By Eleanor Boswell-Raine,
Globe Editor

Dr. Zach Hall, president of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), spoke to the Merchants Association, the Oakland Black Board of Trade & Commerce and the East Bay Small Business Council at a $100-a-plate luncheon at Zazoos Restaurant on Thursday.
   CIRM was established in early 2005 with the passage of Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative. The statewide ballot measure, which provided $3 billion in funding for stem cell research at California universities and research institutions, called for the establishment of a new state agency to make grants and provide loans for stem cell research, research facilities and other vital research opportunities.
   Zach gave his audience a crash course on stem cells and the miraculous cures made possible as research expands. He said African Americans would benefit dramatically from stem cell technology when applied to diseases prevalent among black people like diabetes and heart disease.
    Zach reported that one of CIRM’s goals is to achieve diversity on many levels as it fulfills its role as a grant giver and loan maker to research organizations and facilities. He emphasized that stem cell technology must be available and accessible to more than just the wealthy.
    When asked how black contractors would gain access to building contracts, Zach admitted that it had not been thoroughly thought through, but he vowed to take back suggestions to CIRM.
    “It’s important that we encourage young African America medical students to consider this ever expanding field of stem cell research,” said Michael Carter, chairman of the Black Wall Street Merchants Association. “This … research could lead the way for permanent cures for diseases that many black community leaders fail to get serious about like AIDS ... which affects all of us.”