If there’s anything that history has shown us—and what the current crisis is reminding us—it’s that the Tenderloin is no stranger to hardship. But it’s difficult times like these that reveal the power, unity, and resilience of our small, community-driven neighborhood. On May 14, District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney, Tenderloin merchants, residents, and local nonprofit workers will come together for a digital panel discussion on the current state of the Tenderloin, TL Together.
A conversation on how the neighborhood is coming together during the pandemic, this panel will highlight the Tenderloin’s successes and challenges from an interpersonal perspective—honoring the heroism of our community members working on the frontlines of the pandemic, as well as the resilience of our beloved, multifaceted neighborhood.
About the panelists:
Matt Haney
Matt Haney is a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, representing District 6 (Tenderloin, Civic Center, Mid-Market, SOMA, Yerba Buena, Rincon Hill, South Beach, Mission Bay, Treasure Island).
Honey Mahogany
Honey Mahogany is a San Francisco native, nightlife fixture, and social worker who has been working and performing in the Tenderloin and SOMA since 2006. Honey is a founder of the Transgender Cultural District, and works as an aide to Supervisor Matt Haney.
Del Seymour
Del Seymour has been a member of the Tenderloin community for the past 30 years. He founded Code Tenderloin, a local nonprofit which has led a community response campaign to Covid-19, and works closely with Glide Memorial Church, St. Anthony's, and Swords to Plowshares.
Jose Ramirez
Jose Ramirez serves as St. Anthony’s Executive Director. He brings to the role more than a decade of experience in serving those who are experiencing homelessness, most recently as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at St. Francis Center (SFC) in downtown Los Angeles.
Christy Shirilla
Christy Shirilla has lived in San Francisco for 14 years, and in the Tenderloin for five. She has been a TLCBD board member since September of 2018 and currently chairs the Clean Committee. During the Covid19 crisis she has been volunteering both publicly and privately to help raise the voices and concerns of Tenderloin residents, both housed and unhoused. If you see her out walking with her sidekick Marlo the Dog, say hi (but from six feet away).
Fernando Pujals (moderator)
Fernando Pujals is a senior director for the Tenderloin Community Benefit District (TLCBD) where he oversees communications and sidewalk cleaning operations. He believes we are the stories we tell.
David Elliott Lewis
David Elliott Lewis, Ph.D. was trained as an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist. He has been appointed to the Mental Health Board of the City and County of San Francisco. He also serves on the San Francisco Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Advisory Council and the SFPD Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Mental Health Working Group.
Rene Colorado
Rene Colorado is a community organizer in the Tenderloin. He operates Lers Ros Thai, Esan classic restaurants and is the Executive Director for the Tenderloin Merchants Association. In addition Rene also serves on the TLCBD and TEDP board of directors.
Proudly in partnership with TLCBD.
The TLCBD is a nonprofit organization working to ensure the Tenderloin is a vibrant community for all. Driven by values of respect, connection, courage, and responsibility, programs are focused on inviting public space, economic opportunity, and neighborhood pride. Learn more at TLCBD.org
Free | Suggested donation of $10
The event is limited to 500 attendees.
Zoom link will be sent on the day of the event to those who register.