On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at the 777 N F Street in the newly remodeled San Bernardino Board of Education building, change and newness was in the air.
While some people were home, settling in to watch the President Biden’s State of the Union Address, there were also many people in the San Bernardino who braved the cold, windy temperatures outside to witness Felicia Alexander be officially sworn in as the newest San Bernardino City Unified School District Board Member. On January 24, 2023, the SBCUSD Board of Education made the provisional appointment of Alexander to fill a vacancy on the governing board. The vacancy was created in December when Dr. Gwen Dowdy-Rodgers resigned to accept an elected position on the San Bernardino County School Board. She will serve on the Board until the next general election in November 2024.
“Tonight, was a very emotional night as I had the honor of being a part of the swearing in of Felicia Alexander,” said Dr. Gwen Dowdy- Rodgers, San Bernardino County Superintendent of School Board Trustee Area D. “She is an engaged and compassionate leader that will make a great asset to SBCUSD.”
The room was filled with community members, friends, family, and members of the Divine Nine, all of whom were there to support Alexander as she took her oath. She was sworn in by her husband, San Bernardino City Councilman Damon Alexander, while her predecessor, Gwen Dowdy- Rodgers, held the Bible. The room bustled with cheers of excitement while family and friends quickly gathered for a few posed pictures. Alexander graciously took her place in the center in a sea of members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., as they showed support on a large scale.
“A heartfelt welcome to our newest board member and superintendent,” said community member and San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (retired) Carolyn Tillman. “I am looking forward to achieving what is possible for our students in San Bernardino.”
After all the flowers, hugs, pictures and smiles, Alexander took her place among the other board members, to continue with the agenda for the evening. With a beautiful congratulatory bouquet of red roses placed at her side, Alexander stepped in and did not miss a beat. The community welcomed her with open arms and know she is there the serve the students, parents, teachers, and the district. While others may remember February 7, 2023, as the night Lakers star LeBron James broke the NBA’s all-time scoring record, surpassing Kareem Abdul- Jabbar, our community will remember it as the night Felicia Alexander stepped into a new challenge and made her presence known. She has arrived!
SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- For the second year in a row, a team from Oak Hills High School won the San Bernardino County Mock Trial championship title and will advance to the state competition in March.
“The outstanding performances by students at this year’s Mock Trial were incredibly exciting to watch,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “It’s inspiring to see the teams work together to form persuasive arguments, utilize their critical thinking skills and practice the art of public speaking.”
Citrus Valley High School from Redlands Unified School District took second place during this year’s county competition. The team may be able to compete at the state level as a wildcard.
Part of the Oak Hills High School Mock Trial team poses together at the finals competition held at the Rancho Cucamonga Superior Courthouse on Jan.14. Back row, left to right: Rubi Gamez, Sandra Martinez Rivera, Francisco Rodriguera, Danielle Mitchell, Nicholas Markloff. Bottom row, left to right: Robert Long, Sofia Palomares, Abigail Sicairos, Sara Orellana.
Members of the Mock Trial 2022-23 Oak Hills High School Team:
Jasmine Alvarez
Alejandra De Lira
Ryan Douty
Rubi Gamez
Angel Haro
Moniqua Jimenez
Shantel Lewis
Robert Long
Nicholas Markloff
Sandra Martinez Rivera
Danielle Mitchell
Sara Orellana
Sofia Palomares
Jasmine Persley
Francisco Rodriguera
Abigail Sicairos
Coach Jeni Boulanger
Assistant Coach John Boulanger
Members of the Mock Trial 2022-23 Citrus Valley High School Team:
Juliana Acuna
Eleanor Brinegar
Alyssa Camacho
Alexandra Carreon
Ava Esteves-Jaime
Morgan Fierro
Maddox Flowers
Alyssa Gidley
Ariana Gutierrez
Vivienne Igbinosun
Brianna Ilacas
Inara Khankashi
Bella Moreno
Domnic Pedroza
Marsha Rajagukguk
Noah Sanchez
Rashad Tyler
Coach Kathryn Fonken-Stoker
Assistant Coach Debbie Muniz
More than 400 students representing 26 teams from 24 high schools competed in this year’s county competition.
Mock Trial simulates a criminal case in which high school students portray various courtroom roles including bailiffs, clerks, artists, journalists, attorneys and witnesses, representing both the prosecution and defense.
Students present their case before a real judge and use constitutional amendments and legal objections.
This event is co-sponsored by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office.
SBCUSD and Partners Assisting Class of 2023 in Obtaining Scholarships
SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Every year, San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) high schools assist seniors in preparing portfolios that will help them apply for and obtain college scholarships. For most seniors, that task is complete and soon they will begin participating in mock interviews, so they are able to put their best foot forward during the actual scholarship interviews that happen later in the school year.
Additionally, the two non-profit organizations that coordinate and fund scholarships specifically for SBCUSD students—San Bernardino Community Scholarship Association and Making Hope Happen Foundation—have begun coordinating with high school scholarship counselors for the next scholarship application window.
Based on the fact SBCUSD students in the Class of 2022 earned more than $11 million in scholarships and grants, including adult students from Inland Career Education Center (ICEC) and students from the district’s alternative high schools, these efforts appear successful.
Although past performance is no guarantee of future success, the Class of 2022 scholarship earnings demonstrate what a community can do for students and the future when they work together.
Indian Springs High School graduated 342 students in the Class of 2022 who can boast about their combined total of $3,125,000 in scholarships and grants, including more than $360,000 in military scholarships and enlistment bonuses.
Cajon High School’s 583 graduates, which included International Baccalaureate (IB) students, earned $1,950,999 in scholarships and grants, with $440,000 coming from military scholarships and enlistment bonuses. Another SBCUSD IB school, Arroyo Valley High School, proudly graduated 555 students, with 70.6 percent of them earning scholarships and grants totalling $1,459,690.
With 327 graduates in the Class of 2022, San Gorgonio High School secured $2,046,734 in scholarships, including $619,200 in military scholarships and enlistment bonuses.
A full 100 percent of Middle College High School’s 59 graduates earned scholarships totalling $900,000.
Of Pacific High School’s 239 graduates in the Class of 2022, 162 earned $800,278 in scholarships, including military scholarships and enlistment bonuses. And 78 of 232 San Bernardino High School graduates earned $694,412.
SBCUSD’s continuation high schools also boasted scholarship recipients, with 20 San Andreas High School and 19 Sierra High School graduates in the Class of 2022 earning $13,050 and $26,618, respectively.
Seven of ICEC’s 109 adult high school diploma and GED graduates earned a combined $14,819 in scholarships.
“I’m proud to say that the vast majority of the non-military scholarship dollars are the direct result of efforts by our District and our local community,” said Ginger Ontiveros. “Local businesses, charities, and individuals have donated time and money to the Making Hope Happen Foundation and the San Bernardino Community Scholarship Association—two nonprofits geared specifically to support SBCUSD students—just to make sure our students have a chance at success.”
Community Scholarship Association members were responsible for 313 graduates in SBCUSD’s Class of 2022 receiving a total of 364 scholarships totaling $283,447.
“The Scholarship Association awards scholarships only to SBCUSD graduates. Charter school and private school students are not eligible for these scholarships,” said longtime Association member and former SBCUSD high school counselor Blythe Anderson. “Many of our Board members are former District employees or scholarship recipients, so it’s important to us that we support students in our schools.”
For more information or to donate to the Making Hope Happen Foundation, visit https://makinghope.org/. To create your own scholarship or donate to one of the many existing Association-managed scholarships, contact Susan Zavala, Communications/Community Relations Department Secretary I, at susan.zavala@sbcusd.k12.ca.us.
Assemblymembers Corey Jackson (D-Riverside) and Ash Kalra (D- San Jose) have introduced a resolution to alter the dress code on the floor of the lower chamber of the State Legislature.
House Resolution 9 (HR9) would make it appropriate for individuals visiting the chamber floor to wear attire considered professional dress based on various cultural standards.
According to Assembly Rule 118.1, “Members of the Legislature, officers or employees of the Legislature, accredited members of the press, or any other persons may be restricted from admission to the Floor of the Assembly if they are inappropriately attired”. As the current rule stands, there is room for discrimination against attire that does not meet Eurocentric standards, proponents of HR 9 say.
Asm. Ash Karla
“Eurocentrism, which refers to a bias on the vantage point of European and Western cultures, has played a role in establishing what is considered “appropriate” fashion, often forcing individuals to adopt various forms of professional attire that conflict with their ethnic or religious backgrounds,” Kalra and Jackson stated in a press release.
“With increased emphasis on anti-racism and inclusion, it is imperative that the Legislature and its members adopt this House Resolution to welcome professional attire of all cultures, ethnicities, and nationalities, so we are able to serve the people in the State of California,” the lawmakers added.
Jackson, who received his doctorate in social work, says he is s aware of the microaggressions that perpetuate racism within professional spaces.
“I’m using HR9 to educate people about how sinister racism is in our society. To make sure that people understand that it’s not just the big things like hate crimes and mass shootings due to race. But, also, it’s the little things we’ve been taught since we are children in America; that is Eurocentric hair, skin tones and dress is superior to anything else.”
In his own form of protest, Jackson rarely abides by the traditional expectations of dress on the chamber floor by not wearing suits and ties. At least once a week, he wears a dashiki.
“I am just sending a message that if California is going to call itself a state that is proud of its diversity — that it is anti-racism, anti-hate, anti-xenophobia, anti-discrimination, we need to start with the State Capitol itself.”
While there hasn’t been a specific incident where an Assemblymember was denied entry to the chamber floor because of their cultural garb, Jackson has received complaints about not wearing a suit and tie.
The spirit behind HR9 has drawn comparisons to the “CROWN Act”.
The CROWN Act (Senate Bill 188) was drafted and sponsored by State Senator Holly Mitchell. It passed unanimously in both chambers of the Legislature and was signed into law on July 3, 2019.
Mitchell is currently a Los Angeles County Supervisor representing the 2nd District.
The act ensures protection against discrimination based on race-based hairstyles by extending statutory protection to hair texture and protective styles such as braids, locs, twists, and knots in the workplace and public schools.
So far, Jackson and Kalra have received support from Democrats and Republicans on the resolution as they have pointed out that their legislation is not calling for a removal of professional attire standards, but for the inclusion of cultural equivalents of professional attire.
The resolution is currently going through the legislative process. If approved by relevant committees, it will move to the chamber floor where it will be heard and voted on by members of the Assembly.
Deemed “A family reunion” by R&B Sensation and the ’22 Grand Marshal Mr. Kenny Lattimore; and echoed by all that attended, SOCAL’s Biggest Black History Parade and Orange County’s most celebrated event is back for its 43rd year!
The 43rd Annual Orange County Black History Parade & Unity Festival takes place on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 10 am – 5pm with great food, entertainment, vendors, celebrities, college fair, art contest and more!
Adding to the celebration, OCHC PROUDLY ANNOUNCES ADAI LAMAR, 102.3 Radio Free KJLH Local Host The Steve Harvey Morning Show, as the 2023 GRAND MARSHAL!
Millions of Los Angeles radio listeners tune into Adai Lamar every morning as a trusted source of news, information, and trends on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 102.3 KJLH radio station (owned by Stevie Wonder).
Adai Lamar is known for having the inside scoop on the issues and topics that are important to the communities. She is a style diva and sets the bar high with her famous Stiletto Strut, a widely popular fashion event conceptualized by Adai, where her fashionista fans rock fabulous stilettos and celebrate their impeccable style and love for community service in a super fun setting. The event has become such a hit in the Los Angeles market, Adai has been approached by fans to roll the event out nationwide. A bonified “travelista”, Adai jets across the globe to review fabulous travel destinations and discover fashion treasures for her growing community of adventurists. A girly girl with a healthy dose of daredevil, you will find Adai rock climbing, swimming with sharks, joy riding on an ATV, stock car racing and digging in her heels to any given athletic challenge.
Her credo. “See Something Amazing! Do Something Amazing! Wear Something Amazing!” Adai has a healthy zeal for discovery that is contagious. She is like a trusted girlfriend who gives the inside scoop not just on news, trends and current events, but on wish list travel destinations for people who love to “go”. Adai has visited and reviewed some of the most coveted travel destinations around the globe, including South Africa, Mexico, France and more. She goes with a purpose to reveal for her followers and fans the coolest bars, restaurants, attractions and natural beauty experiences to check out on their next travel excursion.
As a seasoned urban radio vet, Adai wakes more than a million Los Angeles listeners every weekday morning, 6am-10am as the Los Angeles voice for the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 102.3 KJLH radio station. Trusted for her community outreach and keeping listeners in the know with an honest opinion and feedback, Adai boasts more than a decade of broadcast experience. A beloved radio personality, Adai is a trailblazer as the first African American woman to lead a Los Angeles morning radio show. She is a noted community champion and advocate for a host of important causes including, Jenesee Center, Ronald McDonald House, Boys & Girls Club, AARP, Susan G. Komen, Brotherhood Crusade and Los Angeles Job Corp.
Follow Adai on Twitter and Instagram @adailamar, find her on Facebook @adailamar1. To learn about Adai’s latest community projects, travel adventures, Angels Unawares Charity and upcoming MixHot Podcast visit AdaiLamar.com.
Produced by the Orange County Heritage Council (OCHC) under the leadership of OCHC President Dwayne Shipp, the goal for the annual event is to continue the traditions and culture of African Americans by honoring the achievements and contributions of black history.
The ’22 OC Black History was celebrated with R&B sensation Mr. Kenny Lattimore, Famed Tae Bo Founders Mr. Billy Blanks, Fox Soul General Manager Mr. James Dubois, Gospel Artist Mr. Brent Jones, Grammy Nominee and R&B Artist Mr. Aloe Blacc, Vocalist and Pianist Mr. Francois Dean, Best Selling Author and Reality Star Omarosa, Actresses Layla Crawford and Daniele Lawson of hit movie “King Richard” and over 10,000 of family friendly community attendees.
Media coverages: ABC7, KTLA, FOX, FOX SOUL, GETTY and more!
To see highlights, please watch videos:
’23 Parade Talents Include:
Dani B JAIA– Recording Artist – Dani B JAIA, member of Klymaxx ft Cheryl Cooley, CEO – Faith House Prod, Show Host of Heart Of Worship w/Dani B JAIA, Actress
SINGING BLACK NATIONAL ATHEN opening parade
Brandon Larkins – Actor General Hospital
Angeliques Bates – Actress/Humanitarian/Mental Health Advocate/Founder Host of “The Evening Showdown” podcast, Tidal’s “Bonnet Chronicles”, Nickelodeon’s “All That”, Netflix, Comedy Central, BET
Adam Blackstone – Grammy/Emmy
Kheris Rogers – 16 Year Old CEO & Creator of Flexin’ In My Complexion Apparel Line and Children’s Book author of debut book “Shine Bright” (HarperCollins).
Stone City Band, Raydio Ft Arnell Carmichael – Concert in San Bernardino evening of parade
Steven Littles – actor, director, commercial voice over
Montana- actress, singer-songwriter, musician, dancer, and advocate. Young Artist Awards, Young Entertainer Awards, Amazon Prime TV series, “2Real4U.” Montana has opened for Jeffrey Osborne, Jaleel White aka Steve Urkel (Sitcom, “Family Matters”), Kechi Okwuchi (“America’s Got Talent” Season 12 Finalist)
Mychal-Bella Rayne Bowman – 7 Emmy Nominated/Golden Globe winner, seen on FORBES, ESPN, PBS & more!
Buffalo Soldiers/Iron Men – AFTER PARADE- bikes will park at CAR SHOW – In 1897, members of the fledgling 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps left Missoula, Mont., headed out on a 41-day, 1,900-mile ride to St. Louis, Mo. They were made up of all Black enlisted U.S. Army personnel, known as Buffalo Soldiers, and were greeted by a crowd of more than 10,000 people when they arrived in Missouri.
Amen Joseph – SNOWFALL
Kim Cruise – FINALIST of THE VOICE
Darius McCray – Actor
DJ Battle Cat / Krayzie Bone / DJ Pozition – Legendary Hip Hop Rappers/DJ – riding in low riders “Building Communities Through Hip Hop”
A’lasia Simone – Actress, model, host – HBO “Insecure”, Showtime “Shameless”, Principle is Disney Commercial
Tanya Nolan – Singer – The TX native is currently enjoying the success of her 3rd Billboard Top 20 R&B single, “PACE YOURSELF” featuring Grammy nominated Recording Artist Raheem DeVaughn. Tanya is also the proud owner of the biggest school facility in the state of Texas. Later this summer, Tanya Nolan will be releasing her new EP. She can be found at @IAMTANYANOLAN on all socials.
*talent subject to change
ACTIVITIES & SCHEDULE AT THE UNITY FESTIVAL:
YOUTH VILLAGE: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Orange County Alumnae Chapter Managed by Wanda Reynolds, Coordinator
· Youth Entertainment
· Senior College $10,000 Scholarships sponsored by Van’s
· Van’s Creative Corner
· Live Music Fest at the James Weldon Stage
· Youth Art Contest (k-12 ) – Artwork will be on display in the OCHC Exhibit Art Exhibit at the MUZEO Museum and Cultural Center beginning February 18, 2023
HEALTH VILLAGE: National Council of Negro Women OC under the direction of DeVera Heard, Coordinator
Onsite testing, healthcare issues, dental care booth with special handouts gifts for children and more.
· Abrazar, Inc – multicultural, multigenerational community-based agency whose core work serves economically challenged and fixed-income populations access quality health care, dental care, food, education, housing, translation and transportation services
· Advance OC – Advance OC’s mission is to use innovation and strategic philanthropy to address inequities in Orange County communities.
· CalOptima – Will share information about CalOptima Medi-Cal benefits and services.
· Caregiver Resource Center Orange County (Providence) – Will provide services and support for family caregivers in Orange County.
· Chorus Innovations, Orange County Health Care Agency (OC Navigator) – Introduce OC Navigator, a tool to find and connect with local resources.
· HEAAL Collective (Health Equity for African American’s League) – Currently surveying the Black community of Orange County to uncover and address the inequities that affect our health.
Our goal at HEAAL is to identify the social determinants of health outcomes within the Black American community in Orange County. We are currently surveying Black residents and workers in Orange County, and those using our medical resources, but live outside of Orange County. We have provided the link to the survey, our website, an email address and have attached is the flyer with a QR code. http://www.heaaloc.org/survey/
· HerStory, Inc. – to provide a safe space for pregnant and postpartum BIPOC families to learn, create community, and thrive.
· The Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies (MECCA) – Mental Health/Substance Use Prevention Education, Older Adult Services, Home Visitation
· National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) – Health Village is hosted by NCNW OC and located at Anaheim Blvd and Center Street
· Norooz Clinic Foundation – Mental health clinic offering affordable and accessible mental health services
· OneLegacy Foundation – Organ Procurement Organization
· Planned Parenthood (Orange and San Bernadino) – Information on reproductive health care and education
A special THANK YOU to our SPONSORS:
The City of Anaheim – The city of Anaheim has proudly served as host city of the OCHC Black History Parade & Unity Fair since 2010, with the city’s mayor and other City Council members taking part in the parade, use of Pearson Park for staging and extensive city planning day of the event support
Van’s – $10,000 for scholarships
· Disneyland – $10,000 for parade – “ The Disneyland Resort is proud to support the Orange County Heritage Council’s 43rd Annual Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival.”
“Faith and prayer without action is meaningless,” said Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-13), the longest serving — and the highest ranking — African American member of California’s delegation to United States House of Representatives.
“House Democrats have met the moment and passed critical gun reform in the 117th Congress,” she added in a statement her office released last week. Lee was reacting to back-to-back mass shootings in three California cities: Monterey Park, Half Moon Bay and Oakland.
The mass shootings left 19 people dead and at least 15 more people injured.
About a week before the Monterey Park shooting, six members of a family, including an infant, were shot and killed at their home in Goshen, a small town in Central California with a population of about 5,000 people.
“It is now on Republicans in both the House and Senate to stand up to the gun lobby and prevent the next tragedy,” Lee emphasized.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Californians should “stand united against all attempts to divide us.”
“The reports coming out of Monterey Park are absolutely devastating. Families deserve to celebrate the holidays in peace — mass shootings and gun violence are a plague on our communities,” she said.
The frustration expressed in Lee’s and Bass’ remarks about the unending occurrences of gun violence in the United States (there have been 44 deaths by guns across the country in January alone) is not isolated. That sentiment was echoed in statements made by civic and political leaders across California.
Last Monday, Gov. Newsom was consoling victims of the Monterey Park killing when his visit was interrupted with news about another incident of gun violence.
“Tragedy upon tragedy,” the Governor took to Twitter, expressing his disappointment.
“At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay,” he wrote.
Responding to Newsom, some Twitter users pointed out what seems like an irony to them: the series of horrific killings that happened despite California’s forceful firearm laws, the strongest regulations of their kind in the nation.
“Funny how your strict gun laws in CA aren’t working,” Twitter user S.D. Dank replied to Newsom.
But proponents of gun restrictions point out that California has a lower gun mortality rate per capita than states with more permissive gun policies like Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. All three states are among areas with the highest recorded rates of gun deaths in the country.
“Only Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New York, and Connecticut have lower firearm mortality rates,” a statement released by the California Department of Justice reports.
While visiting Half Moon Bay the next day, the Governor’s irritation was clear.
“I’m damn sick and tired of this stuff. I’m sick and tired of this. I don’t ever want to see this again,” he told reporters.
The Saturday night before, authorities say, a 72-year-old Asian American gunman, Huu Can Tran, walked into a Monterey Park dance studio where the local Asian community was celebrating the Lunar New Year. Tran shot 42 rounds from a semiautomatic gun into the crowd of partygoers assembled there. Eleven people died.
Then on Monday, San Mateo police accused another elderly Asian American man, Chunli Zhao, 66, of shooting and killing four people at a mushroom farm in Half Moon Bay and three others at a location nearby.
A few hours later the same day in Oakland, authorities say multiple shooters fired rounds into a crowd of about 50 people shooting a music video. One person died and about seven more were injured. At press time, the shooters involved in that Bay Area shooting were still at-large.
Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) is a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and one of the most outspoken supporters of strong gun laws serving in the State Legislature.
Last year, Newsom signed into law a bill Gipson authored, AB 1621, that tightened existing restrictions on “ghost guns,” firearms that are privately manufactured or assembled.
“Another senseless mass shooting in our community in this state, the family and friends need more than prayers, they need/we need more federal sensible gun legislation signed into law in hopes that these things will not happen again in any community in this country,” he tweeted.
Across the aisle, Gipson’s Republican colleagues in the Assembly acknowledged the seriousness of the mass shootings but insisted that more gun laws are not the solution.
“Another gun safety law won’t stop these mass shootings … we have to go deeper…policies that deter and prevent the individual behavior,” Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) tweeted.
State officials from both parties, gun safety advocates and other concerned citizens assembled for a vigil on the Capitol steps in Sacramento last Monday During the event, attendees began to receive news about the Half Moon Bay shooting.
“There’s still a lot that we are learning about these particular cases. We won’t jump to conclusions,” said Sen. Alex Padilla. “But we do take it as a reminder of the urgency with which we need to strengthen our gun safety laws across the country.”
CLBC Vice Chair, Sen. Steven Bradford, said the mass shootings left him “heartbroken and angry.”
“This shooting, again, points out that we must do more to protect everyone from gun violence,” he added.
Justin Zhu is the co-founder of Stand with Asian Americans, a coalition seeking justice and equity for Asian Americans that was started by businesspeople and activists in response to an increasing number of hate crimes perpetrated against people of Asian descent.
Zhou said the shootings left him feeling hopeless amid a social climate that feels chaotic to him.
“After these horrific crimes, the vast number of lives lost, and the years of heightened racism, hate and fear, Asian Americans are experiencing immense and complex pain. For thousands of years, Lunar New Year has been a celebration of not only happiness and luck, but also for coming together, and the Year of the Rabbit can symbolize healing,” he said. “To feel our communities wrenched apart at this moment, repeatedly, we are angry, blindsided and shattered.”
“This important settlement with Hesperia prevents the so-called ‘crime-free’ program from devastating individuals and families with the emotional upheaval and financial hardship that accompanies evictions that occur with little notice,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada.
By Gail Fry | WSS News Contributor
On December 14, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a press release obtained by The Westside Story Newspaper, where they announced a landmark settlement reached with the City of Hesperia (Hesperia), its police department, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD) after it found the city discriminated against Black and Latino Renters through its Crime-Free Rental Program.
Those negatively impacted by Hesperia’s “crime-free” program may be compensated under the settlement fund and are asked to contact the DOJ by calling 1-833-223-1571 or by applying online at Hesperia.Investigation@usdoj.gov.
DOJ observed between 2010 to present, the City of Hesperia’s demographics rapidly changed to where Latino and Black residents exceeded the population of White residents. The number of Latino residents went up by 140% between 2000 and 2010, from 18,400 to 44,091, while Black residents went up by 103% from 2,388 to 4,853. However, White residents decreased from 64.2% in 2000 down to 35.8% by 2016.
DOJ alleged Hesperia, wishing to change demographic trends, decided to act by adopting an ordinance for the claimed intent to lower its crime rate using the Crime-Free Rental Program. On November 17, 2015, Hesperia, supported by the Hesperia Police Department (HPD), approved the Crime-Free Rental Program.
Hesperia contracts its police services, exercised by the Hesperia Police Department, through the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Hesperia asserted the ordinance would cut crime. DOJ found Hesperia’s true intent was countering demographic trends by evicting Black and Latino renters, while scaring others from relocating to Hesperia.
Landlords were required to register their rental properties, include a “Crime-free Lease Addendum” (Addendum) in residential leases, pay for annual inspections by the HPD, provide tenant applications to HPD and pay for criminal background checks. The City of Hesperia created and implemented a fee schedule, financial fines up to $500, and criminal penalties for noncompliance.
The Addendum allowed if any occupant, guest, or others under the tenant’s control was involved in criminal activity near the property, a three-day notice to quit could issue. The City of Hesperia gave HPD the authority to decide what was so-called criminal activity and to notify, and order landlords to evict a renter.
BENTSEN HPD SOLE AUTHORITY
HPD Captain Nils Bentsen assured the city council an eviction under the Crime-Free Rental Program would not require an arrest, prosecution, or conviction, because it was a civil action and claimed it was needed based on what DOJ found to have been exaggerated statistics and falsely claimed a connection between higher crime, and rental properties.
BENTSEN CIVIL PROCESS
BENTSEN REDUCE CRIME RENTALS
DOJ viewed Hesperia’s city council meetings videos where they heard council members discredit those living in Section 8 Housing, and Black and Latino renters moving to Hesperia from Los Angeles.
Words like “those kind of people, who are of no value to this community,” and “I want them the hell out of our town, and I don’t care where they go,” were heard from Late Hesperia City Council member Russ Blewett describing the renters.
BLEWETT STOP BAD PEOPLE
Hesperia Mayor Eric Schmidt quoted by DOJ explained, “People from Los Angeles County were moving to Hesperia as a cheap place to hide, bringing their tainted history, and aggravating Hesperia residents.”
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Holland justified, “We are surgically going after those elements that create an inordinate amount of the problem in every single neighborhood.” DOJ quoted Holland reasoning it would cause every landlord “to rid his rental…of that blight” similar to “call[ing] an exterminator out to kill roaches, same difference.”
HOLLAND SURGICAL APPROACH
“We’ve had a lot of people from over the hill move up here that are not very friendly people, and we need to work on getting them out of here,” Hesperia City Council Member Mike Leonard observed explaining the program would address Hesperia’s Section 8 problems, objecting taxpayers pay higher taxes to subsidize these people.
LEONARD SECTION 8
At the meeting, HPD Captain Bentsen reinforced the city council members’ views of Latino, and Black renters, and Section 8 recipients, describing them as threatening, unfriendly, and harming homeowners. Bentsen shared how, in the past, it took years for him to discover a criminal charge he could use to evict Section 8 renters.
Bentsen decried state and federal laws restricting the city’s ability to address the alleged crime problem, reasoning the Crime-Free Rental Program was the only option.
BENTSEN NEW STRATEGY
DOJ found HPD contributed prior resources and support for Hesperia’s proposed Crime-Free Rental Program, planned an enforcement unit, and purchased crime-free tracking software. With the ordinance approved, DOJ found HPD liberally applied its Crime-Free Rental Program toward Black and Latino renters.
Captain Bentsen, in uniform, a proponent of the ordinance, attended numerous city council meetings in support of the ordinance, is now Hesperia’s City Manager.
Landlords, property managers, a California Apartment Association representative, and a Fair Housing Council of Riverside representative questioned the program’s legality, and potential legal liability, objected to the burden placed on landlords, and diversion of law enforcement resources. Bentsen disputed their concerns.
BENTSEN RESPONSE FAIR HOUSING
Overriding their objections, the Hesperia City Council approved the Crime-Free Rental Ordinance. DOJ determined Hesperia and HPD evicted largely Black and Latino renters without legal basis, discriminated based on national origin, while stripping others of their right to live in Hesperia.
The five-year consent order between DOJ and Hesperia and its police department, requires Hesperia to create a $670,000 settlement fund to address the harms their actions had on minority renters, pay $100,000 in civil penalties; require Hesperia to spend $95,000 in funding to promote fair housing; and set aside $85,000 for partnerships with community-based organizations, totaling $950,000.
The consent order requires Hesperia to notify landlords and property managers of ordinance and fee schedule changes; DOJ’s review and approval prior to approving certain policies, procedures and ordinances; non-discrimination policies and complaint procedures be implemented; designate civil rights coordinators; anti-discrimination training; an assessment of fair housing needs; and consistent reporting to the court and the DOJ.
Our weekly coverage of local news in San Bernardino County is supported by the Ethnic Media Sustainability Initiative, a program supported by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services to support minority-owned-and-operated community newspapers in California.
Dr. Rex Fortune, who was a husband and father, an educator, author and advocate passed away on January 29, 2023, at the age of 81. He devoted his life to lifting up the most vulnerable students and closing the academic achievement gap and in doing so made a lasting impact on the lives of countless students and faculty members during his extensive career.
Born in 1942, Fortune earned his B.S. degree in biology and US Army Commission from North Carolina A&T State University and then completed a MA in educational administration from the University of California, Berkeley and a PhD in educational administration from Stanford University.
He worked as a teacher and administrator for many years, including as superintendent of the Inglewood Unified School District and the Center Unified School District and associate superintendent of Public Instruction for the California Department of Education under his mentor, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Wilson Riles. Fortune also co-founded the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA).
Fortune founded the Fortune School of Education where he served as chairman of the board. He had several public schools named for him in the Sacramento region including Rex and Margaret Fortune Early College High School and most recently, Rex Fortune Elementary School in the Center Unified School District, opening in 2023. Fortune was known for his unwavering commitment to his students and staff, and his passion for education inspired many.
He was a mentor to many young educators and a friend to all. He was dedicated to making sure every student had access to quality education and the support they needed to succeed. He also created the Parenting Practices Academy, a resource empowering parents to become more involved in creating an environment that results in children being prepared for college.
Fortune published several books on education including “Bridging the Achievement Gap: What Successful Educators and Parents Do,” and “Leadership on Purpose: Promising Practices for African American and Hispanic Students.”
He is survived by his wife, three children and two grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, and his legacy will continue to live on through the countless lives he touched.
Yeah, The [Devil’s] Matrix! “Do you want to know what “it” is? asks Morpheus. Neo nods, Yes! The [Devil’s] Matrix it is a world of lies, deceptions, and illusions. It is all around us. You can see it when you look out your window, or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work and when you go to church. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.” “What truth?” asks Neo. “That you are a slave, Neo. That you were born into bondage, like everyone else. Born into a prison where you cannot see, or taste, or touch. A prison, for your mind.” The [Devil’s] Matrix! You have to see it for yourself.”
[Then Morpheus takes out two pills: one blue, one red].
“This is your last chance. After this there’s no turning back. You take the blue pill the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, and you stay in wonderland, and I will show you how deep the rabbit holes goes. Remember all I’m offering is the truth nothing more.” Now, choose Whom this day you will serve!
Neo chooses the red pill, and the Matrix starts to breakdown. He sees the world for how it really is. He realizes that the truth is a war between good and evil, and the allures of this world are nothing but illusions, lies, and deceptions. The [Devil’s] Matrix!
Grid your loin. Watch – be vigilant and on guard, fully awake, aware, alert and intently focused, because soon and very soon mankind will endure intensifying violence, destruction, chaos, and judgment on a worldwide scale regardless as to what man’s report says.
I admonish you to be like Noah. “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house.” And while he built it, he preached to the people–warning them about what was about to go down. But the rest of the people ignored the warnings and when the flood came, they all drowned. They lost their lives because when warned, for whatever reason, they took no action, until it was too late. [Hebrews 11].
Let him that readeth understand! The [Devil’s] Matrix! Lies, Deception, and Illusion!
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” [Ephesians 6].
Civic Leaders Condemn Graphic Beating Of 29-Year-Old at The Hands Of Memphis Police Officers; Urge Caution When Watching Video
By Verbal Adam | OBSERVER Correspondent
As protests erupted Friday in cities across America over the brutal killing of former Sacramento resident Tyre Nichols at the hands of five Memphis police officers, local leaders across the racial and political spectrum joined together to condemn the horrific beating.
The Greater Sacramento NAACP held a press conference at City Hall where local political, community, and religious leaders gathered with members of Tyre Nichols’ family.
“On behalf of the people of our city, I am filled with anger, sorrow and revulsion about what happened to Tyre Nichols,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “We all should be furious that public servants trusted to protect life and the community would treat a fellow human being so cruelly.”
Nichols was born in Sacramento, on June 15, 1993. According to loved ones, it was here that he developed his love of skateboarding and photography. At the start of the pandemic, he moved to Memphis to be closer to his mother. He also worked alongside his stepfather at the FedEx Hub. Coworkers recalled how he would jokingly call himself the box manager. Those close to him said he found real happiness in Memphis, often watching and photographing the sunset. He had no criminal record, no history of substance abuse, and by all accounts he was respectful and always filled with joy.
Around 8:30 pm on the evening of Jan. 7, Nichols, 29, was stopped by Memphis police officers. The Memphis PD initially maintained that Nichols had been stopped for reckless driving, fled the vehicle on foot, was pursued by officers and taken into custody. Once in custody they maintained that Nichols complained of shortness of breath and was transported to the hospital in critical condition. He died three days later on Jan 10. Within 10 days the U.S. Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation and all five officers involved were fired on the grounds of excessive force, failure to intervene, and failure to render aid. Additionally, the Police Department says it has no evidence that Nichols committed any traffic violation.
Local activist Stevante Clark called for a national “duty to intervene law” which would hold police accountable for failing to act when witnessing another officer commit a crime.
“Their silence is compliance,” Clark said. “If you have 1,300 good cops, and 12 bad cops and the 1,300 good cops don’t say anything about those 12 bad cops, they’re just as guilty.” Clark’s older brother Stephon was killed in 2018 by Sacramento Police who mistook his cell phone for a handgun. The officers responsible were cleared by the Police Department and returned to duty in 2019.
Mayor Steinberg, who was hesitant to criticize the Sacramento Police Department following the killing of Stephon Clark until he saw the body camera footage first hand, told Nichols’ family Friday: “To Tyre Nichols’ parents and family, our society has failed you. I am so sorry for your loss.”
Sacramento NAACP President Betty Williams expressed the feelings of many in the Black community after seeing the inhumanity displayed in the video: “One. If just one officer would have said ‘Let’s stop’ if just one would have said ‘We’ve done too much’ if just one officer had a heart, that’s all [Tyre Nichols] needed to be alive.”
Stevante Clark held a protest at the Capitol at the moment the video was released. He fought back tears as he watched the brutality. Deterring from his original plan to march around the Capitol building, Clark led a crowd through the streets of downtown Sacramento calling for justice. Police moved fast to block traffic in the blocks surrounding the protest but did not intervene even as traffic was blocked. Clark directed the marchers not to be disruptive but to bring awareness.
By 3:59 p.m. PST, the California Highway Patrol had stationed dozens of officers in the areas surrounding the State Capitol building. Meanwhile, city leaders across the country understood that the video that would be released in minutes, showing what five Memphis police officers did to Nichols, could incite mass outrage.
The Graphic Video
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The OBSERVER has chosen not to provide links to the video beating)
All five former officers — Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith — were members of the Memphis Police’s SCORPION unit. SCORPION is an acronym for Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace In Our Neighborhoods. SCORPION is a 40-officer group that deploys in neighborhoods, with a focus on crime hot spots. The officers often operate in unmarked vehicles, make traffic stops, seize weapons and conduct hundreds of arrests.
Photos released by the family showed Nichols in a hospital bed severely wounded, eyes swollen shut and breathing through tubes. Ben Crump — the attorney who represented the families of George Floyd, Breona Taylor and Stephon Clark — has been retained for the Nichols family. A preliminary autopsy ordered by Crump has revealed Nichols suffered a heart attack, kidney failure and extensive bleeding caused by a severe beating.
The former officers, all of whom are Black, each face several charges, including second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
The video, which begins with footage from the original stop, shows officers behaving in a hyper aggressive manner threatening to break Nichols’ bones and ordering him to be tased less than 10 seconds into the altercation while a confused Nichols complies with their orders to get out of the vehicle and lie down on the ground. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Momma help me!” Nichols can be heard saying as officers prepare to tase him.
Nichols attempts to flee only to be tackled to the ground, tased again, have a can of mace emptied directly into his eyes, is beaten unconscious, held up by officers while unconscious and beaten with a baton, kicked, stomped, and tased again before being left to bleed out on a cold Tennessee street for 20 minutes until an ambulance arrived. The video is so graphic that Nichols’ mother was unable to watch more than a minute.
Blacks Face ‘Secondary Trauma’
Black mental health professionals have urged African Americans for several years to use caution when viewing such graphic images of Blacks being brutally abused or murdered.
“This is our story. This is our narrative,” Sacramento psychologist Dr. Lenora Tate told The OBSERVER in 2021 following the killing of George Floyd. “Not only have we been traumatized, but even if we haven’t and we see those that either look like us, or we always see an event in which we have survived, but that other person has been mistreated, it causes what we call secondary trauma.
“It’s secondary trauma because it didn’t happen to you. You weren’t getting beat up or they didn’t have their knee on your neck…but you witnessed it, or you heard about it second hand. It’s secondary, but we still have those feelings of low energy, being tired, nightmares, feeling numb, feeling hopeless, feeling overwhelmed. Some people have difficulty coping. They hit the bar or they hit that weed or do self-harm. They turn those things inward. Some people have flashbacks, some people just get really nauseated. Some people have intrusive thoughts,” she told The OBSERVER.
When speaking about watching the Derek Chauvin trial of the killing of George Floyd, Dr. Kristee Haggins, a psychologist, professor and the creator of Sacramento’s Safe Black Space healing circles, told The OBSERVER in 2021 that while she pays attention to what is happening, she has to use self-care to protect herself. “…I can’t (watch) it for too long or on a regular basis, because it is overwhelming.”
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