Trudy Coleman – J.E.T.M.A.C. (Juneteenth Education Technology Mobile Arts Center, Inc.)
Dr. Bendetta Perry – Author, Motivational Speaker and Performing Artist
DISCUSSING:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast & Wallace’s theme…
As we consider improving ourselves in 2020, do we follow our taste buds or should we seek nutrition…
SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino Valley College is proud to usher in distinguished graduates to the Alumni Association and Athletics Halls of Fame, each recognized for their prize-winning accomplishments and service to the community. SBVC Foundation Board President Beverly Powell said the Foundation is honored to partner with the Athletics department to laud the achievements of SBVC alumni and former student-athletes.
“The opportunity to showcase some of Valley College’s best ‘success stories’ not only helps the Foundation raise funds necessary to help students achieve their dreams – but events highlighting our alumni also help inspire our current SBVC students to envision their own success and believe their own dreams are possible,” she said.
Inducted into the SBVC Alumni Association Hall of Fame is Dr. Louie F. Rodríguez, interim dean of the Graduate School of Education at UC Riverside. He received recognition for being a catalyst for many academic initiatives to benefit the community. He also serves as Bank of America chair in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Practice in the UCR Graduate School of Education. Among numerous awards and various posts, Dr. Rodriguez is also the Founding Director of the Center for Educational Transformation at UCR. His educational foundation began at SBVC. Later transferred to California State San Bernardino, where, as a McNair Scholar, he focused on research to help historically marginalized students.
From there, Dr. Rodriguez became a high school math teacher, and holds two master’s degrees, along with a Ph.D in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University. With his first years at SBVC campus, he recalls the indelible impact of a caring guidance counselor, Laura Gomez. He feels the primary objective for all students is to make the most of their academic goals, while never forgetting about what’s most important in life.
“Students, know who you are, identify a mentor, get connected to programs, dream big, surround yourself with excellence, and be a leader. After you graduate from SBVC, always find ways to give back to your community,” says Dr. Louie F. Rodríguez.
Inducted into the SBVC Athletics Hall of Fame are Kenneth Blumenthal, Michael Sola, Stan Sanchez, Eric Swanson, and 1982 SBVC Championship Football Team. Each of these athletes are acknowledged for both dedicating themselves to excellence in their sport, and also for their impact on the community and students.
Former San Bernardino Valley College coach Kenneth Blumenthal has run the ball from the early days as captain of the Eisenhower High School football team in Rialto, and later as a student-athlete at San Bernardino Valley College. Through his journey, Blumenthal credits close friends, colleagues and faith for support through his remarkable athletic career at SBVC, where, under Head Coach Bob Smith, he set an unrivaled three-decade record for the most tackles in one season.
Following great success at the local campus, a football scholarship paved the way to Long Beach State, where Blumenthal earned his bachelor’s in recreation, and another Bachelor’s in kinesiology. He also holds a teaching credential from California State University, San Bernardino. Among his many posts, Blumenthal served at Rialto Frisbee Junior High and his alma mater Eisenhower High School. He also holds a Master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University, and coached track in 1988 until he became full-time Defensive Coordinator/Head Track Coach in 1990. He is unmatched for conference championships. No other head coach has taken home as many wins as Blumenthal at SBVC, to which he acknowledges colleagues and coaches that have backed him along the way.
“The reason Valley College has produced so many championships is because, for the most part, our athletes are just plain tougher than most of our competition,” said Blumenthal. “Many of the student-athletes who come to Valley have faced tough times, but they are overcomers. They are thankful, respectful and proud to be here. I loved working to help them make their dreams come true.”
To read the current list of SBVC Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, visit www.sbvcathletics.com. For a list of current Alumni Hall of Fame inductees, visit www.sbvcalumni.org/HOF.
A recent visit to the Social Security Administration Office in downtown San Bernardino provides a glaring example of government inefficiency and ineptitude.
A long line of people waited in shivering temperatures outside the office. Some had arrived at least two hours before the office opened at 9 a.m. An elderly gentleman near the front said he was forced to wait behind 35 people who arrived before him. Others said they were disgusted at having to stand in the cold weather before they could go inside to receive services.
There was a security guard at the door who gave out a business card with a phone number to make an appointment. I called the number and got a recording that said I might have to wait 15 minutes to speak to a representative. After 10 minutes on hold, the line got disconnected. I called back and waited another 10 minutes before a woman came on the line.
I told her I wanted to make an appointment and she said the next opening for an appointment wasn’t for at least two months. She suggested going directly to the office rather than waiting so long for an appointment. This is totally unacceptable!
Why should an elderly or disabled person have to wait two months for an appointment? These individuals depend on their monthly Social Security checks to pay their rent. If they don’t pay, they will get evicted. Some may end up on the streets. No one should have to put up with such lousy service from a government agency. All taxpayers should be ashamed. With all the technology available today, the federal government must get its act together and start providing high quality customer service.
Jimmie Lee Veal, age 85, passed away on December 15, 2019. Born April 23, 1934 in Doddsville, Mississippi, he was the youngest of eleven sons born to Mingo and Healena Veal.
Mr. Veal attended school in a country school in Doddsville, Mississippi and received his High School from Okolona College in Okolona, Mississippi which was added to the National Register of Historical Places on August 9, 2002. Upon graduation, he left to join the military, serving in the United States Air Force. He met the love of his life, Hazel Wells, while on military break in Drew, Mississippi. They corresponded by mail until the young private returned to Mississippi and asked her to be his wife. They wed, started their family and began their journey as a military family.
Jimmie served in the Air Force for 20 years, attaining the rank of Master Sargent (MSgt.). He was stationed on military bases throughout the world including temporary duty at Chateauroux Air Force Base (AFB) in France, and Landstuhl Medical Center Army in Germany, Mather AFB in Sacramento, California, Amarillo AFB in Texas, Tripoli AFB in Libya, Africa and The US Logistics Group (TUSLOG) in Ankara, Turkey. After multiple moves with his growing young family of four children, MSgt. Veal completed his tour of duty at George Air Force Base in Victorville, California where he served until his retirement in 1973. He took a series of training courses at every opportunity and also matriculated in college courses through the University of Maryland. MSgt. Veal trained service personnel and provided Tactical Air Command training services to the Combat Support Group at George Air Force. During his service he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service.
Even before his retirement, MSgt. Veal laid the groundwork in 1968 for his post-retirement career by opening the first African American-owned business in the Victor Valley area and his first car lot, properly named Veal’s Auto Sales in Adelanto. He understood what the service personnel needed – a clean, reliable car that was affordable on a military paycheck. After the success of the car lot he invested further in the Adelanto community by providing an entertainment alternative, Bo’s Lounge, complete with good music, affordable food and ready company on any given night.
Jimmie sought to be the consummate provider to his family and even while operating two independent businesses took his natural penchant for sales and became an insurance salesman with Prudential Insurance Company. His calming and honest approach to sales, allowed him to earn the honor of Top Salesman each and every year that he worked with the company. He often told stories of the many families that called to thank him for providing them access to the means for their comfort after the loss of a loved one.
MSgt. Veal continued to engage in car sales eventually relocating to Victorville and renaming the business J & H Auto Sales. His love for car sales and the art of conversation that comes with ascertaining ones need, led him to work part time at Sunrise Ford in Fontana. Working only part time, he was still their Best Salesman and relished in training the younger, less experienced salesmen in the art of the trade.
Msgt. Veal was an avid sports fan with his favorite teams being the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers and Rams. Msgt. Veal was preceded in death by his parents, Mingo and Healena and nine of his ten siblings Clifton, Charlie, Artie Palmer, Mingo, Ira, Lawrence, Joe, Percy, and Luther. He is survived by his lone brother, James, his wife Hazel Veal, four children Patricia Veal, Steven Veal, Carolyn Veal-Hunter (Dale) and Bonita Veal, four grandchildren, Candice, Jennifer, Sydney and Jordan, two great grandchildren Nolan and Evan and a host of nieces and nephews.
RIVERSIDE, CA—2020 is a prominent year. Not just because it is a new decade and that it is election year, but it is the 150th anniversary of the right to vote for Blacks. On Saturday, February 8, 2020, the 41st Annual Black History Parade and Expo will be paying homage to the anniversary. The theme for this year’s event is, “It takes a Village: Let’s Vote”.
When it comes to voting, the community plays a critical role in deciding who will head counties, states and the country, as a whole. For the past 41 years the Riverside Black History Parade has played an instrumental role in bringing the community, schools and local businesses together.
With this being a monumental year for the African American community, the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation has teamed up with the NAACP Riverside Chapter to have their President, Dr. Regina Patton Stell, as this year’s Grand Marshall. Vision Marshalls include: UCR’s Athletic Director, Tamica Jones; Assemblymember Jose Medina; Shauna Gates, Chief of Police at Riverside Community College District’s Board of Trustees; and Community Icons Charles and Elaine Bibbs.
This year, the Riverside Black Chamber of Commerce is assisting in ensuring that the Expo is a success. Tommy the Clown will also be returning as a performer in the 2020 Riverside Black History Parade and Expo. Vendors and parade performers are still wanted. To fill out a vendor application, please visit www.adcrfoundation.org
PHOENIX, AZ. — In the conference room of the Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center, a chair sat empty at a recent convening of community media and stakeholders to promote Arizona’s 2020 census.
Lizbeth Luna, regional director for NALEO’s Arizona census initiative, abruptly cancelled as a speaker, learning her father had been detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). The intersection of immigration and the census was one of several topics at the convening, but the empty chair spoke to the tenuous netherworld of immigrant status in the United States.
In June, the Supreme Court barred Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross from adding a question on citizenship to the Census 2020 form. The ruling was applauded by Katie Hobbs, Arizona’s Secretary of State, who supports a permanent ban on such an initiative. After the question’s dismissal, advocates continue to fear diminished participation in the census, particularly from the Latino community. Worries are the current administration will not respect the confidentiality of personal information, despite laws and fines discouraging the sharing of individual census responses among federal agencies.
At the convening, co-hosted by Ethnic Media Services, OneArizona, the Arizona Community Foundation and the Leadership Conference Education Fund, EMS executive director, Sandy Close encouraged attendees to collaborate in their messaging and outreach on Census 2020. Citing the decrease of traditional community media as one motivation, Close said the driving impetus for collaboration should be concern about the potential loss of census data-based funding for federal programs that contribute to children’s well-being. Children are the most likely to be undercounted and highly vulnerable to funding reductions.
“We, as media, need you, as community organizations, to extend your communication outreach, especially to populations that don’t have media outlets,” Close said. “Today’s meeting is an effort to forge a consensus across ethnic groups, community organizations, state and local government groups and other stakeholders. Do it for the kids.”
Jim Chang, state demographer, Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, provided an overview of the state’s racial demographics. He projects that the decreasing and aging white population, currently comprising 54%, and the increasing, younger Latino one, now at 32%, would reach relative numerical parity by 2050 at 45% and 40% respectively. The balance of the population, with no cohort above 5%, is comprised of Asians, blacks, Native Americans and others.
“A lot of people I talk to believe that, right now, the births to Hispanic mothers are higher than the births to non-Hispanic whites,” Chang said, “but that was true only one year, 2007.” Since then, white, non-Hispanic women have led their Latina counterparts with no anticipated change through 2050. Importantly, Chang has seen estimates of Arizona’s 2010 census undercount of children at 4%, 7% and as high as 10%. “Every method has its flaws,” Chang said, but overall, compared to other states, Arizona did fairly well in its total population 2010 census assessment.
Alec Thompson, representing the Arizona governor’s office, acknowledged hard-to-count communities within the state where undercount percentages have been higher than those for children. Though the state legislature rejected his budget request to fund census public education initiatives, he said Gov. Doug Ducey has about $1.5 million for paid media advertising.
“We are hoping to grow that number,” Thompson said, with media outreach as part of a plan that includes a complete count committee’s credible messengers to reach diverse communities. Government agencies will be directed to contact the customers they serve, for example, the state’s 6,000 foster parents will receive an email about the census.
Thompson said Arizona had spent no state money for 2010 census outreach due to fiscal caution after 2008’s recession. A key motivation to encourage 2020 census participation is a calculation that “a 1% undercount is a direct loss of $62 million to the state.”
Whitney Walker, director of communications and public policy for Protecting Arizona’s Family Coalition, (PAFCO), spoke to the need for more state level advocacy to bolster the housing trust fund and domestic violence shelters, among other initiatives that ameliorate “the cycle of poverty vulnerable Arizona families are facing.”
To her point, the annual Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data Book on the status of American children living in poverty ranks Arizona at only 43rd in overall wellbeing for children.
In Arizona, immigration is a highly contested issue. Walker said the political climate can interfere with the dissemination of clear and concise information. She didn’t dispute the assessment of Arizona’s 2010 census efforts, but noted that there was “a 30% undercount for Maricopa County, which now has a population of over four million people.”
Janice Palmer of the Helios Education Foundation, which focuses on Latino students’ academic success, underscored Walker’s observations: “Maricopa County had the second largest undercount of Latino children.” Using 7% as the projected undercount, she estimated, in that county alone, 27,000 Latino children were omitted from census 2010 data.
The Native American and Alaskan Native populations pose unique challenges to the census, according to Mark Trahant, editor of Indian Country Today.
“The primary problem for us is that it comes down to self-identification, and when you’re dealing with tribal communities, you’re talking about citizenship and a more complex way of looking at identity,” Trahant explained. He added that ICT has been reporting for three years that the 2020 census has been in trouble, partly due to underfunding. In Alaska, he noted, two field tests were cancelled to save funds and, overall, a dearth of linguists available to translate census instructions and information into local languages.
For Trahant, paramount is how to transform Native American presence into political representation. Even with the recent election of Native Americans to Congress, he calculates they constitute less than three-quarters of one percent of that body, assuming Native Americans represent 2% of the population, which is itself “probably an undercount.”
To achieve accuracy, the Census Bureau will have to contend with Native Americans’ lack of broadband access and the difficulty of determining addresses in remote communities. Additionally, Trahant said tribal identification will be “a demographer’s nightmare” because many Native Americans have multiple tribal identifications in their family trees. How will resources be fairly allocated, he mused?
D.L. White, reporting for The Arizona Informant, also raised the issue of accountability, asking state Rep. Diego Rodriguez – the convening’s final speaker — how an undercount could negatively affect funding for minority groups and refugee communities. Rodriguez responded that allocating funds is a result of horse trading at the heart of the budgeting process.
“We all agree that the budget represents your values,” Rodriguez said, but “we have to make sure our numbers are counted so that we get adequate representation.”
Acknowledging representatives from Somali, Congolese and other emerging refugee groups at the briefing, as well as from Native American, black and Latino populations, Tameka Spence of Arizona Community For Change emphasized that the first step is addressing the trauma many have experienced. “In trying to help folks understand why the census is important, we’re asking them to confront that trauma and we need to acknowledge that it’s there, it’s real.”
Though the empty chair attested to the Luna family’s immediate trauma, the Indial School Visitor Center venue exuded optimism. Once the site of a federally run school to socially re-engineer Native American students, Center director Rosalie Talahonva – herself an alumna — recalled how students were drawn from different tribes often deeply at odds with each other as well as the U.S. government. Whether antagonisms were ancient or personal, new or imagined, the students persevered, forging consensus and cooperation among themselves — an inspiration for Arizona’s mosaic of stakeholders striving to achieve an accurate census count.
“Season of Giving” engaged Social Lites, Inc. Beautillion Knights to become active members of their community at American Legion Post 710 annual Toy Give-Away in San Bernardino, California on Saturday, December 21, 2019.
Toys and bikes received much laughter and tears to so many children of all ages. Parents too! This community event included complimentary lunch. As Oscar Wilde stated, “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” Thank you to all donors including Social Lites, Inc. under the leadership of Lisa Blacksher (president), American Legion Post 710 under the leadership of Commander Willie Bennet along with other organizations.
The 2019/2020 Beautillion Scholarship Program is in its 53rd year. The program will commence on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at the National Orange Show of San Bernardino.
For more information regarding the Beautillion Scholarship Program, please telephone chairperson, Mrs. Tina Darling at tribicu2@msn.com or Ms. Lisa Blacksher, President at lisasocialities@gmail.com or Mrs. Bettye Brewster, Business Manager, bettyebrewster@yahoo.com
On Sunday, December 22, the Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation (YWE) had the pleasure of treating youth from CHORDS to a Holiday Lunch in appreciation for all the dedicated and committed work that the founder of CHORDS, Edwin Johnson Jr., does for the community.
On Saturday, December 21, Kappa Alpha Psi gave back to the community by partnering with God’s Pantry. The two organizations paired up to give away food at Fontana Middle School.
Tell me, ought not Christians to be different? Ought not we to be distinct, unique, set apart? Then why do we conform to what society wants and do what society wants? The problem is that we don’t want to be different. We don’t want to stand out from the crowd. We don’t want to be perceived as bing odd. But I have you know that Christ was distinct, unique, odd, set apart, and He called His followers to be like Him. I tell you, as a people of God, we must dare to be different. We are not called to fit in but rather to stand out. [Romans 12:2] tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. So “Come out from amongst them and be ye separated…” [2 Corinthians 6:14; 7:1].
I tell you God is looking for people who would dare to be like Daniel. Daniel had faith and applied works to his faith. He dared to be different in every place he found himself. In every situation, Daniel said, “I am not like the others. There is something different about me. I am in this world, but I am not of this world. I am a child of destiny and I must work on fulfilling my destiny. I am royalty. I am the child of the Most High God.” Daniel dared to be different. The psalmist says, “I am a stranger on earth. All the great men and women in the Old Testament were ‘strangers on earth [Hebrews 11;13].
I tell you God is looking for men and women who would dare to be different. Men and women who have courage and convictions and who will refuse to compromise and conform. You and I are called to be different from the world around us and we are given practical instructions on how to do this. Paul writes, ‘Let us not be like others. Your lifestyle is to be totally different from those around you. You are a citizen of a different world. You have to learn a new language. You must dare to be different to fulfill your destiny, to maximize your potential, and to excel in life and ministry.
My challenge to you this day is to dare to be different. Dare to be a ‘stranger’ on earth. Dare to live differently. Dare to speak differently.
You know Jeremiah’s ministry required great courage. He had to dare to be different from the prophets around. They were all prophesying peace, but Jeremiah knew that the exile was coming. He was warning the people about the coming disaster. God said to him, “Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word. Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways [ Jeremiah 26:2-3].
However, ‘As soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the Lord had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, “You must die! [v.8].
Jeremiah’s response was again very courageous. He said, ‘Change the way you’re living change your behavior. Listen obediently to the Message of your God. Maybe God will reconsider the disaster he has threatened…If you kill me, you’re killing an innocent man… God sent me and told me what to say. You’ve been listening to God speak, not Jeremiah.
Listen, we may not face the same pressure, but the world around us will often dislike us for being different. Do not be surprised or dismayed by such opposition – as Jesus told his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble.” But take heart, I have overcome the world.’ [John 16:33]
Set Apart!
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