Saturday, January 29
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
VIRTUAL EVENT

Join us for a vibrant conversation about the the changing demographics of Black/African Americans in the Bay Area and the impact on the emotional and mental well-being of the community. We will explore ways to continue to develop community and build resilience while maintaining a stronger sense of black identity.

Event Speakers

Cassandra C. Jackson, MA | Moderator
Cassandra Jackson, MA works at Saint Francis High School as Guidance and College Counselor, Assistant Director of Holy Cross Achievers, and the moderator of the Black Student Union. In her role as an academic and college counselor, Mrs. Jackson provides space for students to express themselves safely; practice using their voice; and advocating for access to college and equity in education. Ms. Jackson has provided counseling, professional development, and leadership training in community colleges and university settings. Mrs. Jackson is passionate about training, counseling, coaching, and empowering others and creating meaningful programs.

Jeffron Addy | Software Engineer
Jeffron Addy is a Software Engineer with Mavenlink. At Mavenlink, he is a web developer and helps create software that assist businesses to manage their resources and projects. Jeffron was born and raised in the uptown part of the Bronx, NY by parents who immigrated from Ghana. Jeffron has a Bachelors of Arts in Computer Science and has passion for impacting lives through technology. Jeffron will share his experience being a new resident to California.

Frank J. Omowale Satterwhite, Ph.D. | Organizational and Community Change Consultant & President at Leadership Inc.

Frank J. Omowale Satterwhite, Ph.D is an organizational and community change consultant who completed a Bachelor degree at Howard University, a Masters degree at Southern Illinois University and a Ph.D degree at Stanford University. Omowale is the President of Leadership Incorporated, a nonprofit consulting firm focused on building capacity for social change in communities of color. Omowale previously served as President, National Community Development Institute; Acting Superintendent, Ravenswood City School District; and Associate Dean and Chairman of African American Studies, Oberlin College. As a nonprofit management consultant, Omowale has assisted more than 1,200 organizations in 120+ cities and 40+ states. During his career, Omowale has received numerous public service awards from governmental, philanthropic, professional and civic organizations.

Ruth Auten, MA, LMFT | Marriage Family Therapist & Adjunct Faculty at Palo Alto University
Ruth Auten, MA, LMFT is a psychotherapist with a private practice in Sunnyvale providing teletherapy.. She is an adjunct professor at Palo Alto University in the Graduate Psychology Program and a clinical supervisor at local schools and nonprofits. Ruth works with adults, couples, families, and adolescents on depression, anxiety, trauma, adjustments, life transitions, spiritual and cultural issues. She has a Bachelors from Santa Clara University and Masters in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University. Ruth is bi-racial and grew up in south-central Los Angeles. She met her husband at college and has been married for 51 years. They have 4 children, 11+ grandchildren, and 8+ great-grandchildren. Ruth’s passions are spiritual connection and ritual meaning making, family, cultural appreciation, nature, and cooking

Milan R. Balinton, MPA | Executive Director, African American Community Service Agency
Milan R. Balinton is the Executive Director of the African American Community Service Agency (AACSA), an organization dedicated to providing quality educational, cultural, social and recreational programs, services and activities in order to perpetuate and strengthen African American identity, culture, values, traditions, knowledge, and family life. Milan is a Bay Area native, born in Oakland, raised in San Francisco, and has been nurtured in San Jose for the last 20 years. He earned a Master of Public Administration from Golden Gate University and a Bachelor of Arts from San Jose State University. Milan has been recognized for his efforts from various local, county, and state officials. Milan is also part of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department’s COVID-19 Community Stakeholders Working Group and the COVID-19 Black Committee, a coalition of several Black-led Community Based Organizations that aim to help educate and protect African Americans through the pandemic. Every day