Bernadette Jones
Bernadette Jones has resided in south Sacramento for more than 40 years. During which time, she attended John D. Sloat and John Bidwell elementary schools and attended Charles M. Goethe Jr. High School. As a youth, growing up in south Sacramento, Bernadette's was active in Girl Scouts, softball, fishing, John Cabrillo Swim Team, and annually participated in fund raisers for the March of Dimes and for United Negro College Funds.
While attending Hiram Johnson High School, Bernadette was a cheerleader, softball player, and Black Student Union President. Under Bernadette’s leadership, as a result of successful fund raising, the BSU awarded 2 scholarships for the first time ever in BSU history at Hiram Johnson. In the community, Bernadette was a Public Speaker, Treasurer of the Sacramento Chapter’s Junior Achievement, and was also involved in social events involving protests for the Martin Luther King Holiday.
After graduating from Hiram Johnson High, Bernadette attended Sacramento City College and participated in community events such as Modeling, Theater, Beauty Pageants and played softball for one of Sacramento's first Black Ski Clubs Camellia/Ebony. As a young adult, Bernadette was a member of the NAACP, volunteered her services for Habitat for Humanity and was Secretary for an Investment Club and she became one of Sacramento’s 1st female Rappers.
Bernadette attended Langston University in Langston Oklahoma and transferred over to California State University Sacramento and received her BA in Organizational Communication. Bernadette worked in many fast-food locations before landing her first job as a Seasonal Worker for the State of California. Bernadette has worked for the State of California for approximately 35 years and is presently working as an Administrator. Upon retirement, Bernadette plans on volunteering her services to help enrich the public speaking skills of the youth in south Sacramento.
Bernadette favorite quote: “I have learned that success is not to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed” by Booker T. Washington
Bernadette Jones has resided in south Sacramento for more than 40 years. During which time, she attended John D. Sloat and John Bidwell elementary schools and attended Charles M. Goethe Jr. High School. As a youth, growing up in south Sacramento, Bernadette's was active in Girl Scouts, softball, fishing, John Cabrillo Swim Team, and annually participated in fund raisers for the March of Dimes and for United Negro College Funds.
While attending Hiram Johnson High School, Bernadette was a cheerleader, softball player, and Black Student Union President. Under Bernadette’s leadership, as a result of successful fund raising, the BSU awarded 2 scholarships for the first time ever in BSU history at Hiram Johnson. In the community, Bernadette was a Public Speaker, Treasurer of the Sacramento Chapter’s Junior Achievement, and was also involved in social events involving protests for the Martin Luther King Holiday.
After graduating from Hiram Johnson High, Bernadette attended Sacramento City College and participated in community events such as Modeling, Theater, Beauty Pageants and played softball for one of Sacramento's first Black Ski Clubs Camellia/Ebony. As a young adult, Bernadette was a member of the NAACP, volunteered her services for Habitat for Humanity and was Secretary for an Investment Club and she became one of Sacramento’s 1st female Rappers.
Bernadette attended Langston University in Langston Oklahoma and transferred over to California State University Sacramento and received her BA in Organizational Communication. Bernadette worked in many fast-food locations before landing her first job as a Seasonal Worker for the State of California. Bernadette has worked for the State of California for approximately 35 years and is presently working as an Administrator. Upon retirement, Bernadette plans on volunteering her services to help enrich the public speaking skills of the youth in south Sacramento.
Bernadette favorite quote: “I have learned that success is not to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed” by Booker T. Washington
Dr. Stacey Ault
I explore Critical Post Traumatic Growth (CPTG) among Black women, youth & communities. I examine CPTG among those most marginalized and vulnerable, for example: Black youth and women involved, or impacted, by incarceration/detention, homelessness, gangs, sexual exploitation and the school to prison pipeline. I am especially interested in complicating our view of trauma, increasing trauma stewardship and exploring contemporary and ancestral healing modalities. Lately, I am focusing more on the intersection of Blackness, joy, peace and resistance throughout the diaspora.
I am interested in youth participatory, community action research and collaborative projects related to racial and gender equity.
I explore Critical Post Traumatic Growth (CPTG) among Black women, youth & communities. I examine CPTG among those most marginalized and vulnerable, for example: Black youth and women involved, or impacted, by incarceration/detention, homelessness, gangs, sexual exploitation and the school to prison pipeline. I am especially interested in complicating our view of trauma, increasing trauma stewardship and exploring contemporary and ancestral healing modalities. Lately, I am focusing more on the intersection of Blackness, joy, peace and resistance throughout the diaspora.
I am interested in youth participatory, community action research and collaborative projects related to racial and gender equity.
Aaron Boyce
Aaron Boyce is the Founder of ABworkshops, a organization that provides training, education, and resources to adult and youth audiences. His topics include Economic and Business Development, Marketing, Employment, Youth Relationships and Life Skills. With his wife Lea, Aaron has traveled to over 30 states and 100 cities providing information, inspiration and entertainment to large and small audiences. He is the author of "Seize the Opportunity...and other marketing strategies" and Jobseeker No More". Currently, he also serves as the Marketing Director of Florin Square - Sacramento's Black Wall Street. His philosophy is simple: together we find success!
Aaron Boyce is the Founder of ABworkshops, a organization that provides training, education, and resources to adult and youth audiences. His topics include Economic and Business Development, Marketing, Employment, Youth Relationships and Life Skills. With his wife Lea, Aaron has traveled to over 30 states and 100 cities providing information, inspiration and entertainment to large and small audiences. He is the author of "Seize the Opportunity...and other marketing strategies" and Jobseeker No More". Currently, he also serves as the Marketing Director of Florin Square - Sacramento's Black Wall Street. His philosophy is simple: together we find success!
Shannon Griffin
Shannon Griffin is the Program Manager of a non-profit organization in Sacramento and business owner. She is the creator and co-author of the anthology titled The Smell of Poverty, where she shares how the impact of growing up on public assistance and living in poverty as a child has shaped her career choice and her resiliency. With over 30 years in the field of social work and real-life experience working with social-economic impacted families, Shannon knows the adverse childhood experiences that living in poverty will shape the social-emotional development of children and families. "I want to give back to those that live in poverty so the next child would know that there is someone out there that cares." Throughout her years in the field, Shannon's goal is to empower people, communities by providing a strength-based approach that assists families’ over-come challenges, and individuals surpass the ramifications of marginalization and systemic racism because of their circumstances. Shannon's goal is to maximize the strengths of individuals supporting entrepreneurs with developing bright ideas that strengthen their brand message, empowering others to thrive and build generational wealth.
Shannon Griffin is the Program Manager of a non-profit organization in Sacramento and business owner. She is the creator and co-author of the anthology titled The Smell of Poverty, where she shares how the impact of growing up on public assistance and living in poverty as a child has shaped her career choice and her resiliency. With over 30 years in the field of social work and real-life experience working with social-economic impacted families, Shannon knows the adverse childhood experiences that living in poverty will shape the social-emotional development of children and families. "I want to give back to those that live in poverty so the next child would know that there is someone out there that cares." Throughout her years in the field, Shannon's goal is to empower people, communities by providing a strength-based approach that assists families’ over-come challenges, and individuals surpass the ramifications of marginalization and systemic racism because of their circumstances. Shannon's goal is to maximize the strengths of individuals supporting entrepreneurs with developing bright ideas that strengthen their brand message, empowering others to thrive and build generational wealth.
Samantha Donaldson
Samantha Donaldson serves as the Receptionist and Office Assistant of Florin Square. During the week, she's the first face you see as you walk through the doors of Florin Square. Samantha enjoys listening to music, going on adventures, journaling, dancing, and spending time with family and friends. She enjoys deep conversations and can empathize with others. Samantha enjoys keeping her vibration lifted and encourages others to see the bright side of things in all aspects of life. She has a BA in Sociology from Sonoma State and is a proud sister of Lambda Sigma Gamma Sorority, Incorporated. She has a passion towards mental health and aspires to work in this field one day. Florin Square has played a crucial role in the foundation she is establishing for herself as she is learning about the business and looking forward to continuing to be a resource for the tenants and guests.
Samantha Donaldson serves as the Receptionist and Office Assistant of Florin Square. During the week, she's the first face you see as you walk through the doors of Florin Square. Samantha enjoys listening to music, going on adventures, journaling, dancing, and spending time with family and friends. She enjoys deep conversations and can empathize with others. Samantha enjoys keeping her vibration lifted and encourages others to see the bright side of things in all aspects of life. She has a BA in Sociology from Sonoma State and is a proud sister of Lambda Sigma Gamma Sorority, Incorporated. She has a passion towards mental health and aspires to work in this field one day. Florin Square has played a crucial role in the foundation she is establishing for herself as she is learning about the business and looking forward to continuing to be a resource for the tenants and guests.