Philanthropy & Nonprofits
The Community Foundation Welcomes New Board Chair and Two Board Officers

Riverside, CA – The Community Foundation serving Riverside and San Bernardino counties is pleased to announce that J. Sergio Bohon has been selected by the Board as the new Chair of the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2019. Bohon will succeed outgoing Chair, Sean Varner. The Foundation also appointed two new officers, Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds, as Vice Chair, and Nefertiti Long as Secretary.
“I want to thank Sean for his leadership and support, which has been deeply valuable during my inaugural year at the Foundation,” said Michelle Decker, President and CEO of The Community Foundation. “As we begin 2019, I’m looking forward to working with Sergio and his skills as a people manager and wealth investor. Sergio’s passion shines through in his many philanthropic investments and we are deeply grateful for his support and commitment to TCF, especially in a time of great growth and positive change.”
- Sergio Bohon is Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo Advisors and has been a Board Member of The Community Foundation for the past six years. Mr. Bohon has been in the financial services industry for over 30 years, managing assets for individuals, trusts, charitable organizations and businesses. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona and a Master’s from the College of Financial Planning, earning him the designation of Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). His philanthropic support helps programs working in the areas of diversity and inclusion, the developmentally disabled, and animals and he pilots charitable missions. His family also started a scholarship fund at Chaffey College to assist dreamer students.
Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds is a longtime Board Member of The Community Foundation, having recently served as Secretary of the Board. Dr. Brown-Hinds is also the founder of Voice Media Ventures and the second-generation publisher of the VOICE and Black Voice News. The multi-media company includes news weekly print and digital editions, film and new media content production, and a strategic communications firm specializing in community outreach and engagement. She has won statewide and national awards for her column Rants & Raves. As an educator, she teaches an annual course at UC Riverside connecting students in media and the arts with the broader community.
Nefertiti Long joined the Board of The Community Foundation in 2017. She is a resident of Lake Elsinore and Chief Operating Officer of Alta Loma Enterprises in Rancho Cucamonga. Ms. Long has worked for several public and private companies, with most of her experience in the food industry. Her professional associations include Alliance of Black Women Accountants and the National Association for Female Executives. A resident of Lake Elsinore, Ms. Long’s community involvement includes supporting the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, United Negro College Fund, and the March of Dimes. Ms. Long holds a B.A. in Accounting from California State University, Pomona and an M.B.A. from California State University, Fullerton.
The Community Foundation’s Board Officers for 2019-2021 are:
Chair – J. Sergio Bohon, Wells Fargo Advisors
Vice Chair – Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds, Voice Media Ventures
Chief Financial Officer – Tami Sipos, Cryoworks, Inc
Secretary – Nefertiti Long, Alta Loma Enterprises
About The Community Foundation
The Community Foundation is the oldest and largest community foundation in Inland Southern California (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties). Established in 1941, at 77 years old The Community Foundation stewards more than $100 million in assets and provides college scholarships and grants to nonprofit organizations across the two-county region and beyond. Since its founding, the Foundation has awarded more than $100 million to support programs that strengthen the community. For more information visit The Community Foundation’s website at www.thecommunityfoundation.net. Be a part of our conversation on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Philanthropy & Nonprofits
A Great Milestone Reached! The Otis Dream Project Has Been Recognized in Zambia, Africa!

A Great Milestone Reached! The Otis Dream Project Has Been Recognized in Zambia, Africa!
Have you been wondering what happened to the establishment of the NGO (Non-Governmental Organization), the Otis Dream Project in Zambia, Africa? Well, wonder no more! As of August 10, 2023, the Otis Dream Project has become a reality! Yes, the government of Zambia has recognized the Otis Dream Project as a legal entity. Thanks to our incredible team on the ground and all the hard work they put into the project, the Otis Dream Project has become a legal NGO in a much shorter time frame than most NGOs in that country. This is a BIG milestone, the first of many more! Again, thanks to our hardworking team: Derby Chipwande, Chali Ezra Mwansa, and Edwin Mukwamba.
Community
San Manuel Orange County Golf Tournament Raises $425,000 for Five Tribal, Local & National Nonprofits

24th Annual Tournament Recognizes O.C. based Meals on Wheels and Radiant Futures Among Others
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Tribal leaders, business and community partners united for this year’s annual golf tournament to raise $425,000 for tribal, local and national nonprofits, making it the largest year for funds raised at the annual event. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has donated more than $3 million to 50 nonprofit organizations as a result of its annual golf tournament. The tournament was the first Tribal event at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club since the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians acquired an interest in the property earlier this year.
The annual event commenced on July 16 with a celebration and a check presentation of $85,0000 each to five inspiring tribal, local and national nonprofits. The following nonprofits were awarded: Lakota Waldorf School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in southwestern South Dakota dedicated to providing an exemplary education to reservation students while incorporating their culture; Voices for Children which serves children in Riverside and San Diego County who are in foster care by providing court appointed special advocates; Citrus Counseling Services located in Redlands which provides mental health services at low or no cost; Radiant Futures of Orange County provides crisis support, services for survivors, and education to prevent domestic violence and human trafficking; and Meals on Wheels OC which provides programming to nourish the wellness of senior citizens in Orange County.
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairwoman, Lynn Valbuena, says she is moved by the community’s commitment to providing a hand up to nonprofits that are dedicated to making a difference regionally and throughout Indian Country.
“Each year I stand in awe of the thoughtfulness and generosity of our sponsors and partners to continue San Manuel’s mission of supporting organizations that are truly the boots on the ground for making our world a better place,” said San Manuel Chairwoman, Lynn Valbuena. “These five nonprofits are improving the lives of so many Native Americans, as well as local communities, and we are proud to help. The tournament is one of the many ways San Manuel demonstrates its value of giving back.”
This year, golfers teed off on ocean-view golf courses at Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Beach and Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point from Monday, July 17 to Thursday, July 20.
Presenting sponsors of the tournament included Imagine This and PENTA Building Group. Yaamava’ Resort & Casino was also joined by its sports partners from the LA Dodgers, LAFC and the Anaheim Ducks.
Supporting nonprofit organizations is part of the Tribe’s commitment to their Giving Pillar also known as “San Manuel Cares.” For more information on San Manuel Care’s Program, please visit: www.sanmanuelcares.org
Philanthropy & Nonprofits
The OTIS Academy Launches in Zambia, Africa

In March of 2023, Eddy Sumar of ERS Consulting Services, in conjunction with the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce (IERCC), traveled to Zambia, Africa, to bring the OTIS Academy, the Power Project/The Power of the Dream, and the value of Financial Freedom to the youth of Zambia.
On Tuesday, March 14, he met with CEO Chansa Mwila of the American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia (AmCham), where he presented her with an honorary membership to the IERCC. He also presented certificates of membership to Mr. Derby Chipwande and Mr. Edwin Mukwamba, Partners for the OTIS Academy in Zambia. All were very excited to be a part of IERCC and the OTIS Academy Project in Zambia. On the next day, Wednesday, Mr. Sumar and Mr. Mukwamba visited two schools, The Multisensory International School and Litewu School, where they demonstrated what the OTIS Academy can do for their students. They were very excited and impressed by the depth and quality of the programs offered.
The next few days Mr. Sumar took a side trip with his wife and Mr. Chipandwe and Mr. Mukwamba and his wife to Livingston, where they witnessed the Mighty Victoria Falls at the strongest it had been in decades. Next to the Falls is the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where they encountered Cape and Forest Buffalo, Vervet Monkeys, Impalas, Baboons, Zebras, and the endangered White Rhino. They also crossed the border into Botswana, where warthogs and mongooses wandered among the human population.
Back from that little side trip, Mr. Sumar and Mr. Mukwamba visited two more schools on Monday, March 20. The first was Quickstep School Limited, the second Rockview University. Again, the reception to the program was very positive. So with this trip, one can say: the IERCC has gone global, the OTIS Academy has gone international, and both have arrived in Zambia!
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