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.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Board of Equalization Member Jerome E. Horton is working with Assemblyman Miguel Santiago to introduce legislation that will reduce the housing cost for renters.

A full-fledged housing crisis has gripped California, marked by a severe lack of affordable homes and apartments for seniors and middle-class families – as a result of property values climbing to pre-recession levels.  The median cost of a home in California is now a staggering $500,000, twice the national median cost.

“Living in decent, affordable and reasonably located housing is one of the most important determinants of well–being for every Californian. More than just basic shelter, housing affects our lives in other important ways, determining our access to work, education, recreation, shopping, and quality health care.” said Horton.  “If we don’t fix this, seniors and poor to middle income families will be forced to leave California.”

As the Making Home Affordable Program, (HARP), signed into law by President Obama, is set to expire on December 31, 2018, now is the time for this type of legislation.  HARP helped homeowners refinance their mortgage with an average rate reduction of 2.1 percentage points, saving an average of more than $4,100 in interest during their first 12 months, or about $345 every month. Additionally, homeowners who refinance from 30 year fixed mortgages to 15 year fixed mortgages can save up to $145,000. For more information, visit here.

California has the third-lowest home ownership rate and the fourth highest rent in the country.  The decline in home purchases is generally related to higher rents as it becomes a challenge to save enough for a down payment.  There is a direct relationship between high rents and high home prices.  Additionally, studies find that housing costs are a burden on one’s finances when they surpass 30% of income.  According to a Public Policy Institute of California study, nearly one in three California renter households spends at least half of their income on rent.  While incomes have remained stagnant, rents in California continue to soar, resulting in many low- and middle-income workers cutting essential spending, which also hurts the State’s overall economy.

Even with rent control in cities like Santa Monica and Los Angeles, as of March 2018, the average rent for an apartment in Los Angeles is $2554, which is a 0.16% decrease from last year when the average rent was $2558, and a 1.64% increase from last month when the average rent was $2512.

“The cost of renting an apartment or home in California is as high as it’s ever been.  In fact, many millennials are moving from California because the dream of affordable housing seems so unlikely.  It’s necessary we do something to lower the cost of renting one’s residence in this state,” Horton said.

The average rent in California has increased 60% over the past 20 years.  The flat “renter’s credit” amount has not been adjusted since it was enacted in 1972.

Assembly Member Santiago testified at the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation:  “With the rising cost of rental housing in California, the expansion of the renter’s credit can increase access to housing for low-income families.”  The legislation passed out of the committee with a 9-0 bipartisan vote.  The bill now moves to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations.

This bill will increase the nonrefundable renter’s credit to the greater of $60 allowed under current law or 10 percent of the median rent in the county where the property is occupied for individuals and $120 under current law, or 20 percent of the median rent in the county where the property is occupied for joint filers, heads of households, and surviving spouses.

Member Horton encourages you to call your Congressional representatives and ask that they legislate to renew the HARP program, and the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations at (916) 651-4101 to support AB 2833 (Santiago) to increase the renter’s credit.

Andre Anderson

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Navy Ensign Andrew D. Anderson has completed his first semester of study at the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Martland and is well on the way to becoming a Navy physician. 

Last summer, Mr. Anderson took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and was commissioned as a Navy ensign in exchange for tuition-free medical education at the Uniformed Services University. Upon completing his course of study, ENS Anderson will go on for additional training in a graduate medical education program followed by seven years of service as an active duty Navy physician.   

Anderson is the son of Felton C. Anderson and Elizabeth A. Kennedy of San Bernardino, California; grandson of Betty D. Anderson of San Bernardino; and nephew of Lynne B. Kennedy of Alta Loma, California.

He graduated in 2009 from Cajon High School, San Bernardino, California, and earned a bachelor’s degree in 2013 from California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California. 

ENS Andrew Anderson has completed his first semester of study at the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University and is well on the way to becoming a Navy physician. Last summer, Mr. Anderson took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and was commissioned as an ENS in exchange for tuition-free medical education at the Uniformed Services University. Upon completing his course of study, ENS Anderson will go on for additional training in a graduate medical education program followed by seven years of service as an active duty Navy physician.

REDLANDS, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- On Saturday, June 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the first Juneteenth Celebration will be held at Israel Beal Park on Riverview Drive off Pioneer, Just East of Citrus Valley High School. The City of Redlands will partner with Unity in the Community in memory of African Americans emancipation from slavery on June 19, 1865.

And why is Juneteenth worth celebrating in Redlands? Every Redlands school child knows about the Smiley Brothers, but few know about Israel Beal, a former slave and African American pioneer who helped build the City of Redlands.

The Juneteenth celebration will have plenty of activities for children, food, entertainment, speakers and opportunities to learn about the city’s history. The theme of the event is, “Safety First, For our Children.”

For more information contact (909) 793-l074, the Second Baptist Church office. Co-chairpersons are Pastor Anthony Green, of the Second Baptist Church of Redlands and Mario Saucedo of North Redlands Visioning Committee.

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- What It Do is Nipsey Hussle, Dogg Pound, Mack 10, Mozzy, King Lil G, The Outlawz and several other artist’s.

I’m calling all my Inland Empire rap fans. Don’t miss out! Cabana Life Concerts and Streetwise Clothing presents “Welcome to The West 1st Annual Music Festival” on Saturday, May 26 in Ontario at the Citizens Bank Arena.

This concert is going to be lit’ especially with the lineup hittin’ the stage. Tickets can be purchased online. You can catch me in the building conducting interviews on behalf of LUE Productions and the Westside Story Newspaper. Until next week L’s!

Your story or event should be in my column ‘WHAT IT DO WITH LUE’ in the Westside Story Newspaper! Inbox me on Facebook for details. Make sure to pick up your copy. #WSSP #LUEPRODUCTIONS

Noelle Lilley graduates from Arizona State University

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- A BIG Congratulations to our former intern Noëlle D. Lilley on her graduation from Arizona State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts from the Walter Crocknite School of Journalism and Communication. She graduated with a 3.75 GPA, has two post-grad jobs lined up and she did it in four years!

By Naomi K. Bonman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- “Life itself is an active abstract interpretation of one’s reality. I won’t be defined.” Those words were spoken by filmmaker and activist, Donisha Predergast, who is also the granddaughter of late Reggae legend, Bob Marley.

Over the last couple of weeks, Donisha has been in countless newspapers, blog sites and news coverage regarding the recent race issue that she and her friends were faced with when checking out of an Air BNB in Rialto, California. Although that issue is of importance within the community, Miss Donisha and her family actually enjoyed bringing the Kaya Fest to the Inland Empire, which she mentioned in a recent interview with me.

I wanted to bring a little bit of positivity and take the light off of the Air BNB situation and focus more on what Prendergast is up to and what she is working on. Before we get into the interview, here’s a little information on who Donisha is for those who only know her as part of the Marley family.

Donisha Rita-Claire Prendergast is an actress, model, dancer and poet. She was born on December 29, 1984. Through the years while in the field, she increasingly developed a love for acting and the theatre. She landed several lead parts for “Jambiz” (Production Company in Jamaica). Her first role came as Karen in “Puppy Love”. Immediately she followed up by playing Cindy Relisha in “Cindy Relisha and the DJ Prince”.  She also has appeared in a number of major promotional ads including the new Ammars spread which appears in newspapers and billboards throughout the Caribbean and parts of the world including the U.S.A. many doors. Donisha aspires to become a Child Psychologist.

Click below to listen to the interview

RIVERSIDE, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Balancing school, work and personal issues is a struggle for many of the participants of CCAEJ’s Emerging Young Leaders program.

This is why several participants underwent several presentations from community leaders regarding the importance of mental health on Saturday, May 5.

“Finding stability in your life can be difficult, but it’s essential to have boundaries of what you can and can’t do,” explained Italia Garcia, CCAEJ’s director of Civic Engagement.

“Be forgiving of yourself and create a work environment that aligns with your needs,” she said. “All of this gets real. It’s important to learn to succeed, despite having some dark clouds in your life.”

On Friday, May 11, the Young Emerging Leaders met with Congressman Mark Takano (D-Riverside), Assemblymembers Sabrina Cervantes (D-Eastvale) and Jose Medina (D-Riverside) and Riverside Councilman Jim Perry to discuss local issues and receive insight on college and career readiness. 

The Emerging Young Leaders program will conclude with a graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 19. The ceremony will begin at 12 p.m. and will be held at their headquarters located at 3840 Sunnyhill Drive in Jurupa Valley.

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Wonderful, tired, worn-out Mama… Sit down… Relax… Clear your mind of all thoughts… Forget the morning drama… Forget the battle cries… Let go of today’s worries and stresses…. Throw your cares on the Lord… and just rest… Mama…  Amazing Woman!

You are incredibly strong. You balance work, home, children, husband, cleaning, finances, cooking, shopping, planning, appointments… all these and many more. You work hard. You are relentless! Sit down and relax, mama! Yes, you can do it all!” is the message we hear and see. But underneath “doing it all” is a woman who I know sometimes feels like she’s crumbling under the weight of it all. Let yourself off the hook!  Breathe! Exhale!

“O if I had wings like a dove! I would surely fly away and be at rest; Truly, I would flee far away; I would lodge in the wilderness. I would hurry to find a shelter for myself from the raging wind and tempest …. [Psalms 55]. 

Oh mother, I thank God for the caring you’ve shown me through the years. I thank God for a mother who sacrificed many things, behind the scenes, unbeknownst to her children who never wanted for anything. I thank God for a mother who led by example and put others before herself. I thank God for a mother who forgave when others caused her pain. I thank God for a mother that persevered and handled set-backs with grace. I thank God for a mother that prayed for her children to find their way back, instead of pushing them further away. But most of all, I thank God for blessing me with a mother who introduced me to Him when I was old enough to talk. For without Him, I’d be lost and certainly wouldn’t appreciate the mother he gave me. Oh mother, I am forever grateful for all that you are and who you have taught me to be. The gratitude I have for you can hardly be expressed by words. Thank you for everything Mother!

 “All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all of my success in life to the moral, intellectual, and physical education I received from her” [George Washington].

“All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother. I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life” [Abraham Lincoln].

I encourage you, if your mother is still a live; appreciate her because she is irreplaceable. If she is no longer here, may her soul rest in peace. I know God has made a perfect home for her in heaven.

Happy Mother’s Day to ALL Mothers!

Daz Patterson

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- On Saturday, May 12 at 6 p.m., the Patterson Non-Profit Organization (PNP) is premièring the movie, “Look, I’M Still Here”. This is a red-carpet affair at the Sturges Theatre located at 780 N. E Street in San Bernardino.

The movie is based on a true story of a young girl who had to fight for everything and those fights have continued into her adult life. She learned early in life to depend on God’s grace and mercy.

Daz Patterson shares her story of determination, tenaciousness, surviving cancer four times all without ever considering giving up.

The movie has a tremendous and multitalented cast which include: Sid Burston, Nei-Ce Knight, Susan Lewis, Sebrenia Burt, Bobby Bryant, Linda Davis, Raheem Mitchell, Erica Brown, Anita McZeal, Sharon Hardin, Myron Hester, Michelle Patterson-Peters, Daz Patterson, and a host of supporting cast.

For more information please call (909) 874-3411 or (909) 418-7619. You can also go to Eventbrite.com and search for “Look, I’M Still Here.”