Long Beach community comes together for free laundry

Wavemax Laundromat in Long Beach had a busy start to their free laundry event on Feb 17.

Basic needs student assistant, Stephanie Vasquez participates in the free laundry day catered for LBCC students on Feb.17 at Wavemax laundromat. (Desary Vailencour)

From 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the first 150 people to arrive received a voucher for a maximum of 6 loads of free laundry along with soap, softener, and snacks. 

Over 40 people arrived within the first hour, and more than 350 loads of laundry were completed by the end of the day.

During the event patrons were offered flyers with information for other basic support needs, such as free wifi hotspots, technical support and local food pantries scattered all around the Los Angeles County area.

Participants learned about this resource through multiple avenues of advertising, both online and in person, like Instagram and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Wavemax owner Melissa Doupounce has teamed up with multiple nonprofit organizations as well as our campus’s basic needs department to make this event happen.

Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion hires new Executive Director

Emily Kazim, who previously served as an LBECI program manager, will take over the position effective immediately.

The Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion — a community development corporation that works to create more inclusive economic and wealth-building opportunities throughout the city — has hired a new permanent executive director after a monthslong search, the organization announced on Thursday, Feb. 16.

Emily Kazim, who worked as the Life Family Center’s director prior to joining the LBCEI as a Food Support Program manager, will take over the organization’s helm effective immediately.

As executive director, Kazim will act as the LBCEI’s chief spokesperson and community liaison with a focus on bolstering entrepreneurship, small business support, workforce and youth development, affordable housing and homeownership, and economic resiliency for Long Beach residents from all walks of life.

Over the last thee years, LBCEI has provided basic needs to 4,500 households per month through partnerships with various agencies, the press release said — and has directed more than $1 million a year back to residents, small businesses and partner organizations. Last year, for example, the LBCEI launched a Black Wealth Initiative that helped more than 140 Black households embark on the path to first-time homeownership.

Beach Voices: CSULB student discovers the power of internships through College Corps

I grew up in Long Beach surrounded by gang violence, substance abuse and mental health issues. 

At my sister’s 10th birthday party, we were confined inside because there was a gang doing an initiation outside in the alley.  

At 15, one of my close friends was shot on a Sunday afternoon. Another one of my friends passed away from overdosing on fentanyl.  

Another friend was killed in front of his home. My brother’s best friend was murdered walking out of a liquor store, over mistaken identity.  

I know a student who was homeless, and most nights, he would walk around the city until the school campus opened.  

One thing that is clear to me is that as a community we are hurting. It is a different kind of hurt when you look at childhood photos and the people in them are no longer here. I love Long Beach; this is where I come from. But this city has also taken so much from me and the families around me that for a long time I did not know what to do.  

It took me five years to transfer from LBCC to Cal State Long Beach. It was hard because I did not know what I did to deserve my life or even the opportunities I had been given. I isolated myself from everyone I loved and cared about.  

I was angry at what the world had taken from me and my community. I was angry at what the world did not offer me and my community. I was angry because I knew that the community that we made together was created out of our need for survival and I hated it. We were not expected to thrive like other people. Just surviving was good enough.  

As I go to classes, I often think about how people like me do not go here. There might be Long Beach students here, but the majority do not know what I have gone through. The handful of people from my community that I do know at this school, of course, major in community-centered fields. I think to myself how lucky I am to be here and how I must finish to prove to everyone that someone with my background can make something of herself.  

In April of 2022, I got an email regarding a paid internship opportunity to do something within the local community with College Corps. I want to be a lawyer that helps with crime, juvenile reform, and policy and I was unaware of how competitive law school is.  

I knew that my resume and academic record were weak and an internship in my community would be perfect. I would be able to learn about what the community needs while making lifelong connections and honestly a reference for law school.  

Shayna Briseno-Brooks (second from the left) is shown with (from left) Jeff Williams, then-executive director of LBCEI; volunteer Magaly Chavez and Emily Kazim, Shayna’s supervisor.

I was lucky enough to be chosen by the Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion (LBCEI). I started working at LBCEI in September and I can honestly say that it has changed my world. This organization operates on the needs of the community, and I learned that very fast.  

Emily Kazim, my supervisor, and Jeff Williams, then-executive director of LBCEI (now the director of Community Engagement in Mayor Richardson’s office) are the most amazing and caring people. 

I’m not treated like a student intern who is just here to complete her hours. I’m treated like an equal and my opinion is taken into consideration with everything we do.  

I have had the perfect balance of the fun, community-facing side of things with community events and pantry work, but also administrative work that is equally important, although it may not be as fun. Emily talks positively about me in rooms that I am not even in, and where I come from, that speaks volumes. 

LBCEI opens doors to community donations to help fill the gaps for food pantries

10,000 pounds of food stacked in pallets sits in Rex Richardson’s field office waiting to be distributed to food pantries around the greater Long Beach area. The Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion has been actively working to help underserved communities in the greater Long Beach area affected by food insecurity through their Long Beach Food Support Network. With help from 9 food pantry partners, Food Finders, the LA Regional Food Bank, Food Forward, and several community groups, the Food Support Network has been serving 1,500 households weekly.– ADVERTISEMENT –

In January, LBCEI partnered with Leadership Long Beach for the MLK Day of Service with a virtual project to collect care packages of hygiene kits and non-food items that were needed by guests of the food pantries. More than 300 care packages, 500 lbs. of food and paper products and over $1,500 were raised for the Long Beach Food Support Network. “After that event,” says LBCEI Food Manager Julie Lie, “we realized that people really want to help out and just don’t know how. So now we are here every Monday taking donations of the things our partner food pantries say they need the most.” While communities mobilized to help people get food, those same people — many of whom have been financially devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic — may not have funds to purchase basic household items like toothpaste, shampoo and facial tissues.

A current focus of the Food Support Network has been giving Long Beach’s food pantries COVID-19 education kits, which includes educational flyers, face masks and hand sanitizers. With the donations of full-sized shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, and paper products from members of our communities, Food Network pantry guests will be able to obtain products they haven’t had easy access to for almost a year. “We are so grateful to have received basic hygiene products and paper goods from LBCEI to give to our pantry guests” says Pools of Hope executive food pantry director Pat Dixon, “we saw that having these products lifted their self-esteem.”

Part of the 10,000 pounds of fresh produce at the Food Hub received by Food Forward

Donations are accepted every Monday from 10 am to 2 pm at Vice Mayor Richardson’s field office at 6509 Gundry Ave, Long Beach CA 90805. Monetary contributions are also accepted, and all donated funds will be used to purchase fresh produce, dairy, and animal protein food items to supplement the bulk food donated to the pantries.

The Food Support Network is also looking for volunteers to help sort, organize, and deliver items the network is putting together. You can also help support food pantry partners directly by contacting them. Information on most-needed supplies, volunteering opportunities, a chance to donate online, and more can be found at lbcei.org/give. If you are part of a community group or organization that would like to organize a hygiene kit donation drive, please email [email protected] to schedule.

RELEASE: The Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion Launches Search for New Executive Director

View the PDF press release | View the full job description

Media Contact: Jeff Williams
310.562.6665 | [email protected]
For immediate release
8 March 2021

The Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion Launches Search for New Executive Director

Long Beach, CA – Today, the Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion (LBCEI) announced search for a new Executive Director (ED). LBCEI is a new nonprofit Community Development Corporation (CDC) with a mission to expand inclusive economic opportunities to build and sustain wealth for all communities in Long Beach.

Launched in March, 2020, the Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion quickly adapted and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by directing more than $1 Million in funding and resources into the community in the areas of small business support, digital technology, food security and housing support services. As Long Beach begins Economic Recovery, Director will build partnerships that will expand and ensure equitable economic opportunities across the city.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for LBCEI staff, strategic partnerships and their associated programs, organizational development & expansion, and execution of LBCEI’s mission. LBCEI envisions a Long Beach where entrepreneurs, youth, workers, and individuals have the tools and opportunities to successfully build vibrant neighborhoods, successful businesses, and healthy, resilient families. LBCEI will seek out organizations (nonprofits and small businesses) in the community that support economic opportunities and connect them to resources to help them expand or grow the work they are doing in underserved communities.

The Executive Director acts as chief spokesperson and advocate for LBCEI and is a key interface with community partners and financial supporters including corporations, foundations, and public agencies. The focus is on entrepreneurship and small business support; workforce and youth development; affordable housing and homeownership; and economic resiliency. The responsibilities and duties of the Executive Director are varied and may change at any time based upon the needs of the community and directive of the Board of Directors.

“The board is excited to find a great fit for the next phase for the Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion,” said Board Chairman Bob Cabeza. “and continue the work to expand economic opportunities for families and small businesses in our community.”

The Board has retained the services of The Hawkins Company, a Los Angeles based executive search firm, to lead the executive director search process.

The position is open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by April 2, 2021. Confidential inquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Ms. Yonnine Hawkins Garr or Mr. Todd Hawkins of The Hawkins Company.

Mr. Todd Hawkins; [email protected],213-300-9342.

Ms. Yonnine Hawkins Garr; [email protected], 323-252-1655.

For additional information, view the full profile at www.thehawkinscompany.com.

###

Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion (LBCEI) is a 501(c)3 Community Development Corporation that expands inclusive economic opportunities to build and sustain wealth for all communities in Long Beach.

LBCEI values include:

● BRINGING EVERYONE IN

● AN ECONOMY FOR ALL

● ACCESS TO CAPITAL

● INCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY

LBCEI History: Establishing a Community Development Corporation (CDC) was an objective of the ‘Everyone In’ Economic Inclusion Initiative and an undertaking of a core group of community partners: Long Beach City Councilmember Rex Richardson, the ‘Everyone In’ Implementation Committee, Long Beach Community Action Partnership, Wells Fargo, and the City of Long Beach. In June 2019, the Long Beach City Council unanimously approved the ‘Everyone In’ Implementation Plan, a comprehensive outline of five key recommendations that would help expand access to economic opportunity in the areas of Small Business and Diverse Entrepreneurship, Procurement, Workforce and Youth Development, Connectedness (Economic Resiliency), Housing and Homeownership. The recommendation to support the establishment of a Community Development Corporation (CDC) that facilitates economic development at the neighborhood-level was included in this package of economic inclusion recommendations. Following its approval, Wells Fargo provided a seed grant that was matched by the City of Long Beach to support the CDC’s startup process.

Gazettes: Long Beach Economic Inclusion Group Forms Food Support Network

Shortly after the Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion (LBCEI) formed last March, it found itself in the middle of efforts to help those suffering in the coronavirus pandemic.

One of LBCEI’s primary efforts was support of food pantries, particularly in the central, west and north parts of Long Beach. Building on those efforts, LBCEI last week announced creation of the Food Support Network.

Since April 2020, LBCEI and its food pantry and neighborhood partners have served more than 1,500 households each week by providing food staples, according to a release. The distribution system gradually evolved through grant funding for equipment and creation of a Food Hub at Vice Mayor and Ninth District Councilman Rex Richardson’s field office at 6509 Gundry Ave.

Rather than try to reinvent a distribution system, LBCEI reached out to area churches and nonprofits already serving those in need, according to Julie Lie, LBCEI food network manager. Partnerships with Long Beach Food Finders (the food recovery nonprofit) and the LA Regional Food Bank significantly increased the amount and variety of food available.

In addition to the Food Hub, a grant from the Long Beach Community Foundation was used to buy refrigerators and freezers to increase storage capacity. That in turn allowed LBCEI to buy 20,000 pounds of frozen chicken to distribute over time, according to the release.

“LBCEI’s Food Hub has allowed us to be more intentional and increase the efficiency of available food resources,” Lie said in a release. “This centralized approach has really improved the operations of the food pantries to better meet the needs in their communities.”

Today, the Food Hub receives, repackages and coordinates delivery of 15,000 pounds of food boxes every other week.

The newly formalized Food Support Network includes nine churches and nonprofits as well as two neighborhood associations — AOC7 and the Collins Neighborhood Association. The neighborhood associations coordinate one-day food distribution events and the nine pantry partners get LBCEI food deliveries on a staggered schedule. A multilingual flyer letting people know when and where food is available is distributed in neighborhoods, as well.

Another plus of the network, Lie said, is the ability to distribute other needed material and information. For example, the network was used to give out more than 250 laptops and hot spots from the city. Hygiene kits and other non-food items (think toilet paper) have been given out as well.

After a successful partnership with Leadership Long Beach during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, LBCEI has set up a weekly donation collection — go to lbcei.org/help-food-support-network/ for more.

LBCEI is funded by the city of Long Beach and Wells Fargo Bank, along with grants from multiple sources, including CARES Act grants through the city. For more information about donating or volunteering, go to lbcei.org.

Original Source

Signal Tribune: Local food pantries and neighborhood groups join Long Beach Food Support Network to fight hunger

Local food pantries and neighborhood groups have teamed up under the guidance of the Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion (LBCEI) to form the Long Beach Food Support Network, with the goal of distributing free food to low income residents of Long Beach.

When creating the Long Beach Food Support Network, the LBCEI contacted nonprofits and churches that were already feeding those in low income communities in Long Beach. Some food pantries in the network have been active in the community for years, according to a press release by LBCEI.

After the coronavirus pandemic arrived in March 2020, many people faced economic insecurity and had difficulties affording groceries. Since April 2020, the food pantries and neighborhood groups currently involved in the Long Beach Food Support Network have been providing food to a total of over 1,500 households weekly.

“We are grateful to our food partners who have joined together to help provide for those most in need in our underserved communities of North, Central and West Long Beach,” LBCEI Board Chair Bob Cabeza said.

Nine food pantries and two neighborhood associations have joined the Long Beach Food Support Network. The LBCEI worked with food pantries to plan a staggered schedule and distributed multi-lingual fliers throughout low income communities in the city to inform residents about when and where they can pick up free food throughout the week.

The two participating neighborhood groups, AOC7 and Collins Neighborhood, also hold single-day food distribution events.

To help provide groups involved in the network with food to distribute, the LBCEI has partnered with the Long Beach based food recovery nonprofit Food Finders and the L.A. Regional Food Bank.

In order to store the increased supply of food before it is distributed through the nonprofits and neighborhood groups, Vice Mayor Rex Richardson created the LBCEI Food Hub at his field office in North Long Beach. A grant from the Long Beach Community Foundation paid for freezers and refrigerators so the food pantries could hold more groceries.

The Food Hub now receives and distributes 15,000 pounds of food in boxes every two weeks. Recently, LBCEI bought 20,000 pounds of frozen chicken, which will be distributed weekly to Long Beach Food Support Network partners.

“LBCEI’s Food Hub has allowed us to be more intentional and increase the efficiency of available food resources,” Julie Lie, LBCEI Food Network Manager, said. “This centralized approach has really improved the operations of the food pantries to better meet the needs in their communities.”

The City of Long Beach has also granted LBCEI several CARES Act grants, with a recent grant being used to buy fresh produce, animal protein and dairy products.

Food pantries and neighborhood groups involved in the Long Beach Food Support Network are also used to disseminate other important resources, including 250 free laptops and wifi hotspots as part of the City of Long Beach’s Digital Inclusion efforts, financial literacy information and COVID safety information. The network is also assisting in COVID vaccine roll out efforts.

LBCEI also partnered with Leadership Long Beach during the MLK Day of Service in January to collect hygiene kits and non food items needed by community members assisted by the food pantries. After an online campaign, the project collected 300 care packages, 500 pounds of food and paper products and more than $1,500 for the Long Beach Food Support Network.

Due to the success of this fundraising project, LBCEI is now accepting donations weekly on Mondays.

More information, a list of items that are needed for donation, drop off times and locations of Long Beach Food Support Network partners can be found on LBCEI’s website.

Besides funding from the City, LBCEI receives financial support from the Long Beach Community Foundation, HOPE Foundation, United Way, Supervisor Janice Hahn and more.

Original Source

Organic Harvest Gardens: Feeding People. Building Community.

Organic Harvest Gardens in North Long Beach is a pleasant surprise when you visit it. Tucked behind two apartment buildings off of Atlantic Avenue and up against the 91 Freeway, organic fresh crops are taking root and sprouting hope. 

PalacioMagazine.com and the Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion (LBCEI) have partnered to produce a series of video stories on LBCEI’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

LBCEI partnered with Organic Harvest Gardens (OHG) to provide delivery of fresh, local, organic produce to over 300 homebound seniors.  The following video features OHG co-founder Rod Dodd and was produced in partnership with Antonio Ruiz of PalacioMagazine.com 

More on Organic Harvest Gardens

Organic Harvest Gardens

(From their website: organicharvestgardens.com) 

“At Organic Harvest Gardens, we are two University of California Certified Master Gardeners, who head up a team of committed and passionate organic vegetable gardeners, farmers and general landscapers. With over 25 years of collective experience in organic vegetable gardening and landscaping, you can rest assure that you are in capable and professional hands. 

Rod, Master Gardener and our Director of Farm/Garden Design. Rod is a retired Staff Research Associate/Animal Resource Manager for USC, UCLA and the Veterans Administration. He is also a trained world traveled professional Chef, specializing in all types of cuisine, with an emphasis on Organic cooking. 

Adam, a highly-skilled Master Gardener, has an extensive background in horticulture, garden centers, retail nurseries, and private/commercial estates. He is a Certified Irrigation Repair Technician from Irrigator Technical Training School, as well as, the Long Beach Chapter President. 
We, at Organic Harvest Gardens, are zealous and dedicated in assisting you in your desire to live a greener lifestyle. We make it our priority to hold every client in high esteem, from the smallest to the largest. It is our goal to design, build, and maintain the garden that you deserve, from handcrafted garden beds to the very best nutritional and flavor-packed veggies you could never purchase from the grocery store.” 

Source: https://palaciomagazine.com/organic-harvest-gardens-feeding-people-building-community/

Connecting Our Children to The Future: The Laptop Giveaway


Connecting to the internet became an even greater challenge for Long Beach parents and students with the Covid-19 pandemic and the move to remote education. Families faced difficult choices: access technology to help bridge the digital divide or watch their children fall behind. The Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion (LBCEI) took on the challenge of a world of remote education. As they describe on their website, “The Long Beach community, especially those most vulnerable, will fall behind without access to technology.” The consequences are that this will result in an even greater divide in “…the inequitable distribution of resources across the city.”  

LBCEI rushed in to help.

They partnered with Long Beach-based human-I-T to distribute refurbished laptops to families and students in North, Central, and West Long Beach. The laptops went to students of the YMCA’s Early Childhood Education and Youth Institute programs, Long Beach City College students and families served by local nonprofits, including United Cambodian Community and Long Beach Day Nursery. 

PalacioMagazine.com partnered with the Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion to document the impact on the YMCA’s Early Childhood Education and Youth Institute program and the students they serve.

Long Beach City College also took part in the distribution and documented it.  

Source: https://palaciomagazine.com/connecting-our-children-to-the-future-the-laptop-giveaway/

Youth-led food giveaway coming to Ramona Park in North Long Beach

The Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion is hosting a drive-thru food giveaway for residents struggling with food insecurity near Ramona Park next week.– ADVERTISEMENT –

The event is will take place on Aug. 29 from 9 to 11 a.m. at 3301 E. 65th St.

Montserrat Pineda is a University of Redlands student who is collecting food donations and putting the event together.

“Accessibility is important to me,” she said in a statement. “I’m excited to bring food resources to my own community during such a difficult time.”

The organization is hoping to feed 100 families living in the area.

People interested in volunteering during the event can sign up by clicking here.

Source: https://lbpost.com/news/youth-led-food-giveaway-coming-to-ramona-park-in-north-long-beach

Carl Kemp

Environmental Health Public Affairs Manager,
LA County Department of Public Health

Carl Kemp is currently the Environmental Health Public Affairs Manager with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and has more than 20 years of experience in communications and public affairs. Prior to joining Public Health, Carl managed his own government affairs and public relations practice with a wide range of clients from international shipping to major non-profits. He also created the Office of Government Affairs and Communication in the City of Long Beach, and went on to create the Office of Government Affairs and Community Relations at the Port of Long Beach.

Kemp has a long history of community involvement in the Long Beach area, including earning a B.A. and MPA from California State University, Long Beach, where he served two terms as student body present. He also has earned a certificate in Executive Leadership from the Harvard University School of Government. He has developed messaging around many major initiatives from local to federal government, including the Green Port Policy at the Port of Long Beach. Over the years, Carl has served on many boards and has been blessed to be involved in numerous initiatives to improve the community and contribute to the people within it.

Carl’s proudest accomplishment is being a father.

VIVIAN SHIMOYAMA

President
Growth Small Business, LLC

Vivian Shimoyama has directed initiatives for public, non-profit, and private sector organizations setting strategic vision, and managing organization growth which resulted in economic impact. She is a recognized expert on small businesses and has advocated for thousands of small business owners through local, state, national and international initiatives. Dedicated to growing small businesses she heads two ventures — Growth Small Business, LLC and is the Chief Operating Officer of Scale Smarter Partners, these firms accelerate business growth through guided tools that allow companies to thrive. She advises and advocates for small businesses in a range of industries with outcomes that lead to opening doors of opportunity for entrepreneurs, strategic positioning, and focus on building operations infrastructure necessary to support growth. 

Most recently, Ms. Shimoyama was the Regional Executive Director of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) Initiative for Southern California. She built a regional team and worked with national organizations to create jobs and economic growth by providing entrepreneurs with a practical business and management education program, access to capital, and business advisory support services.

She is the Chair Emeritus of the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Board, National Association of Women Business Owners, and NAWBO Education Foundation, and advisor to the California Small Business Education Foundation, and University of Southern California Small Business Supplier Diversity Office. 

As a national and international leader, she has served as an appointee to the National Women’s Business Council, an independent federal government advisory council that advises the President and U.S. Congress on issues important to women owned businesses. Ms. Shimoyama has served as an elected delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business; was a member of the U.S. delegation and facilitator for the landmark 10 Downing Street Economic Summit headed by the U.K. government; U.S. delegate to the Asia-Pacific (APEC) Women and the Economy Summit, bringing together private and public sector leaders for women’s economic empowerment.  

Ms. Shimoyama has been honored by the National Association of Women Business Owners, and received the National Women In Business Advocate Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In 2020, she was selected by the New York Museum of Arts and Design as one of 45 artists that have made significant developments in art jewelry since the mid- century: 45 Stories in Jewelry: 1946 to Now features pieces and jewelry artists in the past eighty years that have broadened the scope and reach of art as a wearable medium. Shimoyama Studio is located in downtown Long Beach where her fused glass artwork is displayed along with her creation The Glass Ceiling Pin that has received national recognition for breaking invisible barriers … glass ceilings.

REV. WAYNE CHANEY

Pastor- Antioch Church, LB

Wayne Chaney personifies the contemporary spiritual leader. He uniquely bridges people from different generations, cultures, and demographics through his relevant teaching and architecture of spirited worship atmospheres. His rich family heritage of clergyman fuels his genuine love for people. He stewards a five-decade legacy left by his grandfather, Joe Chaney, Jr. as he pastors Antioch Church of Long Beach. Wayne’s determination to shift culture is permeated throughout his ministry expression, oratory and brand tentacles.

Wayne has never been satisfied with status quo so whether it is a national television show, radio show, church congregation, regional festival, or by feeding thousands of people every month, he is destined to make a difference. Chaney is the visionary of the Long Beach Gospel Fest, the city’s premier gospel event held on the beautiful shores of downtown Long Beach. This yearly gathering brings politicians, business owners, gospel singers, and over 25,000 people together for inspiration, worship and music. “Beyond the gospel music, we are witnessing the addition of something new and wonderful to Long Beach,” he said to the Los Angeles Times.

He is strongly engaged civically as the former President of the California National African American Network, SBC, Board Member of the National African American Network, and on the Executive Board of the California Southern Baptist Convention. Pastor Chaney serves on the Executive Board of Global Tribe International, whose mission is to rescue those in physical and spiritual poverty, reach communities with the gospel and recruit and empower young leaders. He is also the president emeritus of the Long Beach Ministers Alliance.

Pastor Chaney has added published author to his expanding repertoire as his novel Your Miraculous Potential: Maximizing God’s Creativity, Power and Direction is now available at retailers everywhere.

DR. JUAN BENITEZ

Director, CSULB Center For Civic Engagement

Dr. Juan M. Benitez is a father, educator, and community leader dedicated to Long Beach. He serves as the Executive Director for the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) and as an Associate Professor of History at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB).

With over 20 years of experience in higher education, Juan heads university-wide community engagement projects, programs, activities, and initiatives. He has helped raise close to $3 million in funding for projects in the region, working with over 100 nonprofit organizations and community groups as well as thousands of students and community members.

Through his work with the CCE, Juan helped to implement The California Endowment’s Building Healthy Communities initiative in Long Beach, a 10-year effort to improve neighborhood conditions that contribute to good health. Juan also worked with AmeriCorps and community groups to create a collaborative vision to address youth development, parent engagement, equity and opportunity gaps, and school discipline issues in Long Beach schools.

Juan is also the proud son of hard-working immigrants from Mexico who came to the United States to pursue a better life for their family and achieve the American Dream.

Juan was elected to the Long Beach Unified School District Board, Third District, in June 2018.

Joey King

Program Manager,
LBCEI

Joey King is a humanitarian and community leader with a passion for making a positive impact. Born in St. Thomas, USVI, and raised in Barbados, Joey moved to California in 1985 and joined the Navy as a Nuclear Engineer. After serving his country, he settled in the Long Beach area in 2000 and began raising his four children, two boys, and two girls, who are the center of his world. 

In 2020, Joey began his non-profit work, which was fueled by the pandemic. He has since hosted a number of Digital inclusion events, Covid vaccine events, street safety events, Back to School Events, Holiday give away events, home ownership events, cash for college events, and more. Joey has become known as the “Food Mafia of Long Beach” for his exceptional efforts in providing food for over 3 million meals in 2022 alone. His dedication to serving his community has made him a beloved figure in Long Beach, and his work continues to make a significant impact on the lives of those around him.

DARICK J. SIMPSON

Executive Director - Miller Foundation​

Darick J. Simpson, currently serves as the president and CEO of the Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation — one of the largest philanthropic foundations in the city. He formerly served as the executive director of Long Beach Community Action Partnership.

Simpson, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Alabama and a master’s in organizational management from the University of Phoenix, led LBCAP for the last 13 years. The nonprofit assists youth and families to reach self-sustainability.

Under Simpson’s direction, LBCAP became Long Beach’s public access television broadcast outlet and started a training program for youth in the performing arts and broadcast journalism. He grew LBCAP from a staff of 24 with a $1.3 million budget to an agency with a $10 million budget and 80 staff members.

A resident of Long Beach, Darick is a recognized leader in the community. Additionally, Mr. Simpson has served on various national, state, and regional boards including the PBS SoCal Advisory Board and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) Commission.

Sharon Diggs-Jackson

Program Director, Elite Skills Development​

Sharon Jackson’s professional career includes 12 years with IBM where she served as an auditor and administrative branch manager.  Her 20-year career with the City of Long Beach included serving as an Analyst in the Long Beach Police Department’s Narcotics and Crime Analysis Divisions and Coordinator of the Neighborhood Nuisance Abatement Program. For the final 10 years of her career she was the city’s Airport Public Affairs Officer.

Following her retirement in 2009, Sharon, and her husband David, began a journey to discover and connect with their family roots that landed them in Selma, AL, where they purchased and renovated a historic home in Downtown Selma.  The home has been used as a center for racial healing and social action and a learning center for students studying the Civil War, the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Movement.

A student of history, Sharon is an trained genealogist and author of, Images of America:SELMA. Published in November 2014, the book has been very well received and is now in its second printing. 

Currently, Sharon serves as the Program Officer for Elite Skills Development, a non-profit organization that provides services to create pathways to self-sustainability for at-risk and under-resourced youth and young adults.

Sharon is a member of the Long Beach City College Citizen Oversight Committee, a board member of the Long Beach African American Cultural Center, the Executive Committee of the Selma Annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc-Long Beach Alumnae Chapter and The Links, Inc.

CDC WORKING GROUP

Antioch Church | Carl Kemp

Antioch LB | Wayne Chaney, Jr.

City of Long Beach, Economic Development | John Keisler

City of Long Beach, Economic Development | Rebecca Kauma

City of Long Beach, Health Dept. | Katie Balderas 

City of Long Beach, Health Dept. | Kelly Colopy

Council District 9 | Rex Richardson

Council District 9, City of Long Beach | Alanah Grant

CSULB | Juan Benitez

CSULB Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship | Wade Martin

Elite Skills Development | Sharon Diggs-Jackson

Growth Small Business, LLC | Vivian Shimoyama

Habitat for Humanity | Dinesa Thomas-Whitman

LA County | Herlinda Chico

LA LISC | Tunua Thrash-NtukLandspire Group | Treana Allen

LB Economic Development Commission | Jessica Schumer

LB Forward | Petit Christine

LB Opera | Derrell Acon

LBCAP | Darick Simpson

LBCAP | Marisa Semense

LBUSD | Kim Johnson

LINC Housing | Suny Lay Chang

Our Essence Beauty Supply | Deidre Norville

Pacific6 | Brandon Dowling

PGWIN | Nick Schultz

PGWIN Board | Weston LaBar

POLB | Bonnie Lowenthal

Pride Real Estate Professional Association | Jacqueline Case

PV Jobs | Erik Miller

Ronnie’s House | Shirin Senegal

SHS Connections | Shawna Stevens

SoCal Grantmakers | Seyron Foo

United Cambodian Community, Midtown BID | Susana Sngiem,

Uptown BID | Doris Felix

Uptown BID | Joni Ricks-Odie

Uptown BID | Tom Carpenter

Urban Agriculture Council | Rod Dodd

USC Small Business Diversity Office | Rhonda Thornton

Villages at Cabrillo | Rene Castro

Wells Fargo | Linda Nguyen

Facilitators: 

Elite Skills Development | Sharon Diggs-Jackson 

Office of Councilmember Rex Richardson | Alanah Grant