By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

Like her devotion to her Catholic faith, Brenda Harris’ willingness to help others, especially disadvantaged people, was consistent and rare, authentic in a way that drew everyone to her, friends and loved ones say.

On March 5, Harris, an outspoken advocate and civil servant who influenced state education policy, died after a brief illness. She was 71.

“I had the honor of knowing Brenda for over 35 years, dating back to when she was a senior advisor at the California Department of Education. She was an extraordinary individual, an expert policymaker in the field of education and a fearless civil rights advocate,” said Dotson Wilson, former Chief Clerk and Parliamentarian of the California Assembly.

“Whether she was speaking to aspiring young students, academicians or elected officials, Brenda remained steadfast in her goal to implement sound education policy,” Wilson continued. “I consider it an honor to have known her as a colleague and friend.”

Wilson, who was the longest serving African American in the State Assembly, retired in 2019 after 26 years.

Before becoming an Education Program Consultant at the California Department of Education, an advisor to the California State Board of Education and a Professor at Sacramento State University, Harris was an elementary, middle and high school teacher in San Francisco.

Harris, who was a resident of Sacramento when she passed, tutored students and taught classes at several after-school programs and community learning centers in Sacramento and the Bay Area.

When Harris was a teenager, her family moved to Marysville, California, a Yuba County town about 50 miles north of San Francisco. After graduating from high school in 1969, she attended Gonzaga University in Washington. Later, she transferred to the University of San Francisco (USF) in 1971, where she majored in Communications and Sociology.

“She looked up to her parents as role models, both of whom were active participants in the civil rights movement and had participated in the Montgomery Bus Boycott in the mid-1950s,” said Jack Weinrieb and Meghan Grant, two San Francisco educators who wrote a biography of Harris.

“Harris would listen to her parents discuss the inhumanity of racism, injustice, and discrimination and quickly learned about the importance of doing her part in social movements,” Weinreib and Grant continued. “Harris recalls that her mother instilled an understanding that underprivileged populations have similar struggles, no matter their race.”

While she was a student at USF, Harris became close to other Black students and participated in several social and political activities on campus and in nearby neighborhoods.

She worked in USF’s financial aid office and with the school’s Drama department. And she volunteered, lending her time to community organizations serving several disadvantaged city districts with large Black populations, including the Western Addition, Bayview–Hunters Point, Haight-Ashbury and the Fillmore.

Daniel Hahn, Sacramento’s first Black Chief of Police – who served from 2017 until the end of last year – said he was always impressed by how many people Harris knew and how committed she was to helping others.

“She was extremely engaged in making tomorrow better for all people,” he said. “She was constantly introducing me to people in the city and she was always encouraging me to carry out the things I believed in. She wasn’t just talk. She always followed through with her actions.”

Harris attended St. Ignatius Loyola church in Sacramento and taught classes at the church’s Center for Ignatian Spirituality.

“Gratitude is at the core of my existence. Ignatian Spirituality made me a global citizen. Living at this moment in world history, I am to share Ignatian Spirituality with a diverse ecumenical group globally,” Harris said in a statement on the center’s website.

Regina Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media, said Harris loved the Black press.

“She always wanted to know what was happening in Black communities,” Wilson said. “She was a faithful supporter of Black-owned news outlets across the state.”

“For her, it was more than just representation. It was about informing people, educating people and improving lives,” Wilson said.

A memorial mass for Harris will be held at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Sacramento at 10 a.m. on April l8.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. is happy to announce the 2022 SheRoes recipients in honor of Women’s History Month. The women selected are members of our Fifth District community, in their respective fields who have dedicated countless hours to improving the lives of others. The women who have been chosen to be the recipients of the 2022 SheRoes of the Fifth are:

• Ronecia Miller of San Bernardino, Founder of Sistas Making a Difference.
• Alicia Truelove works in Colton, Nurse Educator at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.
• Dianne Mendez of Bloomington, Municipal Advisory Council volunteer, School Board member for Public Charter School System in San Bernardino County, Staff Analyst at San Bernardino County Fire Protection District.
• Karen Suarez of San Bernardino, Director of Uplift San Bernardino.
• Irma Herrera of Rialto, Instructor for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and volunteer at LISTOS, a disaster preparedness organization.

Our 2022 SheRoes WonderWoman is Teresa Escoto of Bloomington, Informational Officer of Bloomington Little League, Bloomington Municipal Advisory Council Volunteer, mother, wife, and friend to all.

“The women that were selected for this recognition are selfless community members who advocate their time and efforts in improving our community and the lives of those who reside here and afar. It is an honor to recognize these strong women for their commitment and leadership. Our district stands strong due to their constant support and efforts.”– Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- More than 160 middle and high school students showcased their acting, dancing, singing talents at the Performing Arts Showcase on March 8.

“This event is a wonderful opportunity for students in arts programs throughout the county to come together for an outstanding performance,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “We have so much talent among our students and to see them in the spotlight in a professional, historical setting was truly incredible.”

The event was held at the historic California Theatre of the Performing Arts in San Bernardino. The student performers represented eight districts in San Bernardino County.

“I’m excited to be with all my friends, especially after COVID, and it’s just a blessing to be able to perform [in person] again,” said Mercedes, a Senior at A.B. Miller High School and a member of the dance ensemble. “It just brings peace of mind that hard times don’t last forever and being able to dance and share this art with other people is a great opportunity.”

The first Performing Arts Showcase took place in 2016 and has been held annually at the California Theatre, except for a two-year break from 2020 to 2021 due to COVID-19 protocols. This year, students, teachers and attendees celebrated a return to in person performances.

San Bernardino Superintendent of Schools hosts the event in collaboration with The California Arts Project.

For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow us @SBCountySchools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.#transforminglives.

Did you know? Burning Bush Church in Victorville offers free COVID-19 testing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday. A vaccination clinic is planned at the church on Sunday, March 20. For more information, call (760) 241-6221.

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

In February, Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Adetokunbo “Toks” Omishakin Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA).

Omishakin, 44, makes history as the first African American to serve in that cabinet-level position responsible for overseeing all state agencies that regulate and support transportation and administer services related to the sector.

“@CAgovernor want to express gratitude for new appt to Cabinet Secretary @CA_Trans_Agency,” Omishaken thanked the Governor in a Twitter post after his nomination was announced in February.

“Looking fwd to continued #partnership and realizing shared vision to implement initiatives with #Equity #Climate #Safety focus, for CA’s transportation system, now and in future. #CAForAll,” Omishakin’s tweet continued.

In California state government’s chain of command, Omishakin’s role as Secretary is a step up from his last role: Director of California Department of Transportation (CalTrans).

Gov. Newsom appointed him to lead CalTrans in September 2019.

Earlier this month, Omishakin’s wife and two children joined him as he took the oath of office in Sacramento to begin serving in the governor’s cabinet.

At the swearing in ceremony Gov. Newsom said Omishakin brings experience and vision to the role.

“As head of the largest and most complex transportation system in the nation, I’m confident that he’ll continue to bring his forward-thinking leadership and dedication to serving the people of California,” Newsom stated “(Omishakin will) advance our ongoing work to build safer, healthier, and more sustainable communities that serve all Californians.”

The same day Omishakin took the oath of office, Gov. Newsom swore in Amy Tong, 48, to succeed his African American Secretary of California Government Operations Agency (GovOps) Yolanda Richardson.

Richardson resigned from the role in February, citing personal reasons. That same week California’s first African American Surgeon General Nadine Burke-Harris also resigned “to focus on her family.”

Tong previously served as Director of the California Office of Digital Innovation.  Before that, she was Director of the California Department of Technology.

“A veteran of state service, Director Tong’s deep experience in the public sector and leadership in the technology field have helped guide key efforts to make government more efficient and effective, including our work to bridge the digital divide and help state agencies navigate complex challenges during the pandemic,” Newsom said, pointing out Tong’s past accomplishments.

In his role as CalSTA Secretary, Omishakin will oversee Caltrans, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the California Highway Patrol, the High-Speed Rail Authority, among other agencies and transportation-focused committees.

He is assuming the position after President Joe Biden signed a $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill into law last year. The legislation will direct billions of dollars into the state for wildfire preparation, public transit projects, bridge and road repair, and broadband internet.

California will receive $25 billion from the federal government for highways under the Reconnecting Communities Initiative. The program was created to undo some of the effects of the economic and social disruption caused by highway construction through a number of majority Black communities under the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956.

The U.S. Transportation Department estimates that, between 1957 and 1977, nearly 480,000 households across the country were forced out of their homes to accommodate the highway construction, which started under President Dwight?D. Eisenhower’s administration.?Some of those highway projects entrenched segregation by isolating some of those majority-Black communities and cutting off their access to resources.

In an April 2021 interview with California Black Media, Omishakin said CalTrans needs to “engage more” with Black and Brown communities.

“We need to reach out more to people and businesses to let them know what opportunities exist,” he said.

The position of Secretary of the California State Transportation requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $227,178 annually.

Omishakin, born in Knoxville, Tenn., is registered without a political party preference.

Omishakin earned a Master of Arts degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Jackson State University, a Historical Black University and College (HBCU) in Mississippi. He is completing a doctorate degree in Engineering Management at the University of Tennessee.

From 2011 to 2019, Omishakin was Deputy Commissioner for Environment and Planning at the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

In August 2020, Omishakin opened the CalTrans Office of Race and Equity (CORE), which works closely with the Office of Civil Rights to combine equity initiatives. The office hosts a virtual business summit to support small business owners.

“Omishakin has implemented innovative strategies to create a more equitable, world-class transportation network for all users while improving the safety and livability of neighborhoods across the state. Under his leadership, Caltrans has worked to accelerate more than 100 roadway projects during the pandemic, adjusted operations to help keep goods moving amid supply chain challenges and spearheaded the transformative Clean California program that is revitalizing public spaces across California,” said Newsom.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Approximately 80 middle and high school students from throughout San Bernardino County showcased their talents during the 2022 County Honor Orchestras Concert on Saturday, March 5, at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel.

“It is remarkable to see all these talented student musicians from across the county unite for an outstanding performance,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “This is a wonderful event and really puts student talent in the spotlight, recognizing their hard work, diligence and dedication.”

Since 1986, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools has collaborated with the San Bernardino County Music Educators Association to host the honor orchestras concert for students involved in music education programs throughout the county.

“It’s amazing to be able to come and meet people I know I never would have been able to meet,” said Rachel, a student at Oak Hills High School and orchestra participant. “I’ve been playing viola for six years. I love being able to come here and have this experience, and it’s such a unique experience that most people don’t get to have.”

More than 30 students from a dozen area middle schools took the stage first, and the chapel filled with the sounds of violins, violas, cellos and basses.

Middle school students were conducted by Adelle Glass, an elementary instrumental music teacher in Redlands Unified School District, who led them in the opening arrangement of Alborada from Capriccio Espagnol.

Following the middle school performance, the high school honor orchestra opened with a rendition of Allegretto, the first movement of Palladio by Karl Jenkins.

Todd Montemayor conducted the 50 students, who represented 14 different high schools.

Montemayor is an instrumental music teacher at Del Vallejo Middle School in San Bernardino and both the music director and conductor of the Redlands Youth Symphony.

The two orchestras played four pieces each, delivering performances that received thunderous applause.

While string instruments took center stage during this performance, wind and percussion instrumentalists will come to the University of Redlands campus on April 16 for the Basin Honor Band Concert.

University of Redlands and the University School of Music have a long history of supporting the County honor band and honor orchestra performances. The use of the Memorial Chapel has been provided for many years and university music students provide logistical support for the event.

By Joe W. Bowers | California Black Media

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered his fourth State of the State address.

Before Newsom’s speech, California Republicans posted a video of Assemblymember Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Newhall) countering the main points in the governor’s upcoming address.

After he spoke, state Sen. Brian Dahle (R-Bieber), who is a candidate for Governor, delivered the official Republican rebuttal.

Newsom delivered his 18-minute speech from the auditorium of the California Natural Resources Agency in front of a joint session of the Legislature. For him, the address was unusually brief. He remarked as he began speaking, “I don’t imagine there are many people outside these walls waiting on the words that will be said here tonight … as the people of Ukraine continue to come under assault”

Newsom touted that California is a beacon of democratic principles offering opportunity to all.

“Take our Constitutional officers here tonight,” he said. “They include the daughter of an Arkansas sharecropper, an immigrant from the Philippines, the daughters of parents born in China and Greece, one raised by a teacher from Panama, and the proud son of undocumented Mexican immigrants.”

Newsom used the expression “The California Way” to laud California’s leadership in research, innovation, entrepreneurialism, and venture capital. It is why California is the World’s fifth largest economy and why its GDP growth consistently outpaces the rest of the nation and most other large Western democracies, he said.

“In December alone” Newsom boasted, “25 % of America’s jobs were created right here in California. A million new jobs in the last 12 months. More new business starts during the worst of the pandemic than Texas and Florida combined.”

Under Newsom’s administration, Californians have received the largest state tax rebate in American History.

He continued his speech, listing more accomplishments.

“We raised the minimum wage. We increased paid sick leave. Provided more paid family leave. Expanded childcare to help working parents. And this year, with your support, we will do something no other state in America has done — provide health for all, regardless of immigration status”

Although there are numerous achievements for which the Governor can take credit, other daunting challenges Californians face every day remain. In their rebuttal, the Republicans zeroed in on those problems, which they describe as Newsom’s failures due to “one party state rule.”

Valladares began her pre-rebuttal of Newsom’s address by saying, “You can expect big claims about California leading the way on any number of issues. But if you want to know the real state of the state, just look around,” as she stood in front of a homeless encampment.

 “In every community, impoverished, mentally ill and drug-addicted Californians are living and dying on the streets. Half of the country’s unsheltered homeless live on our streets,” she said.

Another Newsom failure Valladares point out is “a tidal wave of crime that is washing over our communities.” She attributes the increase to watered-down prison sentences, early release and the elimination of cash bail promoted by “elitist politicians” and “activist district attorneys.”

In his rebuttal, Dahle focused on high gas prices.

“California has, by far, the highest cost at the pump. Cross the state line in any direction and you’ll save $1 a gallon,” he said. “Our prices are even higher than Hawaii, an island out in the middle of the Pacific.”

Dahle expressed concerned that, “when the current governor was running for office, he talked about his big plans to fix the housing shortage by adding 3.5 million new homes by 2025. Unfortunately, the big talk has brought no results.”

Another Dahle concern is, “a mass exodus has swept across California. People and businesses are leaving the state’s hostile business climate. That has real consequences.”

Newsom’s order to shut down business to mitigate COVID-19 spread disrupted lives in so many ways, according to Dahle. He also said that California schools were closed longer than any other state and the administration’s mask and vaccine mandates as well as other COVID protocols were stricter than any other state, causing learning loss and health challenges among students.

Newsom acknowledged the gas crisis in his State of the State.

“Look, no one’s naïve about the moment we’re living in, with high gas prices and the geopolitical uncertainty fueling them. In January we proposed to pause the gas tax increase. Now, it’s clear we must go further. That’s why — working with Legislative leadership — I’ll be submitting a proposal to put money back in the pockets of Californians, to address rising gas prices.”

Speaking about homelessness, Newsom noted that, “Just a few years ago, California lacked any comprehensive strategy. In just three years, we not only have a comprehensive plan, we’re also requiring new accountability and providing unprecedented investments for cities and counties on the front lines.”

He admitted, “And while we moved a record 58,000 people off the streets since the beginning of the pandemic, we recognize we have more to do.”

Newsom talked about tackling education problems by introducing a new grade he’s calling “transitional kindergarten,” and expanding before and after school programs. He is also funding universal school meals and child savings accounts.

Unapologetically, Newsom said, “our lockdowns, distressing as they were, saved lives. Our mask mandates saved lives. Your choices saved lives. California experienced far lower COVID death rates than any other large state. Fewer than Texas, Ohio. Fewer than Florida — 35 %, to be exact.”

Whether they heard Newsom’s speech or the Republican rebuttals, Californians are aware of the state of the state as they are filling up their gas tanks, searching for a house to buy, trying to rent an apartment or deciding whether they should continue wearing a mask in public.

What they need to hear from Democrats and Republicans is less rhetorical crossfire and more detailed proposals aimed at solving the many challenges of living in California.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Victor Valley Station recently welcomed new Phelan Posse members, Roger and Noanna Compton.

“We can already tell this husband-and-wife duo will be an asset to our team and we are excited to work with them,” said the department. “Welcome to the team!”

The Sixth Annual High Desert Pirate Renaissance Faire will take place this weekend at Hesperia Lake Park. Activities will include games, pirate battles, face painting and plenty of merry merchants selling their wares. The two-day festival will take place from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. March 19, and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. March 20. Hesperia Lake Park is located at 7500 Arrowhead Lake Rd., Hesperia. Single day tickets (ages 13-64) are $20, or $38 for the weekend. Seniors, military and first responders are $18 single day, or $32 for the weekend. Kids 12 and under are free with paying adult. Discounted tickets are available through the Faire’s website.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Steven Sims, right, from San Bernardino, California, both assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) air department, recover a simulated casualty during a mass casualty drill on the flight deck, March 4, 2022. Ford is in port at Naval Station Norfolk executing a tailored basic phase prior to the ship’s first operational deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jacob Mattingly)