MULTICULTURAL CONFERENCE:

OUR STORY

Los Angeles County is home to one of the most diverse populations. This vast and beautiful County is home to generations of immigrants and migrants who have settled here to raise families. We are a 'salad bowl' of diverse ethnic groups and people creating distinct cultures to simultaneously coexist in a common environment. Dr. Alex Aloia had a dream that the people of the County could come together - all ethnicities, creeds, ages, and genders - and share a day filled with the inspiration and hope of all people in the County. Thus was born the first Multicultural Conference in 1999.

Dr. Aloia was able to negotiate space for the Conference the first two years, 1999 and 2000, at Loyola Marymount University. After his retirement and with the growth of the Conference, the Department of Mental Health Training and Cultural Competency bureau undertook the role of coordinating the following year, 2001.

Support from participating departments dramatically increased and audience participation grew, so the location was moved to accommodate an ever-growing participation capacity. The Office of Affirmative Action Compliance was requested to take over as lead in 2003 and 2004, 2005 mark the celebration of our 7th Annual Conference with the Department of Mental Health taking the leader role.

Dr. Alex Aloia's vision continues to be realized. Our story is the essence of one human race sharing more commonalities than differences, enabling our positive interaction with others. This remains our story, our challenge, and our legacy.

MULTICULTURAL CONFERENCE:

 FOUNDER

Dr. Alex Aloia has given over 40 years of community service at the county, state and national level. He received his B.S. from the University of Illinois. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from USC and served on the faculty for seven years. Dr. Aloia is a licensed Psychologist and Marriage, Family and Child Therapist. He was Chairperson of the Los Angeles County Mental Health commission and completed his 24th year on the Commission. The Los Angeles Department of Mental Health named Dr. Aloia Volunteer of the Year for 1994. He was a professor at Loyola Marymount University for 36 years and is now Professor Emeritus. He is a vocational expert and consults with the Social Security Administration on disability.

His community leadership experience is vast. Dr. Aloia was the President for four years of the former Organization of Mental Health Advisory Boards. He has been President of the Federation of Community Coordinating Councils of Los Angeles, President of the Recreation and Youth Services Planning Council of Los Angeles County, Chairman of the Economic and Youth Opportunity Agency, President of the California Personnel and Guidance Association, President of the California Conference, American Association of University Professors and Chairman of Tierra del Sol Foundation fro the Developmentally Disabled.

Dr. Aloia has served as Co-Chairperson of the Department of Mental Health Planning Committee, the County of Los Angeles Task Force on Incarcerated Mentally III and the Interagency Committee on the Incarcerated Mentally III Persons.