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SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- As the importance of mental health becomes more apparent than ever, Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support a wellness center at Indian Springs High School. This wellness center will provide essential resources where over 2,000 students can find support for their well-being.

The wellness center project, backed by a $1.5 million allocation, covers the costs of construction, including architecture, planning fees, and other related expenses. It’s a project that matters deeply to Supervisor Baca, Jr., and he’s thrilled to see it come to life. The contract was officially approved at the San Bernardino County board meeting on January 23, 2024.

This highlights the County’s commitment to its students, emphasizing their well-being as a top priority. What truly highlights the significance of this wellness center is its emphasis on mental

health. Over the past couple of years, our students, like many, have faced unprecedented challenges. The pandemic brought forth concerns, stress, and anxieties, particularly for young adults. Supervisor Baca, Jr. fully understands the importance of mental health and its implications.

In his own words, Supervisor Baca, Jr. says, “Helping our students with their emotional well-being is just as important as teaching them in the classroom. We need to make sure they feel supported, heard, and cared for.”

The Office of Supervisor Baca, Jr. and the County of San Bernardino are committed to shaping a more robust and thriving community. Supervisor Baca, Jr. is a staunch supporter of establishing an environment where the mental health and well-being of students take center stage.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The San Bernardino Superior Court has placed the former American Sports University Dormitory, located at 340 West Fourth Street under receivership. In a ruling dated January 18, 2024, Judge Thomas Garza appointed Richardson Griswold of Griswold Law in Encinitas as Receiver.

“We are pleased that Judge Garza has granted our motion to appoint a Receiver,” said San Bernardino City Manager Charles Montoya. “He agreed that the site conditions have likely worsened since we made our initial request for a receiver a year ago and the property poses a danger to the community.”

Under the powers granted by the Court, Griswold is authorized 1) to rehabilitate the property; 2) demolish the building, or 3) sell the property to an entity who will promptly undertake the rehabilitation and correct the identified deficiencies and violations.

Receiver Richardson “Red” Griswold has extensive experience as a court appointed receiver. He has been appointed by over 180 California courts in 21 different California counties, including appointments related to health & safety, rents, post-judgment, and partition matters. Griswold also acts as an expert witness in cases involving habitability standards. He will report directly to Judge Garza and will enforce the judge’s orders to protect the building from additional break-ins and damage.

In its ruling, the court found “the substandard conditions on the Subject Property are ongoing and will likely persist unless this Court appoints a receiver to take possession of the Subject Property and undertake responsibility for its rehabilitation.”

The court found that the property is a public nuisance and is being maintained in a manner that violates State and local laws. The violations at the property are so extensive and of such a nature that the health and safety of neighboring residents and the general public is substantially endangered.

The court stated that the property owners did not comply with City issued notices and orders to correct the substandard conditions, despite being afforded a reasonable opportunity to correct the conditions.

The court also ordered that Ji Li, Fox Property Holdings, and its representatives are prohibited from entering the building without the Receiver’s permission, making any changes to existing insurance policies, selling, or encumbering the building, or collecting rents or other income from the building.

The property at 340 West 4th Street has been a challenging property for several years. Used as an unpermitted housing facility by Ji Li and Fox Property Holdings, tenants were subjected to unsafe and unlivable conditions including black mold, inoperative fire alarms and sprinklers, blocked fire escapes, and insect and rodent infestations.

San Bernardino had been working through the Civil Court process to take control of the building the past eighteen months. In that time, Ji Li, and Fox Property Holdings of Irwindale, have ignored court orders, including a September 2022 Temporary Restraining Order requiring them to pay to relocate tenants and make all required repairs to the building.

Due to the unsafe conditions, on August 17, 2023, the City of San Bernardino red tagged the building, relocating the tenants that remained. Despite boarding up the property, there have been repeated fires and break-ins.

By Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media

Last month, Groundswell for Water Justice, a grassroots advocacy group, joined civil rights leaders at the State Capitol in Sacramento. They demanded immediate action to address the state’s worsening water and housing crises.

A 2021 California auditor Report found that more than one million Californians lacked access to safe, clean drinking water. Two in three of those people, they found, were people of color. According to data from the US Census Bureau Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances found that expenditures on drinking water infrastructure in California declined overall since 2010, but much of the infrastructure is old. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) estimates that a third of their 6,780 miles of water pipes installed over 80 years ago will reach the end of their useful life in the next 20 years.

“I think the very first piece is making sure that the plight of the million Californians that don’t have access to water are being heard,” Groundswell for Water Justice spokesman Ed Sanders told California Black Media (CBM).

“Policy leaders can have an honest conversation about this but understand that there are human lives that are impacted. And that has to sort of be put at the front. That need is urgent, it’s sort of born of a legacy of discrimination, and needs to be addressed.”

California had one of its wettest years ever in 2023, following a harsh decades-long drought that left many of the state’s lakes and reservoirs dry, forcing Gov. Newsom to create water restrictions across the state.

“There’s not a silver bullet that solves all of this. I think, you know, obviously, we need to sort of look holistically at the whole water supply. Where the demand is, where the water is captured, how we convey it,” Sanders continued.

A coalition of community, civil rights, labor, and infrastructure leaders around the state combined efforts and resources to create Groundswell for Water Justice. The organization advocates for policies that improve the delivery of water by supporting small water system operators throughout the state which often serve low-income communities of color.

Groundswell advocates say extreme weather swings from intense heatwaves to powerful atmospheric rivers have required California to upgrade the water capture, purification, and distribution infrastructure, much of which is decades old and not built to support the nation’s most populous state. They contend that water infrastructure must expand if California is going to meet its housing mandates. Without proper water infrastructure, developers cannot get new housing approved.

Groundswell co-founder Robert Sausedo calls the water crisis the “civil rights issue of our time. He insists that conservation and construction are the two approaches that will solve it.

“Several 100 people who are directly impacted by this issue of clean safe drinking water joined us to raise their voices towards a clarion call for justice for the have-nots to share in the same privileges of the haves when it comes to water,” Sausedo told LA Focus at the rally.

“The goal now is to continue moving forward in our efforts to organize the state and bring on more organizations to participate with the 52 organizations across the state that are currently involved and advocate for those who are too often overlooked and to ensure that both state and federal legislatures continue to do the right thing for those who are disenfranchised when it comes down to one of the most critical needs — clean water,” he added.

California’s earthquake-prone environment presents an additional risk.  According to former U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Lucy Jones, water infrastructure represents “the single biggest vulnerability we’re facing in Southern California.”

These risks can be mitigated, says Jones, by relying less on transporting water long distances and developing more local sources of water. However, there’s a built-in challenge with that solution.  According to the California Department of Water Resources, the state received 75% of its rain and snow in the watersheds north of Sacramento, but 80% of the state’s water demand comes from the southern ? of the state.

Among guest speakers at the rally were Richard Polanco, former State Senator; Antonio Villaraigosa, former Mayor of Los Angeles; Marc Morial, CEO and President of the National Urban League; Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction; and more.

The California Aqueduct is infrastructure that is critical for water distribution in the state. Built in the 1960’s, it transports water 444 miles from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the agricultural breadbasket San Joaquin Valley, through the largest water lift, the Edmonston Pumping Plant, then stored in Pyramid Lake, Castaic Lake, and Lake Perris for distribution throughout Los Angeles, and inland empire cities.

Los Angeles imports water from the Sierra Nevada Mountain ranges via the 242-mile-long Los Angeles Aqueduct. Southern California imports water from the Colorado River via the 233-mile-long Colorado River Aqueduct.

California also gets water from groundwater, though water from these 515 subterranean basins is being extracted faster than it can be recharged. As a result, the available water from most groundwater basins is decreasing, according to the CDWR.

Advocates point out that water is and has always been a critical factor in shaping California’s population and economy. The balance of urban development, agricultural sustainability, and ecological preservation of watersheds (fish need water too) will be strained as Californians endure the effects of climate change.

The leadership at Groundswell for Water Justice says the organization is working to make sure that all people are represented in decisions affecting the livability of their communities.

YUCAIPA, CA — Crafton Hills College (CHC) was ranked as the region’s top community college for the University of California (UC) transfer admission rates during the 2023 application cycle, according to the UC Information Center. This achievement reflects CHC’s commitment to providing accurate, efficient, and proactive counseling services, as well as robust transfer support services.

CHC recognizes that the transfer admission process is a critical milestone for students aiming to continue their higher education at prestigious institutions like those in the UC system. The success in achieving high transfer admission rates is attributed to the dedication of CHC’s Counseling Department and University Transfer Center, both of which play a pivotal role in guiding students through the complex transfer process.

Mariana Macamay, CHC’s University Transfer Center faculty coordinator and counselor, explained, “Our counselors are committed to staying up-to-date and current in transfer admission criteria, participating in regular training sessions to enhance their knowledge and skills. This commitment ensures that CHC students receive the most accurate and relevant information, enabling them to make informed decisions about transfer to four-year institutions.”

An integral component of CHC’s success is the noteworthy performance of its Latinx and African American/Black students. These students not only met but exceeded the achievements of other ethnic groups in successfully applying and being admitted to UC campuses. Fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that empowers students from all backgrounds to achieve their academic goals is an essential part of the college’s mission.

CHC Dean of Student Services and Counseling, Dr. Ivan Peña, expressed gratitude for the collective efforts of the student services team. “This recognition underscores our commitment to student success and the effectiveness of our counseling and transfer support services. We are particularly proud of the achievements of our Latinx and African American/Black students, highlighting the commitment to equity at Crafton Hills College.”

SAN BERNARDINO — The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) and the San Bernardino California School Boards Association (SBCSBA) proudly recognized the outstanding achievements of six school districts within San Bernardino County during the SBCSBA Annual Meeting held on January 29, 2024.

“We are thrilled to recognize these exceptional programs,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “Each winning school district has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and student success.”

The ceremony, held at the Dorothy Inghram Learning Center in San Bernardino, showcased the exemplary programs of each award-winning district. The 2023 Golden Bell Award recipients from San Bernardino County, listed in the order presented by CSBA, are as follows:

• Redlands Unified School District: Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM) – Closing the Opportunity Gap
• Morongo Unified School District: Outdoor Classroom Project – Family/Student/Community Engagement
• Rialto Unified School District: RITZ (Rialto’s Incredible Talent Zone) – Family/Student/Community Engagement
• Victor Elementary School District: Child Welfare and Attendance Liaison – Family/Student/Community Engagement
• San Bernardino City Unified School District: SBCUSD Bullying Intervention System – School Culture and Safety
• Chino Valley Unified School District: High School Road Show – Student Support Services

The Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM) program in the Redlands Unified School District aims to transform mathematics education by integrating hands-on coding and robotics into California’s Common Core State Standards. The program focuses on closing the achievement gap for students traditionally underrepresented in STEM-related courses and developing 21st-century problem-solving skills.

The Outdoor Classroom Project at Yucca Valley Elementary School, part of the Morongo Unified School District, provides physical spaces for outdoor learning, fostering authentic, project-based learning and environmental education. The program emphasizes collaboration between students, families and the community.

For over 16 years, the RITZ (Rialto’s Incredible Talent Zone) in the Rialto Unified School District has been a showcase for student talent, celebrating music as the universal language and supporting students through the Sharing Our Love Foundation.

The Child Welfare and Attendance Liaison (CWAL) program in the Victor Elementary School District is designed to improve student attendance and build stronger relationships within schools by re-engaging students and families through a data-driven, collaborative approach.

In the San Bernardino City Unified School District, the SBCUSD Bullying Intervention System addresses bullying without resorting to suspensions. The innovative and highly effective restorative practice known as the Undercover Anti-Bullying Team (UABT) helps support bullied students in a structured, safe and restorative manner.

Chino Valley Unified School District’s High School Road Show, created in 2018, focuses on academic data to positively impact student achievement. The Road Show meetings highlight areas of strength and challenges to create yearly goals for the district.

CSBA’s Golden Bell Awards, in its 44th year, recognize outstanding programs and governance practices in school districts and county offices of education throughout California. San Bernardino County is proud to have six school districts recognized at the 2023 CSBA Golden Bell Awards.

To view videos spotlighting each award-winning program, please visit our YouTube Channel.

For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow us @SBCountySchools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. #transforminglives

Veteran Jurist Experienced in Overseeing Both Tribal and State Courts

HIGHLAND, CA — The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has appointed the Honorable Judge Yvette Ayala Henderson as Chief Judge for the San Manuel Tribal Court. She was sworn in on January 29, 2024. She will serve as the chief administrator of both the trial and appellate courts of the San Manuel Tribal Court system, along with sitting as a trial court judge and carrying out other duties set out in the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Constitution and San Manuel Judicial Code. The San Manuel Tribal Court system exercises civil jurisdiction over San Manuel Tribal Citizens and others who have consented to the Court’s jurisdiction, whether by contract, presence on the Tribe’s Reservation, or otherwise.

Judge Henderson brings close to 20 years of jurisprudence to this role. Before joining San Manuel, she served as Chief Judge of the Fort Mojave Tribal Court for the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe of Arizona, California, and Nevada, where she presided over civil and criminal proceedings for both adults and juveniles. She also served as Magistrate (16th Judicial District) and Chief Magistrate (13th, 14th, and 16th Judicial Districts) in the Office of the Executive Secretary for the Supreme Court of Virginia.

“Chief Judge Henderson’s experience in tribal court systems gives her a deep understanding of how a sovereign tribe’s unique traditions, principles, and values shape jurisprudence within Native nations,” said San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena. “This coupled with her service in state courts is a welcome addition to San Manuel Tribal Court, which works across jurisdictions with other courts and legal systems.”

Apart from her legal experience, Judge Henderson earned the rank of Captain in the United States Army, receiving the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal and U.S. Army Achievement Medal. She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law, a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Troy University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Hampton University.

By Solomon O. Smith | California Black Media

The California African American Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual “State of the California African American Economy Summit,” with the aim of bolstering Black economic influence through education and fellowship.

Held from Jan. 24 to Jan. 25 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel, the convention brought together some of the most influential Black business leaders, policy makers and economic thinkers in the state. The discussions focused on a wide range of economic topics pertinent to California’s African American business community, including policy, government contracts, and equity, and more.

Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CALSTA) was a guest at the event. He told attendees about his department’s efforts to increase access for Black business owners.

“One thing I’m taking away from this for sure is we’re going to have to do a better job of connecting through your chambers of all these opportunities of billions of dollars that are coming down the pike. I’m honestly disappointed that people don’t know, so we’ll do better,” said Omishakin.

Lueathel Seawood, the president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of San Joaquin County, expressed frustration with obtaining federal contracts for small businesses, and completing the process. She observed that once a small business was certified as DBE, a Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, there was little help getting to the next step.

Omishakin admitted there is more work to be done to help them complete the process and include them in upcoming projects. However, the high-speed rail system expansion by the California High-Speed Rail Authority has set a goal of 30% participation from small businesses — only 10 percent is set aside for DBE.

In 1996, California was the first state to eliminate affirmative action programs through Proposition 209. Since then, African Americans have struggled to achieve equity in education, according to a study at UC Berkely, California, and continue to face inequity in business according to a study commissioned by the Equal Justice Society, which showed a loss in contracts of $1 billion for minority and women business enterprises (MWBEs).

Funds issued by the federal government require that the equity be measured in a disparity study. The data is used to evaluate DBEs and decide how to address any shortfalls. The 2022 Caltrans FTA Disparity Study placed African Americans at the bottom.

“Caltrans and subrecipient local agencies awarded 0.4 percent of their relevant contract dollars to POC- and woman-owned businesses,” the report reads.

The importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in economics was reinforced during the “State of the California Economy” talk led by author and economist Julianne Malveaux, and Anthony Asadullah Samad, Executive Director of the Mervyn Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute (MDAAPEI) at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Malveaux emphasized the significance of economics as a form of political influence. She focused on the power and size of the California economy and the position of African Americans within this power structure. Assaults on DEI disproportionately affect women of color and Black women, according to Malveaux. When asked what role the loss of DEI might serve in economics, she suggested a more sinister purpose.

“The genesis of all this is anti-blackness. So, your question about how this fits into the economy is economic exclusion, that essentially has been promoted as public policy,” said Malveaux.

Samad co-authored the “2022-2023 State of Black Los Angeles County Report” which examines factors affecting African American’s well-being, both sociologically and economically. In response to the George Floyd protests in 2020, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors commissioned the study after establishing the Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative. It includes data on physical and mental health, housing, education, safety, justice and community recommendations.

The report will be produced annually and presented to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

The most anticipated speaker at the event was Janice Bryant Howroyd known affectionately to her peers as “JBH.” She is one of the first Black women to run and own a multi-billion-dollar company. Her company ActOne Group, is one of the largest, and most recognized, hiring, staffing and human resources firms in the world. She is the author of “Acting Up” and has a profile on Forbes.

Chairman of the board of directors of the California African American Chamber of Commerce, Timothy Alan Simon, a lawyer and the first Black Appointments Secretary in the Office of the Governor of California, moderated. They discussed the state of Black entrepreneurship in the country and Howroyd gave advice to other business owners.

Howroyd was dynamic and engaging, offering guidance and fielding inquires. She discussed her modest start with just $900, primarily borrowed from her mother. She also gave advice about how to get to the next level, advising the audience to see their business on a global scale, use new technologies and to be “thoughtful” of what they put on the internet. Howroyd’s style of sharing her personal life with those looking for the keys to success has evolved into the “Ask JBH Podcast.”

“We look to inspire and educate,” said Howroyd. “Inspiration is great but when I’ve got people’s attention, I want to teach them something.”

The Chamber also arranged several workshops to connect businesses directly with the resources they need. An adjoining ballroom connected employees with companies. There were workshops for gaining contracts in industries like health care and energy, and a “matchmaking session” introducing business owners to companies with similar goals.

For chairman Simon the summit is over, but the work has just started.

“The opposition to DEI is well funded. They’re working at all levels of government and in corporations,” said Simon. “But there are still ways that we can continue to elevate our economic profile in anti-DEI environment and that’s what this chamber is committed to doing.”

By Tanu Henry and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media  

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a warning on Jan. 26, instructing consumers with milk allergies or “severe sensitivity to milk” in the state to not eat at Dave’s Bakery Corn Bread due to “risk of illness.”

The CDPH warns that consumption of the corn bread manufactured by a Gardena-based company — with expiration dates up to June 18, 2024 — may lead to “life threatening” reactions.

“This warning applies only to the Corn Bread produced by Bake R Us, DBA Dave’s Baking Company and distributed to schools, retail facilities and in vending machines primarily in southern California,” the DCPH statement reads.

“This product should not be confused with other similarly named companies with national distribution,” it continues.

According to the CDPH, although the corn bread product contains Whey, which is milk allergen, there is no allergy warning label on the packaging, which is required by state law.

So far, authorities say, no illnesses have been reported in the state, but if anyone finds the products on sale anywhere in the state should call the CDPH complaint hotline at (800) 495-3232 or file a report online at CDPH.ca.gov

The CDPH is also recommending that people who have eaten the product and are experiencing any reaction or ill effects should consult their health care provider.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – The City of San Bernardino has announced that it has received a $1 million grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to fund improvements to the 17.9-acre Lytle Creek Park and Community Center.

“Parks have traditionally been wonderful places for creating a sense of community,” said San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena. “As gathering places for the community, they are also crucial for providing essential services and programs to vulnerable groups such as seniors. The Tribe and the City share a commitment to ensuring that Elders, who are highly respected in Indigenous culture, have access to supportive and accessible spaces.”

Lytle Creek Park has seen a 40% increase in attendance due to minor improvements recently completed at its community center. With the funding from the Tribe, additional upgrades are envisioned to further improve the facility and expand programs.

Planned improvements to the Community Center include upgraded seating, new flooring and furniture, and the installation of a wall partition to allow for multiple activities to occur at once.”

“The renovations to the community center and park amenities will continue to increase park attendance year-round,” said Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services, Lydie Gutfeld. “The upgraded center will have the potential to be an afterschool hub and provide additional intergenerational programs.”

Improvements to the park will focus on enhancing the Gazebo and picnic shelter area to create a more conducive space for events. Lytle Creek Park has over 30 picnic tables, and demand for family gatherings, parties, and community groups is high, especially in the shade.

“We are so grateful for our partnership with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians,” said San Bernardino City Manager Charles Montoya. “Their unwavering support helps our parks and community centers become better places for kids, seniors, and families to come together and enjoy.”

Lytle Creek Park is a 17.9-acre park located at 380 South K Street in the City of San Bernardino. It features a community center, basketball, tennis, handball and volleyball courts, a splash pad and over 30 picnic tables. It also features two playgrounds and a walking track with exercise equipment. The Lytle Creek Community Center hosts Senior Nutrition Program Meals Monday through Friday from 12:00 – 1:00 pm.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation has announced its award winners for 2024, honoring two people for The Dr. Juanita Scott Humanitarian of the Year Award. Foundation President Ezekiel Adeleke said, “We have chosen Dr. Marcus Funchess, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources of the San Bernardino City Unified School District, and Jack B. Clark, Jr., partner at the law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo.”

Foundation President-elect Carl M. Dameron added, “We are also honoring California State University, San Bernardino, with the Jim King Founders Award.

Black Rose Award winners include Acquanetta Warren, Mayor of Fontana, James C. Baker II, Park Commissioner for the City of Moreno Valley; Michael Beauregard, Assistant Manager at Sam’s Club; Tina Darling, Director of Education at American Career College, Ontario, and Chair of the Nursing and Health Ministry at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church; and Aristotle McDaniel, founder of GPL-Grandparents Love.”

“On behalf of CSUSB’s 20,000 students and 125,000 alumni, we are honored to receive the Founders Award from the Black Culture Foundation,” stated Robert J. Nava, Vice President for University Advancement. “We are proud of our partnership with the Black Rose Foundation and the African American community in the Inland Empire in advocating for educational opportunities to the residents of the Inland Empire.”

The 31st Annual San Bernardino Culture Foundation Black Rose Awards ceremony takes place on Friday, Feb. 23, starting at 5:30 p.m. at The Riverside Convention Center. For tickets to the gala, go to the Black Culture Foundation website at:  https://sbbcfoundation.org/events/2024-black-rose-awards/.

To become a Black Rose Awards sponsor, go to https://blackculturefoundation.square.site/.

To become a volunteer or board member, send an email to blackrose@sbbcfoundation.org.