Multiculturalism in Beverly Hills
Today’s luncheon was the eighth forum and second of its kind in the series of Mayors. Last Tuesday, Pacifica Institute Irvine hosted Irvine Mayor Beth Krom to talk on the topic of Balanced Community.
The luncheon forum series aims not only to serve as a medium to strengthen civic dialogue but also to be a part of building the motivation of the people to energize into working for the betterment of the Los Angeles in particular.
FBI-LA Supervisory Special Agent Vovietta Morgan, Author Dr Reza Aslan, LA County Sheriff Leroy Baca, NZ Consul General Rob Taylor, Greece Consul General Dimitris Karamitsos, Turkish Consul General Hakan Tekin and Irvine Mayor Beth Krom as mentioned were the speakers.
Jimmy Delshad was elected to the Beverly Hills City Council in 2003 and 2007 and is currently serving as mayor. He is an entrepreneur and business executive who established his own company in 1978 in the field of computer storage technology. He is currently an independent management consultant. Mr. Delshad received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from California State University, Northridge in 1965 and enrolled in post-graduate studies in computer science at UCLA, USC and the University of Judaism. As President of Sinai Temple, he expanded membership, established endowment funds and guided the renovations of the temple’s facilities. Mr. Delshad is actively involved in several Southern California and Beverly Hills humanitarian, cultural, educational and civic and social organizations and groups. He is also a fundraiser and contributor to numerous organizations, providing leadership and financial support to segments of the community that fill social services needs. The Mayor has been recognized and received civic service awards as Man of the Year from Sinai Temple, Burning Bush from the Jewish Federation of Men’s Clubs, and Conservative Judaism Leadership from Masortil Schecter Institute.
Mayor Delshod talked about his experience on becoming the first elected Persian Jewish mayor of the United States by persistence and passion. Before then he brought cultural exchange to Sinai Temple by inviting Dalai Lama. After coming to the United States, he studied and get paid by cleaning, later on playing Christmas music in Minnesota.
Mayor Delshod emphasized the cultural diversity in the schools of Beverly Hills where in one school forty different languages are spoken and also initiated the smart city initiative in Beverly Hills which will work as a model for other states across the nation.
One method that Mayor wanted to leave his impression is that by making the people feel safe and good in Beverly Hills.
There was a lot of laughter during the speech and the mayor also shared how he utilized the obstacles he faced and used them as a springboard to overcome those challenges.
Q&A session followed the speech and after that luncheon forum came to a formal end.
The speech of Mayor Delshod was attended by Romanian Consul General Catalin Ghenea, Turkish Consul General Hakan Tekin and Azerbeijan Deputy Consul General Elman Abdullayev.
The next speaker of the luncheon forum will be Ventura County Supervisor John Flynn on the 20th of March.