Robin Thorne

In 2009, Robin established CTI Environmental, Inc., (CTI) an environmental construction and safety consulting firm and serves as CTI’s Chief Executive Officer. Robin and her team have been awarded contracts by Southern California Edison, California State University, Walsh-Shea Constructors, Kiewit Pacific, Legal Aid Foundation, International City Bank. In 2018, CTI began to compete in the federal market having been awarded projects with the Bureau of Prisons, and Department of Forestry. CTI was awarded a contract by the City of Los Angeles to provide debris removal services after a catastrophic event. Robin is responsible for the daily operations, including identifying potential opportunities and vendors to execute on projects, hiring talent, oversight on projects and ensuring CTI provides 1st in class services.

Robin has received numerous accolades over the years and is most proud of her induction into the Drexel University College of Engineering’s Circle of Distinction. It is the highest honor the college bestows upon alumni who have made significant contributions to the field of engineering and who have shown exemplary support for the College of Engineering and the University. In addition to the advancements that Robin has made in her career, she has been actively involved in numerous community service projects. Robin enjoys reaching out to women in need and has organized and coordinated programs to help less fortunate families, shelter residents, and needy seniors. Robin’s most recent project is a presentation highlighting the accomplishments of minorities in engineering. This program is ideal for students at any level. Robin also has an interest in making a global impact and was afforded the opportunity to travel to S. Africa where she conducted a Vision Board Workshop for women in Durban and a Business Seminar for the Carletonville Miracle Center. Robin recently launched an initiative called ‘DemoChicks’ introducing young girls to the fields of engineering and construction and empowering and uplifting those who are currently in the fields.

Robin is the proud parent of one son, who currently resides in Philadelphia. She has established a scholarship in his name at her alma mater, Community College of Philadelphia for a graduating student majoring in technology and transferring to a four-year university.

Robin feels truly blessed that she has been able to accomplish so many things in her life and plans to continue looking for opportunities to grow, improve and serve others in her community.

Deborah Anderson

Started volunteering for Toys For Tots in 1970, celebrating 50 years 2020.
Humanitarians United in Giving (H.U.G.) was formed in 1981 aboard Camp Pendleton Ca. For Military Families in need. In 1986 H.U.G. was extended to civilians families. Our goals was the provision of food, clothing, entertainment and support groups for wives and children. In 1990 during the Operation Desert Storm Campaign. In 1991 the H.U.G. program was awarded the Westinghouse Paul Newman’s Award, Military Accommodation and City of Oceanside Accommodation for the services provided to assist Military and Civilians families. H.U.G. has to the present become resource management to many non-profits, salvation Army, Saint Vincent of DePaul, North county Life Line, Birth Choice is just to name a few. Today we are working on purchasing land to build affordable homes and community owned businesses.

Gwendolyn R. Manning

Gwendolyn has served for 22 years as a preventive health leader at the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services. Her various capacities have included health consumer educator, maternal and child health liaison, child passenger safety technician, lactation educator, program coordinator and community health team leader.

Gwendolyn currently oversees implementation of the Black Infant Health (BIH) Program, a Sister Circle group intervention aimed at improving the birth outcomes of Black infants and mothers. At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was reassigned to the role of Deputy Equity Officer under the City’s Emergency Operations and Communications Center to help develop culturally affirming outreach information about COVID-19. Gwendolyn is currently leading development and implementation of the Black Health Equity Fund, a million-dollar CARES Act allocation, to provide COVID-19 support services to Long Beach Black residents via grant funding for local Black-serving nonprofits and microbusinesses.

Pastor Dr. Willie Hudson

Pastor Hudson (affectionately known as “Pops”) is a renowned theologian who leverages his academic training with Spirit-filled biblical teaching and insight to serve the least of these beyond the walls of the church. To help his community, understand God in these perilous times, he realizes that you must bring God from heaven to the street. Pastor Dr. Willie founded Zera Christian Fellowship Ministries (ZCFM), a non-denominational para-church ministry with national affiliations. His latest book is entitled, The Holy Ghosts Got A New Dance: An Examination of Black Theology and Holy Hip Hop in Inner-City Ministry.

Dr. Marie Hudson

Dr. Marie operates with a Kingdom worldview and commissioned to prophetic activism for the marginalized. Dr. Marie is the Co-Founder of Zera Christian Fellowship Ministries. She is a mentor, educator and public speaker with a unifying message who advocates for racial and social justice. Her published work Resurrection Phoenix: A Model for Recovery of a Black Social Consciousness employs cultural competence to bridge grassroots and theological understanding.

Torrance Memorial Medical Center Lundquist Tower

Founded in 1925 by Jared Sidney and Helena Childs Torrance, Torrance Memorial Medical Center is a 533-bed, nonprofit medical center established to provide quality health care services predominantly to the residents of the South Bay, Peninsula and Harbor communities. Torrance Memorial seeks to offer the most current and effective medical technologies rendered in a compassionate, caring manner.

No longer just a hospital, today Torrance Memorial Medical Center includes an extensive integrated system of physicians and comprehensive medical services to provide coordinated communication and continuum of care. Torrance Memorial is affiliated with Cedars-Sinai under the umbrella of Cedars-Sinai Health System.

Torrance Memorial’s nursing program has earned coveted Magnet® recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which recognizes nursing excellence. Torrance Memorial Medical Center has once again been recognized as a Best Hospital for 2020-21 for the ninth straight year by U.S. News & World Report, placing the hospital in the top 3% in the state. Torrance Memorial remains the 12th highest ranking hospital for overall hospital quality in the state of California and moved up in ranking to 6th in the Los Angeles region.