Happily Divorced And After

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools presents Gary S. Thomas Ed. D. County Superintendent’s “State of Education: Transforming Lives on the Roadmap to Success”.  This event will take place at the California Theatre in San Bernardino, 562 W. 4^th Street. The afternoon will start at 3:30 p.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25. Don’t miss out on what’s going on in our schools. To RSVP call 909-386-2413. (Written by Noelle Lilley)

LOS ANGELES, CA- National College Resources Foundation will be presenting the 15^th Annual Los Angeles Black College Expo on February 22. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Middle school, high school and college students looking to transfer should come out to find out more information on scholarships, financial resources, seminars, workshops, and one-on-one meetings with college recruiters and admissions committees. In addition, you don’t want to miss the step show from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Students should bring transcripts, SAT scores, and ACT scores for possible on the spot acceptances. Tickets are $10 at the door and $8 online. For more info and updates go online to facebook.com/blackcollegeexpo, twitter.com/blkcollegeexpo, or thecollegeexpo.com. You can also call 877-427-4100. (Written by Noelle Lilley)

Pat Harvey, Channel 9 news anchor, will be honored at the High Desert Black History Month celebration.

HESPERIA, CA- It’s almost time to reconnect with our roots and honor our ancestors. That’s right, Black History Month! Come spend it at the High Desert Black History Month 2014 Celebration in honor of the late Nelson Mandela. The theme this year is, “A Legacy of Hope”. The event will take place on Sunday, February 23 at Seventh Day Adventist Church, 9875 Seventh Ave in Hesperia from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Honorees include Channel 9 News Anchor Pat Harvey and Pastor Jon and Leita Harris of Castle Rock Christian Church. Hosted by BET comedian Annie McKnight, enjoy an evening of cultural education, wonderful entertainment, and delicious food! For information on vendor space call (760) 887-3746. (Written by Noelle Lilley)

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Internationally acclaimed poet and author, Mr. Eddie Bell, shared his career as a poet and discussed his poetry and writings at the PAL Center and Charter Academy in San Bernardino on Thursday, February 13.

Mr. Bell, a motivational speaker and educational consultant, told of his personal experiences, and related stories about people and life experiences through the eyes of a Black man. Several members of the audience noted similar experiences of inequitable treatment to overcome during their lifetime. The overarching theme was to overcome all obstacles and achieve the goals that one sets for self.

His poems about life evoked deeply felt emotions as he presented in oral form. He is the recipient of multiple grants from the New York Foundation for the Arts, the French Ministry of Culture, and other sources. His works, published in English, have also been translated into French and Russian. Accessible to audiences old and young, and without racial or cultural barriers, during the question and answer period, the totally immersed students and teachers exhibited their intense appreciation of the opportunity to interact with this very personable and noted poet.

Mr. Bell was accompanied by Dr. Brian Haynes, Vice Presidentof Student Affairs at California State University San Bernardino.

(Photo Credit: Naomi K. Bonman)
PHOTO CAPTION: The cast and crew of “Blackbird”, which stars Isaiah Washington and Monique. The film was directed by Patrick Ian Polk in an adaption of the novel by Larry Duplechan.

LOS ANGELES, CA- On Sunday, February 16 at Rave Cinemas in Los Angeles, the Pan African Film Festival closed out it’s festivities with the premiere of the film “Blackbird”.   The closing kicked off with a red carpet where the cast and crew posed for photos for the media, as well as other celebrities who walked the red carpet in support of the film. Following the red carpet was the movie screening and question and answer session, followed by a private media briefing and after party.

“Blackbird” is a story that centers on a church choir singer, portrayed by Julian Walker, in a small Mississippi town who feels like a misfit as he struggles with his sexual awakening and the realization that he is gay. This is a coming of age story for that young African American boy or girl who struggles with their sexual orientation. The film is directed by Patrick Ian Polk in an adaption of the novel by Larry Duplechan. Monique and her husband Sidney Hicks are also executive producers of the film. (Written by Naomi K. Bonman)

On Saturday, February 22nd, the Pomona Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will hold its 35th Annual Black Culture Festival, in conjunction with the Pomona Public Library. The event is from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Pomona Public Library located at 625 S. Garey Ave., Pomona, CA. 91767.

The festival features an array of entertainment, showcases diversity of food, retail vendors, and a dynamic children’s corner. Also provided is an informative and interactive Health and Fitness Clinic all free to the public. Additionally, we will have an Author’s Corner that will include Ilyasah Shabazz speaking and signing her new children’s book “Malcolm Little” and as in past festivals, a special appearance by the Munford Marines and Tuskegee Airmen.

The members of the Pomona Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a community service organization, invite you to enjoy this family-friendly day of entertainment, enlightenment and education. While the day celebrates and showcases the best of the Black community, the event is for everyone to enjoy.

For vendor or entertainment information, please e-mail blackculturefestival@pvacdst.org. For media inquiries, please email publicrelations@pvacdst.org.

February 22, 2014 from 11:00am – 4:00pm at Pomona Public Library located at 625 South Garey Avenue in Pomona, Ca. 91769. Please note that in the event of rain, the festival will be scheduled for Saturday, March 22nd.

In a critical period of Obamacare outreach, will more black consumers take advantage of benefits available through the California healthcare exchange?

 By McKenzie Jackson, California Black Media

When Andre Andrews signed on to the Covered California website on February 7, he was in the midst of coping with a medical emergency.

A week before, Andrews had been the victim of a hit-and-run. The Burbank resident was walking his bike up the side of a street late one night, when he was suddenly struck by a passing motorist who never bothered to stop. The impact left him with missing teeth, lacerations to his face and an ambulance bill alone of over $1,000.

Uninsured since leaving a job in early January, Andrews has already paid $500 of the bill, but he now feels more secure because of his coverage eligibility under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, it is made available in this state through Covered California, which Andrews is confident will help him better manage medical expenses and aid with any future health problems he might experience.

“I never really go to the doctor, but I still need health insurance, especially since this happened,” said Andrews. “All these other healthcare insurance providers online are expensive.” For the 30-year-old, what he found through Covered California “is less expensive. I’m one of those guys that thought nothing would ever happen. But clearly it can. You don’t know what is going to happen.”

More than 11,000 black Californians, and potentially millions more across the United States, can identify with the peace of mind Andrews enjoys today as a result of Obamacare. Following a difficult rollout, there has been a surge of enrollments over the last two months; on January 25, the Obama administration announced that three million Americans had signed up for private health plans under the law, including 800,000 in the month of January alone.

California accounts for 625,000 of those enrollees, but thus far only 3.1 percent, or 11,153, are African-Americans, despite blacks being nearly seven percent of California’s population. That is compared with whites, who have accounted for 54.7 percent, or 199,186, of Obamacare enrollees, tops in the state.

Obamacare ensures that all Americans have access to affordable health insurance, by offering discounts or tax credits on health insurance plans and enlarging the Medicaid assistance program to include more individuals that can’t afford healthcare in their budgets.

A household with an income between one and four times the Federal Poverty Level is ideal for receiving the health insurance discounts. Despite common misperceptions, that only single mothers can qualify for healthcare assistance, for example, or that a family must be in a deep poverty to get help, even individuals who earn too much to qualify for discounts and tax credits are entitled to buy plans through Covered California.

In California and across the nation, individuals with Obamacare have benefits in 10 categories including ambulatory patient services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment and prescription drugs. The health plan also helps cover rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices, laboratory services, preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management, and pediatric services such as dental and vision care.

Among those who have yet to enroll in a healthcare plan, despite the fact that he would almost certainly be eligible for coverage and/or subsidies, is 30-year-old Clint Thompson of Santa Monica. Thompson, who recently returned to California from New York City, is debating whether to enroll in a plan through Covered California, or try the insurance offered through his employer, a clothing retailer.

“I’m weighing the options of each,” said Thompson, “but I really haven’t looked as in-depth as I should.”

Thompson and others like him, those who remain on the fence about obtaining healthcare coverage, have until the March 31 open enrollment deadline to either enroll in a plan of some kind or be subject to a penalty.

Covered California this month launched an outreach campaign covering 21 counties across the state, Kern, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, Santa Clara and Ventura among them,  that includes opportunities for free enrollment assistance at libraries, community centers and other locations. Opportunities to enroll and information about outreach locations can be found on the website at www.coveredca.com.

Although online enrollment remains a viable and popular option, Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said many people are more comfortable with face-to-face discussion.

“Many people want to speak with an expert in person in their own language,” he said recently, “rather than over the phone or on the Internet when making such a personal decision about health insurance.”

Next week: As a Covered California deadline approaches, African-American consumers, healthcare experts and advocates assess the effectiveness of healthcare outreach to the black community.

Assemblymember Cheryl Brown held a reception on Sunday, February 16 at the Hampton Inn in Colton where she announced her candidacy for re-election to the California Assembly.   Many family, friends and other supporters were in attendance.

(Photo credits: John Coleman)

SAN BERNARDINO, CA. – An array of departments at Cal State San Bernardino will host Military Appreciation Night at the Coyote men’s basketball game on Friday, February 21. Tailgate festivities begin at 4 p.m. on the west lawn of Recreational Sports and Fitness Center that will feature free food and military giveaways. The men’s basketball game against Sonoma State begins at 7:30 p.m. in Coussoulis Arena.

The event is co-hosted by CSUSB’s Alumni Association, Associated Students Inc., the Veterans Success Center, Recreational Sports and Fitness Center and the CSUSB Air Force and Army ROTC.  Active service members, military veterans and their families will receive free admission to the game. Contact Marci Daniels at the Veterans Success Center at 909-537-5195 for free tickets. Attendees are encouraged to wear military apparel or American-themed apparel.

The planners of the event have designed a program that will begin about eight minutes before tip-off time. The CSUSB Air Force-Army ROTC cadets will first present the colors. AF-ROTC cadet Carrera Allred will sing the National Anthem, while local high school cadets of Junior ROTC representing U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy unfurl a giant American flag.

Chaplain Captain David Sarmiento of the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing at March Air Reserve Base will say the invocation, while the CSUSB Student Veterans Organization will set up a battlefield cross in the middle of arena floor in memory of fallen veterans.

A 13-foot GI Johnny will join CSUSB mascots Cadee and Cody Coyote in cheering the crowd. An opportunity drawing will be held with raffle prizes drawn throughout the game. Proceeds from the raffle will supplement the CSUSB Veterans Success Initiative Scholarship Fund.

During half-time, 20 Wounded Warriors will be recognized, as well as a ceremonial swearing-in of about 40 future service members.  In addition, two contests will be disclosed during the break for fans to participate.

Sponsors for the event include Crest Chevrolet, Brills Shoes, The Mug Restaurant, Tello’s Tailors and Menswear and the Tossetti Family, all of San Bernardino. Other sponsors are U.S. Army Units B-Troop, 4-9 Cavalry and Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc., CSUSB Beta Kappa Chapter.

For more information, contact Marci Daniels at the CSUSB Student Veterans Center at 909-537-5195.

Edith Lara-Trad, information officer at Covered California, welcomes representatives from Inland community groups to the first Covered California regional meeting at Loma Linda University Health.

LOMA LINDA, CA  – Representatives of community groups working to enroll more San Bernardino County residents for affordable health insurance through Covered California kicked off their first regional meeting on Wednesday (Feb. 12) at Loma Linda University Health (LLUH).

About 40 people, representing dozens of community groups, stakeholders, health organizations, elected officials, and local health officials, took part in the gathering, hosted by LLUH.

“One of the objectives of the regional meeting is to focus on increasing partnerships and collaboration within the region, and to share lessons learned from the first weeks of enrollment,” said Edith Lara-Trad, information officer at Covered California, and the regional coordinator for the effort.

“It is about the people who are in dire need of health coverage. We have 47 days to continue mobilizing our efforts and enroll them now. One focus is to use in-person assistance to maximize enrollment,” she said.

LLUH, in partnership with Community Clinic Association of San Bernardino County, is one of 48 lead organizations that received grant awards totaling $37 million from Covered California to help residents access affordable health coverage.  Covered California is the state’s new health care insurance marketplace responsible for reaching out to 5.3 million Californians in need of individual insurance, many of whom may be eligible for financial assistance with the premiums.

“LLUH wants to ensure the residents of the Inland Empire are informed regarding the historic changes in our health care system and we are getting our residents the coverage they need to improve and maintain their health,” said Gerald Winslow, Ph.D., vice president for mission and culture at LLUH, and director of the Institute for Health Policy and Leadership, the organizational entity responsible for administering the grant.

The regional meeting provided opportunities for grantees, certified counselors, providers, community and health agencies, and elected officials to mingle and work in partnerships in existing enrollment events. Covered California partners and the health community have played an integral role to accomplish enrollment to many people thus far and Covered California is providing specific support to the community and partners to drive the regional effort.

Lara-Trad said the challenge is to encourage more people to enroll by March 31, which is the deadline for open enrollment and for obtaining premium assistance and guaranteed health coverage. She said, “We are focusing on key gaps. Latinos, African Americans, and other under-represented communities and young adults are especially targeted for enrollment.” More information is available at www.CoveredCA.com

Rosie Salazar, Covered California certified counselor at Inland Behavioral Health Services, attended the event because she wanted to expand her network and get ideas for getting more people to sign up for health insurance.

“We are in a community where we deal with many homeless and low-income people,” she said. “We do not want them to be left out of affordable health care.”