WSSN Stories

(Photo Credit: Naomi K. Bonman)
PHOTO CAPTION: The cast and crew of “Blackbird”, which stars Isaiah Washington and Monique. The film was directed by Patrick Ian Polk in an adaption of the novel by Larry Duplechan.

LOS ANGELES, CA- On Sunday, February 16 at Rave Cinemas in Los Angeles, the Pan African Film Festival closed out it’s festivities with the premiere of the film “Blackbird”.   The closing kicked off with a red carpet where the cast and crew posed for photos for the media, as well as other celebrities who walked the red carpet in support of the film. Following the red carpet was the movie screening and question and answer session, followed by a private media briefing and after party.

“Blackbird” is a story that centers on a church choir singer, portrayed by Julian Walker, in a small Mississippi town who feels like a misfit as he struggles with his sexual awakening and the realization that he is gay. This is a coming of age story for that young African American boy or girl who struggles with their sexual orientation. The film is directed by Patrick Ian Polk in an adaption of the novel by Larry Duplechan. Monique and her husband Sidney Hicks are also executive producers of the film. (Written by Naomi K. Bonman)

Assemblymember Cheryl Brown held a reception on Sunday, February 16 at the Hampton Inn in Colton where she announced her candidacy for re-election to the California Assembly.   Many family, friends and other supporters were in attendance.

(Photo credits: John Coleman)

Edith Lara-Trad, information officer at Covered California, welcomes representatives from Inland community groups to the first Covered California regional meeting at Loma Linda University Health.

LOMA LINDA, CA  – Representatives of community groups working to enroll more San Bernardino County residents for affordable health insurance through Covered California kicked off their first regional meeting on Wednesday (Feb. 12) at Loma Linda University Health (LLUH).

About 40 people, representing dozens of community groups, stakeholders, health organizations, elected officials, and local health officials, took part in the gathering, hosted by LLUH.

“One of the objectives of the regional meeting is to focus on increasing partnerships and collaboration within the region, and to share lessons learned from the first weeks of enrollment,” said Edith Lara-Trad, information officer at Covered California, and the regional coordinator for the effort.

“It is about the people who are in dire need of health coverage. We have 47 days to continue mobilizing our efforts and enroll them now. One focus is to use in-person assistance to maximize enrollment,” she said.

LLUH, in partnership with Community Clinic Association of San Bernardino County, is one of 48 lead organizations that received grant awards totaling $37 million from Covered California to help residents access affordable health coverage.  Covered California is the state’s new health care insurance marketplace responsible for reaching out to 5.3 million Californians in need of individual insurance, many of whom may be eligible for financial assistance with the premiums.

“LLUH wants to ensure the residents of the Inland Empire are informed regarding the historic changes in our health care system and we are getting our residents the coverage they need to improve and maintain their health,” said Gerald Winslow, Ph.D., vice president for mission and culture at LLUH, and director of the Institute for Health Policy and Leadership, the organizational entity responsible for administering the grant.

The regional meeting provided opportunities for grantees, certified counselors, providers, community and health agencies, and elected officials to mingle and work in partnerships in existing enrollment events. Covered California partners and the health community have played an integral role to accomplish enrollment to many people thus far and Covered California is providing specific support to the community and partners to drive the regional effort.

Lara-Trad said the challenge is to encourage more people to enroll by March 31, which is the deadline for open enrollment and for obtaining premium assistance and guaranteed health coverage. She said, “We are focusing on key gaps. Latinos, African Americans, and other under-represented communities and young adults are especially targeted for enrollment.” More information is available at www.CoveredCA.com

Rosie Salazar, Covered California certified counselor at Inland Behavioral Health Services, attended the event because she wanted to expand her network and get ideas for getting more people to sign up for health insurance.

“We are in a community where we deal with many homeless and low-income people,” she said. “We do not want them to be left out of affordable health care.”

ISELIN, NJ- History was made at the legendary Newark Symphony Hall breaking the GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for Largest Gospel Choir. The McDonald’s Gospel Super Choir was made up of 1,171 singers of all ages, from across the New York Tri-State area and as far away as Philadelphia and Florida. This record breaking event was produced and directed by Emmy Award winning A. Curtis Farrow. The previous record of 1,169 singers was held by the London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC) joined by hundreds of singers from gospel choirs across Europe. As a launch to Black History Month, this record breaking choir was sponsored by the McDonald’s New York Tri-State Owner Operators Association and McDonald’s Corporation. For more information and photos, visit http://www.lovepeacejoy.info.

Jaylin Miller holds certificate of excellence alongside Janet Clayton, Senior Vice President, Edison International.(Photo Credit: Naomi K. Bonman

ROSEMEAD, CA- Los Angeles County’s top attorney Jackie Lacey joined Southern California Edison (SCE) in celebrating the utility’s business and community partnerships, serving as the keynote speaker at the company’s 12^th Annual Black History Month celebration held on Friday, February 7 at SCE headquarters.

“Our annual Black History Month event is our opportunity to show our appreciation to the communities we serve,” Lisa Cagnolatti, vice president of SCE’s Business Customer Division and host of the celebration, said. “Our partnership with our business and community leaders is the cornerstone of service we provide to our customers.”

Returning as the emcee of the afternoon was KTLA Morning News anchor Chris Schauble. He kept the momentum going in between each speaker and presenter. Other speakers in addition to Jackie Lacey (who is also the first woman and African American to serve as the Los Angeles County district attorney since the office first opened in 1850), was Faye Washington. Washington is the president and CEO of YWCA Greater Los Angeles. She is well positioned to lead the YWCA in its mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.

In addition to the speakers, there were three award recipients who were honored which included Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles (Energy Efficiency Participation Award); St. Hare Capital Investment Bankers (Diverse Business Enterprise Award); and YWCA Greater Los Angeles (Community Partnership Award). Jaylin Miller, an eighth-grade student at Marshall Fundamental School in Pasadena, also recited a poem that she wrote entitled, “The African Pledge”. Miller dreams of becoming a pediatrician and is involved in the YWCA and actively volunteers and gives back to her community. She was also a 2013 YWCA Girls Empowerment Scholarship award recipient.  (Edited and Written by Naomi K. Bonman)

RIVERSIDE, CA- On Saturday, February 8, The Riverside Black History Committee held the 35^th Annual Riverside Black History Parade and Expo in Downtown Riverside. This year was a very special one because the event also recognized Dell Roberts for his philanthropic efforts and civic leadership that he provides to the community.  For more photos of the parade, please visit www.wssnews.com.

(l-r) Vanessa Williams, PAFF Celebrity Juror Erica Gimpel, PAFF Life Time Achievement Award recipient Charles Dutton, Kristoff St. John, Jamil XT Qubeka, CCH Pounder, Nicki Micheaux & “Of Good Report” Co-Star Petronella Tshuma (Venus Bernardo)

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) held its opening night gala on Thursday, February 6 at the Rave Cinemas in Los Angeles, with the premiere of the film ‘Of Good Report’ directed by Jahmil X.T. Qubeka which starring Mothusi Magano, Petronella Tshuma, Thobi Mkhwanazi, Nomhlé Nkyonyeni and Tshamano Sebe. After the film, a question and answer session was held with the cast and filmmakers.

The film is about Parker, a shy and mysterious high school teacher, who arrives at his new assignment in a rural school. While he is earnest in his passion for teaching, his extra-curricular attentions are drawn to a gorgeous young girl. When he realizes she is a student at his school, and forbidden fruit, he grows increasingly obsessed. She ends up missing and a female detective comes snooping around, fueling Parker’s unstable, dangerous behavior. ‘Of Good Report’ won Best Feature Film in the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Nigeria.

INGLEWOOD, CA– Aio Wireless collaborated with A-MAN, Inc. to host a teen rap session entitled “Moving Black History Forward,” at its dealer-owned store at 1295 S. La Brea Avenue. The session enabled students from A-MAN, Inc. to share their perspectives and experiences, as well as their plans to play a positive role in advancing their communities. A-MAN, Inc. is one of three local community organizations which, through Aio’s “30 Days, 30 Dreams” program, provided 10 college-bound students with $1,000 scholarships and tablets.

Aio Wireless (pronounced A-O) was created for today’s value-conscious connected consumers who want it all. We created a new class of service for individuals who expect a first class wireless service at a value price – one with no-annual contract, friendly service, uncomplicated plans and the mobile phones and tablets you love.  All of Aio’s phone plans include unlimited talk, text, and data, with taxes and fees included – the price you see is the price you pay. Aio Wireless is a subsidiary of AT&T Inc.  Visit www.aiowireless.com to find out more.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) is seeking nominations to identify and honor outstanding women whose successes and contributions to the 47^th District have set the pace for our region’s future. A selection committee will use the nomination forms and independent research to make final selections to be recognized as Woman of the Year.

Nominees should be innovative leaders who are making waves with their energy, ideas, achievements, and commitment to excellence in the 47^th District. In addition, the nominee should reflect a woman who is of exemplary professional excellence and is a role model for others; a woman who has broken down barriers and helps create connections and new opportunities for other women while continuing to be a respected resource in the community.

One nomination per person will be accepted. For each submission, one nomination form describing the nominee’s qualifications and reasons for making the nomination is required. The deadline for entries is Friday, February 21 at 5 p.m.

The nomination form can be retrieved by visiting the district office at 290 N “D” Street in San Bernardino or by going online to www.asmdc.org/members/a47/ and clicking on the “Woman of the Year” button.

Please email your submission to Lisa Blacksher at lisa.blacksher@asm.ca.gov. Contact 909-381-3238 for more information.