Power, Systems, and Narratives: Community-centered Investment in East Contra Costa County

Solomon Belette is a seasoned senior-level strategic leader with a diverse background spanning the nonprofit, civil, educational, and philanthropic sectors. Belette is fueled by a profound commitment to human dignity and social justice. Throughout a dynamic career, Belette has dedicated his efforts to serving the most vulnerable, demonstrating resourcefulness, collaboration, and a track record of success. He has earned his undergraduate and graduate level degrees from Saint John’s University and John F. Kennedy University respectively. Belette’s entrepreneurial drives have inspired him to establish two consulting firms, SISAR and USAFI, designed to assist both domestic and international organizations in capacity development and resource mobilization. He currently holds a Visiting Professor position at the University of Juba and has served as Adjunct Instructor at Santa Clara University. His other professional experiences include serving as Managing Director for the East Contra Costa Community Alliance (ECCCA), Founder of the US Africa Initiatives (USAFI), Director of the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy, CEO of Catholic Charities of the East Bay, and Regional Director for Migration and Refugee Services. He currently serves on the board of the Village Community Resources Center, Man2Man Urban Youth Advocate, as Board President of the Antioch Community Foundation, and Regional Advisor for NCG’s Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative.

Belette is a dynamic leader whose strategic vision and commitment to positive change have left an indelible mark across diverse sectors. (Nov 2023)

For over 20 years Allison Magee has worked to transform public systems to reflect the strengths and meet the needs of the community. Allison is Executive Director of the Zellerbach Family Foundation, one of San Francisco’s oldest and most respected family foundations. ZFF promotes belonging, connection, and a shared sense of safety among people and communities across the Bay Area and California, with a focus on Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco Counties.

Allison previously worked for the City and County of San Francisco, where she served as a leader in strengthening services for system involved youth and their families. Her work as Deputy Director of the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department includes the development of a national model for juvenile justice system reform. Allison also established a collaborative model for the city’s funding of community-based services that resulted in over $14 million in dedicated funding for violence prevention programs for San Francisco youth. Allison was awarded SPUR’s Good Governance Award for her work at JPD.

Allison also worked for Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Office of Budget and Policy, and the US Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General where she won the Inspector General’s Excellence Award. Allison holds a master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration and a master’s degree in Social Work, both from Columbia University. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from San Francisco State University. Allison sits on the board of San Francisco’s GLIDE and previously with Northern California Grantmakers where she served as Board Chair. Allison lives in San Francisco with her husband and two sons.