VICTORVILLE, CA- On Friday, November 3, the Hilton Garden Inn in Victorville hosted the NAACP Branch 1082 Annual Freedom Fund Dinner. The evening featured a delicious full course meal, exciting musical sounds by local band Willie Cockrell “Strings ‘n Things”. The event was ‘sold out’ as many community members, leaders and organizations gathered in recognition of the NAACP, the nation’s oldest civil rights organization.

NAACP President Bill Thomas warmly welcomed everyone, as Jiles Smith was introduced as MC for the evening. A few noted representatives and organizations in attendance included Supervisor Robert Lovingood, Delta Sigma Theta, NCNW, San Bernardino Sherriff’s Department, Burning Bush Church, Emmanuel Temple and First Missionary Baptist Church.

Shonda Scott, an entrepreneur, community leader and activist was introduced by Windsor Richmond, Anthem/Blue Cross Field Sales Manager, as keynote speaker for the evening. Scott is the CEO of 360 Total Concept, a corporation based in Northern California that provides services to organizations needing support with program management, communications, contract compliance, logistics and general management. 

Scott, passionately shared her journey as becoming involved in community service during her early years. Raised by her father, a college professor and mother a retired Navy Officer, they each instilled in her the importance of serving her community and making a positive difference. 

Scott commented, “Though I was too young to vote, my parents would often have me ‘phone bank’ and distribute flyers” along with many other miscellaneous tasks”. Scott humbly performed her duties that would later define her attitude and approach to politics. The early on work ethics experience attributed to Scott’s career lead to serving alongside great leaders such as Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Senator Kamala Harris including working with Pres. Barak Obama’s Whitehouse platform committee.

Scott encouraged the audience, specifically the youth to become in her words “Disrupters” in their communities. Further clarifying her statement, she closely described the meaning, “”Disrupters” as prioritizing justice, equality and the integrity of the political process, not to settle for the ‘status quo’. She further stated, “Dr. Martin Luther King was a ‘Disrupter’, Rosa Parks, John F. Kennedy and many other great historical leaders that made tremendous strides to better our nation”. “We would not be where we are today without these prolific “Disrupters”. It is a reality that we have to cultivate the next generation to maintain what many have fought and died for. Scott continued to comment regarding today’s youth saying, “If we are hosting events and the room is not half filled with young people or if we are not teaching our youth wisdom and knowledge on how to become positive “Disrupters”, then their outcome is our fault, and that’s the truth”. 

Shonda Scott is the embodiment of an empowered woman, who grew up in an ordinary family and made extraordinary developments in her career. She is an ‘Agent of Change’, dedicated to serving her community, as she inspires and influences us all. Concluding her speech, she exited the stage amid a standing ovation. 

An exciting highlight for the evening was the introduction of youth from the Millionaire Minds Kids Program and other young achievers. Standing onstage, they each had an opportunity to share their education and career goals/achievements. Their impressive career choices included accomplishments with obtaining degrees in the various fields of Medical, Engineering and Legal Studies.

An Inspiring student commented that her sibling, a previous NAACP recipient, was not in attendance due to her on- duty employment as a Pilot for a major airline carrier. They each vowed to continue being positive “Disrupters” of their generation as they took photos with speaker Shonda Scott.

Former NAACP Scholarship Recipients Attorneys, Phyllis Morris-Green, San Bernardino County Public Defender and Garner C. Morris, Jr. Deputy District Attorney, Santa Clara, CA were acknowledged. Both have excelled immensely in their chosen fields. 

Peggy Moore, Chair for the NAACP Scholarship committee was introduced by MC-Jiles Smith.   Acknowledging the past recipient’s success stories, Smith thereby challenged the audience, requesting donations to assist students with their future academic scholarships. Eager and generous hands began to spontaneously wave checks in the air donating contributions that will create college access and success for many motivated youth and young adults. 

Award recipients were recognized for their outstanding community service; Charley and Evelyn Glasper- (Political and Educational Achievement); Cara Denise Hutson (Judicial Excellence); Regina Weatherspoon-Bell – (Community Service).

The NAACP wishes to recognize and thank these outstanding sponsors for the event, Platinum Sponsors-The GEO Group, Frontier Communications, Gold Sponsor-Edible Arrangements.

Table Sponsors included Attorneys Jim Terrell/Sharon J. Brunner; Burning Bush Church; City of Adelanto; Delta Sigma Theta; Emmanuel Temple; First Missionary Baptist Church; Mr. & Ms. Rick Hudson; Mr. & Ms. Garner Morris; San Bernardino County Sheriff Dept.; NAACP President Mr. & Ms. Bill Thomas; Mr. & Ms. Charley Glasper; Mrs. LaVern Scriven; Ms. Yolande Culbreth; Ms. Gloria Roberts.

Special thanks to Mrs. Terry Thomas, Chairperson of the Freedom Fund Banquet and her outstanding committee. 

On behalf of High Desert/Inland Valley News, we wish to applaud NAACP-High Desert Branch 1082 for their outstanding efforts in making the Annual Freedom Fundraiser Dinner a great success!

POMONA, CA- The College of Education & Integrative Studies (CEIS) has received a $1.1 million federal grant to help alleviate the shortage of special education teachers in Southern California.

The U.S. Department of Education grant will offer full-tuition scholarships for new post- baccalaureate students wishing to pursue their first teaching credential in moderate/severe special education or adapted physical education authorization and their master’s degrees in special education or adapted physical education. The grant will potentially fund 63 scholarships over the course of five years.

“This award will enable Cal Poly Pomona to provide much needed scholarships to students pursuing careers in education, specifically those wanting to work with youths with special needs,” University President Soraya M. Coley said. “The funding also will give the university an opportunity to assist with a persistent problem that has had a significant impact across the state— the shortage of special education teachers.”

Students also will receive funding for textbooks, professional conference attendance and technology for use in the program and future use in their classrooms. In addition, the experience will be transdisciplinary for students and include work across the education and adapted physical education programs to mimic the professional collaboration they will experience once they are teachers.

Currently, 49 of 50 states in the U.S. report special education teacher shortages, including California,” said Heather Wizikowski, project director and assistant professor in CEIS. “Fifty- one percent of districts nationally and 90 percent of high-poverty area districts report having difficulty attracting quality special education teachers. In addition, special education teachers leave the profession at almost double the rate of general education teachers after just a few years of teaching. California desperately needs quality teachers to teach students with disabilities.

According to the California Department of Education, teacher education enrollment in special education has rapidly declined over the past several years. Enrollment went from 36,577 in 2009 to 18,894 in 2014.

“Special education teacher shortages compounded by declining enrollment in credential programs have been a pressing issue in our region over the past few years,” said Joanne Van Boxtel, co-director and assistant professor in CEIS. “I am very excited to be working with a dedicated team of colleagues on a project that will be of such benefit to future special education teachers and our regional district partners.”

In addition to increasing the number of new special education teachers, the project also seeks to prepare fully credentialed adapted physical educators to teach physical education to students with disabilities. According to California law, physical education must be accessible to students with disabilities who qualify for special education services.

“Adapted physical education services are needed to assist students with disabilities,” said Beth Foster, co-director and assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology & Health Promotion. “Successful inclusion is far more complicated than placing the students in that setting. The placement and service of physical education must be based on the students’ unique needs.”

The new grant coincides with a previous grant obtained by Van Boxtel and Wizikowski, along with Christina Chavez-Reyes, liberal studies department chair, to design a new undergraduate program called the Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP). ITEP offers a combined bachelor’s degree and credential program for students desiring an education specialist credential. According to Van Boxtel, the program will feature inclusive practices for students with disabilities, innovative technology and tools, and early field experiences. Students can graduate with their degrees and teaching credential in only four years. ITEP enrollment begins Fall 2018.

“I am thrilled that CEIS will be able to better serve the children and families of this region who deserve the very best educational experiences that address the needs of students with disabilities,” said CEIS Dean Jeff Passe.”

For more information about either program, email hewizikowski@cpp.edu or jmvanboxtel@cpp.edu.

FONTANA, CA- Thanksgiving is a time for family, reflecting on what we have been blessed with, and giving back. On Wednesday, November 22, the day before the annual turkey feast, local non-profit Project Boon and over 25 other local businesses, non-profits and government organizations will be teaming up in Fontana’s Seville Park to help give thanks and bring the spirit of the season to the Inland Empire’s underserved communities.

Beginning at 11 a.m. and running until 3 p.m., the 6th Annual Eat and Be Well event will provide Inland Empire families in need with a traditional Thanksgiving meal, access to health services and fun and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

“I love volunteering at Eat & Be Well,” said Lisa Flores, an Account Executive at Firm Media in Ontario, California, one of the event sponsors. “Every year there are so many attendees, especially kids, all happy to enjoy a holiday meal together. It’s a very rewarding experience.”

With a goal of serving up to 2,500 attendees, Eat & Be Well has relied on more than 700 volunteers since its inception six years ago. Additionally, Eat & Be Well, which is run by a steering committee, spends 5 months planning for the holiday event, and coordinating with local businesses for food and health services donations like free flu shots, bus passes to travel to the event and haircuts.

For more information on how to volunteer, donate, sponsor, or attend, visit eatbewell.org.

Terrence Roberts, PhD, Keynote Speaker, Race & Racism, Redlands 1st United Methodist Church. (Photo credit: John Coleman/Community Photographer)

By John Coleman

REDLANDS, CA- United Methodist Church in Redlands led an interesting discussion on Race in America, which was held on Wednesday, November 8. Terrence Roberts led the discussion with a presentation about his early childhood years as a Black child growing up in America. He recalled being scarcely aware of the hurtful attitudes and behaviors of White people towards Black people. He felt safe within this home where he ran and played and enjoyed the joys that childhood had to offer. Early on as a child he was taught to be good, develop a strong internal sense of himself, and to get a good education.

However, outside of the home it was a different story. Roberts became aware of difficulties for Black people surviving in in a racist, legally structured system and in state like Mississippi or Arkansas, where laws are written by White people for enforcement on Blacks, such as the 1896 U.S. Supreme Court decision, known as “Separate but Equal,” while only a few men who wrote the U.S. Constitution were slave holders, all firmly believed in the superiority of European people over all others. This all began almost from the earliest years of the European invasions of the America more than 330 years ago.

Dr. Roberts proceeded to note post WWII changes in society that began to affect or address concepts of race or racism in the structure of life in America.

In his school years, Roberts began attending the public schools of Little Rock, Arkansas, which under Arkansas laws required Black students to attend public schools that were separate from, but failing to be equal to public schools attended by white students.  This situation was well recognized and sometimes contested by Black people in Arkansas.  White parents and their children were less aware, concerned, or opposed.

In 1954, The U.S. Supreme Court reversed the 1896 “Plessy v Fergusson”  (Separate But Equal) Decision, with the “Brown v. Topeka Board of Education” Decision & ruled that separation (segregation) was inherently unequal, and thus in violation of the US Constitution. White parents, students, school officials, community leaders, and white society-at-large were outraged and organized opposition efforts.

Black students in still segregated Arkansas public schools organized and attempted to enroll in Little Rock High School. Over 300 teen-agers volunteered to participate, but only nine (9) were selected.

Arkansas Governor, Orval Faubus ordered the Arkansas National Guard to prevent the students from their attending LRHS, but U.S. President Eisenhower nationalized the Guard and ordered them & USArmy  soldiers to protect the students’ constitutional rights. A soldier was assigned to protect each student, day and night, but abuse and mistreatment continued all year.

Terrence Roberts, then 13-years-old, was among the selected students who became known as the “Little Rock Nine.”  They were confronted by hostile, and violent crowds before and after school all year and behind the scenes in-school hostility and abuse from white students also persisted. However, Roberts commended quiet support and aid from White heroes, students and teachers, who were targeted, threatened and abused if they appeared to encourage and/or support the “Little Rock Nine.”  He specially appreciated the white student who defying white hysteria shared her textbooks, notes, and other class materials with him after his were ripped from him and destroyed.

Parents lost their jobs.  They and many others in the Black community suffered injury and other loss. Many others who carried the de-segregation campaign across America, like the “Little Rock Nine,” were teenage youth and their parents.

Governor Faubus cancelled all Arkansas high schools for the 1958-59 school year.

Terrence Roberts’ family moved to California where he completed high school,  earned a BA from Cal State University, LA; a Masters in Social Work from USC, and his  PhD from Southern Illinois University.   (This “Boy”  really ‘got’ his education!)

Hip-Hop artist T.I.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The SoCal Harvest Cup kicked off on Saturday, November 11 at the National Orange Show Events Center, in San Bernardino. The event was presented by THC Design and Brass Knuckles.

From booths offering free dabs and samples at every corner to all the different activations and seminars, there was something for every type of cannabis consumer. As guests entered through the gates, they were welcomed with bags of bud to fulfil their cannabis appetites.

Magical Butter‘s Top Cannabis Chef competition kicked off at 1:30 p.m. with chefs duking it out in the preliminary rounds of competition. The art of trimming was also on display at the THC Design booth, along with Shards of excellence.

High Times’ Senior Cultivation Editor Danny Danko hosted his “Free Weed” cultivation seminar followed by several music acts that hot the stage, which kicked off with Berner. Following him included: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, who truly brought the funk; Naughty By Nature who packed in the crowd; Lil Dickey; and T.I. who closed out the night by bringing down the house.

MORENO VALLEY, CA- Music Changing Lives recently announced that it has been honored with a prestigious 2017 Top-Rated Award by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations.

“We are excited to be named a Top-Rated 2017 Nonprofit,” says Josiah Bruny, CEO. “We are proud of our accomplishments this year, including our Lights on Afterschool Unity Fest.”  

The Top-Rated Nonprofit award was based on the large number of positive reviews that Music Changing Lives received – reviews written by volunteers, donors and clients. People posted their personal experience with the nonprofit. 

For example, one person wrote, “Music Changing Lives is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged children by encouraging them to pursue their dreams in music and art. MCL provides these students with the equipment and instructors they need, as well as educational resources to assist in their homework and overall performance at school. 

My experience at MCL as the administrative assistant to the CEO, Josiah Bruny, was rewarding in many aspects. I had the opportunity to be a part of a hard-working team and learned so much about what it takes to run a non-profit. Everyday there were tasks to be taken care of such as making sure there are enough snacks for the kids, answering e-mails and phone calls from parents and city officials, organizing materials for each school site, finding new and inventive ways to make the program a better experience, etc. 

The students love the program and are all encouraged to showcase their talents at the annual MCL Showcase. The showcase allows students to present everything they have learned throughout the year and this year’s showcase (2017) was a success. Hundreds of parents and school officials showed up and we received a lot of positive feedback. Music Changing Lives is a great program for students who want to further their music and arts education while making new friends,” Yen Tran, UCR Alumni, stated.

While the Top-Rated Awards run through the end of October, Music Changing Lives was part of the inaugural group to qualify for the year. In addition, they’ve been added to GreatNonprofits #GivingTuesday Guide—an interactive guide to top nonprofits throughout the years. Look for this near the holidays.

“Savvy donors want to see the impact of their donations more than ever,” said Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits, “People with direct experience with Music Changing Lives have voted that the organization is making a real difference.”

Being on the Top-Rated list gives donors and volunteers more confidence that this is a credible organization. The reviews by volunteers, clients and other donors show the on-the-ground results of this nonprofit. This award is a form of recognition by the community. The mission of Music Changing Lives is to offer the highest quality music and art enrichment programs to underprivileged and at-risk youth, between the ages of 5-19, helping them improve their chances of achieving a positive and successful future.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Saturday, November 11, Women of Worship & Warfare International (WOWW Int’l) held a food giveaway where they gave away over 50 bags of food to women in need for the holiday season. In addition to turkeys and baskets, the organization also gave out hygiene products and purses.

WOWW Int’l is a non-profit, ministry organization that is committed to addressing the needs and well-being of women in the Inland Empire community. The group consists of women from diverse churches and communities. Together they give women with children hope through physical needs like social resources, domestic violence advocacy, clothing and food donations, and job leads. They also extend spiritual needs by sharing The Gospel of Jesus Christ and Praying for women to assist them in overcoming their areas of hopelessness.

Additionally, they offer women support either through one-on-one mentoring, monthly worship services in Chino (1st Friday of the month) or Rialto (3rd Friday of the month) or by their outreach and street team – WOWW in The Streets.

WOWW Int’l has ministered and helped over 10,000 women from vast backgrounds since 1998. They offer Pastoral support as well. Their obligation is to embolden women to live a life that results in overall life success so that they can leave a blessed legacy to their children, and their children’s, children.

By Lue Dowdy

Bringing awareness about violence through music is WHAT IT DO! Violence is everywhere. You see it when you turn on the television and when you walk or drive through certain neighborhoods. So why does it have to be in the schools? School should be one of the safest places for our youth. They should be worried about graduating or who they should ask out to prom. Our youth should not have to worry about SAFETY while learning.

Shout out to R&B artist, Yung Muusik, for having a heart to help our youth by putting on a concert in the City of Adelanto. The focus is to bring people together and this is an all age event. feel free to bring out your family for a day of fun and MUSIC. Edwin Johnson of Chord Youth Enrichment Program will be the guest speaker of the evening. The concert will feature performances by local artist such as: Gaim Ov3r, Yung Muusik, Jada J., Princess Anyia, and more.

There will be activities and free giveaways for families. The concert will take place on Saturday, November 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the City of the Lord Baptist Church located at 17911 Permain Street in Adelanto. Let’s do our best to spread love and not hate.

Until next week L’z!

Kim Carter

The EBONY Power 100 is compiled by the editors of EBONY magazine. Each selection is considered a leader in his or her field. Over the past year, these individuals have had a positive impact on the African-American community. They are game changers in their respective fields and have consistently challenged the status quo. The Star-Studded list of other honorees includes people like Oprah Winfrey, R & B legend Rihanna and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris to name a few. Kim Carter is being honored as one of the “Community Crusaders” reflecting a collective of liberators and leaders who affirm the lives of the misrepresented, no matter race, gender or creed. Through philanthropic efforts and activism, these honorees galvanize and nurture our communities with the mission of ensuring liberty and justice for all.

Kim Carter founded the Time for Change Foundation in 2002, helping homeless women and children reach self-sufficiency. Today, she is a powerful leader transforming the lives of those impacted by poverty and incarceration. Kim’s innovation created a plethora of evidence-based program models, including 2 shelters, 13 permanent supportive housing units and developing her first affordable housing project, The Phoenix Square.   Today, the organization’s impact and model is being replicated in 2 different states and the Bay Area.

As a policy fellow, she learned how to navigate the political system and influence policy and laws to advance her cause. Using her past experiences with incarceration and homelessness as the fuel to drive her passion, she has excelled as a notable leader. Through her Center for Housing Advancement & Motivational Projects LLC she does consulting and motivational speaking across the country.   Many call Kim the “Real Deal” because she is a powerful voice for change with dynamic skills that propel others to stand up and take action.

The Ebony Power 100 list features men and women who are truly making a difference in their communities and the world through their work, talent and influence,” says Nationwide Chief Administrative Officer Gale King. “Nationwide congratulates this year’s distinguished honorees and looks forward to celebrating their accomplishments and contributions at this year’s gala.

“My purpose is to do what seems impossible, like ending homelessness and developing leaders from  those that are most impacted by negative social conditions,” says Kim Carter. “Harriet Tubman didn’t quit when she found freedom, she went on to free thousands of slaves… that’s my SHERO!”

RIALTO, CA- The story of Freddie Meeks, a California resident, and Port Chicago a time in history; dare to remember…

It’s July 17 in Port Chicago, California, a cool summer Friday night at a munitions naval base 30 miles North of San Francisco. The year is 1944 and World War II is in full swing. According to a United States Navy report, “The actual work of loading ammunition and explosives aboard the ships was performed exclusively by Afro-Americans under the supervision of White officers and Afro-American petty officers,” and the routine assignment of Afro-American enlisted personnel to manual labor was clearly motivated by race and premised upon the mistaken notion that they were intellectually inferior and thus incapable of meeting the same standards as their white counterparts.”

But then the unspeakable happened, explosion after explosion – so fierce, it shook the ground with the force of an earthquake. Knocking out windows and shaking buildings as far east as Boulder City, Nevada. The results of the explosion at the naval facility killed or wounded 710 people, 435 of whom were African American. This single disaster accounted for more than 15 percent of all African American naval casualties during World War II.

What happened next is even more mind-boggling than the explosion itself? Following the explosion, many of the African-American survivors, expected to be granted survivors, leave before being reassigned to regular duty, but that leave was not granted, even for those who had been hospitalized. All African-American men were sent back to work loading ammunition under the same officers as before.

Fifty sailors of the United States Navy, all African-American men, refused to resume loading activities under the same conditions and were ultimately tried and convicted of mutiny for failing to obey orders. Thurgood Marshall, then chief counsel for the NAACP, was reported to state he saw no reason why the men should be tried for mutiny, which implies a mass conspiracy, rather than on lesser charges of individual subordination, and blasted the trial by stating that the defendants were being tried for mutiny “solely because of their race and color.” Virtually all of the convicted sailors were released from prison early in 1946 and were given a general discharge from the Navy “under honorable conditions.”

In 1999, Freddie Meeks was pardoned by President Bill Clinton in recognition of the injustice he suffered as one of the convicted sailors, and at the time of his pardon, Mr. Meeks said, “After all these years, the world should know what happened at Port Chicago. It should be cleared up that we did not commit mutiny, and we were charged with that because of our race”. In July 11, 2016 the Assembly Joint Resolution No. 33 was filed with the Secretary of State – it would pardon all of the members of the Port Chicago 50.

Dennis Rowe Entertainment is proud to present Port Chicago 50, a story of love for Country, the American Dream and a quest for Equality and Fairness.

Unbelievable…Emotional…Dramatic…Thought Provoking are some words audiences have used to describe Port Chicago 50. Broadway Producer Woody King, Jr. said “The actors and designers did an excellent job” and Linda Armstrong from New York’s Amsterdam News exclaimed “Everyone should see this show!”

Port Chicago 50 is a must see for everyone and will be a weekend of historical enlightenment! The powerful story is co-written by David Shackelford and Dennis Rowe, and directed by Dennis Rowe. Port Chicago 50 does use some strong language. Port Chicago 50 is presented by Dennis Rowe Entertainment from Los Angeles, California.

The play will kick off on Friday, December 1 in Rialto. To claim you discount on your tickets, please use PROMO code: “IMPROVE.”

Click here to buy your ticket!