Friends of Bryant

Fellow Young Global Leader and Friend Raju Narisetti Becomes Managing Editor for the Washington Post!

WASHINGTON, D.C.—January 13, 2009—The Washington Post today named Elizabeth Spayd and Raju Narisetti as Managing Editors of The Washington Post. Bothwill report to Executive Editor Marcus W. Brauchli. Ms. Spayd and Mr. Narisetti will share responsibility for The Post’s award-winning journalism, whether in print, online and on mobile devices, and they will lead the integration of The Post’s print and online newsrooms.

Ms. Spayd, who has been editor of washingtonpost.com since 2007, will oversee the gathering, editing and production of news. Her brief will include political, general, business, foreign and metropolitan news, as well as The Post’s news desk and the print newspaper’s day-to-day production.

Glynn Turman: Emmy Award Win Comes During Prime Time

It is like it happened to me, I am so happy. My friend, and amazingly talented actor, family man, humanitarian, philanthropist and community giver Glenn Turman, finally received some of the long awaited credit he deserves after five decades of acting, winning his first Emmy Award!

Glenn is not only immensely talented, he is simply good people.  I actually met Glynn when, during my short and absolutely under-whelming acting career, we worked together on "Twilight Zone."  It was an opportunity for me to work with two legendary actors -- Danny Kaye and Gynn Turman, with me playing the thug that attacked Mr. Kaye as he morned a death in his family.  It was the last appearance by Mr. Kaye on screen.  

John Hope Bryant expresses his heartfelt sympathy on the passing of Marity Brody Smith

The family of Operation HOPE sends its deepest sympathy to Michael P. Smith, President and CEO, New York Bankers Association, longtime supporter and HOPE Northeastern Board member, for the loss of his wife and love of his life, Marity Brody Smith. We hope his pain is lessened by the fact he is not alone; our hearts and condolences go out to him in this time of grief.

Bryant friend and HOPE board member Don McGrath Honored by the President

I am honored to celebrate and recognize my friend and HOPE National Board member, Don McGrath, on receiving "The President's Call to Service Award," presented by the Presidet's Council on Service and Civic Participation.  Mr. McGrath was recognized for his commitment to strengthening our Nation and for making a difference through volunteer service.  Mr. McGrath received a letter from U.S. President George Bush which opened with the following sentence:

Congratulations on receiving the President's Call to Service Award from the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.  Through service to others, you demonstrate the outstanding character of America and help strengthen our country. 

Don also serves with me on the U.S. President's Advisory Council on Fiancial Literacy.

Congratulations, Mr. McGrath.  We are proud to be associated.  Bravo!

One of my Confidential Assistants, and Friend, Debra Collins Gives Her Second Speech

One of my two assistants at Operation HOPE (my other assistant is Leslie Alessandro) gave her second speech recently which I wanted to recognize her for.  She has come a long way in her life, and I could not be more proud of her. Here she is photographed following her speech with the Mayor of Glendale, John Drayman.

Here is her testimony, in her own words:

"Well, today's event turned out to be a success and I was able to do a pretty good job on speaking.  I wasn't so nervous about speaking to an audience but I worried about the 15 minute allotted time they gave me and how I was going to manage watching the clock as I shifted from before homelessness, to being homeless, to the steps that came after in getting back on my feet.

I asked the Director of PATH Achieve Glendale to flag me when I had 5 minutes left but I didn't need the signal.  It came off fine and all that worry was for nothing.

A reporter for the Glendale News pulled me aside and gave me a one-on-one interview.  He said that it will be in the paper on Monday so if you get the LOS ANGELES TIMES, look for the Glendale News section inside and let's see what he had to say about the event.  I'm sure he will talk about PATH Achieve Glendale, and Pacific BMW for donating a brand new car for the raffle to raise money for PATH Achieve, and the appearance of the mayor.  Maybe I'll even be in there, who knows? It was a lot of fun and I hope that I have the opportunity to do more of them."

Signed, the geat Debra Collins (that was was from me - smile)

Debra Collins is an inspiration to us all.

John Hope Bryant

Angelica and "My Brother" Andrew "Bo" Young, III Get Married in Grand Style on Margarita Island, Venezuela

Here is the beautiful wedding party from the wedding.

I am sure you agree that Angelica and Bo make a beautiful couple. My sweetie and I wish them all the best, and nothing but joy, love and light as they go forward, together.

See some of the beautiful images of African-American and Latin culture and love here.

One.

Living His Truth: Divine Mind’ of legendary magician Harold Russell at rest

Recently, a living legend amongst us, Mr. Harold Russell past on (or was "promoted," as I like to say about "good people."). He is particularly important to me, as he was a mentor to Lance Triggs, his nephew and my dear friend. Lance, using some of the wisdom and knowledge gained from Mr. Russell, has gone on to live a very successful life, now serving as executive vice president and chief of the HOPE Banking Center Network (nationally), for Operation HOPE, the organization I founded following the Rodney King riots in 1992.

Check out the amazing life story of Mr. Russell here, and here. Pass it on. Share his story with others, particularly the young. His life proves -- you can do anything you set your mind to.

Onward and with HOPE

John Hope Bryant

 

Welcome To Our Newest HOPE Baby -- Aaron Franklin Doff

My personal confidant and chief of staff Rachael Doff recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Aaron Franklin Doff, pictured here.  As you can see, Aaron is already making himself comfortable at HOPE Global Headquarters. Here he hangs out in my office with mom Rachael.

A blessing to the world, he will be. How do I know? Easy, his parents.

One.

With HOPE

John Hope Bryant

Blait Taylor Takes A Lead For Our Youth in Los Angeles

Special commendations to my friend Blair Taylor, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League, who has undertaken a major initiative to empower our black and brown youth with leadership skills, mentors and skills for the future. The details of his plan will be rolled out soon, and Operation HOPE will be supporting him in this, but the essence of Blair's passion can be seen in the following quote from him:

"The biggest correlating factor of whether a kid goes to college or not is not wealth or race, but parents. It is whether someone in their household, typically parents, went to college."

I agree with Blair 100%. Check out my newest piece on Financial Literacy, Silver Rights and the Drop Out Generation in my Operation HOPE hosted Silver Rights Digest.

Onward with HOPE'

John Hope Bryant

And Baby Makes Four

Rachael and Charlie Dioff, the Doff family, and specifically my amazing, longtime chief of staff and friend Rachael Doff, recieved their newest edition last week in the name of 19 inch long Aaron Franklin.

Welcome gentle giant, welcome home -- from "uncle John."

Onward with HOPE

John Hope Bryant

BRYANT FAMILY FRIENDS JAZZ LEGEND GERALD ALBRIGHT, ENTREPRENEUR GLYNIS ALBRIGHT AND THE ENTIRE ALBRIGHT FAMILY

Our friends, who now live in beautiful Denver, Colorado, were recently honored to be featured on the September cover of Colorado Dog Magazine.

Very, very cool, the Albrights!

Onward with HOPE

John Hope Bryant

MR. AND MRS. MCGRATH AND MR. AND MRS. BRYANT HANG OUT IN SAN FRANCISCO

Recently my sweetie and I hung out with two incredibly sweet, special and very cool individuals -- Mr. Don and Mrs. Patti McGrath of Oakland, California. Don McGrath is the chairman and chief executive officer of Bank of the West, one of the largest financial institutions in the U.S., a friend of mine, and a new member of the Operation HOPE executive board.

Honored to be associated.

Onward with HOPE

John Hope Bryant

LANDON AND TAWNIA TAYLOR OUT WITH THE BRYANTS

Last weekend my sweetie and I had the pleasure of hanging out with the Taylor family in Orange County. Thanks Landon and Tawnia for hosting us for a fantastic performance of Chicago!  Better on the stage than it was on-screen.

One love -- ours.

John Hope Bryant and Sheila Kennedy Bryant

TWO PRICLESS TREASURES IN MY LIFE

What can I say, except I love these two with all my heart. They are my precious God daughters, Kirstin Fouche', and Jade Howard. Kirstin is in college, pursuing a career in teaching, and Jade just graduated with a focus on entertainment marketing. Both are brilliant, positive, God inspired, and focused on what's important in life; giving so they can give too. But most important to me, they just have good, loving hearts. What I mean is they are just good people - net contributors to the world we all live in.

They leave me breathless. My sweetie and I will do whatever we can to insure their success in life. Brothers -- step off (just kidding - smile).

Onward with HOPE, pride and love

John Hope Bryant

Lance and Deborah Triggs Hanging Out with the Bryants on a Friday Night

Saraylı young civil society leader of 2006

Murat Saraylı has been selected the “Young Civil Society Leader of 2006” by the Association of Young Leaders in an internet survey in which 15,000 participants voted.

Sarayli is currently the president of TÜGİAD for the second term and the president of European Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs (YES) for the third term. He had previously been selected as one of the World Young Leaders by the Global Leaders Forum in 2006.     “The Young Leaders of the Year 2006” were selected by the Association of Young Leaders in different fields of activity as successful examples for the next generations.

Operation HOPE's Wendy Profit and the Great Quincy Jones

A great picture of my most amazing executive assistant, Wendy Profit, and my dear friend and mentor Quincy Jones, at the premiere of Ambassador Andrew Young's RWANDA RISING in Hollywood, California.

With HOPE,

John Hope Bryant

Mr. Robert D. "Bob" Ernst - Promoted

Mark Ernst, son of Bob Ernst, is known to most by his public face, as the chief executive officer of H & R Block, a Fortune 500 company, but to me, and of course his family, he is much more than that. And as Mark is much more than a businessman, so too was his father, who passed down a sense of "service to others" to Mark, his son.

On Saturday, two days before Christmas, Mark and his siblings lost their beloved father, Mr. Robert D. "Bob" Ernst. After reading a little about Mr. Ernst, "Bob," I think you will agree when I suggest that he was indeed "promoted." Gone, to a better place.

Mr. Robert D. "Bob" Ernst, 72, of Bellevue, passed away Saturday, December 23th, 2006, at his home surrounded by his family under the care of Jackson County Hospice.

Bob was born March 11th, 1934, in St. Donatus, son of the late Vernon and Augusta (Fischer) Ernst. He Married Judith Keil on October 11th, 1955, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bellevue. She preceded him in death March 29th, 1986. He later married Grace (Ludwig) Dunne on August 21st, 1987, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Maquoketa. She survives.

Bob owned and operated the "Bob Ernst Insurance Agency" of Bellevue for 46 years. He was the founding member and later made an Honorary member of the Bellevue Ambulance Service, a Fourth Degree member of the Bellevue Knights of Columbus and twice previously their Grand Knight, a 40 year member of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, a past president of the Bellevue Rotary and a member of the Independent Insurance Agents. Bob was also a longtime member of the B.E.S. Club.

Besides his wife, Grace Ernst, Bob is survived by his children, Susan (John) Haxmeier and Julie (Kevin) Hansen both of Bellevue, Patricia (Michael) Becker, Ackworth, Mark (Annette) Ernst, Mission Hills, KS, Jayne (Thomas) Keil, Overland Park, KS, Angela (Darwin) McCleish, West Des Moines, Barbara Michel, Adel and Allen Ernst, Cedar Falls; step children Brad Dunne, Bettendorf and Kelli Westchester, Ankeny; 17 grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren; one great granddaughter; sisters Marilyn (Willis) Doland, Carol Agosta; brother Gerald (Dee) Ernst; sister-in-law Carolyn (Paul) Reafsnider; many other relatives and friends.

Mr. Bob D. "Bob" Ernst....rest in peace, good man.

You have been promoted.

With HOPE

   

ITLA CEO George W. Haligowski Named San Diego´s Most Influential Person

LA JOLLA, Calif., Nov. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On November 9th, 2006, The Daily Transcript celebrated their 120th anniversary and honored 120 of the most influential people in San Diego. Following the event, The Daily Transcript -- Daily Headlines reported: "It was a wonderful event last night at the newly-remodeled US Grant Hotel as The Daily Transcript celebrated its 120-year anniversary. We acknowledged the 120 most influential people in San Diego and the some 600 people who attended the party were boisterous in their praise. George Haligowski, President and CEO of ITLA Capital, was honored as the most influential person."

Accepting this award, Mr. Haligowski thanked the San Diego Daily Transcript for its 120 years of service to the San Diego business community and acknowledged his fellow nominees and their local contributions. Mr. Haligowski recognized all San Diegans for their contributions to the local economy on a daily basis, including our military personnel stationed in and around this great city.

"Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in economic conditions in the Company's market areas, changes in policies by regulatory agencies, the impact of competitive loan products, loan demand risks, the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios, increased costs from pursuing the national expansion of our small balance multi-family lending platform and operational challenges inherent in implementing this expansion strategy, fluctuations in interest rates, and changes in the relative differences between short- and long-term interest rates, levels of non-performing assets and other loans of concern, and operating results, the economic impact of terrorist actions and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements. These risks could cause the Company's actual results for 2006 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements by, or on behalf of, the Company.

ITLA Capital Corporation is a publicly traded diversified bank holding company specializing in commercial real estate lending on a national basis and is headquartered in San Diego, California. The company conducts its operations through Imperial Capital Bank and Imperial Capital Real Estate Investment Trust. Imperial Capital Bank has seven retail branch locations and 21 loan origination offices serving the Western United States, the Southeast, the Mid-Atlantic states, the Ohio Valley, the Metro New York area and New England. 

A Hero Amongst Us in Banking

Sometimes a person comes along with not only the power, but the spirit and the will and the passion to make a difference in the lives of others. That person lives in the person of my friend Jonathan Weedman, pictured here to my right (attending the annual holiday party of our friend Shelley Freeman, regional president for Wells Fargo, Los Angeles).

Jonathan is a vice president with the Wells Fargo Foundation, but that description simply does not do him justice.   Jonathan has done so much for so many, including the Operation HOPE movement (over the past decade). The most amazing thing is the consistency of his attitude towards his work; never snobby or full of himself. Always a sense of service, to others and to humanity. Jonathan really believes in "doing well by doing good." He is supported by a company that believes the same.

That is precisely why today we at Operation HOPE will be honoring him with the CRA Leadership Award at the Federal Reserve Bank in Los Angeles. Bravo Jonathan, friend. You are continuing the legacy of your grandfather, the then Governor of California, in your own unique and distinct way.

Onward, with HOPE

John Hope Bryant