To commemorate Black History Month, we’re highlighting the contributions made by exemplary black leaders. These leaders are also part of our 50 Visionaries, individuals who have had a positive impact on the health of our patients and our community. They continue to inspire us with their dedication to progress and innovation, and we’re honored to include them in our list of Visionaries as part of our 50th anniversary celebration.
Barack Obama
President Barack Obama’s commitment to advocacy for health care equity across the nation is unparalleled. It is because of the Affordable Care Act that the majority of Venice Family Clinic’s patients now have access to health insurance, as well as the comfort in knowing they can get the medical care they need.
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative, as well as her own setting an example for eating nutritious foods and exercising regularly, brought much-needed attention to the critical issue of childhood obesity, and inspired the country to prioritize healthy foods and move their bodies more.
Earvin ”Magic” Johnson
Earvin “Magic” Johnson played a crucial role in destigmatizing HIV/AIDS and became a formidable advocate for the rights and dignity of people living with this disease. He dedicated himself to proving to the world that an HIV diagnosis need not be a death sentence.
Al Osborne
Al Osborne is senior associate dean for external affairs at UCLA Anderson School of Management. His passion for leadership development and for applying business models and methodologies to the nonprofit world has had a meaningful impact on the trajectories of Head Start programs and community health centers nationwide.
Susan Burton
Susan Burton is the founder of A New Way of Life, which helps women who have been incarcerated to overcome the complex challenges of reentry. When she struggled with her own addiction she received behavioral health counseling at Venice Family Clinic. Through her advocacy, she has brought attention to the trauma experienced by those in prison and to the positive role counseling and community support have in helping people transition out of prison.
Nadine Burke-Harris
Nadine Burke-Harris is the current Surgeon General of California. Her work linking adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress with harmful impacts later in life continues to inform how Venice Family Clinic takes a trauma-informed approach to how we provide care to our patients, and how our staff and volunteers treat each other.