RIVERSIDE, CA—2020 is a prominent year. Not just because it is a new decade and that it is election year, but it is the 150th anniversary of the right to vote for Blacks. On Saturday, February 8, 2020, the 41st Annual Black History Parade and Expo will be paying homage to the anniversary. The theme for this year’s event is, “It takes a Village: Let’s Vote”.
When it comes to voting, the community plays a critical role in deciding who will head counties, states and the country, as a whole. For the past 41 years the Riverside Black History Parade has played an instrumental role in bringing the community, schools and local businesses together.
With this being a monumental year for the African American community, the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation has teamed up with the NAACP Riverside Chapter to have their President, Dr. Regina Patton Stell, as this year’s Grand Marshall. Vision Marshalls include: UCR’s Athletic Director, Tamica Jones; Assemblymember Jose Medina; Shauna Gates, Chief of Police at Riverside Community College District’s Board of Trustees; and Community Icons Charles and Elaine Bibbs.
This year, the Riverside Black Chamber of Commerce is assisting in ensuring that the Expo is a success. Tommy the Clown will also be returning as a performer in the 2020 Riverside Black History Parade and Expo. Vendors and parade performers are still wanted. To fill out a vendor application, please visit www.adcrfoundation.org
PHOENIX, AZ. — In the conference room of the Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center, a chair sat empty at a recent convening of community media and stakeholders to promote Arizona’s 2020 census.
Lizbeth Luna, regional director for NALEO’s Arizona census
initiative, abruptly cancelled as a speaker, learning her father had been
detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). The
intersection of immigration and the census was one of several topics at the
convening, but the empty chair spoke to the tenuous netherworld of immigrant
status in the United States.
In June, the Supreme Court barred Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross
from adding a question on citizenship to the Census 2020 form. The ruling was
applauded by Katie Hobbs, Arizona’s Secretary of State, who supports a
permanent ban on such an initiative. After the question’s dismissal, advocates
continue to fear diminished participation in the census, particularly from the
Latino community. Worries are the current administration will not respect the
confidentiality of personal information, despite laws and fines discouraging
the sharing of individual census responses among federal agencies.
At the convening, co-hosted by Ethnic Media Services, OneArizona, the Arizona Community Foundation and the Leadership Conference Education Fund, EMS executive director, Sandy Close encouraged attendees to collaborate in their messaging and outreach on Census 2020. Citing the decrease of traditional community media as one motivation, Close said the driving impetus for collaboration should be concern about the potential loss of census data-based funding for federal programs that contribute to children’s well-being. Children are the most likely to be undercounted and highly vulnerable to funding reductions.
“We, as media, need you, as community organizations, to extend your communication outreach, especially to populations that don’t have media outlets,” Close said. “Today’s meeting is an effort to forge a consensus across ethnic groups, community organizations, state and local government groups and other stakeholders. Do it for the kids.”
Jim Chang, state demographer, Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, provided an overview of the state’s racial demographics. He projects that the decreasing and aging white population, currently comprising 54%, and the increasing, younger Latino one, now at 32%, would reach relative numerical parity by 2050 at 45% and 40% respectively. The balance of the population, with no cohort above 5%, is comprised of Asians, blacks, Native Americans and others.
“A lot of people I talk to believe that, right now, the births to Hispanic mothers are higher than the births to non-Hispanic whites,” Chang said, “but that was true only one year, 2007.” Since then, white, non-Hispanic women have led their Latina counterparts with no anticipated change through 2050. Importantly, Chang has seen estimates of Arizona’s 2010 census undercount of children at 4%, 7% and as high as 10%. “Every method has its flaws,” Chang said, but overall, compared to other states, Arizona did fairly well in its total population 2010 census assessment.
Alec Thompson, representing the Arizona governor’s office,
acknowledged hard-to-count communities within the state where undercount
percentages have been higher than those for children. Though the state
legislature rejected his budget request to fund census public education
initiatives, he said Gov. Doug Ducey has about $1.5 million for paid media
advertising.
“We are hoping to grow that number,” Thompson said, with media outreach as part of a plan that includes a complete count committee’s credible messengers to reach diverse communities. Government agencies will be directed to contact the customers they serve, for example, the state’s 6,000 foster parents will receive an email about the census.
Thompson said Arizona had spent no state money for 2010 census outreach due to fiscal caution after 2008’s recession. A key motivation to encourage 2020 census participation is a calculation that “a 1% undercount is a direct loss of $62 million to the state.”
Whitney Walker, director of communications and public policy for
Protecting Arizona’s Family Coalition, (PAFCO), spoke to the need for more
state level advocacy to bolster the housing trust fund and domestic violence
shelters, among other initiatives that ameliorate “the cycle of poverty
vulnerable Arizona families are facing.”
Sign outside the Phoenix Indian School reading: “The Phoenix Indian School was founded as an Industrial School and later became known as Phoenix Indian High School. Many young Indian children have passed through these doors.”
To her point, the annual Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT
Data Book on the status of American children living in poverty ranks Arizona at
only 43rd in overall wellbeing for children.
In Arizona, immigration is a highly contested issue. Walker said
the political climate can interfere with the dissemination of clear and concise
information. She didn’t dispute the assessment of Arizona’s 2010 census
efforts, but noted that there was “a 30% undercount for Maricopa County, which
now has a population of over four million people.”
Janice Palmer of the Helios Education Foundation, which focuses on
Latino students’ academic success, underscored Walker’s observations: “Maricopa
County had the second largest undercount of Latino children.” Using 7% as the
projected undercount, she estimated, in that county alone, 27,000
Latino children were omitted from census 2010 data.
The Native American and Alaskan Native populations pose unique
challenges to the census, according to Mark Trahant, editor of Indian Country
Today.
“The primary problem for us is that it comes down to self-identification, and when you’re dealing with tribal communities, you’re talking about citizenship and a more complex way of looking at identity,” Trahant explained. He added that ICT has been reporting for three years that the 2020 census has been in trouble, partly due to underfunding. In Alaska, he noted, two field tests were cancelled to save funds and, overall, a dearth of linguists available to translate census instructions and information into local languages.
For Trahant, paramount is how to transform Native American
presence into political representation. Even with the recent election of Native
Americans to Congress, he calculates they constitute less than three-quarters
of one percent of that body, assuming Native Americans represent 2% of the
population, which is itself “probably an undercount.”
To achieve accuracy, the Census Bureau will have to contend with
Native Americans’ lack of broadband access and the difficulty of determining
addresses in remote communities. Additionally, Trahant said tribal
identification will be “a demographer’s nightmare” because many Native
Americans have multiple tribal identifications in their family trees. How will
resources be fairly allocated, he mused?
D.L. White, reporting for The Arizona Informant, also raised the
issue of accountability, asking state Rep. Diego Rodriguez – the convening’s
final speaker — how an undercount could negatively affect funding for minority
groups and refugee communities. Rodriguez responded that allocating funds is a
result of horse trading at the heart of the budgeting process.
“We all agree that the budget represents your values,” Rodriguez said, but “we have to make sure our numbers are counted so that we get adequate representation.”
Acknowledging representatives from Somali, Congolese and other
emerging refugee groups at the briefing, as well as from Native American, black
and Latino populations, Tameka Spence of Arizona Community For Change
emphasized that the first step is addressing the trauma many have experienced.
“In trying to help folks understand why the census is important, we’re asking
them to confront that trauma and we need to acknowledge that it’s there, it’s
real.”
Though the empty chair attested to the Luna family’s immediate
trauma, the Indial School Visitor Center venue exuded optimism. Once the site
of a federally run school to socially re-engineer Native American students,
Center director Rosalie Talahonva – herself an alumna — recalled how students
were drawn from different tribes often deeply at odds with each other as well
as the U.S. government. Whether antagonisms were ancient or personal, new or
imagined, the students persevered, forging consensus and cooperation among
themselves — an inspiration for Arizona’s mosaic of stakeholders striving to
achieve an accurate census count.
“Season of Giving” engaged Social Lites, Inc. Beautillion Knights to become active members of their community at American Legion Post 710 annual Toy Give-Away in San Bernardino, California on Saturday, December 21, 2019.
Toys and bikes received much laughter and tears to so many children of all ages. Parents too! This community event included complimentary lunch. As Oscar Wilde stated, “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” Thank you to all donors including Social Lites, Inc. under the leadership of Lisa Blacksher (president), American Legion Post 710 under the leadership of Commander Willie Bennet along with other organizations.
The 2019/2020 Beautillion Scholarship Program is in its 53rd year. The program will commence on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at the National Orange Show of San Bernardino.
For more information regarding the Beautillion Scholarship Program, please telephone chairperson, Mrs. Tina Darling at tribicu2@msn.com or Ms. Lisa Blacksher, President at lisasocialities@gmail.com or Mrs. Bettye Brewster, Business Manager, bettyebrewster@yahoo.com
On Sunday, December 22, the Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation (YWE) had the pleasure of treating youth from CHORDS to a Holiday Lunch in appreciation for all the dedicated and committed work that the founder of CHORDS, Edwin Johnson Jr., does for the community.
On Saturday, December 21, Kappa Alpha Psi gave back to the community by partnering with God’s Pantry. The two organizations paired up to give away food at Fontana Middle School.
Tell me, ought not Christians to be different? Ought
not we to be distinct, unique, set apart? Then why do we conform to what
society wants and do what society wants? The problem is that we don’t want to
be different. We don’t want to stand out from the crowd. We don’t want to be
perceived as bing odd. But I have you know that Christ was distinct, unique,
odd, set apart, and He called His
followers to be like Him. I tell you, as a people of God, we must dare to be different. We are not called to fit in but rather to
stand out. [Romans 12:2] tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing, you may discern what
is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. So “Come out from
amongst them and be ye separated…” [2 Corinthians 6:14; 7:1].
I tell you God is looking for people who would dare to
be like Daniel. Daniel had faith and applied works to his faith. He dared to be
different in every place he found himself. In every situation, Daniel said, “I
am not like the others. There is something different about me. I am in this
world, but I am not of this world. I am a child of destiny and I must work on
fulfilling my destiny. I am royalty. I am the child of the Most High God.”
Daniel dared to be different. The psalmist says, “I am a stranger on earth. All
the great men and women in the Old Testament were ‘strangers on earth [Hebrews
11;13].
I tell you God is looking for men and women who would
dare to be different. Men and women who have courage and convictions and who
will refuse to compromise and conform.
You and I are called to be different from the world around us and we are
given practical instructions on how to do this. Paul writes, ‘Let us not be
like others. Your lifestyle is to be totally different from those around you.
You are a citizen of a different world. You have to learn a new language. You
must dare to be different to fulfill your destiny, to maximize your potential,
and to excel in life and ministry.
My challenge to you this day is to dare to be
different. Dare to be a ‘stranger’ on earth. Dare to live differently. Dare to
speak differently.
You know Jeremiah’s ministry required great courage.
He had to dare to be different from the prophets around. They were all prophesying
peace, but Jeremiah knew that the exile was coming. He was warning the people
about the coming disaster. God said to him, “Tell them everything I command
you; do not omit a word. Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their
evil ways [ Jeremiah 26:2-3].
However, ‘As soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the
people everything the Lord had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets
and all the people seized him and said, “You must die! [v.8].
Jeremiah’s response was again very courageous. He
said, ‘Change the way you’re living change your behavior. Listen obediently to
the Message of your God. Maybe God will reconsider the disaster he has
threatened…If you kill me, you’re killing an innocent man… God sent me and
told me what to say. You’ve been listening to God speak, not Jeremiah.
Listen, we may not face the same pressure, but the
world around us will often dislike us for being different. Do not be surprised
or dismayed by such opposition – as Jesus told his disciples, “In this world
you will have trouble.” But take heart, I have overcome the world.’ [John
16:33]
As Paul challenged
his readers, I too, challenge you to “Understand the present time in which we
live.” [Romans 13:11]. We are living in
a time like no other. The world is being turned upside down and we need to be ready!
[Matthew 25:1-13]. You see, our generation is the first generation to fulfill
ALL the biblical signs. There is no time to waste! If you ain’t ready, you need
to get ready because thus saith the Lord, “Time is Running Out!”
Listen, I am not
here to set dates, nor time, but I am here only to warn you that the second
coming of Jesus Christ is NEAR, “even at the door.” [Matthew 24:33]. I beg you, don’t take it lightly, and don’t
ignore the revelation of Christ! Jesus words to His disciples back then are the
same words to us today, “ BE READY, because the Son of Man WILL COME at an hour
when you least expect Him. There is a plea for our return [Joel 2:12-17]. Maybe
you’re saved, but not living for the Lord. This message needs to be your
turning point. Don’t be counted as one of the foolish virgins [Matthew 25:
1-13] who did not attempt to prepare until it was too late. They where left
behind. Prepare while there is still time. For neither time, nor death, nor
judgment linger. NOW is the appoint time! NOW is the day of Salvation! Don’t
Delay! Time is Running Out!
“Blessed is the one
who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it
and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” [Revelation
1:3].
He who testifies to
these things says, “ Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen! [Revelation 22:20-21]
“This day, I call
the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you
life and death… Now choose life, that you and your descendants may live.”
[Deuteronomy 30:19]
(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— Damon Alexander, S B City Council Candidate and Cannabis advocate, Lanny Swerdlow, were guests on the “Empire Talks Back” (ETB) radio broadcast. The thought provoking conversations are available on most podcast carriers, including iHeart Radio.
Now
is the time to start checking in with your city council and county board to inquire
how they will allocate millions of dollars in emergency homelessness aid Gov.
Newsom has released to counties and cities across the state.
Gov.
Newsom said to funnel the $650 million aid package to counties and cities, he
had to bypass roadblocks set up by the Trump administration to delay the funding.
President Trump has been a vocal critic of California’s homelessness crisis.
The
governor announced the unprecedented $1 billion investment in fighting homelessness
when he released his budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year earlier this year. The
$650 million emergency spending is a part of it.
“California
is doing more than ever before to tackle the homelessness crisis but every
level of government, including the federal government, must step up and put
real skin in the game,” said Gov. Newsom. “California is making historic
investments now to help our communities fight homelessness. But we have work to
do and we need the federal government to do its part.”
California
law requires local allocation of funding to be based on federally approved 2019
Point in Time homelessness data. Although local governments and Continuums of
Care have requested this data from the feds, they have not yet received it.
The
governor said counties and cities can begin applying for and spending 75
percent of the money ($500 million) while they wait on the numbers from the
feds.
The
governor has appointed Matthew Doherty, who has over 25 years of experience
working on federal solutions to homelessness under the Obama and Trump
administrations, as an expert advisor to his office and state agencies.
“I am excited to work with Gov. Newsom, who has demonstrated national leadership addressing homelessness throughout his career and be part of California’s efforts to tackle the issue head on.”
Together,
San Bernardino, Kern and Riverside counties, for example, are expected to
receive a total of approximately $36 million.
SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Dale Marsden has resigned as
superintendent of San Bernardino City Unified School District after seven years
in the post, announcing his departure at the Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday,
December 10.
The
veteran educator said Wednesday he will remain in his position, possibly
through the end of the school year, as board members discuss a transition
timeline and next steps.
In a
phone interview with The Sun, Marsden declined to say what role he plans to
assume when he leaves the district but said his departure will allow him to
focus on blazing a trail regionally for some of the efforts started in San
Bernardino.
“This is a big district and a very active place,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of momentum going, and I want to continue that momentum forward to lift similar efforts countywide and regionally, too.”
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