Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Marcus Lopez, Ontario, California, conducts maintenance on life rings in the pilot house aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) during routine operations. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden)

By Lue Dowdy, Lue Productions

Just because we’re in a pandemic, that doesn’t mean you can’t show off your skills. LUE Productions community umbrella services is looking for talented youth for its summer youth talent showcase scheduled to take place Saturday, July 30 in the beautiful City of San Bernardino.

This is a $500 competition so please let a talented youth know about this upcoming opportunity. All participants must be 19 and under to compete.  LUE Productions community umbrella services is a non-profit organization servicing the Inland Empire and beyond. Our goal for this event is to provide a platform for the talented, while bringing forth quality entertainment for the community to enjoy.

Registration forms can be located at http://www.lueproductions.org.The following talent performers in the following categories are encouraged to apply: singing, dancing, poetry, spoken word, bands, and musicians.  Groups are welcome.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA. –– Dameron Communications’ launches new sports marketing division with Willie Dee Ellison II Sports Marketing Expert. He has more than 30 years of media and public relations experience in journalism and sports marketing.

Ellison covers major sports and entertainment in the Southern California Region and has since the 1980s.  This includes interviews, articles, photography and public relations with the Lakers, Rams, Raiders, Dodgers and Angels.

Dameron Communications’ new sports marketing division includes marketing of sporting events, sports businesses, individual athletes, stadiums and facilities where sporting activities take place; Public Bodies, Federations, Leagues and Series, with the purpose of promoting, growing, and developing individual disciplines and championships; and equipment for practicing sports disciplines.

“We are honored to have Willie join the Dameron Communications team of diverse, talented Communications professionals.  His knowledge and skill in sports marketing will help local school districts, colleges, universities and professional sports teams grow and prosper,” said agency founder Carl M. Dameron.

The Dameron Communications team and I have developed effective strategies to keep people interested and involved despite the issues that COVID has created in sports and sports involvement,” said Ellison. “I am excited to be a part of the Dameron Communications team,” added Ellison.

Ellison has covered the NFC Championship for the NFL, and The Western Conference Finals for

the NBA, NCAA programs including USC and UCLA, NCAA Basketball Tournaments and several Rose Bowl Games including the National Championship.

The Southern California native has garnered many awards and achievements since his days at California State University, San Bernardino.  Ellison is married with three adult children and seven grandchildren.

About Dameron Communications

Dameron Communications’ is a diverse team of communications professionals delivering inspired advertising: public relations, community relations and government relations. Agency work has won awards and client accolades for more than 30 years.  Uniquely, we blend unsurpassed relationships with proven advertising and public relations methods to deliver winning and measurable results.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

In keeping with its commitment to ending health inequities, the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) released the first phase of a three-part study documenting how race and racism shape the health care experiences of Black Californians.

The report, “In Their Own Words: Black Californians on Racism and Health Care,” was written by health services researcher Dr. Linda Cummings. The study synthesizes hour-long interviews with 100 Black Californians conducted from June to August 2021.

According to Katherine Haynes, a senior program officer serving on CHCF’s People-Centered Care team, “The project is to understand the interactions between racism, health and healthcare. (The first phase) is in-depth interviews that are really designed to gain a deep understanding of Black Californians’ perception of racism in this state’s healthcare system and its impact on them.”

CHCF’s main objective is to advance meaningful, measurable improvements in the way the health care delivery system provides care to the people of California, specifically individuals who are financially challenged and whose needs are not well served in the healthcare system.

EVITARUS, a Black-owned Los Angeles-based public opinion research firm, is conducting the three-phase

Study for CHCF. The firm has extensive experience polling California’s diverse constituencies and maintains long-standing relationships with Black-led community organizations and media.

“Dr. Linda Cummings wrote the report and we did the research. We designed the study, performed the data collection as well as the data analysis that supported Dr. Cummings and her findings,” according to Shakari Byerly, EVITARUS Managing Partner. “It was a thorough recruitment process and screening and screening of those that indicated an interest in participation. The participants also received an honorarium (of $125) for their participation.”

Findings from the first phase cautioned that just having a Black physician did not automatically result in better care. Negative experiences with Black physicians and other health providers of color can be an obstacle to health care, too.

“It is the subtle, the microaggressions that happen within

the health care field. So, I am resistant to get help unless I feel comfortable with the person who may or may not look like me,” a 33-year-old Black woman from the San Francisco Bay Area stated. “But I also have been discriminated against a lot from Black physicians as well.”

Cummings wrote that more than half of the respondents said that, at some time in their lives, they had been unhoused, without a stable place to live, or stayed with a family member or friend because they did not have a place of their own.

Notably, the study highlighted that the participants took their health care seriously.

“The respondents really spoke about how they were taking action to pursue health, advocating for themselves, in the health care system and taking steps to protect themselves from harm in the health care system,” said Haynes.

Nearly all the respondents (93%) had some form of health insurance. The majority were covered through employer-sponsored plans at 40% or Medi-Cal at 26%, the study reports.

The mix of participants also reflected the ethnic diversity of Black Californians. The majority of respondents identified as Black or African American (83%), Black and multiracial (6%), African (5%), Afro-Caribbean (4%), Afro-Latino (1%), and Black-Native American (1%), Byerly said.

“Everyone identified as Black, but we recognize that people come from different backgrounds,” Byerly said.  “It supports our research design to make sure that we show a full range of our community in California.”

Byerly also shared that 62% of the participants said they have experienced “some type of discrimination” based on their background while getting healthcare for themselves. About 59% said they were treated unfairly while getting healthcare for a family member, she added.

Phase II of the Listening to Black Californians study examines “structural issues” in the health care system gleaned from focus group discussions with Black Californians and key health care stakeholders,” Haynes said.

The third and final phase of the study will be a statewide survey of Black California residents. It will be crafted to evaluate the extent to which the Phase I and Phase II findings are represented in the general Black Californian population.

“The second phase with 18 focus groups, was completed right before the winter holidays. The third phase, we hope, will have over 3,000 Black-Californian participants,” Hayes said. “The final report is expected in the summer of 2022.”

Read the full report.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Since August 1 of last year, Omnitrans has offered kindergarten to 12th graders in the San Bernardino Valley free rides to school through its Free Fares for School pilot program. To date, the program has provided more than 250,000 free rides for students. Last week, the agency’s Board of Directors approved an extension of the program through May 31.

“The success of the Free Fares for School pilot program has shown that this initiative is welcomed and needed in our region,” said CEO/General Manager Erin Rogers. “We are pleased to extend the program to promote equity and build the next generation of transit ridership.”

The Free Fares for School program allows community members 18 and under to get to school, work, and play with reliable and safe transportation on Omnitrans’ 29 routes. Omnitrans provides service to schools in San Bernardino County, work, shopping, extracurricular activities, and anywhere else students need to travel. Their student ID is their pass to freedom onboard!

In keeping with current CDC guidelines, Omnitrans continues to practice enhanced cleaning measures to keep everyone safe. Masks also are required onboard buses and at transit centers.

To learn more about Free Fares for School, visit omnitrans.org/buy-a-pass/free-fares-for- school/ and for more information on Omnitrans routes and services, please visit www.omnitrans.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Ted Alejandre appointed Claudia Lopez for a full term on the San Bernardino County Committee on School District Organization as a representative of the Fifth Supervisorial District.

The oath of office was administered to Lopez by County Superintendent Alejandre on Jan. 11. Her term is through 2025.

The 11-member committee addresses school district organizational issues including possible changes to the number of district trustees, trustee area boundaries, school district boundary changes and unifications.

The County Committee’s newest member, Lopez, is a resident of Colton who works within the hotel industry. She stated she has been working with young people for a good 20 years and thought this would be a great opportunity to grow more and contribute to education.

The Fifth Supervisorial District includes cities of Colton, Fontana, Rialto, and San Bernardino and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington, El Rancho Verde, Glen Helen, Arrowhead Farms, Muscoy, Little Third and Rosena Ranch.

The San Bernardino County Committee on School District Organization maintains a webpage athttps://www.sbcss.k12.ca.us/index.php/business-services/business-advisory-services/county-committee

For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow us @SBCountySchools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.#transforminglives.

New HIT Strategies poll shows that even older Black voters, typically stalwart supporters of Democratic party candidates, are falling off

a HIT Strategies feature

President Joe Biden’s job performance approval numbers continue to decline among Black voters, including now older Black voters, a traditionally stalwart constituency primarily responsible for his presidential win.

Bloomington, CA—– On Saturday, January 15th Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., with the support of the Bloomington community gathered at Kessler Park to unveil monuments in honor of four committed Bloomington High Alumnus. The event had a great turn out and a lot of supporters from all around the community came to support. A huge concrete monument and a baseball field scoreboard at the park was named the “Gary Mendoza Memorial Field,” in honor of Mendoza who was an integral part of our Bloomington Little League. Gary Mendoza’s legacy had a lasting impact on our Bloomington Community and his support for the children will be passed on through generations. During the ceremony we were also able to unveil personalized benches honoring Evric Gray, retired New Jersey Nets Basketball Player; Mike Ashman, retired head coach of Cal Poly Pomona’s baseball team and current batting practice coach; and Lonell Roberts, 11 season baseball player for by the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization.

“Coming together with the Bloomington community and honoring such supportive members of our community was really such a beautiful moment. All those we honored are Bloomington High School Alumnus as well and it goes to prove just how much impact members of our community can have on the world around us. As Gary Mendoza would always say, “At the end of the day, it’s all about the kids.” And that’s exactly why this park was the perfect place to honor these four great people. This park will hold memories and accomplishments of local heroes for generations to come. I would again like to thank all those who showed up and supported our community of such a special day.” – Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.

By Aldon Thomas | California Black Media

Voting rights was the central theme at a virtual breakfast the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) held Jan. 12 to celebrate the sacrifices and impact of Martin Luther King Jr. on American life and politics.

“It is not enough to evoke Dr. King’s name on his birthday, post on social media and then take the day off,” said Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Inglewood), CLBC chair, reminding the audience of King’s activism and how his efforts led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Bradford said there are forces still attacking the rights of some Americans to vote, and more work needs to be done to make sure the voices of all Americans are heard and that all voters have access to the ballot box.

“His birthday should be about a day on, a day of activity in our community, of activism and continuing to push for real change in this country,” he continued.

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who is a former chair of the CLBC, said “the crisis of democracy is center stage, we are still fighting for our fundamental rights.”

“In 1965, we secured [the vote] and now we find ourselves debating the same issue over again and with great concern about the fact that we are faced with the rolling back of what we had thought was just old stuff that people would never go back to,” said Weber.

A day before the CLBC breakfast, President Biden and Vice President Harris visited Atlanta to emphasize the importance of protecting voting rights. Although, the House of Representatives voted a day later to pass the Freedom to Vote: John Lewis Act, the legislation is in jeopardy of not passing in the U.S. Senate as two Democratic Senators — Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Krysten Sinema (D-AZ) — refuse to change the rules allowing a minority of senators to block legislation.

Weber said there are about 400 bills making their way through state legislatures across the country that are attempting to restrict voting rights.

“Here we are now in this century, in this timeframe, in 2022, and we are talking about something that took place in 1965 in terms of the Voting Rights Act,” said Weber. “Dr. King told us, ‘I see governors with the words of interposition and nullification dripping from their lips.’ In other words, ‘I see Jim Crow laws. I see governors trying to overturn federal law with regards to what is right and what is just in this country.’”

Civil rights activist and friend of Dr. King, Rev. James Lawson, also spoke at the virtual breakfast and encouraged Black leaders to fight for their communities.

“Black elected officials must support the community of Black people all around the country, organizing continuous campaigns,” said Lawson who shared intimate details of his work with Dr. King and how much King’s ideas, strategizing and activism secured the human rights of all Americans.

During a press call on the same day, Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement Cedric Richmond spoke about the historical weight of the current voting rights standoff among lawmakers in Washington.

“Our democracy has faced defining moments many times in our history and this is one of those,” said Richmond. “This will be a question of what side you want to be on.”

Lawson called for community leaders to “dismantle plantation capitalism” and praised the work of other Black leaders that led to civil rights legislation during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s.

“The greatest use of law and nonviolent tactic was the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Many movements were in it, and we must not forget Little Rock Nine, Jackie Robinson’s desegregation of baseball and so on. It helped the Black community come together,” said Lawson.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— City of San Bernardino Council Member Kimberly Calvin has been appointed to the League of California Cities Community Services Policy Committee by League President Cindy Silva, of Walnut Creek.

“I am honored to serve the people of San Bernardino on this policy committee,” said Calvin, who represents San Bernardino’s Sixth Ward. “We have worked very hard to have a greater voice in California crafting policies on issues that directly impact us.”

The League of California Cities, which represents California’s 476 cities, sponsors, drafts, and takes positions on legislative and regulatory matters impacting cities across state. The Community Services Policy Committee specifically focuses on childcare, parks and recreation, libraries, natural disaster preparation, cultural arts, and community and human services programs, including homelessness.

City Manager Rob Field was pleased to learn of Calvin’s appointment.

“We are the largest city in the county,” said Field. “We need to have a seat at the table when discussions take place in Sacramento that could affect our residents. Council Member Calvin will do an excellent job representing the city of San Bernardino.”

Calvin’s appointment was effective January 3rd and runs through Spring of 2023.