The Drive

Alana Mathews Arcurio is an attorney working on climate change policy for the State of California. She shares an experience from her time at a college prep school and how it forged her passion to give a voice to the unheard.

Basim Elkarra is the Executive Director of the Council on American Islamic Relations for Sacramento and the Central Valley. He grew up in the Bay Area and then moved to Sacramento, where he discovered locals have a wider range of views. The Muslim civil rights leader speaks on his experience with hate in politics and Islamophobia from the Gulf War, 9/11 and through 2020.

Jim Tabuchi left his successful career with Hewlett Packard at just 42 to pursue a different goal: to make more deposits into his “social bank account.” In his current role as volunteer CEO and Executive Director of the Sacramento Mandarins, he’s focused on helping youth gain life skills through musical performance. Tabuchi discusses his Japanese heritage, his first job at his parents’ department store in Stockton and making the jump from the corporate world to public service.

As the Mort and Marcy Friedman Director and CEO of the Crocker Art Museum, Lial Jones helps people find meaning for themselves through art. Jones has been a collector since her childhood, which was unstable at times. But it was her early exposure to museums that helped forge her path as a leader in the international arts world. Jones speaks on her work in museums and the relationship between art and society.

From her rebellious childhood ripping political signs out of front yards to her current role as Executive Director of the Sacramento Public Library Foundation, April Javist has never been afraid to stand up for what she believes in. Javist was raised in a Republican household during the Nixon era, an experience that fueled her politically curious nature. She moved from working in politics to now working to improve childhood literacy rates.

Reverend Kevin Ross has almost always had a sense of worthiness, his confidence shining from his days at Sunday school to his youth motivational speaking duo, the ‘Brothers of Thunder.’ But the Sacramento spiritual leader experienced a hard-learned lesson in love when a college break up sent him spiraling into depression. He tells Host Katie McCleary it was his community that helped redefine his self-image and his relationships.

This season on The Drive we hear from six people who are leading change in the Sacramento region. Host Katie McCleary talks with several guests who are focused on improving the lives of children- through reading, art or music. Jim Tabuchi left his high-powered job at Hewlett Packard at age 42 to focus on something he longed to do: mentor youth through music. Today he’s the President and CEO of the Sacramento Mandarins. April Javist, Executive Director of the Sacramento Public Library Foundation, has always had a rebellious side. She has made it her mission to improve childhood literacy rates. Lial Jones had a tough childhood, but she found solace in biking to local art and history museums. Today she’s Director of the Crocker Art Museum. Other guests on The Drive are focused on social justice. Basim Elkarra, the Executive Director of Sacramento’s Council on American Islamic Relations, has found ways to build bridges between cultures, even with some of the most unlikely people. Reverend Kevin Ross, Senior Minister of Unity of Sacramento, inspires his congregation to reach for their highest goals. He has been able to reach his own dreams by knowing his self-worth. Alana Dionne Mathews has advocated for victims as a district attorney for Sacramento County. Today she is a consultant for the State of California, working to ensure the public is involved in the political process.

Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn was raised by his adoptive mother in the city’s Oak Park neighborhood. He credits his mother for raising him to be a part of the community and understand the value of tough love, even through hardship, like witnessing a murder outside his house as a young boy and having his brother murdered on his beat when he was a police officer. Interview Highlights What are some of the things that you have experienced in your life that have put you in the shoes of...

Cassandra Pye is a prominent political strategist in the Sacramento area. She has represented large trade associations and served as Deputy Chief of Staff for former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Pye talks about the challenges of breaking into the male-dominated world of politics, and whether it was ‘nature’ or ‘nurture’ that made her into the leader she is today. Interview Highlights You’ve had a pretty fascinating career, can you tell me about that? I’ve been in a room with decision...

Vikram Janardhan does not have a medical background, but that didn’t stop him from trying to find a way to lessen the effects of stroke. He risked his life savings to invent a medical device that has the power to help millions of stroke victims. His technology can quickly remove blood clots in the brain. Janardhan talks about the challenges of entrepreneurship, what lead him to create this groundbreaking invention and the personal sacrifices he made along the way. Interview...

As a young immigrant from Mexico, Marco Rodriguez faced many challenges in America. Discrimination, the language gap, and a horrific car accident are just some of the obstacles. Ultimately, with his determination and a positive attitude, he found himself serving on President George W. Bush’s National Council on Disability. And he currently serves as chairman of the board for the Mexican Cultural Center of California. Interview Highlights How did you come to the United States? Being a...

William Ishmael has gone through many transitions in his life. He worked for a civil engineering and city planning firm for 30 years and then shifted his focus to his art. He now serves on the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. William learned that to get through major changes in his life, both personal and professional, it was important surround himself with supportive people. Interview Highlights: Were you always who you are today? Well, it’s always been the case in Sacramento,...

As a young pastor, Faith Whitmore was appointed to lead a church in the small California foothill community of Ione. The congregation and town leaders didn’t like the idea of a young, single woman being their pastor. Whitmore’s career has spanned religion, politics and social services. She is now CEO of the Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center. Early on, she learned how to lead when few believed in her. Interview Highlights What was your first assignment as a pastor? So between the...

The Drive podcast reveals the personal stories behind local changemakers. Host Katie McCleary talks with leaders in the greater Sacramento area about the moments that made them who they are and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.