Resource Guide

Objectives of the Peacebuilding Brownbag:

• Discuss definition of hate crimes and hate speech
• Discuss how perceptions of crimes as hate-related affect communities
• Describe youth hate crimes and speech (both as victims and perpetrators) in context of Pasadena, Altadena and wider area
• Engage participants in discussion about hate crimes and speech and when and how to report them
• Provide resources for participants to engage others, especially youth, in discussions on hate crimes and hate speech

Our panelists included:

Lisa Hart, Senior Intergroup Relations Specialist, Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission

Before joining the Commission, Ms. Hart was an Organizational Effectiveness Consultant with Cox Communications and a Consultant with a management consulting firm specializing in leadership. She has experience in several domains of organization development and has expertise in cross-cultural and diversity issues. Her experiences include diversity auditing and designing trainings in conflict management and diversity issues. Ms. Hart is a Ph.D. candidate in Clinical and Industrial-Organizational Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology. She has traveled and lived in several parts of the world, including the Middle East and parts of Africa, where she was a Peace Corps volunteer. She has taught a broad range of subjects in several cultures. In addition, Ms. Hart has volunteered and worked for many nonprofit organizations to work with the homeless, juvenile offenders, victims of domestic violence, and people with chronic mental illness. She has experience counseling individuals, families, and groups. At the Commission, Lisa tracks legislation and policy developments, edits publications, and works to promote diversity policies to businesses. She is also involved in developing diversity training curricula and helping schools and communities develop the infrastructure necessary to respond to intergroup problems.

Rev. Eric P. Lee, Executive Director, Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles (SCLC/LA)

In the context of hate crimes, SCLC/LA provides victims assistance and advocacy.

In April 2005, Rev. Lee was recruited to the SCLC/LA as Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff to lead in the restructuring and reorganization of the Agency.  Since joining the SCLC/LA, he has effectively strengthened the Agency's infrastructure, manages a $2 million budget and oversees a staff of twenty five.  Rev. Lee is a member of the Stand For Security Coalition, which is a collaboration of community leaders, organizations and clergy engaged in the four-year fight to mobilize the community in supporting African American Security Officers in their desire to organize into a union.  He is also a member of the Alliance for Equal Opportunity in Education, a collaboration of the L.A. Urban League, Brotherhood Crusade, NAACP and others, whom are leading the fight against the University of California at Los Angeles to change their admissions policies and processes which are proven to be discriminatory and racist.  Rev. Lee has worked in the finance industry for over 20 years, and in the capacity of senior management for 15 years.  Prior to joining the SCLC/LA, Rev. Lee's experience consists of starting a new U.S. Bank branch in the heart of the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles.  He also managed the flagship branch of OneUnited Bank, located at the corner of Stocker and Crenshaw.  OneUnited Bank is the largest African American owned bank in the United States.  Rev. Lee is also Senior Pastor of In His Steps Ministries.  He and his wife Zena began In His Steps Ministries over 10 years ago and have faithfully served the community by speaking out against injustices, being advocates for the oppressed and defending those unjustly treated.  Rev. Lee graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a BS in Political Science and Economics, and also has a Masters Degree in Pastoral Studies from Azusa Pacific University.   Rev. Lee is affiliated with the NAACP, The Los Angeles Urban League, The New Leaders, Black Business Association, Recycling Black Dollars, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and a variety of Chambers of Commerce and Community Based Organizations.   Rev. Lee also actively coaches track and baseball for inner city youth.

 

Angelica Salas, Executive Director, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA)

In the context of hate crimes, CHIRLA provides victims assistance and advocacy.

 

Deputy Chief Christopher Vicino, Pasadena Police Department

Deputy Chief Vicino is a 22-year veteran of law enforcement.  He has gained extensive knowledge in the areas of homicide and gang investigation.  His current duties include oversight of the Administrative Services Division, which includes Professional Standards, Fiscal Administration, Training, Employment Services, along with Research and Development.  Additionally, he works closely with the department’s Counter Terrorism Section and is charged with managing all operations of the department on a daily basis.  He was the 1999 California Police Summer Games Operations Coordinator, responsible for all aspects of the summer games.  This event hosted 6,100 athletes competing in 54 sporting events over a seven-day period.  This event donated all of its net proceeds to Pasadena area youth organizations.  For his achievements in the summer games, Deputy Chief Vicino was awarded the Chief’s Award of Excellence in May 2000.  Deputy Chief Vicino is on staff as an instructor at Pasadena City College, teaching courses in Administration of Justice; he is a current member of the Pasadena Optimist Club, and served as a board member of Villa Esperanza Services from 1999 to 2006.  He attended Claremont Men’s College, earning a BA in Economics and Political Science.  He graduated from the POST Command College in November 2002 and was the recipient of the Hank E. Koehn award as the most outstanding student of his class.  In 2004, he received a scholarship from the Department of Homeland Security to attend the Naval Postgraduate School, graduating in March 2006 with an MA in National Security Studies/Homeland Security and Defense.

Marian Thompson, Deputy-in-Charge, Los Angeles County District Attorney for Pasadena Juvenile Office.

Dan O'Connell, Special Projects Officer, Los Angeles County District Attorney for Pasadena Juvenile Office.

 

Please Note:  We will not be holding a Peacebuilding Brownbag in October.  Instead, all are welcome to the Western Justice Center Foundation Headquarters Building and Conference Center Dedication on October 16 at 11am.  The next Peacebuilding Brownbag will be held on November 13 from 12-2pm.