By CBM Newswire

In June, many African American’s celebrate Juneteenth, the celebration of the last state in the union to receive word that slavery ended in 1865.

Community organizer Michael Harris hosted a Juneteenth celebration at Negro Bar, a California State Park located within the city of Folsom in the county of Sacramento.

Harris said he picked this location to celebrate the history of the old mining site and contributions African American’s played during the gold rush area.

“Together, we celebrate Juneteenth as we continue to identify, document, preserve and share the authentic contributions by people of African ancestry 1840-1875 along the American River Parkway. The Negro Bar Historic State Park is poised to tell the story of people of African Ancestry’s significant contributions along the American River Parkway, part of an ongoing effort to expand inclusion and create a California African American Heritage Commission. Our 2017 Folsom Juneteenth, honors the amazing contributions and sacrifice by US Colored Troops during the US Civil War and local unknown “hidden figures” in our ongoing journey towards freedom,” said Harris.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JUNE 13: Actress and The Lucy Award for Excellence in Television Honoree Tracee Ellis Ross (R) receives award presented by actress Aisha Tyler onstage at Women In Film 2017 Crystal + Lucy Awards presented By Max Mara and BMW at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 13, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images )

LOS ANGELES, CA- On Tuesday, June 13, Women in Film, Los Angeles (WIF) celebrated outstanding women in the entertainment industry with the 2017 Crystal + Lucy Awards presented by sponsors Max Mara and BMW. The evening, themed “Evolve,” was hosted by actress and comedian Jessica Williams and raised funds and awareness for Women in Film, LA and its many educational and philanthropic programs, and its advocacy for gender parity for women throughout the industry.

Event highlights included: The Crystal Award honoree Elizabeth Banks and Lucy Award honoree Tracee Ellis Ross each received special video messages from former First Ladies. Following Ross’ acceptance speech, she was surprised with a video message from Mrs. Obama. In the video, Mrs. Obama congratulated Ross and said, “You are brilliant, you are hilarious, and you are one of the most talented actors I know. Your character on Black-ish, Bow, is an inspiration for folks across this country.”

Before Elizabeth Banks was presented the Crystal Award by Donna Langley, she was surprised with a video message from Senator Hillary Clinton. In the video, Clinton thanked Women in Film for “more than 40 years of championing gender parity in media on and off the screen.” And shared, “I want to congratulate my dear friend Elizabeth Banks… You are not only a creative force in front of the camera and behind it – you are a passionate advocate for women’s equality and opportunity.”

Elizabeth Banks was awarded by Women In Film with the Crystal Award for Excellence in Film. She was first honored by the organization in 2009 with the WIF Max Mara Face of the Future Award.

Lupita Nyong’o presented the BMW Dorothy Arzner Directors Award to her Queen of Katwe director Mira Nair.

During Zoey Deutch’s acceptance speech for the WIF Max Mara Face of the Future Award, she thanked the women in her life including her mother Lea Thompson and sister Madelyn Deutch. Thompson recently directed her daughters Zoey and Madelyn in the film The Year of Spectacular Men, which was also written by Madelyn.  

Robert Redford, who played Dan Rather in the 2015 film Truth, presented Rather with the Norma Zarky Humanitarian Award.

Women In Film premiered, Flip the Script, a new provocative digital series/social media campaign, which aims to open an irreverently fresh dialog about gender parity in Hollywood.

During WIF’s Executive Director Kirsten Schaffer’s remarks, she announced WIF has joined forces with APM Music, the leading creative music house & production music library, to launch the first ever Women In Film Library for female composers. This is part of an overall initiative to increase the number of female composers working in the industry, especially on top-grossing films (currently 1%).

The 2017 Crystal + Lucy Awards was designed and produced by Academy Award-winning producer Cathy Schulman and Tony Schubert of Event Eleven.

AWARDS: The 2017 Crystal + Lucy Award honorees are:

• ELIZABETH BANKS – The Crystal Award for Excellence in Film-Presented by DONNA LANGLEY

• TRACEE ELLIS ROSS – The Lucy Award for Excellence in Television-Presented by AISHA TYLER

• ZOEY DEUTCH – The Women In Film Max Mara Face of the Future Award^–Presented by NICOLA MARAMOTTI, Max Mara Ownership and Brand Ambassador

• MIRA NAIR – The BMW Dorothy Arzner Directors Award–Presented by LUPITA NYONG’O

• DAN RATHER – The Norma Zarky Humanitarian Award–Presented by ROBERT REDFORD
• MICHAEL BARKER & TOM BERNARD – The Women In Film Beacon Award-Presented by JACKI WEAVER

Women In Film advocates for, and advances the careers of, women working in the screen industries – to achieve parity and transform culture. Founded in 1973, WIF focuses on advocacy and education, provides scholarships, grants and film finishing funds and works to preserve the legacies of all women working in the entertainment community. For more information visit www.wif.org.

By Shalom Ysrayl

“For the uplifting and encouragement of my people!”

We are Hebrew People.  It’s not like we have copied this identity from some other people. We haven’t! There are not another people upon the planet earth that are called Hebrew. “So, it’s true to reason, that we have identified ourselves.” If we have copied another people in identifying ourselves then produce your evidence, who is these people? Not Jews, they are not Hebrew people.

They are the children of Esau. [Hebrews-kinky hair, dark pigment].

Brothers and sisters, we have and are still suffering patiently, this is the reason, we here at the National Hebrew Society reach out to every Hebrew, to serve them and utilize resources that we have for us to be a people again with a nation state of ours.

Mac Rome

By Lue Dowdy

Standing room only, ‘Straight Out of Barstow’ Comedy Show was a huge success thanks to Comedian Mac Rome and his affiliates. With Barstow being so far away it’s hard to provide entertainment, especially with the living population being so low. But the residents showed up in full force to see comedians Chuck Diesel, Scott Figueroa, JT Turner, Paul Deese, Kevin Davis, and Matthew Piccione take the stage. 

Here’s more about the man with the comic plan, Comedian Mac Rome: Diving into the comedy world over 4 years ago, this comic has been non-stop with it. Mac Rome got his first taste for comedy when he performed at an open mic night held by LUE Productions in San Bernardino. Wanting to perfect his craft, he studied mainstream and local comics. From that point on he began to network and started landing gigs. He has performed at venues like the Ontario Improve and the Ice House. 

Not being afraid to venture out he created his own comedy podcast titled, “The Mac Rome Show,” which highlights comics from all over. Gaining momentum and a fan base, he was approached to participate as a main character for an upcoming reality show called “The Bone Yard Game.” A former Naval Officer, this comic-veteran donates his talents to community events. He loves to help and give back by providing joy to others through laughter.

Make sure you follow Comedian Mac Rome on all social media sites and remember that laughter is GOOD for the SOUL. Until next week L’z!

FONTANA, CA-Throughout her 22 years as a dance teacher at A.B. Miller High School, Nicole Robinson has inspired her students to develop a passion for dance while providing them with guidance, encouragement and individual confidence to challenge themselves at each level of their education. 

While at A.B. Miller, Robinson introduced the Conservatory of Dance for students who have little training in the performing arts. Its popularity prompted Robinson to develop a Districtwide dance and arts education curriculum, called the Dance Collaborative, that promotes life skills, collaboration, and positive self-expression through the arts. 

It is because of her students – past and present – who say she has helped transform their lives and inspire educational excellence at Fontana Unified that Robinson has been named a Carlston Family Foundation 2017 Teacher of the Year, a recognition that comes with a $20,000 grant. 

“From my conversations with Nicole’s former students, it was exceptionally clear that her instructional skills and techniques, as well as her personal guidance, significantly contributed to both their academic and personal success,” Carlston Family Foundation CEO Tim Allen said. “They commented on the incredible passion and energy she has for teaching dance. The day I spent in her classroom, I confirmed what they experienced and much more.”

Each year, the Carlston Family Foundation honors five California teachers for their exceptional work in the classroom. The nominations are submitted by former students, who touted Robinson’s effectiveness, creativity and ability to educate and improve the education of her students at A.B. Miller High and throughout the District.

“As a teacher, my priority is to put students first and ensure they have a rich experience. I want to open the door to opportunity for all students to explore dance and the arts, to find a platform for their creativity, and encourage them to incorporate this knowledge throughout the school day and in their daily lives,” Robinson said. “I want to thank the foundation for recognizing the potential for dance to transform lives.”

Robinson will be honored at the 15th Annual CFF Awards Ceremony on Nov. 11 in Mill Valley. The award will be presented by the former A.B. Miller student who nominated her and whose identity will be kept secret until the ceremony.

“Nicole is graciously demanding, loyal, patient, willing, confident, humorous, rigorous, and tremendously knowledgeable in her subject matter,” the former student said. “She has this special gift where she is able to sense when something is not right with her students and is always willing to go the extra mile in order to unravel the barrier that is not allowing her students to academically and artistically advance.”

Robinson will receive a monetary award of $20,000 – $15,000 for her personal use and $5,000 as a grant for A.B. Miller High. Robinson will also join the Foundation’s Board of Advisors. Allen will make a formal presentation of the award to the FUSD Board of Education on December 13.

“Nicole Robinson is a natural leader whose commitment and dedication to her students is rivaled only by the innovation and inspiration she brings to the District,” FUSD Superintendent Randal S. Bassett said. “We are greatly appreciative of Nicole’s unique ability to connect with each student, from new kindergarteners to departing seniors and utilize dance and art to enrich their lives. She is truly deserving of this prestigious recognition.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Last week, Bank of America awarded Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) a grant in the amount $7,500 to help advance pathways to economic mobility. The funding will support the CAPSBC Food Bank operation, the largest provider of emergency food in San Bernardino County.

CAPSBC CEO Patricia L. Nickols-Butler stated, “There are over 400,000 people living in poverty in San Bernardino County and struggling to meet their basic needs. Food is a necessity and no one should have to worry if they will have enough food to eat. Our Food Bank ensures individuals in need are connected to available resources. Bank of America supports CAPSBC’s Food Bank not only with monetary grants, but they also have a corporate philosophy of giving back to the community through frequent employee volunteer participation at our Food Bank.

“We are honored to partner with Bank of America in alleviating poverty and building thriving communities.” “Fighting food insecurity is a critical stepping stone on the pathway to economic stability,” said Al Arguello, Inland Empire market president, Bank of America. “We are proud to partner with the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County to ensure that our neighbors don’t have to make the difficult choice between paying their bills and putting food on the table.”

The CAPSBC Food Bank program has been operating since 1984. Millions of pounds of food are provided each year at no charge to 175 non-profit organizations to serve the basic needs of San Bernardino County’s low-income community. The Food Bank has provided over 160 million pounds of food since its inception. Programs include:

• USDA Commodities: Commodities are provided through a network of 120 nonprofits for emergency food distribution to eligible individuals and households.
• Salvage Food: The Food Bank collects food and distributes these products to the low-income communities through a network of 80 nonprofit partners.
• Congregate Feeding: A network of community nonprofits that provides nearly 75,000 hot meals each month through soup kitchens.
• Senior Choice Nutrition Program: Fresh produce and additional healthy product is provided to eligible seniors at no-cost to the recipient in a market-style layout at a senior center or low-income senior housing facility.
• Food Policy Advisory Council serving San Bernardino County: A collaborative of San Bernardino County agencies and individuals seeking to improve the food system, healthy food options and advocate for supportive policies.

In 2016, the Food Bank received 11,534,084 pounds of food that was valued at $19,232,871. The Food Bank program assisted 379,663 households with USDA/Salvaged Foods. It supplemented 399,839 pounds of USDA and 736,431 pounds Salvaged Foods to Soup Kitchens/Congregate Feeding Agencies which totals 1,136,298 pounds. This allowed the Soup Kitchens to serve 748,203 meals.

Anyone interesting donating to the CAPSBC Food Bank, may make a check payable to CAPSBC and mail to 696 S. Tippecanoe Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92408, or a secure donation can be made on our website at: www.capsbc.org/donate If you would like to volunteer, please e-mail: msalcido@capsbc.org or fill out a volunteer form at www.capsbc.org/volunteer

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- ‘Saving Our Sons’ is the theme for this year’s annual Juneteenth celebration presented by Willing Winn Associates and Mission (WWAM) Inc. After two successful events in previous years, WWAM was called to go even bigger for 2017! This year’s celebration will be kicking off at San Bernardino Valley College in The Greek Theatre on Saturday, June 24 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. To coincide with the theme and location, the afternoon will consist of a lineup that the community cannot miss. Come get educated, enlightened, and of course be entertained.

“They have matters that need to be fixed that they don’t know how to fix themselves,” Dr. Deborah Winn, Founder of WWAM Inc., stated on why she chose this year’s theme.

The issues that our Black men and women, are going through have been plaguing the community for years and when things seem to get better, something else occurs that brings us back. From the shootings to the way we are raising our children, it is as if we are becoming numb to what love is.

“When we love ourselves, we won’t take our lives or anyone else’s lives,” Winn said. “We need to start being responsible and standing in harmony. With effort, we have the remedy; it starts at home.”

This issue along with others, as well as a history of what Juneteenth is will all be introduced and explained throughout the afternoon. The lineup of speakers who will be presenting them include: Dr. Margaret Hill, Professor James Smith, Mr. Thomas “TJ” Loftin, Oliver Petty, and Sharon Smith-Knight. Pastor Dr. Joshua Beckley, of Ecclesia Christian Church, will be opening the event up in prayer. Comedian Lamont Bonman a.k.a. Rev. Monty B. will be the Master of Ceremonies.

The day will be filled with not just education and enlightenment, but there will also be plenty of entertainment. There will be performances by JReal da Realest, Wyel Legend, Lex Lane, DJ Worldclass, Ciotti and Jenice Michelle, Cthree, Royal Believer, Adoration, and more.

In addition to the speakers and entertainment, the community will be able to visit several vendor booths which will include clothing, jewelry, food, children’s activities, voter registration, expungement services, and much more.  This is a FREE event. Free hot dogs and snacks will be served for children 13 and under. There will also be a special grocery giveaway to the first 350 families. Each family MUST have ID.

This event couldn’t have been made possible without the help of the following sponsors: Phoenicia, I.S.A.H. (It Starts At Home), Los Angeles Lakers, WWAM Inc., Community Action Partnership, KOHL’S, S.O.S. (Saving Our Sons), Mary Stewart’s Southern Soul Food, Southern California Edison, Target, Wal-Mart, San Bernardino Unified School District, San Manual Band of Mission Indians, and San Bernardino Valley College.

For more information please call (909) 889-9509 or visit www.wwaminc.org. The college is located at 701 S. Mt Vernon Avenue in San Bernardino.

By CBM Newswire

The African American Civic Engagement Project in conjunction with the California Legislative Black Caucus hosted their annual Juneteenth celebration at the California Railroad Museum June 7 highlighting leadership from California’s public universities. Four African American university president’s, were honored from California State University (CSU) and California University (UC) higher education systems.

By Lou Coleman

To my homeboys, home girls; thugs, drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes, thieves, rapist, addicts, gang bangers, adulterers, and the like. I want you to know that I GOT NOTHING BUT LOVE FOR YOU! You see in light of the public hatred toward those who are despised, those who are regarded as thieves and robbers, and those who have been deemed as the scum of the earth; it is significant that every time they are mentioned in the [Book of Luke], it is in a favorable light [3:12; 5:27; 7:29; 15:1; 18:10; 19:2]. So much so that Jesus picked an O.G. [Levi/Matthew] to be one of His twelve disciples. That’s right! Jesus hung out with thugs, pimps, prostitutes, and derelicts! Not to mention that He died between two criminals. Go figure! But naw, everyone, including the lowest person on the social totem pole, has made O.G.’s out to be that one person that no one could be lower than; to have the occupation of an [O.G] is extremely negative, ranked with harlots, considered traitors, deemed to be among the most apostate of all people, and potentially unclean for dealing with anyone. Yes, just like Levi, O.G.’s public opinion poll would be 100% unfavorable.

But what I want the “Holy than Thou” people to know is that what Jesus did shows’ a heart for sinners and the transforming power of God’s saving grace. Yet, somehow the Church today is hands off.  Why I don’t know! But perhaps because there are too many “Scribes and Pharisees,” in the church, who are confident of their own righteousness.  Listen, “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved…” [John 3:17]. We must keep in mind that God loves His people, and that He has made a covenant to heal and save this generation. Thank God for the new covenant of mercy, love, and grace. Jesus receives sinners. That’s the message that comes through loud and clear in [Luke chapter 15]. And when Jesus receives sinners, he rejoices over them, he rejoices that they’ve been found and brought back. And not only does Jesus receive sinners, and not only does he rejoices over them, he does one more thing. He restores these sinners to his service.  

So to all you “Holier than Thou” “Scribes and Pharisees” ….Jesus is trying to get through to you; that what he is doing should be a cause for rejoicing, not grumbling, not pointing the finger, not thinking that you are better than any other. So in all your getting, get understanding. Because I tell you, Jesus lays it out pretty straightforward in [Luke chapter 15 verse 7]: He says, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who [think they] need no repentance.” “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors [O.G.’s] and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors [O,G,’s] and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him” [Matthew 21:31–32].

Let it be know that my only objective  is  to  share  Jesus’  love  with  anyone  He  brings,  to  build relationships with men and women or boys and girls and to see them saved.   Relationships   are   the   key.   Jesus’   whole   ministry   was relationship-based.    His  entire  reason  for  coming  to  live  among  us, dying, and overcoming death, was to restore relationship between us and  Himself  and  His  Father.    If  it’s  important  to  Jesus,  it  ought  to  be important  to  us. Jesus’  pursuit  of  us  is  relentless;  things  like  rejection or  offense  or  hate  do  not  deter  him.  He’s  not  frightened  by  what people  will  think  of  Him,  if  He  loves  too  much  or  if  He  is  hurt  in  the process.   He is single-minded in His pursuit, and we are called to the same focus. As a born-again, spirit-filled Jesus-lover, I am mandated to be like Jesus, to let Jesus live through me  –  to  love,  to  pursue,  to  risk,  to  persist,  to  endure  –  all  so  that  He [God] would   be   glorified   and   that   those   I encounter   would   be   drawn   to Himself.  

“If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone…” [John 8:7]

 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, and they shall be as wool. [Isaiah 1:18]

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- As part of the San Bernardino Public Library’s summer events, the Feldheym Library will be hosting a party hat workshop presented by Emmy Lam.  This free workshop is open to ages 10 and up. It will take place on Tuesday, June 13 at 3:00 PM in the Children’s Room at the Feldheym Central Library at 555 W. 6th Street in San Bernardino.

Students will learn to use recycled paper to make creative and unique paper party hats. It is a fun and inventive way to transform unused and unwanted paper into lovely works of art.

Participants in the library’s summer reading game will get credit for coming to the program. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the San Bernardino Public Library. For more information call (909) 381-8235, visit www.sbpl.org  or www.facebook.com/SBPLfriends.