Local

By John Coleman, Community Photographer

Two outstanding Black History Month exhibits were featured at the San Bernardino County Museum on the eve of Wednesday, February 26, but the largely Black population filling the museum reception area were there instead to attend the 2nd Annual Membership Meeting of the recently state registered Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement-IE  (CEEM-IE); or ‘CEEM’, but clearly and seriously intended to grow into a MOVEMENT following  the model of the “Civil Rights Movement” we celebrate, but we lack progress toward  the goal of economic empowerment.

Reggie Webb, Founder of Webb Family Enterprises and former official in the McDonald Franchise system, is leading an organizational effort to improve Black economic health;  work cooperatively with and within our communities; buy and sell within our communities; and earn and share the benefits of and by participating actively within this nation’s trillion dollar economy. The CEEM membership meeting is partially a public report to its membership and a welcome to interested others. Visit www.ceem.coop/membership for more information or to sign up.

FONTANA, CA— The morning before the parade, the phenomenal, honored guest were appropriately invited to the Jessie Turner community center for a breakfast reception, at which time they took part in a sash presentation, awarded by Diane Hall presenter for the Rialto/Fontana branch of the NAACP. Each lady received certificates from California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, City of Fontana and Assemblywoman Reyes office.

San Bernardino County Sheriffs phenomenal female mounted posse color guard, 1926 fire truck engine #1 led the grand procession with our phenomenal California State Treasurer Fiona Ma Grand Marshal riding in one of the original Jeep commissioned in the Korean War, where thousands of African Americans served during a time when President Truman ordered the Armed Forces to be desegregated. 

Other honorable women of the event included: San Bernardino County Honorary Phenomenal Grand Marshals, People’s Choice Dr. Margaret Hill;  PAL center founder Humanitarian Dr. Henry, San Bernardino county’s first Charter School in San Bernardino;  Dr. Yolanda Friday Dean Chaffey college Fontana campus.  Riding in Cruising Brothers car club red mustang, cowgirl, trailblazer, and Bill Pickett rodeo title holder in barrel racing, Miss Sharon Braxton.  Miss Fifi Locke NAACP National life membership representative.  Pacesetter Riverside Superior Court Commissioner Belinda Handy.  Daphne Hawkins representing non-profits that are making a difference in our community.  Pioneers of North Fontana Phenomenal Living Legacy Grand Honorary Marshals, who are both over the age of 90, Mrs. Margie Pullen Fontana unified School district retired teacher; and Mrs. Christine White director of the North Fontana neighborhood employment center. 

The parade would not be a parade without, Dorothy Grant elementary School, all-female equestrian riders from the Bill Pickett rodeo participating, San Bernardino pacesetters drill teams, dance teams, elementary schools, and various car clubs.

At the expo it was exciting to have present Rosa Parks niece who will be releasing a children’s book soon about her aunt. There was also food, unique vendors, a kid zone, and live entertainers.

Ellen Turner, President for the Concerned Citizens for the Development of North Fontana, stated, “Each year when planning the parade it has more significance then the year before.  It is important to us that we continue to bring awareness to our CommUNITY of the accomplishments African Americans have made and still contribute to the Americas.”

She continues, “Mayor Warren is living example. Having an African American mayor in a city that was influenced by Ku Klux Klan is a sign of the times. I am so happy that the Mayor makes every effort to participate in this parade. People who have lived Southern California knew North Fontana as Fontucky, the KKK, and our racial struggles North of Baseline.  This parade each year is so important for the County of San Bernardino as a whole, it symbolizes our progress.”

Nationally Recognized Firm Will Support a Better, More Efficient Work Environment for Workers and Ratepayers

RIALTO, CA— On February 20, 2020, West Valley Water District Board (WVWD) President Channing Hawkins announced at a public board meeting that the Water District selected a firm to rewrite the Human Resources: Policies and Procedures Manual, which is a critical step towards increase accountability, improving hiring procedures and ensuring the Water District maintains a healthy working environment and efficient operations for ratepayers.

President Channing Hawkins stated, “It is inexcusable that we’ve been operating on an outdated policies and procedures for the Water District. I am confident the new policies and procedures will help end dysfunction and address ongoing personnel issues that need to be corrected. With these changes, employees can expect a better organization and ratepayers can expect a better, more efficient public resource.”

Beyond written company culture, values and mission statement, the new manual will contain human resource and legal information as well as rights and obligations to employment. It will also contain organization expectations for employees and employee expectations for the company. Other items may include job descriptions, compensation, vacation time, sick days and other medical and family leave information. The new manual will help to fill knowledge gaps for employees on the correct policies and procedures needed to navigate the Water District.  

The WVWD will enter into an agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW), a nationally-recognized firm that serves many jurisdictions throughout California. WVWD’s new Interim Human Resources and Risk Manager Martin Piñon selected the firm in accordance with Water District purchasing policies and requested bids from 3 firms and received 2 proposals. Piñon selected LCW due to their extensive experience in representing public agencies in developing related policies. The WVWD hired Piñon earlier this month to address best practices and other human resource issues such as resolving personnel issues. Piñon is a seasoned human resources professional, trained as a lawyer with management-level experience

The firm is a pioneer in the training field through its Employment Relations Consortiums, which are comprised of nearly 800 cities, counties, special districts and schools as well as other public-sector agencies in the State of California. The firm provides annual training to thousands city managers, county executives, general managers, city attorneys and heads of schools. For the Water District, the firm will focus on preparing and presenting new human resources policies and procedures for the Board to consider.

Vice President Kyle Crowther stated, “Some of our policies and procedures are outdated and need to be rewritten. This is an opportune time to perform a complete review and ensure we have a solid document to stand on as we move forward with additional improvements.”

This action follows a major effort by the Board of Directors to make the Water District more transparent and accountable. Some of the most recent actions include approving a temporary hiring freeze, prohibiting the general manager from entering into professional service agreements without board approval, conducting public meetings to scrutinize all professional services contracts, appointing an interim human resources manager and creating a live stream for board meetings via social media.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Grounded Self Care Studio hosted its “GROUNDED” Social Experience Fundraiser on Saturday, February 29 at The Enterprise Building in Downtown San Bernardino to raise funds needed to open for business in June 2020. 

Grounded Self Care Studio will provide artistic alternatives that promote positive mental health and self-exploration in the heart of San Bernardino.  San Bernardino is often overlooked and lacks innovative resources that appeal to the members of the community and Grounded offers a proactive solution, that takes the mental health stigma into consideration, and creates a pressure free zone for healing and self-discovery.

At the GROUNDED Social Experience Fundraiser, Co-Founders Destiny Frye and Clarece Creighton featured powerful workshops and an interactive social hour that was geared towards getting grounded, refocusing, re-centering self, and connecting with others. 

Follow Grounded on Facebook and Instagram @groundedselfcare.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— – LaToya Scott may have been a late bloomer, but once she started on her academic journey at San Bernardino Valley College, she didn’t look back and gave it her all to succeed. As a single mom, Scott was facing many stressful personal obstacles. She reached out for help at the campus CalWORKs office.

“All the ladies in the office were very supportive with helping me navigate Valley College,” she said. “They’re amazing, they’re awesome.”

Through a variety of programs, mentors, and office guidance, she landed a job and was able to get financial aid, plus keep all of her TANF allowance benefits. It helped her stay focused on the most important part of her life – taking care of her then-infant daughter.

Last spring, Scott graduated with full honors, having earned an AA in Human Services Case Management in the Public Sector, an AA in Liberal Arts Behavioral and Social Sciences, along with a certificate for Human Services Case Management.

She admits it was all a bit scary at first. She wondered if she would be the oldest person in class. She worried whether she could retain the information. She hadn’t been in a classroom in 16 years, having dropped out in her senior high school year to help care for her grandparents, who raised her. But when she was 32, both grandparents died two months apart. She knew she had to work hard and fast.

“Life became real for me. I felt like I didn’t have anything to fall back on,” she said. “I didn’t want to fail my daughter.”

Undaunted, she completed her GED in seven weeks. Soon after, she started at SBVC and began working at the San Bernardino Community College District in fiscal and business services. Through the CalWORKs department, which she describes as a lifesaver, she received all the tools she needed to move ahead, including childcare. At one point, she was chosen to head up a workshop to educate other parents at her daughter’s learning center about how they could also access educational tools and flourish.

The CalWORKs campus office was accessible, and a truly judgment-free zone, she added. It helped her realize that there was life after public assistance. She said their doors were always open and guidance there for the asking.

“[It’s like] you’re on the county, but we’re going to help you stop this generational poverty. We’re going to help you get off the system to show your child and show your family that there is life after the system,” she said.

Scott also served an 18-month internship at the award-winning nonprofit Time for Change Foundation.

Most of all, her overall experience helped her to achieve all of her personal goals for her daughter, now four years old, who attended her graduation last spring. Today, Scott is no longer on county assistance. Valley College programming gave her the confidence to move ahead through their workshops and classes. Going forward, she is also considering pursuing her bachelor’s degree. This month, she starts as an eligibility worker with the County of San Bernardino.

“I’m really excited that I did all of this,” she said. “I have a child to provide for.”

To learn more about San Bernardino Valley College, visit www.valleycollege.edu. 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Need help on filing your taxes? Come out to the ‘Free Community Tax Clinic’ for the community by Community Action Partnership and the office of Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes. The clinic will be held on Friday, March 13 at the CNUSD Parent Center located at 152 East Sixth Street in Corona, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free service is available to anyone who makes a maximum of $70,000. 

Call the office of Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes to set your appointment and secure your spot (951) 371-6860, walk-ins based on availability.

RIVERSIDE, CA— “I CAN CHANGE THE WORLD” is the theme for the 19th Annual Empowering Young Women Conference, a collaborative effort of the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation,  Riverside Community College District, Riverside Unified School District, Virginia Blumenthal of Blumenthal Law Offices, Chief of Police, Larry Gonzalez and the Riverside Police Association, the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa, Susan Ebert, Signature Real Estate Group, Lt. Val Graham and Dr. Kathy Wright .  The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2020 in the Landis Auditorium located on the Riverside City College campus at 4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA. 

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

The morning keynote speaker will be Dr. Tamica Smith-Jones, Author and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics (AD) at the University of California, Riverside.  Afternoon keynote speaker will be Lisanne Grey, Human Traffic Survivor and Intake Coordinator/Case Manager for Heart 2 Serve, Inc.

The afternoon career panel includes Diama Calhoun, Lead Deputy District Attorney of the Domestic Violence Unit, Riverside;  Shauna Gates, newly appointed Chief of Police at Riverside Community College District; Kendra McCrary,  Owner/Chef, Ooh La La Catering, Los Angeles;  Lee Rodriguez,  Actress/Model;  Monica Stockhausen, Owner, Nerdy Girls Rock /Professor of Business, Chaffey College; Hon. Sunshine Sykes,  Superior Court Judge, Riverside County, all notable female leaders and entrepreneurs. These dynamic and other accomplished women will share their experiences and how they reached their personal and career goals with the conference participants.

Conference Coordinator, Wanda Scruggs said, “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 our young women. Participants will receive breakfast, lunch, a goodie bag, Resource Directory and information on everything from how to defend themselves to identifying human traffic perpetrators — and all at no cost, thanks to the generosity of our wonderful sponsors”.

Participants are requested to pre-register no later than Wednesday, March 4 at www.adcrfoundation.org.

RIVERSIDE, CA— In a historic win, Corey A. Jackson projected to become the first African American elected to be Riverside County Board of Education. After being outspent by over $100,000, Corey Jackson won convincingly defeating the California Charter School Association’s candidate.

“The corporate charter school lobby tried to buy this election. The community fought back because our votes are not for sale,” said Corey Jackson.

Corey A. Jackson, a local nonprofit leader and civil rights leader specializing in youth development, culturally responsive interventions and social justice issues. He currently serves as the founder and Chairman/CEO of the SBX Youth and Family Services whose mission is to break the cycle of poverty and violence through mentoring, education, and community organizing. Mr. Jackson is an expert in Afrocentric interventions for middle school and high school adolescents. Continuing to serve his community, he serves as the President of the Moreno Valley City-Wide Coalition, Political Action Chair of the Riverside NAACP.

He also serves as Youth Minister at the Moreno Valley Church of Christ. Being appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to the California State University Board of Trustees, Corey represented over 400,000 thousand students in the largest and most respected public higher education system in the nation from 2004-2006.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) partnered with Assemblymember Eloise Gomez-Reyes, First 5 of San Bernardino, San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department, Golden State Opportunities, and the San Bernardino Rotary Club hosted VITA DAY 2020 on Saturday, February 29. 

VITA DAY 2020 was a day of family fun including not only free tax assistance, but also a kid zone, face painting, free tacos, a resource fair, and the opportunity for families to take photos in front of San Bernardino County Fire Department’s firetruck.

“The VITA program has long been an important component in helping families in San Bernardino County maximize their tax credits and avoid unnecessary fees at tax time, which helps them keep more of the money they earn,” said CAPSBC President and CEO Patricia Nickols-Butler. “For our VITA DAY event, we wanted to make it easy for eligible families to access free tax assistance as well as have a fun family day.”

Last year, Governor Gavin Newsome expanded the CalEITC (California Earned Income Tax Credit) and introduced the YCTC (Young Child Tax Credit), which continue to put more money back into the pockets of our families. According to the California Budget & Policy Center, the combination of federal EITC and Child Tax Credits cuts poverty directly by providing a tax refund to boost families’ incomes, and indirectly by boosting work earnings through providing an incentive to seek work. State EITCs build on the federal program to further help reduce poverty through state tax credits. On average, between 2015 and 2017, EITC and federal Child Tax Credits lifted nearly 1.3 million people in California – including 463,000 children – out of poverty each year, according to a Center on Budget and Policy Priorities analysis based on the Supplemental Poverty Measure.

Individuals and families must file their tax returns in order to find out if they are eligible for any tax credits. Tax credits are available at both the state and federal levels.

For those who were not able to attend VITA DAY, CAPSBC will continue to provide free tax assistance Monday through Friday by appointment only until Wednesday, April 15th. Those interested should call Charles Blythe at 909-723-1571. For VITA program free tax assistance in other parts of San Bernardino County, please visit irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep to find a site near you.

An online guide to provide Black women with the information and inspiration they need to vote, volunteer, give, and believe that they can make a difference this primary and election season

As Black women in South Carolina head to the polls on February 29, BlackHer, a media and membership company created by and for Black women, released The Black Woman’s Guide to the 2020 Elections, a primer to demystify the electoral process and provide Black women with the information and inspiration they need to vote in the presidential primaries and election. 

Full Guide:https://blackher.us/the-black-womans-guide-to-the-2020-election/

“Black women are some of the most reliable voters and a critical progressive voting bloc,” said Jocelyn Harmon, co-founder and editor of BlackHer. “Unfortunately, our contributions, especially to the Democratic party, often go unnoticed. We wanted to create a resource that provides Black women with the information we need to exercise our political power and elevate our political leadership.”

The online guide offers clear, accessible guidance to Black women on voting, volunteering, and giving to political campaigns and candidates this election season. It provides links to key voter resources to help Black women:

• Verify their voter registration;
• Find their polling place; and, 
• Register to vote. 

It also underscores key issues that are at stake in this election including:

• Ending voter suppression; 
• Expanding affordable healthcare; and, 
• Reforming the criminal justice system.

The guide highlights Black women incumbents running for reelection and candidates running for Congress in 2020. And includes inspirational quotes from current and legendary Black women in politics including: Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American female elected to Congress, Lori Lightfoot, the first African-American mayor of Chicago, and Ayanna Pressley, the freshman Congresswoman from Massachusetts.

The authors cite and link Black women to key organizations like Black Futures Lab, BlackPAC, Black Voters Matter Fund, Higher Heights for America, and the Black Women’s Roundtable that are advancing Black women’s political power.

“Black women understand the importance of being at the table each election season. Together, we have the power to elect a new president, politicians who will actually represent our interests, and create progressive change.” said Angela Dorn, co-founder of BlackHer.