Forward Thinkers

CA Fwd connects the dots with leaders from California arts organizations
610 200 Tracy Hudak

President Jim Mayer speaks at Californians for the Arts Confluence in Sacramento, highlighting forward-thinking arts advocates

read more
Forward Thinker Blair Hamilton Taylor inspires teens to think globally
150 150 California Forward

Blair Taylor, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL), works hard every day to empower young people and get them connected to their community.

read more
Forward Thinker Michael Turnipseed wants people to know how their government works
150 150 California Forward

As executive director of the Kern County Taxpayer’s Association, Michael Turnipseed wants to ensure people understand what local government does and how business and the private sector can fit in.

read more
Forward Thinker Meg Palisoc prepares kids for the future
150 150 Megan Goldsby

Meg Palisoc had a great career as a college administrator at USC. But after noticing that inner city freshman were not as prepared for higher education as their peers, she decided to dedicate herself to helping disadvantaged young people achieve.

read more
Visionary leaders and tough decisions needed to move CA forward
150 150 Michael Turnipseed

As a teenager growing up, in the Central Valley, I saw the “Golden State” growing and its “golden glow” getting brighter. 50 years later, California has gone from the world’s leader in almost everything to a state that is bankrupt in nearly every way.

read more
Forward Thinker Joyce Cooksey-James connects community members
150 150 Cheryl Getuiza

At age 14, Joyce Cooksey-James had her first experience with politics. In Detroit at the time, she helped a during an election campaign. Then at 22, she began helping neighborhood housing complexes.

read more
Forward Thinker Celina Rodriguez encourages kids to follow dreams
150 150 Cheryl Getuiza

As a girl, Celina Rodriguez saw two worlds—one where people could afford a lot and another where folks could barely survive. This juxtaposition, she says, shaped who she is today and how she decided to spend the rest of her life.

read more