California Neighborhood Coalition

Administration

 Michael L. Brooks, B.A., M.S.C.M.  

President

 Mr. Brooks is the third generation to reside in his home on Oak Street.  He is a graduate of Bellarmine University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration; and a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Sullivan University with a Master of Science in Conflict Mangement.  Michael was elected by residents of California and Park Hill to the Board of Directors of the Louisville Metro Community Action Partnership in December 2005.  He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Community Action Partnership and oversees its Executive Committee and Operating Budget of over $14.8 million.  Michael was recently chosen by the Provost of the University of Louisville to serve on a selection committee to choose the outstanding University of Louisville faculty member, staff member, student and community partner for the 2009-10 school year.  He is a charter member of the California Collaborative which recently secured thousands of dollars from the Community Foundation of Louisville for robust California Neighborhood Revitalization, with continued funding through 2011.  Mr. Brooks is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society; recently appointed by Louisville Mayor Jerry E. Abramson to an advisory council to oversee revitalization of of the Park Hill Industrial Corridor; and, a member of the Resident's Council of the University of Louisville Signature Partnership Iniatiative, Inc., (now known as the Office of Community Engagement) that advises state and local officials on the economic, educational, health and social needs of West End residents.

Anna Haskins Smith, Vice President

 Mrs. Smith is a lifelong Prentice Street resident and a member of the California Neighborhood Advisory Council.  She is also Director of Senior Programs and partners with Louisville area professionals and volunteers to bring social programs for seniors and disabled residents to the Californa community.  Mrs. Smith is also a member of the Californa Residents Community Farm Alliance Task Force, and she is Chairperson of the annual California Reunion Picnic that is held each fourth Saturday in August at California Park, 16th and St. Catherine Streets, that attracts participants from all over the country.

Jane Grady, Parliamentarian

Mrs. Grady is a Breckinridge Street resident and a member of the California Neighborhood Advisory Council.  Jane is an event planner for the California Neighborhood Coalition Senior Activities Program, and she is also a member of the California Neighborhood Coalition Organizing Committee, former member of the Multi-County Clients Council of the Legal Aid Society of Louisville, and past President of the Beecher Terrace Residents Council.                                                                                         

Sue H. Lawson, Chaplain

Mrs. Lawson is an Ormsby Avenue resident and a thirty-year member of Southern Baptist Church, 15th and West St. Catherine Streets, in the heart of the California Community.  She is also a member of the California Residents Community Farm Alliance Task Force; and an Event Planner for the California Neighborhood Coalition Senior Activities Program.

Ms. Debra Suzanne Eades, Treasurer

Ms. Suzanne Eades is a lifelong Dumesnil Street resident.  She also serves as Assistant Director of the California Neighborhood Coalition Senior Activities Progam; and a graduate of the University of Louisville, with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.  Suzanne studies Biblical Greek, a certified income tax preparer, a member of the Metro United Way Neighborhood Institute (2009), and is actively involved in speech communication and youth mentoring.