(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK–ENN)— ORLANDO, FL— It’s the 30th anniversary of the debut episode of the ‘All New’ Mickey Mouse Club and it’s the 90th birthday of the ‘Leader of the Club’ himself! Mouseketeers from all seven seasons will be reuniting in Central Florida on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19. The event will be hosted by Joey Fatone.

#MMC30 proceeds will benefit onePULSE Foundation and their efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, and Give Kids The World Village to help fulfill the wishes of critically ill children of all backgrounds and faiths visiting Central Florida and its collection of theme parks and attractions. #MMC30 will also support arts and education for underserved youth through Always In The Club Foundation.

In addition to joining her #MMC cast, actress, comedian and Gospel sensation Raquel Herring will be releasing her latest single, “Running to You” on May 14. She will also be gracing the stage to perform in front of her Disney family.

For more information on the Mickey Mouse Reunion, please visit www.mickeymouseclubreunion.com. To follow Raquel, visit www.raquelherring.com.

By Hakim Hazim

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— The Founding Fathers mulled over various approaches to governing before establishing the viscous of our nation. When they framed our constitution, they did so with care, deliberation, and foresight. Luke 7:35 states, “…Wisdom is justified by its works.” We see the fruit of their work enduring in this great nation. Believing that axioms, self-evident truths, would remain relevant in people’s judgment and conduct, they constructed a new approach for future governance. They factored in various aspects of human nature – paying careful attention to the morally corrosive nature of unchecked power. To guard against this, they instituted three branches of government, along with a free press, and empowered citizenry. America was not just a place; our nation gave birth to an inspiring idea that people, collectively and individually, could, despite their differences, flourish. Leaders trusted the collective will of the people over tyrants, and the people trusted their leaders. This powerful, fragile, dream gave birth to revolution. We became a shining light, a place in which people armed with aspirations, gifts, work ethic, and morals, could come and start afresh. Now, America’s promise is in peril. Our leaders have failed us. Today many feel a sense of angst, and powerlessness – believing they no longer matter. They are waiting on a new movement or political figure to arrive on the scene and change the direction we are headed. That direction is likely void of godly principles, logic, and critical thinking.

America has always been imperfect and flawed, but the dream has remained and carried us. Today, there are many fault lines and a massive fissuring taking place. Cynicism about the other is systematically being fed to us and replacing “we the people.”  (The other, are those who don’t agree with us.) Despite this, my optimism springs from my forbearer’s history in this country.  I recall the salient imagery of my ancestors crossing the North Atlantic under some of harshest and most inhumane circumstances ever thrusted upon a people. People deprived of the very things America supposedly stood for helped build the American Dream for others, while being subjected to centuries of nightmares.  We were excluded; yet, we longed and labored for our piece of the promise. Generations of our leaders fought for the futures of their children, bearing patiently the injustices of our nation, while keeping a long-term view in mind. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., understood the landscape. He employed godly principles, strategic logic, and critical thinking to arouse a nation’s conscience. He knew that the legal system, religious institutions, and scientific community, had long agreed upon our inferior status. As a Christian, I marvel at Dr. King’s use of spiritual values. He shattered those racist perceptions, while unifying a nation. King understood and trusted that the original idea was good, but it needed to be fully implemented for all. He was grateful to be an American, because the dream, though delayed, proved true.

America, from its inception, was a collaborative effort in which the founders considered history, philosophy, principles of governing, and the passions of the people when they decided to wrest power and their future from British tyranny. They rightly placed their faith in God and the people. Today, we are returning to the old, divisive politics of exclusion. We are returning to a tribalism that shuns those we don’t agree with and critical thinking about issues. We see politicians on both sides utilizing strawmen arguments, victimizing victims, ranting about selective prosecution when justice is at work against them, and not shockingly, debating when a baby can be terminated. Missing from these discussions is our voice. We matter, and a great deal more than we think.

I am challenging you to step forward and get involved in your community and political discourse—not meme sharing and Facebook ranting. America was based on the notion that every citizen matters and has a voice. Do you believe that? If you do, are you willing to engage with people you disagree with? Will you break bread with people who are different than you in race, ethnicity, beliefs, and political party? Will you seek common ground? What if we rejected the cynical news cycles that show one side of an issue only? What if we, the citizenry, took seriously our civic duty to be educated on matters and critically thought about some of the things taking place in this country? If we did, things would change, and politicians could not get away with their business as usual approach. Corporations could not slant the news they have purchased with impunity.

We matter and what we do matters. If we lose sight of this, the American Dream dies, and our children’s dreams will die with it. We can secure the results we seek if we return to the original principles of our nation, trust in God and one another. What we are seeing today are the results of our entrenched political party system, and our apathy. This approach will fill us with fear and angst, while stripping us of our voice. It is time to return to civil, informed conversation. It is time to return to the American Dream.

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Hakim Hazim is the founder of Relevant Now, a nationally recognized consultancy that focuses on security, criminality and decision analysis. Mr. Hazim has been featured in many publications and has provided more than 17 years of trusted service to a broad spectrum of professionals tasked with law enforcement, national security and offender populations. He is also the co-founder of web-based Christian think tank, Freedom Squared.

SB 188 Introduced by Senator Holly J. Mitchell Sponsored by National Urban League, Dove, Color of Change and Western Center on Law & Poverty

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SACRAMENTO, CA— The CROWN Coalition, a national alliance comprised of the National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty, Color Of Change, and Dove, is proud to announce the bill they are sponsoring, Senate Bill 188 (The CROWN Act), passed the Senate floor today in California. 

Introduced by Senator Holly J. Mitchell, SB 188 aims to “Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair” (the CROWN Act) by clarifying that traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and hairstyle, be protected from discrimination in the work place and in our K-12 public and charter schools.

“Many Black employees, including your staff, members, will tell you if given the chance that the struggle to maintain what society has deemed a ‘professional image’ while protecting the health and integrity of their hair remains a defining and paradoxical struggle in their work experience, not usually shared by their non-Black peers,” said Senator Mitchell shortly before the Senate vote.  “Members, it is 2019. Any law that sanctions a job description that immediately excludes me from a position, not because of my capabilities or experience but because of my hair, is long overdue for reform.”

The C.R.O.W.N. (Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural hair) Act will ensure protection against discrimination in the workplace and schools based on hairstyles by prohibiting employers and schools from enforcing purportedly “race neutral” grooming policies that disproportionately impact persons of color.   Additionally, while anti-discrimination laws presently protect the choice to wear an Afro, Afros are not the only natural presentation of Black hair. SB 188 will ensure protection against discrimination based on hairstyles by extending statutory protection to hair texture and protective styles in the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the California Education Code.

“Dove has been committed to championing real beauty for women and girls for decades, and believes the individuality of all of our hair should be celebrated,” said Esi Eggleston Bracey, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of North America Beauty and Personal Care at Unilever.  “As a proud member of the CROWN Coalition, we’re overjoyed to see that the California Senate passed SB 188, and look forward to continuing to drive equity and fairness for all women and men, particularly around hair inclusivity.”

The CROWN Act corrects an inconsistency in existing anti-discrimination laws by amending the California Government and Education Codes to protect against discrimination based on traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and protective hairstyles.  The Coalition, in support of The CROWN Act, aims to put an end to the significant injustices of hair discrimination that has spanned decades across the United States.

The CROWN Coalition
The CROWN Coalition is a national alliance comprised of the National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty, Color Of Change, and Dove as sponsors of Senate Bill 188 ‘The Crown Act’.  The CROWN Coalition members believe diversity and inclusion are key drivers of success across all industries and sectors.

For more information on SB 188 ‘The CROWN Act’ click here to see the legislation.

Research suggests changes in healthcare systems, policies are needed to support nurses’ quit efforts

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOMA, LINDA, CA— A study conducted by researchers in California and the Czech Republic has identified four key hospital workplace factors that influence the smoking behaviors of nurses in Central and Eastern Europe. Access to work breaks was identified as the most prominent of the four influencing factors impacting nurses’ experiences with quitting smoking and staying tobacco-free.

Published in February by Cancer Nursing journal, the study explored nurses’ perceptions of hospital workplace factors that influence their smoking and quitting behaviors. In addition to differences in work breaks by smoking status, other recognized themes include lack of support for quitting, negative effects of nurses’ smoking on patient interactions, and impact of workplace policies on continuing to smoke or deciding to quit.

Anne Berit Petersen, PhD, MS, MPH, assistant professor for the Loma Linda University School of Nursing and the study’s lead author, said changes in healthcare systems and policies are needed to support nurses’ quit efforts and wellbeing. “We need to provide additional education to ensure that nurses, administrators and policymakers understand key issues related to smoking and interactions with patients,” she said. “Supporting nurses’ efforts to quit is critical to strengthening the profession’s impact on prevention of tobacco-induced diseases.”

Titled “‘Everyone Needs a Breath of Fresh Air’: Workplace Impact on Nurses’ Smoking Behaviors,” the study was a joint project of several researchers from the University of California, San Francisco — Petersen’s alma mater — the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Eastern Europe Nurses’ Centre of Excellence for Tobacco Control.

“There was a consensus among current and former smokers that nurses’ smoking behaviors are linked to the routines and culture of the workplace, with the most prominent matter being the relationship between work breaks and smoking,” Petersen said.

The study was conducted across five Central and Eastern European countries and included nurses who self-reported as a current smoker or former smoker. Between March 2015, and February 2016, 82 nurses participated in nine focus groups, recruited from hospital-based work settings from across the five Central and Eastern European countries.

Work or rest breaks have been associated with many benefits, including improved job satisfaction, less burnout and stress and even decreased patient death rates, Petersen said. “The lack of guaranteed equitable work breaks was perceived as a significant factor impacting nurses’ smoking behaviors,” Petersen said.

The study identified smoking as the only perceived sanctioned reason for taking a break. Nonsmokers were perceived to receive fewer breaks than nurses who smoked — which incidentally, has been substantiated in quantitative studies conducted in the United States, Petersen said.

“In addition to promoting comprehensive smoke-free programs, one of the most supportive actions employers can take to assist nurses to quit is to ensure that all nurses have equitable access to work breaks.”

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— JCPenney has partnered with the career service center at California State University, San Bernardino for a college Suit Up event designed to help students dress for success and jump start their careers. This private event will take place at the JCPenney in Inland Center on Sunday, April 28, to accommodate hundreds of students looking for advice on what to wear for job interviews. Faculty, staff and alumni from California State University, San Bernardino, along with members of the JCPenney team, will be on-hand to offer insights into the latest career fashion trends, how a suit should fit, what size to buy, how to tie a tie and more.

JCPenney will offer a special EXTRA 40 percent discount to all California State University, San Bernardino students with a valid school ID during this event. Through this substantial discount, men can easily purchase a JF J. Ferrar suit jacket and pants, shirts, ties, belts and shoes for under $200. Women can buy a Worthington suit jacket, skirt, shirt and shoes for under $100. Students will also be eligible to receive a free mini makeover at Sephora Inside JCPenney.

WHEN:

Sunday, April 28

6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

WHERE:

JCPenney at Inland Center

500 Inland Center Dr.

San Bernardino, CA 92408

By Lou Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— “…You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. You worship Me in vain; your teachings are but rules taught by men” [Matthew 15:8-9]. You hypocrites!  I’m going to chew you up and spit you out! You profess that you love Me, but in works you deny Me, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good works reprobate. [Titus 1:16]. I am Spirit, and those who worship Me must worship Me in Spirit and Truth… Worshipping in church every Sunday, yet living a lifestyle completely different than the one you proclaim as a believer. Worship is a lifestyle. You must become living sacrifices ALL the time. Lip service, that’s all it is…don’t mean doodly squat!”

Under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, John says clearly that it is not enough just to “talk the talk.” The true believer must also “walk the walk.”  As the modern saying goes, “Talk is cheap.” It’s one thing, an easy thing, to say you love the Lord. It’s a whole other thing, and a biblical one, to be doers of His Word by keeping His commands and instructions. You must know that God knows our hearts, intentions, thoughts and motives.  And that He has indicated that those who practiced hypocrisy would be sent to hell!

From my heart I encourage everyone who has read this far to determine that you will be a doer of God’s Word and not a hearer only.  It’s easy just to talk about our faith and about the Lord. But God expects more than that. He expects us to obey His commands, to do the things that He says.

“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be his worshipers.” [John 4:23]

Loma Linda University Health’s community outreach program PossAbilities gears up for its 17^thannual athletic event

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOMA LINDA, CA— Community athletes of all abilities and ages are invited to participate in the  17th annual PossAbilities & Kids Triathlon on Sunday, April 28, at Loma Linda University Drayson Center, 25040 Stewart Street in Loma Linda.

The adult triathlon begins at 7 a.m. and is composed of a 3.1-mile run/walk/roll, 11-mile bike, and 150-yard swim at the Drayson Center Pool. The kid’s triathlon begins at 9 a.m. and includes a 1/4-mile run/walk/roll, a 1/4 mile bike ride and a 25 yard swim. All participants will receive official finish times and a finisher medal. In addition to the two triathlons, the event will feature a 5K run, fun activities, and vendor booths for families to explore. 

Cotie Williams, program manager of Community Outreach and Patient Experience at Loma Linda University Health, says “The triathlon was designed to bring a range of athletes together of different ages and abilities for a fun community event. The triathlon is also a unique opportunity to bring awareness to PossAbilities and showcase athletes of all abilities.”

PossAbilities members include individuals who have endured permanent injury from limb amputation, stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and other causes. Williams says their professional athletes and Paralympic hopefuls rigorously train for events such as the triathlon.

Zimri Solis, a trilateral amputee from Jurupa Valley, has been competing in the event for four years. He said his goal this year is to improve his speed in running, biking and swimming. Zimri is a sponsored member of Team PossAbilities training for the Paralympics. 

Solis said his time last year was 1 hour and 14 minutes. This year he wants to complete the course in under 1 hour and 10 minutes. “My hope is that all my training will pay off,” he said. 

Online registration is open until 2 p.m. on April 26 and can be accessed at teampossabilities.org/events. Additional information regarding parking, adult and kids triathlon route, and volunteer sign-up can be found online.

PossAbilities is a free community outreach program of Loma Linda University Health that offers disabled and challenged individuals a sense of community and a healthy social network. For more information about PossAbilities, call 909-558-6384, email possabilities@llu.edu, or visit the website teampossabilities.org.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— CARSON, CA— California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) and the California State University Board of Trustees will bestow an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree on 2012 Olympic gold medalist and CSUDH alumna Carmelita Jeter on May 17, at 6:30 p.m., during CSUDH’s 2019 Commencement Ceremony.

Jeter, who earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from CSUDH in 2006, will be recognized for her athletic achievements and continued contributions to the sport of track and field, her dedication to her community, and her success as a speaker and businesswoman. She will receive the honorary degree and give the keynote address at the College of Health, Human Services and Nursing ceremony – one of six commencement ceremonies taking place May 17 and 18 in the Dignity Health Sports Park Tennis Stadium, located on the CSUDH campus.

Born and raised in Southern California, Jeter started her athletic career at Torrance’s Bishop Montgomery High School as a member of the basketball team. In order to stay fit during the off-season, she tried out for the track and field team. From the moment she stepped onto the track, her incredible sprinting talent was impossible to ignore.

After graduating from Bishop Montgomery, Jeter enrolled at CSUDH where she became the most decorated female athlete in university history. She set five CSUDH records that still stand and won six All-America awards.

During the 2012 Olympics, Jeter anchored the U.S. Olympic 4x100m relay team to take home gold. She became one of the few U.S. athletes to medal in both the 100m and 200m race at an Olympic Games, earning both the silver in the 100m and bronze in the 200m. 

Prior to her Olympic victories, Jeter earned the title “Fastest Woman Alive” for her personal time of 10.64 seconds in the 100-meter dash at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix in 2009. She continued to live up to that title when she won the 100m race at the IAAF Diamond League in 2010, both the 100m and 200m races in 2011, and by winning the 100m finals at the USA Outdoor Championships and the IAAF World Championship in Athletics. U.S.A Track and Field presented Jeter with the 2011 Jesse Owens Athlete of the Year Award.

In addition to her success on the track, Jeter is deeply involved in community and philanthropic efforts, particularly those focused on health and fitness. She has organized community track clinics for youth and served as an ambassador for the Healthy Compton initiative, a citywide program designed to promote healthy lifestyle choices.

When her aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer, Jeter used her platform as a record-setting athlete to raise awareness, collaborating with Nike on hot pink spikes that she wore in competition. In 2015, she was named the official ambassador for Susan G. Komen’s California Circle of Promise Initiative, designed to promote breast cancer awareness among African American women.

Jeter will be one of six CSUDH alumni to serve as this year’s commencement keynote speakers, bringing words of inspiration to approximately 3,600 baccalaureate and master candidates and 36,000 friends and family.

CSUDH 2019 Commencement Speakers:

Rosemary Diaz (B.S., Physics, 2000), optics engineer for Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Friday, May 17, at 9 a.m., for the College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences.

Chiraz Zouaoui Kelly (B.S., Business Administration, 2005), president/CEO of Staffactory.
Friday, May 17, 1:30 p.m., for the College of Business Administration and Public Policy.

Carmelita Jeter (B.A., Physical Education, 2006), Olympic gold medalist and assistant coach for Track and Field at Missouri State University.

Friday, May 17 at, 6:30 p.m., for the College of Health, Human Services and Nursing.

Joseph Herrera (B.A., Labor Studies, 1999), vice president of corporate human relations for Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG).

Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m., for the College of Arts and Humanities; the College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences; and the College of Health, Human Services and Nursing.

Jan Vogel (M.A., Education, 1974), executive director/CEO of the South Bay Workforce Investment Board.

Saturday, May 18 at 1:30 p.m., for the College of Business Administration and Public Policy; the College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences; and the College of Education.

Ted Ross, CIO for the City of Los Angeles and General Manager of the Information Technology Agency.

Saturday, May 18, 6:30 p.m., for the Graduate Ceremony, which includes graduates from all CSUDH colleges.

The Dignity Health Sports Park is located at 18400 Avalon Blvd. in Carson. Media parking is available at in parking lot 10. To RSVP, please call Paul Browning at (310) 243-2740.

The commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live at http://dhtv.csudh.edu.  For more information, visit www.csudh.edu/commencement.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK–ENN)— SACRAMENTO, CA— Assemblymember Chris Holden’s legislation that would strengthen anti-discrimination laws in new forms of housing accommodations such as Airbnb, passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee today. 

“There’s a history of discriminatory behavior in housing and now we’re seeing it happen in hosting platforms,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden.

“Our laws intended to prevent discrimination must adapt to changes in technology, especially as it relates to short-term hosting platforms which are becoming increasingly popular.”

The new legislation, Assembly Bill 1497, adds short-term rental on a hosting platform to the definition of housing accommodation. This will ensure that hosts are held accountable to anti-discrimination laws.

A 2017 Harvard Business School study found that when Airbnb profiles were identical except for the names, distinctly African American names were 16% less likely to be accepted than guests with distinctively white names.

A notable instance of explicit bias is that of Dyne Suh, an Asian American, UCLA law student who was denied by an Airbnb host in Big Bear, California. The host denied Ms. Suh based on her race after she had successfully reserved the listing.

The host stated, “One word says it all. Asian.” as the reason. “AB 1497 ensures that technology continues to bring us together and is not used as a tool to further divide us,” said Holden.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The PAL Center and PAL Charter Academy held its annual State of Youth Employment Event on April 18, 2019. During this event, various community and state leaders met and spoke about the importance of positively engaging our San Bernardino youth in employment opportunities. The question was, “What are you doing about youth employment?”

Dwaine Radden Sr., Chief Executive Officer for the PAL Center opened the event thanking Mr. Edward Brantley, Director of Community Relations for the PAL Center, for his efforts to connect the dots in our community.  Radden’s welcome set the overall theme for the event. He stated that connecting the dots was central to achieving success during and after the conference.

After the introduction, all community and state leaders had an opportunity to describe their organizations and their work with the community. During the speeches, every speaker connected the dots by reflecting on how their organization and others in the room could work together to provide opportunities for students.

Throughout the day, everyone was interchanging business cards and supporting the “connect the dot” analogy that Radden envisioned at the opening of the event. He quoted an old African proverb, “The child who is not embraced will burn the village down to feel its warmth.” Radden said San Bernardino is burning because our youth need to work and have positive activities and facilities for them throughout the city, and their community. He volunteered to put together a website for the Inland Empire community base resource agencies to post and share services for families and the youth.

Various organizations attended the event, from faith-based programs to San Bernardino County programs, businesses that provide job opportunities for youth, and California State Senator, Connie Leyva’s office. Mr. Andre Bossieux, or as he refers to himself, “Dre from TAY,” expressed the power of communication and staying in touch with our people to help guide them. His message was strong and inspiring. He asked the members of the audience to be mentors and leaders for our communities. 

Mr. Majadi, Director of the Center for Youth and Community Development, articulated the need for our communities to support our youth and provide opportunities for them to succeed. Mr. Stan “Amini” Futch from the Westside Action Group explained the importance and need to have a resource database. He stated that we should have various events to keep up the momentum and bring in more resources for San Bernardino and its youth. PAL Charter Academy showed a school video where it highlighted their student work. It also showed the real-time work with youth that had graduated from one of their programs.

The video expressed how the morale and life skills for these students could be taken with them professionally. Several enrolled students at the PAL Charter Academy talked about their academic success, their involvement in ASB, the Upward Bound Program, and other involvement at the school that led them to success that they never thought they would achieve. 

The milestone event also provided a lot of other resources and information that could benefit the youth in San Bernardino. The event was very positive, motivating, and it supported the continued need to work together. 

The landmark occurrence concluded with an opportunity for all of the audience members to comment and express their thoughts. Many participants described the event became more personal when an added theme was tied to the overall message of the event. It opened the door for many to make sure that they connect with as many other organizations and programs as possible to strengthen our services and employment for our youth in San Bernardino and outside of the city.