Local

REDLANDS, CA—- As a result of new State public health orders and increased COVID-19 hospitalizations in the Inland Empire, the Board of Trustees of the A.K. Smiley Public Library voted unanimously Tuesday, December 8, to suspend in-person library services through at least Jan. 4, 2021.

“We regret having to take this step and are hopeful that conditions will allow us to resume in-person services sometime early in the new year,” said Board of Trustees President Bill Hatfield.

Books, magazines and DVDs will still be available from the Smiley Library’s Books-to-Go program. Cardholders can select materials online, by email or over the phone. Details are available on the library’s website at www.akspl.org.

Other electronic resources, including virtual storytimes and programming, databases, digital editions of the New York Times, Flipster magazine service and the Kanopy and Kanopy for Kids streaming networks are available online 24/7 for all Smiley Library cardholders.

Patrons can continue to return material into the library’s book drop; however, the library will be unable to accept donated material until further notice.

For further information, visit the library’s website or call (909) 798-7565

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media? 

Black women leaders have a recommendation for Dianne Feinstein, California’s senior U.S. Senator: consider giving up your own seat so that California Secretary of State Alex Padilla can fill it. Their call is to appoint a Black Woman with political experience and a track record of success – someone who will be ready on day one to serve.    

News broke last week that Feinstein, who has represented California in the upper house of the U.S. Congress for 28 years now, reached out to Gov. Gavin Newsom. She called to let him know that she supports Padilla, who is Latino, as Sen. Kamala Harris’s replacement in the U.S. Senate. 

Black leaders campaigning for the governor to replace Harris with an African American woman responded promptly.  

“The good senator herself has been sitting in that seat for a longtime. She has served our state well. Very honorably. Maybe she should consider resigning, which would make room for Secretary Padilla to carry on her legacy,” said Amelia Ashley-Ward, publisher of the San Francisco Sun-Reporter, the oldest Black newspaper in the “Golden Gate City.” 

Ward said once Harris is inaugurated Vice President of the United States in January, the United States Senate will lose its only African American woman.  

“That is a terrible loss for America. That is our seat,” Ward continued. “It was won by an African American woman and she had hundreds of thousands of African American women working hard with her, holding her up, standing behind her to win that seat. Not to mention millions of other Californians. Kamala was the second Black woman in history to serve in the United States Senate and she is currently the only Black woman in the United States Senate. She is the face and the voice of Black women from all across this country and we will lose that when she’s gone.” 

Padilla, who is from Los Angeles, served as an aide in Feinstein’s Senate office in the 1990s. 

“I told him,” Feinstein said, talking about her appeal to the governor in support of Padilla “And my sense is that he’s going to represent California very well. And he’s someone I’d be happy to work with and bring Hispanic representation to the Senate for the first time.” 

Dr. Amos Brown, a civil rights activist, president of the San Francisco branch of the NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church in San Francisco, says representation is important. He said Gov. Newsom should appoint either Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA-37) or Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-13).  

“The seat must go to an African American woman. How can there be no Black woman among Democrats in the U.S. Senate? The women we are recommending are smart, qualified and prepared to replace Harris,” he said.  

In an all-out effort to ensure that an African American woman continues to serve in Harris’s U.S. Senate, Black women groups in California and across the United States have launched a social media campaign to spread the word and garner support. They say the party establishment wants Black people to vote for a Democratic majority in the Senate by turning up to vote in the January runoff election in Georgia, but they do not want to fight to make sure a Black woman is represented in the United States Senate.  

The Black Women for Wellness Advocacy Project (BWWAP), Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), the Black Women’s Democratic Club (BWDC), and numerous leading Black women in the state are speaking in one voice, sending a clear and forceful message to Gov. Gavin Newsom that he should pick a Black woman to replace Harris.   

To amplify their message the women are employing podcasts, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, digital flyers, emails and catchy taglines. Public service announcements will flood the internet according to the of organizers for the campaign. 

“This is an initiative by Black women from across California who are elevating the conversation around the appointment for Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’s U.S. Senate seat,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, founder of BWOPA, oldest Black political action organization in the state. “It is a full court press directed to an audience of one and that audience is Gov. Gavin Newsom.” 

There are three African Americans serving in the United States Senate. Harris, Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, and Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina. 

But after Jan. 20, 2021, when Harris is sworn in as Vice President, there will be no Black woman in the US Senate. Gov. Newsom can either decide to make an appointment to complete Harris’s term, which ends in 2023, or he can hold a special election.  

The Black women organizations have also set up several online hubs to push the issue. They are asking people around the country to email their support to help them Keep the Seat for Black Women in the U.S. Senate. California residents can  email Newsom directly. Or they can also message him at this site as well. On social media, they can send a tweet to the governor @GavinNewsom. 

By Marie Y. Lemelle, MBA

Governor Gavin Newsom,

Like a modern-day Harriet Tubman, Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris kicked opened the door to claim a seat at the U.S. Senate table. Her legacy is to lead more Black women to the table who will represent a forgotten but strong California population.  It is no surprise that women are already underrepresented in the U.S. Senate; and that is unacceptable. California should continue to buck the trend and send a Black woman to the U.S. Senate.

Historically, Black women are blatantly excluded from leadership roles. Kamala Harris, the only Black woman in the U.S. Senate, changed the game for us and proved that a Black woman is invaluable to the progression of California and our Nation. Let’s not forget that Black women voted in record numbers to deliver a victory to Democrats and our country.

Far too often the work and sacrifices of Black women go unrecognized and undervalued. We urge you to honor and embrace the hard work and determination that Kamala Harris and Black women have forged through to keep California strong.  We earned the right to #KeeptheSeat and will continue to fight to never give up our seat to represent all people but especially the largest population in the State of California.

December 1 marked the 65^th anniversary of Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat.  Her right to keep her seat was a symbol of will power and the right to claim a prominent place in this world. We are ready to repeat the historic and courageous move that Ms. Parks made to demand respect and inclusion. She stood her ground without a coalition of Black women by her side.

Today, Black women from across the Nation are in full force to stand beside U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA-37) and U.S. Congresswomen Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) and fight for them to be the right choice to fill the seat.  Don’t mute the Black woman’s voice. 

We live the values of gender equality, fairness, community, diversity, and authenticity that are essential to strong leadership. We ask that you do not overlook our progressive leaders Bass and Lee to carry the torch lit by Kamala Harris.

There is no doubt that Bass and Lee are ready to take on the challenges and issues that face Californians.  They have the experience and the relationships to step in Kamala Harris’ shoes and step up to the table with confidence and determination. They know how to get the work done in Congress while advocating for the needs of Californians.

This is our time, and we are staking our claim to the seat that Kamala Harris earned with the support of

Black women.  We are the backbone of the democratic party, both as voters and organizers. Diversity in our leaders is the core to who we are in California. Together, we benefit from a variety in experiences and perspectives.

We know that both Bass and Lee are leaders that we can trust and depend on in crisis. That said, we deserve to maintain our representation in the U.S. Senate. Governor Newsom, we urge you to hear us and appoint Bass or Lee to the seat.

It’s time to deliver for us.

California Black Women Coalition for #KeepTheSeat

Hon. Donesia Gause-Aldana  Carson            Hon. Sydney Kamlager-Dove  Los Angeles   Hon. Deborah Robertson     Rialto

Hon. Aja Brown                        Compton        Hon. Lula Davis-Holmes           Carson            Hon. Emma Sharif           Compton                                                                                                                                Hon. Cheryl Brown                  Sacramento    Hon. Yvonne Horton                 Inglewood     Hon. Diane Watson     Los Angeles

Hon. Autumn Burke                Los Angeles     Hon. Holly J. Mitchell               Los  Angeles   Hon. Shirley Weber       San Diego

Hon. Michelle Chambers       Compton          Hon. Treva Reid                        Oakland          Hon. Lori Wilson          Suisun City

Melina Abdullah           Los Angeles

Aimee Allison                Oakland

Bobbiejean Anderson  Moreno Valley

Ebani Anderson             Los Angeles

Niele Anderson             Los Angeles

Joy Atkinson                 Los Angeles

Sheila Baker                 Bellflower

Kim Ballard                  Lancaster

Sabrina Benson            Rialto

Vicki Blakley                 Sacramento

Charlotte Bland            Los Angeles

Sheila Brown               Los Angeles

Taisha Brown               San Diego

Tonya Burke                Perris

April Burton                 Compton

Velma Butler                Pasadena 

Barbara Calhoun          Compton

Darla Carpool               Los Angeles

Jasmyne Cannick          Los Angeles

Sandi Cook                    Los Angeles

Lori Cordinus                 Orange

Maureen Craft               Elk Grove

Karen Earl                      Los Angeles

Nolice Edwards              Sacramento

Kimberly Ellis                 Richmond

Dionne Faulk                  Inglewood

Nourbese Flint               Los Angeles

Norma Foree                 Long Beach

Carolyn Fowler                Inglewood

Dallas Fowler                  Inglewood

Gail Francis                     Lake Elsinore

Tresla Gilbreath               Sacramento

Glenda Gill                      Los Angeles

Angela Gipson                 Inglewood

Le Cresha K. Gipson        Carson           

Wendy Gladney               Upland

Alice Goff                        Los Angeles

Gloria Gray                     Inglewood

Sharon Guest                  Los Angeles

Kellie Hawkins                 Los Angeles

Jacqueline Hawthorne   Los Angeles

Nichelle Henderson        Gardena

Ingrid Hutt                      Los Angeles

Danielle Hollis             Burbank

lona Hendrick             Los Angeles

Patsy Howard             Los Angeles

Cine Ivery                   Inglewood

Andrea Jackson           Los Angeles

Jannell Jackson           Sacramento

Joan Jackson                Los Angeles

Adrienne Johnson       Pasadena

Rachel Johnson           Gardena

Deidre Jones               Long Beach

Rev. Dr. Joy Johnson  Antelope

Laniece Jones              Oakland

Holland Jordan            Castro Valley

Angela King                 Los Angeles

Marie Y. Lemelle         Glendale

Bennetra Lewis           Lancaster

Alicia Lewis                 Los Angeles

Arnetta Mack              Inglewood

Natasha Marshall       Inglewood

Phyllis Marshall           Sacramento

Ronnie Martin             Los Angeles

Tamry McCauley         Santa Clarita

Tina McKinnor            Hawthorne

Tonia McMillian          Bellflower

Dewanda Mitchell      San Bernardino

Tracy Mitchell             Pasadena

Tamela Mitchell          Pasadena

Pamela Mitchell          Pasadena

Sarah Morris               Adelanto

Shenia Morris             Victorville

Gloria Myles               Los Angeles

Ingrid Palmer              Los Angeles

Ann Perkins                  San Bernardino

Sharon Polk                 Los Angeles

Sandra Poole               Sacramento

Angela Reddock           Carson

Lenee Richards            Los Angeles

Audrena Redmond      Long Beach

Diane Robertson          Los Angeles

Rosa Russell                 Los Angeles

Patt Sanders                Inglewood

Jamie Scott                  Inglewood

Andrea Slater                 Vallejo

Dolores Spears                Los Angeles

Brianna Spratt                 Irvine

Jasmine Stanley               Los Angeles

Tiffani Stone                   Elk Grove

Novell Thompson            Fontana

Gloria Gray                     Inglewood

Anette Walker                Hayward

Jackie Washington          Hawthorne

Molly Watson                  Los Angeles

Denise Watts                  Canyon Country

Daphne Wayans              Tarzana

Yvonne Wheeler           Long Beach

Wanza Tolliver                 Los Angeles

Kathy Williamson             Los Angeles

Katrina Williams            Long Beach

K. Patrice Williams        Vallejo

Wanda F. Williams            Sacramento

Gail Willis                          Los Angeles

Lolita Willis                        Long Beach

Ethell Woods                     Los Angeles

Jimmy Woods Gray            Los Angeles

Rashina Young                    Carson

Melanie Young                     Long Beach

Tiffani Stone Alvidez           Elk Grove

Jacque Robinson-Baisley    Pasadena

Shay Franco-Clausen           San Jose

Lola Smallwood Cuevas       Los Angeles

Julia Cooksey-Evans            Northridge

Cheryl Lanier Gates             San Francisco

Kellie Todd-Griffin                Carson

Dezie Woods-Jones              Madera

Kendra Noel Lewis              Sacramento

Patrice Marshall McKenzie   Pasadena

Pamela Bright-Moon             Los Angeles

Eva Hoffman-Murray             Bellflower

Pastor Thembeklia Smart     Los Angeles

Roslyn Austin Stewart           Los Angeles

L’Toya Wheeler Tate            Corona

Charisse Bremond Weaver   Pasadena

Charlotte Northern White     San Diego 

All Californians are Urged to Add Their Phone to the Fight

SACRAMENTO, CA – Following the announcement by Governor Gavin Newsom to expand CA Notify statewide, the California Department of Health (CDPH) and the California Department of Technology (CDT) today launched the digital tool designed to notify Californians of their possible exposure to COVID-19. The free, mobile technology is now available to all Californians and can be accessed on mobile devices. 

Starting today, Californians can receive notifications informing them if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus so they can take immediate actions around quarantine and testing. Californians with iPhones can enable CA Notify in their settings and Android phone users can download the CA Notify app from the Google Play Store to immediately start receiving exposure alerts on their phones. Use of the technology is completely voluntary, private, and secure. CA Notify does not collect the location of a phone or individual to detect exposure, and it does not share a user’s identity. Californians opt in to use the tool and may to opt out at any time. 

“We want all Californians to add their phone to the fight to slow the spread of COVID-19 because the tool works best when more people sign up,” said Dr. Erica Pan, Acting State Public Health Officer. “Combined with other actions like physical distancing and wearing masks, CA Notify helps Californians anonymously keep themselves, their loved ones, and their communities safe.”

When individuals voluntarily activate CA Notify, the tool uses Bluetooth technology to exchange random codes between phones without revealing the user’s identity or location. When someone is tested for COVID-19, they will receive a text message from (855) 976-8462. This text will remind CA Notify users who receive a positive test result from a provider or laboratory to enter their verification code into their phone using CA Notify. Any other CA Notify users who were within six feet of the COVID-19 positive individual for 15 minutes or more when that person was most likely to be infectious will get an anonymous notification of possible exposure. 

“The technology is 100% voluntary and secure and provides Californians immediate information and links to resources when they’ve been exposed to COVID-19,” said Amy Tong, Director of CDT. “We are proud the Golden State is making this innovative tool available statewide to encourage more Californians to do their part to keep others safe.”

The state launched a pilot in September for students, staff, and faculty at UC San Diego and UC San Francisco and expanded it to include five other UC campuses in mid-November. The privacy-first focus of CA Notify does not allow the state to know how many people opted into the system, but the UC system estimates more than 250,000 individuals are utilizing the technology as part of the pilot. CA Notify has helped identify exposed individuals early, allowing them to quickly quarantine and reduce virus transmission. The CA Notify pilot has been successfully evaluated, and similar programs have been launched in other states.

“Our pilot experience starting at UC San Diego and expanding to other UC campuses showed this technology was effective in identifying exposed individuals early for quarantine and testing, and helping keep our communities as safe as possible,” said Christopher Longhurst, MD, chief information officer of UC San Diego Health. “This free and reliable smartphone technology can help all Californians. As we enter a new, and hopefully final, surge in the pandemic, now more than ever is the time to put every possible tool to use to slow the spread of the virus.”

CA Notify is not a contact tracing app but augments the contact tracing process by issuing exposure notifications to people you may not know. Contact tracing identifies the close contacts of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, and contact tracers reach those individuals by phone, email, and text. CA Notify does not track or trace information about the people you are in contact with and does not collect or exchange any personal information.

Visit CANotify.ca.gov to learn more about how CA Notify works. 

Read the Governor’s Dec. 7 announcement.  

SANTA RITA, GUAM— Machinist’s Mate (Nuclear) 1st Class Nicholas Miller, assigned to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723), from Ontario, California, poses for a photo on the pier after completing his retirement ceremony. Miller is retiring from the Navy after serving 21 years. Oklahoma City is one of four forward-deployed submarines assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 15 out of Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam.

‘Black on the Block’ Hosts ‘Walk with a Purpose’

Written by Naomi K. Bonman

RIALTO, CA— With new stay at home orders in California, many are wondering how they can stay in shape, be social at a distance, and support local community efforts. On Saturday, December 12 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Black on the Block: Young Entrepreneurs’ Expo will be hosting ‘Walk with a Purpose’ at Jerry Eaves Park located at 1485 N Ayala Dr. in Rialto.

Black on the Block is brought to you by Tomorrow’s World non-profit (501c3). Tomorrows World (est. 2001) is licensed by the state of California to serve mentally ill and chronically homeless men. Last Year, Black on the Block held the first annual Young Entrepreneurs’ Expo in an effort to build up the community by supporting local businesses in the Inland Empire area.

The group will convene at Jerry Eaves Park at 9 a.m. Masks and social distancing practices are required. There will be water and refreshments at each designated rest area. The walk will end at Rialto City Park where free lunch will be provided to all volunteers.

Visit www.westsidestorynewspaper.com for the link to register for the walk. For further information, please contact Vickie Davis at (951) 255-7382 or by email at blackontheblock.missd@gmail.com.

Get Tested from November 30 to December 9

In the height of COVID and now flu season, it is critical that people get tested and get a flu shot. Here are a few locations that are offering FREE testing and shots. Appointments are recommended; walk-ins accepted based upon availability. No symptoms required. No appointment needed for flu shots. All clients MUST wear a face covering.

Rancho Cucamonga – Rancho Sports Center
8303 Rochester Ave., Rancho Cucamonga
Dec. 4 from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
*Offering FREE flu shots! No appointment required*

Redlands – The Contemporary Club
173 S. Eureka St., Redlands
Dec. 4 – 5 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Rancho Cucamonga – Victoria Gardens Cultural Center
12505 Cultural Center Dr., Rancho Cucamonga
Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Upland – George M. Gibson Senior Center
250 N. 3rd Ave., Upland
Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Fontana – Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center
15556 Summit Ave., Fontana
Dec. 8 from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
*Offering FREE flu shots! No appointment required*

Rancho Cucamonga – Chaffey College (Building 10, CCA)
5885 Haven Ave., Rancho Cucamonga
Dec. 8 – 9 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

To make an appointment for COVID-19 testing or to see all other County testing sites, please visit https://sbcovid19.com. For directions on how to register, call 909-387-3911.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY— The county has extended their deadline to December 13th and increased its grant amount to $5,000 for its COVID-Compliant Partnership Program. This is a grant and businesses must agree to follow COVID-Compliant business procedures.

To support local small businesses and help ensure ongoing compliance with State and County Health orders and direction, San Bernardino County is implementing the COVID Compliant Business Partnership Program.

This program has two components.

Original Funding of $2,500 has now increased to $5,000 for eligible Small Businesses and Nonprofits with 1-100 employees (some exceptions made for businesses with 0 employees)

Previous funding recipients that applied before October 31, 2020 will receive a check for the additional funding (Except Short Term Rentals and Private Schools).

Support and Partnership for ALL eligible County businesses who wish to become a COVID Compliant Business Partner.

This program will support our local small businesses by reimbursing and/or offsetting costs and impacts directly related to complying with COVID-19 related business protocols and providing support to all eligible County businesses who apply for the program. Additional business locations in the County under the same ownership will be eligible to receive an additional $2,000 per eligible location. 

Prior to receiving funding, San Bernardino County small businesses must demonstrate compliance with State/County public health orders, and incorporate safety and social distancing practices and measures in their business operations. Again, the business must agree to follow COVID-Compliant business procedures

Total funding available for this program is $30,000,000. Eligible businesses, per qualifying location, can receive up to $5,000. Deadline for Application Extended to December 13, 2020 or until funding is exhausted, on a first-come, first served basis. Visit: SBCovid19.com

On May 13, 2020, Carlos Buford, Chief Financial Officer of Clearwater Residential, Inc. in Moreno Valley announced that the organization received a grant from Stater Bros. Charities. With two (2) homes located in Moreno Valley and San Bernardino, Clearwater is dedicated to residential shelter services for homeless men and women, focusing on the senior community and veterans.

Mr. Buford thanks Stater Bros. Charities for their gift as it has positively impacted the Homeless Meals Project; therefore, uplifting the homeless population and making lives better in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

For more information including how to donate or volunteer, please reach out to Carlos Buford at (951) 443- 6849 or visit www.clearwaterresidential.org.

From the staff of CSUSB

We were deeply saddened by the recent news of Walter S. Hawkins. For those that had the opportunity to know him, we are sure countless memories rushed through your mind as you learned about his passing on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. As we reflected, one shared, “We lost a conscience of our community, this past week.”  

He made a lasting impact on our program statewide and wanted to share some background on him. Walter S. Hawkins, 72, was a resident of Rialto, CA for more than 40 years, and was a loving and devoted husband, father, mentor, colleague, and friend to many. He was born in San Angelo, Texas, the only son of Maiso and Altamae Hawkins. His father was a master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, so he lived in Japan and Germany for a period of his young life. Eventually, his family relocated to San Diego, CA, where Walter received a football and track scholarship to San Diego State University.  

From the beginning, Walter was a champion for those who had none. He began as an intern at the Neighborhood House Association, one of the largest Non-Profit Social Service Agencies in San Diego, while he was pursuing his graduate degree. During this time, he solidified his belief that a better tomorrow for all is possible through empowerment, education, and wellness.  

Once he earned his Graduate degree, Walter began his professional career as a Social Worker. He worked for Tayari, a California based adoption agency, and a division within the San Diego County Department of Public Welfare. During his time there, he worked tirelessly on finding permanent families for African American children. He later served as a leader in the field of social work as a member of the Black Social Workers Association.  

Walter devoted over thirty years of his life to California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). He joined the CSUSB family in 1974 as one of the first Upward Bound Director’s. Shortly after, he became the Director of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). During his tenure with EOP, he developed, implemented, and enhanced many comprehensive student support services that later the university began to adopt and expand across the campus in the late 1980’s. Some of these services included but were not limited to the first early warning/intervention system at the university, tutoring support for students, peer mentoring programs, proactive academic advising procedures, among others. He was also one of the first Black Student Union staff advisors to the BSU student group organization. In addition, he served in two temporary assignments: as Acting Dean of Educational Support Services and as a programmer and unit lead for what was once the CSUSB Computer Center, to assist with software development to prepare university entities for a transfer to a new campus-wide data system. He went on to serve as the Director of Research & Policy for the Department of Undergraduate Studies until his retirement in 2007. 

When relocating to the Inland Empire to join CSUSB, Walter continued to serve his local community and youth. He provided an immense amount of his time volunteering and offering his research skillset and policy recommendations to numerous organizations, which included but not limited too; First 5 San Bernardino Strategic Planning committee, the American Red Cross, Option House, the NAACP, the San Bernardino City Unified School District African American Student Achievement Task Force, as a founding Board Member of Black Future Leaders, founding member of Ecclesia Christian Fellowship, Board of Directors for Boys and Girls Club, as a Kappa Alpha Psi Member, Vice President, and Executive Board member of the Westside Action Group (WAG) and as a Board Member for the Rialto Unified School District for many years.  

Even after he retired from CSUSB, he worked on several African American initiatives in our local region. He continued his servanthood through his consulting firm, NewHAWK, where he focused on demographic research and geographic information to advocate for several campaigns. Most recently, he was commissioned by California Black Media to conduct the research for the “The Counting Black California,” report for the 2020 Census. The data was used and overlaid with the state COVID data that helped the African American Community Empowerment Council secure 2.5 million dollars for testing African American’s statewide. He received numerous awards and recognitions throughout the years for his work, including a Pioneer Award at the inaugural CSUSB Pioneer Breakfast. 

Walter was a straight-talking man, he used research, data and logic to address and support his efforts. He earned the respect of everyone who encountered him as a gentle giant, who through hard work and good humor, gave of himself and focused on ensuring the success of others. He helped guide many, and often was the foundation of integrity and high expectations for those who served youth. He certainly did become known as a “conscience of our community”. 

Walter’s life work was not to champion those with wealth or power or special connections. It was to give a voice to those who were not heard; to extend a ladder of opportunity; to make real the dream of many who are disadvantaged or underserved. He worked hard to ensure the social mobility of those without and of their families for generations to come.  

Not only did his family thrive because of Walter’s commitment and hard work – he did because of theirs, and especially because of the love and the life he led with Dr. Jean Peacock. They found each other at CSUSB. He deeply loved this remarkable woman, and she didn’t just love him back; she gave him strength, joy, and friendship; and stood by him always in all his endeavors. 

We cannot know for certain how long we each have here, however, what we can do, is to live out our lives as best we can and help as many as possible along the way, and that’s exactly what Walter did. He used each day and much of his time to make a difference and strived to make a better, stronger Inland Empire for generations to come.  

Walter touched the lives of many. Students and community members benefitted from his advocacy, counsel, and friendship. Anyone who knew Walter will miss his humor and his innate ability to refocus a group to take care of business. 

He leaves his beloved wife Jean, his sons Paul and Christian and daughter Regina. He was blessed with both adopted and biological grandchildren and several nieces and nephews among his extended Hawkins/Peacock and Newman family, his daughter-in-law Torria and sister-in-law Mary who all love him dearly. A private family service will be held to celebrate Walter. 

If individuals would like to make a memorial gift in Walter’s honor, so for years to come, more youth can continue to pursue their dreams, please give to The Walter S. Hawkins and  Dr. M. Jean Peacock Endowed Scholarship. You can either contribute online or submit a check payable to CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation. Please be sure to reference on Check Memo: #P400261 Hawkins/Peacock Endowed Scholarship.  

Mail to: 

CSUSB 

Attn: Terri Carlos 

Office of Philanthropic Giving 

5500 University Parkway 

San Bernardino, CA 92407 

To make a gift online visit www.csusb.edu/makeagift 

When visiting the make a gift web link listed above: 

· Select “Multiple Funds, Specific College, Program or Dept” under the “I want my gift to support,” header 

· A pop up box will show up. Select the area you want to support by clicking “Other” 

· Enter the amount of your contribution and type in “#P400261 Hawkins/Peacock Endowment” 

· Then follow the remaining prompts