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2017 Knight Jonathan Rodgers with Mom Gwen Rodgers

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-     Mr. Jonathan I. Rodgers is a senior at Cajon High School who was recognized as Sir Knight 2017 on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino through the Social Lites, Inc., 50^th Beautillion Scholarship Program.  Mr. Rodgers was awarded over $11,000 in scholarships and gifts to prepare him for his future college career.  Among one of the scholarships received was the inaugural Evan T. Carthen “Emerging Leader” Scholarship in memory of Sir Knight 2012 in the amount of $6,000.

Mr. Steven Henderson Jr. was awarded over $4,000 for first place and Mr. Akil Cooper was awarded over $2,500 in scholarships and placed second among his fellow Knights.  Congratulations to all Knights who are our community “Men of Tomorrow Pushing Forward!”

Meruelo Media, Southern California’s leading minority-owned media group, and the owner of Spanish language television stations KWHY 22, announced today the launch of KDEY 93.5 FM, Riverside’s new Top 40/Rhythmic radio station – WILD 93.5FM

“This much awaited Riverside metro launch comes after a long process of engineering, design and market studies. It adds a key radio asset to our growing portfolio of highly-recognized media brands in one of the fastest growing markets,” said Otto Padron, President and COO of Meruelo Media. “The saving and growing of heritage Los Angeles radio station KDAY has been a thrilling three year ride – we owe it to our music fans to keep innovating and expanding – Riverside is key.”

The new format targets the very vibrant and culturally diverse community of the Riverside/San Bernardino metro.  “Los Angeles loves KDAY – Riverside will love WILD!” exclaimed Meruelo Radio VP and Program Director, Adrian “AD” Scott, referring to the new and retooled format. “This is the Inland Empire’s new home for Hip Hop and R&B, listeners in the ‘I.E.’ will know the difference and love the sound that the new Wild 93.5 brings to the Inland Empire.”

On the advertising and sales marketing side, Wild 93.5 comes with a full suite of services that will be rolled out in phases throughout the coming months. “Wild 93.5 is the perfect platform for clients looking to optimize their message,” said Irma Barrios, VP of Ad Sales for the group, “with this new Riverside focused station, we will be able to shape more efficient and geo-targeted client solutions.”

The Concerned Citizens for the Development of North Fontana thanks all the schools in Fontana Unified School District for your participation and to our judges.

Each school was given a name a African American inventor who was not well known to write a 250 word essay.  To make it more challenging the essay could be written by, a class, a student or a campus club, but only one would represent the school, and the inventor was chosen by the North Fontana Black Awareness Parade Committee.

President Ellen Turner said ” I am proud that the schools embraced the challenge”.

With the use of modern technology all the judges were emailed the essays and they emailed there results back.  Needless to say none of the judges knew each other was a judge.  So we will now announce the winners as well as the judges.

First Place         Almeria Middle School

Student Name:  Kimberly Worth

Inventor  Bessie Blount Griffin

Second Place:   Dorothy Grant Elementary School

Student Name   Eunice Sasu

Inventor:            James E. West

Third  Place:      Primrose Elementary School

Student Name:  Julie Artes

Inventor:            Grandville T. Woods

Judges for the contest were:

Cynthia Smith is an educator, writer, entrepreneur, speaker, trainer and personal coach.  Her desire is to help young people find their voice and passion through the arts.

 Bruce Wilson, Father, Evangelist, Author of  “Crime Thriller” THE CRIMINALS, Book I, A Time to Reap. Brought up in North Fontana, but no longer lives in Fontana, and has a passion for the lost and hurting.

Gloria Estine Benjamin Stewart is a native of New Orleans, LA.  .  She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in English and Speech Education from Southern University in Baton Rouge(1965), a Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Loyola University (1972), and certified in Supervision (Masters Plus 30).  Gloria retired from the Orleans Parish School System after 34 years of service.

Gloria is a member of New Orleans Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappi Delta Pi,  Senior Friends of New Orleans (H2U), Louisiana Retired Teachers Association, AARP New Orleans Chapter#4550, United Teachers of New Orleans Retirees’ Chapter (UTNO), Treble Clefs (Delta Sigma Theta), National Education Association. National Council of Negro Women, Pontchartrain Park Community Center, Huntington Park Association, Walter L. Cohen Alumni  Association,   Southern University Alumni  Association,  Loyola University Alumni Association, and a volunteer at Woodland West Elementary School.

Laura Abernathy Mancha was appointed to the San Bernardino County Board of Education.

Mancha previously served as a trustee on the Fontana Unified School District Board of Education for 17 years.
Margaret Hill earned her early education in the state of Virginia.  She received her Bachelor’s degree from Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia.  After moving to California in 1969, she earned her Master’s degree and her Administrative Credential at California State University, San Bernardino.  She received an Honorary Doctorate degree in Social Justice from the University of Redlands in 2011.

Margaret was a teacher, vice principal and principal for the San Bernardino City Unified School District for thirty-two years, assistant superintendent for the San Bernardino County Schools Office of Education for six years, and has been an adjunct professor at the University of Redlands and California State University, San Bernardino. Margaret is the President of the San Bernardino City Schools Board of Trustees and is now serving her second four-year term.  She has been a representative on the San Bernardino County School Board for four years and a delegate for the past two years.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- In an effort to increase the peace and decrease the violence and to restore hope in the City of San Bernardino, the San Bernardino Pastors United will be having another Community Block Party. The purpose of the gathering is to let the community know that the Churches are here for them and to let the community know that hate will not define us, and love conquers all. 

On Saturday, March 18 at 2 p.m. all roads lead to Jefferson Hunt Elementary in San Bernardino. Dr. Joshua Beckley of Ecclesia Christian Fellowship, will be the special guest speaker, Local area churches The Way World Outreach, ICUC, Life Changing Ministries, Victory Outreach Church, First Baptist Church, Kingdom Culture Worship Centre, 16th Street SDA, San Bernardino SDA, Westside Christian Center, Spirit of Love, Catholics of African Descent, COPE, Life Center Church, Lifeway Church, Church of the Living God, Out of the Pulpit Ministries, and many other churches Unite the City.

SBPU is expecting over 3000 in attendance as we give away Free food, free groceries, free shoes, free health checks.  We are asking the community to join us as we bring:  “Healing, Change, and Progress” to the City of San Bernardino, for more information call 909-353-7977 or email sbpastorsunited@gmail.com. Thank you for showing that San Bernardino is still Strong.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA- Sacred Sistahs, Inc. will host its 9^thAnnual Shero Awards Recognition and Scholarship Fundraiser: “Embracing the Call to Serve” on Saturday, March 18, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Immanuel Praise Fellowship Church located at 592 7th Street, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730.

Sacred Sistahs will honor several outstanding African American women who have significantly impacted the lives of others in the community including the Honorable Cheryl Brown, former Assemblywoman, publisher, and small business owner, Dr. Gloria Morrow, an author and one of the nation’s leading clinical psychologists, and La’Nae Norwood, Founder and Executive Director at United Nations of Consciousness.

Sacred Sistahs will also honor three high school seniors who have completed the rites-of-passage program with a scholarship including Sheba Jennings of Summit High in Fontana, Gye’Nyame Maat of Rancho Mirage High School in Rancho Mirage, and Raihanah Medlock of Grand Terrace High in Grand Terrace who each will receive scholarships at the start of their fall semester in college.

Sacred Sistahs, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to empower, serve, and improve the overall health, well-being, spirit, and vitality of African American and African women and children by nourishing and elevating the mind, body, and spirit.

For information on how to register, please contact Dr. Tonia Causey-Bush at (909) 910-7564 or  visit www.sacredsistahsinc.org/news_and_events.

Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D – Sacramento) today named children’s advocate Tamika L’Ecluse as the Assembly District 7’s 2017 Woman of the Year.

Ms. L’Ecluse was born in Sacramento and raised by a single mother. After graduating from high school, she enrolled at American River College in hopes of earning an Associate degree in Science, but later shifted her focus to Early Childhood Education, and attended Sacramento City College. In 2006, she completed her early childhood education certification through the National Center for Montessori Education.

Ms. L’Ecluse became active in her community and social causes at an early age. Following generations of women who took active roles in civil and women’s rights, she began her advocacy campaigning against Proposition 22 (marriage inequality) in 2000. She also became a respected advocate for reproductive health options for women, gender equity, LGBTQ rights, children’s rights and anti-violence measures. Her advocacy has most recently focused on supporting healthy growth in her community by empowering parents and school officials to promote positive discipline practices.

After thirteen years of teaching in Early Childhood and Early Kindergarten, she joined the Greater Sacramento Urban League as a program manager, working toward reducing African-American child mortality in the Oak Park community of Sacramento. Ms. L’Ecluse has served as board member, Vice President and President of the Oak Park Neighborhood Association, serves on the Board of Directors for the California Montessori Project, is an appointed member of the Sacramento Promise Zone Resident Council and is an active voice for community members who seek social justice, smart growth, and inclusive practices for all.

“Tamika L’Ecluse is a bright light in the Sacramento region, giving inspiration and hope to people in our community and throughout the 7th Assembly District,” said Assemblymember McCarty.  “I am pleased to honor Ms. L’Ecluse for her commitment and dedication to help students maximize their potential, to build a strong and diverse workforce and to improve the lives of residents throughout Sacramento County.”

The Woman of the Year event was created in 1987 to recognize March as Women’s History Month and to individually celebrate the contributions and unique accomplishments of women in each of the Assembly’s 80 districts.

The 2017 Woman of the Year event took place in the Assembly Chambers of the State Capitol on Monday, March 6, 2017.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Social Lites are an impressive group of women from various professions who have steadfastly dedicated themselves to the youth in the Inland Empire Community.  Over the last 50 years, the Social Lites have made many worthwhile contributions to the needs of the community through various charitable enterprises.

The Social Lites Inc., Scholarship Foundation of San Bernardino will present their 50^th Annual Beautillion Ball, on Saturday March 11, 2017 at the National Orange Show, 689 South “E” Street, San Bernardino, CA 92408.   The Beautillion Scholarship Program is an event geared to recognize and honor young men within the Inland Empire striving toward greater accomplishments in academic achievements.

The theme for the 2017 Beautillion Scholarship Program is  “Men of Tomorrow Pushing Forward”.  This year the young men have demonstrated personal, business growth, development, and community presentations.   The six young men vying for the title of Sir Knight 2017 are Christopher Fulton of San Gorgonio High School, Akil Cooper, Jonathan Rodgers, Julian Houston, and Steven Henderson, all four Knights attends Cajon High School, and Vonte Walker of Arroyo Valley High School.   They all have participated in various seminars and workshops including Strategic Planning/Goal Setting, Cultural Proficiency, Social Justice, Self Determination, and Business For Profit and Non Profit sessions and the Black College Expo.

The young men have experience the value of community service through donations of holiday food baskets, donations of Christmas bicycles to the Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino, also they have participated and volunteer as an usher at the Christmas Kwanzaa Event, the Martin Luther King Breakfast Event, and the 2^nd Annual BCCIE Black History Super Expo.   These young men have canvassed the community soliciting support through the sale of ads from family, friends, church family, and businesses throughout the Inland Empire.   The ads generated for this year Beautilion Scholarship Ball will provide funds for scholarships and gifts to be awarded on the night of the Beautillion Scholarship Ball.

This is strictly a “Formal Attire” event, the no host social hour beginning at 6:30pm and the presentation of these young men will begin at 8:00pm.   For more information, go to www.sociallitesinc.net or contact Lisa Blacksher, Beautillion Chairperson at lisasocialites@gmail.com or Bettye Brewster, President at (951) 204-0022 or bettyebrewster@yahoo.com, and Joyce Smith Vice President at 909-534-2929

Ed Gordon

Bounce and Omnicom Media Group held their second annual Black History Month event to discuss diversity in media and the progress that has been made in recent years. An intimate group of 150 advertising and media professionals and press gathered at the Omnicom offices in downtown Chicago for a discussion centered around the theme of “Recognizing Progress in Diversity.”

A heartfelt keynote speech was delivered by CNN commentator Angela Rye, followed by an insightful panel discussion moderated by veteran broadcast journalist and Bounce newsmagazine show host Ed Gordon. The panel discussion featured panelists Dana Bonkowski (Starcom Chicago), Latha Sundaram (Omnicom), McGhee Williams Osse (Burrell Communications) and Ronnie Dickerson Stewart (Digitas).

Bounce is the fastest-growing African-American network on television and airs on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage. The network features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more.  Bounce has grown to be available in more than 94 million homes across the United States and 93% of all African American television homes, including all the top AA television markets.  Among the founders of Bounce are iconic American figures Martin Luther King, III and Ambassador Andrew Young.

For more information on Bounce and Omnicom Media Group visit bouncetv.com and omnicomgroup.com.

By Lisa D. Kelly

Jerome is a man on a mission! His goal is to use his sultry singing voice as an instrument that will “bring joy through music,” especially to the senior generations.

On his newly released CD, Songs for You Vol. 1, Jerome has written an original song dedicated to seniors called the “Seniors Anthem,” in which he states, “All I want to do is say to you how much I care.”

Having grown up in Newark, New Jersey and raised by his grandparents, Jerome developed a love and appreciation for a generation of people that had devoted their lives to serving others but who are now often overlooked.

After singing the “Seniors Anthem” at a senior facility in Claremont, California, a lady once approached him with tears in her eyes saying, “It feels so good that somebody really cares about us.” Knowing that his music is indeed making a difference, Jerome continues to serve as an “Ambassador” who “will always make time to include Seniors, so they are not forgotten or neglected.”

In August 2015, Jerome Dean was presented with the Certificate of Recognition Senior Citizen Ambassador Award, given to him by L. Dennis Michael Mayor of Rancho Cucamonga, California, for his “commitment and dedication to serve and brighten the day and lives of our treasured Senior Citizens.”

To see more testimonies about the work Jerome is doing and to hear his songs, please visit his website at www.jeromedean.com, or go to www.soundsofsunrise–?entertainment.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On the morning of February 15, 2017 parents, students and community members took a journey to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. The trip sponsored by the Inland Kwanzaa Group is an annual pilgrimage to discover Black History, and interact with docents dressed in period attire.  The township established by Colonel Allen Allensworth and four friends represents the only town in the state of California completely founded, owned and developed in 1908 by an ex-slave. The self-governed town grew rapidly and prospered prior to World War II, with a school house, a huge store for commerce, a church and many beautiful affluent homes for this time. It was truly a great experience and for many of our students it was their first time out of the city, being in farm country with chickens running free.  

We had the honor of meeting a direct descendant of Colonel Allensworth, and he shared the importance of preserving the rich history that made this place so great. One of the students commented: “I really had fun, and I learned something I never knew existed.” There were food vendors, music, and arts and crafts activities for the whole family to enjoy. Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is very unique as it preserves for us the great possibilities of what can be done for future generations. The PAL Charter Academy students were excited to learn the ethnically diverse contributions that have made our country great, and look forward to the opportunity for future trips.