Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

Well, you asked for it! Fate it will be: your destiny, Death says the Lord. “For when I invited you, you ignored me; when I spoke to you, you brushed me off. You did the very things I exposed as evil; you chose what I hate.” Therefore, I will put you to death… “[Isaiah 65:12-15] [Psalms 50:22]. Prepare to meet your God!

Listen, life is filled with boundaries. The government places boundaries on our lives through various laws and regulations.  Society places boundaries on our lives by telling what most people feel constitutes acceptable behavior.  Religion places boundaries upon the lives of people by telling them what they can and cannot do.  Even churches have certain standards which they expect people who attend to observe.  The list could literally go on forever, but the truth of the matter is this: everywhere you go in this world, you are confronted with boundaries, and when a boundary is crossed, usually a penalty is incurred.  If you violate the laws of the land and get caught, there is a price to pay.  If you step over the boundaries imposed by society or religion, you may be ostracized by the group. The same is true when it comes to God.  When you step over God’s boundaries, there is always a price to pay. Case in point, Lucifer was proud and because of that God hurled him from heaven down to the earth because he crossed God’s boundary of obedience into the territory of disobedience.  [Revelations 12:7-9]. Adam and Eve had one boundary in the Garden of Eden: abstain from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but they chose to overstep the boundary. They crossed the boundary and the result was the introduction of sin, disease, violence, greed, pain and death into our world. [Genesis 3:14-19] [Romans 5:12].  Not to mention Eli’s sons who crossed the boundary of morality. They slept with the women who came to sacrifice at the altar. They therefore met untimely and tragic deaths [1 Samuel 2:12-36]. And Jonadad, who advised and encouraged his friend and cousin Amnon to commit incest by sleeping with his own sister. After committing incest with Tamar, Amnon turned to hate her and chased her away, later Amnon was murdered. [2 Samuel 13: 1-39]. Ham who saw his father Noah’s nakedness, Noah was displeased and rained curses on him [Genesis 9:18-25]. The problem is we’ve been deceived into believing that the boundaries don’t matter.  But here is the deal, if God is truth and he speaks the truth, then what he says matters.   Stepping beyond the boundary stones is not wise.

Listen, God has set certain boundaries in His Word.  Those who cross God’s boundaries will find that there is no hope, no forgiveness and nothing to look forward to but His judgment.  But, it doesn’t have to be that way!  The Lord stands ready right now to forgive all those who will come to Him in humble repentance, [1 John 1:9]. Come to the Lord today and get things right with Him.   Don’t cross that line!  If you do, you will regret it for all eternity! Come while He may be found.  You see a crooked generation is a lost generation. We are told that Peter warned them. We are told that he pleaded with them to save themselves. In other words they were in terrible danger and they couldn’t see it, and so he had to warn them and beseech them to see their plight. “Don’t ignore what I have said to you. The wages of sin is death!” Won’t you respond as the 3,000 men responded who were listening to Peter? They understood what he was saying, and they agreed with his diagnosis of their condition. They nodded their heads silently. They said ‘Amen’ in their hearts. They acknowledged their corruption and that their only Savior was Jesus Christ. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you too will be saved.

[Jeremiah 26:4-6]

“And you will say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD, “If you will not listen to Me, to walk in My law which I have set before you, to listen to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I have been sending to you again and again, but you have not listened; then I will make this house like Shiloh, and this city I will make a curse to all the nations of the earth.”

 [Deuteronomy 30: 19] “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life that both thou and thy seed may live…”

(from left to right: Alyssa Suarez, Alyssa Holmes, and Ethan Wilson with Tracy Holmes.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA- Ms. Tracy Holmes is a local author from the Inland empire. She has hosted six Barnes & Noble book signings this year throughout Southern California. Her most recent book signing featured her newest release under her publishing company Say It Twice books entitled, “Fruits,” which was at the Rancho Cucamonga Barnes & Noble located on Foothill Boulevard on Sunday, August 20th.

Customers received a free face painting with the purchase of a book. Ms. Holmes has created a fun way for children to learn Spanish and an even easier way for their parents to read it in her Spanish to English books. Say It Twice Books all include a learning activity in the back of each book to enhance learning. Children are loving “Fruits” and have given great reviews on it.

“It was fun reading fruits. I like how it teaches you Spanish. I also like that my friends were there,” Alyssa Suarez a 3rd grader from North Fontana said.

“I like the face painting, it’s cool,” Ethan Wilson, a 3rd grader from North Fontana, said.

All Say It Twice Books are available on Amazon, as well as Barnes & Noble. To learn more about Ms.Holmes go to www.Sayittwicebooks.com.

Submitted by Angela Coggs

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Young Women Empowerment Foundation (YWE) will host their fifth Annual Women’s Wellness Conference at San Bernardino Community Hospital Henderson Auditorium located at 1800 Western Avenue in San Bernardino on Saturday, September 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. YWE invites family, friends, faith-based, students and community supporters to this augural event that focuses on emotional and physical health and wellness. This is a free event for all women in the Inland Empire.

This year’s theme is, “Silence No More.” It refers to not keeping silent regarding heart disease and domestic violence. Both areas of concern plague all people but especially minority women. The conference will focus on the prevention of heart disease as well as learning to live with and maintain if diagnosed. Women who attend will have the opportunity to participate in interactive demonstrations and hear life changing testimonials from other women on heart disease and domestic violence.  There will also be complimentary continental breakfast, lunch, entertainment, giveaways, and opportunity drawings.

The three keynote speakers for the wellness conference will focus on issues that are important and relevant to heart disease and domestic violence. The keynote and guest testimonial speakers are as follows:

Dr. Romeo Brooks, Ph.D. (Keynote)

Herbalist, Iridologist, Natural Hygienist and Naturopathic Medicine

Roots Nutrition

Melinda Cuellar

Representative

Divine Connections, H.O.P.E.

*Joyce Fairman

CEO/Founder

Hearts of Color

As we continue to mourn the loss of our beloved friend and heart health advocate Joyce Fairman we will celebrate her memory during her original scheduled speaking time. 

Cuellar will discuss domestic violence and how Divine Connections, H.O.P.E. mission to offer guidance, empowerment, education and resources for building healthy relationships. Option House will also provide additional information about domestic violence and conduct a question and answer segment at the end. Additionally, a unique skit on the subject of domestic violence will take a personal look inside a potential volatile situation.

Dr. Brooks will discuss preventing and living with heart disease and how the physical body is not only the expressed image of the invisible mind but is also the visible barometer of what occurs in our mental, emotional and spiritual bodies.

In addition to providing useful health and wellness information at the conference, the attendees will also be presented with the opportunity to get physical during the live line dance demonstrations by Heart and Soul’s Harriette Coggs Stuckey. The line dance demonstrations has been a huge success for the past three years. Please come dressed to participate. Workout clothes are highly encouraged and recommended.Please register on Eventbrite under “Free Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation (YWE) 5^th Annual Women’s Wellness Conference.  Also, please encourage and invite family and friends to register and attend this noteworthy opportunity focused on empowering women to live mentally and physically healthy lives. Space is limited, sign up today.

YWE serves to strengthen the character of young women of high school age in the San Bernardino City region of the Inland Empire in Southern California. Young Women’s Empowerment was founded by CEO Gwendolyn Dowdy- Rodgers. The mission of our program is to empower these young women to achieve at their highest potential, particularly in education, and to instill in them a commitment to return to their community as leaders and mentors.

The Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation (YWE) is dedicated to strengthening the self-esteem, character, integrity and capacity of young women ages 12-21 so that they may achieve their highest potential. YWE accomplishes its purpose through strategic partnerships with other organizations. YWE is guided by ethics and principles which exhibit respect for cultural diversity.

All inquiries, pre-register individual or groups, please email Tiffany James at ywefoundation@gmail.com.

Like us on Facebook 

Visit our website 

Producing, selling and using plastic bags becomes illegal as officials say they want to target manufacturers and sellers first

NATIONAL- Kenyans producing, selling or even using plastic bags will risk imprisonment of up to four years or fines of $40,000 from Monday, as the world’s toughest law aimed at reducing plastic pollution came into effect.

The East African nation joins more than 40 other countries that have banned, partly banned or taxed single use plastic bags, including China, France, Rwanda, and Italy. 

Many bags drift into the ocean, strangling turtles, suffocating seabirds and filling the stomachs of dolphins and whales with waste until they die of starvation. 

“If we continue like this, by 2050, we will have more plastic in the ocean than fish,” said Habib El-Habr, an expert on marine litter working with the UN environment programme in Kenya.

Plastic bags, which El-Habr says take between 500 to 1,000 years to break down, also enter the human food chain through fish and other animals. In Nairobi’s slaughterhouses, some cows destined for human consumption had 20 bags removed from their stomachs.

“This is something we didn’t get 10 years ago but now it’s almost on a daily basis,” said county vet Mbuthi Kinyanjui as he watched men in bloodied white uniforms scoop sodden plastic bags from the stomachs of cow carcasses.

Kenya’s law allows police to go after anyone even carrying a plastic bag. But Judy Wakhungu, Kenya’s environment minister, said enforcement would initially be directed at manufacturers and suppliers. 

It took Kenya three attempts over 10 years to finally pass the ban, and not everyone is a fan. 

Samuel Matonda, spokesman for the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, said it would cost 60,000 jobs and force 176 manufacturers to close. Kenya is a major exporter of plastic bags to the region. 

“The knock-on effects will be very severe,” Matonda said. “It will even affect the women who sell vegetables in the market – how will their customers carry their shopping home?” 

Big Kenyan supermarket chains like France’s Carrefour and Nakumatt have already started offering customers cloth bags as alternatives.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino Pastors United (SBPU) will be having another Community Block party on Saturday, September 16th at Anne Sherrill Park, located at 1367 California Avenue in San Bernardino.  The community leaders are giving back to the community and taking a stance against crime, increasing gang actively and other senseless violence in our City. The Pastors believe that we must show love, help thy neighbor, be there for one another. The Churches of San Bernardino will take a stand together as a united front to encourage the community.

There will be Free food, free groceries, free shoes, free backpacks for kids, free clothes and free health checks and the money machine. There will be a life-saving message by Pastor Raymond Turner, Temple Missionary Baptist Church, powerful gospel music, dancing and good fellowship. Please register by phone, email or at our website www.sbpastorsunited.org.  They are asking the community to join them as they bring “Healing, Change, and Progress” to the City of San Bernardino, for more information call (909) 353-7977 or email sbpastorsunited@gmail.com.

By Naomi K. Bonman

After being exhausted from all the happy hour and per usual networking events at restaurants and local clubs, entrepreneurs and Clark Atlanta University alumni, Shanelle Williams and Kareem Taylor wanted to create something different where other Black entrepreneurs and professionals could come together in an adventurous and fun environment, which is how the Encounter Camp was launched.

“My goal is simple,” Williams, CEO at True Splendor Events and Encounter Co-Founder, explains. “I want to create events and experiences that inspire and change people. I want to create a safe place for people to come and share their fears and their thoughts, and those things they’ve been struggling with but leave refreshed and inspired, and renewed to go out into the world and make a difference.”

And that is exactly what the Encounter Camp offered—refreshment, rejuvenation, and inspiration! The camp was held at the beautiful Pali Retreat in the San Bernardino Mountains from Friday, August 25 to Sunday, August 27. Attendees had a full-fun weekend that consisted of workshops, early morning yoga, dance classes, s’mores around a campfire, and archery. Dance classes were taught by Los Angeles based Choreographer, Luckie, who is known from Oxygen’s hit show “Dance Your A** Off.”

“It was very powerful experience,” Dwight Williams, Art Director from Los Angeles, stated regarding his experience at Encounter Camp. “It was definitely life-changing and reaffirming. It’s for those who want to get away and want to grow. I had a wonderful time with great people, great views, and the facilities were clean. What set it apart was the structure, friendliness, speakers, activities, down to the food and the snacks. It was very well organized.”   

Bummed that you missed out? Well, there are already talks about the next Encounter Camp so make sure you follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @EncounterSoCal or visit www.encountercamp.com and sign up on the email list to stay updated!

By Naomi K. Bonman

As you drive around Southern California, you can’t help but to notice graffiti. It’s on the freeway bridges, ramps, train cars, abandon buildings, and just about every flat surface that is in attention to the general public.

Graffiti frustrates many because they feel as if it destructs the city unless it is done in a tasteful manner. Over the recent years, we have seen more graffiti artists who have turned their art into something more positive and of value, such as Rialto, California’s own WetPaint Larry.

“I’ve been painting for a long time,” he states on what inspires him to paint. “Everything around me inspires me to go harder. I have a lot of things that I paint that makes me feel good.”

WetPaint Larry started off doing graffiti but now he paints murals for small businesses, cities, and schools. He is known well regionally and has built up an impressive social media following with over 15,000 followers on Instagram. Larry’s accomplishments recently earned him recognition in the “Under 30 Awards” that was presented by Assemblywoman Eloise Gomez Reyes. 

“That was a good highlight for this year,” WetPaint Larry discusses his recent achievement. “That was something huge for me because when I went in there and looked around I seen high rank [city officials]. As I sat there, I thought ‘[Man], I’m among great people that are doing great work. So, for me that’s huge from being a graffiti artist to getting that award. I look at it all the time.”

Since his latest city achievement, WetPaint Larry has been on the grind with trying to secure more jobs for himself in the schools. He is looking forward to expanding beyond Rialto and has had school officials from Fontana and San Bernardino call him to do some work for their schools.

You can check out WetPaint Larry’s work on his Instagram page @wetpaintlarry and if you want to collaborate with him on a project send him a direct message via the platform.

By Lue Dowdy

Winner of LUE Productions 2017 B.S.M. Competition, Clyde Gatewood, is What It Do! History was made! It was a packed house and something different. LUE Productions was able to pull off the 1^st Big and Sexy Men Competition in the Inland Empire. The event was created to bring focus to the plus-size community and to show that sexiness and confidence comes in all shapes and sizes. Body shaming in my opinion is another form of bullying and it needs to STOP! No longer do you have to be a size 0 or 4 to be considered beautiful or handsome.

The event was held at the Women’s Club of San Bernardino on Sunday, August 27 where a total of four handsome men competed for a crown, trophy, and $500 cash. It wasn’t easy! Each had to endure rehearsals, multiple photoshoots, and more in preparation for the competition.

The categories consisted of four sections: Boss Look, Summer Nights, Free Style, and Questions. Contestants were also judged on their group opening performance and individual performances. We had the pleasure of having VIC Camp, former Miss California Lea Freeman, Celebrity Hair Stylist Brittney Shearz, and Gina Carter as our panel of judges. Alfred Parker, Michelangelo, Clyde Gatewood, and Maurice Cunningham did a fabulous job from beginning to end. The ladies loved them!

The evening was hosted by Petti Model Krystal Yvonne and very funny Comedian Tamiko Kirkland. The audience could not stop laughing with Tamiko’s hilarious jokes. We continued on with our mini BBW fashion show featuring DIVA’s Outlaw Fashions provided by Mrs. ‘Riisha Shelby. The pieces provided by DIVA’s Outlaw Fashions were smoking hot and gorgeous. R&B Singer Annyett Royale blessed our ear gates and DJ UpperKutt kept it live on the turn tables. Food was catered by PitStop BBQ and the moments captured on film by ILondon Fog and F.W. Photography. Special thanks to all our volunteers, vendors, sponsors, and supporters. We could not have done it without you all.

Make sure to follow LUE Productions on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, IG, and Snapchat for upcoming events. Donations are welcome and can be made via PayPal under Lue.info@yahoo.com. Remember to always love the skin you’re in! Until next week L’z!

Publishers Commentary by Wallace J. Allen

As we are mesmerized by the video visuals of the tragedy in Texas, we are also driven to tears of pride as we witness the heroic response from plain folk volunteers.  The expected first responders are needed and extremely appreciated; however, the truth is that the real first responders are often potential victims that were prepared for an unexpected emergency. The clean water and plastic bags for personal waste go a long way when strangers are herded to a safe-from-danger-spot that has room, but no accommodations for a large gathering of people. Shelters are temporary spaces, such as churches, schools and stadiums that are seldom, if ever, able to accommodate at any level of comfort.

We have seen the Texas tragedy cause people to open their homes to strangers! That is a great storyline that will probably soon be countered by stories exemplifying the other side of human nature.  There will be examples of real looting, not just the “emergency borrowing” that some did survive. There will be stories about folks who were ridiculed by people who could have helped. 

The rain is moving out of Texas into neighboring states where it will eventually normalize. Texans and the nation will feel the ripple effect of the human toll of death and property loss for years! Recovery from the coming health issues will be countered by “economic opportunity”. There will be growth and development, but the memories of pain will remain throughout the lives of some.

I pray that this evidence of unexpected devastation will cause more people to realize the importance of each other! There may come a time of tragedy when the people that you disagree with will be the same people that you will be depending on for help.

We do not have to agree with each other about how we got here, but we do need to respect the fact that we are here together!  Friends do not have to agree, they should only be friendly!

(from left to right) CEO of Black Business Expo, Jerry Green; President of the Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Empire, Tammy Martin-Ryles; Black is Lit Founder, Winter Minisee; and Host of “Empire Talks Back”, Wallace.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Sunday’s “Empire Talks Back” (ETB) radio broadcast was amazing as usual.  Their special guest, Winter Minisee, 16-year old founder of ‘Black is Lit’, had no problem tackling all our world issues. Watch the video of the show live at www.ustream.tv/search?q=empire+talks+back.

ETB is broadcast each Sunday morning at 10 a.m. on KCAA 1050-AM, 102.3 FM and 106.5 FM Radio, and it streams live at www.kcaaradio.com.