Happily Divorced And After

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA- On target to delivering a carefully crafted taste of African culture and pride several African American community organizations are gathering for a Day of the African Community and Family: Cultural Faire & Celebration.  The event, which brings together local African storytellers, dancers, musicians and poets is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 15, at Immanuel Praise Fellowship, 9592 7th Street in Rancho Cucamonga, from 11:30 am to 4 p.m. The fair will culminate with two lectures beginning at 5 p.m. from internationally recognized ancient African Egyptian historians and lecturers Merira and Ashra Kwesi. Entrance to both lectures is $15 pre-sale and $20 at the door and $10 for students with valid I.D. Another community favorite is the multifaceted performer and dancer, Makeda Kumasi, who will be featured with her group the Umoja Ensemble of the Inland Empire. Kumasi who is known for her one- woman shows has captured the hearts of audiences both young and old.This is an event that is offering fun for all ages the program also promises African drumming, dancing, poetry and a host of other activities. General admission to the cultural faire is free and open to the community. For more information or to become a vendor call 951-552-3923.  Tickets can be purchased as www.blackdotcommittee.com or www.5ontheblackhandside.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) is proud to announce that she is running for re-election to the California State Assembly’s 47^thAssembly District. The 47^th Assembly District encompasses the cities of Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, the southwest parts of San Bernardino and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy. Her re-election campaign is set to launch on Sunday, February 16 at the Hampton Inn, 250 North 9th Street in Colton, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. During her first year in office, jobs, economic development, small business growth, education and public safety were among her top priorities. She also sponsored and supported various bills to promote economic development, spur small business growth, support student success and assist homeowners and veterans.

The California State Legislature approved four of her bills last year, two of them, AB 379 and 1094, becoming laws. AB 379 protects financing for manufactured home owners and AB 1094 increases CalWORKS benefits for veterans, allowing them to receive the financial assistance they need to care for their families.

Additionally, she hosted 16 community events that brought resources into the District, including a back to school giveaway, where she distributed 400 free backpacks to students in Bloomington and Muscoy; a green collar jobs fair; and a business summit to help small businesses gain access to resources to further their development. Assemblymember Brown has already won the pre-endorsement of the delegates from the California Democratic Party. To RSVP contact Ashley Jones at 909-645-3853.

RIVERSIDE, CA- Riverside County Probation Department is now hiring for the position of a Probation Corrections Officer I. The starting hourly wage is $17.31 to $23.28, the monthly salary is $2,999.97 to $4,035.96, and the annual salary ranges from $35,999.60 to $48,431.55. Visit www.probation.co.riverside.ca.us/employment or www.rc-hr.com for more information.

FONTANA, CA- Are you a teenager? Is your teenager looking for a little extra cash? If so, there will be a YOUTH JOB FAIR at the Jack Bulik Teen Center, 16581 Filbert Street in Fontana, on Saturday, February 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Jaylin Miller holds certificate of excellence alongside Janet Clayton, Senior Vice President, Edison International.(Photo Credit: Naomi K. Bonman

ROSEMEAD, CA- Los Angeles County’s top attorney Jackie Lacey joined Southern California Edison (SCE) in celebrating the utility’s business and community partnerships, serving as the keynote speaker at the company’s 12^th Annual Black History Month celebration held on Friday, February 7 at SCE headquarters.

“Our annual Black History Month event is our opportunity to show our appreciation to the communities we serve,” Lisa Cagnolatti, vice president of SCE’s Business Customer Division and host of the celebration, said. “Our partnership with our business and community leaders is the cornerstone of service we provide to our customers.”

Returning as the emcee of the afternoon was KTLA Morning News anchor Chris Schauble. He kept the momentum going in between each speaker and presenter. Other speakers in addition to Jackie Lacey (who is also the first woman and African American to serve as the Los Angeles County district attorney since the office first opened in 1850), was Faye Washington. Washington is the president and CEO of YWCA Greater Los Angeles. She is well positioned to lead the YWCA in its mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.

In addition to the speakers, there were three award recipients who were honored which included Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles (Energy Efficiency Participation Award); St. Hare Capital Investment Bankers (Diverse Business Enterprise Award); and YWCA Greater Los Angeles (Community Partnership Award). Jaylin Miller, an eighth-grade student at Marshall Fundamental School in Pasadena, also recited a poem that she wrote entitled, “The African Pledge”. Miller dreams of becoming a pediatrician and is involved in the YWCA and actively volunteers and gives back to her community. She was also a 2013 YWCA Girls Empowerment Scholarship award recipient.  (Edited and Written by Naomi K. Bonman)

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.”

The members of Riverside
Alumni Chapter celebrate Founders Day at Clayton home.

On January 5, the brothers of the Riverside Alumni Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi F?raternity, Inc., gathered at the home of Brother Larry Clayton to celebrate the 103rd year of the fraternity. Over 25 Brothers and their Silhouettes attended. The Loving Cup
was passed and provided a chance for Brothers initiated in 1956 through the 2013 Neophytes to rededicate themselves to achievement in every field of human endeavor.

Chapter Polemarch, Dr. Samuel Gibbs, sliced two cakes prepared for the occasion. Chapter Historian, Alvin Stephens, summed up the history of the chapter saying, “The March and Norton Air Force Bases were going strong in our history and Brothers would be stationed in and mustered out but we were successful in gaining great recognition in the community for our service projects.”

On the heels of this auspicious celebration, over 20 members of the chapter traveled on January 25 to co-sponsor the Los Angeles Metro Founders Day Event. Baseball great Brother Don Buford provided the keynote and encouraged all as he told of his path to achievement in the field of sports.

RIVERSIDE, CA- On Saturday, February 8, The Riverside Black History Committee held the 35^th Annual Riverside Black History Parade and Expo in Downtown Riverside. This year was a very special one because the event also recognized Dell Roberts for his philanthropic efforts and civic leadership that he provides to the community.  For more photos of the parade, please visit www.wssnews.com.

Audrey Matthews

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The County of San Bernardino Workforce Investment Board, which oversees the use of federal dollars to train local job seekers and support employers, has announced the appointment of two new members and a vice chair.

The Board has named Audrey Mathews as interim Vice Chair. Mathews was honored in 2013 for more than 35 years of work in local and state governments as a professor, budget director, planning commissioner and consultant. She received the American Society for Public Administration’s Elmer B. Staats Lifetime Achievement Award.

In addition to serving on the Workforce Investment Board, Mathews works with the County’s Planning Commission and sits as a legislative advisor to the National Association of Workforce Boards, and the California Workforce Association.  She has written multiple workforce initiatives and testimony that was submitted to Senate and House subcommittees on workforce issues.

Audrey is CEO of Mathews and Associates, an organizational behavior and diversity management-consulting firm.  She will be Interim vice Chair until elections are held in March.

Dr. Dale Marsden, newly appointed member of the Board, is Superintendent of San Bernardino City Unified School District. He is well known for his work in engaging employers and community partners to help students graduate and pursue college and a successful career. With the Alliance for Education, a partnership between businesses and educators, he played an integral role in a national initiative, called STEAM, to ensure more students enter careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.  The father of four began his teaching career in 1985, working his way up to Superintendent of Victor Elementary School District before being appointed to his current role in 2012. He also served in the US Air Force, where he earned several awards.

Gary Watson, Deputy Director of the Employment Services Program (ESP) for the County of San Bernardino Transitional Assistance Department, was also appointed as a member of the Board.  The ESP helps clients receiving cash aid remove barriers to employment, develop self-esteem, and prepare to find and retain employment. Watson has more than 20 years of human services experience including programming, budget and operations to provide support to needy families in San Bernardino County.

“The San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board has a national reputation for excellence due to the active leadership and team work of its members,” said San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Rutherford. “These dedicated individuals, collectively representing business, government, and community organizations, bring their best to the table.”

The Workforce Investment Board partners with the County’s largest industry sectors to identify the needs of the workforce and employers and to support training programs that prepare residents to enter careers in growing industries.

“Our Workforce Investment Board has become a national model due to the efforts and creativity of our members,” said Sandy Harmsen, Executive Director of the Board. “Their decisions impact the lives of thousands of at-risk youth through our Workforce Investment Act Youth program as well as adults and veterans who find career and training opportunities through our three America’s Job Centers of California.”

(l-r) Vanessa Williams, PAFF Celebrity Juror Erica Gimpel, PAFF Life Time Achievement Award recipient Charles Dutton, Kristoff St. John, Jamil XT Qubeka, CCH Pounder, Nicki Micheaux & “Of Good Report” Co-Star Petronella Tshuma (Venus Bernardo)

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) held its opening night gala on Thursday, February 6 at the Rave Cinemas in Los Angeles, with the premiere of the film ‘Of Good Report’ directed by Jahmil X.T. Qubeka which starring Mothusi Magano, Petronella Tshuma, Thobi Mkhwanazi, Nomhlé Nkyonyeni and Tshamano Sebe. After the film, a question and answer session was held with the cast and filmmakers.

The film is about Parker, a shy and mysterious high school teacher, who arrives at his new assignment in a rural school. While he is earnest in his passion for teaching, his extra-curricular attentions are drawn to a gorgeous young girl. When he realizes she is a student at his school, and forbidden fruit, he grows increasingly obsessed. She ends up missing and a female detective comes snooping around, fueling Parker’s unstable, dangerous behavior. ‘Of Good Report’ won Best Feature Film in the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Nigeria.