Happily Divorced And After

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) was elected in a special election in April 2022 to represent California’s 11th Assembly District, which includes all of Solano County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties.

Prior to her election to the Assembly, Wilson was the first Black female Mayor to serve in the entire history of Solano County.

In August of 2022, Wilson was elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC). Her tenure ended this month.

In the Assembly — and as CLBC Chair — Wilson says she has prioritized bringing state services directly to individuals, local businesses, veterans, non-profits, and local governments. Wilson said her efforts focus on people and organizations that have needed help interacting with government agencies and accessing resources.A native Californian, raised on the west side of Fresno, Wilson is married to her high school sweetheart, Chavares Wilson, a retired Air Force Reserve Technical Sergeant. They have been blessed with two sons, Tyler and Kiren, a daughter-in-law, Brittney, and a grandson, Weston.

California Black Media (CBM)spoke with Wilson about her accomplishments, challenges and lessons she learned over the last year.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Looking back at 2024, what stands out to you as your most important achievement as Chair of the CLBC and why? 

The End of Slavery Act — getting that across the finish line and to voters as Prop 6.  It was a central piece of our reparations legislative package.  It failed last year at the very end. I was so disappointed. But it was good for me to experience that as a brand-new legislator. Just because something is moral and has values associated with it that are consistent with California’s values, that doesn’t mean people will vote for it.

The other involves the bonds. It’s rare for a legislator to be a negotiator on two bonds – Prop 2  and Prop 4 — that made it unto the ballot for voters to decide during the November elections.

How did your leadership contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians? 

Well, I think, for sure, there are so many of us; we’re disproportionately impacted by the carceral system, and so if we can get this language changed, I think it will make an impact to ensuring that Black Californians in the system have dignity as well as truly get an opportunity to rehabilitate.

On the education bond, I was instrumental in getting the add-on language for resources like school kitchen facilities to have more access to produce and farmers markets and things like that. As well as urban greening.

On the climate bond, I was instrumental in getting the agriculture section in there with a substantial number of investments. One particular area was to ensure our farmers of color are included.

What frustrated you the most over the last year?

My greatest frustration is centered around the weaponization of people. Stakeholders in the community who are lobbying directly for bills, when they’re not getting their way, or something happens, they go to the community with soundbites and try to weaponize the community against something that might be beneficial. There were a number of bills this year that were like solid bills, and it took forever to undo someone putting it in a negative light.

I think it’s frustrating in this political environment how much misinformation is out there.

What inspired you the most over the last year?

Always people. When people come in and share their stories. When they come in and share their hopes and dreams. Then, you know that the work that you’re doing is so impactful. Now, you have a person in mind that you’ve talked to, that you know, that has been helped. You know that the moment a bill is signed into law, someone’s life is instantly better.

What is one lesson you learned in 2024 that will inform your decision-making next year?

Behind my nameplate, there is a card that has been there since 2015. Somebody wrote down a quote from Jerry Brown. Ever since I found this card on my desk, I’ve been ruminating. It says, “the challenge is to build for the future, not steal from it.” That is such a profound statement.

In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians face?

Familiarity. People are so familiar with our struggle that they minimize it. Other people struggle, but ours is so just so familiar that you have to remind people how terrible it is. You have to remind people what racism looks like. You have to remind people what discrimination looks like.

What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2025?

Increasing the quality of life of people in California. It’s always my goal.

By Ethnic Media Services Staff

SANTA BARBARA, CA – During Black History Month in 2022, two 12-year-old Black boys were the victims of racist bullying. The alarming incidents happened at two different Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) junior high schools.

SBUSD is being sued by the victims’ mothers, who accuse school officials of not doing more to protect their kids in a city where African Americans have long been an extreme minority.

Over the last 50 years, Santa Barbara’s Black population has decreased nearly two percentage points from a peak of 3.27% in 1970 to about 1.37% in 2024, according to data from World Population Review. That decline in Santa Barbara reflects a broader trend across the state, which experienced a total loss of more than one million Black residents from 2000 to 2020, according to a study conducted by the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA.

In June 2020, in response to the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, SBUSD issued a “Resolution in Support of Black Santa Barbara Youth,” stating, “We do not tolerate hate or racism and must respond swiftly and decisively when we encounter intolerance, inequity, and bias on our campuses.”

Less than two years later, a Black Santa Barbara Junior High student was assaulted by Latino classmates mimicking the lethal police attack on George Floyd, their knees pressed against the victim’s neck. Within days, a Black La Colina Junior High student was bullied by a White student who made a TikTok video comparing photos of him and other Black students to monkeys and apes. The video, accompanied by an offensive song, was festooned with the N-word.

In their initial court filing, mothers Leeandra Shalhoob and Katherine McCullough argued the attacks were the culmination of a pattern of racist bullying throughout their sons’ years in Santa Barbara public schools. Shalhoob said that despite the district’s proclamations, school officials allegedly acknowledged, “We don’t know how to deal with this.”

Blacks make up less than 1% of SBUSD’s student body, which is majority Latino (61%) followed by White students (31%). Asian American and Pacific Islander, Native American and students of two or more races account for the remainder.

Shalhoob and McCullough initially filed suit against the district in August 2022 seeking reform of SBUSD’s practices and compensation for the toll on their sons. Mediation efforts collapsed in December 2022. In February of this year, they filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against SBUSD. The filing requested unspecified damages and a jury trial. The case is still pending.

The mothers allege that despite the schools’ awareness of racist bullying, teachers and administrators failed to intervene, protect their children, adequately inform the parents or provide prompt and effective support for their sons.

“It’s difficult to put a dollar amount on wanting someone to do something right,” said Shalhoob. “I had to learn that often change comes from someone feeling like they had to pay for what they did wrong.”

She continued, “But more than anything, I just don’t want anyone at Santa Barbara Unified School District ever again to be able to say, ‘I didn’t know what to do.’”

Not long after the attacks, McCullough said that Gateway Educational Services, a Black women-led nonprofit learning center, and Healing Justice Santa Barbara, a Black women-led nonprofit, organized parents and children that spring to speak out at school board meetings about unchecked anti-Black racism in the SBUSD.

McCullough said, “There was a common outrage at the lack of transparency.”

In addition to complaints from other parents at the school board meetings, students talked about how regularly they were called racist names by their classmates, how they felt seeing racist slurs written on surfaces in the locker rooms, how they were mocked for their appearances and compared to animals.

In response to the public outcry, school board president Wendy Sims-Moten, pushed the district to independently audit the schools’ racial climate.

The district hired an independent auditor to conduct the assessment using surveys and 24 focus groups. The study participants included 585 district and school staff, 888 families and caregivers and 4,694 students. At the time of the audit, from October 2022 to February 2023, there were about 12,500 children enrolled in the district.

Among the April 2023 report’s key findings: students said school staff ignored and therefore normalized racist bullying. “It’s kind of normal to come to school and feel like it’s going to be a racist day today,” a student remarked in a focus group. “Students get in trouble for cursing, but not for using the N-word,” another said.

Staff said they had no clear guidance for how to handle racist incidents. “Santa Barbara staff stated their immediate reaction in response to directly or indirectly encountering racism was to report the event to an acting administrator or supervisor rather than hold space to serve as the first line of defense against racism and anti-Blackness,” the report noted.

Shevon Hoover, who says anti-Black racist incidents have been an “annual occurrence” for her son the past six years, helped organize the push for the climate survey. “The only people that were really surprised [by the findings], I think, was the school district and the administrators, and quite frankly, the White teachers who are completely disconnected,” Hoover said.

About 67% of SBUSD’s teachers are White. According to a focus group summary of school professionals, many “expressed an uncertainty for whether or not their race or whiteness disqualifies them as individuals able to lead anti-racist and pro-Black efforts in the district.”

Since the report’s release, the district has been working on several reforms, including an app where students can file reports as soon as something happens and staff training on how to effectively “recognize, respond and report” racist offenses when they happen.

“We now have a policy,” said Sims-Moten. “We have an oversight committee that is helping us guide many of the policies and the responses. And for the first time, we now have a procedure that talks about here’s how you respond. And here’s also how you follow up with families so that they don’t feel left in the dark when these incidents occur.”

Still, for Shalhoob and McCullough, these efforts are too little, too late.

McCullough’s son, who has dyslexia and anxiety, has struggled with serious depression since the racist TikTok video. She said his condition has changed the family dynamic with everyone on edge “because we know that [he’s] not a hundred percent stabilized mentally and emotionally because of the effects of this.”

Two years later, the kid behind that devastating video, and McCullough’s son are both at Santa Barbara High School. So are Shalhoob’s son and the kids who bullied him.

“There’s one main hall at Santa Barbara High School and for a couple of weeks he was dodging the main hall because kids would say, ‘I can’t breathe’ when he walked by,” Shalhoob said. “And still nobody’s doing anything.”

Worst of all, Shalhoob feels she’s failed her child.

“I feel like it’s just taught him like, yeah, that adult might love you to death and might want to make things better for you, but it’s just shown him how, excuse my language, but how f-up the system is.”

The idea that teachers would need special training in protecting Black kids from obviously damaging situations, like getting called the n-word, or dismissing kneeling on someone’s neck as “horsing around,” enrages Shalhoob.

“That’s what brought me the most anger. I don’t think you need training to deal with it,” she said. “You just need to be a human.”

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Committee is proud to announce that Mr. Rich Wallace, Founder of the Southern Black Chamber of Commerce, has been selected as the Grand Marshal for the 5th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade & Extravaganza. The event, themed “Echoes of Freedom: As We Continue Marching Forward,” will take place on Monday, January 20, 2025, beginning at 12:00 p.m. in Downtown San Bernardino at 624 W. 4th Street.

This year’s celebration marks a significant milestone as the community gathers to honor the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a vibrant and engaging afternoon of activities designed to inspire, educate, and entertain.

Event Highlights Include:

• Live Entertainment and Performances
• Vendor Extravaganza Featuring Local Talent
• Art Walk and Food Vendors
• Classic Car Show
• Celebrity Guests and Local Drill Teams
• Informative and Educational Activities for All Ages

“We are thrilled to celebrate our fifth-year honoring Dr. King’s legacy,” said LuCretia Dowdy. “This event is a reflection of the community’s spirit, resilience, and commitment to the principles of unity and progress that Dr. King stood for.”

The committee also invites students, families, and community members to actively participate in the parade and festivities. This event is not only a celebration but also an opportunity to reflect on the work that still lies ahead as we continue to advance Dr. King’s dream.

For more information about the parade, vendor opportunities, or how to get involved, please contact Lue Dowdy at 909.567.1000 or 909.495.0848.

About the San Bernardino Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Committee:

The San Bernardino Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Committee is dedicated to honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King by organizing events that promote unity, diversity, and community engagement.

“IE Choice Awards Get Familiar with Some of the Biggest Acts to Roll Through”

RIALTO, CA— The 2024 IE Choice Awards is set to take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 2 p.m., with the red carpet ready to welcome some of the most influential figures across various fields. This significant event aims to celebrate excellence and recognize individuals and organizations that have made substantial contributions in their respective areas. Attendees can look forward to an afternoon filled with entertainment, accolades, inspiring speeches, and the opportunity to connect with industry leaders. As the date draws closer, excitement is building around the nominees and the impact of their work, making this a noteworthy event to watch.

The IE Choice Awards promises to be more than just a night of awards and speeches. It will feature a star-studded lineup of nominees, performers, and the legendary clothing designer for celebrities, Alex Angelino. Notable attendees include actress and singer Brely Evans, Latrice Kristine, rapper DoggyStyleeee, Lil G 909, Tycoon62, and Mac9Most, award-winning DJ Lady P and MMA World Champion Eugene V.I.P. Weems. This annual ceremony not only celebrates hip-hop music but also honors some of the most significant philanthropists and individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional innovation, leadership, and a commitment to excellence.

Several prominent artists from the industry will take the stage for unforgettable performances, adding to the evening’s excitement. The ceremony will be taped in San Bernardino, California, and will be broadcast on http://talon36.com/.

The IE Choice Awards is set to be an inspiring and memorable event. The awards will be hosted by yours truly Moori Richardson. Tickets are available @ eventbrite.com. There will be a V.I.P. after party for the IE CHOICE AWARDS starting at 7pm that will be @ RAQUEL’S JAZZ LOUNGE 134 S Riverside Ave, Rialto, CA 92376.

Communications Advisor Veronica Hill had the honor of joining Sheriff Shannon D. Dicus and members of Congressman Jay Obernolte and Assemblyman Tom Lackey’s offices for Multi Company Day at Victor Valley College’s Regional Public Safety Training Center.

More than 550 students from 14 High Desert schools participated in the program, which included live drills of firefighters, police officers and Paramedics reacting to high-stress situations.

The city would like to thank Director of Emergency Medical Services Dave Oleson for the informative tour! The city is fortunate to have such a high-quality and cutting-edge training center right in our own backyard! To learn more about the program, click here.

Monday, December 2, marks the ninth anniversary of the December 2, 2015, terrorist attack in San Bernardino. On that day, 14 people were taken from us, including 13 county employees. Many more were wounded, physically and emotionally.

The county government family will always remember these 14 souls. The public is invited to join us in observing a moment of remembrance at 10:55 a.m. on Monday, December 2, on the county’s Facebook, X and Instagram platforms.

Please watch this video to remember those who were taken from us. Flags at all county facilities will be flown at half-mast on Monday, December 2. The county invites those who fly an American flag at home or their place of work to also lower their flags on December 2.

The public is also invited to visit the Curtain of Courage Memorial, which is located on the east side of the County Government Center at 385 N. Arrowhead Ave. in San Bernardino. This memorial serves to forever honor those who were taken from us, the survivors and first responders from that tragic day.

Resources are available to help those experiencing trauma due to the events of December 2, 2015.

Over 100 youth, ranging in age from 10 ½ months to 14 years old, were adopted into their forever homes on November 13 during the Children and Family Services (CFS) 24th Annual Adoption Finalization Event.

In partnership with the Superior Court of California and the San Bernardino County Juvenile Court, 70 families celebrated the finalization of their adoptions at the Ontario Convention Center. This year’s theme, “Making Campfire Memories with Forever Families,” captured the warmth and lasting bonds formed on this special day. CFS provided various activities for the families such as face painting, balloon animals, treasure hunts, and a resource fair while they waited for their courtroom time to finalize their adoptions.

This year’s celebration featured heartwarming remarks from Assemblyman Tom Lackey, The Honorable Judge Rodney Cortez, the Honorable Judge Lynn M. Poncin, San Bernardino County Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman, San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., San Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer Luther Snoke, Assistant Executive Officer Diane Rundles and CFS Director Jeany Zepeda. Each congratulated the families on this joyful day and emphasized the significance of creating stable, loving homes for youth.

“Today, we celebrate children finding permanency and leaving foster care to join their forever families. This event also honors the village that made this possible, reminding us that no family is alone on this journey. Behind every child and family is a community of dedicated individuals who have played a vital role in supporting them”, Zepeda said.

The Annual Adoption Finalization Event reflects CFS’s commitment to permanency for children when reunification with their biological families is no longer possible. It’s a powerful reminder of the critical work being done to give every child the opportunity to grow up in a safe, nurturing home. For families interested in learning more about adoption, please visit Adoptions – Children and Family Services or contact San Bernardino County Adoption Services at 1-800- 722-4477.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Constituent Services Director Samuel Shoup had the pleasure of attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly constructed North First Avenue Bridge on my behalf.

This significant project, led by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) in partnership with the City of Barstow and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, has replaced the outdated bridge with a modern structure that will serve the community for years to come.

The new bridge, which began construction in January 2023, is a testament to the commitment of our local leaders to improving transportation infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life for San Bernardino County residents.

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

You will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from His glorious power. The most severe consequence of delaying salvation. Eternal Separation from God. [2 Thessalonians 1:5-10].

You will be thrown into the Lake of Fire. Eternal Torment Forever and Ever [Revelation 14:9-11].

You will forever regret your decision to reject God’s offer of salvation. Eternal Lament Forever and ever. [Luke 16:19-31].

Knowing that truth, tell me, if you ignore God’s provision for your soul’s salvation, how will you escape the consequences of such neglect? How will you escape His wrath? [John 3:36]; His condemnation? [John 3:18]; His word of banishment? [Matthew 26:41]. You will not!

Listen, do not confuse God’s patience with His tolerance. Yes, God is loving, He is kind, He is patient, but there comes a time when God will say, “Enough.” The story of Sodom and Gomorrah reminds us of such. God said “Enough.” Afterwards, He passed judgment, issued a verdict and carried out the sentence. [Genesis 19:23-25]. Don’t take God’s grace for granted. His patience is not a license to delay salvation, but an opportunity for you to repent and be saved [2 Peter 3:9].

Understand we are living in a time of judgment just as the people of Jesus time were. For us though, the grace of God is being extended as never before. Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means [Romans 6]. Understand the urgency of salvation because of the reality of life’s brevity. Our life on earth is limited. Our days are numbered, and we do not know when our time will come. The offer of Salvation is NOW! Don’t wait until it’s too late! [2 Corinthians 6:2; Isaiah 55:6; 2 Peter 3:9; Isaiah 55:6; James 4:14]. God has given us a limited amount of time on Earth, and we must use it wisely [Luke 12:20] Delaying decisions or actions can lead to missed opportunities. [Proverbs 27; Hebrews 3:15]. Don’t wait until its too late because one day God Mercy is going to expire and when it does, His judgment and wrath will be unleashed. [Romans 2: 1-6]. For He says in [Isaiah 48:9] know that for My own name sake, I will delay My wrath; for the sake of My praise, I will restrain it, so as not to kill you.

You know there is an old imaginary/fictitious story of a convocation of demons who met in Hell to discuss how best to damn and destroy the lives of men. One demon stood and said, “I know how to damn the lives of men. Let us tell them there is “No God.” Satan replied, “A fine suggestion.” We’ll tell them there is no God and some of them will believe it. But the fool has said in his heart there is no God and not all men are fools. We need another suggestion.

Another demon stood and said, “I know what we can do. Let us tell them that the Bible is not inspired, that it isn’t the Word of God.” And Satan smiled and said, very good. We’ll tell them that the Bible isn’t the infallible, inerrant Word of God. But the Bible remains the best seller of all books on earth. We need another suggestion.

Another demon stood and said, “I know what we can do. Let us tell them that Jesus is not the Son of God. He didn’t rise from the grave. That Jesus was merely a mortal man.” Satan said, that’s a good suggestion. We’ll tell them that Jesus was not the Son of God, and many will believe us. But the more we talk about Jesus, the more He draw men to Himself. We need something else.

Finally, another demon stood and said, “I know – Let’s admit it all. Let’s admit that there is a God. Let’s admit that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Let’s admit that Jesus is all that He said He was. Then let’s whisper in their hearts, “But do nothing about it. Some other day. Some other time. At a more convenient season.” And Satan says, “That’s it. There was Hellish applause. The demons said, “That is the best plan of all.” That will work.” And it does.

Almost persuaded” now to believe; Almost persuaded” Christ to receive; Seems now some soul to say, “Go, Spirit, go thy way, some more convenient day on thee I’ll call.”

“Almost persuaded,” come, come today; Almost persuaded,” turn not away; Jesus invites you here, angels are lingering near, prayers rise from hearts so dear; O wanderer, come!

“Almost persuaded,” harvest is past! Almost persuaded,” doom comes at last; “Almost” cannot avail; “Almost” is but to fail! Sad, sad that bitter wail— “Almost—but lost!”  [Author: Philip Bliss]

Jesus Weep! [John 11:35]. You neglected the Rock who begot you and forgot the God who gave you birth. [Deuteronomy 32:18]. They would not, and now they cannot.” [Isaiah 6].

The Eternal Consequence of a Delayed Decision!

Annual Holiday Concert will be Performed December 16

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra will present their annual holiday concert on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. Entitled “A Christmas Festival,” this performance will be held at the historic California Theatre of the Performing Arts in downtown San Bernardino.

Under the baton of Maestro Anthony Parnther, the repertoire will feature a number of holiday favorites, including “Carol of the Bells” by Mykola Leontovych, “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway and Nadine McKinnor, “The Christmas Song” by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by Walter Kent, “Jingle Bells” by James Lord Pierpont, “I Need an Angel” by Ruben Studdard, “Silent Night, Holy Night” by Franz Xaver Gruber, “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen,” With A Christmas Heart” by Luther Vandross, “A Whole New World” by Alan Menken, “My Favorite Things” by Richard Rodgers, “Who Would Imagine A King” by Mervyn Warren, “I Just Had to Hear Your Voice” by Oleta Adams, “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” by John Francis Wade.

Vocalists Jamie Carganilla, Maiya Sykes, and Drew Tablak, who patrons will recognize from their appearances at the Symphony’s annual concerts under the stars, will lend their angelic voices to this joyful show. Audiences will also marvel at several Cirque performers whose unique skills will bring a further level of festive variety.

In addition, the Granite Hills High School GREAT Academy Choir led by Director of Music and Piano Shane Churchill will accompany the Orchestra, and members of the A.B. Miller High School Conservatory of Dance with direction by Aisha Bardge and Nicole Robinson will make a special appearance. The audience will also take center stage in a grand sing-along finale.

Explained Maestro Parnther, “Perhaps more than anything else we do each year, the annual holiday performance is designed to lift the spirit and gladden the heart. Quite honestly, seeing everyone on their feet raising their voices in song last year literally brought a tear to my eye, and I anticipate it will do the same this year.”

Patrons, who are highly encouraged to dress in their holiday best – with nods to both black tie and ugly sweaters – will begin their festive afternoon even before the baton descends as the Inland Valley Repertory Theater’s Dickens Carolers will be performing in the lobby beginning at 2 p.m.

Attendees are highly encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy which will be donated to Symphony partners, The Children’s Fund of San Bernardino.

“This is going to be the region’s most musically festive evening!” shared Symphony Board of Directors President Donna Marie Minano. “We cannot wait to welcome you all!”

Tickets and Location Details

Tickets for A Christmas Festival are available at $20-$100 per seat. and may be purchased online at www.sanbernardinosymphony.org or by phone at (909) 381-5388 Monday through Friday. Students and Active Military are always $15.

Doors open and the carolers begin at 2 p.m.; the concert begins promptly at 3 p.m.

The historic California Theatre of the Performing Arts is located at 562 W. 4th Street San Bernardino. Free, lighted parking is available directly across from the venue and is accessible from E Street by following the signs.

Venue box office sales are planned prior to the concert, but this performance generally sells out, so the availability of seats cannot be guaranteed.

More Great Music December 15

If one fabulous concert isn’t enough, please consider joining us for the inaugural performance of the San Bernardino Youth Symphony Orchestra at the historic San Bernardino Valley College Auditorium at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 15. $10 general admission tickets are available at www.sanbernardinosymphonyorg or at the door.