Oakland,CA, March 21, 2012–Oakland Digital have added two new faces to their diverse team. Rita Forte, former manager of a local, family-owned café and Vernita Naylor, Founder/CEO of an integrated business resource company. Both ladies bring the panache of the arts, entertainment, education and technology to the organization. They are committed to working diligently with the Oakland Digital team to decrease the gap in the digital divide for the underserved community. “We are excited to have Rita and Vernita as a part of our team. Both bring new skills and fresh perspectives needed for the evolution of Oakland Digital” says Oakland Digital, Executive Director, Shaun Tai. Meet the new faces of Oakland Digital:RITA FORTE – BOARD MEMBER was born and raised in Oakland, California Forte has been involved in Arts and Technology since 2001. Beginning as a DJ/On-Air Personality, Forte was an early adopter of technology to advance her career. Forte spearheaded Warner Bros. Records’ online radio project hyphymovement.com and helped launch the live streaming program for Yahoo! in 2008, called Yahoo! Live. Forte, one of the premiere users of Yahoo! Live, also produced her own successful urban entertainment show on YouTube. "I am honored to be a part of a great community organization of which I feel that I can contribute to. The mission is clearly one that represents forward thinking and innovative expression which is a great opportunity for boundlessly advancing the city of Oakland." More recently, Forte managed a local, family-owned café in downtown Oakland, Its A Grind. Forte supervised a team of 10 employees, managed the online marketing, special promotions and event planning for the business. Currently she consults small businesses and musicians with strategic marketing and branding services.
VERNITA NAYLOR – EXECUTIVE TEAM, a native of Oakland, California Naylor attended the infamous McClymonds High School notable for NBA Hall of Famer-Bill Russell, Former Mayor of Oakland–Lionel Wilson, Street Ball Player–Demetrius “Hook” Mitchell and Former Mayor of Oakland and U.S. Congressman–Ron Dellums. Naylor is the Founder/CEO of Jabez Enterprise Group (JEGroup), an integrated business resource company and for over 10 years has been and/or provided consulting, professional development, project management and motivational speaker for several media outlets, record labels, small-medium businesses throughout the U.S. Some of her clients include the GRAMMY Foundation, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GDHCC), Girls Inc and Macy’s. Naylor is also a writer and book commentator for Random House, Inc and their affiliates, as well as, SCORE, Examiner.com and American Express. Naylor held a career at the GSA for over 25 years where she garnered her expertise in project and construction management, relocation services and government contracting. She is currently on the Advisory Board for The Stevie Awards, America Means Business and has been sworn-in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Children. Naylor holds a Business Management Degree from SFSU and Project Management Certification from U.C. Berkeley. ‘With so many talents already within the Oakland Digital family I hope to be a compliment to the existing model as the Program/Project Manager. Collectively we will be able to make a grave impact on the community of Oakland. Watch out world we’re back!’
For more information about Oakland Digital (www.odalc.org)