In this two-part “Spotlight on the Community” interview, Cheryl Morrow, President of California Curl and President and CEO of San Diego Monitor News, chats about learnings bestowed upon her by her iconic father, Willie Morrow. Cheryl talks about her Dad being he quintessential Renaissance through his culture-changing inventions, such as the Afro Pick, to his pioneering of African American media in San Diego.

Jose Cruz, CEO of the San Diego Council on Literacy, chats about the Council’s more than 35 years of advocacy in support of literacy causes in our region. Cruz discusses the Literacy Index, the Council’s Volunteer Recruitment Campaign and its “Gap Minders” podcasts in conjunction with the United Way of San Diego County.

Debra Emerson, CEO of St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, talks about one of the Center’s signature events, the “Haute to Heart” Fashion Show that will be held on Saturday, August 13 at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel.

Grant Oliphant, CEO of the Conrad Prebys Foundation, talks about the four focus areas of the organization: Arts, Medical Research, Healthcare and Youth. Oliphant chats about the Foundation’s strategic planning process as it gathers feedback from its broad range of grantees and partner organizations.

Dr. Zara Marselian, Founder, President & CEO of La Maestra Community Health Centers, chats about the La Maestra’s game-changing and innovative Circle of Care services that provide everything from onsite primary and specialty care to food pantries to transportation to housing and everything in between.

Steve Klosterman, Board Chair for the San Diego Foundation, talks about the Foundation’s record fiscal year in raising dollars and having funds granted. Klosterman discusses the Foundation’s strategic plan; its donor advised funds; wealth advisor relations and the $67 million the Foundation granted to more than 250 nonprofits to address COVID 19 challenges.

Neville Billimoria, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations for Mission Fed Credit Union, is joined by Courtney Pendleton, Mission Fed’s Public Relations and Community Manager, to shout out the inaugural broadcast at Mission Fed Studios of Drew Schlosberg’s long-running “Spotlight on the Community” Show. Billimoria and Pendleton chat about Mission Fed’s robust community outreach.

Dave Mason, a Scripps Ranch Fire Safe Council Board Member, describes the genesis of the council; its mission; and upcoming events.

Holly Shafner, Director of Public Relations for Honor Flight San Diego, chats about her organization’s mission to take senior veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials built for their sacrifice. Shafner chats about a recently added “award” honor flight on November 4 for veterans who received the Purple Heart and above.

Barbara Freeman, Owner of Bfree Studio, discusses her year-old venture to shine a light on emerging and mid-career artists at her La Jolla art gallery. Freeman chats about her upcoming August 1-15 exhibition featuring artist Richard Ybarra’s “Lights, Night: NEON” exhibit.