Local

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

“Alert! A deadly tornado is approaching; one that the world has never seen. If you are outside of My Protection, get under My Umbrella NOW or you will likewise perish.” [Psalm 91]. This is a very specialized, very particular warning to those living without Me. Get under My Umbrella NOW! For “I will keep you from all harm—I will watch over your life; I will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” [Psalms 121:7-8]. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” [Isaiah 43:2]. “I will command My angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands, they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” [Psalm 91:11-12]. Get under My Umbrella NOW! There is no more time to waste. A deadly tornado is approaching. You’ve Been Warned! Do Not Delay!

You know, throughout the Bible, tornadoes are associated with Divine Judgment and the Consequences of Disobedience. They serve as manifestations of God’s Wrath and a call for Repentance, as seen in the flood during Noah’s time and the plagues in Egypt. I plead with you, please, get under the Umbrella of God. Do it quickly, without delay, and do it without looking back knowing that the final days before the return of Christ will be the greatest period of distress in world history. Nothing before or after will be like it. If you take all the trauma of all the wars of all the ages and add to it the damage done by all the earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, tornadoes, tidal waves, snowstorms, sandstorms, droughts, epidemics, and all the genocide from the beginning of time until the present. All of it together will not equal the suffering of the final months and years before the coming of the Lord. As terrible as things have been, the worst is yet to come. Get under the Umbrella of the Almighty God NOW without delay. Because what is predestined to happen will happen soon and very soon. Matter of fact, it has already begun. Just look around you. I tell you; the night is far gone; the day is at hand: [Romans 13:12]. If you want to be saved from what is coming, you must ACT NOW!  For the Bible says that perilous times will come, and those times are here. The days are numbered, and you need to be ready. [2 Timothy 3:1].

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is My Refuge and My Fortress; My God, in Him I will trust. Surely, He shall deliver me from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover me with His feathers, and under His wings I shall take refuge; His truth shall be my shield and buckler. I will not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand; but it shall not come near me. Because I have made the LORD, who is My Refuge, even the Most High, my dwelling place, no evil shall befall me, nor shall any plague come near my dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over me, to keep me in all of my ways. I shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent I shall trample them under under my foot. Because I have set my love upon God, therefore He will deliver me; He has set me on high, because I have known His name. I shall call upon Him, and He will answer me; He will be with me in trouble; He will deliver me and honor me. [Psalms 91: 1-15].

No weapon formed against me shall prosper, it won’t work. God will do what He said He would do. He will stand by His word, and He will come through. He’s not a man that He should lie. [No Weapon – Fred Hammond].

Get under the Umbrella of God NOW, a Deadly Tornado is approaching. Thus, saith the Lord!

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media  

SAN BERNARDINO – Julie Michaels has been appointed Executive Director of Inland (spacing) Action, a non-partisan, business-oriented nonprofit group which works with public and private organizations to better the economic climate of the Inland Empire and Southern California.

A resident of the Inland Empire since 1987, Julie is the founder and owner of JB Michaels Consulting, a private firm providing leadership, board development and project management services.  She has a wealth of experience across diverse fields, having worked as a contracts and senior business administrator for TRW at Norton Air Force Base, a teacher and National Academic Advisor serving the western region of the United States including both Redlands Unified and San Bernardino City School District, and a senior healthcare executive.  Julie most recently served as Executive Director of Plymouth Village LPC in Redlands where she was involved in advocacy work in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., on healthcare bills and initiatives.

Julie has served on numerous local boards including the University of Redlands Trustees, the University of Redlands Alumni Association (Past President), Redlands Symphony, United Way and the Redlands RotaryClub, where she was Rotarian of the Year in 2005. She is a current member on the Redlands Community Foundation Board of Directors.

Julie has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Mathematics from California Lutheran University, an MBA from the University of Redlands, both multiple-subject and single subject California teaching credentials, and a California senior care license. While she has lived across the country, both Julie and her husband Barry have called the Inland Empire home since the late 1980’s. Barry is a 34-year employee of Esri, and together they have two grown children.

Julie succeeds Carole Beswick, who served as CEO for 17 years, and Deborah Barmack, who served as President for 12 years.

City of Grand Terrace Mayor Bill Hussey, City Council Members and others Celebrate the Grand Opening of the Condor Energy Storage Project in San Bernadino County, California

GRAND TERRACE, CA-– Arevon Energy Inc., a leading renewable energy developer, owner, and operator, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion and start of operations of its 200 megawatt (MW)/800 megawatt-hour Condor Energy Storage Project in San Bernardino County, California. The project will annually power up to 150,000 homes for up to four hours during peak electricity demand periods and will provide an estimated $25 million in property tax payments over its lifespan, supporting the county as well as the local school district.

With the project stakeholders in attendance, the ribbon-cutting event not only celebrated the project’s completion but also the community support for helping San Bernardino County meet its Climate Action Plan goals. Kevin Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Arevon, provided remarks at the event, along with Mayor Bill Hussey, City of Grand Terrace; Council Member Jeff Allen, City of Grand Terrace; David Lincoln, Senior Vice President at Rosendin Electric, Inc.; and Charles Neighbours, Principal at Grand Terrace High School.

“The Condor Energy Storage Project signifies our ongoing commitment to energy storage technologies and to advancing clean, renewable energy across the nation,” Smith said. “As California looks to achieve its sustainability goals and brings more renewable energy online, battery storage is an essential component to ensure grid reliability and facilitate further renewable energy adoption. Our projects here provide viable economic revenue, cleaner air for the community, and reliable energy access throughout the state.”

“The government has identified the need for clean renewable energy, and Arevon has come up with a solution for that need,” said Mayor Hussey. “Basically, don’t waste the watts and save them when needed. So, (Waste Not! Watts Not!) I am also looking forward to working with Arevon on our energy needs and on our educational needs for this technology.”

The Condor ribbon-cutting ceremony recognized the efforts and collaboration of the project’s commercial partners and local labor organizations who contributed to bringing the facility online. Condor features Megapack 2 XL, Tesla’s state-of-the-art, utility-scale battery energy storage system, which is the most advanced technology available on the market today and provides superior safety and protection for both the project and the surrounding community. Tesla has also been contracted to provide operations and maintenance services for the project. Southern California Edison (SCE) has purchased the project’s capacity under a long-term agreement. As one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, SCE is committed to delivering reliable, affordable, and clean energy today and in the future. Rosendin served as the engineering, procurement, and construction provider and hired local electrical workers from IBEW Local 477, Operators Local 12, Iron Workers Local 433, Laborers Local 1184, and Carpenters Local 909 to build the facility.

“Rosendin values every member of these hardworking, collaborative teams that dedicated 280,000 work hours on this project that will help power local businesses, schools, and homes when energy demand is at its peak,” Lincoln said. “As a longtime partner with Arevon, we are proud to work with them to deliver energy projects that strengthen local communities while providing jobs and building our future workforce.”

As the long-term owner of the Condor Energy Storage Project, Arevon is committed to supporting the local community and its worthy initiatives. During the event, Arevon was privileged to present donations to the Women’s Club, Lions Club, and Grand Terrace Foundation. In addition, Arevon partnered with Grand Terrace High School and Riverside-based Industrial Metal Supply to initiate the creation of a 3D metal sculpture, which was on display during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Grand Terrace High School (GTHS) students owned the entire process, from conception and design to welding the sculpture, which measures 15 feet in length. Each element was carefully separated out to ensure that no material was wasted, and Arevon worked with Industrial Metal Supply to order the steel for the sculpture. In addition, the Condor Energy Storage Project has committed to a contribution of $200,000 to provide shade for students at Grand Terrace High School along with a donation to the GTHS School Site Council.

Arevon is a renewable energy leader in California with nearly 2,500 MW in operation and more than 1,200 MW under construction. The company has recently issued various announcements celebrating achievements at several of its California projects, including offtake agreements for the Cormorant Energy Storage Project and the Avocet Energy Storage Project. Arevon also closed financing on the Eland 2 Solar-plus-Storage Project, the Condor Energy Storage Project, as well as the Vikings Solar-plus-Storage Project, the nation’s first utility-scale solar peaker project which was the recipient of IJGlobal’s Renewables Deal of the Year – Energy Storage Award.

About Arevon

Arevon Energy, Inc. is a leading renewable energy company, supplying clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy to utilities and businesses, while powering the energy transition across the United States. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and with a regional office in New York City, Arevon’s more than 250 mission-driven employees use innovative approaches and leading-edge technology to develop, build, finance, own, and operate renewable energy projects. Arevon owns and operates more than 4,000 megawatts (MW) of utility-scale solar, storage, and solar + storage hybrid projects as well as distributed generation assets in 17 U.S. states. The company is currently constructing more than 2,000 MW of new capacity and has a robust development portfolio of more than 6 gigawatts. For more information, visit www.arevonenergy.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino Pastors United –SBPU has been providing spiritual leadership in San Bernardino County since 2016. The organization was founded by a group of Pastors in San Bernardino, expressing a desire to work with the chief of police to help stop and prevent violent crime in the city.

Over the years the organization has had several presidents. The first was Dr. Joshua Beckley, Ecclesia Christian Fellowship. The next one was Pastor Robert Cuencas of The Way World Outreach Church, and then Dr. Reginald Woods of Life Changing Ministries. These extraordinary men of God, did extraordinary work.

A new era has begun as Pastor Marco Garcia, Sr. Pastor of the Way World Outreach Church, leads the organization. Continuing the mission to combat murders, engage our civic leaders, and provide support to families through community engagement activities.

Many community members attended the 10:00 a.m. ceremony held on Wednesday, August 14, at 4835 Hallmark Parkway, in San Bernardino.

According to Pastor Reginal Young, a spokesman for the group, “The organization is excited about the next chapter as it continues to battle crime, homelessness, drug additions, youth runaways, political corruption, and the economy. Pastor Garcia has been an advocate for the residents in San Bernardino for years. He has a strong faith and belief in the people of the community. He believes, each church must grow and reach the lost. As we help more people who are hurting, restoring more lives; our love will show the world.”

Reverend Young finalized, “Join the movement as we work in unity with the power of God’s favor. May God continue to bless you. Visit our website at www.sbpastorsunited.org for more information email sbpastorsunited@gmail.com. Thank you for your prayers of support!”

More Than 3,000 Attended in the First Hour

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) held a record-breaking, annual Back-to-School Extravaganza (BTSE) July 24 at San Bernardino Valley College to help District families get ready for the start of the new school year.

There were more than 60 booths providing information and free school supplies. Families could collect stamps from select SBCUSD booths on a special passport to get a free backpack for their school-aged children. Other SBCUSD booths offered free books, three-ring binders and other school supplies that students will need for the first day of school on Monday, August 5.

“The Extravaganza provides our SBCUSD families with standard back-to-school items like backpacks, but it does so much more,” said Dr. Beatriz Barajas-Gonzalez, Director of Family Engagement, the department that organizes the yearly event. “We want the Extravaganza to provide families with important information on everything from the music and arts programs in our schools to the career pathways available to our high school students. We also want our families to know there are many free and low-cost resources available to support the physical and mental health of the entire family, not just through SBCUSD but also through city and county programs and local nonprofits.”

One of the biggest community partners was the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA) and Power of Sight. The organization set up an entire section to provide families with free vaccinations, sports physicals, eye exams and glasses.

A total of 55 community partners participated in the Extravaganza, including:

• IEHP (Inland Empire Health Plan)
• Costco
• Stronger Together Now
• Avva Dental
• Option House Inc.
• Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance
• Mother’s Nutritional Center
• Omnitrans
• YMCA of the East Valley
• County of San Bernardino Child Support Services
• Imagine Learning
• City of San Bernardino
• AI Bonds
• Amazon Air KSBD
• Asian American Resource Center
• Dignity Health Community Hospital of San Bernardino
• First 5 San Bernardino
• Making Hope Happen Foundation
• Molina Healthcare of California
• San Bernardino County Department of Public Health
• Assistance League of San Bernardino
• Inland Empire Immigrant Youth Collective
• San Bernardino Valley College
• Bright Life Kids
• Children’s Choice Dental Care
• Great Clips
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire

“I cannot thank our community partners enough for stepping up and helping to make sure our students and their families have what they need to start out the school year on the right path,” said Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Sandra Rodriguez. “Our community came together today to show how much they support and care about our students. When we work together, our students, our families, our community and our city will thrive!”

25th Anniversary San Manuel Golf Tournament raised nearly $500,000 for charity

HIGHLAND, CA — For 25 years, the San Manuel Golf Tournament has delivered an impact that extends far beyond the golf course. Since 1999, San Manuel has invited tens of thousands of golfers to answer the call of Yawa’ – a Serrano concept that means “to act on one’s belief” – by playing in the San Manuel Golf Tournament and contributing to impactful charities across the nation. Together, San Manuel Golf Tournament participants have raised more than $3.5 million in donations benefitting over 70 charities.

This year’s proceeds exceed previous records totaling $480,000 to benefit eight charities representing local and national causes. Each charity received $60,000 in unrestricted funds.

Proceeds benefited this year’s chosen nonprofit partners:

Elevate Navajo strives to develop genuine connections with Navajo youth that will strengthen individuals’ confidence, classroom engagement, provide lifelong skills, and lift the community. Elevate Navajo’s four primary program focuses are accredited classes to provide life and professional skills, mentoring available 24/7, adventures to inspire grand aspirations, and career & college prep.

Firefighter Cancer Support Network provides critical assistance for career, volunteer, active or retired firefighters, emergency medical service providers and their family members who are diagnosed with cancer.

Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) is a collective impact organization created to improve the long-term economic outlook of the Inland Empire by improving educational attainment rates among the region’s underrepresented groups. With an equity-framed approach, GIA connects more than 150 educational institutions, community-based organizations and workforce partners to create a network for K-20 students to provide strategic support for Black, Latinx, Native and other marginalized groups while removing barriers for all individuals.

Junior Achievement of Southern Californiainspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. Volunteers from the professional sector help youth explore the business of life through hands-on dynamic programs that teach skills related to managing money, starting a business and entering the work world.

The Lindy Waters III Foundationenhances and supports Native American youth and Indigenous communities through sports, health and wellness, and leadership programs. The foundation is committed to providing a platform for individual improvement, opportunity, exposure, and access for all Native youth.

Phenix Gateway empowers adults with disabilities to secure full-pay employment through innovative job training programs and advocacy to remove barriers and promote equitable opportunities for all. Phenix Gateway has a unique ability to see what others might overlook and empower individuals to embrace their skills.

Social Work Action Group(SWAG) advocates for, educates and inspires marginalized individuals and families in the Inland Empire achieve sustainable independence through community support. SWAG believes the resources to address homelessness already exist in each community, and the missing component is communication and coordination of existing resources to address the different aspects of homelessness.

Southwest Indigenous Women’s Coalitionprovides critical services to all 22 tribes in Arizona to work towards a future of safe indigenous communities. This Native-led coalition helps Native communities develop their capacities to address and respond to violence through education, training, technical assistance, policy advocacy, and culturally sensitive and supportive services.

Each organization was selected for their ability to bring tangible and practical impact to their communities.

More than 850 golfers were in attendance to take part in the four-day event that spans three exclusive golf venues: Monarch Beach Golf Links at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, Pelican Hill Golf Club and Torrey Pines Golf Course.

Photos and b-roll of the event are available here.

About the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians 

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized Indian tribe located on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near Highland, California.  San Manuel exercises its inherent sovereign right of self-governance and provides essential services for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services, and promoting social, economic and cultural development.  As the Indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys, mountains and high deserts, the Serrano people of San Manuel have called this area home since time immemorial and are committed to remaining a productive partner in the San Bernardino region. For more information, visit http://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov

By Rhonda Smith | Special to California Black Media

Having spent more than 25 years advocating for equitable healthcare, I’ve listened to countless stories from individuals whose lives have been forever changed by the historic inequities that exist within our healthcare system.

I’ve heard mothers share their heartbreak over traumatic birth experiences and outcomes, and families recount the devastating complications from surgeries. These stories, though deeply personal, often feel like whispers lost in the wind because our current data doesn’t capture the full picture. We know that racism impacts the type of care and quality of care, but without demographic data, we can’t fully understand or address these issues. It’s crucial that we find a way to connect these personal stories to the larger narrative of healthcare equity, ensuring that every patient’s experience is acknowledged, and that there’s transparency and accountability, so that every community’s needs are addressed.

For communities of color, racism in the healthcare system can have a devastating impact, affecting not only the quality of care that patients receive but also their overall well-being. Research shows that these communities experience higher rates of patient adverse events — incidents that cause permanent harm, necessitate life-saving interventions, or potentially lead to death at greater frequencies than White patients. Disturbingly, these trends disproportionately impact Black women and other communities of color.

A recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that a third of Americans see racism as a major problem in health care, compared to over half (52%) of Black people surveyed. Disparities in maternal health outcomes and overall distrust of the medical system are historic and well-documented. According to the California Health Care Foundation’s “Listening to Black Californians” research report, nearly one-third of Black Californians say they have been treated poorly by healthcare providers just because of their race or ethnicity. Additionally, a significant number of Black Californians overall (38%) and of Black women in particular (47%) say there has been a time when a provider did not treat their pain adequately.

While we know this to be true, right now, no demographic information is collected for patients who experience things like negative birth outcomes, surgery complications, patient safety events, or other adverse experiences in hospital settings. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) tracks these events, but doesn’t collect information like the age, race or gender of these patients. As a result, the state doesn’t know who is suffering the most from these avoidable mistakes, and therefore how to prevent them from happening in the future.

This is why we are working in partnership with the California Pan Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN),  Black Women for Wellness Action Project, and the office of Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) to advance Assembly Bill (AB) 3161, legislation that will seek to collect demographic data on patient complaints and safety incidents. It is our hope that a bill that collects this important demographic data can be a step toward in capturing evidence-based data on racial bias trends in California’s healthcare system and the impact they have on the safety, health, and well-being of patients.

AB 3161 would require the collection of self-reported patient demographics when receiving complaints regarding hospitals and long-term care facilities.  It will assist in compiling, reviewing, analyzing, and publishing trends of patient safety events. This bill would also require the publication of adverse event trends based on demographic data in a manner that is consistent with patient confidentiality.

Critics, such as the CDPH, have raised concerns over the cost of updating their forms to accommodate demographic data collection. The department estimates the annual cost for updating, modifying or creating a new system for this demographic data collection could cost at least $1.6 million each year for the first two years.

While we appreciate the state’s estimate, the cost of doing nothing, when health and lives are at stake, is far greater.

Understanding and addressing health disparities is not just about statistics; it’s about real people with real stories. By collecting demographic data, we take a significant step toward true transparency and accountability in our healthcare system. This will allow us to see the full picture and make informed decisions that can save lives and improve the quality of care for all Californians. Let’s ensure that every patient’s experience is acknowledged, and every community’s needs are addressed, inclusive of their race or ethnicity.

About the Author

Rhonda Smith is the Executive Director of the California Black Health Network.

This article is supported by the California Black Health Journalism Project, a program created by California Black Media, that addresses the top health challenges African Americans in California face. It relies on the input of community and practitioners; an awareness of historical factors, social contexts and root causes; and a strong focus on solutions as determined by policymakers, advocates and patients.

By Dianne Anderson

Reginald “Reggie” Webb was well revered for decades as a McDonald’s mogul, and not just for his personal wealth and business acumen.

For those who knew him, he brought more to the table than many people realize, and his vision lives on.

Bishop L. Kirk Sykes said Dr. Webb took up the mantle to speak out about the need for economic development, and to reach like-minded people about growing wealth in the Black community.

“As pastors, we have the pulpit. We lay down the foundation for our church members, that they need to participate in this not just for their sake, but for their children’s sake, it will continue to grow. I’m committed to seeing his vision through,” said Pastor Sykes of CrossWord Christian Church in Riverside.

Dr. Webb passed away on July 20. He was 76.

Bishop Sykes described Webb as a friend and a selfless man who wanted everyone to be empowered, and later, Webb became a member of his church.

Although Dr. Webb was affluent, Sykes said the vision for CEEM, Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement, was to restore the community by recycling Black dollars.

“He was blessed in the financial arena, but wanted to give back, not just African Americans, but those who are downtrodden and those who needed a hand up. That’s why I loved and appreciated him,” he said.

Webb was a stalwart, he said, and always pressing the need for the Black community to support each other, and get children educated about financial responsibility.

Although recycling Black dollars is not a new concept, it was his heart.

“Not to keep wealth to himself but make sure that all those that wanted to go to the next level have an opportunity to do it through CEEM,” he said.  “[His message] was to save that money, invest and leave a foundation for our children’s children, so our children don’t have to struggle the way we struggled.”

In the 1980s, Webb was one of just a handful of Black McDonald’s owners nationwide. He grew his small venture into a thriving family franchise spanning 16 Los Angeles and Inland Empire locations. In recent times, the enterprise sold the chain and started CEEM to teach the Black community about financial educational strategies.

In a relatively short time, CEEM has grown to include hundreds of members throughout the region.

Dr. Judy White recalls meeting Webb when she served as Superintendent of Moreno Valley Unified School District. In the early phases of CEEM development, she was tapped for Webb’s vision to champion his goals within the educational sphere.

She said his passion was to create a legacy to benefit the entire community.

While she understood all things about academics from preschool through college, she said Webb taught her things she didn’t know, like empowering community economics in education, and how to reach and teach others.

Everyone involved in the project wanted to grow and collaborate.

Some of her best memories in serving the CEEM board was when Webb asked her to identify educators in the Inland Empire, San Diego and San Bernardino County to honor them at the L.A. County Fair on stage for fighting for students of color. Many had never been recognized before.

It was clear to her that Dr. Webb was not just satisfied with his own success, but serving others in need. She said it takes someone special to pull from their personal resources for the betterment of the community.

“We always thought education was key, critical and important, but not if it doesn’t impact your economics,” she said. “It is personal, I changed as a human being. His presence brings out the best in you. I saw him as a pure soul.”

CEEM categories of outreach, called Pillars, held regular board meetings where nonprofits, faith-based, business and education partners came together. Annually, they pulled about 400 participants for a full house.

Jonathan Buffong, who also works with CEEM and the local Youth Action Project, counts Dr. Webb as a close friend and mentor of the past ten years, for himself and many other young Black men in the Inland Empire.

Early on, he said Webb was a unifying force for other Black franchise owners to learn best practices to grow their businesses. In those times, Blacks were purposely placed in locations where they wouldn’t succeed. He said Webb’s strategy also boosted McDonald’s stocks and owners became extremely successful.

Parity, today a term commonly used to indicate equity for the community, was a concept that began with Dr. Webb.  In many ways, that blueprint for parity is now being carried forth to this generation.

Through Youth Action Partnership, Buffong worked the “Pathways to Parity” project, powered by CEEM with the help of Webb’s initial investment. That effort was to get workers into solid opportunities without college, particularly in cybersecurity, transportation and clean energy, where salaries easily reach $100-150,000 a year.

“Dr. Webb saw that and seeded $1 million to get started on that project. Then, we found funding from other places, but a lot of people don’t know that Dr. Webb is behind a lot of things,” he said.

Eliminating a hefty $23,000 community cost to host an annual celebration of Black graduates at CSUSB Coussoulis arena over the years was another major success. Today, those monies are now directed toward Black students in the form of scholarships. He thanks Dr. Webb and his daughter Kiana for working out that solution with President Tomás Morales.

Buffong said it’s just a few of many things that Dr. Webb brought to the table.

“When we declared racism as a civil right violation for both Riverside and San Bernardino counties, it was Reggie Webb that had a strong message that the county supervisors really respected,” Buffong said.

He had also had an enormous capacity for discipline, integrity in life and business, and was a man of his word. He also had boss communication skills.

“He had the business side to him, he would be behind the scenes on political figures, particularly for folks with African American best interests. He made sure they were taken care of,” he said.

Watching Dr. Webb’s high level of integrity and behind-the-scenes work demonstrated what it takes to be successful. It’s something that many young people in the community never experienced before.

“In some aspects, he was a father-like figure. We had not seen an example of how wealth could be transferred down to your kids. He was that first person for us and very accessible,” he said.

To learn more about CEEM, and Dr. Webb, see https://www.ceemcoop.com. 

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Assemblymembers Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) and Issac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) introduced a bill in January that requires lock-up facilities to provide menstrual products to incarcerated persons without requiring a request.

The bill will be reviewed by the Senate Appropriations Committee after the Legislative recommences in August.

Assembly Bill (AB 1810), “Incarcerated Persons: Menstrual Products,” passed with a 5-0 vote in the Senate Public Safety Committee in June after advancing from the Assembly on May 21 with a 71-0 floor vote.

Bryan told California Black Media (CBM) that he was “comfortable” with the bill’s progress.

“AB 1810 will bring our state closer to the menstrual health equity that other states are seeing that require that menstrual care products are free and readily available for all incarcerated people,” Bryan said. “It will also bring our state into parity with several other states such as Louisiana, Tennessee, and Florida – all of which do not require their incarcerated people to request these basic necessities from their correctional officers.”

Bryan and Bonta are members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC). Fellow CLBC members, Assemblymembers Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), and Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) signed on as the bill’s co-authors Assemblymembers Eloise Reyes (D-Colton) and Rick Zbur (D-West Hollywood) have also joined as co-authors.

Under existing law, individuals incarcerated in state prison or confined in a local detention facility, or a state or local juvenile facility, and “who menstruates or experiences uterine or vaginal bleeding” entitled to request and receive personal hygiene products for their menstrual cycle and reproductive system, according to the bill language.

The materials include but are not limited to, sanitary pads and tampons.

By imposing additional duties on local detention facilities, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

“There are currently incarcerated women and formerly incarcerated women who brought this bill before us,” Bryan said. “Anyone, any person who menstruates deserves that care. It’s not a luxury, it’s not a privilege. It’s a right.”

The California Constitution mandates that the state compensate local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. AB 1810 would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill “contains costs required by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions,” the bill language states.

Tatiana Lewis, a member of All of Us or None (AOUON), testified in support of AB 1810 in front of the Senate Public Safety Committee on June 11. Lewis says she spent time in a juvenile facility and said that some correctional officers delay providing menstrual materials as a punishment or intimidation.

Lewis said she has heard from countless former and current incarcerated women about how they had to create makeshift tampons or how their prison-issued uniforms would be covered with blood. AOUON is a statewide, grassroots civil and human rights organization that fights for the rights of formerly- and currently incarcerated people and their families.

“That power is in their hands,” Lewis said of requesting menstrual products from correctional officers. “This bill needs to pass. It’s essential for incarcerated individuals who need these products as soon as possible instead of going through someone who intimidates them. We’re already humiliated by strip searches and searches of your (cell). It would also give us some type of liberty should this bill pass.”

According to a Feb. 16, 2023, report, “The 2023-24 Budget: The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation,” by the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), the state is currently operating 32 state prisons and one leased prison.

As of Jan. 18, 2023, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) was responsible for incarcerating a total of about 95,600 people — 91,300 men, 3,900 women, and 400 nonbinary people. CDCR provided that transgender, nonbinary, or intersex are mandated to be housed in a men’s or women’s facility based on their preference.

Not everyone is on board with the specifics of AB 1810. Some family-oriented organizations and members of religious institutions across California say they have an issue with the word “person” in the bill. They want it to be amended to refer to only biological females.

California Family Council’s (CFC) Outreach Director Sophia Lorey testified in front of the Assembly Public Safety Committee on Feb. 27. CFC’s vision and mission statement says the religious organization Advances “God’s Design for Life, Family, and Liberty through California’s Church, Capitol, and Culture.”

Lorey said AB 1810 replaces all mentions of “females and women” in the current statute. The bill attempts to “to obscure obvious biological distinctions between males and females,” Lorey stated.

“I urge you all to vote no on AB 1810 unless this bill is amended to only provide birth control and menstrual products to actual women,” Lorey told the committee. “To vote yes or abstain on this bill further advances the erasure of women and ignores basic biology. Oh, and if men menstruate…I am intrigued. Where does the tampon go?”

The bill passed out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee with an 8-0 vote. Committee members Reyes, Zbur, Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove), Juan Alanis (R-Palmdale), and Tom Lackey (R-Modesto) all voted in favor of AB 1810.

“I appreciated the wording (in AB 1810),” said Wilson, the chairperson of CLBC. “It says ‘a person who menstruates or experiences uterine or vaginal bleeding’ will have access to what they need and be able to take care of that. That is a beautiful thing. It’s empowering to those who have that issue.”

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

Since Pres. Joe Biden decided not to seek re-election, Donald Trump has struggled to find his footing in a campaign that was previously geared toward attacking Biden’s age and fitness.

His performance at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention last week highlighted his inability to redefine his new opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s comments, particularly his questioning of Harris’s racial identity, failed to resonate with the audience and underscored his reliance on divisive rhetoric.

Trump’s response to Harris’s candidacy has focused on personal attacks rather than her record or Biden’s policies. He has used nicknames like “Laffin Kamala, Lying Kamala, and Phony Kamala” and he has concentrated on her race — her father is Black Jamaican, and her mother is East Asian Indian.

At the NABJ convention, Trump clashed with a panel of Black women journalists, accusing Harris of “switching her race” to gain political advantage. “She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she turned Black, and now she wants to be known as Black?”, Trump claimed.

This approach, intended to sow doubt about Harris’s authenticity, instead highlighted Trump’s persistent use of racially charged rhetoric. His failure to adequately address issues relevant to the Black community, such as the rising cost of living, small business support, maternal mortality, voting rights, and police reform, further alienated the NABJ audience.

Trump’s inability to adapt is also evident in his decision to cancel the Sept. 10 ABC Presidential debate, insisting on a new format with Fox News. This reflects his difficulty in keeping up with Harris’s campaign momentum. He characterized Harris’s rise as a “coup” within the Democratic Party, as he struggles to address her ascent effectively.

Harris, who attended Howard University, a historically Black university (HBCU), and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), a Black sorority, has been measured in responding to Trump’s divisiveness. At a Sigma Gamma Rho sorority event in Houston, she stated, “The American people deserve better. The American people deserve a leader who tells the truth. A leader who does not respond with hostility and anger when confronted with the facts.”

Harris, as a multiracial American, has the ability to “code-switch”—a skill many people of color use to navigate various cultural environments and connect with diverse audiences. This skill allows her to authentically engage with different communities, whether she is rigorously questioning Supreme Court nominees, addressing issues at historically Black colleges and universities, or hosting Diwali celebrations. Code-switching is not about deceit but about adapting communication styles to resonate with different groups, a testament to her versatility and relatability.

Trump’s inability to grasp this concept underscores his disconnect from the experiences of people of color and multiracial Americans. Instead of recognizing code-switching as a valuable skill, Trump has tried to frame it as deceitful. This tactic plays into a broader narrative Trump has pushed that questions the authenticity of people who do not fit into a narrow, often racially homogenous, mold. By framing Harris’s multifaceted identity and her ability to adapt her communication as something suspect, Trump reveals his limited understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of American identity.

In contrast to Trump, Harris’ campaign is focused on issues resonating with a broad spectrum of voters, such as voting rights, women’s reproductive freedoms, and economic inequalities. Her message of inclusivity and progress stands in stark contrast to Trump’s attempts to rekindle fears of a changing America. She has even begun defending her border record, releasing a video framing her as pro-border security.

Trump’s reliance on racially charged rhetoric reinforces his image as a candidate stuck in the past. Harris can use Trump’s attacks to her advantage by staying focused on her message of unity and progress.

Harris’ campaign mentioning the “weirdness” and outdated nature of Trump’s worldview may prove effective. She is presenting herself as the candidate of the future. This framing helps her cast Trump and his allies as out-of-touch with modern American values as she and her surrogates point out the rollback of rights spelled out in the ultra-conservative Project 2025 agenda, which includes proposals to restrict voting rights, undermine reproductive freedoms, weaken environmental protections and rewrite parts of the Constitution, such as the 14th Amendment which grants citizenship rights.

As we approach the November election, we can expect the contrast to become starker between Trump’s provocative rhetoric that yearns for a return to an ambiguous bygone era of American greatness and Harris’ upbeat message that imagines a unified, forward-looking, stronger America where our diversity is an asset.

In an increasingly multi-racial and multi-cultural America where there are tendencies to focus on the concerns that divide us, it is incumbent on both candidates to build their candidacies on a commitment to inspire voters to collectively pursue the best possibilities for our country and for all Americans.

We are all in this together.