CBM's 2012 Newsmakers with CBM Co-Founder, Cheryl Brown, Publisher of the Black Voice News in San Bernardino and Riverside County. Pictured left to right is Cheryl Brown, CBM's Co-Founder, James Sweeney, Principal of Sweeney & Association, Justice Vance Raye, the Presiding Justice of the 3rd District Court of Appeal of California, Dr. Bill Releford, the Founder of the Black Barbershop Health Outreach and Releford Foot and Ankle Institute.

California Black Media (CBM), a statewide media advocacy group, hosted its 5th Annual Summit and Newsmaker Luncheon in partnership with the League of California Cities African American Caucus on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at the Holiday Inn, downtown Sacramento from 11:30am to 2:00 pm. This informative and empowering conference was attended by media publishers, media representatives, entrepreneurs, non-profit representatives, and other dignitaries.

 

This year’s program focused on African American health disparities and featured an all-star panel including Dr. Bill Releford, Founder of the Releford Foot and Ankle Institute in Los Angeles, Robert Phillips, Director of Health Programs at the Sierra Health Foundation in Sacramento and Lydia Bourne, Lobbyist and Policy Consultant at the California Black Health Network in Sacramento.

 

Dr. Bill Releford is a podiatry surgeon and Founder of the Releford Foot and Ankle Institute. Dr. Releford is also the Founder of the Black Barbershop Health Outreach, a program that visits Black barbershops across the nation to conduct free health screenings including diabetes, prostate and high blood pressure testing. Dr. Releford has made appearances on the The View with Barbara Walters, ABC News, CBS News, and Dr. Drew’s daytime television show.

 

Robert Phillips oversees the development and implementation of the health unit as the director of health programs at the Sierra Health Foundation, an organization that supports health related activities across northern California. Prior to his post, Mr. Phillips was a senior fellow, director, and senior program officer at The California Endowment where he led a number of efforts to improve the health of young men of color including health care reform and health advocacy.

 

Lydia Bourne has served in the health sector as a Registered Nurse. She is also a health educator, program developer and administrator. She currently serves as managing partner of her governmental relations firm, Bourne & Associates. She has met with past California governors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gray Davis to advocate for better health initiatives on behalf of the African American community and successfully influenced key legislation.

 

Moderating the African American health panel was Tommy Ross, President and CEO of Pinnacle Strategy Group and producer of the 2011 film “Church: The Movie” starring Darius McCray (Family Matters) and Joseph Phillips (The Cosby Show), which appeared on BET.

 

The panelists disseminated critical information regarding the status of African American health. Dr. Releford spoke about cardiovascular disease and why Blacks are so vulnerable to diabetes. He also spoke about his findings as the facilitator of the Black Barbershop Health Outreach tour. He said he was motivated to initiate the outreach program as a result of the large number of African American limb amputations.

 

Ms. Bourne analyzed various public policies and legislation affecting African Americans’ access to healthcare and Mr. Phillips spoke about the effect of race and place on African American health. Mr. Phillips made a very profound statement when he said, “Tell me your zip code and I can tell you how long you’re going to live.”

 

At the conclusion of the program, a special presentation was given to Justice Vance Raye, the Presiding Justice of the 3rd District Court of Appeal of California, Dr. Bill Releford, the Founder of the Black Barbershop Health Outreach and Releford Foot and Ankle Institute and James Sweeney, Principal of Sweeney & Association. These individuals were selected as CBM’s 2012 Newsmakers for their demonstration of quality leadership and their commitment to the communities they serve throughout their respective organizations and associations.

 

For more information about CBM and the 2012 Annual Summit and Newsmaker Luncheon, you may contact Ashley Jones at (951) 682-2664.

 

 

To view additonal photos from this event, click here for Pictorial B.

Literacy in the Community (LitCom) was formed in 2006. The idea was to bring lower cost tutoring directly into challenged communities. LitCom has tutored hundreds of students when and where it was best for parents, students, schools, churches and community partners.

 

LitCom President William D. Jackson, started tutoring in 1980 when the Pastor of a very well known African American church in Seattle Washington asked Mr. Jackson to work with their “Ethnic School” program. The request was that Mr. Jackson, (Masters in Communications Bowling Green State University) then employed by IBM, use his technology knowledge to help kids learn. Mr. Jackson then won an IBM Community Services Award that he used to equip the lab with computers.

 

“It is prophetic that of all the things that we do in our lives, only certain things last. A great Pastor asked me to help kids learn using technology. We have been doing that ever since. Fortunately, my wife of 32 years, who is graduating this June with her Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and 35 years teaching/education leadership experience, has been with me all the way. Dr. Karen, as I like to call her, has kept this Communications/Technology guy on track with the best practices in education theory. We have two beautiful children, both of whom completed gifted education programs. Our Daughter graduated New York University in Cultural Studies and Social Sciences and runs LitCom as VP of Operations. Our son studied at FAMU and graduated from Florida State University in Fine Arts.”

 

LitCom’s Unique High-Tech/High-Touch Tutoring/Learning Model:

 

LitCom has developed a learning model that they believe uniquely encourages learning among African American, English as a Second Language (ESL), and other students of color. Each model element can be discussed in detail via Power Point presentation or otherwise. Those of you in education will recognize many standard elements like Learning Plans, State Standards, etc. You will also note historically challenging or elusive elements like parent engagement and cultural competence. Finally, you will note perhaps new elements like peer motivation and social media support for learning.

 

LitCom uses family, friends and student friendly surroundings to improve standards based learning towards subject matter mastery. LitCom has history with our kids. LitCom understands the educational and social emotional needs of African American, ESL and other students of color as they apply to learning. With this announcement LitCom is now National.

 

Client Comments:

 

• Improved math SAT scores 100 points. Student went to college of choice.

 

• Parents are not sure why LitCom tutoring is working. However, they love the fact that it is helping their child who now clearly wants to read more.

 

• Grateful that LitCom sent a tutor to their home. Other small children would have made it impossible to get help, if they had to meet elsewhere.

 

• Her students grades improved 100% from F’s to A’s. It’s hard for them as parents to help their child since English is their second language.

 

• “Tutoring helped tremendously and one student couldn’t read very well prior to tutoring, but learned to read and use a computer.”

 

• Her student, started out hating math, became very strong. The student won a $35,000 per/year scholarship to one of the best schools in the nation.

 

• “This student gained a great deal of academic strength.” 3rd Grade Teacher

 

• Science grade has moved from no-credit to a “C” and I also received my first “A” in Math. My parents are very happy and I am even happier.” –A 9th Grader.

 

• “Our State Standard Reading scores improved by 14%. It takes committed people and these people are the best.” –A 3rd through 5th Grade Teacher

 

• “They empower teachers to help students.” –A 4th Grade Teacher

 

• “My teachers now know how to help the students. We highly endorse them.” –A former Elementary Principal with the Most Improved Elementary School Award. Promoted to Superintendent of another district.

 

• “ You have shown me a better way to succeed in life. Because of you I have a desire to learn and I believe in myself more.” –A Special High School Student

 

• “I am always praying for a tutor for my grandkids. Thanks for being Jesus with skin on.” –A prayerful Grandmother

 

• “ Your tutoring really helped me. One day I will be a judge and repay my mom.” –A 3rd Grade Student, accepted into a top private school in the 4th Grade.

 

• “One of our children tested out of Special Education. Another struggling with Math said, I aced that test Grandma. Another student will no longer need to attend summer school.” –An MSW, Director of a Community Learning Center

 

• “They changed my life and the life of my teenager. She hated Math and would cry. Now we have fun studying together. I believe there is no organization better to enable children, and their parents academically.”