South Bay Students And Mentors Map Out Big Dreams

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Black History month in the South Bay culminated with a celebration of nearly 60 local Black students and mentors at the seventh annual Defying the Odds Black History Month hosted by the Kinecta Federal Credit Union.

The Feb. 25th event offered hands-on opportunities for young men from the Centinela Valley Union, Long Beach Unified, Redondo Beach Unified, and Manhattan Beach Unified school districts along with students from El Segundo High School, Environmental Charter High Schools, and Verbum Dei High School to work with mentors and accomplished professionals for help plotting their own futures.

Twenty mentors from small businesses, public service, education and the corporate world gathered to help the students create vision boards and map out steps to take to establish their career goals.

“The Defying the Odds event is more than just a gathering—it’s a movement,” said Latrice McGlothin, Community Executive Director at Kinecta Federal Credit Union. “Empowering young Black men with knowledge, mentorship, and tangible resources is essential in helping them navigate today’s society. By bringing together professionals who have overcome challenges and achieved success, we hope to inspire the next generation to dream bigger, work smarter, and build strong foundations for their futures.”

The students heard life and career advice from a doctor, engineer, finance expert, police chief and school principal among other local leaders.

Dr. Doug A. Webber, Director of Palliative Care, Glendale Memorial Hospital opened the event, discussing the importance of finding purpose. Next Tony Magee, principal engineer at Aerojet Rocketdyne, urged the students to set ambitious goals for themselves.

“You can’t shove a great life into a small dream," he said.

The panelists shared their own career experiences and stories of resilience, decision-making and growth.

Redondo Union High School Principal Marvin Brown, urged the students to prioritize their own education with a session called "The Power of Eductaion.:

The Speakers included:

• Cecil W. Rhambo Jr., Chief of LAX World Airport Police
• Sean Patikas-Hunter, Wealth Advisor, Kinecta Wealth Management
• Marquis Boochee, VP Member Experience, Kinecta
• Dr. Doug A. Webber, Director of Palliative Care, Glendale Memorial Hospital
• Joshua “Jelli” Ellison, Baseball Coach and Entrepreneur
• Dr. Brandon Henry, Chief Athletics Medical Officer, California Baptist University
• Marvin Brown, Principal, Redondo Union High School
• Tony Magee, Principal Engineer, Aerojet Rocketdyne
• Dino Smiley, Director and Commissioner of the world-famous Drew League Foundation
• Jarvis Young, Engineer, and Franchisee with Papa John's Pizza
• Doyin “Doc” Adewol, International Model and Creative Director, Actively Black