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United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, Region 5 Endorse Cheryl Brown Campaign

Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – With early voting already commencing, Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown’s (D-San Bernardino) re-election campaign is announcing yet another Labor endorsement. The United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America endorse Cheryl Brown for Assembly District 47. The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) is one of the largest and most diverse unions in North America, with members in virtually every sector of the economy with more than 400,000 active members and more than 580,000 retired members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

“Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown’s voting record to improve working families’ lives and the communities we live in is deserving of another term,” said Victor Quiroz, International Union Representative, UAW Region 5. “Our members and working families in the district benefit when we have a legislator who is inclusive of all her constituency and the economic needs most important to them. Cheryl Brown is proudly supported by UAW Region 5 because she fights for working people.”

“I am honored to receive the support from the UAW and recommit my efforts on helping champion issues most important to working families in the Inland Empire,” said Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown.

UAW Region 5’s endorsement of Cheryl Brown’s re-election campaign joins a long list of union support already backing her campaign, which include:

• California Association of Highway Patrolmen
• California School Employees Association, AFL-CIO
• California Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO
• Union of American Physicians and Dentists, AFL-CIO
• Laborers’ International Union of North America
• Hod Carriers and Laborers Local Union No. 783
• AFSCME California PEOPLE, AFL-CIO
• CAL FIRE Local 2881
• California Faculty Association
• United Domestic Workers of America, AFL-CIO
• California Correctional Peace Officers Association
• Fontana Police Officers Association
• United Steel Workers L&E Committee
• California State Retirees
• Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters

Partial list. For a comprehensive endorsement list, click here.

Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown is the officially endorsed Democratic candidate of the California Democratic Party running for re-election in California’s 47th district.The election is scheduled for California’s Presidential Primary Election on June 7, 2016.

Verizon offers prepaid smartphone plans on your terms starting at $30/month

Love to be in control with no fees or annual contract on the best network?  The only prepaid wireless service that’s also Verizon now comes with more data.  Beginning May 15, you’ll receive more data on your flexible, affordable prepaid smartphone plans.  And for the first time, you get unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada with Verizon’s largest prepaid plan.

“Whether you’re just starting out with your own wireless plan or simply love to have complete control of your wireless spending, prepaid plans give you the best network on the latest phones,” said Rob Miller, vice president of consumer pricing for Verizon. “Prepaid plans from Verizon keep you in control without the worry of overages or hidden fees.”

Verizon’s new prepaid plans for smartphones include:

• 6 GB of data including 1 GB of AutoPay Bonus Data with unlimited talk and text in the U.S. and unlimited text and calling to Mexico and Canada for $60 per month (prior plan included only 3 GB);
• 3 GB of data including 1 GB of AutoPay Bonus Data with unlimited talk and text in the U.S., plus text to Mexico and Canada for $45 per month (prior plan included only 1 GB);
• Unlimited talk, text, Wi-Fi for only $30 per month.

Verizon’s prepaid plans for basic phones include:

• Unlimited talk, text and mobile web for $30 per month;
• 300 voice minutes, texts or multimedia messages (in any combination), plus unlimited mobile web for $15 per month.

For even more control, you can make changes to your account, add money to your account, and add even more data through the MyVerizon app on your device. Visit www.verizonwireless.com/prepaid to learn more. Verizon’s new prepaid plans were previously offered as promotional pricing.

LOMA LINDA, CA- Liberata Ashilevi was a survivor of the Rwandan Genocide who immigrated to the United States as a refugee.  As a resident of Loma Linda, she turned to the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board’s America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) for help with building her career. Today she enjoys working in the Loma Linda University Medical Center Operating Room caring for others.

Though she was a certified physician’s assistant in Zambia, Liberata took a housekeeping job when she arrived in the United States.  When she was laid off from this position, she felt she had nowhere to turn.

“When I was laid off, I panicked,” Liberata exclaimed.  “When I arrived at the San Bernardino America’s Job Center of California and met their staff, I became hopeful about my future.”

Workforce Development Specialist Nidia Vargas was assigned to handle Liberata’s case. The two women soon formed a bond that Liberata says is everlasting.

At the AJCC, Liberata received career counseling, and help with her job search, resume, and interview skills.  The Workforce Development Board also provided funding for her to earn her Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) certificate, to put her on a new career path, and assisted with travel to classes and job interviews.

As a result of the service she received, Liberata was well prepared to answer questions volleyed to her by the Loma Linda University Medical Center Operating Room Technician position interview panel.  Her first call to share the good news was to Nidia at the AJCC.

“It is always heartening to hear success stories such as Liberata’s,” said San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos.  “It is validation that the County is serving its residents well, and working to attain countywide prosperity.”

Liberata has already received a promotion and looks forward to a successful career.  She has embraced the American Dream with a contagious exuberance.

“Our staff’s care and concern for the people we are helping lends to successful outcomes for job seekers,” said Workforce Development Board Executive Director Sandy Harmsen.  “This is an example of how our staff members are truly dedicated to helping others achieve their goals.”

MORENO VALLEY, CA- On Saturday, May 14, over 150 artists will compete to see who is the best at music and art at the 5^th annual Changing Lives Showcase!  The Changing Lives Showcase, is the fastest-growing performance competition in the Inland Empire created to allow our youth to express their creative talents while fighting to reduce our communities’ dropout rates.

The Showcase is presented by Music Changing Lives, a non-profit arts organization in partnership with Moreno Valley Unified School District.  Artists and their respective schools will compete in four categories – Musical Instruments, Vocal Performance, Dance and Visual Arts, while schools compete in Overall Performance.

The Changing Lives Showcase is no ordinary school performance; this event rolls out the red carpet for its talented performers, artists and guests.  Celebrity judges will decide the winning finalists and this year’s lineup includes Tray Deee, a member of the platinum selling group Tha Eastsidaz; YouTube sensation and recording artist Ellise; and Stephen Hickner an American film director at DreamWorks Animation.

Music Changing Lives launched the Showcase five years ago, and since then they have produced musicians, artists, fashion designers and more.  MCL’s goal is to create a culture of school being cool and using music and art as a way to inspire students that anything is possible.

The Showcase will be located at the Moreno Valley Recreation Center from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  To get tickets to the event and reserve your seat please visit 2016changinglivesshowcase.eventbrite.com.

The Changing Lives Showcase is sponsored by MVUSD, Wells Fargo Foundation, UC Riverside, The Art Institute of San Bernardino, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Niagara Cares, Edison International, Time Warner Cable, Classics for Kids Foundation, Vizard PR and Goliath Graffix.

For more information about Music Changing Lives or to become a sponsor for the event, please contact an Music Changing Lives staff member at Jbruny@MusicChangingLives.org or visit them on the web at www.MusicChangingLives.org.

Varsity Brands wanted to find one athletic team that shows respect and graciousness to opposing teams and school groups. The San Bernardino High School Varsity Basketball Team demonstrates the utmost sportsmanship by raising community pride; the team regularly volunteers at homeless shelters, elementary schools, and throughout the school. On game days, the team dresses in suits, demonstrating good sportsmanship off the court, to empower school spirit and character. Before games, they show respect to visiting teams by greeting them and welcoming them to campus. For more information or to download the Varsity Bands 2016 booklet, please visit www.varsitybrands.com/home.

Author Margaret Hill will have a book signing at Barnes & Noble, Citrus Plaza, 27460 Lugonia Avenue, Redlands, on Saturday, May 7, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  Her book, “From Sharecropping to Non-Stopping” is about her life as the daughter of sharecroppers in the state of Virginia.  She is currently the school board president for the San Bernardino City Unified School District.

RUBIDOUX, CA- If you have been looking for a church or home or a new place of worship, Higher Ground Church of Christ is inviting all to come out and worship with them. They’re mission is to lead souls to Christ. They hold Sunday School at 10 a.m. with worship starting at 12 p.m. For those that cannot make it on Sunday, there is noon day prayer at 12:01 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Bible Study is held at 7 p.m.

Higher Ground also loves to give back to the community. They have an Outreach program every third Saturday of the month where community members can receive prayer, sing songs of praise to the Lord,  get food, and receive information on how to get clothe, free phones, health plans, check-ups, temporary housing, drug abuse counseling, battered women shelters, and a host of other things.

Those that would like to volunteer for these events on a Saturday are encouraged to come at 9 a.m. The food distribution starts at 11 a.m. If you are in need or know someone who is, please come see them or have those come.

The church is located at 5339 Jurupa Blvd. in Rubidoux, CA.

Submitted by Carl Dameron

On December 1st, 1955, after a long day at work, a courageous black woman by the name of Rosa Parks boldly challenged then-widely accepted Jim Crow laws, also known as enforced racial segregation, by refusing to give up her “colored” seat to a white individual on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama.

This one act of bravery led to the Montgomery bus boycott, an event that triggered what historians now refer to as the beginning of the civil rights movements in America, and that earned Parks the title of “the first lady of civil rights.”

Parks’ challenge to segregation on buses brought about the end of institutionalized segregation in the South. In March 2006, in honor of Parks’ trailblazing role in advancing civil rights, the California State Senate and Assembly designated the California Transportation Building in downtown San Bernardino as the Rosa Parks Memorial Building.

The memorial will include a life-sized bronze statue of Parks, which will be placed in front of the building. The statue will be created by renowned local artist Patrick Jewett and the project is proudly sponsored by the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation.

“It seemed like after naming a building after her, the only thing missing was a statue of her,” Jewett said of why he took it upon himself to approach the state about creating the work of art. “And if not me, who?”

Jewett said he hopes that once the statue is in place it will give people a sense of empowerment in the ability to bring about change.

Plans for the statue have been underway for about three years and fundraising goals to turn an artistic dream into an enduring reality have nearly been reached.

The community at large is invited to top off the efforts by contributing to the project that will honor this American hero. The total amount needed is $15,000 to complete the statue. Tax-deductible donations may be to: The Rosa Parks Sculpture, C/O San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, P. O. Box 7288, San Bernardino, CA. 92411-0288

Donor names will appear on a plaque near the sculpture. The Black Culture Foundation is a non- profit 501c3 charitable organization.

“By adorning our public buildings and parks with artistic monuments we can inspire a sense of appreciation and history in the hearts and minds of our fellow Americans,” said Jewett.

For more information on the project, contact Patrick Jewett at (909) 856-5487.

Submitted on Behalf of Terrance Stone

In honor of William Henry Jacocks, a longtime Rialto resident and active community member who with his wife, former Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter, founded the Inland Area Kwanzaa Group, “The Fellas” dedicated their last Man Mob of the year to his memory. The Man Mob is a group of men from the local Inland Empire community who are interested in engaging and supporting the students at our schools.  Some are fathers, entrepreneurs, educators, college alumni, community and civic leaders, business owners, fraternity members, ministry groups, retirees, and current college students.  The me, show up to local schools, give hi-fives, tell the students to have a good day, encourage them to study hard, and let them know that they are supported by their community.  The goals are twofold: encourage and motivate students to succeed, and show them examples of positive, professional men of color.

The Man Mob is not just for students—it is for parents, teachers, school administrators and staff as well.  Indeed, before we visit a school we try to identify a teacher who has positively impacted children the most.  Once we get a consensus, we try and give that teacher a gift (e.g., certificate, hat, thank you card) to recognize their hard work, diligence and commitment to our students.  We work with superintendents, principals, district administrators, and school board members to plan and coordinate our meetings.  We invite them and let them know that we are coming to have a fun, safe, and joyful experience.

Lesford Duncan, a Child Abuse Prevention Coordinator for the San Bernardino County Children’s Network, was the first to propose the Man Mob idea in the fall of 2015.  Mr. Duncan saw a post on social media wherein a well-dressed group of African American fathers in Atlanta were hi-fiving elementary students who were entering the school building.  He suggested that the Fellas coordinate something similar here in the San Bernardino area.  It was then that several members of The Fellas (Jonathan Buffong, Terrance Stone, Hardy Brown, Ed Brantley, Keith Hosea, Joseph Williams, Alex Avila, Mars Serna, and Dr. Wil Greer, Charles Brown) organized the first Man Mob, which took place on August 17^th, 2015, at Del Vallejo Middle School in San Bernardino.

The experience was so positive that they decided to do it again at more schools.  Since then, The Fellasgroup has held a Man Mob during every month of the 2016-2017 school year, and we are inspired by the rise of additional groups.  Mars Serna and the Emerging Men of Fontana, Frank Kelley and the PACK Coalition Man Mob of the High Desert, and Corey Jackson of Moreno Valley have all held fantastic events, and fully represent the Man Mob spirit.  We are hopeful that the ongoing encouragement, across cities and schools, will have a ripple effect on children’s confidence, school engagement, and achievement.

The success of the initial Man Mob led to requests from a number of school leaders and teachers to come out and visit their school.  We knew early on that we would need a strategy for choosing schools that could most benefit from a Man Mob.  We also wanted to get organized, and make best use of our busy participants’ time and energy.  To do this, The Fellas came together and looked at school data from across the Inland Empire.  They identified schools with some of the greatest numbers of low-income and African American students, had several discussions, and added a sample of the schools to our 2015-2016 calendar.  Though the Fellas  have tried to stay true to our initial selections, we added some schools and a university along the way to be as responsive to demand as our time would allow. “The Fellas wanted to give tribute to the late Ratibu Jacocks, because we knew that this is something that he would proud of, matter fact, he would probably be the first person in front of the line giving a hi five!” Jonathan Buffong. Another program that is honoring the namesake of Ratibu is the Ratibu Shadidi Literacy Program. Dr. Wil Greer, Assistant Professor Educational Leadership & Technology at CSUSB has designed this opportunity to help African American boys in grades K-5 read at or above grade level. Please contact wgreer@csusb.edu for morning information.

Petty Officer 1st Class Clarence Jones

SAN DIEGO – A 1998 Pacific  High School graduate and San Bernardino, California native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of a team supporting one of the country’s most versatile combat ships.

Petty Officer 1st Class Clarence Jones is a gunner’s mate and a member of Commander, LCS Squadron One which supports both variants of littoral combat ships based in San Diego.

As a Navy gunner’s mate he is part of a training team for littoral combat squadron, specializing in training Navy boarding teams and weapons systems aboard ships.

“Even though I’m shore duty, it still gives me an opportunity to go out to the field and train crews of LCS ships,” said Jones. “I enjoy training others to do their job effectively for when they go out to the fleet.”

The LCS platform has a unique manning concept called “3-2-1,” where three crews serve aboard two different littoral combat ships, one of which is deployed.  This innovative manning concept allows the LCS to spend more time forward deployed without overtaxing the crew, according to Navy officials.

Designed to defeat threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft, littoral combat ships are a bold departure from traditional Navy shipbuilding programs. The LCS sustainment strategy was developed to take into account the unique design and manning of LCS and its associated mission modules.

“I have a pretty good chain of command, when stuff needs to get done it will get done,” said Jones. “Leadership looks out for their junior sailors, to where junior sailors look up to their chain of command.”

According to Navy officials, the path to becoming an LCS sailor is a long one.  Following an 18-month training pipeline, sailors have to qualify on a simulator that is nearly identical to the ship.  This intense and realistic training pipeline allows sailors to execute their roles and responsibilities immediately upon stepping on board.

“Sailors that work aboard this platform are expected to be capable of performing a variety of tasks to assist in the completion of the LCS mission,” said Capt. Warren R Buller, Commander, LCS Squadron One. “The training that is required of our sailors is rigorous and difficult. This ensures that they are mission ready to defend and protect America at all times.”

As a service member supporting the LCS mission, Jones explained they are building a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes. Sailors know how important it is for the Navy to develop new war fighting capabilities to continue their success on the world’s oceans.

“When I joined the Navy, I came in with the idea to serve my country the best that I can,” added Jones. “When I took the oath, I took every word seriously, and I plan on carrying out the oath until the day I retire.”

Through innovative planning, the design of systems, and crew requirements, the LCS platform allows the fleet to increase forward presence and optimize its personnel, improving the ability of the Navy to be where it matters, when it matters.