Los Angeles, CA — Local community, civic and non-profit organizations will be offered informational opportunities for funding and expansion during a series of four workshops and two business networking power luncheons, when the California Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (CLBCF) presents its fifth annual professional and development conference, Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16 in the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, 6101 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles.
Under the conference theme, “Challenging the Odds: Architects of Greatness!” CLBCF will kick off with a VIP reception at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 14, however the hands on, nuts and bolts workshops will be held on Friday and Saturday.
Covering everything from funding to advocacy, green economy, and expanding healthcare services, conference workshops will first offer opportunities for “expanding organizational capacity,” and secondly, provide input from organizations that currently are “implementing the vision,” according to CLBCF President Yvette Chapell-Ingram.
In addition to a 10 a.m., workshop on “Advocacy: Partnering with your Elected Officials,” a CLBCF conference highlight will be its 1 p.m., Friday “Funding Your Agenda: Meet the Funders” forum offering practical ways to navigate the private and public funding maze from experts in the field.
Workshop panelists include Kimberly Freeman, director, Community Relations, Sempra Energy; Robert Lewis, program officer, California Community Foundation; Angela Gibson, external affairs director, AT&T; Elaine Peacock, California Endowment; and, Wendy Garen, president and CEO, the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation.
A big hit at CLBCF’s conference last year, the Advocacy workshop returns to teach how to work with your elected officials on the local, state and federal levels. In addition to offering information on developing an effective advocacy agenda to empower your community, and allowing one-on-one interaction with legislators, this workshop also will provide specifics on accessing stimulus funds.
Moderated by CLBCF Chair Areva Martin, Esq. and Assemblymember Curren Price, (D., 51st), invited panelists include Congressmember Laura Richardson (D., 37th), Congressmember Diane Watson (D., 33rd), Assemblymember Mike Davis (D., 48th); Assemblymember Wilma Carter, (D., 62nd), and Gardena Mayor Pro Tem, Steven Bradford.
The Friday networking and power luncheon will feature New CLBCF Vice Chair, Assemblymember Isadore Hall III (D., 52nd) as guest speaker.
CLBCF’s Friday offerings also will include its new Youth Leadership Symposium tailored toward high school students to cover career and business opportunities in the digital technology age.
Learning how to create successful “green” programs while expanding job opportunities and cost savings is the objective of the 10 a.m., Saturday, May 16th “The Green Economy: Initiatives and Programs” workshop followed by the second power and networking luncheon featuring Commissioner Timothy A. Simon of the California Public Utilities Commission.
A securities and banking lawyer and law professor, Commissioner Simon was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2007 and confirmed by the California State Senate in 2008 to help facilitate balanced public policy in utility regulation. He also will serve as a panelist for the “green” workshop.
“Expanding Healthcare Opportunities for Underserved Communities” will offer assistance in developing effective programs to expand healthcare services, increase advocacy, and eliminate disparities beginning at 1 p.m. Moderated by Dr. Ted Friedman, Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, along with Cynthia Oreduga, project director, UCLA School of Public Health and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, this workshop also will feature representatives from UCLA School of Public Health, USC, and the California Black Women’s Health Project.
Focusing on the vision that African Americans will have significant representation and leadership roles in local and state government, the business sector and the broader community, in addition to its annual conference, CLBCF’s other projects include the CLBCF Summer Internship, a youth leadership development program offering internships with public officials, business and labor officials for African Americans pursuing undergraduate or professional degrees; Project BUILD (Blacks United in Leadership Development), a middle management leadership development program; and Advocacy in Action supporting executive directors and those serving on boards of directors from social service agencies and other community-based organizations serving people of color.
Title sponsors for the “Challenging the Odds: Architects of Greatness!” 5th annual business and professional conference include the California Teachers Association and Wal-Mart, however some fees are attached. For additional information contact Personal Services Plus at 626.791.3847 or visit the Foundation website at www.clbcfoundation.org.
