Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
By John Coleman
SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino County Association of African American Employees, (SBCAAAE) held their 24th Annual Black History Month & Scholarship Recognition Ceremony on February 25 at the Victoria Gardens
Cultural Center in Rancho Cucamonga.
In her program welcome, SBCAAAE President, Phyllis K Morris, reminds that this county is the largest and among the fastest growing and diversifying, that SBCAAAE encourages & supports the professional & personal development of its members, seeks opportunities to celebrate and share our culture, and recognizes that our expression in Art serves as a platform for educating us & others for sharing culture, advocating for justice, for equality, & building a better future.
Through the arts, African Americans have contributed & influenced American culture on many levels. Today’s event honors six African Americans, artists whose body of work or promise is exceptional, & commitment is amazing.
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- Phyllis K Morris, President, SBCAAAE, Leading the “Pledge”.
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- Deputy, Deon Filer, Prayer of Invocation.
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- Brigitte Kilpatrick, leads singing ot the “Negro National Anthem”.
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- Howard Rice, musical selection.
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- President Morris & Charles Bibbs. “Bibbs is an internationally acclaimed artist, entrepreneur, & philanthropist who has been most recognized for his beautiful artistic renderings that convey deep senses of spirituality, majesty, dignity, strength, & grace”.
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- President Morris & Joy Martin-Olive, Artistic Director, Caribbean Jazz Dance Entertainment Group which has performed art locally, & nationally, at events for many years, presenting a mix of culturaly-based dance forms.
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- Sheba Jennings, & Pres Morris. Sheba is a senior, Summit HS, Fontana, also regularly applauded for the sharpness & sting of her spoken-word’ un-masking of contemporary ‘values’.
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- Edwin Johnson & Pres Morris. Edwin Johnson Received the Spirit of SANKOFA award in recognition of his organization, Chords Enrichment Youth Program, which has provided mentoring & leadership skills to over 10,000 community youth.
