NAACP San Diego Branch Executive Committee 2013-2014 OFFICERS President Lei-Chala I. Wilson, Esq. sandiegonaacp@earthlink.net 619.507.1304 Lei-Chala I. Wilson graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in Economics 1985 and a Juris Doctor from UC Davis, King Hall in 1989. Wilson has been a criminal defense attorney for over 23 years. Wilson is serving her fifth year as President of the branch and has been on the Executive Committee since 1998. Wilson is a past president of the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association (EBGBA), California Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) and National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) San Diego Section. 1 st Vice President The Honorable Dr. Shirley Nash Weber Chair, Freedom Fund Dinner Assemblywoman 79 th Assembly District The Hon. Dr. Shirley Weber starts this year in the freshman class of the CA State Assembly as the first African American to be elected to serve from the County of San Diego. Dr. Weber, who has been recognized nationally, is the founder of Africana Studies at SDSU, formally known as Afro-American Studies, and served over 15 years as the Chair of that department. Dr. Weber has received numerous awards for her humanitarian works which includes taking students to South Africa to work on AIDS projects as well as youth centers. Dr. Weber has authored numerous articles and chapters on Marcus Garvey, Black Nationalism and Black Studies. 2 nd Vice President Phillip W. Liburd PhilipLiburd.sandiegonaacp@gmail.com 619.399.6935 Philip Liburd is a Navy Veteran who served with honor on various combat ships in the Engineering Department. Liburd worked in labor unions organizing for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in several States. Liburd has owned and operated a full service insurance agency. Has extensive experience in sales and customer service. He is totally committed to empowering families to achieve success in every aspect of life. Liburd s son is a freshman at SDSU. University.
3 rd Vice President Pastor Delores Korokous Chair, Veterans Affairs Committee Drumbeat1@aol.com Artelia Dee Korokous served twenty -five years in the United States Army. She is the recipient of Army Commendation, Army Achievement, and US Army Top Recruiter Medals. Pastor Dee retired from the US Army July 15, 2003, with the rank of Sergeant First Class-E7. Korokous earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Theology from Point Loma Nazarene University, December 2007. Pastor Korokous is Senior Pastor of Abundant Harvest Church of Faith. She is 3 rd Vice President of the San Diego Branch NAACP and Chairperson of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Secretary Akilah Carter-Davis Akilah@alumni.stanford.edu Akilah Carter- Davis graduated from Stanford University in 2006 with a BA in Political Science with a Public Policy Focus. Shortly after graduating Akilah put her political education to work, serving on the 2008 Barack Obama Presidential Campaign staff as an Organizer, Deputy Regional Field Director, and member of the Political Team. Akilah currently works in the financial industry as a Licensed Relationship Banker. Assistant Secretary Dr. Nils Jonas Ohrberg ohrberg@yahoo.com 505.702.1307 Dr. Ohrberg, also known as Dr. O, is originally from Trollhattan, Sweden. Dr. O is a fulltime assistant professor at Ashford University and teaches a variety of courses in the College of Business and Professional Studies. In 1998 he obtained a Masters Degree in Sports Administration from the University of New Mexico. In 2010, he obtained a PhD in Organization and Management from Capella University. Dr. O is the proud Father of his son, N. Jonas Ohrberg, III, who is currently attending Eldorado High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Treasurer/Finance Committee Alvin C. Wilkerson Alvincw2000@hotmail.com Alvin Wilkerson, also known as our financial guru, started a paper route at 10, where he then opened his first bank account with his parent s assistance. He attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee Florida. In 1986, Alvin relocated to San Diego and worked for Aetna Health Care for 15 years. He joined our Executive Committee in 1988. Alvin has held the positions of Housing Committee Chairman, Parliamentarian, and serves as Treasurer, and Financial Literacy Consultant. Alvin has been a member of the University Kiwanis Club for 5 years. In 2007, Alvin started a Homeless Food Ministry that feeds between 140-170 people every month. In 2011, Alvin Co-authored a religious book called, The Wisdom of Bishop Henry L. Porter. For 12 years, Alvin has been an independent contractor with World Financial Group (WFG) as a financial consultant. Alvin is a faithful member of the, Fountain of Life Church of God In Christ, since 1989, and serves as an Usher, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, and Sound Engineer. Assistant Treasurer Franklin Alvin s goals D. Petersen are to continue to faithfully serve in the NAACP, and to frankdpetersen@hotmail.com bring racial equality and empower African Americans, and all races, through financial education. Franklin Petersen completed 30 years of distinguished Naval Service in June of 1991 and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer. Franklin attended Southern Illinois University (SIU). Franklin was associated with San Diego Community District (SDCCD) for 7 years and taught at City College and at the Educational Cultural Complex (ECC). Franklin has been a member of the San Diego University Kiwanis Club for over 30 years and has held several administrative positions with them. Our motto is: Children are our number one priority and we want to change the world one child and one community at a time. Presently Franklin is self employed in the Financial Services Industry teaching individuals/families/businesses how money works and how to get it to work for them. MEMBERS-AT- LARGE Membership Committee Rachel Arrington Rarrington1@yahoo.com Rachel Arrington earned her BA in Spanish from Jackson State University in Mississippi. Arrington presently works at the San Diego County Probation Department as clerical support. Arrington has been on the Executive Committee for over 5 years and has served two terms as Secretary and the ACT-SO Co-Chair. She now serves on the Membership Committee.
Chair, Education Dr. Andre J. Branch abranch@mail.sdsu.edu Dr. André José Branch earned the Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, at the University of Washington, Seattle. He earned the Masters Degree in Counselor Education at North Carolina State University, Raleigh. He earned the Baccalaureate Degree at The King s College, Briarcliff Manor, New York, and also studied at the Institute of Holy Land Studies, Jerusalem, Israel and at Oxford, England. Dr. Branch has taught students at all grade levels in public schools in the United States and abroad. He is presently a tenured Associate Professor at San Diego State University, where he teaches and conducts research in Education, Ethnic Identity Development, and Valuing Human Diversity. Chair, Political Action Past President Dr. Branch also directs the Career Breakfast Mentoring Program for middle school male students of color at Bell Middle School in San Diego, CA. Since Dr. Branch started this program, student achievement has risen and he has moved these students to a successful career path and achievement. Petrina M. Branch, Esq. Petrina.branch@gmail.com 619.840.8548 cell Petrina M. Branch is an attorney providing legal services in areas of business, personal injury and estate planning in the Law Office of Petrina M. Branch. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in Cambridge, MA. Petrina served as President of the NAACP San Diego Branch from 2001 2002. Currently, she is Chair of the Political Action Committee. In 2010 Branch received the NAACP San Diego Branch President s Award for exemplary support of the association. Ms. Branch is also a past president of the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association which represents African American attorneys, judges, law students and professors in San Diego County. Chair, Labor & Industry Taisha Brown TaishaBrown.sandiegonaacp@gmail.com 619.443.8989 Taisha Brown works for the State of California and is a member leader with her Union S.E.I.U Local 1000. Brown is a community leader who has fostered a commitment to serve others. As a vital means of serving others, Taisha has committed herself to be the Chair of the Labor and Industry Committee, and is dedicated to helping insure that all people are granted the same accesses to employment, housing and training opportunities.
Chair, ACT-SO Kimberly Caldwell kimkym@hotmail.com Kimberly Caldwell is a dedicated and aspiring mother, wife, teacher and learner in the San Diego community. Kimberly is honored to work with young people of all ages and encourages us all to work with the youngest groups possible to help facilitate the climb to success for our community. Kimberly has chaired the ACT-SO program since 2007. In 2012 San Diego won a National Gold Medalist in classical violin. Please contact Kimberly to join in and/or support the Academic Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics program in San Diego! You know we have talent here. Chair, Press & Publicity Earl W. Davis, Jr. Edavis95@cox.net Earl Wayne Davis, Jr. received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and an Honorable Discharge from the Navy before working for General Dynamics. Earl took a job as a freelance writer/photographer for the local weekly newspaper the San Diego Voice which led him to form his own newspaper - San Diego Viewpoint. Both papers were combined for the modern day The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint. Earl and his wife, Tina, published this paper for 16 years. Earl also worked for the Neighborhood House Association where he was the Public Relations Director for eight years before he retired. Earl is a Professional Event Photographer. Earl is active in the community. He is the vice president of the Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society of San Diego; President of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Democratic Club; president of the Board of Directors of the San Diego Chapter of Better Investing; member of Bethel AME Church; member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and past president of San Diego Fair Housing Council. Chair, Communications Chair Christina Griffin Christina.G.Griffin@gmail.com Christina Griffin is a San Diego native who attended The Preuss School UCSD before graduating from Howard University with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. Christina's favorite quote is by Lilia Watson and one she saw for the first time on an announcement board outside an abandoned church in Post Katrina New Orleans, LA, five months after the storm and levy breach. It reads, If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.
Chair, Fundraising Committee Kathleen Harmon KathleenHarmon7@cox.net Kathleen Harmon, who is well known throughout San Diego and the State of California, received her double Masters Degree from SDSU School of Social Work and graduated in 1978 at the top of her class. Her professional career includes Nursing at Mercy Hospital for 20 years, Social Worker/Group Counselor at House of Hope for 6 years and at the San Diego County Welfare Department for 10 years. Ms. Harmon has been in the political arena for over 40 years and been a Democratic Central Committee Member. Ms. Harmon has attended numerous Democratic conventions as a delegate. Ms. Harmon is the mother of seven. Youth & College Unit Advisor Tiffany Harrison sdnaacpcollege@gmail.com Tiffany Harrison started with the NAACP SD Branch as teenager with the W.E.B. Dubois Young Black Scholars. Tiffany was encouraged to start an NAACP SD Youth & College Chapter. For the past two years, 10-15 students would travel to the NAACP CA State Convention from San Diego to Oakland and Newport Beach. In April of 2012, the San Diego Youth Council & the SDSU College Chapters were officially chartered and recognized by the NAACP Board. Tiffany Harrison received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from SDSU. Tiffany is a member of New Creation Church and a native San Diegan. She part of the Occupy the Vote Campaign as an intern for the National Urban League Policy Institute. Her thoughts If our great civil rights leaders could get the word out and organize to protest for freedom and justice in the past without email, cell phones, or Facebook, surely we can encourage someone to vote. President, College Chapter Brisa Johnson vp.sdnaacpyc@gmail.com Brisa Johnson is a native San Diegan. Brisa received her Associates Degree in Black Studies from San Diego Mesa College and is currently a student at Point Loma Nazarene University working towards her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. After working for MAC cosmetics as a make-up artist for 6 years, Brisa began her career in activism by organizing a rally for justice for the death of Trayvon Martin, which brought out hundreds of people and local media. Interning at Congressman Bob Filners office, Brisa continues organizing community events and educates the youth on the importance in political activism. Brisa s motto - "I believe that the color is black and we are all brothers and sisters"
Chair, Community Coordination Salimisha Logan SalimishaLogan.sandiegonaacp@gmail.com Salimisha Logan, a native of San Diego, is a community organizer/activist and advocate for social justice and community empowerment. She has a background in Governmental Relations and Public Affairs, and a B.S. in Business Administration from CSU Dominguez Hills. As NAACP Chair of Community Coordination, Salimisha is committed to help strengthen and create collaborative efforts with other people and organizations, to mobilize and attain positive outcomes around issues of Civil Rights, Social Justice and Community Empowerment. Chair, Legal Redress/ Membership Parliamentarian, Past President Salimisha Douglas encourages A. Oden, Esq. all interested in participating in this dodenesq@ogtlaw.com needed and substantive community work of the NAACP, 619.702.0800 to contact her. Douglas A. Oden, Esq. is the Immediate Past President of the San Diego Branch and served as President from 2003-2008, the longest tenure as a NAACP San Diego Branch president in the modern history of our branch. Oden is a practicing an attorney that is a founding Partner of ODEN & GREENE. His law firm focuses in the area of Consumer Law, Personal Injury, Criminal Law and Bankruptcy. He is currently chair of the branch s Membership and Legal Redress. Oden obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from California Lutheran University and his law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Chair, Economic Development Brian Barry Pollard bpollard@peoplesolutions-sd.com Brian Barry Pollard graduated from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration where he worked for numerous Health related and Manufacturing firms throughout the US. Barry is the owner of People Solutions, a National Recruiting firm. Most recently Barry has been working hard in our community serving on numerous Boards. Those include the ICOC (Independent oversight Committee with the Unified School District), spearheaded the 2010 City Redistricting effort to ensure the viability and strength of the 4th District, Past President of the MLK Democratic Club, board member of the NAACP SD, BAPAC SD, the Coalition of Neighborhood Councils, among others. Barry Barry has three daughters and a grandson and is a native of San Diego.
Health Committee Chair Debra (D. Ann) Roberson, M.C.D.C.C. dannscorpi@aol.com D. Ann Roberson is a proud graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School and former Abraham Lincoln High School Senior Class President - Voted Most Community Service and Who's Who Among High School Seniors. Roberson graduated from SD City College with an A.A. in Black Studies, from SDSU with a B.A. Degree in Africana Studies, and a Masters' Degree in Career Development and Community College. A native of 'America's Finest City" Roberson is a former president of the SDSU African American Alumni Chapter. Roberson has admirably and professionally served in our educational institutions: an 11 year adjunct faculty/professor at San Diego City College, former adjunct faculty Mid-City Center and faculty, San Diego City College for 7 years, Counselor/ Transportation Coordinator, Officer and Board Member for the National Youth Sports Program San Diego City College,: former Adjunct Faculty and general counselor at South Western College; and Adjunct Faculty, at Palomar College. Veterans Affairs Committee Melvin Shepard Sdiego1959@gmail.com Melvin L. Shepard was born in Daytona Beach, Florida and after graduating high school in 1977, joined the Marine Corps retiring in 2005 as a Sergeant Major. In January 2006, he was hired as a Tactical Safety Specialist with the Safety Office, MCRD, San Diego and worked there until December 2010. In December of 2010, Shepard was hired as a Management Analyst receiving training in Lean Six Sigma earning his Black Belt in July 2011. Additionally, he is also a Certified Instructor for the Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) Yellow Belt Course. Shepard s post high school education includes an Associate Degree in General Studies from Mira Costa College (2001), a Bachelors Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Minor in Business (2006), and a Masters Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources from National University (2011). Shepard is an active member of the community having walked in support of the Relay for Life cancer walk, Race for the Cure, and the Susan G. Komen 3-Day 60 mile Breast Cancer Walk. Chair, Criminal Justice George Livell Wynn george.wynn@yahoo.com Livell was born and raised in Auburn, Alabama. Livell holds an Associate of Arts Degree from Faulkner State Junior College in Dayminnette, Alabama and Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice from University of Phoenix, San Diego. Livell is working towards his Masters Degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati. Livell was a field medical technician in the US Marine Corp at 29 Palms and Camp Pendleton 1981 1985. Livell spends some of his free time feeding the homeless with the Mission Gathering Church of North Park. Livell s goals are to always stand up for justice, righteousness and the truth.