The Blue Heart Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at mentoring and empowering Black teen boys and young men in San Diego, and preparing them for college, hosted its annual Christmas breakfast at Liberty Station on Saturday morning.
The event came with a keynote address by movie and television actor Morris Chestnut, and the unexpected announcement of a leadership change.
The annual breakfast is one of the foundation’s two signature events — the other is a late spring “signing day” ceremony for the boys to announce which college they will be attending. The Blue Heart Foundation currently serves about 40 middle or high school students.
Brotherhood. Character. Opportunity. Those are some of the words teens who are part of The Blue Heart Foundation used Saturday to describe their experience with the organization.
Fifteen-year-old Cameryn Moreno highlighted the foundation’s “powerful message.” Jerymiah Blackmon, 16, talked about building social connections and getting an education.
One of the highlights of Saturday’s gathering was an address by Chestnut, whose breakthrough role was as Ricky in 1991’s “Boyz n the Hood.” His lengthy filmography includes “The Best Man” and its sequel (and recent TV series), “Heist,” and “When the Bough Breaks.” He’s been in several TV shows, and stars in the title role of the upcoming CBS drama series “Watson,” debuting in January.
Another moment of note came when, after nearly three years at the helm, President and CEO Mathew Gordon announced he was handing over the reins to board Vice President Tammy T. Blevins.
Gordon stepped into the role following the death of executive director and founder Tracy Morris in February 2022. Gordon said Saturday that he had wanted to keep Morris’ “life and legacy and hard work” moving forward, while also forging a new path.
Gordon led the organization as it presses forward to build what he said will be the region’s only teen center primarily serving young Black men. Work at a site at the intersection of Imperial and Euclid avenues has already started, he said.
“My purpose has been fulfilled,” he said.
Formerly a staffer for Todd Gloria in both the assembly and the mayor’s office, Gordon said he is taking a job to work for newly elected Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins, who represents the 79th District.
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Blevins, who will become the foundation’s executive director, has been a part of the organization since 2016. “I do it with all of my heart, and I am going to give it my all,” she said.
At the event, several people were honored with community service awards, including Voice & Viewpoint publisher John Warren, who received the award named for late founder Tracy Morris. Others receiving awards included Gloria Cooper as “District 4 Game Changer of the Year,” and Wilson Kennedy as “Mentor of the Year.”
