By Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media

On Tuesday January 10, at a press conference held in Sacramento, Gov. Gavin Newsom presented his first draft of the state’s 2023-2024 budget to the Legislature.

The proposal, which totaled $223.6 billion, is the first spending plan developed under the supervision of Joe Stephenshaw, the first Black director of the California Department of Finance. The state’s budget for the next fiscal year presents a more modest outlook than last year’s, which totaled $240 billion.

In his presentation, Newsom assured Californians that the state has $35.6 billion in reserves, which the governor says he intends not to touch.

Stephenshaw, who took the podium after the governor, explained that the decrease in the budget and the decision not to tap into the reserves are not actions taken in anticipation of an impending recession.

Instead, he said, the state is practicing “moderation” due to witnessing “slower growth” revenues than was expected last year.

An assessment of Newsom’s budget proposal by the independent Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) determined that a recession is not an unlikely possibility and praised the proposed budget for making financial sense.

“Notably, the Governor does not propose using any reserves,” LAO’s statement read. “This approach is prudent given the downside risk to revenues posed by the current heightened risk of recession.

The statement also cautioned lawmakers.

“We recommend the Legislature maintain this approach during its own planning process,” the statement continued.

Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Gardena), vice chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) said the state’s more cautious spending plan for the next fiscal year is a “step in the right direction” but promised to continue to fight to fund priorities that are critical for California’s most “marginalized” and “vulnerable” communities.

“As many Californians are struggling to pay for groceries, housing, and gas, the state faces its own money concerns. A projected budget shortfall of about $24 billion will challenge the Legislature and the Governor to ensure our investments will provide services to those Californians who need them the most,” he observed.

“I look forward to the budget process and will work to make sure any adjustments to investments in jobs, healthcare, education and public safety are viewed under a lens of equity,” Bradford added.

Some observers praised the Newsom’s draft budget because it did not come with new taxes.

“I was pleased to see that taxes are not part of the new state budget,” Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland)
said in a statement released by his office on the day of the announcement.

“Even though California faces a budget deficit, we will continue moving forward to improve education, reduce homelessness, and combat fentanyl use, especially among our children and youth to ensure public safety and economic development in the face of threats from flooding, wildfires, drought, and other climate extremes,” Ramos promised.

The budget proposal focuses heavily on education, with provisions for public schools, colleges, universities and other academic support, accounting for about 46% of the general fund.

About 36.3% is allotted to K-12 education and 10.1% is earmarked for higher education.

Chair of the CLBC Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) praised Newsom for specifically committing $300 million to K-12 education to close the academic achievement gap of low-income students.

“Thank you, Governor @GavinNewsom for including this funding in the budget and shout out to my colleague Asm. Akilah Weber, MD, for her tireless work on this issue,” Wilson tweeted.

Some Republican lawmakers issued brisk criticisms of Newsom’s spending plan and Democrats’ endorsement of it.

“Democrat politicians have wasted a record surplus on new social programs and pork projects, while allowing our aging infrastructure to crumble. Now, we are faced with a $22 billion deficit as a result of their fiscal recklessness. It’s high time we refocus our budget on the core functions of government,” said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (D-Yuba City).

“As California bounces between flooding and drought, it is abundantly clear that we need new water storage, and yet there is still no dedicated funding this year or next to meet that need. Instead, the Governor protects failed programs that haven’t made a dent our state’s highest-in-the-nation poverty rate.”

In his presentation, Newsom evoked Proposition 98 which requires a minimum funding level for community colleges and other schools.

After education, the second-highest funded priority is health services and initiatives at 23.4% of total spending.

If the Legislature approves, some of the monies for health funding will go toward mental health for programs like CARE Court and CalAim.

There are also funds dedicated to reproductive care.

In a statement, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California stood behind the governor’s decision.

“Maintaining and pursuing new investments is critical in the pursuit of accessibility and equity for California patients and those forced to seek care here,” the statement read.

Another 8.6% of the budget will go toward human services, 4.3% will go to natural resources, and 10.7% will go to other efforts.

“With our state and nation facing economic headwinds, this budget keeps the state on solid economic footing while continuing to invest in Californians,” said Newsom.

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) – also a member of the CLBC – expressed her support on Twitter.

“Governor Newsom’s proposed 2023-24 state budget preserves a lot of the progress we’ve made over the past few years and helps navigate short term fiscal issues while maintaining our long-term vision for CA,” she tweeted.

During the press conference, Newsom indicated that he believes continued investments in things like universal healthcare will bring about radical change for the state.

Over the next five months, the Governor and the Legislature will work to hash out their differences and present an updated draft proposal, commonly known as the “May Revise.”

By law, Legislators have until June 15 to approve the final budget, which takes effect July 1.

By Aldon Thomas Stiles| California Black Media

Over the last few weeks storms have torn through many of California’s communities, prompting evacuations in areas like Planada and Merced due to widespread flooding.

There have been at least 19 fatalities due to storm related incidents, according to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

Friday, January13, marked the end of the seventh storm and beginning of the eighth storm in a series of nine storms.

That day, Gov. Newsom paid a visit to Santa Barbara, joining first responders, volunteers, and members of Cal Guard as they filled sandbags in preparation for the storm to come.

“The magnitude of this is not isolated to smaller communities, it is scaled across the largest state in our union,” Newsom said at a press conference held in Santa Barbara.

Newsom said that Californians can expect these storms to continue through at least the 18th of this month.

But what does this mean for the state’s long-standing drought?

Since 2019, California has been experiencing its driest period in 1,200 years, according to a study published by Nature Climate Change.

Molly White, the State Water Project’s Water Operations Manager, says that the statewide reservoir storage sits at 87% of the historical average, surpassing the 2021 and 2022 levels.

“We’re certainly, across the state, seeing an increase in storage with this storm activity,” White said during a presentation hosted by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).

However, there are variations in water storage from county to county.

This has much to do with how areas get their water supply as some areas rely on groundwater – which usually accounts for about 30% to 60% of the state’s total water supply, depending on the year; others rely more heavily on surface storage.

Tim Godwin, DWR Supervising Engineering Geologist at the Sustainable Groundwater Management Office, talked about how the framework for groundwater storage is outlined in the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).

Signed in 2014, SGMA was conceived to protect water present below the earth’s surface by requiring local agencies to form groundwater sustainability agencies to manage water in their respective regions.

“Groundwater is best managed locally,” Godwin said during the online presentation. “It also acknowledges that groundwater and surface water are intimately connected.”

The Flood Operations Center (FOC) has identified six focus areas critical in the flood prevention effort: the Pajaro River in Santa Cruz and Monterey County, the Salinas River in Monterey County, the Cosumnes River in Sacramento County, Bear Creek River in Merced County, the Russian River in Mendocino and Sonoma County, and the State-Federal Flood Control system in Sacramento and the San Joaquin Valleys.

Even when the storms slow, state officials claim that water levels will remain high due to the fluctuations in some of these target areas.

On Jan. 14, President Joe Biden approved the state’s emergency declaration, making federal funding available for Merced, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz.

Additionally, Newsom proposed $202 million in flood prevention in the 2023-2024 budget proposal.

Newsom claimed that these storms – and other tumultuous weather conditions are not happenstance, but a symptom of climate change.

“Megadroughts. Wildfires. Historic floods and atmospheric rivers. This whiplash weather is not an anomaly. California is proof that the climate crisis is real, and we have to take it seriously,” Newsom tweeted.

Newsom commended those who have been at the front line of these treacherous storms.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the first responders and everyday Californians stepping up across the state to help support communities impacted by these ongoing storms,” Newsom said in a statement. “With more difficult days ahead, it’s critical that Californians stay alert to conditions in their area and follow guidance from local emergency responders to stay safe.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On Monday, January 16, 2023, the Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches hosted their 43rd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast. The community thanks Bishop Kevin Simmons and IECAAC for their leadership and dedication to the community throughout the years.

The highly respected non-profit executive makes history by becoming the first woman Chief

LOS ANGELES, CA—- Cynthia Mitchell Heard, a highly respected leader in nonprofit, has joined the Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL) as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). The announcement was made by Ambassador Michael A. Lawson, President and CEO of the perennial civil rights organization. The appointment is a historic one for the iconic organization, with Ms. Heard becoming the first woman to hold this leadership position at LAUL.

“We are excited to have Cynthia Heard as our new Chief Operating Officer,” said Ambassador
Lawson. “Ms. Heard has an extensive background and experience in the non-profit world and her accomplishments in bettering the lives of disenfranchised communities in Los Angeles are admirable and remarkable. We are looking forward to her leadership as we move the Los Angeles Urban League into its second 100 years of service.”

Cynthia Mitchell Heard previously served as Vice President of Business Development and Communications for the YWCA Greater Los Angeles (YWCA, GLA), creating and helming unprecedented social impact campaigns which serve as a blueprint for systemic change. Ms. Heard created a myriad of public/private, state, local and federal partnerships to design innovative community and operational collaborations throughout Los Angeles County to fund supportive services. During the COVID 19 pandemic, she developed key funding mechanisms through her steadfast efforts and assisted with promoting economic stability through public private workforce development, community engagement and securing resources to improve disenfranchised communities that experienced lack of access.

Prior, Ms. Heard served as Senior Executive Vice President of Programs for Children Uniting Nations (CUN) where she developed national collaborative stakeholder partnerships and created statewide bi-partisan advocacy initiatives that focused on new avenues to break down the barriers that surround at-risk/foster youth and marginalized families.

“It is my honor to join President & CEO, Michael Lawson, and the entire team at the Los Angeles Urban League,” said Cynthia Heard. “I am truly looking forward to embracing the mission of LAUL and the commitment of this stellar team as we continue the advancement of the ongoing community engagement programs, economic stability/self-reliance, civil rights advocacy and the workforce enrichment of our marginalized and disenfranchised communities throughout Los Angeles.”

TidalWave Comics is proud to announce the addition of a comic book focusing on Brittney Griner to its popular “Female Force” series. “Female Force: Brittney Griner” will be released this week.

“Female Force: Brittney Griner” written by Michael Frizell, with art by Martin Gimenez. This 22-page comic book is available digitally and in print and can be found on multiple platforms such as Amazon. The book will be available in softcover and hardcover.

Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner told ESPN, “Don’t worry about what other people are going to say, because they’re always going to say something, but if you’re just true to yourself, let that shine through. Don’t hide who you really are.” Despite personal challenges, her meteoric rise in the WNBA after a storied college hoops career inspires many. But her detainment in Russia for carrying less than a gram of cannabis oil in a vape cartridge through an airport has overshadowed her achievements. Read her inspirational story in this latest installment of “Female Force”.

“We started working on this script before the incident in Russia. My initial approach was to explore her history to show her growth as an athlete and person. I’ve found Brittney’s story fascinating despite not knowing much about the WNBA before I started the research. I hope readers will walk away understanding the person behind the headlines,” said writer Michael Frizell.

“This story is about an athlete who overcame obstacles to become a significant player in the WNBA – not about politics. We started working on this story about four years ago to diversify the line, as we’ve featured several male athletes in past issues. Her development as an athlete, and her struggle with coming to terms with being a gay, black woman, first at a religious college and then in the national spotlight, are the focus of this issue. Since we have 24-pages to tell the story, we used that focus to inform what should be included and what we’d have to leave out. For example, as her story developed, we thought we should add two pages about her arrest in Russia. However, as the artist finished the interiors, a deal was struck with Russian authorities, so we rewrote those two pages to ensure our information was accurate,” said publisher Darren G. Davis “She has an amazing personal story, and we wanted to tell more stories about women in sports. She just happened to be the first. We have plans for women in soccer (football) and more.”

The “Female Force” imprint features prominent and influential authors, business executives, entertainers, journalists, politicians, and activists. The latest biography comic book joins TidalWave’s ever-growing library of more than 200 comic book biographies. — Previous titles have profiled other inspirational women such as Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Gloria Steinem, Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey and more.

The biographical comic series has drawn a firestorm of media attention, including features on “The Today Show” CNN, MSNBC, and Sports Illustrated, and in TIME and People magazines.

TidalWave Comics’ vast catalog of titles can also be downloaded digitally from Kindle, iTunes, EPIC!, ComiXology, Global Comics, Google Play, Overdrive, Library Pass, Biblioboard, Nook, Kobo and wherever eBooks are sold.

To download a five-page preview plus the covers for your use in your publication, please credit: TidalWave Productions. Click here for the images: bit.ly/3ZDNdq1

By Lou K Coleman-Yeboah

Do you see the Globalist Agenda, the Global Reset, the Beast System Emerging? Do you see it? The stage is being set for FINAL events but yet again, every seeing but never perceiving, every hearing but never understanding. [Mark 4:12].

Listen, all end-time events that we need to know have been prophesied and record in Scripture for our knowledge and understanding. If we are watchful, we can follow the trend of events recorded in the Bible that are unfolding before our very eyes. Get ready! Get ready! Get ready! Because I tell you, the Mark of the Beast is ALREADY HERE, and things are about to be off the chain. And if you think what’s been happening over the past year, or two or three has been chaos and crazy, prepare for it to get a whole lot crazier and, I ‘m not saying that to induce fear and to instill fear. I’m saying that to prepare you, so it doesn’t catch you off guard. None of this is to induce fear, but to let you know and to make it very, very clear, all hell is about to break loose. Because Biblical End-times Prophecy Unfolding Right Before Our Eyes!

But despite these dark days of doom and gloom that will consume everything we have ever known, there still is an even greater hope for an escape to safety.  The Bible doesn’t just predict the coming horrible events with no purpose—it tells us what is to come to get us to realize that we need an escape route which can save us. This is a call for you to be alert! Eyes wide open. Study each of the end time events – World War 3; the Sixth Trumpet war – [Revelation 9]. The New World Order; the combined kings of the earth in the Last days; – [Daniel 2, Daniel 7, Revelation 13 and 17]. The Confirmation of the Covenant; the signing of a seven-year peace agreement; – [Daniel 9:27].  Rise of the Antichrist and False Prophet to power; – [Daniel 2, 7-12, Revelation 13 and 17]. Jewish temple rebuilt and the Third Temple – [Daniel 9 and 11, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Matthew 24:15, Revelation 11].

Signs of the Time – [Matthew 24:3-51, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, Luke 17:26-33, Matthew 24:37-39]. Rapture of the Church [1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Philippians 3:20-21]. Great Tribulation [Matthew 24:21]. Second Coming of Christ – [Revelation 19:11-18, Matthew 24:30], and the Millennium— the 1,000 Year Reign of Jesus Christ on this Earth [Revelation 20:6, Isaiah 65:20–22, Isaiah 11:6-10].

I tell you, it’s time to wake from your slumber. Bible prophecy is unfolding before our very eyes, and things are speeding up very quickly. Heed the signs. Heed the warnings. Give your life to Jesus today… for we truly are in the end times.

By Michael Klitzing

The names J. Luke Wood and Frank Harris III have been inextricably linked for more than a decade. The San Diego State University professors have been fruitful collaborators on research into racial equity in education since 2011 — work they have amplified as co-founders of SDSU’s Community College Equity Assessment Lab.

Now, the duo shares another notable distinction. On Jan. 5, Wood and Harris both appeared in the 2023 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings: 200 U.S. university-based scholars who shape educational practice and policy. The list represents the top 1% of influential education scholars in the nation from a field of over 20,000.

“The people who are on that list are the best in the country in our field — the most well-known, the most widely-cited, the folks’ legislatures and politicians are consulting for advice,” said Harris, a professor in postsecondary educational leadership who also serves as interim associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion in the College of Education.

“I just appreciate being listed among those folks — including Luke.”

Wood ranked No. 48 and Harris No. 163 on the list, compiled annually by Education Week. This ranking uses metrics such as book publishing, article citations and mentions in the media and Congressional Record. In the Curriculum, Instruction and Administration subfield, Wood was ranked No. 10 in the nation.

While 64 universities had at least one ranked scholar, SDSU is one of 32 universities nationwide, and only six in California, with multiple faculty members recognized.

“One of the things that I think we both recognized early on was that you can publish something, but it doesn’t mean that a lot of people are going to see it, and it doesn’t mean that it’s going to impact practice,” said Wood, Dean’s Distinguished Professor of Education at SDSU. “We’ve been able to publish some really good work, but we also do a lot of webinars and policy work to help people tangibly apply it to change lives. I think that we recognize that you have to have that combination. And I think that’s part of why the rankings were where they were for us.”

Wood is also the university’s vice president for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity and chief diversity officer.

In the past year, Harris and Wood have led programming on racial equity for the Association of Community College Trustees and the Community College League of California.

Their research as part of the Black Minds Matter Coalition also inspired a new California law, which went into effect this month, protecting foster youth in suspension and expulsion proceedings. AB 740 was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September 2022.

They also recently conducted a popular webinar series on racelighting, a phenomenon in which people of color are systematically manipulated into second-guessing their own lived experiences with racism. They collaborated with their partners — San Diego College of Continuing Education president Tina King and SDSU assistant professor Idara Essien — to create a lesson plan on the subject.

“I think it’s important that your work is not just sitting on the shelf,” Harris said. “It’s actually having an impact on what people do and how they serve students and teach students.”

By Aryana Noroozi

This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the city of San Bernardino gathered at “Living the Dream,” a Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza sponsored by the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce and hosted in West San Bernardino. The event held space for the community to watch performances, hear from elected officials and explore vendor booths.

Highlights of the day included a performance from the Grammy nominated group hailing from Rialto, J.J. Fad, and an inspiring message to the community from newly elected Mayor Helen Tran.

“[MLK] never led alone. He led with community. And that is what I will do as your newly elected mayor, show that we lead together and that we lead with truth, light, and unity, because we deserve it,” Tran said.

Grand Marshals for the 2023 San Bernardino MLK Parade and Extravaganza were James Ramos, California State Assemblymember; Eloise Reyes, California State Assemblymember; Joe Baca, Jr., San Bernardino County Supervisor, Fifth District; Helen Tran, San Bernardino City Mayor-Elect; and our new African American Chief of Police for the City of San Bernardino Darren L Goodman.

“[MLK] never led alone. He led with community,” said newly elected Mayor Helen Tran at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza event sponsored by the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce in San Bernardino. Credit: Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/CatchLight Local

The San Bernardino PaceSetter Team drill team lines up to perform at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza at Arroyo Valley High School in San Bernardino on January 16, 2023. The event was hosted by The Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce and featured guest appearances by the region’s elected leaders, including Mayor Helen Tran and Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, and a performance by Rialto natives, J.J. Fad. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/CatchLight Local).

The San Bernardino PaceSetter Team drill team begins their performance at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza on January 16, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/CatchLight Local).

Rialto natives, J.J. Fad perform their hit song “Supersonic,” at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza on January 16, 2023. “Supersonic” reached #10 on Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play Songs and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989, making J.J. Fad the first all-female rap group to be nominated for a Grammy award. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/CatchLight Local).

The crowd cheers and dances to J.J. Fad’s performance at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza on January 16, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom / CatchLight Local).

The crowd watches and sings along to J.J. Fad’s performance at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza on January 16, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom / CatchLight Local).

J.J. Fad members, Juana Burns “MC J.B.” and Dana Birks “Baby D” and former NWA member, producer and rapper, Arabian Prince pose for a portrait at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza on January 16, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom / CatchLight Local).

Elected officials join the celebration

Councilwoman of San Bernardino’s Sixth Ward, Kimberly Calvin thanks the public for their service at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza on January 16, 2023. “Raise your hand if you contribute to the City of San Bernardino in any capacity, because we are here to serve you and we thank you for all that you do,” Calvin said before introducing a group of elected officials including San Bernardino Mayor Tran . (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/CatchLight Local).

Newly elected Mayor of San Bernardino County, Helen Tran, addresses the crowd at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza in San Bernardino on January 16, 2023. Tran is the first Asian mayor of San Bernardino and the first Vietnamese mayor in the nation. “What really inspired me from Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was that he never led alone. He led with community,” Tran said. “As your mayor I will make sure we lead together.” (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom /CatchLight Local).

Councilmember Damon Alexander speaks to the crowd at the Martin Luther r. King Parade and Extravaganza in San Bernardino on January 16, 2023. Alexander is the first Black council member in the seventh ward. “Unity requires action,” Alexander said. “So I need everyone here to work in unity.” (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/CatchLight Local).

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (right), who represents the Inland Empire, thanks the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce for hosting the event on January 16, 2023. Senator Ochoa Bogh presented award certificates to the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s parade committee and YouthBuild Inland Empire. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/CatchLight Local).

Dr. Gwendolyn Dowdy-Rodgers, a newly elected member of the San Bernardino County School Board speaks to the crowd at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza in San Bernardino on January 16, 2023. “[MLK] said togetherness, we have to learn how to live together, or together we will perish as fools,” Dr. Dowdy-Rodgers said, quoting MLK. “Today we have defied those odds. We are here together living as one.” (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom /CatchLight Local).

Assemblymember of the 47th District, James Ramos speaks to the crowd at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza in San Bernardino on January 16, 2023. “Look at the diversity on this stage. When I grew up, you wouldn’t see this diversity representing families,” said Ramos who grew up on San Manuel tribal lands. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/CatchLight Local).

A community comes together in celebration

A Martin Luther King Jr. statue sits in the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio booth at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza in San Bernardino on January 16, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/CatchLight Local).

Ashley Dial and her daughter Imani Dial pose for a portrait at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza on January 16, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/CatchLight Local).

Celebration-goers walk through the parking lot of Arroyo Valley High School where the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza was held on January 16, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/CatchLight Local).

Tia Woods performs a song she wrote during the pandemic about getting through difficult times at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza on January 16, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/CatchLight Local).

Members of the San Bernardino PaceSetter drill team pose for a photo at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza on January 16, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/ CatchLight Local).

Felicia Alexander, Brigitte Kilpatrick and children, Destinee Kilpatrick and Dexter Kilpatrick pose for a portrait at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza on January 16, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/CatchLight Local).

Dexter Kilpatrick poses for a photo taken by his sister, Destinee Kilpatrick at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza on January 16, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/CatchLight Local).

Liyah Belvins, who was named 2022-23 Miss Black Awareness in Fontana during the annual ceremony in December, poses for a portrait at the Martin Luther King Parade and Extravaganza on January 16, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi, Black Voice News Newsroom/CatchLight Local).

Collaborators for The San Bernardino MLK Day Parade and Extravaganza include: First Five San Bernardino, The Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce, Lue Productions Community Umbrella Services, Dameron Communications, YouthBuild Inland Empire, Chords Youth Enrichment Program, San Bernardino Valley College, San Bernardino Airport, Off the Chain Alliance, Westside Story Newspaper, Empire Talks Back and Black Health Coalition.

For more information go to BlackChamberofCommerce.org or call (888) 466-7408.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- On Saturday, January 14, 2023, the Southern Black Chamber of Commerce held its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Gala Service Awards. Honorees included dignitaries from around the Inland Empire which included Wallace Allen, Wilmer Amina Carter, Danny Tillman, Hardy and Cheryl Brown, Jimmy Jews, Damon & Felicia Alexander, and Darren Goodman. The evening was filled with a cocktail hour, live entertainment, dinner, and awards and recognitions that was held at the San Bernardino International Airport.

By Jaivon Grant | California Black Media

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. was more than a social activist who, through his strong advocacy and rare brilliance, became America’s most celebrated symbol of racial justice and social progress. He was a symbol of unity, hope, and peace for people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.

He was a gifted student, who enrolled in Atlanta’s Morehouse College at the age of 15, to study medicine and law.

But MLK had no intention of following the path others imagined for him, instead becoming a pastor.

Morehouse president Dr. Benjamin Mays, a strong advocate for racial equality and a renowned theologian, inspired him to join the ministry.

As we celebrate MLK Day — on what would have been his 94th birthday — it’s important to acknowledge what the inspirational civil rights leader did for communities across the United States who face(d) racial discrimination – even today.

Here are 10 quotes from across MLK’s life that represent what he stood for.

1. “I have a dream that one day, this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed… that all men are created equal.”

This quote is culled from perhaps his most memorable speech, delivered at the Lincoln Memorial in August 1963. While highlighting the racial injustices that Black Americans faced, MLK reminded the marchers that Jim Crow discrimination had ended legally — but not in practice. It had been nearly a century since the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, but Black Americans were far from being “free,” he proffered.

King advised that those leading the charge on civil rights not let “bitterness and hatred” let their movement “degenerate into physical violence.” He encouraged his followers not to see their White supporters as enemies because Americans from all backgrounds and races need to act in solidarity.

2. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

This is MLK’s call-to-action to take an active role against injustices that are faced in society. Being passive and hoping for the best is no way to fight a problem that will cause exponential damage to the unity that so many civil rights activists have fought to achieve today and onward.

3. “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”

Every positive contribution — big or small — counts in the fight towards achieving equality. It’s easy to notice the bigger aspects of an object or idea and miss the smaller pieces that comprise them.

4. “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”

It takes true mental fortitude to establish trust with a perceived enemy. MLK was encouraging us to look past the negative things that people have done to us. It’s important to consider that even friends commit acts that you do not condone. Friendships are built on acceptance and succeed because of forgiveness between two parties. It is a nearly impossible feat without love in one’s heart.

5. “If we do an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, we will be a blind and toothless nation.”

Constantly seeking revenge will inevitably lead to an endless downward spiral of destruction for all who are involved in that dynamic. Within the same speech, King noted that “violence ends by defeating itself.” Rather than destroying enemies, we should give them perspective and understanding.

6. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere… Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

When one offense is overlooked somewhere else in the world, it makes it possible for many other injustices to be swept under the rug — especially the ones that affect us directly. For example, it should not take losing a loved one to an act of violence for us to care about everyone’s right to living in a safe community.

7. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

This quote speaks for itself. Perseverance is tested through hardship, not times of peace — and this applies to all aspects of life. Will you be in the trenches when confronted by adversity?

8. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.”

King often spoke of having love in one’s heart. In his sermon –mirroring the light-driving-out-darkness metaphor — the civil rights icon expressed that only love could drive out hate. Loving your enemies is the only way to close the rift that separates (and in this case segregates) different racial and ethnic communities.

9. “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

Disappointment does not last forever. Eventually, it ends. Despite challenges one faces, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel — when hope is in the heart.

10. “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

No matter how you do it, continue to grow and move towards progress. King preached that non-violence can be achieved. He encouraged his followers, and those who looked up to him, to not give up — press on, no matter how impossible the goal may seem. A little progress is better than none at all.

This California Black Media feature was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.