This document provides information about the Urban Issues Forum, which has hosted influential figures over the past 10 years to discuss important issues impacting the African American community in Los Angeles. It recognizes several honorees for advocating on issues that improved life for disadvantaged communities in L.A. in the past year. The keynote speaker, Roland Martin, will receive an award for his work as a journalist and being the first to interview President Obama.

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Greetings from
DR. ANTHONY ASADULLAH SAMAD
Urban Issues Forum Supporters, Honorees and Guests,
It is unusual for a community to be able to dictate the discourse around events
and issues that impact its socio-political realities. For the past ten years, the Urban
Issues Breakfast Forum has brought the highest and most cutting edge intellectual
discussion to the Los Angeles African American community. No community forum in the nation can
boast of having hosted Ms. Winnie Mandela, Minister Louis Farrakhan, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. and Rev.
Al Sharpton, Ms. Dorothy Height, Mr. Tavis Smiley, Mr. Ossie Davis, U.S. Surgeon Generals, David Satcher
and Jocelyn Elders, Scholars Cornel West and Michael Eric Dyson, Ms. Susan Taylor and Senator (now
President) Barack Obama.
Every one of these newsmakers are legends in their own right and inaccessible to the public in most
cases. But each has appeared at the Urban Issues Forum (in some instances, on multiple occasions), along
with other high level government officials, activist entertainers and community activists, who sought to raise
community consciousness and public awareness around an important issue. The Urban Issues Breakfast
Forum is like no other in the nation when it comes to attracting the interest of newsmakers and treeshakers
that make change happen in our community and our nation. I welcome you all to the Inaugural Newsmakers
Awards Luncheon to give recognition to those who advocate in making Los Angeles a better place to live and
who make news by improving the quality of life for the disadvantaged, disenfranchised and underserved.
Today, the Urban Issues Forum enters a new phase of its existence as this event will become a staple
of our programmatic activity. This annual luncheon will seek to highlight advocacy of the past year and those
issues that affected our lives in the preceding year. Our inaugural honorees represent the best our community
has to offer in raising public awareness around current events and the “issues of the day.” We welcome our
keynote speaker, Roland S. Martin, who has expanded his footprint from print media to radio to now being the
most visible African American face in global cable news. His very presence on CNN, on a daily basis,
represents “our” perspective in the news room. For that accomplishment and the achievement of being the
first journalist to interview “President” Barack Obama, Mr. Martin will receive our Newsmaker Of The Year
Award. Our other honorees, Damien Goodmon, Betty Pleasant, Rodney Peete and Ms. Holly Robinson Peete
have distinguished themselves significantly in raising public awareness and the community‟s consciousness
around some very important issues. The “Issue of the Year” was a national call for justice in a case that was
tried here in Los Angeles, the Johannes Mehserle Murder Trial for the killing of 22 year old Oscar Grant. The
public served as “justice watchdogs” over this trial, and while justice may or may not have been served, the I
AM OSCAR GRANT Campaign showed the power of a conscious people seeking justice. Sempra Energy has
demonstrated its commitment as a true corporate advocate and is being recognized for it unyielding support
of the Urban Issues Forum.
So, enjoy the afternoon as we celebrate our own. Those who care enough to speak out.
Sincerely,
DR. ANTHONY ASADULLAH SAMAD
Co-Founder, Managing Director and Host

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Acknowledgements
The Board of Directors of the Urban Issues Forum, Inc. would like to
acknowledge and thank those who have contributed to the success of the
Urban Issues Breakfast Forum the past TEN YEARS;
Co-Founder, Managing Director and Host, Dr. Anthony Asadullah Samad
Co-Founder, Robert Farrell
Event Coordinator, Sarah Harris, Sarah Harris and Associates (1999-2004)
Event Coordinator, Marie Lemelle, Platinum Star Public Relations (2005-2010)
Event Coordinator, Arnetta Mack, Mack Enterprises Unlimited (2010-present)
Mr. Frank Holoman, Venue Sponsor, Frank‟s Place
The Culver City Radisson Hotel, Venue Sponsor
Ms. Charmaine Jefferson, The California African American Museum, Venue Sponsor
Mr. Kevin McDowell & Martha Saucedo, AEG/Staples Center, Venue Sponsor
Mr. Fred and Tony Calloway, The Regency West, Venue Sponsor
Ms. Natalie Cole, Our Weekly Newspaper, Media Sponsor
Ms. Karen Slade, KJLH Radio, Media Sponsor
Ms. Berlinda Jamerson, The Gas Company (retired), First Sponsor
Mr. James Fugate and Mr. Tom Hamilton, Eso Won Bookstore
Mr. Eric Johnson, L.A. Business Printing
Ms. Rene Cross Washington, Rene Cross-Washington Graphic Designs
Mr. Malcolm Ali, Photographer
Mr. Ian Foxx, Photographer
Mr. Leumel Muhammad, Videographer
Ms. Pamela Bright-Moon, Videographer
Mr. Joseph Hicks (Sr. and Jr.), Hicks Trophy Company, Award Plaque Provider
Ms. Debra Legans, Transportation, Wings Limousine

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Sempra Energy – 10 year Annual Sponsor
Northrup Grumman – 8 year Annual Sponsor
KJLH - 5 year Annual Sponsor
Wells Fargo - 5 year Annual Sponsor
Union Bank - 5 year Annual Sponsor
Community Financial Resource Center – 5 year Annual Sponsor
Southern California Edison – 5 year Annual Sponsor
California African American Museum – 5 year Annual Sponsor
AEG – 5 year Annual Sponsor
State Farm Insurance
HealthNet
Strategic Counsel
The Los Angeles County Stentorians
The California Wellness Foundation
Watts Health Foundation
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
SEIU (Multiple locals)
AT & T
Comerica Bank
Our Weekly Newspaper
Capital Vision Equities
Felix Cadillac
Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas
Councilwoman Jan Perry
Mr. Fred Calloway, Regency West
Dr. Bill Releford
Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally
The Black Business Association
GLAAAC
WLCAC
The Brotherhood Crusade
The Los Angeles Sentinel
The L.A. Watts Times
L.A. Focus
Save The Date Magazine
Turning Point Magazine
Recycling Black Dollars
Wings Limousines
Acknowledgements
SPONSORS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS
Acknowledgements
INAUGURAL NEWSMAKERS LUNCHEON
Mr. George Gibbs, UPS – Advocate (Signature) Sponsor
Ms. Carolyn Williams, Sempra Energy/The Gas Company – Community Sponsor
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas – Community Sponsor
Ms. Natalie Cole, Our Weekly Newspaper – Community Sponsor
Verizon Communications - Sponsor
Comerica Bank – Sponsor
KABC – Sponsor
AEG - Sponsor
Wells Fargo Bank – Sponsor
Southern California Edison – Sponsor
Los Angeles Urban League – Sponsor
Ms. Eugenia Marshall/Wendy Berry, Social Butterfly Consulting, Event Coordination
Ms. Arnetta Mack, Mack Enterprises Unlimited, Invitation and Program Graphic Design
Mr. Eric Johnson, L.A. Business Printing, Invitation and Program Printing
Ms. Pam Bright-Moon, With Grace Productions, Video Presentations
Mr. Malcolm Ali, Malcolm Ali Photography
Ms. Vanessa DeLaire/Bridgid Billingsley, Sheraton Delfina Hotel
Ms. Debra Legans, Transportation, Wings Limousine
Captain Brent Burton, The African American Firefighter Museum, Cup Giveaways
Ms. Diane Medina, KABC 7, Emergency Readiness Packet Giveaways
Ms. Karla Greene, State Farm Insurance Licensed Agent, Scholarship Book Giveaways

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Keynote Speaker
ROLAND S. MARTIN
Roland S. Martin is a nationally award-winning and multifaceted journalist.
A nationally syndicated columnist with Creators Syndicate, Mr. Martin is the author of
Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith, and Speak, Brother! A Black
Man‟s View of America, and his newest book, “The First: President Barack Obama‟s
Road to the White House as originally reported by Roland S. Martin.”
Mr. Martin is a commentator for TV One Cable Network and host of “Washington
Watch with Roland Martin,” a one-hour Sunday morning news show. He is also a CNN
Analyst, appearing on a variety of the network‟s shows. In October 2008, he joined the
Tom Joyner Morning Show as senior analyst.
Named by Ebony Magazine in 2008, 2009 and 2010 as one of the 150 Most Influential African Americans in the United States, he
is the 2009 winner of the NAACP Image Award for Best Interview for “In Conversation: The Michelle Obama Interview.” He is the
2008 winner of the NAACP Image Award for Best Interview for “In Conversation: The Sen. Barack Obama Interview.”
In 2009, CNN was awarded the Peabody Award for its outstanding 2008 election coverage, of which Martin was a member of the
Best Political Team on Television. Martin, named one of the top 50 political pundits by the Daily Telegraph in the United Kingdom,
was also awarded the 2008 President‟s Award by the National Association of Black Journalists for his work in multiple media plat-
forms. In 2008, he was also inducted into the Texas A&M University Journalism Hall of Honor.
An insightful and provocative analyst, Mr. Martin has appeared numerous times on a variety of American networks, as well as
media outlets in Canada, Columbia, Italy, Australia and South Africa.
From October 2005 to October 2008, he served as a radio talk show for WVON-AM in Chicago, first as mid-day host and later as
morning drive host. He is the former executive editor/general manager of the Chicago Defender, the nation‟s most historic Black
newspaper. He is the former founding news editor for Savoy Magazine under the team of New York-based Vanguarde Media, and
the former founding editor of BlackAmericaWeb.com.
He previously served as owner/publisher of Dallas-Fort Worth Heritage, a Christian monthly newspaper. He also has worked as
managing editor of the Houston Defender and the Dallas Weekly, which he led to a number of local, state and national journalism
awards. Mr. Martin has worked as morning drive reporter for KRLD/1080 AM; news director and morning anchor at KKDA-AM in
Dallas; city hall reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram; and county government and neighbors reporter for the Austin American
-Statesman. He has also written pieces for Ebony and Essence magazines.
He has won more than 30 professional awards for journalistic excellence, including a regional Edward R. Murrow Award from the
Radio Television News Directors; top reporting honors from the National Association of Black Journalists; the National Association
of Minorities in Cable. and the National Associated Press-Managing Editors Conference.
Mr. Martin is a 20-year member of the National Association of Black Journalists, and a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Inc.
He is a 1987 graduate of Jack Yates High School-Magnet School of Communications, and a 1991 graduate of Texas A&M Uni-
versity, where he earned a bachelor‟s of science degree in journalism. In May 2008, Martin received a master‟s degree in Chris-
tian Communications from Louisiana Baptist University.
He has been awarded honorary degrees from Florida Memorial University and the University of Maryland-University College.
He is married to the Rev. Jacquie Hood Martin, author of Fulfilled! The Art and Joy of Balanced Living, and vice president of Ken-
nedy-King College in Chicago. They reside in Chicago.

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DAMIEN GOODMON is the Chair of United Community Associations‟ Citizens' Campaign to
Fix the Expo Rail Line (“Fix Expo Campaign”), a collaborative grassroots effort for racial and
economic justice and fairness in the treatment of South Los Angeles. Led by the Baldwin Hills-
Crenshaw Homeowners' Coalition, Expo Communities United and Save Leimert Neighborhood
Coalition, the Fix Expo Campaign goal is to pressure political decision-makers to alter the design
of the under construction Expo Light Rail Line to ensure the project is built to the same high
safety and environmental standards in South Los Angeles as applied in the adjacent white and
more affluent Culver City community that the line passes through. The campaign currently con-
sists of 18 South Los Angeles homeowners associations, block clubs, and community-based
organizations, including Dorsey High School community organizations such as the Dorsey
Alumni Association, and has the support of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of
Los Angeles, CORE-California, United Teachers Los Angeles, and all South Los Angeles
Neighborhood Councils directly impacted by the line.
At 28 years old Mr. Goodmon is an experienced political organizer. At the age of 21 he was named to the national staff of the Wesley Clark
for President '04 campaign, where among other duties he was responsible for supervising the development of over 400 campus/student-
community groups nationwide as the National Student Coordinator. In that role, Mr. Goodmon devised and executed the campaign‟s na-
tional student outreach strategy, which emphasized improving traditional student outreach by utilizing interactive technologies, such as the
internet, as a communication and organizational tool, and youth marketing tactics proven outside the political realm.
After the 2004 election, Mr. Goodmon served as the Senior Communications Advisor and National Spokesman for StopJohnRoberts.com, a
media campaign and grassroots network of activists opposed to the nomination of John Roberts to the United States Supreme Court.
Damien Wesley Clark Goodmon has studied at the University of Washington, where he was a member of the Huskies football team, and
lives in Leimert Park, where he is Co-Chair of the community's neighborhood council - Empowerment Congress West Area Neighborhood
Development Council. He is a recipient of the 2008 LAUSD Trailblazer award for “championing the rights of the masses of all American
children.” Mr. Goodmon has been profiled in numerous local and national media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, for his many
local and national pursuits for social change.
BEVERLY WHITE
Beverly White is a veteran general assignment reporter for the “Channel 4 News.” White joined NBC4 in
1992 from WTVJ, the NBC owned and operated station in Miami.
White specializes in live television and has covered a variety of stories for NBC4 including the destructive
El Nino weather system, the recurrent Southern California wildfires, local flooding, mudslides and the Northridge
earthquake. In addition, she has traveled for NBC4 on select stories such as the 2004 hurricane swarm in Florida
and Alabama. Locally, she has been a steady presence on the top-rated 11pm Channel 4 News for more than a
decade.
At WTVJ, White was on the 1992 Peabody Award-winning team that covered Hurricane Andrew. She also reported on the rape trial of
William Kennedy Smith, the First Amendment battles of the rap group 2 Live Crew as well as the military coup in Haiti and the Haitian refugee
camps in Cuba.
From 1985 to 1989, White worked for WKRC (ABC ) in Cincinnati. She anchored the market‟s #1 morning newscast and reported in Ohio,
Kentucky and Indiana. White also covered the rise and fall of baseball legend Pete Rose and the 1988 Democratic and Republican presidential
nominating conventions.
Her career began in her home state of Texas at KCEN-TV (NBC) in Temple/Waco and KENS-TV (CBS) in San Antonio. White holds a
broadcast journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Throughout her career, White has shared her time and talent, giving speeches and presentations to colleges, community and civic groups.
A member of the National Association of Black Journalists, White is a past president of the local affiliate chapter, the Black Journalists Association of
Southern California. She has been a Scholar in Residence at Citrus College in Glendora and an adjunct professor of broadcast journalism at the
University of Southern California. LA‟s New Times magazine named her best local news reporter in 1997 and in the April 2000 issue of „Essence‟
magazine, White was designated a "Live Shot Diva." In 2008, White was honored with the Leadership Award from the California Legislative Black
Caucus and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Killeen Independent School District in Killeen, Texas.
White lives in the Los Angeles area with her family and Deuce, their wire fox terrier.
INAUGURAL NEWSMAKERS - Awards Luncheon 2010

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HOLLYROD FOUNDATION
Holly Robinson Peete
Holly Robinson Peete is an actress, author, activist and philanthropist. On the heels of Robinson
Peete's success on NBC‟s Celebrity Apprentice, she will co-host a new daytime talk show The Talk,
premiering this Fall on CBS. Robinson Peete had her acting debut at the age of four when she ap-
peared on television opposite her father, Matthew Robinson who served as a producer and portrayed
the original beloved character of “Gordon,” on the award-winning children‟s program “Sesame
Street.” Upon finishing her college education, Robinson Peete‟s heart led her back to entertainment.
In 1986, she landed a starring role on the FOX television drama “21 Jump Street” opposite unknown cast members including Johnny Depp. She
went on to star in many other successful television series including “Hangin‟ With Mr. Cooper,” “For Your Love,” and “One on One.” Robinson
Peete‟s successful television career places her as one of only a handful of actresses to star in four shows in syndication. In addition, she also re-
cently starred in the original Lifetime movie “Matters of Life & Dating” for which she was nominated for an NAACP Image Award.
With her husband, Rodney, Robinson Peete created the HollyRod Foundation, inspired by her father‟s battle with Parkinson‟s disease. Inspired by
their son, they expanded their mission to include Autism. With her daughter Ryan, Robinson Peete published her second book, My Brother Charlie,
examining autism from a sibling‟s perspective. Through the HollyRod Foundation and her family‟s personal experiences, Robinson Peete has be-
come an advocate for consistent and reliable education, outreach and support on both Parkinson‟s and autism. Her autism advocacy also extends
to her book with daughter, Ryan Elizabeth Peete. On March 16th, 2010, Robinson Peete released her second book, a children‟s picture book about
autism from the sibling‟s perspective, co-authored by 12-year old Elizabeth Peete, entitled My Brother Charlie (Scholastic). With her first book Get
Your Own Damn Beer, I’m Watching the Game: A Women’s Guide to Loving Pro Football (2005, Rodale), Robinson Peete won the 2006 Quill Liter-
acy Award. A third book, another Scholastic children‟s title is due out in 2011.
Rodney Peete
NFL veteran quarterback Rodney Peete, best known for his leadership and a winning attitude, spent 16 successful years in the NFL. His admired
position in the public eye has led him to a successful career as sports star, television/radio personality, author and philanthropist. Peete is president
of HollyRod Entertainment, a Los Angeles-based entertainment and investment firm. Additionally, he is a co-founder of the HollyRod Foundation,
an organization established to generate funds to fight Parkinson‟s Disease, support children suffering from Autism, and improve the quality of life
for those in need.
In March 2010, Peete released his first book, Not My Boy! A Father, a Son, and One Family’s Journey with Autism. The story, based on the Peete
family‟s experience raising a child with autism, is published by Hyperion and is currently receiving wide acclaim. Through Not My Boy!, Peete is
giving a voice to an often unheard journey: the father. Influencers from across the country have acknowledged Rodney‟s brave story of a father
coming to terms with his child‟s autism diagnosis while simultaneously fighting to keep his family intact. He also serves on the Board of Governors
at his alma mater, USC, from where he holds a B.A. and was First Team All-American and 1988 Player of the Year.
BETTY PLEASANT
The contributing editor for the Wave newspapers, Betty Pleasant‟s weekly Soulvine column has become a must-
read for Angelenos who want the scoop on what is really going on in our community. Part gossip column, part edito-
rial, part wire report, and part community bulletin board, Pleasant covers local events like few can. Many a misbe-
having politician has felt the wrath of Pleasant and her probing research. Loyal readers are not the only ones who
enjoy Pleasant‟s work. Prior to coming to the WAVE Newspapers, Ms. Pleasant was employed 20 years with the
Los Angeles Sentinel, including serving in the positions of City Editor and Managing Editor. She has won numerous
awards from the National Newspapers Publishers Assn, including the Emory O. Jackson Best Column Award for
several years, including back-to-back in 2008 and 2009. Pleasant was named one of the top five most influential
media members in Los Angeles by Los Angeles magazine, which cited her knack for breaking big stories and her
success covering the events within her community.
Betty is a native Angeleno, grew up in South L.A., is a widow with two handsome sons, a lovely daughter-in-law, and
grandmother to a beautiful 2-year-old girl.
INAUGURAL NEWSMAKERS - Awards Luncheon 2010

9. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS CO. (The Gas Company) has been delivering
clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for more than 140 years. It is the
nation‟s largest natural gas distribution utility, providing safe and reliable energy to 20.5
million consumers through 5.7 million meters in more than 500 communities. The com-
pany‟s service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles in diverse terrain throughout Central and Southern California, from
Visalia to the Mexican border. The Gas Company is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE). Sempra Energy, based in
San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company.
The Gas Company‟s commitment extends beyond providing safe and reliable energy. It includes maintaining a diverse workforce, working
with suppliers that represent the communities the company serves, protecting the environment, and improving the quality of life in our com-
munities through employees‟ volunteer activities and charitable contributions. Supporting civic and community involvement programs make
good business sense, as the company‟s success depends on thriving and growing neighborhoods and local businesses. In 2009, The Gas
Company provided nearly $2.9 million in shareholder-funded charitable contributions to Southern California communities. Additionally, the
Gas Company has been an active supporter of various community organizations that reach ethnically diverse communities with direct bene-
fits and services. It continually promotes pride in the diverse communities it serves and is proud to have been the first corporate supporter
of the Urban Issues Forum and its mission of “Moving from education to action…”
I AM OSCAR GRANT CAMPAIGN
The I AM OSCAR GRANT Campaign was a grassroots movement started by the residents of Oakland,
California and surrounding cities to insure justice was served after the murder of 22 year old, Oscar Grant.
Grant was killed after BART responded to an altercation on a BART train. Several persons were removed
from the train, including Oscar Grant, who was trying to subdue tempers between the community and police
when he was asked to lay face down on the ground. BART officer, Johannes Mehserle, pulled his gun and
shot Grant in the back, killing him. The community was outraged at this act and mobilized to have Mehserle
removed from the BART police force and brought public pressure to force the Alameda County District
Attorney to file first degree murder charges against Mehserle. The community named their campaign for
justice, I AM OSCAR GRANT, because Grant became the symbol of what could happen to any one of us
on any given day, when confronted with corrupt and abusive law enforcement. The mantra signified that
what happened to Oscar Grant could happen again if justice wasn't served because I AM OSCAR GRANT, you are Oscar Grant, we all are
Oscar Grant or have the potential to meet a similar fate if injustice prevailed.
The campaign went viral and became a nationwide movement once a venue change was granted to move the Mehserle trial to Los Ange-
les. The community raised the profile of the trial when the mainstream media sought to ignore it, blogging, u-tubing and reporting the daily
events of the trial as limited access to the courtroom prohibited mass attendance. The I AM OSCAR GRANT Campaign forced criminal
justice accountability by exposing courtroom behaviors of the judge, the jury, the prosecution and the defense attorney. But moreover, the
campaign exposed defense attempts to minimalize the murder act and highlighted the lack of remorse on the part of the defendant, Johan-
nes Mehserle.
Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and is awaiting sentencing. The I AM OSCAR GRANT Campaign currently monitoring
attempts to reduce Mehserle's sentence and is organizing efforts to bring about public transit law enforcement reform through independent
citizen review boards.
INAUGURAL NEWSMAKERS Awards Luncheon 2010
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Welcome & Introduction of Dr. Anthony Asadullah Samad
Mistress of Ceremonies.....................................Managing Director/Host-Urban Issues Forum
Occasion....................................................Ms. Beverly White, Weekend News Anchor, KNBC
Greetings ....................................................................................................... Selected Officials
TEN YEAR HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO PRESENTATION
Lunch is Served
Introduction of the Keynote Speaker.......................................Dr. Anthony Asadullah Samad
Keynote Luncheon Speech ...................................Mr. Roland S. Martin, CNN Correspondent
and TV ONE Talk Show Host
Presentation - Newsmaker of the Year Award........................................... Mr. George Gibbs
Community Affairs Manager, UPS West Region
Presentation - Issue of the Year Award
Presentation - Issue Advocate of the Year Award
Presentation - Issue Advocate Life Achievement Award
Presentation - Issues Advocate Public Service Award
Presentation - Corporate Advocate Award
Scholarship Presentations......................................Who's Who Publishing/Real Times Media
Special Presentations.................................................Urban Issues Forum Board of Directors
Acknowledgements ..................................................................Dr. Anthony Asadullah Samad
Closing..........................................................................................................Ms. Beverly White
~ Roland Martin Book Signing ~
Awards Luncheon 2010
INAUGURAL NEWSMAKERS

17. Ten Year
Historical
Highlights
of the
Urban Issues
Breakfast
Forum
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1999 - LAPD Chief Bernard Parks addresses
Rampart scandal.
2000 - Geronimo Ji Jaga (Pratt) first public appearance
after 27 years imprisonment.
2000 - The late Ossie Davis appears to advocate the stay
of Mumia Abu Jamal’s execution.
2000 - Minister Farrakhan’s first appearance at the UIBF
during the 2000 Democratic National Convention.
2001- South African Parliament Member, Minnie Mandela, in the
United States on a Racial Reconciliation Fact Finding Mission,
appears at the UIBF during her Los Angeles visit.
2001 - A pensive Tavis Smiley contemplates
his comeback in his first L.A. public
appearance after his firing at BET.

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2002 - NFL Hall of Famer, Jim Brown, attends UIBF upon his
release from a self-imposed jail sentence to discuss the
prison industrial complex and its disproportionate control
over black males in America's new racism construct.
2003 - LAUSD School Board Member
Genethia Hudley-Hayes discusses education reform.
2003 - Jessie Jackson, Sr. makes second
appearance at the Urban Issues Forum just
before 2004 Presidential election season begins.
2004 - Congressman Jesse Jackson,
Jr., appears at the UIBF to discuss
education becoming a "civil right."
2004 - Harvard Professor Charles
Ogletree discusses equality 50
years after Brown vs. Board of
Education.
2004 - Minister Farrakhan returns to UIBF to discuss “Revisiting the
Million Man March.”
2004 - Civil Rights Living Legend, the late
Dorothy Height, appears at the UIBF to
discuss her life autobiography, Open Wide
The Freedom Gates: A Memoir.

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2005 - Atty LeGrand Cleqq uncovers the
“Makeover” of King Tut.
2005 - The Dean of Black Politicians, Mervyn
Dymally, discusses government reform initiatives.
2006 -
Commission
on Race member
Angela Oh
discusses
Black/Korean
relations14 years
after the riots.
2005 - Author/Anti-Death Penalty Activist, Barbara Becnel, appears
at the UIBF to discuss death penalty reform after witnessing the
execution of imprisoned gang reformist, Stanley "Tookie" Williams.
2005 - LAPD Chief William Bratton came to the UIBF
to respond to community concerns over the killing of
13 year old, Devin Brown.
2006 - Judge Greg Mathis talks about life and second
chances.

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2006 - Senator Obama “Baracks” the UIBF
with the Audacity of Hope book signing.
2006 - Former Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders and L.A. AIDS activist,
Phil Wilson discuss “Where do we go from here” on the 25th anniversary
of the discovery of the AIDS virus.
2007 - Assemblywoman Karen Bass returns to the UIBF as majority
leader to talk about the state of blacks in California.
2007 - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa makes
his third appearance, second as mayor.
2007 - L.A.’s first black Fire Chief, Doug Barry comes to the UIBF to
discuss reforms in L.A. Fire Dept.
2006 - Anti-Racism Activist/Author, Tim
Wise, appears at the UIBF to discuss the
current state of racism in America.

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2008 - Author/Scholar, Michael Eric Dyson reflects on
the 40th Anniversary of the King Assassination, as
WLCAC hosts the UIBF in Watts, California.
2008 - Civil Rights Activist, Rev. Al Sharpton, appears at
the UIBF to discuss the role of social activism in the
historical Presidential elections.
2008 - Former Essence Editor/Commentator,
Susan Taylor, discusses the launch of the National Cares
Movement to mentor one million black youth.
2008 - Olympic Gold Medalist and Black Power Protestant,
Tommie Smith, reflects on 40 years after Mexico City Olympics.
2008 - The nation’s pre-eminent intellectual,
Dr. Cornel West, ponders if “Race Matters” 15 years
after his landmark book.
2009 - Actor/Activist Isaiah Washington advocates for
Africa re-connection.

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2009 - Civil Rights Icon and Bill Clinton BFF, Vernon Jordan,
makes his point at the Urban Issues Forum.
2010 - Television Host/Author, Tavis Smiley, and
Professor/Author, Dr. Cornel West, return to the UIBF
in an action packed "doubleheader" appearance to
discuss black history and lead a tour of Smiley’s
historical exhibit, AMERICA I AM.
2010 - Actress/Author/Pop Culture Icon, Pam Grier,
discusses her life "In Three Acts" and signs her book
at the UIBF.
2010 - Presiding Bishop of the Church of God In Christ,
Charles E. Blake, returns to the UIBF to discuss his
landmark work, Saving Africa's Children.
The URBAN ISSUES FORUM would like to thank
each and every one of the over 20,000 individuals
who have attended, at least, one of our breakfast
forums over the past ten years of its existence. The
success of the Urban Issues Breakfast Forum of
Greater Los Angeles could not have been achieved
without the support and participation of the
community it was designed to serve. THANK YOU
from the bottom of our hearts.

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