RIVERSIDE, CA—- Master horseman, Mike Jones, will be riding and performing stunts and tricks at the Charlie Sampson Rodeo, which will be held on June 28, 2025, in Norco, California. Charlie Sampson and other Black cowboys and cowgirls will be appearing in the Riverside Black History Parade and Expo in Downtown Riverside on Saturday, February 8, 2025. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and the Expo begins at 11a.m.  The public is invited to meet Charlie and take pictures with him and his horses, as well as pet the horses, and request an autograph from Charlie. Charlie’s crew also will hold a drawing during the Expo to give away some free tickets to the June Rodeo!

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – San Bernardino County, in partnership with the San Bernardino County Equity Element Group (SBC Equity Element Group), has retained the firm of Equity & Results, a multiracial learning organization expert in supporting organizations in advancing racial equity and liberation through institutional change. A co-principal and co-founder, Theodore B. Miller, Esq., leads the engagement.

“The SBC Equity Element Group is tasked with determining where there may be racial disparities among our residents in San Bernardino County, recommending campaigns and programs to address those issues, and identifying initiatives that are already underway within county government or in the community that can be highlighted and supported,” said San Bernardino County Assistant Executive Officer Diana Alexander.

On Tuesday, June 23, 2020, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution declaring Racism A Public Health Crisis. It tasked the county with forming an equity group to represent the 11th element of the Countywide Vision.

Discussions that led to the declaration and equity group were inspired by the national conversation taking place in the wake of the May 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

The SBC Equity Element Group comprises Black community members who can review the other 10 elements of the Countywide Vision with an equity focus. Eventually, the group will grow to include representatives from other county communities and include an equity focus for all people.

Miller brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in tackling equity issues within the Black community. With more than 20 years of experience, he has dedicated himself to developing community and neighborhood solutions for some of the world’s most challenging problems.

An expert facilitator and educator on racial inequity and social change for Equity & Results, Miller has taught in university, criminal justice, corporate, and community environments worldwide.

Previously, Miller was recently a senior advisor to three consecutive mayors in San Francisco and the director of HOPE SF, the nation’s first large-scale partnership to transform dilapidated and segregated public housing neighborhoods into vibrant, racially equitable, mixed-income communities without mass displacement of residents.

Many long-standing underserved families, especially African Americans and Pacific Islanders, have found new ladders of opportunity thanks to Miller’s efforts. This has come through significant investments in mixed-income housing, fostering community leadership and resident voice networks, and enhancing education, health, and employment services.

A graduate of  Yale University and Harvard Law School, Miller was inspired in college by the youth residents of New Haven, Connecticut, where he worked as a community organizer and mental health counselor.

Throughout his career, he has advised and led businesses, universities, hospitals, and elected officials in urban areas nationwide to redesign policy, create new collaboration models, and achieve dramatically better results for low-income communities of color.

Before his appointment to the Mayor’s Office by the late San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee, Miller managed community benefits for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, was a corporate attorney at the firm Davis Polk & Wardwell, a commercial broker and real estate developer, and a lecturer and Fellow at the Hutchins Center for African American Research at Harvard University.

Miller has served on the San Francisco Bar Association’s Board of Directors, lives in Oakland, and has two daughters.

For more information on the Equity Element Group, email Info@SBCEEG.org.

The San Bernardino County Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will provide claims assistance to veterans in Barstow the third Thursday of every month beginning Feb. 20. This initiative, in partnership with the County Department of Aging and Adult Services-Public Guardian (DAAS-PG), supports the County’s ongoing commitment to ensuring veterans receive the benefits they earned through service to our nation. “The goal of bringing these resources to Barstow is to make it easier for veterans to access their benefits,” said VA Director Matt Knox. “Many of the clients served by DAAS-PG are veterans who may be on fixed incomes, so the additional veterans assistance will make a huge difference in their lives.” Starting Feb. 20, VA Veterans Service Officers will provide benefit claims assistance at the Barstow DAAS-PG office, located at 760 East Virginia Way, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the third Thursday of every month. Staff is available to assist veterans with filing claims for U.S. Veterans Affairs disability, pension, job training, and educational benefits. There is no need to schedule an appointment, and veterans will receive assistance on a first come, first served basis. “We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Veterans Affairs and the opportunity to expand comprehensive services to Barstow area veterans at a single, accessible location,” said DAAS-PG Director Sharon Nevins. In addition to the new office hours in Barstow, veterans may also receive County VA claims assistance Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., by calling 909-382-3290.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media?? 

In May of 2023, California launched an anti-hate hotline and resource network, California vs Hate, to address a sharp rise in reported hate crimes targeting racial and ethnic minority populations. While data has shown reported incidents nearly doubled since 2019, rural areas of California continue to be underreported.

Kevin Kish, Director of the California Civil Rights Department, recently spoke at an Ethnic Media Services webinar offering his observations and highlighting the importance of spreading the word about California vs. Hate’s resources.

“That lack of reporting out of rural areas is not a good thing. And that lack of reporting out of rural areas of our state is also reflected in the Attorney General’s hate crime report,” Kish said.

“Many of these counties are reporting zero or very few hate crimes. We know that when people are afraid, when they feel isolated, it is unlikely for them to turn to government, at least not without a trusted intermediary, a trusted person or organization who helps them do that,” he added.

The issue is particularly concerning for Black Californians as increasing numbers of Black individuals and families have moved from coastal cities and suburbs to exurbs rural areas over the last 40 years in counties and inland areas, including Riverside, San Bernardino, and Kern counties in Southern California and Solano County, San Joaquin and Kings counties in Northern California.

In fact, some rural cities now have higher percentages of Blacks per capital than urban areas. For example, Rio Vista, a rural area in Solano County has a Black population of over 10% and Weed, a town in Siskiyou County, has a Black population of around 8%.

Some barriers to reporting, Kish shared, were language limitations, mistrust of local government and lack of knowledge of what qualifies as a hate crime.

“California versus hate was designed to overcome these barriers specifically. It is designed to help everyone who experiences hate, no matter who they are, no matter where they are in our state, and no matter whether what they experienced was in fact a crime.”

In the hotline’s first year of existence, it received over 1,000 reports. The most commonly cited form of hate was based on race and ethnicity. 560 of those reports were confirmed incidents and race and ethnicity made up 35% of the reports. Of those, anti-Black bias was the most common, followed by anti-Latino and anti-Asian bias.

After race and ethnicity, the most common frequently cited basis was gender identity and sexual orientation.

Marlene Thomas, Executive Director of the Imperial Valley Social Justice Committee, also spoke at the webinar to shed light on what it is like to offer services in a rural county of California that experiences incidents of hate yet experiences low numbers of reporting.

“We had a Stop the Hate conference and the chief of police and the sheriff who were there and presented. They went through the whole reporting process that you have to, to do, but they had only two complaints. And I feel, and I know that they had to have more than that, but they didn’t. But why? The reason is lack of awareness of what the people can really do. And then believe it or not, as small as rural communities are, we are not getting information. And we have to increase public awareness to that fact.”

Thomas shared that the most common incidents of hate in her county are directed towards the trans community.

The hotline operates as a tool to connect people who experience hate with culturally competent resources in the communities where they live to the resources they need. If the reported incident requires police assistance, the hotline can provide this. Grassroots organizations across the states have also partnered with the hotline offering legal services, counseling, financial assistance and more.

If you, or someone you know, has been the target of hate or witnessed an act of hate, you can call the hotline at 833-866-4283. It is open Monday to Friday from 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. You can also leave a message, or you can report online at any time by visiting CaliforniaVsHate.org. You can report in 15 different written languages and operators can talk to you in over 200 languages.

 

 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA– This Valentine’s Day, couples seeking to celebrate their love with a lifelong commitment are invited to make an appointment for marriage services at the San Bernardino County Clerk’s Office. Whether planning an intimate ceremony or looking forward to your special day, the County Clerk’s Office is here to help make the experience seamless and memorable.

“We are thrilled to offer couples the opportunity to marry on one of the most romantic days of the year,” said Josie Gonzales, Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. “Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love, and we are proud to assist couples in starting their journey together in San Bernardino County.”

Appointments for marriage licenses and ceremony services are now available, and couples are encouraged to reserve their spot early. The County Clerk’s Office offers convenient and efficient services to ensure a stress-free experience. Couples are also welcomed to bring loved ones and friends, to make their special moment that much more memorable.

Couples wishing to get married through the County Clerk offices must review the marriage license requirements and complete an application at arc.sbcounty.gov/marriage prior to booking their marriage service appointment online.

San Bernardino County Clerk offices offering marriage services:

San Bernardino- Hall of Records
222 W. Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415

High Desert Government Center
15900 Smoke Tree Street, 1st Floor
Hesperia, CA 92345

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The City of San Bernardino in partnership with California Culture Festival will be ringing in the Year of the Snake at its second annual Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, February 1 from 11:00 am until 8:00 pm at the downtown Court Street Square. The free family event will feature cultural musical performances, demonstrations, arts and craft activities, food vendors, art galleries and much more.

“San Bernardino’s Lunar New Year Celebration is a vibrant reflection of our diverse community and a wonderful opportunity to honor the rich traditions and contributions of our Asian American residents,” said Mayor Helen Tran. “It brings us together to celebrate culture, unity, and the shared hope for prosperity and happiness in the year ahead.”

The Court Street Square, located at 349 North E Street will be transformed by the San Bernardino Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department, much like recent celebrations such as the Christmas themed Miracle on Court Street in December and the Dia de los Muertos festival in November.

“The Court Street Square is quickly becoming the primary location for festive gatherings in San Bernardino,” said Interim Parks and Recreation Director Ernesto Salinas. “The City is committed to bringing amazing cultural celebrations downtown that are fun, colorful, and educational.”

The festivities will include:

• Musical performances and cultural demonstrations, featuring traditional dragon and lion dances.
• Arts and Craft activities for the whole family, featuring Calligraphy, Origami, and Snake puppets.
• Multiple staged photo areas.
• A gallery highlighting San Bernardino’s Sister Cities from the East.
• Food vendors and merchants selling goods.
• Community Groups and Sponsor informational booths.

This year marks the Year of the Snake, and the snake will play a featured role in traditional musical performances and throughout the celebration.

Every year, a different animal is celebrated on a twelve-year rotating cycle with traits and symbols that hold meaning for what’s to come in the new year. The snake signifies charm, transformation, intelligence, and creativity, but can also be associated with mystery, independence, and cautiousness.

Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year among Eastern and Southeast Asian cultures. It reflects the new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is the most important holiday in China, and widely observed throughout Asia, and in Asian-American communities throughout the United States.

In some countries, the Lunar New Year celebration lasts for fifteen days. This year, the celebration runs from January 29 through February 12.

“I am proud to see our city embrace such a meaningful celebration that highlights the beauty of our collective heritage,” added Mayor Tran.

Event sponsors include California Culture Festival, DAO Real Estate Group, H&H Lending, Inland Chinese Association, Lucky Star Marketing, MVS, Inc, Hiep Thanh Supermarket.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— In collaboration with San Bernardino County, The San Bernardino County Equity Element Group (SBC Equity Element Group) has created a workshop series designed to increase the number of minority-owned businesses that can access the millions of dollars in contracts the county will award this year.

The goal of the event, “Empowering Minority-Owned Businesses: Your 101 Guide to Contract Bidding Success,” is to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to boost your chances in winning County contracts.

“The SBC Equity Element Group is committed to creating a more equitable and inclusive San Bernardino County. These workshops are designed to help people of color access and increase the number and size of contracts obtained through the procurement process,” said Rev. George Lamb, chair of the SBC Equity Element Group.

Workshop Objectives: 

1. Understanding and Managing ePro: Attendees will learn how to register, manage their vendor accounts, reset credentials, and navigate the ePro system to search for open bids.
2. Review Bid Proposals and Ask Questions: The workshop will cover County bid request templates, completion of the Local Vendor Self-Certification Form, and strategies for effectively posting questions to clarify bid requirements.
3. Respond to Bids Successfully: Participants will master creating and submitting precise quotes in ePro while avoiding common pitfalls.
4. Businesses can register online with ePro at the Purchasing Department website at: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/purchasing/vendor-registration/

Register for the workshop at a time and location that works best for you

Tuesday, February 4, 4 p.m.–7 p.m.  San Bernardino County Government Center 385 N Arrowhead Ave, San Bernardino, CA

Thursday, February 6, 4 p.m.–7 p.m.  San Bernardino County Children and Family Services, 15020 Palmdale Rd, Victorville, CA 92392

Wednesday, February 12, 4 p.m.–7 p.m.  San Bernardino County Children and Family Services, 9518 E. 9th St. Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Additional information will be available from the San Bernardino County Departments of:

• Workforce Development: https://workforce.sbcounty.gov/business-services/
• Economic Development: https://selectsbcounty.com/major-initiatives/entrepreneurship
• Purchasing Department: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/purchasing/getting-started/#procurement

“We are committed to increasing the number of local and minority-owned businesses contracting with San Bernardino County,” said San Bernardino County Director of Purchasing, Pete Mendoza.

“Seize the chance to empower your business and improve your bidding skills,” said Rev. Lamb.

For more information, please contact Sandra Abarca at (909) 387-4261.

For additional information about the SBC Equity Element Group, contact Info@SBCEEG.org.

---

About The San Bernardino County Equity Element Group

The SBC Equity Element Group’s mission is to identify and address systemic inequities within San Bernardino County. It focuses on creating a more just and equitable society for all residents, particularly Black residents and people of color. The Group strives to dismantle barriers, promote inclusivity, and empower marginalized communities through data-driven strategies and community-centered solutions.  We believe that Equity Elevates Everyone.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA–– Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Nu Omega Chapter and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Mu Xi Lambda Chapter will be holding the 37th Oratorical Contest for students in grades 1st through 12th on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Rancho Cucamonga High School. Please view the flyer and encourage students to participate. This contest will help all age groups with their critical thinking and public speaking skills. Application available by using the QR code or the link below: https://forms.gle/VLh4EivgoH6gYuXS8. Should you have any questions, feel free to email Twillea Evans-Carthen at tevanscarthen@icloud.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Diana Alexander partners with the San Bernardino County Equity Element Group (SBC Equity Element Group) as a representative of the County Administrative Office. Alexander, a seasoned public administrator with extensive experience in the San Bernardino County government, collaborates with the group in its ongoing efforts to identify and address racial disparities and promote equity for all San Bernardino County residents.

A Leader Committed to Equity

Alexander oversees operations for seven County Human Services departments, including Veteran’s Affairs, Aging & Adult Services, Transitional Assistance, Child Support, First 5, Preschool Services, and IHSS-Public Authority.

Alexander also oversees the equity work the County committed to as part of the unanimous resolution of the Board of Supervisors Declaring Racism A Public Health Crisis. She leads the Countywide Vision Leadership Team on behalf of the County’s Chief Executive Officer, Luther Snoke.

“Alexander brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong commitment to social justice to the role. As San Bernardino County’s Assistant Executive Officer since 2020, she has overseen critical County departments and spearheaded the county’s equity work following the Board of Supervisors’ declaration of racism as a public health crisis,” said Snoke.

“I am honored to partner with and support the Equity Element Group in its vital mission to create a more just and equitable San Bernardino County,” Alexander said. “We will work collaboratively with community leaders and stakeholders to identify and dismantle systemic barriers that hinder progress for Black residents and people of color. As the Group’s slogan states, Equity Elevates All, we will build a brighter future for everyone.”

Building on a Strong Foundation

The SB County Equity Element Group was established in 2020 and incorporated into the Countywide Vision. Initially focused on the Black community, the group is committed to expanding its reach to include all ethnicities, fostering an inclusive vision for San Bernardino County.

A History of Success

Alexander has also served in many county, community, and church organizations. She has received many awards and accolades, including the Public Service Award for Excellence, the American Society for Public Administration 2024 Outstanding Senior Administrator award, the 2020 County Women’s Network “Extraordinary Woman ” award, and the San Bernardino County Association of African American Employees “County Trailblazer” award.

She also received a resolution from the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors for her work in partnering with California State University, San Bernardino, to establish a Master of Public Administration Cohort for County employees.

Alexander has an associate’s degree in liberal arts from San Bernardino Valley College and a bachelor’s and master’s degree in public administration, both from California State University, San Bernardino, where she was an adjunct professor in the Public Administration graduate school.

Alexander lives in San Bernardino County. She attends the Mt. Rubidoux SDA church in Riverside, CA, where she is the first-ever female Head Elder. She is the proud parent of four children: two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, and six grandchildren.

For more information on the Equity Element Group, email Info@SBCEEG.org.

---

About The San Bernardino County Equity Element Group

The Equity Element Group’s mission is to identify and address systemic inequities within San Bernardino County. It focuses on creating a more just and equitable society for all residents, particularly Black residents and people of color. The Group strives to dismantle barriers, promote inclusivity, and empower marginalized communities through data-driven strategies and community-centered solutions.

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

You know, there is a story told of a vessel that was wrecked and was going down at sea. There were not enough lifeboats to take all on board. When the vessel went down, some of the lifeboats were near the vessel. A man swam from the wreck to one of the boats, but they had no room to take him on. When they refused, he seized hold of the boat with his right hand, but they took a sword and cut off his fingers. When he had lost the fingers of his right hand, the man was so earnest to save his life that he seized the boat with his left hand. They cut off the fingers of that hand too. Then the man swam up and seized the boat with his teeth. Now they had compassion on him and relented. They could not cut off his head, so they took him in, and the man’s life was saved. Why? Because he was in earnest.

Why not seek your soul’s salvation as that man sought to save his life? Don’t wait until it’s too late! Time is running out for our world. Consider today with some urgency your eternal life. For as Martin Luther King, Jr. said in his I have a dream speech in August 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C, “We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the FIERCE URGENCY OF NOW.” What a phrase that is. “The FIERCE URGENCY OF NOW.” Some things simply can’t be put off forever. Sometimes we must RESPOND NOW, we must ANSWER NOW, we must ACT NOW, we must NOT WAIT or DELAY or put things off.

Run to the only refuge there is, the refuge of Jesus Christ. If you go there, you are going to be safe from the coming judgment and the coming wrath. But, if you go outside of it, you’re going to be killed. You’re going to perish. [2 Thessalonians 3:3].

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through Jesus. [1 Thessalonians 5:9]. Run – Run for your life! There is no time to waste! For the Bible speaks of a time at the end of the present age in the books of Daniel, Revelation, and Matthew, among others — when there will be seven years of tribulation culminating in the battle of Armageddon in Israel and the return of Jesus Christ to the earth, in which right now, the stage is being set by Satan and his puppets. [Revelation 13].

Remember the Bible spoke of the Antichrist – a man who will appear on the world scene in the Last Days just before the return of Jesus Christ to the earth. Described in both the Old and New Testaments, he will be the very incarnation of evil cleverly disguised as a dynamic, charismatic, visionary leader. He will astound the world with his solutions to human problems. His empire will span every continent, and his rule will be the most demonic individual the world has ever experienced. He will rise to world domination by declaring himself a Man of Peace [Daniel 8:23-25; Daniel 9:26-27; Daniel 11:36-39; Revelation Chapter 6; Ezekiel 38; 2Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:2,4,5; Matthew 24:15].

But will later plunge the world into global war. Eventually his true character will be revealed. He will be opposed to Jesus Christ and will offer himself to the world as the savior of humanity. Together with his False Prophet, he will control the global economy and force his followers to receive a mark on their hands or their foreheads which most of the world will willingly follow him. [Revelation 13:16-17]. But after 3.5 years of his reign, all Hell will break loose. Talking about a fierce urgency, I tell you, NOW is the time run for safety. Repent before it is too late and get under the Umbrella of the Almighty God. He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge. [Psalms 91:4]. Don’t wait any longer but put your life in God’s hands TODAY!

[Echoing]: US President Donald Trump on Monday cast himself as a peacemaker in his second inaugural address, pointing to the hostage release-ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that went into effect on Sunday. “My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. That’s what I want to be — a peacemaker and a unifier,” he said after being sworn in inside the US Capitol.
In parroting, let me say this. “The Bible predicts that the Antichrist will come to power as a peacemaker. He will be firmly committed to globalism, the belief that the massive problems in the world can only be solved by bringing all nations under one banner. Through economic, political, and religious reform.

While we don’t know who the Antichrist is or will be, Scripture provides a few explanations of his characteristics and actions. We should always ask God for revelation and wisdom to be able to discern correctly. May we be those that can hear and then respond accordingly. [Revelation 13:9].

For terrible are the days which lie ahead. The rumblings of the coming judgment can be heard in the distance. The clouds are gathering. There is only one way out, and that is through Christ, who is the door to absolute safety. Those who receive Him and enter through the door by faith are safe. They are described as those whose names ‘are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.’ Is your name written there? Are you ready for His coming? If not, will you turn to him [Christ] and be saved now?” [M.R. DeHaan].

Will you?

This is critical for this day as we see the mystery of lawlessness at work and we see the chess pieces fall into place.

Even then, they would still not believe. [2 Timothy 4:3-4].

So, Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the DOOR. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved. [John 10:9].

Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck, that they might not hear and receive instruction.” [Jeremiah 17:23].

These wicked people refuse to listen to me. They stubbornly follow their own desires and worship other gods. Therefore, they will become like this loincloth—good for nothing! [Jeremiah13:10].