Majestic Hearts’ 1^st Annual 5K Walkathon in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— INGLEWOOD, CA— In the cannabis culture, April 20 (known as, “Four-Twenty”) is an International holiday of cannabis consumption. However, this year Majestic Hearts will raise awareness about sexual assault. The organization will host its 1^st Annual 5K Walkathon in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month to raise $5K toward its shelter and counseling programs. Taking place at Darby Park in Inglewood, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. (registration opening at 8:45 a.m.), Majestic Hearts will educate attendees about the subject matter, while raising funds to assist and enrich the community. 

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives. “This alarming statistic must be exposed and it’s our organization’s duty to ensure the community is properly educated,” says Majestic Hearts’ Founding CEO, Kanishia L. Jackson. “We must also take in to account that this statistic is solely based on reported data. There are numerous victims/survivors who have never reported their sexual abuse encounter(s). It’s an uncomfortable subject that needs to be addressed,” she concludes. 

The event will be hosted by comedienne and founder of LesTalk Radio (@LesTalkRadio), Chelley Chelle and food will be catered by WoodMasters Smoked Meats & Fixings (@WoodMastersSMAF). The fundraiser will attract male and female attendees ages 18-75 who have been affected by sexual assault personally, or byway of a loved-one. Registered attendees will receive a Majestic Hearts medal and a water bottle from B.A.L.L. (Build A Lasting Legacy: @BuildALastingLegacy), founded by Pinique Singleton, one of Majestic Hearts’ continued supporters.  

“Sexual assault is not just a woman’s issue,” explaines Wendy Talley, Majestic Hearts’ licensed therapist of KW Essential Services (@KWEssentialServices). “The physical pain of sexual assault eventually goes away, but the heart and the mind will never forget,” the Licensed Clinical Social Worker further exclaims. Talley will be providing additional insight about sexual assault at the event. Her expertise will provide attendees with the tools needed to identify and cope with sexual assault.

Register, today to reserve your perks! Registration is $35 per person and children (under 18) are free! Go to www.majestic-hearts.org to RSVP. If you’re unable to participate, please donate and help spread the word. 

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Majestic Hearts is a 501 © (3) for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Founded in October 2017, we’ve made it our mission is to convert victims into survivors as we fight to be a refuge against DV and SA. We offer group and individual counseling, as well as provide shelter resources to victims/survivors throughout Kern, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego County. For more info, visit our website at www.majestic-hearts.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @MajesticHeartsOrg.  

Black & Positively Golden celebrates a new movement to uplift communities & inspire excellence through education, empowerment, entrepreneurship

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— McDonald’s USA announced the launch of Black & Positively Golden, a new campaign movement designed to uplift communities and inspire excellence. It highlights all things positive and focuses on stories of truth, power and pride, while celebrating Black excellence through education, empowerment and entrepreneurship.  Being an active member in the communities McDonald’s serves has been fundamental to the business since its inception. Black & Positively Golden is a natural extension of the brand’s long-term commitment to the African-American consumer, and part of its larger efforts to reconnect with customers and build a better McDonald’s.

“At McDonald’s, we strive to connect with our customers by showing up in ways that matter to them,” said Lizette Williams, Head of Cultural Engagement & Experiences, McDonald’s USA. “Prior to launching the Black & Positively Golden campaign, we spent time with our African-American customer base and heard from them on what’s most important. We are leveraging this platform to shine a brilliant, powerful light on Black culture and excellence in a way that matters most to our consumers. This is the largest African-American campaign we have launched in 16 years and it continues to demonstrate our longstanding commitment to this community.”

The new campaign is brought to life in partnership with McDonald’s Black Owner/Operators nationwide. These entrepreneurs bring positive economic opportunities to the neighborhoods they serve in numerous ways, including hiring directly from the community, providing scholarships and engaging in other philanthropic activities.

“McDonald’s has long supported African-American communities. We maintain a commitment to our neighbors through various parts of our business – including scholarship partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, generational wealth-building with franchisee training and partnering with minority suppliers,” said Nicole Enearu, a second-generation Owner/Operator and member of McDonald’s U.S. Marketing African-American Consumer Market Leadership Committee. “Through our new Black & Positively Golden campaign, we aim to further connect with and inspire the African-American customer.”

Continuing the growing momentum of the brand’s economic impact and commitment to diversity, Enearu is one of 300 African-American McDonald’s franchisees representing more than 1,500 restaurants.

In an effort to reach consumers in places where they already live, work and play, Black & Positively Golden commences a yearlong commitment to the YWCA USA, supporting the organization’s Women’s Empowerment 360 Program, an initiative designed to empower women of color who aspire to be entrepreneurs. Currently, more than 70% of participants are African-American. McDonald’s financial support will help empower approximately 5,000 up-and-coming businesswomen across the U.S. with education curriculum and other tools needed for success.

The commitment with YWCA USA officially kicks off tonight, in the celebrated and largely African-American Leimert Park neighborhood with an interactive, community event at the YWCA Greater Los Angeles. The event will feature a transformative empowerment mural created by LA-based artist Enkone. Attendees will help co-create the community mural by adding their own words of affirmation. There will be an appearance by actress/comedienne Yvonne Orji, a special performance by multi-platinum recording artist Normani and more. The one-of-a-kind event will shine a light on African-American culture and demonstrate the power words have to inspire Black excellence.

“As part of our commitment to the community, we are excited to kick off Black & Positively Golden with an expanded commitment to the YWCA, an organization that shares McDonald’s core values,” Williams said. “McDonald’s has restaurants in many communities that are also served by the YWCA, and we have local ties to the organization. For instance, we’ve supported their Chicago chapter for more than 30 years. With their focus on women entrepreneurs of color, the partnership is a great fit and we’re thrilled to extend our support nationally.”

“We are honored that McDonald’s has chosen to extend their partnership with us. The community-led event and mural project is incredibly special. The mural will live at one of our centers, located in a historic, predominantly African-American community, and will stand as a beacon of positivity and empowerment,” said Faye Washington, CEO and President of the YWCA Greater Los Angeles.

In conjunction with the YWCA launch event, McDonald’s will debut the campaign with a 60-second anthem television spot on Saturday, March 30, during the 50^th NAACP Image Awards. Consumers will also engage with campaign elements in some of their favorite and most trusted digital, print, radio and broadcast outlets all year long. Understanding the importance of social media for engaging the African-American audience and especially millennials, the brand launched a new Instagram channel for the Black & Positively Goldencampaign – @wearegolden, highlighting moments of positivity, exciting programs and consumer experiences, as well as people who are shining examples of Black excellence in the community. The channel also provides resources to help uplift communities through education, empowerment and entrepreneurship.

The Black & Positively Golden campaign also will be supported through a series of events throughout 2019. First up is McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour set to kick off in late April, followed by consumer experiences at BET Experience and Essence Festival. In addition, Black & Positively Golden will provide $60,000 in scholarships to foster educational empowerment among HBCU students through its partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund. For more information visit TMCF.org/McD.

For more information on McDonald’s new Black & Positively Golden campaign, follow @wearegolden on Instagram.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA— As previously announced by the NAACP, some of the biggest names in film, television and music turned out for the 50th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, March 30, which was broadcast live on TV One from The Dolby Theater in Hollywood.

Hosted by Anthony Anderson, highlights from the evening included Beyoncé being named as the NAACP Entertainer of the Year and NAACP President Derrick Johnson presenting her husband Sean “Jay-Z” Carter with the prestigious President’s Award. Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ fiery acceptance speech energized the audience as she was being honored with the NAACP Chairman’s Award.

Additional honorees included REACH Media nationally syndicated radio host Tom Joynerwho was presented with the Vanguard Award, and Ne-Yo, who was awarded the inaugural Black & Positively Golden Music Honor sponsored by McDonald’s. The Marvel Studios film “Black Panther” took home several awards including Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Ryan Coogler), Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture: Film (Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (Michael B. Jordan), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (Danai Gurira), Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture (Chadwick Boseman), Outstanding Breakthrough Role in a Motion Picture (Letitia Wright), and Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture. Anthony Anderson also took home the award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on “black-ish,” which also won Outstanding Comedy Series and garnered other awards.

Viewers of the 50th NAACP Image Awards were able to get an exclusive
preview of the Bobby DeBarge Story trailer, which premiered during the
telecast and premieres on TV One in June 2019.

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50TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS WINNERS

As previously announced by the NAACP, winners took home awards in diverse categories. 

NAACP Entertainer of the Year: Beyoncé 

NAACP Chairman’s Award: Jay-Z

Outstanding New Artist:Ella Mai (10 Summers/Interscope Records)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series (Television): Anthony Anderson – “black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Film):Ryan Coogler – “Black Panther” (Marvel Studios)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture (Film):Chadwick Boseman – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)

 Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture (Film): Amandla Stenberg – “The Hate U Give” (20^th Century Fox)

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture: “Black Panther” (Marvel Studios)

Click here for the full press release and complete list of winners. 

Find the 50TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS footage guidelines and additional clips of Tom Joyner, Donna Brazille and the “black-ish” cast.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Social Lites, Inc. celebrated its 52^nd Beautillion Ball on Saturday, March 30, at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino.  Over 300 guests were in attendance to witness five distinguished young men introduced to society naming Neuman Sneed II Sir Knight 2019 and awarding approximately $30,000 in scholarships and gifts to all Knights. Speakers included Alumni Knight Malichi Davis, Sir Knight 2018, and student at Morehouse University; and Alumni Knight, Harry Le Grande, Interim Vice President, Student Affairs at CSU, San Bernardino.  SBCUSD Chief of Police Joe Paulino received the Social Lites, Inc. Community Service Award.       

Sir Knight Neuman Sneed II was awarded a $6,500 academic scholarship, $1,000 scholarship for participating in the “Evan T. Carthen Emerging Leader” essay contest, and named “Mr. Congeniality.” The award included a monetary gift along with receiving electronic gifts to prepare for college.  Knight Jordan Dean-Reynoso, First place was awarded a $3,500 scholarship, $9,000 scholarship for winning “The Evan T. Carthen Emerging Leader” essay contest and provided with additional gifts.  Knight Syree Rucker-Spears, Second place, was awarded a $3,000 Alumni Scholarship and provided with additional gifts. Knight Tynan Currie was awarded $1,100 for earning the President Scholarship in addition to a $1,000 scholarship for participating in the “Evan T. Carthen Emerging Leader” essay contest in addition to other gifts.  Knight Zamir Subero was awarded the $1,000 Perseverance Scholarship in addition to receiving other gifts.  Congratulations to all young men and best wishes for a bright future!

By Aanu Adeoye, CNN

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK)— VIA CNN— Rapper Nipsey Hussle’s death in a shooting near his clothing store was greeted with shock and disbelief by celebrities and fans alike.

The 33-year-old musician, real name Ermias Davidson Asghedom, was shot dead in an attack on Sunday that also left two others injured.The city of Los Angeles where he grew up and dedicated his life to helping kids break out of the cycle of gang violence mourned his passing.

But somewhere, thousands of miles away in east Africa, Nipsey’s death was felt even more keenly by the people of Eritrea.

Just in a day and half, @NipseyHussle visited many places in #Asmara.
Me: 'Aren't you tired?'
N: 'NO, I am VERY excited!'#Eritrea pic.twitter.com/alydCWcvuO

— Hadnet Keleta (@hadnetkeleta) April 20, 2018

His father, Nipsey once said, fled a war in Eritrea to settle in the US.

Hussle visited Eritrea twice in his lifetime: first as an 18-year-old when he spent three months and most recently in April 2018.

With his brother Samiel and their dad, Hussle met the Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and sat down with the Ministry of Information’s website for a wide-ranging interview about his life and experiences growing up in Los Angeles in a culture of gang violence.

@NipseyHussle is an 'A class' rapper and a successful business man. He visited Dolce Vita textiles in #Asmara yesterday to explore the business opportunities in #Eritrea. pic.twitter.com/oJZfqhCwmu

— Hadnet Keleta (@hadnetkeleta) April 20, 2018

Then he spoke of his love for Eritrea and his desire to connect with his extended family after fourteen years since his last visit.

“I am here to visit my family and reconnect with my grandmother, my cousins and everybody else,” Hussle said during the interview.

“I love to be here. The people, the food, the culture, and the lifestyle are extremely good.

“During his trip back to his father’s country, Hussle also visited a local textile factory in the capital Asmara to explore business opportunities.

Eritrea’s Minister of Information Yemane Meskel led the tributes to Hussle after news of his death broke.

Extremely saddened to hear the news of the tragic and untimely death of iconic recording artist/entrepreneur Ermias Asgedom (Nipsey Hussle). RIP & condolences to his family. (Nipsey visited his home country in April last year; Profile interview attached) https://t.co/AM87gfgRPu pic.twitter.com/EPaHJGCzm8

— Yemane G. Meskel (@hawelti) April 1, 2019

“Extremely saddened to hear the news of the tragic and untimely death of iconic recording artist/entrepreneur Ermias Asgedom (Nipsey Hussle),” Meskel tweeted.

“RIP & condolences to his family.”

Billion Temesghen, the Eritrean journalist who interviewed him last year, wrote on Twitter: “Eritreans worldwide feel sorrow for the loss of a talented star, a loving family man & a compassionate compatriot. Condolences to us all.”

Ermias Asghedom AKA Nipsey Husle was an Eritrean rap star, a preformance phenomenon, who had just returned home. In my pleasant talk with him I was delighted to learn of the Eritrean & African pride he carried deep inside him. He is a legend. compassionate compatriot. We miss him pic.twitter.com/ogWbp0HrhA

— Billion Temesghen (@billietemesghen) April 1, 2019

Hussle’s debut studio album, Victory Lap, was nominated for best rap album at this year’s Grammy Awards.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN) RIALTO, CA— Time for Change Foundation’s (TFCF) 17^th Annual Awards Gala will honor community champions who go above and beyond to help care for our community and contribute to both the health, and happiness of its members.

Deborah Robertson was elected Mayor of Rialto in November 2012 – the latest achievement in a distinguished public service career that has included 12 years on  the Rialto City Council, leadership positions at the Southern California Association of Governments, the San Bernardino Associated Governments, and more than 20 years with the California Department of Transportation.

Under Mayor Robertson’s leadership, Rialto has gained regional and national recognition for innovation in the areas of public-private partnerships, business development and job creation. A leading voice on regional and national infrastructure issues, Mayor Robertson chairs the Public Health Subcommittee for SCAG’s 2016 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, is a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Water Council and Metro Economies, and member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

In addition, Mayor Robertson is a founding board member for the NFL/AFL Youth Life Skills Camp, has hosted the annual State of Women event in Rialto for the past seven years, and was recognized by Assembly Member Cheryl Brown as 47th District Woman of the Year.

“Mayor Robertson is a jewel in the Inland Empire, as a woman in leadership she is empowering other women to continue leading our communities, we are happy to honor her this year with the Public Service Champion Award” said Vanessa Perez, Director of Time for Change Foundation.

Other Award Honorees include:

Carlos and Audrey Martinez with the Dynamic Duo Award, BLU Educational Foundation with the Rise (Restoring Inclusivity in Systemic Education) Award, Johnson Family Child Care with the Childcare of the Year Award, Linda Lindsey with the Lady of Justice Award, Mayor Deborah Robertson with the Public Service Champion Award, James and Rowena Ramos with the Lifetime Legacy Award, Beatriz Solis with the Melinda Gates Inspiration Award, and Dr. Roger Hadley with the Community Health Champion Award.

Time for Change Foundation’s 17th Year Anniversary Gala will take place on Friday, April 12, 2019 at the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton in Ontario, CA from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. To support TFCF’s efforts to help homeless women and children become self-sufficient, thriving members of society you can become a sponsor, purchase an ad in the event program book or purchase a Gala ticket. 

To purchase tickets for the event or to become a sponsor and increase your business’ visibility in the community, please visit our website www.TimeForChangeFoundation.org or contact Vanessa Perez at (909) 886-2994 or by email at vperez@timeforchangefoundation.org.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— ATLANTIC OCEAN— Ship’s Serviceman Seaman Apprentice Jaethomas Smith, from Apple Valley, Calif., hugs his wife aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) before departing for deployment April 1. USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) departs Naval Station Norfolk as part of Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group’s (ABECSG) deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. With CVN 72 as the flagship, deploying strike group assets include staffs, ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group Twelve (CSG-12), Destroyer Squadron Two (DESRON 2) and Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7); as well as Alvaro de Bazan-class Spanish frigate ESPS Méndez Núñez (F 104).

By Lou Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— You see, [Proverbs 15:3] says: “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Those who think they have God fooled are only fooling themselves!

Listen, when the Holy Spirit gives you an opportunity, and He begins to touch your life, and He begins to deal with you and point out areas in your life that you need to change and then bring you to a place of repentance, and you say, “Yes, Lord, I repent, and then you turn back and act the same way, you’ve treated that which is Holy as common. You’ve profaned the Holy. You’ve been touched, blessed, convicted, repented–all these things have taken place–you draw near to God–only to go and do the same darn thang. I tell you, you ain’t fooling nobody but yourself, because you sho ain’t fooling God!

You pray and you weep and you repent and you say, “God forgive me. Cleanse me. Set me free, Jesus, please, Lord, pardon my sin.” Then you go and act the same way you did before.  You are in danger of judgment. How can someone be so active in the church and still be lost? How can you sit in so many worship services, and not grow in your understanding of God? How can you go into the presence of the Holy Spirit and not find conviction? Get yourself right! This is the ultimatum. In God’s message through Isaiah his prophet, the ultimatum is made clear. It is God’s way or it is God’s wrath, the choice is given, the consequences are made clear. “If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land; “But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” It is as simple as black and white. No gray areas, no need for arbitration, no compromise, no meeting God halfway. It is all or nothing. It is God or the devil. It is blessings or eternal cursing.  [Isaiah 1:18-20]. I tell you, you ain’t fooling nobody but yourself, because you sho’ ain’t fooling God!

We think we are so smart, we think we are able to pull a fast one on God. We ain’t fooling nobody but ourselves.  I tell you, “The time of ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” [Acts 17:30]

The conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— RIVERSIDE, CA— William Chester Jordan, an award-winning historian of medieval Europe, is the Dayton-Stockton Professor of History at Princeton University, where he teaches courses on the Middle Ages. On April 18 and 19, he’ll arrive at UCR as part of the Phi Beta Kappa Society’s Visiting Scholar Program, which gives undergraduate students nationwide the opportunity to learn from leading scholars in their fields.

On April 18 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Jordan will present a public lecture, “The First Crusade and Jewish Martyrdom.” The presentation is free to attend and will take place in room 335 of UCR’s Arts Building. Jordan will present a second public lecture, “The Lorn Land: A Winter’s Tale,” on April 19 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The lecture is also free and will take place in the History Department Library, located in room 1303 of the Humanities and Social Sciences Building.

A prolific author, Jordan will publish his latest book, “The Apple of His Eye: Converts From Islam in the Reign of Louis IX,” this spring. His other recent books include “From England to France: Felony and Exile in the High Middle Ages” (2015), “Men at the Center: Redemptive Governance Under Louis IX” (2012), and “A Tale of Two Monasteries: Westminster and Saint-Denis in the Thirteenth Century” (2009).

At Princeton, Jordan has served as chair of the history department, executive director of the Shelby Cullom Davis Center for Historical Studies, and chairman of the Interdepartmental Committee and Program in Medieval Studies. He is past president of the Consortium for the Teaching of the Middle Ages and served as president of the Medieval Academy of America.

Hosted By SoCal Black Chamber/SBVC Black Faculty & Staff

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Saxophonist Mark Allen Felton was impressing folks with his smooth sax sounds before he was in high school. On Friday, March 29 you will be able to share his smooth sax sound, as Mark Anthony Felton, affectionately known as ‘Panther’, brings his horn and talented band to the San Bernardino Valley College Auditorium.

Felton is an accomplished and celebrated saxophonist who has delivered with four well received albums. His fifth album, ‘Soul Real’, is dropping later this month… So those in attendance on March 29th will be treated to an exclusive debut.

Felton points out that this release is different than previous recordings and enthusiastically predicts that fans and soon-to-be fans will love it.

Mark says, “This one is a little more upbeat… And funkier than the last record.”

And though Felton says he really digs the funk. He also says and demonstrates that he loves performing jazz, gospel and obviously soul music.

His ‘hipstrumentals’, as he calls them are sure to hit your senses in all the right places. And many can bear witness.

During his career Felton has played with some of the greats including Grammy Award winner Patti Labelle, the late great Al Jarreau, Bobby Womack, Kirk Whalum to name a few.

On Friday, March 29th, Felton will be performing music from his latest release live in a concert event sponsored by the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce, Inland Cities East and the San Bernardino Valley College Black Faculty and Staff Association. Included in the night’s festivities is a cocktail social from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. and the concert main event from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.. During the night there will be door prizes, giveaways, and, of course, Mark Allen Felton.

To purchase tickets, visit: blackchamberofcommerce.org