RIVERSIDE, CA- Each year, the NAACP Riverside Branch hosts a luncheon on Veterans Day to recognize and honor our brave heroes of war. The 47th Anderson Copeland Memorial Veterans Recognition Luncheon will take place on Friday, November 10 at 11 a.m. (Veterans Day) at Mount Rubidoux Seventh Day Adventist Church located at 5320 Victoria Avenue in Riverside.

Special guest speaker will be retired United States Air Force combat nurse, Lieutenant Colonel Sandra Jones. Decorated war heroes and other special invited guests from various military branches will also be present.

Veterans and their families will be treated to a complimentary southern-style lunch. Additionally, all veterans will also be honored with a special medal as a small token of appreciation for their dedicated service to our country. For information call (909) 229-4825 or (909) 456-0786. Visit www.Naacp-Riverside.org.

By Naomi K. Bonman

LOS ANGELES, CA- As usual, the Taste of Soul brought out thousands of Southern California residents to the Crenshaw area on Saturday, October 21.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Taste of Soul, it is one of the largest street festivals in Los Angeles where of variety of ethnic food vendors from in and around Los Angeles County come out to promote their restaurants. The Los Angeles Sentential is the main media producer that puts on the event every year with the help of sponsors, such as.  Other business and entities also come out to promote as well, but the scope of the afternoon is centered around the delicious food that you will embark on.

In addition to the food vendors, there are several stages that bring out top notch talent. This year among those stages was StarQuest. StarQuest held a competition between adults and children where they gave one adult winner $500 and one child winner $500. They also had headlining performances from household entertainers that included Brandy, Melanie Fiona, Kenny Lattimore, Doug E. Fresh, and Kool Moe Dee. In between performances, Danny Bakewell explained the importance of supporting black owned businesses, which is the purpose of way Taste of Soul was put on and has been successful for the past 12 years.

(Photo Credit: Kristina Dixon/11:One Visuals)

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

Talking ‘bout can’t touch this! Well, “Can’t Touch This,” I got One Word for you: Kryptonite…. ….That’s right…. Kryptonite…. What? What you say? I can’t hear you…. “Can’t Touch this” talk to me…..Hello…. my point exactly… True enough, the Man of Steel is an iconic character and he is as powerful as they come.  Bullets can’t hurt him.  Nothing is faster and he is the strongest that there is. But don’t get it twisted, even Superman has a weakness. That mysterious green substance called Kryptonite. Yes, Kryptonite renders Superman useless. 

Listen to him as he is faced with Kryptonite…. “At that moment far out in space, strange…., I feel so weak…. No strength at all! Dizzy… faint… as though I’m near Kryptonite! May be an asteroid containing it nearby, I’ll check with my X-ray vision! WH—What? This ship… It-its lined with Kryptonite…. And over that, a layer of lead… the only substance my X-ray vision can’t penetrate… Th-this is a trap… a flying coffin that will carry me helplessly through space forever.” Now ain’t that ‘bout nothing….. Can’t touch this….

I tell you, you better listen to Superman because Satan has also placed traps out for you to get caught in. Pitfalls to fall into [Psalm 119:110]. As [Hebrew 2:1] says, “It’s crucial that you keep a firm grip on what you’ve heard so that you don’t drift off. Don’t be fooled…. Kryptonite will destroy you.  Don’t look up; don’t look back; run for your life!” [Genesis 19:17b]. You have not a moment to lose. “Escape,” the angels says, “for your life- it is now or never. A few more minutes, a few more hours, and it will be too late.”

You see the Bible tells us in [Ephesians 6:11] that we fight an enemy that uses “wiles” to get his way in our lives. Satan would like nothing better than to trip you up and cause you to fall into one of his traps. Just before Jesus died, remember He told Simon Peter that Satan desired to have him that he might sift him as wheat, [Luke 22:31-32]. Satan wants to do the same to you and me. He wants us to fall. He wants us to fail, and he will stop at nothing to bring that to pass.  So, beware of every impulse, temptation that comes down the line. Check out everything by the Word of God and by the will of God and the Lord will always lead you in the right way!

Realize your danger. Don’t trifle with your own soul, with hell and heaven, with God and His bleeding, inviting Son. Now, now, now! “Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die and not live.” There is but a step between us and death. [John 3:36]. Know that Lady Wisdom only allows a window of time to show your love for truth and wisdom. If you neglect or reject her offer, she will withdraw and neglect or reject you in your great hour of need when you call upon her for help [Proverbs 1:20-32]. Don’t delay! Destroy what steals your strength, because Satan will use slick and enticing speech to get you to yield to his plans for your life. He practiced this kind of trickery in the Garden of Eden when he talked to Eve, [Genesis 3:1-6]. He told her that she could question God’s Word; He told her that God did not really mean what God has said; He told her that God was really just holding out on her. In other words, Satan will give you every reason in the world to justify the things he wants you to do. Then when you have followed him and are out of God’s will and in trouble, he will discard you like a piece of trash and leave you to rot in your sins! You better know that you know! Don’t be deceived. You see, [2 Corinthians 2:11] tells us that Satan desires to gain an “advantage” over us and to do this; he will use every trick in the book to get us to follow him into failure. Be careful because the Enemy can be deceptive. He can be destructive. You do not have to fall for everything the devil tells you! He is a liar and the father of it, [John 8:44]. The Bible tells us in [Ephesians 4:27], that we are not to give “place” to the devil in our lives. We must always be on guard to avoid his attacks. Don’t even let him have so much as a foot in the door! Take the steps that are necessary to defeat the devil and walk in victory!

David writes: “The proud have hid a snare for me…” [Psalm 140:5, emphasis mine]. The trap that the devil or the wicked are setting for you is something you can’t see. It is laid in secret: “…they privately [secretly] laid a snare for me” (142:3). “…they commune of laying snares privately…” (64:5). Perhaps you are caught in a snare right now – trapped by the enemy. At one time, you were like a bird, flying about, singing a sweet song. You spread your wings of faith and soared into the heavens. You knew what it meant to be free in Christ. But the enemy set a trap for you – he laid out his net and placed the corn nearby – and you went for it. You flew down, caught your foot in the fowler’s net, and the trap sprang. You were caught! And today you sit in bondage, feeling trapped by your sin.

Don’t worry be happy; I have incredible news for you. If you’ve been trapped by the enemy – if you have fallen into his snare, yet you know you love God with all your heart – the Lord will not allow you to be the enemy’s victim. He will not let you remain in the devil’s teeth. You are about to be set free! “Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth” (Psalm 124:6). The snare is broken-and we have escaped! [Psalm 124:7] Yes & Amen to that!

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-  During November’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), the San Bernardino Public Library will be hosting free writing workshops for kids and teens, ages 7 to 17, starting on Monday October 23. These free workshop/writing sessions will be at the Feldheym Central Library Children’s Room from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Monday from October 23rd through November 27. 

National Novel Writing Month’s Young Writers Program is a nonprofit literary crusade that encourages aspiring young writers all over the world to write a novel in a month. On Nov. 1, more than 25,000 kids and teens worldwide will begin a furious adventure in fiction. By Dec. 1, thousands of them will be novelists!

NaNoWriMo is the largest writing event in the world. It’s a fun, seat-of-your-pants writing event where the challenge is to complete an entire novel in just 30 days. 

The word-count goal for the adult NaNoWriMo program is 50,000 words, but the Young Writers Program (YWP) allows 17-and-under participants to set reasonable, yet challenging, individual word-count goals. 

For more information on our workshops call 909-381-8238 or visit www.sbpl.org. For more information on NaNoWriMo visit http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/  

ALTADENA, CA- On Friday, October 20, Los Rakas and Ceci Bastida will be joined by special guest artists in Adelanto for a free, community #SchoolsNotPrisons concert, to advocate for fair treatment of immigrants who are awaiting a decision on their request to stay in the U.S., as well as the closure of all immigrant prisons. The concert comes just two weeks after Governor Jerry Brown signed a new bill by Sen. Ricardo Lara, which will limit the growth of immigrant prisons and takes a strong stand against profiteering by private prison interests.

The #SchoolsNotPrisons Adelanto concert will bring artists, advocates, and community members together for a historical event, creating a unique platform to advocate for the closure of immigrant prisons and shine a light on the many ways for-profit immigrant prisons harm California communities. Centered at the intersection of art and activism, #SchoolsNotPrisons Adelanto will spark meaningful dialogue around the practice of unjust immigrant incarceration and the cruel conditions of immigrant prisons – generally misrepresented as immigrant detention centers. 

“Nearly 40,000 immigrants are incarcerated each day in facilities across the United States, with over 70 percent of them held in prisons run by corporations profiting off their misery,” said Christina Fialho, Co-Executive Director of Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement (CIVIC), a national nonprofit that visits and monitors immigrant prisons. “It’s time we close these unnecessary and abusive prisons, and instead use community-based alternatives to ensure immigrants are afforded due process in court.”

The upcoming #SchoolsNotPrisons tour stop is presented by CIVIC, the Inland Empire-Immigrant Youth Collective, the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ICIJ), and produced by Revolve Impact, which has organized the statewide tour since the summer of 2016. The tour promotes a vision of community safety focused on prevention rather than incarceration, and supports local advocacy campaigns that call for more effective, community-based alternatives rather than severe forms of punishment, particularly for vulnerable populations.

“Having grown up on the Mexican side of the border, I’ve always been aware of how much people risk to get to the other side,” said popular Latin singer-songwriter Ceci Bastida, “I’m honored to play for people who are so brave, who have left their home and everything they know to pursue a different life here. We are excited to share our music with the community of Adelanto, stand up for the rights of everyone who is incarcerated at the GEO immigrant prison, and shine a light on this abusive system.”

About 1,600 people are incarcerated in Adelanto’s immigrant prison, which is owned and run by the for-profit prison company GEO Group.

“Conditions inside the immigrant prison in Adelanto are inhumane and abusive, and incarcerated immigrants have launched multiple hunger strikes to protest unclean water and food, denial of medical care, and excessive bail requirements” said Javier Hernandez of ICIJ. “Meanwhile, the CEO of The GEO Group, earns a salary of five million dollars a year, yet GEO pays incarcerated immigrants just a dollar a day to work inside as janitors or cooks.”

The #SchoolsNotPrisons tour stop in Adelanto will take place at the Adelanto Stadium, with gates opening at 5pm and the concert starting at 6pm. Guest speakers will include those who’ve been incarcerated inside the Adelanto immigrant prison.

Admission to the concert is free, but people are encouraged to register in advance through this Eventbrite link because the event is expected to reach capacity. The concert is an all-ages peaceful community event, and will be a tobacco-free, alcohol and drug-free zone.

The #SchoolsNotPrisons is funded by The California Endowment and The California Wellness Foundation. The tour stop is presented by Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement (CIVIC), the Inland Empire-Immigrant Youth Collective, and the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ICIJ), and produced by Revolve Impact. The tour is in partnership with more than 50 organizations from across California, including: A New Way of Life, ACLU-CA, Advancement Project, American Friends Services Committee, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus (ICE out of CA), Black Alliance for Just Immigration, BLU Educational Foundation, Brave New Films, Centro Del Inmigrante, Children’s Defense Fund-California, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE), Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ), Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE), CultureStrike, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Fathers and Families of San Joaquin Valley, Homie UP, Inland Congregations United for Change, Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, MILPA, Mobilize the Immigrant Vote, Movement Generation, National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), Nile Sisters Development Initiative (NSDI), Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA), PICO CA, Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, Presente.org, Project Kinship, Resilience Orange County, San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium, Sanctuary Task Force of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, Sankofa, Self Help Graphics & Art, Sol Collective, The Place4Grace, Training Occupational Development Education Communities (TODEC) Legal Center, Trans Latin@ Coalition, UFCS Local 770, UnidosUS, Warehouse Workers Resource Center (WWRC), Young Women’s Freedom Center, Youth Action Project, Youth Justice Coalition, and Youth Law Center.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On October 21, Time for Change Foundation will partner with CSUSB for their 2nd annual Run Like a Mother 5k run/walk. The event will bring together staff, students, faculty, and community members to support the agency and raise consciousness for critical social and economic issues affecting the community.

For the last 15 years, Time for Change Foundation has successfully helped over 1,020 homeless women and children reach self-sufficiency in addition to reunifying 247 children out of the foster care system back with their mothers. The fundraiser will support key programs and services that directly impact the lives of women and children in need.

“This is our 2nd annual 5k and we are so excited to bring such a wonderful opportunity for the community and TFCF to walk together to support homeless women and children,” expressed Vanessa Perez, Associate Director for Time for Change Foundation. “We expect a bigger turn out this year and are happy to partner with CSUSB again!”

Through a culmination of strength-based case management, evidence-based supportive services, and customized self-sufficiency plans, TFCF gives homeless women and children the tools they need to thrive.

The community is invited to participate by registering at www.TimeForChangeFoundation.org. Check-in begins at 7:00 a.m. and the race will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. at the CSUSB Lower Commons Patio, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA, 92407. The cost is $10 for the first 100 registrants. All inquiries should be directed to the faculty coordinators Dr. Nicole Henley (Nicole.Henley@csusb.edu) and Dr. Angie Verissimo (AOtinianVerissimo@csusb.edu).

By Marla A. Matime

On Sunday, October 8, 2017, Alvin T. Clavon, better known as A.T. Classic, hosted an African themed Tea Party, infused with African attire, exotic teas, and music, to promote his fourth published book, “Message from the Hood:  The Fatherhood of God, The Brotherhood of Man.”  The event was held at the Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church to help raise funds for Clavon’s medical expenses, as he has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma along with neuropathy, just last year.

“Multiple myeloma is a cancer formed by malignant plasma cells. Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system.  Multiple myeloma is a relatively uncommon cancer. In the United States, the lifetime risk of getting multiple myeloma is 1 in 143 (0.7%). The American Cancer Society’s estimates for multiple myeloma in the United States for 2017 are: About 30,280 new cases will be diagnosed (17,490 in men and 12,790 in women).  Multiple myeloma is more than twice as common in African Americans than in white Americans. Men are slightly more likely to develop multiple myeloma than women.  The risk of multiple myeloma goes up as people age. Less than 1% of cases are diagnosed in people younger than 35. Most people diagnosed with this cancer are at least 65 years old.”

I had the opportunity to not only interview Clavon, but I had the pleasure of spending the entire afternoon, with him and his wife Joyce Clavon, of 33 years, and hear all the wonderful stories of how they met and their journey together.  They took me down memory lane with pictures of his ancestral family members, poems that he has written in other publications, as well as poems that he has dedicated exclusively to his beautiful, beloved wife. They met in 1980 at a park in downtown Detroit, as Sister Clavon recalled, she felt these “Eyes,” watching her. So, she sent her young daughter, at the time, over to summon him to come talk to her.  There was another gentleman, who was heading her direction on his bike, but had fallen off upon his approach, and tipped his hat to Clavon and said, “You the better man.” 

Clavon began writing Message from the Hood shortly after his diagnosis of multiple myeloma to push himself to release what the Holy Spirit had given to him to share with the world.  His writings are filled with poetic and rhythmic expressions from current situations that have taken place in our society as well as the situations that happened as he was growing from a young boy into manhood.  He also beautifully weaves bible scripture and references from Ellen G. White, to back his statements up with the love of Christ, the truth about judgment and favor, as well as how we are to love one another. 

Clavon refers to his mother, Mary Love Clavon, often throughout our conversation, and so I had to know more about this powerhouse of a woman.  His mother was a psychiatric technician and was close friends with Rosa Parks.  When he first saw her in person, he happened to be getting on the bus to go to downtown Detroit, and at the time didn’t know exactly who she was, or that she was his mother’s friend. Clavon’s mother worked in the clinic and was the liaison between the psychiatrists and the patients, hence, how she came to know Ms. Parks, as her husband suffered from PTSD and other mental anguishes due to the conditions that they were living in, prior to moving to Detroit. His mother was a community activist in the same way as Ms. Parks was; however, was an advocate for equal health care for Black Americans, here in the United States.  His mother was the very first person to receive an HMO health insurance card in the nation as her medical record number was number 1.

Clavon was raised by a politician and aside from his connections with monumental civil rights leaders, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jesse Jackson, and of course his mother’s friendship with Rosa Parks, Clavon is a very close friend of Rock and Roll Legend Little Richard and had been instrumental in helping Richard share the gospel of Christ through his book, when he came to know God’s love for him.

Clavon, emphasizes the fact that our African heritage has been lost in our society and he hopes that in his writings, he can shed light on truth and facts regarding where we come from and where we are going as a people.   Despite his diagnosis, Clavon believes that the phrase Love Heals, which he references often in the book, has become a true affirmation and action in his life as he is surrounded by not only the powerful, matchless love of God and his wife but that of his children and grandchildren. 

Ultimately, the central focus contained within Message from the Hood, is the point that D-evil One has sought to trick the world with a lose/lose proposition. Clavon stated that “One group that he has seduced into believe their “white” skin makes than superior and that all other people of color are inferior to them, and are here to be their servants or slaves.  With the so called superior race oppressing and hating people of melanin.  D-evil One expects those hated to hate their oppressors, thus sending both groups to hell.”  Unbeknownst to many of those within the African American and other indigenous groups, we have defeated the evil one by not returning hate for hate and that we have the freedom of expressing the love that God has bestowed upon us as His children.  Clavon hopes to spread this awareness to those of African and Indigenous descents across the globe so that we may be able to act like the Remnant Kin of the creator of the Universe.

It was very inspiring to sit and speak with Mr. and Mrs. Clavon.  His secret to life is to find young friends as you grow older.

If you would like to donate to A.T. Classic’s go fund me page, to help with the medical treatment, please visit www.gofundme.com/AlvinClavon. For more information regarding Message from the Hood, events, and other books and publications from A. T. Classic, please visit www.atclassic.com. 

FONTANA, CA- On Saturday, October 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, October 22 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Rev. Jesse Jackson of Rainbow Push Coalition and Google will be visiting Loveland Church to launch a program promoting diversity in the technology industry. The event is FREE and open to the public.

The two-day event will inform the community about technology jobs and the skills needed to become more tech savvy. There will also be free trainings and guests will have the opportunity to learn to code.

“We must even the playing field and play by one set of rules. Let’s close these gaps together. Let all of share in America’s growth and opportunity. Let’s win together.”

The purpose of Loveland Technology Initiative (LTI) is to collaborate with Rainbow Push and technology companies to increase diversity and inclusion in the workforce to ensure that people in under-served communities are recruited, trained and mentored.

To register for this event, please visit Loveland.org/lovetech. For more information about this topic, please contact Jr. Singleton, Chuck at (909) 356-5683 or by email at Loveland@lovelandchurch.org.

By Betty Lofton

My Dearest Beloved Husband, Floyd (Babe),

It has been one full year since my life was forever changed. I miss everything about you, from you driving me any and everywhere I needed to go, to watching you lovingly tease our great-grandchildren. Your prayers and expressions of kindness and generosity will always be admired by all who had the pleasure of knowing you. Your quiet strength, humble spirit, and endless love for our family will remain in my heart forever. Words cannot express how blessed I feel to have been your wife. I long for the day we will meet again.

Your Loving Wife Forever,

Betty

Julie Wilson (San Bernardino Riverside Area Alumnae Chapter President), Keynote Speaker Bishop Johnny R. Withers, Jr., Charlotte Wither (San Bernardino Riverside Area Alumnae Chapter Member) , and Rafaela King, (1st Vice President/Membership Chair)

By Angela M. Coggs

On Saturday, October 14, the San Bernardino Riverside Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. held their 4th Annual Prayer Breakfast at the Doubletree by Hilton in San Bernardino from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This year’s theme was, “Breakthrough and Turn Around. It’s Your Season.” The keynote speaker was Bishop Johnny R. Withers, Jr., who founded and organized Unity Christian Fellowship on January 1, 1999, a non- denominational church, located in Compton, California.

The event began on time with an enthusiastic Call to Worship by Yolanda “Angel” Cohill. The room was filled with members from the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., friends, family, and members of other fraternities and sororities. For the Praise and Worship at the beginning of the morning, Jenny Kimball belted out a beautiful rendition of the gospel song, “Great and Mighty.” She was accompanied on piano/organ by Upland High School senior, Bennett Paysinger, Jr. who played way beyond his young age. Their combined talent was a breath of fresh air in an otherwise well air conditioned banquet room. An unassuming passerby would have thought they had just walked into a gospel choir at a crowed church.

Julie Wilson, President of the San Bernardino Riverside Area Alumnae Chapter, who will have celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2019, greeted the attendees with a warm welcome and an provided a brief introduction of the history of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. The sorority began on January 13, 1913 on the campus of Howard University by 22 brave and motivated African-American women. In realizing its mission, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. provides an extensive array of public service initiatives through its Five-Point Program Thrust of Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement.

When the opportunity to arose for Bishop Wilthers, Jr. to preach at the Prayer Breakfast on the theme of “Breakthrough and Turn Around. It’s Your Season,” he was elated. With a hopeful spirit, a steady vision, and a persistent faith, he was reminded the attentive audience to pursue God’s plans for one’s life. “I began to think about how in life we have the various seasons we go into. I understood it was a need for us to realize that God still has the ability to change a situation. Even if the season was a bad one, it can turn into a good one.” Perception is key. Withers continued, “The turnaround in that whole theme speaks to the fact that you may be in the season for now but you won’t be there for long. Changes happen so swiftly without you even knowing it.”

Withers challenged the room, filled with crimson and cream, to turn to their neighbors to and say, “My situation….can change.” His message focused on the need for a change to take place and to move away from situations that lacks growth and productivity. He further added, “God puts you ‘in the middle of the desert’ because He knows you have enough strength to work yourself out of it.” Adding that one must hold true to their faith and believe. “You know you are anointed by some of the things you had to go through.”

By the response occasional shouts of “amen” in the banquet room, his message seemed resonate with the attendees on a deep and personal level. Wither’s urged, “Be careful when you take a secular approach to a sanctified assignment.” He ended by encouraging the audience to take their hobby and turn it into a resource. 

San Bernardino Riverside Area Alumnae Chapter member, Eleanor Clark-Thomas read a prayer, The Lord’s Prayer, which she indicated was given to her memorize by her mother/aunt when she was a youth. She learned it as a youth in the past but jokingly stated she wasn’t going to attempt to try it. She affectionately relied on her written script. 

There was an amazing Mime Presentation portrayed by Maurice Piggue. His well-executed interpretative performance was deep and rich with an emotional and spiritual message. It was the perfect platform for translating the theme of the event. The recent California State University at Northridge graduate started mime dancing at church when he was a preteen. His performance received a well-deserved standing ovation.

The prayer for the nation and community was presented by Jennifer Barb, who eloquently reminded the attendees about the horrendous state of the nation today. She spoke about the senseless activities of the current president of the United States including the four failed attempts to dismantle Obama Care, constantly tweeting negative commentaries about anyone who disagrees with him or his proposed ideology, referring to the North Korean leader as “Rocket Man” and threatening potential war, firing nine government officials, a proposed tax break that would only benefit the top 1%-2% of the population, and most recently refusing to send aid to the hurricane ravished island of Puerto Rico etc. She quoted 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” We must pray for this president because “prayers changes things.” 

 “The event was well supported. We had a fantastic preacher. He delivered the message about how God could change one’s situation at any time,” said Julie Wilson, President of the San Bernardino Riverside Area Alumnae Chapter. “It was so timely given what many people are going through.” She was overjoyed with the large turnout of community members in addition to members from the sorority. “Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded on Christian principles, what better way to honor that foundation but to have a prayer breakfast. We host this event every year and we invite the public to attend, and come out and be blessed.”

The event ended with another inspirational performance from Kimball entitled, “Our God.” The attendees held hands and rejoiced in the message they received from Bishop Withers. A resounding echo filled the room, “It’s my season” after the presenters were presented with a token of appreciation for sharing their spirit, talent and time.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded by 22 undergraduate students on the campus of Howard University, in Washington DC, on January 13, 1913.