Local

The grand opening of the “Stuffe ‘D’ Soul & Cajun” Fine Dining Restaurant is just in time for Easter! The restaurant is open from 2 Pm  for dinner until 10 p.m. located at 1566 Orange Street in Redlands, the theme and motif is Mardi Gras, and the food is authentic Soul and Cajun, and it features a full bar.

The proprietor, Amanda Ferguson, is a graduate of East Redlands high School. She interned for two years at Edwards Mansion and was chef at the Waikiki Beach Hilton Hotel. She makes her own desserts and guarantees satisfaction!

Regular hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.. The phone number is (909) 335-5895. Reservations may be helpful!

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

You have the right to remain silent.  Anything you say or do can and WILL be used against you in a court of law. You who are living in sin, you who are refusing the Savior, you who are delaying the time of repentance, you who have backslidden, and those of you who are opposing the gospel: “The Word of the Lord is against you.” For thus saith the Lord, “I will destroy you, and none will be left.” [Zephaniah 2:5]. There it stands, bearing testimony against you, who, in due time, unless you become partakers of the grace of the Lord, shall be overwhelmed, and destroyed without remedy.  Oh, that God may help me to speak so that your life may be changed, and that the Word of God may be against you no longer!

O sinner man! Consider the fearful danger you are in!  You have made God your enemy, what a terrible thing this is. For thus saith the Lord, “Therefore will I also deal in fury; mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity; and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet I will not hear them” [Ezekiel 8:18]. Talking about the wrath of God, there is no other way to put it, it is infinitely dreadful.  

Listen, God stands ready to pity you. This is a day of mercy; but once the day of mercy is past, your most pitiful and sad cries and screams will be in vain. God will have no other use to put you to, but to suffer misery; for you will be a vessel of wrath fitted to destruction. God will be so far from pitying you when you cry to him, that it is said he will only “laugh and mock, [Proverbs 1:25-26]. Today however, you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has thrown the door of mercy wide open, and stands in calling and crying with a loud voice therefore, let everyone that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to come. Let everyone fly out of Sodom: “Haste and escape for your lives, look not behind you, escape to the mountain, lest you be consumed.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. [2 Corinthians 6:2] Don’t wait until it’s too late. Tomorrow isn’t promised. The only time you have is right now. God says, “Now”, “Today”, not “Tomorrow.”

“Come NOW, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” [Isaiah 1:18].  “TODAY if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts” [Hebrews 4:7(b)].  “Boast not thyself of TOMORROW; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” [Proverbs 27:1].

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them [Deuteronomy 30:15-20].

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Kingdom Culture Community Development Corporation in partnership with All Nations Worship Assembly San Bernardino, is gearing up to host their largest annual free Egg Hunt in the San Bernardino County.

The “Easter Eggstravaganza” lives up to its name by being a dynamic experience for the community. On March 31st, at 1 p.m., over 2000 San Bernardino County residents will arrive with their families at Indian Spring High School to join in on the fun. The Easter Eggstravaganza allows families to enjoy free food, live entertainment, and 12,000 plastic eggs full of candy and treats.

“We do this Easter Egg Hunt every year because we want to be God’s extension of love to our city. It’s for the smiles on each child’s face when they walk away with eggs full of candy. If we can bring joy what’s deemed a dying city, then we’ve met out goal”, said Senior Pastor, Apostle Sherman Dumas.

Children of all ages will enter age appropriate Egg Hunts and enjoy numerous activity booths. This experience welcomes all residents of the San Bernardino County.

For more information visit AllNationsSBD.com.

FONTANA, CA- Students from several schools around the Inland Empire made their way to Heritage Intermediate School in Fontana, as community service organizations Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. hosted their 29th Annual Oratorical Contest. The event was emceed by local author and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity member, Kevin Eastman, and Candra Loftis, Heritage Intermediate School Academic Advisor and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority member.

Forty-eight students, in grades two through twelve, delivered speeches on pre-determined topics. The young people took full advantage of the opportunity, impressing the panels of judges with their interpretations of the importance of education, what happens when a person stands up for themselves, and the effects of the modern media on today’s society. Each topic was incorporated into a celebration of Black History Month.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Oh what a majestic evening for the thirteen Knights of the Social Lites, Inc. 51st Beautillion Ball presented to society on Saturday, March 24 at the National Orange Show of San Bernardino.  Over 400 guests witnessed over $45, 000 in scholarships and gifts presented to these young men.  An additional $8,500 was awarded from “The Evan T. Carthen Emerging Leader” Scholarship sponsored by the Social Lites, Inc.

Sir Knight Malachi Davis of Highland California who attends Citrus Valley High School and a member of Life Changing Ministries received a $9,000 academic scholarship, $800 scholarship from “The Evan T. Carthen Emerging Leader” Scholarship and various gifts.  Jonathan Moreno was first runner-up and awarded a $7,000 scholarship plus gifts; Tyree Walk was second runner up and awarded $5,500 plus gifts, $6,000 scholarship for winning “The Evan T. Carthen Emerging Leader” Essay Contest in addition to sharing the title Mr. Congeniality with Devin Clay. Kamau Osonduagwuike was third runner up and awarded $3,000 in scholarship plus gifts. Scholarships awarded to all Knights of various amounts to help fulfill their future educational career and gifts.  

LA QUINTA, CA- La Quinta residents and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California (RMHCSC) laced up their shoes and came together in support of critically ill children and their families at the annual Inland Empire Walk for Kids, a fun, family-friendly 5k (3.1 miles) event that raises funds for the life-changing services provided by the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House. The walk took place at a Quinta Civic Center Park.

 This year the fundraising goal was $250,000 with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to serving local families right here in the community, continuing its mission to provide a “home away from home” when it’s needed most – enabling families to stay near their hospitalized child at little to no cost. No eligible family is ever turned away due to inability to pay.

KMIR-TV’s Kitty Alvarado was the emcee of the walk-a-thon this year. Other special guests included The Hernandez Family, La Quinta Walk for Kids Ambassador Family; and Karen Hooper, Executive Director of Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House. The Walk had on-site experiences including family-friendly carnival games, activities, Kids Zones, food, music and more.

By Sun Kim | California Black Media

SACRAMENTO, CA- Countless activists and protestors swarmed Sacramento City Hall in an effort to voice their concerns and feelings over the shooting of Stephon Clark.

On March 18, law enforcement officers encountered Clark while responding to neighborhood complaints of car windows being broken. Clark was then shot and killed by officers who mistakenly believed he was in possession of a gun but was found to only be holding his cell phone.

Community members protested last week, shutting down I-5 freeway in downtown Sacramento and the Sacramento Kings games on the evening of March 18.  Nearly 300 or so individuals signed up to speak at the meetings that initially started at 1 p.m. earlier in the day.

Young kids at the march prepare to participate in the candlelight vigil.

Early in the forum, Stevante Clark, Clark’s younger brother, jumped on the council’s platform chanting his brother’s name. After Stevante stood on top of the podium and used obscene language, Mayor Darrell Steinberg called for a recess to appease tensions.

Crowds of people arrived well before the scheduled 5 p.m. start time to secure seats inside the chamber and others waited patiently outside and lobby. During the meeting, echoes of various chants filled the City Hall’s lobby and bled outside the building and carried thought out the block.

“Indict, convict, send those killer cops to jail. The whole damn system is guilty as hell. Say his name! Stephon Clark.”

An adjunct group of protesters, who were not able to able to enter the City Hall, were returning from their protesting at the Golden 1 Center during the Kings game that was initially scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Stevante Clark,left, the brother of Stephon Clark, hoist up a t-shirt with the image of the 23-year-old man who was shot by Sacramento police officers in the backyard of his grandmother’s home, which was nearby where the protest took place at 29th Street and Florin Road in South Sacramento.Stevante Clark, who was riding in an SUV, blocked the intersection at 29th Street and Florin to thank the supporters. “I love you all he said.”

Many turned to social media to record the event and share their experiences. There were countless minors with their guardians and young adults that made the bulk of the crowd. The atmosphere was a mixture of angst and anxiety. Those that did not chant stood in silence holding signs and wearing Black Lives Matter or apparel that commemorated those that were lost in similar circumstances.

Protester Alexander Johnson stood stoically in the middle of the lobby, holding up a poster with #StephonClark and said, “I think this protest is a step. It’s working, and we just need to keeping taking small steps.”

Mother and Son, April Robison and James George, wore complimentary shirts standing hand-in-hand.

“I have already lost one son this way. I’m scared for my second son, I don’t want to lose another one,” April somberly spoke.

“I have a legacy I want to live and leave behind. I can’t do that if I’m dead,” said her son, James, who appeared to be a minor.

The counsel’s evening community forum, starting at 5 p.m. on March 27th, was initially schedule to last till 11 p.m. but was cut short an hour when a man was detained during the council meeting. There are plans that the forum will continue on Wednesday, March 28 that 1 p.m. allowing those that were not able to speak to do so.

By Lue Dowdy

Breaking the Silence is WHAT IT DO! Domestic violence is on an all-time rise. It seems like every other day you hear about a young lady being killed by the hands of her spouse or lover. Just recently a friend of mine loss his daughter due to domestic violence. Although I didn’t know the young lady personally, it hit home.

LOVE and FEAR are two of the main reasons individuals suffering from abuse stay silent. I myself have experienced physical, mental and verbal abuse. I never said a word. I just suffered in silence praying that it would stop because I was in love with my abuser; it made things more difficult for me.

I didn’t have the nerves or the guts to speak out and seek help. I kept finding excuses not to leave. It would be days which I would literally go into work battered and bruised with a big smile on my face in order to masquerade what I went through last night. I was ashamed and embarrassed that this was happening to me, a woman that is supposed to be strong and unshakable. But I got out, I was one of the lucky ones. I was able to escape before things took a darker turn. I’m grateful to the Creator that I no longer suffer from abuse.

I want to encourage anyone dealing with domestic violence or know of a person going through it to please seek help. Domestic violence against men exist too. People need to realize that abuse can happen in a heterosexual relationship or same sex relationship. Research the signs of an abuser to see if you may have a potential abuser in your life.

According to The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence statistics show that on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. For one year this equates to more than 10 million women and men. There are free community agencies that can assist you with referrals for shelter and resources such as ‘211’.

This has been a PSA from LUE Productions. Please share this message. At the end of the day you may be closer to saving a LIFE! Until next week L’s!

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media

Sacramento resident Stephon Clark became the latest unarmed Black male to die in a police-related shooting.  The story has spread across the national media to become the newest flashpoint amongst African-American activists and community leaders and the families who demand action on police violence.

According to reports, Clark, a father of two, was in his grandmother’s backyard as Sacramento police were following up on a call that a man was breaking car windows. The Sacramento Sheriff’s helicopter was providing air coverage while directing Sacramento officers on the ground. 

Upon encountering Clark, officers are heard on police body cam footage saying “gun, gun” and within seconds, immediately shot 20 rounds killing the father of two.

“Prior to the shooting, the involved officers saw the suspect facing them, advance forward with his arms extended, and holding an object in his hands.  At the time of the shooting, the officers believed the suspect was pointing a firearm at them. After an exhaustive search, scene investigators did not locate any firearms.  The only item found near the suspect was a cell phone,” according to a Sacramento Police Department news release. 

Civil Rights Leaders 

In response to the shooting, Black Lives Matter and other Sacramento area activists staged a public protest shutting down a section of the I-5 later to form a human blockade preventing over 10,000 people from entering Golden One arena.  The Kings and the Boston Celtics both wore shirts featuring Clark’s name before their Sunday game.

Press Conference for Clark Family

A Coalition of community activists in support of the Clark family convened a press conference on March 26 at Sacramento City Hall calling for “justice, reform and healing.”

Clark’s grandmother Sequita Thompson recounted the night when she heard gunshots in her backyard. She recalled sitting on her computer and crawling on the floor to her 7-year-old granddaughter who was asleep on the couch when the shots started.

“They didn’t have to kill him like that,” said Thompson. “They didn’t have to shoot him that many times. Why didn’t you shoot him in the arm? Shoot him in the leg? Send the dogs, a taser … why? Over a cell phone? I just want justice for my grandson.” 

President of the Sacramento chapter of the NAACP Betty Williams met with Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn and put calls in to Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert for regular updates.

“The unanswered question remains does the justice system have the capability of dispensing justice for all its citizens?” Said Williams.

The family retained Attorney Benjamin Crump who handled high-profile cases including Travon Martin and Michael Brown. 

“Since 2015 over 73 families have had to endure similar experiences. Over 70 Black Men have been shot and unarmed. This is oh to often a pattern in America,” said Crump.

Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network President, will attend Clark’s funeral on Thursday and deliver the eulogy. Sharpton has sent his West Coast representative Rev. Shane R. Harris, president of the San Diego chapter of NAN to provide counsel to the family. 

“NAN will stand hand in hand with the groups on the ground to ensure legislation is changed,” said Harris. 

“We will not let his name die, his name will live.”

 Harris expressed frustration last year with what he says is California’s lack of action on police shootings. He said that California is the bluest and most progressive state in the union, but other states are more advanced on prosecuting police violence. Harris challenged State Attorney General Xavier to take action on this issue.

Sharpton and other members of NAN have lobbied for Assembly Bill 284, the Deadly Force Act, which would have required all police shootings to be investigated by an independent team from the State Attorney General’s office. The bill has stalled in the legislature.

 Harris argued AB 284 is needed because local district attorneys cannot be trusted to conduct objective investigations of police shootings.

“It’s like students grading their own papers,” said Harris.

Whitney Ashley, graduate of J.W. North High School and former Olympian, will be the keynote speaker at the “I Am Enough” women’s conference.

RIVERSIDE, CA- “I Am Enough” is the theme for the 17th Annual Empowering Young Women Conference, a collaborative effort of the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation, Riverside Community College District, the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa, Riverside Police Foundation, Blumenthal Law Offices, and Dr. Kathy Wright. The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 14 in the Landis Auditorium located on the Riverside City College campus at 4800 Magnolia Avenue in Riverside.

This free conference, geared to young women ages 12 to 21 and their mothers/guardians, will feature informational workshops about health, nutrition, domestic violence, human trafficking, cyperbullying, social media issues, self-image and dress, college and careers as well as a fashion show, a poetry contest and a talent competition.

The morning keynote speaker, Whitney Ashley, is a J.W. North High School graduate and a former Olympian, whose specialty is the discus throw. She represented the United States at three consecutive Global Championships in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Dr. Leita Harris, professor at UC Riverside’s School of Medicine, and Obstetrician-Gynecologist, will be one of our afternoon keynote speakers.

The afternoon career panel includes Virginia Blumenthal, Member of the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees and one of the top 100 lawyers in the nation; Dr. FeRita Carter, Vice President, Student Services, Riverside City College; Carmen Cuevas, Senior Field Representative for California State Assembly Member, Jose Medina; May Lynn Davis, Founder of the Asian Lunar Fest; Commissioner Belinda Handy; Ninfa Delgado, Vice President and COO Riverside Community Health Foundation; and other notable female leaders and entrepreneurs. These dynamic and accomplished women will share their experiences and the steps they took to achieve their personal and career goals with the conference participants.

“We are very excited about this year’s conference as we have a cadre of excellent keynote and workshop speakers willing to share their knowledge and personal experiences with the young women,” said Conference Chair Wanda Scruggs. “Participants will receive breakfast, lunch, a goodie bag and information on everything from how to defend themselves to identifying human traffic perpetrators — all at no cost, thanks to the generosity of our wonderful sponsors.”

Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz praised the conference for its excellence. “The Empowering Young Women Conference is a wonderful opportunity to expose young women to inspiring role models. The participants also receive practical advice for academic and professional success,” said Chief Diaz. “I am proud that the Riverside Police Department is able to contribute to the conference”.
 
All conference participants will receive a free continental breakfast, lunch, a goodie-filled tote bag and opportunities for great door prizes. Participants are requested to pre-register no later than Wednesday, April 11 at
www.empoweringyoungwomenconference.com.

About The Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation
The Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation (formerly Riverside Black History Parade Committee) is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization established in honor of founders Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts. The foundation focuses on the development of events and activities such as: the Riverside Black History Parade, Expo and Car Show; Empowering Young Women’s Conference, and the Back-to-School Back Pack Giveaway event, which promotes positive family and cultural interaction in a cross section of communities.