In a scenic setting of live music, cuisine, and ambiance, Community Build, Inc. in Leimert Park, welcomed public officials, colleagues, family and friends, and a who’s who list of community influencers who convened to celebrate the organization’s new president and CEO, Robert Sausedo, with a reception and ribbon cutting ceremony.
Bianca Dixon led the audience in singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” as event coordinator Del Richardson welcomed the packed crowd of supporters. Nathan Freeman, FMG, introduced Master of Ceremony, J.P. Hamlet, president/CEO of advanced planning strategies, who praised the Community Build Board of Directors and Sausedo for their years of commitment to community service.
Speakers included Chairman of the Board, Beverly Davis, Honorable Gloria Gray, Metro Water District, Dr. Belinda Allen, executive director West Angeles, CDC, and Kathi Houston-Berryman and Leon Gullette of Community Build, Inc.
The organization announced Sausedo as its new president and CEO in April. According to the organization, the native Angeleno has been engaged and involved with civic matters that impact youth, economic development, social justice and literacy for over 30 years. Most recently, Sausedo served as Deputy for Agency and Review for Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.
Community Build founding board member Reverend Clyde W. Oden, Jr. noted that at this critical juncture, Sausedo is the best person to lead the agency.
“Robert’s hire comes at a very crucial time in the history of our organization. South Los Angeles in general and Leimert Park, in particular, are undergoing significant changes in both demographics and commerce,” said Reverend Oden. “Community Build intends to support those efforts that promote economic empowerment and affordable housing for the residents of this community. Mr. Sausedo understands that vision and is committed to helping Community Build remain as a catalyst for good in our community.”
According to the organization, Sausedo will manage a staff of 68 in two, separate locations, the administrative offices in Leimert Park and the Youth and Community Center. One of Sausedo’s major responsibilities will be leading executive management in identifying new program services and growth opportunities that will enable Community Build to achieve its strategic objectives and ensure long-term viability as a key African American community development corporation that meets the unique needs of underserved groups in South Los Angeles and adjacent service areas.
Community Build is a non-profit community development corporation established in 1992 in response to the conditions that led to the Los Angeles Civil Unrest of 1992. Its youth outreach prioritizes comprehensive and wrap-around services for at-risk youth, out-of-school youth, foster youth, youth offenders, gang-involved youth, and first-generation college bound youth.
For more information, visit https://www.communitybuild.org/
Additional Photos E. Mesiyah McGinnis
