WSSN Stories

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

“You fool!” Those are words I would never want to hear God say to me. Don’t you know that grace is God’s love which we do not deserve but yet are given? Grace is what keeps us alive [Ephesians 2:1-2]. What’s wrong with you? Prostituting God’s grace. Taking His goodness for granted.  Without grace, you will burst Hell wide open [Romans 6:23]. God wants you to know that He will not allow you to become complacent or neglectful concerning Him. He will not allow you to take Him for granted. He does not take it lightly!  Beware of taking God’s grace for granted!

Listen, when God learned of what Israel had done to His servants; when He learned of how Israel had over and over again, betrayed His love and taken His grace for granted, God became furious. His patience had been tested by His very own people – Israel. And so God’s wrath came upon Israel. God used the Roman armies to destroy Israel and its Temple. “What shall you say then? Shall you continue in sin, that grace may abound? If you understand what Paul has written in [Romans 6: 2, 15] …then you will cry out with him:  “Certainly not! – It is not to be thought of! – Not at all! – May it never be! – Never!  

I want you to know that Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 are the “Blessings and Curses” chapters of the Bible. And in [verses 14-29 of Leviticus] God says, “But if you do not obey Me [take Me for granted and treat Me neglectfully], and do not observe all these commandments, and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you. ‘And after all this, if you do not obey Me [if you still take Me for granted and if you still neglect Me], then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. I will break the pride of your power; I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze. And your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield its produce, nor shall the trees of the land yield their fruit. ‘Then, if you [still take Me for granted] and walk contrary to Me, and are not willing to obey Me, I will bring on you seven times more plagues, according to your sins. I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and make you few in number; and your highways shall be desolate. ‘And if by these things you [still take Me for granted] are not reformed by Me, but walk contrary to Me, then I also will walk contrary to you, and I will punish you yet seven times for your sins. And I will bring a sword against you that will execute the vengeance of the covenant; when you are gathered together within your cities I will send pestilence among you; and you shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. When I have cut off your supply of bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall bring back your bread by weight, and you shall eat and not be satisfied. ‘And after all this, if you do not obey Me [if you still are complacent and you continue to neglect Me and take Me for granted], but walk contrary to Me, then I also will walk contrary to you in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. You shall eat the flesh of your sons, and you shall eat the flesh of your daughters. But, “If you turn your heart around; if you accept your guilt and change (repent), I will remember My covenant.

Let us not take God’s grace for granted! The Holy Spirit cries out for you who are Christians to take your Christian faith seriously, not to neglect it, not to take it for granted, and certainly not to despise it. You have been called out of darkness into the marvelous light of Christ. You have been baptized into Christ and called out of Satan’s kingdom and into the kingdom of Christ. Do not be deceived! Do not take God’s grace for granted!

By Eric Easter, Urban News Service

The world’s first African-American Rolls Royce car dealer got there through hard work and perseverance, but only after disappointing his family. Thomas Moorehead’s parents thought the key to respectability was a Ph.D. Both teachers, they lived by an old-school axiom that the one thing you never can take away from a man is an education. Yet, with just a few credits and a dissertation to go, Moorehead abandoned his doctoral program, and his parent’s wishes, for an uncertain shot at learning the automobile business from the bottom up.

It was a leap of faith, an offer from a fraternity brother and mentor, James Bradley of Bradley Automotive Group, who promised to make Moorehead a millionaire in five years — if he took the risk. But it wasn’t the promise that attracted Moorehead: “Teaching was a guarantee of a long career, but I always had a passion for business,” he says.

His road to success required two years of apprenticeship with Bradley, the mortgaging of his home and the depletion of his savings to enter a training program, then eventually owning his first dealership, selling Buicks in Omaha, Neb. Moorehead built a strong reputation as someone dedicated to customer service, an essential value of the Rolls Royce brand. That reputation, and his sales record as owner of Sterling BMW in Virginia, sparked an invitation from Rolls Royce Motor Cars to join the exclusive club of only 33 dealers and 130 dealerships around the globe, an opportunity he accepted without hesitation. The new store, Rolls Royce Motor Cars of Sterling, is the sole Rolls Royce dealership in greater Washington, D.C. and covers much of the mid-Atlantic — from Virginia to southern Pennsylvania. It sits just across from Sterling BMW and Mini, his other successful dealership, a fact that fills him with immense pride.

“These are the best cars in the world, and I’m honored to be able to bring them to my customers,” Moorehead says as he looks across the lot.

His dealerships thrive in one of the region’s wealthiest communities, filled with prosperous government contractors, newly minted millionaires from tech start-ups and the Washington Redskins’ nearby training facility. But the opulence that Moorehead markets is a long way from his roots in Monroe, Louisiana, a town of 38,000 with a historic poverty rate twice the already poor state’s average.

During his youth, Monroe Colored High was the sole choice for black students in that segregated city. It was a time when, according to Moorehead, families like his could “offer you their good name, but not money.” That upbringing drives a sense of humility that led Moorehead to keep his own name off the dealership’s logo. “I always say the boss is the customer, not me. I don’t get caught up in having my name on the door,” he explains. “Actually, most customers who come in think I’m just another salesman, and that’s fine with me.”

In a world where demanding buyers have been known to add millions of dollars’ worth of custom details to their cars to reflect their personalities (fur-lined shoe-holders, built-in picnic baskets, crystal cufflink holders), Moorehead’s low-key manner is a studied contrast – a contrast he believes helps him sell more cars. “I can talk about the features of the cars all day but, ultimately, people are buying good service.”

At age 71, Moorehead still relies on the daily advice of mentors, who include Hall of Fame home-run great (now car dealer) Hank Aaron and former National Urban League president John Jacob. He calls them “instrumental” in shaping his business’s success. “They marked their careers by quietly getting the job done, but also being the best at what they do.”

While giving a tour of his office, Moorehead seems slightly embarrassed as he points to pictures of himself with presidents Obama and Clinton and an array of famous business leaders. That changes when he points out two items of which he’s most proud. The Laurel Wreath Award, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity’s highest honor for lifetime achievement. And then something much less distinct: a small cardboard sign that lists more than a dozen vendors who, he says, have contributed to his achievements — architects, decorators, contractors, cleaning-service owners and even the guy who printed the sign. All are African-Americans, and fraternity brothers, people for whom he has paid forward the gift that Bradley gave him.

“This is really what it’s all about, bringing other people up and giving something back.”

By Naomi K. Bonman

LOS ANGELES, CA- For those that are born and raised in California (Cali) will probably remember that gangs were created to protect the community; however, over these past several years gangs have gotten a bad reputation because of the drive-bys, killings of one another and innocent bystanders. Despite of the bad there is always good in between. Crip and Priu business partners, Malachi Jenkins and Robert Arturo Smith, are making an impact with their TrapKitchenLA in Compton.

“It all started when I got hired to be a personal chef for local pimps while living in Las Vegas,” Malachi “Spankihanas” Jenkins stated. “I started cooking for them after I dropped out of Le Cordon Bleu; they love rich pastas like shrimp and Chicken Alfredo, and dishes like that.”

TrapKitchenLA was launched in 2013 in South Central, Los Angeles when Chef “Spank” decided to sell plates of food to his community. He received plenty of help from his closet friends, News (Sous Chef) and DJ Kev (Delivery Coordinator), and together they have created a business that is growing rapidly with each passing day.

Taking their efforts from just single plates to catering major events, they are definitely on to something.”Spankihanas” is the name that they use where you get five star restaurant meals without the five star prices. Not only are the meals affordable, but they can be delivered right to your door! Each combo includes a canned soda and range from $10 to $20.

Creating the Kitchen saved the two of them from the streets and from getting into trouble. This is what I call inspiration. Our young brothers in the streets can look up to these two young men and realize that if these brothers can make something good for themselves despite where they come from, then anyone can.

”We went from hanging in the clubs and messing with them girls to hanging in the kitchen and messing with food. I’m a Piru, and he is a Crip, but that doesn’t matter,” Smith said.

The two chefs have became widely known the neighborhood for their cooking, as well as for their love of music which has given them the opportunities to cater to renowned Hip-Hip icons and to cater for Kendrick Lamar’s wedding party.

Not only is TrapKitchenLA catering and giving back to the Los Angeles community, but they have also donated 5,000 water bottles to the Flint, Michigan Community. Jenkins and Smith are definitely going beyond the call of duty and beating the odds in several ways. Smith’s passion is to feed Los Angeles County and have no one go hungry; massive goal.

Follow TrapKitchenLA and Connect with Jenkins and Smith at trapkitchen.com.

Photo Credit: Freddie Washington

What It Do With the LUE is Longevity! Energetic! Passionate! Creative! Spiritual! An all-around show stopper is just a few words to describe the man they call Uncle Charlie.

Major props for San Manuel Indian Bingo on bringing out the legendary Charlie Wilson to San Bernardino! Uncle Charlie showed UP and showed OUT! He gave us that R-n-B and Soul, mixed with funk. The house was packed with everyone on their feet vibin’ to his classic vocals, and the sounds of his amazing band will always be a special memory for me.

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma this singer is no stranger to the Word of God. Gaining his singing roots in church, Mr. Wilson and his brothers formulated a new sound which birthed the famous group, The Gap Band. Having highs and lows and a battle with drug addiction throughout his career, Mr. Wilson beat the odds and made a comeback.

Hooking up with star powers such as rapper Snoop Dogg of Dog Pound Entertainment, reminded him of his love for the music. Snoop Dogg gave Mr. Wilson the name Uncle Charlie. Snoop re-introduced him to a younger generation as they collaborated on several hit songs. When you have 21 and 25 year olds singing your songs word for word, then you know you were destined to perform.

I had such a good time the music took me back. “Mr. first name Charlie, last name Wilson,” is truly a legend in the game. Until next week folks L’z!

Follow LUE Productions on Face Book /Twitter/Instagram

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

“Baby you know, [with Valentine’s Day just a few days away], I was just sitting here thinking how happy we are right now, and the way we are with each other, and the way we’ve been with each other. You know every now and then, two people get to share, to know love as we know it, and as we share it… And I really wish, and probably it doesn’t mean nothing to no one else, but I really, really wish, that all [men] all over the world, could be loved, as much as I love you. They could be needed and wanted as much as you are. You see baby, to me, it’s like sometimes I think to myself and I say, humph! [Sister], you’re really lucky; you’ve got a [man] that loves you, that needs you… that pleases you… A [man] that does everything on earth that a [woman] could dream of. You got a [man] that makes you feel real. A [man] that keeps you strong, right on! A [man], that means so many things in so many ways. You’ve got it all! So, you see baby, I, I really can’t help myself when I tell you that I love you baby, and I thank God for you…. and I want you to know that I do. You know, sometimes I get so, so emotional over you, I just wanna run out in the street and scream and shout, and just tell the world I’m in love…. I found that one, I found that someone… Never knew love could be so true… Baby, I could go on forever and ever, but I just want you to know that… I love you baby, Ooh, I love you…” [Barry White – Hard to Believe That I Found You Lyrics]

“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If one offered for love all the wealth of one’s house, it would be utterly scorned.” –Song of Solomon 8:6-7

The Song of Solomon… It’s the only book of the Bible that features a female narrator, and she is far more open and honest about her most intimate desires than any proper Hebrew woman would ever be. The Song of Solomon simply features two lovers singing to one another as their relationship blossoms from courtship to consummation. Nobody who has experienced the ecstasy and agony of love would dare to deny that “love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave.” And anybody whose heart beats or aches for another knows that “many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.” Truly if you offered for love all the wealth of your house, it would be utterly scorned.

The female narrator begins the book by begging her beloved to kiss her “with the kisses of his mouth. For your love is better than wine, your anointing oils are fragrant, your name is perfume poured out; therefore the maidens love you” (1:2-3). Or, in chapter 2, when she says, “As an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples; for I am faint with love” (2:3, 5). Or in chapter 5, when she describes her lover as “all radiant and ruddy. His head is the finest gold; his locks are wavy, black as a raven. His eyes are like doves beside springs of water, bathed in milk, fitly set. His cheeks are like beds of spices, yielding fragrance. His lips are lilies, distilling liquid myrrh. His arms are rounded gold, set with jewels. His body is ivory work, encrusted with sapphires. His legs are alabaster columns, set upon bases of gold. His speech is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved, and this is my friend” (5:10-16). Or, finally in chapter 7, when she beckons, “Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the fields and lodge in the valleys . . . there I will give you my love” (7:11-12).

Of course, the unnamed narrator doesn’t get all the good lines. Her beloved is equally passionate and sensual in his speech. In chapter 2, he cries, “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land” (2:10-12). And in chapter 4, he describes her as so very, very beautiful: “Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats, moving down the slopes of Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes that have come up from the washing. Your lips are like a crimson thread, and your mouth is lovely. Your cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate behind your veil. Your neck is like the tower of David. Your breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle that feed among the lilies. You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you” (4:1-5, 7). And finally, he announces in chapter 7, “How fair and pleasant are you, O loved one, and delectable maiden! Your kisses are like the best wine that goes down smoothly, gliding over lips and teeth” (7:6, 9).

I want you to know that there is a long tradition of interpreting this book allegorically, viewing the passion of these two people as an expression of agape, the endless and unconditional love of God. According to this reading of the text, God is one of the lovers, and the church, you [the believer], is the other and your love for one another grows in strength and splendor until the final joyful discovery that even death and the grave can no longer overcome it. It is an invitation into the very heart of God, and a promise that the love you find there will be as strong as death and as fierce as the grave. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you [1 Thessalonians 3:12]. From all of us at Westside Story Newspaper to all of you, Happy Valentine’s Day! And to the lover of my Soul, Jesus, I Love You!

Dinner with Dads

VICTORVILLE, CA- What happens at the dinner table stays in the hearts and minds of children. At least that is the message a group of fatherhood, community and education advocates throughout the Victorville valley are working hard to get out.

“Dinner With Dad” is a community outreach event hosted by hip hop recording artist, television personality (Men of Faith In Action) and Victorville resident, “Justified,” focused on bringing fellowship and resources to fathers wanting to make a positive difference in the lives of their children.

Dr. Ronald Williams, Victor Valley Union High School District, was a featured guest at the February 4 “Dinner with Dad” event. He shared the importance of both fatherhood and parent engagement in a child’s education.  As well as, how fathers can impact and create key networks for children and communities they live in.

Street Positive CEO, Terry Boykins, is an organizer and sponsor of Dinner with Dads.  He commented, “Years ago myself and other fatherhood advocates, namely Marcelino “Mars” Serna, discussed the importance of connecting fathers and student academic achievement, as well as, positive community modeling throughout San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire in general. Seeing these young fathers taking a proactive position to make a positive difference is very exciting.”

In addition to education and community, Dinner with Dad also featured speakers and resources on mental health, financial planning, travel, communications, safety, fitness, employment and other topics of interest to help fathers succeed in parenting.

For more information on Dinner with Dad call (442) 284.3733, or visit www.streetpositive.com.

Naima J. Keith

LOS ANGELES, CA- The California African American Museum (CAAM) is pleased to announce Naima J. Keith as their new deputy director for exhibitions and programs. Keith joins the Museum after having served for nearly five years at The Studio Museum in Harlem. She comes to CAAM as the first senior staff member hired by CAAM’s Executive Director George Davis following his recent appointment. Keith will oversee CAAM’s art, history and education programs. She will also continue to curate exhibitions.

“I am trilled to have Naima join CAAM’s management team as she brings a solid reputation that is well recognized in the art world, in addition to being a Los Angeles native,” says CAAM’s Executive Director George Davis.  “With Naima as our Deputy Director, we can count on a cutting-edge future that charts a new path for our Museum. The energy and creativity that she will bring to the programs and exhibitions we offer will be a valued asset to our institution and Los Angeles.”

Prior to joining CAAM, Keith served as associate curator at The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York.  During her tenure at the Studio Museum, Keith organized several critically acclaimed exhibitions, including Samuel Levi Jones: Unbound, Kianja Strobert: Of This Day in Time, Titus Kaphar: The Jerome Project, Glenn Kaino:19.83, Robert Pruitt: Women, The Shadows Took Shape (co-curated with Zoe Whitley) and Fore (co-curated with Lauren Haynes and Thomas Lax) among many others. Her exhibition Charles Gaines Gridwork 1974-1989 traveled to the Hammer Museum and was nominated for a “Best Monographic Museum Show in New York,” award by the International Association of Art Critics. Her final exhibition for the Studio Museum, Views of Main Street, opens spring 2016 and will be the first major New York solo museum exhibition by Los Angeles-based artist Rodney McMillian.  Additionally, Rodney McMillian: Views of Main Street will be accompanied by a full-color scholarly publication titled Rodney McMillian, co-edited by Keith and Anthony Elms, Chief Curator at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia.

“I am delighted to join George Davis in leading this nationally recognized and essential cultural institution,” says Keith.  “As a native Angeleno, I have long admired the California African American Museum, and now it will be exciting to play a pivotal role in its continued growth.”

Keith has lectured for leading arts and culture institutions including the Zoma Contemporary Art Center located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts; The Museum of Modern Art, New York; and Brooklyn Museum. Her essays have been featured in publications for the Studio Museum, Hammer Museum, LAXART, MoMA PS1,  NKA: Journal of Contemporary African Art, among many others.

Keith received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Spelman University and a Masters of Arts in history from the UCLA.

Not all gangs are bad is What it Do With The LUE this week! When you think of the word gang, I’m sure the first thought that comes to most folks mind is TROUBLE. Stoney Gang Entertainment and 4 Everthuggin Entertainment are two entities that work simultaneous together in order to create and push its talented artists to the forefront of the music industry. Stoney Gang Entertainment is the management side of the house and 4 Everthuggin is the production side of the house. Both entities are founded by CEO, Stoney MAK. MAK had a vison and took off from there.

Stoney MAK wanted to create an environment for talented artists looking to lead a better way of life other than street gangs. His motto is, “Put it to paper and spit it on over the MIC.” The company specializes in their own beats and production. The team has been all over the state of California opening up for well-known artists in the game.

Artists under Management consist of “Yugan,” “Princess Stoney,” “Baby Tank,” and “Sleepy.” Please make sure you follow their music. More to come from this talented gang of individuals. Until next week L’z!

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Ladies…. Have you ever met someone who just left you in awe? I mean, they were so great and so wonderful that you were left shaking your head and saying, “There’s nobody else like Him!” Well the Bible records for us the account of one such meeting. In [1 Kings 10] the Queen of Sheba was left in amazement when she met King Solomon. She went away saying, “There’s nobody like Him!” But I want you to know that as great as King Solomon was in his day, a greater than Solomon is here! He is all that Solomon was reputed to be, but 20,000 times more! I tell you, “I have never been so much in love before, what a difference a true love makes in my life. So nice, so right, loving Him gives me something new that I’ve never felt, never dreamed of. Something’s changed, no it’s not the feeling I had before; oh, and it’s much, much, more. Love I never knew that a touch could mean so much, what a difference. And when we walk hand in hand, I feel so real. Lovers come and then lovers go that’s what folks say… but what we have is much more than they can see…” [L.T.D – Love Ballad Lyrics]

I’m talking about the Man who meets the Standard. He can meet every need, whether it is physical, material or spiritual! He has all power and He can move your mountains, quench your thirst and save your soul! He holds all the answers to all your questions. In fact, He is the Answer to all the riddles, problems and questions of life! They all rest and reside in Him. He can bring you into the presence of the God of eternity! He alone can give you the vital connection you need to God. He alone bridges the gap between God and man! I tell you, there’s nobody like Him! He owns it all and He takes care of His own! There are no shortages with Him [Psa. 24:1; Psa. 50:12; Job 41:11]. Not only does He have it all, but He is willing to share it all with those who feed from His table, [Phil. 4:19; Psa. 37:25]. His people love Him and want to be around Him to hear His Word and to do His bidding. Those who know Him and love Him want to serve Him [Titus 2:14; Eph. 2:10]. When lost men hear about Him, it piques their curiosity. It whets their appetites. It makes them want to come to know Him!  I tell you, there’s nobody like Him! There’s nobody like Him in His Piety, [Heb. 7:26; Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22]. Yes, Solomon was a man of faith, but He is the focus of faith! He is infinitely holy and righteous. Solomon was a man who offered sacrifices to God, but He offered Himself as a sacrifice to God for humanity! He gave His life on the cross to redeem all those who will place their faith in Him, [1 Pet. 1:18-19]. He will always give you back far more than you give up! And He will always prove to be far more glorious than anyone could ever articulate! He will leave you flabbergasted, astounded and amazed! You will have to say “There’s nobody like Him!” I tell you, “You’ll never find, as long as you live someone who loves you tender like He do. You’ll never find, no matter where you search someone who cares about you the way He do…” [Lou Rawls – You’ll Never Find]

His love… It is the most overwhelming thing I have ever encountered in my life. It Is Unspeakable – [Rom. 8:38-39] It Is Unending – [Jer. 31:3]… It Is Unselfish – [Rom. 2:4; 1 John 4:19] – It Is Unmerited – – [Matt. 23:37.] It Is Unconditional – It Is Supernatural. It is Sacrificing and it is Satisfying! And He has captured my heart. His name… Jesus! I invite you to be captured by the glory of the One and only who can set you free to truly live… Jehovah/Yahweh– Jehovah–Adonai– Jehovah-El– Jehovah–Elohim– Jehovah–Jireh– Jehovah–Makeh– Jehovah–Mekaddishkem– Jehovah–Nissi– Jehovah–Rapha– Jehovah–Roi– Jehovah–Saboath– Jehovah–Shalom– Jehovah–Shammah– Jehovah–Tsidkenu– EL–Elyon–  El–Gmulot– El–Olam– El–Roi– El–Shaddai… Qanna… He is my everything! In Him I live and have my being. There’s nobody like Him! I’ve made my vow, everything that I am and hope to be, for the rest of my life, I’m fully committed. My hands, my heart, my mind, every part of me until the day I die, I’ll say, yes! [Walter Hawkins -Fully Committed Lyrics] Because there’s nobody like Him!

Renea Wickman

By Renea Wickman

In November 2014 citizens of California overwhelmingly voted to pass Proposition 47 also called the Neighborhood and Schools Act. Proposition 47 is a law that provides that certain low level non violent felonies can now be reduced to misdemeanors. Thousands of people volunteered to walk and call to ensure thousands more citizens to ensure that Proposition 47 was passed – and it was. Since that time hundreds of inmates, in particular, African Americans have been released from prison, jail, parole and probation because of Prop 47 related. Here in the IE alone, the Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches, Time for Change, Starting Over Inc. and many other organizations have held Proposition 47 clinics helping African Americans and other people reduce their felonies to misdemeanors.

The millions of dollars in savings would breakdown to 25% going to the Department of Education , 10% going to Victim Compensation and 65% going to the Board of State and Community Corrections to be distributed to programs directly related to those released and affected by proposition 47. In February 2015, the California State Legislative Analyst’s Office, LAO, estimated the states savings from 100 million to 200 million for 2016 – 2017. However, at the same time it was reported that 1,900 inmates would be released as a result of Proposition 47 in 2015 – 2016 with a savings of roughly 73 million dollars.

Community members demanded that funds for newly released inmates be put back into the community for support with mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, life skills training, job training and education and not given to law enforcement. The community was on a roll and it was expected that the funds would in fact go to Community Based Organization and not back in the pockets of law enforcement. However, the Governor just released the 2016 – 2017 proposed budget where he is now saying that the savings only amounts to 29 million dollars.

It is my belief that the pressure is on the Governor and other elected officials to redirect that money back to jails paying correction officers, parole and probation, law enforcement as a whole. Here’s why, with proposition 47 working so well, eventually the decrease in inmates, and people on parole and probation means the state will have to eliminate those jobs. Well, law enforcement is not having that. Law enforcement have the most powerful unions in the country, who give billions of dollars to our elected officials campaigns. They own them.

The African American community has been exploited by the prison industrial complex for centuries and white people have made fortunes off our incarceration. We have always been the most populated in the prisons and jails across the country. Here in California we are only 6.6% of the population but make up as much as 40% of the incarcerated population. This institution has destroyed our families and our communities apart –  is time for us to really back and hard comprehensive criminal justice reform. We will be writing letters to the Governor and state legislators requesting more information on how Proposition 47 savings went from up to 200 million dollars to now only 29 million dollars.

If you would like more information on how you can help, please contact Renea Wickman at myjibril@msn.com or 909 567 0222.