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Aubry Stone, president of California Black Chamber of Commerce, Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) Chair of CLBC, Alice Huffman, President of CA State NAACP

By Manny Otiko, California Black Media

The California Legislative Black Caucus hosted Donna Brazile, a national political figure, at its Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast held Thursday, January 11, to kick off a host of statewide marches, breakfasts and community events commemorating the life and legacy of MLK.

Brazile, two-time former chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and chair of former Vice President Al Gore’s presidential campaign, addressed more than 200 attendees in a speech that was layered with spirituals reflections and peppered with humor. She is also the author of the new tell-all book “Hacks,” which detailed her experience running the DNC under the hacking attack of the Russians during the 2016 election between then-candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Brazile also stressed the importance of working to realize the dream and challenging people to stir the pot.

Brazil spoke candidly about her role in lobbying to make Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a national holiday.

According to Brazile, King’s message of hope and racial tolerance is still relevant today.

“He (King) taught us to rise above hate,” she said.

She urged Americans not to look at the MLK holiday as just another day off, but a way to get involved. Brazile also challenged more African-American women to run for political office, especially at the local level.

“Because that’s where the action is,” she said.

Assemblymember Chris Holden, CLBC chair, also spoke at the event.  

“We must always remember the rich history that surrounds MLK Day and reflect on how much work still remains to fulfill Dr. King’s dream,” said Holden. “In a national environment where divisive rallies and demonstrations are on the rise, it’s critical for African Americans to unite and stand against hatred bigotry.”

The breakfast also recognized a variety of statewide civil rights activists as “Unsung Heroes.”

“This year’s ‘Unsung Heroes’ are pillars in the Black community,” said Holden. “They continue the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through their voices and actions.”

This year’s Unsung Heroes were:

• Pamela Thornton, an advocate for fair land use operations. 
• Joe and Ruthie Hopkins, owners/publishers of Pasadena Journal, a newspaper that serves the African American community in the San Gabriel Valley. 
• Joseph Benjamin Hardwick, senior pastor of Praises of Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
• Kenya Fagbemi, program director for the Center for Community Health & Well Being. 
• Tyree Boyd-Pates, history curator and program manager for the African American Museum. 
• Jimmie Woods Gray, the first person of color elected as chairperson of the LA County Democratic Central Committee.
• Arnold Perkins, chair of Alameda County Juvenile Justice Commission and the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Community Advisory Board. 
• Dr. John E. Warren, a lifelong public servant, and publisher of the San Diego Voice and Viewpoint, a publication that works to keep the African American community in San Diego informed.   
• Robert C. Farrell, a retired Los Angeles city councilman and lifelong public service mentor.
• Karen Earl, CEO of Jenesse Center Inc. The oldest domestic violence intervention and prevention program in South Los Angeles and recognized as the first shelter founded by African American women who are themselves survivors of domestic violence. 
• Pleshette Robertson, CEO, and founder of Sac Cultural Hub, a Sacramento print and digital media company keeping Northern California urban communities informed with news, events and entertainment.

Holden added that the CLBC was pleased about working with Gov. Jerry Brown on legislation in 2017 such as the transportation bill, and looked forward to further collaboration this year.

A.K. Smiley Public Library’s free World War I film series continues with a screening of the silent classic Wings at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 20, at the First Congregational Church of Redlands located at 2 W. Olive Street. As an added treat, the screening will include Bob Salisbury live on the organ!

Directed by a veteran WWI combat pilot, Wings tells the story of David Armstrong and Jack Powell as they enlist in the American Air Service, and Mary Preston who joins the war effort as an ambulance driver in France. Renowned for its realistic flying sequences, the film was the first to be awarded the Academy Award for Outstanding Picture, the only fully silent film to receive that accolade. Wings stars film legend Clara Bow, Buddy Rogers and Richard Arden.

This screening is free and open to the public. Registration is requested, but not required. To register or for more information on future film screenings, please visit www.akspl.org  or contact the Heritage Room at (909)798-7632. 

RIVERSIDE, CA- The Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church presents, “STOP Trafficking, START Acting,” a place to learn more about the devastating issue of human trafficking and how you can help to stop it. This event is set to take place on Thursday, January 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church located at 5320 Victoria Avenue in Riverside.

Every day, in small towns and big cities, and in countries around the world, women and girls (especially) are being trafficked into a horrible life of sexual slavery. It is also happening in our backyard, right here in the county of Riverside. Come and join us to learn more about the heartbreaking horror of human trafficking, and what you can do to assist in stopping it. For this event, the following organizations have partnered: Soroptimist International of Corona, Riverside, and San Bernardino, Operation SafeHouse, The Grove Community Church and Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church. In addition, several anti-human trafficking organizations will be represented.

The event is FREE and open to the public for individuals 12 years old and over. Adults must accompany children. Donations of $10 will be accepted and greatly appreciated. Light refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP at www.startacting.org.

Model Kareisha Phillips (Photo Credit: Jack Houser Esau Abraham Marquez)

By Lue Dowdy

This month’s beauty, Kareisha Phillips is WHAT It Do! Kareisha Phillips was born in Pomona, California and currently resides in Rancho Cucamonga. She enjoys modeling, volunteering with children and reading. She works as a Nurse Assistant. Her measurements are: Bust 36B, waist 34 and hips 38. You can follow Kareisha on Instagram at Kareisha_p.

Calling all models all shapes, sizes and ethnicities! Want to be featured in the Westside Story Newspaper in my column ‘WHAT IT DO WITH LUE’ as the model of the month? Well here’s your chance. Lue Productions will be selecting one beauty once a month. For consideration please send full body shoot, contact number to LUE PRODUCTIONS on Facebook. If selected, you’ll be notified immediately along with a few questions. GOOD LUCK! Looking for my Beauty of the month for the following months of March, April, May, June and July.

SACRAMENTO, CA- The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) celebrated its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day breakfast “Black Voices: Reclaiming Our Influence” in Sacramento. The commemorative event featured veteran Democratic Political Strategist Donna Brazile as the Keynote Speaker, with additional remarks from CLBC Chair Chris Holden, Senate pro Tempore Kevin de Leon, and members of the CLBC.

“We must always remember the rich history that surrounds MLK Day and reflect on how much work still remains to fulfill Dr. King’s dream,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “In a National environment where divisive rallies and demonstrations are on the rise, it’s critical for African Americans to unite and stand against hatred bigotry.”

Donna Brazile, former Chair of the Democratic National Committee delivered a dynamic keynote addressing the importance of unity, activism, and voter engagement within the current political climate. During the program, California Legislative Black Caucus Members recognized civil rights pioneers in their districts as 2018’s “Unsung Heroes.” The honorees included journalists, academics, social workers, activists and community leaders.

“This year’s ‘Unsung Heroes’ are pillars in the Black community” said Assemblymember Chris Holden, Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. “They continue the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through their voices and actions.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-  Members of the Social Lites, Inc. were among 500 guests at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast held on Monday, January 15, at California State University, San Bernardino.  Those that were in attendance included the community, community leaders, and youth who took their time to perform community service and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  The keynote speaker Dr. Michael Andrew Owens, Senior Pastor at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in San Bernardino message to “Dream On” inspired attendees!

Beautillion Knights performed community service on their day off by helping the Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches (IECAAC) organizers Ms. Beverly Wright and President of IECAAC, Dr. Regional Woods, Senior Pastor at Life Changing Ministries of San Bernardino (former Beautillion Sir Knight) set-up, escorting guests to their seats, serving guests who had mobility issues and other acts of kindness. 

April 4, 1968 marks the 50th anniversary of King’s assassination.  Let us not forget at the time of King’s premature death King was fighting for issues concerning economic inequality, employment, full citizenship, and access to safe and affordable housing. King took a stand against these issues, and today it is more important than ever to pick up the fight.  “The time is always right, to do what is right!”- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

“Well I got news for you, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Glory, Glory! “[Lyrics Kirk Franklin-Stomp]. I tell you, Jesus loves you so much that He sent a messenger to warn you, that you are heading down the wrong path. But naw, you find Sin so pleasurable that you want to be mad at the messenger. Well Boo, Boo, the message is and always will be a straightforward command to repent. A call for a radical, 180 degree turning from Sin. That is repentance. Instead of getting mad you ought to be like the people who heard Peter in [Acts 2] and ask what response was expected of them. Plainly, Peter told them…Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin… [Acts 2:38]. So what’s your problem? No one is excluded from Jesus demand to repent. [Luke 13:3].

Listen, you can ignore the call of repentance if you want to, but God will not be mocked. The wages of Sin is death. Cleanse your hands, you sinner, and purify your heart, you double-minded. And know that if you continually refuse the salvation call of Christ, one day you will die and end up in Hell.  “Submit therefore to God. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Otherwise, be miserable and mourn and wept; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. The danger of knowing, but not obeying. Tragic!

A memorial service for trailblazing civil rights journalist Simeon Booker will be held on Monday, January 29, his wife, Carol McCabe Booker, has announced.  The service is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Washington National Cathedral located at Wisconsin Avenue NW in Washington. Booker, a journalistic icon, died December 10 at the age of 99.  

Booker’s more than half-century of civil rights reporting, most notably the brutal murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in Mississippi, helped propel the civil rights struggle onto the front pages of newspapers across the country which had long ignored the oppression of Black Americans. Previously, he had been the first full-time black reporter at the Washington Post.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Simeon Booker Scholarship at Youngstown State University. All gifts designated for this minority scholarship are matched by the Youngstown State U Foundation, to which checks should be payable, at 655 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44502.

The biography of Simeon Booker is documented as follows at TheHistoryMakers.org:

Magazine and newspaper reporter Simeon Saunders Booker, Jr. was born on August 27, 1918, in Baltimore, Maryland to Roberta Waring and Simeon Saunders Booker, Sr., a YMCA director and minister. After his family moved to Youngstown, Ohio, Booker became interested in journalism through a family friend, Carl Murphy, the owner and operator of Baltimore’s The Afro American Newspapers. 

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 21: FILE, Award-winning African-American journalist Simeon Booker at an interview in Washington, DC on December 21, 1982.
(Photo by Fred Sweets/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

In 1942, after receiving his B.A. degree in English from Virginia Union University in Richmond, Booker took a job at the The Afro American Newspapers as a young reporter. In 1945, he moved back to Ohio to work for the Call and Post. Five years later, Booker was the recipient of the Nieman Fellowship from Harvard University to study journalism and develop his talent as a reporter. After leaving Harvard in 1951, Booker became the first full-time black reporter at The Washington Post.

In 1954, Booker was hired by the Johnson Publishing Company to report on current events in its weekly digest, Jet. In 1955, Booker helped to redefine the role of Jet and the entire Civil Rights Movement with his famous coverage of the Emmett Till murder and trial, turning an all too familiar event in the Deep South into a national tragedy that united the black community. Booker remained on the dangerous front lines of the Civil Rights Movement, reporting on the 1957 integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

In 1961, Booker rode with the Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) Freedom Riders through the Deep South. When the buses were fire bombed in Anniston, Alabama, Booker arranged the Freedom Riders’ evacuation with U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Continuing his work of in-depth reporting, Booker toured Vietnam and interviewed General Westmoreland for Jet in the mid-1960s. 

In 1964, Booker outlined the importance of the ongoing Civil Rights Movement in his book, Black Man’s America. Booker covered every Presidential election since the Eisenhower Administration in his fifty-three years with Johnson Publishing until he retired in 2007. 

Among his journalistic holdings, Booker has also authored four books. They include a 2013 memoir, Shocking the Conscience: A Reporter’s Account of the Civil Rights Movement, which was co-written with his wife, Carol McCabe Booker.

In 1982, Booker received one of the most prestigious awards in journalism, the National Press Club’s Fourth Estate Award. Booker was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Newspaper Publishers Association, The Black Press of America, in 2007. The National Association of Black Journalists’ inducted Booker into its Hall of Fame in 2013. He also received a career George Polk Award for lifetime achievements in journalism and the top award among journalists upon the 70th Anniversary of the Capital Press Club, proclaiming him “Dean of Black Journalists, Iconic Trailblazer for Justice in America.”

He is survived by his wife, Carol, and four children, Theodore Booker, Simeon Booker III, James Booker, and Theresa Booker.

Vanessa Bell Armstrong

FONTANA, CA- The Ephesians New Testament Church and the City of Fontana will host the 30th Annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s holiday on Saturday, January 13 at Mountain View Church located at 8833 Palmetto Avenue in Fontana. The celebration will begin at 4 p.m.

Dr. Cornel West

The featured guest this year will be the prolific Philosopher, Author, Princeton, Harvard Scholar and Activist Dr. Cornel West, along with special guest 7-time Grammy nominee and Grammy Award winner, Ms. Vanessa Bell Armstrong. The Celebration will be free to the public.  For more information, visit www.ephesianschurch.com or call (909) 823-2310.

By Eva Tillman

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Savant Preparatory Academy of Business is an up and coming charter school in San Bernardino founded by Eva Tillman, Jeannette Balcazar, and Jea Reese. The school is scheduled to have a public hearing on Tuesday, February 6 at 5 p.m. All are welcomed to attend this event at the San Bernardino Board of Education Office located at 777 N. F Street in San Bernardino.

Savant Prep will provide a unique educational opportunity for children that will focus on financial literacy and entrepreneurship. If approved, the school is prepared to implement the ‘Your Financial Future’ curriculum developed by Bank of America to teach students skills such as credit, money management, budgeting and philanthropy.

Savant is scheduled to open its doors on August 6, 2018 to students in transitional kindergarten to second grade. The school will offer full-day transitional kindergarten and kindergarten programs, tutoring and intervention for students who struggle to meet grade level standards, and accelerated support for students who consistently perform at mastery. Savant is dedicated to making sure that all students experience academic success and are prepared to become the future leaders of our city.

This public hearing will provide the founders of Savant with a platform to expound on their charter petition and demonstrate that they have community support for the school. If you believe in Savant’s mission to provide students with a foundation that will enable them to become financially literate and seek opportunities for entrepreneurial innovation, please come out on February 6 to help Savant Prep get approved by the SBCUSD Board.