Local

From left- Anderson Cooper and the 2015 Top 10 CNN Heroes

Submitted by the Time for Change Foundation

Kim Carter and actress Taylor Schilling

On November 17, 2015 at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan, New York, Inland Empire’s own Kim Carter of the Time for Change Foundation was being honored as one of CNN’s Top 10 Heroes in the world. The event was filled with the ambiance of excitement and joy as each honoree was given the celebrity treatment for the day.

According to Kim Carter, Founder and Executive Director, of Time for Change Foundation, “This experience was so surreal! Walking the Red Carpet and riding in luxury with hair and make-up glam squads at my disposal was definitely overwhelming, and all I could think about was I wish the women from my shelters could be here.”

Many celebrities were on hand such as Sharon Stone, Kelly Rippa and her husband, Neil Patrick Harris, and Andra Day, to name a few. The highlight of the evening came when Actress Taylor Schilling from the show Orange is the New Black, presented Kim Carter with the Top 10 Hero Award. Kim reminded everyone that her motivation to help women reclaim their children is directly attributed to the pain that she carries from being absent in her daughter Missy’s early years of life.

As anticipation mounted during the night, Anderson Cooper received the honor of opening the envelope and

Kim Carter with daughter Missy Tate

announcing the CNN Hero of the Year. While all of the top 10 heroes are doing amazing work, the world was asked to go online and vote for one to become CNN Hero of the Year. Maggie Doyne, who traveled the world at 16-years-old after graduating high school, found herself compelled to help the war torn country of Nepal and started an orphanage and later co-founded a school was selected as the winner.

Each honoree will be awarded $10,000 and the Hero of the Year receives an additional $100,000. Like Kim Carter stated, “We are grateful that we made it this far,” she likened this experience as going to the non-profit Olympics and bringing home the silver. “My life will be forever changed because of this experience and I’m so elated that Subaru has pledged $500,000 in matching funds to all 10 of our organizations.” This means that if people want to donate to Time for Change through the CNN online portal, their money will be matched 100% with no processing fees for them or the organization. It’s doubling whatever someone wants to donate up to $50,000 per agency through December 31, 2015. The website to donate is www.cnn.com/donations/kim-carter.html. To watch the CNN Heroes Tribute Show tune in to CNN on December 6 at 5 p.m. PST.

Time for Change Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Southern California that provides housing and supportive services to homeless women and children. Since its inception, they have helped over 850 homeless families make the transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency. For more information visit their website at www.timeforchangefoundation.org or call (909) 886-2994.

RIVERSIDE, CA—On Thursday, November 12, business executives and community leaders were all decked out in their best attire at the 2^nd Annual Chamber of Commerce Multi-Cultural Gala. The gala was held in downtown Riverside at The Riverside Convention Center. If you missed out this year, you missed out on a phenomenal event. Here are a few photos that were captured from the night.

RIVERSIDE, CA— The Riverside County Black Chamber of Commerce (RCBCC) attended the 5th Annual “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Community Health Fair and 100 Mile Club Walk” at Agate Park in Jurupa Valley on Saturday, November 14.  The RCBCC represents Covered California in the effort to enroll people in a health insurance program. As a designated “Navigator”, the RCBCC is committed to informing people about Covered California, as well as enrolling them in the program.  Among those pictured above is Pepi Jackson (Cap and sunglasses), the president of RCBCC. Pepi states, “If you want to know more about Covered California, please call our office at (951) 823-0175 or go to www.youqualify.org.”  The RCBCC meets every third Thursday at its Riverside office located at 2060 Chicago Avenue.

Steinorth, Harmsen

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board co-hosted a job fair with Assemblyman Marc Steinorth (R-Rancho Cucamonga) on Monday, October 26 at California State University, San Bernardino.  The attendance rate was high during the three-hour event.  More than 350 job seekers had the opportunity to meet with 30 employers offering more than 300 jobs in industries including manufacturing, transportation, military, retail and public sectors.

According to Workforce Development Department Deputy Director Miguel McQueen, the job fairs are primarily designed to forge pathways to careers and to connect skilled workers with middle class jobs in the County.

“In our region we have the food service industry on one end and the technological sector at the higher end,” McQueen explained.  “Here at the job fair there are multiple paths in between for our county residents to build a career.”

Representatives from the Workforce Investment Board were on-hand to assist job seekers with applications and resumes.

“I’m always looking for better ways to represent the Inland Empire, and my main focus is to bring as much attention to the community as possible.  This is a great way to bring resources that help the local community thrive,” explained Steinorth.  “If I can’t help the middle class families and businesses as a region, then I’m not doing my job.”

Many attendees gained interview opportunities, submitted applications, and had in-person conversations with potential employers, a rare opportunity in a process that is usually handled online.

“These fairs offer job seekers the opportunity to make connections face to face with numerous employers under one roof.  The employers represent a range of industries and that is why we will continue to provide this resource for both employers and job seekers,” said San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos.  “This is just one example of our commitment to offer resources and services to develop our workforce in order to help attain countywide prosperity.”

Dana Stirling of Loma Linda, graduated from Cal State San Bernardino with a bachelor’s degree in history in 2014.  By the time of her departure, she had scheduled an interview with an insurance company the following week.

  “We realized through the last few job fairs that there was an increase in the number of positions offered by employers,” said Sandy Harmsen, Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Board.  “Twenty-five percent of job seekers scheduled an interview within the next week, a good indicator that the economy is continuing to improve and there is a proliferation of jobs on the market.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA. — Arroyo Valley High School in San Bernardino has been named a 2015 Gaston Caperton Opportunity Award school by the College Board for providing underrepresented students with the support they need to succeed academically. Arroyo Valley is one of four high schools nationwide to receive the award in 2015 and will receive a $25,000 award to apply toward programs that encourage more students to attend college.

“All students deserve the opportunity to succeed. The Gaston Caperton Opportunity Award honors schools like Arroyo Valley that are making good on their commitment to deliver that opportunity every day,” said David Coleman, president and CEO of the College Board. “Today we celebrate Arroyo Valley High School for showing how great classroom instruction, challenging courses, and daily hard work and practice make all the difference in the lives of students.”

College Board representatives announced the award for Arroyo Valley High School at a celebratory event on November 6, at the annual College Board Forum in Washington, D.C.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Assemblyman Marc Steinorth (R-Rancho Cucamonga) held a Veterans Resource Fair last week that brought more than 500 military veterans who were seeking assistance with issues such as healthcare, education, housing services, and other benefits available to them to this event.

“We have many men and women here in our local communities that have given so much to our country, and I am honored to host events like this resource fair that help improve their quality of life,” said Assemblyman Steinorth. “I plan to do all that I can as their state representative to assure they receive the services they deserve.”

The San Bernardino County Department of Veterans Affairs issued 275 veteran ID cards at the 4 hour event, more than they normally issue in a month. These ID cards will provide local veterans with benefits such as discounts on products and services. Numerous other government and private agencies were also on-hand to answer questions, solve concerns and offer benefit information.

“I want to thank Assemblyman Steinorth for hosting this event and for all of his efforts to make sure our local veterans are cared for,” said Rhoda Rhoades, Service Supervisor for the San Bernardino County Department of Veterans Affairs.  “This event saw the biggest turnout we have ever had for such an event in our region. Many local veterans and their families will greatly benefit from what they learned at this event.”

Dr. Margaret B. Hill

RIVERSIDE, CA– Extraordinary leaders and youth programs will be recognized and awarded at the Theta Pi Sigma Inland Empire alumnae chapter observance

Tori Weiston, Ph.D

of the 93rd Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Founders’ Day on Saturday, November 14, 11 a.m., at the Mountain Meadows Golf Club in Pomona.

The honorees are: Dr. Margaret B. Hill, a 40+ years educator, administrator, author, columnist and founder of Maggie’s Kids Foundation; Tori Weiston, Ph.D., scholar, mentor and practitioner as well as founder and executive director of the Youth Mentoring Action Network; and Shannon O’Brien, co-founder and executive director of Children Resources Inc., as well as a member of the San Bernardino City Unified School District’s Task Force for African American Student Achievement. Also being honored is the Evelyn E. Perkins Scholarship Foundation, co-founded in their mother’s name by sisters Danessa Jackson, Michelle Heard and Trudi Perkins, which in just six years has awarded more than $20,000 in scholarships to high school students from single-parent homes. Each of this year’s honorees has established impactful local community movements geared toward equipping and inspiring youth to dream more, learn more, do more and become more.

“The endeavors of these trailblazing leaders and organizations strongly align with our sorority’s focus,” says Deborah Moore, president of the Theta Pi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho. “And it makes this a most fitting tribute marking our 93^rd Founders’ Day observance.”

Tickets are $45 each for the Founders’ Day observance and can be purchased through Eventbrite.com by entering “Theta Pi Sigma Gospel Brunch”; by contacting the chapter at

Shannon O’Brien

thetapisigma1922@yahoo.com or 951.777.4148; or by contacting any of the chapter members directly. Proceeds will help fund scholarships for Inland Empire youth. Donations are also accepted via Eventbrite.With the theme “This Means WAR!”, the November 14 event will also feature gospel music

Danessa Jackson Co-Founder for EEPSF

from soloist Lillian Crawford, a performance by the Victory Praise Dancers and songs of praise by the Loveland Church Praise Team Leads (Allegra Parks, Valerie Singleton and Brian Bradley, featuring Grammy nominated arranger Marco Basci).

Moore explains, “We’re praying that attendees will leave fully armored to join us in going to war against low self-esteem, bullying, police brutality, poverty, teen pregnancy and anything else that prevents our youth from becoming all that they can be.”

REDLANDS, CA- Senior Pastors Anthony and Jackie Green have led the historic Second Baptist Church for 28 years and have been a pastoral team that has preserved the Church History for future generations.  2015 marks l23 years that the first historic African American Church in the Inland Empire is still “alive and well.”

Sunday, November 8 will be celebrated with an l0 a.m. morning service and 4 p.m. evening service.  The morning speaker will be Reverend Michael Smith, Jr. of Reno, Nevada, a spiritual son who grew up and was licensed and ordained by Second Baptist Church.  The afternoon speaker will be Pastor Joshua Beckley, Senior Pastor of the Ecclesia Christian Fellowship of San Bernardino. Deacon Terry and Melissa Richey are the Anniversary Chairpersons.

Second Baptist has a unique history and was incorporated in 1892.  It has been at three locations in Redlands, founded on Orange Street in 1891, then moved to State Street and now resides at the corner of 9^th and Stuart Street in Redlands since 1924.  In its early years it was well known for Gospel quartet singers, founding of the Citrus Valley District Ushers and great cooks of African American cuisine.

Second Baptist Church has brought a unique flavor of high spirited worship and Gospel preaching. It is known for its work with the University of Redlands Martin Luther King Jr. Events, and Redlands Police Department in chaplaincy and a twenty year collaboration of Pastor Anthony Green through “Midnight Basketball Hoopz” to minister to At-Risks teens monthly on the third Friday of the month from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Redlands Community Center.  Second Baptist has led several city and statewide prayer gatherings and movements under the leadership of Bishop Dr. Jackie L. Green.

The community is invited to the grand celebration and afro-centric decorations especially for this historic occasion.  The Church is located at 420 East Stuart Avenue in Redlands.  For further information on worship and events, please visit www.secondbaptistredlands.com or call (909) 793-1074.

Tomas Morales, President, California State University, San Bernardino, (center), & several community members who joined the ‘MOB’ to greet & encourage the invited students, & to connect them to an academic future with CSUSB, & beyond.

By John Coleman

On October 23, buses from the Colton Joint Unified School District,  Fontana Unified School District,  Rialto Unified School District,  San Bernardino City Unified School district and Victor Valley Joint Unified School District, brought more than 300 African American and Latino eighth-grade boys to the Inaugural Black & Brown Conference for Young Males at California State University, San Bernardino.

As the students arrived, they were surprised but excited to be greeted by a “MOB” of campus and community leaders, including CSUSB President, Dr Tomas Morales;  City of San Bernardino Mayor, R. Carey Davis; a handful of others.

The FELLAS, a group of African American men who took time from their businesses and jobs to show their support for the growth, education and advancement of our Black & Brown youth, especially the males; that they, too, could take and learn required courses,  that the work they do in high school will prepare them for success in college and careers,  and that they still will have time for fun and a good life.

They entered the CSUSB Inaugural Black & Brown Conference as ‘champions’ through a path of well-wishers giving ‘high fives’ to each visiting student. Campus and Conference officials reported that student high energy and good behavior persisted throughout the Conference Program and events.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- In appreciation for the contributions of the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces, Omnitrans is offering free bus rides to US military veterans on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11.

Veterans may simply show retired military ID when boarding any Omnitrans bus including the sbX rapid line, freeway express and local bus routes, or OmniGo community shuttles. Accepted IDs include those issued by US Departments of Defense or Veterans Affairs, and San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs.

“It’s our way of saluting those who served to protect our freedom,” said Omnitrans CEO/General Manager P. Scott Graham, himself a veteran of the US Marine Corps.  Approximately 79,000 veterans reside in the Omnitrans service area of the San Bernardino Valley, stretching from Yucaipa in the east to the Los Angeles County line in the west.

In January 2015, Omnitrans introduced a reduced fare category for veterans.  “Since then, we have tallied over 100,000 rides taken by local veterans,” said Omnitrans spokesperson Wendy Williams.  Osvaldo Maysonet, 211 Access & Mobility Coordinator for VetLink was instrumental in advocating for the discounted veteran fare.

“The introduction of a veterans fare by Omnitrans has meant the world to our veteran population of the San Bernardino Valley,” said Maysonet. “The thing I like the most is that Omnitrans sees this veteran fare not as a financial burden, but as just a small token of appreciation for their service to our country.