OUR TEAM

Our executive leadership, staff and consultants share a steadfast commitment to helping build a more economically just and inclusive society. They come from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds, and are skilled at facilitation and coalition building. Our work teams are intentionally structured to foster interdisciplinary thinking and take advantage of this diversity of thought. Our training, technical assistance and policy work is rigorous and practical, and grounded by our experience of working directly with the communities we serve.

​MALAKI SEKU AMEN

President & Chief Executive Officer

MALAKI SEKU AMEN (pronounced “ma-luck-eye / say-coo awe-men”) is executive director and founder of the California Urban Partnership (CUP).  A 25 year veteran in the community economic development field, Malaki has shaped businesses, policy and programs as a social entrepreneur, as well as an appointed advisor in California's Legislature, Office of the Governor, Fortune 500 corporations and the University of California Office of the President.  

During the early 90’s as a staff member of the Al Geiger Center for Business Incubation (now known as The African Marketplace), Malaki served on a regional economic response team formed to 
address the closure of military bases in Sacramento County.  

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LATASHA JOHNSON

Director of Finance and Administration
CALIFORNIA URBAN PARTNERSHIP

Latasha Johnson is director of finance and administration for the California Urban Partnership (CUP).   She was the former Project Manager for the California Department of Transportation’s (CalTrans) Northern California Support Services Program for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs).  Latasha successfully managed two of Triaxial Management Services, Inc’s multi-million dollar three year contracts, with responsibilities for service and staff oversight in the company’s Oakland and Sacramento offices.  Under Latasha’s leadership, the Triaxial team      provided technical assistance, application review and consultation services to help prospective applicants apply for and procure federal contracts.  This included providing services to numerous large prime contractors to help them identify and recruit qualified DBEs as project subcontractors.  Latasha is a former member of CalTrans Small Business Council. 
 
For 7 years, Latasha worked for Citigroup in North Texas as a Commercial Risk Analyst, 

KHALIL J. FERGUSON

Policy Consultant
CALIFORNIA URBAN PARTNERSHIP

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DIANA RAMSON

Manager of Digital Media
CALIFORNIA URBAN PARTNERSHIP

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