Fall 2018 issue of THE HUB Magazine

FALL 2018 | www.sacculturalhub.com

Kimberly Ellis

Founder of Unbought-Unbossed

Geneviéve Jones-Wright

Former Democratic candidate for San Diego County District Attorney

Senator Holly Mitchell

California State Senate 30th Senate District

Cat Brooks

Mayor London Breed

2018 Candidate for Mayor of Oakland

City of San Francisco

EWOC Champions 2018

EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN OF COLOR IN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

ELECTION 2018 - CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S RACE p.48 FALL 2018

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! l o h t n e m

s d i k t c e t o Pr m fro

BIG TOBACCO IS TARGETING OUR KIDS. Over 70% of African-American youth smokers use menthol cigarettes—due to targeted, decades-long marketing by the tobacco industry. And youth who begin smoking with menthols are more likely to become long-term, addicted smokers.

The A f ri ca n Amer ican Tobacco C ont ro l Lea d ersh ip Cou n cil

This message paid for by Sacramento County Public Health | 2 | T H E   HU B MA G A Z I N E

FALL 2018

There’s a science to understanding someone who can’t speak.

From the moment you’re born, you begin to communicate.

The words and language may come a little later, but the effort to make your point known — that’s pretty immediate.

The art and the science is being able to really listen and understand what is unspoken.

At UC Davis Health, we make it a point to look closer, to find out more — whether under a microscope, or face to face. Then and only then can we truly understand you.

No matter your age.

We want to partner with you in your care. When it’s time to choose your health insurance this fall, make sure your health plan gives you access to a UC Davis Health doctor.

To learn more or to find one of our 17 clinics in 10 area communities, visit ChooseHealth.ucdavis.edu.

FALL 2018

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FOUNDER’S ROOM | LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

WE KNOW BETTER

NOW, LET’S DO BETTER! We at THE HUB are enjoying our 10th annual Exceptional Women Of Color conference! Just as we have every fall for the last decade, we’ll take a moment to come together, fellowship, learn from, love, and enjoy the company of literally hundreds of phenomenal women from all over the state. You may be reading this at the conference — CAN YOU BELIEVE IT’S BEEN 10 YEARS??

Speaking of phenomenal women, one of them once offered words of wisdom that can guide us through some very important work we ALL have to do this November.

Maya Angelou once said when you know better, you do better. With this year’s midterm elections, it is up to us to DO BETTER!

THIS NOVEMBER 6 WILL BE OUR FIRST OPPORTUNITY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TRUMP WAS ELECTED TO LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD…AND WE MUST DO SO! what lack of attention can cause at the state level. The

Some of us have written letters or emails expressing dissatisfaction with what is going on in Washington.

Others have cussed and fussed about it with girlfriends and family. Some have worn their Facebook and Twitter feeds OUT as they reflect on the day’s news from our nation’s capital.

Some have gained weight from stress eating, while others have tried to take better care of themselves in an effort to manage the impact of Trump-related stress on our bodies, minds, and spirits.

(My 100 daily squats have been KILLING ME but I’m committed to PRESSING ON!) But there’s one thing none of us have done, yet: we haven’t voted. This November 6 will be our first opportunity since the beginning of Trump was elected to let our voices be heard…

AND WE MUST DO SO! By casting votes this November, we will truly be doing better!

This year’s critical mid-term election falls right in the middle of Trump’s first (and hopefully only) term. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of 100 Senate seats will be contested. This year offers an almost unprecedented opportunity to let Donald know that we will not tolerate his level of crazy any more!

Here in California, we also have a crucial Governors race to contend with. We only have to look a few years back and see | 4 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

Photos by A-Love - facebook.com/AprilJonesTaylor

Without a doubt, this fall will be an outstanding one in a number of ways.

Terminator as Governor? Seriously?!?

One of our REAL leaders, President Barack Obama, recently issued a call to action this November: “When you look at the arc of American history, there’s always been a push and pull between those who want to go forward and those who want to look back, between those who want to divide and those who are seeking to bring people together, between those who promote the politics of hope and those who exploit the politics of fear,” Obama said.

“If we don’t step up, things can get worse,” he continued. “[In November], we have the chance to restore some sanity to our politics. We have the chance to flip the House of Representatives and make sure there are real checks and balances in Washington.”

So let’s get started: go to ballotpedia.org, type in your address, and start getting ready for November 6. After two years of Trump, we should know better by now. So LET’S DO BETTER! Peace & Blessings

Pleshette Robertson CEO & Founder Sac Cultural Hub Media Company & Foundation facebook.com/pleshettemarie

FALL 2018

YOUR Dental HEALTH Presented by Terri Speed, D.D.S.

HOW DO I CHOOSE AND USE A TOOTHBRUSH?

Mailing Address 7902 Gerber Road, #367 • Sacramento, CA 95828 Ph 916.234.3589 | Fax 866.302.6429 E-mail contact@sacculturalhub.com CHIEF EDITOR, CEO & FOUNDER – SACCULTURALHUB.COM Pleshette Robertson | pleshette@sacculturalhub.com ADVERTISING & MARKETING TEAM Twlia Laster | 916.662.3502 • twlia@sacculturalhub.com Lesley Leatherwood | 916.838.9267 • lesley@sacculturalhub.com Michael P. Coleman | 916.715.2996 • mcoleman@sacculturalhub.com STAFF WRITERS/NEWS REPORTERS Neketia Henry Keadrian Belcher-Harris Donna Michele Ramos

Angled heads, raised bristles, oscillating tufts and handles that change colors with use: you name it, toothbrushes come in all shapes, colors and sizes, promising to perform better than the rest. But no body of scientific evidence exists yet to show that any one type of toothbrush design is better at removing plaque than another. The only thing that matters is that you brush your teeth.

Many people just don’t brush long enough. Most of us brush less than a minute, but to effectively reach all areas and scrub off cavity-causing bacteria, it is recommended to brush for two to three minutes.

Which toothbrush is best?

In general, a toothbrush head should be small (1” by 1/2”) for easy access to all areas of the mouth, teeth and gums. It should have a long, wide handle for a firm grasp. It should have soft nylon bristles with rounded ends so you won’t hurt your gums.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Michael P. Coleman Valarie Scruggs Heather Niemann Christi Ketchum

When should I change my toothbrush?

Be sure to change your toothbrush, or toothbrush head (if you’re using an electric toothbrush) before the bristles become splayed and frayed.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Vicki Blakley

How do I brush?

Place the toothbrush beside your teeth at a 45-degree angle and rub back-and-forth gently. Brush outside and behind the teeth, your tongue and especially on chewing surfaces and between teeth. Be sure to brush at least twice a day, especially after meals.

PHOTOGRAPHY Rayford Johnson | Npaphoto.com 916.714.5840 Khiry Malik | Magiceyephotos.com 916.730.5405

How long should I brush my teeth?

Creative Touch Media Services (CT Media) Robert Briley – 916.579.1806

You should brush your teeth at least two to three minutes twice a day. Brush your teeth for the length of a song on the radio, the right amount of time to get the best results from brushing. Unfortunately, most Americans only brush for 45 to 70 seconds twice a day.

Peter Prato www.peterprato.com GRAPHIC DESIGN­ Heather Niemann | Tingible Design

Which is better, an electric or manual toothbrush?

COVER PHOTO: Shutterstock.com

Circulation THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine has an estimated readership of more than 500,000 African American residents in Northern California. Copies are available at numerous storefront locations and distributed quarterly: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.

Electric toothbrushes don’t work that much better than manual toothbrushes, but they do motivate some reluctant brushers to clean their teeth more often. They are advantageous because they can cover more area faster. Electric toothbrushes are recommended for people who have limited manual dexterity, such as a disabled or elderly person and those who wear braces. Sometimes, it takes more time and effort to use an electric toothbrush because batteries must be recharged, and it must be cleaned after every use.

Advertising THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine offers affordable rates to meet your business needs and marketing budget. Ads are due 45 days prior to the next issue. Call (916) 234-3589 or e-mail contact@sacculturalhub.com.

Letters to the Editor Letters should include the writer’s full name, address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for space, clarity or style. Name and address may be withheld upon request. Mail to: THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine, 7902 Gerber Road, #367, Sacramento, CA 95828.

THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine is printed quarterly in the United States. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photography or illustration without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the magazine. THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine is not responsible for errors and omissions in regard to content of ads in which events were cancelled or rescheduled, or phones that have changed abruptly.

FALL 2018

Dr. Terri Speed is a family dentist in practice at 9098 Laguna Main St., Suite 4, in Laguna West.

www.terrispeeddds.com (916) 686-4212 T H E H UB MAGAZI NE | 5 |

| 6 | T H E   HU B MA G A Z I N E

FALL 2018

Inside every issue of THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine there are things to do, places to go and people to see, with a calendar of events, spotlight and feature articles on major event reviews, career profiles and business services. This magazine celebrates the urban lifestyle of African-Americans living in Northern California.

Northern California’s Most Popular Urban Entertainment Magazine ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 2006

CONTENTS ON EHIND THE 10 | SPOTLIGHT 45 | BSCENES 2018 EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN OF COLOR (EWOC)

EWOC Champions EWOC Honorees

CHILD 28 | BLACK LEGACY CAMPAIGN DEFINES AN 40 | WHAT EWOC? ERE YOU THERE? 42 | W 71st Annual NAREB Black Realtists Conference | Serena Williams Sheds Light on Postpartum Depression | So You Think You Can Dance Sacramento Competition | 2018 Afropunk Festival

EALTH MATTERS 44 | HYes2Kollege

Remembering Aretha | Joy Winans and Greenleaf Season 3 | Actress Chauntice Green

THURS, SEPT 27 • 6:30 PM

The Philharmonik & SUNMONKS + Alex Trujillo

ID YOU KNOW? 48 | DCannabis Equity Core Program | Election 2018

EISURE 49 | LCarla Hall’s Soul Food

THURS, OCT 25 • 6:30 PM

The Gold Souls + Bryan Maretti

| Song writing Legend Lamont Dozier | Diversity and Breaking Barriers in the Dance Community | Interview with Director Deon Taylor

THURS, DEC 27 • 6:30 PM

Cemetery Sun + Justin Wood

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 Founder’s Room 54 Things To Do, Places To Go 54 Advertiser Index

$6 DRINK SPECIALS

contact@sacculturalhub.com facebook.com/Sacculturalhub1 instagram/THEHUBLIVE

CAFE OPEN TIL 8 PM

ALL AGES

Tickets at crockerart.org $10 Members • $20 Nonmembers 216 O Street • Sacramento

FALL 2018

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An Unexpected Blessing: Becoming Eden’s Mom

N

ew to the Sacramento area, Dr. Kammie Brown, Ph.D., was searching for a local service program to support in her transition to a new city. Recognizing a need for foster parents, Dr. Brown decided she could provide a loving and supportive home for children in her new community.

Fostering a Child in Sacramento as a Single Parent parent who is fully capable of caring for a child, but might not have the resources, to not be discouraged. All you need is a heart full of love, and room for a child.”

If becoming a foster parent does not seem to be the fit for you, Dr. Brown shares there are other opportunities to positively influence the lives of children, such as mentor relationships where you spend time and devote yourself to a child, without acting as the foster parent.

With an aspiration to make a positive impact in her community, Dr. Brown, a nurse with over 15 years in the field, had a heart full of love and a spare room in her home. With this room, she fostered three children for short periods of time but recognized the challenge of becoming attached when it came time for the child to move to a more long-term placement The continued desire to support foster youth in the community led her to decide to focus on emergency placements only. Children in need of an emergency placement stay for a short period of time to allow social workers to further assess the child’s placement needs, and/ or if there is a safety plan for the child to return home.

Only days later, Dr. Brown received a call to foster a newborn less than four days old. With Dr. Brown’s nursing background she accepted the placement and assumed it would last for 72 hours, but two and a half years later Dr. Brown legally adopted the child, making her a first time parent!

The Sacramento County Department of Child, Family and Adult Services has been working to better support resource parents, formerly called foster parents to build resources for prospective parents including a mentoring network, assistance with the application, a streamlined orientation and training process, and ongoing support.

Dr. Brown would like to remind the community that while AfricanAmericans are a minority, Dr. Brown worried there is a disproportionally that from childcare to high number of Africancoordinating daycare, to American children in foster care. In 2015 Africanwork-life balance it would be American children made impossible to do it all on her up 35% of the kids in own. To Dr. Brown’s surprise, foster care. Additionally, she found several resources African-American youth available for single foster Dr. Brown worried that from childcare to coordinating remain in foster care longer daycare, to work-life balance it would be impossible to do than any other ethnic group. parents. it all on her own. To Dr. Brown’s surprise, she found several By opening your home and resources available for single foster parents, including fostering, you will be reducing the stipend childcare and networking groups, in addition to number of potential placements support from her family and friends. Today Dr. Brown is a for a child, providing stability, advocating for their future, testament to how you can succeed in this role. and supporting the safe return home to their family when possible. Investing in our youth today makes a difference for One of the biggest worries of foster care is that a foster their tomorrow. family will conflict with the birth parents and/or the agency, To learn more about local foster care opportunities and to become but the reality is you work as partners to advocate for the a resource/foster parent, please visit the Sacramento County child. Dr. Brown’s energetic daughter, Eden, is now five and Department of Child, Family and Adult Services website, www. a half years old, and loves My Little Pony and gymnastics.

DCFAS.saccounty.net.

As an open adoption, Dr. Brown is able to communicate with the birth parents to keep them updated on Eden’s growth.

She feels they truly have Eden’s best interests and success in mind.

“The importance of fostering children within the AfricanAmerican community can’t be understated,” said Dr. Kammie Brown. “While there are challenges that accompany being a foster parent, the reward resulting from caring for a child in need far outweighs them, today I could not imagine my life without my daughter. I urge any prospective foster | 8 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

FALL 2018

ADVERTISEMENT | GUIDING FOSTER KIDS TO SUCCESS

Contact us today to join our next orientation!

Sacramento County Child Protective Services

1

www.dhhs.saccounty.net/CPS

916.875.5543

Attend an Orientation Held From 6-8 p.m. every Tuesday at 3701 Branch Center Road, Conference Room 1, Sacramento.

• Two-hour review of process, foster care system.

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• Typically takes 90 days to find out if you are approved for a license.

• Social workers begin searching for a child that will be the best match for your home.

Prepare for interviews • Three in home visits.

• Social workers assess home safety and your ability to care for the child.

• Extensive study that will approve you to provide foster and adopt a child.

Becoming a Resource Parent

Next Steps FALL 2018

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BLACK WOMAN OWNED. LOCALLY PRODUCED. NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED.

CONGRATULATIONS

2018

EXCEPTIONAL

WOMEN of Color

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THE HUB is proud to spotlight all of our 2018 EWOC Honorees in this issue who will receive the EWOC Champion Award and the EWOC Excellence Award at the 10th Year Anniversary Celebration of the Exceptional Women of Color (EWOC) Conference (10/6/18).

We are honored to recognize five individuals, Senator Holly Mitchell, Mayor London Breed, Cat Brooks, Kimberly Ellis, and Geneviéve Jones-Wright with the Exceptional Women of ColorEWOC CHAMPION AWARD - Women To Watch.

Black women creating historical paths for us to follow in POLITICAL LEADERSHIP who are performing an exemplary job and going above and beyond to promote economic empowerment, social/health equity, fight for injustices, and building sustainable partnerships within communities of color.

Expiration: ___/_____ CVV:_______ Phone:______________________ Billing Name:______________________________________________ Billing Address:_____________________________________________ City:________________________State:________Zip:______________ Signature:_______________________________Date:______________

The EWOC Excellence Awards will be presented to several women from CEOs to retirees, principals to mothers who represent everything a woman is and can be while overcoming multiple obstacles to become pillars of our community.

Make check payable to: Sac Cultural Hub Mail form to: Sac Cultural Hub, Inc., 7902 Gerber Road, #367, Sacramento, CA 95828

EXCEPTIONAL | 1 0 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

FALL 2018

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC HONOREE SPOTLIGHT

HOLLY MITCHELL Photo by Rayford Johnson

CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE 30TH SENATE DISTRICT

A third-generation native Angeleno, Sen. Holly J. Mitchell is the proud daughter of career public servants and the protégé of community leaders who instilled in her a passion for service.

She continued her family legacy of “firsts” when she was named the first African American to chair the powerful Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee in December 2016. Less than two months later, a profile in The Los Angeles Times described Mitchell as the “Legislature’s moral compass.”

She proved to be just that in 2017 and 2018 when she oversaw the adoption of consecutive state budgets of nearly $200 billion each and won wide praise for directing funds to elementary and college students, the health-care systems and long-neglected programs to assist infants, the elderly, youth and working families.

She serves on several committees, including being named in January as vice chair of the Joint Committee on Rules Subcommittee on Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response In recognition of her work, the five-member Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors last November presented her with its Distinguished Legislator Award.

Mitchell has been cited for her outstanding leadership by more than 100 community and business groups, including the Courage Campaign, Sierra Club, United Cerebral Palsy Association and the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce. She was named the 2017 Lois DeBerry Scholar by Women in Government Leadership and this year received the first Willie L. Brown Jr. Advocacy Award from the California Black Lawyers Association. The National Conference of State Legislatures last summer elected her to its national Executive Committee. Her advocacy on behalf of the expansion of mental health services earned her Legislator-of-the-Year Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness California, as well as the 2017 California Champion of Mental Health from Mental Health California. She also served as Faculty in Residence at Rutgers University in 1997, and has served as Legislator in Residence at Mount St. Mary’s University since 2016. n First elected to the Legislature in 2010, Mitchell represents nearly 1 million residents of the 30th Senate District, which ranges from Century City to South Los Angeles and takes in Culver City, Cheviot Hills, Crenshaw District, USC, downtown L.A. and a portion of Inglewood. For more information, visit Sen. Mitchell’s Web site at www.senate.ca.gov/ Mitchell

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CENTERSTAGE | EWOC CHAMPIONS

Photo by Peter Prato

LONDON BREED

MAYOR, CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO

Mayor London Breed is the 45th Mayor of San Francisco and the first African-American woman Mayor in the City’s history.

Prior to being elected by voters in an historic June 2018 election, Mayor Breed served as Acting Mayor, guiding and leading San Francisco following the sudden and tragic passing of Mayor Edwin M. Lee. Mayor Breed first entered public office when she was elected by voters to the Board of Supervisors in November 2012 representing District 5, which includes the Fillmore/Western Addition, Hayes Valley, Lower Haight, Haight-Ashbury, Japantown, Alamo Square, North of Panhandle, Cole Valley, and Inner Sunset neighborhoods. In January of 2015, her colleagues elected her President of the Board of Supervisors. She was re-elected to represent District 5 as Supervisor in November 2016 and unanimously re-elected as Board President two months later.

As the President of the Board of Supervisors, Mayor Breed served as the 2nd-highest ranking official in San Francisco, leading the legislative body of the city and overseeing a $10 billion budget with more than 30,000 employees.

As Supervisor, Mayor Breed passed legislation to increase housing along transit corridors and landmark legislation prioritizing neighborhood residents for affordable homes built in their communities. She helped secure critical funding needed to transform unused public housing units into permanent housing for 179 homeless families and led the effort to renovate thousands more. Most recently, she successfully negotiated and passed legislation acquiring the blighted McDonald’s site on Haight and Stanyan Streets which will be used to build 100% affordable housing.

Mayor Breed As the President of the Board of also fought Supervisors, Mayor Breed served as the for more 2nd-highest ranking official in San Francisco, Navigation leading the legislative body of the city and Centers to help reduce overseeing a $10 billion budget with more homelessness than 30,000 employees. and launched the Safe Injection Services Taskforce to study and evaluate innovate approaches to helping those struggling with IV drug use, an effort which when implemented has the potential to save lives and get individuals into needed treatment. She has also been a strong advocate for reforms to San Francisco’s conservatorship programs to ensure those struggling with severe mental illness have the services and help they need.

Mayor Breed has worked diligently on improving public safety for all San Franciscans. In 2014, Mayor Breed addressed the City’s ambulance response crisis, improving safety for everyone and cutting ambulance response times by more than 26 percent. She helped put hundreds of new officers on our streets, advocated for key reforms to our police department, and passed a comprehensive overhaul of the City’s graffiti policies. | 1 2 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

Mayor Breed enacted the strongest Styrofoam ban in the country, as well as drug take-back legislation which has kept more than 40 tons of medical waste and prescription medicines out of our Bay and landfills. Additionally, she pushed forward San Francisco’s clean electrical energy program, CleanPowerSF, which is the single most important thing San Francisco can to do combat climate change. Mayor Breed passed legislation to replace hundreds of Muni buses and the entire fleet of Muni trains, creating a more reliable, quieter and efficient public transportation network.

Mayor Breed is a native San Franciscan, raised by her grandmother in Plaza East Public Housing in the Western Addition. She graduated with honors from Galileo High School and attended the University of California, Davis, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/Public Service with a minor in African American Studies. She went on to earn a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco.

Before her election as Supervisor, Mayor Breed London served as Executive Director of the African American Art & Culture Complex in the Western Addition for more than over a decade, transforming the center into a vital, financially-stable community resource that provides after school arts and cultural programs for youth and seniors. She also served as a San Francisco Redevelopment Agency Commissioner for five years and in 2010 was appointed by then-Mayor Gavin Newsom to be a San Francisco Fire Commissioner, where she served until her election to the Board of Supervisors. n sfmayor.org

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CENTERSTAGE | EWOC HONOREE SPOTLIGHT

Photo by Rayford Johnson

CAT BROOKS 2018 MAYORAL CANDIDATE

FAVORITES: Vacation Getaway: Trinidad & Tobago Book: The Autobiography of Malcom X Music: Old School R&B Perfume: Halston Soul food restaurant: Southern Cafe Celebrity male icon you admire: Malcom X. Reading his biography as a young girl in Las Vegas gave me hope. His story is one of struggle, sacrifice and redemption. He lived his life for the people, was never afraid to tell the truth, was unapologetic in his love for Black people and was open to growth and transformation.

bold, principled, creative

Cat Brooks has been a force for change as she engages in the work of accompaniment and struggle. Inspired by her own experience, she has spent her life organizing to bring an end to unjust systems which were built to sustain the privileges of the status quo. Whether she’s serving the people in their fight for justice, collaborating with State Assembly members to pass AB931 or raising her daughter in West Oakland, she offers compassionate grace, resilient tenacity, and laser-focused vision.

Whether honing her skills as a consummate performer and passionate speaker or serving as the Communications Director for Coaching Corps, as Executive Director of Youth Together or as Executive Director of the National Lawyers Guild, Cat’s leadership has always been informed by and in collaboration with impacted communities. She played a central role in the struggle for justice for Oscar Grant and is the co-founder of the Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP) whose mission is to rapidly respond to and ultimately eradicate state violence in communities of color. With APTP she shepherded the development of a “First Responders” process which provides resources and training for a rapid community-based response to police violence. This model is currently being replicated across the state of California and the country.

While Cat’s energies have been centered on activism and community engagement, she also successfully navigates the “halls of power” offering her considerable skills to the work of negotiating the passage of AB931 and SB 1421. In addition, she has organized with local housing advocates to bring Proposition 10 (Repeal Costa Hawkins) to the ballot in November. Cat currently serves as the Executive Director of the Justice Teams Network, a network of grassroots activists providing rapid response and healing justice in response to all forms of state violence across California. In addition, she is touring her onewoman show, Tasha, about the in-custody murder of Natasha McKenna in the Fairfax County Jail.

She lives in West Oakland with her husband and daughter.

AT A GLANCE: My Church: First AME Oakland About your career: I love working with the people in such a deep and intimate way. I love building towards a more just and humane world. That said, my work is rooted in death. I work with families who have lost loved ones to state violence. I don’t like that the conditions exist in our community that make the work I do a necessity.

Advice for those Black women who are interested in running for office: People will tell you that you have to morph into someone else to win: Don’t! stay true to yourself, stay true to the people, be accountable, principled and disciplined, it’s OK to say I don’t know, don’t make promises you are not 100% you can keep, talk to everybody - even those you disagree with.

Best workday strategy: Do your writing at the top of the day, save emails and calls till the afternoon and early evening.

Alter ego: Jessica Jones Hobbies: Acting, working out, watching movies.

Best achievement so far: Developing a rapid response model to state violence that is being replicated across the state, parts of the country and Canada.

My hero: Joan Tarika Lewis. She was the first woman in the Black Panther Party. I am lucky enough to have her in my community circle. She is quiet and humble, despite all she did for our people and community. Even now, she is committed to building better lives for the people and creating a just society for all.

Best life experience: Giving birth to my daughter (with no meds!

Did you or do you have a mentor? Yes. My high school theater teacher Dane Madsen. He taught me to believe in myself, to persevere through it all, to believe in my talent and that no matter how bad it looked - it would get better.

Why should we be involved or active in politics on the local to national level and why must Black people get out to vote?

There are people inside of those halls of power making decisions about our lives and far too many of them don’t care very much about our lives. From how much money goes to social services to what kinds of development is going to take place in your community - people in elected office and politics determine the quality of the lives we lead. We must have an inside-outside strategy that elects truly progressive community members and that brings pressure to bear on those we do elect to ensure they are behaving in ways that benefit all of us, not just the wealthy. n catbrooksforoakland.com FALL 2018 T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 1 3 |

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC CHAMPIONS

KIMBERLY ELLIS

AT A GLANCE: My Church: Friendship Missionary Baptist in Vallejo, CA

FOUNDER OF UNBOUGHT-UNBOSSED

Best workday strategy: Try to get outside and soak up at least 20 minutes of sunshine!

FAVORITES: Vacation Getaway: Hands down – Kaua’i, Hawaii.

Book: The Operator’s Manual for Planet Earth by D. Trinidad Hunt.

Perfume: Issey Miyake Soul food restaurant: My own kitchen on Sunday afternoons after church. Thanks Grandma June for passing down the cooking genes!

Celebrity male icon you admire: Steph Curry. He epitomizes how athletes should use their celebrity for the greater good and to promote social justice.

Alter ego: Maya Angelou

Kimberly Ellis, J.D. was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee and is a nationally recognized progressive leader who has been credited with revolutionizing Democratic politics in California. Having appeared on syndicated television and radio programs, Kimberly is frequently interviewed and quoted by leading political media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post and Associated Press.

A captivating orator who educates, motivates and inspires people to action, Kimberly brings a wide breath of experience in traditional media and digital content creation. Kimberly is a frequent contributor to a number of online and print dailies, such as the San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times and Huffington Post, offering her thoughts on political and economic issues of the day.

Most recently, Kimberly was a candidate for Chair of the California Democratic Party, where she inspired thousands and lit the spark of an ongoing movement for the next generation of Progressive activists. Kimberly is the former Executive Director of Emerge California – the state’s most effective training program for Democratic women to run for and win elected office, and before this role, served as the National Affiliate Director of Emerge America. Kimberly holds a juris doctorate from the John F. Kennedy School of Law, a Bachelor of Arts from Jacksonville University and is a Fellow with the Truman National Security Project. Kimberly serves on a number of boards and advisory councils, including Fund Her, K to College and the California Young Dems Black Caucus.

Hobbies: Reading, writing and sleeping. In that order.

Best achievement so far: My kids.

My hero: Shirley Chisholm. Even though she was trailblazer, well ahead of her time, she still had the courage to stand in her light and be a badass.

Best life experience: Besides giving birth to my kids, running for Chair of the California Democratic Party.

Photo by Rayford Johnson

generous, thoughtful, creative

Pros and cons of entrepreneurship and running your own business?

I love the opportunity to educate, motivate, inspire ¬¬and empower people (especially Black women) to OWN their power. I don’t like that my sector (politics) is currently run by old, white men. That has to change, and it is my goal to change it.

Advice for Black women who are interested in running for office?

Just do it!

Why should we be involved or active in politics on the local to national level and why must Black people get out to vote? Every single aspect of life is political – from the price you pay at the pump for gas to whether or not you have a grocery store in your community that sells fresh fruits and vegetables. It has always been and is even more critical today than ever before that Black folks not just get out and vote, but start running for office (and supporting other Black people running for office) so that we can take our rightful places at decision-making tables where our livelihoods are being decided.

In another lifetime: I’d be a musician.

Slogan you live by: How you do anything is how you do everything.

What do you like about Sacculturalhub.com and THE HUB Magazine? Everything! I mean, it’s OF, FOR and ABOUT Black folks; so, like, seriously… how can you not love it?! n

FB: /RealKimberlyE Twitter: @realkimberlye Instagram: @realkimberlye

| 1 4 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

Did you or do you have a mentor?

I have several and they continue to help guide and expand my horizons.

FALL 2018

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC HONOREE SPOTLIGHT

GENEVIÉVE JONES-WRIGHT

FORMER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Geneviéve obtained a J.D. from Howard Law after graduating from the University of San Francisco with a B.A. in mass media communications. She obtained an LL.M. in Trial Advocacy specializing in federal criminal defense from California Western School of Law. This one-of-a-kind program helped her perfect her craft and allowed her to work in both the Southern and Central Districts of California. Since 2006 she has proudly served as a Deputy Public Defender in San Diego.

Beyond the courtroom, Geneviéve serves on the City of San Diego’s Commission on Gang Prevention and Intervention where she chairs the ad-hoc Gang Documentation committee and serves on both the Communications and Outreach committee and Youth committee. She is a volunteer attorney for the California Innocence Project and a member of the State Bar of California’s Council on Access and Fairness.

Geneviéve is very active in several community organizations.

She serves on the Board of Directors for the David’s Harp Foundation, a local nonprofit that transforms the lives of “at-risk” and homeless youth through the power of music. She is a Mock Trial Team coach and a member of the Criminal Justice Program advisory board at Lincoln High School. She also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association. In 2003, Geneviéve co-founded and served on the Board of Directors of ELITE (Educated Ladies Investing in Tomorrow’s Exemplars), a local program that prepared young girls for college.

Her life goals are to use the law as a tool for our most vulnerable groups. Geneviéve has an abiding love for God and sincerely desires to manifest divine love through service by way of her life.

As Frederick Douglass reminds us: “Power concedes nothing without a demand.” For this very reason, Geneviéve recently ran for District Attorney for San Diego County energizing a movement for change and dignity and true justice for all.

Geneviéve is happily married to Oliver Bailey who is a Hospital Corpsman in the US Navy.

AT A GLANCE: My Church: San Diego New Life Baptist About your career: I love the role I play in our justice system as a public defender. Defense attorneys play an integral role in our justice system as we are embedded in the Constitution to protect individuals from our all-powerful government. Every day, in my role as a public defender, I try to usher fairness and a much-needed balance in to our criminal justice system. I ask judges and prosecutors to focus more on healing and prevention than punishment and retribution. That is also what I don’t like about it. People who are suffering from mental illness, poverty,

homelessness, traumas, and chronic system failures are at the whim of a system that was created to hurt people and not heal them.

Photo by Rayford Johnson

faith-driven, resilient, uncompromising

FAVORITES: Vacation Getaway: Anywhere in Mexico Music: Gospel Perfume: “Chance” by Chanel Soul food restaurant: My house

Advice for Black women who are interested in running for office: Just do it! We need you. We need your perspective.

We need your representation. We need your voice.

What would our nation be without Shirley Chisholm, Maxine Waters, or Barbara Lee? They are the epitome of why Black women must seek office.

Best achievement so far: Taking on an entire political machine that undergirds a corrupt and unjust system.

As Frederick Douglass reminds us, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” So, the change that is needed will never come from the Status Quo. The Status Quo benefits from investing more money in the prison industrial complex and not our schools, and from private prisons, so there is no incentive for them to ever close for-profit jails, prisons, and detention facilities. My run for DA put conversations like these out in the forefront, but my goal is to get the Status Quo out of business and to implement policies that the people need done.

Best life experience: Attending Howard Law! Having the privilege of attending not only a historically Black university but “The Mecca” after attending PWIs (“predominately white institutions”) from junior high to college was a literal dream come true. I decided I would attend Howard Law in the fourth grade. I never imagined how much of a life-changing experience it would be however. At Howard, you are expected to do something great, and it was emboldening to train in that environment. n

FALL 2018

T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 1 5 |

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

RUTHIE BOLTON

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST AND FORMER WNBA STAR PLAYER FOR THE WNBA’S SACRAMENTO MONARCHS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Career Highlights and Awards • 2x WNBA All Star (1999, 2001) • All -WNBA First Team (1997) Olympic Games • 1996 Atlanta (Gold) • 2000 Sydney (Gold) World University Games 1991 Sheffield (Gold) FIBA World Championship for Women • 1994 Sydney (Bronze) • 1998 Berlin (Gold) Named to the 1988 NCAA Women’s Final

HEALTH, SPORTS & WELLNESS

Four All-Tournament Team USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year (1991) Women Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee (2011) Scored over 2,000 career points, is fourth of the WNBA’s alltime 3-pointer list, and is the only player in the history of the Sacramento Monarchs to have her number retired Honoree Sacramento Walk of Stars (2017) 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army International Men’s & Women’s basketball camp coach/ mentor in over 16 countries.

As an original franchise player for the WNBA’s Sacramento Monarchs. She has scored over 2000 career points, she is 4th on the WNBA’s all-time 3-pointer list, and she is the only player in the history of the Monarchs to have her number retired. She is a 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist, a USA Basketball Female of the Year, the Sports Illustrated Best Woman Athlete by home state, and one of only four players to be named to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2011. Ruthie was the WNBA’s first National Spokeswoman for youth development program “Play Fit/ Stay Fit.” She had no idea her years as a 1st Lieutenant in the Army and professional basketball player, combined with her love of the stage, would prepare her for something she really could get excited about empowering others especially women and girls.

After escaping an abusive marriage, she now travels around the world and shares her story in hopes of preventing abuse of other women. As an expert on transformation, showing others how to turn traumatic situations into an opportunity to renew and transform yourself. Her practical teachings, help others how to | 1 6 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

deal with trials and tribulations, turn them around and grow from them. More than anything, Ruthie is honest and real - so much that her audiences quickly connect with her as if she were speaking personally to each one of them. Her viewpoint is to use your gifts to serve other: to inspire others to let their light shine and perform at their best. As she often says “If I am only remembered for being a basketball player, I believe that I will have failed in my job on this planet.”

speaker, author, advocate

As a speaker, Ruthie addresses business, associational, and social groups, women’s groups, churches, and schools.

In addition to domestically and internationally speaking, Ruthie is the author of two books. “The Ride of a Lifetime” and “From Pain to Power”; she is also the co-creator of an education enrichment program called “Aim High,” designed to empower girls from ages 8-15.

Over 56 educational institutes throughout the world have implemented her curriculum.

mightyruthiebolton.com Facebook: MightyRuthieBolton Instagram: @Mightyruthie n

FALL 2018

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC HONOREE SPOTLIGHT

LINDA BROWN

GOVERNMENT PROGRAM ANALYST CALIFORNIA STUDENT AID COMMISSION FAVORITES: Vacation getaway: Jamaica Mon love the people, the land, and the food.

Music: Frankie Beverly & Maze- Love & Pain Perfume: Jo Malone Restaurant: M & M Soul Food in Los Angeles Book: Nathan’s McCall “Makes Me Want To Holla” Celebrity male icon: Lebron James - because he is a giver and respects the fact that education is the key to a successful life.

SOCIAL WELFARE & COMMUNITY ACTIVISM

AT A GLANCE: My Church: Showers of Blessings- Dr. Darnel Thomas My hero: My Mother - at 89 she is still holding it down and leading our family! With five kids to guide my mother got her degree and Masters in Social Work and made sure all her kids had the opportunity to attend higher education.

Best workday strategy: Keep gossip outside of you, know your work peers, study them for their human behavior, beliefs, and humanity.

Guilty pleasure: Shopping for shoes and purses.

Alter ego: Angela Davis - “Power to the People” Ideal traits of a husband: I love men who are old fashion and still believe in treating women like their Queens! Nothing better...

Choice of Entertainment: I love outdoor concerts.

Mentorship: My mentor at a young age was Mr. Sam Parnell who the Community Center (Sam Pannell Meadowview) is named (after). He was our teacher in junior high and he and a group of black teachers at John Still Elementary School in South Sacramento were very involved in our lives making sure we were exposed to the world and education. At that time Black pride was at an all time high in the community, it was the error of the Black Panther Party.

In another lifetime: I know I would have been one of those college students signing up to be a “Freedom Rider” rolling for equal education and opportunity.

Slogan you live by: “Its like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from going under.”

What do you like about Sacculturalhub.com and THE HUB Magazine? The Magazine keeps the community connected and it honors excellence in our community. I like the fact that it recognizes real community leaders and examples of how and why our community needs to continue to fight for all there is to have in this world.

determined, caring, outspoken Linda Brown, recently retired, was involved with state government for over thirty years. As a representative for the California Student Aid Commission, Linda was a planner and advocate for educating the community about financial aid programs for students attending public and private universities, colleges, and vocational schools in California. As a Southern University A&M College graduate, and advocate for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), she was a liaison between the state agency and HBCU colleges and college fairs offering information about the financial aid process, and steps towards pursuing higher education both in and out of California. Linda has traveled throughout the state of California maintaining a thriving pipeline of students attending HBCUs as well as colleges within the state. Linda has worked with Southern University Alumni Association, U-CAN Go to College, National Black College Expo and other entities to bring success to thousands of students. She remarks on her passion, “watching the faces of kids I talk to about making their life dreams come true thru Education... letting them know they can go to college.. when that face lights up I know God is sending his Blessings.”

Linda Brown’s passion for youth carries over into the community through mentoring and volunteering her time with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. As a Diamond Life sorority member, she has served as a leader in numerous capacities. Ms. Brown is the current president of Sacramento Chapter, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. where she continues to encourage programs that aid and encourage our foster youth, teens, and young adults. Some of her best memories are seeing the fruits of her labor.

Linda has always been considered a committed advocate and top producer in the areas that she serves. By virtue of her strengths and talents, she has risen to being a leader both in the office, at church, in her lifetime commitment to sisterhood, and with her community organizations.

In her free time, Linda attends Showers of Blessings church, and enjoys a variety of sports. She loves camping and reading. Early on in life she served in the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. n

FALL 2018

T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 1 7 |

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

ZIMA CREASON

PRESIDENT & CEO MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF CALIFORNIA Zima serves with several volunteer organizations. She is a member of the National Institute of Mental Health, Sacramento County Children’s Coalition, and the California Department of Education Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup. She also serves on the Advisory Committee of My Sisters House.

AT A GLANCE: My trademark: Energetic Best workday strategy: I work hard to not get lost in work email. It can become a full time job all by itself. I check my email once in the morning and once in the evening for the most part. That way I can focus on projects and meetings, yet still be responsive in a reasonable time frame.

HEALTH, SPORTS & WELLNESS

Guilty pleasure: Sugar. All of the sugar in the world.

Alter ego: Storm from Marvel

passionate, energetic, determined FAVORITES: Music: I like most genres Perfume: Viva La Juicy Noir Soul food restaurant: Roscoes Chicken & Waffles

Zima Creason is a native Californian who attended the University of Phoenix. Professionally, Zima has worked in the mental health policy, advocacy, and education field for over 17 years. Currently, she serves as the President and CEO of Mental Health America of California (MHAC), a nonprofit charitable organization. “In my role as President & CEO of Mental Health America of California, I love raising awareness about mental health, educating law makers and decision makers, and empowering and providing technical assistance to stakeholders to directly shape policy.”

Zima’s priorities include building psychologically healthy and safe environments and supporting processes for meaningful stakeholder engagement and involvement in all decision making related to mental health and education.

Best asset: Resilience My Hero: Oprah – she has been a force for as long as I can remember. A woman that looked like me on TV that was warm and gave great advice. I grew older and learned her story. It is one of the most challenged upbringings I have ever heard of. My respect and admiration for her grew. Her resilience has inspired me to get through some really hard times. She is a strong black woman that manifested her own destiny while remembering where she came from, keeping that warmth, and giving back to community.

Choice of Entertainment: Amusement parks!

Best life experience: The birth of my son, Caden.

Slogan you live by: Be mindful.

What do you like about Sacculturalhub.com and THE HUB Magazine? I love that they are by and for black folks! Instead of the usual lack of representation or minimal representation, there are pictures of people that look like me in the magazine and on the web. It feels good to see yourself in media and it simply does not happen enough. The topics and information speak directly to me. The website and the magazine are bricks on the path towards creating psychosocially healthy and safe space for people of color. The magazine and website are places where people like us can come to learn more about what is most important to our community. n

Further, Zima is currently running for the San Juan School Board 2018. San Juan covers 75 square miles including Citrus Heights, Orangevale, Carmichael, Arden Arcade, and Fair Oaks. Her district has significant challenges including devastating and disproportionate expulsion rates of black students third grade and younger. The district is under investigation by the US Department of Education for its mistreatment of black students. There is no black representation on the board, and there are no sitting board members that have a child currently attending a district school. Learn more at voteforzima.com. | 1 8 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

FALL 2018

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC HONOREE SPOTLIGHT

SHERENA EDINBORO CLINICAL NURSE II, RN, BSN UC DAVIS HEALTH

FAVORITES: Vacation Getaway: Adventure, tour and ending with a pristine beach with crystal blue waters (somewhere in the Caribbean) Book: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail Music: Reggae/Dance hall Perfume: Viktor & Rolfe – Flower bomb Soul food restaurant: M&M’s

focused, fun, energetic

Sherena Edinboro, 40, is a registered nurse in the Emergency Department at UC Davis Health. She has been practicing nursing in Northern California for over ten years. Sherena is the current and founding president of the Capitol City Black Nurses Association in Sacramento, California. Currently, she works as an Emergency Department nurse, providing care to numerous individuals in crisis.

HEALTH, SPORTS & WELLNESS

Sherena is passionate, diligent and compassionate in the nursing care that she provides. She has taken a special interest in mental health and access to mental health services for all individuals. Sherena advocates for patients, family and friends regarding their mental health and wellness issues, ensuring that their concerns and voices are heard. Her expertise as a bedside nurse and a community leader allows her to consider the “whole person” when providing care, instead of just focusing on the presenting problem.

AT A GLANCE: My Church: Center of Praise

As an endurance athlete, who has completed an Ironman and the AIDS Life Cycle 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, Sherena’s love for health and wellness allows for her to inspire and empower others to live their best lives through healthy lifestyle choices and leading by example.

Hobbies: Working out and competing in triathlons.

Sherena is currently pursuing her Holistic Nurse Certification to become a board-certified Nurse Coach to better serve patients and individuals in both the hospital and community.

Sherena earned her Bachelor of Science from Sacramento State University and is currently a second-year graduate student at UC Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing where she will complete a Master of Science in Health Care Leadership. In her spare time, she currently engages in public speaking events and is a member of various community organizations.

“In my field of work I love that I can help others and make an impact on their lives. What I dislike about my job is that I can’t ‘fix’ everyone, sometimes there is nothing left to be done or individuals aren’t receptive to care,” shares Sherena. One of her greatest achievements is having the ability to continue to overcome adversity.

Best workday strategy: “Go with the flow”, things are constantly changing.

Guilty Pleasure: Captain Crunch and Berries Alter Ego: Sherlock Holmes (I am a good detective!)

Best asset: Non-judgmental My hero: Wonder Woman! She is a warrior princess that is the epitome of strength and purity.

Traits of an ideal husband/soulmate: Honesty, loving, caring, thoughtful, considerate, self-less, understanding, supportive and giving.

Best life experience: Feeling as though I belong and make a difference in others’ lives. Every time I am in a space where I have these feelings it is the best experience of my life all over again.

Choice of Entertainment: The great outdoors, hiking, biking, backpacking, rafting, running, swimming you name it! I love to #optoutside In another lifetime: I believe I would like to be a full-time explorer and athlete.

Slogan you live by? There’s nothing to it, but to do it!

What do you like about Sacculturalhub.com and THE HUB Magazine? They offer local resources and events as well as what is going on nationally. I like that it is bridging the gap between our communities of color, especially here in the greater Sacramento area. n

FALL 2018

T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 1 9 |

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

YVONNE EVANS

EDUCATION PROGRAMS CONSULTANT CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FAVORITES: Vacation Getaway: Smooth jazz cruise Celebrity male icon: Trevor Noah. His sense of humor is so witty and smart.

Book: The Four Agreements Music: Contemporary Jazz and R& B Yvonne’s mission is to inspire, educate and connect people to healthy habits for optimal living. Since 2003, she’s been conducting healthy eating and lifestyle classes and workshops which include raw food preparation, personal nutrition consultations, yoga, and walking programs; in addition to being a speaker at various conferences and events on the topic of healthy eating and living. Since 2014, Yvonne has focused on optimal health in the areas of mental wellness through mindfulness and creativity. She received mindfulness training through Mindful Schools® and life coaching through various entities.

Also in 2014, Yvonne became involved with an art organization, Women’s Wisdom Art, to fulfill her desire to create and be involved with art. Now she serves as a board member for the organization. Women’s Wisdom Art serves women who have dealt with life’s challenges from grief, disease, abuse, mental disorders, and physical limitations, to name a few. It was while working with this organization that she developed a desire to help women, specifically black women, find their purpose and passion in their second phase of life, so she created a coaching program where she engages clients to use their intuition, imagination, and inspiration in combination with mindfulness and creativity.

Yvonne has always been an active volunteer in the Black community. She has been a member and officer with the Black Child Development Institute, and she was instrumental in organizing a program to help people become fit called Faithfully Fit Folks. It is her intention to see people healthy, whole and living their purpose.

In 2017 Yvonne was selected to serve as a member of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission’s Race and Cultural Equity Task Force. Yvonne is a member of Rancho Cordova Arts. She’s also participated in art organizations connected with her job with the California Department of Education (CDE) such as the California County Superintendent’s Education Service Association (CCSESA) Arts Initiative and the California Arts Commission.

Yvonne is currently an Education Program Consultant with the California Department of Education’s Coordinated Student Support Division where she is responsible for Independent Study, Juvenile Court and Community Schools, and is trainer for Youth Mental Health First Aid. For a free initial coaching consultation contact Yvonne at enough2beme@gmail.com.

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ARTS & CULTURE

creative, connected, mindful AT A GLANCE: My Church: Unity of Sacramento Best workday strategy: To take periodic breaks, even if it means taking two minutes to some deep breathing exercises.

Guilty pleasure: Kettle corn Hobbies: Painting Best achievement so far: Raising a beautiful and intelligent daughter.

My hero: My mother, she loved life to the fullest and she loved family.

Ideal traits of husband/soulmate: Good sense of humor, great communicator, ambitious, spiritual, love of family, good looking.

Choice of Entertainment: West Coast entertainment … Going to art shows, concerts and plays.

Is there a lack of mentorship and/or community/business collaboration efforts in communities of color in the Greater Sacramento Valley? Yes, I believe we are so scattered and don’t live in concentrated areas anymore or come together in a centralized area. We need a common hub, a place to exchange ideas, and share resources.

How has a mentor helped you in life? I’ve had coaches but not so much a mentor. The coaches assist with particular areas where I need assistance. A mentor helps develop a person to be the best they can be overall.

In another lifetime … I’d like to be a successful full-time artist and travel the world and help disenfranchised women find their creative passion.

Slogan you live by? Be true to yourself. n

FALL 2018

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC HONOREE SPOTLIGHT

CHARLENE GREEN

DIRECTOR, ADMISSIONS/STUDENT & RESIDENT DIVERSITY/STUDENT DEVELOPMENT UC DAVIS HEALTH FAVORITES: Vacation getaway: Montego Bay Jamaica, with a group of 12 friends!

Book: Embarrassing, but the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling Music: Early 90’s R&B Perfume: Marc Jacob Lola Soul food restaurant: Besides my own cooking, Kingston 11 in Oakland, CA Celebrity male icon: Very cliché but Barack Obama. James Baldwin is another one of my pioneering heroes!

Charlene Green, MA, LMFT, is the Director of Outreach, Recruitment and Retention at UC Davis School of Medicine, overseeing all aspects of programmatic and administrative matters in the Admissions, Diversity, and Student Development units. Her areas of focus include diversity initiatives, mental health, and comprehensive student support for the M.D. Program.

A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Ms. Green has 13 years of experience in social and human services, and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She has spent her career working in healthcare, academia and workforce development.

Charlene is very active within the UC Davis Health community and surrounding areas. She serves as a board member for the African American Faculty and Staff Association and as well as many various institutional committees and work groups. Her passion is to serve as a mentor, a voice of equity and a bridge for community engagement.

She has a special interest in diversifying healthcare and addressing healthcare disparities among women of color.

Mrs. Green has been awarded both the Golden Bladder and the Chancellor’s STAR award for her continued support of students in creating events, establishing new programs, helping to prioritize personal tasks, and is an unending source of encouragement.

Mrs. Green is committed to championing the richness that diversity brings not only to UC Davis Health but also its surrounding communities.

Her passion is students and she is consistently available (even after hours) to point them in the right direction. Recently a second year medical student was the victim of a theft which left him without a laptop at a crucial time while he was studying for his step one exam. Charlene rallied colleagues and friends to raise enough money to replace the young man’s laptop. This is just one of the many examples of how her care goes far and beyond working hours.

Outside of her work at UC Davis Health, she is an adjunct faculty member at Cosumnes River College, teaching Human Career Development courses and counseling community college scholars to success. Ms. Green is also continuing her education as a doctoral candidate at Touro University, focusing on Human and Organizational Psychology. She enjoys spending time with her husband of 8 years and two children.

FALL 2018

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

proactive, practical, ambitious AT A GLANCE: My Church: Center of Praise Trademark: Sincerity … I do everything with full dedication and sincerity. I try to give my 100% in any work.

Best workday strategy: Be organized, be humble, be empathetic.

Best achievement so far: My two children are the best thing I will ever do. Finishing college was also a huge accomplishment. I dropped out at 20 years old and returned years later and finished while pregnant with my first child. I never thought I would ever have a college degree and now I have 3 and counting!

My hero: My community college counselor, Dr. Judy Mays. She changed my life when she guided me to finish college. I would not be where I am today without her helping to turn my life around.

Best life experience: My new-found relationship with my mother has been another huge blessing in my life. We used to always be at odds constantly and now she is my biggest fan. She lives with my family and we are closer than ever.

Slogan you live by: I’m a problem solver, so when I solve problems #nextproblem! I have my staff members and students all saying it!

What do you like about Sacculturalhub.com and THE HUB Magazine? I love the way Sac Cultural Hub keeps me connected to what is happening in our community; socially, politically, and culturally. n T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 2 1 |

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

CHIOKO GREVIOUS FOUNDER OF SACRAMENTO’S BLACK WOMEN’S HEALTH & WELLNESS CONFERENCE, HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST AT CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

FAVORITES: Vacation getaway: Anywhere with a beach Book: The Color Purple Music: I love 60s and 70s Soul Music, hip hop, a lot of 90s R&B, some alternative, Neo Soul from the early 2000s.

Chioko Grevious, 36, founder of the Juliette Health Organization and the Sacramento Black Women’s Health and Wellness Conference (BWHWC) has over 10 years in public health, community health education, and program implementation at the state and local level. She spearheaded programs for infant mortality prevention, breast feeding support, women’s health disparities and autism awareness. Chioko has a vast knowledge of public health program implementation and conducting community needs assessments. Through the Juliette Health Organization, she is leading the way in providing innovative interventions that assist Black women and women of color to empower themselves by consciously choosing to be healthier and thrive, by seeking health resources for positive health outcomes. Chioko works as a Health Program Specialist with the California Department of Public Health and a Sr. Community Program Representative for the UC Davis MIND Institute. In her role at CDPH, she is able to be of service to many people in the State of California living with HIV. As the founder of the BWHWC Sacramento, Choiko loves meeting all of the women who attend, hearing their stories and their triumphs. Her role enables her to facilitate healthier outcomes in he community Choiko credits her friend and cofounder, Jessica Brown, who has been instrumental in moving the conference forward.

Chioko is also a mother to a 10-year-old son, Alex; she is happily married to Daniel and loves the Boston Celtics.

AT A GLANCE: My Church: The First Baptist Church of Sacramento Best workday strategy: When I get ready to work, I make an “accomplishment list”. This is a lists of tasks listed by priority and I tackle them. It is remarkably satisfying to cross tasks off.

Guilty pleasure: Watching Maury (yep, “You are not the father”, Maury) and judge shows…Judge Mathis, Judge Judy, Divorce Court, People’s Court.

Hobbies: Photography, reading, hiking, coordinating events and parties, baking, going to see the Boston Celtics and watching sports.

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SOCIAL WELFARE & COMMUNITY ACTIVISM

insightful, intelligent, compassionate Best asset: I am a good listener.

Best achievement so far: Raising a happy, well-adjusted 10 year son, Alex, who has an inquisitive spirit and the willingness to serve. He has been my greatest achievement.

My hero: My grandma, Juliette. When I was a child I was so enamored with her because she was such a beautiful human being inside and out. She was friendly and genuine, compassionate and nurturing. I enjoyed watching how she interacted with everyone she came into contact with because she treated everyone as a friend. My work in public health and designing health interventions to benefit our community is because of her life.

Slogan you live by: “Just live your best life” How has having a mentor in life helped you? I have a mentor but she probably doesn’t know it! My mentor is Alondra Thompson. Alondra is such a dynamic spirit. She exudes grace and humility. She is kind, warm, personable, intelligent and funny. She has inspired me to grow in my career. I was so inspired that I decided to go back to graduate school for a second masters degree to become a therapist, something that I have been wanting to do for a long time. She believes in pulling women up by providing knowledge and guidance and for that, I’ll always be grateful.

What do you like about Sacculturalhub.com and THE HUB Magazine? Sacculturalhub.com is such a wonderful representation of who is in our community and what events are happening. The website covers political topics that directly impact our community as well as entertainment sources. I believe that it is so vital for us to have news publications such as the Sac Cultural Hub and THE HUB Magazine because representation in the news and who is delivering the news matters. n

FALL 2018

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC HONOREE SPOTLIGHT

SHERONA HARRIS

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE II STANFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE FAVORITES: Vacation getaway: Los Angeles Book: The Color Purple by Alice Walker Music: Gospel, R&B, Jazz, Funk.

Perfume: Clinique Happy Heart Soul food restaurant: Southern Cafe Celebrity male icon: Sterling K. Brown I admire him because he gave a wonderful speech at Stanford University’s commencement this year. He encouraged the graduating class to continue to shine. Shine through the good and the bad. He also values his family. He is an actor on the rise but when he speaks he doesn’t forget where he came from.

Sherona Harris, 35, a director, dancer and choreographer of SherOnMyPraise Dance Ministry. She has a servant’s heart, and is dedicated and passionate about doing work for the Lord.

She is a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Redwood City, California under the leadership of Pastor Fred Campbell.

ARTS & CULTURE

Sherona has been in ministry for 20 years and is very passionate about teaching. She is currently directing and choreographing for the Little Lytes of Zion Dance Ministry. She has also done the same for Hands of Praise and Jr. Hands of Praise Dance Ministry from 2009 to 2012.

Throughout her life, she has always been involved in dance. She has taken classes in ballet, modern dance and jazz dance. She was first introduced to the ministry of dance at the age of 16 and after five years, she realized this is what God had called her to do.

In both 2011 and 2017, she had the privilege of traveling in Ghana, West Africa. She ministered through dance at three of the five nightly revival church services. These experiences have been life-changing for her and she is looking forward to doing more and serving to her fullest capacity.

Sherona holds a very important position at her job, as she is the department administrator of 60+ employees. She is known for her smile and can-do attitude. She is the glue that holds everything together in the office. Everyday she is faced with many challenges, but like the go getter she is, she manages to handle everything with grace. She loves her job and hopes her joy shines through in everything she does.

AT A GLANCE: My Church: Mount Zion Baptist Church - Redwood City.

Trademark: Passion Best workday strategy: Stay organized.

giving, versatile, creative Best asset: My smile.

Best achievement so far: Being the best big sister I can be and traveling to Africa 2 times.

My hero: My grandmother. She is so strong. She tries her best to take care of everyone in the family. She has a heart of gold.

Ideal trait of a man/husband/soulmate: I have a colleague at my job that is an all-around good guy. He loves what he does.

Even when he’s not feeling his best he shows up. He’s very considerate of other people and their time. He’s also a great listener and someone that keeps their word.

Best life experience: I had the opportunity to praise dance in Africa in 2017. I’ve danced there before but this moment is a moment I will never forget. As I was dancing everyone was singing the song. It was like the whole room became a large choir. They were singing the song Amazing by Hezekiah Walker.

When I think of this moment it brings me great joy because God is amazing to me and that God is everywhere. It’s amazing how God can use me across the country to deliver a great message of how amazing His love is for us.

Guilty pleasure: Recess peanut butter cups.

Choice of Entertainment: Concerts and theater shows (musicals or dance shows)

Hobbies: Watching dance performances, listening to music, going to concerts and the theater.

Slogan you live by? Remember to take care of yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. n

FALL 2018

T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 2 3 |

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

KENNEDY HILL-GARCIA

SR. DIRECTOR - STRATEGY, TRANSFORMATION & ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE AT KAISER PERMANENTE & CEO OF SPIRITUAL BOSS CHICK, KINGDOM APPS & THE DREAM ACADEMY FAVORITES: Vacation getaway: Cruised with my family for 7 days in the Caribbean.

Book: I love books and have already read 6 this year. My all-time favorite will always be the Bible because it’s Gods direction for how life is supposed to be lived and experienced. Other than that right now my favorite book is Believe Bigger: Discover the Path to Your Life Purpose by Marshawn Evans Daniels Music: I love all genres of music but listen most to Salsa, Christian contemporary, Country and R&B Perfume: Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Soul food: My Mommas Kitchen! Haven’t a found a restaurant that can beat her. LOL.

faith-filled, resilient, intelligent children through organizations such as Court Appointed Special Advocates, Junior Achievement and Reach Back Give Back where she served on the Board of Directors. In 2018 Kennedy has started her own non-profit organization,The Dream Academy, to formally advance the work she’s been doing for over 9 years focused on empowering girls to live their dream.

PRESIDENTIAL EXCELLENCE

Kennedy Hill-Garcia is a woman of God, wife and mother. By day she is the Senior Director of Compliance Strategy Transformation & Organizational Change Kaiser Permanente. She remarks, “I love leading transformation and enabling success for the organization because that allows us to continue serving 12 million members and providing healthcare.”

By night she is the Founder, CEO & Chairmen of Spiritual Boss Chick LLC. and its subsidiaries - Kingdom Apps and The Dream Academy. Kennedy believes that enabling purpose-driven transformation for businesses, organizations and individuals is her calling. She created Spiritual Boss Chick and its subsidiaries to accomplish the vision of unlocking the talent of millions of women across the globe while shifting what communities, the workplace and success looks like. As an entrepreneur, Kennedy loves having the freedom to be led by the spirit and to utilize faith in helping people transform.

Kennedy received her formal education in Engineering, Organizational Design & Public Policy at the University of California in Davis & Stanford University. Although her career began as a software engineer she has over 20+ years of corporate success in removing barriers, developing strategies to optimize business operations and resources, leading transformation and large-scale organizational change, while contributing to the development of subordinate and executive leaders alike. She has helped businesses solve key problems that enabled them to flourish and numerous people optimize their career by leading from a place of purpose.

Kennedy’s philanthropic efforts are spent caring for the homeless and advancing educational interests and collegiate opportunities for today’s youth. She has extensive experience facilitating development programs and advocating for the | 2 4 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

In early 2018 Kennedy was recognized for outstanding community dedication from the 6th district of The State of California Senate for independently providing food and clothing to the homeless population.

Kennedy was recently crowned Mrs. Northern Sierra 2018 and will have the pleasure of traveling across the State of California, advancing the platform of helping to close the gender dream gap for

girls during her reign.

AT A GLANCE: My church: First Baptist of Vacaville (member) and Center of Praise in Sacramento Best workday strategy: With so much to do, everyday must begin with a prioritization of my most important objectives and tasks for the day. Create/review the list and begin executing!

Guilty pleasure: Me days. Spa date, lunch and cheesecake and shopping at Saks/Neiman Marcus.

Best asset: My heart for people and not just wanting to see everyone win but my effort in helping that become a reality.

Best achievement so far: Seeing the type of young man my son has become makes me feel like I’ve done something right and so he is and will always be my greatest achievement.

My hero: My parents, because they taught me to love myself, love God, love others unconditionally and to live a life of purpose.

Slogan you live by: Be the light.

What do you like about Sacculturalhub.com and THE HUB Magazine? I love that the Sac Cultural Hub is working to highlight the people who are contributing to the success of others in the city and ultimately making Sacramento a great place to live. THE HUB Magazine is shining a light on Sacramento and we all should be grateful for that. n

FALL 2018

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC HONOREE SPOTLIGHT

BRIGETTE LEBLANC

Hobbies: Bake, listening to music, doing jig saw puzzles and reading.

PRINCIPAL AT LEBLANC AND ASSOCIATES LLC Photo by Aunitard Henderson

FAVORITES: Vacation getaway: Washington, DC Book: Another Country by James Baldwin Music: Gospel, Classical, Soul Rhythm, Blues Perfume: Tom Ford and Jo Malone Celebrity male icon: William Leonard Roberts II (aka Rick Ross, aka The Boss) An American rapper, entrepreneur and record executive. William Roberts (aka Rick Ross) looks at the strategies people use and what made them successful. He sits back and accurately makes “The Boss” Moves.

Best asset: My smile.

Best achievement so far: Being selfemployed for over 15 years, helping co-parent my Godson who is now in the Navy (E4).

My hero: My mother Ruby Lee LeBlanc.

My mom is my everything. At 40 she became a widow and raised her daughters from her financial savings as a single mom. She took an early retirement and started a new career in the trucking industry as an Account Payable Clerk closer to home. My mom when things were bleak in my life was always there.

She told me she loved me and she did not raise me to give up. You are a child of God walk in faith. I am grateful to have her in my life as she is my biggest fan and my everything.

San Francisco native Brigette Renee LeBlanc is Guest Experience Manager Best life experience: Moving to at Summit Skywalker Ranch a private, Washington, DC and graduating from POLITICS & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS business retreat center located in Nicasio, George Washington University.

CA. Prior to joining Summit Your views on lack of mentorship in Skywalker Ranch, she was communities of color? I don’t feel that principal of LeBlanc and there is a lack of mentorship, I just know Associates, LLC in San that all of the efforts are not recorded Francisco (formerly LeBlanc Events in Washington, DC). For 18 and we are not able to have the data needed to show the years, her firm has provided premium events in Washington, support is really there.

I still feel that we can do more and that DC and San Francisco Bay Area, community outreach in the every professional African American man and woman should construction and water industries and hospitality services to have a mentor for a period of their high school years and or businesses ranging from the City of San Francisco to working in middle school years into high school. There are organizations the NBA industry. that mentor, for example Black Women for Political Action Brigette has over two decades of success in extraordinary event (BWOPA) – Richmond, CA chapter as well as the other chapters production for businesses ranging from the City of San Francisco throughout the state. We can always do more. We should take to the NBA through her consulting firm, LeBlanc and Associates. baby steps because all efforts make a difference.

Prior to managing her own business, Brigette was the event manager for Gavin Newsom for Mayor and worked in Washington How has having a mentor helped you in life? I have had several mentors throughout my life that have helped me DC in publishing. She is also a career coach for young women personally grow as well advance in my career. Doris Ward, in politics. She holds a Masters in Tourism Administration and Events Management from George Washington University and a BS Zina Pierre, Marshelle Jackson Wilburn, Priscilla Clarke, Deona Smith, Phyllis Turner, Leah Rosen, Anita Butler and Cheryl in Communications from Cal State Hayward.

Mainor and Dawn Patton and Brigette Harrington.

Brigette has lectured on trends in hospitality and college readiness In another lifetime: I would be a philanthropist and donate to at San Francisco City College and facilitated youth development the arts by assisting with their college education and in opening and leadership programs at Stanford University, San Francisco up their own business. Secondly, I would support the medical City College, and San Francisco’s Metro High School. She field (cardiovascular) supporting unrepresented youth who want has received several awards for her outstanding service as an to become doctors by paying their school tuition. entrepreneur and was appointed to the Southeast Community

relentless, exuberant, passionate

Facility Commission by former Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Slogan you live by: My word is my bond.

AT A GLANCE: My Church: Rock Harbor located in San Pablo, CA. Best workday strategy: Prayer, first devotional and workout at the gym.

Guilty pleasure: Ice cream.

What do you like about Sacculturalhub.com and THE HUB Magazine? African Americans have disposable income and big media dollars should be spent here so we can feel included in how dollars are spent. We have enough power and income to stop and or hold up ads and companies that are not for the bigger picture and cause. This magazine is unapologetically black. Thank you - we need this publication. n

Your alter ego: A professional singer.

FALL 2018

T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 2 5 |

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

MICHELE LITES

REGISTERED DIETICIAN RADIATION ONCOLOGY, KAISER PERMANENTE FAVORITES: Vacation getaway: Italy/France for my 25th Wedding Anniversary Book: Some Time Some Love Some Pain by J. California Cooper Music: New Orleans Style Jazz Perfume: Coco Channel Soul food restaurant: House of Chicken and Ribs in Antelope, CA Michele Lites, 52, is a Radiation Oncology Registered Dietitian at Kaiser Permanente where she has worked for 14 years. In addition to medical nutrition therapy, she conducts cooking demonstrations for cancer patients and survivors in the community. She has been a registered dietician for more than 25 years.

For 30 years she has practiced serving patients, professional staff, and the communities in which she lives. She is very active in professional dietetics organizations promoting her field to policy makers and the public. Michele recently completed a three year elected term on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Her experience is varied including the clinical work place, food service and management, community nutrition, private consulting and media relations.

In 2008, she took the inaugural exam to become a Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition. Michele shares, “I truly am fulfilled through educating my patients about how nutrition impacts their health as they manage their diets during and after cancer treatment. I also enjoy educating people in my community about nutrition and I often work with dietetic student interns. Watching those students blossom has also been one of my most rewarding professional endeavors.”

In 2012, Michele was featured in Food & Nutrition Magazine, the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals in their Nutrition Hero Profile. In the article, Michele talks about the importance of oncology nutrition. She finds that creativity, flexibility and the ability to improvise is important when working with cancer patients. “Occasionally, if the only thing a patient can tolerate is rocky road ice cream, I tell them: ‘Guess what you get to eat?’” Lites says.

“Does it mean I want them to do that for the rest of their life? No. But if we’re just trying to get through those rough two or three days after chemotherapy, and ice cream stays down and they enjoy it, that’s what we’re going to do.” (Food & Nutrition Magazine Fall 2012).

Lites also volunteers in the African-American community to lead healthy-eating presentations through California Nutrition Network faith-based projects and health ministries. African-Americans suffer disproportionately from heart disease, stroke and cancer, more so than other ethnicities, all of which are health issues impacted by nutrition. “There are so few African-American dietitians, and it’s really important to me to be active in the community to raise awareness of these facts and how to improve eating for long-term health,” says Lites.

Michelle has held cooking demonstrations at the National Council of Negro Women’s (NCNW) annual Children of Promise and at their annual Sweet Potato Festival. She has volunteered at the African | 2 6 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

FALL 2018

HEALTH, SPORTS & WELLNESS

dedicated, compassionate, focused American Prostate Cancer Screening event, and volunteers with the Sacramento Community Cancer Coalition’s health fairs where prostate and breast cancer screenings are offered to under-insured and uninsured community members.

Michele has been married for 27 years and is the mother of three remarkable daughters, and resides in Sacramento.

AT A GLANCE: My Church: St Ignatius Best workday strategy: Work until the job is done in my mind.

Guilty pleasure: Weekend get-a ways with my husband and weekly hair appointments.

Hobbies: Exploring cultures through cuisines and history, genealogy, traveling.

Best asset: My work ethic.

Best achievement so far: Raising three successful, socially aware exceptional women of color.

My hero: Mothers, because we create, nurture and orchestrate lives forever.

Best life experience: Personally finding the love of my life - James Davis Lites II and raising our family our way.

Professionally- my chosen career path in becoming a registered dietitian, then a certified specialist in oncology nutrition, meeting the CEO of Kaiser Permanente, Bernard Tyson and being elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Slogan you live by: Never a dull moment n

FALL 2018

T H E  H UB M AGAZI NE | 2 7 |

Special Advertising Section: Black Child Legacy Campaign

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www.blackchildlegacy.org

F ALL 2 0 1 8

MOTHERHOOD & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Mrs. Byrd, wife of six years to Asani, mother of 2 beautiful sons, and owner of Creating Characters Childcare, is a black woman who feels empowered and confident in her chosen roles. Being a mom, as well as a successful businesswoman, is no easy task, but Jozzalyn’s belief that your capabilities are limitless gives her the ability to succeed and influence those around her. She shares her thoughts on Black Motherhood, “It is very empowering to be a Black mother, especially for me. I’m a natural girl, with a big afro.

I am always teaching my boys it’s important to take leadership in all you do. Someone is watching, be a good example to others.

As the mother of two Black boys, I know you’re important.”

A resident of Sacramento since 2004, Jozzalyn attended Cosumnes River College and Sacramento City College, graduating with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She was a preschool teacher for 12 years before venturing out on her own after her cousin had a bad experience with childcare. “I have been in business and running my preschool, Creating Characters Childcare and Preschool, for six years. I have been able to spend a lot of time with my children. Jah’morris spent a lot of time with me at work. I have always had assistance to help me. Now I have two teachers that work with me, but I’m still here. I have no guilt of leaving my kids to go to work. My teachers have been with me since I opened.”

Jozzalyn sums up what she loves the most about her boys, “Jah’morris is a momma’s boy, very sweet, likable, energetic, outgoing, athletic, and handsome. We call him ‘little me,’ he’s a joy to be around, loves meeting new people and he’s a people person. He’s also a die-hard Warriors and 49ers fan. Jah’sani is a ball of energy, very headstrong and at 3 years old he has the mind of a 6-year-old. He loves to challenge anything and everybody. But he is very loving, silly, super intelligent, he thinks he’s tough but he is still a momma’s boy. He is very independent but loves being held, and he loves my natural hair; he plays in

it to go to sleep.”

Jozzalyn’s hopes and goals for her sons are to find their purpose in life and be holistically happy with themselves. To walk the earth knowing they are serving their purpose. I want for them to be young men, who stand up for what they believe in. My husband and I push open communication, we make it a comfortable environment to talk about anything. We encourage them to be straight up and straight forward, you’re not going to get in trouble for asking.” Jozzalyn allows her older son to make his own style, dress how he wants and express himself in an art form but with boundaries. When she thinks about Loving Brown Babies, Jozzalyn believes it is about “giving them a lot of love, compassion and affection. Setting a great example is huge for these kids. They watch and listen. As a woman, I speak in a certain way.”

FOLLOW US

Mrs. Jozzalyn Byrd is an excellent example of a woman who knows she can soar at being a mom, wife, and running a business, all at the same time.

@raacd_sac @RAACDSac @raacd_sac

CONTACT US • • •

For general inquiries, e-mail us at raacd@shfcenter.org For media inquiries, e-mail us at raacdmedia@shfcenter.org To place an event on the community calendar, go to www.blackchildlegacy.org/events-calendar

Special Advertising Section

Seven Neighborhoods. Seven Organizations Making Change.

These seven neighborhoods in Sacramento County have the highest numbers of African American child deaths.

These neighborhoods are where the Black Child Legacy Campaign’s work is focused.

Arden-Arcade Zip codes 95821, 95825, 95864 Mutual Assistance Network Arden-Arcade Community Ctr 2427 Marconi Avenue Sacramento 95821 www.mutualassistance.com

Del Paso Heights/ North Sacramento

COMMUNITY INCUBATOR LEAD ORGANIZATIONS Community Incubator Leads are trusted hub organizations providing prevention and intervention services, advocacy and mini-grants to build capacity of grassroots organizations within their neighborhoods. Community members who want to learn more about the Black Child Legacy Campaign in their neighborhood can connect with their local Community Incubator Lead.

Zip codes 95660 and 95842 Liberty Towers 5132 Elkhorn Blvd.

Sacramento 95842 www.impactsac.org

Zip codes 95820 and 95824 Building Healthy Communities HUB 4625 44th Street, Suite10 Sacramento 95820 www.sacbhc.org

Meadowview Zip codes 95822 and 95832 Focus on Family Foundation 2251 Florin Road, Suite158 Sacramento 95822 www.fofsactown.org

Zip codes 95815 and 95838 Roberts Family Development Center Greater Sacramento Urban League 3725 Marysville Blvd.

Sacramento 95838 www.robertsfdc.com

North Highlands/Foothill Farms

Fruitridge/Stockton Blvd.

Valley Hi Zip codes 95823 and 95828 South Sacramento Christian Center 7710 Stockton Blvd.

Sacramento 95823

I s s u e 3 F A L L 20 1 8 | S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n : B l a c k C h i l d L e g a c y C a m p a i g n |

Oak Park Zip code 95817 Greater Sacramento Urban League 2331 Alhambra Blvd., Suite 300 Sacramento 95817 www.gsul.org

www.blackchildlegacy.org

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CENTERSTAGE | EWOC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

BEVERLY MOTLEY SENIOR PASTOR/ CEO, JESUS LORD MISSION MINISTRIES AND SAVING GRACE PLACE

FAVORITES: Vacation getaway: Hawaii, and Caribbean Book: The Bible, and counseling manuals Music: Gospel and smooth jazz Perfume: White Diamonds, Dolce & Gabbana (the one) and Chistobal Balenciaga Dr. Beverly Williams-Motley, 57, a native of Valdosta, Georgia. now residing in Sacramento, is the Senior Pastor of JLM (Jesus Lord Mission Ministries) and CEO of Saving Grace Place.

Dr. Motley has traveled extensively through 49 states, and is currently abroad preaching and teaching the Word of God. In her travels Dr. Motley has met many individuals who have impacted her life, but credits God with having the greatest impact, above all.

Dr. Beverly Williams-Motley has labored in the ministry vineyard for over 33 years, 20 of which she has dedicated to serving God’s people as a compassionate shepherd. Throughout the years of serving God and His people she has faced, endured and accomplished many things. In 1996 the vision began to unfold with the opening of the first residential home in Auburn, CA, for battered and downtrodden women. The unveiling of this vision established Dr. Motley as the CEO of Saving Grace Place where she mentors and aids them through the process of recuperating from loss and reestablishing themselves emotionally, financially and spiritually through spiritual enrichment and skills training.

Saving Grace Place is the culminating effort of God’s unique ministry of helps upon her life.

In 2006 Dr. Motley became a licensed Senior Chaplain. She also holds three honorary Doctoral Degrees in Theology and Divinity. In 2009 God allowed Dr. Motley to become the first female Administrative Assistant in the Church of God in Christ by way of the California Kingdom Fellowship in Oakland. Her life and ministry has also been featured in an article in Your Own Uniqueness Magazine, and has been offered to be highlighted in Essence Magazine. Dr. Motley has also completed her book/ manual entitled My Marriages Destined to Survive.

Dr. Motley also served as the co-owner with her husband of the Gifted Healing Center, a center designed for those who were alcohol and drug dependent, up until her husband’s health began to severely decline in 2014 and the business closed.

Dr. Motley has been caring for her husband who suffers from severe vascular dementia for the past 4 years. She is well known in the Sacramento community for her dedication to her husband’s total health, well being and advocacy.

Dr. Motley is active in the community. She has a heart and a passion to serve broken women and help them help themselves to be strong women. She has opened several training centers for women to come and stay. She has encouraged, trained and empowered women and individuals to remain not just physically | 3 0 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

HEALTH, SPORTS & WELLNESS

perfectionist, crganized, committed but mentally and emotionally healthy, and to always advocate for their own personal health and others within their family.

Dr. Beverly Williams-Motley is a firm believer that any believer of Jesus Christ can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthen them and that a positive mind is a powerful mind. Dr. Motley’s motto is, “Trust God When One Can’t Trace Him. “Along with “Why Back Down When God is Backing You Up” AT A GLANCE: My Church: (JLM) Jesus Lord Mission Ministries Intl Best workday strategy: Prioritize; focus on task at hand, communicate with clarity.

Trademark: Defender, assertive, compassionate, loyal, trustworthy, respectful, disciplined and supportive.

Guilty pleasure: Pepsi soda, chips Hobbies: Spending time at home relaxing, listing to relaxing music. I enjoy my time with family and friends but I sure like shopping like most women, and gardening and anything that involve designing.

Best asset: My perseverance and my faithfulness is my greatest asset. I am very passionate in whatever I do.

Best achievement so far: My greatest three achievements thus far are, 1) Raising two exceptional adult children Tavis and Tashonda. They both are productive self-sufficient individuals with successful careers. 2) Being able to support and provide care for my husband at home who was diagnosed with dementia and other illnesses over 4 years ago. While caring for my husband I have learned so much firsthand knowledge about this horrible disease called dementia. 3) Receiving my doctorate in Divinity and Theology.

Slogan you live by? ”Never allow the negative opinion of others detour one from there divine destiny and purpose.” n

FALL 2018

Tickets

On Sale Now!

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis WED, SEP 28 • 8PM The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, led by Wynton Marsalis, is made up of 15 of the finest soloists, ensemble players and arrangers in jazz music. With each visit, the group continues to surprise with new repertoire plus jazz classics from the likes of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and others.

Preceded by a FREE Corin Courtyard Concert at 7PM

SFJAZZ Collective FRI, OCT 14 • 8PM

The SFJAZZ Collective reckon with Miles Davis’ influence with stunning new arrangements of his compositions played alongside their own.

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Maceo Parker with The Jones Family Singers FRI, OCT 28 • 8PM

OUR

Maceo digs into the gospel roots of funk with The Jones Family Singers, a powerhouse that infuses joyful songs with vintage soul, funk and R&B.

Lara Downes SAT, OCT 29 • 8PM A recital of American music inspired by Langston Hughes’ poem Let America Be America Again with selections from Gershwin, Barber, Beach, Copland, Ellington, Bernstein and more.

Ronald K. Brown/Evidence A Dance Company SAT, NOV 5 • 8PM This program includes a rousing ensemble piece exploring Afro-Cuban rhythms and a look at the parallel journey of U.S., Cuban and West African traditions towards love.

mondaviarts.org

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WE’RE LOOKING FOR PASSIONATE MUSIC TEACHERS! Learn More and Apply:

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FALL 2018

T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 3 1 |

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

MARNEL NILES GOINS FULL PROFESSOR CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO FAVORITES: Vacation getaway: Jamaica/Barbados Book: Right now, I really like Children of Blood and Bone. However, as a classic, I love Invisible Man and of course, The Bible.

Music: Gospel Marnel Niles Goins, PhD, is Professor of Communication at California State University (CSU), Fresno. She earned her Ph.D. from the Department of Communication and Culture at Howard University in Washington, DC and her BA from the Department of Communication at Oakwood College in Huntsville, AL. She teaches courses in Small Group Communication and Organizational Communication and has a special interest in gender and racial dynamics in organizational settings. In addition to her teaching, she is the Graduate Coordinator for the Department, as well as the Webmaster. She is on the Executive Committee for the National Communication Association, the premiere association for Communication scholars in the United States. She is also First-Vice President of the Western States Communication Association, and will be the first Black Female President of the Organization in 2020.

Marnel has several books, book chapters, and articles published in the Communication discipline and is currently editing an International handbook on Communication and gender. She is co-editor of the book, Still Searching for Our Mothers’ Gardens: Experiences of New Tenure-Track Women of Color in ‘Majority’ Institutions. She has articles published in Communication Studies, Women and Language, and The Alliance of Black School Educators, in addition to book chapters published in Let’s Communicate and the Routledge Handbook of Applied Communication Research. She has presented papers and panels at a number of conferences, including the National Communication Association convention, Western States Communication Association convention, and Eastern Communication Association convention.

Marnel volunteers at CSU-Fresno, her church, and with her sorority. She manages her Sacramento church’s children’s ministry and teaches the 0-3 years olds at church every week. She also runs her church’s education ministry and plans all of the education programs. Marnel and her husband Matthew are the creators of Puzzle Huddle (puzzlehuddle.com), a puzzle company for children that features diverse characters.

They have three young children, Mackenzie (5), Mit (3), and Caleb (10 months).

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EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

rational, direct, funny AT A GLANCE: My Church: Capitol City SDA Church Best workday strategy: Work hard, nap, and then work again!

Guilty pleasure: Ice cream Hobbies: Reading, drawing Best asset: Smile Best achievement so far: Becoming full professor at a University before the age of 40 Best life experience: Graduating from undergrad and raising 3 children!

Choice of Entertainment: With three young children, going to a movie is a real treat!

Your views on lack of mentorship in communities of color? I feel that many women of color in the Sacramento area have a mentor or are mentoring other women of color. However, I’d love to see this number increase, particularly in regards to partnerships with local communities and businesses.

Do you have a mentor? I don’t; however, I have a very close-knit family that helps me, particularly when I have difficult decisions to make.

In another lifetime: Painting on the beach!

What do you like about Sacculturalhub.com and THE HUB Magazine? I really love the consistency of events geared to women of color. It’s one thing to read about online resources; it’s quite another when there are real life events available to meet and network with other women of color. n

FALL 2018

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC HONOREE SPOTLIGHT

DELILAH PEPPERS REGISTERED NURSE ONCOLOGY, KAISER PERMANENTE FAVORITES: Vacation getaway: I’ll take a cruise ship anywhere Music: Anything danceable Delilah Peppers, 64, has been an Oncology Nurse for over 35 years. She is committed to reducing heart failure and stroke due to hypertension and diabetes, and has been a long-time advocate for reducing the health disparities among the African American population.

She shares, “as a nurse, I get the chance to make a difference in the lives of people, whether in the hospital or in my community.

My job as an oncology nurse is very rewarding. I help my patients and family get through the difficulty of cancer treatment. During this fight for life, strong bonds are built and I root for these patients as if they were my family. I rejoice when treatment is completed and they go on to continue living. The hardest part of my job is the death of a patient, it’s painful, and it breaks my heart. I have learned how important it is to live life, be appreciative and don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Cancer disproportionately impacts the underserved in our communities. Cancer death rates among African American men are 35% higher than Caucasian while for African American women the comparative is 18% higher. Cancer as a cause of death is second to heart disease among African Americans.

“Delilah is a community minded person who cares about the welfare of the African American community. She is committed to reducing heart failure, stroke due to hypertension and diabetes.

She has been a long-time advocate for our community’s health,” said Tommie Whitlow, President, National Council of Negro Women, Sacramento Chapter.

Delilah has served three tenures as president of the Sacramento Black Nurses Association (SBNA), and has been an active member since 1985. During her leadership, SBNA has provided and supervised health screenings of more than 9,000 people. She implemented the “Healthy Heart” project that provided services to under-served women at the Wellspring Women’s Center in Oak Park.

During her tenure, the SBNA provided blood pressure screenings at the National Council of Negro Women’s (NCNW) annual Children of Promise and Sweet Potato Festival; at the MLK March & Expo; and at Home Depot and the Samuel Pannell Meadowview Community Center.

For the past two years, Delilah has been volunteering as a wig coordinator with American Cancer Society (ACS where cancer patients are able to get free wigs). She volunteers almost every Friday at the South Sacramento Cancer Center, on Bruceville Road, for the ACS. She helps women select their wigs spending about an hour with each client. Because of her interest with the ACS, the SBNA will start raising money for appropriate wigs for African American women. Delilah realized there was a desperate

SOCIAL WELFARE & COMMUNITY ACTIVISM need when a young woman in her 20s came in to find a wig, and they had “absolutely nothing for her that was appropriate”, So, Delilah took the problem to the SBNA, and the group agreed this was something they could support. “My goal is to have our wig closets full of African American wigs, and that we never have to turn anyone away,” said Delilah.

In 2010, Kaiser Permanente honored Delilah with a prestigious national award -- the David Lawrence Community Service Award, one of only nine individuals to receive this award. She was recognized for her work with under-insured and uninsured people in our community; and, her dedication and commitment as an oncology nurse.

In her free time, Delilah volunteers at Career Day at a South Sacramento elementary school; Kaiser Permanente community projects such as MLK Day of Service; and Sacramento Community Cancer Coalition’s health fairs held at Oak Park Community. She and another SBNA nurse participate in an after school mentoring program at the Roberts Family Development Center. She has been happily married for 22 years.

AT A GLANCE: Best workday strategy: Do the best you can today.

Hobbies: Sewing.

Best achievement so far: Adopting my two children.

My hero: My mom, because she taught me the importance of family and friends. The meaning of unselfish giving, hard work and to live life to the fullest.

Slogan you live by: Be the best me everyday.

What do you like about Sacculturalhub.com and THE HUB Magazine? Sacculturalhub.com is involved with the issues of the community and encourages us to get involved. They promote opportunities for discussion, growth and life in the black community. n

FALL 2018

T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 3 3 |

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

ROCHELLE REED

relate to a lot of the things they have went or are going through. Through her transparency, Rochelle is helping others step into their truth, realizing that they are not alone in this journey. You can’t heal what you will not face. Can you do it? Yes. Is it easy? Not always. Can it be painful? Yes, it can. Will it be worth it? Whenever you are seeking the truth, no matter how painful it may be, it will always be worth it.

CEO/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CREATED WONDERFULLY INCORPORATION FAVORITES: Vacation Getaway: Anywhere there is warm, clear, and blue water!

Book: The Color Purple Music: Neo Soul Perfume: La Vie est Belle Soul food restaurant: Touch of Soul Celebrity male icon: Will Smith – He runs to what he fears. He said on the other side of fear is LIVING!

Rochelle’s passion for youth and young adult women and her commitment to service is incomparable. She is a workshop presenter, keynote speaker, truth builder and life coach. She has received numerous accolades, including the 2017 Community Spirit Award from Wells Fargo Bank.

Rochelle Reed, 52, is the visionary She is married to Sampson Reed, and founder of Created Wonderfully, a they have two children, Khalal Walker non-profit organization founded in and Jasmine.

2015, that seeks to uplift, promote and educate all females in various ethnic and socioeconomic communities. Through AT A GLANCE: Created Wonderfully she has led and My Church: Mount Calvary Baptist created various conferences, forums and Church, Dr. Claybon Lea, Jr., Senior educational events to spread the word ENTREPRENEUR/INNOVATOR Pastor to females that they are created wonderfully just the way they are.

Best workday strategy: Get the most She continues to support ladies done early. I start work at 6:30 AM, and and young ladies in particular to when I am focused I get more work promote self-awareness, self-love, done before 10:00 AM. People have not and confidence. Rochelle is so committed to this vision that started their day yet, so I can get a lot of work completed. she is personally financing this venture, while seeking to partner Guilty pleasure: Sweet Heat Skittles with sponsors to expand her platform. She provides life skills training, such as educating college-bound students about Hobbies: Working out at P2P Transformation Center the dangers of sexual assault on college campuses. She is a Best asset: Being transparent. When they hear my life, they professional networker, and has made connections with city realize that they are not alone. officials, church organizations, professional organizations, as well as utilizing different social media platform to reach the My hero: I have many, but the one right now in my life is Dr. masses.

Jacqueline Thompson, the assistant pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church. When I first saw her preach, I saw this tall Encouragement is Rochelle’s passion. Her calling was clear woman of God (well over 6 feet tall and in heels) being herself. and direct from the Lord: “My daughters are broken and I I mean she was a storyteller, but she knew that word! But she need you to help heal them.” Her mission is to help all females did things her way. She is sassy but classy. By seeing her, know that they were created wonderfully just the way they are! she permitted me to be me when I speak. I was trying to fit Not only was her purpose for self-healing, but also to heal the in a box that I was not comfortable in. She is a womanist and brokenness in females of all appearances and socioeconomic unashamed about it, and I love her for that! status. Through prayer and obedience in 2015, Created

truthful, funny, encourager

Wonderfully was birthed.

As she looked at social media, television shows, and commercials, Rochelle realized the world marketed to females through over-sexualized images of perfection causing insecurity by comparison of perceived flaws resulting in the delusion of being unattractive. Females, especially our youth and young adult ladies, began to measure their worth through external cues versus how uniquely wonderful they were created to be.

Rochelle is more than a conqueror, as she has had her own personal adversities which she has overcome. This experience enables her to reach hundreds of women, because she can | 3 4 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

Best life experience: Using my platform to help a young lady come out and admit that she was raped in school.

Choice of Entertainment: Dinner w/ live jazz, soul, or neo-soul singers Slogan you live by: Regarding the people in your life; if they are going your way; they in our way.

What do you like about Sacculturalhub.com and THE HUB Magazine? The website is a great informative tool for our culture. It keeps you updated in news and in entertainment. n

FALL 2018

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC HONOREE SPOTLIGHT

SISTAHPAT ROUNDTREERIVERS COPASTOR; NATIONAL PRAYER COUNSELOR, COMMUNITY ADVOCATE, FOR HIS GLORY CHURCH FAVORITES: Vacation getaway: Hawaii Book: Bible Music: Gospel Perfume: Deptqyue Soul food restaurant: Charlyn’s Barbeque Shack Celebrity male icon: Wesley Snipes, sexy and gifted actor

real, tuthful, joyful

SistahPat RoundtreeRivers, 71, is a Del Paso Heights native, currently serving as Co-Pastor at For His Glory Church with her husband, Senior Pastor Ben Rivers, Jr. in Del Paso Heights. They have been married for 48 years and she’s proud to be the wife of a Vietnam Veteran. As Co-Pastor she servers as the Prayer Ministry Director and the Women’s Ministry Leader. She is the founder of Wives Coffee Chat International, which is structured to build strong wives using her own life experiences as a wife.

SistahPat also founded the Preparing to be a Wife class that was created to equip women to “be a good thing while they are waiting to be found” by their future husbands. She is the Overseer of The Lord’s Kitchen and Clothes Closet that are facilitated through her home church.

Sistah Pat was the Recipient of the 2017 MLK Living the Dream Community Service Award from the Sacramento Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, recognizing her for continued community volunteer work for a safer, healthier and better community. Her family received the 2018 National Adoption Family of the year in Sacramento.

Sistah Pat Volunteers with several organizations: Founder and Team Leader/speaker for The Invitation to Healing A Woman’s Heart Conference California Southern Baptist Convention volunteer Women’s Evangelism Specialist; and Key Clergy Leader for Sacramento Area Congregations Together (ACT) and PICO (People Improving Congregations through Organizing), working with 52 faith-based groups to help resolve some of our city, state and national social justice issues. The ACT & PICO organization called her to the White house in January 2014 to discuss reducing gun violence in our nation. She also serves on the Sac City Council Safe Community Gang Prevention & Intervention Task Force Policy Board; the Jewish Community Building Committee African American Clergy. SistahPat is also the Founder of Female Clergy Gathering Sacramento and the spiritual advisor to the Sisters2Sister (training & equipping teenage girls to be all they can be), and also a partner to the Titus 2 Collaborative (training and equipping young single female parents to strive for a better life for their children). Her church, For His Glory, is a Partner with Grace Network Ministry.

Formerly SistahPat served the United States National Prayer Council as the Spiritual Adviser & National African American Prayer Director while working with the North Sacramento Collaboration for Night Lights Turned Tight summer program, to

SOCIAL WELFARE & COMMUNITY ACTIVISM help keep teens off the street during the summer. She served as the AME 5th district prayer team coordinator in her former denomination, and she retired 23 years ago as a 30-year federal employee.

AT A GLANCE: My Church: For His Glory Church.

Best workday strategy: Get up with prayer and a plan.

Hobbies: Travel, shop, eat out with family.

Guilty pleasure: Dessert.

Alter ego: Superwoman.

Best asset: I really love the Lord.

Best achievement so far: Staying married 48 years.

My hero: Jesus. He died for my sins.

Best life experience: Having my only child.

Choice of Entertainment: Baseball game.

Slogan you live by: I can do all things thru Christ.

Your mentor and how that person helped you? My mother.

She taught me to stand for what I believe in.

What do you like about Sacculturalhub.com and THE HUB Magazine? In a positive way it exposes people of colors gifts and talents. Love it! n

FALL 2018

T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 3 5 |

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

TAMAIRA SANDIFER

passionate, hardworking, intense

CEO/FOUNDER, STUDIO T URBAN DANCE ACADEMY FAVORITES: Favorite book: Make Your Dreams Bigger Than Your Memories by Terri Savelle-Foy, Outliers Favorite music: 90’s/2000’s Hip Hop, R&B

created opportunities that propelled her into multiple successful entrepreneurial art based careers. By 2000, Sandifer was married, raising 2 little girls, and decided to relocate to California’s capital, Sacramento. She began volunteering in local churches, community centers and dance studios teaching urban arts. She quickly built a following that outgrew many of her volunteer spaces.

As President of Studio T Urban Dance Academy and Founder of The California National Day of Dance, Tamaira “Miss Tee” Sandifer’s heartbeat is to champion the development of every child she can to build confidence, character and a conquering spirit that believes anything in possible.

She serves over 5,000 youth in school districts throughout Northern California every year through educational partnerships and enrichment programs related to physical as well as mental and emotional health.

Sandifer’s mission is to instill real life skills, hope and a sense of belonging to her students. Dance is the vehicle; her choreography includes a bold coaching style that triumphantly declares to each family and school she serves: DREAM BIG. Her passionate advocacy for the arts has taken her to the State Capitol where she partners with local and national civic leaders to bring arts-inspired, socially and culturally relevant incentives to the academic day. She created the idea of California’s National Day of Dance and many other programs to highlight the diversity and the power of unity through creativity.

Studio T produces Hollywood’s most sought after young dancers including THE 2016 winner of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, 2018 World of Dance stars, members of the Jabbawakeez. Her graduates currently travel the world with artists and celebrities that include: Justin Beiber, Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Usher, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Ellen and more. You’ll see her graduates on the stages of MTV Music Awards, Nick Choice Awards, BET Awards and more.

Raised in the Bay Area, by a single mother she is living proof that you can achieve your dreams. Growing up in Richmond, California, dance was a primary form of entertainment for her family, as extra-curricular activities were luxuries they could not afford. There were no dance programs in her community so the television became her teacher; MTV and dance masters Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, and many others became her instructors through music videos. She thrived in this tough environment, forcing her to grow in problem solving, creativity and innovation. These same giftings are used to impact the many cities she has planted roots in today.

By the time she graduated high school, her passion for the arts

| 3 6 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

In 2005, Ms. Tee’s popularity demanded that she establish herself and this mother of three started her dance business, Studio T Urban Dance Academy, and nonprofit Miss Tee’s R.E.A.C.H. (Recreation ARTS & CULTURE Education Arts Career Health) Academy, formerly 3.0, Incorporated. She added a family component called S.T.E.P. (Studio T Empowering Parents) and now offers FREE workshops that help dance families grow in family management learning skills like budgeting (How To Not Go Broke At Christmas), debt freedom, meal planning, and much more.

She and her dance teams have won international and regional Hip Hop dance titles as well as voted ‘’Best of Sacramento’’.

Through her work with the Sacramento County juvenile hall called the Youth Detention Facility, she won ’Volunteer of the year’.

Today, after more than three decades of dedicated teaching, Tamaira and her team continue to create and install quality programs to build our youth, our cities, and our educational systems through the arts.

AT A GLANCE: My Church: Family Community Church Best workday strategy: Start very early with a detailed list of things to accomplish.

My Hero: Bill Krause. He lives and teaches others to live a life of faith, giving, and serving others. He has changed my life through business mentoring and personal growth mentoring.

When we first met, I was a divorcing mom of 3 kids, on welfare, with a failing business. His non stop encouragement, practical (and applicable) strategies for business and family helped me achieve my dreams and create new ones. My goal is to change the lives of others everyday, the way he changed mine.

Best life experience: My salvation, having children and teaching children Slogan you live by: If you don’t quit YOU WIN! What do you like about Sacculturalhub.com and THE HUB Magazine? I appreciate the way Sac Cultural Hub embraces and promotes people of color. n

FALL 2018

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC HONOREE SPOTLIGHT

JASMINE STEWART-OLIVER RESEARCH SCIENTIST, CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, GENETIC DISEASE SCREENING

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

FAVORITES: Best Vacation Getaway: Either a trip following the Nile River, visiting all the ancient African sites or to visit the beaches of Ghana.

Favorite book: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe Favorite music: Up-tempo Gospel (i.e. Fred Hammond, J. Moss) Favorite perfume: Donna KaranBe Delicious for Women (it has a sweet green apple smell) Favorite soul food restaurant: Outside of my grandmother’s kitchen, I would say Souley Vegan in Oakland.

Celebrity male icon: Trevor Noah, I admire how he is using his platform to speak out against injustices, while educating the public about race, and expanding the narratives, the media have about “what is it to be black.”

Jasmine Stewart-Oliver selected research as her academic field of study. Completing her Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies, from Sacramento State, she went on to pursue a Masters in Sociology: Demography and completed her Master in Public Policy in 2018. Throughout her educational and professional careers she has used her analytical skills to explore how to broaden the research literature to include more information about African Americans.

Through her education journey, Jasmine became aware of the lack of inclusive research available about the diversities and challenges facing the African American family. Many of her family study textbooks would focus heavily on white families.

Books that would mention families of color were limited; and would contain one or two paragraph at the end of the chapter about families of color; with the caveat that not all families are the same. In response, Jasmine sought to help bridge this gap through research. Her research agenda has focused on environmental impacts on health.

Her first research article is a published author, with her work appearing in the McNair scholars’ journal. Jasmine’s McNair Scholars research project, entitled: “May We All Bow Our Heads: Exploring Relationship among Religion, Food Rules, and Compulsive Overeating”; explored the connections between religious and compulsive overeating. Her next major project, “From Serengeti to Sacramento,” highlighted the racial disparities in food deserts. Jasmine found that Blacks and Hispanics were significantly more likely to live in a food desert in Sacramento, compared to Whites and Asians. This project won Jasmine the Student Research Challenge Completion award in 2013. Her subsequent graduate research projects have focused on racial disparities in chronic diseases, food insecurity, and educational outcomes.

gregarious, determined, analytical a food desert: OliveMoore. Acting as the Founder and Director, Jasmine has used her platform to educate about the benefits of home gardening, to develop an annual SugarFree campaign, and to empower those living in food deserts with the knowledge about healthier food choices. OliveMoore has three branches; education, community outreach and research focused on alleviating the detrimental effects of poverty and food deserts, and the direct impact on individuals affected.

Jasmine has worked diligently to support community outreach projects concentrated on building and sustaining wall gardens, health screenings, and resource connections. Her work includes but has not been limited to: preliminary data collection and analysis SAS or STATA materials, summary reports, algorithm design, modeling and optimization, development of standardized techniques for research assessment, and publication.

AT A GLANCE: My Church: Humanity Baptist Church Personality Trademark: My smile. I am always smiling or trying to make someone else smile.

Best workday strategy: Start early and plan it all out on paper.

Guilty Pleasure: Thrift store shopping.

Your alter ego: Professional cook who loves to try new recipes in the kitchen (and they always turn out tasty and delicious).

Hobbies: Arts and craft projects, gardening, and entertaining.

Best asset: My positive personality Best achievement so far: Establishing my nonprofit (OliveMoore) n

Jasmine has used her research skills, education, and passion for community outreach and education to establish a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on alleviating the harmful effects of living in FALL 2018

T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 3 7 |

CENTERSTAGE | EWOC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

TIMIZA WASH

ANTI-TRAFFICKING PROGRAM MANAGER WEAVE

invested listener, non-judgmental, builder

at WEAVE as an anti-trafficking case manager. In this role she became a certified rape crisis and domestic violence counselor and collaborated with International Rescue Committee as part of the Greater Sacramento Partnership against Trafficking.

Timiza’s position as Program Manager gives her the freedom to be creative with innovative strategies to achieve justice for her clients and to shape norms within the Sacramento community.

As a certified Facilitator and Trainer for the “Ending the Game” curriculum, she works diligently to make this survivor-informed curriculum accessible to survivors in Sacramento County.

The memorable last line of Ravi Kaur’s poem “healing is everyday work” is a mantra for Timiza. She does her healing work with the Sacramento Sister Circle—where she serves as a member of the leadership team, Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), and Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ) to focus on bringing community members together to organize, support and develop leadership, engage with the political process, and focus on healing, recovery and prevention of trauma.

Timiza is family driven, community focused, and creative. She likes to explore without boundaries that limit her progression. In serving the world with her talents, Timiza embodies her name: she is fulfilled by being faithful to her calling. And, to this day Timiza still writes big, except now she gets compliments on her bold and fancy penmanship.

PRESIDENTIAL EXCELLENCE

AT A GLANCE: My Church: B.O.S.S. (Bayside of South Sacramento)

FAVORITES: Vacation getaway: Turks and Caicos/Puerto Rico.

Book: The Body is not an Apology: The Power of Radical SelfLove by Sonya Renee Taylor and Present or Perfect by Shauna Niequist.

Music: R&B, Neo-Soul and Gospel.

Perfume: Chanel Mademoiselle.

Soul food restaurant: Literally, my grandmother’s kitchen.

Celebrity male icon: Muhammad Ali … a true social activist, philanthropist and boxer. I love his confidence and that he didn’t conform to society’s wants for his life. He unapologetically, stood his ground on issues that he valued.

At the age of 12, Timiza was told by her teacher that she wrote too big and that she needed to fit her first and last name on what she felt was “one tiny little line.” Timiza was proud of many things—being a part of a big family from Oakland that frequently gathered to celebrate birthdays, graduations, and special occasions—but, most importantly her name, which means to “fulfill”. In that moment Timiza realized why she didn’t want to be confined and limited to just one line; her family had given her confidence to express herself and she found it stressful to conform to a limiting standard because it was the norm. She wanted to be creative, bold and expressive, three concepts that have shaped her approach to her career and community endeavors.

Timiza’s 20-year career has been defined by a bold passion for access to quality education for all, self-fulfillment, and wellness, particularly for marginalized communities. Several years ago she began working with and for survivors of human trafficking | 3 8 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

Trademark: Showing-up.

Best workday strategy: Being present in the moment.

Guilty pleasure: Rocky road ice cream.

Hobbies: Theatre, concerts, working-out, spending quality time with family and friends and experiencing new adventures.

Alter ego: The comedian.

Best asset: Consistency Best achievement so far: Identifying my self needs.

My hero: My mom … she had no road map to figure out the obstacles, but she did have resilience, faith and her eye on the prize for her children’s needs. She is always there to edify her children and provide unconditional love.

Ideal traits of man/husband/soulmate: A man that is trustworthy has a vision and a plan, sense of humor, sense of adventure, supportive and nice teeth!

Best life experience: Being laid off and trusting God. How has having a mentor helped you life? I’ve learned how to be strategic to meet desired outcomes.

In another lifetime: Traveling the world.

Slogan you live by: “Life is too long to live it shortly” What do you like about Sacculturalhub.com and THE HUB Magazine? I love that it includes community resources, it’s culturally relevant and inspiring and speaks to current affairs and offers ways to get involved. n

FALL 2018

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FALL 2018

T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 3 9 |

An Exceptional Woman of Color is any woman who has overcome obstacles throughout life and has come to realization of their full potential. This is a woman that has dealt with sexism, oppression, insecurity, rejection, even some type of abuse at some point and now realizes the strength she has as a woman of color.

This is a woman that has chosen to move forward with love& compassioninstead of hate. This is the woman whom eyes have been open to her own potential and independent and understand the importance and the power of female friendship. This is a woman whom now moves forward with grace and elegant and assurance, moving gently within energy, kindness in spirit, self-control, possessing a quiet confidence, clear and persistent about who she is, honest, loving, humble and well-rounded intellectual.

Beverly Motley

DORIS WARD defines “Exceptional Woman of Color” because she was the FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN TO LEAD THE SAN FRANCISCO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. A fierce advocate for racial and economic equality who became the first African American Woman and President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Doris Ward opposed the Ku Klux Klan and started her political career in 1972 after moving to San Francisco.

Brigette LeBlanc

An exceptional woman of colorres is one who ensu d that those aroun her are heard (listened to), uplifted, and at prepared for gre success. oins

Every wo men of c potentia l to be e olor has the xce those wo men of c ptional, but it is o lor who ta their Go p into d given power a and una n d gifts pologe their auth tically express entic Yvonne E selves. vans Given all of the things that come our way every day from the micro aggressions to the macro assaults,

Marnel G

To me, this person is resilient,

Exceptional Women of Color are women who are not

just OUTspoken, but accomplished, and UP-spoken. Meaning they

helpful. Someone that

is happy to help her sisters and has proven success in one or more areas. She is someone we all can look up to and count on to help us succeed like she has.

Zima Creason

up-speak, up-support and uplift other women as they climb.

Kimberly Ellis

just getting up every day and persevering in America makes women of color exceptional. We give birth, raise children alone, work three jobs, volunteer, fight for our men, nurture our communities, do 2x the work for half the pay, are a spiritual touchstone, radiate creativity, are the mothers of invention and are unapologetic in our essence.

Cat Brooks

An Exceptional Wom

en

Color is a woman th at is a Doer and just a talker! Some peofop not

le talk a good game ! and yet they neve produce and do an r ything. What you ta lk should be your wa will people say once lk.. .

W hat I am gone? What wi ll my story be?

Linda Brown | 4 0 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

FALL 2018

It is such an honor to be celebrated in this way. When I first heard I was on honoree, I couldn’t help but think of many others who were more deserving. We often forget to celebrate ourselves, our accomplishments, but most importantly

how

we impact others for the better. I try to live

my life not as a motivation to others, but a testimony. I wasn’t supposed to make it, but people saw something in me along my journey and help to foster my success. The exceptional women of color are those that sewed into me, celebrated me, and gave me opportunities so that I could pay it forward.

Any women who se potential in herself, es strives to do her best always learns from her mis , is forgiving, and shatakes, talents is an excepti res her onal women of color.

Michele Lites

Charlene Green

THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX and having the courage to face situations going on outside and inside our culture. Know who she is, and she uses her platform to lift other women up.

Rochelle Reed

A mother who didn’t quit. A wife who loves her man who isn’t always lovable. A woman who

holds her faith during stormy times. A woman who

believes in others enough to help them above herself. A woman who takes action to change the things that are not right, no matter the personal cost. A woman who stands in the face of adversity for what is right, not just for herself, but for others. A woman who prays, for anyone, anytime, anywhere.

Someone who continues to

shine, someone who can

Tamaira Sandifer

A woman of God living out the truth of her faith. God has given us strong morals.

Sistah Pat RoundtreeRivers

o can address I believe women of color wh ss and then their own needs with succe d to aid takes what they have learne HIEVE THEIR others to DEVELOP AND AC d defines an GOALS is an exemplar an lor”. I believe “Exceptional Woman of Co help others, we that while it is important to must start with ourselves.

Edinboro Sherena

teach and influence generations to

come, and someone that isn’t afraid My mother is the very definition of an Exceptional Woman of Color. As a single parent, she raised me and my siblings and never made any excuses. My mother is one of the hardest working people I know and it is because of her that I have achieved everything that I have so far. My mother instilled in me the values of hard work, integrity, family, and an open home. And even though she never went down the path herself, she guided me on my journey to higher education and is the inspiration behind the woman and professional I am today.

to be who they are in this world. An exceptional women must shine and not be afraid to show it to this world.

Be you because you never know who is watching and continue to influence or teach others because the younger generation is coming up right behind us. An exceptional women of color

is unique in her own right.

She is proud of who she is and is looking forward to growing and learning within her lifetime.

Sherona Harris

Geneviéve L. Jones-Wright

FALL 2018

T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 4 1 |

WERE YOU THERE?

71ST ANNUAL NAREB BLACK REALTISTS CONFERENCE

By Contributing Writer, Heather Niemann

T

he National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) 71st Annual Black Realtists Convention, held on July 24-29, 2018, was a monumental event. The conference celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act, and included appearances by many living legends from the Civil Rights era, as well as Stacey Abrams, Georgia Gubernatorial Candidate. Over 1000 Realtists and special guests were in attendance for this annual event, held this year in Atlanta, Georgia.

NAREB was formed in 1947 to secure the right to equal housing opportunities regardless of race, creed or color.

NAREB has advocated for legislation and supported or instigated legal challenges that ensure fair housing, sustainable homeownership, and access to credit for Black Americans along with promoting access to business opportunity for Black real estate professionals. NAREB annually publishes the State of Housing in Black America (SHIBA) report. It is the oldest minority trade organization in America.

Pleshette Robertson, Chief Editor of THE HUB Magazine and Founder of Sacculturalhub.com from Sacramento, California was among the attendees, and shared her experiences from this memorable event . This was Pleshette’s first visit to HOTlanta, and it didn’t disappoint. “Whatta fantastic

adventure! So glad I decided to come and cover the NAREB 71st Annual Black Realtists Convention.

I was encouraged to come by my client and close girlfriend, Zoritha Thompson (Real Estate Broker & Realtist from Sacramento), a Realtist Mogul who has been in the real estate business for 27 years (serving as the President of the Sacramento Realtist Association in past years). Zoritha started attending NAREB conventions with her late business partner, Carolyn “Jean” Goree. I’m a huge fan of Zoritha and all what she does to Pleshette with Stacey Abrams educate people about the wealth benefits of investing and owning your own home. Zoritha has been a huge supporter of Sac Hub at the beginning when we hatched Sac Cultural Hub in 2002, and was one of our first major small business clients.” n To read the full article and get more information with links to NAREB’s initiative and more about the conference, go to: https://bit.ly/2M3ehgh

SERENA WILLIAMS SHEDS LIGHT ON LIVING WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION (PPD) How do you know if you have postpartum depression?

By Contributing Writer, Donna Michele Ramos

S

erena Williams Ohanian, winner of 23 tennis grand slams, described as the GOAT (greatest of all time); with the best serve in the game, is suffering from postpartum depression. She has not been feeling like herself, I witnessed her most lopsided defeat at the Silicon Valley Classic in July. Having watched her so many times in the past, I knew something was wrong. Something was bothering her, she seemed so sad. A few days later she said she was in a funk and not feeling good enough for her daughter. Becoming a new mom has been a happy time for her, but it’s also been emotional: she was heartbroken because she missed baby Olympia’s first steps, because she was working, training for her next tennis tournament.

According to the Mayo Clinic having a baby triggers many emotions: excitement, joy, fear, anxiety and the unexpected depression. Commonly referred to as Baby Blues, new moms experience anxiety, mood swings, crying, inability to sleep, sadness, feeling overwhelmed, lack of concentration and not eating. These symptoms can last from two days to two weeks. But when symptoms are more intense and last longer, even though mistaken for Baby Blues it’s actually postpartum

Serena started reading up on PPD and read several articles that said these emotions can last up to 3 years if not treated. She said communication works best for her.

ROYALTY-FREE STOCK PHOTO ID: 1077799682 Talking to her mother, friends and sisters helped her see, NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25, 2018: SERENA WILLIAMS AND VENUS WILLIAMS ATTEND depression. n PREMIERE HBO DOCUMENTARY BEING SERENA AT TIME WARNER CENTER it’s normal to feel like she should be doing more for her baby. Serena is learning how to juggle being a working To read the full article, go to mother. We all feel the guilt, even though we see our kids every day, we www.sacculturalhub.com/serena-williams-ppd don’t spend as much time with them as we feel we should; work gets in More on PPD: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/postpartumthe way. She said she realizes most moms deal with the same thing “… depression-facts whether stay-at-home or working, finding that balance with kids is a true art. You are the true heroes.”

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FALL 2018

WERE YOU THERE?

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE SACRAMENTO COMPETITION

Voices of Youth under the leadership of Berry Accius had a packed season of activities with #SummerNightsofIMPACT. One of those events included the So You Think You Can Dance Sacramento Dance Competition on August 2nd at the Sam Pannell Meadowview Community Center in South Sacramento. Hosted by Neketia Henry with judges: WNBA Star – Ms. Ruthie Bolten, KEDA the Great - Season 13 Hip Hop Winner of So You Think You Can Dance, and Pleshette Robertson – CEO of Sacculturalhub.com. voiceoftheyouth.com

2018 AFROPUNK FESTIVAL

By Contributing Writer, Christi Ketchum

The inspiration and creativity with a touch of activism was beyond invigorating and inspiring. I saw and reconnected with friends and people I admire, and met new friends that I hope to stay in touch with.

I

attended AfroPunk Brooklyn on August 2526th. By definition the festival AFROPUNK is defining culture by the collective creative actions of the individual and the group. It is a safe place, a blank space to freak out in, to construct a new reality, to live your life as you see fit, while making sense of the world around you.

This was my first time attending the festival that now happenings around the world....

Atlanta, London, and Johannesburg. Every year I see the picturesque photos of BEAUTIFUL, HAPPY, CREATIVE & FREE SPIRITED BLACK PEOPLE dancing, laughing, and enjoyed some of the best entertainers like H.E.R., Janelle Monáe, Miguel, Pusha T, Lion Babe, Tosh Reagan and the incomparable Erykah Badu just to name a few with the skyscrapers of NYC as the backdrop. Every year I vow to go and this year I made it happen. I am so glad i attended.

As someone who has graduated from a HBCU (Clark Atlanta University) and travels the world I have never been in a space that promotes inclusively, love, and being your whole Black Selves Unapologetically.

The style, creativity, and the overall positivity I experienced was so transformative and I definitely think ever Black Person should have this experience. No words can completely capture my experience and I’m really glad to check off my bucket list! n afropunkfest.com – connect with Christi on facebook.com/christi.ketchum

FALL 2018

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HEALTH MATTERS

JUST SAY YES TO A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

By Contributing Writer, Donna Michele Ramos

S

haron Chandler is the founder of the program YES2Kollege Educational Resources. She took on two partners and added an additional program aimed at partnering with African American nurses to better serve African American women and girls with their health.

THE HUB: What is YES2Kollege?

CHANDLER: It’s a nonprofit organization I started in 2002. We help prepare African American families how to navigate the educational system to get kids into college. I held conferences and published a book on how I prepared my kids for college. I did this until 2013. Then I brought in two partners Cloteal Herron and Toni Perry. Both are educators who were looking for other ways to help African American families and we decided since the after-school program money was drying up, we wanted to help.

All three of our families were experiencing Type 2 diabetes. We did research for a year on resources, to educate the community on diabetes. We joined Sierra Health Foundation Healthy Sacramento Coalition and the California Endowment Foundation Building Healthy Communities Initiative (10-year initiative). We went to the Sacramento Diabetes Association and got materials to hand out to people; deciding to educate and focus on African American women and girls who have diabetes. We surveyed 200 Black women that said if we had a program they’d participate. They wanted to learn how to cook healthier. We encourage them to become more active in leadership development, advocacy and mental health; things like what questions to ask their doctors and what are the methods of diabetes prevention.

THE HUB: What are some of your successes? What programs do you offer?

CHANDLER: We formed a women’s support group, we meet every fourth Thursday at the Brick House Art Gallery for the last five years. We share health regimes, managing family and stress, supporting each other, and how to be more active, i.e. line dancing, walking, etc. We took a group to karaoke because sometimes people with diseases become isolated. You still need to be social and have fun. We try to have guest speakers on subjects like: financial planning, buying your own home and Medicare.

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THE HUB: What are your plans for the future?

CHANDLER: Our main focus is mentoring. We have an education and health development program to guide middle school and high school kids and college students to shadow African American health professionals for a day in July. Students have seen surgery by a vet, interviewed professionals and gone on campus tours.

More than 65 African American mentors are part of: “The Minority Health Profession Mentor Program.”

THE HUB: How did YES2Kollege get involved in the 3rd Annual Preserve Our Legacy Advancing African Americans in Nursing Conference?

CHANDLER: We wanted two nursing interns to help us with surveying and workshops. Four years ago, we couldn’t find any and ended up with two white students. Two years later I met Adrian Lawson from UC Davis, we told her our story and together we decided we do something about that, so the nursing conference was born. We had our third annual conference August 23, 2018.

THE HUB: What are the three main things that came out of the conference?

CHANDLER: Our keynote speaker, Alice Benjamin is a nationally known nurse in Los Angeles. She’s been on Dr. Drew and Dr. Oz as a consultant; young people can see someone that looks like them. Her nursing focus is media and that’s another option young people should know, how to be informatic: providing information to doctors by computer. Next was to show we have a rich legacy of African American woman going into the nursing profession but it’s not a focus anymore. The nurses make great salaries, chose their own hours and travel all over the world. Third, we need a support mechanism to mentor and support students who go into the nursing profession. It’s arduous and rigorous and there are very few nursing professionals at the higher level with advanced degrees. Lotteries are held on who can even attend nursing school, because there are not enough nurses at the high level to teach.

THE HUB: Anything we haven’t covered you’d like to add?

CHANDLER: We’re more than just college, we’re about community wellness. n

FALL 2018

www.yes2kollege.org

BEHIND THE SCENES

MICHAEL’S MIND’S EYE: STILL REMEMBERING ARETHA FRANKLIN

by Contributing Writer, Michael P. Coleman

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published a “Remembering Aretha Franklin” tribute on sacculturalhub.com just after the legend’s death in August, at the age of 76. I hadn’t planned to write about her again, but it seemed appropriate for this issue of THE HUB magazine. Having been born and raised in Detroit, I’m admittedly biased, but if ever there was an Exceptional Woman Of Color, it was Aretha Louise Franklin. And something tells me that Franklin would have loved these stories of the few days just after she went home.

On the day Franklin died, I drove around town in a bit of a haze while listening to a variety of her music. I was trying to move through an almost overwhelming sense of sadness. I found myself stopped at a red light, literally teary-eyed, as Franklin’s “Freeway Of Love” blasted from my car stereo, my silver Mustang convertible standing in for the Queen’s legendary, lyrical pink Cadillac.

When I realized how loud my music was, I glanced over to the lane next to me to see whether I was disturbing anyone. A Ford F-150 in the adjacent lane was being driven by a guy who looked like a ZZ Top wannabe, and his female companion was equally Duck Dynasty-esque.

Two pairs of dark sunglasses separated their eyes from mine as they glared down at me. Just as I reached to turn my music down, I noticed the couple was swaying back and forth in time to my music, and singing “Freeway Of Love” along with Aretha and me.

The driver then smiled and gave me the thumbs-up, instead of the finger I had imagined him giving me. At that red traffic light on Folsom Avenue in Rancho Cordova, Aretha Franklin bridged racial, cultural,

and generational divides, much as she did throughout her ground-breaking six decade career.

The next morning, I decided to start the day with the apex of Franklin’s gospel career — and quite possibly the best gospel album ever recorded — 1972’s Amazing Grace.

The project’s first track? “Mary, Don’t You Weep.” The rest of that lyric? “And tell Martha not to moan.”

Franklin may as well have sung “MICHAEL, don’t you weep.” Even after she’d transitioned to the next realm, Franklin and the Southern California Community Choir lifted my spirit. By the end of that album’s first track, I was smiling — for the first time in over 24 hours.

It was over a week before I played any music that wasn’t Franklin’s. It started with Mac Miller’s and Peabo Bryson’s new albums, but before long, I found myself back on that “Freeway Of Love,” playing Aretha and singing as I got ready for work. But unlike the somewhat sad days just after Franklin died, that morning, I dropped the top, baby, and cruised on into that better-than-ever street. And I’ve been cruising on it ever since.

RIP Aretha Franklin, thank you, and long live soul’s most gracious Queen. n

ACTRESS DEBORAH JOY WINANS OF OWN’S GREENLEAF CHECKS IN WITH HER HUB FANS! “I JUST WANT WHAT GOD WANTS FOR ME!”

By Contributing Writer, Michael P Coleman THE HUB featured Deborah Joy Winans on the cover of the magazine in the Spring of 2017. At press time for this issue, HUB readers are bracing themselves for Greenleaf’s third season, so we HAD to catch up with Winans to find out what to expect. We caught up with her while she was on vacation in Europe. Yes, THE HUB has got it like that!

If you’re not up on Greenleaf, it’s one of OWN’s excellent scripted dramas. It dissects and details the salacious scandals of a southern family steeped in religion. Winans brilliantly plays “Charity,” one of the family’s daughters.

“There’s a lot that’s new with Charity this season,” Winans exclaimed during our EXCLUSIVE interview. “We’d seen her go through quite a few things without really facing them or dealing with them. This season, we see her face everything, and we see her humanity. She may also get a little help in facing things from the guru of it all!”

she performs is a cover of Tramaine Hawkins’ “Changed,” performed as a duet with the legendary Patti LaBelle!

“It was scary to say the least singing such an iconic song with such an iconic vocal as Tramaine’s,” Winans shared. “But to add Ms. Patti and make it a duet?? OMG!! I think I was tripping from beginning to end!”

It was great to hear the actress is having so much fun singing.

Although she’s one of gospel music’s Winans family, she told THE HUB in 2017 that, believe it or not, she resisted singing for quite some time.

Maybe “Ms. Patti” pushed her over the edge! Or maybe it was that Grammy nomination she received for her very first recording, from the soundtrack album from Greenleaf’s first season.

“I used to say absolutely not,” Winans said in response to whether there is a Deborah Joy Winans solo album in her future. “Now, I just want what God wants for me. Whatever doors He opens, I will continue to walk through them!” n

The “guru” of whom Winans speaks is OWN CEO Oprah Winfrey, who plays the recurring role of “Mavis” on the series. Winans says working with Winfrey has been a true joy (pardon the pun).

“The highlight of my time with Greenleaf & OWN has certainly been working with such INCREDIBLE people, including the boss herself, Ms. Winfrey,” Winans said. “She is the embodiment of excellence and keeps us all on our toes, striving for the best.”

Connect with Sacramento-based freelance writer Michael P Coleman and Coleman Communications at michaelpcoleman.com, or follow him on Twitter: @ ColemanMichaelP.

One of the highlights of the new season is undoubtedly getting to hear more of Winans’ singing, and she doesn’t disappoint. One of the songs

FALL 2018

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BEHIND THE SCENES

HUB PROFILE:

ACTRESS CHAUNTICE GREEN

By Contributing Writer, Donna Michele Ramos

C

hauntice Green comes to Los Angeles from a small suburb of Sacramento, CA. She studied acting at AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts and graduated with a BFA-Bachelor of going to a performing arts school in Los Angeles and she Fine Arts. Devoted to the craft with a true love for stage and told me I should check it out. I applied for an audition and film, she has built herself to be a woman of integrity, work got it. I told my mom about it. Me, my mom, aunt and and principle. Most recently, she has spent her summer grandma drove to Los Angeles. A month later I got accepted working on an independent short called, The Myth, which into the school. I moved to Los Angeles and started AMDA incorporates the world of poetry and storytelling College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts early, in with magical realism. She was in an incredible the summer of 2011. play that was a part of the Hollywood THE HUB: What was your major in school?

Fringe Festival 2017, called, Space: The GREEN: I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Number of Nothing. Leaving no life I SHOW UP, PUT MYSELF Acting. question unanswered, her sole mission OUT THERE AND PUT IT IN GOD’S HANDS. I’VE COME is to inspire fellow artists and the THE HUB: How did you get interested in TO TERMS WITH, IT’S A community at large all while fulfilling acting?

MARATHON NOT A SPRINT. her passion of art and purpose. The GREEN: When I was young, I’d watch movies art of storytelling and the purpose of and I knew I wanted to do what the actors did. celebrating her unique voice as a black I was very involved in sports in school but in my woman and creative. THE HUB had the sophomore year in high school I had to take an elective. opportunity to talk with the up and rising actress— My theater teacher told me to try out for his advanced Chauntice Green. theater class. I graduated from high school and had my light bulb moment. I wanted to act and I have been going after it ever since.

THE HUB: Were you born and raised in Sacramento?

GREEN: I was born in the Bay Area. We moved to Sacramento, mainly Elk Grove when I was in the 1st grade.

THE HUB: What are some of the parts you have played so far in your acting career?

THE HUB: How long have you lived in Los Angeles? Did you move there for school?

GREEN: Last year I was a part of a big theatre festival in Los Angeles called, The Hollywood Fringe Festival. I was in a play called, Space: The Number of Nothing (directed by Nicklaus von Nolde). The show was really cool and blended the world of theatre with technology and media. Meaning, sometimes we were onstage acting with pre-recorded video of other actors to show the illusion of that actor on the screen being out in space. The year before that (2016) I was

GREEN: 7 years, I moved June 2011. I was working at the Apple call center in Laguna and wasn’t fulfilled. I always knew I wanted to act, but I thought something like that wasn’t going to happen. But a 2-year college to 4-year college track wasn’t for me. I had a friend from Sacramento | 4 6 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

FALL 2018

ANOTHER LOOK in a big theatre production called L.O.V.E (directed by Leon Anderson) that explores the complications of friendships, romantic relationships, trust, and forgiveness.

KEEPING YOUR SCALP HEALTHY IS ESSENTIAL.

I just wrapped up my first Indie film called, The Myth, written by a poet named Kat Magill, and based upon parts of her life. It was directed by Darrin Bush. I played Kat. It was one of the hardest projects I’ve worked on, but also one of the most rewarding. I’ve done music videos for artists like: Usher, Wale, A$AP Mob, Habit Blix, City James and more. Alongside acting, I also write; I am in preproduction for my first short film, written by me.

Your scalp is the foundation for your hair while your hair above the surface is dead the living part of the hair lies beneath, being nourished by the scalp.

THE HUB: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

GREEN: The biggest thing is it’s hard in acting; you can have a 10-year plan, but you have no control over it. So I show up, put myself out there and put it in God’s hands.

I’ve come to terms with, it’s a marathon not a sprint.

THINK OF YOUR HAIR LIKE A PLANT •

The scalp is like the soil for healthy growth.

•

The roots need to be in the best possible environment.

•

Which means caring for your scalp because when it’s unhealthy or damaged, the skin cells become disrupted.

•

Allowing essential moisture to leak out your scalp, and when your scalp is dry or damaged, your hair struggles to grow strong and healthy.

THE HUB: Since your family is in Sacramento, how long do you plan on living in Los Angeles?

GREEN: I am here for good. The next place I see myself going is New York but that’s later, to pursue TV and go deeper into theater, Broadway.

SO THE SECRET TO STRONG AND HEALTHY HAIR: A HEALTHY SCALP Get the best foundation for full thick and healthy hair.

THE HUB: Do you have an agent? How difficult is it to get one?

LEAVE-IN VITAMIN HAIR MIST: This fast-absorbing, light leave-in Vitamin hair mist, nourishes and moisturizes hair and scalp with an infusion of vitamins and minerals.

GREEN: I am in between agents now, I have a couple of meetings this week. There’s so many ways to get an agent but the best way is to be referred. You do groundwork, mail out resumes and headshots to agents and managers to get a meeting with them. I am lucky enough to have a great foundation of friends and family; we network and help each other. One person goes up and everyone goes up.

RE-VITALIZE LEAVE-IN VITAMIN HAIR MIST is for all hair types, with Hydrolyzed Keratin for repairing damaged hair and adding strength; this product is easy to use, can be sprayed and massaged directly onto the scalp and on the hair to combat breakage and restore hair back to its healthy state. No greasy oils or offensive smells, excellent at improving the overall condition of your hair.

THE HUB: Your friends and family are describing you in 3 words, what are they?

RE-VITALIZE LEAVE-IN LIQUID VITAMIN MIST is free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, mineral oil and petroleum.

GREEN: Bold, good listener and motherly (I take care of everyone; I cook everyone dinner). n

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Connect with Chauntice on instagram and twitter @chaunticegreen

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www.anotherlookhairsalon.com Book your appointment now 916-688-7704 FALL 2018

T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 4 7 |

DID YOU KNOW?

CANNIBUS EQUITY CORE PROGRAM HELPS EXPUNGE RECORDS FOR A FRESH START

By Contributing Writer, Donna Michele Ramos

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HE HUB sat down with Nia Moore Weathers, the Community Organizer for Youth-Forward to learn more about the specifics of the Cannabis Equite Core Program recently approved by the City of Sacramento and the Marijuana Expungement Prop 64.

Youth-Forward provides funding for disadvantaged youth in Sacramento in Black and Brown communities. They have been working with California Urban Partnership run by Malaki Seku Amen this past year, to put together the Cannabis Equity Core Program; to create equity in the cannabis industry. As all dispensaries are owned by rich, white people, the with no diversity in the workers either, the California Urban Partnership is looking to break that cycle. People of color or anyone affected by the war on drugs, should be able to get into this industry, either by working there or owning it. The Core Program identifies and defines and tries to fix the marijuana industry in Sacramento.

THE HUB: With the updates happening since the District Attorney’s recent decision, how do things look for California’s future, especially Sacramento?

end of the day to work with us. She wants to keep her job.

D.A. Schubert has been working with the California Partnership and Youth Board; and recently partnered with Code for America. We are working on Marijuana Expungement Prop.

64, so people with records can get records expunged online, which is exciting. We need to stay on top of this. Code For America allows each county to set certain eligibility criteria. As community stakeholders, we are trying to make sure eligibility criteria is set so as many people as possible can qualify and benefit from it. Code For America is only partnering with San Francisco and a few other counties to try it out. We have to get eligibility criteria together, so we can be 1 of 5 counties they move forward with, in the pilot program. The process is easy for applicants, the rap sheet is uploaded, and the website deduces if you are eligible. If you are eligible, the site will fill out the necessary paperwork and file for expungement on your behalf.

THE HUB: What are your hopes for Sacramento in view of these updates and the recently passed Cannabis Equity Core Program?

MOORE WEATHERS: Being part of Code For America, to be one of the pilot counties. We see the effects marijuana misdemeanors and felonies have on someone’s life. We want to see how the Core Program functions and works. We want to see economic growth in the community and that people get their lives on track through this policy change. n

MOORE WEATHERS: A year-long study to support the Cannabis Equity Core Program was completed before the program was accepted by the City. The City wanted definitions. The Core Program defines and fixes the war on drugs in Sacramento; it’s like reparations. I think we are making progress but it’s going to be slow to see change so we have to be on top of this. D.A. Anne Marie Schubert doesn’t seem to care so much about criminal justice; especially in the Black community but she does realize we’re sick of being treated poorly. She knows we’re upset and knows it’s her job at the

Nia MooreWeathers Community Organizer youth-forward.org To learn more about the various programs discussed in this article go to: www.cityofsacramento.org/marijuana www.codeforamerica.org www.californiaup.org

ELECTION 2018

Lawmakers finalized the propositions this past summer and state voters will decide on everything from rent control, transportation tax, and the proposed elimination of daylight saving.

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018.

2018 BALLOT MEASURES - PROPOSITIONS • • • • • • • • • •

Proposition Proposition Proposition Proposition Proposition Proposition Proposition Proposition Proposition Proposition

1--Affordable Housing Bond 2--Mental Health Money for Housing 3--An $8.9 Billion Water Bond 4--Children’s Hospital Bond 5--Portable Real Estate Tax Break 6--Gas Tax Repeal 7--Daylight Saving Time Forever 8--Dialysis Clinic Profit Pruning 10--Bringing Back Rent Control 11--Paramedic Break Time

2018 STATEWIDE CANDIDATES

Go READ MORE ABOUT each proposition listed above at: http://www.capradio.org/ articles/2018/06/29/here-are-the-12-ballot-propositions-on-californias-november-2018-election

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DEMOCRAT

REPUBLICAN

Governor of California...........Gavin Newsome....... John Cox Lieutenant Governor..............Ed Hernandez.......... Eleni Kournalakis Attorney General...................Xavier Becerra.......... Steven C. Bailey Secretary of State..................Alex Padilla.............. Mark Meuser Treasurer................................Fiona Ma.................. Greg Conlon Controller...............................Betty Yee.................. Konstantinos Roditis Insurance Commissioner........Steve Poizner........... Ricardo Lara Superintendent of Public Instruction....................Tony Thurmond........ Marshall Tuck U.S. Senate.............................Dianne Feinstein...... Kevin de Leon Learn more about District Postings at: https://elections.calmatters. org/2018/district-postings/

FALL 2018

LEISURE

HUB REVIEW: CARLA HALL MAY BE DONE CHEW-ING, BUT LOOK OUT FOR HER NEW COOKBOOK…AND HER UPCOMING ACTING GIG!

By Contributing Writer, Michael P Coleman For seven seasons and over 1,500 episodes, Carla Hall co-hosted The Chew on CBS. Earlier this year, the show’s on-air team was very unexpectedly told the show was being cancelled at the end of the 2018 season. The last of the program’s landmark run aired last summer.

which was published in October. She bubbled with excitement talking about it.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do this book without the experience of doing the first two, but I really feel like, for the first time, that this is truly my book,” Hall exclaimed. “I started trying to dissect the THE HUB caught up with Hall late last summer, differences between celebration foods and everyday between the show’s wrap party and the foods. People have a very limited view of what publication of her third cookbook, Carla Hall’s ‘soul food’ is, and I got so sick of people Soul Food: Everyday And Celebration. She saying ‘soul food is going to kill you.’ We as was enjoying her time off and excited black people weren’t valuing our food.”

“I’VE ALWAYS BEEN about the book’s release.

OPEN TO WHEREVER MY

“I really don’t feel it yet,” Hall, 54 said PATH LEADS ME.” “I also wanted to do this book to tell during our EXCLUSIVE interview, of The other people that just like Korean food or Chew’s cancellation. “We’re usually off Italian food or Thai food, soul food has its during the summers. I never expected to place,” Hall continued. “It’s really to honor our get an offer from a major network and to have food so we can feel very prideful about it.” the job, so to have had it for seven years, I feel really Now that the new cookbook is out, Hall’s fans may be blessed.” surprised to hear that her next horizon may not involve food “I’ve always at all. The former talk show host and reality TV star has been open to been bit by the acting bug. wherever my “I had a cameo on the movie Girls Trip, and I’d like to do path leads me,” more of that,” Hall confided. “But I don’t expect to move Hall continued.

“I know it sounds from The Chew to being on a sitcom. I realize that there is work that has to be put into the craft — into any craft — but so ‘flower I’m willing to do it.” n child,’ but that’s honestly how I live my life. The next thing will come.”

Hall is clearly talking about “the next thing” after her new cookbook,

Go to sacculturalhub.com for more of our EXCLUSIVE chat with Carla Hall, including more on her new cookbook.

Connect with Sacramento-based freelance writer Michael P Coleman and Coleman Communications at michaelpcoleman.com, or follow him on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP

FALL 2018

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LEISURE

HUB EXCLUSIVE: SONGWRITING LEGEND LAMONT DOZIER RELEASES ALBUM OF REWORKED MOTOWN CLASSICS, PLANS WORLD TOUR

By Contributing Writer, Michael P Coleman

L

amont Dozier is perhaps best known as one-third of the iconic Motown songwriting and production team Holland-Dozier-Holland. HDH is behind many of the most beloved pop songs of the 20th century, including “Stop! In The Name Of Love,” “Love Is Like A Heatwave,” “Reach Out (I’ll Be There,” “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved

By You,” “Baby Love,” and countless other songs made famous by icons like Diana Ross & The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, and Martha & The Vandellas. Dozier also enjoyed a successful run as a solo artist.

His new project, the aptly entitled Reimagination, revisits go further if we eliminated the race attitude with music.”

13 of his Motown classics and interprets them in phenomenally different Dozier said he plans a worldwide promotional tour for ways. In at least a few cases, Reimagination beginning in early 2019, and hopes to MOST SONGS THAT I Dozier’s new album includes include several stateside dates. And if fans continue WRITE HAVE A SECOND definitive versions of songs that FEELING, YOU MIGHT SAY, responding well to Reimagination, the legend says there’s AND YOU CAN ARRANGE more than enough material to revisit, and that he’d like to are cherished by generations of THEM WITH A DIFFERENT music fans worldwide. release a sequel or two. n During our EXCLUSIVE interview, Dozier shared that Reimagination was decades in the making.

ATTITUDE.”

Go to sacculturalhub.com to read the full feature, and more from the legendary Lamont Dozier. His Reimagination album is available digitally and on amazon.com.

“I’d had this idea for a long time, because I’d always felt that these songs had a lot of depth to them, that they could be done with different arrangements,” the 77 year old legend shared. “All of these songs came about in ballad form, and then in the studio, Brian [Holland] and I would take a look at the arrangements and change the beat or whatever to make them more commercial for the time. Most songs that I write have a second feeling, you might say, and you can arrange them with a different attitude.”

Connect with freelancer Michael P Coleman at michaelpcoleman. com or follow him on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP.

“When I started with Motown, I told [founder] Berry Gordy that a lot of the stuff the company was doing was R & B, but I always thought that music should be for everybody, and if you played your cards right and wrote the right songs, everybody could get involved with it and you could sell a lot of records. Berry and I always thought the company could | 5 0 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

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LEISURE

DIVERSITY AND BREAKING BARRIERS IN THE DANCE COMMUNITY

By Contributing Writer, Donna Michele Ramos

modern dance to it and dance troupes have put their own modern twist onto ballet.

I

n the past, Black ballerinas who pursued their dreams had to be brave to deal with being excluded; anything but equal opportunity and direct racism. Has that changed today? Do ballet line-ups still look like a loaf of white bread?

Now, young nonwhite dancers deal with more challenges than their white counterparts, but have they gained any ground? There’s a definite lack of diversity in ballet. Michaela DePrince, ballerina in the Dutch National Ballet’s Company says she experienced institutional racism. She stated, “As a black ballerina, racism is less about what happens to you and more about what doesn’t happen to you.” Local teenager from Northern California, Alexis Hunt has danced in this predominately white entertainment field and gives us her experiences in ballet.

THE HUB: What would you tell a room full of young prima ballerina hopefuls, in terms of preparing themselves for the journey?

HUNT: You will face setbacks, don’t let setbacks and struggles define you as a person; it’s all part of the journey.

THE HUB: What would be your dream ballet to perform in?

HUNT: Swan Lake because of the solo and because it is one of the most tiring to perform. It would be a great growing experience.

THE HUB: What is your dance position?

HUNT: At my dance studio: I am a principal dancer in Ballet Company Hawkins Classical and Contemporary Ballet Company. I am an advanced level dancer in the Mod Dance Company, it is a modern troop.

THE HUB: How long have you been dancing? How did you get started?

HUNT: 12 years; when I was 5 years old my parents signed me up for a bunch of sports and then we found a ballet studio here in Folsom.

THE HUB: What do you like most about ballet?

HUNT: How it’s very precise but you get a little experimentation.

How it allows you to see what you can do.

THE HUB: What is the most challenging aspect of ballet?

HUNT: Point work is a very challenging aspect, you have to keep up with everything you learned on a flat surface and do all of that on your toes in point shoes and there are new techniques to learn.

THE HUB: What are your short-term goals? What are your longterm goals?

HUNT: Short-term, to get better everyday and improve flexibility.

Long-term would be to perform with a big ballet company.

THE HUB: Do you feel little girls getting into ballet now, have an easier time than you did several years ago?

HUNT: I think it’s about the same.

THE HUB: What changes have you noticed in ballet since you started 12 years ago?

THE HUB: Since you have graduated from high school, do you plan to dance full time now?

HUNT: I am only doing a couple of classes at the studio, I have to focus on college and working. I’ll be attending Folsom Lake College and studying photo journalism. When I finish that, I’ll transfer to the University of Missouri.

THE HUB: If your friends and family were describing you, what 3 words would they use?

HUNT: Kindhearted, passionate and creative.

THE HUB: Everyone knows about Misty Danielle Copeland, prima ballerina in the American Ballet Theatre; do you know any other Black ballerinas?

HUNT: Michaela DePrince, she dances with the Dutch National Ballet. Yes and there are many other Black ballerinas dancing all over the world. Olivia Boisson, New York City Ballet; Precious Adams, English National Ballet; Jasmine Perry, Los Angeles Ballet; Francesca Hayard, The Royal Ballet; Nicole Zadra, Hong Kong Ballet; Kimberly Braylock, San Francisco Ballet; Ava Joannais, Paris Opera Ballet; Dara Holmes, The Joffrey Ballet and Katlyn Addison, Ballet West. n

HUNT: It has evolved some because they have added more FALL 2018

T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 5 1 |

LEISURE

HUB FILM REVIEW:

INTERVIEW WITH TRAFFIK DIRECTOR DEON TAYLOR

By Contributing Writer, Donna Michele Ramos

Chief Editor Pleshette Robertson of THE HUB Magazine would like to apologize for the errors made in this interview article that was published on pages 50-51 of the Summer 2018 issue. This article has been updated and is included in full below.

First, congratulations on your phenomenal first 2 weeks after the release of “Traffik!” Coming in #9 on the top 10 movie list is a big deal. You are having some journey, starting your career in 2005 as a screenwriter, director and producer. Since founding Hidden Empire Film Group, the movies and TV projects have come at a steady pace.

THE HUB: As an athlete, who was born in Chicago, relocated here, graduating from Florin High School and San Diego State, you played against Jamie Foxx in the NBA Entertainment League; then jumped into the cinematic world.

Mr. Taylor has directed many film How did you get the and television projects. In 2015 training necessary to he directed Jamie Foxx’s video, succeed in this highly“In Love by Now”. His television competitive business? projects include: “Nite Tales”, he co-directed “Tommy’s Little Girl” TAYLOR: It’s how with Jamie Foxx, to be released passionate someone in the future. His movies include: is, I can’t tell you the his first film: “Dead Tone”, “The difference between Hustle”, “Nite Tales: The Series”, passion and stupidity.

“Chain Letter”, “Supremacy”, You’re better off not “Meet the Blacks” in 2016 and knowing; do you currently in theaters, “Traffik”. see something no Labor Day “Meet the Blacks 2: The one else sees? You House Next Door,” starring Mike are in a world where Epps, Katt Williams and Rick Ross you’re passed over will be released. At the end of this and second guessed. year, “Motivated Seller” starring If your intention and Dennis Quaid and Megan Good energy is correct, God will be released. brings you into a place where it always works out. Do it with heart, spirit and mindset. Follow your spirit; when you fall, you have to know that you have to get up. I have always followed my mind and heart, almost to a level of insanity. No one sees you are getting better at your craft, better at distribution, stars and movies.

THE HUB: I know that you make all genres (horror, comedy, and slasher thriller) so you’re not pigeon-holed. Your 3 basic scenarios: humanity, life, love ad redemption allow you to play in any game. Do you have a favorite genre?

TAYLOR: I don’t know, it really is based on how I feel at the time, what mood I’m in. Over the last year, I have felt good | 5 2 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

[TRAFFIK DIRECTOR DEON TAYLOR AND HIS TRAFFIK PRODUCING PARTNER (AND WIFE) ROXANNE AVENT ON THE RED CARPET OF THE FILM’S PREMIERE AT THE ARCLIGHT HOLLYWOOD THEATER ON APRIL 19, 2018. (PHOTO CREDIT: TODD WILLIAMSON)]

living in the world of the thriller. Sometimes I’m in an edgy mood or want to say something. Being an Aquarius, I think that’s common, my sign is mysterious, free-spirited, eccentric and independent. As a Black film maker, I am not identified as a box, every movie doesn’t have to be hard hitting.

THE HUB: What’s your definition of Hollywood’s new Black Renaissance?

TAYLOR: A treasure chest full of incredible artists that all have dynamic voices, that up till now have been muted by the system. We’ve been supporting all movies but haven’t been in them. Lots of mainstream movies now for us: “Moonlight” won 3 Academy Awards and was made for only $ 4 million, making $65 million worldwide. Urban movies have been constant – “Girls Trip” had a budget of $19 million, bringing in $115.2 in the U.S. and Canada and $24.9 million in other territories. “Get Out” had a budget of only $4.5 million brought in a worldwide box office of $255,209,057 and it had a Black male lead. “Black Panther” shattered box office records, raking in $1.28 billion worldwide, with an all-Black cast. These

FALL 2018

LEISURE movies changed the dynamic; for the last 15 years Tyler Perry daughter’s school, which led you to do research. Did you has dominated the space. Directors and writers were not automatically think this would make for a good movie or were getting film opportunities but finally they are. Each time you you trying to get the word out on how close to home sex put out that movie, audiences come out. For 20 years they trafficking really is? told us, Black movies don’t work overseas, but they do. I’m TAYLOR: No, first I was like this doesn’t have anything to do learning it’s because they don’t get distribution. The press with us. But then I investigated it and found the facts. The tour takes artists and promotes films across the water. The movie is my first impression of it, there’s no sugar coating, next step for Denzel is to take “The Equalizer” overseas. this is how these sex trafficking rings work.

“Black Panther” is a great movie. Thanks Marvel but, is there a young Black man making a new Black superhero? I THE HUB: I didn’t find out that Sacramento was a hub for was at the Disney store in Chicago and I picked up Black sex trafficking until early last year. I was shocked to see Panther pajamas and action figures for my son. Me your figures showing 75-85% of females trafficked purchasing that blew my mind, this is historic. are African American and Latino. This is a quiet It’s very cool to be able to go into a store and epidemic, because although people have heard pick up our likeness in a toy for my son. about it on the news, they really don’t think it’s FOLLOW YOUR SPIRIT; this close to home, do they?

THE HUB: I loved the aerial shot of WHEN YOU FALL, YOU Sacramento, our city looked very pretty.

HAVE TO KNOW THAT YOU TAYLOR: Even I didn’t know how close to Was the restaurant scene where Brea and HAVE TO GET UP. I HAVE home it was until that email arrived. her friends were celebrating filmed at The ALWAYS FOLLOWED MY THE HUB: Your movie woke me up to the Firehouse?

MIND AND HEART, ALMOST fact that it’s not just runaway teens who are TO A LEVEL OF INSANITY. TAYLOR: No, it was filmed in the Ace of trafficked, it’s also females who sometimes Spades, we built out a room there. willingly go with their kidnapper, with no idea of what’s about to happen to them. I’m so glad you THE HUB: I imagine it’s very smooth to shoot made this movie, it is an eye opener and it is getting locally, what are the challenges when you shoot in the word out, to all us unsuspecting people about a lifeLos Angeles? threatening operation that is going on, many times a day.

TAYLOR: I’ve been shooting in Sacramento a long time.

Your new shingle under your company is Dark Circus, it will I shot “Traffik” and “Meet the Blacks” here. But I got produce film and TV aimed at urban audiences; focusing on frustrated working with the City. Couldn’t the City help us comedy and horror. Can you tell me a little more about this with something? Hotel rooms or street closures. I never got latest project? any support from the Sacramento Bee, etc. It was frustrating, TAYLOR: I created the label to make movies: comedy or but then I got beyond waiting for them to show me love; I felt horror. “Motivated Seller” is a thriller starring Dennis Quaid better shooting here, now I’m pushing Sacramento a lot. I set and Meagan Good. It’s release date is set for the end of this up the city in the nice way. year.

THE HUB: Having access to a soundstage here and being “Traffik” is in theaters now. I urge everyone to see this movie. I able to produce feature films, TV shows and videos has made enjoyed being on the edge of my seat, for most of the movie.

Hidden Empire Film Group fully self-sufficient, will you ever The way women are trafficked was a shock to me. I assumed produce movies for others? the majority of those taken were white, teenage runaways; TAYLOR: We don’t have those spaces anymore, it’s very rare you use stages. There’s no stage currently here, we build out as needed. For “Traffik” we rented 15 – 20 offices for our 24day shoot. We shot a lot locally: downtown and the Capitol.

The freeway scenes were shot on 80 going towards Reno and Truckee. 90% of the movie was shot in Sacramento.

not true. Deon’s research shows that 75% - 85% of those trafficked are African American or Latino and it is not just teenagers, it is also 20 and 30 somethings being grabbed at an alarming rate. Make sure your family and friends are aware of these numbers. n

More about hiddenempirefilmgroup.com

THE HUB: Your wife Roxanne Avent is your executive producer; I imagine it’s hard for you both not to take work home. Do you two continue to work and bounce ideas off each other or is it family time when you get home?

TAYLOR: No, you’re always working when you’re building and running a company. You are always piggybacking. I’m the creator and she’s the business mind. It’s fantastic because we can build stuff together. Our kids see us work together as a couple, it’s priceless. The seed is planted for them; I have a daughter who is 12 years old and two sons ages 1 and 4 years old.

THE HUB: Let’s talk more about your newest movie, “TRAFFIK”. I understand it all started with an email from your

Donna Ramos writes several (contemporary and historical) multi-cultural, romance novels simultaneously. Her journalism career as a Senior Staff Writer/Reporter for THE HUB Magazine has yielded interviews with Maxwell, Venus and Serena Williams and HRH Sarah Ferguson Duchess of York, to name a few. As a self-published author, Ramos received acclaim from Essence Magazine and BlackbookPlus.com by being on their best seller lists for her contemporary romance debut book “HIGH RISE”. Currently she is writing, “M&M: MADNESS AND MAYHEM”, the final book in her “HIGH RISE” Trilogy, and “CHOCOLATE IN THE CITY”. Donna partnered with another author, Brooklen Borne to write a 4-book sci-fi thriller series, “Absorption.” Last year she was named “Author of the Year” by Write-On! Awards for Literary Excellence. She states her next project is to “teach myself how to screen write so I can turn my novels into screenplays and submit them to studios and agents searching for fresh new scripts.”

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T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 5 3 |

THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO GO

For more events in Sacramento & beyond, go to www.sacculturalhub.com and list your event for free online. | OCTOBER |

Reunion Celebration on Sun-10/28 from 11 am to 5 pm at Joaquin Miller Community Center, 3594 Sanborn Drive in Oakland. Weekend full of empowerment workshops, panel discussions, guest speakers, and power networking. http://bwopa50th.eventbrite.com

BLACK THEATRE STAGE PLAY, JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE OCTOBER 5-NOVEMBER 10

by August Wilson at Celebration Arts Theatre. Show dates run Oct 5-Nov 10. Located at 2727 B Street in Sacramento. celebrationarts.net or 916.455-ARTS(2787) CONNECTING THE DOTS 2017 WOMEN IN BUSINESS CONFERENCE OCTOBER 16 8:30 AM to 1 PM Hilton Arden West from 8:30 am to 1 pm. presented by the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce. sacblackchamber.org TASTE OF SOUL IN LOS ANGELES OCTOBER 20 10 AM TO 7 PM. Activities include food vendors, celebrity entertainment and a variety of community services free and open to the community. tasteofsoul.org MAKING STRIDES AGAINST CANCER OF SACRAMENTO WALK OCTOBER 22 8 AM West Steps State Capitol Sacramento (10th Street between L and N Street). Registration at 7 am and Walk at 8 am. sacramentoCAStrides@cancer.or or 916.446-7933 opt. 3 BWOPA 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OCTOBER 27-28 Celebrating its 50th Power & Legacy with a Leadership Summit on Sat-10/27 from 8 am to 6 pm at InterContinental Hotel, 888 Howard Street in San Francisco and the

CAMEO LIVE WITH SPECIAL GUESTS OCTOBER 28 7:30 PM Paramount Theatre in Oakland. paramounttheatre.com | NOVEMBER | MAXWELL NOVEMBER 8 8 PM Paramount Theatre in Oakland. paramounttheatre.com BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES AT ROBLE STUDIO THEATER NOVEMBER 8-10 471 Lagunita Drive in Stanford, CA A play presented by the London-based Fuel with the National Theatre and West Yorkshire Playhouse, Barber Shop Chronicles traverses African barbershops in Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos, Accra, and London, where besides haircuts, customers and barbers take in and share confessions, wisdom, advice, and stories. Told by writer Inua Ellams, who emigrated from Nigeria to London as a teenager, this work captures the way community and culture come to life in everyday gathering spaces. live.stanford.edu KEVIN HART’S IRRESPONSIBLE TOUR NOVEMBER 16 7 PM Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. centersacramento.com

SACRAMENTO MAGAZINE’S BEST OF SACRAMENTO PARTY TO BENEFIT MAKE-A-WISH® NOVEMBER 17 6:30 PM TO 11 PM Sacramento Convention Center. sacmag.com RUN TO FEED THE HUNGRY NOVEMBER 22 8 AM Thanksgiving Day, Thurs-11/23, rain or shine. 10k at 8:15 am and 5k at 9 am. Race starts at J Street just west of entrance to the Sacramento State campus and runs through the beautiful tree lined streets of East Sacramento. runtofeedthehungry.com 60TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT OF THE O’JAYS NOVEMBER 24 8 PM Paramount Theatre in Oakland paramounttheatre.com BLACK NATIVITY A GOSPEL SONG PLAY BY LANGSTON HUGHES NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 22 Celebration Arts Theatre. Show dates run Nov 29-Dec 22. Located at 2727 B Street in Sacramento. celebrationarts.net or 916.455-ARTS(2787) | DECEMBER | V101’S THROWBACK HOLIDAY JAM DECEMBER 8 7:30 PM Featuring Ice Cube, E-40, Luniz, Mims and ZAPP at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. v1011fm.iheart.com

| JANUARY | ANNUAL MLK MARCH IN SACRAMENTO JANUARY 21 The March and Diversity Expo with vendors, children’s activities, talent show and more. marchforthedream.org | ONGOING | OPEN MIC AT MAHOGANY URBAN POETRY SERIES every Wednesday night inside Queen Sheba Restaurant located at 1704 Broadway in Midtown Sacramento (at 17th and Broadway).

(916) 446-1223 BOOK SIGNINGS, LECTURES, ART EXHIBITS, AND POETRY/ SPOKENWORD EVENTS AT UNDERGROUND BOOKS, 2814 35th Street in Oak Park, Sacramento. (916) 737-3333 or underground-books.com ART EXHIBITS, OPEN MIC POETRY, WORKSHOPS at Brick House Gallery, 2837 36th Street in Oak Park Sacramento. (916) 475-1240 or thebrickhousegallery.net SACRAMENTO AFRICAN AMERICAN MARKET PLACE on the 1st Saturday of the Month located at 2251 Florin Road (nearest cross street is 24th) in South Sacramento – open from 10 am to 5 pm. For more info go to facebook. com/SacramentoAMP or call (916) 730-6386.

TRAVIS SCOTT ‑ ASTROWORLD: WISH YOU WERE HERE TOUR DECEMBER 15 7:30 PM Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. centersacramento.com

ADVERTISER INDEX OF HUB PARTNERS ANOTHER LOOK HAIR SALON www.anotherlookhairsalon.com

CRYSTAL’S HAIR SALON 916.549.8972

HAIR BY MS. CHERRY (916) 549-9276

BLACK CHILD LEGACY CAMPAIGN www.blackchildlegacy.org

DOUBLE TAKE HAIR GALLERY www.facebook.com/tavia.jenkins

JAMES THE BARBER & STYLIST (916) 514-2539

CALIFORNIA HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY www.calhfa.ca.gov/hub.htm COLEMAN COMMUNICATIONS www.michaelpcoleman.com CROCKER ART MUSEUM www.crockerartmuseum.org

DR. EPHRAIM WILLIAMS FAMILY LIFE CENTER www.flcsac.org FORTUNE SCHOOL www.fortuneschooL.us GOT MUSCLE HEALTH CLUB www.got-muscle.com

MIXED INSTITUTE OF COSMETOLOGY www.mix-ed.com MONDAVI CENTER AT UC DAVIS www.mondaviarts.org

SACRAMENTO COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES www.dhhs.saccounty.net/CPS SACRAMENTO COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH www.dhs.saccounty.net/pub/ pages/pub-home.aspx SANDRA DEE’S BBQ & SEAFOOD www.sandradeesbbq.com

TERRY SPEED, D.D.S. www.terrispeeddds.com UC DAVIS www.ucdavis.edu UC DAVIS HEALTH ChooseHealth.ucdavis.edu UC DAVIS OFFICE OF CAMPUS COMMUNITY RELATIONS http://occr.ucdavis.edu

SMUD www.smud.org

To advertise in THE HUB Magazine, e-mail contact@sacculturalhub.com or call (916) 234-3589 | 5 4 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

FALL 2018

To advertise your business in THE HUB Magazine, call 916-234-3589 or e-mail advertise@sacculturalhub.com.

Crystal’s Hair Salon

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T H E H UB M AGAZI NE | 5 5 |

THIS IS WHO WE ARE. Mykaiah Clermont ’18

Civil and Environmental Engineering Dixon, CA #UCDavisLife: Mykaiah Clermont to hear his story

I came to UC Davis because of the sense of family that I get that’s unlike any other. I selected my major because I want to help produce more clean water throughout the world. UC Davis has some of the best professors for environmental sustainability.

At UC Davis you get the opportunity to work with people who really know what they’re doing and who care about what they’re doing—and that’s rare.

APPLY NOW FOR FALL 2019 ucdavis.edu/apply | 5 6 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

FALL 2018