROOTS

To promote fellowship among Black men, to help African Americans and other minorities in the Diablo Valley actualize full citizenship, including liberty, good health, social equality and economic vitality.

The Diablo Black Men’s Group began in the mid 1990s as an outlet for Diablo Valley men. By 1999, the group had evolved into an organization of men who wanted to use our collective influence to enhance the lives of our members and families as well as make a contribution to the community in which we live. We encourage our members to appreciate liberty and all that it encompasses, including embracing community involvement

DBMG is committed to support activities with the goal of improving the health and welfare of our citizenry. DBMG was actively involved in promoting prostate cancer awareness and screening in collaboration with the Alta Bates Summit Ethnic Health Institute and American Cancer Society with support from the Chevron/Texaco Corporation Additionally, DBMG helps socially and economically challenged Bay Area youth pursue cultural and educational opportunities through our scholarship program.

DBMG Founder

Percy L. Abram, Jr., is one of the foundering members of the Diablo Black Men's Group organization. He was born in Canton, Mississippi September 3, 1941 In the 1950's, his family left the South and moved to Los Angeles, California

Mr Abram believed in the value of receiving a formal education He began his college studies at Los Angeles City College and earned a Bachel's of Arts in Business Administration from California State University Los Angeles, and later completed his graduate work at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). He also graduated from the Executive Development Program., University of Houston.

In 1965, Mr. Abram joined Gulf Oil Corporation in Los Angeles, CA as an accountant. He later held supervisory and management positions in Gulf Oil's West Coast Marketing operations before moving to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1971 to work as a Governmental Affairs Department representative

In 1974, after a brief assignment in Houston, TX, Mr Abram was named Financial Manager in the Baltimore Marketing District In 1980, he returned to Houston to work for the Refining and Marketing Company where he held positions as Financial Coordinator, Assistant to the President, and Financial Accounting Manager.

In 1985, relocated to the Bay Area as part of the Chevron/Gulf merger, as financial Accounting Manager for their Marketing, Refining, Supply and Pipeline Operations. He later held the position of Worldwide Downstream Audit Manager for Chevron Corporation until his retirement in 1997 to culminate a distinguished 32 year career

In addition to his professional career, Mr Abram was a U S Army Veteran who served in Vietnam He was also a member of many national and local business and community organizations These organizations include: the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA); Board Member and Treasurer of Sister Thea Bowman Manor; Board Member and Vice Chairman of Christian Church Homes; Diablo Valley Foundation for the Aging Volunteer; a Board member of the Accounting Career Awareness Program; and Founding Member and Mentor of Chevron Concord Black History Awareness Committee.

La Salle High School

Awarded $1,000

AAU and High School Varsity Basketball; High School Varsity Volleyball Youth coach for Bay Area Volleyball Club; mentor for OnBoard! Leader; Vice President and co founder of Bring Change 2 Mind; Basketball and Volleyball representative on Sports Advisory Committee He will be attending UC Santa Cruz

The highlight of his high school career has been his participation in high school basketball and volleyball He enjoyed being part of those teams

Awarded $1,000

W I L L I A M B R E N T E N

Pittsburg High School

Awarded $1,000

Volunteer at the Marina Vistas Apartments

He will be attending Texas Southern University Graduation is the highlight of his high school experience

AAU and High School Varsity Basketball; High School Varsity Volleyball Youth coach for Bay Area Volleyball Club; mentor for OnBoard! Leader; Vice President and co founder of Bring Change 2 Mind; Basketball and Volleyball representative on Sports Advisory Committee He will be attending UC Santa Cruz

The highlight of his high school career has been his participation in high school basketball and volleyball He enjoyed being part of those teams

De La Salle High School

A N T H O N Y T R U C K S

Awarded $1,500

Black Student Union President; Track team, 2019 Jr Varsity Team Captain Volunteer for Athletes In Action; Ignite Youth Group; Jr Coach of San Ramon Bears Youth Football Organization He will be attending Grambling University

The highlight of his high school career was winning Mr SRV in 2022 (a talent show for the entire school)

Saint Mary's College High School

Awarded $1,500

G A R Y N E R A N T I

Moreau Catholic High School

Awarded $1,500

Member of California Scholastic Federation; student athlete award for academic achievement; Track & Field athlete Youth Educator for Hidden Genius Project; Boy Scouts Life Scout/Senior Patrol Leader

He will be attending Howard University

The highlight of his high school years was his art being featured in an Art Gallery Exhibit in Oakland during his senior year

Soccer team member; creator of Saint Mary’s Skateboard Club

Youth Care Coordinator for Hidden Genius Project; summer cohort through Genesys Works program; Boy Scout; President of Allen Temple Baptist Church Jr Deacons Ministry; Community Beautification Projects for Jack and Jill of America, Inc, Contra Costa County Chapter He will be attending Cal Poly Humboldt

The highlight of his high school career was a senior trip to London and Paris with his classmates

R O B E R T B U C K N E R

San Ramon Valley High School

Foothill High School

Awarded $1,500

High School Hockey Player; Peer Tutor for Pleasanton Unified School District

Volunteer at Tri Valley Rabbit Rescue; Member of Tri Valley Minor Hockey Association; Ace Academy student in Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals; He will be attending Las Positas College

The highlight of his high school career has been his experience playing hockey in high school

Pittsburg High School

Awarded $2,000

J A M E S B E L L

Moreau Catholic High School

Awarded $2,000

Mentee in Jr Chapter of National Society for Black Engineers; California Interscholastic Federation President’s List 2018 2019, 2021 2022; California Interscholastic Federation Scholar Athlete 2019 2020

Summer Intern at East Oakland Youth Development Center; volunteer at Regina’s Helping Hands; mentee in Afro American, Cultural Tech & Scientific Olympics Organization

He will be attending Santa Clara University

The highlight of his high school career were Christmas break trips with his travel basketball team to Palm Springs

French Club (tutor and mentor), Varsity Volleyball (3 year Team Captain); Varsity Basketball; member of University of California Berkeley Early Academic Outreach Program

President of Male African American Achievement Network 2020 2021, 2021 2022, member since 2019; Pittsburg High School Restorative Justice Mentor He will be attending St Mary of the Woods in Indiana

The highlight of his high school career has been playing volleyball and receiving a scholarship to play volleyball

N I O M A N J O K A N N A

WILLIE C. ARCHIE SCHOLARSHIP OF EXELLENCE AWARDEES

A J A N I R O B E R T S

Deer Valley High School

Awarded $5,000

Willie C. Archie Scholarship of Excellence

Played AAU, High School Jr Varsity and Varsity Basketball Boy Scouts Patrol Leader, Color Guard, Summer Program

He will be attending Florida A&M

The highlight of his high school career has been participating in Drumline his senior year

De La Salle High School

Awarded $5,000

Willie C. Archie Scholarship of Excellence

President, Vice President of Black Student Union; Member of American Legion

California Boy’s State 2021

Continental Little League Umpire; assisted in elections for Contra Costa County Elections Board; Intern for Diablo Black Men’s Group He will be attending Claremont McKenna

The highlight of his high school career was attending the Athenian Wilderness Experience (26 days of camping in High Sierras)

A N T H O N Y T R U C K S

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS

The DBMG Scholarship Fund offers scholarships to students who reside in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and are bound for a university, community college or trade school. DBMG will strive to provide at minimum (4) $2,500 scholarships per year

Student must be a senior in an Alameda or Contra Costa counties system for at least the past two years.

Student must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 from the 10th through 12th grade and demonstrate promise of continued academic achievement

Student should visit the DBMG website at www.dbmg.org to complete the online application. The completed online application must be submitted by April 1, 2023. Follow application instructions as stated

DBMG Scholarship Award winners will be notified on May 31, 2023

Students will be selected based on the following: Educational Achievement Community Involvement Demonstrated Leadership Skills Ability to follow the specific application instructions.

DBMG seeks to offer these scholarships to African American males.

TONIGHTS AUCTIONEER

Pacific Auction Company

Steven Godfryd is the founder and president of the Pacific Auction Company, which conducts and organizes 200 benefit auctions annually and plays a central role in generating millions of dollars each year for organizations making a better world Having worked as a professional non profit fundraiser for 15 years, the combination of being both an auctioneer and a fundraiser makes him a powerful force in encouraging people to exercise their hearts and bid generously at fundraising events

Steve became an auctioneer the old fashioned way, by studying auctioneers. He has a reverence for country cattle callers and their high speed auction patter, yet appreciates the sophistication of auctioneers at the world’s finest auction houses such as Christie’s & Sotheby’s His style is a bit flashy, and a true hybrid of old fashioned country combined with high brow city flare.

Steve’s diverse background reflects his passion for giving and helping others He served as a beekeeper in the Peace Corps in Paraguay, where he taught impoverished farmers how to produce and sell honey. After three years in Paraguay, he subsequently worked in Brazil, Argentina, Chile & Nicaragua, spending a total of seven years working with bees and rural people in Latin America

For more information, contact Steven Godfryd, Pacific Auction Company, www.pacificauctioncompany.com. Or call 530 753 8400.

S T E V E G O D F R Y D

Percy Abram Willie C. Archie

George Johnson

Travis McAfee

Ken Tyson Dario Whitfield

Ricardo