Latasha Amerson

City, State: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Law Enforcement Professional

Reason nominated:

It’s Never the wrong time to do the Right thing is a motto Captain Latasha lives by.  Ms. Amerson is currently assigned as the Commanding Officer of Traffic and Security, managing over 400 sworn and civilian employees.   She is an accomplished attorney who earned a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law (while working full-time), and was admitted to the California State Bar in 2006. She is also a Professor at California State University Dominguez Hills where she teaches “Terrorism and Extremism” in the College of Business Administration and Public Policy.

Having the strong creative sense to start a drill team at age eleven, Latasha has been a force to be reckoned. The fact that  life to her, has more potential than problems is reflected in her myriad of accomplishments. In an effort to address the academic challenges of her son and other students with similar concerns, Latasha collaborated to produced the Board Room Leadership Academy. In 2012 she was recognized as an Outstanding African American Woman in Law Enforcement by the Association of Black Law Enforcement Professionals, the Oscar Joel Bryant Foundation, and the California State Assembly.  She is a member of the Black Women Lawyers Association, and earned the distinction as Women of the Year 2013/2014.  Amerson also serves as the Vice-President of the Airport Police Command Officers Association.

Michael John Derricott aka MJ

City, State: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Non-profit executive

Reason nominated:

Makeover Master by day and Makeover Master by night is one phrase to describe MJ as he likes to be called. He has been a successful business man and hair stylist for over 20 years working in prestigious salons such as Umberto’s of Beverly Hills and B2V.

Subsequently he established his MJ Salon on La Cienega Blvd in West Hollywood. Being a strong believer in giving back to the community, MJ conceived and implemented Makeovers That Matter, a holistic approach to assisting people to feel better about themselves and then prepare them to enter the workforce.

Volunteering a lot his time has made a huge difference. By creating Makeovers That Matter, he and his merry band of volunteers serve hundreds of women, female veterans and their spouses plus go out of their way to help prepare young ladies for internship assignments leading to careers in corporate America. MJ is an inspiring and compassionate person with great vision, purpose and conviction and goes the extra mile to help those he can.

Patrice Jinso-Springer

City, State: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Non-profit executive

Reason nominated: “I can be somebody now, a real person” are words often spoken by the people Patrice helps. She taught at different levels for the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Adult Education Program component is constantly evolving.  Recently, Patrice launched her Adaptive Clothing Program (Business Clothing) for Veterans in wheel chairs or with disabilities. For the very first time these Vets with missing limbs or shorten stature will be able to wear suits and other clothing fitted just for their body shape or limited physicality.

With over 30 years as as educator Patrice continues to expanding these programs to include more  job preparation workshops for the community at-large.  Young adults, men and women just out of prison, Foster Care kids, and Welfare to Work participants are all included under Patrice’s umbrella of service. She also recently served as the Hawthorne’s Rotary President and serves on the Community Advisory Board for KCET.

Anthony Begonia

City, State: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Non-profit executive

Reason nominated: Anthony Begonia is not your average Army guy. Being the  Director of Entertainment Industry Relations he is active in creating and assessing opportunities  for corporations to contribute to the programs of the Salvation Army. By developing collaborative support from the entertainment industry, the awareness of the needs of this population can increase exponentially. He has always been humbled to be able to serve and affect.

With a loving supportive family himself, Anthony  demonstrates those very values in his work ethic resulting in the many successes of the populations being served.  From School programs and ones that feed the community to Veteran and Senior programs, Anthony’s message is always about maintaining a persons dignity. When all is said and done the Salvation Army with Anthony’s leadership is just that…A Salvation.

Kathryn Icenhower, Ph.D, LCSW

2016 DangerMan Hero of the Year

City, State: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Non-profit executive

Reason nominated: SHIELDS is in full effect with Dr. Kathy at the helm. As CEO of the largest family-centered service provider in South LA, she gets the extraordinary satisfaction of seeing family dreams come to life.-and stay together while doing it.  Over time, Kathy has managed to created nationally  and internationally recognized programs  that service over 10,000 children and parents yearly.

Her award-winning programs encompass the full spectrum of human needs—from  shelter, housing and transportation, to substance-abuse treatment to child protective services. They offer children & families the chance to succeed—for children to excel in school, and for families to break the cycle of poverty among the myriad other activities.

Kandee Lewis

City, State: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Non-profit executive

Reason nominated: Kandee Lewis – Can bring out the best.  Constantly smiling and a true community servant Kandee helps anyone and everyone. She mentors children and  women who are interested in starting or growing their business.  She inspires people to grow as individuals, dream big and believe in their potential.

As Executive Director of The Positive Results Corporation (a non-profit organization) Kandee gladly gives of herself while sharing her fierce passion for preventing and ending family violence and abuse for all people, especially youth, young adults and children of color. Her integrity, honesty and focus is infectious and clients can feel it the minute they are in her company.

Terry Boykins

City, State: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Non-profit executive

Reason nominated: Social Entrepreneur –  Ahead of our time.  —  Terry is founder and CEO of Street Positive, an organization devoted to the physical,  mental and emotional well being of our youths and those who take care of them.   He finds ways to alert, engage and educate the community about dire situations our youth face daily.  His “Just Say Yes” pamphlet addresses positive ways youths can trust and respect themselves and in turn make stronger, positive, non-destructive life choices for themselves.  It is distributed free. Organizing  the Million Man Father March while keeping a focus on Daughter’s Lives Matter and helping recently released prisoners adjust back into their communities keeps Terry’s calendar full. One of his mottoes is: If you don’t spend time with your children, Somebody  else will.

Freddie Muse Jr.

City, State: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Non-profit executive

Reason nominated: Freddie is always ready. Freddie always has his periscope up on the look out for ways to decrease Prostrate Cancer risk factors and deaths for men in the Los Angeles community. Freddie believes lack of knowledge should no longer be a reason to die. One of the ways he is effective is through his tireless efforts at the Men’s Cancer Network Inc.,  an organization in which he is founder, President, and CEO.  As a Cancer survivor himself, Freddie has dedicated his life to educating men, partners, wives, families and their communities about this silent killer. In addition, his goal is also to develop a fully functional Men’s Health Resource Center.

Deborah Anderson

City, State: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Non-profit executive

Reason nominated: A smile on every child’s face is a goal Deborah has had for a very long time. In the past 40 years she has over come Cancer and dedicated her life to helping children. She started the Humanitarians for United Giving (HUG) a non-profit, in 1986 and expanded it to include the Toys 4 Tots Company in 1972.  Deborah works tirelessly to make sure our young and precious are not neglected. On a wing and a prayer she drove a truck full of supplies and toys to New Orleans just after hurricane Katrina hit. When her only son passed 6 years ago, although devastated, she still continued to knock on corporate doors to help fund schools unable to provide the basics for their elementary school students. Her many on going efforts behind the scenes have created additional HUG programs Statewide.

Christopher Garza

City, State: North Hollywood, CA
Occupation: Taco Tuesday Volunteer

Reason nominated: One mouthful at a time. That’s how Chris and his partner Jessie impact an aspect of our community that many would  prefer to remain invisible- our homeless… Chris relies on his unwavering faith, some on site and store donations and whatever weekly monies in his pocket to feed and serve tacos to the homeless or anyone else in need. Regulars know if it’s Tuesday it’s taco time in the North Hollywood neighborhood where he weekly sets up his tent and grill. Any additional funds allow him to purchase groceries and other supplies for larger families need. Chris feels he was put on God’s Earth to serve and during prayer this opportunity arose. He, Jess and the 3 dog under his care, continue to look for a permanent residence themselves.

Kenneth Henderson

City, State: South Central Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Coach

Reason nominated: First on campus and last out only barely describe Coach Ken, as he is referred to by the students of View Park Charter School in South Central LA. Dedicated, inspirational, supportive and visionary are inherent qualities both the students and staff recognize when in his presence. As the wearer of many hats Ken coaches  the JV Basketball team, the boys and girls track and field and boys football team. Coming from a gang dominated neighborhood Ken knows the value of role models. Many days he buys them lunch or uniforms or stays hours after school or a game waiting for parents to pick up their kids. He sits with teens to help them develop future educational goals or revive lost ones. The percentage of College bound students has increased since being at the school.  He feels he’s been blessed with many gifts and wants share his visions with teens who need someone to believe in them. A few words he has been over heard saying are ” pull up your pants.” ” Here’s a belt.”

Tige Charity

City, State: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Non-profit executive

Reason nominated: Move over Spielberg and Eastwood is a mindset Tige’s kids are adopting.  She is the founder of Kids In The Spotlight (KITS), a non-profit which ignites kid’s creativity by teaching them the fine Art of film-making.  Developing a 10 week program that focuses on writing, directing, acting, and casting their own films may not be different but the kids who participate are.  These young people are youths at risk who all reside in a foster care facility and make their films on site.  As the Executive Director Tige pours her heart and soul into every activity to give these kids a platform to strengthen their voices, build interpersonal skills, develop self confidence and have fun while doing it.  The yearly increase in industry participation is testament to the quality of films produced and the love and dedication so palpable in Tige.

Nathan Jones

City, State: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: ProjectCoordinator at The Epilepsy Foundation

Reason nominated:

Nathan March Jones is a Project Coordinator at the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles (EFGLA) as well as producer of short-form documentaries. Nathan has been part of the End Epilepsy team for 6 years working directly with the epilepsy community to build a stronger support structure for those affected by epilepsy here in southern California. In addition to helping grow the Foundation’s annual Walk to End Epilepsy by working directly with those involved, Nathan spearheaded the Love Your Brain program which uses a Big Brain Exhibit to educate students about the brain, epilepsy and seizures. Nathan has lived with epilepsy since he was 18-years-old and takes daily medication to control his seizures.