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…
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, co-founded the community organization that…
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 an entrepreneur/retail business owner of…
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 management; 9-1-1 emergency communications for…
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 and Director, as well as…