Local

By Angela M. Coggs

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— On Saturday, August 4, the Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation (YWE) hosted a free event at San Bernardino Valley College entitled, “My Sister’s Keeper.” It was a much needed, first of its kind in the Inland Empire, conference geared toward young women ages 13 to 19. The event took place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and included a light breakfast, a backpack giveaways and raffles prizes. Middle school, high school and college students filled the library viewing room not knowing what to expect with the highly charged topic.

“My Sister’s Keeper,” primarily focused on Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence, was the brain child of Tiffany James, Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation’s current President. James recognized the need to have an open conversation about two difficult topics that effect all women daily, even teenagers. At the start of the event attendees were informed that it was a safe place to express their feelings, ask questions and cry if needed. Additionally, there were therapist located throughout the room to be available for anyone triggered by the information presented and encouraged to practice self-care by exiting out of the room as needed. The environment was, first and foremost, a safe space, to open up, be vulnerable and it allowed the young women to let their guard down without judgement.

Due to the sensitive nature of the event, there were planned activities throughout the day woven within the agenda that provided a break from the heavy subject matter. Activities included ice breakers, personal introductions and hobbies and a fun, outside physical dance activity presented by Erika Wright and U-Jam. The activities allowed everyone to come together, build a rapport and meet new people. 

The event started with an enthusiastic and energetic welcome from Gwen Rodgers, CEO of Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation. Diane Rodriquez, President of San Bernardino Valley College, also welcomed the attendees to the campus and proclaimed SBVC as one of the best educational institutions in the Inland Empire.

California State Senator Connie Leyva passionately welcomed the young women to be open minded and take in the things that they would experience during the event. She fervently articulated her childhood, admittedly she lived in a bubble, however she pressed the importance of the event. She mentioned several bills pertaining to women, women’s rights and human trafficking. Another Leyva-sponsored bill signed into law last September eliminated the statute of limitation for rape and related crimes in California. 

Eloise Gómez Reyes, California’s 47th Assembly District, greeted the group of wide eyed students with a warm and sincere dialogue encouraging them to be open to the information they would experience during the event. She maintained the significance of the event and urged the attendees to listen and to ask as many questions as they wished. She was joined at the event by her husband, San Bernardino Community College District Trustee, Frank Reyes.

Vickye Poindexter-Wilson, a representative of Option House, a domestic violence organization that provides 24-hour crisis intervention and an emergency shelter revealed and shared her deep and personal story that described her horrendous teenage years and young adulthood. Her story began with trauma and she is now a story of triumph. She also informed the audience about the services provided to women, as well as men. Wilson, also CEO of House of Nibbanic Bliss, Inc., a private non-profit agency who works with victims of sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and domestic violence in Southern California, reminded the attendees to know their worth and not to allow anyone take their identity away.

The following include the topics and presenters who delicately and eloquently elucidated with such compassion and understanding topics that many shy away from:

• Emotional Abuse and Manipulation- Carmenita Gay (in-depth personal story of survival)
• Dating, Consent and Boundaries- Allison England (Implicit vs. Explicit) 
• San Bernardino District Attorney Office/ Bureau of Victim Services –Traci Rediford (speaking one’s truth)

The event ended with an informative panel of experts in their respective fields. In addition to the professionals on the panel, the attendees were privy to an honest dialogue with two male college students. It was obvious to everyone in the room that the words of the soon-to-be college freshman and sophomore students resonated with the young women on a personal level because they were in the same age range as some of the attendees. Hearing exactly how young men their age perceives how young women carry themselves. They encouraged the attendees to love themselves and believe in themselves because if predators recognize low self-esteem in them, they will likely become easy targets for unwanted and unsolicited negative attention.

The event also included entertainment from two local artists. Spoken word artist/poet, Jameka Johnson, performed a self-reflection selection entitled, “Mirrors.” The use of mirrors on the stage provided a symbolic backdrop to her powerful message It. was well received. Zey, a local singer and guitarist, performed two beautiful self-written songs that wowed the crowd. She was a modest, inspirational performer.

Although this was Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation’s first “My Sister’s Keeper” event, it will not be the last. The event was a huge success and the organization looks forward to adding the event to its calendar of events from now on. Seeing the smiles and appreciation in the faces of the attendees such as Ashley Dent, a 10^th grade student who attends Arroyo Valley High School, solidified the events future.

The event was sponsored by Arrowhead United Way and San Bernardino Valley College.  

YWE serves to strengthen the character of young women of high school age in the San Bernardino City region of the Inland Empire in Southern California. Young Women’s Empowerment was founded by CEO Gwendolyn Dowdy- Rodgers. The mission of our program is to empower these young women to achieve at their highest potential, particularly in education, and to instill in them a commitment to return to their community as leaders and mentors.

The Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation (YWE) is dedicated to strengthening the self-esteem, character, integrity and capacity of young women ages 12-21 so that they may achieve their highest potential. YWE accomplishes its purpose through strategic partnerships with other organizations. YWE is guided by ethics and principles which exhibit respect for cultural diversity.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes honored Ipyani Lockert of Fontana as the 2018 Man of the Year. The Man of the Year award recognizes the accomplishments and service of a distinguished man in the 47th Assembly District for their dedication to improving the lives of others.

Ipyani Lockert was selected as one of 25 finalists of exceptional men who were nominated for the 2018 Man of the Year award for Assembly District 47. Lockert, a long-time community advocate, motivator, entrepreneur and creative writer was selected to receive this year’s Man of the Year award based on his work with Motivational Realizations, California Partnership and other community organizations within the Inland Empire.

“Friday night we honored 25 finalists in the 47^th Assembly District who exemplify exceptional service to their community,” said Assemblymember Reyes. “It is an honor to recognize these successful and altruistic men who continue to be mentors to community members throughout the 47^thAssembly District and the Inland Empire. Congratulations to Ipyani Lockert for being selected as the 2018 Man of the Year.”

The selection of the Man of the Year started with over 80 men being nominated for this award. The select committee narrowed down the nominations to 25 finalists for 2018 Man of the Year who were honored at the KVCR Studios on Friday, August 24, 2018.

The 25 Finalists included:

Aaron Burgess, Sr.

Artist Gilbert

Bishop Gerald Barnes

Dr. Dev Gnanadev

Dwain Radden, Sr.

Gary Ferrer

Ipyani Lockert

Jack Long

James Tillman

Jeffrey McConnell

Jerry Almendarez

John Braxton Jr.

Leno Moreno

Lowell King

Lt. Mike Madden

Michael Garcia

Russell Degnan

Rev. Samuel Casey

Sandy Torres

Terry Abernathy

Thomas Rocha

Tom Rivera

Vin Ho

Walter Hawkins

Wilfred Marshall

To read more about any of the finalists, please visit the online event program at  https://issuu.com/ad47/docs/2018_edition

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—-SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Although he is technically retired, Mark Ikeda is as busy as ever, and still connected to San Bernardino Valley College. The Professor Emeritus of Biology retired in 2014, and in the years since, has been working with current SBVC students and faculty to classify and curate a collection of thousands of plant specimens, with some dating back to the 1920s and others now extinct. Together, they have been constructing a digital database that lists each specimen’s biology, taxonomy, site, and unique characteristics observed at the time of collection.

It’s been an “enchanting experience” working with the student volunteers and teaching them the process of putting together herbarium sheets, Ikeda said. He first discovered the biology department’s herbarium cabinets, holding thousands of historical and unclassified plant specimens, when he started teaching general biology, anatomy, and human physiology at SBVC in 1990. These specimens are an “irreplaceable resource,” he said, and Ikeda became determined to catalog the specimens in a digital database, so the information is known forever and can be used by researchers and students alike. 

Ikeda now works closely with Tatiana Vasquez, biology department chair and the manager of the collection, coming in two or three times a week to assist Vasquez and interested students with the cataloging. It can take two to three hours to identify each specimen, and sometimes, the fruits or flowers need to be dissected. The process involves collecting the specimens, identifying and classifying using large taxonomic keys, pairing organisms with similar species, then assembling the herbarium sheets.    

Herbarium sheets are a “lost art form,” Ikeda said, and involve displaying a pressed specimen with a label detailing its species information. SBVC is one of the few colleges in the United States that teaches students the art of plant pressing and assembling herbarium sheets, and the sheets and specimens are protected in herbarium cabinets.   

A postcard print showing Urbita Springs, a former lake in downtown San Bernardino where many of the specimens in SBVC’s collection were acquired (photo: Paul Bratulin).

Some of the specimens were collected so long ago they are now extinct, including one that grew in Urbita Springs, a lake that was once located where the Inland Center Mall was built. Volunteering to work with Ikeda and Vasquez is a fascinating way for students who are interested in botany to expand their skills, and those who want an in-depth study of the collection can sign up for BIO-206. They will learn about plant evolution, how to categorize organisms, and how putting together herbarium sheets can complement their career goals.

Over the last three years, Ikeda has cataloged 2,000 specimens. In recognition of his dedication, SBVC has named Ikeda Honored Retiree of the Year in 2017. Ikeda has no intention of slowing down, and that’s a good thing — there’s an additional cabinet in the biology department filled with 2,000 more historical and unclassified organisms, patiently waiting for someone to take a keen interest in their preservation and care.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA —- Every year, San Bernardino High School (SBHS) holds the Miss Cardinal City pageant, which prepares participating students to represent the school and community for the school year.

Miss Cardinal City, along with the reigning Mr. Cardinal City, represents SBHS at school and community functions throughout the year and volunteers with a variety of charitable organizations to support San Bernardino residents. The ambassadors are named in honor of the city they represent. SBHS is also a chartered city, Cardinal City.

Miss Cardinal City contestants are judged in several on- and off-stage categories, including interviews, fitness wear, formalwear, grades, and school attendance.

The school is asking local businesses and individuals to help make the pageant a success by donating time and resources. To become a sponsor, contact pageant director and bilingual school outreach worker Jaime Rios at (909) 881-8217.

The Miss Cardinal City Pageant will be held Saturday, September 15 at Sturges Center for the Fine Arts located at 780 North E Street in San Bernardino. Tickets are available from Rios or any Miss Cardinal City contestant.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- LOS ANGELES, CA— On Wednesday, August 8, Majestic Hearts and I Am… teamed up to host their First Annual back-to-school drive.

The recipients were inner-city youth of The Robert J. Irmas Activity Youth Center in South Los Angeles. The two organizations provided over 100 backpacks filled with school supplies to the attendees to prepare them for the upcoming school year. The students’ ages ranged from seven to 17 years old.

“Our goal was to supply 200 scholars with the tools needed to excel this school year. Unfortunately, many of the students started school the day of the backpack drive,” says Majestic Hearts CEO, Kanishia L. Jackson.

Jackson, alongside Majestic Hearts’ Vice President, Ricsyhelle Davis who’s also the Chief Visionary Officer of I Am…, opened the event by introducing themselves and their organizations followed by breathing exercises. These exercises revealed that nearly half the students meditated on a regular basis with immediate family.

“I was surprised to see how many children exercised meditation,” expressed Davis.

Davis educated the children on inflation, interest, taxes, meditation and savings. Many of the students were familiar with the topics. One 12-year-old, in particular, was knowledgeable of all five topics.

“I’ve never come across a 12–year-old who knew inflation, interest and taxes…,” exclaims Davis.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, up to 99 percent of domestic violence victims experience economic abuse…and finances are often cited as the biggest barrier to leaving an abusive relationship. With these statistics at hand, Majestic Hearts deemed it necessary to provide school supplies to students as they may be amongst the 99 percent.

“With economic abuse statistics being a dominant form of abuse, we find it highly important to support the students that may contribute to these stats by providing them with the tools needed to excel in school,” says the Majestic Hearts CEO. 

About Majestic Hearts:

Majestic Hearts seeks to be a refuge in the fight against domestic violence & sexual assault. We provide a safe-haven for victims, including programs that include counseling & mentoring, shelter & housing and education. Learn more at www.majestic-hearts.org

About I Am…

I Am… Provides pertinent information to disadvantaged communities via motivation and inspiration, byway of education, advancement opportunities and outreach services. Our mission is accomplished by focusing on the power of the voice “I AM.” Visit www.iamthatweb.org for more information.

EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—ROTA, SPAIN— A 2005 Colony High School graduate and Ontario, California native is serving in Spain at Naval Hospital Rota in support of ballistic-missile defense ships forward-deployed to Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota. 

Petty Officer 2nd Class Allen Sinclair is a Navy hospital corpsman working at Naval Hospital Rota and is responsible for the health care of the service members and their families.

“I was taught to set goals and work hard towards them,” said Sinclair. “If you work hard you’ll get to where you want to be.”

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino Pastors United is having their first All Church Unity Service. The Pastors are inviting the community to come together and worship, pray together and fellowship in solidarity.

The purpose is to bring together and unite cultures, bring together denominations; to re-ignite our Passions to win more souls, restore more people, and spiritually revive the City of San Bernardino.

Their theme is, “Whole Body, Working in Love”.  The special guest speaker is Dr. Rob Zinn, from the Immanuel Baptist Church, other churches include Pastor Robert Cuencas The Way World Outreach Church Family, Dr. Reginald Woods, Life Changing Ministry, Pastor Andrea King, 16^th St SDA Church, Dr Joshua Beckley and Ecclesia Christian Fellowship, Pastor Jose Medina, Living Waters Church, and many other churches will be in attendance.

The event is being hosted by Pastor Alan Rosenberg of Christian Missionary Alliance at 340 E Evans Street in San Bernardino on August 24, Friday at 6 p.m.

For more information call (909) 885-0012 or to volunteer go to sbpastorsunited.org and register. Light refreshments will be provided. 

Thank you in advance for working together to Unite God’s People.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—SAN BERNARDINO, CA— As part of its process for selecting new history/social science textbooks, the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) invites all stakeholders to review the books and give input.

The books are available for review now through September 14 at all Family Engagement Centers and high school libraries. The books are also available for review during business hours at the Professional Development Center (PDC) located at 4030 Georgia Blvd. in San Bernardino, and the Welcoming Resource Center located at 781A West Second Street in San Bernardino.

In addition, the publisher will make two presentations to showcase the books and answer questions. The presentation for 6th- through 12th-grade textbooks is on Tuesday, August 21 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the PDC. The presentation for kindergarten through 5th-grade textbooks is on Thursday, August 23, also from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the PDC.

This is the first time that SBCUSD has adopted history/social science text books since 2006. For more information about the new textbook adoption, please call the District at (909) 473-2077.

Eta Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and the Inland Ivy Foundation join forces in supporting higher education through scholarships

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On Saturday, June 9, Eta Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and its charitable affiliate, The Inland Ivy Foundation held its Scholarship and Graduate Recognition Luncheon at the Arrowhead Country Club in San Bernardino.

The organizations presented eight scholarships to students graduating from local high schools in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The students selected demonstrated high scholastic achievement and active involvement in giving back to their communities through volunteering their time in community service and various extracurricular activities.

The scholarship recipients are Mya Biggers of Valley View High School, Hannah Chum of Hesperia High School, Kennedy Francis of Martin Luther King High School, Jervaughn Gaines of Vista Murrieta High School, Elani Hunter of Henry J. Kaiser High School, Serena Jimerson of Vista Murrieta High School, Gabrielle Stewart of Eleanor Roosevelt High School,  and Jaden Taylor of John W. North High School. A scholarship in memory of the late Hazel Hawkins-Russell, Ph.D. a local educator from Riverside known for her contributions to the field of education, and a member of the sorority was awarded for the first time this year.  The recipient Gabrielle Stewart  will be attending  Howard University, a historically black college and university (HBCU) in Washington D.C.

These high school seniors are all college bound and were selected from a pool of outstanding candidates.

In addition to awarding scholarships, Eta Nu Omega Chapter members from the  University of California Riverside, Kappa Theta Chapter,  California State University San Bernardino, Rho Delta Chapter and the children of members graduating from high school or college were recognized  and  presented  with certificates for their achievements.

Eta Nu Omega raises funds throughout the year through its charitable arm, The Inland Ivy Foundation to support community programs and to provide scholarships for college-bound students in the Inland Empire. Its annual fundraiser, “Pearls, Pumps and Fashions” will be held on November 18, 2018 at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® was founded in 1908, and  is the oldest Greek- letter organization established by African American, college-educated women, and has a current membership internationally of 300,000.

Washington, DC – The national anti-hunger campaign No Kid Hungry has announced five winners of its 2018 Summer Meals Hero contest. This year’s inspiring line-up of local champions is proof that it really does take a village to feed kids in the summertime. The winners include individuals from school districts and community organizations across the country who were nominated by members of their local community. Whether they spend their workday in a church, a hospital, or a food truck, these No Kid Hungry summer heroes go above and beyond to change the lives of kids in need.

One of the five recipients of the national award is Betty Crocker, Food Nutrition Director at Redlands Unified School District. Before Betty came to the district two years ago, Redlands did not have a summer meals program. She quickly developed partnerships with the city and local community centers, launching the program in 2017. Thanks to Betty’s creative marketing and commitment to overcome challenges, the program saw significant growth this summer.

“She only cares about one thing, and that’s serving the kiddos!” says Daisy Munguia, a Senior Program Director for No Kid Hungry California. 1 in every 5 kids in San Bernardino County face hunger.

Summer can be the hungriest time of year for many children from low-income families. When schools close, students no longer get school meals, and families struggle to put food on the table. Summer hunger can have a long-term impact on a child’s health, ability to learn and general well-being. No Kid Hungry and its partners focus on connecting kids to the national Summer Meals Program as a critical way to end childhood hunger.

“Reaching kids during the summer months can be a tough nut to crack, but I’m so inspired by the work that’s happening in communities all across the country,” said Lisa Davis, Senior Director of Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. “Thanks to everyday heroes like the amazing folks we’re recognizing today, many more kids will return to school this fall well-nourished and ready to learn.”