AND GO! by Y’Anad

On November 8 – 9, 2019, the 4th Annual AfroTech took place in Oakland, CA, for the first time. In previous years it was held in San Francisco, CA. AfroTech is the largest technology conference for African-Americans, and it grabs the attention of just about every technology company nationally and internationally. The conference, produced by Blavity, Inc., Morgan DeBaun, Founder, attracted more than 6,000 attendees. During Ms. DeBaun’s opening session roll call, more than 80% of the crowd responded to being first-time attendees.

Despite the thousands of talented and qualified candidates of color, Silicon Valley/Bay Area technology companies continue to have a challenge with their hiring practices, which is far beyond a ‘pipeline’ issue. Black employees make up less than 3 percent of the Silicon Valley workforce, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, so the statistics show the lack of diversity is real! …MORE >>

Cultural competency training is critical for mental health professionals, especially those who are the treating physicians for African Americans. Research has shown that the absence of this area of training has been the cause for a plethora of misdiagnosis which has lead to years of long term health challenges for African Americans. Mental health professionals cannot dismiss the affects of slavery that remain vivid in the minds of millions Black people. There are generation of children studying the history of their ancestors who are also experiencing trauma as a result of knowing the truth about what the generations before them have gone through. This history of mistreatment of Black people has caused a domino effect, ultimately leading to high level mistrust and skepticism of White people who have given their opinion of a mental illness diagnosis and further prescribed medication for treatment.

From Grandma’s hand …MORE >>

It was a “Oh Happy Day” about to happen when I arrived at City Hall in San Francisco in great anticipation of the historic inauguration services of the first African American woman to be elected as Mayor of San Francisco – LONDON BREED. I had no idea that my arrival at 6:30 am, for a program that began at 11 am, would be noticed by the KRON4 news crew. I was asked to do a live interview about the inauguration that would air in 15 minutes. I was thrilled for the opportunity. I shared in the KRON 4 interview that as a native of San Francisco, growing up in the Bayview-Hunter’s Point neighborhood, I’ve watched London’s trajectory since she was around 19 years old, and given the journey this historic new chapter in her life was destined. It was a tremendous …MORE >>

Fashion On The Square (FOTS), the largest and longest running charity fashion show on the West Coast, hits the runway on November 13, 2016. Designer line-up to be announced very soon and tickets go on sale September 1, 2016. Visit www.fashiononthesquare.com for details. And go …MORE >>

On February 25, 2016, Hagar Services Coalition, Inc. awarded Certificates of Achievement to 11 participants in the 2016 Candidate School. President/CEO, Rose Jacobs Gibson, stated: “The 2016 Candidate School provided a remarkable opportunity to individuals who are giving serious thought about seeking elected office now or in the future.”

Participants represented the communities of East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, East Belle Haven, Palo Alto and North Fair Oaks areas. Attendees learned about the characteristics of strong leadership, decision making skills, questions to ask yourself before seeking elected office, meeting facilitation, ethics required of public officials, the Brown Act, and much more. “The Candidate School gave me an excellent overview of the process of becoming a candidate for elected office. The speakers were world class,” stated one graduate.

One East Palo Alto, The City of East Palo Alto, Nuestra Casa, the Multicultural Counseling and Educational Services of the …MORE >>

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