OCTOBER 18, 2025 presented by
In celebration of Ignited Light’s 2025 Service for Humanity honorees,
Mr. Erich C. Nall and Dr. Carliss Richardson - McGhee.
“Carry one another’s burdens so that we will follow the laws of Christ.”
Rev.
Senior Pastor
Light
Welcome to Ignited Light’s third annual Service for Humanity Gala. It is an honor to share this moment with you to acknowledge our honorees, Dr. Carliss Richardson-McGhee and Mr. Erich C. Nall. His Holiness Dalai Lama eloquently stated, “The genuine joyfulness is helping others. You get more satisfaction to build a more happy, peaceful society…Firstly, create inner peace; joyfulness, then share with family members. That way, change will bring a happier society. A happier community.”
This quote was an excerpt from a documentary conversation with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, entitled Mission: Joy-Finding Happiness in Troubled Times. Depicting His Holiness, both honorees have tirelessly given of themselves, contributing to the spread of joy in the community and ultimately resulting in a happier society. Ignited Light’s mission of service for humanity is reinforced by the contributions of these quiet giants being honored today.
Over the years, Ignited Light’s reach to the community has extended from the Crenshaw district solely to the aggregate South Los Angeles community. Its growth has been made possible through a shared mission of supporters who seek joy by giving joy. We all have to hold up our piece of the sky. In tandem, as we reach for joy and inner peace, there is always an opportunity to share one’s light with those whose rays may circumstantially glow diem in the moment.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s recitation of a South African saying renders, “A person is a person through other persons.” The support we give to others strengthens the community’s foundation and ultimately extends its longevity. May peace and happiness live with you, through you, and extend from you.
Warmly,
Dr. Cassandra L. Bailey Founder and CEO
Hazel
C. Storey, educator and Ignited Light Board member, was treasurer of the organization. The Humanitarian Service to Humanity Award is named in her honor because her life represents the qualities of Ignited Light’s honorees. Hazel was always known for her loyal commitment and energy to help individuals and organizations. As a teacher, Hazel’s dedication to the learning and thriving of her students, she received the “Teacher of the Year Award.” She was bold in her commitment; totally dedicated to any task she accepted and divinely inspired for SERVICE she rendered. Her life reflected words of the song “If I can help someone along the way, … then my living will not be in vain.” Individuals who receive this award exemplify service to Humanity in their life’s work.
Dr. Carliss Richardson-McGhee is a distinguished educator, author, and community leader whose life’s work has centered on empowering parents, children, and communities through education and cultural literacy. She began her career as a Head Start preschool teacher, guided by the belief that a child’s growth must be supported by addressing every factor that impacts their development. Early in her career, she pioneered one of the first parent–child reading programs, encouraging parents to read the same books as their children to spark meaningful family dialogue and learning. A passionate advocate for literacy, Dr. McGhee is the author of seven children’s books and has enriched school district libraries with extensive multicultural literature collections that affirm and celebrate diversity. She has long championed the idea that cultural literacy is the key to building stronger communities in a changing world. Her leadership extends beyond the classroom. As Director of the United Negro College Fund in Los Angeles for 12 years, she raised record-breaking funds, receiving the first President’s Award for exceeding 130% of her annual goal. She brought one of Inglewood’s most celebrated family events, Magic Johnson’s Mid-Summer Night’s Magic, to the community, giving 3,000 children free access to cultural enrichment. Through her fundraising and advocacy, she secured scholarships for more than 1,300 students to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
With more than three decades of executive and management experience, Dr. McGhee has excelled at strategic planning, program development, and workforce leadership. She has managed diverse teams for national organizations, crafted training programs, and fostered organizational cultures rooted in collaboration and accountability. Deeply committed to civic engagement, she has organized English and Spanish language classes, established Law Day in schools to educate students about civic responsibility, and created mock court programs to deter youth from gang involvement. As a Behavior Specialist, she worked with families of children with special needs, offering guidance and education to support their success. Elected by 92% of the vote, she now serves as Vice President of the Inglewood Unified School District Board of Education. Dr. McGhee holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education, an M.A. in Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Pre-Perinatal Psychology. She is a credentialed teacher and a licensed therapist. Married for nearly five decades, she is the mother of two adult sons and the proud co-owner of Khocolate Keepsakes Children’s Literacy Museum, where her passion for literacy and cultural understanding continues to inspire future generations.
Erich
Owner and Founder of Ultimate Transformations
Training and co-founder, Ultimate Student Athlete
C. Nall is Owner and Founder of Ultimate Transformations Training and co-founder with his wife Yvette Nall, of the non-profit organization, Ultimate Student Athlete, in Los Angeles, California.
Erich, known fondly as Coach E, has been a prominent figure in the Los Angeles community throughout his life as an educator and promoter of health, physical fitness and self-improvement. His passion to help children in South Los Angeles become higher achievers in elementary school led him to become the Founder of Collegiate Search Youth Organization in 1986, currently Ultimate Student Athlete, a non-profit organization. To date, the program has assisted more than 7000 students (male and female) into colleges and universities across the country.
While Erich was offering a fitness program to the youth, he created and founded Ultimate Transformations Training and has coached and trained many successful professional athletes, actors, models and others in the entertainment industry for over 3 decades.
Erich is the author of 21 Days to Ultimate Health and Wellness. His desire is to share the message of mental, spiritual and physical wellness with the world.
“I want every individual to fall in love with the highest image of themselves.” - Coach E
Erich has been a frequent radio guest host on KJLH, 102.3 FM, in Los Angeles, California. He has been a contributing writer for a weekly column in Our Weekly Los Angeles, Volleyball Magazine, The Los Angeles Sentinel, and The Los Angeles Wave Newspaper, in addition to his own website blog.
Erich’s passion for the health and wellness of the community, led to both the creation of a personal health and wellness program for cancer survivors through the UCLA Cancer Research center and a partnership with AARP to create a monthly walking program, the Los Angeles Soul Steppers, for seniors. He has made several appearances on KTLA 5, with Gayle Anderson, speaking to many topics including sports concussions, fitness and athlete conditioning.
Erich is a certified strength and conditioning coach and nutritionist who has spent the last 3 decades studying and learning from the best in sports training and conditioning. Erich holds his BA and MBA in Business and Economics. He lives in Inglewood with his wife and three daughters.
Lydia Cincore-Templeton was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. She graduated from Loyola University of the South in three years magna cum laude and graduated with a Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law. Ms. Cincore-Templeton is a member of the California State Bar. She is a Missionary and Children’s Rights Attorney who has spent the past 30 years serving children, foster youth and families living in poverty. As a Missionary, she spent years on the continent of Africa serving orphans and families left as refugees as a result of two civil wars. As a Country Manager in Africa, she coordinated the humanitarian response of the United Methodist Church to the Hutu Tutsi Conflict in Rwanda and the Civil War in Liberia. In these roles, she developed educational and housing projects for refugees. As an attorney, Ms. Cincore-Templeton worked at the largest pro bono law firm in the country serving children and families living in poverty
Ms. Cincore-Templeton’s dedication to helping the underserved has been manifested in caring positions such as missionary, pro bono attorney, director and educator working with youth directly impacted by injustices and oppression. She is currently the Director of the Children Youth and Family Collaborative (CYFC) in Los Angeles, California. She founded the agency with her savings in 1993 and worked without compensation until 2011 to prevent foster youth from experiencing the negative outcomes associated with emancipation and low academic achievement, including school drop-out, incarceration, unemployment and homelessness. She provides educational and support services to foster youth. The agency began with one volunteer employee, working at one site with an $18,000 budget and now serves over 1700 foster youth annually. The agency is the recipient of the prestigious Innovation Grant, which included a 3.5 million dollar grant for the A.R.I.S.S.E. Program Model. In addition, the organization has received grants from Bill and Melinda Gates, Annenberg Foundations and every major foundation in Los Angeles. Lydia is a true community servant. She has received awards, including the Makers Recognition which is a national honor bestowed on women like Oprah Winfrey, Marian Wright Edelman, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner and other great women making notable contributions in our country. Recently, she received the Trailblazer Award from First AME. Lydia has served by sacrificing and selflessly committing to seeking justice for vulnerable and voiceless children, not only here in the United States, but in Africa. Her lifelong aspiration has been to level the playing field for youth in foster care and youth living in poverty, so that they are equipped to compete fairly with their peers. She is a member of the Los Angeles Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Past Farwest Regional Director of the Sorority, Chaplin for the Harbor Area Chapter of the Links and the Vice-President of the Carson Chapter of The Top Ladies of Distinction.
She is a member of Holman United Methodist Church, married to Joseph Templeton, Esq. and is the daughter of Vera R. Cincore and the late Sterling Cincore, Sr., and sister of Verdelia R. Cincore, M.D, and Sterling Cincore, Jr.
Mateo is currently a senior at Hamilton High. Part of the Hamilton High Jazz Band. The band has earned accolades wherever they have performed. Mateo is a school and band mate of drummer in the Tre’ Cyrus Franklin Trio. They have won many awards for their performances. Mateo also leads his own trio. Those who have had the pleasure of playing with Mateo have declare his command of the keyboards/piano is outstanding.
Mistress of Ceremony....................Ms. Lydia Cincore -Templeton
Greetings/Purpose.....Dr. Cassandra L. Bailey, Founder and CEO
Invocation..........................................................Rev. Louis Chase
Lunch Served
Entertainment.......................................................Mr. Mateo Arce
Award Acknowledgement....................................Hazel C. Storey
Introduction of Honorees...............Ms. Lydia Cincore-Templeton
Dr. Carliss Richardson - McGhee
Mr. Erich C. Nall
Entertainment.......................................................Mr. Mateo Arce
Silent Auction Winners......................................Mr. Gary Stinnett
Acknowledgements..................................Dr. Cassandra L. Bailey
Closing...........................................Ms. Lydia Cincore-Templeton
Rev. Victor Cyrus-Franklin
Rev. Louis Chase
Ms. Bettye Fontenot
Mr. Jules Green
Mr. Keith McGruder
Holman Security
Cynthia Marroquin-Henley
Top Ladies of Distinction
Ignited Light Board of Directors
