Speakers
Keynote Speakers:
Klarize Medenilla
Writer and Reporter for the Asian Journal
Klarize Medenilla is a staff reporter and writer at the Asian Journal, an online and print news publication for the global Filipino American community. With editions in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Las Vegas, New York, New Jersey, Manila, and most recently, San Diego, the Asian Journal has been covering politics, culture, and community issues since 1991.
Klarize Medenilla is also a professor in copyediting at Cal Poly Pomona, teaching students the importance of editorial practices and universality of clear and coherent writing.
Sarah Farmer is the communications manager for Advocates for Human Potential (AHP). She has had over 25 years of experience in public health campaigns, publication development, public relations, and management of community outreach programs. As an advocate for consumers and families facing mental health crises, Farmer works with national parent support groups in advocating policy and treatment changes, trauma-informed care, and education for foster and adoptive parents. She is a certified Trauma Integration Practitioner and earned an M.A. in mass communications/journalism/public relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Sarah Farmer
Communications Manager at Advocates for
Human Potential
Lawrance Edwards
Author and CPP Communication Professor
I am a retired trial attorney and Judge Pro Tem. I served as a Public Defender, Prosecutor, Private Defense Attorney, and trainer for Law Enforcement Officers and Prosecutors. I owned my own law practice and was a Partner at a Major Law Firm in Seattle serving as a civil litigator. I litigated over fifty jury trials, hundreds of bench trials, motions, and dozens of Administrative Hearings and Appeals. I earned my law degree from UCLA School of Law (1985) and my Masters in Speech Communication from CSU Long Beach (1982). I am a Veteran.
I was raised and educated in Compton, California. From age eight, I witnessed the police violence being perpetrated on communities of color and the failure of the American Legal System to hold police accountable. While traveling in the south during the 50’s and 60’s, I experienced segregated water fountains, bathrooms, restaurants, schools, and beaches, and the role Law Enforcement played in enforcing segregation and White Supremacy. By the age of sixteen, some family members and friends had been killed and physically brutalized by Law Enforcement.
After completing Law School, I moved to Seattle, Washington to practice law. While serving as a prosecutor my office was located within various police departments. I worked and socialized daily with police officers and hosted parties and social gatherings for police officers in my home. I did dozens of police ride-alongs, and represented police officers as a private attorney, in personal non-police matters. I served on the hiring committee for new police hires and participated with police officers during training. I served as a defense witness in an excessive use of force case brought against an officer.
PR in Responding COMmunities Panelists:
Marium F. Mohiuddin has worked in communications and publishing for the past 20 years. After receiving her bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University, she joined the staff of the Austin American-Statesman as an editor in the Features department.
Besides newspapers, Marium has been the editor in chief and managing editor of several magazine publications and an international manager for the American Heart Association. Her additional nonprofit work includes leading the Communications team at the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) and volunteering at Meal on Wheels and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
In 2014, Marium turned her passion for communications into a consulting business working with small nonprofits and female entrepreneurs. She went back to school to get her MBA in Nonprofit Management at American Jewish University. Marium is active in the Los Angeles interfaith scene sitting on five boards and donating her time to bringing people together. Marium has spoken to many audiences about interfaith relations and civic engagement and has appeared on many media outlets including CNN, NPR, and The Hollywood Reporter.
Marium Mohiuddin
Regional Communications Director at the
American Red Cross Los Angeles Region
Erica Frausto-Aguado
Executive Director of the San Gabriel Valley Pomona Chapter
Erica Frausto-Aguado maintains a diversified background that has given her a broad understanding of communication principles, including community and government relations, marketing, event coordination, as well as program management and small business development. Prior to joining the American Red Cross, Erica served as the Executive Director for the Pomona Chamber of Commerce for 4 years. In her role she collaborated with the business community, local government, non-profit agencies and stakeholders to work towards a thriving Pomona Valley economy.
After earning a Bachelor of Science in Communications from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2005, she began her pursuit of a career in economic development working for a non-profit community development corporation in Los Angeles that focused on the growth of the minority small business community. Seeing the need for advocacy and support in the business community, she was able to use her education in public relations to network with local stakeholders and politicians.
As her interest in economic development grew she became the Business Development Specialist for the City of Pomona under the former Redevelopment Agency. Soon after an opportunity to serve as the Business Improvement District Manager for the City of Huntington Park provided her an arena to work with over 400 businesses.
INFORMATION
COMING SOON!
Mimi Teller
Public Information Officer for Red Cross
Youth in COMmunities Panelists:
Victor Caceres
Executive Director of The Youth and Family Club of Pomona Valley
INFORMATION COMING SOON!
Vince Caldera is a Los Angeles native and Program Coordinator for Inner-City Arts. Inner-City Arts is a local non-profit based in Downtown Los Angeles dedicated to engaging young people in the creative process in order to shape a society of creative, confident, and collaborative individuals. As a former student of Inner-City Arts, Vince has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of the arts and works with neighboring schools, counselors, and therapists to find the perfect art experience for students across Los Angeles and beyond.
In addition to his devotion to Inner City Arts, Vince is a comedian. Locally, Vince has performed at such showcases as Judd Apatow and Friends, Neal Brennan and Friends, etc. He's performed at popular venues across Los Angeles including The Hollywood Improv, The Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory, Dynasty Typewriter, Largo and more. You may have seen him as a guest on George Lopez's OMG Hi podcast or on his own podcast, Sleepover. Vince was recently selected as a finalist for HBO's "Entre Nos" Latino Stand-Up Comedy Competition. He is the oldest of four, when he's not hitting mics, he's hitting the books and helping his siblings with their homework.
