Happily Divorced And After

By Naomi K. Bonman

In the music world, especially the Hip-Hop, Rap world, we don’t hear about too many female bosses running things. We hear about the Diddy’s, the Jay-Z’s, the Tyrese’s, and the list of top male bosses in the game goes on. But not too many can name or know of that many women bosses in the industry, so whenever I come across one or meet one, I have to salute and give them their props, and recently I had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Toi.

Ms. Toi is back on the scene with her new album I Am A Warrior, brought to you by the production of Mr. Payback of Heat Makaz Production. This dynamic duo has brought together some of the West Coast Greatest emcees such as, “Original Gangsta” featuring E-40 or “Green Like That Green” featuring Ice Cube and Yuk Mouth, even “Don’t Call Me” featuring Lil’ Wayne and the great late Tupac Shakur. I Am A Warrior captures the raw essence of females in Hip-Hop like the first song called “Set It Off” featuring Yo-Yo, Suga T and Sylk E Fyne. This song makes you want to go see the movie again and again with this playing in the background. Other producers who gave great assistance on this incredible album are Mike from Starrlab Productions who did the title song, “I Am a Warrior” that bangs in the club and overseas giving you her hardcore edge through Ms. Toi’s lyrical delivery.

In addition to being an emcee, Ms. Toi is the CEO of G.O. Entertainment, LLC. In the video interview below, Ms. Toi chats on her upcoming projects, how she got started in the industry, and she introduces one of her artists on the label that is ready to take the industry to new heights!

Top left: Jackie Robinson, Courtesy of Hulton Archive Getty Images; Top right: Misty Copeland, Courtesy of Urban Romances, Inc; Bottom left: MERCY STREET’s Aurelia Johnson (Shalita Grant), Courtesy of Antony Platt/PBS; Bottom right: THE BLACK PANTHERS Eldridge Cleaver, Berkeley, Courtesy of Jeffrey Blankfort

PBS is highlighting the African-American experience through content on air on PBS member stations, online through the PBS Black Culture Connection and through a series of community conversations that will engage viewers in an exploration of African-American history and culture. In addition to documentaries airing in February featuring those who helped influence integration and inclusion, throughout 2016 PBS will also feature programs about moments in history that helped shape race relations today. Please visit PBS.org for more information.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Jesus said, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” [Matthew 3:2; Mark 1:15] What part of that do you not understand? Running around like a chicken with your head cut-off!  What’s wrong with you? You are threading on dangerous grounds! Make up your mind! God wants wholehearted dedication or nothing! I tell you, in our foolishness we prove what we treasure the most; delight in the most; and what we desire more than anything. We gather and gather but we become more and more foolish. Time out for foolishness!

Listen, God is NOT SLACK! We MUST understand that! He WILL PERFORM His good work, and WILL bring His Word to pass! And He says that He does not want ANY of us to perish, but that we should ALL come to REPENTANCE! “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise men, redeeming the time…” [Ephesians 5:16]. The good news for us is that God just didn’t let his people go into sin [2 Chronicles 36:15] He sent messenger after messenger, prophet after prophet, judge after judge, king after king—to warn them. And He is still sending warnings. Let him that has an ear hear what the Spirit is saying. Warning comes before destruction!

You know, I believe that our world has just about reached the limit of God’s mercy and forbearance. Man’s pride and arrogance, his greed and selfishness, his violence and brutality have reached a level which is intolerable. Surely, the end must come soon. God, of course, will not destroy this world without first warning us of the impending doom, which most of us will ignore the warnings, just as they did in Noah’s time. Noah preached to the people for 120 years, trying to warn them of what was going to happen, but none would listen. They mocked and ridiculed as he gave the warning that rain would fall to such an extent that the whole world would be flooded. They laughed and insulted as he constructed the ark which carried him and his family safely through the flood. The people would not believe Noah because it had never rained on the earth before. Rain was an utter impossibility, they said; and the people continued the evil and violence so detestable to God. I want you to know that the decisions you make in this life will have consequences later. I want you to know that the decisions you make in this life will affect not only you but others close to us.

One thing that Joshua wanted to make clear [Joshua 24] to the people of God; there was no room for compromise or divided loyalties!  The Israelites could serve the Lord or they could choose to serve the false gods of Mesopotamia or Canaan; but they couldn’t do both!  Joshua said to the people, “If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after He has done good to you.” Joshua’s message had come from a God who could see in their tents the various idols that they were already keeping in their possession; but in addition He could see into their hearts and know that they were “inclined” in another direction.  Thus they needed the call not only to choose, but a call to commit. Joshua urged them to declare their choice by making anew their covenant with God to serve Him only.  Joshua’s challenge is still a valid one [Joshua 24:14-28]. You need to make up your mind! Choose this day Whom you will serve! You say you want to go to heaven; but you want to live like the world. You can’t do both! Understand that continued faith in God would bring abundant blessings from Him; but rejection of God would bring all the harsh consequences of punishment God has already decreed (Matthew 25:46).

I want you to know that God does not invite us to serve Him “Someday;” the operative word in His invitation is “Today.” I tell you; sometimes we need to be challenged to make a choice!  Sometimes we need to be challenged to make the right choice!  Sometimes we need to be challenged to see the consequences of our choices!  But sometimes we need to be challenged to make the choice now!  Will you make it now?

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life so that you and your descendants might live.” [Deuteronomy 30:19].

SAN BERNARDINIO, CA- Yes that is Michelle Obama’s voice passengers hear when riding on Omnitrans buses.  Her public service announcement is among messages delivered through an onboard GPS-based audio advertising service recently implemented by Omnitrans.

Through a contract with Commuter Advertising, based in Dayton, Ohio, Omnitrans buses play short audio advertisements which can be delivered at specified times or locations.  For example, a restaurant could advertise a breakfast special between 6 and 8 a.m., or a book store could let passengers know they are located near the next bus stop.  A scrolling onboard LED text message supports the audio advertisement.

This month, Omnitrans audio advertising includes a public service announcement from First Lady Michelle Obama called “Better Make Room.” It’s part of the First Lady’s Reach Higher initiative to inspire every student in America to continue their education past high school.  “You’re about to arrive,” she tells young people. “And the world better make room.” Listen to the PSA.

Omnitrans shares in the revenue generated by paid advertising. “But a greater value to Omnitrans is the ability to use the system to deliver key information to our own customers,” said spokesperson Wendy Williams. “We can inform riders of upcoming service changes, promote our online store, or offer travel tips.  It’s really the most effective way to reach all our customers.”

Since the system taps into Omnitrans existing GPS technology, there is no cost to Omnitrans other than staff time to upload the latest batch of messages.  Commuter Advertising produces the audio files, which are typically 15 seconds long.

Omnitrans is the first transit system on the west coast to offer onboard advertising. Commuter Advertising operates in 11 media markets in the United States.  Founded in 2008, Commuter Advertising sends hyper-targeted digital messages over bus notification systems that inform passengers of products, services and sales at nearby businesses using the vehicles’ GPS technology and software created by the company.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – The Select Committee on the Status of Girls and Women of Color, co-chaired by Assemblymember Cheryl Brown (D-San Bernardino), will host a hearing on Friday, January 22 featuring minority business owners and corporate executives in an effort to create a pipeline to corporate America and entrepreneurship for young women of color in California.

“The focus of this Select Committee hearing is to highlight women of color who work in business and corporate America,” stated Assemblymember Brown. “Our speakers will reflect on the paths they have taken and the obstacles they have overcome in their various professions. Our goal is to improve opportunities for women of color.”

Several panelists ranging from California universities to corporate businesses are scheduled to appear and discuss what California can do to increase entrepreneurship and corporate participation among women of color.  

Featured guests include executive administrators from Webb Family Enterprises, Boeing, Lyft, Wells Fargo, AT&T, and Starbucks. Additional panelists include Kimberly Freeman, Assistant Dean for Diversity Initiatives and Community Relations, UCLA; Dr. Adina Sterling, Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior, Stanford University; Dr. Michele Turner, Executive Director of the Black Alumni Association, USC; and more.

Members of the public are welcome to testify during public comment. Those who cannot attend may submit their written testimony by email toShannon.McKinley@asm.ca.gov.

The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. in the Council Chambers at Fontana City Hall, located at 8353 Sierra Avenue.

For more information, contact Ashley Jones at (909) 381-3238.

RIVERSIDE, CA —”It takes a village to raise a child” is a wise African American proverb and the premise behind the upcoming summit taking place this month. The Riverside Branch NAACP and the 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire are joining forces to unite the Black social, professional, faith-based, and fraternal organizations in Riverside County to answer the call of addressing the needs of young Black girls and boys. The Riverside African American Village Summit will take place Saturday, January 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cross Word Christian Church, located at 21401 Box Springs Road in Moreno Valley.

The Riverside African American Village Summit will address nine important priorities:

Advocate for state and local policy (advocacy); Develop youth leaders in Moreno Valley, Perris and Riverside; Groom young men of color for entrepreneurship/circulating Black dollars; Reform school discipline policies; Expose young men of color to professional, technology, and trade careers; Work to fully implement Proposition 47; Teach the importance of the church in addressing issues; Create stable and consistent mentoring programs; and Black parenting.

The Riverside African American Village Summit is the first of a series of summits launched to address these pertinent issues. Partners and sponsors include: Boys and Men of Color Alliance, Moreno Valley Sons and Brothers Coalition, NAACP Riverside Branch #1059, 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire Inc., Riverside County Black Chamber of Commerce, Moreno Valley Islamic Center, Alpha Phi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, C.O.P.E., and African American Coalition.

The Riverside African American Village Summit is free and open to the public. Join the discussion! All African American’s in Riverside County are encouraged to come. Please register at villagesummit.eventbrite.com.

VICTORVILLE, CA- On January 7, recording artist Justified and his Men of Faith in Action rallied up the fathers in the High Desert and had an awesome “Dinner with Dad” event at the Hometown Buffet in Victorville. Several families came out and made a powerful statement for Fatherhood, displaying the power of a father at the dinner table with his children. The promotion of the event definitely grabbed the attention of the community and also brought out the Superintendent of the Victor Valley Unified School District Dr. Ron Williams.

Thanks to the Community Action Partnership (CAP), during the dinner Justified and his team distributed toys and activity books to all the children in attendance. The smiles on the children’s faces was more than worth all the effort that went in to putting an event of this magnitude together. On top of the free giveaways all the children ate for FREE, thanks to Terry Boykins, CEO and Founder of Street Positive.

The Hometown Buffet has agreed to give the first Thursday of every month in 2016 to Justified and Men of Faith in Action to host “Dinner with Dad.” The next “Dinner with Dad” Event will be February 4 at the Victorville Hometown Buffet located at 14689 Valley Center Drive in Victorville.

Enrique Murillo

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Friday, January 15, Youth Action Project (YAP) will host “YAP TALKS” in honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at San Bernardino Valley College in the Library Viewing room. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Rev. Dennis Brown (Rachel Luna / Staff Photographer)

“YAP TALKS” is a TED Talks style event where four speakers each captivate the audience in 18 minutes or less with powerful monologues.  According to Youth Action Project Founder and CEO, Joseph Williams, the goal for this YAP TALKS is to talk about Dr. King’s philosophies and principles in the context of what can be done today.

The lineup includes: Enrique Murillo, Professor at California State San Bernardino and Director of Latino Education Advocacy Days; Johnathan Buffong, co-founder of Buffong Consulting and Mental Health Consultant with the County of San Bernardino; Lolita Lyles, Professor at California State Long Beach; and Rev. Dennis Brown, as the “Voice of King.”

The event will also feature a special performance by R&B sensation, as seen on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Voice, Abraham McDonald. The aim of the event is to inspire community members young and old to take positive action toward building a healthy and vibrant San Bernardino. The YAP TALKS will be like no other event in honor of Dr. King’s legacy says YAP CEO Joseph Williams.

For more information about the Youth Action Project and/or if you are interested in making a financial donation, please visit YAP’s website at www.youthactionproject.org

CASTING CALL IS WHAT IT DO WITH THE LUE!!! LUE Productions is looking for 10 models to be a part of the first Inland Empire “BIG, BEAUTIFUL, WOMEN – BBW Fashion Show and Model Competition.” Ladies, this is YOUR OPPORTUNITY to rip the runway and show what you got in front of modeling agents seeking models.

We’re looking for you! So here’s what’s required: Plus Size/Full Figured/BBW, No Experience Needed and Must be over 18. The crowning model will receive a prize package worth over $2000, including $500 in cash and a one day workshop. The competition will consist of four categories in which each model will have to capture the theme and wow our panel of highly qualified judges.

The actual event is to be held Saturday, June 11 in the city of San Bernardino. Registration is $50 to enter the competition. All information regarding the event can be located on the LUE Productions Facebook page

LUE Productions is always about giving back to its community. This event will highlight the need to focus on the health and well-being of young women. Gwen Rogers, founder of Women’s Empowerment Foundation (YWE), will be our keynote event speaker. A percentage from each ticket sold will be donated to YWE.

You can also become a vendor or a sponsor for the low rate of $50; all logos will be added to promotional materials.

For more information text (909) 567-1000 or contact Deeveatva Foy at (909) 556-7637 or Freddie Washington at (714) 833-3196.

Until next week L’z and San Bernardino Strong!

LOS ANGELES, CA- In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, the California African American Museum (CAAM) will host their annual Cake for King Community Celebration, sponsored by Target Corporation, on Monday, January 18, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

In celebration of Dr. King and his legacy, guests are encouraged to visit CAAM to experience his dream through art, culture and history. Event activities will include Storytime with Babe Evans who will read, “My Brother Martin,” written by Christine King Farris; a gospel performance by the Fernando Pullum Youth Ensemble; historical documentary film screenings on Dr. King’s legacy and historic speeches; an art workshop where guests can create a linocut image on tile of Dr. King; dance and drum performances; and two giveaways of an acrylic painted portrait of Dr. King, created throughout the day by speed painter Zachery Brown.  Lastly, enjoy a slice of homemade birthday cake while the treat lasts.

In addition to the holiday activities, enjoy the art, culture and history created by some of the most dynamic artists in several ongoing exhibitions on view at CAAM.  This annual celebration at CAAM is free and open to the public.  Parking is $12 in the lot at 39th and Figueroa Streets or take the Los Angeles Expo Line and exit the USC/Expo Park station.  For more information visit www.caamuseum.org. RSVP is encouraged at (213) 744-2024.