SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- On Friday, August 20^th Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes honored two of the 2021 Minerva Scholarship recipients. The program awards up to eighty-seven California residents a $2,500 scholarship.

The Minerva Scholarship program was established by Women in California Leadership to support the advancement and empowerment of women. This foundation awarded two scholarships to students from the 47^th Assembly District.

The 2021 scholarships were awarded to Veronica Banuelos, San Bernardino and Destiny Lopez, Rialto. Both have shown a commitment to their communities and higher education.

“It is an honor to present these two scholarships to women in our community who have gone above and beyond to serve their community and strive for more knowledge,” said Assembly Majority Leader Reyes. “Congratulations to Veronica and Destiny and good luck on your studies.”

Veronica is a first year student at Pomona College, graduating Arroyo Valley High School in 2020 during the pandemic. During high school, she served as academic decathlon president, varsity tennis captain, Pomona College Academy of Youth Success Student Advisory Board, and teaching assistant.

Additionally, she was an organizer for Bloodstream Blood Drive and Adopt-A-Family for her local community. Veronica was also part of the third Assembly District 47 Young Legislators, where she actively participated in each of our meetings, and went beyond the expectations of the program by volunteering at several of our District events.

Her commitment to her scholastic and athletic excellence and to her community’s success is what shaped her into the leader she is today, and the leader she will be in the future.

“I would like to thank the Minerva Scholarship program for making this scholarship possible and available for students like myself. I can humbly say, from the bottom of my heart, that I am honored, and grateful to use this to continue my education. Thank you to Assembly Majority Leader Reyes, Maha Rizvi, and the rest of the team for introducing me to such wonderful opportunities,” said Veronica Banuelos.

A recent graduate of Eisenhower High School, Destiny is planning to attend California State University, San Marcos. While attending school, she was an active student in her school district, where she had the opportunity to serve as the student voice on Rialto Unified School District’s Strategic Planning Committee.

Her involvement continued to high school where she served as ASB President, ASB Vice president, District Strategic Planning Committee-Student Member, Key Club President, Varsity Cheer Captain, and Equity and Access Team Member.

Surrounded by the uncertainty of the pandemic and the devastation of losing a year on campus, she applied and was selected as Student Board Member for RUSD, where she advocated for social emotional programs for students affected by the pandemic.

“It was an honor to be able to take part in this experience that so few women are able to I couldn’t begin to express how grateful I am. I promise to make you proud,” said Destiny Lopez.

For more information on the complete scholarship requirements and details, go to the Foundation’s website at https://wicl.us/scholarship-program/

---

Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes represents Assembly District 47 which includes the cities of Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Grand Terrace, San Bernardino, and the unincorporated areas of Muscoy and Bloomington.

By Lt. Jill Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A San Bernardino, California, native serves at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville located in Jacksonville, Florida.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Karam Elzein joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Elzein serves as a master-at-arms.

“I was the only one in my family to join the Navy,” said Elzein. “It provides good structure and stability for my family, and for the opportunity to travel the world.”

Growing up in San Bernardino, Elzein attended Cajon High School and graduated in 2013. She also graduated with a bachelor’s degree from California State University of San Bernandino. Today, Elzein finds the values in San Bernardino similar to those needed to succeed in the military.

“I try to do my best at everything I do,” said Elzein. “I was a wildlife firefighter, and that inspired me to join the Navy. After being a firefighter, I learned that I could do anything I want.”

These lessons have helped Elzein while serving at NAS Jacksonville.

On Oct. 15, 1940, NAS Jacksonville was officially commissioned, and became the first part of the Jacksonville Navy complex that would also include NAS Cecil Field and Naval Station Mayport.

According to Navy officials, the mission of NAS Jacksonville is to enable warfighter readiness focused directly on support of operational units aboard the base and throughout the fleet.

NAS Jacksonville consists of more than 100 tenant commands and is one of the largest employers in the area. It contributes to the growth and prosperity of Northeast Florida with an economic impact of more than $2 billion annually.

Serving in the Navy means Elzein is part of a world 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.

“Overall, the Navy provides guardians of the sea,” said Elzein. “We are the first line of defense.”

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 fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities, and capacity.

“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”

There are many accomplishments that come with military service, and Elzein is most proud of earning a meritorious promotion to petty officer second class.

“I was the distinguished graduate of my school, and I am proud to be an E-5,” said Elzein. “My overall goal is to become a commissioned officer. That’s my drive.”

As Elzein and other sailors continue to train, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“When I first joined the Navy, it was an outlet of my civilian days, I needed something more than living paycheck to paycheck,” added Elzein. “The more that I’ve learned about the Navy, I am proud to serve. It means a lot to my family, and the big puzzle is finally coming together.”

By Rick Callender 

On September 14 a special election will be held to determine whether Governor Gavin Newsom should be recalled. This is only the fourth time in American history – that a state has held a gubernatorial recall election. The last gubernatorial recall election in California took place nearly 20 years ago.

This recall election was triggered after the Secretary of State certified that 1.7 million Californians signed a petition demanding a vote to remove Newsom from the office he assumed in January 2019. Under state law, to initiate a recall, proponents need to collect the signatures of enough registered voters to equal 12% of the turnout in the prior governor’s race.

The recall ballots will ask two questions. The first is a simple yes-or-no question: should Newsom be recalled.  If 50% or more of voters mark ‘NO’then the effort to recall Newsom is defeated. However, if more than 50% mark ‘YES’ then the second question comes into play: who should replace him? There are 46 names on the ballot and the candidate with the most votes, as dictated by state law, will become governor for the remainder of Newsom’s term – which is through January 2023. 

Whether or not you support Newsom your vote in this election matters. 

When we cast a vote, we win. We are represented. That’s the power that lies at the heart of the democratic process. It is the beauty of having free and fair elections. 

Blacks Americans have a long history of struggling to exercise their right as citizens to vote. Those who came of age before 1965, less than 60 years ago, felt it all too keenly, particularly in the South, where they were systematically turned away from polling places.  Once they secured the vote, the idea of not even attempting to participate in an election would have been an abdication of their rights as Americans. 

The people we entrust with our vote to lead us — whether it is at the federal, state, or local level – are responsible for developing policies and legislation that affect how safe we are in our homes and communities, our access to quality health care and education, the financial opportunities available to us, and more. 

An outcome of the 2020 Presidential election cycle has been an extension of the unprecedented assault on voting rights beginning with the Supreme Court decision, Shelby v. Holder (2013), weakening the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and has led to more laws restricting our ability to vote. 

California has taken extraordinary steps to remove barriers and increase access to the polls, setting the national standard for what free and fair elections should look like.  We cannot afford to be complacent and watch like spectators as our rights are rolled back, our interests are ignored, and our power is discounted. This recall election will be a crucial test of our will as voters.

Sometimes it might feel like democracy happens election by election, step by step, once every two or even four years. But democracy doesn’t work like that. It doesn’t take a day off. It’s a constant process, happening all the time, whether we choose to engage or not. It’s messy, ugly, hard work. Not voting is just as much an act of democracy as is voting – refusing to participate is a choice. 

Every registered voter will automatically receive a ballot. Vote by mail started Aug 16. The last day to register to vote is August 30. However, you can “conditionally” register and vote at your county elections office or polling location after the voter registration deadline, up to and including Election Day. It’s a chance we must seize, regardless of party affiliation – our democracy, our community, our lives depend on it. 

---

Rick L. Callender, Esq. is the President of the California/Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP and serves as a member of the National NAACP board of directors.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—For 17 years, San Bernardino High School has held the Miss Cardinal City Pageant in the fall and the Mr. Cardinal City Pageant in the spring. The COVID-19 pandemic changed that when first the 2020 Mr. Cardinal City Pageant had to be cancelled, then the 2020 Miss Cardinal City Pageant and 2021 Mr. Cardinal City Pageant.

With the 2021–2022 school year underway with in-person learning and in-person Board meetings, pageant director and bilingual school outreach worker Jaime Rios decided it was the right time to bring back the Cardinal City Pageants, but this time as a combined event in the fall.

“Since we missed two Mr. Cardinal City Pageants due to COVID, I didn’t want the students to wait until spring for that event,” Rios said. “Plus, since we’re coming back from an enforced hiatus, it seemed like a great opportunity to rethink the pageants to make them better than ever.”

Being crowned Mr. or Miss Cardinal City is an honor and a responsibility that many San Bernardino High School (SBHS) students desire.

To earn the title, contestants spend hours at rehearsals and mock interviews. They volunteer their free time to read to young children and help the homeless. Even before the young men and women take the stage for the formalwear and interview portions of the competition, they have all proven their dedication to SBHS and their community.

The school is asking local businesses and individuals to help make the pageant a success by donating time and resources. Any donations are welcome, from cash to in-kind donations. To become a sponsor, contact pageant director Jaime Rios at (909) 881-8217.

The combined Mr. & Miss Cardinal City Pageant is Saturday, September 25, 2021, 6 p.m., at Sturges Center for the Performing Arts, 780 North E Street in San Bernardino. Tickets are available from Rios or any Mr. or Miss Cardinal City contestant. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door.

SBHS and Sturges will comply with the latest COVID safety guidelines during the event. Due to changing circumstances, safety guidelines may change between now and the pageant.

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

“It isn’t every day that you find an honest auto mechanic willing to give you truth and a reasonable price [or even an amazing deal!], but when you find “The One,” let them know you appreciate their integrity and goodwill.”

Being a great mechanic involves more than identifying problems, repairing or replacing worn parts and knowing the difference between the camshaft and crankshaft. They have the experience that results in the confidence to take on any challenge. They’ve gotten their hands dirty, experimented, and seen a lot of problems. So, when you find “The One,” let them know that you appreciate them.

With that being said, Brother’s Keeper Mission Project would like to thank Mr. Angel Pulido, Mr. Alfonso Velazquez, and Mr. Luis Rios, of Angel’s Tire & Car Care, located at 455 North Waterman Avenue, San Bernardino, California for their impeccable service. Thank you! You are appreciated.

Did you know that the Family Assistance Program has a free after school program for youth ages 11-21? The FamSpot Youth Drop-In Center, located at 16857 C Street in Victorville, provides a safe and positive environment for youth to get tutoring assistance, mentoring, resume workshops, and more. The center also has a game room and offers free snacks, WiFi and a variety of activities throughout the week. Activities include Movin & Music on Mondays, Tastin’ Tuesdays, World Wednesdays, Teach Me Thursdays, and Fiscal Fridays. Want to learn more? Call (760) 843-0701 or visit them online.

Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September provides an opportunity to remind the public about the urgent need to support research to fight blood cancer — a disease that is diagnosed every three minutes in the U.S. and has no current means of prevention. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, myeloma survivor, and feather of three, Oya of Philadelphia, PA won’t let anything stand in his way as he prepares his kids for another challenging school year.

“Myeloma is the most prevalent blood cancer among people of African descent and it is also one of the hematologic malignancies with the greatest racial disparities,” said Oya. “This population is not only twice as likely to develop this rare and incurable cancer when compared to white Americans and other racial groups, but they are also more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age.”

Oya takes a pill every morning and hasn’t let his blood cancer stand in the way of moving the needle forward for other patients through his advocacy work and making sure his children don’t miss a beat while staying informed. “The global COVID-19 pandemic has only magnified the issues patients face beyond health concerns to include added distress, new financial worries, loneliness, and uncertainty,” said Oya. “LLS continues to help blood cancer patients through a wide range of free services, ranging from clinical trial navigation to support programs like Myeloma Link, which aims to break down barriers and address the needs of underserved populations.”

The global leader in the fight against blood cancer, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), where Oya is a passionate advocate and volunteer, is working tirelessly to find cures and provide more support for blood cancer patients and their families than any organization in the world. “I hope to get that message out to more people in the black community and especially parents who need support along with the need for more African American stem cell donors,” said Oya.

By Lou Yeboah

My heart breaks as I see many turn a deaf ear to the warnings – a blind eye to the obvious signs; but as My Word which goes forth from My mouth; know that it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” [Isaiah 55:11]. Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand-a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army is coming, such as never was of old nor ever will be in ages to come. Cry out to Me! Blow the Shofar! Another army is approaching… this one not of locust but men… who attack, very much like the locusts, scaling walls and entering houses… and this too will be a “Day of the Lord.”  Even now,” declares the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. [Joel 2:1-12]. Time is running out! Don’t be left behind due to your unbelieving and lukewarm attitude! Accept the eternal salvation before it is too late! Because I tell you, events will come rapidly now. They will come in quick succession. There will hardly be any time between one event and the next and you will not be able to catch your breath in between what is coming. The Earth will tremble and shake, and darkness will descend. The time is now upon you. Don’t look to the right or the left for I AM COMING!  “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” [2 Corinthians 6:2].

“There is a time, I know not when, a place, I know not where, that marks the destiny of men, to glory or despair. There is a line, by us unseen, that crosses every path the hidden boundary between God’s mercy and God’s wrath. How long may men go on in sin? How long will God forbear? Where does hope end? and where does the confine of despair begin? Our answer from the skies is sent- ‘Ye who from God depart, While it is called today, Repent! And harden not your heart.

Now, Jesus Himself made it crystal clear that we cannot know the date of His return. He stated in [Matthew 24:36], “of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” but, the Bible makes it equally clear that those who have the Holy Spirit living in them — that is, those who believe in Jesus as Savior — can understand the nature of the times that mark His return [1 Thessalonians 5:2-6]. I tell you the season of the Lord’s return is now! We are coming to the end of one age and the beginning of the age of Jesus’ glorious reign right here on earth. There is no way to escape the conclusion that we are living on borrowed time. The signs of the times are upon us, and they are shouting for our attention.

Are you ready? If Jesus were to return today, would He be your “Blessed Hope” [Titus 2:11-14] or would He be your “Holy Terror” [Revelation 6:12-17]? If you have never received Him as your Lord and Savior, now is the time to act. Repent of your sins and call upon the name of the Lord that you might be saved [Acts 2:14-39]. For the Bible clearly teaches that God never pours out His wrath without warning for He is a just and loving God who does not wish that any should perish [2 Peter 3:9]. That is why He has provided so many signs to alert us to the fact that we are living on the threshold of the Tribulation and the soon return of Jesus Christ.

I ask you, where do you stand? Are you under God’s wrath because you haven’t accepted His free gift of salvation, or are you under God’s grace because you have? Will you be one of those raptured before God’s wrath, or will you suffer in it?

You have a decision to make. If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Savior, then heed [Mark 1:25]. “The time has come…the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Believe in Jesus, God’s Son, and have everlasting life. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” [Mark 13:35-37].

We are given a powerful glimpse into the Heart of God. God’s heart was broken over Noah’s generation. [Genesis 6:5-6].

Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets”. [Amos 3:7].

But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. [Jeremiah 5:24].

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In support of communities where they have stores, ACE Cash Express (ACE), a Populus Financial Group brand, recently donated $10,000 to MenzFit, an organization which provides career development, professional clothing and financial literacy education to individuals seeking to enter the nation’s workforce. MenzFit’s primary mission is to ensure long-term gainful employment and financial fitness to low-income men in the Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC areas. The $10,000 donation was designated to assist MenzFit as the organization gears up for a series of post-pandemic financial literacy sessions to educate clients on budgeting, understanding credit, home ownership and investments in a post-COVID environment.

“For more than a decade, ACE has supported the programs and services of MenzFit. Their support over the years has made a difference for us to keep a stable footprint in the community. I am proud to acknowledge their unconditional commitment to the good work that we do,” says MenzFit Founder Rhonda Willingham.

Founded in 2001, MenzFit changes lives, families and communities. They service disadvantaged men that are veterans, terminated or laid-off workers, recent immigrants, recovering addicts, the disabled, homeless, returning citizens and public assistance recipients.

“ACE is proud to support MenzFit in their mission to provide resources for those entering or re-entering the job market,” said Eric Norrington, Senior Vice President for Populus Financial Group. “This is another outstanding program supported by the ACE Community Fund to improve the cities where we have stores and the neighborhoods where our employees and customers live and work.”

MenzFit has been a partner of ACE Cash Express for 13 years as part of ACE’s corporate giving program, the ACE Community Fund. The ACE Community Fund is committed to empowering organizations that help children, provide education and promote financial literacy in the communities it serves. For more information regarding ACE Cash Express and the Populus Financial Group, go to https://www.populusfinancial.com. For more information on MenzFit visit their website at https://www.menzfit.org/.

---

About Menzfit

MenzFit provides services to all eligible persons, regardless of a potential participant’s race, gender, age, disability or religion. MenzFit does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, disability or religion, nor treat one person differently from another in determining eligibility, benefits or services provided, or applicable rules. The projects and activities assisted under these awards must be available to fathers and expectant fathers who are able to benefit from the activities on the same basis as mothers and expectant mothers. Visit Menzfit.org for more information.

About Populus Financial Group

Populus Financial Group™ provides financial services through its family of brands including ACE Cash Express®, ACE Elite® Visa® Prepaid Debit Card, ACE Flare® Account by MetaBank® and Porte™. Populus Financial Group delivers a broad range of financial products and services including short-term consumer loans, card services, check cashing, money transfers, bill payments and money orders. Visit PopulusFinancial.com for more information.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Last week, the U.S. Census Bureau held a press conference to announce its first local level findings from the 2020 data collection cycle.

The new numbers — which drill down to provide demographic information at the county, city and block levels — reveal that California is more multiracial, more urban and facing population shifts that will likely lead to redrawing the boundaries of the state’s congressional and legislative districts.

Based on estimates the Census Bureau released in April, California is already losing a seat in the United States House of Representatives for the first time in the state’s 171-year history, bringing the state’s congressional delegation down to 52 members. That loss of one seat will also equate to a decline in the amount of federal funding California receives every year. Since August of 2020, the 14 members of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission have been working on the once-in-a-decade project of redrawing the lines of the congressional, state Senate and Assembly and State Board of Equalization districts. There are five Democrats, five Republicans and four people who are not members of either party serving on the commission.

“The redistricting data provides population counts as well as well as demographic characteristics of ethnicity, race and voting age at all levels of geography,” said James Whitehorne, chief, Redistricting and Voting Rights Data Office, U.S. Census Bureau. “While the primary purpose of these data is for states to redraw their districts, these statistics will also tell us how many people live in each city, each county and each block.”

Those numbers also determine how – and how much — state and federal funding will be allocated to counties and cities in the state.

Based on the numbers, most of the changes coming to the state’s legislative districts are expected to happen where there has been population increases, slow growth or a loss of residents – areas in the rural northernmost regions of the state and in Southern California counties around or below Los Angeles. Growth across the Los Angeles area, for example, over the last 10 year has been slow, but some cities like Irvine in Orange County are now among the fastest-growing in the country.

Over the last 10 years, the complexion of California has changed significantly. Driven mostly by population growth among Hispanics, the state joined Hawaii, the District of Columbia and New Mexico as places in the United States where Whites are no longer the majority. The state’s Hispanic population grew from 37.6% in 2010 to 39.4 % in 2020 while the White population dropped from 40.1% to 34.7%.

The state’s Black population has also seen a decrease of 2.7% from a little over 6 % to 5.7%. The current total Black population is now 2,237,044.

California is also the second most diverse state after Hawaii, according to the Census Bureau.

“As the country has grown, we have continued to evolve in how we measure the race and ethnicity of the people who live here,” said Nicholas Jones, director and senior advisor of Race and Ethnic Research and Outreach, Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau.

The Census Bureau implemented a significant change to the 2020 census data collection. It used two separate questions to gather an additional layer of ethnic information besides the usual inquiries on race and Hispanic origin. For example, if a participant identified as Black or African American, there was also an option to specify nationalities like Jamaican, Haitian, Nigerian, Ethiopian Somali, etc.

“The improvements we made to the 2020 census yield a more accurate portrait of how people self-identify in response to two separate questions on Hispanic origin and race. Our analysis of the 2020 census results show that the US population is much more multiracial and more racially and ethnically diverse than what we measured in the past.”

Across the United States, the results showed that the White population remained the largest in the country at 204.3 million with an additional 31.1 million identifying as mixed in combination with White. The multiracial population comprised the second highest population for the first time at 49.9 million alone or combined, surpassing the Black or African American population at 46.9 million.

The U.S. population is now 57.8% White, 18.7% Hispanic, 12.4% Black and 6% Asian.

There were several other notable findings shared by the bureau during the presentation. The US Population is currently 331.4 million people, an increase of 22.7 million over the past 10 years. The 7.4% increase is the second lowest growth rate in history.

Overall, national population growth was centered around urban areas over the last 10 years. California is home to 3 of the top 10 largest cities in the country. San Jose stands at number 10 with a population of 1.01 million (a 7.1% increase), San Diego is at number 8 with 1.4 million people (a 6.1 % increase), and number 2 on the list is Los Angeles with 3.8 million residents (a 2.8 % increase).

For the first time ever, all cities in the top 10 (with the highest populations) have over 1 million people.

According to the Census Bureau this first release of local redistricting data is in a legacy format that will be easier for experience data analysts to navigate.

In September, we will release the exact same data in a far more user-friendly format that people are familiar with and will allow for easier searching,” said Jones.

Visit census.gov for more detailed information, charts, and analysis.