Local

By Antonio Ray Harvey  | California Black Media

Fed-up residents and concerned political advocacy groups in Oakland — including the city’s local branch of the NAACP — are outraged over a tide of rising crime that overtaken the East Bay’s largest city.

“Oakland residents are sick and tired of our intolerable public safety crisis that overwhelmingly impacts minority

communities. Murders, shootings, violent armed robberies, home invasions, car break-ins, sideshows, and highway,” Oakland NAACP president Cynthia Adams and Acts Full Gospel Church’s Bishop Bob Jackson wrote in an open letter to Oakland residents.

In the letter dated July 27, Adams and Jackson blame Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price for “failed leadership.”

Price made history in 2022 when she became the first Black woman elected D.A. of Alameda County. A graduate of Yale and the Berkeley School of Law, Price is a strong advocate for criminal justice reforms and is known for her progressive stances on policing and sentencing. Oaklanders have also criticized her office for not pursuing harsher sentences in high profile crime cases, including the shocking murder of Jasper Wu, a 2-year-old who was killed by a stray bullet in a shootout on Interstate 880 in Oakland.

“There is nothing compassionate or progressive about allowing criminal behavior to fester and rob Oakland residents of their basic rights to public safety,” Adams and Jackson stated in the letter. “We need our elected leaders to take responsible action to ensure public safety. The best way to start is to declare that we are in a public safety emergency.”

In February, Oaklanders launched a Change.org petition to recall Price. As of Aug. 4, 24,504 people had signed it.

Two weeks, ago a spokesperson from Price responded to Adams’ and Jackson’s letter.

“We are disappointed that a great African American pastor and a great African American organization would take a false narrative on such an important matter. We would expect more from Bishop Bob Jackson and the Oakland Chapter of the NAACP,” said Price’s representative.

According to the Oakland Police Department, homicides are up 80% compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic) numbers. There have also been sharp spikes in assaults (40%) and robberies (20%).

When you compare crime rates this year to last year, violent Crime has increased by 15%; burglaries re up nearly 40% and vehicle theft is up by more than 50%.

The Oakland branch of the NAACP also points that Blacks have been victimized most by the surge in crimes.

“African Americans are disproportionately hit the hardest by crime in East Oakland and other parts of the city. But residents from all parts of the city report that they do not feel safe. Everyone is in danger,” the letter explained.

Women have been beaten and robbed by youths; Asian Americans have been assaulted in Chinatown; physical aggression has been used against street vendors; and cameras have been stolen from news crews working in the field; and utility crews are now required to have private security, the letter asserts.

Last week, after a request from Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, Gov. Gavin Newsom agreed to send the California Highway Patrol and automatic license plate readers to assist local law enforcement in their fight against crime.

“I am committed to working with community partners and across agencies to ensure we are doing everything we can to both prevent violence and hold people accountable for carrying out crime in our city,” Thao said in a statement.

On August 3, Oakland City Councilmember Kevin Jenkins, who represents District 6, one of the areas in the city most affected by the crime spike thanked Thao and the governor.

“I applaud @MayorShengThao for working with @CAgovernor to get Automatic License Plate Readers. I am committed to #TechforSafety in Oakland,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

On July 27, Price and the Oakland police held a public safety meeting at Montclair Presbyterian Church. Frustrated residents at the meeting complained about the violence, brazen robberies in broad daylight, assaults on the elderly, and the low prosecution and conviction rates of people who commit crimes.

“As lawyers we have to follow the law,” Price told people in the audience who questioned her about criminals receiving lenient sentences.

“The commission in 2017 issued a report that was a commission set up by Gov. (Gavin) Newsom to look for the first time in decades at our sentencing structure. They recommend that we stop using enhancements the way that we have done consistently,” Price continued.

But Adams and Jackson insist that authorities should declare “a state of emergency” in Oakland.

“We need our elected leaders to take responsible action to ensure public safety,” they wrote.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), along with other Democratic lawmakers and April Grayson — a witness who last month testified against a sex trafficking bill proposing stiffer penalties for repeat offenders – have disclosed receiving death threats laced with the n-word and other racial slurs.

Jones and Grayson, who are both Black, said the threats and insults came by emails, telephone and social media.

“The number of death threats, people who threated to rape members of the Assembly and their families, the number of times people were called the ‘N-word,’ and staff members who may be with the LGBTQ community, were called the ‘F-word,’” are just a sample of what Jones-Sawyer told California Black Media (CBM) he was hearing. “They were calling like crazy. That’s not a place for public discourse. You can disagree but you don’t have to be disagreeable.”

The hate-filled messages came after Jones-Sawyer, chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee and other Democratic committee members were criticized for not supporting Senate Bill 14 authored by Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield). The legislation proposes adding the sex trafficking of minors to the list of “serious” crimes under California’s Three Strikes law. A conviction, including previous felonies, would increase prison sentences to 25 years to life. The trafficking of minors currently carries a prison term for up to 12 years, or 15 years to life.

On June 11, the Democratic majority on the Public Safety committee unanimously abstained from voting on the bill. The committee’s two Republican members voted for it. The bill’s failure to advance from the committee drew national attention and sharp condemnation from conservative groups.

“After passing the Senate with a unanimous, bipartisan vote, I had hoped Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee, led by Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, would agree to make sex trafficking of a minor a serious felony. I am profoundly disappointed that committee Democrats couldn’t bring themselves to support the bill, with their stubborn and misguided objection to any penalty increase regardless of how heinous the crime,” Grove said in a statement after the committee vote. “Human trafficking of children is a growing tragedy that disproportionately targets minority girls, and California is a hotbed because of our lenient penalties.”

Two days after SB 14 failed in the Public Safety committee, it passed with a 6-0 vote. California Legislative Black Caucus members Assemblymembers Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) and Majority Leader Assemblyman Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) abstained from voting.

In a statement sent to CBM, Grove who has been the main champion of SB 14, addressed the threats and said such attacks against lawmakers should be taken seriously.

“It can be a felony offense to threaten public officials in California. I urge any legislative member who has received a threat to contact the Capitol police immediately so that an investigation can take place and those making threats can be held responsible for their abhorrent actions,” Grove wrote.

California Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), a strong supporter of SB 14, also condemned the death threats and hate messages and expressed his concerns about the attacks leveled at his colleagues from across the aisle.

“We need to get to a place where we can have a difference of opinion without the threat of violence…on any level,” Gallagher posted on X – formerly known as Twitter.

Jones has stated that he is committed to ending sex trafficking in California, but he wants to improve Grove’s bill so that it does not just result in more incarceration, considering that some of the offenders are victims themselves.

In the Legislature, Jones-Sawyer has also been a vocal supporter of shifting the focus of California’s criminal justice system from incarceration to rehabilitation. In California, Blacks make up under 6% of the state’s population but account for nearly 30% of prison inmates, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

Grayson is one of those victim-offenders who was trafficked as a child but ended up spending 17 years behind bars. Born in Los Angeles, Grayson said she grew up in 22 different foster homes, going through one abusive experience after another.

Now, she is the statewide coordinator for the Young Women’s Freedom Center, Sister Warrior’s Freedom Coalition, a coalition of formerly and currently incarcerated women.

Since her release from prison in 2015, Grayson has been politically active. She worked on California Assembly Bill (AB) 124, which was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021. The bill creates a channel for survivors of human trafficking to request a reduced prison sentence.

“(Grayson) broke my heart. She told us about being trafficked and then she became a trafficker. When she got caught, they put her in jail,” Jones Sawyer said. “Nobody ever gave her any counseling or found her a safe place where she could go. They didn’t have that 20 years ago. She was not only victimized by the trafficker, but she was criminalized by our criminal justice system.”

When the state legislature reconvenes on Aug. 14, the Assembly Appropriations Committee could hold a hearing on SB 14 as early as Aug. 16.

Jones-Sawyer says he hopes members of that committee can examine the legislation without attracting the attacks he and other members of the Public Safety committee had to endure.

Nonprofit and business leaders discuss Southern California housing crisis and Latino homeownership gap

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—-– On Monday, August 7th, Rep. Pete Aguilar hosted a roundtable with representatives from UnidosUS and Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire (NHSIE) to discuss how California’s housing crisis is affecting the Latino community and steps Congress has taken to address this crisis.

“In our community, securing affordable housing has become more and more difficult for families. This issue particularly impacts the Latino community, whose homeownership rate is still below 50% as of 2022,” said Rep. Aguilar. “Everyone needs to work together to tackle this crisis with the urgency and seriousness that it deserves. We’re doing that here in the Inland Empire and across California, but much more needs to be done.”

“The Inland Empire will play a critical role in growing the number of homeowners in the state of California over the next serval years and this is why gatherings such as this roundtable are vital, it encourages collaboration between local communities’ members while sharing directly with our elected representation, Congressman Pete Aguilar, the needs here in the Inland Empire. NHSIE was delighted to open its door to the community and partner with UnidosUS. We look forward to continuing our 40-year mission of creating homeownership opportunities alongside UnidosUS in partnership with all who attend and support this cause,” said Kailin Scott, CEO and Executive Director of NHSIE.

“There are 8 million Latinos nationwide who are ready to buy a home. In California only 46% of Latinos are homeowners, which is 18 percentage points lower than the non-Hispanic White population. Yet in spite these challenges, there are 1.9 million Latinos aged 18-45 in California who are considered ‘mortgage ready’.  Given that Latino homeowners have 28 times the wealth of Latino renters, it’s clear that removing barriers to the American Dream for Latinos would close the wealth gap, stabilize our neighborhoods, and fuel our economy,” said Esmeralda Lopez, California State Director of UnidosUS.

Invited dignitaries, California state representatives, members of the Chadian diaspora, & celebrities celebrated Her Excellency Kitoko Gata Ngoulou on becoming the first & youngest female Ambassador of Chad during a private black tie dinner party.

BEL AIR, CA—- Health4Peace Founder & CEO Nathalie Beasnael hosted a private black-tie dinner party in honor of Her Excellency Kitoko Gata Ngoulou, Ambassador of Chad. The private event was held in Bel Air at the home of President & CEO of Spectrum Solutions, Phillip Westbrooks and was well attended by dignitaries, California state representatives, members of the Chadian diaspora, and celebrities. The primary focus of the evening was to celebrate Her Excellency Ngoulou on her latest appointment on becoming the first and youngest female ambassador of Chad.

The evening began with guests walking the red carpet, a cocktail hour followed by a three-course dinner prepared by Chef Stephen Metoyer. Among the distinguished guests were Her Excellency Kitoko Gata Ngoulou (Ambassador of Chad), Nathalie Beasnael (Health4Peace Founder & CEO), Erin Bromaghim (Deputy Mayor International Affairs for Mayor Karen Bass), a representative on behalf of Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (Senator District 28), Fernando Morales (Deputy Chief for Congresswoman Katy Yaroslavsky District 5), Aden Binyam (Deputy of Homelessness & Housing for Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson), Mame Mbaye Toucouleur (Honorary Counsul of Senegal), Jordan Garcia (Consul of Guinea), Phill Westbrooks (President & CEO of Spectrum Solutions), Tyrone DuBose (Actor & America’s Premier R&B Music Historian), Zimzon Zion Lelo (ALLBLK’s Double Cross as a series regular for Season 5), Petri Hawkins-Byrd (Court Bailiff from Judge Judy Court Show), Anthony Bless (BET+’s Tyler Perry “Ruthless”), Barak Zilberberg (Self Made Entrepreneur, Real Estate Investor, and Announces Candidacy for President of the United States of America 2024), Dr. Lance McCarthy (Faith Based Economist and Investment Advisor), Chesley Heymsfield (Producer), Vincent Akosah (Apostle), Dan Wilson (Pastor), and many others. Throughout the evening, there were special performances by Nigerian Singer Abiodun Koya and Afro R&B Singer Ash Hamman.

To cap off the evening, Her Excellency Ngoulou took a few minutes to speak on an array of topics pertaining to efforts in strengthen ties between the United States and Chad through cultural exchanges and economic opportunities. She spoke about Chad’s rich in natural resources and investment opportunities. In addition, she praised Ms. Beasnael for her crucial role in bringing nations together through this event as it was a significant step towards a future of collaboration and progress.

Sponsors and supporters of this year’s event included BEASNAEL “We Are Not The Same,” Spectrum Solutions, NACI (North America Chadian Initiative), Djibia Mangue and Haoua Mangue of Grocery Outlet Irvine, IMMAQUL’8 Entertainment, HAPAWARDS, NAIIZHAIR, Jo Malone London Fragrance, Coquette Kouture, Breaking Hits, Curve Communications, and MaisonDene Incorporation.

ABOUT HER EXCELLENCY KITOKO GATA NGOULOU

Her Excellency Kitoko Gata Ngoulou served as an institutional lobbyist in Western countries at the prestigious French lobbying firm, Prestige Communication, where she represented President Idriss Deby. Since 2015, she has held the esteemed position of roving ambassador for the Republic of Chad, tirelessly representing the country’s interests abroad. In January 2023, her dedication and capabilities were acknowledged when she was appointed as the plenipotentiary and extraordinary ambassador of Chad to the United States of America by President Mahmat Deby Itno. To learn more, visit https://www.chadembassy.us/biographie-de-l-ambassadeur.

ABOUT NATHALIE BEASNAEL

Nathalie Beasnael is Founder and CEO of Health4peace. She holds a board position as Director of International Affairs for MaisonDeneinc. Currently, Nathalie works as a Recovery Nurse at Surgical Institute in Beverly Hills working closely with Dr. Tarek Smiley. She is licensed and certified as follows: Licensed Vocational Nurse, Licensed Esthetician, AHA First Aid and BLS/CPR Certification. Los Angeles Fire Department (Hospital Fire and Life Safety Certified), Tracheostomy Certification, and Ventilator Certification. She has clinical experience as a Surgical Nurse at California Surgical Institute and as a Charge Nurse.

ABOUT HEALTH4PEACE

Health4Peace is a non-profit 501c3 organization designed to help hospitals and medical facilities in rural areas worldwide. The organization currently has hospitals in Chad, Senegal, Ghana, South Africa, and Nigeria. Health4Peace is founded by Nathalie Beasnael whose goal is to promote, protect and improve the lifelong health of individuals and communities in rural of the world while bridging the gap between diasporas and Africans through education on health issues with the assistance of technology. To learn more, visit www.Health4Peace.com.

By Lou K Coleman

Repent before it is too late!  How can we possibly live in the day and age in this world that we are living in right now, seeing the news, seeing what’s taking place, and not realize that the Bible has prophesied everything that has taken place, and everything that will take place. Repent before it is too late!

The Bible said that the Euphrates River will dry up. It’s drying up. The Bible said that there would be a cashless society. It is here. The Bible said that there will be an Antichrist that will be revealed. He is here. Unbeknown to the masses.  Don’t wait until it’s too late! We are not living in ordinary times. We are nearing the end of an age—the end of a civilization. Wake up! A world-shaking crisis is inexorably building and will, in the near future, explode the appearance of normalcy.

Understand the significance of today’s news and where it is all leading. Because soon and very soon, mankind will suffer through the most devastating, bloody war in human history—called, in biblical terminology, the Great Tribulation. “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, those days will be shortened.” [Matthew 24:21–22]. Wake Up! Christ is giving us so many signs and warnings.

If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus, then you should pay close attention to His instruction to you: “Watch therefore and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” [Luke 21:36]. Watch for wars—big wars, little wars, ethnic wars, wars of all sorts, along with escalating violence and increasing lawlessness—which will increasingly affect all of the world. Do not just believe me. Believe what is written in your Bible. Check up and prove it.

For thus says the Lord God: ‘A disaster, a singular disaster; behold, it has come! An end has come, the end has come; it has dawned for you; behold, it has come! Doom has come to you, you who dwell in the land; the time has come, a day of trouble is near, and not of rejoicing in the mountains.” (Ezekiel 7:2–9).

Wake Up! Christ is giving us so many signs and warnings.

“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” [Luke 21:20-22).

LOS ANGELES, CA— Metrolink’s low-income discount program was relaunched today as the Mobility-4-All program. Metrolink passengers with a California Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card are still eligible for a 50 percent discount on all Metrolink tickets and passes. Riders can use their EBT card at any Metrolink station ticket machine to validate and unlock the discount.

“Since we began the program in September 2022, we have sold more than 80,000 tickets with the discounted fare,” Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle said. “Thanks to a generous Caltrans grant, we have made Metrolink an even more affordable option for people. Renaming the program to Mobility-4-All reaffirms our commitment to make public transportation more equitable, without reference to socioeconomic status.”

Funding for the discount is made possible by a grant from the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP), administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

A California EBT card is required to validate the discount, while an alternative form of payment is needed to complete the ticket transaction.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Four California government employee unions are demanding salary increases from the California Department of Human resources (CalHR) and the State Legislature to keep up with the high cost of living in California. When compared to their peers in the private sector, the employees say, there is a significant disparity in salaries.

Representatives of the unions say they are frustrated with stalled negotiations with the state over disparities in pay. Last week, one of the Unions, the American Physicians and Dentists, authorized a strike.

The other three unions are the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000 – California’s largest labor union; the California Correctional Peace Officers; and the California Association of Professional Scientists.

In June, the SEIU employees initially demanded a 30% wage increase in their next three-year contract. The legislature countered with an offer of a 2% annual increase over three years. That offer – which union members view as a move to low-ball them — sparked a demonstration at the State Capitol in June that has been followed by an ongoing stalemate between the parties.

“It’s moving slowly,” said Local 1000’s Vice President of Bargaining Irene Greene. “We’re severely disappointed in the state’s movement to get this contract negotiated with bargaining team members.”

According to the bargaining update, the state also rejected the union’s request for paid time off to observe Juneteenth.

Local 1000 represents approximately 100,000 workers in jobs as diverse as prison librarians, janitorial staff and educators at California’s schools for the deaf and blind.

In response to the state’s 2% initial offer, the Union lowered its wage request to a 26% raise.

Greene believes the union’s 26% compromise is reasonable, considering the high cost of living in California.

“We have a large number of members that are unable to maintain a living wage in the state of California. They love the positions that they work in, however we’ve been delayed in our salary increase for a number of years,” she said.  “The reason we felt that the 30% and 26% were justified is because of the low income we are finding ourselves getting.”

Greene said union jobs once ensured a comfortable standard of living, but this is no longer the case.

“We used to be able to have these jobs as middle class jobs, purchase a home, be able to provide for our families and retire with dignity,” she added. “At this point, those who we represent are really struggling.”

California Black Media contacted CalHR for comment, but Camille Travis, deputy director of communications for the state’s human resource agency, said the department does not comment on or share proposals for ongoing negotiations.

For nearly three years now, the California Association of Professional Scientists have been in negotiations with the state, demanding up to 43% increases in pay.

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) introduced a bill Assembly Bill (AB) 1677 that would commission the UC Berkeley Labor Center to assess the salary structure of scientists employed by the state. The Assembly Appropriations Committee is currently reviewing the bill.

Another study commissioned by Local 1000 and conducted by the UC Berkeley Labor Center released in March found that many Local 1000 members, particularly women, Black and Latino employees were struggling financially. The study also found that nearly 70% of the union’s members did not earn enough to support themselves and at least one child.

While the majority of Local 1000’s contracts will remain in effect until a new agreement is reached, members enrolled in CalPERS health insurance plans lost their monthly $260 health care stipend on June 30.

Some consider this as an additional reduction in pay that workers must endure. Local 1000 proposed a new monthly payment of $320 to cover those losses, but the state rejected that request, according to the bargaining update. Instead, the state countered with a three-tiered stipend — $30, $70 or $140 — depending on the employee’s chosen health plan.

Despite the complications and setbacks during current negotiations, Greene remains hopeful that an agreement will be reached that will benefit the workers she represents.

“I’m still optimistic. I still believe in my state, I believe in this negotiation process, and I still have hope that the state is going to live up to their end and that they’re going to be there for those who work for them,” she said. “My hope is still there. I believe we are going to get this done.”

M.H.M & Associates recently hosted an exclusive fundraising event focusing on garnering sponsorship to assist CEO Luvina Beckley, and the National Resources Development Council (NRDC) take her message on a four-city symposium tour. The focus is to reach Black women and Women of color-led organizations to change the dynamics in the trillion-dollar-a-year grant funding industry. The fundraiser was also intended to help raise investment funds the Beckley’s newly developed (patent pending) e3p3 software model. Which is sure to create some of that change.

The event was held at Fox Pointe Manor in Anaheim Hills, the private home of Dr. Howard and Linda Knohl, and featured a who’s who list of current and former elected California officials and other guests.

Beckley addressed her audience and laid out the problems with the grant funding industry. She discussed her inspiration and mission in great detail and closed by addressing the solutions that would rectify the situation. Beckley·s presentation was supported by a couple of people she successfully wrote grants for the in the past. Kim Carter, CEO of Time For A Change Foundation explained to the audience what Beckley and grant funding did to elevate her program to the next level. Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson discussed the work Beckley did for the City of Rialto.

“I thought the event was very classy and very well put together,” said Londie Pratt, who was an invited guest. “(Luvina’s) message really resonated and connected with the intimate audience,” added Pratt.

The event was a prelude to the Rising Tide/ Impacting the 1 % symposiums that Beckley will take across the country on a four-city national tour. The first symposium is scheduled for Saturday, September 9th in the City of Pasadena The symposiums are expected to draw up to 200-250 attendees.

M.H.M & Associates is a leader in the grant writing space having garnered more than $125 million in funding since its founding. Among its missions is to positively affect the wealth gap by assisting Black women and women of color-led organizations to get grants and investment funding to help their organizations reach their goals.

You can hear more about Beckley’s story and inspiration during her exclusive interview airing Sunday, August 6 at 4:00 p.m. on Channel 9 KCAL Los Angeles on the YABA TV Show.

RIVERSIDE, CA—- The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Anthony Parnther will present their second annual evening of cinematic music on Saturday, August 12 at 7:30 p.m. Entitled “Movies with the Maestro,” this performance will be held at the historic California Theatre of the Performing Arts in downtown San Bernardino. A second performance is scheduled for Wednesday, August 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Riverside City College Coil School for the Arts in downtown Riverside.

The concert will include repertoire from a variety of movie favorites, and patrons are highly encouraged to become a part of the performance by bringing their light sabers and wave along to John William’s “Imperial March” from Star Wars and to Ludwig Goransson and Joe Shirley’s Main Theme from Star Wars-The Mandalorian.

Multi-talented artist Holly Sedillos, who Symphony fans will remember from radiant performances at several previous concerts, will take on two diverse yet equally challenging cinematic pieces: Bernard Herrmann’s Salaambo’s Aria from Citizen Kane (1941) and John Powell and Carlinhos Brown’s Poisonous Love from Rio 2 (2014).

Sedillos is a rare Los Angeles native having grown up in Santa Monica public schools, playing French horn or singing in every possible orchestra, band, choir and musical her schedule would allow. She attributes her ear and sight-reading ability to the stellar education she received there. Holly holds a B.A. in music–with a focus in vocal performance from Dartmouth College. There, she exercised many other musical skills, including arranging, orchestrating, and conducting. After college, Holly took an intensive 2-year Meisner acting program at the Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Acting studio. Holly is one of the few truly versatile sopranos in Los Angeles, being able to switch easily between classical, musical theater, and more popular genres. She is equally comfortable on stage and in front of a mic. She jumps at the chance to tackle difficult new works.

Recent stage highlights include Anaïs Nin in Anais: A Dance Opera at L’Off Theater Festival in Avignon, France, (Cindy Shapiro, composer), Yoruban wailing solos with The Los Angeles Master Chorale in Calixto Alvarez’s Osun Requiem, soloing in the west coast premier of Dylan Mattingly’s The Bakkai with Jacaranda Music (part of LA Phil’s Noon-Midnight), Coachella with Hans Zimmer, and bounding across The Hollywood Bowl stage in a plush tiger costume during Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Richard Kraft.

A recent top recording highlight for Sedillos was the once-in-a-lifetime privilege to sing under John Williams’s baton for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Other highlights include solos for Jeff Russo’s theme to Altered Carbon and Austin Wintory’s Deformers score, featured vocals in a Joey Newman song for ABC’s The Middle and for two Chris Lennertz film scores (Smurfs: The Lost Village and El Camino Christmas), and her first exposed solos in a theatrical release in Mychael Danna’s score for The Man Who Invented Christmas.

Prior stage experience includes the roles of Consuelo in John Adams’s I Was Looking at the Ceiling and the I Saw the Sky, with Long Beach Opera at the Ford Amphitheater, Jasmine in Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular! at Disney’s California Adventure, Aquata in The Little Mermaid Live at The Hollywood Bowl, 1st Soprano in Disneyland’s Voices of Liberty, Disney’s D23 in Tokyo, soprano solos in Handel’s Messiah with LAMC, Zappa’s 200 Motels with the LA Phil, and Nancy in Oliver! at Palm Canyon Theater. Prior recordings include Austin Wintory Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (solos), Joe Bishara The Conjuring 2 (trio), La La Land, Minions, Sing!, and many others.

The Symphony will also be joined by a select ensemble from the Riverside City College Chamber Singers under the baton of John Byun. The Singers will perform Simon Franglen’s Suite from the motion picture Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), Pinar Toprak’s Slumberland Suite (2022), and Christopher Young’s End Titles from Drag Me To Hell (2009).

Byun received his Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of California, Irvine and his Masters in Choral Conducting from California State University, Long Beach. He is the director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Riverside City College, where he directs both the Chamber Singers and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. He has been the guest conductor for several district honor choirs, the SCVA Men’s Honor Choir, the Central California Women’s Honor Choir, Texas Honor Choir Region 9, the Clark County, NV Honor Choir, the North Carolina All State Honor Choir, the Southern Invitational Choral Conference in Mississippi, Tennessee All State Honor Choir, and the New Mexico All State honor choir.

The Riverside City College Chamber Singers have performed at the American Choral Directors Association Western Divisional Conference in Tucson 2010, Santa Barbara 2014, and in Salt Lake City 2020. They have also performed at the ACDA National Conference in Chicago 2011, Minnesota 2017, and have been invited to perform at the National Conference in Dallas 2021, and at the NCCO national conference in Fort Collins 2011 and Portland 2015 and at the CASMEC conference in San Jose, CA 2016.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- As the start of the school year approaches, there is good news for high school, middle school, and elementary students all over San Bernardino County.  K-12 students now ride free every day, on every bus system in the County. That includes Omnitrans, Victor Valley Transit, Mountain Transit, Basin Transit and Needles Area Transit.

“We are very excited about this program,” SBCTA Board President Dawn Rowe states. “ It provides a financial break to families and gives them more options. Whether riding to school, for after school fun, or for a weekend outing, kids ride free.”

The free fares are being promoted with the tag line “You’re now free to GO,” emphasizing not only that the fare is free, but that public transit offers youth the chance to gain independence.

The free fare program is being implemented separately by each system. Identification requirements and rules may vary.  Riders are encouraged to visit their local transit system website to learn more:

• Omnitrans – omnitrans.org, 800.966.6428
• Victor Valley Transit Authority – vvta.org, 760.948.4021
• Mountain Transit – mountaintransit.org, 909.878.5200
• Basin Transit – basin-transit.com, 800.794.6282
• Needles Area Transit – cityofneedles.com/transit, 760.326.2113 ext. 115

The K-12 Student Free Fare Program is sponsored by SBCTA and was approved by the Board of Directors in March 2023.  It is a one-year pilot project, funded primarily with Low Carbon Transit Operations (LCTOP) funding which seeks to reduce carbon emissions by increasing transit use.