My name is Ms. Robbie Butler. I am a community advocate and founding member of the Long Beach Black Health Equity Collaborative (BHEC). I'm also the President and Founder of the Speak Up Empowerment Foundation, Inc. (SUEF), a nonprofit organization that I established in 2015 to support single mothers in our community. SUEF's mission is to uplift, encourage, and empower women who shoulder the tremendous responsibility of raising their children on their own.

I first met Vivian in 2015. She was canvassing our neighborhood during her first campaign for the Long Beach City College Board of Trustees, and I still recall the evening that she knocked on my door. She was walking from house to house, introducing herself to residents, determined and focused.  I remember thinking, "Okay, this lady must really want to do this if she's out walking around and talking to us this late, so I listened."

We talked for a while as she shared info about her work as a longshoreman and professor at LBCC. Her commitment to the working-class people and her passion for education really resonated with me. I was struck by her authenticity and drive. I learned that we were neighbors—she lives just a few blocks away! I started seeing her around town more often and shortly after that, we became friends.

In 2019, Vivian served as one of the keynote speakers at my nonprofit organization's signature empowerment forum event which is hosted every April. She brought her mother and one of her daughters, and they spent the entire day with us. Vivian shared her experience being raised by a single mother—how she watched her mom go to school and work tirelessly, and how her mother’s strength fueled her own drive to succeed. Her words had a deep impact, and Vivian's testimony touched every woman in that room because her story offered a powerful perspective of success for the women that I serve. Earlier this year, Vivian was honored with our 2025 Community Empowerment Leader Award. Our Board chose her because we have personally witnessed her unwavering dedication to representing, uplifting, and fighting for the mothers and other underserved but deserving residents of our community.

When Vivian shared with me that she was running for City Council, I immediately

offered my support. That's why I am proud to host an event for her this Sunday, one which will bring together two of the things that we share in common (other than our community services) - that's our love for our children and our love for sports. My son grew up playing a variety of sports, and Vivian’s children are also deeply involved in athletics. It’s a connection we both cherish.

We will be at the Long Beach Unified Bar and Lounge, a longtime community establishment owned by our friend Chuckie Miller. Chuckie played football at Long Beach Poly, then later went on to UCLA and the NFL - he also served as my son's longtime football mentor and trainer. He has graciously opened his doors to host this special event for Vivian because he knows how important it is to have down to earth people on the city council who truly advocate for our community. Here I am with Vivian and that's Chuckie in the other photo.

Event Details

Sunday, December 14^th

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Long Beach Unified Bar & Lounge

2222 East Anaheim Street

Long Beach, CA  90804

This event is Open House style so drop in when you can. The bar is not hosted but appetizers and soft drinks will be provided. Delicious soul food will be available for purchase. Street parking is free and there is a $2 parking lot just down the street.

I hope you will join us this Sunday as we come together to support my friend Vivian. The suggested contribution is $100, but any amount helps. I have proudly been her constituent while she has served as our college trustee, and I look forward to being her constituent again when she is elected to the Long Beach City Council to represent our neighborhood. See you Sunday!

Looking forward to seeing you,

Ms. Robbie Butler, President

Speak Up Empowerment Foundation