WSSN Stories

Jarrett Ballard

By Naomi K. Bonman

As a Journalist, I get to do many exciting interviews and meet tons of people. There are some people who you’ll interview, and it will be just that an interview, but then there are those in a ‘select’ bunch that you just stay connected with and you watch their progress and growth over time. 

In 2011, I interviewed an up and coming boy band out of Chicago, Illinois but at the time had relocated to Los Angeles, California. Real Estate Agent, Jarret Ballard was apart of that group. So, to watch his journey from there to where he is now is inspiring and I know others will be blessed upon hearing his story on how he got started in the music business and how it prepared him in his current career as an entrepreneur in Real Estate and Finance. Ballard is on a mission in building wealth not only for himself, but in helping others, especially other minorities and millennials to build wealth as well. 

Check out and listen to the interview below and make sure to grab a pen and paper because I’m sure you will want to take notes to the advice that he is about to give you. 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW

By Angela M. Coggs

On Saturday, September 9, Young Women Empowerment Foundation (YWE) hosted their fifth Annual Women’s Wellness Conference at San Bernardino Community Hospital Henderson Auditorium. YWE invited family, friends, faith-based organizations, students and community supporters to their augural event that focused on emotional and physical health and wellness. It was a free event for women in the Inland Empire, although there were several men in attendance.

This year’s theme was Silence No More. It refers to not keeping silent regarding heart disease and domestic violence. Both areas of concern plague all people but especially minority women. The conference placed an emphasis on the prevention of heart disease as well as learning to live with and maintain if diagnosed by a physician. Additionally, domestic violence was addressed in a unique and compelling way.

Vickie Lee, Madeline Freeman and Arlington Rodgers II performed an emotional and riveting skit that centered on a real-to-life situation that happens every day behind closed doors. Lee’s performance brought many of the attendees to tears. It took the engaged audience into a deep and personal look inside a potential volatile situation. “She was so good. It seemed so real,” exclaimed Dr. Romeo Brooks, one of the keynote speaker of the conference. Brooks stated that he was so moved and impressed with the entire performance.

Brooks and YWE Board

It was an eventful and interactive conference. The women in attendance had the opportunity to participate in interactive demonstrations and hear life changing testimonials from other women on heart disease and domestic violence. 

Originally, there were three keynote speakers for the wellness conference who focus would be based on issues that are important and relevant to heart disease and domestic violence. The keynote and guest testimonial speakers were Dr. Romeo Brooks, Ph.D. (Keynote) Herbalist, Iridologist, Natural Hygienist and Naturopathic Medicine, Roots Nutrition and Melinda Cuellar, Representative Divine Connections, H.O.P.E.

Gwen and Assemblywoman Eloise Gómez Reyes

The other scheduled keynote speaker was supposed to be Joyce Fairman CEO/Founder of Hearts of Color. Regrettable, she passed prior the conference. However, as they continue to mourn the loss of the beloved friend and heart health advocate Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation honored her legacy with her mentee, Deborah Smith, acknowledging her “never stop” attitude and how she continued to encourage to reach her potential and to find her passion. After her noteworthy peek into their personal relationship, YWE introduced Fairman to the captivated audience via slide show and they watched a montage of pictures that revealed her caring and positive spirit. Testimony from her close friend, Sharon Smith- Knight, shown Fairman’s humorous side. Everyone in attendance participated in and observed a moment of silence during Fairman’s original scheduled speaking time. 

Cuellar spoke about domestic violence and how Divine Connections, H.O.P.E.’s mission is to offer guidance, empowerment, education and resources for building healthy relationships. The attendees were introduced to Option House by Deborah Smith, which provides information, resources and services about domestic violence. A question and answer segment was held at the end of the presentations.

Vickie Lee and Dr. Brooks

Dr. Brooks discussed how to prevent and live with heart disease. He communicated how the physical body is not only the expressed image of the invisible mind but is also the visible barometer of what occurs in our mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. He connected physical wellness to our mental health. He emphasized that we need to eliminate all the bad things our bodies accumulate.

In addition to providing useful health and wellness information at the conference, the attendees was also invited to get physical during the live line dance demonstrations by Heart and Soul’s Harriette Coggs- Stuckey. The line dance demonstrations has been a huge success for the past three years and this year was no different. Coggs- Stuckey energetic personality match her energetic performance. Everyone participated in the dancing segment and enjoyed the heart pumping activity.

Heart and Soul 2017

YWE serves to strengthen the character of young women of high school age in the San Bernardino City region of the Inland Empire in Southern California. Young Women’s Empowerment was founded by CEO Gwendolyn Dowdy- Rodgers. The mission of our program is to empower these young women to achieve at their highest potential, particularly in education, and to instill in them a commitment to return to their community as leaders and mentors.

Vickie Lee and Madeline Freeman

The Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation (YWE) is dedicated to strengthening the self-esteem, character, integrity and capacity of young women ages 12-21 so that they may achieve their highest potential. YWE accomplishes its purpose through strategic partnerships with other organizations. YWE is guided by ethics and principles which exhibit respect for cultural diversity.

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

That’s right! No ifs, ands, or buts. It means what it says and says what it means. I want you to know that the Ministry that God has entrusted to me is just that, “No Corners-Cut, No Pacifying and No Round-about Way… Period!  So if you’re looking for a people pleaser or someone to condone your wrong, you might as well STOP READING RIGHT NOW! Put it down, because I am not the one. I am not a people pleaser, neither do I condone wrong and I don’t scratch itching ears, and I don’t care who you are. I am sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead. [Galatians 1: 10-12]. When it comes to God’s Word there is no tolerance. There is no variation in God; He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. You got that! Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, [Acts 7:51]. Ye serpents, generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? [Matthew 23:33]. As [Jeremiah 2:19] says, “Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backslidings will rebuke you.

I want you to know that I have been charge before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his kingdom to preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [2 Timothy 4:1]. To speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth! Now your ungodly friends may cheer you on towards destruction. They may bequeath the kiss of flattery. They may coddle your ego, telling you what you want to hear. Well forget about it, ain’t going to happen here! Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel [1Cor. 9:16].  I want you to know that Jesus was not afraid to wound his friends for the healing of their souls.  He rebuked followers and Pharisee alike. He would not have hestitated to say things that would offend us. He was without guile, without flattery. He called a spade a spade, and sin “sin.” Teaching this way is not optional. He said to me, “I charge thee, [Lou]. I am commanding you. I am ordering you to preach the Word and to be instant in season, out of season.” In season is when it’s popular. Out of season is when they don’t want to hear the truth. Then he said this: “Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” What is reprove- To tell someone that they’re wrong. What is rebuke -To reprimand; strongly warn; restrain. Exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. What is Exhort- To advise; to warn; to caution. It says with all long-suffering and doctrine. Doctrine is teaching the Bible.

I tell you the proverbial warnings against dismissing brotherly correction are staggering. The one who rejects reproof leads others astray (Proverbs 10:17), is stupid (Proverbs 12:1) and a fool (Proverbs 15:5), and despises himself (Proverbs 15:32). “Whoever hates reproof will die” (Proverbs 15:10), and “poverty and disgrace come to him” (Proverbs 13:18). But just as astounding are the promises of blessing to those who embrace rebuke. “Whoever heeds reproof is honored” (Proverbs 13:18) and prudent (Proverbs 15:5). “He who listens to reproof gains intelligence” (Proverbs 15:32), loves knowledge (Proverbs 12:1), will dwell among the wise (Proverbs 15:31), and is on the path of life (Proverbs 10:17) — because “the rod and reproof give wisdom” (Proverbs 29:15) and “the reproofs of discipline are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23).

“Whoaaaa-o-o-oooooo-ohhhhh….Do you want a revolution? Whoop Whoop! I said do you want a Revolution? “…Sick and tired of the Church, talkin’ religion….But then they talk about each other, make a decision… So don’t be caught slippin’, don’t be trippin’ brother … Even when we go they say we move too much, we do too much, if you step against us, then you lose too much ain’t no stoppin’ what we doin’ when the spirit is movin’ don’t be hatin’ what we doin’ I’m the vessel he’s usin’ everywhere I be they try to judge me, they try to shake me they try to budge me but they can’t break me ’cause I’m down with Christ…” [Revolution Lyrics – Kirk Franklin]

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. [Galatians 1:10]

You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet!

By Linden Beckford Jr.

When people speak about Soul Singers from the past, Joe Tex is seldom mentioned. This writer is hoping to help change that. Joe Tex was born Joseph Arrington Jr in Rogers, Texas on August 8, 1935. His mother moved to Baytown, Texas after she and Joe Sr. divorced. While growing up in Baytown, Joe Tex sang in a Pentecostal Church choir. This is very interesting to note. When one listens to the various songs of Joe Tex, you can clearly hear the church influence.

Joe performed at the Apollo Theatre as a result of winning $300 from a talent show in Houston, Texas. He won four weeks in a row. This led to him being discovered by Henry Glover, who offered him a contract with King Records. However, his mother wanted him to graduate high school first. Mr. Glover agreed to wait a year before signing him at age 19.

King Records was an American leading independent record company in Cincinnati, Ohio founded in the 1940s by Syd Nathan. Artists such as Hank Ballard, James Brown, and Etta James recorded for King Records. Joe Tex first started recording music in 1955. It has been said that James Brown would borrow microphone tricks from Joe.

While Joe Tex was at the height of his career, he was invited to a Nation of Islam temple in Miami, Florida in 1966. Troy X was the Minister of that temple at that time. Joe Tex accepted the teachings of Elijah Muhammad. Elijah Muhammad appoints him as Minister in the Nation of Islam in 1972. His name is changed to Yusef Hazziez. After Elijah Muhammad passed in February 1975, Joe Tex followed Warith Deen Muhammad (son of Elijah Muhammad) when he took the Nation of Islam in another direction. He went back to music with a band called 2nd Resurrection. Joe Tex had a smash hit in 1977 called, ”Aint Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman).”

Sadly, Joe Tex was in debt and very depressed. He passed away at his home in Navasta, Texas at age 47 from a heart attack. It will be important to remember this man as one of the great pioneers of Soul music! Long live the soul of Joe Tex!

Charles Owens, inventor of the long putter, poses with one of the clubs that he designed and used on tour on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at Rogers Park Golf Course in Tampa, Fla. (Photo by Craig Litten) NYTCREDIT: Craig Litten for The New York Times

Charles L. Owens, a trailblazing African-American golfer and the first person to use the yip-reducing long “belly” putter in competition, died September 7, 2017, in his hometown of Winter Haven, Florida. He was 85.

“We are extremely proud of our father’s life-long dedication to the sport of golf,” Owens’ family said after his death. “His contributions to the sport helped open it to everyone regardless of age, race or disability.”

Born in 1932, Owens grew up in the Jim Crow South, the son of Fred Owens, a groundskeeper at the Winter Haven Golf Course. He took up golf as a child by hitting bottle caps in the street with broken pine branches. That’s when he develops his unique cross-handed grip – an attempt to imitate golfers he saw on the course — that he would use the rest of his life.

During paratrooper training at Fort Bragg, N.C., in 1956, Owens shattered his left knee when his parachute failed to deploy properly. The resulting injury left him with a fused knee and a distinctive limp. It was the first of several leg injuries that would cause his career to ebb and flow over the years. After working as an assistant golf pro at the South Shore Golf Club on Staten Island, N.Y., Owens joined the United Golf Association in 1967. He earned his PGA Tour card in 1969 along with a sponsorship by Wilson Sporting Goods.

In 1971, he won the Kemper Asheville Open before being sidelined by another leg injury. In 1977, he became the head pro at Tampa’s Rogers Park Golf Course and oversaw a major overhaul of the publicly owned course. Built in 1952, it was for decades the only place in Tampa where African American golfers could play. The course was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.

Owens returned to the pro tour in 1986 and won the Seniors Tour twice that year. It was during one of those matches that he broke out his 52-inch-tall Slim Jim — his own version of the “belly” putter invented decades before but never used in competition. His version reached to his sternum, letting him putt despite a stiff back.

In 1987, he was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame and received the Golf Writers Association’s Ben Hogan Award, given to a golfer who succeeds despite a physical handicap.

More recently, he was inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame in 2007; published his autobiography, “I Hate to Lose,” in 2008; and was featured in “Uneven Fairways,” a 2009 Golf Channel documentary about the contributions made by African American golfers.

Owens was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease within the past year, after which his health quickly deteriorated.

His funeral was on Saturday, September 16, in Winter Haven.

By Lue Dowdy

One MEAL at a time is WHAT IT DO!

Mobilize with us!  LUE Productions and PitStop BBQ have teamed up along with a few other community entities. Our purpose is to serve 400 or more hot meals to the homeless located in Downtown San Bernardino. We go out into the homeless camps, underneath the freeway ramps, behind the abandoned buildings, and into the fields with HOT MEALS.

Every year the number of homelessness increases in San Bernardino. We’re asking for your HELP! We’re in need of food donations and volunteers. Please consider being a part of our efforts. We’ll be sending out hot meals, Tuesday, November 21 from noon until 4 p.m. at the library located at 555 W. 6th Street in San Bernardino. We thank you in advance! To donate or volunteer contact us via email at Lue.info@yahoo.com or text (909) 567-1000 or (909) 556.7637.

Here is a list of what is needed: Delivery Drivers (8) Packers (10) Servers (10) Turkeys (20) large Cans of Corn (20) large cans of green beans (20) rolls (500) bottles waters (500) dressing/stuffing mix (20) cranberry sauce (20) boxes of mash potatoes (20).

Until next week, L’z!

By Naomi K. Bonman

It takes some actors years to get their big break and then it takes others just a short amount of time. Rising Actor, Gonzalo Martin, landed a lead role in the upcoming Indie Film, “When It Rings.” The film features Golden Globe Winner and Best Actress Oscar Nominee Sally Kirkland and is produced by Tyrone Tann of Stauros Entertainment in collaboration with Corona based media company, Trick Shot Media Group.

“It was truly amazing when I found out that was going to be working with someone of such high caliber [Sally Kirkland],” Gonzalo states on his experience working on his first feature film with award winning talent. “I couldn’t believe it. My first feature film and I get this amazing opportunity to be acting side by side with an acting legend. She has done it all and she is amazing.”

Kirkland coached Martin for his lead role in the film. Martin attended New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. He was recently in the BuzzFeed web series “Snapped” and he also starred in an Apple commercial as well as a national commercial for Kellogg’s promoting, “L’eggo my Eggo.” Martin is definitely on his way to stardom.  

In addition to working with Kirkland, Martin also enjoyed working with Tann and is very appreciative of the opportunity that he has given not only himself, but other rising actors as well.

“The thing that I loved most about producing this film was giving new talent, such as Gonzalo Martin, an opportunity to star in their first feature film, as well as to give the directors and producers a chance to spread their wings as filmmakers and directors,” Tann explains. “It was also an honor and privilege to work with [the amazing and talented actress] Sally Kirkland.”

Tann gained notoriety in 1998 by breaking the Guinness World Records for producing the longest single take in a film called, “Bug Night.”

“When It Rings” is a psychological thriller and drama that focuses on a young man, Zach Garland (Gonzalo Martin) who is still haunted by his sister’s death. Ten years after a tragic accident  Zach returns to his childhood home to help his family sell the house. At the home, he finds a toy phone he would use to communicate with his dead sister when he was younger. Years of counseling convinced him it was all in his head until an unexpected call comes through the toy phone, setting off a series of terrifying events, making him question what, and who, is real.

The film is slated to release in early 2018. Check out the behind the scenes trailer below:

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

Well let me break it down for you.  God says he will chew you up and spit you out. [Revelation 3: 14-16]. Like a serpent that swallows hole; and digests and then vomits the remains of its victim. Make no mistake about it. You better get your act together! Stop your sinning! God has already warned you. [Nahum 2:13] “Beware, I am against you. This is the declaration of the LORD of Hosts. I will make your chariots go up in smoke and the sword will devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the sound of your messengers will never be heard again.”  I will bring you down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with male goats. [Jeremiah 51:40] “I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand, with a strong arm, even in anger and in fury and in great wrath. “You’d better change and repent or I will come and fight against you with the sword out of my mouth.” [Jeremiah 21:5] 

“Remember Pharaoh…  He was disobedience to Me and it cost him his honor, his people, his slaves, his army, his son, and his own life. Ahab, he was disobedient and the dogs licked up his blood.  The kings in [Joshua 9] instead of doing what I ask them to do, they plotted all kinds of clever little devices against Me and all five of them were taken and hanged on five trees in a row. Not the mention the 31 kings in [Joshua Chapter 12] who was also disobedience, Moses and Joshua alone slain them. Like I said, I will chew you up and spit you if you don’t get your act together.” Listen, God is long-suffering and not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance,” but sooner or later, life comes to an end and so does God’s patience. Don’t wait too late!

“These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me…… Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” [Revelation 3:14-22].

By Fred Lundgren, Huffington Post Contributor

In terms of human suffering, the answer is obvious… NOBODY!!! Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone whose lives are torn asunder from these horrific catastrophes. This article is not intended to divert our attention from their needs. Instead, it looks at alternative ways to restore their lives and their communities economically. 

Even before the torrential rains of Hurricane Harvey subsided, the SBA was sending out emails urging impacted home owners and businesses to apply for loans.

Each time a devastating storm reeks its havoc, the government wants to take a mortgage on land, homes or business assets which forces victims to pay them interest, or the government will guarantee bank loans so that banks can collect interest without exposure. Keep in mind that a loan is an asset to a lender and a depository account is a liability. This should answer any questions you might have about disaster recovery options. Just follow the money.

Think about it. Direct SBA disaster loans literally plug into the artery system of the community and drain off its blood for years, if not decades after a natural disaster.

AGAIN, LET’S FOLLOW THE MONEY. To fund a disaster loan, the government credits the recipient account which results in a digital entry that bears interest. In essence, every SBA loan become another form of government tax. As you will soon see, it’s an unnecessary tax.

The burden of interest gets attached to each disaster loan because in America, all money is borrowed into circulation. The federal government gave away its authority to create money with the passage of The Federal Reserve Act in 1913. As a result, the government borrows the money it needs to mitigate a natural disaster instead of printing it into existence which would be far more logical. 

Today, a majority of Americans are buried under a mountain of needless debt because our government fell under the control of a central bank and this absurd system gets more absurd after every natural disaster. 

When you spend a $100.00 “bill” you are spending bank credit that came into circulation when you, or someone else borrowed money. This system is doomed because everyone borrows the principal but no one borrows the interest when the loan is created. This creates a system of perpetual borrowing that eventually renders a debt based currency worthless, while concentrating the control of massive amounts of wealth in the hands of few powerful people and the government. Natural disasters accelerate and concentrate borrowing which only drags the economy further out of balance.

Take a look (below) at a traditional $100 dollar “bill”. This familiar series was issued for many years in America. The green stamp and the words “Federal Reserve Note” confirm that it’s a bill we owe that originated as interest bearing debt that we pretend is money.

A far superior way to handle the funding of disaster recovery and currency issuance in general, is to print UNITED STATES NOTES into circulation through the Treasury Department and avoid the Federal Reserve System. Then, our government could simply grant interest free money to disaster victims who will immediately spend it into circulation locally WITHOUT INCREASING THE PUBLIC DEBT, thus improving the economy and the asset base of the stricken area rather than creating more perpetual interest and debt. This can be done without increasing the public debt by a single dollar.

Take a look at a $100.00 “United States Note”. US Notes carry a red stamp and the words “United States Note” above the words “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”.

Just the mention of using America’s “people’s currency” to help families and businesses after natural disasters sends shivers up the spines of central banks around the world. 

Will the impact of the two worst natural disasters hitting America back to back be enough of a wake up call? Miracles happen. 

The President should declare a national state of emergency and begin spending the “people’s currency” into circulation in disaster areas before Hurricane Irma stretches the current debt system further beyond it’s limits.

PLEASE SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS AND STATEWIDE PUBLIC OFFICIALS

LOS ANGELES, CA- In response to a recent survey of African Americans in Los Angeles, AARP has announced that it has formed a partnership with Blavity, a Los Angeles-based media and technology company, to encourage African American millennials to begin planning for their financial future.

The AARP survey, entitled “California Dreaming …or Struggling,” revealed that two-thirds of respondents often worry about not having enough retirement savings. 

AARP and Blavity are collaborating to address this potential retirement-savings crisis by providing tools and information designed to arm millennials with the knowledge they need to manage their finances with the future in mind.

While some might wonder why an organization for people 50+ would partner with one that serves millennials, AARP’s California State Director Nancy McPherson sees a perfect match:

“AARP cares deeply about the financial security of all generations, because we are all connected through family, community, and economic ties,” she said. “Moreover, if we can reach millennials with messages about smart retirement planning while they still have many years left to save for retirement, we are ahead of the game.  That’s why this partnership with Blavity makes so much sense for us. We want to connect with millennials where they already are.” 

The partnership held a wealth-management seminar as a signature event on Wednesday, September13 at Blavity’s headquarters in Los Angeles. The seminar was led by Blavity CEO Morgan DeBaun along with investment advisors Michael and Irwin Persaud. Topics discussed were money management, paying off debt, and planning for retirement.

AARP offers an array of FREE personal finance tools at www.aarp.org/money.