Music has always been an integral part of Darlene Futrel's life, serving as a sanctuary during her challenging upbringing in a Watts neighborhood marked by incessant bullying. Raised in a household where turning the other cheek was encouraged, Darlene's early exposure to the church, music, the civil rights movement, and Black literature ignited a deep-seated commitment to God, music, social justice, and advocacy. By the age of 9, she served as the church pianist, and at 12, she had already established her first gospel singing group.  Her fearless stance against racism and inequities earned her the nickname "Lil Malcolm X" in high school, where she fearlessly challenged the omission of Black history from the school curriculum. Darlene's dedication to activism intensified during her time at UC Irvine, where she took on the leadership role of the Black Student Union Gospel Choir.  Additionally, she founded the female gospel group "Futrel," earning acclaim for their album Worth the Wait, which ascended to the top 20 on the Billboard Gospel charts.

In 2007, inspired by then-Senator Barack Obama's presidential candidacy, Darlene became actively involved in political organizing and was appointed Volunteer Coordinator for the Tustin campaign headquarters. Her commitment to advocacy and community engagement continued through her involvement with Obama for America and the completion of the Organizing For Action Community Engagement Fellowship Training Course. In 2021, Darlene channeled her organizing experience into social activism by founding the Orange County Chapter of Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network.  Through this platform, she advocates for the underserved and promotes initiatives for isolated seniors, Black women, and a smoke-free environment in Orange County. Darlene's commitment to advancing health equity, community empowerment, and social change is further exemplified by her involvement in a range of organizations and committees, including CABWC, NCNW, HEAAL, Equity In OC, OC Tobacco Coalition, and OC Aging Services Collaborative, underscoring her unwavering dedication to effecting change and striving to introduce legislation banning smoking in multi-unit housing complexes across Orange County.

Sandi Cook is a South Los Angeles, California native who attended local public schools, including Crenshaw High School, West Los Angeles College, and California State University Los Angeles where she studied Social Psychology. She later attended the USC Cecil Chip Murray Center for Community Engagement Faith Leaders Institute. Sandi has been passionate about serving her community since childhood, beginning with her church's ministries and later as a community organizer. Sandi worked in the Healthcare and Pension Plans industry for over 20 years, and later following the passing of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), she became a certified enrollment counselor under Covered California and managed outreach, education, and enrollment programs to ensure underserved communities had access to the expansion of Medicaid (Medi-Cal) and quality affordable healthcare plans. In 2008, Sandi became a volunteer for the Obama Presidential Campaign, eventually joining the campaign staff as a Regional Field Director in California and later serving as California State Deputy Field Director for Secretary Hillary Clinton's primary campaign. She has since managed and consulted on numerous local and statewide campaigns and initiatives. Sandi formerly served as an elected Delegate to the California Democratic Party (CDP), Chair of Voter Engagement to the CDP Black Caucus, and worked for CDP as the first African American Constituency Manager. She has served on many community-based organization boards focusing on serving people experiencing homelessness by partnering with LA City and County Agencies and community and faith-based organizations to help bring healing and wholeness to our communities with dignity. Currently, Sandi works as a consultant who serves community, faith-based, and political organizations, and with SCLC of Southern California, overseeing voter engagement and special programs. Sandi also serves on the boards of the Diane E. Watson Center for Compassionate Intervention, The Fannie Lou Hamer Institute, and the National Action Network Orange County (NAN OC). Sandi's career is highlighted by her commitment to social justice, community service, and empowering people to lead

Cynthia Franklin is one of the founding members of the National Action Network - Orange County Chapter (NANOC). She holds the position as chapter Treasurer. 

Cynthia has over 27 years as a reliable Payroll / Human Resources professional. Studies include completion of UC Irvine Human Resources Management Certification and KASET International Program – Achieving Extraordinary Customer Relations Skills and Strategies. 

At Castle Rock CPA Firm Cynthia assists with payroll and tax filing and other tasks as necessary. She is committed to meeting and exceeding customer service expectations. 

When she is not working with Castle Rock CPA Firm, Cynthia enjoys giving back to the community where she grew up in South Central Los Angeles area by donating her time with varies community outreach programs in addition to the NANOC. Cynthia has been a member of Gethsemane Christian Love Missionary Baptist Church for 57 years as well as held the Leadership Position as Church Clerk for 27 years. She is a dedicated member of the Praise and Worship Team. Cynthia also enjoys bowling, watching movies, and spending time with family.

Evalyn Frazier Elston came on board with National Action Network – Orange County Chapter (NAN-OC) in December 2022. She currently holds the position of chapter Secretary.

She has worked for over 40 years in the world of finance – with an emphasis on the importance of creditworthiness and has been a certified trainer in this field. For the past 20 years she has worked for US Foods as an Area Credit / Risk Management Analyst.

Evalyn is a native of Southern California and is a graduate from Crenshaw High School and the University of California Irvine (BA). She has lived in the City of Cerritos for the past 35 years where she has been active in everything from the PTA, Girl Scouts, and assisted in the youth bowling and basketball programs. She has sung with various chorale ensembles over the years since her youth. In addition to singing, she also enjoys dancing, walking, playing board and card games, doing computer graphics, driving the California Coast with her husband of 35 years, and spending time with friends and family – especially her two grandchildren.

As a child, Connie Jene Jones watched and helped her grandmother cook meals and pass out clothes to the poor every day. Her grandmother, Annie Mae Tripp, before her death in 1986, was feeding about 400 people a day at the Southwest Community Center that she founded in Santa Ana, CA. Connie continued her grandmother’s legacy as Executive Director until she retired, after 35 years of service, in 2019. At that time, Connie handed the reins of her historic Southwest Community Center to the Community Action Partnership of Orange County, where she now serves on the board representing the low-income community. Additionally, she holds a board position with Emergency Food & Shelter.