SOYFFL Advisory Board
Legal Counsel
William A. Taylor, Attorney at Law, is the owner of The Law Office of William A. Taylor. He holds a masters degree in taxation and markets himself as “The Business Lawyer” due to his concentration on the needs of the Bay Area small business sector. In that regard, he offers expertise in business transactions, securities law and the capital raising process, corporate law, income tax law, estate tax law and probate. His portfolio of active and past clients includes developers as well as owners of business entities.
William Taylor also has an active estate planning and probate law practice, preparing a number of wills, living trusts, guardianships and conservatorships as well as probates of estates.
Mr. Taylor is the board chair of two not-for-profit corporations: the Oakland Business Development Corporation (an SBA-related small business lender and provider of technical assistance) and The Solid Foundation (which runs several multi-bed group homes in Oakland to help women transition into clean and sober living to maintain custody of their infant children).
Bookkeeping, Tax & Non-Profit Business Management
Tax & Professional Business /Non Profit Management Consultant
For the past eighteen+ years C.J. Cannon’s experience includes; implementing and organizing financial policies and procedures for Faith-Base, and Not-For-Profit Organizations. Currently, my objectives are creating opportunities to influence Faith-Base Organizations in applying the tax laws to administrative guidelines, and to provide assistance in operating as a Not-For-Profit Organization. Professional Services include: business bookkeeping, payroll, quarterly filling and year-end tax filing, tax preparation for individuals and small businesses, tax and financial planning.
Spiritual Advisor
Bishop Christopher Carl Smith, serves as the Senior Pastor for New Birth Church in Pittsburg & Oakland California. Bishop Smith studied for the ministry and served in various ministry positions at Oakland Christian Center in Oakland, California from 1991-1994. He was ordained as a minister of the gospel in 1993. In 1994, he became an Assistant Pastor of Oakland Christian Center. On July 4, 1999, Pastor Smith was installed as the Senior Pastor of Ambassador Christian Fellowship located in Concord, California where he served for four years.
A man of vision, fulfilling his vision, in obedience to the Holy Spirit, Bishop Smith is thoroughly convinced that God has called New Birth to “seek and save that which was lost”. God has instructed him to tear down denominational and racial barriers, building a multicultural church ” New Birth Latino” for the Kingdom of God.
Bishop Smith is known for his practical approach to the Bible, has encouraged thousands to pursue a personal relationship with God. At New Birth we think of our church as a community of breakthrough believers with a worldwide vision that is aimed at reaching the lost, strengthening families and going beyond the walls of the church to advance the Kingdom. We are bringing in the bound, the oppressed, and the brokenhearted. We are committed to making disciples, training and raising up leaders that will impact our communities, and the world for generations to come. When Bishop Smith ministers, one realizes it is truly possible to experience the manifested presence of God. As a result, lives are being transformed by the anointed Word of God. In 2005, Bishop Smith founded In Him Embassy Ministries, which is a worldwide ministry aimed at teaching, equipping and raising leaders that will impact the world with the Kingdom message: www.newbirthcal.org
Education
Angela Stevenson, Principal of Martin Luther King Jr, Junior High School in the
Pittsburg Unified School District for over 2 years. She was the Principal of Los Medanos Elementary School for more than 7 Years and the Vice Principal of Los Medanos Elementary for 2 1/2 years.
Mrs. Stevenson received her Masters of Education (MEd), Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Berkeley. She received her Bachelor of Education (BEd), Elementary Education and Teaching from University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Healthy Cooking
Berlin Lillard, Executive Chef Chef with over 30+ years of professional training and worldly experience. Chef Berlin is the owner of 4ork N The Road Catering. He provides a variety of gourmet selections from specialty menus, derived from Creole-Cajun, Caribbean Islands, Central & South America by use of open flame and slow smoke cooking techniques. He has performed healthy cooking demonstrations, catered corporate and community functions paired with ethnic menus.
4ork N The Road Catering has accommodated parties from 25-5000+ guests providing traditional favorites to creative inventions of sheer delight. With his state of the art Commercial Outdoor Smoker/Grill Station, he provides endless possibilities due to innovation and mobility.
Chef Berlin shares his knowledge and passion for cooking by providing healthy cooking demonstrations and important cooking tips for youth and families.
