By Tanu Henry| California Black Media

North Carolina passed a law prohibiting Black slaves from reading and writing during the state’s 1830-31 legislative session.

The law read in part, “That any free person, who shall hereafter teach, or attempt to teach, any slave within the State to read or write, … or shall give or sell to such slave or slaves any books or pamphlets, shall be liable to indictment in any court of record in this State…not exceeding thirty nine lashes, nor less than twenty lashes.”   

When the emancipation proclamation freed African-American slaves some 32 years later, slave-holding states like North Carolina did not automatically throw out the harsh anti-literacy legislation they had been using to oppress slaves. Those laws, the Jim Crow ones that followed, segregated schools, under-funded school districts – as well as other economic, political and social factors – all played a role in erecting barriers to a quality education for African Americans over the decades that followed.

Now almost 150 years later, Black students, especially African-American boys, are failing in the American education system at alarming rates. Social scholars are saying it’s an epidemic in need of a remedy now.

“Since we entered this country, there has been a system in place with the explicit expectation that our humanity will be robbed from us,” said Steve Perry, an African-American educator, school choice advocate and head of Capital Preparatory Schools in Connecticut and New York.

Perry was participating in a panel discussion on charter schools and school choice that took place during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference, held in Washington, D.C., September 11-15 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Journalist Roland Martin leads a traveling town hall called “School Choice is the Black Choice.” This month, he brought the town hall to the Black caucus convention with a panel of educators. On stage, Perry joined Elizabeth Davis, president of the Washington Teachers Union; Shawn Hardnett, founder and executive director of Statesman Preparatory Academy for Boys in Washington, D.C.; and Margaret Fortune, President and CEO of Fortune School, a network of California charter schools based in Sacramento.

More than 100 guests showed up for the talk focused on discussing ways to improve African American educational outcomes.

“To keep Black children in a failing school system is absurd, and should be illegal,” said Fortune, who shared personal accounts with the audience about her experience going through the authorization process to open a charter school and running her system of K-12 college prep schools.

She also recounted highlights of her grueling fight this year against three bills in California – supported by the NAACP – that would have restricted the operations and growth of the taxpayer-funded independent schools in her state. Most of them operate in poor minority communities.

“I challenge Black education leaders to come together for the benefit of Black children,” urged Fortune, who also shared data with the audience about the progress her school has made since first opening in 1989.

She said students at Fortune schools in Sacramento – mostly poor, Black and Latino – are excelling above state averages. Three of them are among the top 10 achieving schools in all of California

“In my flagship school,” she said,”66 percent are reading and doing math at grade level.”

Across the United States, African-American students are performing at 24 percentage points below their White counterparts in math. In English and language arts, they are trailing White students by almost 30 percentage points. 

In California, 68 percent of all African American students perform below their grade level in English and language arts. In math, about 80 percent of Black students fail to meet the state’s proficiency mark.

According to an EdSource report, only 73 percent of African-American high school seniors in California earned a diploma in 2017, compared to 93 percent of Asian students, 81 percent of Hispanics and 87 percent of White students.

The only sub-group Black public school students outperform in California is students with disabilities.

Many teachers unions across the country, including the National Education Association (NEA) and the California Teacher’s Association (CTA), say they are concerned about dwindling financial resources to provide a quality education to all students. They say charter schools siphon away the limited funding for public education that governments allot to school districts, especially in low-income neighborhoods across the United States. 

“I was a supporter of charters,” said Davis. “We’ve had some bad public charter and (non-charter) public schools and they should be closed if they aren’t up to speed, but I’ve noticed there is a pattern of systematically starving public schools in certain parts of the city.”

Davis argued that charter public schools, particularly in Washington, D.C., where she is based, need more oversight as well; that they need to be more transparent about how they spend taxpayer dollars.

The group agreed that it is a mistake to look at the charter-school-verses-traditional-public-school debate as a national issue because education policy is decided at the state, county or municipal level. 

“Education in America is a local issue,” said Martin. “You have different rules in different states.”

In California, Gov. Newsom signed SB 126 into law in March. The legislation, introduced by Sen. Connie Leyva (D-Chino) and Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach), holds the more-than 1,300 charter schools in the state to the same rules around open meetings, public records and conflict of interests that govern traditional public schools.

During the back-and-forth, several of the school choice advocates on the panel pointed out that the national conversations that relate adequate funding to student performance are misleading. That thinking, they argued, leads charter school educators to believe that their traditional public school peers are only concerned about their salaries, pensions and contracts – rather than the academic achievement of the children they educate. 

Assembly Bill 1505 in California initially required authorizers to evaluate the financial impact a charter school would have on a school district in order for its license to be renewed. For many charter school proponents in California, they won a victory by convincing the author of the bill to add academic performance as a factor.

Gov Newsom is expected to sign the bill into law.

Davis, the only educator on the panel defending traditional public schools, was outgunned 3-1 by the other panelists and Martin, who was the moderator. Martin admitted he uses his voice and platform to “elevate the issue” of school choice and spell out to African Americans around the country how it benefits poor Black children and create job opportunities in their neighborhoods.

Fortune chimed in, too.

“I don’t want to have to apologize for the fact that I’m starting schools to close the Black achievement gap. I do that without apology,” she said.

View the entire panel discussion here: 

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— Last week, Gov. Newsom signed AB 5, the “Employee Misclassification Bill,” into law. The legislation changes the classification of more than one million jobs in California from “contractor” to “employee.” 

The week before, the California Senate voted 29-11 to pass the bill. For the last 10 months, various industries across the state have been pressing legislators, begging for an exemption to AB 5. 

On Friday, before AB 5 made its way to Gov. Newsom’s desk for his signature, a bi-partisan group of lawmakers stood up to defend the newspaper industry in California, which includes more than 20 African American-owned publications.

“It has to do with the hundreds in my district – and other Senators’ as well –  weeklies and small papers, the ethnic press,” said Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), explaining why she supported AB 170 in a Senate Labor committee hearing last week. “The various weeklies that many mono-lingual constituents of mine rely on for information. The information we rely on, too, as public servants.”

Senate Republicans pushed 12 amendments to AB 5 last week, including the one that provides temporary exemption for newspaper carriers and distributors. After bitter fights, passionate speeches – and even a few tears – a majority of Democratic and Republican lawmakers in the Senate and Assembly pressured Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), who authored AB 5, to introduce AB 170 as a condition for their votes. 

Finally, the Senate approved AB 170 with a 38-1vote count. The Assembly voted 66-6 in favor of it.

Newspapers across California now have until January 2021, a year after the law takes effect, to hire the drivers who deliver their papers as W-2 employees. Or else, they would have to create a new model for distributing papers that complies with the restrictions in AB 5.

“Thanks to the lawmakers who understand the crushing impact the internet has had on our bottom lines. Those legislators who value the role the press plays, particularly the ethnic media, in strengthening our democracy here in California,” said Regina Wilson, executive director of California Black Media. “AB 170 now buys us time to figure out a solution for delivering our papers that, hopefully, the couriers can embrace, Labor Unions can accept and that the newspapers can implement without going bankrupt.”

At a Senate committee hearing for AB 5 last week, Gonzalez expressed her disappointment.

“This is the first time I’ve carried a bill that I’m vehemently opposed to,” said Gonzalez. “But in the spirit of good faith I will bring it forward.”

 Although Gonzalez introduced AB 170, she voted against it during the Assembly floor vote.

“This is going to give some breathing space to newspapers to find a way, within their means, to provide systems that comport with the values of the author and proponents of AB 5,” said Jim Ewert, general counsel of the California Newspaper Publishers Association.

 Republicans in the Senate and Assembly opposed AB 5 since it was introduced in December last year.

“Over two million Californians choose to work as independent contractors and AB 5 only protects certain industries,” said Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield).

Exempted categories include architects, engineers, veterinarians, private investigators, psychologists, commercial fisherman, dentists, podiatrists, travel agents, editors, marketing professionals photographers, cartoonists and more.

“I am proud to have stood with my Republican colleagues in offering better solutions to protect workers in industries such as healthcare, transportation, and newspapers carriers and distributors,” Grove continued. “If the governor truly believes in supporting a California for all, then he needs to do the right thing and veto AB 5.”

In her closing statement, Gonzales took a shot at newspapers.

“The entire news service in California weaponized their editorial pages against this bill based only on newspaper carriers. Its hypocritical,” she said. 

After the bill passed, Grove issued a statement on behalf of Republicans in the legislature.

“Democrats rejected Senate Republicans’ amendments to AB 5 which would have leveled the playing field for all independent contractors and helped industries that were excluded,” she said. “Democrats, labor unions, and Governor Newsom, picked winners and losers with AB 5.”

AB 170 is still waiting the governor’s signature as of press time.

On Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at the age of 107 years old the Lord called Emma Shaw home. She’s had her bags pack since she was 90, so 17 years later the matriarch of the Shaw family has finally moved to her eternal address.

Emma was the second born to James and Gertrude Armstrong on August 9, 1912 in Tallulah, Louisiana. Emma was raised by her aunt and uncle and attended Madison Parish Training School. Emma was not able to complete school because the family needed her to help in the cotton fields. At the tender age of 15 she met the love of her life, George Bernard Shaw.

Emma and George were married on February 6, 1929 and to this union God blessed them with 13 children; six sons, five daughters and two children who died at birth. Six of their children; Cleveland, Luretha, Johnny B, Joyce, Wiley and Mary were born in Tallulah. Emma and George were married for 62 years until he passed away.

In 1942 George saw potential for advancement by moving his family from Louisiana to Las Vegas, Nevada. While in Las Vegas, Emma was an employee at the El Rancho and Frontier hotels. Emma gave birth to Donell and Ronell before leaving Nevada in 1944.

As times began to change, George had the foresight again to relocate his family to San Bernardino, California in 1944. Emma began working in private homes as a maid. She then found new employment at Norton Air Force Base. After leaving Norton, Emma began doing seasonal work at the National Orange Show. Once the seasonal work was done, Emma found employment in Palm Springs where she worked for 16 years. While in California Barbara, Vernon and Valerie were born.

Though their resources were limited, that did not prevent Emma from sharing with those who were even less fortunate whenever they stopped by. She was an amazing cook and was known for her homemade biscuits, fried chicken and her peach cobbler.

Emma joined New Hope Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend David Campbell. After the passing of Reverend Campbell, Mother Shaw changed her membership to Greater New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ, which was then under the leadership of Elder Herbert C. Pugh. Mother Shaw grew spiritually at Greater New Jerusalem where she became the Church Mother. She served as Church Mother for over 40 years and in recognition for this service Mother Shaw was appointed Church Mother Emeritus.

Everyone who knew Mother Shaw has heard her testimony and can repeat it verbatim as she starts to say…”Early one Saturday morning I was in my bathroom when I heard a loud voice saying, ‘Be ready, I’m on My way back’…” and from that time until she went home, Mother Emma told everyone that she would encounter to be ready, the Lord is on His way back.

Emma Shaw was a local legend, living to celebrate her 107^th year of life here on this earth. She was still so full of wisdom, discernment, encouragement and honesty. She had a no nonsense attitude when ‘stuff ain’t right’, and she would speak her mind and let you know. When you heard ‘now looka here’, you know something of importance was about to follow.    

Emma was preceded in passing by her husband, George; Sons, Cleveland, Johnny B, and Ronell and Daughter, Luretha Johnson. The matriarch of six generations Emma leaves to cherish her memory; Joyce, Wiley (Alexis), Mary (Charles), Donell, Barbara and Valerie. Granma Emma also leaves well over 300 grand; great; great great; great great great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Mother Shaw’s Wake will be held at New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ, 1424 W. 21^st Street, San Bernardino, CA on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. Her Homegoing Celebration Service will be held at Ecclesia Christian Fellowship, 1314 E. Date Street, San Bernardino, CA on Friday, October 4, 2019 with the viewing at 10:00 a.m and the Service at 11:00 a.m. Hallelujah for the time He blessed us with her presence.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOS ANGELES, CA—- The publisher of LA Focus, Lisa Collins, hosted its 22nd First Ladies High Tea on September 14 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

The afternoon tea attracted over 1000 patrons where they were served with a traditional Afternoon Tea Menu.

Sponsors of the event included: Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, 2nd District, Prudential, Walmart, BLACC and AHF. The First Ladies High Tea awarded scholarships to at-risk girls.

Legendary Actress Marla Gibbs received the Legacy Award at this year’s event. Other honorees included: LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Erica Campbell, Grammy-winner of Mary Mary, R&B music artist and radio host, Actress Essence Atkins, starring in OWN’s Ambitions, and renowned Dr. Kristi Funk, MD, breast cancer surgeon, First ladies honorees Melinda Campbell from First AME Pasadena, Junita Edwards from Pasadena Community Christian Fellowship and Barbara

 Hendricks from Church of the Living God. Performance by multi Award-winning Anthony Brown & Group therAPy.

This year co-hosts included Actress Wendy Raquel Williams starring in ABC’s Grand Hotel and Apostle Beverly “BAM” Crawford, Pastor, Bible Enrichment Fellowship International Church.

Photo Credit: Melissa Diaz Photography

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By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

Several political leaders as well as activists in California shared their reactions to U.S. presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris’ criminal justice reform plan.

It calls for ending mandatory minimum sentences, legalizing marijuana, expunging marijuana convictions and shutting down for-profit prisons, among a number of other proposals, that could have a positive impact on African-American communities across California.

Other policies in the plan to overhaul the country’s criminal justice system include introducing a national standard for police use of force; providing incentives for states to get rid of mandatory minimums; equalizing sentencing for possession and distribution of crack and cocaine; mandating prisons to offer educational courses, vocational training as well as mental health and addiction treatment. Harris also wants to end federal laws that prohibit formerly incarcerated people from accessing housing, loans, food stamps and other public services

 “By ending mass incarceration, holding police accountable, and keeping families intact, Kamala would fundamentally transform public safety and protect our children,” said California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond who oversees the state’s 977 school districts that enroll more than 6 million students. Thurmond says he’s excited by the focus on prevention and rehabilitation in Harris’ plan because one of his own top priorities is keeping kids safe, enrolled in school, and out of prisons.

Harris announced her plan earlier this month. According to her campaign it “replicates and nationalizes” programs she introduced during her law enforcement career in California. 

“This plan uses my experience and unique capability to root out failures within the justice system,” she said. “We can end mass incarceration and combat the bias and racism that fuels it. We can ensure accountability for all parts of the system to build foundations of trust in our communities. We can stop profit from incarceration and stop criminalizing poverty. As president, I’ll fix this broken system to make it fairer and more accountable for communities across the country.”

Lateefah Simon is a civil rights activist who runs the Akonadi Foundation, a social and racial justice organization in Oakland. She believes Harris is best equipped to lead reforms because she understands how the justice system works.

“As a lifelong activist, I don’t say this lightly,” said Simon. “Her career is proof that you can fight to rectify what’s broken from the inside. Her plans for our country prove that she has a lot of fight left. We need a leader like Kamala in the White House to ensure that we end private prisons and give Black and Brown families their lives back.”

Simon is also a California State University Trustee and the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transportation Board Director.

Billie Mizell, former executive Director of Insight Prison Project based in San Quentin, says she’s not surprised by the progressive policies in Harris’ plan. 

“Kamala Harris first earned my respect over 15 years ago when I was working for people sentenced to death,” said Mizell. “To the surprise of many of us in the abolition community back then, DA Harris refused to seek a death verdict, despite enormous political pressure. Before ‘progressive prosecutor’ was a trendy term, Kamala was fighting to be in spaces historically dominated by White men so that she could be a game-changer.”

Most Democrats have reacted favorably to Harris’ criminal justice reform plan. But other critics have been attacking her record as prosecutor and California’s top cop since she announced her candidacy for President of the United States in January.

“Time after time, when progressives urged her to embrace criminal justice reforms as a district attorney and then the state’s attorney general, Ms. Harris opposed them or stayed silent,” wrote

Lara Bazelon, a law professor, in the New York Times. Bazelon is the former director of the Loyola Law School Project for the Innocent in Los Angeles. 

Defending her record, Harris said “I was swimming against the current, and thankfully the currents have changed. She made the statement in an interview with the New York Times just before releasing her plan. “The winds are in our sails. And I’m riding that just like everybody else is – because it’s long overdue.”

“I know the system from the inside out,” Harris continued. . “So trust me when I say we have a problem with mass incarceration in America. Trust me when I say we have a problem with accountability. Trust me when I say we have to take the profit out of criminal justice.”

Harris points to a program she started in 2005 when she was district attorney. Called “Back on Track,” the initiative provided jobs for young people arrested the first time for drug offenses. She also hired more women, people of color and LGBTQ people in an effort to increase diversity on her staff, according to her campaign.

In the presidential race, Harris seems to be losing steam. She is polling at only 5 percent in Iowa, the first State in the Democratic primaries, according to a Focus on Rural America survey.  She has dropped more than 13 points over the last two months.

Among African-American Democrats, most polls place her third after Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.“As someone who has seen the flaws in our criminal justice firsthand, I have long appreciated Kamala’s commitment to reforming it,” said San Francisco Mayor London Breed. “Her plans to end mandatory minimum sentencing, money bail, and the death penalty exemplify why her platform is so important. She is a trailblazer through and through.” 

 

He was tireless in the fight for access and respect for Black journalists and relentless in championing for Blacks to have a seat at the proverbial table.

Sacramento OBSERVER publisher emeritus Dr. William H. Lee went on to his glory, having passed away on Sunday, September 22. Dr. Lee was 83 years old. 

Dr. Lee was born on May 29, 1936, in Austin, Texas.  His parents (Rev. Charles R. Lee, father, and Carrie Lee, mother), with sons William and James R. Lee, moved to California, first to San Francisco and then to Sacramento, in the early 1940s.

Dr. Lee attended Sacramento State University (1953-1955) and went on to earn a B.A. degree (Accounting) from UC Berkeley in 1957.  He was awarded an Honorary Ph.D. from Southeastern University in 1970. 

After graduating from UC Berkeley, Lee had short, but fruitful, employment stays with both Aerojet and IBM Corporations. His dream to establish his own firm,  however, led him to open his own real estate and land development company in 1960. The success he had in real estate allowed him to invest in the much-needed community newspaper publishing business. He along with local radio connoisseur Geno Gladden and businessman John W. Cole, launched The Sacramento Observer on November 22, 1962. A short time after starting the paper, Gladden passed away. And, in 1965, Lee and his wife, Kathryn, became sole owners of the paper, also starting at the time the Lee Publishing Company. 

The publishing company grew during the 1970s and 80s, to publishing at one point, six distinct publications in California and Nevada — including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Stockton, Solano County, Reno, Nevada and Sacramento.   Dr. Lee took on local, state and national leadership roles. From 1970 to 1989,    he served on the board of directors and as an officer of the National Newspapers Publisher’s Association (NNPA), the Black Press of America.  He was co-founder and a long-time president of the West Coast Black Publisher’s Association (WCBPA). Lee was named “Publisher of the Year” by the WCBPA in 1985.

Active in the field of journalism and the newspaper industry, Lee’s publications, along with his call for quality and excellence in the industry, gave him a national reputation. He was a member of the jury, judging for Pulitzer Prize winners in Journalism in 1987.  Lee’s newspaper, The Sacramento Observer, has been named the nation’s No. 1 Black newspaper six times; being awarded the coveted John B. Russwurm trophy, the nation’s top newspaper publishing honor given by the National Newspaper Publisher’s Association. 

A recognized business leader, Lee served on the board of directors of a number of national and local companies, including Blue Cross of California; Methodist Hospital (Sacramento); the Superior Valley Small Business Development Corporation; the advisory board of Wells Fargo Bank;  and, the advisory board of the former Home Savings financial institution.   Dr. Lee’s commitment to serve others kept him active in civic and educational circles. He  was named Alumnus of the Year (1993), by UC Berkeley’s Black Alumni Association. He was appointed by California Governor George Deukmejain to chair the statewide Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday committee, leading to the state’s observance of the MLK holiday. Years later, in January 2014, Dr. Lee would serve as the Grand Marshal of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday March in Sacramento.  

In Sacramento, the prestigious Sacramento Magazine named Dr. Lee as one of the “50 Most Powerful Leaders” in the City (2006).  He was a co-founder and former President of the Men’s Civic League; co-founder of the Sacramento Urban League; as well as co-founder of the Sacramento Area Black Caucus. 

Dr. Lee has been honored by a large number of groups and organizations for his long and dedicated community service and  leadership. He received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the California Black Chamber of Commerce and the Sacramento Chapter of the Links and the OBSERVER was inducted into the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Hall of Fame in 2012. Dr. Lee has also been saluted by Sacramento 100 Black Men, Inc; the Sacramento Branch of the NAACP (D.D. Mattocks Award); the American Leadership Forum (Exemplary Leader Award) and was a recipient of the Congressman Bob Matsui Award (for Distinguished Community Service); The Greater Sacramento Urban League’s Co-Founder Award; the California State University, Sacramento Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award; and many others. In 2012, Fortune School of Education named an elementary school, William H. Lee College Prep, in honor of Dr. Lee. The school’s computer lab is named after Dr. Lee’s late wife.

In January 2015, Kevin Johnson, Sacramento’s first African American mayor, awarded Dr. Lee with the Mort Friedman Legacy Award, which honors an outstanding individual who has made notable civic and community contributions within the Sacramento city and region.

A memorial service has been tentatively set for Sacramento on Tuesday, October 1. Details to follow.

This year’s forum will be held at Ecclesia Christian Fellowship, 1314 E. Date Street, San Bernardino, CA 92404.  Check-in and Continental breakfast start at 8 a.m.  The program starts at 9:00am and ends at 3 p.m.

Speaker:  Brette Steele serves as the Director of Prevention and National Security at the McCain Institute for International Leadership.  Prior to joining the McCain Institute, Steele served as the Regional Director of Strategic Engagement for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Terrorism Prevention Partnerships.  In that role she advised the State of California in the development of a statewide Preventing Violent Extremism Strategy and partnered with counties, cities, and nonprofit organizations to develop and implement Preventing Violent Extremism programs.

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Rialto continues to move forward and constantly looking at welcoming emerging technology. In terms of technology, it takes on different forms in Rialto from being the first in the nation to have water-efficient projects and ways of treating water, transforming organic waste into energy to partnering with local universities to develop and repurpose lost energy. Also, recreating a lost basin into a purposeful lake is in the future of Rialto. Though we have to react to the external economic indicators, it does not stop us from thinking about how to make this community better. From complexing a new park such as Joe Sampson and other productions that are underway, which you can reference in the City Administrator’s newsletter, is a great contribution to our community. As Mayor, I am committed to never falling short on advancing and investing in the quality of life in Rialto. Through economic investments, investing in our youth, and time with our youth.

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Rialto’s National Night Out Features The Wyland Foundation Interactive Van!

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Bike Rodeo Gives Away Over 200 Bicycles! 

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Inaugural NBA Legends Basketball Academy features WNBA and NBA Players

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Olive Garden Grand Opening at Renaissance Marketplace!

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Kome Ajise, Executive Director of SCAG, visits Rialto!

To read the stories in full, please click here

By Lou Yeboah

Oh, how we so hate it, but, boy do we forever need it! Tough Love! Although difficult to give and difficult to receive, when we acknowledge the serious and eternal implications of our choices, we come to understand why tough love is so important. Case in point: When King David committed adultery and had his lover’s husband killed, the prophet Nathan was the only one who confronted him about his sin [2 Samuuel 12}. Nathan spoke the truth to David in such a way that David became immediately repentant. I tell you, one of the great characteristics of the Ephesian church was the fact that they were, in one very important way, intolerant. Much of the professing Christian church today has forgotten that Jesus wants His church to be pure. It has forgotten that God has commanded His people to be holy. The world today wants the church to turn the Bible’s teaching upside down. It wants us to call what is evil, good, and to call what is good, evil. But as the prophet Isaiah wrote, [Isaiah 5:20] “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” No matter how difficult tough love is to give or receive, people who are going astray need to be told that they are on the path to destruction. They need to be told that they need to change. They need to be dealt with with tough love.

You see, Jesus who taught us to love one another is the same Jesus who made whips and used them to whip the merchants who had set up shops in the temple. He is the same one who openly rebuked the religious leaders of his day, calling them snakes and vipers.  Jesus showed us many examples of tough love. He never backed away from saying exactly what his Father told him to say, even if it caused people to stop following him. He knew he was acting in love because he was offering them exactly what they needed to hear, whether they liked it or not. The message He preached was not negotiable, not on the table for compromise, not up for a vote.

I tell you, there are times in life when we “need”  tough love. There are times in life when we “need” to be warned that we are in a dangerous situation and that we “need” to listen up or face some pretty devastating consequences. Instead of being hateful or take offense, we should be grateful and thankful that God loves us so much that He will send a messenger with a message for our mess instead of wrath. Tough love –  embrace it, love it, welcome it. Why? Because, ‘Tough Love’ is a love that doesn’t let evil get the upper hand. Because, ‘Tough Love is Real Love!”

In concluding, to those who have chosen to allow the Lord to use you as His mouthpiece, as God warned the prophet Ezekiel in regards to his vocation as messenger and mouthpiece of God. Know that there are no variables when it comes to being God’s faithful messenger. Speak the words that God gives. He gives them for a reason and they need to be heard.  “If you don’t tell them what He gives you to say: if you choose to try and play nice they will still suffer the eternal death of Hell only now you will be held accountable for it.

Biblical tough love, based on eternal truth.

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby; wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees… [Hebrews 12:11-12]

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—LOS ANGELES, CA— The 2^nd Annual Women of Color Empowerment Brunch produced by founders Raquel Wilson and Tynisha Lewis of the Empower Her Network hosted a groundbreaking platform for women of color. The brunch took place in the city of Watts California and was met with an overwhelming community response of young professional women of color starting out in business. The afternoon was hosted by Wilson and Lewis who honored three outstanding women of color in politics, activism, community service for their vast achievements, with a panel of seven influential women of color from various industries, moderated by Syd Stewart,Founder & Executive Director of Better Youth. Each panelist shared their stories, challenges, victories and secrets to success. 

This year’s honorees included Jan Perry, Former Los Angeles City Councilwoman; Linda Miles, Community Partnership Consultant; Susan Burton, Activist. Panelists includedB. René Norman, Celebrity Photographer; Deborah Griffin, Entertainment Publicist; Ericka Chancellor, Professional Cosmetologist; Natasha D Burton, Producer and Brand Builder; Sauda S. Johnson, Attorney; Tonya McKenzie, Author, Motivational Speaker, and PR Consultant; Umaymah Rashid, Content Creator, Digital Media Producer, and Marketing Manager. 

Raquel Wilson is a former foster youth and Tynisha Lewis is a former homeless youth who both use the Empower Her Project to provide professional development and advocacy opportunities for young professional women of color starting out in business with the space to network and be inspired. Both women are dedicated to empowering, educating and encouraging young women of color who are in and around the community of Watts, California. The goal is to shed light on the many resources available for young women of color to be able to accomplish extraordinary things through business.

Social Media:

Twitter: @empower_inc

Instagram: @theempowerherprojectinc

Facebook: @theempowerherproject 

Official Social Media Hashtags: #WCEB2019 #TheEmpowerHerProject