Happily Divorced And After

(from left to right) CEO of Black Business Expo, Jerry Green; President of the Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Empire, Tammy Martin-Ryles; Black is Lit Founder, Winter Minisee; and Host of “Empire Talks Back”, Wallace.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Sunday’s “Empire Talks Back” (ETB) radio broadcast was amazing as usual.  Their special guest, Winter Minisee, 16-year old founder of ‘Black is Lit’, had no problem tackling all our world issues. Watch the video of the show live at www.ustream.tv/search?q=empire+talks+back.

ETB is broadcast each Sunday morning at 10 a.m. on KCAA 1050-AM, 102.3 FM and 106.5 FM Radio, and it streams live at www.kcaaradio.com.

By Naomi K. Bonman

Freestyle is culture. Free style is art. And art and culture is Hip-Hop. On Tuesday, August 29, at Play House Nightclub in Hollywood, eight freestyle rappers from across the Nation battled it out at Verizon’s #freestyle50 challenge where they competed for a debut produced by London On Da Track, an opening slot in the upcoming 300 Artist Development Tour, and $10,000. The challenge was hosted by Sway Calloway (former MTV VJ) and Smack White. Nine were chosen from over 9,000 entries submitted through Instagram and Twitter. However, out of the nine finalists only eight performed, due to one being from Houston and having to deal with unfortunate weather conditions which prevented him from attending the finals.

“We’re looking for energy,” London On Da Track stated when asked what skill set that the judges would be looking for. Producer Kevin Liles added to the statement, “Two words, Beast Mode.”

And that is what the finalist brought, energy! The energy was felt throughout the club in the battle between the last two standing, Damond Blue and Y.K Supe went head to head for the grand prize. It was a close call with both rappers staying on cue with a smooth style. Y.K Supe from Chicago took home the grand prize.

The judges of the night included Tuma Basa, Spotify; Carl Chery (Apple Music); and Big Boy, radio host and actor. Other special guests that were in the house and that performed was rising stars Tee Grizzley, OMB Peezy, Cyhi the Prince. Last year’s winner, Tre Da Kid also came on stage and did a quick freestyle. He recently released his debut single, “Run it” which has over one million streams on music streaming platforms. World Renowned Hip-Hop artist, Redman, made a surprise debut and hyped the crowd up before the last two finalists took the stage for the prize.

#freestyle50 was inspired by Verizon’s 8GB for $50 prepaid offer available exclusively at Walmart.

Photo highlights (Photo Credit: Kristina Dixon/11:One Visuals) 

Dr. Francis Bandoh-Aidoo

Dr. Francis Bandoh-Aidoo was born in Bekwai (Ashanti), Ghana of Ghanaian parents. He lost his parents at an early age and was raised by his grandmother and aunt. His parents were highly educated and therefore he aspired to be the best he could be in life. He was destined for greatness, faithfully serving the Lord and being lead by the Holy Spirit to make decisive decisions. Ranking high in exams in high school and college were some achievements he spoke about. Obtaining his first job in Ghana as an accountant was thrilling for him for he had gained experience working amongst people. He often spoke of his beloved siblings, whom he learned from. A very unique man was Dr. Aidoo. It was hard for us to grasp where he was coming from at times because of his excellency and being a disciplined individual. We had to accept the fact that he was a strict man who wanted the best for his family, so he did things his way.

Upon leaving Ghana in his early twenties, he took a big leap to move to England to pursue his education as a certified public accountant. He also studied law and received different credentials in business.While studying in London, he met his wife who was a nursing student. It was a real love story for them, for they fell in love, got married and had two children. He started working for a company, importing and exporting goods. That was part of his business experience.  Dr. Aidoo wanted to do more with his knowledge, and that’s when he moved to the United States. He believed the United States to be the land of opportunity. Years later, his wife conceived their third child. He had a creative idea of manufacturing hair care products because of people’s need for solutions to receding hair lines and hair breakage problems. He made products for all hair types. The products had now become a company. First it was known as Afriq A Fro, then Ancestral Hair Care Products, and now Aidoo Aid. He researched enzymes and alkaloids and how they could be used to effectively help hair grow. He started his trial and testing procedures with two adopted brothers Peter and Rocco Guerriero. Together, they never thought he would fail and encouraged his courageous reputation. To this day, that teamwork legacy constructively stands for Dr. Aidoo’s legacy to be embarked. His coworkers and family continue to believe in his vision of promoting his hair products. His children will inherit his company with dignity and respect of attaining what Dr. Aidoo so valued.

This is a short summary of this wonderful and clever man whose life was of the essence. He was an interesting individual and his family believes his legacy will live on. We love you and will miss you Dr. Aidoo.Thank you for reminding us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens you, so do it!

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

What an insult to God…  God has set you free, why in the heck would you submit again to a yoke of slavery? Why? Because it feels good! Hell, sin always feels good in the moment, but did you know that “Sin will always cost you more than you intended to pay. That it will take you further than you intended to go; and it will keep you longer than you intended to stay.” Just look at you now, “Shackled by sin.” Sin is divisive, deceptive, destructive, and deadly [leads to death, destruction and damnation].  Listen you cannot eat at the Devil’s table without getting food poisoning.  You cannot warm yourself at the Devil’s fire without getting burned.  Satan shows you the neon lights of Sin City, but he doesn’t show you the graveyard.  Consider the words of [Proverb 20:17]… “Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.”  “What you pay for sin in cents, it will cost you in dollars.” Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for being… captive to sin.” [Acts 8:22-23].

Consider Judas’s final hours after giving the devil place in his life [Matt 27:3-10; Acts 1:18]. Consider Eve, after she took a little bite [Genesis 3:6].  Consider Lot’s wife after she took a little look [Genesis 19:26]. Consider Uzzah who took a little touch [1 Chronicles 13:10].  Consider Ananias and Sapphira who told a little lie [Acts 5:3].  Consider Samson [Judges 16:20] and Saul [1 Samuel. 16:14] whom the Lord’s presence departed because of sin. Do not allow sin to destroy you! Avoid it at all cost!  “Break every chain!”  Walk in the freedom you have been given. Mimic Paul approach to sin:  “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” [I Corinthians 6:12]. Jesus said that He has come to set the captives free. Sin doesn’t have the power to hold you prisoner. God has broken the chains. It’s what Jesus had in mind when he cried those last words on the cross: “It is finished!” So, do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”[Romans 12:2] The power to break free from the chains of sin – the power that God has already provided – is already available to you, right now. God’s will is for you to overcome.  “…stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” [Galatians 5:1]

The NAACP, the nation’s oldest social justice organization, released this statement following the removal of Senior White House Strategist and known white supremacist Steve Bannon from President Trump’s administration. 

“The NAACP is glad to see Steve Bannon out of the White House,” said Derrick Johnson, interim president and CEO of the NAACP. “Ousting one key staffer, however, can’t erase the words used by President Trump this week in defense of domestic terrorists, neo-Nazis and white supremacists. President Trump provided permission for these hate groups to exist. Following the travesty in Charlottesville, Virginia, numerous other rallies and white supremacist groups are being mobilized across the country. These groups are not rallying for peace, or for the preservation of Confederate memorabilia. They exist purely to foment hatred and violence. And they march with the president’s blessing.

“President Trump must denounce in words and in deeds these white supremacists and urge them to stop their senseless rallies and killings and unlawful demonstrations. We further call upon the President to remove the people who share Steve Bannon’s poisonous beliefs from the White House, including Stephen Miller and Sebastian Gorka. President Trump needs to send a clear message to our great country: That his administration disavows bigotry in all of its forms, and that racist ideologies simply will not be tolerated.”

RIVERSIDE, CA- – The first economic forecast conference focusing directly on the San Bernardino County economy took place August 17, hosted by the UCR School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development.  The event was intended to shine an analytic light on the county’s ongoing growth and bring together local policy and business leaders to discuss creative strategies for the region’s continued economic development.

Although the pace of job growth has slowed, the county is still adding jobs at a faster rate than the U.S. In addition to traditional regional industries such as transportation and logistics, local industries that have gained include education services, real estate, and notably, manufacturing, which bucked national and state trends of very low or no growth.

Key Findings for San Bernardino County:

• In 2016, the pace of job growth in San Bernardino County slowed. While last year’s growth rate of 2.3 percent was respectable, it fell short of previous years (’14: 4.9 percent, ’15: 4.7 percent), although the county grew at a faster pace than the U.S. as a whole (1.9 percent)
• The County outpaced the U.S. which grew by just 1.9 percent, but underperformed relative to California as a whole and nearby Southern California counties: Riverside County grew by 5 percent last year, and California and other Southern California counties grew between 2.4 percent to 2.7 percent.
• While transportation and logistics registered an impressive 9.2 percent job gain as expected, there were welcome gains in Education Services, up 8.4 percent from 2015 to 2016, and real estate, up 6.5 percent. 

The housing market in San Bernardino County continued to improve in early 2017, with the median home price up by more than 8 percent in the second quarter of this year, at nearly $290,000. Meanwhile, permits for single-family homes in the first half of this year were up by one-third over last year (32.9 percent from first half of ’16 to first half of ’17).

The Center for Economic Forecasting and Development at UCR School of Business opened its doors two years ago and has been producing a wide variety of economic analysis ranging from revenue forecasts to gross metropolitan product reports.

ONTARIO, CA-  Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion has announced the entertainment line-up for next month’s event. The public is invited to attend the 5th Annual Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion, a three day Cruisin’ Classic Car Show on September 15^th to 17^th. Come as a family, food or retail vendor, bring your classic car, or come to stroll along historic tree lined Euclid Avenue to admire the beauty of these fabulous vehicles from yesteryear.

“We are thrilled to announce the entertainment line-up for our fifth annual Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion” said Michael Krouse, President and CEO. “This year we have added themes to our live concerts making it fun for the classic car owners, families, and attendees. We are happy to welcome some of the iconic DJ’s in the business to Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion as well.”

ENTERTAINMENT

Live on Stage at Ontario Town Square

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

5:00pm – 10:00pm Let’s Cruise – Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion begins with Aloha Friday 5:00pm – 9:00pm Visit Uncle Joe’s Garage at the R. Jack Mercer Bandstand

7:00pm Local dance studios present Hawaiian themed dancing

8:00pm Uncle Joe with The Sound and will award the “ugliest Hawaiian Shirt Contest winner” 8:15pm – 10:00pm Surf City All Stars – A Tribute to the Beach Boys

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

9:00am – 10:00pm Let’s Cruise

10:00am – 6:00pm Visit with the KLOS team including DJ Jim Daniels at the R. Jack Mercer Bandstand 7:30pm Award presentation for Classic Cars, winner of the 50/50 announced

8:00pm – 10:00pm Blood, Sweat, and Tears with Bo Bice – Classic Rock

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

9:00pm – 1:00pm Let’s Cruise

9:00am – 11:00am Breakfast with Britain’s Finest – a Beatles Tribute Band

“This annual event, held on the third weekend in September, is free to the public and encompasses approximately twenty” “two city blocks with cars and hot rods parking and cruisin’ for three days along the streets of downtown Ontario, California. This family friendly event is located on Euclid Avenue and the downtown streets near the Ontario Town Square, Ovitt Family Community Library, and Ontario City Hall located at 303 East “B” Street, Ontario, CA 91764. Last year The Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion proved to be a huge success with over 200,000 car enthusiasts and spectators. Get”
“ready to rumble Southern California – the Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion will be coming town soon!”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Now Omnitrans riders can pay their bus fare with a smartphone as the San Bernardino Valley’s transit agency launches a new mobile fare payment partnership with Token Transit. 

To go cashless, riders first download the free Token Transit app, and then set up an account tied to a credit or debit card.  Purchasing and activating a pass takes seconds.  Upon boarding, riders just show the driver their phone displaying an active pass, and take a seat.

“We are excited to offer this convenient fare payment option to enhance the customer experience,” said Omnitrans CEO P Scott Graham.  “Paying by phone makes taking transit easier for both new and current customers.”

Over 20% of non-riders surveyed in spring 2017 indicated that the ability to pay by phone was an amenity that would entice them to use Omnitrans. The transit agency already offers real time arrival information and online trip planning via smartphone through the free Omnitrans mobile app and the agency’s mobile-friendly website, www.omnitrans.org.

The Token Transit app is available at Google Play or the App Store. Also, texting “TOKEN” to 41411 will generate a download link.  All fare categories are available for mobile purchase including single-ride, one-day, 7-day and 31-day passes for full fare and reduced fare customers.

“To encourage customers to give it a try, we are offering half off their first 7-day or 31-day pass purchase through December 31, 2017,” said Wendy Williams, Director of Marketing and Planning.  

Regular bus fares are $1.75 for a single ride, $5 for a 1-day pass, $18 for a 7-day pass and $55 for a 31-day pass. Discounted fares are offered for seniors age 62 and up, people with disabilities, military veterans and youth age 18 and under. Details at www.omnitrans.org.

Aside from the convenience for customers, on board mobile fare transactions are four to five times quicker than inserting bills and coins into the fare box.  This helps keep buses running on time.  About one-third of Omnitrans boardings involve a cash transaction currently.  As customers switch from traditional paper passes to mobile fares, the agency will be able to save on printing and outlet distribution costs. 

La June Montgomery Tabron

By La June Montgomery Taborn, W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Prior to the displays of hatred and the tragic loss of Heather Heyer, a young woman who seemingly embraced the virtues of healing, a transformation was taking place in Charlottesville, Virginia. This college town, where roughly 80 percent of the residents are white, culminated a lawful process in February when its City Council voted to remove the statue of Robert E. Lee from a city park. 

Passionate acts came from opposing sides, as opponents filed suit to stop the removal and the city changed the name of Lee Park to Emancipation Park. But there was honest dialogue and truth-telling, the ingredients for healing. Neighbors learned more about one another, their culture and motivations. But the progress was derailed.

The protesters who converged in Charlottesville were largely white men often perceived as privileged in our society, and among their slogans was “We will not be replaced” by immigrants, blacks, Jews, or homosexuals.  Instead of feeling empowered, they were threatened and seemed in pain. Their hearts and minds needed healing.

But racial healing doesn’t begin until you intentionally, respectfully and patiently uncover shared truths, as Charlottesville residents had begun to do before the violence and turmoil. Shared truths are not simply the removal of physical symbols, like monuments. While it may begin to change narratives, it doesn’t reach the level of healing that jettisons racism from the land or creates equitable communities. Racism has persevered because remedies ranging from public accommodation laws to Supreme Court rulings are limited in scope and reach: They fail to change hearts and minds.  

A new approach is needed that penetrates the full consciousness of our society, draws in all communities and focuses on racial healing and truth-telling.

Racial healing can facilitate trust and authentic relationships that bridge vast divides created by race, religion, ethnicity and economic status. Once the truths are shared, racism is acknowledged and hearts begin to mend, only then will communities begin to heal the wounds of the past and together move forward to address the bias in employment, education, housing and health that causes widespread disparities, and denies opportunities to our children.

To be sure, racial healing is predicated not just on an emotional encounter, such as saying, ‘you’re sorry,’ rather it’s predicated on a truth-telling. But who’s truth? We all have our own truth and we need collective conversations to help us in reaching a common truth and a vision for the future, based on what we decide together. 

And while sharing each of our individual truths requires sharing stories, reaching a common truth is more than a blending of stories. It’s about co-creating a common set of morals, principles, wisdom and guidance that is written on our hearts, captured in our faith and in how we treat each other as human beings. It is developed by all of us in the courtyard, in town halls, in living rooms with family and neighbors, all in the crucible of human goodness. That’s where we develop “the” truth. 

At the W. K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), we promote racial healing because it moves people to act from their hearts. Real change happens when people work together and build relationships. Rarely does it occur when it is forced upon communities by laws and rulings. Last January, WKKF coordinated an annual National Day of Racial Healing, which inspired civic, religious, community and philanthropic organizations to collaborate on activities to facilitate racial healing. But we can’t wait until next January to embrace racial healing. 

Today, with the threat of unrest billowing through communities, our country needs to heal. All sides must air their pasts, fears, and anxieties, and articulate their visions for a future where all children can thrive.

After centuries of racial hierarchy, all sides have been wounded: Whenever a policy or decision gives privileges to some and not others or perpetuates injustices, the collective community suffers, and part of our common humanity is lost. It leaves some wounded and unable to work towards our collective interest.  

What is inspiring is the healing that is happening around the country. Earlier this year, 200 people gathered at the Chicago Theological Seminary for an extraordinary day of racial healing. People of all races, genders, religions and ethnicities, gathered in healing circles to share their “truths” on the racism they endured or consciously or unconsciously unleashed on others. The healing circles were sanctuaries for truth-telling, and helped people see one another, acknowledge differences and begin to build authentic relationships. 

WKKF, through our Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) framework, is supporting racial healing in the 14 places where the TRHT is being implemented.  Since 2010, when our America Healing initiative launched, WKKF has actively promoted racial healing and supported racial healing practitioners who are available to help communities, concluding that:  

• Racial healing accelerates human capacity for resilience, truly embracing one another and reconnecting many people who previously had their identities denied back to their roots, culture, language and rituals.
• The focus of racial healing is our “collective humanity,” and lifting up that which unites us rather than that which divides us, while discovering, respecting and indeed honoring our unique experiences.
• Racial healing will facilitate narrative change, which will help everyone in communities articulate the truth about their collective histories and be exposed to full, complete and accurate representations of themselves and their communities.  

Communities must heal so they can grow. Let’s heal and build sustainable progress neighbor by neighbor, community by community to transform America so all children can have a brighter future.

FONTANA, CA- Five Fontana Unified schools were recently recognized by the California Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Coalition for their efforts in fostering positive and supportive campus environments, leading to a boost in student excellence and a decrease in behavioral issues.

Earning 2016-17 silver certifications were Sequoia and Truman middle schools and Citrus and Oleander elementary schools while Date Elementary School earned a bronze certification. They are among the state’s 807 schools recognized with silver and bronze awards for incorporating intervention strategies to define, teach and support appropriate student behavior, and achieving positive results.

“We are extremely proud of these five schools along with their teachers and staff for being recognized as leaders in embracing the PBIS philosophy and successfully strengthening their campus culture,” FUSD Superintendent Randal S. Bassett said. “It has been a rewarding journey for these schools, which work every day to create a supportive learning environment that is conducive to academic achievement.” 

Fontana Unified schools have worked hard to ensure that positive behavior is rewarded and recognized on a regular basis, through campus murals, daily announcements, weekly student recognition programs, and monthly assemblies. Teachers develop a culture designed to discourage negative behavior while encouraging responsible decision-making.

At Sequoia Middle School, students are rewarded with prizes for demonstrating expectations set by the school’s Successful, Organized, Always prepared and Respectful (SOAR) program. Students are rewarded with a BMX bike show and an end-of-year PBIS celebration. Since implementing the PBIS program in 2014-15, the school has seen a 46 percent decrease in the school-wide suspension rate.

“Students who are struggling to meet expectations are given interventions and a chance to come to our Eagle Success Panel where students and staff members work together to help students get back on track,” Sequoia Middle School counselor Jessica Gonzales said. “Together, our staff and students are creating a positive culture and climate at Sequoia Middle School.”

Similarly, Truman Middle School’s Caught Being Good (CBG) program enlists the help of all substitute teachers, parent volunteers, custodians, cafeteria workers, campus security, clerical staff and other adults who are trained to recognize good student behavior. The school also holds behavior expectation assemblies where students are reminded of the expectations, including arriving to class on time or taking care of equipment. This is the school’s second year of earning a silver status from the Coalition.

“At Truman, we always aim to recognize students who abide by our school-wide expectations: Be Ready, Be Respectful and Be Responsible,” Principal Kim Hall said. “I want to thank our Truman community of teachers and staff for embracing this program and helping our students be the best they can be in class, on campus, and at home.”

Schools will be acknowledged at the California PBIS Coalition conference October 11-12 in Sacramento.