15th Annual Powerful Women of The Bay Awards Luncheon @Scott's Seafood Grill & Bar - Oakland, CA

When I tell you that there was so much positivity going on @ the 15th Annual Powerful Women of The Bay Area Awards Luncheon, believe it!

The always fabulous, Cathy Adams and her incomparable team, along with the Scott's Seafood Grill & Bar seems to have all of the proper ingredients to create a strong sense of Community. The Honorable Mayor Sheng Thao delivered the official welcome to the luncheon business showcase. *"Mary Stutts, author and CEO of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) will host the luncheon. Nichole Jordan, Operations | Customer Success | Change Management, is the event's dynamic keynote speaker. Jordan has a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from UC Davis and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. She is an active volunteer and leader for several non-profit entities. This year’s impressive honorees are 
San Francisco Mayor London Breed,

Umpqua Bank Community Lending Manager, Lynell Bevels, 

Oakland City Councilmember Kevin Jenkin’s Chief of Staff Patricia Brooks, 

and Wells Fargo’s Head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy Jenny Flores.  

The awardees are rounded out by Amazon’s Public Policy and External Affairs Sally Kay, UC San Francisco professor and nurse practitioner 
Mary Massella, Oakland City Councilwoman Janani Ramachandran,

and Cupcakin Bake Shop founder Lila Owens. 
Pam Moore received the 
Powerful Women of the Bay Special Recognition Award. For the past 32 years, she has been a high-profile on-air anchor for KRON 4.   

Mayor Sheng Thao also introduced the newly appointed Chief of Oakland Police Department, Floyd Mitchell. Did I mention that the brilliant,
Frank A. Tucker,
Tucker Technology INC. and his team of #100BlackMen were in the house, in full support of the 15th Annual Powerful Women of the Bay Awards Luncheon? Yes, the men were there, uplifting/ supporting the women. It was truly a wonderful, remarkable, unforgettable way to spend the afternoon. 

     

It was a sold out event, with well over 350 people present. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed to the table of a team of remarkable women who represented AC Transit.  Beverly Green, Executive Director of External Affairs, Marketing and Communications, Patricia Mason, Transportation Superintendent, as well as 7 other kind women. We sat a table over from the City of Oakland,
Fire Department, Felicia Bryant, Fire Marshal, Sworn Fire Prevention Bureau, and she was such a kind woman. We all had such a good time, laughing, talking, sharing thoughts - and did I mention, kind? Kindness costs nothing but means so much. ** WE are Growing Higher and Higher!

Thank you, Cathy Adams, for your kindness!
Smooches,
Carla Thomas Cavalier 


P.S.
The food at Scott's Seafood Grill & Bar was delicious, and the service was excellent!
* Information in quotes are provided by the Press Release for the 15th Annual Powerful Women of The Bay Area Awards Luncheon. 
**Video found on Youtube posted by #Stavros M. 1986

#brilliancerunsdeep #OAACC #PowerfulWomen #Women #History #Global #ABC #CBS #CNN #Vlog #blogger #Oakland #Warriors #SF #Kindness #foodie 

Watch Live: 2018 New Year celebrations around the world 🌍

Wishing you and yours a safe, healthy, Happy New Year!

With so much  #Agape #love & light, Carla

LucasFilm | Disney | KaBoom! - Building Playgrounds for The Children in SF!

What happens when Patricia Scott, Executive Director of
 Booker T. Washington Community Service Center  puts out a request in the San Francisco, CA, Community, to join forces to build a playground for under served children?  I give you one guess.

You guessed it - The Force shows up!

Yes, George Lucas' crew @ #LucasFilm arrives early in the morning, with tools in hand, they got busy with the community, sleeves pushed up, working shoulder to shoulder, to create a playground,
a safe haven for the community. A play space where a mother can take her children to play, and not be concerned with bullets flying over head as her children do what they do - play!
(Kaboom! There it is!)
After all, as children, isn't playtime one of their most important jobs /activities?

ABC7 News Crew, LucasFilm Crew, and volunteers
from the community -  all working to build
 Kaboom! Playground in San Francisco, CA
(photo by @MimiKwan #ABC7Now @ABC7)

BTWCSC builds a playground w/ LucasFilm, Disney, ABC7
for the children.

The children in the BTWSCS playground, built by
LucasFilm, Disney, ABC7, Kaboom!

Kaboom! came to the scene, ready to build a
playground for the children @ BTWCSC 

Disney, LucasFilm, ABC7, Kaboom! All to the rescue, building a playground
for the children in the Fillmore District, in San Francisco, CA

The BTWCSC Mission
"The BTWCSC mission is to support and maintain a healthy and vibrant community offering services and programs designed to reduce social, health, economic and education disparities that challenge the people we serve - primarily low income children and their families. " - BTWCSC
It was really nice meeting BOD member, Phillip Stone, Esq, Treasurer, who migrated to
San Francisco in 1948, during the "Great Black Migration" From the South.
I also met some wonderful people who pour their hearts into helping those without a voice, get a voice. Irene Dillard, was the first person that I met, when I arrived at Booker T. Washington Community Service Center, and she was lovely. I was introduced to BOD members, Andrea Patton-Housley, Secretary, LeKesha Howard, Traditional Aged Youth Specialist - Hats off to all of you at #BTWCSC for all that you do for the community. We see you!


Kaboom! Mission - Vision
"All kids get the childhood they deserve filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive."  Kaboom! Provides the necessary tools to create "play for kids everywhere...because play matters".
- Kaboom!

LucasFilm | Disney | ABC7 - Mission 
George Lucas, founder of the space opera franchise, Star Wars. Brilliant!
Walt Disney, A leader in the American animation industry, hands down, okay?

People in the San Francisco, CA got together for a common cause; the children in the community -  and let me tell you, the "Force" was with us! and it was a beautiful thing,

Yes, LucasFilm | Disney | @abc7 | KaBoom! ~ Stepped up to the helms and collaborated with the Booker T. Washington Community Center, and came up with a tight game plan! The Star Wars crew was in the house, and they got the job done! Thanks all you Stormtroopers!

In lieu of what's been happening in the news lately, with all of the natural disasters, #HurricaneHarvey and #HurricaneIrma -  please stay tuned to the Bay Area's on Super Hero, Meteorologist @MikeNicco7 @ABC7 for the latest weather. We've been having our own quiet storms in the Bay Area. Thundering and lightning, snap crackling and popping off the chain! But through it all, may we all stay prayerful, practice kindness, and keep in mind that working together to get through the storms, is what it's all about.

May the Force be with you!

Smooches,
Carla

SFAACC Juneteenth Celebration Luncheon - San Francisco Marriott Marquis

On June 16, 2017, the SF Community celebrated the history/legacy significance of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Please recall that the document was signed by President Abraham Lincoln, dated January 1, 1863.

The Emancipation Proclamation was created/implemented to emancipate (free) 

African Americans/Negroes/Colored people - 

a group of people enslaved in these United States of America, used as human capital created to feed the fiery furnace of Capitalism, at its finest. 

The issue is, some how news of the significance of such a game changing document didn't reach the Southern state of Texas, until Juneteenth (the exact date is still being debated) - we do know that by June 19th, 1865, the news had reached the masses, thus the name of the day that we celebrate - Juneteenth.
So today, under the steady hands  of Frederick E. Jordan, PE, the San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce - SFAACC celebrated Juneteenth, Southern Style, with some

California flavor, Honey.
Invocation: NAACPs Dr. Amos C. Brown, Pastor, Third Baptist Church San Francisco had everyone get on their feet, and sing the Negro Anthem: "Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing", and everyone sang with so much emotion. Then Rev. Brown blessed the food.
The Keynote Speaker was the brilliant Naomi Maria Kelly, Esq.,
 City Administrator, San Francisco.
Congratulations Awards recipients,
Gerald Johnson and Valerie Voorhies - Chairman's Pinnacle Award

Linda Crayton - Lifetime Achievement Award
Robert Lattimore - Community Service

Kaiser Permanente - Corporate Award

Danelle Tucker McGrue, Executive Board Member, and the multi-faceted, multi-talented
Cathy Adams,  CDA Consulting, put together an event that is worthy of being featured in an episode of Oprah's @GreenleafOWN - Okay?

Carla Thomas and Carolyn Tyler 

Carolyn Tyler, Anchor woman for ABC 7 Sunday Morning News at 5AM, 6AM and 9AM,
General Assignment reporter for ABC&
News at 5PM, and 6PM - did an excellent job as Mistress of Ceremonies. Carolyn Tyler has a sense of style and grace and made everyone feel as if they were welcomed into her home. So many people were in the house!

The Honorable Mayor Willie Brown 

The Honorable Mayor Willie Brown, was in the house, and he was very personable. Thank you for all that you've done, and what you continue to do for our people. Thank you for being you.

Derreck B. Johnson,
Owner, Home of Chicken and Waffles, &
Palazzo Concessions
and
Carla Thomas

The Honorable London Breed, President, San Francisco Board of Supervisors was in the house and celebrating Juneteenth as well!
Dr. Annette Shelton was in the house as well!

Thank you, Dr. Caesar Chruchwell for the honor of sitting at the table of Palazzo Concessions, with Michael E. Washington and his business associate, Derreck B. Johnson, owner/philanthropist of the restaurants Home of Chicken and Waffles *, with locations in Oakland, CA, Daly City, CA, Walnut Creek, CA. - Okay?
Go get you a plate of some Southern Comfort, right here in California!

Michael E. Washington was called on stage, by Danelle Tucker McGrew, Event Chair @SFAACC,
in recognition of his outstanding Community Service - Bravo!

Carla Thomas &
 Michael E. Washington, President,
Palazzo Concessions

Evita Thornton, SFAACC Juneteenth Business Awards Luncheon Committee, Finance & Budget
Carla Thomas and
Linda Fadeke Richardson, SFAACC Board Member, Juneteenth Committee,
Co-ordinated Awards, Elected Officials Manager,
Commissioner with the City and County of San Francisco, on the
BOD of Treasure Island Development Authority

I ran into two fabulous women that are pillars in the Community - 

Evita Thornton and Linda Fadeke Richardson. Ladies, you ROCK!

Thank you, Dr. Chruchwell, Frederick E. Jordan, PE,

Dr. Amos C. Brown,  Michael E. Washington, Linda Fadeke Richardson

and Cathy Adams CDA  for your commitment to the San Francisco and 

Greater BayArea Community.
 Juneteenth Business Awards Luncheon Committee
Danelle Tucker McGrue - Event Chair
Doug Parrish - Sponsorship Manager
Evita Thornton - Finance & Budget
Mathew Thomas - Fundraising
LindaFadeke Richardson - Elected Officials Manager
Barry Dow - Entertainment/City Officials Coordinator
Advisory
Hyacinth Ahuruonye
Frederick E. Jordan

Thank you, Brian McCleave, SVP and Nicholas Penland of Prudential
San Francisco Marriott Marquis
PSAV
Traci Joy Designs
Laniece Jones, LA Jones & Associates
Barbara Taylor, Volunteer Coordinator
Glass House Communications
Kevin Nichols
Sun Reporter
Michael DeFlorimonte, theREGISTRYBayArea.com
Aardvark Engraving
Invitation & Cover Design
Bouldin Graphics

Smooches,
Carla

Carolyn Tyler joined ABC7, in May 1986. Keep on shining Carolyn Tyler! Follow her Twitter @ctylerabc7
SFAACC - via the REGISTRY
Palazzo Concessions 

*Home of Chicken and Waffles

 SOUL FOOD AT IT'S BEST! Oakland: 444 Embarcadero
W. Walnut Creek: 1653 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Daly City: 59A Serramonte Ctr.www.homeofchickenandwaffles.com

Come Celebrate Juneteenth w/ BALA in Leimert Park - LA, CA - June 17-18, 2017!

Come learn more about American History and celebrate Juneteenth - the month that African American people, held in captivity, for 12 generations, enslaved in these United States of America, were emancipated (freed) in a document called The Emancipation Proclamation, signed by 

President Abraham Lincoln - the year? 1863 (January, 1). 

BUT the news didn't reach Texas until Juneteenth (historians are still debating over the actual date that the news reached Texas, so to be safe, we know that they got the news no sooner then June 13th, but no later then June 19th, thus the name, Juneteenth)1865.

Keep in mind, back then, there was no Facebook, SnapChat, YouTube, Twitter, Yahoo, or Google, so news traveled slowly....Come, bring your family, and Celebrate our Freedom in the historic Leimert Park district, in Southern California.  You'll be glad that you got a chance to celebrate an integral part of American History -
 African American History.  

For more details, please contact Moza Mjasiri Cooper @
www.blackartslosangeles.org 

Check out the video of previous #BALA Juneteenth Festivals!
Come on out and feel the love!

#BALA #Juneteenth #Family #AfricanAmericanHistory #AmericanHistory #LeimertPark @mydayinla

Congratulations, M! Introducing Mater Dei High School - Class of 2017 Valedictorian!

Marianna McDevitt,
 Mater Dei Class of 2017, Valedictiorian

Congratulations is in order for the entire
Mater Dei High School Class of 2017 for a job well done! I've never seen so many students with 4.0 grade point averages. Awesome!
I must admit that my focal point is on the Mater Dei High School, Class of 2017 Valedictorian
(drum roll!)  - Introducing Ms. Marianna McDevitt -
an amazing, multi-talented, kind, and beautiful
young lady (inside and out). A young lady with true grit.

We want to show gratitude for all of the effort that went into making such a momentous occasion so special - 

Thank you, Ms. Frances Clare, Principal,
Mr. Patrick Murphy, President,
Mr. Gregory Dhuyvetter, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Reverend Gerald M. Horan, O.S.M. Vicar of Faith Formation, Diocese of Orange, Most Reverend Keven W. Vann, J.C.D., D.D. Bishop, Diocese of Orange,
for such a dignified seremony. 

M., all dressed up for Prom Night. Isn't she lovely?

Marie McDevitt, Marianna's grandmother, and M.,
Who's the tallest?

Marianna, or M., as I affectionaly call her, is the apple of her father's eye, and her mother and grandparents simply adore her. 

M., with the help of her parents, worked very hard, triumphing over adversity, staying focused, acheiving her goal.
Not only did she have to stay focused on

Mr. & Mrs. McDevitt w/ Marianna - nothing tops the love of grandparents! #grandparentsrock

school, missing her junior year due to an injury she sustained a concussion.  
During her Senior year,
she stepped up to the helms when there was a family illness, and took on the responsibility of helping her brother, Sean-Anthony, stay on task, getting to school on time, during his freshman year at #MaterDai High School. #sisterandbrotherfriendsforever

Avis, Marianna, and Brendan McDevitt
 @MaterDei Senior Awards
#McDevittFamilyRocks

Mom, Dad and Valedictiorian, M.!
#family #love 

M. and her big sister Amanda(r.) - (two #blessings),
celebrating M's Big Day!
#SistersForever 

 Mom, Avis, and Dad Brendan McDevitt, and big brother Jordan,
celebrating M's graduation.
What a nice surprise! #BestParentsEver 

The McDevitt Family
(Amanda is missing! She's away, @Yale University.
See beautiful Amanda in the next photo ↙)

Amanda, Sean-Anthony, Marianna, and Jordan
#McDevittFamilyRocks

l to r, Proud Mom, Avis, M, and God-Mom, Carla Thomas. 

M., with your determination, dedication and serious skills, you did it!
Our ancestors would be so proud of you. 
So many of us love you, and you've made our hearts glad.
With all my heart I wish you much more continued success, Beautiful One.
Keep on pushing forward. Keep on shining! 

"Out of the huts of history's shame - I rise,
Up from a past that's rooted in pain - I rise...
I rise. I rise, I rise." - Dr. Maya Angelou

With so much love & light, 
Your God-Mom, Carla

#family #goodparenting #love #educationiskey #MaterDeiHighSchoolClassof2017 #gomgo #firstafricanamericanvalevictorian #brilliancerunsdeep 

Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, a practicing, board-certified internist and professional chef, is Dr. Gourmet

Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, a practicing, board-certified internist and professional chef, is Dr. Gourmet