“I decided that something was missing from my life at that moment, and once more I needed to give back,” DeBerry says.

In January 2020, she became president and CEO of the County of San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce (CSDBCC), where she supports minority- and women-owned enterprises. “Everybody should live for a legacy transforming and shaping peoples’ lives for the better,” she says.

Early in her career, corporate HR roles offered DeBerry insight into the systemic challenges women and Black people face in the business world. DeBerry founded her consulting business to show executives how inclusive policies positively impact companies’ bottom line.

October 28, 2024

November Pub Note: Rising to the OccasionRELATED ARTICLE

“The struggles are still real for women, especially women of color, in business,” DeBerry says. “It’s a question of equality versus equity. Yes, we might have an equal opportunity to start a business, but we don’t have equitable access to the capital that we need to compete.”

In March 2024, CSDBCC launched the Women’s Kitchen Table as a safe space to network and organize. DeBerry keeps tabs on San Diego’s wealthiest institutions, like SDG&E and UC San Diego—just two of the many organizations CSDBCC partners with—to make sure minority-owned businesses have access to vendor contracts, along with funding to support growth. Under her tenure, San Diego–based corporations have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to support CSDBCC initiatives—Sony Electronics alone has contributed more than $200,000.

“[Something] I’m proud of, personally and professionally, is that any time I’m in an influential position, I bring more women along,” DeBerry says. “It’s my responsibility to open those doors.”

DeBerry recently sold her Carlsbad home and moved onto a boat at Pier 32. At 69, she has raised four children and now has four grandchildren. “This is my best life, doing something good for the community,” she says.

The post Donna DeBerry’s Second Act: Creating Equity for Minority- & Women-Owned Businesses appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The daughter of Filipino immigrants, Garces grew up in Hawai‘i. After earning a degree in marketing at SDSU and working in event production for more than a decade, she started her company in 2020 with the intent of helping her community come together during the pandemic.

One of Social Artistry’s first “events” was not exactly a gathering. Called Box Creations, it was a response to the fear AAPI women felt while venturing out in a time when hate aimed at people of Asian descent was on the rise. Garces partnered with the Asian Business Association, Cox, SDG&E, and local artists to paint electrical boxes along Convoy with messages of hope and healing.

Garces is also part of the organizing force behind Balboa Park’s December Nights and helped make the beloved event a “drive-through” during the pandemic.

“We created a piece of San Diego history,” she recalls. “There was nothing else like it—people were honking along to ‘Jingle Bells’ while they waited in line in their cars. It brought San Diegans together at a time when we were so alone.”

Garces has now added her magic to Convoy San Diego Night Market, the Linda Vista Multi-Cultural Fair, and the Asian Film Festival, designing gatherings that connect local art, food, dance, music, entertainment, crafts, and cultural organizations to welcome visitors and residents alike. “One big event could be a celebration of a special time, but we also want it to be a showcase for what that community offers,” she says. “We want to inspire action to support our communities year-round.” She’s been invited to work on several Lunar New Year celebrations in 2025.

Most of the events Garces organizes are free to attend, backed by city, county, and local sponsors. She also co-chairs the San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition, a partnership of more than 40 organizations from around the county. The coalition has secured empowerment grants from San Diego Foundation and driven a new research study of the AAPI diaspora in San Diego.

The post For This Local Entrepreneur, Events Are an Art Form appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Fame came anyway.

Najjar and her brother Sean were students together at Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley. Sean was on the wrestling team before eventually moving into mixed martial arts. “He was like, ‘Come to the fighting gym with me,’” Najjar recalls. She wasn’t very active at the time but was curious about the sport. “I went to my first boxing class and I fell in love.”

Soon, she began helping her brother sell tickets to his fights and promoting his merch while learning to coach. As she improved her skills, she quickly became one of the most sought-after boxing trainers in the area. While Sean now occasionally competes in jiu-jitsu tournaments, Najjar found a space in the boxing world that few women occupy: mitt holding. Ever seen a fighter in training, jabbing at a strike pad while the person clutching the pads deftly matches their strikes and absorbs the impact? Najjar is that person.

Her talents garnered her the nickname “Mitt Queen” amongst her male counterparts in the gym. Now 36, the Carmel Mountain resident counts pro fighters, high-profile athletes, and celebrities among her trainees.

“She made herself into her own. She carried the torch,” says Berlin Kerney, a boxing coach at Bomber Squad Academy in El Cajon. He has known Najjar since she was 18. “I feel like she helped [women] think it’s possible to achieve a level that wasn’t really seen before. There was no market, no spot for a female mitt holder. I see a lot of [women] now doing the same thing that she has done.”

But her rise took time. In 2020, when Covid was keeping us indoors, Najjar quit her job at Louis Vuitton (her other love is high fashion) to begin filming her workouts.

“I cleaned up my whole Instagram, got rid of everything, [and] said, ‘I’m going to stick to just mitt work and I’ll show a little bit of myself,’” Najjar says. “I posted my first video with [pro boxer] Jonny [Mansour], and it went viral.”

She began posting regularly, growing over months from hundreds of views per video to sometimes over a million. It’s easy to get lost in her clips. She’s quick, nimble, strong—often meeting the punches of men nearly twice her size.

As her account took off, she caught the attention of actor Michael B. Jordan, who direct messaged her, asking her to be in the latest installment of the Creed franchise, boxing movies set in the Rocky universe. “I didn’t know who he was,” Najjar says. She had to Google him before responding. “He was like, ‘You’ve never seen Creed? Black Panther?’ I was like, ‘No, I live and breathe fighting.’”

Next thing she knew, she was moving to Atlanta, Georgia for a year to work as a trainer for the cast and play herself, Ann “Mitt Queen” Najjar, in 2023’s Creed III. Pro boxers like Canelo Álvarez, José Benavidez Jr., Florian Munteanu, and Tony Bellew shared the big screen with her, acting as characters or as themselves.

“That’s the cool thing about the movie. All the fighters are real; all the refs are real. All the commentators are real,” Najjar says. “I worked with [pro boxer Terence Crawford] on the movie set. He went 28 rounds straight with me. No budging.”

But being a great mitt holder isn’t as simple as knowing how to catch a punch. One of the most important skills a coach can have, mitt holding requires balance, skill, and the ability to clearly communicate with your fighter as they move around—as well as hours of daily practice. Doing it well is a key step on the road to creating a world champ.

“When you’re the holder, you’re guiding,” Najjar says. She determines her trainees’ combinations—as she calls out movements, they follow her lead.

Bomber Squad Academy strength and conditioning coach Tez Avant says Najjar’s competitive nature is a huge part of what makes her so good at what she does. “If there’s an obstacle, she wants to beat it. No matter who’s there, she wants to try to beat them,” he says. “I think that’s the thing that will keep her thriving.”

Najjar trains four to six hours a day. When she’s not in the gym with clients, she’s running to improve her cardio and posting on social media, hoping to inspire more young women to become holders.

“I was Sean’s little sister, and now, my brother is the Mitt Queen’s brother,” Najjar says with a smirk. Sometimes, a bit of sibling rivalry is all you need to become great.

The post Inside the Ring with Ann “Mitt Queen” Najjar appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

November 1-3

Join Fierce & Kind Spirits for a cocktail event at Understory on November 1, with a portion of proceeds supporting the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Then, walk with the Fierce & Kind team at the MORE THAN PINK Walk on November 3.

San Diego Youth Services YAB (Youth Action Board) Traveling Through Time Gala

November 2

Check out the San Diego Youth Services YAB (Youth Action Board) Traveling Through Time Gala, where attendees are encouraged to dress in formalwear from any moment in history (or the future). All proceeds benefit the Youth Action Board, supporting young adults across the city.

Thrive San Diego Half Marathon & 5K

November 2

Join the eighth annual Thrive half marathon and 5K benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The mostly flat course begins and ends at Ski Beach in Mission Bay, featuring beautiful bay and sea vistas.

Kate Sessions Day Tree Planting

November 8

Fête the launch of the $10 million “Ready, Set, Grow” project by planting trees at a community event in honor of Kate Sessions, the “Mother of Balboa Park.” Funded by the USDA Forest Service and hosted by the City of San Diego, this event marks the start of tree-planting season.

“Hands Across Borders” Global Communities Gala

November 8

Support Global Communities’ work at Hyatt Regency La Jolla. This annual gala, which includes dinner, dancing, and a marketplace, benefits communities impacted by poverty, disasters, and conflict.

From San Diego with Love Charity Benefit

November 9

Ever dreamed of becoming a spy? Here’s your chance. This espionage-themed charity event benefits Feeding San Diego. A VIP pre-party includes a yacht excursion around San Diego Bay, followed by the main event at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront.

Adopt-A-Pet Fundraiser

November 9

El Chingon in Gaslamp hosts a fundraiser for TAP (The Animal Pad), with 20% of bar proceeds donated to help find homes for pets. Enjoy tacos, margaritas, and adoptable furry friends.

San Diego Youth Services’ Walk & Rally

November 15

Join this two-hour walk, followed by refreshments and insight from young speakers, in downtown San Diego to raise funds to combat youth homelessness.

3rd Annual Kindness Fest

November 16

Support trafficking survivors at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. The live music fundraiser—complete with shopping and a silent auction—helps survivors get connected to critical resources.

Sixth Annual State of Hunger & 50th Anniversary Celebration

November 21

At the San Diego Hunger Coalition’s 50th anniversary, a panel of experts will discuss groundbreaking hunger relief strategies, followed by a networking reception and silent auction. Proceeds benefit local hunger programs.

Father Joe’s Village 23rd Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K

November 28

Join the annual Turkey Trot 5K at Balboa Park. All proceeds go towards providing meals for San Diegans in need, supporting the food program Father Joe’s Village.

19th Annual O’side Turkey Trot 5K

November 28

Taking place in Oceanside, this nationally recognized event features a costume contest and live entertainment (plus, of course, medals for all finishers) and benefits the Move Your Feet Before You Eat Foundation.

The post 12 San Diego Nonprofit Events to Attend This November appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

I’m shopping for…

The Chef | The Socialite | The Homebody | The Adventurer | The Parent | The Local

San Diego Gifts for the Chef

They’re the designated executive chef for every holiday dinner, whipping up dishes that rival those at San Diego’s Michelin-starred spots.

Community Supported Agriculture Box, $29–39

Yasukochi Family Farms

What’s better than a single surprise? One every week. With a subscription to Yasukochi Family Farm’s CSA box, a ridiculously generous (and reasonably priced) bounty of seasonal, local fruits and veggies will land at your recipient’s door four times a month. They won’t get to choose what comes, but figuring out a menu based on the latest cornucopia is half the fun.

San Diego Etched Whiskey Glasses, $40

Apollo Emporium

Give them the world—or at least the city. With these glasses from Little Italy home goods shop Apollo Emporium, one can trace all of San Diego across a single old fashioned. Neat! (No pun intended.)

San Diego Cooks: Recipes from the Region’s Favorite Eateries, Bakeries, and Bars, $34.95

Figure 1 Publishing

Really, this new book from SDM contributors Ligaya Malones and Deanna Sandoval is just as much a gift for you—as long as your recipient is willing to share when they try their hand at homemade versions of iconic San Diego dishes like JRDN’s steamed mussels, Smokin J’s brisket chili, and Extraordinary Desserts’ lemon meringue cake.

Bourbon Vanilla Extract, $20

Bees & Teas Herbal Apothecary

Bourbon infused with real Madagascar vanilla adds complexity to holiday baked goods—as well as coffee, french toast, horchata, and other treats. The bottle comes full of whole vanilla pods, so your giftee can simply pour in more bourbon when things run low.

Puebla Talavera Mantequilla, $37

Casa y Cocina

Handmade in Puebla, Mexico and sold at dangerously-easy-to-get-lost-in North Park home goods shop Casa y Cocina, this gorgeous ceramic dish keeps butter soft, safe, and close at hand.

Chili Crisps, $18

Karanchi

Karanchi founder Nguyen Le’s favorite way to eat his addictive, garlic-studded chili crisp is atop avocado toast—but, really, there’s no going wrong here (one NYT Cooking recipe even suggests adding the ingredient to fettuccine alfredo). You can pick it up online or at local shops like Home Ec (Little Italy), Bica (Normal Heights), Tablespoon (North Park), and Wildwood Flour Bakery (Pacific Beach).

Hand-Painted Stoneware Platter, $45

Apostrophe Home

Charcuterie boards just got even more photogenic, thanks to this weighty, 16-inch stoneware serving dish from downtown’s Apostrophe Home. (Looking to shop for a set? The store sells a pretty serving bowl in the same pattern.)

San Diego Gifts for the Socialite

They get a free drink everywhere they go and can reapply their lipstick flawlessly in even the smokiest vintage restaurant mirror.

Milano Slim Crossbody Bag, $110

Mavis by Herrera

Local Mavis Herrera works with artisans in Mexico to produce this stylish bag made from recycled plastic. It’s sized just right to hold a phone, wallet, key, and a hand cream or lip balm (without being so big it becomes a receipt graveyard).

Lucia Strand, $557 & Saltwater Strand, $123

Ordoñez Le

Handmade in SD, Ordoñez Le’s beaded necklaces add a delicate pop of color and the alleged energy-balancing powers of gemstones. They’re all cute, but we’re partial to the Lucia (with two hands to rep your friendship) and the Saltwater (featuring a shell charm for beach-loving besties).

Restore Mini Set, $70

Aloisia Beauty

This set from Latina-owned, cruelty-free skincare company Aloisia Beauty is intended to provide everything your recipient needs for healthy skin—two cleansers, a gently exfoliating peel, and a moisturizing gel—in travel-ready packages.

Mahiri Lip + Cheek Tint, $38

Dehiya Beauty

Available in seven shades with names like “The Queen,” “Warrior,” and “Siren,” this oil- and shea butter–based tint from Moroccan-inspired beauty brand Dehiya adds a buildable flush of color to cheeks and lips.

Alia Argan Beldi Cleanser, $38 & Mihakka Moroccan Exfoliating Tool, $22

Dehiya Beauty

Paired with a cotton-covered, Marrakech-made, terra cotta exfoliating tool called a mihakka, this argan oil cleanser is designed to clean skin without stripping it. Plus, the packaging is so pretty they’ll want to leave it out on the counter.

I Smell Like Money Eau de Parfum, $65

Gavin Luxe

What’s the aroma of wealth? According to fragrance company Gavin Luxe, it’s vanilla and jasmine with touches of brown sugar, tonka bean, patchouli, amber, and musk.

Ring Sueño 2, $175

June Handmade

Alongside its broad collection of adorably twee leather shoes, June Handmade makes conversation-starting ceramic pieces, including statement rings that would look equally elegant strung on a necklace chain as they do on a finger.

Tortuga Gin, $100

Storyhouse Spirits

The product of a collab between East Village distiller Storyhouse Spirits and the new Omni San Diego hotel in downtown, this citrus-forward gin has notes of lemon and orange peel and lemongrass.

San Diego Gifts for the Homebody

They’ll change careers before they return to office, and they refer to their patio as “the sanctuary.”

Matcha & Bergamot Scented Candle, $24.99

Home Base Smell Good Co.

Celebrated Asian fusion steakhouse Animae burns candles from local maker Home Base Smell Good Co. in its chic bathrooms. This lightly sweet tea scent will bring gravitas to even the most cramped apartment commode.

Monthly Membership, $120

Vino Disco Wine Club

Send natty wine straight to their door with this subscription. San Diegan Erin Callahan curates four organic, biodynamic, and small-batch bottles every month—along with a playlist that matches the vibes.

Secret Keeper, $85 & Chimenea Incense Burner, $85

Perro y Arena

Tijuana-born artist Socrates Medina Ahearn produces playful, functional, and gorgeous ceramic pieces like a mini chimenea that directs plumes of incense smoke upward and a coyote-head box for storing small objects (and secrets). You can find his work at outposts in SD and TJ, including the Mingei International Museum’s onsite shop.

Moss Art DIY Kit, $45

Euflora

There are few things a homebody loves more than a plant… except maybe a project. This kit is both in one. Recipients can spend a happy afternoon or two arranging and gluing preserved moss and lichen in a wood frame to create evergreen art. 

Club Time Warp Sun Catcher, $60

Apollo Home

Available at Apollo Home, this sun catcher from California artist Club Time Warp adds funky hippie sensibilities to any space with poured resin, crystals, and stones on a macrame rope. 

San Diego Gifts for the Adventurer

They show up to work with wet hair and a too-big-for-a-Monday smile from a morning surf sesh.

Kelly Slater: A Life of Waves, $55

Rizzoli

San Diego–born surf photographer Todd Glaser has spent more than 15 years capturing 11-time World Surf League champion Kelly Slater in and out of the water. The duo explore that archive in this new coffee table tome sure to inspire any grom. 

The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean, $19

Penguin Random House

Local author Susan Casey takes readers into the deep, talking with oceanographers and marine geologists and biologists about the alien creatures and strange landscapes that exist where light can’t reach.

Leopard Shark Mug, $118

Ludvik Handcrafted

Ludvik Handcrafted’s one-of-a-kind mugs are functional works of art depicting marine critters like green sea turtles, bat rays, and leopard sharks—La Jolla’s most beloved annual visitors. 

Rainbow Turkish Cotton Towel, $18–80

Citizens of the Beach

Upgrade their ragged beach towels with a soft, Turkish cotton variety in a fun print. Local company Citizens of the Beach sells these linens on Amazon, on Etsy, and at pop-up markets around town.

Roy Lichtenstein MCASD x Slowtide Beach Blanket, $80

The Shop at MCASD

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego partnered with San Diego towel brand Slowtide to produce this eye-catching beach blanket (with a water-repellent lining) based on legendary pop artist Roy Lichtenstein’s Mirror #4, a piece on display at the La Jolla arts institution.

Original Surf Wax, $3

Horny Toads Surf Wax

A Pacific Beach native launched this surf wax company in 2020, naming it after his father’s surf club (members Hank Warner and Mike Lovell went on to craft sought-after boards and fins). The watermelon-scented wax makes a great stocking stuffer.

Cozy Reversible Jacket, $222

All That Apparel

Local entrepreneur Jody White turns deadstock fabrics into sustainable clothing like this reversible jacket. Giftees can wear the playful print on the outside and the cozy fleece inside for foggy coastal mornings and then flip for a subtler look while running errands. 

San Diego Gifts for the New Parents

They somehow manage to wrangle twin newborns and three rescue pets into matching sweaters for a holiday card photo that’s not leaving your fridge… ever.

Insulated Dog Water Bottle, $28 & Persimmon Classic Leash, $37

Cookies & Co.

Make hikes on San Diego’s many dog-friendly trails safer and more stylish with goodies from local pet company Cookies & Co.: a sturdy leash in an eye-catching hue and a metal water bottle that pups and their people can both drink from.

Nooee Pet Cave, $86.99 & Speckle & Spot California Dog Toy, $18.99

Decker’s Dog & Cat

The hardest part about shopping for pet-centric presents at Decker’s Dog & Cat’s La Jolla and Clairemont outposts? Deciding what to choose from their massive inventory. For kitties, may we suggest a sleek, easily cleanable bed? Puppies, on the other hand, will dig a squeaky toy paying homage to the Golden State.

Maison Rue City Blocks & Gems Set, $80

Palomita

SD–based kids’ company Palomita curates stuff for children that’s sustainable, artist-driven, and—maybe best of all—so pretty that parents won’t mind when it ends up scattered all over the living room. Case in point: Maison Rue’s cute wooden houses, which help toddlers develop fine motor skills as they slide pretty lucite blocks into window-like cutouts.

Vintage Youth Sweater, $40

Timshel

Charming University Heights shop Timshel vends new and antique homewares, locally made jewelry and accessories, and vintage fashion, including retro knitwear for little ones in a range of kid-friendly colors. 

Yellow Linen Striped Shorts, $32

The Milk Crew 

A linen-viscose blend makes these soft shorts from kids’ clothing brand The Milk Crew comfy and durable for beach days, play dates, and trips to The New Children’s Museum in downtown.

Custom Charm Jewelry, $65–$350

Raiz

Portraits of kids and pets are the most common subject on mom-owned jewelry company Raiz’s delicate, customizable charms, but the founders say customers get creative, requesting signatures, old photos of their ancestors, and more. 

Red Cozy Things Print, $24

Cozy Made Designs

In addition to jewelry and custom invitations, menus, temporary tattoos, and more, San Diegan Kara Gil vends cute art prints, like this nursery-ready compilation of comforting doodles, on her site Cozy Made Designs.

Gifts for Any San Diegan on Your List

Neighborhood Ornaments, $15–25

 WTF Mary

Local designer WTF Mary laser-cuts mini versions of San Diego’s iconic neighborhood signs and transforms them into holiday ornaments. Sure, a star on the top of the tree is classic, but repping your ’hood amid the Santas and sparkly baubles? Way cooler. 

The post 2024 Holiday Gift Guide: 35 San Diego Goods & Local Finds appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

For the first time in school history, the men’s basketball program is eligible for the NCAA Division I basketball tournament. Affectionately and better known as March Madness, it’s the single-elimination tournament for the national championship that pits powerful “blue bloods” like Kentucky and Duke against mid-major “Cinderellas” like San Diego State University and, now, UCSD. 

“I think everybody’s excited about the opportunity to play in the postseason and be in that win-or-go home environment,” Olen said before a recent practice session. “There’s really nothing else like it.” 

In 2020, the UCSD men’s basketball program transitioned from Division II to the Big West Conference in Division I, the highest level of collegiate sports. NCAA rules prohibited UCSD from postseason play during a four-year “reclassification period.” This didn’t stop the team from acting like a postseason team. 

January 22, 2024

San Diego is Basketball City USARELATED ARTICLE

They went 21-12 last season, their best showing in Division I so far, and finished second in the Big West. Had they been eligible, UCSD would have needed to win just two games in the conference tournament to book their first-ever trip to the NCAA tournament. 

“I think our guys did a great job during the period where we didn’t have [postseason play],” said Olen, who became head coach in 2013 after serving as an assistant for nine years. “It was a little bit of that light at the end of the tunnel, that purpose at the end, like, ‘This is what we’re working towards, this is what we’re working for.’”

To build on that success, the team will need returning senior Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones to show why he was named to the Big West Preseason Coaches’ Team, though Tait-Jones brushed aside the significance of that recognition. “We’ve got a pretty new group of guys coming in, and it’s my last year, so I just want to be a leader out there,” the New Zealand native said. “A goal of ours is to win the league and go to March Madness this year and get out of the first round.” That won’t be easy, not with former Triton star Bryce Pope now at the University of Southern California as a graduate transfer, but the versatile Tait-Jones did rank among team leaders last year in points, rebounds, assists, and steals.

When asked if the campus is anticipating the upcoming season, which starts November 6 at SDSU, he beamed and seemed relieved to talk about his classmates rather than himself. “I just saw some students yesterday and they were super excited for the year and they were saying, ‘Oh, we’re going to make March Madness!’ I think there’s a real buzz around campus. I think everyone’s excited for the year and we’re all excited for it.”

This year’s homecoming being the first that revolves around the team’s home opener—the November 9 tilt against Pepperdine—indicates it’s a new era at the school, one that is known far more for its Nobel Prizes than for its championship trophies. (As if the nearby “Nobel Drive” left any doubt.)

The architect of the rise of sports at UCSD is athletics director Earl Edwards. On the job since 2000, Edwards has guided the school’s 23 sports programs from the depths of Division III, where no conference welcomed the school and few others wanted to play it. UCSD was too big, too resourceful, and its teams beat up on schools whose enrollments rarely eclipsed 2,000 students. 

“We had a lot of success [in Division III], but we wanted to be an extension of the university as a whole. Everything we do at UC San Diego is about the pursuit of excellence. So it became more of a discussion of, ‘Why don’t we have an athletic program that reflects that?’” Edwards said, though, like Tait-Jones, he invariably credited others. 

“The students were the ones that created the impetus for Division I because as they looked at UC San Diego, and they looked at other high-profile schools, athletics was the missing denominator. So then students came to us and said, ‘We’d like to move to Division I.’” 

Like a proud parent that refuses to play favorites, Edwards offered highlights beyond the men’s basketball team: The baseball team that won the Big West Conference championship. The women’s rowing team that took second in the Coastal Atlantic Association conference championships and whose coach, Colin Truex, won CAA’s Coach of the Year award. The fencing team that regularly sends athletes to the national championships. 

In all, 21 of the school’s 23 sports teams would have participated in postseason competition last year if not for the NCAA’s prohibitions. But Edwards seemed most proud of the “scholar-athletes,” as they’re called at UCSD, having a higher grade-point average than the school’s general student body. 

But if the poets and quants on campus are resentful of the ascendance of sports, then there’s little indication of it. In fact, UCSD Chancellor Pradeep Khosla was selected in March to serve a four-year term on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors to represent the Big West Conference. It’s one of the most influential governing bodies in American sports. Through Pradeep, UCSD is now a power broker in collegiate athletics. This institutional backing isn’t lost on Edwards. “Now that we’re Division I—looking at the branding, the messaging, the signage around campus—it’s definitely a D-I program in terms of the overall support and enthusiasm,” he said.

Merely getting to Division I was not the goal, though. Edwards wants the school to compete every year for the Big West’s Commissioner’s Cup, which is awarded annually to the university with the greatest success across all sports, and he wants the men’s basketball team playing in the NCAA tournament every year. “I expect that March Madness will be part of who we are,” he said.

It’s an ambitious, if not astonishing vision for a university long perceived as a sleep retreat for academics. Edwards even wants San Diego to one day replicate Philadelphia’s legendary “Big 5” of University of Pennsylvania, LaSalle, St. Joseph’s, Temple, and Villanova which compete every year for the best college basketball team in the city.

Along with SDSU and the University of San Diego, there are now three Division I programs within a trolley ride of each other, and the newcomer to the party is planting its flag. “The respect that we’re getting now at UC San Diego, they recognize that we’re forced to be reckoned with.”

The post The New Era of D1 Athletics for UCSD appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

“I founded One Love Movement upon realizing my purpose in life: to make change for people who don’t have a voice,” Bauman says. Her mission is deeply personal, rooted in her experience as a Korean orphan adopted by an American family and inspired by a volunteer trip she took to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.

 “I was struggling with the heartbreak of being no different than all of the orphans I had met, yet, somehow, I was picked for a better life,” Bauman recalls. She felt inspired to create a nonprofit.

Today, One Love Movement brings people together through yoga, sound baths, and other events and retreats to support causes that promote social justice. It’s especially committed to advocacy, youth welfare, dignity, and wellness. For Bauman, the work is about helping others realize their strength and compassion to create positive change.

A standout moment for Bauman was meeting Michelle Obama via Zoom. “I freaked out,” she laughs, recalling her disbelief when she got the call. “I kept asking the guy if this was a scam!” When she finally logged onto the Zoom call and saw the former First Lady, it was a full-circle moment that reinforced her belief that anything is possible. “I knew that I didn’t have to know how I would get there, I just had to know that I would,” she says.

But Bauman’s journey building One Love Movement hasn’t always been smooth. For nine years, Bauman organized the largest charity yoga event in the country, a fundraiser that drew thousands. While the event was successful, it left her emotionally drained, with a yearly cycle of anxiety and depression that culminated after each event. 

“I kept thinking this great, big event was the answer!” Bauman says, realizing she had tied her self-worth to the event’s success. The pandemic in 2020 forced her to pause, and that’s when she had a breakthrough. “I realized that I was looking outside of myself for all of the answers,” she adds. It was a pivotal moment that led her to focus on internal fulfillment rather than external validation.

Bauman continues to build the One Love Movement, offering donation-based yoga classes and sound bath meditation and organizing volunteer retreats to Peru and Kenya. “The best way to support our work is through donations; coming to our yoga classes, retreats, and events; or sharing our work with your friends and family,” she says. 

As One Love Movement evolves, Bauman’s mission remains clear: to create spaces where compassion leads to action, making the world a better place for all.

The post One Love Movement Empowers Change Through Compassion & Community appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Photos Courtesy of Human Rights Campaign San Diego

The post Photos: Human Rights Campaign San Diego Fundraiser 2024 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Girls on the Run San Diego is part of a global movement that helps third- to eighth-grade girls build their confidence and navigate life’s challenges through physical activity and social-emotional lessons. GOTRSD’s inclusive and research-based curriculum fosters healthy physical and mental habits, with trained volunteer coaches guiding the girls. As a program volunteer, Gabriel works directly with youth to develop skills that will last beyond their time in the program.

What made you want to work for this organization?

Last year, I underwent a total knee replacement on my left knee, marking a significant step toward regaining my mobility. Overcoming the mental and physical challenges of transitioning from being fully able-bodied to using a wheelchair was incredibly tough. I promised myself that by the end of my recovery, I would find a role that not only aligned with the woman I am becoming but also allowed me to impact my community and give back to the city that has given me so much.

In August 2023, while applying to numerous roles at a coffee shop, one opportunity stood out: Girls on the Run San Diego. This role offered the chance to work directly with girls in my community and extend the program to underserved areas that could greatly benefit from it. The organization’s core values resonated deeply with me, particularly: embracing our differences and finding strength in our connectedness, nurturing our physical, emotional, and spiritual health, leading with an open heart, and assuming positive intent. These values perfectly aligned with my personal journey and aspirations.

Moreover, this job came into my life during a time of profound personal healing. The same week I had my first interview for this role, I experienced the heartbreaking loss of my goddaughter, Caloni, who was just 8 years old. Despite the challenge, something drew me to this position. Every day I clock in, I keep her in mind—not only because she would have loved a program like this, but also because I saw so many of our core values reflected in her even at a young age. This role has been a source of healing and motivation for me, driving me to continue pouring into the lives of girls her age and beyond.

What do your job duties entail?

In my role, I have the opportunity to coordinate programming and outreach, as well as manage our social media accounts. This past spring, I was responsible for programming in the Escondido Unified School District, acting as the point of contact for 21 sites. This involved ensuring coaches were properly trained for the season and thoroughly understood the curriculum. Additionally, managing our social media became a passion of mine, as it allowed me to showcase the joy and impact this program has on our girls.

One of the key aspects that drew me to this role is the flexibility to learn and grow. This is particularly evident in the outreach portion of my responsibilities. My peers and board members often hear me emphasize the importance of community, which is at the heart of my work. Understanding the communities we currently serve and those we aim to reach in the future is crucial. My job involves figuring out how to introduce our Girls on the Run and Heart and Sole to new sites while focusing on how to best support them in implementing it.

Essentially, my role bridges gaps in various areas, whether it’s entering new spaces, forging new connections, or nurturing existing relationships to ensure our longevity. The multifaceted nature of this job brings me immense joy. While the title “Program Coordinator” can encompass many responsibilities, at Girls on the Run San Diego, it represents a unique blend of flexibility, community engagement, and the sheer excitement of seeing our girls complete their 5k.

The brightness that emanates from our council is not just due to our company colors but also our core values. This role has allowed me to create lasting experiences for the girls we serve and healing experiences for myself. I truly enjoy the work I do and the meaningful impact it has on our community.

Can you describe your favorite or most memorable experience while at GOTRSD?

I have two experiences that stand out to me. My favorite experience thus far has been completing our NCT (National Coach Training) to train the next generation of coaches. This training was held in Charlotte, NC, and I attended alongside our Program Operations Manager, Izabel. We both started at Girls on the Run a few weeks apart and have been inseparable since. This experience was particularly meaningful because it was the first time in a long while that I truly heard my own voice. Over the past four years, I have faced numerous challenges that many might not have overcome, but through faith and perseverance, I found my voice again at this training.

As this role is my first significant professional position, I initially experienced imposter syndrome, unable to believe where I had ended up after all I had been through. The training provided ample opportunities for speaking, networking, and learning, which empowered me and reaffirmed my commitment to the work I do. By the end of the training, women from councils across the country were approaching me, commending my eloquence and expressing their excitement for the future work at our council. This trip allowed me to embrace the differences in the room and find strength in our connectedness. It was the first time in four years that I felt truly seen for who I am, beyond my physical challenges and the post-graduate phase of self-discovery.

My second most memorable experience occurred during a site visit as the Liaison for Escondido Unified School District. I had developed a strong relationship with a coach via email and was eager to visit her site, Del Dios Academy of Visual and Performing Arts. Although I had to reschedule the visit due to physical therapy for my second total knee replacement, it turned out to be a profoundly memorable day.

Growing up in Southeast San Diego, I was accustomed to a sense of belonging within my community. When I arrived at Del Dios Academy, a young Black girl saw me and her face instantly lit up. In that moment, I knew what her smile meant—she felt a sense of belonging. Throughout the visit, she would glance at me, unsure about approaching me, which I understood as I had once been a sixth grader too. Eventually, I had the chance to talk with her, as well as with other girls on the team. She mentioned that she did not enjoy middle school due to the challenges of being historically underrepresented and facing unkind peers. I reminded her of the power of being a Black woman and encouraged her to embrace her identity, despite the challenges she might face in spaces where she may not be respected or accepted.

This site visit reinforced my purpose in this role. While my goal is to connect and build relationships within the broader community, I also aim to be a representation for young Black girls in our community who participate in this program. I am where I am today because of the Black women and men who poured into me growing up and continue to support me. There have been many times when I did not feel safe until I saw someone who looked like me. Both of these experiences have been deeply impactful, as they have allowed me to find my voice and use it to inspire and support others.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

The biggest challenge I’ve faced is making meaningful change at a slow pace. Since starting this role, I’ve felt a greater purpose in my heart, but refining exactly what that purpose is has been a journey. Girls on The Run and Heart and Sole have been a transformative agent for many girls, but what about our historically underrepresented communities? What about our Black communities with limited access to resources or funding? Each season, we open a window for schools to be eligible for funding to reduce program costs, enabling more participation.

However, the reality is that, despite our best efforts, we can’t financially support every site. Over the past year, we as an organization have explored numerous ways to secure funding to support these schools and make our program more equitable and accessible to the communities that need us most. Growing up in Southeast San Diego, I attended Nye Elementary and O’Farrell Community School. I know firsthand that these students could benefit from our program, but not if they can’t afford it.

That’s why Girls on the Run San Diego firmly believes that every girl deserves to participate in our program and offers several types of financial assistance to anyone who needs it. All participants and their families will have access to discount codes for financial assistance. I’ve been balancing the goal of expanding our reach while welcoming back sites that were once part of our community before Covid-19. We may be a small team, but we are mighty in our resolve.

In my quest to discover my purpose and navigate the challenges of effecting change, I’ve yearned to provide young Black girls with opportunities I didn’t have. Systemically, I have encountered numerous barriers in this role. I’ve questioned why I was chosen for the challenge of change and whether my efforts truly contribute to this generation. At times, it has felt overwhelming to be just one person striving to create the change I envision.

One constant in this process has been the importance of community. Systemically, I feel that Black women in this organization lack the proper communication channels and agency, and representation in both the staff and board. Connecting with many educated Black women who share my commitment to increasing reach and accessibility for Black girls has been invaluable. I’ve learned that sometimes, I need to take a leap of faith, even if the results are slow to manifest.

We have had numerous discussions on using intentionality in the curriculum to support a culturally responsive and inclusive programming effort by both our team and coaches. We’ve faced multiple resistance and a continued journey of learning how to be responsive to communities of color which we redefine as “not yet.” Despite these obstacles, this role has shown me the challenges of being a successful young Black professional. There are numerous systemic barriers we must overcome to grow in the communities where we are most needed.

From these challenges, I have learned that challenges provoke change. There is always a better way to do something, and finding the right solution takes time. Challenge comes when change is moving in the right direction. The word “challenge” contains “change,” reminding me that perseverance is key. I must long for change, regardless of how hard it gets or how long it takes. The goal is to implement incremental changes now so that one day, the change will be evident across our organization. I am here on an assignment and have embraced the challenges that come my way.

We are currently working on securing funding and developing fundraising methods with the team to make our program more accessible to girls throughout San Diego County. This pursuit of change has challenged me to grow in unexpected ways and to use the voice that this role has helped me find. As the only Black woman on our staff, the challenges I face do not instill fear but inspire change. I am dedicated to sending out the challenge of change so that we can grow as a council, remain vigilant in our work, and continue to advocate for our community. I strive to be a representation for future Black professionals and express gratitude to my ancestors who embraced the change that comes with challenges.

The question remains: What change is being held back by this challenge? How can I take the first step towards that change?

Any advice for someone considering volunteering as a way to give back?

Take the leap of faith and do it. I have a younger sister, and with our ten-year age gap, I understand how different our perspectives can be. Volunteering with Girls on the Run San Diego is healing in many ways. Our GOTRSD community is incredibly special, with a passion that extends beyond the board and staff to our dedicated volunteers. There is a unique joy that permeates in this space, especially when we all share the same gratitude for our core values in order to create a better future for the next generation.

I have had the honor of connecting with many amazing volunteers and often hold space for them to share what led them to GOTRSD and what keeps them involved. Many express the sentiment of wishing they could have experienced this program as a child or being the representation for young girls that they needed when they were younger. Volunteering often heals the inner child, which is profoundly meaningful to me.

This is a wonderful space to volunteer if you’re new to my hometown and seeking community, or if you want to contribute to the lasting experiences the girls are part of. One core value to keep in mind is to lead with an open heart and assume positive intent. When you come into this space, leave your fears behind and allow yourself to be fully present. Lead with an open heart because, although we are working with the next generation of doctors, lawyers, educators, and changemakers, these girls inspire us with their wisdom, courage, vulnerability, curiosity, and desire for a better world.

Get in contact with our San Diego council, and we will welcome you into our community with open arms. Give us a follow on Instagram @gotrsd and feel free to visit our website gotrsd.org. 

The post Volunteer Diaries: Girls on the Run San Diego appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Historically, white men have been the dominant group included in research—which meant medications coming into the market could be ineffective or even harmful for other groups. There is not comprehensive data on the diversity of today’s research participants, but a 2022 study found in trials that gathered racial data—less than half of which do—the vast majority of enrollees were still white, even in research on diseases which disproportionately affect certain groups.

A review by FCB Health New York of federally registered clinical trials from 2000 to 2020 found that zero percent of diabetes clinical trial patients were Native American, yet the disease hits Native communities the hardest. Similarly, Black patients die of heart disease at a higher rate than any other race, but they make up just three percent of clinical trial enrollees for the illness.

In early 2023, San Diego transplant Dr. Renarda Jones founded Diverse Research Now to educate marginalized communities about the benefits of participating in clinical trials and help scientists develop lasting community relationships. The organization’s various programs help participants find clinical trials that suit their needs, help patients understand how trials work, and provide “study buddies” that advocate for participants at trial visits.

“In order for us to have a drug that’s going to work for everyone, we have to test it on everyone,” Jones says.

The post Diverse Research Now Looks to Bring Racial Equity to Medical Trials appeared first on San Diego Magazine.