Putting “comfortable” aside and getting to real talk about the criminal justice system and the transformation of public opinion in the post-George Floyd world. In the video below, Al Austin, Councilman, Eighth District, City of Long Beach, CA moderates this dialogue. CAMARA BANFIELD Superior Court Judge, Clark County, WA GLEN BANFIELD Chief Deputy District Attorney,…
Mental health awareness is the recognition that our psychological well-being is an important part of our own health, productivity, and happiness, as well as the well-being of our communities. This awareness became glaringly obvious with the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic. Individuals, families and even children were found to be experiencing high levels of anxiety…
Critical Race Theory was partly a response to the belief at the time that society’s laws, policies, and institutions were colorblind. Critical Race Theory holds that racism was not and has never been eradicated from our laws, policies, or institutions, and is still woven into the fabric of their existence. In the video below, Philosophy562…
WALL OF EXCELLENCE – A BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROJECT FEATURED HONOREE – DORIS TOPSY-ELVORD 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…
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 February 25, 2022 during a…
We invite all LBUSD Elementary, Middle School and High School students to participate in our #ThePowerOfTruth essay contest, for a chance to win a CASH prize. Truth is the courageous living of our lives in harmony with our ideals. Truth matters both to us as individuals and to society as a whole. As an individual,…
The Power of Truth: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow – A FREE TO THE PUBLIC Black History Celebration. June 2 – 4, 2022 Our rhythms tell our history. Andy Street Long Beach invites you to experience our FREE Black History Month Celebration: The Power of Truth: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow. Interact with speakers from throughout the…
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…
As we celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth, we want to highlight women who face challenges head on. In our #PowerfulWomenSpeak series, we asked how do we navigate the challenges? This is what Barbara Sullivan had to say – “I look at a challenge as an opportunity to make choices. So I use…
During Women’s History Month, LaVerne Duncan posed this question to 15 women leaders: These are difficult times. How do you navigate the challenges? Click PLAY on the video below to hear their answers (7 minutes) – Click here to learn more about “Powerful Women Speak”, our March 2022 Women’s History Month forum.
To celebrate Women’s History Month this year, the Andy Street Community Association presented Powerful Women Speak, an hour-long forum. Hear a select group of influential female voices share their truth about the most important issues facing our community. Click PLAY to watch the full forum below (1 hour 8 minutes).…
As we celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth, we want to highlight women who face challenges head on. In our #PowerfulWomenSpeak series, we asked how do we navigate the challenges? This is what Barbara Sullivan had to say – “I look at a challenge as an opportunity to make choices. So I use…
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…
Black History Long Beach is proud to celebrate Kenneth A. McDonald, President and CEO of Long Beach Transit, for being named the Outstanding CEO at the 2025 American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Awards. Mr. McDonald is among 13 leaders and organizations across North America recognized for their vision, leadership, and lasting contributions to public transportation.…
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 artifacts, the couple has taken…
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 oversee the Office of Governmental…
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 with distinction and honor. He…
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 for the Long Beach Branch…
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 Department Head, Homework House Co-Creator…
