We Deserve the Centerstage

THEKarenA Clark

Founder @THEKarenA Confidence&Performance Coach / Owner @The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center

December 4, 2023

I am walking on air from the event I keynoted last week Thursday ~ "Your Centerstage Moment"; created by the International Association of Women, L.A. chapter. It was a brilliant event, an opportunity to receive love, inspiration, and in-the-moment confidence coaching.

Each of the women in attendance came for a different reason, motivated by their own expectation. Judging by the smiles, hugs and presentations at the end of the session, I felt that we left uplifted and energized by our small community that night. We left feeling full, and not shrunken to fit that 9.5" x 11" resume or bio. We left feeling ready for the next day, eager to discover our true selves and to introduce the world to the pieces and parts of ourselves that are left off of the resume; left out of the bio. We left understanding, if not fully believing that we are THE ish, and can create our own destinies with our own minds and voices.

We spend time as professionals, business owners and entrepreneurs trying to convince others of our value and worth on a weekly basis. "Hire me"... because I fit the key word search. "Retain me"... because I come highly recommended. "Contract or sub-contract with me"... because I am woman and or minority owned. "Consider me"... because I have nine of the ten qualifications needed for this job or contract. We spend an enormous amount of time chasing our dreams and desires. Chasing as opposed to attracting...

When we are rejected, we feel inadequate, not good enough, not prepared. But most of what it took to arrive where we are today is not expressed on the resume. The truth of the matter, in most cases, is that we are much bigger than the resume, much broader than the bio, much more prepared than need be.

Corporate America doesn't care about the real life scenarios that you battled through as a woman; the experiences that gave you immense character, gut and grits. There is little regard in the interview for the reality that had you working, while going to school, and taking care of two babies at the same time. They only want to know about the degree part ~ not the determination and organization that was developed in your personal life in order to keep all the balls in the air. Do you fit the key words?

Corporate America is not impressed that you in your dual language capabilities take care of an entire extended family in not one but two countries, insuring that the family stays together even virtually. They want to know about the citizenship part ~ not the management skills you have developed in negotiating government entities and legal clauses. Do you fit the key words?

Corporate America does not take into account the relationship management skills you have developed in managing the church auxiliary, PTA, little league team, girl scout cookie drive, non profit capital campaign, your special need child's care, the family reunion or the volunteer drive!

Do? You? Fit? The? Key? Words?

We are obsessed in having the perfect resume because anything less will paint us as less. We have been conditioned by legal, compliance, corporate culture to ignore the very essence of who we each are; and the skills we have developed in the process of living; despite the quest for "diversity". We have been conditioned to shrink. But we can reprogram ourselves.

We chase as opposed to attracting the life we want. And we settle. But we don't have to.

Last Thursday night with the IAW, we elevated each other. We agreed not to chase and not to settle. We agreed to take the Centerstage in our lives and manifest the reality we want for ourselves. We agreed to live out loud; to use our voices for our highest purposes. We agreed that we are valuable and worthy, beautiful and brilliant. We agreed that we are THE ISH! We will not shrink into 2024. We deserve the Centerstage. And we are taking it. Now the work begins. I am more than my resume. I AM:

KarenA / THEKarenA / KarenA Clark / Bowen-Boldon House / Clark Nation / Giver of Life / Corporate Queen / Lover of Lands / Queen Mother / Producing Artist / Leader of Thoughts / Coach of Confidence.

Who are you?...

Conference Speaker

KarenA Clark

As a CONFIDENCE COACH since 2020, KarenA’s mission has been to teach women to cultivate the CONFIDENCE needed to thrive in every aspect of life. She helps women identify and release the barriers standing in their way of success by assisting them in developing their most effective and powerful voices for use in personal and professional settings.

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As a PRODUCER & ENTERTAINER she and partner Timothy Morganfield acquired The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles in 2022. They curate and develop experiences in jazz, blues, hip hop and R&B musical events; providing end-to-end production management. Streaming, recording, audio and visual mixing are available. KarenA produces her musical shows as a singer-songwriter. Her last CD is available on iTunes and next release is in 2025. She is a commercial artist ~ No on Prop 21 (Homeowner) and 1800Flowers (Mama) recently.

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As a former CORPORATE EXECUTIVE, KarenA stepped out of Corporate America in May of 2024 after 40 years of service. She left City National Bank as a senior vice president, and over a 13-year tenure there, she launched 10 employee resource groups; the 1st unconscious bias program; the 1st company-wide mentoring program; the 1st digital marketing series; the 1st business-influencer campaign. She led the integrated marketing campaign to open the 1st brick and mortar branch in an LMI community. Under her direction, the bank achieved the Nat’l Diversity Council’s Top Employers of Hispanic Leaders 2021; Forbes Best Places for Diversity 2018; and Forbes Best Places for Women in 2020-2021.

KarenA’s management career began in commercial real estate at Bank of America, where she became part of a leadership team to resolve a $7b portfolio of non-performing assets. That assignment led to 4 years as an international trainer on inclusivity and bottom-line productivity for managers in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the United States. After Bank of America, KarenA joined Operation HOPE as development director and grew the organization to 11 fully funded cities; grew the budget by 300%; and tremendously diversified funding sources.

KarenA is a PHILANTHROPIST including board service for the CA Jazz &Blues Museum, Streetlights, Educating Young Minds, Vermont Slauson Economic Dev. Corporation, PCR Business Advisory, L.A. Women’s Theatre Festival; MLK Community Hospital Dream Foundation.

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Recent acknowledgments of KarenA’s dedication to humankind include: 2024 ~ TEDx S Central – Daniel Award / 2023 ~ Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corp – Award of Community Excellence / 2022 ~ L.A. Times - DEI & Access Leader / 2022 ~ Savoy Magazine & Media - 300 Most Influential Black Execs in Corporate America / 2022 ~ Diversity Woman Magazine -Class of Elite 100 / 2022 ~ City National CEO’s Team Award / 2021 ~ National Congress Black Woman – Shirley Chisolm Award / 2021 ~ KJLH Radio – Proven Achievers Award

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Education:

Harvard Business School ~ Integrated Marketing Management 2016

Columbia Business School ~ Digital Marketing 2019

CA State University ~ BA Economics 1990’s

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/thekaren-a-clark/

https://www.thekarenaconfidencecoach.com/

Historic Vision Theatre Reopens in LA’s Leimert Park After $40M Restoration | PHOTOS

Mayor Karen Bass and community leaders celebrate the return of the landmark South L.A. performing arts center, with WACO Theatre Center joining its next chapter.

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The California Jazz & Blues Museum presents the 2nd Annual Barbara Morrison Jazz & Blues Festival on Saturday, September 9, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A first-of-its-kind, this festival was launched last year after the beloved singer’s passing, in honor of her birthday on September 10. On that day in 2022, Los Angeles’ Tenth City Council District named the intersection of 43rd Street and Degnan Boulevard “Barbara Morrison Square.” It is here that music lovers far and wide will gather this Saturday to celebrate Morrison’s memory with music in the same vein as that she performed over the course of her life.

This year’s lineup consists of dear friends of Morrison’s, including high-profile names in addition to well-known local artists who have been important to the community in and around Leimert Park. Among the featured musicians are Klymaxx, Dwight Trible, Eloise Laws, Debra Laws, The Son of Muddy Waters with Big Bill Morganfield, Victor Orlando, Fernando Pullum with the P.A.C. Senior Jazz Band, and of course, The Barbara Morrison Band, originally known as The Bu Crew Band. James Janisse and Jay Jackson will host the event.

“Our goal with this festival is to always do a fundraiser for the California Jazz and Blues Museum to keep operations going,” said Timothy Morganfield, co-owner of The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center and CEO of the California Jazz and Blues Museum. “This year we want to raise funds in order to re-open the California Jazz and Blues Museum within Leimert Park on Leimert Boulevard. We do have a location ready to go.”

As securing sufficient sponsorship for the event has been challenging, Morganfield and his business partner, Karen A. Clark have sustained the venture through bootstrapping along with the backing of the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA).

“I know it will take time,” said Morganfield, “But this concert is for the community to come together with jazz, blues, and R&B and maybe next year with a little gospel. This concert and every concert for the Barbara Morrison Jazz and Blues Festival will be free to the community. It’s giving back, as Barbara always gave to the community. Come and enjoy and support the Barbara Morrison Legacy. She gave her all wherever she went, and especially to Leimert Park.”

As for The Barbara Morrison Performance Arts Center that has been a cherished music venue for 15 years, Morganfield assures that it will remain.

“I looked at it [like] it should take me about two years to have everything leveled out, and we’re just about at that point,” he said.

The MLK Community Health Foundation will present Dream Out Loud: A Celebration of Soul and Sound on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in Leimert Park Village. Hosted by the MLK Community Healthcare Dream Council, the first-ever fundraising event will bring together music, art, storytelling and community in support of MLK Community Healthcare.

Taking place from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Dream Out Loud will feature live music, spoken word and visual art demonstrations by local artists. The event will give attendees an opportunity to experience the creativity and cultural richness of South Los Angeles while supporting an important health care resource for the community. Guests can attend in person or participate through a livestream.

The Dream Council is made up of volunteer community leaders dedicated to supporting health and wellness in South Los Angeles. Through Dream Out Loud, council members are creating a space where community leaders, artists, health care advocates and supporters can come together to celebrate the role creativity, culture and connection play in a healthy and thriving community.

“We are deeply grateful to the Dream Council for organizing this event and for bringing vital resources to MLK Community Healthcare,” said Sharon Pauda, director of major gifts at the MLK Community Health Foundation. “What better way to raise funds for MLKCH than through an event so deeply rooted in South LA — from the iconic Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in Leimert Park Village, to the incredible local talent taking the stage, to the dedicated leaders bringing this gathering to life.”

Leimert Park Village has long been recognized as a cultural center for Black arts, music and creativity in Los Angeles. Holding Dream Out Loud in Leimert Park reinforces the event’s connection to the history, culture and community of South Los Angeles.

All proceeds from Dream Out Loud will benefit MLK Community Healthcare and support its mission of providing quality health care to the South Los Angeles community. The event also represents an important milestone for the Dream Council as it launches its first fundraising initiative. At its core, Dream Out Loud reflects the belief that community health extends beyond medical care.

Access to health care is essential, but so are connection, creativity, culture and collective support. The event aims to bring these elements together in an afternoon that celebrates South LA while helping strengthen the health care resources available to its residents.

ONE WAY to Make World Premiere at Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center

Dot Saint-Fleur stars in the MC Lyte-produced one-woman show set in Los Angeles.

By: A.A. CristiMay. 19, 2026

One Way, a ohe one woman show starring, Dot Saint-Fleur, is set to premiere at The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center on Saturday, June 13th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.

Written by, produced by, and starring Dot Saint-Fleur, One Way tells the story of Ashley Rae, an actress battling reality and fantasy, as she anxiously awaits a career breakthrough.

A life changing callback brings her to the eccentric streets of Los Angeles on a chaotic, character-filled quest. Her frantic surreal journey through the trenches of the city, brings her to encounters that radically change her views on what she's actually searching for.

One Way is a seriocomic psychological play in the vein of The Wiz and Alice in Wonderland, exploring the thin line between chasing a dream and seeking validation, and the sobering truth that can be revealed in the process. In a world where we are increasingly reliant on applause and direction from others, One Way asks the terrifying question: "What are we actually searching for?" And "Are we right where we need to be?" says MC Lyte, Executive Producer of the show. "This is not just a story about a callback; it's about a psychological exploration of the need for approval."

This one woman show is derived from a prize redemption, granted from the new monologue competition, Take Note. Take Note is a brand-new live experience where creativity and competition collide. Actors perform monologues and are given notes from industry professionals. Actors must take the notes they were given and perform with a new delivery. The contestant who takes the note the best is deemed the winner.

Dot Saint-Fleur is an award-winning actor and producer based in Los Angeles. Known for bringing unique and thought provoking stories of Black women to the forefront.

*What began as a controversy over a high school graduation ended with a standing ovation.

A standing-room-only crowd packed the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in Leimert Park to celebrate A’Shari Hobbs, the Saint Mary’s Academy senior and track standout who was barred from attending her official school graduation ceremony despite meeting her academic requirements and preparing to attend college on a full athletic scholarship.

The event was organized after Saint Mary’s Academy Head of School Dr. Brandi Odom Lucas acknowledged that Hobbs was being disciplined because of alleged comments made by her mother, Elvira McBride, toward parents and students accused of assaulting Hobbs at school.

The school’s decision generated widespread criticism throughout Los Angeles and beyond, with many questioning whether it was appropriate to punish a student for the actions of a parent.

Community Steps In to Honor A’Shari Hobbs

Among those who stepped forward was National Action Network Senior Organizer Najee Ali, who said he became involved after learning how devastated Hobbs and her family were by the school’s decision.

“Dr. Odom Lucas’ punishment imposed against A’Shari was frankly cruel and inhumane. To have an African American woman attempt to harm an African American youth under the guise of handbook rules is just plain wrong. Rules can be changed or amended,” Ali said.

Ali said he was deeply moved after speaking with Hobbs and her mother.

“When I spoke to A’Shari and her mom, they were both in tears and heartbroken,” he said. “I wasn’t going to allow that, and I knew our community wouldn’t allow it either. The Village stepped up immediately and within days organized A’Shari Hobbs’ own personal graduation ceremony and celebration.”

Standing-Room-Only Crowd Fills Leimert Park Venue

Supporters filled the venue, creating an atmosphere that was equal parts graduation ceremony, community rally and celebration of perseverance. Many attendees viewed the event as an opportunity to send a message that young people should not lose milestone moments because of conflicts involving adults.

Several Saint Mary’s Academy alumni were among those in attendance, joining community members who wanted Hobbs to know she had support beyond the school’s campus.

The enthusiastic crowd applauded throughout the ceremony as speakers reflected on the challenges Hobbs faced and the determination she displayed in continuing to pursue her goals despite the controversy.

For many attendees, the gathering was about more than a graduation. It was about demonstrating what can happen when a community comes together to support a young person facing adversity.

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Intersection dedicated in honor of late jazz legend Barbara Morrison

BY City News Service Los Angeles

PUBLISHED 1:55 PM PT Sep. 10, 2022

LOS ANGELES (CNS) — A Leimert Park intersection was dedicated Saturday as Barbara Morrison Square in honor of the late, legendary jazz singer — coinciding with the anniversary of her birth and the inaugural edition of the Barbara Morrison Jazz & Blues Music Festival.

Councilwoman Heather Hutt, whose 10th District includes Leimert Park, Tim Morganfield, Morrison’s longtime partner, and members of Morrison’s family were on hand for the 10 a.m. ceremony at the intersection of 43rd Street and Degnan Boulevard.

Morrison sang with some of jazz’s biggest names, including Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, Kenny Burrell, Hank Crawford, Nancy Wilson, Mel Tormé, Ray Brown, the Count Basie Orchestra and Doc Severinsen’s Big Band.

According to the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, where she served as an adjunct professor of global jazz studies, she performed at Carnegie Hall, toured Europe with Ray Charles and sang at the North Sea, Bern and Playboy jazz festivals.

Born Sept. 10, 1949, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Morrison began performing at age 10 in her native state. Over the course of her career, she appeared on more than 20 recordings.

She founded the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in 2009 to bring music to the Leimert Park community. Morrison would often give free music and voice lessons to children and give them a chance to perform on stage.

She also founded the California Jazz & Blues Museum in Leimert Park in 2011.

Morrison died March 16 at age 72. She had been hospitalized in early March due to cardiovascular disease.

“The legacy and impact of the legendary Barbara Morrison presents several life lessons on the essence of resilience, namely the capacity to persist and to pursue vision in the face of hardship and adversity,” then- Councilman Herb Wesson said in his motion to dedicate the intersection in Morrison’s honor.

“She not only inspired many internationally through her music, but she also dedicated her life to uplifting the communities of Leimert Park and Greater Los Angeles.”

The festival followed the dedication and was set to run until 7 p.m. at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, adjacent to the intersection. Admission is free with registration suggested at www.eventbrite.com/e/barbara-morrison.

The musical line-up includes Mike Mann and the Cowboy Soul; Al Threats & Amusement Park; Lady Rene Blues; Torrence Brannon-Reese & His Everything with Soul Band, featuring Melba Joyce; Ray Bailey and Friends, featuring Brenda Lee Eager; Chester Whitmore and his Opus One Big Band, featuring Dwight Trible; The Barbara Morrison Band featuring Elaine Gibbs; Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band; Sons of Muddy Waters; and Eloise Laws.

The festival also includes an art walk featuring works from Morrison’s California Jazz & Blues Museum, a “Kids Korner” in Leimert Plaza Park and a variety of vendors and food trucks.

More information about the festival is available at www.tbmpac.org.