By Manny Otiko | California Black Media

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- Progressives and some Black activists have long complained about America’s bail system, which treats people with means differently from low-income people. Under the current cash bail system, people charged with a crime can sit in jail for months, and sometimes years, without seeing a judge simply because they can’t afford bail. 

A good example of this situation is seen in the story of Kalief Browder, a New York teen, who was arrested on charges of petty theft. Because his family couldn’t afford his $3,000 bail, he languished in Rikers Island for three years, before a judge dropped the charges. Two years after his release, Browder committed suicide. His family said his experience in jail, where he had to fight to survive and was placed in solitary confinement, killed him. 

The other side of the American justice system is seen in the case of Cameron Terrell, a white teenager from Palos Verdes Estates, who was behind the wheel in a drive-by shooting. His parents put up $500,000 in cash to secure a $5 million bond. Terrell was acquitted in July. Two black males, who were passengers in the car, are still facing life sentences.

However, a proposed bill suggests taking the setting of bail amounts out of human hands and making the criminal justice system fairer. According to a section of Senate Bill 10 “The California Money Bail Reform Act of 2017,” the new legislation would require the use of a “pretrial risk assessment tool.”

Critics of the bill interpret this to mean using a computer algorithm, that takes into consideration the suspects’ age, location, and criminal record, to set bail. This conjures up images of the automated system used in the Tom Cruise movie “Minority Report.”

More than 100 civil rights and civil liberties organizations have complained about the potential use of an algorithm-based system to evaluate bail.

“Last week, the national ACLU signed onto a statement along with other civil rights, digital justice and community-based organizations, which included a call for important policy reforms to accompany any use of pretrial risk assessment tools. 

 “It’s far overdue for government jurisdictions to end the money bail systems that have kept poor people and people of color locked up while awaiting their day in court. Many jurisdictions, however, are turning to pretrial risk assessments, placing a technological barrier between people and their freedom. Algorithms cannot undo the racial bias that exists in the criminal legal system. These and other high-tech tools will always disadvantage communities of color and threaten to replace mass incarceration with digital prisons. We join the chorus of civil and human rights organizations in calling on jurisdictions to reconsider their use of pretrial risk assessments and adopt solutions that actually set people free,”  Myaisha Hayes, criminal justice & tech organizer for Center for Media Justice, said.

 One of the fears about SB 10 is its reliance on technology. Technology is far from perfect, as shown in Russia’s use of hacked emails to tamper with the 2016 elections. And according to the ACLU of Northern California, Amazon’s face recognition technology, which is currently used by some police departments, has shown signs of bias. White faces were found to generate less false matches than Black faces.

According to Jaivon Grant, writing in the Sacramento Observer, this may encourage opposition to SB 10.

“The local and national civil rights groups have long sought to end the money bail system, and SB 10 is the closest they have come to doing so to date. However, Sen. Hertzberg and Assemblymember Bonta may have a very difficult time persuading enough of their fellow Democrat colleagues to support an algorithm-based bail program in the face of such compelling opposition by a powerful coalition of civil rights organizations opposing it,” he said.

Leaders of the assembly and senate were both reported saying this was a priority before the Aug 31 end of this year’s legislative session.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The PAL Charter Academy teachers and staff returned to work to gear up for their upcoming school year. The school had quite a productive and successful school year in 2017-18. 

Head of Schools, Kim Hawkins, said, ” We had a phenomenal 2017-18 school year. Our goal is to use the momentum from last year and make this year even better. The teachers and staff are motivated, excited and ready to go!”

Under the direction of the Executive Director, Dwaine Radden Sr., the teachers and staff kicked off their Bootcamp week. Radden, a former Teacher, Businessman, Championship coach and Hall of Famer came in true form bringing his winning attitude, and 21st-century approach to education when he delivered a gripping motivational speech.

His infectious message had the teachers and staff chanting, “We Are PAL, We Are PAL!,” Edward Brantley, Director of the Community Outreach Program, said, “Mr. Radden’s message to us was inspiring and motivating, his passion for students to succeed in school and life was spot on.”

The Bootcamp week was extraordinary and full of energy.

Mr. Radden talked to the teachers and staff about rewiring themselves for Next Level Teaching. He said, “Students, today are digitally wired and don’t think and learn the way we did. We must rewire the educational system and teachers for the generations to come. We must prepare our students for real-world challenges and the 21st Century”. His message came from a few chapters out of the book he is currently writing, Rewiring America and the Educational System We Live In.

The teachers and staff attended a series of professional development training sessions, and also participated in several team building exercises. The week was filled with exciting and innovative strategies for teachers and staff.  Dominic White, Director of Student Life, kicked off the first day with her high energy introduction of the school, and she also shared information she and others received from the National Charter School Conference in Texas they attended over the summer. She said, “Coach Radden charged a team of 6 teachers and one administrator to be “Hunters” and bring back innovative and creative ideas that we can incorporate into the school. My excitement and energy was a carryover from the knowledge and ideas that came from the trip”. She also serves as the Athletic Director for the school and was instrumental in securing the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) membership for the school.

Last year, the PAL Academy brought home its first men’s basketball league championship and received a 6-year accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, (WASC), the longest accreditation in school history. They became a member of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and bridged connections with local community colleges to provide advanced students with the opportunity to participate in the colleges’ concurrent enrollment program. The Academy received a host of other accomplishments and accolades last school year. 

Now Enrolling For Middle and High School 2018-19

PAL Charter Academy is a Free Public Charter school serving grades 6-12. The school is authorized under the SBCUSD and is the first and longest operating charter sanctioned by and in the City of San Bernardino. For more information call 909-887-7002 or visit their website at www.palcharteracademy.com.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy is currently hiring for a Mental Health Specialist to deliver and coordinate services for our High Desert program in San Bernardino. Please see the description below:

Contract position, responsible for implementing case management, facilitating group and individual intervention and prevention services for youth and parents. Population served includes adolescents and parents. This position requires a bachelor’s degree in Social/Behavioral Health, Sociology, Social Work, or a related field or a minimum of two years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the capabilities to perform the described duties. The Mental Health Specialist works directly with clients, under the supervision of the Program Coordinator.  Ability to counsel youth on factors contributing to youth violence (i.e. mental disorders, wellness, life issues, lifespan development, etc.).

Primary Duties and Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned):

• work with adolescents participating in-school and after-school youth program, counseling and case management services;
• assess levels of risk;
• coordinate intakes and carry out needs assessments, including possible home visits;
• work with clients to develop individualized service plans in conjunction with other professionals, with specific goals and objectives, including substance abuse treatment, mental health care, vocational training, etc.;
• implement and facilitate individual and/or group counseling sessions;
• offer information and counseling support to clients and their families;
• maintain confidential client records, files, and prepare reports;
• travel to off sites to provide services;
• other duties as assigned by the Program Coordinator

Minimum Qualifications

• computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office;
• excellent documentation skills;
• some involvement with youth serving organizations and
• understanding of adolescent developmental issues preferred

For more information please contact Terrance Stone, CEO at (909) 723-1695 tstone@yvyla-ie.org.

Download application here: YVYLA Employment Application

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— The Flow is WHAT IT DO! Don’t miss it! Checkout The Flow for LUE Productions 2nd Annual BBW/Plus Size Model Competition and Fashion Show on Sunday, August 26 at 5 p.m.

The night will be like no other. There will be nonstop entertainment with an important message on domestic violence. We want you there! We need you there! Please support the movement by purchasing a ticket.

The event will be held in the beautiful city of San Bernardino at the Women’s Club of San Bernardino located on “E” Street. For more information please text us at (909) 567-1000 or visit us on Facebook @lueproductions. Remember to always report abuse! Your LIFE MATTERS!

The flow of the evening will go something like this: 5 p.m. doors open; 5 p.m. Red Carpet Interviews; 5:30 p.m. – Selfie Winner awarded on Red Carpet; 6:15 p.m.- Show begins; -intro of host ‘Comedian JT Turner” and co-host ‘Lue Dowdy’; welcome; quick blurb-age of the WHY; Intro of judging panel; at 6:30 p.m. will be the 1st Category; Belly Dance Chorography; Model Introduction; Performance by LPM Artist Mack Pepperboy; Fashion Show by Diva Outlaw; 2nd Category will be Disney Princess; Performance by LPM R&B Recording Artists; Section III will be the 3rd Category – 70’s Style;  Fashion Show by Diva Outlaw; 4th Category – Free Style and Special performance by LPM Recording Group (GWAAP FAM); 5th Category – Formal and  Questions; Domestic Violence Skit; Keynote speaker – Ronda Robinson; Final Walk and announcement of the winner.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—SAN BERNARDINIO, CA— While all of the participants of the Little League® Western Regional Tournament enjoy their experience in San Bernardino, there are a handful of notable stars who have gone on to have professional careers. 

Darnell Coles

As a member of one of three local-area teams to ever play at the Western Regional Headquarters in San Bernardino, Darnell Coles led the San-Ri Little League from Rialto and San Bernardino to the West Regionals in 1974. Unfortunately, San-Ri lost in the championship game to a very tough Red Bluff team from Northern California. After a star career at Eisenhower High School, lettering in four sports, Mr. Coles earned a football scholarship to UCLA. Despite his scholarship, Mr. Coles was also drafted by the Seattle Mariners and chose to play baseball. Mr. Coles later starred with the Detroit Tigers, hitting 20 home runs in one season. He is currently the hitting instructor for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Ken Hubbs

Ken Hubbs – Colton (Calif.) Little League (1954)

While he never played at the Western Regional Headquarters, Ken Hubbs and the Colton (Calif.) Little League went to the Little League Baseball World Series in 1954. He lettered in four sports in high school, named All-CIF in three sports, and was named an All-American in both football and baseball. After being recruited by John Wooden to play basketball at UCLA, Mr. Hubbs was drafted by the Chicago Cubs and quickly made his way to the majors, setting many fielding records in his brief career. In 1962, he was named the National League Rookie of the Year and became the first rookie to also win the Golden Glove. Unfortunately, his career was cut short as he died shortly later in a plane crash. In his honor, Colton Little League has since been renamed Ken Hubbs Little League and continues to be an active Little League program today.

With thousands of players participating in the West and Northwest Regional Tournament, this select few were also able to take their talent to the ultimate level playing on the professional level.

For more information about Little League, please go to www.littleleague.org.

 (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SACRAMENTO, CA— Recently on the California State Assembly Floor, Assemblymember Chris Holden recognized Gerald Freeny for his confirmation as the first African American president of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Board of Directors. Freeny will provide leadership for the 130th Rose Parade on Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

“Gerald Freeny’s confirmation as President of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a significant milestone in Black History,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “Freeny is an example of the Black excellence that occurs every day and exemplifies the progress Tournament of Roses has made to further diversity and inclusiveness within their ranks.”

Gerald Freeny rose through the ranks of hundreds of “white suit volunteers” to become the 130th president of the Association. He previously worked as the chairman of parade operations, and has been a volunteer member of the Tournament of Roses Association since 1988.

Gerald Freeny announced “the Melody of Life” as this year’s theme for the Tournament of Roses to encourage creativity and music as a way to bring people together.

“Many in the Pasadena community have waited and fought for this moment, and we are all excited about the leadership Gerald Freeny will bring to the Tournament of Roses,” said Holden.

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—I tell you if you tell people truth they will get offended. If you don’t tell people truth they will get offended. Damned if you do; damned if you don’t. You just can’t please people. 

Listen, Christians must not forbear speaking the truth, for fear of offending others.… Jesus proclaimed truth more than any other person on the planet. He offended people, divided crowds, made people uptight, and enraged the masses more than any other person on the planet. His words always produced a strong reaction, and he always caused division. The message He proclaimed always provoked people, irritated people, challenged people, and offended people.

Know that proclaiming truth will always alienate people, always upset people, and always offend people. How can this not be the response? When we preach the gospel that Jesus and the disciples preached, we should expect to get the same reaction that Jesus and the disciples got. Jesus was crucified for his efforts, and the disciples were persecuted, jailed and killed. So how can we expect to get any less of a reception if we faithfully and fully proclaim the biblical gospel fearlessly and boldly as Jesus and his early followers did?

As He said to me, “It is not your job to make the message acceptable; it’s your job to make the truth available.” I’m here to tell you the truth, without stutter, stammer, apology, or equivocation no matter how uncomfortable that may be. God message was clear, “PREACH THE WORD! “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up they voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”[Isaiah 58:1]… reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine [2 Timothy 4:2].

Yeah some would say “if you preach like that, you might offend somebody.  It’s not “might”—you will offend somebody. You will upset somebody. They’ll call you harsh, they’ll call you narrow minded, arrogant, they’ll call you mean-spirited, and they’ll call you intolerant [John 15:21].  But Scripture is clear about how we are to respond when the very foundations of the Christian faith are under attack: our duty is to contend, not compromise.

You know on one occasion, after Jesus taught about how the Pharisees had abused God’s Word, His apostles came to him and said, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” [Matthew 15:11]. It is almost as if the apostles thought like many people today. They seemed to be indicating that because Jesus had offended the Pharisees, then He should stop teaching those ideas or change His message. Jesus, however, thought nothing of the sort. He knew that His message offended the Pharisees because of the hardness of their hearts, not because of the way the message was delivered. Jesus understood that the hearts of the Pharisees needed changing, not His message or even the way He delivered it. He responded to His apostles by saying, “Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind” [Matthew 15:14]. Their offense was misplaced. They were blind to the truth. They should not have been offended at Jesus’ message. Jesus’ message was the truth that God had sent to set them free [John 8:32].

Man is a sinner and the more he is reminded of that disposition, the better are his chances of repenting and receiving Salvation. That is my goal in preaching and teaching the Word of God. I do not think about ‘Preaching Hard’ or ‘Preaching Soft’.  God gives me a message based on His Biblical truth and I deliver it to the listener the way He has blessed me to deliver it.

Unfaltering convictions: truth, the mission, and the calling given by God that is not altered by time, people, opinions, or circumstances.

“As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak” [1 King 22: 14].

“Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” [Acts 20:26-27]

Rialto’s Night Out is a way to reduce crime in the community

Caylee Cardenas, 9, from San Bernardino with puppy Dozer.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—LOMA LINDA, CA—Yucaipa Animal Placement Society (YAPS) collaborated with restaurant chain Raising Cane’s in bringing the society’s puppies to visit cancer patients at the LLU Children’s Hospital hematology/oncology outpost clinic Monday, July 30.

Patients cuddled up to the puppies between treatments. The clinic — which is an outpost of unit 4800 — treats pediatric blood-related diseases and cancers and is the largest of its kind in the Inland Empire. Young cancer patients receive treatments such as blood transfusions in the clinic.

The visit was designed to bring joy to children diagnosed with cancers such as leukemia, brain tumors and blood-related diseases such as hemophilia.

“I love seeing the smiles on my child’s face when they’re surprised by something special like this,” said one patient’s parent.

This is the first visit to Loma Linda University Health for both Raising Cane’s and YAPS.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—SAN BERNARDINIO, CA— To show their love to our servicemen and women, the Concerned Citizens for the Development of North Fontana and P-Love Helping Hands partnered with Danny Martinez Veterans Affairs to provide our soldiers with comfortable Snuggie pajamas that will be sent overseas.