WASHINGTON, DC— The U.S. Postal Service continues to celebrate Kwanzaa, which honors the values and beliefs around African American heritage, by dedicating a new Kwanzaa stamp today.

News of this Forever stamp is being shared with hashtag #KwanzaaStamps.

“This new Kwanzaa stamp captures the essence of the African American cultural celebration. The stamp depicts the profile of a reflective woman with a kinara, or candleholder, with seven lit candles in front of her,” said USPS Regional Processing Operations Eastern Vice President Dane Coleman, the dedicating official. “The stamp, which was hand-sketched and digitally colored, evokes a sense of inner peace with its cool tones and vibrant design elements to give a festive feel to the celebration of Kwanzaa.”

The stamp is available nationwide today. A virtual dedication ceremony will be posted on the Postal Service’s Facebook and Twitter pages. The event includes remarks from Coleman and Linda Hazel Humes, adjunct assistant professor, Africana Studies Department, John Jay College; and music by Sanga of the Valley.

Kwanzaa takes place over seven days annually from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, bringing family, community and culture together for many. Each year, millions of African Americans gather with friends and family throughout Kwanzaa week to honor the Pan-African holiday’s seven founding principles — unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba) and faith (imani). Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of these seven principles, collectively known as the Nguzo Saba.

Kwanzaa was created in 1966, drawing on a variety of African traditions, deriving its name from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” meaning “first fruits.” Kwanzaa is a festive time for rejoicing in the prospect of health, prosperity and good luck in the coming year. It is also a time for contemplation and recollection of past hardships, faced by individuals and communities, and the ways history can inform and impact future happiness.

Art director Antonio Alcala designed the stamp, and Andrea Pippins was the illustrator.

The Kwanzaa stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp in a pane of 20. Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

A pictorial postmark of the first-day-of-issue location, Nashville, TN, is available at usps.com/stamps.

LOS ANGELES, CA—- Metrolink,Southern California’s regional train service, today launched SoCal Explorer, a new loyalty program that rewards riders with points as well as exclusive offers and perks from local businesses and attractions throughout the Southern California region. The program makes it more affordable for people to make taking the train a part of their everyday lifestyle.

The SoCal Explorer program was designed to reward all Metrolink riders, whether they take the train to commute to work or ride on the weekend for some fun with friends and family. Members earn one point for every mile they travel, which they can redeem for free tickets – making taking the train even more affordable. Just for signing up, members will receive enough points for a round-trip ticket, so new riders can redeem their points and try out the service for free. 

“We are pleased to reward Southern Californians for making the choice to leave their car behind and take the train,” said Metrolink Board Chair Brian Humphrey. “We hope to encourage more people to ride with us, to keep our region’s traffic congestion low and improve our region’s air quality. Plus, taking the train is a healthy lifestyle choice allowing people to avoid the stress of sitting in traffic.”

While the SoCal Explorer program was created to benefit its customers, Metrolink saw an opportunity to also support the recovery of local businesses that were hit hard by the effects of COVID-19. Currently more than 30 local businesses are SoCal Explorer Partners, offering discounts and other incentives to program members in exchange for being promoted as a part of the program. Businesses can sign up to be partners by visiting socalexplorer.metrolinktrains.com/partnerships.

“Orange County businesses need our support now more than ever. Metrolink’s SoCal Explorer program is another great reason to mask up and get out of the house for a train ride to one of Orange County’s many restaurants, stores, and attractions,” said Lucy Dunn, President & CEO, Orange County Business Council (OCBC), a leading voice of business in the region that enhances economic development and quality of life.

Creating a Metrolink SoCal Explorer account is easy by simply visiting SoCalExplorer.Metrolinktrains.com. Metrolink mobile app users can register with SoCal Explorer using the same email address used for the mobile app account. Tickets purchased through the Metrolink Mobile app will earn points and be credited to their SoCal Explorer account automatically. Paper tickets users can take a photo of their tickets and easily upload it to their SoCal Explorer account to be rewarded with points.

“Our customers are at the center of everything we do, and our new SoCal Explorer program rewards them for the trust they continue to show us during these extraordinary times,” said Metrolink CEO Stephanie N. Wiggins. “This month, as we approach the anniversary of our 28^th year of service, I can’t think of a better way to thank customers for riding with us than to reward them for each mile they travel.”

Metrolink takes every precaution possible to protect the health and safety of its riders. Face masks are required on station platforms and aboard trains that are continuously cleaned and disinfected by a Clean Care Crew. As an additional layer of protection every day each train car is deep-cleaned and electrostatically sprayed with hospital-grade disinfectants. And social distancing is a breeze using Metrolink’s How Full is My Train? tool to check recent ridership levels and ensure there’s plenty of space for their adventure. To see all the ways Metrolink is working to keep riders and team members safe, please visit metrolinktrains.com/cleancommute. 

For more information about Metrolink’s SoCal Explorer rewards program please visit SoCalExplorer.metrolinktrains.com.

Greenwood has secured $3 million in seed funding from private investors as the first digital banking platform for Black and Latinx people and business owners.  Greenwood features best-in-class online banking services and innovative ways of giving back to Black and Latinx causes and businesses. 

Greenwood’s founders include: Andrew J. Young, civil rights legend, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and former Mayor of Atlanta; Michael Render, aka Killer Mike, rapper and activist in Black financial empowerment; and Ryan Glover, Greenwood Chairman and founder of Bounce TV network. 

“Today, a dollar circulates for 20 days in the white community but only six hours in the Black community,” Ryan Glover stated.

He continued, “It’s no secret that traditional banks have failed the Black and Latinx community. We needed to create a new financial platform that understands our history and our needs going forward, a banking platform built by us and for us, a platform that helps us build a stronger future for our communities. This is our time to take back control of our lives and our financial future.  That is why we launched Greenwood, modern banking for the culture.” 

“Today, a dollar circulates for 20 days in the white community but only six hours in the Black community,” said Michael ‘Killer Mike’ Render. “Moreover, a Black person is twice as likely as a white person to be denied a mortgage. This lack of fairness in the financial system is why we created Greenwood.”

Greenwood’s executive leadership includes: 

• Aparicio Giddins, President & Chief Technology Officer (previously of Bank of America and TD Bank) 
• David Tapscott, Chief Marketing Officer (previously of Green Dot and Combs Enterprises) 
• Andrew “Bo” Young, III, Board Member (managing partner, Andrew Young Investment Group) 
• Dr. Paul Judge, Board Member (co-founder of Pindrop and TechSquare Labs) 

Product

Greenwood’s initial products are savings and spending accounts that come with a stunningly designed black metal debit card for customers who sign up by the end of the year.  Advanced features like Apple, Samsung, and Android pay, virtual debit cards, peer-to-peer transfers, mobile check deposits, and free ATM usage in over 30,000 locations are offered with no hidden fees. Customers who invite their friends to open accounts receive cash awards as a thank you from Greenwood. All deposits are FDIC insured by a partner bank. 

Additionally, Greenwood plans to work with brick and mortar minority-owned backs to provide deposits to help strengthen historically black banks.

“The work that we did in the civil rights movement wasn’t just about being able to sit at the counter. It was also about being able to own the restaurant,” said Ambassador Andrew Young. “We have the skills, talent and energy to compete anywhere in the world, but to grow the economy, it has to be based on the spirit of the universe and not the greed of the universe. Killer Mike, Ryan and I are launching Greenwood to continue this work of empowering black and brown people to have economic opportunity.”

Greenwood Gives Back

Greenwood has three key avenues to support Black and Latinx causes and businesses:

• For every customer sign-up, Greenwood will provide five free meals to a family in need. 
• Every swipe of a Greenwood debit card will prompt a donation to UNCF for education, Goodr to feed the hungry, or NAACP to support civil rights. 
• And every month, Greenwood will provide a $10,000 grant to a Black or Latinx small business owner that is a Greenwood customer.

History of the name “Greenwood”

The Greenwood name pays homage to the prosperous “Black Wall Street,” part of the  Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the early 20th Century — a center of African American enterprise, entertainment, skills, wealth and investment capital.   Though it was destroyed by white mobs in 1921, the Greenwood District remains an enduring symbol of the economic potential of community solidarity. The new Greenwood neobank takes inspiration from the entrepreneurial and empowering spirit of the Greenwood District where a dollar typically circulated 36 times – and for up to a year — within the Black community. The new Greenwood also is proud to be a backer of the contemporary Greenwood Culture Center in Oklahoma.  

To sign up for a Greenwood account, visit www.bankgreenwood.com.

LOS ANGELES, CA—- The Taste of Soul returns on Saturday, October 17 at 6 p.m. But of course, due to COVID-19, things are a little bit different this year. While you won’t be able to walk the Crenshaw Blvd. with your friends and family, you guys can still catch the performances by hosting a watch party live from your living room. 

The evening will be hosted by Kym Whitley with sounds by D.J. Mal-Ski. Musical performances will be performed by After 7, Anthony Hamilton, Deborah Joy Winans, Doug E. Fresh, En Vogue, Fred Hammond, Jade Novah, and Montell Jordan. There will also be celebrity appearances by Darrin Dewitt Henson, Dr. Bobby Jones, Faithe C. Jones, Kim Fields, Lamman Rucker, Loni Love, and Wendy Raquel Robinson. 

The live stream will take place at tasteofsoul.org. 

By Quinci LeGardye | California Black Media  

California is expanding aid and protections to health care workers as the COVID-19 pandemic continues through two new laws and an executive order. 

Late last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that orders new actions on health care in response to the pandemic. 

The order allows public health officials working to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic to participate in the Secretary of State’s address-confidentiality program, known as the Safe at Home program.  

The Safe at Home program provides substitute addresses for groups that need protection against harassment or violence, including sexual assault and domestic violence victims. Multiple public health officials have reported receiving death threats, including Los Angeles County Health Director Barbara Ferrer and Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody. 

“Our public health officers have all too often faced targeted harassment and stalking,” said Secretary of State Alex Padilla. This “program can help provide more peace of mind to the public health officials who have been on the frontlines of California’s COVID-19 response.” 

The order also authorizes the Department of Managed Health Care to gather data to assess the impacts of the pandemic on health care providers and health care service plans. 

Gov. Newsom also recently signed two bills, AB 2537 and SB 275, that would increase the amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers.  

Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) introduced AB 2537. The law requires hospitals to stockpile a three-month supply of PPE by April 2021. 

“We are currently experiencing something we haven’t before, and healthcare workers are at the frontlines of it all. While dealing with this pandemic, the last thing our workers should be worried about is whether or not, they will be protected from exposure. We must protect those providing care so that they too can continue to do their work,” said Rodriguez. 

SB 275 mandates the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to establish a 90-day PPE stockpile for health care and other essential workers within one year. It also requires major health care employers, such as hospitals, nursing homes and dialysis clinics, to build an additional 45-day stockpile of PPE by 2023 or later. 

Under SB 275, essential workers will receive PPE from the CDPH stockpile include school workers, childcare providers, in-home support providers, and any workers who provide services directly supporting patient care. SB 275 was sponsored by the Service Employees International Union California. 

“One of the hard-learned lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic is the need for a well-managed supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep California’s healthcare workforce and other essential workers safe. SB 275 creates a reliable supply of PPE to ensure healthcare workers, essential workers, and the public at large are protected during the next health emergency,” said SB 275 author Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento). 

By  Rachel Rossi | Special to California Black Media Partners   

A common misconception of the criminal justice system is that it is as simple as guilty people admitting their guilt and innocent people going free.   

The truth in our courtrooms is rarely so clear.  Instead, there are layers of issues beyond guilt, including systemic injustice, rushed proceedings, undue pressure, and broad prosecutorial discretion on what charges are filed and the length of sentence that will result.    

Plea bargaining — an imperfect and often coercive process — usually dictates criminal justice system outcomes, and it can be a tool to either fuel over-criminalization or to obtain restorative and just outcomes, depending on how it is wielded. In the United States, more than 90 % of criminal cases end in guilty pleas.  Our criminal justice system rarely produces the exciting jury trial scenes from our favorite movies and TV shows; it instead produces the rote theater of back-to-back guilty pleas.    

The plea-bargaining process that yields the great majority of these guilty pleas is riddled with risks of coercion.  This is especially the case when an accused person is behind bars.  When a person is locked up pretrial, they risk losing their job, losing their home, and even losing custody of their children.  Under these circumstances, there is a strong incentive to plead guilty if it comes with a promise to go home soon.  It is not surprising, then, that studies have shown pretrial detention increases a person’s likelihood of pleading guilty by 46 %.   

In Los Angeles, on any given day, approximately 44 % of people in County Jail – around 7,500 people – are locked up pre-trial and deciding whether to plead guilty.  

The plea-bargaining process is also a byproduct of over-burdensome caseloads combined with the time and stress of jury trials.  When there are hundreds of cases to get through in a day in court, the prosecutor, judge, and sometimes even the defense attorney, are all incentivized to resolve cases.  There is precious little time to determine what result will adequately ensure public safety, respect the interests and wishes of victims, and be consistent with the facts.  Every actor in the criminal justice system is faced with incredible pressure to keep the cases moving and get them resolved.  Indeed, it is a truism in the criminal justice world that if every defendant exercised his or her right to trial, the system as it currently operates would cease to function.     

Often, these structural problems in the plea-bargaining process result in innocent people pleading guilty.  In nearly 11 % of the nation’s DNA exoneration cases, innocent people entered guilty pleas.  And these are just the cases where DNA made it possible to overturn a conviction; researchers do not know how many innocent people have in fact pleaded guilty.  

Plea bargaining also takes place within the broader systemic racism entrenched in the justice system.  When the plea offer that is made is decided by any person, conscious and unconscious biases create disadvantage and inequality across race, ethnicity, gender, and age.  While research shows that increasing the diversity of prosecutors decreases racial sentencing disparities, 95 % of elected prosecutors in the U.S. are white.  These disparate results are clear when the odds of receiving a plea offer that includes incarceration are almost seventy percent greater for Black people than white people.    

But before you decide it is time to do away with plea bargaining entirely, realize that it can also be used to bring humanity into a justice system that is not built to understand or fix societal problems.  The plea-bargaining process can potentially provide a mechanism for reformative and decarcerative efforts to succeed.  It can allow a prosecutor to look at a person and a situation and decide whether treatment, programs, employment or other outcomes would better ensure public safety than jail.   

For example, a person experiencing a significant mental health crisis who yells out a threat could be charged with a felony “strike” offense and face years of prison time.  By virtue of the plea-bargaining process, a prosecutor has the power to charge a misdemeanor instead, to pursue alternatives to incarceration as a sentence, or to charge no criminal offense at all and instead refer the person to mental health treatment.   

Our justice system is far from perfect.  And plea bargaining has many flaws that reflect the larger problems within the system, and society at large.  But in the right hands, prosecutorial discretion provides the power to scale back on mass incarceration, promote public safety, and ensure restorative and just outcomes.  

Courage California’s Multi-Issue Voter Guide Informs Californians How To Vote Their Values In The 2020 General Election 

SEE THE COURAGE CALIFORNIA VOTER GUIDE HERE: COURAGEVOTERGUIDE.ORG 

CALIFORNIA — Today, Courage California launched its 2020 General Election Courage California Voter Guide, a first-of-its-kind down-ballot, multi-issue guide detailing recommendations on how to VOTE for a California, and nation, that works for everyone. 

The Courage California Voter Guide aggregates the insights and endorsements of California’s most trusted statewide and regional advocacy groups and organizations to develop multi-issue recommendations for a more representative democracy reflecting the values of Californians, down the ballot.

The 2020 Courage California General Election Voter Guide offers recommendations including:

• All Congressional, State Senate, and State Assembly races
• Recommendations for select local races
• Statewide Ballot Measures
• Select local Ballot Measures

Courage California’s Primary Election voter guide covered 193 races and propositions — the Courage California General Election Voter Guide covers a total of 253 races and propositions. In addition to expanded coverage, the 2020 General Election Voter Guide is more in-depth, including information to help voters: 

• understand what their elected officials are responsible for. 
• understand local priorities and voting patterns in their district.
• follow the money and understand key financial backers in a race. 
• identify and break down misinformation around statewide propositions and local ballot measures. 

“California needs a straightforward and trusted resource that provides people with essential information on statewide and local races and propositions. Political power is concentrated in the hands of too few individuals and corporations that do not have the interests of our broader communities in mind. Voters deserve to understand the roles and responsibilities of the various elected offices and how ballot measures will truly affect them and their communities,” said Irene Kao, Executive Director of Courage California. “The 2020 Courage California General Election Voter Guide is the solution for those who want to cut through the misinformation, corporate financed campaigns, and hold our elected officials accountable to the same standards. With Courage, we can elect champions that represent our values and create a democracy that works for all Californians.” 

The Courage California Voter Guide comes ahead of the 2020 General Election on November 3rd. 

SEE THE COURAGE CALIFORNIA VOTER GUIDE HERE: COURAGEVOTERGUIDE.ORG 

The Courage California Voter Guide aggregates the recommendations and endorsements of California’s progressive groups and organizations fighting to protect our democracy. Organizations consulted include, but are not limited to:

• 18 Million Rising
• Advancement Project California
• AFSCME State Council and local chapters AFSCME 57 and AFSCME 3299
• Alliance for a Better Community
• Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Action (ACCE Action)
• Alliance San Diego Mobilization Fund (ASDMF)
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
• Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)
• Bay Rising Action
• Bend The Arc: Jewish Action
• Black Women for Wellness Action Project
• California Calls
• California Domestic Worker Coalition
• CA Labor Federation
• California League of Conservation Voters
• California Progressive Alliance
• Californians for Safety and Justice
• Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund
• California Donor Table
• California Environmental Justice Alliance Action
• California Immigrant Policy Center
• California Nurses Association (CNA)
• California Teachers Association (CTA)
• California Women’s List
• CAUSE Action Fund
• CHIRLA Action Fund
• Communities for a New California (CNC)
• Consumer Attorneys of California
• Council of American-Islamic Relations Action
• Courageous Resistance of the Desert
• Democratic Socialists of America
• Emily’s List
• Ground Game LA
• IE United
• Indivisible local chapters including CA 39 and OC 48
• Los Angeles County Democratic Party
• NARAL Pro-Choice California
• Orange County Civic Engagement Table Action
• Our Revolution
• PICO CA Action
• Planned Parenthood
• PolicyLink
• Progressive Democrats of America
• Public Advocates
• Richmond Progressive Alliance
• SEIU California
• San Francisco Rising Action
• Sierra Club CA
• Silicon Valley Rising
• Stonewall Democratic Club
• Sunrise Movement
• The Working Families Party
• Ultraviolet Action
• United Domestic Workers
• United Farm Workers of America
• United Food & Commercial Workers Union – Western States Council
• SEIU United Healthcare Workers West
• United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA)
• Voices for Progress
• Western Center on Law and Poverty

SACRAMENTO, CA— AB 2147, legislation by Assemblymember Eloise Reyes (D-San Bernardino) which provides an expedited expungement process for formerly incarcerated individuals who have successfully participated with fire suppression activities has been signed by Governor Newsom making California the first state in the nation to provide this type of relief to the formerly incarcerated that served as inmate firefighters.

“Signing AB 2147 into law is about giving second chances.  To correct is to right a wrong; to rehabilitate is to restore.”  Assemblymember Reyes continued, “Rehabilitation without strategies to ensure the formerly incarcerated have a career, is a pathway to recidivism.  We must get serious about providing pathways for those who show the determination and commitment to turn their lives around.”

Under existing law, once released from custody a formerly incarcerated individual must finish the terms of their parole before applying for expungement of their criminal record.  Even once those records are expunged, the person must disclose their criminal history on applications for state licenses. With nearly 200 occupations that require licensing from one of 42 California government departments and agencies these formerly incarcerated individuals are almost entirely denied access to these jobs. An estimated 2.5 million California workers (nearly 20% of the state’s workforce) need a professional license to work.  Under, AB 2147 a person who participates as part of a state or county fire camp would be eligible to apply for expungement upon release from custody, and if the expungement is approved could seek various career pathways including those that require a state license.

Several studies have concluded that occupational licensing restrictions have a direct correlation on recidivism rates.  For example, The Center for the Study of Economic Liberty at Arizona State University found that states with the most occupational licensing restrictions saw an increase in the three year recidivism rate of over 9%, while states without the same restrictions saw an average decline in recidivism of 2.5%, and concluded, “a low occupational licensing burden had a significant impact on a state’s ability to lower its new crime recidivism rate. In terms of impact, the occupational licensing burden was second only to the overall labor market conditions in significantly influencing movements in the recidivism rate.”^[1]

In an average year, the Conservation Camp Program provides approximately three million person-hours responding to fires and other emergencies and seven million person-hours in community service projects, saving California taxpayers approximately $100 million annually.

Several counties across the state, including Los Angeles and San Bernardino operate fire training academies for those incarcerated in a county jail utilizing several hundred jail incarcerated individuals to fight fires.  This bill includes those that have served in county fire camps.

Despite their low-level risk status, dedication and willingness to put themselves in harm’s way, many who participate in these programs struggle to find permanent and stable employment once released. This is in part due to significant barriers in place for individuals with a prior conviction to seek employment or even the education necessary to start a career.

AB 2147 becomes state law on January 1, 2021.

SACRAMENTO, CA— Last month, the Governor signed Senate Bill 1447 into law. This bill authored jointly by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), Senator Anna Caballero (D-Salinas), and Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona), expands California’s assistance programs for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing a new $100 million small businesses hiring tax credit program.

“For months, I have been working with my colleagues to champion small business relief and I am very proud SB 1447 has been signed into law,” Senator Bradford stated. “This bill will help small businesses that are working hard to persist despite COVID-19 by supporting them as they hire or re-hire employees. Small businesses are critical employers and engines of equitable job growth.”

He continues, “This bill is particularly true for Minority, Women, Disabled Veteran, and LGBT business enterprises. This bill will help bring back jobs that were lost in our communities and support small businesses during this difficult period. I am proud to have worked with legislative colleagues and the Governor on this effort.”

“During this unprecedented economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of California must help small business owners to rebuild,” said Senator Caballero. “Small businesses make up the backbone of our economy, and can be a great engine to decrease statewide record unemployment. SB 1447 will put people back to work and allow small businesses that have suffered declining revenues to start hiring again.” 

 “California small businesses and their workers are among the hardest hit in the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Assemblymember Cervantes, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy. “Research shows that between March and April of this year, private employment in the US fell by 15.2%. For small firms, however, they experienced a 21.5% loss of jobs, while businesses with over 1,000 employees experienced the fewest job losses (13.3%). As Chair of the Assembly Jobs Committee, I am proud to have worked with my legislative colleagues on this important measure. Addressing employment losses among small businesses is crucial to the state’s economic recovery.” 

Specifically, SB 1447 allows businesses with 100 or fewer employees to receive a tax credit of $1,000 per net new hire after July 1, 2020, compared to their workforce in the second quarter of 2020. This credit can be applied against personal and corporate income tax liabilities or sales and use tax liabilities for the 2020 tax year. Eligible small businesses must have experienced a 50% decline in gross receipts between 2020 and 2019 (second quarter), and must reserve tax credits beginning December 1, 2020, and before January 15, 2021, with the California Department of Tax & Fee Administration. Total credits to an individual business are capped at $100,000 in maximum credit, and the program total for this tax credit is $100 million. 

McKinsey & Company estimate that between 1.4 million and 2.1 million of Californian businesses could close permanently as a result of the disruption experienced in just the first four months of the COVID-19 pandemic. During these unprecedented crises, the State has prioritized supporting small businesses and the individuals that those businesses employ. Other recovery programs already created by the State of California to support small businesses include a one-year, zero-interest extension on sales and use tax liabilities of up to $50,000, as well as a $150 million expansion of the loan guarantee programs administered by the California Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank (I-Bank), as approved by the Legislature in the 2020 Budget Act. 

Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1447 and two other bills today in Sacramento. More information can be found here.

More information on recovery and support programs available to small businesses can be found here.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— County Chief Operating Officer Leonard X. Hernandez, who began his career with San Bernardino County 20 years ago as a County Library public service employee, on Tuesday was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve as the county’s next Chief Executive Officer effective October 10.

“I am humbled by the confidence the Board of Supervisors has placed in me and grateful for the opportunity to lead this great County organization, which has been my professional home for so many years,” Hernandez said.

“Under the leadership and guidance of the Board of Supervisors, the County team has built a culture of innovation, efficiency, and public service,” Hernandez said. “My overarching goal is to expand and nurture that culture within each of our worksites, within every service we provide, and within every County employee.”

“We are excited to welcome Leonard Hernandez as San Bernardino County’s new CEO,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “COVID-19 has presented many unique challenges within our community, and Leonard’s extensive experience within the County and his integral role on the executive leadership team have strongly positioned him to lead the County during this unique time. I look forward to working with him in solving these challenges and know that his talents, leadership, and dedication to seeing the County thrive will serve him well as CEO.”

Hernandez will succeed Gary McBride, who has served as CEO for nearly three years and will remain with the County as Strategic Projects Director under a contract extension approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

“I have known Leonard since 2006, when he was the manager of the Fontana Branch Library,” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Josie Gonzales. “Throughout the years, I have watched him grow as a leader and I have seen his commitment to serving the community.  As a Supervisor for the past 16 years, I know that there is no decision more important than the selection of the CEO.  I have full confidence in Leonard, and I have no doubt that he will help guide our County to new heights in the years to come.”

“Leonard first impressed me with his leadership and problem-solving skills when he was placed in charge of the Lewis Library in Fontana while I was on the City Council,” Supervisor Janice Rutherford said. “Since then, he’s continued to demonstrate his leadership abilities, commitment to excellence in public service, and his dedication to ethics, and I look forward to working with him to address the challenges facing our county.”

“I appreciate Leonard’s willingness to accept the role of CEO and continue the leadership that has been established,” said Supervisor Robert Lovingood. “His experience and knowledge of the County is foundational to our ongoing success and I look forward to working with him in this capacity. As a County, we have faced unprecedented challenges and I am confident that these proactive leadership transitions prepare us well for what is ahead. I want to thank Gary for his leadership and continued commitment to help the County strategically navigate the complexities that this health crisis has brought.”

“I look forward to working with Leonard to implement the vision of our Board of Supervisors,” said Supervisor Dawn Rowe. “He is a hard-working leader with a keen understanding of the inner-workings of our county government. I’m confident that he will continue the great progress made by his predecessor, Gary McBride.” 

After launching his career in San Bernardino County, Hernandez gained experience and honed his management skills at the City of Riverside as the Director of Libraries before returning to San Bernardino County in 2010 as County Librarian. 

In 2014, while still serving as County Librarian, Hernandez served as interim Museum Director. In 2015, Hernandez was promoted to the position of Deputy Executive Officer over the Community Services Group, which includes the County Library and Museum systems, Registrar of Voters, Regional Parks, County Airports, and Agriculture/Weights and Measures. 

In 2016 Hernandez became the Interim County Chief Operating Officer and then in 2017, Hernandez was officially appointed to the position of County Chief Operating Officer. In that role, Hernandez has coordinated the County’s multi-departmental response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the leadership of the Board of Supervisors the County’s COVID Task Force has led the State in its response to the pandemic and service to the public. 

Hernandez, a resident of San Bernardino County, has a bachelor’s degree in history from California State University Fullerton and a master’s degree in library and information science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.