The Los Angeles Chapter works with community in various capacities through food banks, youth programs, social justice and sharing the stories of Black Military Women. These are incredibly talented women that continue to serve their communities.
Our team of experienced consultants in military service and transition after service provide expert advice and guidance to help you achieve your business goals.
If you are a service member or a veteran the Los Angeles Chapter of NABMW would love to have you as a member. Membership is open to all individuals, regardless of race, age, gender, creed or color, who are currently or previously served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Military spouses and civilians who support the objectives of this organization are also welcome as associate members. To connect with NABMW's Los Angeles Chapter, please email us at INFO@NABMWLA.ORG or call/text (424) 296-1004.
Chapter President
Dr. Andrea Lorenz, PhD is a proud U.S. Army Veteran. She has several degrees in Computer Science, Engineering Technology and Kinesiology. She is currently the Vice President of Education for the IEAOR (Inland Empire Association of Realtist), a non-profit organization of black real estate. This organization helps drive policy and reform for affordable housing in underserved communities to reach the dream of homeownership. Dr. Lorenz is heavily involved in youth sports and has coached Volleyball, Basketball and Softball for over 20 years from elementary to collegiate level. After getting her PhD in kinesiology Dr. Lorenz worked with several Universities on creating a sports performance curriculum as well as designed strength and conditioning programs for ASU (Alabama State University) and MSU (Mississippi State University) for the Women's Basketball and Softball teams. Andrea was recently honored by Soldiers to Sidelines for her work with high performing athletes on rehab, prehab, and longevity in collegiate and professional sports. Chapter President’s Message: I will continue to bring these skills and expertise as the NABMW LA Chapter President. I am honored to be a part of the rich history and sisterhood.
Social Justice and Legislative Director
Latia Suttle was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She joined the military when she was 17 years old and honorably retired from the U.S. Army in 2014 as a Chief Warrant Officer Two. Her MOS's (Military Occupational Skills) were 920B Supply Systems Technician and 920A Property Accounting Technician. She had many duty assignments and deployments such as Ansbach, Germany; Dharan, Saudi Arabia; Fort Bragg, NC; Darien, IL; Dangriga, Belize; Camp Casey, South Korea; Fort Lee, VA; Fort Buchanan, PR (Puerto Rico), Baton Rouge, LA; Camp Arifjan, Kuwait; March Air Reserve Base, CA and Iraq. Latia is the Founder of the Reimagining Child Safety Group. Latia advocates for Women Veterans and their children stuck in the Family Court and Dependency Court crisis where children are being taken away from their mothers. Latia has written several resolutions for various organizations to support veterans to include those impacted by Family Court, military veteran deportation and renaming military bases after black military women such as LTC Charity Adams to name a few. Latia is the recipient of the 2023 CalVet Trailblazer Award which honors remarkable individuals who are veterans themselves, dedicated to championing the cause of fellow veterans, with a special focus on women who have served. The awardees are resilient women who have transitioned from military service to civilian life, achieving personal success, and actively assisting others on their journey to do the same. She also received multiple awards from Community Coalition and an award from the City of Los Angeles in 2024. She wrote and submitted a bill proposal to start identifying Military Veterans when cases are open in Family Court. That proposal later developed into SB 1182 (Eggman). The bill was approved and signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom on September 17, 2022. The law went into effect in January 2024. There is so much more to do for veterans like herself who have never had a criminal charge, never been arrested, never consumed alcohol nor drugs. Veterans should not have to commit a crime to get the same wrap around support and connection to services that's given in Veterans Treatment Court which is only available to veterans who have a criminal charge in addition to having a substance abuse or mental health challenge. SB 1182 (Eggman) is a start in the right direction to prevent a downward spiral for veterans with cases in Family Court.
Principal Advisor
Patricia Jackson-Kelley is a military retiree of the United States Army and a veteran of the United States Air Force and Navy Reserves having served our nation collectively for 26 years. She earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after serving honorably on both active duty and in the Reserves. Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Jackson-Kelley recently completed a Four-year impressive term as the National President of the National Association of Black Military Women, with chapters across the United States. While serving our nation in the Armed Forces and post service, LTC (Ret) Jackson-Kelley served as the Program Manager for a 40-bed substance abuse ward and as the Women Veteran Program Manager with the Department of Veterans Affairs – West Los Angeles. During her term on executive staff, she was instrumental in implementing programs, and increased funds and resources for women veterans. During her time at the Veterans Hospital, she also served as one of the initial board members during the inaugural formation of U.S. VETS. Patricia Jackson-Kelley is also a Commissioner for the County of Los Angeles, Supervisor Holly Mitchell, 2nd District, Military and Veterans Affairs. She is also the immediate Past Commander for the American Legion, Jackie Robinson Post 252. Most recently, she was appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Sexual Assault and Harassments Prevention Task Force Working Group, covering national concerns and issues. LTC (Ret) Jackson-Kelley has received awards and commendations from President George W. Bush, California Governor’s Offices 2006-2009, NAACP, Blacks in Government, and many top community organizations. In 2010 she was selected as “Southern California Women Veteran of the Year” by the California Department of Veterans Affairs, and she was the inaugural recipient of the “PFC Gladys Schuster Carter Trail Blazer Award (August 2012.)" Jackson-Kelley was recognized by former Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary, Robert McDonald for her service on the National Center for Minority Veterans committee from 2015-2017. In 2017, LTC (Ret) Jackson-Kelley was awarded the "Lifetime Legacy Award" by Connected Women of Influence, and in 2018 she received the "Crystal Eagle Award" by Los Angeles County African American Employees Association. Also in 2018, LTC (Ret) Jackson-Kelley was honored with the "Holeman Community Development Corporation Quiet Champion Award," the "City of Los Angeles Hall of Fame Award," and was named "UCLA Veteran of the Year." In 2019 she was the "Hollywood Business and Professional Women Black History Month Honoree." LTC (Ret) Jackson-Kelley was one of the honorees for the National Daughters of The American Revolution Women In American History 2021-222. August 2022, she received the prestigious "African Focus Goodwill Lifetime Achievement Award. Retired U.S. Army LTC, Patricia Jackson-Kelley was inducted into the U.S. Army’s Women's Foundation Army Hall of Fame on March 21, 2024.