SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY— In a bold move to amplify youth voices and confront the realities of underage tobacco sales, Music Changing Lives (MCL) and the California Health Collaborative – San Bernardino County Tobacco Control Program (CHC – SBCTCP) are gearing up for their Youth-Led Community Resource Fair happening on June 1, 2024. This event, slated to take place from 2:00pm – 5:00pm at the United In Christ Baptist Church, marks a significant milestone in the fight against underage tobacco consumption.

The Resource Fair is a follow-up to the recent Community Dialogue events held in February and March, where the organizations revealed alarming findings from their collaborative investigative efforts. The Community Dialogues, attended by concerned community members, served as a platform to dissect the prevalence of underage tobacco sales and strategize preventive measures.

During decoy operations conducted in early 2024, youths aged 18 to 20 were deployed to local tobacco retailers in Apple Valley, only to discover that they could readily purchase tobacco products, including flavored Swisher Sweets, despite California’s ban on flavored tobacco since late 2022 under Senate Bill 793. Patricia Lopez, CHC Program Manager, grimly affirmed, “Our youth were able to purchase tobacco products in Apple Valley even being under 21.”

In response to these findings, the Apple Valley Against Tobacco campaign was initiated at the onset of 2024, fueled by a sense of urgency to safeguard the youth from the perils of tobacco use. Apple Valley Council Member Curt Emick, echoing the community’s concerns during the March event, emphasized the imperative to educate and hold accountable retailers who ignore laws by selling to underage youth. “Let’s let those companies know. Put it on Facebook – this company sells to 18-year-olds,” urged Emick.

While specific retailer names remain confidential, community members are urged to expose offenders to thwart future sales to minors and disseminate vital information to the broader community. A comprehensive report on underage tobacco sales in Apple Valley by the CHC – SBCTCP will be made available to the public in the coming months.

The upcoming Community Resource Fair on June 1 will be a rallying point for community members and youth advocates alike. The youth-led event will be aimed at addressing underage tobacco sales, use, and overdose prevention. Participants will have access to valuable resources, engage in crucial dialogue, enjoy live musical performances and art activities, all while learning actionable ways to combat underage tobacco sales and contribute positively to their community.

Josiah Bruny, CEO & Founder of MCL emphasized the pivotal role of the community involvement, stating, “Through collective action and sustained advocacy, progress can be achieved in preventing access of tobacco products to minors and promoting healthier lifestyles for our youth.”

Join Music Changing Lives and the California Health Collaborative – San Bernardino County Tobacco Control Program on June 1 as they continue their mission to foster awareness, education, and action surrounding tobacco-related public health issues.

For more information and to RSVP, visit www.musicchanginglives.org/upcoming-events . For direct inquiries, please call 951-992-0721.

LOS ANGELES, CA—- Rubyána, a young singer-songwriter in the Latin music scene, is scheduled to release a sizzling new single titled “Luz Verde” penned by the artist herself this summer via her social media channels and streaming platforms.

The LA-based artist recently assembled an impressive team to help launch her career to new heights. Team members include veteran marketing executive and promoter Issy Sanchez, as well as Thiago Machado, founder and CEO of the leading digital marketing company, Ranked Music. Taken together, these creative entrepreneurs have worked with the likes of Anita, Camilla Cabello, Drake, Alicia Keys, and many other prominent artists.

Rubyana recently covered the hit song “La Diabla” by Xavi. Her feminine approach paired with her unique voice and delivery adds a fresh perspective to the mega-hit song. The cover even gained the attention of Xavi, who started to follow Rubyána on Instagram. The video for the song “La Diabla” was filmed in popular landmarks in L. A & Tijuana, Playas de Tijuana, and Rosarito Beach

Rubyána’s career has steadily been gaining momentum, and her new music will surely expand her fan base. Currently, Rubyána is on a high school and middle school tour in Southern California and Baja California. The principal at Cecytebc Grupo LA Mission High School in Rosarito, Mexico was especially thankful for her recent performance. The principal noted that nobody has ever come to his school to do anything like this and was grateful for Rubyána giving back to the community.

Watch the video of the “La Diabla” cover by Rubyána 

 “La Diabla” is available now on all digital platforms.
For more information about Rubyána, please visit https://linker.ee/rubyana

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

God’s warnings are meant for our good. [2 Timothy 3:16]. God never tells us to do something without a reason. If God gives us a warning in Scripture, [Matthew 24:15] it is there for our good. For God’s Word is our keeper, the watcher of our souls; and when a danger is approaching, it rings the alarum and gives us warning. So, consider the message and understand the vision. [Daniel 9:33].

Jesus has been detailing the destruction, devastation, and hardship that all of us will face soon and very soon. Unprecedented wrath and devastation. A time of suffering and despair, so please take heed; for he has told us all things beforehand. [Mark 13:23]. He said when you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong–let the reader understand.

Jesus did not give these instructions for us to speculate about the future. He gave them that we might be armed and ready. I tell you, wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; at the head of the noisy streets, she cries out; at the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings. How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you, my teachings. Understand that My warnings are meant for your good. [2 Timothy 3:16]. Take Heed! If you do not, I will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you- when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. For then you will call Me but I will not answer; you will look for Me but will not find Me, since you hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord. Since you would not accept My advice and spurned My rebuke, you will eat the fruit of your ways and be filled with the fruit of your schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill you, and the complacency of fools will destroy you; but whoever listens to Me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” [Proverbs 1:20–33]. Let the reader understand. The End is Near!

LOS ANGELES, CA—- From May 1st-2nd, 2024, Maternal Mental Health NOW (MMHN) hosted a two-day “Sex & Perinatal Mental Health Conference” in recognition of Maternal Mental Health Month, focusing on the critical intersection of maternal mental health and sexual wellness during the perinatal period. The event brought together healthcare professionals, sex educators, lactation consultants, holistic healers, and community advocates to discuss innovative solutions and advocate for better systems that support the emotional well-being of expectant and new parents.

“Protecting the mental health needs of Los Angeles County’s pregnant and postpartum individuals requires a holistic approach that integrates sexual health,” said Kelly O’Connor, Executive Director of Maternal Mental Health NOW. “This conference empowers birthing care professionals to provide diverse individuals and families with trauma-informed and culturally appropriate care.”

Perinatal mental health disorders, including postpartum depression and anxiety, affect approximately 1 in 5 women in Los Angeles County. These challenges particularly impact marginalized communities, with Black women experiencing maternal mortality rates three to four times higher than white women, often due to disparities in access to quality healthcare and culturally competent services.

MMHN’s event highlighted the importance of integrating sexual wellness into perinatal care, especially for underserved communities. By fostering open dialogue and collaboration, MMHN aims to reduce stigma and promote inclusive practices that support the mental well-being of pregnant and postpartum individuals.

“When we don’t actively ask and talk about sexual wellness in reproductive mental health, we are complicit in the societal implication that assigned-female-at-birth bodies are meant to reproduce, not to experience pleasure” said speaker and licensed professional counselor Catharine McDonald. “Once a person has birthed, their reproductive organs have served their purpose and lost value.”

MMHN remains committed to advancing initiatives that promote maternal mental health awareness and advocate for policies that prioritize equitable access to care for all families in Los Angeles County.

For more information about Maternal Mental Health NOW and upcoming events, visit www.maternalmentalhealthnow.org.

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media

California’s permanent housing and emergency shelter capacity programs are struggling to meet the homeless population’s growing housing needs, a Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) report stated.

California has launched several programs to mitigate its homelessness crisis – the worst in the nation — which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the report, federal funding helped the state increase emergency shelter beds by 34% during the pandemic. However, the shelters only provided temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness.

The PPIC stated that the increase in homelessness indicates that California needs to expand housing programs to accommodate the growing population.

The “programs that can prevent and mitigate homelessness and housing instability are more urgently needed than ever,” the PPIC stated.

Across California, there remains a shortage of beds in shelters for unhoused people. The report estimates that the state has more than 180,000 homeless people but only about 70,000 beds, accounting for an overall shortage of nearly 110,000 beds.

The state’s struggle to provide permanent housing persists despite establishing partnerships with community-based organizations to tackle the problem.

California’s government has spent billions to increase capacity, but the rising cost of living and limited progress has made it difficult to get rid of homelessness. Local governments have also struggled to track city spending and provide accurate audits of housing programs.

A major concern for the state, according to the report, is that local governments are running out of pandemic-related relief funds. This has led to a decline in the number of beds funded by the Emergency Solutions Grants – Coronavirus (ESG-CV) program. Local governments have urged the state to increase funding for city housing programs, but city officials are yet to establish a reliable method to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs.

LAS VEGAS, NV— This week, Assemblymember Chris Holden joined State and National leaders for the historic groundbreaking of the Brightline West high-speed rail. Assemblymember Holden has been a lifelong advocate of regional transportation and connectivity across the west coast. Last year, as Chair of the Select Committee on Regional Transportation Solutions, Holden hosted an informational hearing last year featuring Brightline West on the panel and they shared plans on the early stages of the production of the historic rail line.

“I am so pleased to see this project come into fruition. Transportation is a key part of opening doors and opportunities. The benefit of better connectivity goes beyond convenience and will impact our regional dedication to environmental health, equity, business opportunity, economic growth, and so much more,” said Assemblymember Holden. “This high-speed rail is a major step, but still only the beginning of great innovation and change for our country.”

The 218-mile system will be constructed in the middle of the I-15 and is based on Brightline’s vision to connect city pairs that are too short to fly and too far to drive. Hailed as the greenest form of transportation in the world, Brightline West will run zero emission, fully electric trains capable of speeds of 200 miles per hour. The groundbreaking included remarks from U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Brightline Founder Wes Edens, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Sen. Jacky Rosen, Senior Advisor to President Biden Steve Benjamin and Vince Saavedra of the Southern Nevada Building Trades.

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media

U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) announced last week she is co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill to honor Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress.

Butler, the only Black woman currently serving in the U.S. Senate, and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA.) proposed the legislation to posthumously endow Chisholm with Congress’s highest award in commemoration of her accomplishments, activism, and legacy.

If the bill passes, Congress will present Chisholm, who was elected in 1968 to represent New York’s 12th District in the United States Congress with the Congressional Gold Medal. A statue of Chisholm will also be erected in the U.S. Capitol in her memory.

“Shirley Chisholm left a mark on our nation’s history that demands its own recognition,” Butler said.

“She was a trailblazer — the first Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the first to run for President — who opened doors for generations of Black women,” Butler added.

Chisholm, a lifelong public servant, worked in education and social services before being elected as the second African American to the New York State Assembly in 1964. She is remembered as a passionate leader who advocated for women and minorities through legislation she introduced and supported.

Warnock said Chisholm’s legacy inspired him to fight for the rights and well-being of Black Americans.

“Shirley Chisholm broke barriers for Black women, Black Americans, and any American who refuses to be confined by injustice,” Warnock said.

“As an educator, and a trailblazing Congresswoman and presidential candidate, she fought for an inclusive democracy, one that lives up to our nation’s highest ideals of equity and justice under law,” he added.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) is proud to announce that the nonprofit organization Pure Land Foundation has been awarded the prestigious Education Medal of Honor for its outstanding contributions to the community through its mobile food pantry initiative.

The award was presented on April 29 by San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Ted Alejandre at the 2024 Spring Awards in recognition of Pure Land Foundation’s dedication to addressing food insecurity and providing essential support to thousands of families in need.

Pure Land Foundation’s mobile food pantry initiative has been a lifeline for families facing food insecurity in our community, particularly during challenging times. Through this initiative, the organization distributes nutritious food items directly to families in underserved areas, ensuring that they have access to healthy meals and essential resources. The mobile food pantry visits various neighborhoods throughout San Bernardino, always operating out of SBCUSD campuses and with support from dozens of student volunteers, serving about a thousand families each month and making a meaningful difference in their lives.

“SBCUSD is honored to have nominated Pure Land Foundation for the Education Medal of Honor, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to them on this well-deserved recognition,” said Superintendent Mauricio Arellano. “We’re working hard to elevate not just our school district but also our community. If we’re able to meet a lot of the basic needs of our families, we believe that’s going to have a monumental impact not just to the district but to the city as a whole. Pure Land Foundation’s commitment to serving our community aligns with our District’s mission to support the well-being of all students and families. We are grateful for their partnership and the invaluable support they provide to our community.”

Pure Land Foundation’s efforts exemplify the spirit of compassion and service that strengthens our community, according to Pure Land Foundation’s founder and CEO Michael Tsai, who accepted the award on the nonprofit’s behalf.

“We as community partners want to help,” Tsai said in a moving acceptance speech. “We believe that education is the great equalizer, however not every family and not every child starts off on the same footing as one another.”

For more information about Pure Land Foundation and their mobile food pantry initiative, visit www.facebook/pureland.ie.

About San Bernardino City Unified School District:

The San Bernardino City Unified School District is California’s eighth-largest school district and is dedicated to providing a high-quality education that prepares more than 46,000 students for college, career and life. With a focus on equity, excellence and empowerment, the District serves a diverse student population in the San Bernardino and Highland communities.

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

Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) addressed a group of advocates and activists, including formerly incarcerated men and women at the State Capitol last week.  She promised them that she is determined to advance Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 8 “across the finish line” for voters’ to decide in a November General Election referendum.

Wilson, Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), was speaking at an April 29 rally at the State Capitol organized to promote “The End Slavery in California Act,” a measure that Wilson authored to amend the California Constitution, abolishing involuntary servitude in prisons across the state.

“For me, it’s a priority to reassert our unwavering commitment to ACA 8 but not just myself as the author but also the entire legislative Black caucus,” Wilson said at the rally held on the southeast end of the State Capitol’s grounds.

“This is not just legislation. It is a declaration of our value and resolve to end all forms of slavery and involuntary servitude in our state. ACA is vital because it proposes to remove the ‘exception’ for involuntary servitude from the state’s constitution, declaring unequivocally that all forms of slavery are prohibited,” she added.

The “Quest for Democracy (Q4D)” rally was hosted by All of Us or None of Us (AOUNOU), a grassroots civil and human rights organization focused on supporting formerly and currently incarcerated people and their families.

AOUNOU members, advocates, justice-impacted leaders, and supporters from all over the state of California attended the rally and other activities organized around the event in Sacramento. Their goal was to educate lawmakers and participants about prison reform and the importance of ACA 8.

In addition to the morning-to-midafternoon rally, an exhibit of 400 black-and-white photos was on display. AOUNOU collected images from family members of individuals who allegedly died “at the hands of law enforcement,” one of the markers at the exhibit stated.

During the rally, many former incarcerated individuals, along with organizers, and supporters took turns performing songs, reading poems, and sharing their experiences working in California’s penal institutions. They also shared stories detailing the repercussions they suffered in prisons when they refused to work.

The 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution was ratified in 1865. It prohibited slavery and involuntary servitude with one exception: if involuntary servitude was imposed as punishment for a crime.

John Cannon, a member of AOUNOU, performed his hip-hop song, “No Exception: All of Us or None of Us” at the rally. He revealed that he served time in prison and was forced to work in various roles without the ability to object. He worked in warehouses, as a firefighter, and in other jobs. Understanding that the “prison industrial complex is a well-oiled machine,” he said, his mission is to see that forced labor is no longer an option.

“Sometimes I don’t think my voice is heard but since I’ve become a member of (AOUNOU) my voice has been heard. Especially for Quest for Democracy, for people like me who have been incarcerated before,” Cannon said. “I am able to go to the State Capitol and get our voices heard in a collective fashion. The issue that is really important to me right now is ending and removing involuntary servitude from the State’s Constitution.”

Article 1, Section 6 of the California Constitution prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude, “except as punishment for a crime.” Former state Sen. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles) originally proposed ACA 3 in 2020, when she served in the Assembly, to remove this exception.

The Senate failed to pass ACA 3, the California Abolition Act in July 2022, preventing the measure from being placed on the November General Election ballot for voters to approve or reject.

Following Kamlager-Dove’s election to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2022 to replace Rep. Karen Bass, who is now the mayor of Los Angeles, Wilson took up the cause when she was elected to the Assembly. The Assembly approved ACA 8 last September. It will be heard next in the Senate.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union: California Action, over 65% of the people in prisons reportedly being forced to work are performing essential jobs like firefighting and paving roads.

In 2022, incarcerated workers made up 43% of the state’s firefighters, ACLU revealed. After serving time and being released from prison the formerly incarcerated are often denied public safety jobs such as firefighters.

“Incarcerated individuals can have severe inhumane punishment for not working, including physical violence and solitary confinement,” Wilson said. “This is not justice. This is exploitation. Period. These punishments can be imposed for absences caused by injury or illness. The relations between incarcerated individuals and work should not be one of exploitation but one of rehabilitation and preparation for reintegration in our society.”

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media ? 

California is admired for its beautiful weather.

But the Golden State is also susceptible to natural disasters because of the frequency of earthquakes, landslides, forest fires, super storms, flooding, and intense heat, particularly in its desert regions.

According to Gov. Gavin Newsom, severe flooding resulted in more than 200,000 California homes and businesses being left without power in 2023.

To help families prepare for disasters, the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) has launched the Listas program. This informational campaign, featuring women from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, teaches other women how to prepare for natural disasters. The initiative includes 70 videos created to be shared online.

Launched in March, Women’s History month, the campaign was promoted during a press conference hosted by California Black Media and  Ethnic Media Services on April 4.

Shayla Happi Amenra-Warmsley, who is Black, an educator and mother of two, is featured in a Listas video talking about planning for extreme weather.

Amenra-Warmsley, said participating in a video for emergency planning made her think about what she needs to do for her family during a natural disaster. In her video, she pointed out to her daughter that cell phones won’t work in an emergency. That’s why it is important to have a list of emergency contacts.

Amenra-Warmsley also said nowadays most people don’t memorize phone numbers because everything’s saved on their phones.

She said being involved in this plan made her realize how important it is to teach loved ones about emergency planning and preparing to deal with difficult situations. This is one of the skills she teaches her students.

“I not only educate my students academically but also teach them lifelong skills of resiliency, emerging from any storm as a stronger version of themselves. Learning how to prepare for emergencies is at the heart of that,” said Amenra-Warmsley.

Diana Crofts-Pelayo, assistant director of Crisis Communication & Public Affairs at CalOES, said the Listas campaign uses women as opinion leaders because they are often the drivers of information in their families.

“These are women who bear the weight of responsibility making ends meet while taking care of children or elderly parents, while the messengers are first- or second-generation women helping support their families within the unit,” said Crofts-Pelayo.

The Listas campaign has conducted than 400,000 calls to motivate people to sign up for emergency weather alerts.

In the videos, women share steps to prepare for an emergency?such as:

• Creating a “go bag.” This would include ID documents, such as birth certificates, driver’s licenses, passports, cash,wallets and phone chargers.
• Also, preparing for an extended stay at home. This includes having water, batteries and non-perishable foods saved.
• Creating a list of family phone numbers. This should be printedout, in case phones are nonfunctional because of lack of power.
• Having a family plan to meet at a different location.

“We saw that women over the age of 18, mostly in Latino, AAPI and Black communities, are the ones that would listen to our message, pass it on and actually use it during an emergency,”?said Diana Crofts-Pelayo,

Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Sacramento) is also featured in a video. She said it was important to have people from diverse ethnic backgrounds in the campaign.

“When disaster comes, it affects everybody across communities, and seeing different women talk from their cultures about having go-bags ready, batteries charged, water for washing and drinking — women across communities can think, ‘If she’s doing this, I should be doing this in my home as well,’” said Nguyen.

For more information or to get social media toolkits, visit the Listas website.