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Hollywood Star Halle Bailey Makes Dreams Come True for L.A. Teen During Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort

Bailey surprises two aspiring teen filmmakers, including Madison Henderson of L.A., with an invitation to be the star’s personal guests at Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” live-action movie world premiere.

Grammy-nominated singer Halle Bailey, who will play the lead role of Ariel in the upcoming live-action remake of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” left two aspiring teen filmmakers speechless when she surprised them Friday during Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort with a personal invitation to join her on the red carpet at the movie’s world premiere in Hollywood.

Dylan Jones of Atlanta and Madison Henderson of Los Angeles were in the middle of a movie production training session Friday morning during Disney Dreamers Academy when Bailey, the program’s celebrity ambassador, made a surprise appearance and delivered the personal invitation to come to Hollywood. For the students it was a truly magical dream come true moment.

The movie’s world premiere takes place just before the film officially hits theaters nationwide on May 26.

Bailey is one of several celebrities taking part in the program that runs through Sunday. Music producer Questlove, R&B singing sensation H.E.R., and other TV and movie stars are serving as mentors and speakers.

This is the 16th year of Disney Dreamers Academy, a four-day, transformational, mentoring program designed to broaden career awareness and create opportunities for 100 Black high school students and teens from underrepresented communities across America each year.

ARMC Brings Greater Access to Advanced Surgical Procedures

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) is one of just two hospitals in San Bernardino County that makes minimally invasive cancer surgery available and accessible to its patient population.

Amir A. Rahnemai Azar, M.D. has been the head of the hepatopancreatobiliary and oncology surgery at ARMC’s Cancer Care Center for more than two years. He comes to ARMC with extensive experience in surgery. After earning his Doctor of Medicine degree in Iran, he completed his general surgery residency at New York’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx Hospital, his multi-organ transplant residency at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, and his complex surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Wisconsin Health University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. In addition to being board-certified in all three disciplines, he received advanced training in minimally invasive liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal oncology surgery at the Asan Medical Center in Seoul, South Korea.­­­

“After all this training and experience, I always had a dream of giving back to the community,” stated Dr. Azar. “When I visited Arrowhead, I felt that our population in the Inland Empire is in urgent need of having an advanced cancer surgery program.”

This advanced cancer surgery program was spearheaded by Dr. Azar in collaboration with ARMC’s Hospital Director, William Gilbert, and the Department of Surgery Chairman, Dev GnanaDev, M.D. San Bernardino County is the nation’s largest county by area, and the team at ARMC found it vital to give its large, diverse patient population immediate access to the highest standard of cancer care and surgery, which includes the Whipple procedure.

Also referred to as pancreaticoduodenectomy, the Whipple procedure is an advanced surgery that targets the most complex area in the abdominal cavity and removes multiple organs that may be impacted by abdominal cancer—including the pancreas, duodenum, stomach, and lymph nodes in the area.

While patients with abdominal cancer have the option of chemotherapy, ischemic therapy, or radiation therapy, surgical resection such as the Whipple procedure is the only curative option. However, due to the surgery’s complexity, it is not offered in many major cancer surgery centers. The procedure requires multidisciplinary teams—that include oncology, gastroenterology service, and radiation oncology—to bring together highly specialized knowledge to prepare the patient for surgery and provide optimal outcomes. As a result, many patients struggle to find cancer surgery centers that can perform the surgery.

Dr. Azar and the other members of ARMC’s Cancer Care Center have a vital message for the members of their community. “We would really like to let our population know that if they have disease, if they have cancer in this area, it’s not the end,” said Dr. Azar. “There is hope, and at Arrowhead, we are able to perform this surgery to the highest standard.”

Dr. Azar stated, “Here at Arrowhead, in view of our population, it is important in our efforts to resolve the disparity in care in such a diverse area.”

ARMC is committed to combating the financial barriers that can prevent patients from seeking treatment. ARMC accepts both Medicare and Medi-Cal coverage and has numerous financial assistance programs in place to help their patients receive the care they need.

Dr. Azar concludes, “The future belongs to minimally invasive surgery. And here at Arrowhead, we are on the front line of providing minimally invasive surgery for liver and pancreas cancers.”

 

SB Symphony presents Ukrainian Pianist Nadia Shpachenko

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra is extremely proud to present pianist Nadia Shpachenko in concert with principal members of the orchestra on April 15 at 7:30 p.m. the Sturges Center for the Fine Arts. This performance is part of the Symphony’s Chamber Series curated – and at this event also performed in – by Music Director and Conductor Anthony Parnther.

Maestro Parnther, who has previously collaborated on several projects with Ms. Shpachenko, explained, “I was deeply honored when acclaimed, Grammy®-winning pianist Nadia Shpachenko asked me to conduct the premiere performance and lead the recording sessions for Invasion composed by Pulitzer-prize winner Lewis Spratlan. Spratlan wrote this jarring work for a chamber ensemble of piano, percussion, saxophone, horn, trombone, and mandolin in response to Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. Working alongside Nadia and Lewis to bring Invasion to life was a life-affirming and moving experience.”

Lewis Spratlan passed away on February 9th of this year, just over a month ago, at age 82, shortly after recording a dedication video to the San Bernardino Symphony in anticipation of our performance of the work. Shared Maestro Parnther, “Nadia, the SBSO, and I will dedicate our performance of Invasion to this revered and dedicated composer.”

In addition to Mr. Spratlan’s work, Ms. Shpachenko will perform a variety of music from Beethoven, to Joplin, and including a new work by Los Angeles-based composer Dana Kaufman.

Meet Ms. Shpachenko

Grammy® Award-winning Ukrainian-American pianist Nadia Shpachenko enjoys bringing into the world things that are outside the box—powerful pieces that often possess unusual sonic qualities or instrumentation. Described as a “gifted and versatile pianist” (San Francisco Chronicle), “one of today’s foremost promoters of contemporary music” (Textura Magazine), and “a great friend and champion of new music” (Fanfare Magazine), she was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Described as “The outstanding contemporary-music disc of the year” (Fanfare Magazine), her new Reference Recordings album “Invasion: Music and Art for Ukraine” was released on September 23, 2022, with 100% of proceeds being donated to Ukraine humanitarian aid charities.

Ms. Shpachenko has performed recitals at Concertgebouw, Carnegie Hall, Disney Hall, on the Piano Spheres and Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Green Umbrella and Chamber Music Series, and with numerous orchestras in Europe and the Americas. She premiered more than 100 works by Armando Bayolo, Elliott Carter, Christopher Cerrone, Paul Chihara, George Crumb, Ian Dicke, Daniel Felsenfeld, Tom Flaherty, Annie Gosfield, Yuri Ishchenko, Vera Ivanova, Dana Kaufman, Leon Kirchner, Amy Beth Kirsten, Hannah Lash, James Matheson, Missy Mazzoli, Harold Meltzer, David Sanford, Isaac Schankler, Alexander Shchetynsky, Adam Schoenberg, Lewis Spratlan, Evan Ware, Gernot Wolfgang, Iannis Xenakis, Peter Yates, Pamela Z, Jack Van Zandt, and many others.

Described as “superb… evocative… pure magic” (I Care If You Listen), her 2019 Reference Recordings CD “The Poetry of Places” features premieres of solo and collaborative works (performed with LA Phil pianist Joanne Pearce Martin and LAPQ percussionists Nick Terry and Cory Hills) inspired by diverse buildings. “The Poetry of Places” album won the 62nd Best Classical Compendium GRAMMY® Award. “Sure to remain a mainstay of the contemporary discography for posterity” (New Classic LA), Her 2018 Reference Recordings CD “Quotations and Homages” features premieres of solo and collaborative works for 6 pianists (performed with Ray-Kallay Duo, HOCKET and Genevieve Feiwen Lee) inspired by a variety of earlier composers and pieces. Her Reference Recordings CD “Woman at the New Piano: American Music of 2013” was nominated for 58th GRAMMY Awards® in three categories. She is also featured on José Serebrier’s 2021 Reference Recordings album “Last Tango Before Sunrise,” Wouter Kellerman’s 2021 South African Music Award winning album “We’ve Known All Times,” Isaac Schankler’s 2019 Aerocade Music album “Because Patterns,” Gernot Wolfgang’s 2019 Albany Records album “Vienna and the West,” and Genevieve Vincent’s 2018 Mano Walker EP “Petit Rêve.”

Ticket Availability and Performance Location

Single tickets for this and all SBSO concerts are available online at www.sanbernardinosymphony.org or by calling the box office at (909) 381-5388. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Single tickets prices range from $20 – $100 with students and active military always just $15. Money-saving season tickets are also currently available.

The Sturges Center for the Fine Arts is located at 780 N E St, San Bernardino. Free, lighted parking is available at the venue. Doors open for this concert at 6 p.m. Tickets are also sold at the venue on concert night; however, their availability cannot be guaranteed.

Arts Events Showcase San Bernardino County Students

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Hundreds of students throughout San Bernardino County showcased their incredible talents at several visual and performing arts events.

San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) is proud to support arts education programs that cultivate and encourage students’ passions and talents.

“These students are some of our county’s most exceptional young musicians and artists,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “With the dedication and talents of our partners, educators and guest conductors, these incredible opportunities are possible.”

Hundreds of elementary, middle, and high school students performed at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel during the Basin Honor Bands and Honor Orchestras events held in February.

Over two hundred students from K-12 schools in the high desert region took the stage at Barstow Community College’s Performing Arts Center for the High Desert Honor Bands event.

Since 1986, SBCSS has collaborated with the San Bernardino County Music Educators Association to host these concerts for students involved in music education programs throughout the county.

Performances extended into new territory for SBCSS with the introduction of the Poetry Out Loud competitions thanks to a partnership with Arts Connection, whose goal is to elevate arts and culture in San Bernardino County.

Several high school students from different regions in the county competed for a spot in the state championship. Faith Bakhos, a student from Big Bear High School, placed first in this year’s county finals. She then represented San Bernardino County in the California State Finals, where she competed against 49 poets from across the state and placed in the top ten.

Through collaboration with the Riverside, Inyo, Mono, and San Bernardino California Arts Project (RIMS CAP), which also supports Kern County, and the Arts Council for San Bernardino County, SBCSS created and supported The San Bernardino County Arts Education Network.

This initiative promotes quality arts education and events throughout the county, including The Young Artists’ Gallery.

The annual competition saw close to 400 works of art submitted by student artists, with nearly 150 entries selected for a month-long exhibition at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB).

The event provided students an opportunity to showcase their photography, ceramic sculptures, paintings and video productions for public viewing.

A culminating arts showcase sponsored by SBCSS will take place on April 4, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the California Theatre. The Performing Arts Showcase will feature student musicians, vocalists, thespians and dancers from across San Bernardino County. Admission to attend is free.

SBCSS is grateful not only for the arts partners, teachers, parents and volunteers who help support and encourage students’ exploration of arts education, but also the voters who supported Proposition 28, which will help to expand music and arts education for every student in San Bernardino County and the state of California.

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

Two L.A. Teens Receive Once-in-a-Lifetime Surprises from Celebrities, Halle Baily and H.E.R., during Disney Dreamers Academy

LOS ANGELES, CA— Octavia Carey (Inglewood) and Madison Henderson (Los Angeles) were among 100 students honored today in a moving culminating ceremony for Disney Dreamers Academy, a four-day, transformational mentoring program at Walt Disney World, for which they were selected from thousands of nationwide applicants.

Grammy-nominated singer Halle Bailey, who will play the lead role of Ariel in the upcoming live-action remake of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” served as the program’s ambassador and event speaker. Bailey surprised Henderson with an invitation to join her on the red carpet at the upcoming world premiere of Disney’s “Little Mermaid” in Hollywood.

Grammy-award winning artist, H.E.R., surprised Carey during a music learning session and gifted her an autographed guitar.

 

Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship to Present Second Annual State of Entrepreneurship Report

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at California State University, San Bernardino is holding an event to release the findings of the second annual Inland Empire State of Entrepreneurship Report. The event will take place on March 30 at TopGolf in Ontario and an array of refreshments will be provided along with an overview of the report.

IECE’s goal in producing the State of Entrepreneurship report is to continue to provide current data on the trends in startup activity for the region and bring the voice of local entrepreneurs to those who need to hear it most – local and state policymakers, community organizations, lenders, and other resource providers. The Voice of the Entrepreneur survey sends powerful feedback on the challenges that entrepreneurs and business owners of the Inland Southern California region face. The survey is drawn from more than 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners representing diverse industries.

“Entrepreneurship is vital for the economic success of the Inland Empire,” said Mike Stull, Director of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship. “The area is lacking in professional career opportunities in the higher income ranges seen more prevalently in our neighbors to the South and West in San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles Counties.”

Stull continued “Opening one’s own business is a way that residents of this region can reach the higher-income levels and autonomy that upper-level professional careers offer.  Achieving an overall higher average income in the region would have positive affects in job creation and economic opportunity.”

Register online for the second annual State of Entrepreneurship Address – to learn more about entrepreneurship in the region.

 

 

Five California Cities Sign Equal Pay Pledge

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

Last week, California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom announced five cities — Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Long Beach, and Fresno — have signed the California Equal Pay Pledge.

“The pledge is a The California Equal Pay Pledge is a partnership between the Office of the First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency to turn the strongest equal pay laws in the nation into the smallest pay gap in the nation,” according to the governor’s office.

Kimberly Ellis, Director of the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women, said closing the gender gap is something California “must do.”

“From building credit to building wealth, we know that the wage gap has greatly hindered progress toward actualizing women’s equality,” says Ellis. “The City and County of San Francisco is proud to support the First Partner’s initiative and look forward to doing our part to making pay equity a reality for all women in the Golden State.”

Siebel Newsom said public and private partnerships are essential to closing the gender gap.

“Pay inequity stems from a patriarchal system that was not built with gender equity in mind, but instead built to keep money and power in the hands of few men in control,” she said.

California Black Media is following up with a report on gender and employment that focuses on data specific to Black women.

State Invests $1 Billion in New Homelessness Funding 

Last week, Gov. Newsom announced $1 billion in new funding for local communities to address homelessness and take emergency action to construct new homes to move unhoused Californians off the street.

Homelessness remains one of the state’s most stubborn problems as California’s homeless population keeps mushrooming, growing to approximately 160,000 people (about half the population of homeless people in the United States). Per every 100k people, California’s homeless population ranks third after New York and Hawaii.

“In California, we are using every tool in our toolbox – including the largest-ever deployment of small homes in the state – to move people out of encampments and into housing,” said Newsom. “The crisis of homelessness will never be solved without first solving the crisis of housing – the two issues are inextricably linked. We are tackling this issue at the root of the problem by addressing the need to create more housing, faster in California.”

Under his new plan, Newsom has deployed the California National Guard to assist in the preparation and delivery of approximately 1,200 small houses free of charge to four local communities:  Los Angeles (500 units); San Diego County (150 units); San Jose (200 units) and Sacramento (350 units).

Former Black Caucus Member Jim Cooper Appointed to State Commission

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed former Assemblymember and current Sacramento County Sherriff Jim Cooper, a Democrat, to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

The California Legislature created POST in 1959 to “set minimum selection and training standards for all law enforcement in the state,” according to the office’s website.

Cooper was elected to the Assembly in 2014 and served until last year representing the 9th Assembly District in Sacramento County.

Uber and Lyft Drivers Can Be Contractors, State Court of Appeals Rules

Last week, the California Court of Appeals ruled that Uber and Lyft drivers and other freelancers can be classified as independent contractors. The court’s decision came after a long fight dating back to 2019 when AB 5, the law that first reclassified contractors as employers, passed. The next year, AB 5 was challenged and overturned when voters approved Prop 22 – a ballot measure that gave rideshare companies the greenlight to hire freelancers.

San Diego Based Civil Rights Activist Shane Harris Appears on the Dr. Phil Show

The Rev. Shane Harris, a national Civil rights activist who is based in San Diego, appeared on the Dr. Phil show last week titled “How Safe Are Our Streets?”

The episode focused on victims of random violent crimes who were attacked by repeat offenders.

“The news and the media are running a lot of stories about these reoffenders and these folks who have committed violent offenses consistently, but they are not telling you about the youth who turn their lives around, people who went through diversion programs that actually work,” said Harris, who is President of the Peoples Association of Justice Advocates, speaking up for criminal justice reforms that rehabilitate criminals.

Harris was on the panel making his argument against the positions of law enforcement advocacy groups calling for a tougher penalty for crimes.

“Tough on crime didn’t works for us,” says Harris. “There is a balance we need to strike in the middle of this.”

California Turns San Quentin Prison Into “Rehabilitation and Education” Center

Last week, Gov. Newsom announced that the state is transforming California’s most notorious maximum-security prison San Quentin, — known for having the largest Death Row in the United States — into the country’s largest rehabilitation and education center.

The prison renamed “San Quentin Rehabilitation Center,” will operate under the direction of an advisory group comprised of public safety and rehabilitation experts.

“California is transforming San Quentin into the nation’s most innovative rehabilitation facility focused on building a brighter and safer future,” said Newsom, standing with legislators, civil rights leaders and victim advocates.  “Today, we take the next step in our pursuit of true rehabilitation, justice, and safer communities through this evidence-backed investment, creating a new model for safety and justice — the California Mode — that will lead the nation.”

Request for Proposals: Resilience Promotion in African American Children

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is seeking proposals from interested and qualified organizations and agencies to provide a proposed plan for an initiative to serve African American/Black children and youth.

Funded through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), the Resilience Promotion in African American Children program will provide services in culturally appropriate settings, incorporating African American/Black philosophies and traditions as a platform to offer mental health education programs with the intention of promoting resiliency in African American/Black children.

The program focuses on the strengths of the African American/Black community and assists the community in feeling comfortable seeking services from staff that are knowledgeable and capable of identifying needs and solutions for African American/Black families and individuals.

San Bernardino County will release a request for proposals (RFP) on March 17 seeking Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) services for African American/Black Children within San Bernardino County.

A bidders conference will be held on Thursday, March 23 and the deadline for the submission of proposals is Monday, April 24. Questions regarding this RFP can be answered by visiting https://epro.sbcounty.gov/bso/ or emailing procurement@dbh.sbcounty.gov.

 

Western Municipal Water District Director Gracie Torres announces bid for Riverside County Supervisor during Women’s History Month

RIVERSIDE, CA— Fresh off a landmark victory for Western Municipal Water District, Division 2, Gracie Torres has announced she will enter the race for Riverside County Supervisor, District 1, which includes Jurupa Valley, Highgrove, Riverside, Mead Valley, Good Hope, Perris, and Meadowbrook.

“It has been my absolute honor to serve and to now be re-elected to Western Municipal Water District, Division 2,” stated Torres. “Following this last election, voters clearly indicated they want bold action and a representative willing to work. My community encouraged me to take this next step to be their voice and stand for county employees, address homelessness, keep our communities and families safe, invest vigorously in our infrastructure, support small businesses, and create good paying jobs.”

Torres, a rising star in Riverside politics, enters this race as the only declared woman. Torres’s announcement comes on the heels of securing over 50 endorsements and raising more than fifty thousand dollars in the span of two weeks.

Torres was first elected in 2018 and won with a 25% margin and secured her re-election in 2022 in a highly competitive race, receiving nearly 60% of the vote among five candidates. Through redistricting, Torres’s Division 2 now has significant overlap with the first supervisorial district.

“Gracie Torres has dedicated her work towards understanding and delivering for Riverside County residents. As a working professional and elected official, she has a unique lens into families and their needs which is why she is the most qualified to address them”, stated Assemblymember Corey Jackson, “I look forward to working alongside her as a Riverside County Supervisor who’s ready to work for our community”.

Torres also co-founded IEWorks and was instrumental in bringing over $1.5 million for water/wastewater workforce development within the region. She also serves on the board of directors of the Inland SoCal United Way, Operation New Hope, Hispanic Coalition for Small Businesses, and the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice. Torres is the benefactor of Beca Angelita, a scholarship named after her abuelita aimed to help students interested in STEM.

Torres has received over 50 endorsements with notable support from:

  • Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson
  • San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr.
  • Riverside County Board of Education Jaime Azpeitia-Sachs
  • Perris Mayor Pro Tem Marisela Nava
  • Perris Councilmember Malcolm Corona
  • Perris Councilmember David Starr Rabb
  • Riverside Unified School District Trustee Noemi Hernandez Alexander

About Gracie Torres
Gracie Torres currently serves as a member of Western Municipal Water District and works for Riverside County’s Flood Control and Conservation District. She earned her bachelor’s in chemistry and master’s in environmental science from California State University, San Bernardino. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in public administration from California Baptist University. Torres and her husband, Eric, are longtime residents of Riverside County and raising their three children in the community.

For more information you can visit https://gracietorres.com.

CSUSB site of 12th annual César E. Chávez Memorial Breakfast

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The event on April 1 will celebrate the legacy of the late labor leader and activist, and will feature a keynote address from Ron Estrada, CEO of Washington, D.C.,-based Farmworker Justice, and a presentation by Flor Martinez, founder and president of The Celebration Nation Foundation.

César Chávez speaking in an undated photo from Wikimedia Commons.

The life and legacy of the late labor leader and activist César E. Chávez will be celebrated when the Chicano Latino Caucus of San Bernardino County and the Latino Education & Advocacy Days at Cal State San Bernardino present the 12th annual César E. Chávez Memorial Breakfast, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at the university’s Santos Manuel Student Union South.

Tickets for the breakfast are sold out. Table sponsorships, ranging from $500 to $1,500, also are available. For information regarding sponsorships or other questions, contact Ana Gonzales at (909) 275-9812 or ChicanoLatinoCaucusSBC@gmail.com.

This will mark the first time since 2019 that the breakfast will take place. Traditionally scheduled to commemorate Chávez’s birthday (March 31) and held as part of LEAD Week – a week-long series of events including the LEAD Summit that focused on Latino educational issues – it was cancelled in 2020, 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the LEAD Summit has been rescheduled to take place in the fall.

Set to take place the day after the state holiday honoring the life and work of Chávez, the breakfast will be emceed by Eloise Gómez Reyes, a member of the California Assembly majority leader who represents southwest San Bernardino County.

Ron Estrada, CEO of Washington, D.C.,-based Farmworker Justice, will be the keynote speaker. Estrada, a longtime voice in support of underserved people and communities of color in the U.S., has invested decades in issues related to racial and social justice. Prior to joining Farmworker Justice in March 2022, he was the head of government relations at Univision Communications, and also led the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Empowerment initiatives.

Also scheduled to speak is Flor Martinez, founder and president of The Celebration Nation Foundation, a San Jose-based nonprofit organization focused on helping the indigenous and Latino community. A former farmworker with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, Martinez is also now an entrepreneur and social media influencer.

In addition, the breakfast will feature the installation of Chicano Latino Caucus of San Bernardino County’s new officers, a video by artist Juan Solis, a performance by Ballet Folklorico de Gary Ferrer and presentation of the Muñoz Legacy and Lifetime Achievement Award.

Former California Gov. Gray Davis signed legislation in 2002 making Chávez’s birthday a state holiday to promote service to the communities of California in honor of the late labor leader’s life and work.