(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Wells Fargo’s $60 billion pledge to African American homebuyers is a major part of the company’s dedication to a community that’s grown accustomed to being shut out from having a slice of the American Dream. In addition to the $60 billion in lending for home purchases, the company committed to increasing the diversity of its sales team and providing $15 million toward initiatives focused on homebuyer education and counseling.

“Homeownership is vitally important, because homes are the building blocks of the American Dream and a proven, sustainable vehicle for building individual and family wealth that can be passed down from generation to generation,” said Cerita Battles, the senior vice president and head of retail diverse segments for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

Battles continued, “Homes make up our neighborhoods and our communities and are a stabilizing force for families, making homeownership a key driver of our nation’s economic and cultural well-being.”

With that understanding, bank officials know that their commitment and helpful information to those interested in becoming homeowners must be communicated to the African American community.

To that end, sharing news through the Black Press is also important for Wells Fargo, Battles said.

“Being present in the communities we serve is one of our key strategies for reaching our goals and African American newspapers are a trusted vehicle for news and information in those communities,” Battles said. “So, having information about being a homeowner and sustaining homeownership is critical to reaching the goals of the commitment and helping more African American families become homeowners.”

Housing experts have said that it’s important for aspiring homeowners to have as much knowledge as possible about the homeownership process; that information helps to dispel myths that many African Americans have about homeownership.

“There are many myths that cause a lot of potential African American homebuyers to assume that getting a home mortgage is something beyond their reach. But many times, this is completely untrue, and that message needs to get out,” Battles said. “African Americans need to have the confidence and knowledge to recognize that they can be homeowners, and that a lender, like Wells Fargo, truly wants to help them meet their home-financing needs. The Black Press, and other media for that matter, helps us share these messages to those who desire to obtain and sustain homeownership.”

Battles noted that it’s also important to remember that Wells Fargo’s African American homeownership commitment is not a separate loan program, but an effort by the company to increase homeowners in the community. Any of the programs, products, and services that Wells Fargo offers are available to all customers who qualify.

She said it’s not really about what the bank is doing differently for African Americans, but more about how Wells Fargo is showing up for them.

“It’s more about getting the messages to them, meeting them where, when, and how they want to interact with us so that we can leverage all that we have to offer. It’s about education, counseling, and being present in their communities,” Battles said.

Wells Fargo’s commitment to the African American community extends beyond the homeownership commitment. In 2016, the company committed to offering $75 million in grants and lending to help diverse-owned small businesses access capital and technical assistance by the end of 2020.

“In fact, by the end of 2016, the Wells Fargo Works for Small Business: Diverse Community Capital program had distributed $38 million in grants and lending capital to 30 Community Development Financial Institutions serving diverse, small businesses, placing us more than halfway to our goal,” Battles said.

Battles said that even though the goals of the homeownership commitment are challenging, Wells Fargo is committed to doing what it takes to help increase African American homeowners.

“This commitment is not a sprint, but a long journey that will require the focus of our team and collaboration with industry influencers, nonprofits and other organizations,” Battles said. “If this were just a public relations campaign, we would not have made the goals so lofty.”

“Making this commitment holds us accountable to ourselves, our customers, our communities, and the organizations that joined us in this effort; by pushing ourselves, stretching ourselves, and then delivering on our commitments in a responsible manner, we are ensuring true meaningful progress for African-American homeownership across America.”

This article was originally published in The Washington Informer, a member publication of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Learn more about becoming a member at www.nnpa.org.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- EBONY magazine releases its June issue, showcasing Danai Gurira on the cover. In the accompanying exclusive interview, EBONY sits down with the award-winning actress for an intimate conversation in which Gurira dishes on her climb in Hollywood, her activism and paying it forward.

“I feel called. … I feel like everything I do, everything—the blessings that I’ve received—are not necessarily for me. They’re for me to sturdy up my shoulders for other girls to stand on like I stand on other people’s shoulders,” says Gurira.

The June issue also features a celebration of Black music and a very special ’90s hip-hop beauty retrospective. In addition, readers will learn about Letoya Luckett’s new destiny; GOOD Music’s leading lady, Teyana Taylor, dishes on her beauty tips; and we offer suggestions for the best swimsuits and Father’s Day gifts, with our exclusive gift guide.

“The June issue of EBONY is one to get very excited about. Music has always played—and continues to play—an integral role in Black culture. We hope this edition will deliver a robust celebration of music and get everyone involved,” says Linda Johnson Rice, CEO of EBONY Media Operations. “The June issue also aims to celebrate Black fathers and fatherhood. We take a deep dive into honoring the male role models in all of our lives through heart-touching stories and ideas for purchasing the man in your life the perfect gift for Father’s Day.”

Get the June 2018 digital edition of EBONY via Texture, Google Play, Apple iTunes and Kindle May 17 and on newsstands May 24.  For more with Gurira and behind-the-scenes content, be sure to visit ebony.com/InsideEbony.

ONTARIO, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) recently congratulated four area high school students accepted to the U.S. military service academies. The students were nominated by a panel of judges with military backgrounds. Following a rigorous application and interview process, the judges made their recommendations to the respective service academies for final approval.

“Each year, one of my greatest privileges as a member of Congress is to nominate the best candidates our district has to offer. I want to congratulate these four exceptional students on their acceptance into the service academies,” said Torres. “These students will not only receive an excellent education and learn invaluable skills and training, they’ll also serve California and our nation proudly.”

The following are this year’s nominees, their city of residence, high school, and the academy to which they have been accepted: Lucas Florendo (Jurupa Hills High School, Air Force Academy); Malachi Samuels (Diamond Bar High School, Air Force Academy Prep School); Nicholas Ramos (Chino Hills High School, USMA-West Point); and Jacob Turner (Damien High School, USMA Prep School-West Point).

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. 

In addition to a free college education, the honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Rep. Torres will nominate, through a competitive process, one individual for each vacant academy slot allotted to the 35^th district.

Executive Director, Akliah Templeton, Chats with WSS News on the vision and mission of the U.S. Vets Program

By Naomi K. Bonman

Executive Director of U.S. Vets Inglewood, Akliah Templeton

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Memorial Day is on Monday, May 28 and to commemorate it, the U.S. Vets organization will be celebrating its 25^thAnniversary by honoring the veterans who have served for our country. The celebration will take place on Friday, May 25 at U.S. Vets-Inglewood located at 733 S. Hindry Avenue in Inglewood.

U.S. Vets is the nation’s largest non-profit provider of direct services to homeless and at-risk veterans. The organization currently has 20 residential sites and 9 service centers across the country, as well as national homeless prevention programs. U.S. Vets provides housing, counseling and career development services to help veterans and families successfully transition to civilian life.

WSS News recently caught up with the executive director of U.S. Vets, Akilah Templeton where she chatted on her overall mission and vision for the organization.

Check out the interview below:

As executive director, what is your vision for the future of U.S. Vets?

Ultimately, it is imperative that my vision aligns with the collective vision of the organization’s leadership.  My Vision for U.S.VETS Inglewood involves a commitment to ensuring excellence in service delivery, continued growth and more collaboration with those who are concerned with improving the quality of life for our nation’s heroes. This means using evidence-based interventions to address the challenges faced by veterans. It includes expanding programs and services to reach more veterans and veteran families. It requires coalition building so that we are part of a community-wide response to solving a set of complex problems.

I am certain that as an organization, we cannot do this alone. Veteran homelessness is a humanitarian issue. It is an issue that shouldn’t exist.  When we talk about expanding housing programs, we have to involve the community. The community must make the connection between the sacrifices made by these brave men and women and the freedoms we enjoy as a result.

For those who are unfamiliar what id U.S. Vets and what does the organization do?

Simply put, U.S.VETS rebuilds lives. Every service we provide, every bed we fill and every meal we serve in some way contributes to helping a veteran gain stability. Services include transitional housing and now permanent housing in some areas, help with re-integration into the labor force,  targeted case management, therapy, substance use treatment, social activities, help with strengthening independent living skills, family services, legal services and assistance with finding a permanent place to call home. U.S.VETS is the largest non-profit provider of veteran specific housing, employment and case management services in the country.

How can veterans who aren’t apart of the organization become involved?

Veterans who are seeking services can contact their nearest U.S.VETS location for more information. The Inglewood site is located at 733 S. Hindry Ave. in Inglewood. We accept walk-ins. You can also reach us by phone at 310-348-7600.  

Veteran’s wanting to offer support or simply get involved can find us at usvetsinc.org for information on donating and volunteering.

What other upcoming events does the organization have?

We are looking forward to our first annual celebrity basketball game in August. We hope to raise funds to cover gaps in existing programs and to expand service delivery.

LOS ANGELES, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- From promoting childhood education to improving company strategy and customer service, Ruchi Singh sees the vast potential of using data to improve lives.

“I have a vision to use my knowledge and passion to solve real-life problems using data science,” Singh says. “I believe that by analyzing the data being collected will help make better business decisions, equip children to learn and elders to live comfortably.”

The West Los Angeles resident will graduate with honors in May with a Master of Science in Information Systems from California State University, Los Angeles.

Born and raised in India, Singh traces her interest in computers to when she was a little girl. She remembers playing “Snake,” an early mobile phone game. Intrigued by the technology behind it, she eagerly took an introduction to computer science class in school and created her own computer game.

Singh’s fascination with computer programming continued. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the Mody Institute of Technology and Science, and then secured a full-time job as a system engineer for an information technology company.

During the four years she worked in IT, she developed a keen interest in data analytics, systems and software used by businesses for workflow, accounting, procurement, project management and manufacturing.

When her husband was offered a job opportunity in Los Angeles three years ago, Singh decided to pursue a master’s degree in information systems at Cal State LA.

Singh chose Cal State LA because of its accredited state program and because of “it’s perfect blend of courses in computer science, project management and enterprise resource planning systems.”

In her time at the university, she has focused much of her studies on using data science to explore ideas and create solutions that improve existing business models.

Singh excelled in her graduate program, presenting research papers at international and state conferences, such as the 19th International Conference on Electronic Commerce in South Korea, the 2017 Women in Data Science Conference, and the 26th Annual Cal State LA Student Symposium on Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities. She was also a member of the High-Performance Information Computing Center at Cal State LA.

Singh coauthored a paper, “Applications of Machine Learning Models for Yelp Local Business Data,” that has been submitted for publication in the International Journal of Business Analytics.

For two quarters, Singh was a global information security analyst intern with the Walt Disney Company. She also implemented a training tutorial for cloud-based big data company Databricks.

She was awarded a scholarship to participate in the 2017 Teradata PARTNERS Conference in Anaheim, CA, last fall. Teradata is a leading data and analytics company. The conference was the premiere customer-led global data and analytics event for visionaries, change agents, industry leaders, and practitioners.

Singh also found time to develop her own projects. A skills app she created aims to help children become more inquisitive and productive. The program is currently being considered for Amazon’s Alexa, the voice-controlled virtual assistant.

Singh credits mentoring and support from knowledgeable faculty members, such as Professor Jongwook Woo and Professor Arun Aryal, with successfully guiding her and other students through the graduate program. She was recently recognized for her academic accomplishments during the 2017-18 Graduate Student and Faculty Mentor Recognition Reception at Cal State LA.

After graduation, Singh plans to enter the workforce to apply her skills and experience in new and innovative ways.

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Los Angeles resident Debbie Lumpkin, a former corporate executive, and consultant was recently appointed as deputy inspector general for Diversity and Small Business Development in the Office of Audits and Investigations at the California Department of Transportation. Part of her duties will be to oversee minority contractors who apply for transportation funds raised by Senate Bill 1, officially known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. The bill raised taxes on gasoline and diesel prices that go towards highway repair and maintenance.

According to a press release from Gov. Jerry Brown, Lumpkin previously worked for Southern California Edison in several senior positions. After leaving Edison, she worked as a consultant who represented “major corporations and diverse communities.” 

“Most notably, she successfully secured $1.5 billion in diverse business contracts, tripling the amount spent on diverse enterprises in her first year,” according to the press release. 

“Serving the great people of California in this capacity excites me. Over the next ten years, Senate Bill 1 is estimated to generate $52 billion in new contracts; someone needs to monitor them. This position has the potential to impact all community groups that represent California,” said Lumpkin.  

“Lumpkin is a proven and devoted leader in every sense of the word. She has single-handedly created opportunities for many minorities, women, disabled and veteran-owned businesses across California,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena,) chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus in a press release. “Advocating for her in this new role was something that came easy for the CLBC. We know she has the best interest of all community groups in our state. I am confident that she will excel at Caltrans in this new role.”

State Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Gardena,) who worked with Lumpkin at Edison, also praised her. 

“I have no doubt that she will handle her new position with the same innovative and vigorous spirit that she has afforded every community she has served,” said Bradford.

Bradford worked hard to make sure minority contractors get a piece of the transportation bill funds. Bradford said he wants at least 25 percent of the contracts awarded to go to minority-owned businesses.

“If we are going to ask drivers who utilize California roads to pay an extra 12 cents per gallon and promise billions of dollars for infrastructure,” he said, “some of that must reach minority trucking firms, minority engineering firms, real estate firms, architectural firms, all those types of services that will be needed to build and repair those roads.”

Although SB 1 is expected to raise $1.8 billion annually, it was controversial when it passed. Many Republicans opposed it. 

“Many Californians are living paycheck to paycheck and struggling just to make ends meet. Jerry Brown’s massive gas tax increase will add $2.50 every time we fill up our gas tanks, which hits our poor and working-class Californians the hardest,” said Assemblyman Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach,) who launched a website to try and repeal the tax. “Meanwhile, Sacramento’s special interests are lining up for their $52 billion payday with absolutely no concern on how this will impact California’s hard-working families.”

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- … Was the best thing I’ve ever done!  You see, I used to think that love was just a fairy tale until I experienced God’s love; and then suddenly life had new meaning to me. When you fall in love with Jesus, everything changes. You come to know what it is to treasure Him, delight in Him, and be satisfied in Him. When you fall in love with Jesus, it’s a groaning of the Holy Spirit deep inside of your heart. It is an emotion that is so profound there are no words to express it. When you fall in love with Jesus, it is a yearning that says I long for more of You. It’s a love that expresses that Jesus is the only happiness there is in this world. It’s the kind of love that says, I want all of You and I want You to have all of me. Walk with me – take control of my life. Empty me of all selfishness and fill me with Yourself. For You are all I need and there’s no place I’d rather be.

I’m talking about when you fall in love with Jesus. A love that is immeasurable, unmistakable, and unending. A love that can’t be understood until you experience it! A love that can’t be understood until you actually possess it! A love that no one can fully describe the wonders of! I tell you, I woke up and suddenly I was in love. Because when you love God, He responds in a beautiful way. In [Psalms 91:14-16], the writer says that, “Because I have loved Him [Jesus], therefore He will deliver me; He will set me securely on high, because I have known His name. He says, I will call upon Him, and He will answer me; He says, that He will be with me in trouble and that He will rescue me, and honor me. With a long life He will satisfy me, and let me behold His salvation.” I tell you, falling in love with Jesus was the best thing I’ve ever done!

Now, if you understand the Old Testament, the great commandment was to love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. This is the sum of all that God requires, and your neighbor as yourself. But it starts with loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; loving God comprehensively, totally, completely. Now if that’s the sum of the law, then that has to be the sum of the relationship. That can’t be altered when it comes to loving Him. It is still the purpose of God that we would love the Lord, with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Loving Him so much that you we would want to know him, exalt him, please him, serve him, be with him, and tell others about Him. I tell you, falling in love with Jesus was the best thing I’ve ever done!

Go back to that moment when you first met Jesus. Remember the love you felt, the stirring in your heart, the adoration you had for the Savior? Do you remember how grateful you were for the forgiveness of sins? Do you remember how at that moment nothing else mattered, only Jesus?

Today, God wants you to go back and remember that moment in time. And having that in your memory He wants you to return. He wants you to come back to Him; to come back to your first love, to the place and time in your life to where He was everything to you.

I ask you, “How much do [you] owe for all the things, [Christ] have done and for every victory, that [you] have won. How much do [you] owe the Lord, for the price He paid on the cross so that you wouldn’t be lost? How much do [you] owe, somebody tell me, how much do [you] owe….?  [You] owe Him [your] life.  [You] owe Him [your] praise. [You] owe Him your service for the rest of [your] days. [You] owe Him all, for waking [you] up, early this morning. [You] owe, Him for letting [you] see, a brand new dawning. [You] owe Him for holding [you], in the heart of [His] hand.  [You] owe, Him all, and all…” [Georgia Mass Choir – How Much Do I Owe lyrics – emphasis mine].

Yes, we all need a greater revelation of God’s unconditional love for us! A revelation of God’s unconditional love for me is what turned my life around years ago and it’s still impacting me today. These teachings reveal the things God showed me about His love. I believe that if you open up your heart, the Lord will grant you at least as much revelation on this as He has granted me, and it will change your life. I tell you, falling in love with Jesus was the best thing I’ve ever done!

Breast Cancer Organization Now Centrally Located in Two-County Region

RIVERSIDE, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Susan G. Komen Inland Empire, the region’s leading funding source for breast cancer detection, support and education awareness, is hosting a grand opening of its new Riverside office Thursday, May 17.

The event will kick off at 2 p.m. with a ribbon cutting and speeches by survivors and local dignitaries, followed by a reception until 7 p.m. in the courtyard outside the office suite. Parking is free at the location, 7177 Brockton Avenue, Suite 108 in Riverside.

“Komen Inland Empire serves breast cancer patients and their families throughout our entire region, and we’re proud to welcome the community to our new office,” said Komen President Dr. Sandra Finestone, a survivor and representative of the Association of Cancer Patient Educators. “We hope supporters will join us in celebrating this important step in our efforts to meet the needs of this rapidly growing region.”

The local affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, a national non-profit organization, recently moved its headquarters from Temecula to Riverside in an effort to be more centrally located in its territory. Komen Inland Empire covers all of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Komen Inland Empire funds breast cancer detection, support and educational awareness through grants raised at the annual Race for the Cure and other fundraising efforts. Since its first race in 1999, Komen Inland Empire has invested more than $6.5 million in local breast health agencies and organizations and $2.5 million toward groundbreaking research.

Thousands of runners and walkers, including 250 breast cancer survivors, turned out in October for the 19th annual Susan G. Komen IE Race for the Cure, the affiliate’s signature fundraising event. This year the race will be Sunday, October 14 at Town Square Park in Murrieta.

Registration is available at www.komenie.org or by calling 951-676-7465.

The Susan G. Komen Inland Empire affiliate keeps 75 percent of its net income in the community to help serve people in Riverside and San Bernardino counties; 25 percent goes toward the national Komen Grants Program, which funds breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific programs around the world.

Follow them on Facebook Susan G. Komen Inland Empire and or Twitter.

By Curtis Bunn, Urban News Service

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Not many were on board when Jon McDaniel decided to honor his late father-in-law by…. having his 1950s barber chair restored. Who does that? was the common refrain.

And, then, they saw the finished product. 

“Amazing,” Jon McDaniel, said with a hint of satisfaction. His friends quickly agreed.

McDaniel admired his wife’s father, Dan Stringer—a World War II Navy veteran, who enlisted the day after the Pearl Harbor attacks. A patriot at heart, he joined when the navy had few African-Americans, on shore or at sea. He just knew he would be needed. Stringer learned to be a barber while serving overseas. When he returned to his native Cherokee County, some 40 miles north of Atlanta, he bought a Kohler Presidential barber chair and started cutting hair in his basement. (His day job? County Sheriff.)

With a life story like that, McDaniel knew his father-in-law, who passed away 29 years ago, needed a unique memorial. He weighed many different ideas. Eventually, he thought of discarded, dusty hunk of metal in the basement—Stringer’s old barber chair.

To McDaniel’s surprise, there is a mini-industry devoted to restoring barber chairs. He found Custom Barber Chairs, a three-man company that specialized in resurrecting barber chairs that are older than Sidney Poitier.

A few weeks later after CBC picked up his rusting relic, McDaniel visited their Atlanta-area shop. “The chair was laid out in a million pieces,” he said. “I thought, ‘Oh, my god.’”

By the time Sid Tutani, one of CBC’s owners, had worked his magic, McDaniel uttered the same expression, only in a different context.

The restored throne boasted McDaniel’s beloved Georgia Tech logo in the center of the back, chrome and porcelain details, and hydraulics that worked like new. “It was the best thing I could have done,” McDaniel said. “He [his father in law] meant so much to me and did so much for the country. His chair is probably better now than it ever was. When people come to my ‘man cave’ downstairs, it is a showstopper.”

McDaniel paid $5,200 to restore his father-in-law’s legacy. “Worth every penny,” he said.

“When (Stringer’s son), who didn’t want the chair, saw it, he almost had a fit. It’s beautiful.”

McDaniel’s is just one of many, as Custom Barber Chairs has flourished in its unique business niche.

The business began eight years ago, when Kwame Innis noticed a photo of an antique chair in an obscure magazine. Impulsively, he bought a 1930s model for his home, but found it difficult to find someone to refurbish it.

Exasperated, he called friends Tutani in Atlanta and Rohan Balgobin in Houston, fellow photographers and website designers. He hoped they would see his vision and be willing to learn how to teach themselves—through trial and error—to restore vintage barber chairs. “Friends I could really trust because I knew this could take off,” Innis said.

Tutani and Balgobin quickly came onboard.

“I was open to the idea because at the time, I had moved from New York to Texas and things had slowed down,” Balgobin said. “And I was always good with my hands, fixing things and working with my Dad at his mechanics shop. And I liked the idea of us black men doing something with antiques. We carved a space.”

Tutani, however, did not see it that way. Not at first. “I was like, “What? Restore barber chairs? What? But pretty quickly, I got it. It was a unique niche.”

Their story is more fascinating because the men had no training and could not find classes on how to renovate the chairs. So, they taught themselves, learning as they went, and a couple of YouTube videos that gave pointers on a few elements of the unique chairs.

Over time, they perfected the craft.

“There were no formal classes anywhere,” Balgobin, 46, said. “The companies that made the chairs had all closed. We found some schematics on Google Patent, but nothing on how to fix them. We just learned over time.”

Innis, 51, said: “It took us about eight months to restore that first chair. It was trial and error. I probably spent $7,000 on that chair. Knowing what I know now, it probably should have cost about $2,000. But I love the chair.”

Innis explained his motivation. “It took me back to my childhood when my grandfather would take me to the barbershop.”

Now, they have customers from across the globe. They have restored and shipped chairs to Africa, Australia, Canada, Europe and South America as well as many of these United States.

CBC’s restored chairs have been featured in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, the film Barbershop III, and countless photo sessions.

They said, ironically, most of their clients are collectors who desire to have an antique chair in their home or “man cave” instead of the traditional recliner.

It can take up to six months to complete a thorough job and cost up to $12,000 to restore a chair, Innis said, making it a luxury item, not a need.

“We take the chair apart, fix the upholstery, sand blast the porcelain, polish the metal and rebuild the hydraulics,” he explained. “It’s almost like (the TV show) Pimp My Ride. The work we do depends on what the customer wants.”

They have produced chairs with the Sistine Chapel emblazoned on it, company logos, “just about anything you could want,” Tutani said. “With the right budget, we can do anything imaginable.”

Seventy percent of their clients, Innis said, are individuals, including athletes and artists, who simply want a chair because it is unique. A conversation piece. A nostalgic memento. A comfortable place to the game. It was startling at first to learn there was a demand for antique barber chairs for home use. But then Innis remembered that was how he ultimately was attracted to the business.

“The people who can afford it and who appreciate the work put into it get them,” Innis said. “It’s not a bargain item. It’s a luxury item, a want, not a need. So, we find ourselves doing less work for barber-shop owners and more for collectors.”

 The team find chairs to restore at estate sales, barns, old lots, people’s attics while clients find them through Internet searches.

“There are not many out there doing what we do,” Innis said. “But there are a lot of men with disposable income who appreciate the craftsmanship and want our chairs.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- The Rites of Passage is currently accepting applications. Directed by Dr. Nana Kweku, Rites of Passage is a rigorous male mentoring program entered in traditional African values and history.  It is designed to strengthen, guide and mentor young males between 10-years and 15-years old and to assist young males in developing character, career and life skills.

Come to the ROP Parent Meeting on Wednesday, May 23 at 6 p.m. at the Akoma Unity Center located at 1367 N. California Street in San Bernardino. Meet the director, Dr. Nana Kweku and learn more about this life changing Male Mentoring program. Light Refreshments will be served.