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Facilitating a Community-Driven, Integrated, Efficient and Equitable Disaster Recovery Economic and Community Development Resilience
Strategy

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The Altadena CDC is a critical community protection, preservation, and development entity, dedicated to:

Ensuring that the rebuilding process in Altadena and Pasadena is equitable, transparent, and community-driven.

We exist to prevent displacement, protect assets, and empower local families to rebuild generational wealth in the wake of the devastating fires.

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OUR MISSION

The CDC’s mission is to protect, support, and restore fire-impacted communities by providing comprehensive recovery solutions, ensuring fair land valuation, maintaining long-term affordability, and enabling generational wealth creation.

 

The CDC will serve as the centralized hub for disaster relief funding, technical assistance, and long-term strategic planning to create resilient, thriving communities.

 

Too often, disaster recovery efforts are fragmented, reactive, and fail to protect the most vulnerable. Without proactive intervention, families face displacement, communities lose affordability, and speculators take advantage of fire-impacted landowners.

PROTECTING COMMUNITY

STREAMLINING RECOVERY

DRIVING REINVESTMENT

COMMUNITY-LED INITIATIVES

Comprehensive Equity-driven Immediate and Long-term Recovery

  • Single-point Entry for Immediate Relief

  • Community Organizing

  • Policy Advocacy

  • ​Urban Planning

  • Sustainable Development

  • Equity Initiatives

  • Collaborative Partnerships

  • Philanthropic Engagement

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Immediate cash assistance to families through the Dena Care Collective.

Economic Stabilization

Partnering to provide accessible, accurate information to evaluate options to rebuild or relocate is essential.

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Our initiatives are designed to address the immediate, long term and complex needs of survivors, including aid access, education, case management and promote sustainable recovery and rapid rebuilding.

Equity is driven with data. Assessing needs of residents and priorities will streamline evidence-based interventions.

Data-Driven

Evaluating and Accessing financing options and gap funding available through our partners and fund to make rebuilding simple and reducing risk and price-gouging. 

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AJA BROWN

CO-FOUNDER

Throughout Aja Brown’s 20-year career in community and economic development—rooted in her B.S./MPL in urban planning and economic development—she has been a driving force in revitalizing underserved communities. Her work spans housing and mixed-use development in the City of Inglewood to her transformative tenure as Mayor of Compton, CA (2013–2021).

 

As Mayor, Aja launched the 12-Point Vision for Compton Strategic Plan, catalyzing over $3 billion in new investment across industries, including industrial green-building, housing developments, national retailers, small businesses, and community assets. Her leadership attracted millions in philanthropic funding while cutting crime rates by 60% and expanding economic opportunities through innovative capital stacks and community-driven development.

 

Her work has been globally recognized as a benchmark for equitable urban revitalization and wealth creation in underserved communities. Learn more about her journey at AjaBrown.com.

CAPACITY BUILDERS

Michael Tubbs is the Founder of EPIC; the Founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income; and the Special Advisor to California Governor Gavin Newsom for Economic Mobility and Opportunity. In 2016, he was elected Mayor of Stockton at 26-years-old. He was the city’s first African-American Mayor, and the youngest Mayor of any major city in American history. As Mayor, Tubbs

was lauded for his leadership and innovation. He raised over $20 million dollars to create the Stockton Scholars, a universal scholarship and mentorship program for Stockton students. Additionally, he piloted the first mayor-led guaranteed income

pilot in the country.

Under his leadership, Stockton was named an “All-America City” in 2017 and 2018 by the National Civic League. The city saw a 40% drop in homicides in 2018 and 2019, led the state of California in the decline of officer involved shootings in 2019, and was named the second most fiscally healthy city in California. Additionally, it was recognized as one of the most fiscally healthy cities in the nation and was featured in an HBO documentary film, Stockton

on My Mind.

 

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Prophet Walker's journey, defined by resilience and transformative leadership, began in the heart of South Los Angeles, marred by socio-economic challenges. His incarceration at 16 only strengthened his resolve, leading him to pursuing higher education in engineering and co-founding the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC). Rapidly ascending in real estate, his work embodies his commitment to community and sustainability. His leadership style is not defined by titles but by impact. Prophet is a visionary—honored by President Obama at the 2015 State of the Union—who sees potential where others perceive insurmountable challenges. Whether through political activism, mentorship programs for youth, or innovative community projects, he consistently seeks to uplift those around him.

 

In Prophet Walker's story, we don't just find an inspiring instance of resilience and redemption; we witness a manifesto of what it means to serve, advocate, and lead with empathy, foresight, and an unrelenting belief in the power of community. His life, work, and aspirations are a love letter to community, and to a future where communal bonds are fortified, and every individual can realize their inherent potential.

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MICHAEL TUBBS

PROPHET WALKER

CATALYST + INITIATIVE CO-FOUNDER

CATALYST + INITIATIVE CO-FOUNDER

EXECUTIVE BOARD

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PASTOR ANTHONY MCFARLAND

TUNUA THRASH-NTUK

VAN BROWN

SHIMICA GASKINS

KARIM WEBB

Tunua Thrash-Ntuk is a leader in community and economic development with two decades of experience in the nonprofit and private sectors. She specializes in community advocacy, real estate development, and neighborhood revitalization. Currently, she serves as Councilwoman for Long Beach’s District 8 and as President & CEO of the Center by Lindstry. Previously, as Senior Executive Director of LISC LA, she expanded housing, small business, and lending programs while advancing racial equity. Tunua has served on advisory boards for organizations including the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, Housing California, and the City of LA’s Measure HHH Oversight Commission. She holds a Master’s in City Planning from MIT and is an alumna of UC Berkeley.

Van Brown is a strategic leader who empowers municipalities and non-profits to tackle systemic challenges through streamlined processes, optimized case management, and enhanced operations. As President of Covenant Capital, he draws on extensive experience in risk management, compliance, and large-scale safety initiatives-particularly in technical projects-to develop risk management strategies, ensure regulatory adherence. and bolster organizational safety.

Shimica Gaskins is a dedicated community leader and President & CEO of End Child Poverty CA, using her expertise in law and public policy to dismantle systemic barriers and promote economic mobility for vulnerable children in California. After losing her home in the devastating Eaton Fire, she has become a pivotal voice in Altadena's wildfire recovery, channeling her passion and strategic advocacy to rebuild lives with dignity and lasting impact.

Pastor Anthony McFarland is a respected faith

leader at Abundant Harvest LIFT Church in Altadena, known for his compassionate ministry and steadfast commitment to his community. In the wake of the recent Eaton Fire, he emerged as a pivotal figure in the wildfire recovery effort-rallying residents, coordinating relief initiatives, and inspiring hope in

a time of great need.

Dr. Sheila Foster is a Professor at Columbia University's Climate School and a foremost expert in environmental and climate justice. urban governance, and innovative resource management. Recognized for her pioneering "co-cities" framework, she works closely with communities and policymakers to develop resilient, equitable solutions for urban challenges-including wildfire recovery efforts in areas like Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her research and advocacy continue to inspire transformative approaches that reimagine cities as inclusive, shared commons.

Karim Webb is an entrepreneurial activist and Principal at Webb Investments, dedicated to channeling economic opportunity into underserved Los Angeles communities. He co-founded PCF Restaurant Management—a Buffalo Wild Wings franchise that has expanded to multiple locations-and launched 4th MVMT to empower individuals impacted by the criminal justice system to own and operate retail businesses. Additionally, as a Venture Partner at Slauson & Co., he leverages private equity to democratize access to business ownership and drive inclusive community development.

Board of Directors: Composed of community leaders, disaster recovery experts, faith-based representatives, and philanthropic leaders to ensure strategic oversight.

DR. SHEILA FOSTER

ADVISORY BOARD: 
FORCE MULTIPLIERS

    • Adnan Mahmud, FORWARD

    • Devon Gray, EPIC 

    • ​Patrice Berry, EPIC

    • Joseph Mckellar, PICO California

    • Shimica Gaskins, GRACE/End Child Poverty CA

    • Sheila Foster, Columbia Univ., Co-Cities, Community Labs

    • Lori Gay, NHS

    • Erica Alexis, Beacons

    • Rick Abe, Media Portfolio AIA

    • Alex Mckenzie, San Blas Securities

    • Sylvia Alston, Momentum Risk Management

    • Reginald King, Global Capital Professional Services

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Contact us

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