Save the date! On February 22, we are screening The Big Payback at the iconic Art Theater of Long Beach. The film follows the journey of Evanston, Illinois, the first U.S. city to implement a reparations program for Black residents, sparking a nationwide conversation on racial justice and economic equity. Following the screening, engage in…
You’re invited to join us for Reparations: A Solidarity of Purpose. Enjoy performances exploring the rich heritage of Black Culture through music and film, expert panel discussions regarding reparation solutions, and a special luncheon featuring honorees of California Senate District 33 & CEO Diversity Awards. In collaboration with Senate Majority Leader, Lena Gonzalez & Long…
A farewell reception honoring the legacy of Long Beach Councilman, Al Austin, was held aboard the iconic Queen Mary on December 12, 2024. Looking Back, Moving Forward was the theme for this event celebrating Councilman Austin’s 12 years on City Council representing District 8.
LBTV produced this video recap of the 2024 Black History Month Luncheon, held February 17, 2024, at the Expo Arts Center in Long Beach California. In honor of Black History Month, Long Beach Forward and the Office of California Senator Lena Gonzalez, District 33 celebrated the 2024 Legacy of Resilience Luncheon on Saturday, February…
Enjoy these photos from the 2024 Black History Month Luncheon, held in Long Beach, California on February 17, 2024, at the Expo Arts Center. Photos by Thad Jackson.
Video from Reflections of 1619, a podcast series produced by Antonio Pedro Ruiz and Thomas Fields. Featuring a group of Long Beach, CA residents reading passages from the Pulitzer Prize-winning book The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones. This video was presented at the 2024 Legacy of Resilience Black History Month Celebration.…
David and Sharon McLucas are the owners of Forgotten Images: A Traveling Educational Exhibit and Museum. Their exhibit features thousands of lost and forgotten artifacts that span two centuries of the African American experience in America. After spending nearly 20 years amassing a personal collection of Black History…
Anitra Dempsey has a long and distinguished record of service in the areas of community policing, nuisance abatement, police complaints and hate crime response/recognition/ prevention. She worked for the City of Long Beach for 30 years and served as the city’s first African American Deputy City Manager (Interim) to…
As we prepare for our event – The Power of Truth, we want to highlight those that make a difference, introducing Thaddus Jackson. Thad Jackson is a Principal emeritus from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and served the children and communities of LAUSD for 37 years…
Introducing Naomi Rainey-Pierson, one of our Wall of Excellence honorees, who has become synonymous with Long Beach community service, civil rights, and equality. Since the age of 14, Naomi has been a fighter for social justice, women’s rights and voting. She has successfully and productively managed the Office of President…
Highlighting those that make a difference, introducing Dr. Vickie McCloyn and Dr. Alex J. Norman! Introducing Dr. Vickie McCloyn is a teacher with 27 years of experience at Hughes Middle School. At Hughes, she has been an AVID Teacher and Coordinator, SOAR Director, SCC Secretary, SBDM Member, CAAP Coordinator, ELL…
Spotlighting current leaders making a change, today. We would like to proudly introduce Thomas Fields! Thomas Fields is a man of many wonders and extraordinary talents with strong involvement in the Long Beach community. He is the first person to service on the four Long Beach charter commissions,…
Spotlighting current leaders making a change, today. We would like to proudly introduce Maxie Viltz! Maxie Viltz is a graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and received a BSBA degree from the University of Redlands. Retired from the Boeing Corporation as a Government Contracts Manager, she has been…
Spotlighting current leaders making a change, today. Introducing Reginald I. Harrison! Reginald “Reggie” Harrison is the Director of the City of Long Beach Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications (DPEC). Appointed as the founding Director of DPEC in 2014, Reggie oversees the department’s operations which include Citywide emergency…
In honor of #WomensHistoryMonth, we want to highlight strong women who are making history, today! Introducing Dr. Minnie Douglas. Dr. Minnie Douglas is a native of Texas but a longtime resident of Long Beach. A Long Beach City College Professor Emeritus, where she served as Associate Degree Nursing Program Instructor…
In honor of #WomensHistoryMonth, we want to highlight strong women who are making history, today! Introducing Wilma Powell. Wilma Powell, also known as “The Regulator,” changed the way women’s roles are viewed at ports across the nation and the world. She is the first woman in the nation to…
Doris Topsy-Elvord, known as “Mother Doris” for her legendary work in the community, and for being both the first Black woman to be elected to the Long Beach City Council and the first Black person to serve on the harbor commission, has died. She was 90. Topsy-Elvord’s last public…
During #BlackHistoryMonth, we want to spotlight current leaders making a change, today. Introducing Oliver Tate Brooks, M.D. Oliver Tate Brooks, M.D. received his undergraduate degree in biology from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia in 1977, graduating in three years. While at Morehouse, he received the Frederick E. Mapp Prize in…
During #BlackHistoryMonth, we want to spotlight current leaders making a change, today. Steve Neal has been a long-time community leader in the Los Angeles area. Dedicating his career as an advocate in the labor, nonprofit, healthcare, clergy and public office work sectors, he has long been recognized as a servant…
During #BlackHistoryMonth, we want to spotlight current leaders making a change, today. Mrs. Wade is the CEO of New Hope Homes, a senior living facility in the 6th District of Long Beach. In her role as CEO she oversees the day to day operations of the 140 Unit apartment…
During #BlackHistoryMonth, we want to spotlight current leaders making a change, today. Darick J. Simpson is President of the Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation. In 2020 he was also honored as the California State University Long Beach, Leadership In Residence. Before joining the Miller Foundation in 2019 Mr.…
As we enter #BlackHistoryMonth, we want to spotlight current leaders making a change, today. Introducing Ivy Arlinda Goolsby. Born and raised in Long Beach, CA, Ivy has always had great pride and passion for her city and community. With years of professional career experience and entrepreneurial spirit, she has become…
Lori R. Gay is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County (NHS), a non-profit lender, developer, and neighborhood revitalization corporation. She has worked in the community development field for over 30 years, focusing her efforts on rebuilding impoverished communities and creating mechanisms…
Carolyn Caldwell is currently the President and CEO of St. Mary Medical Center (Dignity Health) in Long Beach, California. St. Mary is a 389-bed academic facility with a Level II Trauma Canter that offers extensive healthcare services to the greater Long Beach Community. Carolyn is a healthcare executive with over…
In this Long Beach Spotlight, we want to highlight Kenneth McDonald, President and CEO of Long Beach Transit since 2013. With 30 years of transportation experience, he has overseen programs and projects that benefited transit and rail systems for Long Beach, San Francisco and Atlanta. Ken loves to inspire employees…
Today, we spotlight Michelle Dobson for being an active community leader for the city of Long Beach. Beginning her career as a Criminal Defense Attorney with the Orange County Public Defenders’ Office, Attorney Dobson joined a boutique corporate law firm defending physicians, acute hospitals, nursing homes and facilities, and…
An inspirational quote from an inspiring person! Introducing Autrilla “Sheba” Gillis! “The only missed opportunities in life are the ones that you do not take. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone and always step out on faith.” Autrilla “Sheba” Gillis is a life-long Long Beach resident with a…
To celebrate Black History Month in Long beach, we invited all Long Beach Unified School District elementary, middle school and high school students to participate in the Andy Street Community Association The Power Of Truth Essay Competition, for a chance to win a CASH prize. The winners were announced on…
