To join the Diversity and Racial Justice Committee, please send an email to Committee Chair Teddi Silverman at info@ncjwsf.org. We hope you will join us in these important efforts!
TRANSGENDER ISSUES AND ACTIVISM IN THE BAY AREA
October 17, 2023
5:30pm – 6:30pm
Via Zoom – RSVP by clicking here

As attacks on transgender rights and freedoms increase across the nation, is the Bay Area providing a safe and nurturing space for its transgender community? What strategies are Bay Area leaders and activists using to secure rights for local transgender people, particularly transgender youth? Please join us for a panel discussion with local leaders who strive to make the Bay Area a safe place for transgender people.
Featured speakers:
Pau Crego, Executive Director of the San Francisco Office of Transgender Initiatives
Honey Mahogany, District Director for Assemblymember Matt Haney and Chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party
Rick Oculto, Education Programs Manager of Our Family Coalition
Maceo Perrson, Board Chair of the San Francisco LGBT Center and Special Projects Manager of the City and County of San Francisco – Human Services Agency
Read the speakers’ bios by clicking here
POLICE REFORM IN THE BAY AREA: LOCAL EFFORTS & IMPACT

February 27, 2023
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Via Zoom
Now more than ever, we are reminded of the critical need for police reform. At the same time the public is fearful of crime. How do we address police reform in a progressive region such as the Bay Area? In this timely and thought-provoking panel discussion, Bay Area experts discussed the efforts towards police reform in an economically and racially diverse area and the types of obstacles blocking systemic change.
Our featured speakers included:
Chief Susan E. Manheimer (Ret.)
Former chief of police for San Mateo and Oakland
John L. Burris
Attorney at law
Diana Rosenstein
Chief Attorney of the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
LOCAL EFFORTS & IMPACT
March 1, 2022
5:30pm – 6:45pm
Via Zoom
We presented this lively and thought provoking panel discussion with Bay Area experts to learn about the critical need for criminal justice reform. We expanded our knowledge of challenges and successes in shaping local policies and reform strategies.
Our featured speakers were:
The Honorable LaDoris Hazzard Cordell
California Superior Court Judge (Ret.)
Former Police Auditor for the City of San Jose
BIO:
Chesa Boudin
San Francisco District Attorney
BIO
Otis R. Taylor, Jr.
Supervising Senior Editor of Race and Equity at KQED
BIO
Tanzanika Carter
Assistant Sheriff for the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office
BIO
Watch below the recording from this event:

MOTHERS SPEAK
June 3, 2021, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Via Zoom
On june 3, NCJW and broader Bay Area community members had a special opportunity to hear from two mothers whose sons’ precious lives had been tragically taken away by police shootings. We listened to the mothers and learned how we can help prevent other senseless killings by supporting the work of their foundations and urging for immediate police reform.
This special program included:
Opening Address by
Congresswoman Barbara Lee, 13th District of California
Discussion by our featured speakers
Rev. Wanda Johnson ~ BIO – mother of Oscar Grant
Rev. Wanda Johnson is CEO of The Oscar Grant Foundation, a 501(c)3, that helps at-risk youth, grieving families, students support and enrichment, education, and hunger. Johnson has become an amplified voice of empathy and compassion for individuals seeking justice, grieving, and healing from innocent lost lives by hands of law enforcement. Her beloved only son Oscar Grant III was shot and killed by an Oakland Bart transit officer on January 1, 2009.
Jeralynn Blueford~BIO – mother of Alan Blueford
Jeralynn Q. T. Brown-Blueford is the Co-Director of the “ALAN BLUEFORD CENTER 4 JUSTICE,” which was born out of the tragic death of Jeralynn’s youngest son, Alan. On May 6, 2012, an Oakland police officer shot in the back and killed 18-year old Alan Blueford, a student at Skyline High School.
Moderated by
Pastor Mike McBride
BIO
Watch below the recording from this event:

Proactive Anti-bias Seminar
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Via Zoom
5:30 PM 7:00 PM
The NCJW San Francisco Racial Justice and Diversity Committee presents:
BIAS IN AMERICA
A Non-Judgmental and Inspiring Talk about Unconscious Bias and its Impact
On December 9, NCJW members and fellows gathered for an educational and proactive seminar providing insights, perspectives and solutions and strategies to achieve greater racial equity and understanding. Presented to communities across the nation, this seminar gives you tools and data upon which you can contribute to a healthier racial culture. We were deeply moved by the inspiring presentation of the featured speaker:
Stuart K Robinson
Motivational Speaker, Career Coach and Educator
CEO & Co-Owner of Brady, Brannon and Rich Talent Agency
Author of the popular book, “It All Begins With I”, Stuart K Robinson is CEO/Partner of Brady, Brannon & Rich Talent. He is a nationally known motivational speaker and is widely regarded as one of Los Angeles’ top acting instructors. Stuart has supplied voices for over 300 film/animated projects and has appeared in countless television commercials, most notably in a three-year stint as Fruit of the Loom’s Purple Grapes. In addition to appearing in Broadway, Off Broadway and regional theater productions, he has directed, written/composed many musical theater and solo show productions.
Watch below the recording from this event:

Diversity in the jewish community
Workshop
Thursday, November 19, 2020
In this training, we looked at our social justice activism through a racial equity lens and got a deeper understanding o our Jewish history and identity in the United States. We expanded our knowledge about Jews of Color.
Our featured speaker was
Lindsey Newman
Director of Community Engagement of Be’chol Lashon
Board Member of NCJW San Francisco