TAAA Executive Board and Committee Chairs

PRESIDENT
Howard Baker Jr. is a founding member of the Tracy African American Association (1994). He has been an active member of TAAA ever since. Howard is currently the broker/owner of Imara Mortgage & Realty, Central Valley and Imara Property Management. In 2007 Howard retired from Hewlett-Packard Company, after 25 years, to pursue his own business endeavors. He earned a B.S. Degree in Aeronautics from San Jose State University and is a licensed pilot.

Other of Howard’s community involvements have included membership in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Stockton Alumni, and service on the Tracy Airport Advisory Board (1995-1999). Howard is a deacon and the Finance Director at Good News Missionary Baptist Church. He is married to Elizabeth Baker, who is immediate past president of the Tracy Women's Forum Association. The couple has two children; Howard III, a graduate of Howard University (2006), and Danielle, a cheerleader for Morgan State University. They have lived in Tracy since 1990. president@TAAA.net

VICE-PRESIDENT
James Benjamin Young Sr is founder and pastor of His Image Ministries, in Tracy, CA. He is also the Northern California Regional Director of the Shield of Faith Fellowship of Churches.

As founder and CEO of His Image Publishing, James has published over 250 books, including his own—one of which is titled “The Power of Forgiveness.” Also an accomplished graphic artist, James has designed and branded artworks for dozens of companies, including Troop Sportswear, Universal Studios, and Capitol Records.

An active member in Tracy’s community with TAAA, a teacher/mentor for Living on Purpose, and a monthly speaker for the Student Discovery Program at Kimball High School.  Pastor James has been married to Pastor Nancy D. Young for 20 years. Together they have eight children and six grandchildren.  jamesyoung@hisimagepublishing.com

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
Gail LaGasca is one of the founding members of the Tracy African American Association. For four years, she held the position of Treasurer. Gail. She was the original Recording and Corresponding Secretary for TAAA for several years. She is an active member of the Stockton Chapter of the Filipino-American National Historical Society and NAACP Stockton Chapter. She has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Tracy Boys and Girls Club and Brighter Christmas. Gail is an alumna of San Joaquin Delta College. In 2010, she retired her employment with the City of Tracy where she worked in the Development and Engineering Services Department in the Code Enforcement Division. Gail loves to travel and enjoys singing. gatlagasca@comcast.net

RECORDING SECRETARY
Margie Eaton Forehand has been a TAAA member for 13 years and the Education Committee Chairperson for 10 of those years. The retired educator worked for the Diocese of Oakland for 25 years. She is an advocate for children and the community at large. She enjoys working with children, and providing them with opportunities to be successful in life.

Born in Oakland, California, Margie grew up in Richmond. She received an AA Degree in Fashion Design from the College of Alameda and a BA Degree in Home Economics from San Francisco State University, where she minored in Black Studies. Margie and her husband Sheldon have been Tracy, California residents for 18 years. They are the parents of eight children and the grandparents of 18. Margie’s motto: “A Good Education is the Drumbeat of Promise.” spiritofthedrum@comcast.net

TREASURER
Nancy Diane Young is a woman with a passion for people and helping others achieve growth and deliverance in their lives through mentoring and ministering through words and dance. She is the author of 5 books. Married to James for 19 years, she is mother to four children, four step-children, and grandmother to six. Diane attained a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication from UC Berkeley and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Additionally, she attained her license as ordained pastor from Shield of Faith International. She has founded and led several youth and women’s groups, and currently heads Living On Purpose, a weekly mentoring class for the youth of Tracy. Diane is a project manager at JPMorgan, a publishing entrepreneur, a co-pastor of His Image Ministries, a member of TAAA, a Kiwanis a mentor leader through the Kiwanis Club of Tracy, and advocate for the Golden Agers of Tracy, California. treasurer@TAAA.net

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
Toni Beckham is president and CEO of PR, et Cetera, Inc. - a full service Public Relations and Marketing Communications company. Toni’s professional communications experience includes 12 years as Investor Relations Manager for a Fortune 1000 Silicon Valley company; eight years as writer and Corporate Communications Director for CityFlight Media Network; and president of the public relations company she formed in 1999.

Her writings on such ominous topics as black adoption, adult literacy, and mental illness have been published in “CityFlight Newsmagazine” and the “Alliance Star,” a periodic journal produced by the “Alliance for Community Care.” She is also a literary contributor to the award-winning anthology “Gumbo for the Soul: The Recipe for Literacy in the Black Community” and the recently published “Gumbo for the Soul: Men of Honor.” PR@TAAA.net

ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE CHAIR
Serena Ivey-Gizaw is a native New Yorker, now residing in San Joaquin County. She is married and a mother of two who has chosen a rewarding career in banking management.Serenahe is active in the Modesto chapter of the Make a Wish Foundation, as well as a participant in the Ethiopian Read project. Her altruistic nature does not stop there. In addition, she lends her time as a co-treasurer for the Livermore Indian Center and has become a part-time Girl Scout troop leader. Aside from her current profession, she has a background in CNA/HHA proficiency, which she is planning on extending to include a focus on geriatrics and business management.

Her passion for helping others has culminated in an aspiration to one day start her own nursing agency that caters to the needs of the elderly.  In her down time, Serena enjoys traveling, music, Zumba classes, spending time with family and friends, and learning to cook Ethiopian cuisine.  Activities@TAAA.net

BY-LAWS CHAIR
John Stewart Jr. has been an active member of TAAA since 2004. He will be serving his second consecutive term as By-Laws Chairperson.

John has worked in financial services industry for 30 years. Currently, he holds a career as a Realtor and Loan Modification Consultant for Global Realty Services. John is also contracted with AmeriPlan Corporation assisting the uninsured with healthcare.

Born and raised in Berkeley and North Oakland, John is accustomed to various cultures and ways of thinking. Although TAAA members are primarily African American, he recognizes the diverse cultural styles and leadership experience that makes TAAA a great organization. Working with youth and young adults at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Stockton, John strives to always be a positive influence in the lives of all young people. johnstewart37@gmail.com

EDUCATION CHAIR
Paul Earl Hall has been an active TAAA member for 2½ years. He currently serves as the Director of Student Services and Curriculum for the Tracy Unified School District, and maintains a current California Teaching Credential in Social Science, along with a California Administrative Credential. Paul is currently serving as Pastor of Mustard Seed Faith Christian Center Church of God in Christ in Hanford, CA. He is a Charter Member of Kings County NAACP and is Member Chairperson of the Tracy Unified School District African American Education Association.

Born in Nacogdoches, Texas and raised in Richmond and Rodeo California, Paul retired as a United States Naval Officer after serving 20 years. He has a MS in Human Resources Management Development, a BA in Social Science, and an AA in Liberal Arts from Chapman University. Paul is married to Angela W. Davis Hall. They have six children ranging in age from 16 to 28, and one 9-year-old grandson. phall@tusd.net

JUNETEENTH CHAIR
Nathaniel (Nate) Terry has been a member of Tracy African American Association, Inc. for several years, and served as the organization’s president from 2004 through 2009. Previously, Nate served as the TAAA Juneteenth Festival Coordinator and Juneteenth Entertainment Chair.

The 23-year real estate industry professional is Sales Manager with Imara Mortgage and Realty in Tracy, and Public Relations Manager for his church, St. Matthews Baptist Church in Livermore, CA.A Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Alumnae member, Nate studied at the Conservatory of Music in Kansas City, MO. He is a former Cultural Arts Commissioner for the City of Tracy. The long-time Tracy, CA resident is a recipient of the 2012 TAAA Martin Luther King Jr. Image Award and the 2008 NAACP Freedom Fighters Award. Nate is six years stroke-free, and an advocate for good health and a positive mindset. He hopes to bring a different approach to experiencing TAAA Juneteenth Celebration in Tracy for 2012 and 2013. nateterry@hotmail.com 

MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Frew Tibebu was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He was a high school senior at the time Emperor Haile Selassie was dethroned and replaced by a military junta. As an activist, Frew joined a youth resistance group against the military regime and was subsequently detained in prison for 18 months. After his release from prison, he fled on foot to neighboring Djibouti, wherein he was granted political asylum. In September of 1980 (with the help from the UNHCR), Frew migrated to the United States as a refugee. He settled in Washington, DC, and obtained his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of District of Columbia. In 1989, he moved to Fremont, CA, and later married Debbie, with whom he has two boys and a girl. Frew has resided in Tracy for the past 15 years. He currently works as a real estate professional, and serves as a volunteer board member for Ethiopia Reads, an organization that strives to develop a reading culture in Ethiopia. Frew@EthiopiaReads.org

NEWSLETTER CHAIR
Michael White moved to California after a cross country trip in May of 1978. He settled in Tracy, Ca. in 1984. He hails from New York where he grew up and attended college. He earned his B.A. degree from SUNY Potsdam. Michael is an amateur photographer, and webmaster who enjoys all things technical was employed at Northrop Grumman for twenty-eight years. He started in the micro electronics departments and worked his way up to Quality Engineer where he supported various ground, flight and space programs. He has been a member of the TAAA since 1997.

Michael continues the pursuit of higher learning, always seeking out another course to increase his knowledge of computer languages. He has served as the TAAA webmaster for the past two years.  webmaster@taaa.net