Watch: Community leaders discuss the importance of black heritage, representation and mentorship

Black Joy Parade founder and CEO Elisha Greenwell sits down with Velena Jones to talk about what inspired her to create Black Joy Parade.

“One of our goals for Black Joy Parade is to create more positive stories,” Greenwell said. “Our intelligence, our creativity, our beauty and our strength are ours and ours, and I hope Black Joy Parade is part of creating these new narratives and these new stories.”

Urban Ed Academy Executive Director Randy Seriguchi talks with Kari Hall about the power of representation.

Urban Ed Academy Executive Director Randy Seriguchi talks with Kari Hall about the power of representation and why having black male educators is so important to all kids.

“You can’t be what you can’t see,” Seriguchi said. “When we talk about the importance of representation, it’s especially important in the classroom. To have a complete picture of who you can be, kids need to see it.”

Seriguchi also talks about how the teachings of Frederick Douglas have influenced his work and Urban Ed Academy’s mission to move the black community forward.

Chris Chatmon, founder and CEO of Kingmakers of Oakland, talks to Marcus Washington about the mentors who have inspired him in his work.

Chris Chatmon, founder and CEO of Kingmakers of Oakland, talks to Marcus Washington about the mentors who have inspired him in his work.

Chatmon also talks about the importance of looking back on history so we can move forward.

“To manifest greatness, you can expand that vision of yourself if you take the time to recognize the importance, beauty, and variety of greatness from which you come,” Chatmon said.