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The 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, hosted by the Inland Empire African American Churches (IECAAC), theme  this year is “ Inland Empire 40^th Year Celebration & Liberation!” “The Best of the Best”!” We are inviting  the entire community to come celebrate 40 years of this event occasion,  from its inception in 1980, by  seven forward thinking individuals whose brilliant idea, has now become an Inland Empire legacy.  Amina Carter, Ratibu Jacocks*, Valerie Pope Ludlam*, Vivian Nash*, Sharon Cooper*, Robert Rochelle*, and Maria Brashear* and their families will be saluted at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast, traditionally held the third Monday, in the month of January, this year on the 20^th of 2020 at the California State University, Coussoulis Arena, San Bernardino, CA 92407 at 7:30 a.m.

A promenade entrance lead by our only remaining founder Amina Carter and family members of  founding members who are now with our ancestors will open our ceremony activities. This year’s breakfast is a tribute to  some unforgettable people, with a historical slide show of our infamous Martin Luther King Jr. Statue, and immediately following  the breakfast our wreath commemoration at the San Bernardino City Hall statue! 

This year will also mark the 20^th Anniversary of the Inland Empire African American Churches, who now continue to host the breakfast. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast is always an engaging atmosphere of unity in which elected officials, corporate businesses, professionals, faith-based entities and churches, community organizations and residents honor a legacy whose principles transformed the world.

In the last 40 years this event has grown tremendously and exceeded capacity at the arena of over 750 persons.  It is a community affair that is valued and treasured by numerous persons who calendar  the event, participate  and bring their families for a generational experience which they share every year.

This year’s keynote speaker is the renowned Dr. Dwight Radcliff, M.Div PH.D , Founding Pastor of the Message in Gardena CA.  A graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary, A contributing author for Urban Ministries, an international speaker and he is considered to be an insightful powerful preacher.

We especially would like to invite you to support our annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast. We welcome your attendance and hope that you will continue this annual celebration or begin a new tradition for your family. Music, entertainment food for your mind and soul, all a part of the morning’s festivities.                                                                                           

Sponsorship over the years has been invaluable, each year corporate & community entities are selected and requested to provide assistance. If you desire to be a vendor or place an ad in the souvenir booklet deadlines are approaching fast .   

To confirm your commitment, please contact Beverly Jones Wright, Chairperson at (909) 434-6583 or (909) 474-7036

By Dianne Anderson

For those who know Mary Haynes, or anyone else who asks, her story is no secret. Wherever she goes, she readily shares her painful past in hopes that someone can benefit from her missteps, and learn the way out.

Haynes, who performed professionally as an R&B artist, got off the musical and spiritual path that she grew up within the church, only to end up trapped in a decades-long battle with drug abuse. Now clean for 15 years, she understands what led to the dark places and what it takes to escape  the depths of a 28-year addiction.

The biggest part of what got her through her struggle for sobriety is that she never denied her faith, she said. Many people didn’t know that she was on drugs.

“My life is a story I tell everywhere I go,” she said. “I was never a closet person, but I always let everyone know that I loved the Lord, that I was just going through a struggle.”

Today, she gives back what she’s learned and gained in her journey through song and praise. Everything around her life, especially the hard times, has strengthened her dedication to gospel music. She writes most of the songs she sings, and says it’s the place where she finds comfort.

She sings her life.

“A lot of things that I’ve done, and the places that I’ve been, that’s what my psalms are about,” she said, adding that she wrote “I Got to Make it Somehow” to shed light on her way back to sobriety.

She tried all kinds of methods to break free, she said, “When a person has been on drugs, no matter what you do it’s not going to work. No matter how much your family fights for you.”

Once her mind was made up, she was able to emerge. In December 2004, she woke up one morning resolute. She wanted her parents to see her free.

“You name it, I’ve been through it. I always share my story and I think that’s why God continues to bless me, elevate me and move me,” she said.

On January 18, Haynes is the guest psalmist at a special event where justice activist Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II is featured speaker at a free Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration. Hosted by Ephesians New Testament Church and the city of Fontana, the event will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Westside Baptist Church, located at 15006 Randall Ave. Seating is limited, call (909) 823-2319 for tickets.

Haynes has known Pastor James Emory and his wife since her early teens, and she is delighted to participate at the upcoming event.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it, I love Dr. King,” she said. “He stood for the rights of everybody.”

Haynes started singing in the church at six years old, where her late father, who passed away two years ago, was a renown pastor. Her father had later hired her to play for the choir. She was a quick study, and a natural. Even as a child, people would come around her to hear and see her play.

But much of her psalms and message today revolves around the harder spaces, and how she has been released from bondage through Christ.

These days, she said being church psalmist carries responsibility. She guides the rhythm of the church, assists the pastor who shepherds the church, and helps directs the flow of service. She keys into the anointing of the Spirit, and praise is the highest calling.

She said it’s all about winning is souls and for the people to find comfort to return back to God. She also prepares for service by arranging whatever songs she may have planned to sing, which she usually doesn’t know until the last minute.

“Sometimes you have to wait till you get there. The Spirit will flow and you have to find out what the church needs,” she said. “I still can’t explain it, the anointing comes over me.”

She counts it her greatest privilege to share the Gospel, and use her talents to reach the hard to reach, some who are no doubt dealing with the same struggle that is behind her.

“I know a lot of people, and people that I bump into in church. A lot of people are gone, and I’m still here. I’m on a mission, I understand my ministry now,” she said.

By Bishop Emory B. James, Ephesians New Testament Church

It is my extreme pleasure to host this year’s celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Each year we are challenged to do all that we can to keep the dream alive.

Many have various opinions about the dream of Dr. King which is continually analyzed and interpreted just to meet the diverse opinions that challenge the world today.

I believe that what keeps the dream alive is the fact that it can never be placed in a box nor made finitely interpreted simply because it continues to evolve and is always calling us to a loftier place in humanitarianism.

It would seem that just when we think we have figured out the formula for the dream’s foundation of effectiveness, another door opens to challenge mankind to think and evaluate his place in the social realm of society.

This is the reason that after 50 years the dream is still as fresh as it was the first day that the arrow of moral vicissitude was released and it pierced our hearts and moved us to repent from our immoral spirit of selfish indignation.

As an ever living voice, the dream continues to reach out to the generations of the old, middle aged, young adults and youth. This dream will always call us to live soberly and just as we interact with each other in our social realms. So today marks the 32nd year of celebration here in Fontana, as we remember the fact that it was the spirit of the people inspired by a speech about a dream that has motivated our community to continue to work to provide an overall better quality of life.

We are grateful for the monumental visit of Dr. William J. Barber ll who will join us on January 18^th at the Westside Baptist Church, 15006 Randall Ave. here in Fontana at 3:00pm.  Dr. Barber has been commissioned to be a voice in this era to call the people nationally to a new moral level addressing homelessness and poverty.  I also thank Dr. Barber for reviving “The Poor People’s Campaign” that is now moving to march on Washington D.C., June 20, 2020.  After 52 years of dormancy, the peoples voice will be heard again heralding the advocacy for the Poor.

This year we wanted the spirit of Dr. King to look at the homeless epidemic that has gripped our region and society.  Dr. King’s voice reminds us that none of us are very far from being homeless and compassion is what God calls us to walk in so that we are to continue to challenge governments to legislate and put in place the type of governance that is fair to all in terms of rents, employment, environment,  and medical services that covers the whole man physically, psychologically, and spiritually.

So today, let us resolve to work diligently to keep the dream alive!

RIVERSIDE, CA— 2020 is a prominent year. Not just because it is a new decade and that it is election year, but it is the 150^th anniversary of the right to vote for Blacks. On Saturday, February 8, 2020, the 41^st Annual Black History Parade and Expo will be paying homage to the anniversary. The theme for this year’s event is, “It takes a Village: Let’s Vote”.

When it comes to voting, the community plays a critical role in deciding who will head counties, states and the country, as a whole. For the past 41 years the Riverside Black History Parade has played an instrumental role in bringing the community, schools and local businesses together.

Prior to the parade, the annual kick off reception will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2020 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Central Middle School located at 4795 Magnolia Avenue in Riverside, California. The Emcee for the evening will be Barry E. Knight, of BEK Co. There will also be a dance performance by Bre Dance Studio of Riverside and Kountry Folks Homestyle Restaurant will be the returning as the caterer for the evening.

The kick-off reception is the impeccable moment to come and learn more about the ADCR foundation and the year-round events outside of the parade. This is also the community’s opportunity to support the Riverside Black History Parade monetarily. Space is limited. To reserve your space for the reception, please email riversideblackhistoryparade@gmail.com.

With this being a monumental year for the African American community, the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation has teamed up with the NAACP Riverside Chapter to have their President, Dr. Regina Patton Stell, as this year’s Grand Marshall. Vision Marshalls include: UCR’s Athletic Director, Tamica Jones; Assemblymember Jose Medina; Shauna Gates, Chief of Police at Riverside Community College District’s Board of Trustees; and Community Icons Charles and Elaine Bibbs.

This year, the Riverside Black Chamber of Commerce is assisting in ensuring that the Expo is a success. Tommy the Clown will also be returning as a performer in the 2020 Riverside Black History Parade and Expo. Vendors and parade performers are still wanted. To fill out a vendor application, please visit www.adcrfoundation.org. 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino City Unified School District Board of Education honored 11 students with Outstanding Student Awards at the November 5, 2019, Board meeting. Students were also recognized by the San Bernardino Symphony, which provided them and their families with free symphony tickets, and Assembly member James Ramos, who provided each student with a certificate of recognition.

Outstanding Student Award winners are recognized for achievement in academics, athletics, fine arts, citizenship, or for showing significant improvement in these areas. Students are awarded and inspired to have hope for their future by thinking about long-term educational and career goals.

Hillside Elementary School Outstanding Students

Third-grader Dylan Molina is a model citizen with excellent PBIS skills who is always willing to help his peers. He is inquisitive and loves to share his knowledge with others. Dylan would like to play in the NFL someday. He also wants to be a police officer like his father.

Fourth-grader Josiah Popper has shown a renewed interest in learning, and his motivation to succeed shows in his improved behavior and academic achievement. Josiah wants to attend Cal State San Bernardino and eventually wants to manage a team of salesmen.

Sixth-grader Camelia Romero is a model student. She demonstrates good citizenship, loves to learn, and always tries her best. Camelia wants to attend one of the Claremont Colleges to become an ornithologist or marine biologist.

Riley College Prep Academy Outstanding Students

Fifth-grader Orlando Gomez demonstrates stellar citizenship by supporting others, being a model of the 16 social skills, and just being a good friend. He’s an avid reader and uses his love of books to connect with others. Orlando wants to be a police officer or football player.

Fourth-grader Natalia Guadarrama is a respectful and responsible student who models good behavior at all times. She is on the Honor Patrol and has auditioned for the Odyssey of the Mind Club. Natalia wants to attend UCR or UC Berkeley and become an elementary principal right here in SBCUSD.

Fifth-grader Myala Poynter consistently demonstrates PBIS skills and Restorative Justice practices. She is a high-achieving student who masters new concepts in both English and Spanish. Myala wants to attend CSUSB and become an artist who works in animation.

Del Vallejo Leadership and STEAM Academy Outstanding Students

Eighth-grader Adriane Flores is a model scholar-athlete who exhibits good behavior, completes his assignments, and is a starter on the softball team. Adriane wants to attend UCLA and become a professional baseball player or work in criminal justice.

Seventh-grader Rachel Gonzalez is an example of a student who understands the importance of both arts and academics. She plays baritone in the Advance Band, but her focus is always on maintaining her 4.0 G.P.A. Rachel is excited to become a Pacific Pirate and earn top grades so she can attend a four-year university and become a veterinarian.

Sixth-grader Laylah Johnson stays on task and focused on her studies, as evidenced by her 3.667 G.P.A. She is also helpful and kind, which is why her teachers can always count on her to represent the sixth-grade team. Laylah wants to attend Spelman College and eventually become a professional photographer.

Arroyo Valley High School Outstanding Students

Twelfth-grader Miguel Antonio is a scholar-athlete. He’s taking rigorous IB classes and is the president of the AVHS running club. And as senior class president, he helped create a positive, inclusive school culture. Miguel plans to attend Cal State San Bernardino and major in finance or marketing.

Twelfth-grader Veronica Banuelos is extremely intelligent and motivated. She is an International Baccalaureate scholar with a 4.9 GPA. She is being sought after by many colleges, who have invited her to visit. Veronica plans to major in economics and minor in business.

Tenth-grader Marissa Collins is smart and hardworking. She is willing to do whatever it takes to further her education. She took the initiative to travel to Vietnam over the summer to see how medicine is practiced in other countries. Marissa wants to major in medicine at an Ivy-league college.

On December 5, 2019, Dr. Deborah Winn gained her heavenly wings. She was 66 years old.

Born on September 24, 1953, Deborah was the second youngest of nine children. She was born in Kansas City, KS and came to Los Angeles, California with her family at a very young age. She attended Jefferson High School in Los Angeles, California. She gave birth to four children and then later married Aubrey Winn on September 24, 1988 where he helped raise her children as his own.

Deborah was very instrumental within both Los Angeles and San Bernardino Communities. She accomplished philanthropical deeds through her organization Willing Winn Associations and Missions (WWAM Inc.). Through WWAM she was able to pursue and accomplish her purpose in life by educating and meeting the basic living needs of underprivileged families and individuals with love and respect; thereby, leading them to self-sufficiency.

Some of the major accomplishments that Deborah achieved included: feeding over 15,000 people at the Los Angeles Sports Arena; being honored at the 2014 Unforgettable Foundation’s gala; founding Juneteenth in San Bernardino where she held three celebrations (2013 at Perris Hill Park, 2014 on the block of Wall Street and 2017 at San Bernardino Valley College); and WWAM also adopted Juanita Beckley Elementary School in San Bernardino where Mrs. Winn provided food services and Christmas Toy Giveaways to over 300 students.  

In addition to her community efforts, the Winns also housed seven exchange students from all over the world. These students came from Korea, Japan, Rio de Janeiro, India and Brazil. Through WWAM, the Winns provided children with the opportunities to experience outgoings that they wouldn’t be able to experience without the help of WWAM. These outgoings included: Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers games, Disney On Ice, the Philharmonic Orchestra, the Universal Soul Circus, the L.A. Kings Hockey games, and more.

The community efforts did not stop there though. Upon coming to San Bernardino from Whitter, California, Deborah moved to one of the notorious areas of the Westside of San Bernardino— Wall Street. Wall Street, also known as Operation Phoenix, has since become transformed after WWAM took over. WWAM Inc., provided monthly fish frys, BBQs and community block parties as a means to cease the violence in that area. Because of this, Deborah ‘adopted’ men from the ages of 18 up to 80-years old who referred to themselves as ‘Mommas Boys’.

Dr. Deborah Winn’s legacy will continue to live on. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Buford “Blue” Lewis, Orlando “Bear” Lewis, and sister Donetta “Dee Dee” Witherspoon. She is survived by her husband Aubrey Winn; five siblings; four children: TaMeeka, Dalia, Brittnay and Michael; 31 grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members and close friends.

A memorial is set for Sunday, January 19 at 4 p.m., at the Winn home on Wall Avenue in San Bernardino. For those that are interested in attending, please email Dalia at daliamac1@yahoo.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Northwest Redevelopment Project Area Committee is hosting a Town Hall and Candidates Forum featuring the two candidates for the city’s 6^th Ward Council Seat: Bessine Littlefield-Richard and Kimberly Calvin. 

The forum will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, at the Family Life Center located at 1505 Highland Avenue in San Bernardino.  The forum is open to the public and attendees are encouraged to meet the candidates, hear their platforms and find out any recent events affecting the 6^th Ward.

The Northwest Redevelopment Project Area Committee is an oversight organization.  The committee serves as a liaison to the city’s mayor, city council members and various departments.  The organization collaborates with other PACS, public and private agencies on workshops, seminars, and outreach on projects and services benefiting residents and businesses in the 6^th Ward and citywide. For more information, contact them at (909) 913-0831. 

ARABIAN SEA (Jan. 6, 2020) Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class Paul Villaruz, right, from Chino Hills, California, assigned to the “Sunliners” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81, tests oxygen flow in pilot gear in a paraloft aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the Arabian Sea Jan. 6, 2020. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kaysee Lohmann)   

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Local non-profit organization, SistersWe (SW), has received two grants from the Arbor Day Foundation in conjunction with BNSF Railway (BNSF) for environmental beautification projects in San Bernardino.  They will be holding a celebration on Friday, January 10, 2020 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Viva La Boba and Breezeway located at 475-479 W. 4^th Street in San Bernardino.

Working with the owners of Viva La Boba, David Friedman and Tansu Philip, “The Historic Downtown San Bernardino Living Pocket Park Project” will turn the side of a building on 4^th Street into a “Living Wall” complete with an original sculpture created by local artist Nathaniel Gelston.  Surrounded by historic buildings, this block has the highest concentration of old buildings still standing in San Bernardino.  Succulents and other plants that help sequester oxygen will be planted on the wall using a hydroponics system; the adjacent alley way and courtyard will be developed into a community event space. Trees and shrubs will complete this urban green space, providing health and environmental benefits to the entire community.

“The Muscoy Pocket Park Project” will add an additional 15 trees to an existing SistersWe project on a donated property located at the corners of California and Nolan Streets.  The trees will line the walkway leading to a circular seating area in the center of the pocket park.  The planted trees will be monitored by SW for three years for growth and health conditions as part of a statewide “Urban Forest” project.  Future plans include adding 20 raised-bed family garden plots, a Farmer’s Market, movie nights and other family activities throughout the year.  

The mission of SW is to provide Inland Empire residents and communities with cleaner air, healthier eating options and a healthier environment.  They will accomplish that by donating and planting trees to provide a beautiful canopy, and sequester carbon in our cities and neighborhoods. Other community gardens will be established at various locations throughout the IE.  Founded in December 2018, SW is the brain child of biological sisters Nedra Myricks, Vanessa Dean and Adrienne Thomas.  Vanessa and Adrienne are graduates of the “Green Infrastructure” training program and wanted to bring the knowledge and skills they acquired to their community and others.  Adrienne also recently received her Master Gardner certification.  Nedra is a retired Administrative Professional and functions as Executive Assistant for the group.  The sisters are natives of San Bernardino and have a long history of supporting community activities in the art and music fields.

Please join them as they announce the development of these two new Pocket Park projects and take a tour of the future “Living Wall” site.  Several sample concepts of Nathaniel Gelston’s artwork will be on display for the public to vote for their favorite. Don’t miss out on your chance to vote! 

COLTON, CA—- Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) recently hosted several high school students in the Marketing, Nutrition Services and Medical Imaging departments. In 2018, ARMC was the pilot location for the GenerationGo! Career Pathways Program, which was established by the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department in collaboration with other county agencies, K12, community colleges, and private businesses. GenerationGo! is a career pathway program providing on-the-job training for high school students.

“GenerationGo! is a rewarding program for us because we get to train the best and the brightest and help retain talent in the Inland Empire,” said Hospital Director, William Gilbert.

Bloomington High School student Alexis Ascencio, 17, recently worked in the hospital’s Marketing and Public Relations Department and learned how to write press releases, design graphics and posters, and prepare spreadsheets and reports.

“Participating in the GenerationGo! program helped me realize that I wanted to go to college to learn about marketing,” said Ascencio. “I enjoyed the work environment and learned about all the different jobs in the hospital.”

GenerationGo! students have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of careers in the medical field and in the support, offices depending on their specific interest. For example, Ascencio was originally interested in the medical imaging field, but after learning about hospital marketing, she was drawn to the new career option.

For more information about GenerationGo! call 800-451-JOBS or visit http://wp.sbcounty.gov/workforce/youth/