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By Jaivon Grant | California Black Media

Black and other minority-owned small businesses in California have actively fought for decades for more inclusion in California state government contracting opportunities.

Their hard work and patience paid off in September last year, when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2019 into law.

Authored by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine), the law took effect on Jan. 1. It mandates that state departments and agencies commit to providing at least 25% of all procurement opportunities to small businesses. Additionally, the bill requires state departments and agencies ensure that minority-owned and women-owned businesses are included in the procurement process, when contracting opportunities are available.

“California has invested billions of dollars to help small businesses and entrepreneurs achieve their California Dream,” said Newsom when signing the bill September 2022. “These new laws build on our efforts to create a more inclusive economy with renewed opportunity for innovation and growth for the country’s largest small business community. I’m thankful for the Legislature’s leadership and support to help the backbone of our economy thrive.”

Newsom signed AB 2019 after it passed in the Assembly unanimously with a 74-0 vote and it passed in the Senate 34-0.

Small businesses employ nearly 7.2 million workers (or 48.8% of all employees in California).

According to AB 2019, more than 39% of California’s 4.1 million small businesses (1.6 million) are minority owned. The bill is projected to have a significant positive impact on the overall economic stability of the state by enhancing state agencies’ ability to support underserved businesses in state contracting and encouraging entrepreneurship.

“Billions of dollars are at stake in our state contracting process and when we make it fair for diverse entrepreneurs, the success of these small businessowners lift up communities all across our state,” said Petrie-Norris, who is Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. “This bill will not only keep the state accountable, but it would give businesses that face systemic barriers an opportunity to succeed, keep families fed, create jobs and vitalize their communities.”

A coalition of minority-owned business advocacy organizations recently produced and released a video emphasizing some of the benefits of working with the state government.

“There are a lot of times where you’re questioning ‘am I going to have enough work for my small company,’” minority business owner Gary Efhan, CEO of Qualis Telecom stated in the video. “Without support, it’s pretty hard, and I’ve seen a lot of people go out of business.”

“Supporting us — and being in our communities –that will make a huge difference for sure,” Efhan added.

In the same video, CalAsian Chamber of Commerce President Pat Fong expressed that are many barriers to full participation for small businesses in California.

“Part of our goal with AB 2019 is to come up with an infrastructure that makes sense for small businesses,” Fong said. “There’s an understanding about what types of opportunities are available that are easy to access. How do we better connect California’s diverse businesses to those opportunities? I think that’s the challenge but also the opportunity.”

The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce represents more than 815,000 Latino-owned business in California — organizations that, in aggregate, contribute more than 7% to the United States’ GDP, the organization says.

“As proud co-sponsors of AB 2019, we are thankful that the bill is now signed by the Governor,” said Julian Canete, President of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. “There are numerous and diverse small businesses who can provide services and products to the State and this bill ensures they at least have a fighting chance to be awarded a contract. Thank you to Assemblymember Petrie-Norris for her work on this bill.”

The bill has garnered strong support from the California Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Majority, the California African American Chamber of Commerce, the California State Controller, California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of Women Business Owners.

This California Black Media report was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

REDLANDS, CA—- The theme of Wallace’s monologue is, “Become an anti-bigot!”. On Empire Talks Back show this past Sunday, January 8, Eugene Weems, KOTS (King of the Streets) MMA Underground Heavyweight Champion stopped by, along with Lue Dowdy and Deeveatva Bourne, who are the MLK Parade Coordinators and Parade Marshall. Baby “D” of J.J. Fad, the legendary Female Rappers from Rialto who performed the world-famous Gold Record, ‘Supersonic’ also stopped by the radio station.

EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- The Westside Story Newspaper is sad to announce that on Monday, January 9, 2023, the Deborah Smith-Gilbert passed away. She was a member of the Inland Empire National Council of Negro Women (IENCNW). More information will be fore coming.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On Sunday, January 8, 2023, at the Community Youth Center in San Bernardino at the Social Lites, Inc. Beautillion meeting, former Sir Knight of Beautillion, Dr. Charles Brown of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Inc., Mu Xi Lambda Chapter along with member Dar’rell Jones and Twillea Evans-Carthen of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Nu Omega Chapter, and member of Social Lites, Inc. presented information on the upcoming 35th Annual Oratorical Contest to participants of the Social Lites, Inc. Beautillion Program.

The Beautillion Program, now in its 56th year, is designed to help young men who are seniors in high school prepare for college through the solicitation of ads, leadership development, accountability, responsibility, etiquette, attire for all occasions, spiritual growth, public speaking, and community service. At the conclusion of the program one young man will be recognized “Sir Knight.”

The Beautillion program will conclude on April 1, 2023, at California State University, San Bernardino. For additional information, please contact Sheri Lewis (909) 320 – 0799, Elsie Paulino (951) 205-8823, or Marlene Davis (909) 709-5502.

“This is a diverse event that honors Black, Latino, Asian, white and all ethnicities,” said LuCretia Dowdy, president of LUE productions, the event’s organizer. “All races and creeds are welcome to this celebration of unity.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- On Saturday, January 14 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Gala Awards is hosting a Red-Carpet Event at the San Bernardino International Airport. This year’s honorees are Wallace Allen, Wilmer Amina Carter, Danny Tillman, Hardy and Cheryl Brown, Jimmy Jews, Damon and Felicia Alexander and Darren Goodman.

“We are so happy to be honoring this year’s awardees,” said LuCretia Dowdy, president of LUE productions, the event’s organizer. “These people all have demonstrated diligent service to the communities they serve, helping to fulfill Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of equality for all.”

The black-tie event will open at 5 p.m. with a cocktail hour and live entertainment that will regale attendees during the dinner, followed by the awards presentation. The airport is located at 275 North Leland Way in San Bernardino.

Damon Alexander serves on the San Bernardino City Council, representing the 7th Ward since November 2020. He has also been the Chairman of the City of San Bernardino’s Public Safety and Human Relations Commission, the Citizens Advisory Committee on Marijuana, as well as the President of the North End Neighborhood Association (NENA). His wife, Felicia, serves as Member at Large on the San Bernardino County Human Resources Equal Opportunity Commission.

Wallace Allen hosts a radio talk interview show, Empire Talks Back, on NBC affiliate KCAA and is the publisher of the West Side Story online newspaper that covers news and events happening in the west end of San Bernardino County.

Cheryl Brown is also a former California Assemblymember and current San Bernardino City Library Foundation Board member and Founder of the Black Voice News and the Black Voice Foundation. Hardy Brown College Prep, a tuition-free public charter K-12 school in San Bernardino, is named after her husband Hardy.

Wilmer Amina Carter served as California Assemblymember for the 62nd District and today is Director of Rialto-based Creative Business Services, Inc., She was the first Black elected to the Rialto Unified School District and served as district Director for the late Congressman George Brown for 21 years. Carter is the only living African American woman to have had a high school named after her, in her hometown of Rialto, Wilmer Amina Carter High School.

Danny Tillman is an information systems administrator for the County of San Bernardino Human Services Dept. and sits on the San Bernardino City Unified School District Board of Education, where he serves as the longest serving member and Board Vice President. He advocates for the success of district students.

The last two honorees both broke color barriers by becoming the first Blacks to be hired by their respective agencies. On June 16, 2022, Darren Goodman became the first Black chief of police in San Bernardino. He also served as the City of Upland’s first Black chief of police. His 31 years of law enforcement experience included 27 with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Dept.

Jimmy Jews broke the color barrier as San Bernardino’s first Black firefighter in 1971 and retired 25 years later, having risen through the ranks to hold the positions of fire investigator and then as spokesperson, achieving the rank of Captain in 1989. Jimmy passed away on November 17, 2022, at the age of 79. He will be honored posthumously.

Event sponsors include the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce and Youthbuild Inland Empire Charter School.

“This is a diverse event that celebrates Black, Latino, Asian, white and all ethnicities,” said Ms. Dowdy, “All races and creeds are welcome to this celebration of unity.”

For tickets and to RSVP for the event, call 888-466-7408 or go to the Black Chamber of Commerce website, info@blackchamberofcommerce.org.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) will soon announce its choice for the next County Administrator for the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD).

In the job description applicants were told “the district has made significant strides toward recovery and is within 3-4 years of being able to meet the minimum milestone for self-governance, offering the successful candidate a rare leadership opportunity.”

If history is any indication, IUSD has had eight State/County Administrators (including 3 interim) in a little over 10 years. The odds are against the ninth administrator being around to coordinate IUSD’s transition back to local control.

The IUSD Board of Education should be selecting the next leader for the school district, not LACOE. But, in 2012 facing the possibility of insolvency, Senate Bill 533 authorized a state loan and gave the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), Tom Torlakson control over IUSD. In 2018, Assembly Bill 1840 transferred authority to LACOE Superintendent Debra Duardo.

Since 2012, IUSD’s five-member Board of Education has been serving in an advisory role to the revolving door of appointed State and County Administrators.

Existing laws governing receivership say that a school district will regain control when it shows adequate progress in implementing the recommendations of a comprehensive review conducted by the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance (FCMAT) in five operational areas (financial management, personnel management, community relations and governance, facilities management, and pupil achievement).

FCMAT is an independent and external state agency that provides financial management assistance and general consulting to the state’s school districts. Their latest review of IUSD generated 885 recommendations for implementing 153 operational standards spread across the five operational areas.

IUSD has achieved proficiency in just two of the FCMAT operational areas – governance and personnel management – after 10 years under State and County control.

Existing laws give Duardo, with the concurrence of SPI Tony Thurmond and State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond, the power to determine when IUSD can resume local control. However, many Inglewood residents familiar with the school district believe it’s Duardo’s choice of administrators that are failing to conform with FCMAT standards.

The nine reviews FCMAT conducted show that constant turnover of leadership and the number of poor leader choices by the State and County have led to inconsistency in developing and executing effective recovery plans for IUSD, stunted academic progress for the students, and inadequate maintenance of IUSD facilities.

When Torlakson took over IUSD, he said, “The State Administrator will control the district until fiscal insolvency has been eliminated, between two to six years.

The commentary I wrote titled, “After 10 Years it’s Time to Return Control of Inglewood Schools to the Community,” showed that ten years of state intervention is not a guarantee that a school district in receivership will be better managed.

While existing law mandates that the state controls IUSD to protect its $29 million loan, the opportunity cost to IUSD of the state’s mismanagement has been significantly more than the amount it borrowed.

For example, before receivership, the Los Angeles World Airports (“LAWA”) agreed to fund noise mitigation measures for IUSD not to exceed $118.5 million. The State/County Administrators who took over have only secured $44 million of the funding, leaving $74.5 million on the table.

City Honors High School is a dependent charter school run by IUSD that was recognized by U.S. World and News Report as a silver-medal finalist. When the Charter Schools Facilities Program was awarding grants for charter school construction, Don Brann, who Torlakson had appointed to oversee IUSD, didn’t apply for a state grant. But, DaVinci Charter schools which Brann helped found in the Wiseburn Unified School District located next door to IUSD applied and was awarded a $52.7 Million grant. Had IUSD applied for a grant for a City Honors building it would have been ahead of DaVinci in line for the limited funds.

Since 2012, IUSD has paid FCMAT about $2.6 Million for the nine yearly comprehensive reviews, an expense mandated by the statue authorizing the loan and paid from the school district’s General Fund.

IUSD is no longer in financial trouble. According to the latest 2022-23 budget projections, it will have a positive ending General Fund balance of $94.5 million and positive ending cash balance of $83.7 million. IUSD owes $19.6 million on its state loan.

In a recent review FCMAT conducted, LACOE admitted that IUSD had made little annual progress and is no closer to recovery today than two years ago.

IUSD has gone without local control longer than any school district that’s taken a state loan. It can no longer afford the compromised quality of education being delivered to students by LACOE’s management.

The IUSD community has been expressing its frustration at school board meetings about the quality of the schools the last 10 years, but LACOE lacks the management judgment to effectively respond to community concerns.

Schools LACOE operates not including IUSD, lead all California with the largest gap between Black and White students meeting states standards on the 2022 Smarter Balanced Assessments in English language arts.

Because statues governing state loans offer no way for IUSD to regain local control at this time, legislation amending those statues is needed that recognizes for 10 years State and County administrators have failed IUSD students and that it’s in the best interest of IUSD students to have the school board retain all of its legal rights, duties and powers.

The education system in California is based on local control

The new legislation needs to recognize that a statute of limitations has to be established on how long school districts under receivership have to put up with ineffective state management, especially if the school district is no longer in financial hardship.

Specific agencies have to be identified in the legislation with authority to hold the State or County accountable for addressing the slow progress it is making to qualify the district for a return to local governance. Incentives for quick turnarounds must be offered.

The offices of the legislators representing IUSD – Sen. Steve Bradford (D-District 35) and Assemblymembers Tina McKinnor (D-District 61) and Isaac Bryan (D-District 55) have been approached about the need for legislation to return local control to IUSD. The office of recently elected Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-District 28) was also contacted, but no staff was available to discuss legislation.

Support from the California Legislative Black Caucus is also being solicited.

It will be up to IUSD’s legislators to introduce a bill during this legislative session for the return of IUSD to local control.

By Dr. Hermene D. Hartman 

When we look at contemporary trends of 2023, it reveals an increasingly interconnected world where technological advances have revolutionized almost every aspect of life. We have experienced a digital revolution and evolution. In the realm of romance, virtual dating has become more popular than ever as people are finding new ways to form relationships. social media has changed how we relate to one another, and this pattern will change further with new apps.

The push for more equitable policies has been gaining momentum in politics, and citizens are given a more excellent voice in shaping their futures. This has created friction and disturbance to the political order, but it is here to stay. Elections are becoming electrifying as candidates present themselves from _Facebook_ to _TikTok_. A candidate today is a media production of personality and cutesy more than message and platforms. This is taking American politics to another place. Yet, with these platforms, democracy is presented and challenged. On the financial front, cryptocurrencies have become a viable investment option, and digital currencies are becoming increasingly popular. Soon this new currency will return to the market but with government regulation in place.

When it comes to health and social issues, 2023 will see considerable advances in medical technologies and treatments that have made a tremendous difference in the lives of people around the world. Social media continues to play an important role in connecting people, offering opportunities for open dialogue about social issues, and providing platforms for activism. Cannabis has become widely accepted, with many countries decriminalizing it or even legalizing its use for recreational purposes. This might be the year when we see cannabis legalized at the federal level. The more states open up cannabis stores, the more pressure will be put on the feds to level the business so they might receive tax benefits.

Finally, 2023 will be a great year for entertainment. The rise of streaming services has brought fresh content to the forefront and made it easier to access new films, shows, and music, that appeal to many tastes. This trend continues as we will recognize new talent and new platforms as we all try to figure it out. There will be specials galore in every category. Who would have thought we would be looking at folk selling real estate or cooking or fixing up old houses on TV? Some of the best shows lend themselves only to your imagination. In the world of TV, we have seen “_I Love Lucy_” become “_I Love the Kardashians._” Content is king and comes in many forms, with new faces, stories, and documentaries. Everybody has a story.

In the area of politics, we wonder, will Donald Trump go to a jail cell, or will he be the presidential candidate for the Republican party? Who knows? It seems by the polls that his popularity is dwindling, but who will step up? I predict there will be an upset, and President Joe Biden will serve a second term. Biden brought civility back to America by being pure and wholesome.

Meanwhile, new politicians and younger politicos will emerge on the local spectrum. A more youthful politician is coming forth. The political landscape represents what America looks like for real, with more women and more people of color will be elected to higher office. The key to campaign winning today is authenticity. People want the real deal, not promises.

On the fashion front, we will see anything goes. Tuxedo and evening gowns will be worn with sneakers. The goal is to be comfortable. Women may never return to day-to-day 4-inch heels when flats will do. Instead, we will see a return to basics with a touch of extravaganza if you wish. During the pandemic years, people got comfortable at home with sweats, and why take them off as we still work from home?

SACRAMENTO, CA— Following the Bruce family’s decision to sell their property to the County of Los Angeles, Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) released the following statement:

“I fully support the decision made by the Bruce family to sell the property to the County of LA. They are exercising a right that should have never been taken away from them. I understand why the Bruce family would want to sell the property. The current zoning regulations would prevent the Bruce family from developing the property in any economically beneficial manner. Based on that fact it leaves LA County as the only logical purchaser of the property.

“The Manhattan Beach City Council stole the land under false pretenses nearly one hundred years ago and deprived the Bruce’s of generations of wealth. I am proud to have authored the legislation (SB 796) and to help descendants of the Bruce family reclaim their land and to have the deed transferred back to its rightful owners.

“In no way does selling the property diminish the powerful example that the return of Bruce’s Beach represents in America. They were able to reclaim what was rightfully theirs.”

Senate Bill 796, authored by Senator Bradford in 2021, cleared the way for the beachfront land to be returned to the Bruce family. In June of last year, the County of Los Angeles Transfer Documents detailed a 24-month lease agreement with the Bruce family and rented the property from them. The Lease Agreement also included the Bruce’s right to sell the property to the County for a purchase price not to exceed $20 million.

National Community Renaissance (National CORE) today lauded Congress for a historic first federal funding for supportive services for low-income residents in federally assisted housing. National CORE also called out Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) for his leadership in introducing legislation to authorize funding for supportive services and for securing this $2.5 million to demonstrate the efficacy of this initiative.

“National CORE commends Congress for recognizing that affordable housing should mean more than just housing low-income families – but should also help those families become self-sufficient, help seniors age in place, and help families with needs that contribute to poverty,” said Mike Ruane, Executive Vice President of National CORE. “We call on the next Congress to build on this historic step by authorizing a program for supportive services and ramping up funding for this critical activity.”

With the adoption of the year-end omnibus spending bill, the Labor HHS appropriations conference report included a $2.5 million initiative spearheaded by Rep. Aguilar for a demonstration program for grants to owners of federally assisted low-income housing to provide supportive services for such residents. Eligible services include family self-sufficiency, homeownership and literacy initiatives, care for the elderly and disabled, after-school programs for children and teenagers, and help with mental health, alcohol, and addiction treatment.

Consistent with previous years, HUD funding in the omnibus bill included approximately $200 million for services programs for low-income housing residents. However, none of these funds are designed to directly fund resident supportive services for the millions of non-public housing units that are federally assisted, such as tax credit properties, Section 8 properties, and Housing Trust Fund properties.

As a result, the $2.5 million funding represents a historic first in directing funding for supportive services for residents in such federally assisted housing. Stakeholders will be urging Congress, which convenes on January 3, to enact broader authorizing legislation and dramatically boost this level.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) released the following statement after being sworn-in to represent California in the United States Senate for the 118th Congress:

“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve the people of California in the United States Senate. The promise of the American Dream is alive today as the first-generation son of a housekeeper and a short-order cook is sworn in to represent the largest state in the Union. For working families, for small business owners, for underserved communities, and for Californians of every race and creed from the most diverse state in the nation — I will continue fighting to keep that Dream alive.

“We have our work cut out for us over the next six years. To defend the Dream for millions of Americans, we must work to bolster our democracy in the face of escalating threats, so that all Americans can access their fundamental right to vote. We must restore fairness and humanity to our outdated immigration laws, to rebuild an immigration system that better reflects our values as a nation of immigrants. And for the sake of our very future, we must continue to boldly confront the climate crisis head-on.

“The work we do in this moment will shape the course of our country for generations to come. I’m ready to continue working on behalf of families across California and our nation and for all those who strive for their shot at the American Dream.”

The son of immigrants, Padilla grew up in the San Fernando Valley and studied mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was called to politics in response to the passage of California’s anti-immigrant Proposition 187. Padilla was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 1999 and the California State Senate in 2006. As California’s Secretary of State, he oversaw a historic expansion of voting rights and voter participation. Padilla lives in the San Fernando Valley with his wife, Angela, and their three sons, Roman, Alex, and Diego.