Black History Month
In our ongoing commitment to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, KCET and Union Bank honor local heroes of the African American community for their dedication and commitment to enrich the lives of others.
Dr. Samella Lewis has touched the lives of artists, scholars, educators, students and countless others through her dedication and perseverance of African American art.
From mother's helper to talk show host, Shirlee Smith, the founder and president of Talk About Parenting with Shirlee Smith, Inc., has taken her knowledge and experiences of parenting to new heights.
Ruett Stephen Foster is a native Californian, born and raised in south Los Angeles. He is a graduate of Pitzer College in Claremont, CA. Pastor Foster has over thirty years of experience serving children, youth, and families in the Los Angeles area through concerted community advocacy. He has worked as a teacher, counselor, and mentor with many diverse groups and individuals in need.
Charmaine Jefferson is the Executive Director of the California African American Museum, located in Exposition Park, and she has served as director since 2003. She is deeply dedicated to enriching her community and the lives of others through the promotion of all artistic endeavors. Her innovative advocacy of arts education and programming has earned her wide acclaim in both the private and public sectors.
Areva Martin is a nationally recognized leader in the realm of law as well as the realm of advocacy for children with developmental disabilities. Through concerted, grassroots outreach programs and legal initiatives, her organization's efforts have evinced significant gains in the quality of diagnosis and treatment options available to the families of thousands of special needs children in her South Los Angeles community.
Billy Mitchell's passion for jazz music has earned him acclaim from his peers and taken him to destinations all over the world. When he realized that many young, talented musicians in his own community were being deprived of the opportunity to pursue the same passion, he resolved to start a program that would help them find their own success in music.
After retiring from her 40-year profession as an LAUSD school teacher, Millicent "Mama" Hill continued to educate and empower the at-risk children who needed the most guidance in her community. Her affable demeanor and talent for teaching, right from her living room, have made her home a place of solace and peace in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
Shonte has worked for Los Angeles county for more than 20 years as a judicial assistant to Judge Leland Tipton's felony court in Bellflower, Shonte Henderson coordinates every aspect of the courtroom into one cohesive whole.
