Local

RIVERSIDE, CA —”It takes a village to raise a child” is a wise African American proverb and the premise behind the upcoming summit taking place this month. The Riverside Branch NAACP and the 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire are joining forces to unite the Black social, professional, faith-based, and fraternal organizations in Riverside County to answer the call of addressing the needs of young Black girls and boys. The Riverside African American Village Summit will take place Saturday, January 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cross Word Christian Church, located at 21401 Box Springs Road in Moreno Valley.

The Riverside African American Village Summit will address nine important priorities:

Advocate for state and local policy (advocacy); Develop youth leaders in Moreno Valley, Perris and Riverside; Groom young men of color for entrepreneurship/circulating Black dollars; Reform school discipline policies; Expose young men of color to professional, technology, and trade careers; Work to fully implement Proposition 47; Teach the importance of the church in addressing issues; Create stable and consistent mentoring programs; and Black parenting.

The Riverside African American Village Summit is the first of a series of summits launched to address these pertinent issues. Partners and sponsors include: Boys and Men of Color Alliance, Moreno Valley Sons and Brothers Coalition, NAACP Riverside Branch #1059, 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire Inc., Riverside County Black Chamber of Commerce, Moreno Valley Islamic Center, Alpha Phi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, C.O.P.E., and African American Coalition.

The Riverside African American Village Summit is free and open to the public. Join the discussion! All African American’s in Riverside County are encouraged to come. Please register at villagesummit.eventbrite.com.

Enrique Murillo

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Friday, January 15, Youth Action Project (YAP) will host “YAP TALKS” in honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at San Bernardino Valley College in the Library Viewing room. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Rev. Dennis Brown (Rachel Luna / Staff Photographer)

“YAP TALKS” is a TED Talks style event where four speakers each captivate the audience in 18 minutes or less with powerful monologues.  According to Youth Action Project Founder and CEO, Joseph Williams, the goal for this YAP TALKS is to talk about Dr. King’s philosophies and principles in the context of what can be done today.

The lineup includes: Enrique Murillo, Professor at California State San Bernardino and Director of Latino Education Advocacy Days; Johnathan Buffong, co-founder of Buffong Consulting and Mental Health Consultant with the County of San Bernardino; Lolita Lyles, Professor at California State Long Beach; and Rev. Dennis Brown, as the “Voice of King.”

The event will also feature a special performance by R&B sensation, as seen on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Voice, Abraham McDonald. The aim of the event is to inspire community members young and old to take positive action toward building a healthy and vibrant San Bernardino. The YAP TALKS will be like no other event in honor of Dr. King’s legacy says YAP CEO Joseph Williams.

For more information about the Youth Action Project and/or if you are interested in making a financial donation, please visit YAP’s website at www.youthactionproject.org

LOS ANGELES, CA- In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, the California African American Museum (CAAM) will host their annual Cake for King Community Celebration, sponsored by Target Corporation, on Monday, January 18, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

In celebration of Dr. King and his legacy, guests are encouraged to visit CAAM to experience his dream through art, culture and history. Event activities will include Storytime with Babe Evans who will read, “My Brother Martin,” written by Christine King Farris; a gospel performance by the Fernando Pullum Youth Ensemble; historical documentary film screenings on Dr. King’s legacy and historic speeches; an art workshop where guests can create a linocut image on tile of Dr. King; dance and drum performances; and two giveaways of an acrylic painted portrait of Dr. King, created throughout the day by speed painter Zachery Brown.  Lastly, enjoy a slice of homemade birthday cake while the treat lasts.

In addition to the holiday activities, enjoy the art, culture and history created by some of the most dynamic artists in several ongoing exhibitions on view at CAAM.  This annual celebration at CAAM is free and open to the public.  Parking is $12 in the lot at 39th and Figueroa Streets or take the Los Angeles Expo Line and exit the USC/Expo Park station.  For more information visit www.caamuseum.org. RSVP is encouraged at (213) 744-2024.

Judge Asberry

FONTANA, CA- The Concerned Citizens for the Development of North Fontana and the North Fontana Black Awareness Parade Committee cordially invite you to the Charlotte Ray Award Ceremony and Recognition Dinner.   The honoree for the evening is Superior Court Judge Irma Poole Asberry.

Judge Asberry is the first African American to serve as the Presiding Judge of the Riverside Superior Court.  Asberry was the first African American Supervising Judge of the County’s Family Law Department from 2009 to 2012. She currently has an assignment in the Criminal Law Department. On June 4, 2009, she was honored by her sorority with the Outstanding Leadership and Service to All Mankind Award at the 80th Far Western Regional Conference of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  The Riverside African-American Historical Society Inc. recognized Judge Asberry for her Outstanding Community Service in October 2013.  The Inland Valley News presented Judge Asberry with its Excellence with the Juris Prudence Award in June 2014. The R.T. Fields Bar Association honored Judge Asberry as Judicial Officer of the Year in 2015.

On January 23 at 7 p.m. at Bethel A.M.E.  Church of Fontana located at 16262  Baseline Avenue, you are welcomed to join in showing her your  appreciation for the value contributions this Fontana resident has made.  The tickets are $35.00 per person or $200.00 a table (six at table).

Mail check or money order to: 16666 Baseline Rd.  Fontana, Ca 92336 c/o The Concerned Citizens for the Development of North Fontana, or phone your payment  to (909)333-9950. Please RSVP by January 15.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Monday, January 18, 2016, the Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.  Restoration and Maintenance Committee will have its annual Recognition Ceremony at Dr. King’s statue which is located at San Bernardino City Hall, 300 North D Street in San Bernardino.  The ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

The committee will place its annual wreath at the foot of his statue in recognition of our national hero.  All community members are invited to participate in this special recognition ceremony. For more information, please contact France Grice, Committee Member at (909) 534-6567.

Lula McMorris Thomas

Lula McMorris Thomas, a native of Columbus, Ohio and a resident of San Bernardino County for 55 years, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2015 at St. Bernardine’s Hospital in San Bernardino, CA. She was 89-years-old.

Funeral services will be held at Harrison Ross Mortuary located at 738 E. Highland Avenue in San Bernardino on Monday, January 11, 2016 at 11 a.m., with visitation on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at the same address.

She leaves to cherish her memory to her children: Marcus Thomas, Philip-Michael Thomas, Michelle Roby, Karen Thomas Robinson, Anita Haynes, George Thomas, Crystal Thomas, and her Grandson, Forrest Darnell Thomas she raised as a son; thirty-five (35) grandchildren, thirty-seven (37) great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and a host of extended family and friends.

Burial will be Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Riverside National Cemetery located at 22495 Van Buren Blvd., in Riverside, CA.

Roxanne Williams

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- San Bernardino Six Ward voters will elect a new representative to the San Bernardino City Council at a special election on Tuesday, February 2. Bessine Littlefield-Richard and Roxanne Williams are knocking on doors throughout the Sixth Ward seeking voter support as they compete for the City Council seat.

Both candidates ran strong passionate campaigns for the leadership position. The question asked by many is, “Will the voters be as passionate about choosing leadership and get out to vote?  The general election in November drew only a small percentage of eligible voters, despite the fact that the City is transitioning out of bankruptcy and needs competent leaders.

Bessine Littlefield-Richard

The candidates will meet to debate their qualifications and platforms for the City Council seat on Monday, January 11 at the Ingram Community Center located at 2050 N. Mt Vernon Avenue beginning at 6 p.m. The Forum is sponsored by the Northwest Redevelopment Project Area Committee.   The candidates have been sent some questions in advance so that they will have time to research their responses as needed. The audience will also be able to present questions to the candidates. The candidates will also be given the opportunity to comment on any item or issue that is not included on the question list.

The candidates have been sent the following questions: What is your vision for Mt Vernon Ave and what is your plan? What is the status of the State Street Extension and your thoughts/plan to complete it? What do you know about the City’s Receivership Program… Does it allow for San Bernardino 6^th ward residents to participate as investors? Should it? What will you do to make that program work for 6^th Ward Residents?

The Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches, hosts the 36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast to be held on January 18^th at 7:30am at California State University Coussoulis Arena, in San Bernardino. We invite the entire city to join us at our new location, Cal State University San Bernardino, come out and help us salute a man’s whose legacy continues to thrive in our hearts as we work together to build a better world.

This year we are asking all to join us in a spectacular reenactment of a “Civil Rights Freedom Ride” to City Hall on Omni Trans SBX bus for our after breakfast festivities and our “March’ around the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. statue located in front of San Bernardino City Hall. Guided by our own 6^th Ward Council member Rikke Van Johnson. Omni-Trans has so graciously provided coupons to travel from Cal State University San Bernardino, to City Hall and back, to culminate our celebration activities as we traditionally do in a final “March” around the statue. This year’s program feature includes, Patrick Hewitt renowned artist, who will tell you short stories about Dr. Rosa Parks and her contribution to the civil rights era and also his endeavor to commemorate her memory. Mrs. Vickie Lee-Nichols will render and explosive drama rendition depicting the periods of which the civil rights and recent tragedies have given us hope!

Please contact our office at 909-474-7036 to purchase a ticket or table for the breakfast, to obtain a coupon for the “Civil Rights Freedom Ride”.  We are still accepting sponsorship especially tables to be provided for youth.  This is an educational opportunity event you will not want to miss, your youth, or family to lose out on. A generational experience, to treasure for years to come!

The bus route map can be found on the back of our fliers, and coupons can be received with a ticket purchase, or prior notification by contacting the office.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- At approximately 1 p.m. Monday afternoon, the San Bernardino Police Department received a 911 text from a woman having a heart attack and was able to dispatch fire personnel to her in time to save her life.

The text came from a 52-year-old woman who lives alone in her San Bernardino home and is hearing impaired. With this new system, which was officially rolled out just two weeks ago on December 10, the woman was able to summon immediate assistance and fire personnel transported her to St. Bernadine’s Medical Center where she is expected to make a full recovery

“This is a huge step toward ensuring the safety of the speech and hearing impaired residents of our communities and also represents a vital mechanism toward getting help to those whose safety would be further jeopardized by audibly calling 911,” said San Bernardino Police Department Lieutenant Mike Madden.  “The ‘Call when you can – Text when you can’t.’ Text-to-911 technology possibly helped in saving a life today.   We are also immensely thankful to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for spearheading this project and making our region the driving force in the Western United States in text-to-911.”

The San Bernardino County law enforcement agencies that can accept the 911 texts are Barstow, Chino, CHP Barstow and Inland Empire, Colton, Cal State San Bernardino, Fontana, Mon       tclair, Ontario, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino City, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Valley and Desert Dispatch Centers, and Upland.

PALM SPRINGS, CA- Gearing up for another outstanding season of cultural festivities, the Palm Springs Black History Committee invites members of the community to participate in its yearly ceremonial Gospel Fest. The event, which heralds the official kickoff of the year’s Black History Month celebrations, is scheduled to take place Sunday, January 31, 2016.

Promising to be an afternoon rooted in culture and tradition, the Gospel Fest will set the pace for the 2016 Black History Month theme “Hallowed Grounds of African American History.”  It aims to highlight the rich cultural legacy upon which the Palm Springs African American community has forged here in the desert region.

“Gospel music has always been important to our community,” says Linda Gray, Gospel Fest committee chairperson and long time Palm Springs resident. “It has been a means by which we gather and communicate to express our spirituality along with our connection to each other.”

According to Gray, the Gospel Fest has traditionally held a very significant role in the Black History Month celebrations. It first started out as an all community choir made up of desert residents from across the Coachella valley.  The choir, which sung at the grand opening celebration, became the official launch to the season’s programming.  This tradition soon evolved into an event all within itself allowing the Gospel Fest to garner the position as the official opening of Black History Month for the Desert residents. It serves as a catalyst to gather the community and set the tone for the festivities to come.

Members of the community of all ages are invited to participate as we gather to celebrate and share the vast talent represented in our region. The event is scheduled to take place United Methodist Church 1555 E. Alejo Road in Palm Springs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission to the general public is $2. The deadline for talent to apply is Friday, January 15, 2016. For more information contact Linda.gray@palmspringsca.gov or visit www.Palmspringsblackhistory.org