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Another milestone in the Inland Empire was realized Thursday October 13 when Provisional Educational Services, Inc. (PESI) held the ribbon cutting and dedication of the “Dwaine Radden Sr. Field of Dreams” at the PAL Charter Academy (PCA) in Muscoy.  The inaugural football toss was the culmination of a determined effort by the PAL Charter Academy CEO to provide facilities for the PCA students and the community.  “You have to vision it out to carry it out”, said Mr. Radden.

The CEO has also discussed other visions, and Mr. Joe Baca, San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor, announced that his office is awarding a $1.7 million grant to Provisional Educational Services, Inc, and the PAL Charter Academy to enrich the athletic programs at the PAL Charter Academy.

The “Field of Dreams” event was enjoyed by a host of dignitaries, which included but was not limited to Joe Baca Jr., San Bernardino County 5^th District Supervisor;  Kimberly Calvin, San Bernardino City 6^th Ward  Electorate; Dr Mildred Henry, Founder;  Dr. Gwendolyn Dowdy-Rodgers, Candidate San Bernardino County Board of Education;  Jerry Garzon, Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce and Master of Ceremonies;  Chief Joseph Paulino, Chief of Police, San Bernardino City Unified School District; PESI Board members Edwin Stricklan and Pamela Montana; Pastor Jerrold Thompson, San Bernardino Community SDA Church; Jasmine Jefferson and Diana McKee, Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Empire; Jhu Maani Chess, Vocalist; and other noted participants, students, parents, and staff.

Prior to the ribbon cutting event, students and staff of the PAL Charter Academy held a pep rally and introduced the volleyball and football teams.  One of the very few charter schools with their own football field, the students and staff cheered and shouted “Go Bulls!”

The Dwaine Radden Sr. Field of Dreams is already being utilized for events by community organizations.

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.

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? | California Black Media

Black Women Organized for Political Action PAC (BWOPA-PAC), California Black Women’s Collective PAC and Black women leaders throughout the state are calling out Gov. Gavin Newsom for not endorsing Congressmember Karen Bass (D-CA-37) for Los Angeles Mayor.

The individuals and organizations said in a letter that they had “watched Governor Newsom issue his support to local and statewide candidates for this upcoming November general election,” but he has not indicated he would be supporting Bass.

“Black Women went all in to support Governor Newsom during the recall with Congressmember Bass leading the way.  We showed up and came out while other groups stayed home. We also led the charge to pull together our allies that rallied counterparts throughout California for Women Against the Recall.  And yet…we haven’t seen much change in his actions,” the Oct. 16 letter stated.

In August 2021, Bass, members of the group calling itself Women Against the Recall (WAR), and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-37), held a news conference to openly support Newsom in the recall election held Sept. 14, 2021.

Newsom survived the political action and many Black women in the state are asking him to acknowledge their assistance.

“He stated that he supports Black Women, but his administration doesn’t demonstrate that he wants us at his decision-making table.  He selectively supports Black women candidates even when they have overwhelming support from the party leaders and our community like in the case of Congressmember Bass,” the coalition stated.

Gov. Newsom has not endorsed any candidate running for mayor of Los Angeles in the November election, but he recently lent support to a Democrat running for State Senator.

On Oct. 8, Angelique Ashby announced in a written statement that Newsom endorsed her candidacy for State Senate District 8. Ashby currently represents Sacramento City Council District 1 and serves as Vice Mayor of the City of Sacramento.

“Angelique will be the first woman elected to the State Senate from the Sacramento region in more than two decades; she’ll bring years of experience advocating for women – especially their right to privacy, the ability to make their own healthcare decisions and the fundamental right to an abortion,” Newsom said in a statement released by Ashby. “We need Angelique’s energy, perspective, and results-driven leadership in the State Senate. Please join me in supporting her.”

Senate District 8 includes the cities of Sacramento and Elk Grove, and most of Sacramento County. She is facing former California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) for the seat soon to be vacated by Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento). Pan is leaving the office due to term limits.

“Governor Newsom has been on the frontlines of many righteous fights,” said Ashby. “I look forward to fighting alongside him in the Capitol. It is an honor to earn the support of someone who shares the same passion I have for serving our communities,” Ashby said.

Others who have endorsed Ashby include the California Democratic Legislative Women’s Caucus and State Senators Dr. Pan, Steve Glazer, Bob Hertzberg, Sydney Kamlager, and Susan Rubio. On the Assembly side of the house, Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Cristina Garcia, Blanca Rubio, and Jim Cooper are endorsing her.

Educator and community organizer Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) is a Black candidate running for Senate District 28 against fellow Democrat and Black civil rights attorney Cheryl C. Turner.

Smallwood-Cuevas says that, “Newsom has made his call on this race.” He is endorsing her.

But Newsom has been quiet on the Democrat versus Democrat Los Angeles mayoral race. Bass, who is running to be the first Black Woman Mayor of the second largest city in the country, was endorsed by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in an Aug. 2 joint statement.

Bass is facing billionaire and Republican-turned-Democrat Rick Caruso in a runoff election in November.

As the mayoral race gets closer to the election, some Bass supporters are baffled by Newsom’s reluctance to announce an endorsement in her favor.

A poll released by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) conducted in September had Bass ahead of Caruso 34% to 31%. Bass was leading her adversary by 12% during the summer.

The California Black Women’s Collective, Black Women Organized for Political Action, Los Angeles African American Women’s Political Action Committee, and allies inked an “open letter” stating their allegiance to U.S. Congressmember Karen Bass and all Black women.

The Black women’s groups released the letter of support after Bass’ Baldwin Vista home was broken into in mid-September. Two people have been arrested, but the incident raised concerns about Bass’ safety, they say.

“Black women are more likely to be victims of crimes than our female counterparts, according to The Status of Black Women in the United States report by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research,” the open letter stated. “Protecting ourselves is a matter of survival. Yet, when we are the victim of crimes, our calls for help are often ignored and even questioned by those who are charged with protecting and serving the community.”

Considering their support for Newsom in the past, the Black women’s organizations stated in their letter that choosing Bass “should be an easy choice” for the governor. They also said that it is “unacceptable to ask for our support but then turn your back on us when it matters the most.”

“(Bass) has demonstrated that she is the best one who will focus on bringing the state’s largest city together and move it forward for everyone,” the letter stated. “Which side of history do you want to be on, Governor?”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The City of San Bernardino has been notified that Lincoln Property Company (LPC West) is withdrawing from the development group working to redevelop the Carousel Mall property. The City Council had voted to add LPC West to the partnership developing the 43-acre site through an exclusive negotiating agreement (ENA) on August 3rd.

In a letter addressed to the City, LPC West Vice President Rob Kane stated, “Due to economic and other circumstances, it has become evident that Lincoln and the City will be unable to successfully negotiate a DDA (Development and Disposition Agreement). Lincoln hereby notifies the City of Lincoln’s election to withdraw and terminate any further participation under the ENA.”

The real estate market, largely due to spiking interest rates to finance projects, has slowed significantly in just the past few months

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

On October 7, Gov. Gavin Newsom, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, educational leaders, community organizations, and the California Volunteers Commission administered the service oath to the first #CaliforniansForAll College Corps Fellows.

Over 3,200 student fellows during the 2022-2023 academic year will receive up to $10,000 for completing a year of community service. College Corps is a statewide paid service program that provides meaningful work to college students that helps, them graduate on time with less debt while benefiting the local community.

The oath is a solemn promise to perform voluntary work with the intention of helping people and improving communities.

“Part of the California way is giving back to help uplift others, and that is a core principle of the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps,” Newsom stated. “College Corps is about restoring the social contract between the government and its citizens. This public investment builds upon California Volunteers’ army of service members, which is larger than the Peace Corps and exemplifies the spirit and idealism I see in young people across California.”

The oath was taken in front of Newsom at the California Natural Resources Agency Building in downtown Sacramento, a few blocks from the State Capitol.

Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, was in attendance.

Over the next four years, College Corps will engage 13,000 California undergraduates to make a positive difference in their communities. This service and career development program will help build a diverse class of leaders set to transform California for the better.

Funding was made possible by the efforts of Newsom and the Legislature. The program is the first opportunity for Assembly Bill (AB) 540 CA Dream Act students to earn support for college in a state service program.

“I decided to apply because I am pursuing a career in education, and #CaliforniansForAll College Corps is a way for me to earn as I learn,” said Tia Rowe, a College Corps Fellow from Sacramento State University. “I’m looking forward to working in my community and playing an active role in bringing people together.”

Rowe, along with other College Corps fellows, will take part in community service projects across the state. Fryday said College Corps is an opportunity to “begin a life of service” to benefit the masses. The program is a collaboration of over 600 community organizations, including 46 partnering colleges and universities across the state.

The objective is to address issues pertaining to climate change, tutoring and mentoring, low-income students, and distributing meals to those facing food insecurity. Once the fellows finish their assignments, they stand to receive $7,000 for 450 hours of community service. An additional $3,000 is provided as an education award.

“You and I are going to be part of a movement toward change,” Rowe said before the oath was administered in the auditorium of the California Natural Resources Agency Building. “We’re going into our own communities and playing an active role in building them up.”

College Corps represents the first and largest state-level investment in a college service program in the country, with $146 million earmarked for up to 6,500 students over the next two years. About 80% of fellows are students of color, 58 % are first-generation college students, 68% are Pell-Grant eligible, and 500 fellows are AB 540 Dream Act.

A virtual briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services and California Black Media was held on Oct. 11 featuring Fryday, President and CEO of FIND Food Bank Debbie S. Espinosa, and student fellows. The discussion centered around the vision that inspired the program, how it works, who is eligible, how to apply, and where students will do their community service.

“This is a win-win-win: Helping to pay for college, gaining valuable work experience, and having a meaningful impact on your community,” Fryday stated.

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at the auditorium of the California Natural Resources Agency in regard to #CaliforniansForAll College Corps:

Governor Gavin Newsom.mp4

Tia Mowry and her children take a spin on the Mad Tea Party attraction at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California during Halloween Time on Thursday, October 13, 2022. Halloween Time continues at the Disneyland Resort now through October 31, 2022.

PASADENA, CA— Assemblymember Chris Holden presented his legislative update to the Pasadena City Council which included local budget victories, $5 million to the Pasadena Central Library and $3 million to Rose Bowl Stadium.

The Pasadena Central Library was founded years before Pasadena was incorporated as a city. It first opened its doors to the public on February 26, 1884, located on the south side of Colorado St. between Raymond St. and the Santa Fe tracks. The library’s mission is to provide a basic municipal service, as an information center for the Pasadena community in order to preserve and encourage the free expression of ideas essential to an informed citizenry.

“These funds will be able to support the necessary retrofitting of the library,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “It makes me happy to be able to support local art and education programming by helping this community staple thrive.”

On June 30th, the Legislature and Governor Newsom approved $5 million for the Pasadena Central Library for their infrastructural improvements, retrofitting needs and ADA amenities for building access, inclusivity, and usage.

The Rose Bowl Stadium opened its doors to the public in 1922 and is currently celebrating its Centennial Celebration. The Rose Bowl will turn 100 later this month on October 28th. Between 1996 and 2002, the Rose Bowl was the home of the LA Galaxy and has been selected as the host site of the men’s and women’s soccer matches during the LA28 Olympic Games

Designated as a National Historic Landmark the Rose Bowl Stadium is as vibrant as ever, welcoming over 1 million people annually.

“The Rose Bowl is a San Gabriel Valley community landmark, and I am proud to say that through this grant we are able to help this historic stadium live on with audiences from all over the country and from our local communities,” said Assemblymember Holden.

On June 30^th, the Legislature and Governor Newsom approved $3 million for the Rose Bowl Stadium for gas and water infrastructure improvements and the historical preservation of the iconic venue.

“We thank Assemblymember Holden for his continued support of the Rose Bowl Stadium. As we celebrate our centennial, we look back to those that have made this amazing accomplishment possible, and forward to those that will ensure another 100 years of relevance for this iconic building and grounds. Assemblymember Holden represents the best of both of those groups having been a champion of the stadium for many years, and one of the biggest advocates for future investments in this historic place. He continues to step up for the Rose Bowl Stadium, the City of Pasadena, and the entire San Gabriel Valley,” said Jens Weiden, Chief Executive Officer of the Rose Bowl Stadium.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- On Wednesday morning, Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. hosted his second College and Career Day event for 300 high school juniors and seniors from San Bernardino City Unified School District and Rialto School District. The event took place at San Bernardino Valley College and was meant to assist our current high school students to explore their opportunities after graduation. Over twenty community partners had both informative and interactive booths for students to engage with. The students were taught how to create a strong resume, engage in a technology presentation by Amazon, and explore various job opportunities with County Fire, Law enforcement, EMT departments and dozens of other workforce departments and post-secondary educational opportunities.

“It’s very normal to not know exactly what your future is going to look like after high school. Not everyone has a set plan and that is okay. But what is not okay is to not have any plan or be aware of what opportunities are surrounding you to grow. My plan is to host this event at least twice a year to assure that all the high school juniors and seniors in the Fifth District have been personally reached to broaden their horizons on what opportunities they have after high school. Success is always possible, and it is up to these young people to work and or study hard to achieve their goals. This event was meant to let our students know that the county is behind them every step of the way, cheering them on. This event would not be made possible without all the support from our local schools and community partners, so I thank you all for all the help and support you have shown our fifth district students.”-Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in San Bernardino, California will take the Gospel to the street on Saturday, October 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing in a new season of ministry with its Fall Family Festival on the parking lot that wraps around the church edifice at 1575 W. 17th Street. The theme for the event is “Imitating the Model of Christ: Teaching, Preaching, and Healing” (Mt. 9:35-38).

The Church family, neighbors, and the community at large are invited to share in a celebration of faith, worship, fellowship, food, taco trucks, fun and games, music, and educational resources. A key offering in the day’s activities will be a COVID-19 Workshop and Vaccination Clinic, offering educational resources, first and second vaccine doses and booster shots.

The purpose of our Vaccinate All 58 Neighborhood Partnership Program inclusion in their Fall Family Festival is to educate community members on safe practices for the prevention of COVID-19.  They will host a COVID-19 educational Continental breakfast seminar at 10 a.m. for anyone interested.  Come learn the importance of “herd immunity” and the best ways to protect seniors and others who are vulnerable.  They are delighted for the partnership and opportunity to encourage the importance of vaccinations. They recognize that they are trusted messengers in their community and as a Faith-based institution, they can reach their membership and neighborhoods in effective and unique ways.

Dr. Michael Andrew Owens, Pastor of New Hope, says the festival is a continuation of the collaboration of the church with government and health care agencies to extend vaccine and testing opportunities into the heart of the community, in easy reach of vulnerable populations, where trust and access to care may be challenging.  Healing is central to the Gospel message of Christ, and a theme that will be amplified in an atmosphere of thanksgiving for being able to come together in person, as the COVID – 19 threat wanes and relationships are renewed.

For more information on the day’s activities and vendor applications, call 909-887-2526.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Miss Black awareness scholarship pageant contestants enjoyed an afternoon of sisterhood at Fiesta Village in Colton, California, as they prepare for the race to the finish line.  The Miss Black Awareness Scholarship Pageant will be held on Saturday, December 17^th at the Cypress Neighborhood Community Center in Fontana. Doors will open at 5 p.m.  Get your tickets early and save $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

Last week, I wrote a commentary marking 10 years since the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) Board of Education lost control of Inglewood schools. I requested that it not be printed when I was informed that Dr. Erika Torres had announced she was stepping down from her position as IUSD County Administrator because she had a recurrence of breast cancer.

The commentary was very critical of Torres’ administration so under the circumstances I decided to rewrite it removing the focus from her. I wish her well as she concentrates on her health and her family’s wellbeing

On Oct. 3, 2012, former State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) Tom Torlakson met with the IUSD School Board and told them that he was assuming all the legal rights, duties, and powers of the governing board. At the same time, he introduced Kent Taylor as his State Administrator that would be acting as both the governing board and superintendent.

Senate Bill (SB) 533 authored by Sen. Rod Wright (D-Inglewood) and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Sept. 14, 2012, approved an emergency appropriation of up to $55 million for IUSD to avoid fiscal insolvency.

The School Board asked Wright to write a bill requesting pre-approval for a state loan in case they needed it to cover a cash flow shortfall projected to occur in March 2013.

Wright said to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, “Mr. Chair, this bill does not require that they take the money. Inglewood will spend the next few months attempting to work out their financial issues. We need this bill in place today to provide the authorization for up to $55 million. If they don’t need it, they don’t have to take it. If they need less than that, they can take less.”

Two days before Brown signed SB 533, the Board approved a resolution cutting teacher salaries and benefits up to 15 %, which would allow IUSD to avoid borrowing any state money.

But SB 533 gave Torlakson immediate authority over Inglewood schools as a condition of state receivership. That was not what the Board asked for or expected in Wright’s bill.

Torlakson wasted no time exercising that authority at the urging of the California Teachers Association acting on complaints from Inglewood Teacher Association President Peter Somberg and CTA Inglewood representative Jeff Good who were upset by the Board resolution and proponents of the state taking over IUSD.

The IUSD School Board never asked the state for money authorized in SB 533.

The first thing Taylor did was rescind the Board resolution cutting teacher salaries. He borrowed $19 Million from the state without financial necessity and the loan he initiated put IUSD into receivership.

Torlakson appointed six administrators (two were interim administrators) over six years and borrowed $29 Million without financial justification from the state’s General Fund.

Dr. Don Brann was Torlakson’s least effective appointee. He failed to balance the budget, failed to maintain school facilities, and failed to secure millions of dollars in state and federal grants that Inglewood qualified for before it went into receivership.

Community advocates outraged over Brann’s ineffectiveness convinced the Legislature to spend about $300,000 to audit IUSD. The audit findings persuaded Torlakson to appoint experienced and accomplished administrators.

He terminated Brann’s employment and replaced him with Dr. Vincent Matthews who had been superintendent at Oakland Unified and San Jose Unified School District.

Matthews balanced IUSD’s budget and repaired confidence in the school district damaged by Brann. He resigned from IUSD when offered the opportunity to lead the San Francisco Unified School District.

Following Matthews, Torlakson appointed Dr. Thelma Meléndez. She had been Pomona Unified superintendent, assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education (Obama administration), Santa Ana Unified superintendent, Mayor Garcetti’s chief education adviser and a senior administrator at Los Angeles Unified School District.

Meléndez engaged the IUSD community in developing a strategic plan for Inglewood students. She invited the community to meet at the “Fabulous” Inglewood Forum to express their thoughts and ideas so they would be included in the plan. She used bond money that was not being utilized to repair and upgrade the schools.

Assembly Bill (AB) 1840 enacted in 2018 to provide financial relief to IUSD and Oakland Unified School District also transferred responsibility for managing IUSD from the SPI to the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) and L.A. County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo.

Duardo selected Deputy Superintendent Torres to lead LACOE staff assigned to work withMeléndez. To Duardo’s credit, she provided support staff that Torlakson didn’t when he was in charge.

After a few months of working with Duardo and Torres, Meléndez surprised the community when she announced plans to retire before her contract expired.

Torres was selected to be Inglewood’s seventh administrator under receivership after a number of candidates were interviewed.

Torres’ appointment was a tremendous drop off from the administrative experience Melendez brought to IUSD. At the time, it appeared that Duardo hadn’t learn from the mistakes Torlakson made with his early appointments.

Torres had never led a school district or even been a school principal or teacher.

Unlike Torlakson who visited Inglewood several times, Duardo ignored advice to introduce herself and Torres to the community. Their failure to connect has contributed to community mistrust of actions taken by county administration.

A few weeks ago, trying to pacify the IUSD community’s frustration and anger with a number of their bad decisions, Duardo and Torres conducted their first ever town hall meeting. Missing from their presentation was a list of accomplishments made during their four years of running IUSD schools.

It is clear that ten years of state intervention is not a guarantee that a school district in receivership will be better managed. While Los Angeles County school districts operating under local control like Los Angeles Unified, Culver City Unified, and Compton Unified have advanced academically and improved their facilities, similar progress at IUSD has been stunted under state and county administrative malpractice.

Of seven administrators appointed under receivership only two had resumes showing the level of experience needed to be effective IUSD administrators. Duardo’s appointee was not one of them.

The Inglewood Board of Education has served patiently in an advisory role for 10 years. That’s longer than any school district with a state loan.

As the search for Torres’ replacement begins, Duardo should assign the IUSD Board responsibility for recommending the next County Administrator from the list of vetted candidates. Otherwise, the Board when it regains local control will likely select a new Superintendent.

My next commentary will provide a guideline on what the IUSD community should do to regain local control.