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By Nana Kwadwo Abban Bediako

All is set for the much anticipated “Uniting & Igniting for Economic Development Conference which is slated to take place on November. 19, 2022 at Loveland Church, 17977 Merrill Avenue, in Fontana, CA.

The “Uniting & Igniting for Economic Development Conference” which is the first of its kind has been organized by Mission Africa Incorporated in collaboration with the Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches (IECAAC).

The theme for the conference is, “Ten Times Better Generation” which seeks to focus on bridging the gap between the next generation of Africa and the Africa Americans and descendants of Africa worldwide in America is expected to attract over 5,000 youth and 1000 businesspeople across Pacific Island, Africa to American.

Again, Ambassadors from various countries in America and some delegates including members from the Ghanaian Parliament and Ghana’s Parliamentary Christian Fellowship are among hundreds of people who will be in attendance.

Speaking in an interview with the media, the founder and president of Mission Africa Incorporated, Dr. Kodjoe Sumney explained that the rationale behind the “Uniting & Igniting for Economic Development Conference is to encourage and to wake up the spirit of unity and igniting missions in the Inland Empire in San Bernardino County in California

According to Dr. Sumney, he and his Co-founder wife, Dr. Akosuah Sumney in the last twenty years have taken over one thousand people mainly African Americans, Caucasian-Americans, Indians, and Mexican-Americans for missionary work and the African Union parliament prayer conference in Ghana.

“Our friends and partners join us to empower youth in the universities mission work in the remote villages. Given various humanitarian assistance and tourism.

But for the last two and half years, Mission Africa Incorporated has been operating through viral due to the emergence of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic.” He noted.

We are going to focus more on uniting diaspora Africans worldwide for economic empowerment in skills and entrepreneurship where they live and return home to assist in developing our continent through the private sector. The founder and President of Mission Africa Incorporated reiterated.

He assured that everything possible will be done for Mission Africa Diaspora Fellowship in California and Mission Africa Diaspora Clergy Association (MADCA) which seek to unite All African Clergymen and women to stand in the gap in Africa and America to see Africa’s second renaissance come to reality.

Dr. Sumney said “we are entering another ten years phase of Africa rising. The current challenges facing the continent is a time of reawakening for the youth and the next generation to join the crusade for a rebirth of the continent”.

He continued by saying this is the time for Africans to have leaders who are spirit-filled, and willing to sacrifice for the total development of the continent, like Nehemia in the Bible and leaders who did not receive allowances for twelve years to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.

Africa, Dr. Sumney reiterated needs servant leaders who are full of wisdom, visionary leaders with seven eyes ( Zechariah 3:9), and successful in entrepreneurship together with our renowned business people, wisdom kings/ Queens to be in governance. Thus Africa Democracy- SANKOFA.

Some of the sub-themes to be treated during the conference will include the following: How to fill the empty churches and auditoriums after covid19, the year of Return and beyond to Ghana, Mission Africa Progress report of 2000-2022, investing in Ghana- Africa through Chamber of Commerce, Name changing ceremonies, School exchanging programs, Business partnership forum and Import and Export.

He is therefore calling on all Africans in America, business owners, and churches in California to come and be refreshed and empowered. Saying the way forward for Africa is through uniting and igniting for economic development wherever we are and preparing our next generation to give us the African we need before agenda 2063.

Our weekly coverage of local news in San Bernardino County is supported by the  Ethnic Media Sustainability Initiative, a program supported by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services to support minority-owned-and-operated community newspapers in California.

AO3 Tyler Julian, from San Bernardino, California, assigned to the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) weapons department, conducts routine maintenance on an advanced weapons elevator, Nov. 3, 2022. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) is deployed in the Atlantic Ocean, conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region.

By Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media

California state and local officials are serious about tackling the state’s growing homelessness crisis head on as it continues to rise.

Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation related to solving this issue.

Over $15.3 billion has been budgeted in housing programs aimed at curtailing California’s homeless.

“State and federal resources have certainly made a difference in our communities,” said Bakersfield’s Mayor Karen K. Goh. “You know, going back to 2020 and 2021 with the Cares Act and then followed by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the dollars are making their way to our citizens.”

Goh also pointed to Project Homekey as a program that has helped alleviate homelessness.

“Project Homekey resources are being used to transform underutilized motels and hotels, into safe shelter, and in our communities,” said Goh.

The COVID-19 pandemic has played a significant role in the rise of homelessness, from 150,000 in 2019 to 161,000 in 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The African American population in California has suffered disproportionately from this phenomenon.

The California Budget and Policy Center reports that Black people are roughly 25% of the state’s homeless although they make up about 5.5 % of California’s population.

Some of the funding the state provided went to the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Court — or Care Court, a program that diverts homeless people with severe mental health problems away from the criminal justice system and into mandatory treatment.

Signed into law on Sept. 14, Senate Bill 1338 (Care Court Act) by Sen. Thomas Umberg (D-Santa Ana) and Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton)focuses on untreated individuals suffering from psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia.

Bills Newsom signed on affordable housing include Senate Bill 561 by State Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa), Assembly Bill (AB) 2233 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton), and AB 2592 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento).

“This historical package will go a long way towards increasing affordable production in California,” Assemblymember Quirk-Silva tweeted.

Together, these bills require the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the California Department of General Services (DGS) to codify and expand the Excess Land for Affordable Housing program, a state initiative born from the governor’s first executive order.

“California’s housing affordability crisis has been more than a half century in the making and the state is tackling this foundational challenge with an innovative ‘all of the above’ approach,” Newsom said. “We’ve made unprecedented investments and progress to create more housing in California over the past four years, including using state-owned land to build homes – one of my first actions in 2019. I’m thankful to Senator Dodd, Assemblymember Quirk-Silva, and Assemblymember McCarty for their efforts in helping us fast-track our progress and bring more affordable housing statewide.”

Goh spoke about funding transparency.

“We’re seeing new innovation in our cities with these resources going to fund new city departments that help ensure that the city is accountable with the dollars they receive for addressing homelessness, and to better enable the city to show the public, how they’re using these resources and the difference that they are making,” said Goh.

Mayor Todd Gloria of San Diego speaking about work that is being done on the local level to fight homelessness said, “Our housing commission has put out over $200 million of assistance, helping roughly about 80,000 families at this point avoid homelessness, many of them seniors.”

Gloria states that working against this crisis sometimes “feels like you’re swimming upstream” due to the federal government raising and lowering interest rates.

He claimed that tackling minimum wage or advocating in the state capitol or DC are ways that local governments can have control over solving homelessness.

“You know, these are never satisfying answers because yes, there are a bunch of things at work. But we get up every day, and come here to try and make a difference on those matters,” said Gloria.

On Oct. 3, Newsom signed AB 408 authored by Assemblymember Quirk-Silva that requires local educational agencies to have a liaison for homeless youths in order to train the agencies in how to best support them.

Newsom recently announced that he will convene local leaders in mid-November to review the state’s collective approach to homelessness and identify new strategies to better address the growing homelessness crisis.

YUCAIPA, CA—- Since its 2018 opening, the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) at Crafton Hills College (CHC) has connected veterans with educational services and a place to unwind.

The VRC offers an array of resources for veterans and their dependents to help them transition from military to civilian life in an academic environment. Students using VA educational benefits can drop in to ask about their benefits, study, use the computers, grab a snack from the pantry, or take a break from classwork and watch their favorite movie or television show.

Best of all, the VRC is run by veterans and those with close ties to the veteran community themselves.

Steven Rush, veteran’s services coordinator, knows first-hand how difficult it can be to adjust to civilian life post-service. A Crafton alumnus himself, Rush says he too could have utilized benefits the VRC now offers during his college days had the VRC existed. Now that he is coordinating the center, this Army veteran has helped mold the VRC into what it is today – an operation that meets the different needs of student vets and connects them to other campus services and resources.

“Everything can be done here,” said VRC counselor Lisa Mills. “From applying to Crafton, starting VA benefits, support services — it’s a one-stop shop for our student veterans.”

The VRC connects students with off-campus resources when necessary, Mills added.

“This provides additional support that we may not provide on campus. We provide reassurance that if you come [to Crafton], we will take care of you. We’re not going to let you fail.”

On an average morning, VRC staff hustle and bustle by answering calls and emails and catching up with one another. Gabriella Herrera, dependent of a U.S. Army veteran, is a CHC student and a work-study staff member at the VRC. She said the study lounge is one of her favorite spots on campus as she studies for a career in emergency medical services.

“And Steve [Rush] also works around my class schedule for working here as well,” Herrera added.

U.S. Army veteran Aaron Schardein is also a work-study student at the center.

“I enjoy the VRC because everyone is friendly and supportive – it is peaceful here,” he said.

Although the VRC focuses much of its energy on educational success, it also provides something, not all veterans and their dependents have equal access to – comradery. By veterans building a relationship with other vets on campus – and dependents as well – they can lift up and support one another.

“Our veterans benefit from having a place they can come to and freely express the difficulties they endure during the transition from military to civilian life,” said Rush. “For instance, being conditioned into a very disciplined environment to an uncertain environment can cause frustration.”

Mills agreed.

“The VRC is where veterans can come to let their guard down,” she said. “I also believe that being a non-traditional student, veterans come to Crafton feeling behind in their education. Things are not always going to translate well in the classroom, but they can come here and see other veterans who are having success.”

The Veterans Resource Center is open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Fridays. Access drop-in, virtual sessions and scheduling appointments at craftonhills.edu/veterans.

To learn more about the VRC or start your Crafton journey, email veteransservices@craftonhills.edu or call 909-389-3396.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Last week, the office of Gov. Gavin Newsom released a list of bills from the current legislative session that he signed and vetoed.

Among the bills vetoed was Senate Bill (SB) 70, which would have made attending one year of kindergarten mandatory beginning with the 2024-25 school year.

“While the author’s intent is laudable, SB 70 is estimated to have Prop 98 General Fund cost impacts of up to $268 million ongoing, which is not currently accounted for in the state’s fiscal plan. With our state facing lower-than-expected revenues over the first few months of this fiscal year, it is important to remain disciplined when it comes to spending, particularly spending that is ongoing. We must prioritize existing obligations and priorities, including education, health care, public safety, and safety-net programs,” Newsom said in a release.

Existing California law does not require children to attend school until they are six years old, the age children typically begin first grade.

Children currently attending kindergarten, need to be five years old to be eligible, with some school districts offering transitional programs for kids as young as four years old.

In California, about 5 to 7 % of eligible students don’t enroll in kindergarten.

A similar bill to SB 70 was vetoed in 2014 by Gov. Jerry Brown, who said the decision should be left to parental discretion.

SB 70 is the latest in a string of bills that Newsom has vetoed, warning of lower-than-expected state revenue. The California Department of Finance announced earlier this month that revenue for August was $816 million, or 6%, below what state officials had forecasted.

The Legislature has sent measures with potential costs of over $20 billion in one-time spending commitments and more than $10 billion in ongoing commitments to the governor’s desk, Newsom said in his SB 70 veto message. “Bills with significant fiscal impact, such as this measure, should be considered and accounted for as part of the annual budget process.”

“Any teacher who has been in the classroom as long as I have can describe to you in detail the long-term, devastating effects to a child who misses kindergarten. I plan to reintroduce my mandatory kindergarten bill and fight for the funding next year. Our children are too important. We can either pay the education costs now or the far greater societal costs later,” said Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) who introduced the bill.

California Black Media also reached out to California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond who supported SB 70 for comment but did not receive a response.
According to the National Education Association, kindergarteners who miss attending school 10 % or more during the school year have lower academic performance when they reach the first grade.

Additionally, studies showed that children from lower-income families who attend kindergarten are less likely to be below grade level throughout their academic careers and earn 5 % higher wages as adults. Kindergarten helps to level the playing field for children who are less likely to receive high-quality childcare or preschool. Hispanic children with access to kindergarten are also 17 % less likely to be below grade level for their age and earn wages 5 % higher as adults.

By Tony Collins Cifuentes | Highlanders Boxing Club

I would like to thank you in advance for taking the time out of your busy schedule to read this letter and consider our needs.

Over 17 years ago, I opened Highlanders Boxing Club (HBC) to provide low-income youth from Southern California’s Inland Empire opportunities to become young athletes, amateur boxers, and good citizens. In all these years, I have never turned away a kid in need and went the distance to change their lives. I’m so proud to say, that today HBC has transformed the lives of thousands of young Americans from some of the most challenged neighborhoods in our part of the Country.

To keep HBC going and to continue its mission, as well as create positive places for youth to thrive, each year we put on an amateur boxing show for our awe-inspiring amateur boxers to win belts and show us their talents.

This year HBC is sponsoring the 5th Annual Neighborhood Champions – Amateur Boxing Show Honoring Veterans. The show is on Saturday November 12, 2022, at 25318 5th Street Highland CA – Door Opens at 12:30 p.m.

I am asking you to please consider helping HBC put on our 5th Annual Neighborhood Champions Boxing Show. We need food or water contributions, or monetary donations of any amount is well appreciated. HBC is a nonprofit organization, and all contributions and donation are tax deductible. For further information please contact me at highlandersboxingclub@live.com or call me at (909)-496-0710. Thank you in advance.

By Lue Dowdy | LUE Productions

Join the committee for the upcoming San Bernardino MLK Day Parade and Extravaganza. The next meeting is this on Thursday, November 10 at 6:30 p.m. at 555 N. Arrowhead Avenue in San Bernardino. We hope you can make it. Parade details can be located on the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce website at Blackchamberofcommerce.org.

By Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media

California’s health insurance marketplace, known as the Covered California Health Exchange, launched its 10th open enrollment period on Nov.1.

Covered California is the government agency that offers subsidized Obamacare plans for Californians. Those who qualify receive financial assistance on a sliding scale for their health coverage in compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Depending on income, some consumers may qualify for another state-provided health insurance option, Medi-Cal, at a lower or no cost.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra joined Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA-37), Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and other Covered California leaders at Union Station in Los Angeles to kick off open enrollment

“We saw from COVID how many gaps there are in our health public health care system. First and foremost, we’ve got to get people covered. They know they have that peace of mind if they can walk into any doctor’s door, into any hospital. It gives them the confidence to do it the right way,” said Becerra. “That’s why we’re going to continue to expand. When you can offer an American health insurance plan for 10 dollars or less a month; you can’t go see a movie today, not in LA, for 10 dollars… 10 dollars or less a month for peace of mind. That’s what we’re selling.”

Since Covered California’s first open enrollment campaign in 2013, federal data shows that California’s uninsured rate fell from 17.2% to a record low of 7.0%, the greatest percentage decrease for any state in that period, and below the national average of 8.6%.

Publicly funded Certified Enrollment Counselors, or “navigators,” provide consumers with free, unbiased advice as they look for health insurance options available on the marketplace. They help complete eligibility and enrollment forms and they assist with outreach, education, and renewal support services.

“We just came out with a report that showed that in the past year, because we went out to where you were to try to get to you, especially with our navigators, we saw a rise in the number of African American enrollees by 49%. And we saw a rise in the number of Latino enrollees by 53%,” said Becerra.

Still, according to estimates from Covered California, 1 million people are uninsured and eligible to get insured with low-cost or no-cost plans.“Regardless of your income, if you need health insurance or if you’re covered directly through a health insurance company, come to Covered California to see if you can get financial help to make your insurance more affordable,” said Jessica Altman, Executive Director of Covered California. “The increased and expanded help that was extended by the Inflation Reduction Act is changing lives by helping more Californians get covered and stay covered.”

Getting and maintaining coverage is a critical first step that cannot be overstated, some health advocates say, but the healthcare system still has opportunities to better serve Black Californians. A recent California Healthcare Foundation (CHCF) survey found that 90% of Black Californians have health insurance coverage, but nearly one in three reported being treated unfairly by a healthcare provider because of their race or ethnicity.

“Just because Black folks are covered, doesn’t mean they are getting quality care,” said Congresswoman Bass, a former physician’s assistant. “That has nothing to do with Covered California per se. It has to do with the inequities in the healthcare system. And having worked in the healthcare for a long time, I know that those inequities exist, and its across class.  So, when Beyoncé and Serena Williams almost lose their life after a normal childbirth, it’s indicative of problems that are related specifically to race.”

The best remedy at this time is engagement. According to the CHCF survey, two thirds of Black Californians report researching a health condition or concern before meeting with a healthcare provider to mitigate potential negative experiences, an observation Congresswoman Bass agrees with.

“The main thing that people can do is make sure that they are well educated. In other words, when you go to a doctor, don’t just leave it 100% up to the doctor, study up on what they are saying,” Bass said. “We need to have advocates inside of healthcare who are trained – sometimes there are medical social workers who do that.”

Californians can explore their options at CoveredCA.com or by calling Covered California at (800)300-1506.  They can easily find out if they qualify for financial help and see what coverage options are available.

The open enrollment period will continue until Jan. 31, 2023.

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece—Angela Buenrostro, a native of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., is a program assistant for the Fleet & Family Support Center at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece. . Prior to joining Team Souda in January 2021, Buenrostro was a developmental specialist where she worked with children, aged newborn to 3 years old, and supervised a team of other developmental specialists. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology.

What do you do at NSA Souda Bay? 

At NSA Souda Bay I am the Program Assistant for Fleet & Family Support Center. In this role I work alongside the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate where I provide training to our Sailors and base community and assist with scheduling appointments for counseling.

Why do you feel your work is important to the mission?

Fleet & Family Support Center is essential for mission readiness to assist and meet the obligations and challenges of our Navy Sailors, families and civilians. Our services help with family readiness that may affect job satisfaction, job performance and personnel retention.

Why did you want to work at NSA Souda Bay? 

My husband and I moved to Greece when he got a job as a base firefighter. In doing so, I’ve had to put my own career on hold in support of his. When the opportunity arose, however, I wanted to challenge myself by working with a different type of community. Even though I’m not prior military I enjoy helping people, and I wanted to learn about the military lifestyle and assist in helping our active-duty military and their families with my skills.

When not at work, what are you doing? 

On my off days, I enjoy hanging out with my husband and two dogs. I have a Golden Retriever named Ollie who is obsessed with the ball and all he wants to do is play fetch. I also have a Dalmatian named Halligan, who loves to play tug-o-war. In addition, I enjoy crocheting blankets, outfits and stuffed animals. Lastly, I spend my free time exploring the island and reading books.

What is something you have enjoyed about living in Greece? 

Something I enjoy about living in Greece is the friendly culture of Crete, the nature and the amazing food the island has to offer. It is my first time living overseas and the people I have met have made me feel welcomed and part of the community.

What is something you have found interesting about Greece since living here? 

Something I have found surprising about Greece is that their language has some similarities to my Mexican culture. Certain words and pronunciations are alike. Another interesting thing is that on Sundays it is family day and most of the stores are closed to honor that.

What would you like Team Souda to know about your work?

I am the first face you will encounter when walking in to Fleet & Family Support Center and I am always willing to help in any way that I can. Everyone is welcomed to come in, we are never the wrong door. We currently a two-team crew, but we try our hardest to ensure every Team Souda member who requires our services receives the best support for mission readiness. We are located on the ground floor of Building 11 and you can also reach us at 314-266-1688. We always have our doors open for you and your family.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA—A little more than a year ago, in August 2021, 11 United States Marines, a Fleet Marine Force Navy corpsman and a United States Army soldier, and more than 90 Afghans lost their lives during a suicide bombing attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan as people tried to flee the Taliban takeover. One of the U.S. troops who lost their lives in performance of their duty was 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Merola, who grew up in Rancho Cucamonga and attended Los Osos High School. Reports of his burial stated that speakers remembered him as “larger than life, a man who was mature beyond his years” and a young man with a huge smile.

On Friday, October 28, family members, friends, and Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) gathered together to remember the young Marine’s life and celebrate passage of ACR 139 which will honor his sacrifice by renaming the Haven Avenue overcrossing on Interstate 210 in San Bernardino County in his memory. It is an overcrossing his family frequently travels.

Merola joined the Marines after graduation in 2019 although he officially committed to joining the service branch in 2018. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division Expeditionary Force out of Camp Pendleton. Merola was deployed in Kabul for less than two weeks before the tragic attack that took his life at the Hamid Karazai International Airport. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.