Happily Divorced And After

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Social Lites Inc.  a 5013c is proud to present “one of our own” Inland Empire’s newest rising star “Myles Prower Davis” during a Live Musical Concert on Sunday, Dec. 4th at his home church, the beautiful Life Changing Ministries in San Bernardino.

Davis is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and entertainer based in Los Angeles was born and raised in the Inland Empire. At the age of 7 he received his early Classical and Jazz musical training through the Redlands Unified School District as well as through the University of Redlands, School of Music.

Throughout his early years he began performing for various clubs, social events and organizations in the I.E. including several youth symphonies across the So. Calif. Area. At age 11, he had his Symphony Debut with the Bellflower Symphony Association with Maestro Joseph R. Taylor.

He graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston with his degree in Composition and Clarinet performance although his true love was Classic Jazz. Upon graduating, his jazz became prominent as he was a featured performer with the Disneyland Resort, including the Disneyland band and Pixarmonic Orchestra and was performing with a multitude of So Calif. Jazz and Big Bands.

Myles has composed half time field shows for area High Schools as well as he has arrangement credits which include music for SeaWorld San Diego, the Fresh Rhythm Band and LALA Brass. He composed original music for the “HBO Perry Mason series” and has performed in Washington D.C., Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and in Toyko, Japan. You can find Myles traveling to different So Calif. venues every weekend and he just appeared on “The Late Late Show with James Cordon” which featured Cedrick the Entertainer. He is scheduled to perform at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas for The Great Gatsby Party this weekend.

Currently he is employed with the Audiomachine company in LA, which creates music for major movie trailers and national commercials where he has had numerous additional releases.

During this 1^st Time Ever Social Lites sponsored Concert, Myles will perform his Original Compositions, Classical, Christian and Jazz music to delight every attendee. Tickets sales are happening now with General Admission $35.00, VIP $40.00 and Children 6 to 12 yrs old is $10.00.

Proceeds will go toward the Social Lites Scholarship Fund where we have awarded approx. 2.5 million dollars over the past 55+ years to college bound underserved youth in our area. Please call Marlene Davis at (909) 709-5502 or Sheri Lewis (909) 320-0799 for more information. This is a concert you will NOT want to miss!

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

You were given plenty of times to repent, but you refuse to! Your behavior is just like Esau’s was. God said, “Esau, I begged you. I’m giving my Son to die for you. I love you. I’ll forgive every sin. I’ll make you, My child. Please, Esau.” And Esau said, “No, over and over again.”

Then one day, God said, “Okay, Esau, I’ve had enough. I’m fed up.” And God, in His mercy, turned that mercy to wrath and God’s long-suffering was turned to indignation and God’s forgiveness was turned to vengeance. Then Esau came and said, “Oh, God, I’m ready to get saved now.” And God said, “It’s too late!” “But, God, said Esau, You are merciful.” “No longer.” “But, God, you are long-suffering.” “I’m fed up.” “But, God, forgive me.” “No.” “Please forgive me.” Tears of remorse flowed down his cheeks and God said, “No, Esau. You said no for the last time. I’m fed up with you.” Stop your crying, you were given plenty of chances to repent but you refused. So ain’t no need of you crying now. It’s too late for repentance. [Hebrews 12:16-17].

Even though Esau begged with bitter tears., it was too late! This verse is a sobering reminder that there are times when it is too late to reverse the damage done by our decisions. Many people, having heard all their lives about the grace and mercy of God, take His grace for granted. They decide on courses and actions which they know are contrary to God’s will, but figure that “God will forgive me anyway” and plunge foolishly into their rebellious way. They assume there will be no lasting damage once they are forgiven. These people exhibit the spirit of Esau — and unfortunately may well discover his end as well. Don’t make that mistake. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise, iniquity will be your ruin. [Ezekiel 18:30].

Like the foolish virgins who were unprepared at the bridegroom’s arrival, sometimes it is too late to cry, “Open to us” [Matthew 25:1-13]. Like the rich man who was sorry once he was in torment, it was too late for him to repent and warn his brethren [Luke 16:19-31]. This kind of regret comes too late.

The message is as relevant today as it was in the first century and as it was in the days of the patriarchs. If you live with little regard for spiritual things, you will regret it — eventually. But that regret will come too late unless you heed the lesson about Esau. Now is the time to be concerned, or you soon may be lifting up your eyes where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, shedding tears too late.

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; They shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord: they would none of my counsel: They despise all my reproof. Therefore, shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.” [Proverbs 1:25,26,28-31].

By Jasmine Cannick

Los Angeles has seen its fair share of political scandals over the decades, but the leaked audio of Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez, Councilmembers Gil Cedillo, Kevin de León, and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera making disparaging and racist remarks about Black people, their colleagues, and conspiring to commit voter suppression takes the cake.

In one single instance, the worst fears of Blacks in Los Angeles were confirmed in graphic detail–the top Democratic political and labor leaders of the city are anti-Black and are actively conspiring to dismantle what is left of the Black community in Los Angeles.

Famed author and poet Maya Angelou once said, “When someone shows you who they are believe them the first time.”

From referring to a white councilmember’s Black son as an “accessory” and describing him as a monkey in Spanish to wanting to physically beat that same little boy, colluding to replace one Black councilmember with another who can be depended on to vote in favor of Latinos, conspiring to commit Black voter suppression, even seemingly writing off Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón because “He’s with the Blacks”–no one should ever be confused about where Black people stand with Martinez, Cedillo, de Leon, and Herrera.

Now that their plotting and planning and blatant racism have been exposed, usher in the carefully crafted public apologies

Miss me.

At the risk of never working at city hall or in politics again, I am going to speak the truth about this situation.

There are some instances where apologies just won’t cut it, and this is one of them.

The only acceptable resolution to this scandal is for the immediate resignation from public office of all four people involved. Period.

This is not a situation where thoughts-and-prayer-like statements mean a damn thing.

The only statement that needs to be crafted is a resignation statement, and as a seasoned political strategist, I’ll write it for them for free.

Let’s be clear, had the leaked audio been of a group of Black leaders or Republicans saying racist and derogatory comments towards any other race or group of people and it would have been a  “Do not pass Go and do not collect $200” type of situation that would have resulted in the immediate calls for resignations of all involved.

This situation deserves the same treatment, and anything less says that it’s open season on Blacks and that there are no real long lasting consequences.

The deafening silence from alleged allies of the Black community on this situation, including the Democratic Party, is just as bad as the strongly worded statements that say everything except for the Martinez and Co. to resign.

This is a s–t or get off the pot moment.  There is no sitting on fence or tap dancing around the elephant in the room.

Either you support racists or you don’t, and from where I am sitting, the Los Angeles County and California Democratic Parties, along with dozens and dozens of political leaders, seem to be siding with the racists, which makes them all hypocrites.

This is not a situation where folks get off the hook by apologizing, followed by meeting with leaders in the Black community, and we’re back to holding hands and singing kumbayah.

Any so-called Black leader that isn’t calling for the resignation of these four people is aiding and abetting in the oppression and suppression of their own people, most likely for personal gain.

Fact.  All four of the people involved in the leaked audio get paid from money that comes from all Angelenos–not just Latinos. Nury Martinez offering to resign as council president leaves her paycheck and position as a councilmember in place. And in the case of top labor leader Ron Herrera, he actually conspired to use the dues from the paychecks of hardworking Black folks against them to dilute their power in the 10th council district.

It is because of years of behind-the-scenes anti-Black politicking by people who share the same views as Martinez, Cedillo, de Leon, and Herrera that Black people have been pushed out of the city to the point that there is no real Black political power in the city of Los Angeles. Because of the high cost of living and years of the very same tactics discussed in that audio, Black people make up less than 9 percent of the city’s population.  Any power that we think we have in Los Angeles almost always requires the buy-in and support of allies.  We have a 15-member city council with three Black members, of which one’s credibility has been called into question given the comments heard in the audio about why she was appointed to the position.

For those of us who love this city and fight every day just to be able to afford to live here, this hurts deep down. The release of the audio is an in-your-face reminder that many of the powers that be don’t care about us or want us here and are actively working against us–sadly, in some ways, with the help of other Blacks.

The audio also validates why the only zip code in the city that has seen an increase in its Black population is the one that encompasses Skid Row–an area of Los Angeles that Kevin de Leon represents. We know how he feels about Black people. It explains why Black people make up most of the homeless and cannot access city services in the ways others can. It explains why so many of the councilmembers don’t have any Black people on their staffs. Why Black consultants aren’t hired by labor unions in the way that other races are?  Why there is a lack of Black leadership at the executive level in many of the labor unions in Los Angeles. The audio explains a lot.

When the top leadership of the city council calls a Black boy a monkey, says she wants to beat him, and accuses a colleague of being with “the Blacks,” what more do you need to know?  I told you what Maya Angelou said.

Given the revelations exposed, every vote that was ever cast by Martinez, Cedillo, and de Leon that had anything to do with Black people needs to be re-examined.  Department heads, starting with the chief of police, need to be interviewed on the record to see if members of the city council gave them directives to target, ignore, not hire, arrest, deny, not rent to, not contract with, not buy from Black people.

Pandora’s Box has been opened.

Add to all of that, the federal government needs to step in and investigate the city’s redistricting process, now.

If known racists are allowed to stay on the city council after being exposed, then we, Black people, deserve everything we get moving forward.

Democrats love to talk about meeting the moment.  What are they waiting for?

A political strategist, Jasmyne Cannick is a former Special Assistant to previous Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson, a delegate in the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, and a proud member of The Blacks.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra will return to the California Theatre on October 29, 2022, for “Movies with the Maestro” featuring cinema scores including John Williams’ iconic music from E.T., Jurrasic Park, and Star Wars, the Alfred Hitchcock film scores of Bernard Herrmann, and scores from Kris Bowers, John Powell, Pinar Toprak, Maurice Jarre, Ennio Morricone, and more.

Shared Music Director and Conductor Anthony Parnther, “Starting this year, the San Bernardino Symphony will perform an annual film music concert, and this year we’ll play some of my personal favorites. It’s also important to note that 2022 marks several important cinematic milestones. We have the 20th anniversary of Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones, the 40 Anniversary of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, the 60th Anniversary of Lawrence of Arabia, and the 90th birthday of America’s foremost living composer, John Williams.  Principal Guest Conductor Lesley Leighton and I look forward to exploring the music from all of these landmark compositions.”

In keeping with the movie theme, audience members are encouraged to attend dressed as their favorite actors.

“Every year at the ‘Movies with the Maestro’ concert, we will do a Star Wars portion, and we want to see the entire hall filled with lightsabers. It’s going to grow into a wonderful regional tradition as we do this year year,” added Parnther.

Renowned violinist Roberto Cani will be the featured artist for this concert, performing the hauntingly poignant theme music of Shindler’s List.

A native of Milan, Cani studied at the Milan Conservatory of Music, the Gnessin Institute of Music in Moscow, and the University of Southern California. In addition to his role as Concertmaster of the LA Opera, he has been guest concertmaster for the London Philharmonic and the La Scala Philharmonic. He has performed as a soloist with the Moscow Philharmonic, the Orchestra of La Sacla in Milan, RAI Symphony (Italy), Haydn Orchestra of Bolzano, Orchestra Cantelli, the Belgrade Orchestra, the Zagreb Orchestra, and the Missouri Chamber Orchestra.

“Everyone loves the feeling when you’re at the movies with people all around you and the lights go down and the magic happens,” said Symphony Board President and former City of San Bernardino Mayor Judith Valles. “On October 29^th, that feeling is what I expect we will all be experiencing at this concert.”

Ticket Availability

Single tickets for all SBSO concerts are available online at www.sanbernardinosymphony.org or by calling the box office at (909) 381-5388. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets are $30 – $100 with students and active military always just $15. The availability of tickets cannot be guaranteed on concert night.

The California Theatre is located at 562 W. Fourth Street in downtown San Bernardino. Free, lighted parking is available directly across from the venue.

By Gail Fry | Contributor, WSS News

EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK— The West Side Story attended the October 7, debate between Mayoral Candidates Jim Penman and Helen Tran sponsored by the Northwest Project Area Committee held at the Sixteenth Street Seventh Day Adventist Church where attendees heard two different visions for the future of the City of San Bernardino.

Candidate Helen Tran

Candidate Helen Tran (Tran) who, according to the Tran campaign website, worked for the City of San Bernardino as the Executive Assistant to the Director of Human Resources and after ten years was elevated to Director of Human Resources.

While Helen Tran was Human Resources Director for the City of San Bernardino in early 2019, three female employees filed complaints against the city’s mayor John Valdivia claiming inappropriate conduct according to a webpage for law firm Pelayes, & Yu, APC.

The law firm alleged on March 14, 2019, Human Resources Director Helen Tran issued a memorandum to Mayor Valdivia warning him about having employee Mirna Cisneros work out of class by repeatedly assigning her to work various after-hours events, which were not within the scope of her work duties.

Shortly after, Helen Tran left her position at the City of San Bernardino, and accepted a position as Director, Human Resources & Risk Management at West Covina according to Voter’s Edge website.

Based on the Tran campaign website, in 2006, Tran earned her Bachelor’s degree in American Studies with a minor in Education from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Candidate Jim Penman

After graduating law school, Jim Penman became an attorney in private practice in the City of San Bernardino.  In 1987, he was elected with 70% of the vote as City Attorney for the City of San Bernardino after being named “the Best Lawyer in the Inland Empire,” and held that office for 26 years.

Until he was recalled by 60.66% of the voters in 2013, according to records at the San Bernardino County Register of Voters.  At the time, John Husing, an economist and political strategist was quoted saying, “From the day he was elected city attorney, he fought with every mayor to try to run the city from his office.” Mozingo, J. (12/30/2015) Did hard-nosed ex-city attorney clean up or cause San Bernardino’s problems? Los Angeles Times

At that time, former Mayor Judith Valles shared, “Anyone who came as mayor, he didn’t trust. He didn’t trust me. Everyone was suspect.” Mozingo, J. (12/30/2015) Did hard-nosed ex-city attorney clean up or cause San Bernardino’s problems? Los Angeles Times

Jim Penman obtained his Bachelor of Arts, California State University, San Bernardino, June 1969, followed by receiving a Juris Doctorate from Western State University, College of Law, in December 1979, according to the Jim Penman campaign website.

Out, “He was the major disrupting influence who brought the city to its knees. He’s made it impossible to get anything done….,” John Husing, an economist and political strategist who writes the Inland Empire Quarterly Economic Report.  Mozingo, J. (12/30/2015) Did hard-nosed ex-city attorney clean up or cause San Bernardino’s problems? Los Angeles Times

The Debate

Tran cited her knowledge of what the city has gone through and the complexity of city government after working for the city for 14 years.  Tran explained she would engage with council members to effectively address many issues facing the city such as homelessness, public safety, to repair streets, improve infrastructure, redevelop downtown, and provide affordable housing.

Penman cited his dedication to the City of San Bernardino and that he thought he was done with politics after being voted out of office.  Penman explained the only people he was mean to were slumlords, and developers who were trying to get a free ride from the city.  Penman revealed his plan to take two vacant buildings, convert them into homeless housing, and provide mental health, anti-addiction services, and job training.

As to what Tran’s first item to accomplish in her first year would be, Tran spoke of creating relationships with council, the administration, and with the community, everyone that needs to be at the table to move the city forward.  Tran spoke of being an ally to those at the table, working collaboratively, and then working together to deliver services effectively and efficiently while holding the city manager and administration accountable.

While Penman explained he won’t waste his time building relationships with people he already has a relationship with, explaining when you have a mayor in training, they have to spend the first year establishing relationships with the council, referring to his opponent.  As to what his first item to accomplish in his first year as mayor would be Penman said he would hire more police officers and that citizens should not have to wait hours or days to have an officer to respond when they call 911.

In response to issues of homelessness and mental health, Penman explained the city needed to provide the homeless housing before they could legally enforce its ordinance prohibiting outdoor camping.  “We are going to treat them with respect, kindness and decency, we are going to get them housing,” Penman voiced explaining numerous studies show less than 40% want to be off the streets.  Penman offered, “We are going rehire retired law enforcement officers to move them, and move them, again, and again, until they either decide to go to the housing or go to another city.”

Tran criticized Penman’s plan to rehire retired law enforcement officers to address homelessness, explaining it would jeopardize their pension per CalPers Regulations, claiming Penman made empty promises to gain support.  Tran countered that Penman had never been mayor and should stop saying she is a mayor in training.  On homelessness, Tran explained, “There are so many ways of dealing with it, it’s complex, there is not a one size fit all on homelessness.”   Tran reasoned you can’t work alone as the mayor, you have to work collaboratively with the county, with council to create a policy, a plan of action, and adopt it before you can access government funds.

On the question of affordable housing, Penman questioned Tran’s plan.  “How are you going to work with them?” Penman asked, adding, “Who has the money, the federal government has the money, the state has some.”  As the former director of human resources, my opponent should know it doesn’t affect the pension of retired police officers to be hired as investigators.  We are going to get affordable housing.  We will get it like mayors have always gotten it.  I don’t need to wait around to start working with council members to do these things.

Tran acknowledged, “Affordable housing is a huge crisis, not just in our city, but throughout the state and the state is already implementing a mechanism for us to really push and build affordable housing quickly.”  Tran continued, “Mr. Penman talked about abandoned buildings and turning them into housing for the homeless, we should turn that into affordable housing.  We need to create a pathway to homeownership for renters.  You have to work with your partners, that is with your state legislators, and that is the county, that is with our organizations out in the community.

With the power of the mayor having been reduced by the council, Jim Penman explained why he still wants to run for the office of mayor.  “I have been out of office for nine years and I have watched the city go down, down, down,” Penman observed explaining when he left office people opined it couldn’t get any worse, and some thought half their problems would leave when he left.  The city is worse, Penman opined voicing that he has a passion for San Bernardino, his children and grandchildren live in San Bernardino and would be remiss if he didn’t take action to help the city.

“I am raising my three children, with my husband who I met at Sierra High, and we are living in San Bernardino, raising our children, investing our time and our life within the city,” Helen Tran voiced.  “I am sorry Mr. Penman, 26 years of failed leadership, adversarial relationships, having seen directors and leaders leave this city because they got fed up,” Tran declared adding, “That is why I am running.”  Tran concluded, “I look forward to moving this city forward, not backward, new leadership, new energy, that is much needed because we have a huge list of things to do, we have to get things done immediately.”

As to the biggest obstacle she found at city hall, Tran recognized there was a lack of leadership.  “If you can’t lead effectively, everything else falls apart,” Tran explained adding, “You have to make sure that you are working as an ally, not as an adversary.”  Tran apologizing opined, “And I’m sorry, my opponent has been an adversary for 26 years as a former city attorney.”  Tran promised to lead with humility, work together with council, set aside differences, represent all of the citizens and to be an effective leader for the city moving it forward get to the bottom of it to tackle a laundry list of issues facing the city.  Tran said there is a solution to every problem.

“The biggest obstacle when I was city attorney, was corruption, and that’s the biggest obstacle today, corruption that’s what needs to be addressed,” Penman explained saying that was why he was adversarial.  “And sadly, my opponent is getting into the same thing, a memo went out from her campaign last week, saying that women in city hall had accused me of sexual harassment that was a big lie.”  Penman declared that he was investigated, and cleared of any wrong doing by the California State Bar, holding up documents to support his statements.  Penman warned that a candidate that would lie during a campaign would use those same tactics in office.

Tran countered, “I am going to stand up for these women, who were faced with harassment and I am going to stand up for them, because you did them wrong all these women.”

“I just heard my opponent say that she is going to stand up for women,” Penman voiced, asking, “She is going to stand up for them the way she stood up for the women that complained to her office about Mayor John Valvidia?”  Penman opined that Tran abandoned the women and ran to West Covina.

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media  

Athletes at a northern California high school are the latest group of students to be punished for a racially insensitive prank.

Football players at River Valley High School in Yuba City were seen in a video acting out a “slave auction” involving their Black teammates. In the video, which was posted to Twitter, the African American students are seen stripped to their underwear and paraded into the locker room where their teammates are yelling and jeering at them.

This prank cost the football team its season because the players featured in the video have been barred from participating in games. The football team now doesn’t have enough players to field a team.

African American students make up a small fraction of the student body at River Valley High School, which is predominantly Hispanic. According to school data, there are only 31 African American students at the school out of an enrollment of 1,801. There are 760 Hispanic/Latino students enrolled.

Yuba City Unified School District Superintendent Doreen Osumi said the video reflected poorly on the school district.

“Re-enacting a slave sale as a prank tells us that we have a great deal of work to do with our students so they can distinguish between intent and impact,” said Osumi in a press statement.

“They may have thought this skit was funny, but it is not; it is unacceptable and requires us to look honestly and deeply at issues of systemic racism,” she said.

These kinds of incidents happen regularly. Earlier in the month, Amador High School, also in northern California, had to cancel its football season after school authorities found several players were involved in a Snapchat thread called “Kill the Blacks.”

A similar event happened back in 1997 when a Torrance teacher tried to enact a slave auction. Student Natalie Jackson complained to her mother, who took the issue up with school administrators and the press.

Jackson said she went public with a video because she wanted to inspire change.

“Some say that I am overreacting, but they didn’t have this experience,” Jackson told the Los Angeles Times. “I don’t want to go back to my U.S. history class, but I am going back. I am going to do my work and everything that I am supposed to do, be strong and face the music. Maybe my action will break some barriers.”

“Mock slave auctions and other racist actions on the sports field have been occurring with an alarming and increased frequency in schools throughout California,” said Rick L. Callender, president of the California/Hawaii NAACP. “The CA/HI NAACP will be pushing the State to collect data statewide so that we can understand the prevalence of how often the activities are occurring in schools throughout California.”

Callender called on California high schools to ensure the safety of Black students and continue educating all students about the importance of Black history.

NATIONWIDE—- The ASCAP Foundation introduces The ASCAP Foundation HBCU Scholarship to provide financial assistance for students who are enrolled at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and have an interest in pursuing careers in music. Two recipients will be selected for the scholarship, and each will receive $2,500.

The scholarship was announced on Monday, October 10 at a special ASCAP Homecoming SZN: Meet the Graduates event at Clark Atlanta University, hosted by ASCAP’s Rhythm & Soul Membership team. Students enrolled at various HBCUs attended a panel discussion with music executives, who have graduated from HBCUs, including songwriter and producer Khari “Needlz” Cain; Fox Rothschild Associate John Rose; Atlantic Records Director of A&R Sammye Scott; and Quality Control Music Operations Manager / Investment Portfolio Manager Dazayah E. Walker. During the event, the HBCU alums detailed their journey to success from student to professional and shared their favorite HBCU memories and advice for students to take with them as they pursue their entertainment careers.

ASCAP’s Homecoming SZN series celebrates the impact HBCU alumni have made in the entertainment industry – specifically in music. Next year, scholarship recipients will be invited to attend an event hosted by ASCAP Rhythm & Soul with students from ASCAP Aspire, ASCAP’s paid internship program for HBCU students

“The ASCAP Foundation HBCU Scholarship is a natural extension of our efforts to help foster and encourage diversity throughout the music industry,” said The ASCAP Foundation Executive Director, Nicole George-Middleton. “We hope this will be the beginning of an amazing musical future for the selected students.”

The ASCAP Foundation HBCU Scholarship is accepting applications until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on November 10. Entrants must write a 250-500 word essay describing their music career goals and how an ASCAP Foundation scholarship can help support those goals. Applicants will be judged by a panel of industry professionals on a specific set of criteria which will include the relevance of the essay response to the topic provided, a unique and creative writing style, and organization and clarity of goal. The rules and application process can be found at www.ascapfoundation.org/HBCU.

For further information, please email foundation@ascap.com.

(L-R) ASCAP Director, Rhythm & Soul Membership Jason Reddick, Khari “Needlz” Cain,
Dazayah E. Walker, Sammye Scott, John Rose and ASCAP Manager, Rhythm & Soul Membership
Jennifer Wilson Walker at ASCAP’s “Homecoming SZN: Meet The Graduates” event
at Clark Atlanta University on October 10, 2022. (Photo Credit: Paras Griffin for ASCAP)

Sammye Scott answers a question from an HBCU student during ASCAP’s “Homecoming SZN: Meet The Graduates” panel at Clark Atlanta University on October 10, 2022. (Photo Credit: Paras Griffin for ASCAP)

(L-R) Khari “Needlz” Cain, Sammye Scott, John Rose, Esq., Dazayah E. Walker and ASCAP Manager, Rhythm & Soul Membership Jennifer Wilson Walker take a photo together on-stage following ASCAP’s “Homecoming SZN: Meet The Graduates” panel at Clark Atlanta University on October 10, 2022.
(Photo Credit: Paras Griffin for ASCAP)

By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, California Black Media writer McKenzie Jackson takes a look at the lives and accomplishments of some people of Hispanic heritage in California.

Dayane Mendoza Solis considered throwing her hat in the ring for a trustee seat on the Sonoma Valley Unified School District’s board in the upcoming November election.

The 28-year-old accountant, a graduate of the Wine Country’s public school system, says more Latino representation is needed on school boards and in government, more broadly.

In the end, Solis decided not to run. Instead, she chose to focus on her budding career as an accountant. Still, Solis said, she would like to see more Latinos in prominent positions across the Golden State.

“People were so happy to know that I, a Latina, was ready to step into a leadership role,” said Solis, an admirer of New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “More Latino leaders are needed to step up and guide younger generations because there are so many people of Mexican and other Latin American descents in California.”

Solis hopes Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, shines a light on that.

“The Latino community is made up of hard workers, who are willing to thrive and help others in need,” Solis told California Black Media (CBM). “We have a strong presence in the state.”

Hispanic Heritage Month places that work ethic front and center. The monthlong national recognition is held annually to celebrate the diverse cultures, contributions, and extensive histories of the U.S. Latino community, the second largest racial or ethnic group in the country

Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) says the occasion is an opportunity to acknowledge and uplift the voices and experiences of Latinos in America.

 “We are still living in a time and place where we need to make sure we elevate the experiences of Latinos,” Bonta who is a Black Latina (or Afro Latina) said to CBM. “Having a month dedicated to telling their stories, focusing on their legacies and the everyday heroes who make a difference is very important.”

According to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), Latinos are largest ethnic group in the state. They are about 39.4% of the state’s population or about 15.7 million people. Non-Hispanic Whites are 34.7% and African Americans are 5.4% of the population.

The largest concentration of people of Hispanic Heritage in California lives in Imperial County (79.6%), which is adjacent to San Diego County along the southern border of California. Latinos make up 48% of Los Angeles County’s population and over 50% of the population in San Bernardino and Fresno counties. One in every four Hispanic American call California home.

Among Latinos in California, Mexican Americans account for the largest number of people of Hispanic origin in the state (30.7%) followed by Hispanics originating from the Caribbean (0.8%) and people of Central American descent (3.0%).

Throughout California’s 170-year history Latinos have contributed to every aspect of life including agriculture, construction, entertainment, health care, hospitality, sports, and politics. In fact, people of Hispanic Heritage have been living in California since the 1600s, according to some reports.

California has been home to a number of national heroes of Hispanic heritage including labor leaders Cesar Chavez and Delores Huerta, cofounders of the organization that became the United Farmworkers Union; former and current United States Poet Laureates Juan Felipe Herrera (2015-2017) and Ada Limón; and American civil rights activist Sylvia Mendez.

The economic impact Latinos have on the state and nation was celebrated at the L’ATTITUDE conference from Sept. 22-25 in San Diego. The event allowed Latino professionals to network and share ideas. It attracted business and political leaders and celebrities like former President Barack Obama and Cuban American singer Gloria Estefan.

Obama said, “Success of the country economically is going to depend on how well the Latino community does and other quote unquote minority groups because they’re growing in importance and in strength.”

Alex Padilla, who became California’s first Latino U.S. Senator when Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed him to replace Vice President Kamala Harris, appeared at L’ATTITUDE for a conversation titled “Public Policy Imperatives for the 21st Century America.” Padilla, the son of Mexican immigrants, introduced the Senate bill, “The Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929” to expand a pathway to permanency for millions of long-term U.S. residents three days after the event.

According to PPIC, one-fourth of the undocumented immigrants in the United States (between 2.35 and 2.6 million people) live in California.

The Senate bill Sen. Padilla introduced would allow an immigrant to qualify for lawful permanent resident status if they have lived in the U.S. continuously for at least seven years before filing an application for lawful permanent resident status and are of good moral character. It provides a pathway to a green card for up to eight million people.

The undocumented individuals covered in Padilla’s bill after they become citizens, potentially would contribute about $83 billion to the U.S. economy annually and about $27 billion in taxes according to FWD.us, a bipartisan political organization advocating for immigration reform.

According to Padilla, America’s outdated immigration system is holding back the economy and hurting an unnumberable number of individuals.

“This could have a profound impact on millions of immigrants, some who have been living, working, and contributing to the United States for decades, by allowing them to live freely without the fear of an uncertain future,” he said.

One immigrant the Padilla bill could help in the future is Yenny Soto, a 31-year-old immigrant from Venezuela. Soto crossed the Arizona border last December. She spoke with CBM about her odyssey from Panama to the U.S.

Soto’s journey included multiple plane and bus rides before she and nine other Latin Americans entered the U.S. The band walked through crop fields and barren lands until they met with a group of around 50 other migrants fleeing unstable countries like Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.  Seeking asylum, they called law enforcement and were all arrested.

Soto was held in the custody for over a week and after being assigned a court date for her asylum plea, she landed in New York City where she has been working as a waitress and bartender in clubs and restaurants.

“I knew I had to come and work a lot since I had been told the American Dream was to work and work,” said Soto, who jokes about becoming U.S. president one day.

Ninety-nine percent of Hispanic immigrants in California come from Latin America, with 77% coming from Mexico.

Solis, whose family immigrated legally from Mexico, said immigrants need help getting acclimated to America.

“Families are moving to find a better life,” she said. “Mexico, in particular, has a lot of violence.”

However, Bonta said it is a misconception that immigration concerns are exclusively about Latinos. She said California’s Latino community is not monolithic.

“There is very diverse Latino community — from Central and South America, the Caribbean and people that have been in California for generations,” said Bonta. “Latinos have an incredible history of contributing to the economy of the state.”

Solis hopes all Californians can enjoy Latino culture.

“I think it’s beautiful that it is being celebrated — our diversity, our cultures,” she said. “I find it innovative, but at the same time I would like everyone to question what they are celebrating. Are they going to take the time to learn about Latino cultures? Are they going to make an effort?”

“This publication/project was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On Saturday, September 24, Michael Torres was crowned Mr. Cardinal City and Anne Martinez was crowned Miss Cardinal City during the combined pageant held at Sturges Center for the Fine Arts.

The Mr. and Miss Cardinal City pageant is the brainchild of Bilingual School Outreach Worker Jaime Rios, who wanted to bring positive attention to both San Bernardino High School (SBHS) and the entire San Bernardino community. He also wanted to build confidence and inspire positive values in the young men and women of SBHS, home of the Cardinals, which is why the focus of the entire process is on academics, social skills, and community service.

“Every one of the contestants, no matter how they placed, proved they are fit to represent Cardinal City and have demonstrated they are role models for the students and adults in our community,” Rios said. “These students dedicated more than 40 hours to practicing for the pageant and 25 hours of community service in addition to their schoolwork, after-school clubs, sports, music, and a host of other activities.

Other big winners were Jamie Lusung, who was crowned Teen International Beauty 2022–2023, and Raven Solar, who was crowned Miss International Beauty 2022–2023. Both will be part of Miss Cardinal City’s court. Jasmine Toolan was awarded a full scholarship, excluding the cost of equipment, to attend the JA School of Hairdressing in Corona to pursue her dream of becoming a cosmetologist or aesthetician. Karina Roldan was awarded a $3,000 scholarship from Dr. Sam Nguyen’s SAM Foundation and also earned recognition for being the contestant with the highest GPA at 4.89.

Rounding out the Miss Cardinal City Court are first runner-up Rachelle Hutto and second runner-up Anitzia Garcia. The Mr. Cardinal City Court includes first runner-up Freddy Martias and second runner-up Anthony Arias.

Other award winners included Mr. Photogenic Freddy Matias, Miss Photogenic Anne Martinez, People’s Choice Award winners Michael Torres and Jamie Lusung, and Director’s Award winners Jasmine Toolan and Rachelle Hutto.

Mr. and Miss Cardinal City and their Courts will represent Cardinal City, which is an official chartered city that encompasses the SBHS campus and all of its current students and staff, at various in-person and virtual functions.

Miss International Beauty and Teen International Beauty are owned by Ms. America Pageant Inc. and are registered federal trademarks. Both titles focus on using the exhilaration of pageantry to teach women and girls important life skills, encourage involvement in community service, and use their Crown for a Purpose, while shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Louise Madlin founded Miss International Beauty in 1970, and Susan Irvine founded the Teen International Pageant in 2020. The titles are donated to the Miss Cardinal Pageant to give more students the ability to be out and serve in their community. Miss International Beauty and Teen International Beauty are eligible for scholarships based on meeting required appearances and volunteer work during their reign.

Mr. and Miss Cardinal City are eligible for college scholarships when they graduate from SBHS. To donate to the Cardinal Scholarship fund, contact Communications/Community Relations secretary Susan Zavala at (909) 381-1250.

YUCAIPA, CA—- Crafton Hills College (CHC) Theatre Program presents its fall 2022 production “Open”, written by Melissa Harkness and directed by Paul Jacques.

Judy has her Hollywood life all figured out. She just landed the role of her dreams in a big movie. She has an awesome best friend, Natalie, who always supports her. She has a great husband, Gil, who is a production designer and is about to jump onto a new movie with Marcus, a hotshot Director. She’s even finally figured out how to navigate the ins and outs of her open marriage with Gil, coming up with rules and boundaries that both he and she can live with. However, problems arise when a pregnant set dresser shows up to work on Gil’s new film. As Judy becomes more and more suspicious of her husband, her whole world begins to unravel.

WHEN:

Friday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m.

WHERE:

Finkelstein Performing Arts Center

Crafton Hills College

11711 Sand Canyon Road

Yucaipa, Calif. 92399

TICKETS: 

Tickets are available at craftonhills.edu/tickets and at the Finkelstein Performing Arts Center Box Office. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for General Admission.

CAST:

Judy: Sophie Ball

Gil: Sebastian Hernandez

Marcus: Jacob Brantmeyer

Natalie: Bella Sequeira

Please note: This production is for mature audiences only and includes mature language and adult topics.