Happily Divorced And After

Kevin Merida

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) congratulates member Kevin Merida on his appointment as editor of “The Undefeated,” ESPN’s website centering on the intersection of race, culture, and sports.

Merida will be a senior vice president and editor and oversee the content, the direction, and the strategic initiatives undertaken by the site. He joins “The Undefeated” from The Washington Post where he had been managing editor since February 2013 and on staff for 22 years. Upon his appointment at the Post, he became the paper’s first African-American managing editor.

“Kevin is an exceptional journalist who has worked his way up from reporter to editor covering a range of topics, from news of the day to national politics,” said NABJ President Sarah Glover. “Kevin is a transformative leader who has driven pointed editorial coverage of important news stories while balancing the need to create newsrooms that are nimble, flexible, adaptable, and creative. He has mentored talented journalists and helped them to create notable work.”

“Kevin is a remarkably accomplished journalist, editor and leader whom we have long admired and desired to join ‘The Undefeated,'” said Marie Donoghue, ESPN Executive Vice President for Global Strategy and Original Content.  “Today’s announcement represents a key step in the evolution of the site and ESPN’s commitment to this ambitious project.”

Before serving as managing editor Merida was the paper’s national editor.  Merida was named NABJ’s Journalist of the Year in 2000 in recognition of his storytelling abilities, his commitment to the craft of journalism, and his drive to be an industry influencer by encouraging others to raise the bar.

Merida a Washington, D.C.-area native graduated from Boston University with a degree in journalism. He is the co-author of the biography “Supreme Discomfort: The Divided Soul of Clarence Thomas” and co-author of the bestselling “Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs.” Merida who will remain in Washington, D.C., is married to author and former Post columnist Donna Britt with whom he has three sons. NABJ congratulates ESPN on this appointment and wishes Mr. Merida much success at ESPN.

An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for journalists of color in the nation, and provides career development as well as educational and other support to its members worldwide. For additional information, please visit, www.nabj.org.

Members of National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) participated in a raffle from Embassy Suites by Hilton and Homewood Suites by Hilton at the NCBW 17th Biennial Conference in Long Beach, California. Winners received free accommodations at Embassy Suites by Hilton or Homewood Suites by Hilton as part of “Count on It,” a multicultural marking campaign focused on simplifying family reunion planning. All raffle participants were enrolled in Hilton HHonors, the free, award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide’s distinct hotel brands. (Photo Credit: CaughtInTheMoment.com)

Hilton Worldwide’s Embassy Suites by Hilton and Homewood Suites by Hilton (NYSE: HLT) recently hosted a special breakfast event during the National Coalition of 100 Black Women(NCBW) 17th Biennial Conference in Long Beach, California.

The NCBW conference theme was “From Protest to Policy– Making Advocacy Count.” It engaged attendees with workshops and discussions on health, education, economic empowerment and civic engagement from experts in their fields.

Michele McNeill-Emery, National President of National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., shares welcome remarks during the organization’s awards banquet held October 7-11 at the Hilton Long Beach Hotel, Long Beach, California. Also sharing the special moment are NCBW’s newly elected Third Vice President, Membership and Chapter Development, Paula J. Ward and Beverly P. Johnson, national board member. (Photo Credit: CaughtInTheMoment.com)

Andrea Richardson, director of resorts and multicultural marketing for Hilton Worldwide, addressed more than 200 conference attendees Oct. 9. Richardson discussed “Count On It”, a multicultural marketing initiative from Embassy Suites by Hilton and Homewood Suites by Hilton designed to help make planning family reunions easy and stress-free, as well as Hilton’s commitment to embracing diversity and strengthening communities through public service.

National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., National President, Michele McNeill-Emery, (front center) during the breakfast hosted by Hilton Homewood/Embassy Suites during the organization’s recent 17th Biennial Conference hosted at the Hilton Long Beach Hotel, Long Beach, California. Shown with her on the left is Hilton Worldwide director of resorts and multicultural marketing, Andrea Richardson. On her right, Lorraine Miller, Account Director, Burrell Communications. They are surrounded by members of the Coalition’s national board of directors. (Photo Credit: CaughtInTheMoment.com)

Hilton Worldwide director of resorts and multicultural marketing, Andrea Richardson, delivered a compelling speech at a breakfast event at the National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s 17th Biennial Conference on Oct.9. Embassy Suites by Hilton and Homewood Suites by Hilton sponsored the breakfast as part of “Count on It,” a multicultural marketing program designed to help make family reunions easy and stress-free for all participants. (Photo Credit: CaughtInTheMoment.com)

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Well Mama always said, “A hard head makes a soft-behind.” You made a decision and now you must accept its consequences. Stop your crying! You went and found out that what they said was true….“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and will cost you far more than you want to pay.” Sinful choices… severe consequences! God’s message is simple. If you do not lay down your idols and repent of your sin, He has no other choice than to allow you to be consumed (perish) with those He directs His judgment towards; spiritually as well as physically. Listen, there is a time of divine ultimatum when we must make a decision to remain in our sin or repent and follow God in holiness and purity. The angels in Genesis 19:15 “hastened” Lot to get his family together and get out. Time was up! Yet in verse sixteen, Lot lingered (question, hesitate, was reluctant) He may, as many of us, still think we have plenty of time. But Romans 13: 11-14 says, “This is all the more urgent, for you to know how late it is; time is running out!” Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Paul challenges his readers to “Understand the present time.” Do you know what time it is? It’s time to wake up! Why? Because salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The long night is fading away, the sun is peeking over the eastern horizon, and Jesus is coming soon!

I want you to know that in Genesis chapter 13 a division occurred between the herdsman Abraham and Lot. Abraham took Lot to the mountain top to see all the lands round about them. He told Lot, “You choose your direction. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right.”Abraham had a mission to accomplish. He was looking for a city whose builder and maker was God. He had to separate himself from those who had not put their whole heart into the journey. As Lot surveyed the territory, he was drawn to the Jordan valley for his sheep, yet pitched his tent toward Sodom. He describes this as “the valley of the Lord” yet it was full of slime pits, homosexuality, violence, murder and every sin imaginable. Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom because his heart was there and it would soon cost him dearly. He was saved, but because his heart was not fully surrendered to the Lord he sacrificed his sons, daughters, daughters-in-law and his wife to Sodom. He entered into an incestuous relationship with his two remaining daughters that produced the heads of two pagans, God hating tribes. What a testimony! But Lot was not too different than many in the church of today. Some have an attitude of so-what if I sin, this is a time of grace. God doesn’t judge sin the same way as He did in the Old Testament. I want you to know that the truth in both the Old and New Testaments will ring in our ears throughout eternity. The wages of sin is death! Get your heart out of Sodom! God is drawing a line in these last days. Those who refuse to heed the warnings will, like Lot, probably sacrifice the things that mean the most to them. Maybe their own soul as well. As the judgment of the Lord increases on our country and persecution towards the Church intensifies, those who are not fully persuaded like Abraham will not make it. They will not believe that a loving God would cut them off. Some believe that all their shouting, praising, dancing and tongue talking somehow pacify a holy God as they continue to compromise with the god of this world. Wrong!

In Luke 17:31-32, Jesus tells us that when he returns we must be ready and willing to forsake everything or we will miss Him. He confirms it with, “Remember Lot’s wife.” Although she accepted the mercy of the Lord to save her life, her heart remained in Sodom. She was told, “Don’t look back.” When she did she was turned into a pillar of salt. God is drawing a line in His Body in preparation for His return. On one side of the line will be those who have forsaken everything in order to follow Him. On the other side of the line are those who will not take the warning seriously. They will no doubt perish. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance 2Peter 3:9. The Bible makes it very clear: Backsliding is an evil, bitter thing – and it has awful consequences! “Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee…” Jeremiah 2:19.   For every action there is a reaction, and for every choice there is a consequence.  May the examples of such men like Lot and David…Teach us the importance of making Wise Choices!

(L. Ofelia Gallegos, Francine Gatewood, Celeste Clemons, Lori McCarver, Brenda Daniels)

By Naomi Riggins

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Westside Christian Center Church, located at 785 N. Arrowhead Avenue in San Bernardino is the home of Westside Kinship Support Services. Many grandparents, and other relatives are providing care to children who are unable to live with their birth parents. When situations arise and a child can no longer safely reside with their birth parent/legal guardian, Children and Family Services (CFS) first looks for those who are familiar to the child to provide care.  Relatives and family are usually known to a child and by providing a safe and nurturing environment, can often help ease the trauma of separating from a birth parent.

Westside Kinship Support Services (WKSS) was created to ensure that caregivers who open their heart and their home will never feel alone and helpless. Our program provides a place where caregivers can receive a wealth of resources, training and support. Kinship’s focus is to strengthen and develop viable support systems for the caregiver which helps to promote a stable home for the lives in their care. WKSS offers weekly (morning and evening) support groups—Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am; and Thursday evenings at 6:00 pm. WKSS also offers fun and educational activities for youth and independent living skills for teens.

Caregivers often have special needs linked to age, poverty, poor health, social isolation, and inadequate access to information and services. As with most social services programs, our program receives limited funding. . With state tax dollars constantly in short supply, the pressure for cuts is always immediate and pressing. As a result, we endeavor to solicit funding each year from community partners. It is vital that the child welfare community becomes more aware of, and helps support, kinship families outside of the formal child welfare system. Child welfare policy makers and administrators can use information from this report to learn more about the demographic characteristics of kinship caregivers, as well as what services and supports they find most necessary and helpful. Instituting policies and programs that provide basic, front-end support could help prevent caregivers and kinchildren from approaching crisis.

If you provide 24/7 care for a relative child, there are benefits that you may be eligible to receive.  Caregivers that are living in San Bernardino and surrounding areas (Colton, Highland, Redlands, Loma Linda, Yucaipa and other areas) are encouraged to apply. Give them a call today at the Westside Kinship Support Services Office (909) 889-5757 or contact them through their Website:www.westsidechristiancenter.net or you may access additional information about Kinship at www.cakinship.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – The Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at Cal State San Bernardino has announced the finalists for the 2015 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards program. Award winners will be announced on November 10 at the black-tie gala at the Riverside Convention Center.  Now in its 13^th year, the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards event has honored the top business leaders of the Inland region since its inception in 2003.

“We continue to be amazed at the truly unique entrepreneurial success stories in the Inland Empire,” said Mike Stull, founder of the event and director of IECE. “This year’s finalists are another group of advanced companies that represent the type of innovation and risk taking that this event celebrates.”

The program will feature awards given out in nine categories, and also presentation of the 2015 “Best of the Best” award to one of the nine (9) award recipients that best exemplifies what it means to be an entrepreneur in terms of taking risks and building a successful enterprise that creates jobs and value where none existed before.

Entrepreneurial finalists for 2015 include: Consulting Entrepreneur: Mary Barnett, Another Brilliant Idea, Inc. – Corona; Patti Drinville – The PLD Group Inc. – Thousand Palms; and Virgal Woolfolk – VIRTEK Company – Menifee. The Corporate Entrepreneur includes Kathy Griset, Cibaria International, Inc. – Riverside; David J. Greiner, Greiner Buick GMC – Victorville; Antonio Myrell, Premier Medical Transportation, Inc.- Colton; and David Hsu & Ching Liu, SolarMax Technology, Inc. – Riverside.

In the Family Business category is Bud Luppino, Bud’s Tire Pros – Riverside; Mark Peabody and Larry Peabody, Peabody Engineering & Supply, Inc. – Corona; and Wesley L. Golay, Redlands Prosthetic & Orthotic Group, Inc.  – Redlands.

The General Entrepreneur section includes Angela Weymar & Tony Di Guglielmo, ICON Vehicle Dynamics, LLC – Riverside; DeAnne Stidham – LuLaRoe – Corona; and Jeff Van Dam, That Solar Guy – Murrieta.

The Innovator/Technology Entrepreneur includes Shahriar “Nick” Niakan, Advanced Flow Engineering, Inc.   – Corona; David Bertolini – HotelRSV – Murrieta; and Eddie Rowland – Nexbelt LLC – Rancho Cucamonga. The Manufacturing Entrepreneur includes Taylor Hale, Crown Paper Converting, Inc.  – Ontario; Dave Grimes, Edge Plastics Inc. / ODI Grips – Riverside; and Jack Fovell, Southwest Sign Co. – Corona.

The Service Based Entrepreneur includes Daniel Hallisey, Artic Mechanical, Inc. – Rancho Cucamonga; Cory Chalmers, Crime Scene Steri-Clean, LLC – Rancho Cucamonga; and Manuel Acosta, Pepe’s Towing Service – Moreno Valley. The Small/Emerging Enterprise consists of Don Gilmartin, APRIS Fire & Water Restoration – Corona; Nathan Greenberg, Arkside Marketing, Inc. – Riverside; and Gene Sherman – Vocademy – The Makerspace – Riverside. Lastly the Social Entrepreneur consists of Jed Davis, HomeStrong USA – Rancho Cucamonga; Dr. Temetry A. Lindsey, Inland Behavioral and Health Services, Inc. – San Bernardino; Damien O’Farrell, Path of Life Ministries – Riverside; and Karen DiCarlo, Santa Claus, Inc. of Greater San Bernardino – San Bernardino.

The finalists and award recipients are selected by an independent panel of judges consisting of past Spirit Award recipients.  The 29 finalists represent the culmination of a nomination and evaluation process that included more than 130 nominees.

Individual tickets for the Nov. 10 event are $110 per person and tables of 10 can be purchased for $1,000. Special Premier VIP experience ticket packages are also available. For more information or to make reservations, call (909) 537-3708 or visit www.spiritawardsie.com

Commencing at 5:30 p.m., the gala includes a cocktail reception, dinner, special entertainment guests and the awards presentation. All proceeds benefit the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Scholarship at Cal State San Bernardino.

Enrique Medina

By Lou Coleman

If you are looking for a mechanic, whether it is electrical or repairs for your car or truck, then look no further. Enrique Medina is his name.  He is a very humble man who is honest, very reasonable, and gets the job done in a very timely manner. Call him up and tell him what you need. He will do it for you, and don’t forget to mention that you read about him in the Westside Story Newspaper. His telephone number is (909) 202-3512.

Rev. “J” Edgar Boyd

LOS ANGELES, CA- More than 5,000 members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church will convene at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport, 5711 W. Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, October 19 thru 25, for the 91st Session of the Southern California Conference (SCAC) and the Planning Meeting which will follow, October 26 to 27.

Both sessions will be led by the Right Reverend Theodore Larry Kirkland, Presiding Prelate of the 5th Episcopal District, with First AME Church of Los Angeles (FAME), pastored by the Rev. “J” Edgar Boyd,  serving as host. This will be the last annual conference led Bishop Kirkland as head of the 5th District, prior to his scheduled retirement in the summer of 2016.

Under the theme, “Rebuilding the Walls,” the schedule features day and evening worship services, business meetings and educational sessions for conference delegates, clergy, laity, youth, young adults, and missionaries.

Prior to the official conference opening, the Young People’s Division will hold their annual convention and the SCAC Women’s Missionary Society will also begin their sessions.  The annual pre-conference musical will be held on Sunday, October 18, 4 p.m. at Bethel AME Church, 7900 Western Avenue, Los Angeles.  Additional activities at the Hilton include:  Opening Night Worship Service, Wednesday, October 21, 7 p.m., with the Rev. John Cager, Senior Minister, Ward AME Church, delivering the Word.  Mayor Eric Garcetti, along with other elected officials, will bring greetings from the City of Los Angeles; Men’s Witness Night Worship, Thursday, 7 p.m.; Consecration & Ordination Service, Saturday, 10:30 a.m.; and Closing Worship and Commissioning Service, Sunday, October 25 at 3 p.m.

“We are honored to serve as host of this conference session,” said Pastor Boyd.  We are thankful to our Bishop and Presiding Elders who continue to encourage us in the building of our churches and our communities.”

The public is invited to attend the pre-conference musical as well as the noon and evening worship services.

By Keith McCarter

I attended the ICUC forum on October 6, 2015 for the San Bernardino City Council candidates.  I was shocked at some of their answers concerning the various topics.  Let us take for instance the topic of homelessness.    One of the candidates actually said, he would pay the police to round them up and send them to another city.  This answer reeked of insensitivity.

Others said it should not be the cities responsibility.  They suggested that it is a State and Federal problem.  I can understand their rationale with this answer, even though this answer is a bit short sided.

I must say that I was particularly impressed with Mr. Damon Alexander’s answer.  It was very simple.  He suggested to do what other cities have done.  Combine the services of the different social services departments, local, state and federal.  Then we provide the services the homeless needs and help them get back on their feet again.  I COULD NOT BELIEVE THIS CAME FROM THE MOUTH OF A REPUBLICAN.  But I was completely fascinated with the simplicity of his answer.

In actuality, many of the bigger cities have done this.  Also, Los Angeles city has just begun to combine these services as well.  One of the major problems with providing services to people is that the people do not know how to access the available services. By lowering this barrier, Mr. Alexander suggests that the homelessness situation will be minimized if we follow the lead of the larger cities.

One last point I would like to mention.  Politicians usually boast about what they have done to help other people.  I was fortunate enough to speak with a few members from Damon Alexander’s camp.  I was informed and witnessed him arranging an event to feed the homeless last Saturday on October 3^rd.

So when a question arose about homelessness, he did not boast about him using his time, money and energy to feed the homeless at the park during the previous Saturday.  He simply gave a professional answer to a serious concern of the city.  Is this humbleness?  I do not know what it is, but it is very refreshing to witness a candidate taking so much of their person to help alleviate the social impact of a dire concern without trying to use it for political gain.  If elected this Damon Alexander will be a breath of fresh air to the City Council of San Bernardino.

REDLANDS, CA- The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Nu Omega Chapter (serving San Bernardino/Riverside) are serious about health education and eradicating cancer.  The “Pink and Green Divas”  of Eta Nu Omega participated in the 8th Annual Stater Bros. Believe Walk on Sunday, October 4, which benefits cancer fighting organizations in the Inland Empire.  The walk raised over $350,000.

The members of Eta Nu Omega, do not just participate in walks, they take time during their meetings to educate one another about how to conduct self- breast examinations and to be advocates for your own health.  Through various community activities, the ladies conduct youth development programs, provide scholarships and attempt to make a difference in the lives of others.  For future events, please contact President, Linda Gaines Brooks at (909)874-7206 or Ivy Leaf Reporter, Kimberly Isaac at (626) 319-1390.

Yolanda Adams will performing on the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour at this weekend’s Taste of Soul.

LOS ANGELES, CA- Southern California McDonald’s is bringing hope, inspiration and fellowship to the 10^th Annual Taste of Soul Family Festival by presenting the Brenda Marsh-Mitchell Gospel Stage. In addition to the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour, local gospel talent from Los Angeles and the Inland Empire will be hitting the stage to kick off the day. Taste of Soul attendees can expect to hear uplifting music from Donald Jones and the Los Angeles Mass Choir, Brent Jones with the KJLH Radio Free Performance Choir, the West Angeles Choir and Holman Quartet.

“We are overjoyed to present the Brenda Marsh-Mitchell Gospel Stage, in partnership with the Taste of Soul organization, to the community,” said Clay Paschen III, McDonald’s owner/operator and president of the McDonald’s Operators’ Association of Southern California (MOASC). “Bringing local talent to the stage is a show of commitment to the communities we serve across Southern California. The local gospel talent is icing on top of what is already slated to be an amazing event.”

The national Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour artists performing on the Brenda Marsh-Mitchell Gospel Stage, presented by McDonald’s, will include: Yolanda Adams, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Ricky Dillard, Donald Lawrence, Tasha Page-Lockhart and DeWayne Woods. The event will be hosted by Lonnie Hunter and comedian Small Fire.

In addition, local talent that will grace the stage will include: Brent Jones with the KJLH Radio Free Performance Choir, Taylor and the Los Angeles Mass Choir, Karen Wiggins and the Inland Empire Explosion Choir, Jubilant Voices, Holman Quartet, Linda Broadous Miles, Episcopal Chorale, Ward African Methodist Episcopal Choir, Kevin Henderson, Jay Frazier/G-Rap, Echoes of Praise, Jackie Gouche and Joe Douglas.

“Extending the Taste of Soul Family Festival to include the Inland Empire is another special part of this partnership,” said Reggie Webb, McDonald’s owner/operator. “We are working with Pastor Mannie Brodie and Principles of Faith Christian Center to provide transportation for any community members who want to experience Taste of Soul and McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour for themselves.”

Transportation to Taste of Soul is available on a first come, first serve basis. The bus will depart from Webb Family Enterprises located at 3155 Sedona Court, Ontario, CA 91764. Those interested can secure a ticket for transportation by calling Ratibu Jacocks of Westside Action Group at (909) 820-4406.

McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour is an extension of the brand’s 365Black platform, an initiative that celebrates the pride, heritage and achievements of African-Americans year round. To learn more about the tour and the 365Black initiative, visit www.365Black.com. For more information on local gospel acts gracing the stage and details, follow @McDonalds_SoCal on Twitter and join the conversation at #365BlackGospel.