Dr. Sabrina Sanders and Kimmy Maniquis

We at CCEJ are entering 2017 with a great deal of hope and motivation as a leader in the movement toward racial and social justice. I am honored to be entrusted with the permanent role of Executive Director, and take on this responsibility with humility. Now more than ever, the life-changing work of CCEJ is needed in our schools, communities, and workplaces. As President Obama stated in his farewell remarks, the notion of a post-racial society, however well-intentioned, has been a misguided distraction from the real work of building a truly just society.

For over 54 years, CCEJ has responded to these ever-changing dynamics of race relations in our communities and the complexities of race’s intersection with other identities like gender, religion, sexual orientation, and class. I envision CCEJ serving as a leader at the forefront of this “intersectional” movement, working alongside our many partners throughout Southern California to do the real work that transforms communities as we transform hearts and minds.

I invite you to join us in our first community event of year, the 26th Annual Interfaith Intercultural Breakfast, with keynote speaker Luis Rodriguez who will speak to the theme of “Hearts and Hands: Creating Community in Violent Times”. We hope to provide a morning of inspiration, healing and celebration, and hope you are able to share this moment with us.

“Going forward, we must uphold laws against discrimination… But laws alone won’t be enough. Hearts must change.”-President Barack Obama

In community,