Greetings!

Since we are about at the half way point of this very exciting year, I thought it appropriate to give you an update on CHBA's activities this year and invite you to attend our upcoming events.

We started this year with our Annual Board Retreat in January hosted by Seyfarth Shaw, LLP. The Retreat is the time when the board members meet and plan out the goals and activities for the year and establish the organization's budget. I am happy to report that we have a very enthusiastic board that is dedicated to CHBA and what CHBA represents and we have had an exciting year thus far. The first event CHBA was involved in was the Joint Networking Mixer at Jillian's in San Francisco. This is CHBA's sixth year participating as a co-sponsor of this event. It is a great time to network with other African-American professionals and encourage non-members of CHBA to become members.

In honor of Black History Month, CHBA held its Sixth Annual Soul Food Potluck at the home of CHBA members Fidel and Chonda Nwamu in Oakland. This is always such a great event as it allows our members to show off their culinary skills. It also allows our members to mix and mingle in an informal environment. Special thanks to CHBA's Social Chair Lillian Hardy for organizing this event.

In March, CHBA held its Annual Judicial Luncheon at Madison's Restaurant at the Lake Merritt Hotel in Oakland where the Honorable Brenda Harbin-Forte was honored. Additionally, new and elevated members of the judiciary were recognized. Special thanks to CHBA's Judicial Chair Monica Wiley who always does an excellent job in organizing this event. Also in March, we held our first general membership meeting/happy hour of the year at Air Lounge in Oakland. We had a fantastic turnout! Thanks to Social Chair Lillian Hardy and Membership Chair Kamili Williams for organizing this event.

As President, it is my responsibility to be the face of the organization and to attend and participate in numerous events and serve on several outside committees throughout the year as a representative of CHBA. In April, I had the pleasure of attending the swearing-in of Justice Martin Jenkins. I was pleased to see so many members and friends of CHBA come out to support Justice Jenkins. I also attended the National Bar Association Mid-Year Conference in Chicago, Illinois, and the California Association of Black Lawyers Conference in Emeryville, California. CHBA is an affiliate chapter of both of these organizations and I encourage your involvement and participation in their activities. In addition, CHBA is a member of the Minority Bar Coalition and I participate in those meetings in which the leaders of all the minority bar associations in the bay area meet and discuss issues affecting minorities and the respective bar associations. The Minority Bar Coalition will put on its Second Annual Joint Diversity Conference in October. We look forward to our members participating in the conference and serving on a panel. Last year's conference was a huge success.

Some of CHBA's upcoming events include the Annual Membership Appreciation BBQ on July 12, 2008, at the home of Olu and Gail Bereola. You are encouraged to bring your friends and family to this event which is always such a great time. In September, Seyfarth Shaw, LLP, will also host CHBA's Interview and Resume Workshop. All law students and anyone desirous of brushing up on their interview skills are encouraged to attend. CHBA is also requesting volunteers to serve as interviewers and resume reviewers. The date and time of the workshop are TBD. CHBA will also hold another general membership meeting/happy hour in September, and the general membership election meeting in November. Finally, please "Save The Date" for CHBA's Annual Gala and Dinner Dance which will be held on December 6, 2008...at a new location! Yes, this year's Gala will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Oakland. More information to follow shortly. Please view our "Calendar of Events" page on our website for a complete list of upcoming events.

As you can see, CHBA continues to stay busy and relevant in this ever changing society. I would encourage each of you to become more involved in CHBA. CHBA is doing great things, but we need your participation and support as we are only as strong as our membership...and by membership I mean those individuals who have paid CHBA's membership dues. Other than the Gala, membership dues are CHBA's source of financial stability. In order to continue to bring you programs, events and activities, we need financial support. If you have not yet paid your dues this year, please do so today. We even have made it easy for you by paying online. Please go to our "Forms" page for the link to our online payment website. Additionally, I encourage you to attend our meetings and events, or volunteer for a committee.

Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in sponsoring any CHBA events or if you have any questions regarding the benefits of being a CHBA member.

Sincerely,

Kimberlei Evans Dixon,
2008 President, Charles Houston Bar Association

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