Oscar De La O co-founded BIENESTAR in 1989 and currently serves as its Executive Director. BIENESTAR is the nation’s leading voice on Latino LGBT health and civil rights, as well as Southern California’s premiere Latino HIV services provider. Since its establishment, BIENESTAR has evolved into a multi-service, multi-center agency, offering services throughout Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego Counties. De La O is currently on the Board of the National Minority AIDS Council in Washington, D.C.
Madeline Janis is co-founder and Executive Director of the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy. LAANE is recognized as a national authority on issues affecting the working poor and an innovator in the fight against poverty. In addition to her work at LAANE, Janis serves as a volunteer commissioner to the board of the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles, the country’s largest such agency. She is also a Senior Fellow at the UCLA School of Public Affairs.
Ralph Lippman became involved in the development and revitalization of communities as a student in the 1960s when “urban renewal” razed his apartment building. Today he serves as the Executive Director of California Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA), a clearinghouse for information and action that advances the field of community economic development through training and continuing education, technical assistance, and advocacy on public policy.
Johng Ho Song has spent his entire working career at the Koreatown Youth & Community Center (KYCC), beginning as Mental Health Community Worker in 1985 and now serving as Executive Director. KYCC is one of the nation’s largest Korean American community organizations, and it serves people of all races and ethnic backgrounds in the diverse Koreatown neighborhood. Its programs and services are directed toward recently immigrated, economically disadvantaged youth and families, and promote community socio-economic empowerment.
Connie Watson is the Executive Director of People Who Care Youth Center. PWC was founded in 1974 by a group of residents concerned with the lack of positive outlets for youth in the community. Since its inception, PWC has provided an urban haven where young people have the opportunity to receive mentoring and tutoring assistance, and also enjoy positive recreational activities. Watson was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 2001 by the LA County Board of Supervisors and as the State of California 48th Assembly District Women of the Year in 2005 by Assemblyman Mark Ridley-Thomas.
Jan Williamson is the Executive Director of the 18th Street Arts Center, which provides studio, gallery, and public space to artists of all disciplines. During her tenure she has led the effort to purchase the 18th Street property, developed 18th Street’s model Residency Program and Arts Education Program and is now leading the effort to envision and plan 18th Street’s new expanded facility. Williamson is an active member of the Santa Monica City Arts Commission and serves on the board of Arts for LA.
