Happily Divorced And After

By Jaivon Grant | California Black Media

Black and other minority-owned small businesses in California have actively fought for decades for more inclusion in California state government contracting opportunities.

Their hard work and patience paid off in September last year, when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2019 into law.

Authored by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine), the law took effect on Jan. 1. It mandates that state departments and agencies commit to providing at least 25% of all procurement opportunities to small businesses. Additionally, the bill requires state departments and agencies ensure that minority-owned and women-owned businesses are included in the procurement process, when contracting opportunities are available.

“California has invested billions of dollars to help small businesses and entrepreneurs achieve their California Dream,” said Newsom when signing the bill September 2022. “These new laws build on our efforts to create a more inclusive economy with renewed opportunity for innovation and growth for the country’s largest small business community. I’m thankful for the Legislature’s leadership and support to help the backbone of our economy thrive.”

Newsom signed AB 2019 after it passed in the Assembly unanimously with a 74-0 vote and it passed in the Senate 34-0.

Small businesses employ nearly 7.2 million workers (or 48.8% of all employees in California).

According to AB 2019, more than 39% of California’s 4.1 million small businesses (1.6 million) are minority owned. The bill is projected to have a significant positive impact on the overall economic stability of the state by enhancing state agencies’ ability to support underserved businesses in state contracting and encouraging entrepreneurship.

“Billions of dollars are at stake in our state contracting process and when we make it fair for diverse entrepreneurs, the success of these small businessowners lift up communities all across our state,” said Petrie-Norris, who is Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. “This bill will not only keep the state accountable, but it would give businesses that face systemic barriers an opportunity to succeed, keep families fed, create jobs and vitalize their communities.”

A coalition of minority-owned business advocacy organizations recently produced and released a video emphasizing some of the benefits of working with the state government.

“There are a lot of times where you’re questioning ‘am I going to have enough work for my small company,’” minority business owner Gary Efhan, CEO of Qualis Telecom stated in the video. “Without support, it’s pretty hard, and I’ve seen a lot of people go out of business.”

“Supporting us — and being in our communities –that will make a huge difference for sure,” Efhan added.

In the same video, CalAsian Chamber of Commerce President Pat Fong expressed that are many barriers to full participation for small businesses in California.

“Part of our goal with AB 2019 is to come up with an infrastructure that makes sense for small businesses,” Fong said. “There’s an understanding about what types of opportunities are available that are easy to access. How do we better connect California’s diverse businesses to those opportunities? I think that’s the challenge but also the opportunity.”

The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce represents more than 815,000 Latino-owned business in California — organizations that, in aggregate, contribute more than 7% to the United States’ GDP, the organization says.

“As proud co-sponsors of AB 2019, we are thankful that the bill is now signed by the Governor,” said Julian Canete, President of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. “There are numerous and diverse small businesses who can provide services and products to the State and this bill ensures they at least have a fighting chance to be awarded a contract. Thank you to Assemblymember Petrie-Norris for her work on this bill.”

The bill has garnered strong support from the California Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Majority, the California African American Chamber of Commerce, the California State Controller, California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of Women Business Owners.

This California Black Media report was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

By Lou K Coleman-Yeboah

I’ve tried to get you to listen. I sent many people to you, just like I sent prophets to the people of Israel and Judah to warn them of their apostasy and impending judgment, and just like them, you too wouldn’t listen. ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ [Isaiah 6:9]. This is the broken heart of God. This is love disappointed and wounded. This is God experiencing a deep, piercing sorrow over His loved and lost creation.

Listen, things are not what they seem. The world is headed towards the “Abomination that causes Desolation.” The current crisis that is going on right now in the world is developing a scenario that is going to bring into FULL FORCE, SOON AND VERY SOON, the One World Government, One World Religion, and One-World Economic System, the Mark of the Beast, which is already in effect and which when in full force will be a time of incredible darkness that will descend on the world. [Revelation 13: 1-18]. I tell you; it is imperative that you understand the prophecies and remain aware of future events.

As Pope Francis said in a wide-ranging conversation with the editors of European Jesuit publications on May 19, referring to Russia’s attack against Ukraine, “World War III” has been declared. “The world is at war,” he said. This is something that should give us PAUSE FOR THOUGHT. The danger is that we only see this, which is monstrous, and WE DO NOT SEE THE WHOLE DRAMA UNFOLDING behind this war.

Not only that Pope Francis, who stated World War III has already begun, made another chilling comment when in early December he stated: “While the world starves, burns, and descends further into chaos, we should realize that this year’s Christmas celebrations, for those who choose to celebrate, IT MAY BE THEIR LAST. By this time next year, the world will likely be UNRECOGNIZABLE.”

I’ve warned you. The New World Order is about to launch into full swing and the world is going to be turned UPSIDE DOWN as the result! Prepare yourself and loved ones for what is coming. Know and understand the prophecies, so that you will not be deceived!

For, then I heard another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of His anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” [Revelation 14:9].

They were warned, they did not listen and then it happened.

REDLANDS, CA—- The theme of Wallace’s monologue is, “Become an anti-bigot!”. On Empire Talks Back show this past Sunday, January 8, Eugene Weems, KOTS (King of the Streets) MMA Underground Heavyweight Champion stopped by, along with Lue Dowdy and Deeveatva Bourne, who are the MLK Parade Coordinators and Parade Marshall. Baby “D” of J.J. Fad, the legendary Female Rappers from Rialto who performed the world-famous Gold Record, ‘Supersonic’ also stopped by the radio station.

EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- The Westside Story Newspaper is sad to announce that on Monday, January 9, 2023, the Deborah Smith-Gilbert passed away. She was a member of the Inland Empire National Council of Negro Women (IENCNW). More information will be fore coming.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On Sunday, January 8, 2023, at the Community Youth Center in San Bernardino at the Social Lites, Inc. Beautillion meeting, former Sir Knight of Beautillion, Dr. Charles Brown of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Inc., Mu Xi Lambda Chapter along with member Dar’rell Jones and Twillea Evans-Carthen of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Nu Omega Chapter, and member of Social Lites, Inc. presented information on the upcoming 35th Annual Oratorical Contest to participants of the Social Lites, Inc. Beautillion Program.

The Beautillion Program, now in its 56th year, is designed to help young men who are seniors in high school prepare for college through the solicitation of ads, leadership development, accountability, responsibility, etiquette, attire for all occasions, spiritual growth, public speaking, and community service. At the conclusion of the program one young man will be recognized “Sir Knight.”

The Beautillion program will conclude on April 1, 2023, at California State University, San Bernardino. For additional information, please contact Sheri Lewis (909) 320 – 0799, Elsie Paulino (951) 205-8823, or Marlene Davis (909) 709-5502.

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

On January 9, with the sound of African drumming in the background, Shirley Weber was sworn-in as the first-elected Black Secretary of State (SOS) of California and the 32nd person to hold the position.

The ceremony was conducted at the SOS’ auditorium in downtown Sacramento, one block south of the State Capitol.

Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) administered the oath of office in front of Weber’s grandsons Kadir and Jalil Gakunga.

“I want to thank all of those who work so hard to make this position, the Secretary of State — and all of those wonderful things that come with it — possible, and for being in my life,” Weber said. “I have been blessed beyond imagination with all of the good things California has to give.”

The daughter of a sharecropper from Hope, Ark., Weber said she is “not supposed to be here” as the state’s chief clerk, overseeing a department of 500-plus employees.

Weber grew up in a two-room, “clapboard house” in Arkansas with her parents and five other siblings before the family relocated to Los Angeles where they lived in Pueblo Del Rio, a housing project known as the “pueblos.”

Weber said the “data” projected that she would not have a bright future. Still, she went on to graduate from UCLA with a PHD, serve on the San Diego Board of Education, teach African American studies at San Diego State University, and successfully ran for California State Assembly in November 2012.

‘My father came from Hope, Arkansas, because there was no hope in Hope,” Weber said. “He came to California because he wanted his children to have a better chance and a better life.”

When Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Alex Padilla the state’s junior U.S. Senator in Jan. 2021, he nominated Weber as SOS. Padilla filled in for Sen. Kamala Harris, who was elected U.S Vice President. Weber was officially installed as SOS in April 2021.

Weber’s plan after serving in the Legislature was to move to Ghana, Africa, and “build a house up in the hills.” That all changed when Newsom called.

“It was hard for me to think about becoming Secretary of State because I was so content in the Assembly,” Weber said. “When I was asked to be Secretary of State, I thought hard and long about it. I realized that everything about the Secretary of State was central to my life. I thought to myself that I am always the one taking the hard challenges. I said who better than a kid of sharecropper, who never had a chance to vote, who could fight for the rights of voters.”

The Secretary of State is the chief elections officer of the State, responsible for overseeing and certifying elections, as well as testing and certifying voting equipment for use in California. Weber’s duties also include overseeing the state’s archives division and registry of businesses.

In her remarks, Atkins praised Weber’s “leadership” and “morality” and called her “a tireless champion of democracy,” adding that those characteristics are integral to performing the duties of Secretary of State.

Atkins told guests that she first met Weber when she was 24 years old and that Weber helped her run for state Assembly.

For the first time in its history, California has three Black constitutional officers. The others are Controller Malia M. Cohen and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

“You know, our constitutional officers are unique, and I give credit to our Governor (Gavin Newsom) and the people of California. “There is no other list of constitutional officers like this. Where do you have a list of constitutional officers where it only has one White male in it? That is unheard of. The diversity (and) the fact that women are constitutional officers in California is historic.”

Weber’s daughter, Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) was the ceremony’s emcee while Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) provided the invocation. David Bauman’s African drumming and musical selections by Dr. Tecoy Porter, pastor of Genesis Church Sacramento and President of the National Action Network Sacramento Chapter and his Genesis Church choir were the entertainment. Weber’s son Akil Weber provided the closing statements.

“Words cannot express how truly proud I am of what my mother has done, what she will continue to do, the door she has opened, the legacy she is creating,” Assemblymember Akilah Weber said of her mother.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Last week Malia M. Cohen was sworn-in as the first Black woman – and first African American — to serve as California’s State Controller.

On Monday, January 2, the oath of office was administered by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

“I am proud and honored to serve as California’s state controller,” said Cohen. “The work to create a more equitable California has already begun. I look forward to ensuring fiscal accountability, with an eye toward transparency and innovation.”

On Friday Jan. 6, Cohen was given the oath of office by San Francisco Mayor London Breed with her husband Warren Pulley by her side.

The community event was held at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Sacramento.

“I am proud and honored to serve as California’s State Controller,” Cohen said. “The work to create a more equitable California has already begun. I look forward to ensuring fiscal accountability, with an eye toward transparency and innovation.”

California now has three Black politicians holding Constitutional offices including Cohen. Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond are the others.

“Congratulations @MaliaCohen. As California’s first Black state controller, Malia has made history and continues to break barriers while helping build long-term equity throughout our communities. I’m confident she will continue fighting for the rights of all Californians,” Breed stated in a January 6 post on her Twitter page

“I am excited to get to work on creating a more equitable California as your next Controller,” Cohen tweeted January 6.

Cohen was elected to the California Board of Equalization (BOE) in November 2018 and was named chairperson in 2019 and 2022. As Controller, Cohen continues to serve the Board as the BOE’s fifth voting member.

Prior to being elected to the BOE, Cohen was President of the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco. As a Member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, she also served as the Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee and President of the San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System (SFERS).

Cohen was born and raised in San Francisco. Her political journey, she says lightheartedly, began when she was elected class president of San Francisco’s Lowell High School, the oldest public high school on the West Coast. She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Fisk University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and a master’s degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

She and her husband reside in San Francisco along with their daughter.

As the chief fiscal officer of California, Cohen is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The controller also has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds.

Cohen’s duties include being a member of numerous financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board. She also serves on the boards for the nation’s two largest public pension funds.

At the St. Paul Baptist Missionary Baptist Church swearing-in, Kenneth Reece, the Senior Pastor, gave the opening prayer.

Held at the church six miles from the State Capitol, Cohen’s swearing-in ceremony included prayers offered by Imam Yasir Kahn, the Chaplain of the California State Assembly, and Rabbi Mona Alfi, the Senior Rabbi of Congregation B’Nai Israel.

Among guests were Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), Director of Bay Area Rapid Transit Bevan Duffy, California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez, the singer Aloe Blacc and Jaqueline Thompson, Pastor at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland.

Cohen’s swearing-in was held on the second anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The day was packed with political activities in Sacramento and shadowed by references to the infamous Capitol insurrection in Washington that shocked people across the country and around the world.

That day, Gov. Newsom was sworn in to a second term. Rob Bonta was also sworn-in for the first time as the state’s Attorney General. He was appointed to the position by Newsom in March 2021.

Before Newsom’s outdoor ceremony, the Governor, his wife, and four children led a march from West Sacramento, across the Tower Bridge, to the Capitol. During the Governor’s address on the steps of the Capitol, he shared his feelings about the attack on the U.S. Capitol two years ago while addressing some of the state’s most pressing issues.

“Our politics doesn’t always reward taking on the hardest problems. The results of our work may not be evident for a long time. But that cannot be our concern,” Newsom said. “We will prepare for uncertain times ahead. We will be prudent stewards of taxpayer dollars, pay down debt, and meet our future obligations. And we will build and safeguard the largest fiscal reserve of any state in American history.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—- The 400 Years of African American History Commission (YAAHC), a federally appointed committee operating independently as established by the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and administered by the National Park Service invites you to join them for Justice Sunday Service Around the Clock on Sunday, January 15, 2023. Programming will begin at 12 p.m., EST, hosted by acclaimed actor/producer Ernie Hudson, featuring remarks from distinguished leaders such as:

• Sec. Lonnie Bunch, Smithsonian Institute
• Courtney Cox, SNCC Legacy Project
• Kemba Smith, Kemba Smith Foundation
• Glenn Anton “Doc” Rivers, 400 YAAHC Mentor of the Year
• Bryan Stevenson, Founder of The Equal Justice Initiative
• Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton, Episcopal Diocese of Maryland
• Dr. Kideste Yusef, Bethune Cookman University
• 70+ additional voices who maintain a commitment to service across industries, as well as music and spoken word

“Cultivating a space for African Americans to engage with the history of the leaders that preceded us is of the utmost importance. Justice Sunday is a space for us to reflect, reaffirm, and remember our charge on this earth,” explained Executive Director, Ms. Addie Richburg.

The 400 YAAHC recently awarded $150,000 in Network to Freedom grants to 26 existing and prospective listings in 10 states plus Washington, D.C., to document, preserve and interpret Underground Railroad history.

On December 02, 2022, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) presented its David P. Richardson, Jr. National Nation Builder Award to the 400 YAAHC at the 46th Annual Legislative Conference Gala Award Dinner in Las Vegas, Nevada as fighters for truth and justice.

The 400 YAAHC National Student Ambassadors Saniya Gay, the inaugural National Miss Juneteenth, and Tybre Faw, a mentee of the late Congressman John Lewis will co-host the one-hour virtual watch party beginning at 4:45 pm, EST, on Sunday, January 15, 2023, for Justice Sunday Service Around the Clock.

Please visit www.400yaahc.gov for more information.

“This is a diverse event that honors Black, Latino, Asian, white and all ethnicities,” said LuCretia Dowdy, president of LUE productions, the event’s organizer. “All races and creeds are welcome to this celebration of unity.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- On Saturday, January 14 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Gala Awards is hosting a Red-Carpet Event at the San Bernardino International Airport. This year’s honorees are Wallace Allen, Wilmer Amina Carter, Danny Tillman, Hardy and Cheryl Brown, Jimmy Jews, Damon and Felicia Alexander and Darren Goodman.

“We are so happy to be honoring this year’s awardees,” said LuCretia Dowdy, president of LUE productions, the event’s organizer. “These people all have demonstrated diligent service to the communities they serve, helping to fulfill Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of equality for all.”

The black-tie event will open at 5 p.m. with a cocktail hour and live entertainment that will regale attendees during the dinner, followed by the awards presentation. The airport is located at 275 North Leland Way in San Bernardino.

Damon Alexander serves on the San Bernardino City Council, representing the 7th Ward since November 2020. He has also been the Chairman of the City of San Bernardino’s Public Safety and Human Relations Commission, the Citizens Advisory Committee on Marijuana, as well as the President of the North End Neighborhood Association (NENA). His wife, Felicia, serves as Member at Large on the San Bernardino County Human Resources Equal Opportunity Commission.

Wallace Allen hosts a radio talk interview show, Empire Talks Back, on NBC affiliate KCAA and is the publisher of the West Side Story online newspaper that covers news and events happening in the west end of San Bernardino County.

Cheryl Brown is also a former California Assemblymember and current San Bernardino City Library Foundation Board member and Founder of the Black Voice News and the Black Voice Foundation. Hardy Brown College Prep, a tuition-free public charter K-12 school in San Bernardino, is named after her husband Hardy.

Wilmer Amina Carter served as California Assemblymember for the 62nd District and today is Director of Rialto-based Creative Business Services, Inc., She was the first Black elected to the Rialto Unified School District and served as district Director for the late Congressman George Brown for 21 years. Carter is the only living African American woman to have had a high school named after her, in her hometown of Rialto, Wilmer Amina Carter High School.

Danny Tillman is an information systems administrator for the County of San Bernardino Human Services Dept. and sits on the San Bernardino City Unified School District Board of Education, where he serves as the longest serving member and Board Vice President. He advocates for the success of district students.

The last two honorees both broke color barriers by becoming the first Blacks to be hired by their respective agencies. On June 16, 2022, Darren Goodman became the first Black chief of police in San Bernardino. He also served as the City of Upland’s first Black chief of police. His 31 years of law enforcement experience included 27 with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Dept.

Jimmy Jews broke the color barrier as San Bernardino’s first Black firefighter in 1971 and retired 25 years later, having risen through the ranks to hold the positions of fire investigator and then as spokesperson, achieving the rank of Captain in 1989. Jimmy passed away on November 17, 2022, at the age of 79. He will be honored posthumously.

Event sponsors include the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce and Youthbuild Inland Empire Charter School.

“This is a diverse event that celebrates Black, Latino, Asian, white and all ethnicities,” said Ms. Dowdy, “All races and creeds are welcome to this celebration of unity.”

For tickets and to RSVP for the event, call 888-466-7408 or go to the Black Chamber of Commerce website, info@blackchamberofcommerce.org.