The people at Young Communications Group, Inc. are experienced communications professionals, expert in developing the right strategies to deliver results and help achieve your goals.

We identify your needs, do research, develop strategies and use communications tactics to engage and move your audiences. Our creative capabilities include a full-range of computer graphics design service.

Gwendolyn W. Young
Gwendolyn W. Young established Young Communications Group, Inc. in 1991. She is an award-winning professional with more than 25 years of experience
in strategic communications, issues management and media relations.
She has developed a subspecialty in managing campaigns directed at the emerging majority sm , with an emphasis on African American
communities. She obtained a service mark from the state for the phrase “emerging majority sm.”

Prior to opening the agency, Gwen was director of communications for AIDS Project Los Angeles; associate director of public relations at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and director of public and media relations at California Medical Center in downtown Los Angeles.

A former member of the executive board of International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), she is past president of the Los Angeles chapter (IABC/LA).

She has served as vice president of the Board of Civil Service Commissioners for the City of Los Angeles and as communications advisory to the chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department. She currently is chair of the board of directors for the American Lung Association of California.

Gwen is a recipient of the coveted Living History Makers/Entrepreneurial Award from Turning Point Magazine, was named Communicator of the Year by IABC/LA in 1999, as well as numerous other awards and honors.

A native Angeleno, Gwen is a graduate of California State University, Northridge.

Anita Bennett
With more than 30 years experience in non-profit and corporate public relations, Anita is co-founder of National Consultants Group, an affiliated communications consultancy.

Prior to open her business in 1987, she was director of public relations for Orthopaedic Hospital, a regional specialty hospital in Los Angeles. She is past president of Public Communicators of Los Angeles and the Society of Public Relations Councilors and has served on boards of the International Association of Business Communicators/Los Angeles and Women in Communications. She is a member of Public Relations Society/Los Angeles. She is a volunteer member of the Barlow Respiratory Hospital Foundation board and of the LCC, a support group for children's services at Orthopaedic Hospital. She is recipient of the 1997 John Cartwright Award from IABC/LA and one of her annual reports for Orthopaedic Hospital is part of the Smithsonian's permanent collection.

Foster A. Bertomen
Foster has nearly 20 years experience as a graphic designer and creative director. He studied graphic design at Platt College in Los Angeles. Before joining Young, he was in the aerospace industry.

As creative director, Foster is responsible for all design projects at Young. His specialty is in designing corporate or nonprofit logos and in branding. However, his award-winning efforts include designs for brochures, newsletters, packaging and advertisements.

Erika Braxton-White
Erika joined Young Communications Group, Inc. in 2006 as an account executive and quickly moved to senior account executive. She is the leading account representative for several public awareness and social marketing campaigns directed to African American adults and youth.

Prior to joining Young, Erika was an account specialist at Fusion Public Relations in Los Angeles. She received her Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley in 2001. In 2005, she obtained a Master's degree in Strategic Public Relations from the University of Southern California. While at USC, she served public relations internships with Fleishman-Hillard, Inc. in Los Angeles; Weber Shandwick/Golin Harris in London, and Cohn & Wolf Public Relations, West Hollywood.

As a volunteer, Erika serves as public relations director for Black Women Rising, Inc., a mentoring program for African American girls and women.

Cherysa Pierce Cortez
Cherysa joined Young in 1999 as an account coordinator. Prior to that, she worked in customer service and finance for New York Life and at Farmers Insurance Group. After joining Young, Cherysa became an account executive and then a senior account executive before leaving in 2002 to become a full-time mom. Since then, she has returned to work with the firm on a part-time and temporary basis.

Cherysa graduated from Howard University in Washington, DC with a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing.

Rita A. Minjarez
A native of El Paso, Texas,   Rita credits growing up in a very creative home with her interest in graphic design. She started to draw as soon as she could hold a crayon.

Because her father was an Air force captain, Rita had the rare opportunity of living in many different cities throughout the U.S. and abroad. The travel provided a rich exposure to the history and art of many cultures.

For several years, Rita worked as an administrative assistant to supplement the cost of her studies. That experience provided her with a practicality that greatly benefits her clients.

Nimo Diestro
A native of Los Angeles, Nimo moved with his family to Chino Hills where he attended high school. He later attended California State Polytechnic University of Pomona, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in graphic design with a marketing management minor. He hopes to continue his studies in film and to obtain a Master's degree in architecture. According to Nimo, he enjoys enjoy soccer, football, basketball, surfing, film, photography, art, music, design, traveling, and eating.

The newest member of the team, Nimo has quickly become indispensable, handling design production, organizing clippings and handling design projects.

Julia E. Hubner
A student at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School of Communications, Julia joined Young as an intern and then, joined the firm on a part-time basis. She expects to graduate in 2008. A native of Northern California, Julia attended Berkeley High School where she was editor and writer for its nationally acclaimed, student-run publication.

Julia has had a number of previous internships and has received numerous awards, honors and scholarships for her leadership, community service and skills. Among them were a State of California Governor's Scholarship, attendance at the Northwestern University competitive five-week Journalism Institute, Blue Shield of California Foundation Scholarship and other scholarships and also has won several writing contests. Her community service ranges from tutoring Spanish speaking, inner-city youth in English to serving on the boards of student and other organizations.