Archives: Board of Directors

Tamara Shiloh has published the first two books in her historical fiction chapter book series, Just Imagine…What If There Were No Black People in the World is about African American inventors, scientists and other notable Black people in history. The two books are Jaxon’s Magical Adventure with Black Inventors and Scientists and Jaxon and Kevin’s Black History Trip Downtown. Tamara Shiloh has also written a book a picture book for Scholastic, Cameron Teaches Black History, that will be available in June, 2022.

Tamara Shiloh’s other writing experiences include: writing the Black History column for the Post Newspaper in the Bay area, Creator and Instruction of the black History Class for Educators a professional development class for teachers and her non-profit offers a free Black History literacy/STEM/Podcast class for kids 3d – 8th grade which also includes the Let’s Go Learn Reading and Essence and tutorial program. She is also the owner of the Multicultural Bookstore and Gifts, in Richmond, California,

Previously in her early life she was the /Editor-in-Chief of Desert Diamonds Magazine, highlighting the accomplishments of minority women in Nevada; assisting with the creation, design and writing of a Los Angeles-based, herbal magazine entitled Herbal Essence; editorial contribution to Homes of Color; Editor-in-Chief of Black Insight Magazine, the first digital, interactive magazine for African Americans; profile creations for sports figures on the now defunct PublicFigure.com; newsletters for various businesses and organizations; and her own Las Vegas community newsletter, Tween Time News, a monthly publication highlighting music entertainment in the various venues of Las Vegas.

She is a member of:

• Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
• Richmond Chamber of Commerce
• Point Richmond Business Association
• National Association of Professional Women (NAPW)
• Independent Book Publishers Association (IPBA)
• California Writers Club-Berkeley & Marin
• Richmond CA Kiwanis
• Richmond CA Rotary
• Bay Area Girls Club

Tamara Shiloh, a native of Northern California, has two adult children, one grandson and four great-grand sons. She resides in Point Richmond, CA with her husband, Ernest.

www.multiculturalbookstore.com

Jamie Gaines was born and raised in Richmond, Ca.  He graduated from De Anza High School in 1988.  He is a Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker.  In helping develop our youth he has served as a football and basketball coach and has also worked with the Police Athletic League, training kids in Video Production.  He is married To Mariana and is the proud papa of twin girls, Sanai and Jada.  As a new member of the Board of Directors for the CCYSB, Jamie Gaines is very excited to be serving the community in the city he loves.

District Attorney Contra Costa County

District Attorney Diana Becton has spent most of her professional career as a judge, lawyer, and manager. In 2017, she was sworn in as the 25th District Attorney for Contra Costa County. Following her appointment from the Board of Supervisors, she was elected to the position in June 2018. District Attorney Becton served for 22 years as a judge in Contra Costa County, where she was elected as Presiding Judge. She is Past President of the National Association of Women Judges, the nation’s leading voice for women in the judiciary, and Past Chair of the State Bar Council on Access and Fairness.

District Attorney Becton leads a prosecutorial office of approximately 222 lawyers, investigators, and staff. She is the first woman, the first African American, and the first person of color to serve as Contra Costa District Attorney since the office was established in 1850.

Her message of reform and restoring trust includes a vision for an office that is fair, transparent, forward thinking, committed to safeguarding all communities from crimes that threaten our health, well-being, and livelihood, and working on positive outcomes for youth.

A native of California she is a product of Oakland Public schools and a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law. Most recently, District Attorney Becton earned a Masters of Theological Studies at Pacific School of Religion.

District Attorney Becton has received the following honors: 2022 Benjamin Travis Lifetime Achievement Award, California Association of Black Lawyers, 2021 Charles Houston Bar Association, Justice Clinton White Advocacy Award, 2021 Community Service Award, NAAACP Richmond, 2020 Distinguished Alumni, Pacific School of Religion, Woman of the Year 2019 for Senate District 9, Golden Gate University School of Law, Judith McKelvey Distinguished Service Award 2019, Crystal Gavel 2019, CABL Judicial North, Madam C. J. Walker, 2018, Pioneer Award, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Oakland Bay Area Chapter, Woman on Fire Award, Ladies In Red (2019), Judge of the Year (2017), Black Women Lawyers of Southern California; National Bar Association – Judicial Council, Thurgood Marshall Award 2017 (Toronto, Canada); League of Women Voters, Contra Costa County, “Social Justice Award”; CABL Bernard S. Jefferson, Judge of the Year (2016); California Women Lawyers, “Rose Bird Memorial Award” (2012); Honor for positive contributions to the City of Richmond (2016); National Organization of Black Law Enforcement, “Trail Blazer” for Community Service (2014); BWOPA Honoree 2013; American Business Women’s Association (2012) “Women of Distinction”; California Women Lawyers, (2011-2012) Women of Distinction”; KGO Channel 7 “African American Salute (2012); “Judicial Excellence Award,” California Association of Black Lawyers, Judicial Section (2011); “Judge of the Year” Alameda-Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association (2007); “Award of Judicial Excellence, Charles Houston Bar Association” (2006); Black Women Lawyers of Northern California (2011). She was inducted into the Castlemont High School Hall of Fame in 2007, receiving the highest honor, as a “Knight in Shining Armor,” and she received the “Dumlao Martial Arts Image Award” (2011) for leadership and character within the martial arts studio.

District Attorney Becton serves is a frequent lecturer and panelist, and she continues to participate in many community outreach activities. She convened “Clean Slate Day” helping individuals to clear their criminal records. In 2015, District Attorney Becton served as Co-Chair of the “Know Your Rights” Youth Symposium for West Contra Costa County, as part of a national dialogue to educate youth in our communities, and to open the lines of communication between youth and law enforcement. She serves on the Board of Directors for Castlemont High School Alumni Association. She District has two adult sons.

Police Chief Bisa French began her career with the Richmond Police Department in 1998. As a young officer, she formed meaningful relationships with community members as a Community Policing Officer, Field Training Officer, and Bicycle Patrol Officer. She then worked as a Detective in the Property Crimes Unit and Family Services Unit, where she found her passion advocating for young people.

Chief French was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2006. In this position, she led, mentored, and developed officers in a variety of supervisory assignments. She also served as the department’s Public Information Officer during this time. In 2011, Chief French was promoted to Lieutenant. She worked with various stakeholders to include Contra Costa County, STAND! For Families Free of Violence, and Community Violence Solutions, to establish the Family Justice Center in West Contra Costa County, which opened in 2015.

In 2013, she was promoted to the rank of Captain. She was the first African American and Latina Captain in the Richmond Police Department and the youngest person to ever hold the position.

After three years, Chief French was promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief, whereupon she became responsible for the overall operations of the department. In this capacity, she also worked on programs centered around racial justice and equality in the criminal justice system. Chief French was appointed Interim Chief in 2019 and was hired as the permanent Chief of Police in July 2020. She is the first female chief in the Richmond Police Department’s 110-year history.

Chief French has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from Union Institute & University and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management from Golden Gate University. She is also a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP). Chief French serves on Contra Costa County’s Racial Justice Oversight Board and is on the Community Policing Committee for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). She is also a board member for several organizations including the Family Justice Center, Contra Costa County Youth Services Bureau, and the Richmond Police Athletics League.

Chief French is a Bay Area native and a proud Richmond resident. She and her husband have three children.

Bio coming soon!

Jackie Marston was a high school teacher in Oakland for 30 years. After retiring she served as a new teacher Support/Coach for Oakland Unified School District from 2015-2018. Throughout her career she has multiple skills to students, such as photography, crafts, jewelry, apparel design & production, 9th-grade intervention, mindfulness, small business ownership & management, senior internship, and independent studies. She is a Co-founder of the Visual Arts Academy in Oakland High School and served as Director from 1991-2015. She holds a BFA degree in arts and crafts, among several vocational credentials in education that allow her to do what she loves the most, teach and create!

Bio coming soon!

17 years of employment with Contra Costa Behavioral Health. Retired in 2019 as Chief of Operations overseeing contracts for all nonprofit organizations.

Jeri Cohen is the former coordinator of Families In Transition, a program serving the needs and supporting the legal rights of homeless families, children and youth in the WCCUSD. Jeri served in this position for over 15 years. Following her retirement from WCCUSD she was a consultant with the US Department of Education on homeless issues. She has been on the Board of Youth Services Bureau for over 15 years.

John Ziesenhenne was born and raised in Richmond, Graduated from Harry Ells High School, Contra Costa College and U.C. Berkeley. Elected to the Richmond City Council in 1981 and served until 1993. He is an insurance broker and owner of M.A. Hays Co. in Richmond. A volunteer on numerous nonprofits in Richmond as well as a huge San Francisco Giants Fan and the California Golden Bears. He is married to Monique and has three step children – Josh, Marissa and Greg. He has served on the YSB Board over 25 years.