Happily Divorced And After

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

Woe unto you! For the Bible makes a difference between our plans and God’s purposes. We are told not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. [Proverbs 27:1]. Besides, what is your life? But a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes [James 4:13-17]. Our days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children. [Psalm 103:15-17]. Besides what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? [Mark 8:36]. Here today, gone tomorrow, but you want to procrastinate and delay repentance. Woe unto you!

You know, someone has called the fifth chapter of Genesis ”A desert of death.” You can almost see the pine boxes and the graves. You can almost hear the weeping widows. You can almost smell the stench of death that arises from this chapter. Over and over, we read these words, ”and he died.” The last words of verse 5 read, ”and he died.” We read in verse 8 ”and he died.” We read in verse 11 ”and he died.” We read in verse 14 ”and he died.” We read in verse17 ”and he died.” We read in verse 20 ”and he died. Tell me what you are waiting for. Tomorrow is not promised. We are still at the mercy of God’s grace, and we must take grace seriously. Don’t be like deluded Lot, we do not deserve mercy. We must never take advantage of God’s grace and patience. We must never presume that we will get another chance or another day to make it right. Our personal day of Judgment could come at any moment. Let’s remember Lot and take God up on His offer to rescue us. And let’s remember Lot’s wife and never look back. Procrastination can cost us our souls in the end [2 Corinthians 5:20–6:2]. Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Earlier last week, alongside Chair Rowe and Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., Mayor Warren attended the ribbon cutting for Station 81 over in the City of Fontana. This station has been in the works since she was a Council member. And its opening in the North End of Fontana will assist in cutting down response times and helping people at a faster rate. This station was much needed.

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) condemned the United States Supreme Court Justices 6-3 decision last week granting former President Donald Trump partial immunity from criminal prosecution in his federal election subversion case.

The recent court ruling makes Trump less likely to face trial before this year’s presidential election. The Supreme Court Justices’ decision delays the trial proceedings challenging the legal viability of the case overall. In the court decision, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that a president’s motive is irrelevant to the assessment nor is the fact that an action would have allegedly violated a generally applicable law.

Padilla denounced the court ruling accusing former President Trump of using handpicked justices to abuse the power of the executive and judicial offices for personal and political gain.

“Before today, America’s judicial system was rooted in the simple but fundamental principle that no one is above the law. Not Congress, not the courts, and not even the President of the United States. Today’s decision turns that most fundamental principle on its head,” said Padilla.

Law experts warned that the court ruling alters the possibility of consequences, allowing presidential powers to go unchecked except in the case of a possible impeachment.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a dissenting opinion arguing that the ruling reshapes the presidency and makes the president above the law. The court’s decision is a blow to the foundation of the U.S. Constitution and government system establishing that, no man is above the law.

“The President of the United States is the most powerful person in the country, and possibly the world. When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majority’s reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution,” Sotomayor in her statement of dissent.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

California Attorney General Rob Bonta released the 2023 Hate Crime in California Report on June 29, providing data and resources to support ongoing efforts across the state to combat violence motivated by racial or other biases.

Overall, reported hate crime events in California decreased by 7.1% from 2,120 in 2022 to 1,970 in 2023.

Despite that general downward trend, anti-Black bias incidents in the state remained the most prevalent. Year after year, this disturbing statistic holds true despite a 20.6% decrease from 652 in 2022 to 518 in 2023. The next highest reporting of bias events was 199 Anti-Hispanic or Latino instances.

“The California Department of Justice has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hate, and will continue working with law enforcement, elected leaders, and community organizations across the state to keep our communities safe through education, prevention, and enforcement,” said Attorney General Robert Bonta in a statement after releasing the report.

“We won’t let bigots and bad actors win. We will not let hate prevail,” said Bonta

The report also found that prosecutions inched up by 5% (about 32 percentage points).

According to the Attorney General’s report, from 2022 to 2023, the number of hate crimes referred for prosecution increased from 647 in 2022 to 679 in 2023. Of the 679 hate crimes that were referred for prosecution, 463 cases were filed by district attorneys and elected city attorneys for prosecution. Of the 463 cases that were filed for prosecution, 322 were filed as hate crimes and 141 were filed as non-bias motivated crimes.

Under California law, a hate crime is a criminal act committed in whole or in part because of a victim’s actual or perceived disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or association with someone with one or more of these characteristics.

Aside from the information related to Anti-Black hate crimes, other key findings in the 2023 Hate Crime in California Report include:

• Hate crimes fell by 7.1% to 1,970 events.
• Hate crime offenses dropped by 8.9% to 2,359.
• Victims of hate crimes decreased by 6.9% to 2,303.
• Hate crimes due to racial bias went down by 21.6% to 1,017.
• Hate crimes due to religious bias rose by 30% to 394.
• Anti-Islamic bias events increased from 25 to 40.
• Hate crimes due to sexual orientation bias went up by 4.1% to 405.
• Anti-transgender bias events rose by 10.2% to 65.
• Anti-LGBTQ+ bias events surged by 86.4%.

The disproportionate number of hate incidents recorded in the Attorney General’s report lines up with data released by the California Civil Rights Department (CRD).

Responding to a surge in hate crimes and hate incidents, in 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration launched the “California vs. Hate” initiative, which includes a hotline and online reporting platform for victims.

“CA vs Hate is about recognizing and protecting the incredible diversity of our state and sending a clear message that hate will never be tolerated,” said Newsom.

“When California was confronted by an alarming increase in hate, we didn’t just sit back and hope it got better,” said CRD Director Kevin Kish, celebrating the one-year anniversary of the initiative in May.

“We came together and launched an array of nation-leading programs to ensure all our communities feel welcome and protected. I’m incredibly proud of our state’s resilience and commitment to a California for all,” added Kish. “This work is only just beginning, but it would not be possible without the advocacy of our community partners and the foresight of our state’s Administration and Legislature.”

To combat hate crime offenses and events, Bonta urges local partners and law enforcement to review the resources highlighted in the report and to recommit themselves to leveraging them.

“Everyone has a part to play as we continue to fight prejudice and create safer communities in California,” said Bonta.

“I urge everyone to review the data and resources available and recommit to standing united against hate,” he continued. “The California Department of Justice has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hate, and will continue working with law enforcement, elected leaders, and community organizations across the state to keep our communities safe through education, prevention, and enforcement.”

If you believe you or someone you know has been the victim of a hate crime, notify local law enforcement and consider taking the following steps:

How To Report A Hate Crime:

CA vs Hate is a non-emergency, multilingual hate crime and incident reporting hotline and online portal. Reports can be made anonymously by calling (833) 866-4283, or 833-8-NO-HATE, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT or online at any time.

Hate acts can be reported in 15 different languages through the online portal and in over 200 languages when calling the hotline. For individuals who want to report a hate crime to law enforcement immediately or who are in imminent danger, please call 911.

For more information on CA vs Hate, please visit CAvsHate.org.

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media

Last week, the California State Legislature approved a $10 million bond proposal to modernize and repair K-12 schools and community colleges statewide.

The education bond measure, Assembly (AB) Bill 247, will appear on this year’s November ballot.

AB 247 aims to upgrade school buildings, allocating $8.5 million to public schools and $1.5 million to community colleges across California.

Authored by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), the measure was authored in collaboration with Assemblymembers Mike Fong (D-Alhambra), and Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), and Senators Steve Glazer (D-Contra Costa) and Josh Newman (D-Fullerton).

Supporters of the proposition point out that schools in California are over 50 years old, raising safety concerns among community and school leaders. The education bond will provide matching dollars to K-12 school districts based on local priorities and it calls for monitoring spending for local taxpayer accountability.

“California urgently needs a statewide school bond to repair dilapidated and unsafe school facilities and to invest in our children to meet 21st century educational and workforce needs,” said Muratsuchi, an author of the education bond proposal.

Since 1998, the state has been providing $54 billion in education bonds for K-12 schools and institutions of higher education. Voters approved the last successful bond, Proposition 51, during the 2016 November election. That proposition has provided K-12 schools with $7 billion and community colleges with $2 billion for repairs and construction to improve safety.

However, some school district officials are concerned that funds from state and local bonds mostly benefited affluent districts, leaving rural districts disadvantaged.

A report by the Public Policy Institute of California stated that it is easier for the state to match funds from the district in wealthier areas. The report stated that voters in affluent areas are more likely to approve bonds making it easier to raise funds since their property values are higher.

Public Advocates, a nonprofit law firm, threatened to sue the State claiming that the bond system is unconstitutional.

“The Legislature is shooting itself in the foot. What they’ve proposed will only undermine support from voters,” said John Affeldt, an attorney who supports the bill. “But technically they still have time to fix this.”

State officials, on the other hand, remain optimistic about the outcome of the education bond during this year’s November election.

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media

Last week, California became the 26th state to require high school seniors to pass courses focused on finance literacy, adding to a recently added ethnic studies prerequisite and a health class requirement focused on the dangers of fentanyl use.

The senior class of 2031 will be the first group of students to take the mandatory financial literacy course. California school districts are required to implement Assembly Bill 2927, authored by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), at the beginning of the 2027-2028 academic year.

The bill works hand-in-hand with newly approved Assembly Bill 2429, authored by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego). That law requires students to take health classes that discuss the dangers of fentanyl use and illegal drugs commencing in the 2026-2027 school year.

Both bills require high school seniors to complete the designated coursework during any semester between the ninth and twelfth grades. High school students in charter schools are also required to complete the state-mandated coursework. Under this law, local educational agencies will impose the required courses using state-mandated local programs.

McCarty said that the financial literacy classes will prepare students for the future and empower them to make smart money decisions throughout life.

“It’s such an important life skill,” he said. “The stressors that young people face today — especially student loans, renting, buying a house, credit cards all those things are so critically important, and if you fall behind. The consequences have a serious impact later in life.”

Unlike the bill on financial literacy that imposes classes as a graduation requirement, the bill on health education allows school districts to choose if health classes are a graduation prerequisite.

Alvarez said that health education can help address the state’s fentanyl epidemic, specifically among the youth.

“I think it’s important… that we share facts with young people, especially these days as they rely more and more on social media with misinformation,” said Alvarez.

“There’s still no better-trusted source than our schools for students and for families to receive the information that they need in order to make better decisions and better choices,” he continued.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state needs to help prepare young people in a statement backing the bills.

“Saving for the future, making investments, and spending wisely are lifelong skills that young adults need to learn before they start their careers, not after,” the Governor said in statement backing the education bills.

Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, the state will also require high school seniors to take an additional one-semester course on ethnic studies.

LOS ANGELES, CA— Kyrie Irving took over Fan Fest during the BET Experience Presented by Walmart with the multifaceted “MORE THAN A RUN” powered by ANTA Day of curated basketball events on Friday, June 28, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Housed in the “Where Black Culture Plays” BETX village, the event featured a full day of basketball-intensive activities curated by Kyrie Irving, ANTA, More Than A Run, and A11Even Sports, creating a unique blend of sports, culture, and entertainment.

Event Highlights:

Youth Empowerment and Engagement:

Young athletes from community organizations participated in the Tribe Hélà basketball clinic, engaging in dynamic drills, games, and workouts with top coaches. This exclusive clinic provided invaluable mentorship and training to the youth, representing organizations such as Helping Hands Foundation, Brotherhood Crusade, Venice Beach Basketball, and Peace Players. Noteworthy, the USC women’s basketball team graced the event with their presence.

1v1 Tournament Excitement:

Fans were thrilled by an intense 1v1 tournament featuring their favorite YouTube sports influencers. The competition showcased high-energy performances from players like Daviohn Scarborough aka Scar, Ty Glover, Kevin Kuteyi, Javon Brazile, Josh Treadwell, Michael Harden Jr., Rob Colon, and Devante Carter, captivating the audience with their skills and charisma.

All-Star Invitational Game:

The day culminated with the More Than A Run All-Star Invitational game, where Kyrie Irving and his star-studded friends, including Jaden Hardy (Dallas Mavericks), Lonnie Walker (Brooklyn Nets), Naz Reid (Minnesota Timberwolves), Dennis Smith Jr. (Brooklyn Nets), and GG Jackson (Memphis Grizzlies), coached a spectacular 5-on-5 pick-up game. The players’ exceptional talent and camaraderie made for an unforgettable experience, kicking off culture’s biggest weekend in grand style.

Exclusive Merchandise and Cultural Significance:

As a Fan Fest exclusive, over 100 youth participants received gear from Kyrie Irving’s collaboration with global sports icon ANTA. Attendees also got a first look at the latest shoe from his collection, the “KAI 1 Garden State.” Inspired by the lush green natural landscape of New Jersey, this fresh and vibrant colorway infused natural energy into the court, adding a personal touch that tied back to Irving’s roots.

Kyrie Irving remarked: “This event was about more than just basketball. It was about leveraging my partnerships with Anta, A11Even Sports and More Than A Run to give back to the community. It is important to me that the next generation is inspired and that we are always celebrating culture. I’m grateful to everyone who came out and those who worked tirelessly to make this day possible. Tribe Hélà is dedicated to empowering our youth, and this clinic was a perfect example of how we can make a real impact. To our fans, your support and enthusiasm fuel me and I am excited to continue this journey together.”

EVENT IMAGES HERE– photo credit, Border Boys Media.

RIVERSIDE, CA— This summer marks a historic moment for Riverside Montessori Academy (RIVMA) as it hosts its first-ever public Open House events. Scheduled for July 24 and July 25 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, these events will take place at both their Pachappa and Indiana locations. The Open House events provide a unique opportunity for the entire community to discover the vibrant educational environment that has been a cornerstone of Riverside for nearly four decades.

For 38 years, RIVMA has been more than just a school; it has been a nurturing space where young minds flourish and families find a supportive community. The upcoming Open House events will offer a glimpse into what makes the academy unique. Visitors will have the chance to meet dedicated staff, explore classrooms, and learn about the Montessori approach that has successfully shaped thousands of young learners from Riverside and neighboring communities.

The community Open House events are in celebration of two recent and significant achievements for the school.  RIVMA recently earned accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) this past Spring, affirming its commitment to excellence in education and childcare. This accreditation is a testament to RIVMA’s relentless pursuit of high standards and quality in all aspects of its programs.

Additionally, the Pachappa campus has unveiled a brand-new playground, designed to enhance students’ outdoor play experiences. This new addition not only provides a safe and fun environment for physical activity, but also supports the holistic development central to the Montessori philosophy.

“As a family, no decision is more important than choosing a school for your child. When a child is a part of our school, we honor the confidence and trust parents place in our hands and take on this role with care and responsibility,” said Dr. Amila Chandrapala, Executive Director of Riverside Montessori Academy.

RIVMA’s history in Riverside is rich and deeply rooted. From its early days to now, the mission has always been to offer an exceptional Montessori education that fosters the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of students. The programs, ranging from Preschool to 4th grade, are designed to create a robust and equitable learning experience for all children.

As these milestones are celebrated, new families are warmly welcomed to join the community. The Open House events are the perfect opportunity for prospective parents and students to see the vibrant learning environments and understand the values driving the educational approach.

Riverside Montessori Academy looks forward to welcoming the community to the Open House events, taking place from 6 PM to 8 PM on July 24 at 6200 Pachappa Drive and on July 25 at 7141 Indiana Avenue in Riverside, CA.

For more information and to RVSP, visit them on the web at www.RiversideMontessoriAcademy.com or call 951-533-8119.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA— Google announced the 20 recipients of its 2024 Google for Startups Founders Funds for Black and Latino entrepreneurs. This year marks the first cohort exclusively comprised of AI-focused startups, advancing Google’s commitments to inclusion in AI and to helping diverse founders access capital. Each founder will receive $150,000 in non-dilutive cash awards and $100,000 in Google Cloud credits to help grow their businesses. In addition to capital, the founders will also gain access to mental health resources and mentorship from Google experts in AI and sales. Five California-based founders, including one Los Angeles-based founder, are among the recipients, amounting to 1,250,000 invested in California startups.

The 2024 Black and Latino Founders Fund recipients are using AI to help solve important business and societal challenges—from using AI to prevent wildfires to diverting fast fashion from landfills to helping millions of community college learners more successfully transfer and acquire four-year degrees.

“AI can enable startups to build transformative products and solve complex challenges, but founders need access to capital to realize this potential,” said Maya Kulycky, Vice President of Strategy and Operations at Google Research. “Through the Google for Startups Founders Funds, we are proud to invest in promising Black and Latino founders who are leveraging AI technology to help address some of today’s most pressing issues. We are inspired by the groundbreaking work of these founders and their potential to shape the future of AI.”

EdVisorly (Los Angeles)

Founder: Manny Smith

About: EdVisorly is a platform empowering community college students and four-year university enrollment teams to connect to increase transfer admissions success and bachelor’s degree completion.

Bountiful (San Francisco)

Founder: Megan Nunes

About: Bountiful is an operating system for agriculture, modernizing how farmers, buyers, and sellers work smarter.

InOrbit (Mountain View)

Founder: Florian Pestoni 

About: InOrbit is a leader in robot operations, helping robot developers and end users maximize the value of every robot through a data and AI platform.

Maverick (San Francisco)

Founder: Eitan Winer

About: Maverick enables ecommerce brands to send personalized videos to their customers at scale using AI.

Waterplan (San Francisco)

Founder: Matias Comercio

About: Waterplan is the water sustainability platform to measure, respond, and report water risk.

Google believes that racial equity is inextricably linked to economic opportunity. The company created the Founders Funds to help level the playing field for Black and Latino entrepreneurs who are consistently locked out of access to early capital. Today’s announcement builds on the program’s success to date—since 2020, Google has deployed more than $50M to Black and Latino founders around the world. These founders have raised over $590 million in follow-on funding.

To learn more, visit Google for Startups.

Supporting Quotes

EdVisorly (Los Angeles)

Quote: “Our team at EdVisorly is beyond grateful to be able to partner with Google as part of the Black and Latino Founders Fund to advance our vision for community college to university transfer across the United States” says Manny Smith, founder of EdVisorly. “Our partnership with Google has elevated EdVisorly’s capacity to deliver industry-leading AI, designed with and for our higher education institutional partners. I’ve had the opportunity to serve the country throughout my time as an officer in the Air Force, and I truly believe that the progress we are making by building bridges for talented and motivated students is foundational for the long term success of our nation.”

Bountiful (San Francisco)

Quote: “The Google for Startups Latino Founders Fund means that Google is giving us the resources to help us scale Bountiful’s Operating System for agriculture,” says Megan Nunes, founder of Bountiful. “The support will be used to grow our team and crop types we cover, allowing Bountiful to further our work in modernizing how farmers, buyers and sellers work smarter.”

InOrbit (Mountain View)

Quote: “We’re thrilled to have been selected for the 2024 Google for Startups Founders Fund cohort of AI-focused companies,” says InOrbit CEO and co-founder Florian Pestoni. “This program underscores Google’s commitment to helping startups at the cutting-edge of AI. The support will be instrumental in advancing our mission as a catalyst for the adoption of smart robots at scale across industries. With this funding, we’re excited to continue our work shaping the future of robotics and AI, empowering people and organizations to reach new heights.”

Maverick (San Francisco)

Quote: “The Google for Startups Latino Founders Fund is an excellent catalyzer to leverage one of the best networks of expert advice and alumni that will allow us to advance our AI-driven innovation,” says Founder Eitan Winer. “This will enable us to further drive the value we are already adding our customers around the assessment and management of water-related risks at a global scale.”

Waterplan (San Francisco)

Quote: “The Latino Founders Fund is an amazing opportunity to connect with likeminded founders and tap into the incredibly valuable resources and support provided by the Google for Startups team,”  says Matias Comercio, co-founder and CPO of Waterplan. “The various forms of support will be used to continue building out the Maverick platform so we can reach more customers and deliver even more value to them.”

ABOUT GOOGLE FOR STARTUPS

Google for Startups works to level the playing field for startup founders and communities to succeed by bringing the best of Google’s products, connections, and best practices to startups. Paired with a deep commitment to create diverse startup communities, many of our offerings are designed specifically to provide underrepresented founders with access to resources and opportunities. We support startups everywhere to build something better. Because when startups succeed, we all succeed.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA– In a moving ceremony on June 27, San Bernardino High School (SBHS), the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD), and the Making Hope Happen Foundation (MHHF) honored one of their own, Alexander Mattison, by retiring his jersey. The star running back for the Las Vegas Raiders returned to his alma mater to a boisterous and warm embrace from the community that saw him rise from a dedicated student-athlete to an NFL standout.

The hour-long ceremony held at the SBHS football stadium was not just about celebrating Mattison’s professional achievements but also his unwavering commitment to his roots. It was an evening filled with emotional reunions, heartfelt speeches and a palpable sense of pride and unity. Family, friends, former coaches and community members gathered on a balmy evening to pay tribute to a young man who has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for his hometown. Mattison, who graduated from SBHS in 2016, has not only excelled in his professional career but has also remained a dedicated and inspirational figure in his native San Bernardino.

“Seeing my jersey, #22, retired at San Bernardino High School, the place where my dreams began, is incredibly humbling,” Mattison shared, his voice filled with emotion. “This community has always been my foundation. It’s here where I learned the values of hard work and perseverance, and it’s these lessons that have carried me through my career. That’s why I hope to inspire the next generation to dream big and work hard.”

Mattison’s journey from SBHS to the NFL is a story of resilience and dedication. Born and raised in San Bernardino, he excelled in both academics and athletics. As a dual language immersion graduate, he began learning Spanish at Lincoln Elementary School, attended Arrowview Middle School and graduated from SBHS as a fluent Spanish speaker. His former Pop Warner Coach, Michael Aragon, reminisced about his determination and leadership on the field, traits that have defined his career with the Minnesota Vikings and now the Raiders.

SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano spoke of Mattison’s influence beyond his athletic prowess.

“Alex is a shining example of what our students can achieve,” said Arellano, himself an SBHS alumni. “His powerful story is a testament to the strength of our community and the power of dreams. He has not only made us proud through his achievements on the field but also through his unwavering commitment to giving back.”

Mattison’s impact extends far beyond football. He has remained actively involved in community service, using his platform to inspire and uplift the youth of San Bernardino through his I Am Gifted Foundation. His visits to his alma mater and his involvement in youth sports programs have made a significant difference, serving as a reminder of what can be achieved with dedication and support.

The highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of Mattison’s retired jersey, which will be displayed in the halls of SBHS. It stands as a symbol of excellence, hope and the limitless potential within every student.

As the event concluded, the sense of community pride was unmistakable. Mattison’s story is not just about athletic success; it’s about the power of dreams, the importance of community support and the enduring impact of giving back.