First 5 San Bernardino, well-known for its 23-year history of investing in children from prenatal through five years, is launching a new and innovative funding opportunity.

Local organizations seeking financial support to initiate or develop programs or ideas aligning with First 5 San Bernardino’s strategic plan are encouraged to apply for funding through the organization’s request for applications process https://first5sanbernardino.org.

“This is an amazing opportunity, especially for smaller-sized organizations who may already be collaborating with each other, to apply for funding to address critical issues and needs facing young children and their families,” said First 5 San Bernardino Executive Director Karen E. Scott. “Further, we’re hoping it may spark additional creative thinking on how to engage with families and the community in identifying and meeting needs as possible, which is exactly why the initiative was created.”

Named after a beloved staff member who recently lost her battle with cancer, the Merceides Logans Community Innovation Initiative is a $1.5 million fund designated to foster a progressive yet simplified approach for community organizations to obtain resources and work together.

A typical funding application process can be overwhelming for some organizations, explained Ronnie Robinson, first 5 San Bernardino section manager of systems and communication. “This opportunity was designed to be easier to navigate, and we invite community organizations, churches, small nonprofits and those with similar or shared interests in helping children, to apply,” Robinson said.

The Social Lites, Inc., of the Inland Empire is now preparing for their annual program. In their 60 years they have awarded more than two million dollars in scholarships to deserving and underserved youth in the Inland Empire area.  Please help them find these youth in preparing them for college or trade schools.  The organization meets in San Bernardino on Sundays for a few impactful hours. Help them make a difference in their lives with money to have access to a college experience with less debt. Please call Marlene Davis (909) 709-5502 , Sheri Lewis (909)320-0799  or Elsie Paulino (951)205-8823 for more information and the meeting times and dates.

By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media

One hundred and ten African Americans died or suffered serious bodily injury during encounters with law enforcement officers in the Golden State over the course of the last year.

Blacks made up 16.7 % of the civilians that were killed or suffered severe injury injured during incidents involving the discharge of a firearm or the use of force by police officers in 2021. Of the 660 civilians, who died or were injured, 50.6 % were Hispanic and 25.5 % were White.

The report, however, does not indicate how many of the 149 individuals that died during the 628 incidents were Black or of any other race.

The stats were gleaned from the Use of Force Incident Report released by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) late last month.

The report was one of four annual criminal justice statistical breakdowns released to give the public, policymakers, researchers, and law enforcement statistics to support informed policy choices based on data and analysis and to help protect the safety and well-being of all Californians, according to an Aug. 25 press release from California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

“Good data,” Bonta said, “is key to good public policy.” He urged people to read the documents.

“Accurate statistics and the data in the annual crime reports are a critical part of calibrating our response, ensuring policymakers and law enforcement are able to make informed decisions,” Bonta stated.

The other reports released by the DOJ include Homicide in California, Crime in California, and Juvenile Justice in California.

The quartet of documents are available online and offer an analytical breakdown of criminal activity and related statistics such as the number of homicides reported last year, how much violent crime has increased in the state and the specificity of those crimes, a breakdown of age, race, sex of crime victims and offenders, and the various types of force used by law enforcement during encounters when an individual died or was injured badly.

The information found in the Use of Force report reveals that the types of force used by law enforcement officers against the 660 individuals included blunt impact weapons, chemical sprays, firearms, impact projectiles, vehicles, electronic control devices and their hands, feet, fists use or other body parts.

According to DOJ, officers shooting a firearm hit 233 people and missed 58 others. They used K-9 dogs on 77 people and controlled holds or takedowns on 121 others. While officers perceived that 383 civilians were armed during the incidents, 341 or 89% of them were confirmed to have been carrying weapons.

1,462 officers were reported to be involved in shooting a firearm or using excessive force during incidents that resulted in death or serious injury. Fifty-eight of the officers were Black.

The Crime in California report presents an overview of the criminal justice system in California. It revealed that the violent crime rate rose 6.7 %, from 437 crimes per 100,000 people to 466.2 last year. The property crime rate increased 3 % and the homicide rate jumped up 9.1% while the rape incidence rate increased 8.6 %. The motor vehicle theft rate rose 8.2%. The state’s burglary and arson rates dropped.

There were 153,546 violent crimes in the state in 2021. All the data are based on the number of known victims and incidents.

Bonta said crime rates remain below historical highs, but property and violent crimes continue to have terrible effects on California communities.

“Gun violence, in particular, remains a consistent and growing threat. In fact, in 2021, nearly three-fourths of all homicides in California involved a firearm,” he said. “As we confront these ongoing challenges, we must have accountability and appropriate consequences for those who break the law.”

The total number of reported civilian complaints against peace officers increased from 16,547 in 2020 to 28,617 last year. The number of complaints from civilians accusing officers of crimes — 683 — was the lowest since 1983.

There were 2,361 homicides reported in 2021, according to the Homicide Crime in California report. Of the homicides where the victim’s race or ethnicity was identified, 29.5 % or 690 were Black, second only to the 47.1 % or 1,102 victims who were Hispanic. The largest segment of Black victims — 38.4 % or 264 — were aged 18-29. Three hundred and twenty-five of the Black victims were killed on a street or sidewalk. None were killed on school grounds.

Blacks are 5.5% of the total California population.

The Juvenile Justice in California report detailed the 19,355 juvenile arrests in California reported by law enforcement last year.

Felony arrests made up 47.2 % or 9,132 of the apprehensions, with Black juveniles being 60.3 %. Black juveniles were arrested for 49.0 % of the felony violent offenses.

Over 70 % of all juveniles, including 77.3 %of the Black juveniles arrested were referred to probation departments by law enforcement.

Bonta said the DOJ is using every tool it has to prevent violence and combat crime.

“Whether it’s successfully securing federal certification of our data systems or taking guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals,” he said, “my office remains committed to doing our part to support safety and security for all Californians.”

By Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media

On the last night of this year’s legislative session last week, the State Assembly rejected Senate Bill (SB) 918, authored by state Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge). The bill — written to strengthen restrictions on concealed firearm permits – was one of several bills the Legislature did not approve during the tension-filled finale to a session marked by pointed debate among members of the Assembly’s Democratic majority.

Before the final vote, supporters of the legislation added an Urgency amendment so it could go into effect immediately — instead of Jan. 1, 2023, when bills passed during the current legislative session take effect.

As an Urgency Measure, SB 918 required 54 votes in the Assembly to pass, rather than the usual 41. The bill received 53 votes which is more than enough votes needed to reach the Governor’s desk had the urgency amendment not been added.

Last June, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen that “may carry” laws giving states discretionary authority to reject concealed carry permits violated the Second Amendment. The decision rendered California’s law requiring applicants to show “good cause,” or a justifiable reason for needing such a permit unconstitutional.

In his opinion on the case, Justice Clarence Thomas, wrote that states could still prohibit guns in “sensitive places.” Chief Justice John Roberts, joined by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, wrote in a concurring opinion that the ruling did not affect “shall issue” laws requiring objective licensing requirements such as “fingerprinting, a background check, a mental health records check, and training in firearms handling, and in laws regarding use of force, among other possible requirements.”

SB 918 complies with the Supreme Court ruling by designating courts, places of worship, zones around schools, hospitals, public parks, libraries, airports, public transportation and bars as sensitive places. The bill requires authorities to review publicly available statements including social media to assess whether applicants present a danger to the public.

Applicants would be required to submit to in-person interviews to ensure they are “qualified,” and licensing officials will be required to interview at least three-character references. The state would also give licensing officials, usually a sheriff’s office, greater ability to revoke a license.

Initially, leaders believed that the measure had enough support to pass with an urgency amendment allowing it to go into effect this month. After the bill passed the Senate with a super majority (2/3) of the votes, it failed to gain a super majority vote in the State Assembly. Seven Democratic Assemblymembers voted against the bill or abstained from voting.

Notably, two Democratic members, Adam Gray (D-Merced) and Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) who are running for Congress in swing Central Valley districts may have felt the possibility of a political backlash by supporting gun control measures. Retiring Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach), voted against the measure, though he was expected to support it.

“I’m very disappointed in the outcome,” the bill’s author, Portantino told California Black Media. “But for one assembly member who switched their vote from aye to no, we would have had the 54 votes. I plan on reintroducing the bill on December 5. I’ve already spoken to the governor and the Attorney General.”

If it had passed, the bill was likely to face legal challenges because many critics believe that it is too restrictive. The requirement of interviews and character references are points of contention for gun rights groups.

For Gov. Gavin Newsom prioritizing gun control measures is still a leading priority in this legislative term, responding to an uptick of gun violence across the country. As of Sept. 2, the Gun Violence Archive reports 450 mass shootings in 2022, compared to 417 in all of 2019.

“California has the toughest gun safety laws in the nation, but none of us can afford to be complacent in tackling the gun violence crisis ravaging our country,” said Newsom. “These new measures will help keep children safe at school, keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people and responsibly regulate the sale of firearms in our communities.”

Though defeated in this attempt to regulate concealed firearms, Newsom has a number of notable legislative victories, including AB 2571, which restricts the marketing of firearms to children and AB 1594, which strips gun manufacturers of some legal protections when their products are used to commit acts of violence. SB 1327 and AB 1621 target ghost guns by restricting their manufacture, transportation and sale and close the loophole that allowed sale of incomplete and un-serialized “firearm precursors.”

As gun violence plagues the country, the tug-of-war between gun rights and gun regulations on a local and national level will likely continue. Although California has some of the toughest gun laws in the country, the Legislature has yet to find a solution for concealed carry permits.

“Together, all of the gun laws that we passed make California safer,” Portantino said, “though not having a CCW (concealed weapons permit) consistent with the Supreme Court decision hurts California, which is why I’m committed to bringing it back on December 5.”

By Lou Yeboah

In the distance, there is a vague tumult, like that of the sea with its roaring, incoming tide. My heart pounds as I think of this. It trembles within me. I heard behind me a great thunderous voice: “Blessed is the glory of the LORD from His place!” I also heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside them, and a great thunderous noise. [Ezekiel 3:12-13]. The roar of His voice, to the rumbling that comes from His mouth. He unleashes His lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth holding nothing back” [Job 37:1-4]. Thunder, lightning, hailstones and coals of fire, sound of the roar. [Psalm 18:13].

“Then the Spirit lifted me up and I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” [Revelation 6:1]. God is sending invading armies to punish roaring nations. Because the world, in its blindness and arrogance thinks that it can defy God with impunity, daring to cast aside His laws and foolishly thinking that it has power even to push aside the Almighty.

Listen! Listen, the Lord will roar from on high; He will thunder from His holy dwelling and roar mightily against His land. He will shout like those who tread the grapes, shout against all who live on the earth. The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth, for the Lord will bring charges against the nations; He will bring judgment on all mankind and put the wicked to the sword.” [Jeremiah 25:30-31].

And “The Lord will destroy Babylon; He will silence her noisy din. For the Lord is a God of retribution; He will repay in full” [Jeremiah 51:55-56]. Whether the Babylon of old or that of today, the principle remains the same, the punishment the same, for God’s ways are eternal. [Habakkuk 3:4-6]. Don’t take it lightly! The history of the world is full of examples of the wrath of God being revealed. Consider Noah’s flood and the fire that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Look at the history of the Canaanites. When their iniquity reached its fullness, God wiped them out [Genesis 15:16; Deuteronomy 9:5]. Look at the history of the children of Israel, who were also exiled because of their sin. The history of the world is a history of divine judgment [Daniel 2]. Yet man refuses to recognize God as the Lord of history. Do you hear what I hear?

I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.” So, the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea. The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments. [Revelation 16:1-21].

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for His judgments are true and just; for He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality and has avenged on her the blood of His servants.”

Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear Him, small and great.” [Revelation 19:1-21]. Do you hear what I hear?

“If they were wise, they would understand this; they would discern their latter end!” [Deuteronomy 32:29].

By Edward Henderson ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

The Supreme Court Ruling overturning Roe vs. Wade has opened the eyes of the public to how much representation matters when it comes to decision makers in courtrooms across America. This revelation has raised awareness on the local level as well.

On the November 8th General Election ballot will be two African American Women running for judgeships on the Superior Court of Los Angeles County.

Holly Hancock is running for judge seat no. 70 and Melissa Lyons is running for judge seat 90. Both won their June primary races taking 47% and 35% of the vote respectively.

Hancock is a unique candidate for judge because she is a public defender with significant trial experience. A vast majority of individuals running for a judicial seat have been prosecutors.

“There has never been a public defender elected in Los Angeles County,” said Hancock. “Black, White, Male, Female, nothing. It says a lot about how the bench is very unbalanced. We are trying to balance the bench.”

In California, 9 out of 10 judges are appointed by the governor. For example, Gov. Newsom, just selected Pamela Dansby to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court and she is a former public defender.

A graduate of Southwestern Law School, Hancock believes her 16 years of experience as a public defender gives her a unique perspective when it comes to making rulings. Because defense attorneys are always negotiating, they look for solutions instead of simply handing out harsh penalties and imposing high bail amounts. Hancock has represented homeless and mentally ill individuals and believes these things need to be in consideration when examining a case.

“The county did not have the resources to give the clients the kind of treatment that they needed in lieu of sending them to jail or prison. The prosecutors continued to file for jail and prison and continued to file these cases as if the person was perfectly sane. That was always a problem for me from the very beginning … Once I was in felonies and people were getting really long sentences, I just felt like there should be more and better discretion used.”

This will be Hancock’s second time running for a judge’s seat. She suffered a narrow defeat in 2018 and believes this time around the outcome will be different because she has gained the trust of the community through her grassroots campaign.

With the small number of Black judges in the Los Angeles Superior Court compared to the number of Black defendants in court, Hancock believes more qualified people need to see this route as a possibility.

“It’s 4% of black women on the bench and 3% of black men on the bench. That’s 7% total. I can safely say that it’s about 38% of black people in criminal courts in LA County. That’s a huge amount. We’re not talking about who’s behind the bench. It’s not the same look behind the bench than in front of the bench.”

Lyons offers the unique perspective of being an immigrant from Jamaica. Her family moved to the United States when she was 11 years old and settled in a small farming town in Iowa where they were the only black family. She attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and then attended Loyola University law school because of her desire to be a voice for others and to speak out where injustice and inequality exist.

“I’m an immigrant and I personally understand the generational impact a single decision can have,” Lyons said. “That’s the mindset I’m coming into my decision making with. There is no decision that’s too small. It might be the 3000th traffic ticket of the day but for that person that’s in front of me that traffic ticket can mean the difference between rather or not they eat. Those are things you have to think about, obviously while still operating within the law.”

Lyons has been a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney since 2006. She is currently in charge of juvenile prosecutions at the Superior Court’s Compton branch. She has completed more than 85 trials. She was assigned to the District Attorney’s Sex Crimes Division, including a two-year tenure at Stuart House, where she exclusively prosecuted sexual crimes against children.

Lyons understands the impact electing a Black woman a judge could have on fellow judges in the Superior Court. “I also think it is important behind the scenes in terms for judicial officers as well. People act different when other people are in the room. I think diversity on the bench is just as important for the public as it is for judicial officers because the more interaction you have with diverse people you get to learn things that you may not have had an opportunity to do before.”

Lyons believes that the greatest challenge her campaign has had to overcome has been bringing awareness to voters of how important voting for judgeship is and getting her name out there enough so people can make an informed decision. There are limitations on what stances candidates can take while campaigning, but Lyons does her best to leave a lasting impression when she attends events.

Hancock and Lyons hope to join Judge Carol Elswick in the Superior Court who retained her seat by receiving 68% of the vote during the June primary.

HOUSTON, CA — Starting in October, The Black Man Project will launch free group Therapy for Black Men to create a safe space for men to share openly, begin their wellness journey and build community. Over the past few years, The Black Man Project has toured the country, hosting conversations focused on the Black male experience in contemporary society, engaging more than 100 men in Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, WA, Tulsa, OK, and New York, NY. The upcoming Black Men Healing sessions will take place bi-weekly at The Black Man Project studio in Houston’s Third Ward community. For those interested in participating remotely from all parts of the country, there will also be free virtual sessions held. The first session will take place on October 1, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.

“This series of events was inspired by my own story, growing up as a Black man, and also by the people I’ve captured over the years through the organization,” said Brian Ellison, Founder of The Black Man Project. Research shows that only one-in-three African Americans who need mental health care receive it. “We’ve spent years asking men to be vulnerable, and this is my way of supporting them during their healing journey. It’s my responsibility to provide tools once someone has opened the door to engage. We do a disservice to communities when we simply empower them; this is our work in action,” Ellison added.

Licensed Professional Counselor Femi Olukoya will guide the sessions, operating from his belief that every client deserves peace and freedom to be their authentic self. The series will kick off with an intro session focused on accountability, and thereafter, the session topics will include grief, father figure issues, trauma, coping skills, anger management, and sessions dealing with the inner child.

“We’re addressing issues that we commonly see within Black households, and we hope to normalize conversations like this taking place wherever we gather, beyond this space,” said Ellison.

According to Mental Health America, Black men are particularly conscious of stigma when seeking help from an expert such as a psychologist. For that reason, The Black Man Project offers year-round programming and events focused on health and wellness, such as a gardening session, in-school programming with youth, a podcast, and an upcoming wellness festival. The events are hosted by The Black Man Project and funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance and the BIPOC Arts Network and Fund. Registration for the Black Man Healing sessions is open now at theblackmanproject.com.

ATLANTA, GA— The Power of Technology Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, is pleased to introduce the Inaugural Black Tech Gala taking place on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 8:00 pm EST at the Hyatt Regency Villa Christina – Atlanta Perimeter. This immersive formal black tie tech affair will feature an elegant night of live entertainment, dining, dancing, fundraising, and an awards ceremony for those who have initiatives supporting the black tech community.

In the US tech sector, 62% of careers are held by white Americans. Black Americans only hold 7% of tech careers, Latinx Americans hold 8%, and Asian Americans hold 20% according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The goal of this event is to help raise funding for scholarships, bring more awareness towards high-tech careers, and increase economic development for local and global underserved communities.

The high-tech sector has become a major source of economic growth fueling the U.S. economy. As an innovation industry, the high-tech sector has impacted how everyone communicates and access information, distribute products and services, and address critical societal problems. A major issue facing this high growth segment is the lack of representation of women and minorities in tech roles. Global tech pioneers and entrepreneurs Jamila Brown and Cameron Hairston founded the Power of Technology Foundation Inc to help address these critical issues. Brown and Hairston’s goal are to advise and educate the community while helping to increase the participation of women and minorities in the fast-growing field of technology.

“The statistics regarding women and minorities in tech are alarmingly low, and since technology is the future, it is more important than ever to get involved in these high paying careers,” says Brown. “Development of a high-tech workforce has long been a source of concern; it is a major growth sector that requires workers with specific skills. It is often believed that tech talent is in short supply among U.S. workers.” “This is proof that the time is right for women and minorities to increase their skills and seek out quality technology training and personal development”, says Hairston.

The Black Tech Gala is the leading fundraiser for the Power of Technology Foundation and all contributions are 100% tax deductible. Limited tickets, sponsorships and tables are available for corporations, small businesses, entrepreneurs, influencers, and local communities by visiting www.blacktechgala.com.

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media

The COVID-19 virus was discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. To date, over 90 million cases have been recorded and more than 1 million Americans have died from the disease. After more than two years, COVID-19 doesn’t look like it’s going away.

President Joe Biden’s positive test last month for the disease illustrates that COVID-19’s transmissibility is an ongoing and persistent problem.

Biden, who was treated with the antiviral drug Paxlovid, isolated himself for 5 days and returned to work after testing negative. Then, a few days later, he tested positive again and went back into isolation until he tested negative about a week ago.

Because the President is vaccinated, he suffered mild symptoms. However, the rebound positivity he’s experienced shows more needs to be done to eliminate coronavirus.

While vaccines and past infections have enabled the U.S. population to develop what is described as substantial COVID-19 immunity and those who get sick have a number of effective treatments options, cases of people being infected with new mutations of COVID-19 continue to be reported.

Dr. Ben Neuman, professor of Biology and chief virologist of the Global Health Research Complex, Texas A&M University, has studied the coronavirus and found that it’s constantly changing. That is a major reason people continue to be infected with the disease, he says.

During a recent Ethnic Media Services COVID-19 panel discussion with other medical scientists and researchers, Neuman said that people vaccinated against previous variations of the virus are not fully protected against the new variations. According to him, immunity to the current versions of the virus depends on how recently someone had been vaccinated.

“We are still vaccinating against the 2019 virus, and it is now late 2022. We have a problem……This is a virus that will continue changing,” he said.

Infections caused by Omicron sub variants have been reported to be not as dangerous as ones caused by earlier coronavirus strains, but they appear to be more transmissible.

If Neuman’s predictions are correct, by the time a vaccine is developed to fight the BA.5 subvariant, which is currently responsible for 85.5 % of infections in the US, there will already be a new subvariant spreading the disease.

Neuman added that it is still important to protect yourself with masks and by washing your hands. While he has been vaccinated, he recently tested positive for the coronavirus while after being on an airline and failing to adhere to proper masking protocol.

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine at the University of California San Francisco, who specializes in treating infectious diseases, stressed the importance of continuing to follow preventative measures when he spoke during the panel discussion.

Chin-Hong pointed out that one problem with implementing a mask mandate is political will. He cited the example of Los Angeles County, which recently considered reintroducing a mask mandate because of rising infection numbers, but cancelled implementation when cases declined. Had the mandate been
imposed, the County sheriff said they would not enforce it which would have been problematic.

Unfortunately, the mask issue has become a political problem and few politicians want to take it on and risk the wrath of voters.

Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville discussed how prevalent the disease is and how strict adherence to preventative measures does not assure protection against mutations of the coronavirus.

Schaffner and his wife tested positive despite being fully vaccinated and were treated with Paxlovid and, unlike Biden, they did not experience a rebound occurrence of the virus.

Chin-Hong said the pandemic will eventually end. But that will only happen when we create the conditions where there are no new host bodies to develop variations of the coronavirus.

Currently, about 400 people are dying every day from COVID-19. That averages out to more than 100,000 deaths every year.

“Right now, we have too many deaths,” he said. “We shouldn’t accept that.”

Chin-Hong also predicted that in the future we might see an annual COVID-19 shot to ward off the disease.

Schaffner agreed and said that we should learn to manage the disease with vaccinations, medications and preventive measures.

“COVID will be with us for the foreseeable future,” he said.