WSSN Stories

RIVERSIDE, CA— Are your hair care products making you sick? Healthy Heritage Movement Inc. (HHM), a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to eliminate health disparities within the African American community recently launched a community-based participatory research study in 2013. This study will examine this very question.

Is the Cost of Beauty (COB) Putting Black Women at Risk? The Inland Empire African American Wellness Collaborative (IEAAWC) Hair and Health Study is an important project that is investigating whether or not Black women are being put at risk as a result of the deadly chemicals that can be found in hair care products such as relaxers, dyes etc. The beauty industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and despite the emergence of the natural hair trend, black consumers still continue to spend an exorbitant amount of money on products such as; straighteners, hair weaves, wigs and extensions.

Emerging evidence for the COB research project suggests toxins found in some hair care products African American/Black women use may contribute to breast cancer. In addition, the research project also examines women in the Inland Empire, and their rationale for using hair relaxers and products that contain hormone altering ingredients.

“We would like to see legislation passed that regulates the hair care product industry with warnings about the potential dangers as a result of this research study,” said HHM Founder and CEO Phyllis Clark.

Joint participation of the COB program includes Loma Linda University and Quinn Community Outreach Corporation. The COB research project is sponsored by The California Breast Cancer Research Program. Since its inception in 2013, the health study has interviewed over 200 women and men throughout the Inland Empire, and 150 survey participants.

The COB research project has also submitted nine abstract publications and completed seven conference presentations; one article has been submitted for publication to the Behavioral Medicine journal and approval is pending.

HHM recently participated in the Nappywood 3rd Annual Los Angeles Natural Hair and Lifestyle Expo which took place in early August. HHM Founder and CEO Clarkserved on one of many panels that took place during the conference, along with other industry experts. Discussion of a broad range of health issues relating to overall health and wellness took place, including a need to retrain and reeducate stylists on natural hair processes, particularly in the African American community. These panels included health advocates, hair care innovators, cosmetologists and some of the top hair stylists in the industry. When posed with the question of what challenges these industry experts are faced with, one panelist expressed that cosmetology schools don’t equip you on how to care for hair in its natural state without the use of straightening chemicals.

Miko Branch, owner of Miss Jessie’s stated, “Embracing natural hair is creating a paradigm shift of a generation who is learning to care for their own hair, in turn eliminating the need for going to licensed professional stylists.”

However, audience and panel members both agreed with Ms. Clark who emphatically pointed out,“We don’t want to see salons eliminated altogether, but our expectations of them have changed.”

For more information about the COB hair health research program, contact Dede Kossiwa Teteh at dteteh@healthyheritage.org.

About Healthy Heritage

The Healthy Heritage Movement ™ (HHM) – Our Health ? Our Heritage ? Our Movement, HHM’s mission is to eliminate health disparities in the African American community by providing culturally relevant wellness programs and resources, peer navigation, and advocacy training.

HHM provides health education programs to decrease the disproportionate number of African Americans affected by chronic diseases: Cancer, Heart Disease, Diabetes, Hypertension, and Obesity.

Their healthy lifestyle Community Health Leaders (CHL) host conferences, classes, workshops and personal counseling.

About The Founder
Phyllis Clark is the Founder and CEO of The Healthy Heritage Movement Inc. (HHM). She is a very active health advocate, committed to the fight against cancer which is the #1 killer of African-Americans and the disease that took her mother at a young age.

As a volunteer for the American Cancer Society (ACS) since 2003, she is the Lead Legislative Ambassador for Congressional District 41, and the chair for the California African American/Black Team. She is also a member of the region’s Cancer Leadership Council. She has received numerous awards including the American Cancer Society prestigious Harold P. Freeman Award, and Volunteer of the Year award in 2007, to name a few.

She is a member of the Riverside Community Diabetes Collaborative (RCDC), the Network for a Healthy California, the Southern California Donate Life Network, and the California Partnership for Access to Treatment (CPAT). She is also a past Board Member of the Komen for the Cure Inland Empire Affiliate.

Ms. Clark recently earned her Masters of Business Administration in Marketing. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Redlands School of Business. In addition, she has a Vocational Instructor Credential in Retail Marketing from University of California Riverside, and an Associate of Arts degree in Fashion Merchandising.

She loves spending time with her sons, grandson, extended family and friends, as well as church, swimming, enjoying music, museums and live theater.

@healthyheritage #costofbeauty #healthyhair #healthyhairisgoodhair

The following statement was issued Wednesday after two WDBJ- TV journalists were killed during a live broadcast in Virginia:

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) expresses its deepest sympathies to the families of Alison Parker and Adam Ward. Journalists go to work everyday to inform audiences of the news in their communities. Today, two journalists lost their lives in a senseless act of violence. The NABJ family sends its prayers and condolences to the WDBJ-TV family.

To read the story on what happened, just in case you missed it click here

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

You will never, ever, get relief from the things that have you in bondage until you let them go. Don’t you see what the enemy [Satan] is doing in your life? He not only has control of your life, but he has control of your mind, and he keeps placing these strongholds in your mind and you keep accepting them. Until you stand up, and say “Enough is enough” Satan is going to keep right on walking all over you and interfering with your life. Don’t let the devil keep beating you up. And quit trying to figure it out, quit trying to do it the way you always have, quit trying to look other places for relief, give it to God. Imagine what it would be like for you to know that you’ve left your baggage at the foot of the cross. I tell you, it’s time to let go. Don’t let the past blind you or bind you. Don’t allow the devil to have any more control over you! Let go and let God. Let God set you free!

Listen; I know that sometimes we have problems or circumstances that we suffer through for years; and at times we have seen our families go through some stuff. But I want you to know that God will supernaturally intervene on your behalf and you can be totally set free and live a good life… But… you have to want a better life and you have to believe that God can do it. We need to all understand that once we have been saved and we are living righteously we have the authority through the blood of Jesus to bind the Devil and his entourage that are sent to buffet, control, and harm us. Not only that, we have the authority to lose freedom, peace, contentment and joy into our lives. Paul said in 2 Timothy 1:7, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” I want you to know that you can bind any spirit that tries to interrupt, tear up, disturb, terrorize, control, or destroy you, and you have the authority through Jesus to loose mass confusion in the enemy’s camp. It’s time! It’s time for you to stand up for yourself and take authority over Satan. For God has given you everything you need pertaining to life. Use your power. And know that Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.  So get up and shake the devil off. Put him under your feet. Take a stand and tell the Devil “To Hell with You!” It’s time that you take back what is yours and proclaim the victory that Jesus has already won for you on the cross. Remember, Satan has already been defeated–he knows what his outcome is–he knows already where he is going, but it is his intention to take as many of us with him that he possibly can. What are you holding on to that you need to let go of?  You need to be healed. You need to be cleansed. You need to be restored. Let go and let God set your free!

Don’t you know that God has put at our disposal [ready for the taking] every spiritual good including mighty weapons to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down every imagination or speculations plus every lofty thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, arresting and bringing them to the obedience of Christ and hence denouncing every act of disobedience [2 Corinthians 10:3-6]. You must quickly place the enemy where he belongs; under your feet. Today power must change hands.  You must enforce God’s victory over the kingdom of darkness. Declare, by the decrees of heaven, that you cannot lose any battle, because you fight the wars of Jehovah Elshadai on a covenant platform… Start declaring, start decreeing, you shall live and not die. Amen!  Now I want to challenge you. Some of you right now have been holding on to memories where a father abused you. That baggage has gone with you into every relationship you’ve had as an adult. Some of you have hidden sin—a drinking problem that no one knows about, a deep struggle with pornography, a root of bitterness that has taken over your heart. For some it’s hard to let go of wanting things to be the way they were. For others it’s hard to let go of disagreements over past decisions. Whatever the situation is, I want to challenge you to decide that today you will let go and let God. You will trust that God will do what He said He would do in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”  I tell you, God will give you rest if you will just let go. Will you let go and let God? You can be freed from bondage and healed from brokenness and be full of joy for there’s power in Jesus. There’s healing in Jesus. There’s deliverance in Jesus. Let go and let God. Be free!

You know in Philippians 3:12-14. Paul’s ultimate goal was to know Christ completely even to the point of being resurrected with Christ. He said he had not arrived yet, but one thing he knew he had to do was to, “Forget those things which were behind him, and reach forth unto those things which were before…” Paul had to let go of his past in order to take hold of his future. Will you do it? Will you forget those things which are behind you and reach forth unto those things which are before you? Whom the Lord set free is free indeed! Dance in your freedom!

A Press Statement from Advancement Project –

Julian Bond

WASHINGTON – The Southern Poverty Law Center announced earlier this week that Mr. Horace Julian Bond succumbed to a brief illness on Sunday, August 15. The national racial justice organization, Advancement Project, released the following statement regarding the passing of the long-time civil rights leader:

“A man of wisdom, courage and strong conviction, Mr. Bond was an iconic jewel who will be sorely missed,” said Advancement Project Co-Director Judith Browne Dianis. “From co-founding the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the Southern Poverty Law Center, to serving as a state legislator in the Georgia State Senate and the Georgia House of Representatives, to his decade-long tenure at the helm of the NAACP, Mr. Bond was an impactful leader, educator and civil rights activist. While many were never his formal students at the many colleges and universities where he taught and lectured — Harvard, American University, Drexel, The University of Pennsylvania – we are all beneficiaries of his enduring lessons on organizing against injustice and structural racism.”

“In all respects, Julian Bond was legendary. In 1968, he was the youngest person, and the first African American, to have his name placed into nomination for Vice President,” said Advancement Project Managing Director and General Counsel Edward A. Hailes. “He withdrew because he didn’t meet the constitutional requirement of being at least 35 years old. Regardless of the formal title he held, Julian Bond continued fighting for marginalized communities. It is on his shoulders that young leaders, who have ushered in unprecedented focus and attention on police interactions with communities of color, stand.”

“Many people recognize Mr. Bond as a civil rights activist, but to me, he is revered as a strategic communicator, having served as communications director for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and host of America’s Black Forum, one of the longest running syndicated television shows in history,” said Advancement Project Managing Director for Communications Jennifer R. Farmer.

What it do I.E.! Nipsey Hussle will be live this Saturday, August 22! If you’re a lover of Hip Hop, Rap, and R&B then I got something special for you this Saturday. A little birdy told me that Nipsey Hussle the rapper will be live in the Dino at the Sports Center located at the National Orange Show Fair Grounds. Females are truly putting it down in the industry which is considered to be a male dominated market. Several years ago you wouldn’t have seen so many out front as you do now; not that we haven’t always been here. I wonder why that is. Well, in my opinion, it has a lot to with fear; fear that a woman can do just as well if not better than a male when it comes to making moves and getting things done.

I have to give props to Latisha Rushing, CEO of Black Collar Entertainment and Jacquetta Green, CEO of Cali All Stars Entertainment. These two talented ladies have linked up with Jessie Green, CEO of JoeRee Muzik to bring amazing entertainment to the I.E. If you haven’t had a chance to purchase your tickets you still can all links are located below. Last week it was Casey Veggies. Oh, and by the way, our LUE Productions artists GWAAP FAM will be performing live along with Staxx Hughes, Skater Dee, and many more talented artists. Hope to see you there.

Please follow LUE Productions on twitter and Instagram and like our face book page under LUE Productions. We appreciate the support and love. Until next week, Keep It Movin’ as we do. L’z!

For event tickets call (909) 252-2359 or (818)943-0544 . You can also purchase tickets online at milseries.eventbrite.com. The Sports Center is located at 930 S. Arrowhead GATE 10, in San Bernardino. Doors open at 9 p.m.

: International Fashion Designer Malan Breton (middle) with former supermodel Beverly Johnson (right). (Photo by Naomi K. Bonman)

By Naomi K. Bonman

It is not often that fashion and film collide, but it should more often. The evening of Monday, August 17 was just perfect. The weather was warm with a slight breeze as models, actors, actresses, and producers walked the red carpet in their best ensembles to support Taiwanese designer, Malan Breton, during the premiere of his documentary, “A Journey to Taiwan”.

Each celebrity guest filled the Regent Landmark Theatre in Westwood, Los Angeles to get first dibs on watching Breton lifted the veil on his recent and most uniquely inspirational journey to his homeland. Throughout the film he discussed his knowledge of his deeply intense love affair with the country of his birth. He also revealed his Spring/Summer 2015 women’s and men’s collection on screen, and some of his collections were seen on the red carpet guests.

Guests of the evening included Amanda Fields, Project Runway; Katie Clearly, actress/model; Julie Garnye, actress; Beverly Johnson, Top Model/actress; Matt Raimo, actor; Bert Keeter, Prect Runway; and a host of others.

Actress and former supermodel Beverly Johnson (Naomi K. Bonman)

Katie Clearly (Credit: Naomi K. Bonman)

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Now I know that this week message might sound similar to last week message, but to the Spirit direction. Amen!

Now that we got that out of the way… How many of you remember the movie, Lady Sings the Blues…. Diana Ross was superb and did she not sing that song…  Ain’t Nobody’s Business…. like it was nobody business…. Oh yes, she did!  She sang that song. She said, I’m gonna do just what I want to anyway, and don’t care if you all despise me. If I should take a notion to jump into the ocean, it ain’t nobody’s business if I do. If I go to church on Sunday and I shimmy down on Monday, It ain’t nobody’s business if I do, Lord no….” and Bobby Brown echoed, its “My Prerogative, why don’t they just let me live? I don’t need permission. Make my own decision, that’s my prerogative. I can do what I wanna do.” Cold parts about it….They are right. God has given you free will, “choice” and you have the right to accept Him or reject Him, but what I want you to know today is what you don’t have is His right to His judgment. But go ahead and enjoy your life; be happy, do what you want to do, and follow your heart desire, just remember though, that God is going to judge you for whatever you do; but don’t let that worry you or cause you pain because, “Ain’t nobody business if you do!”

Now because I don’t want you to be blind to the consequences of your choices; but want you to have a clear understanding about your choosing;  why you are still young before dismal and years come when you will say I don’t enjoy life; before the light of the sun, the moon, and the stars begins to grow dim for you; before the time comes when the rain cloud will never pass away; before your arms that have protected you begin to tremble and your legs which are now strong begin to grow weak; before your teeth become too few to chew your food and your eyes too dim to see clearly; before your tears become deaf to the noise of the streets; before you are barely able to hear the mill as it grind or music as it plays; before the songs of the dead awake you from your sleep; before you become afraid of high places; before your walking becomes dangerous for you; before your hair turn white and before you are hardly able to drag yourself alone… I want you to know that everybody got their business. You got yours and God has His. Do not be deceived. God will not be mocked!  [Ecclesiastes 11:10; 12:1-8].

I tell you, you better ask Eli [1Sam 2:27] did not God clearly reveal Himself to his father house when they were in Egypt? Yes, he did! Why? Because, “Ain’t Nobody Business” really is “Somebody Business,” God!  I tell you, we are so short-sighted, we choose wrong. We choose the world over choosing God. Careful!  Paul the apostle made a statement. [Eph 5:15-17] See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil, wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Did you hear what he said- be careful how you live – redeem the time; (make the most of every opportunity). I want you to know that the Bible talks a great deal about wisdom and contrasts it with foolishness. Proverbs declares that there is nothing in the world that is more valuable than wisdom: Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7, NIV)

So often, we are encouraged to “follow our hearts” or to do what “feels right” or “live in the moment.” This is the epitome of foolishness! When you choose to think only about your present desires without really weighing the consequences of your actions, you act foolishly. Wisdom is about seeing the big picture and living based on what you know to be true rather than on what you feel. Paul says that since we have been made new by God, we must be careful to live wisely instead of living foolishly. In other words, be careful how you live, and walk in the way of wisdom as opposed to the way of foolishness. Remember that the choices you make have consequences—often consequences that you may not be able to anticipate. Paul wants you to understand that walking wisely is intended to protect you and to guide you along the best path for your life. Therefore, be deliberate in your choices, and choose to walk in the way of wisdom because there is a great deal at stake… If you didn’t know, now you know, “Ain’t Nobody Business is Somebody Business –God!”

Professor Low

What it Do! What it Do! So ya’ girl is still riding the wave from our 2015 Indie Artist Award Show, “My Music, My MIC”. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that participated in helping to make the event a success; we look forward to next year’s.

This week I’d like to highlight artist, Professor Low, of Onmymama Records/OnmymamaTV. Straight out of the City of Rialto, music has always been a big part of Professor Low’s life.

When he was a little boy he used to love to dance and listen to music, he even played instruments. Taking up the trumpet in elementary school and playing the drums for the San Bernardino Pacesetters, his hunger for music took off. Professor Low wrote his first rhyme at the tender age of 11 and landed his first gig in the choir at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.      Influenced greatly by Hip Hop, he studied artists such as, Ice Cube, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Twista, Crucial Conflict, Nas, Outkast, KRS-one, Dr. Dre, Snoop, Teddy Riley, Timberland, Kris Kross, Fiend, Mystikal and a few others. Forming  his own style in high school, one day during lunch a friend of his named, A.N.T. introduced him to another  friend by the name of Aaron Block,  A.K.A. as Aaron Swift. They started rapping to each other in the lunch room and liked what they heard and just like that they formed a group called, Way 2 Much.

Never giving up on his music, Professor Low was able to record his first LP, entitled, “Mass Confussion”. Now Professor Low is the Vice President of Onmymamatv, and an Artist on Onmymama Records. Be on the lookout for his upcoming album titled, “My Chemistry Set”, due to release late November, with the follow up sequel titled, “Chemical Combustion”, set to release next year. LUE Productions wishes this talented artist much love and success and a big congratulations on his New Marriage. Until next week peeps!

Follow LUE Productions on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. L’z!

By Naomi A. Riggins

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Charter schools were created in hope of improving the  public school system and offering parents another public school option to better meet a child’s specific needs. Charter Schools were built on the belief that public schools should be held accountable for student learning. In exchange for this accountability, school leaders have the freedom to do whatever is academically necessary to help students achieve success.

The Newman Leadership Academy Charter School has raised the expectation of public school and education standards by fostering partnerships between parents, teachers, students and the community.  Newman Leadership Academy has accredited teachers with smaller class sizes creating individualized instruction, additional academic support and intervention programs. They have hands on training and education in state-of-art technologies and enrichment activities such as basketball, cheerleading and gardening. Newman Leadership Academy has before and after school childcare and provides breakfast, lunch and dinner to the students in the after school program.  Please contact the school office regarding space availability. Applications are available online. The NLA is located at 1314 E. Date Street, San Bernardino, 92404. For more info, visit www.newmanleadership.org or call (909) 881-1100. The academy is also currently seeking Teachers and Recreation Aides
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Yolanda Holder

By Yolanda Holder

I walk with experience and I speak from the heart. Losing both my parents to this horrible disease, diabetes, is why I walk EVERY day. Diabetes is a silent killer and 29.1 million Americans have diabetes, 13.2% of African Americans have diagnosed diabetes and the risk is 1.7 times higher compared to non-Hispanic whites. I watched both my parents suffer with type 2 Diabetes and my mom most recent. Three years ago my mom had a massive stroke and passed away.

My name is Yolanda Holder aka “Walking Diva” and I power walked my way into the Guinness Book of World Records not once but twice for the “Most Marathons in a Calendar Year”. I am the first African American to walk or run over 100 marathons in a calendar year and the first woman in the world to ever do it twice but that’s not my biggest accomplishment.

After losing my mom to diabetes complications I wanted to spread the word about Walking & Your Health this is how “Extreme Walk 4 Diabetes” was born. 3rd Annual Extreme Walk 4 Diabetes Gold Coast Challenge will start at beautiful Laguna Beach and end at the famous San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge.

It will take me 15 days and over 525 miles. The past two years I was able to raise awareness and funds for American Diabetes Association and this is my biggest accomplishment! Walking is the world’s oldest exercise and today’s modern medicine it has so many health benefits and its easy and very simple to do. I’m also on a quest to set a GWR I’m walking 26.2 miles (marathon distance) or more daily for 365 days. I started January 1, 2015 and today is day 222 consecutive days.

Extreme Walk 4 Diabetes Laguna 2 San Francisco August 24 – September 7, 2015 to be a sponsor or donate visit my website www.yolandaholder.com. You may follower my journey on Facebook Yolanda Holder or athlete page Walking Diva.