SAN BERNARDINO, CA — In honor of National Teacher’s Appreciation Week, Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. has recognized five influential educators who go above and beyond for their students. All the educators chosen are from San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, Rialto Unified School District, Preschool Services Department, San Bernardino City Unified School District and Colton Joint Unified School District. These teachers have significantly changed the lives of hundreds of students in our community and that is why they were chosen to be honored this year.

• Jill Weigmann: Special Education Program Teacher at Eisenhower High School.
• Laurie Hicks: Reading Specialist at Dollahan Elementary School.
• Irene Perez: Pre-School Services at the Boys and Girls Club.
• Keith Brockie: Art and Demonstration Teacher at Arroyo Valley High School.
• Matthew Johnson: Engineering Pathway Lead at Colton High School.

“As a past educator myself, I know the feeling of wanting to see my students grow and achieve their goals. Pushing and encouraging our students is the first step into them learning to be confident in the work they create. The role of a teacher in society is extremely important and I cannot thank them all enough. My experience as a teacher has taught me characteristics that are forever instilled in me today, and these five teachers chosen for this year’s appreciation week are just some of the few who have changed the lives of students for the better. -Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.

By Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media

This past weekend in the Inland Empire, a San Bernardino couple welcomed hundreds of African American high school graduates from the region for a joyous pan high-school, Black-themed graduation celebration.

“Sometimes we have students doing magnificent things and nobody sees them,” said Keynasia Buffong, co-founder of Buffong Consultation Solutions, the company that organized the celebration honoring graduates from various high schools in the area.

Keynasia Buffong co-owns the firm with her husband Jonathan Buffong. The couple wants to expand the mass graduation event to all regions in the state.

“When you come into your community, we see you. We recognize you,” Kaynasia Buffong continued.

The Buffongs say 694 students signed up for the Black graduation event their company held in conjunction with the Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement (CEEM) and a myriad of other sponsors.

In addition to celebrating the students’ achievements, the Buffongs say the event held at the Los Angeles County Fair Grounds in Pomona introduced members of the class of 2022 to culturally significant career, social and civic opportunities.

Black Greek organizations attended the weekend-long event as well as the first Black valedictorian of Beaumont High School where African American students make up a little under 7 % of the student population.

“We got a chance to give away $27,000 in scholarships,” said Keynasia.

Both Buffongs are educators and student advocates in California. They have been hosting the graduation event appreciating Black students for over 11 years.

But the Buffongs say celebrating success always comes with a reminder of the challenges Black students face.

According to the California Department of Education, at 72.5%, Black students had the lowest high school graduation rate among all other racial or ethnic groups at the end of the 2020 to 2021 academic year.

Jonathan said one of their goals is to help graduates transition into the next stage of their academic life, whether that be a 4-year university, community college, trade school, or employment.

“Sometimes they don’t know where to go or what to do,” said Keynasia. “There’s mentorship and sponsorship and we aim to have both.”

For the scholarship awards, the Buffongs are not just looking at grades but the full context of the graduates’ lives.

“Whether it’s COVID, deaths, family or health issues, disabilities, we’re looking for things to support them on so we can get them to the next level,” said Jonathan.

Outside of academic and career success, the Buffongs spoke about the importance of Black cultural exposure through education and traditional practices such as the Black national anthem and a libation ceremony.

The libation ceremony is performed by an elder in the community as a way to honor one’s ancestors. It is significant in various African cultures as well as other cultures around the globe.

The Buffongs say their next step is to look into more internship opportunities and figure out how to help curb the high numbers of Black high school graduates who leave the state to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tracey Bannister, Navy Office of Community Outreach

BANGOR, Wash. – A Loma Linda, California, native is stationed at Naval Base Kitsap (NBK), homeport to west coast ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines.

Lt. Yannick Munyakayanza joined the Navy for the educational opportunities and the culture the Navy provides. Today, Munyakayanza serves as an assistant targeting officer.

“I wanted to learn about nuclear engineering, and I joined for the history and heritage in the submarine community with African Americans,” said Munyakayanza.

Munyakayanza attended Campbell High School and graduated in 2007. Today, Munyakayanza uses skills and values similar to those found in Loma Linda to succeed in the Navy.

“A good mental attitude, a good level of malleability, and good study habits are the lessons learned I brought with me to the Navy from my hometown,” said Munyakayanza.

These lessons have helped Munyakayanza while serving with Commander Submarine Group 9/Commander Task Group 114.3.

Known as America’s “Apex Predators!” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.

There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).

Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. The Virginia-class SSN is the most advanced submarine in the world today. It combines stealth and payload capability to meet Combatant Commanders’ demands in this era of strategic competition.

The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles. The Columbia-class SSBN will be the largest, most capable and most advanced submarine produced by the U.S. – replacing the current Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines to ensure continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.

Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.

Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Munyakayanza is part of a rich 122-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.

Serving in the Navy means Munyakayanza is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through underwater fiber optic, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

A major component of that maritime security is homeported at Naval Submarine Base Bangor.

For decades Naval Submarine Base Bangor has been home to Ohio Class ballistic-missile submarines. Beginning in 2028, the new Columbia Class ballistic-missile submarines will arrive and provide continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.

Munyakayanza and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“Qualifying as a submarine officer and being seen as a leader among the submarine personnel, including the subsequent validation through peers and supervisors for my ability to continue a submarine career as a supervisor, is what I’m most proud of,” said Munyakayanza.

As Munyakayanza and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy means doing my part in upholding a longstanding and hard fought tradition in the submarine group, having my family be proud of me and being a part of an elite community that’s also willing to serve others,” added Munyakayanza.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Every student attending San Bernardino City Unified schools will receive COVID-19 rapid antigen tests thanks to a generous donation from Amazon.

A longtime community partner, Amazon donated 150,000 COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to the District’s Making Hope Happen Foundation, which will be distributed to every SBCUSD school. Students will take the tests home in May and can use them to test until early June, when school is out for summer break.

With the help of partners like Amazon, the Making Hope Happen Foundation (MHHF) engages people, builds partnerships, provides leadership, and delivers resources where they are needed to achieve a thriving and innovative community in which every student is a lifelong learner and can be successful in meeting their hopes and aspirations.

The Amazon donation included 75 boxes of Abbott BinaxNow rapid antigen test kits, with two tests per kit. Amazon donated these COVID-19 tests to SBCUSD in support of its continued pandemic response to ensure communities across the country have access to reliable at-home COVID-19 testing.
The Foundation supports the educational mission of the San Bernardino City Unified School District, which has embraced the power of hope as a primary driver of personal motivation and community change.

“The Making Hope Happen Foundation and SBCUSD are grateful for partnerships like this one that make these tests readily available for our more than 46,000 students,” said Ginger Ontiveros, the District’s Chief Communications/Community Engagement Officer and MHHF Executive Director. “Even as COVID wanes, it is important that we all do our part to protect ourselves and our community.”

“We’re proud to support the San Bernardino Unified School District by providing COVID-19 rapid antigen tests,” said David Ambroz, senior manager of community engagement for Amazon. “Regular and accessible testing during the pandemic continues to help keep our students and communities safe and healthy as we return to in-person activities.”

By Tanu Henry. | California Black Media

Last weekend, two of the most powerful Black women in California — both elected officers — visited seven churches in the Inland Empire, ahead of the June 7 primary elections.

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Board of Equalization Chair Malia Cohen began their micro-tour of Black churches at Loveland Church located in Fontana where the Rev. Charles Singleton is pastor.

“I’d like to introduce you to two outstanding servants of God in our state government,” retired California Assemblymember Cheryl Brown told the congregation at the oldest Black church in San Bernardino before Weber and Brown spoke.

Brown, who served in the Assembly representing the 47th District in San Bernardino County, was a member of the State Legislature from 2012 to 2016.

“First, the highest ranking African American in the state and the third in line for the governor succession, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber,” Brown asked the church to welcome Weber.

“Following her is Malia Cohen,” Brown continued. “Malia is the Chair of the Board of Equalization, and she’s running for State Controller. Both have the highest integrity.”

“I’m honored to be with you,” Weber told the congregation. “I’m the first African American to serve in this position in the 170-year history of California.”

Weber reminded the parishioners that it is “election time” and they are presented a unique opportunity to make their voices heard. She contrasted the voting rights Californians enjoy with restrictive policies in some conservative states that she says are being implemented to restrict access to the ballot box and limit public information about the electoral process.

Weber, who was an Assemblymember representing the 79th District in San Diego before Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed her Secretary of State in 2021, told the churchgoers that standing up for freedom and justice has been central to her professional career.

“I’ve spent my life as a legislator advocating on your behalf,” she said. “Making sure we had laws concerning police use of force, reparations – those opportunities that are there – those are my bills. But also making sure that everyone has the right to vote, has the information about voting, and we’ve lifted so many of the barriers to voting. Right now, in California, if you’re not sitting in state or federal prison for a felony, you can vote.”

Cohen took the podium following Weber.

“I love being in the Black church,” said Cohen, who served as President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 2018 to 2019 before she was elected to the BOE. She was a member of the San Francisco city leadership team from 2011 to 2019.

“To the church, I know you know how important voting is. I know you know a lot of elected officials that come through here’” Cohen told congregants. “I don’t want you to be offended. It is our way of saying thank you and acknowledging the power that lies in this congregation.”

Weber and Cohen are two out of three African Americans among California’s eight constitutional officers. The other is State Superintendent for Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. All of them are on the ballot for the upcoming June 7 primary election.

The other Inland Empire churches Cohen and Weber visited are Loveland Church in Fontana, Life Changing Ministries in San Bernardino, St. Paul AME in San Bernardino, Temple Metropolitan Baptist Church in San Bernardino, and Ecclesia Christian Fellowship in San Bernardino.

Cohen also visited New Life Christian Fellowship in Fontana.

“I am here to ask humbly for your support,” said Cohen. “I’ve served eight years on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. I’ve served three years on the Board of Equalization, and I would like to serve another four years as your State Controller. Please remember me as you cast your ballots.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) Superintendent Doc Ervin announced Tuesday, May 3 that he will retire at the end of this school year. In making the announcement, Ervin praised the educational community for putting students first during what he called “the most unprecedented time for public education.”

“When I joined the SBCUSD team, my goal was twofold. First to reopen schools to in-person learning after the pandemic pushed classes online for a year, and second to set us on a transformational path toward becoming a high-performing public school district,” said Ervin. “I am proud to say we accomplished the first and have good curricular, instructional, and assessment systems and structures in place to support the second.”

Ervin was hired one year ago, with the Board of Education unanimously appointing him for a three-year assignment. According to Ervin, he made the decision to retire earlier than expected after carefully considering family, health, and progress toward his professional goals here.

“Superintendent Ervin came to SBCUSD, listened to our community, and led us through reopening our schools with an emphasis on doing what’s best for kids,” said Dr. Scott Wyatt, President of the Board of Education. “While his tenure will be brief, his impact on our system has helped us see new opportunities to help scholars excel and move our District on a trajectory toward becoming a high performing district of excellence.”

Ervin spent several months gathering input from the community through his Listening & Learning Tour. He shared his findings with the District’s leadership team who developed five overarching goals to strengthen student outcomes. Then at Mr. Ervin’s urging parents, students, teachers, community leaders, principals, District administrators, and Board members joined a task force to build on these overarching goals and create a new strategic plan known as Framework for Excellence: Vision 2025. Nearly complete, the Framework will provide SBCUSD with a roadmap to guide its success in the future.

Ervin noted that he appreciates the support he’s received from members of the District’s Board of Education. He added that he hopes they will embrace the collaboratively designed Framework before the next school year begins and will come together to select a new leader who is aligned with their educational philosophy.

“As I have said since I started my role here, SBCUSD has everything it needs to be a high-performing, urban public school system,” said Ervin. “I believe in the plans our team developed together with input from our school community. I believe they can be successful regardless of my decision to step away because this District is an educational community that wants transformational change. Success is possible if everyone stays focused on making decisions in the best interests of kids.”

In addition to reopening schools and preparing the Framework for Excellence, Mr. Ervin also led the District in many other accomplishments including:
• Implementation of a robust COVID-19 management system that protected SBCUSD students, staff, and community to the greatest extent possible.
• Establishing a District division to focus on Equity, Access and Innovation and ensure all students are met with the support and opportunity they need to be successful.
• Implementation of a system-wide digitized 4-year plan to guide high school students toward graduation and improve college readiness.
• Adoption of the NWEA assessment systems to provide meaningful insights for teaching and learning that will help educators improve their effectiveness.
• Establishment of a Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Committee to ensure representation and improved communication with parents and guardians from all 73 schools.
• Improvement of communication between the District and its various stakeholders through the deployment of ParentSquare and several electronic newsletters.
• Achievement of three new Linked Learning Gold Certified Career Pathways and the state’s first Linked Learning Gold High School.
• Launching of a pilot program for a Learning Labs as a model to scale Districtwide in support of academic success in literacy and math.
• Initiation of teacher-led efforts to align curriculum, instruction, and assessment systems to provide uniformity, continuity, and consistency across all schools.

Mr. Ervin’s last day as Superintendent will be July 1, 2022. The Board of Education will discuss the process of identifying the District’s next superintendent at a future board meeting.

YUCAIPA, CA— Eight senior students within the Chaffey Joint Union High School District have been awarded with Chaffey College Trust Fund Scholarships.

The Chaffey Trust, established in 1882, created the scholarship program in 1967 to provide awards to outstanding students in the Chaffey District. Every year, scholarships are awarded to seniors at each of the Chaffey District’s eight comprehensive high schools for their academic record, participation in student activities and potential for collegiate success. Each scholarship is named after a former Chaffey District superintendent.

The recipients are:

Emily Barrera, Chaffey High School, the Bette Harrison Scholarship ($2,000). Barrera plans to attend the University of La Verne and major in education.

Navnit Kaur, Ontario High School, the Barry W. Cadwallader Scholarship ($1,900). Kaur plans to attend the University of California Irvine and major in biology/public health.

Rhema Hooper, Colony High School, the Merton E. Hill Scholarship ($1,800). Hooper plans to attend the Lehigh University and major in humanities and medicine.

Aidan Daniel, Alta Loma High School, the Gardiner W. Spring Scholarship ($1,700). Daniel plans to attend Cal Poly Pomona and major in aerospace engineering.

Annie Pan, Los Osos High School, the Daniel B. Milliken Scholarship ($1,600). Pan plans to attend UCLA or Vanderbilt University and major in applied mathematics.

Hanna Mann, Rancho Cucamonga High School, the Allan G. Smith Scholarship ($1,500). Mann plans to attend UCLA and major in psychobiology.

Richard Nguyen, Ontario High School, the Mike Dirksen Scholarship ($1,400). Nguyen plans to attend the University of California Irvine and major in nursing.

Meghann Domond, Los Osos High School, the Dean Smothers Scholarship ($1,300). Domond plans to attend the California State University Fullerton or the University of California San Diego and major in business legal studies.

The scholarship candidacies were reviewed by Bob Beck, Gary Ovitt, Susan Petrocelli, George Johnson and Joey Collisson.

Former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Dr. Robert Redfield will visit with San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) students who are interested in medical careers during a May 17 visit.

Redfield, a virologist and infectious disease clinician, joined the AM LLC executive team as senior medical advisor and his visit is part of the company’s work to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 around the country. SBCUSD hired AM LLC as a consultant in 2021 as the District was preparing for the return of students to in-person instruction.

SBCUSD high school students who are enrolled in health and medical pathways at Cajon High, Indian Springs High, Pacific High, San Andreas High, Sierra High, and San Gorgonio High Schools will participate in this special event.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Less than a month before California’s June 7 Primary Election, Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton claims reports concerning a civil case filed against her husband’s church are being misrepresented by her opponents.

An unnamed alleged victim has filed a lawsuit in Contra Costa County against the Rev. Alvin C. Bernstine, pastor of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Richmond and a former church employee. The men are accused of sexual abuse of a 14-year-old. The lawyers for the victim say the crime took place about 10 years ago.

Becton, who is the county’s first Black district attorney has been married to Bernstine since 2020.

“The safety of Contra Costa residents, including women and girls, is my highest priority,” Becton said in a statement to California Black Media. “The church where my husband is a pastor has been the subject of misleading news articles that are distorting the facts. The civil case is going to work its way through the courts, and I am confident the truth will come to light.”

Becton, a former Contra Costa County Superior Court judge, was appointed the county’s 25th District Attorney by the county’s supervisors in 2017. The following year, she ran and was elected to the position.

She is currently running for reelection in the June 7 election against prosecutor Mary Knox.

The allegations of sex abuse center around Jesse Armstrong, a former youth choir director at the church, hired by Bernstine.

The victim’s lawyers allege that Armstrong is a registered sex offender in the state of California and is serving a two-year and eight-month prison sentence for the abuse that allegedly took place over a four-month period.

The lawsuit also claims that Armstrong was twice convicted of sexually abusing at least five minor girls before working at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church.

“(Armstrong) used his position as choir youth director to meet, groom and reportedly sexually assault Jane SD Doe,” the victim’s attorneys say. “The sexual abuse mentioned in the lawsuit occurred at various locations, including but not limited to, between classes at the plaintiff’s school, and at hotels, oftentimes immediately following choir practice or other church events.”

The victim’s attorney questioned Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church’s hiring process, arguing that “a minimal background check would have revealed” that Armstrong was a sexual predator.

“Either they hired him with no background check, which is the height of negligence, or they knew of his criminal background and hired him anyway which could expose them to criminal liability,” the attorneys’ stated.

Becton’s spokesperson Ted Asregadoo said, “the events listed in this civil suit occurred in 2012” and “these civil claims substantially predate” Becton’s and Bernstine’s marriage.

Becton recently told CBM that her priority is keeping the 1.1 million residents of Contra Costa County safe from dangerous and violent criminals.

The reports of the civil lawsuit involving a teenage girl surfaced after Becton, 70, received key endorsements for her reelection campaign and her office was recognized for its involvement in closing a decades-old cold case.

On April 23, Becton, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Richmond Acting Police Chief Louie Tirona announced that they identified a man who killed a 28-year-old woman in 1999. The culprit, who died 11 days after the crime, was identified through DNA left at the scene.

Becton has also received backlash from some members of law enforcement for her stance in another case. In April 2021, she announced charges for felony voluntary manslaughter, felony assault with a semi-automatic firearm and unreasonable force against Andrew Hall, a White Danville police officer and deputy. In October 2021, Hall was convicted for assault with a firearm in the 2018 shooting of Laudemer Arboleda, a 33-year-old Filipino American man.

In March, a Contra Costa Superior Court judge sentenced Hall to six years in prison.

Knox, a registered Democrat who has served as a Contra Costa County prosecutor for 37 years, is running against Becton.

Becton blames the timing of the current reports on her opponent.

“It is outrageous that my opponent is using this case to try to score political points and for political gain days before ballots get into the hands of voters. I won’t be doing the same,” Becton stated.