EBALDC Recognizes Longtime Neighborhood Collaborator Honorees and Resident Leader at Together Again – EBALDC’s 47th Anniversary Gala Celebration!
Honoring The Kresge Foundation, The Native American Health Center, and Our Resident James Brooks
In recognizing the community impact of EBALDC, Board Member Agnes Ubalde said, “Tonight is about recognizing the importance and value of community spirit. We can’t create change alone; we can’t be on an island. Founders of EBALDC created social change, and with their values, we’ve all come together.”
In introducing The Kresge Foundation, Annie Ledbury, EBALDC’s Senior Manager for Creative Community Development stated, “Our partnership has transformed the way EBALDC thinks about arts, culture, and creativity – from ‘nice to have’ to an essential component of community development.”
Kaniqua Welch, Communications Officer, The Kresge Foundation
She continued, “One thing is for certain, at Kresge – we take pride in learning from our partners. And we’ve learned a great deal from EBALDC.”
Equally impressive is the commitment to community health and well-being by the Native American Health Center, whose, as EBALDC CEO, Andy Madeira, acknowledged, “essential services…helped thousands of Bay Area residents survive the pandemic.” A partner in the creation of Seven Directions, a mixed-use affordable housing development in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland, EBALDC will hand over ownership of Seven Directions by year end.
Natalie Aguilera, Chief Administrative Officer, Native American Health Center
Said Natalie Aguilera, “We were ahead of our time providing holistic care and trying to meet all the needs of those we serve – long before the ‘social determinants of health” was a buzzword. And we knew then as we know now that stable housing is connected to one’s health. When we embarked on Seven Directions, it was a really novel idea for a health clinic to take on a project with affordable housing and we found the perfect partner in EBALDC.”
In accepting The Lynette Jung Lee Resident Leadership Award (named for EBALDC’s long-serving former CEO), James JB Brooks, wowed the audience with a short musical interlude sung out in his mellifluous baritone. He shared that he has a wall of Post-It Notes in his apartment with sayings like, “I choose to be happy.” It was this attitude that brought Mr. Brooks to the attention of the awards committee. In introducing him, EBALDC Board Member Beth Rosales, called out his many qualities, “JB is kind, compassionate, caring, humble, of good humor, intelligent, tenacious, and resilient. He is well-respected in our community. He is a model resident who embodies EBALDC’s mandate to support its residents.”
EBALDC Board Member Beth Rosales presents James JB Brooks with the award
“Together Again was a magical evening that showcased the importance of partnerships for our many programs that support our Healthy Neighborhoods vision for the East Bay,” said Elle Fersan, EBALDC’s Executive Vice President of Resource Development & Communications. “Without our strong and deep relationships with major funders like The Kresge Foundation, with community partners like The Native American Health Center, and with our residents like James Brooks, EBALDC would be like any other developer. Our successes are rooted in community and for that, we are blessed to hold space together.”
Photo credits: Jonathan Fong Photography
West Grand & Brush Groundbreaking
Thank you to our 47th Anniversary Gala Sponsors!
