By Jasmyne A. Cannick-  Special to California Black Media

Black people don’t want to work.

That’s what I was told by a manager at a South Los Angeles IHOP restaurant after I inquired after the lack of African Americans working there during a recent visit.

It all started after I casually observed while waiting on friend to arrive that there were no Black employees on the floor or in the kitchen working.  That prompted me to ask my server if this IHOP—located in the heart of South Los Angeles—had any African American employees.  I was told yes—two.

When the bill came, I asked the same sever to send over the manager because I wanted to confirm that out of the two dozen or so employees working at this restaurant only two were Black.  It turns out the server was wrong.  

According to the manager there were four.  Furthermore, the manager told me they work during the morning shift.  He then went onto explain to me, my guest and the ear hustling family at the table next to us, that anyone could apply to work there via the website.

I explained to the manager that as someone who lives in the adjacent neighborhood, that it was important to me that places Black people patronize also hire Blacks.

The manager asked me how he was supposed to hire Black people if they don’t reply.  To which I quipped, so are you saying you have a problem with Blacks not applying to work at IHOP?

The conversation ended with the manager telling me that yes, he thinks that is the problem and that if “they” meaning Blacks don’t apply, it’s because “they” don’t want to work.

I don’t buy the manager’s excuse that Black people don’t want to work.  I think that Black people aren’t being hired at this IHOP location either they are being disqualified based on their background checks or more likely their inability to speak Spanish.  I also observed that all of the servers and kitchen staff spoke Spanish on and off the floor to each other and other Spanish speaking patrons.

This is unacceptable and the manager’s “it is what it is” attitude about the lack of Blacks working in his restaurant is indicative of the dire employment situation for Blacks in Los Angeles.  Very few are willing to take up the issue because calling out employment discrimination—particularly in the service industry—against Blacks is somehow equated to being racist against Latinos.

But the reality remains unchanged for countless numbers of Blacks in Southern California who attend highly promoted job fairs where almost all of the employers prefer bilingual employees.  Blacks watch new businesses opening up in their communities and hear the rhetoric of mandated local hiring companies that still don’t hire them.

I will say that the IHOP restaurant in question is situated in a shopping center that also houses a Starbucks, Walgreens, Food 4 Less grocery store and a Home Depot.  No matter what time I go into any of those establishments I am guaranteed to see at least one Black employee on duty—at least one.

Still, maybe I can help out IHOP’s manager with his problem of being unable to find Black employees to hire—and without the finder’s fee.

IHOP #792?1880 West Slauson Avenue?Los Angeles, CA 90047?(323) 296-4465?ihop.com/careers

IHOP Corporate Headquarters?450 North Brand Boulevard?Glendale, CA 91203?(866) 444-5144

Jasmyne A. Cannick is a nationally known television and radio commentator on political, race, LGBT and social issues. Follow her on Twitter @Jasmyne and on Facebook @JasmyneCannick. Her website is www.jasmyneonline.com.

RIALTO, CA- The Athletes For Life Foundation will continue its quest to support and guide youth in the community at their 12th Annual Summer Life Skills Camp Fundraiser to be held on Sunday, April 23 at the Jerry Eaves Park in Rialto, California.

Themed,“Mayors Freeway Jazz Festival“ will draw honorable attention to Mayor Deborah Robertson, Mayor Acquanetta Warren, Mayor Carey Davis and Mayor Richard De LaRosa for their continued support of the Foundation.

The afternoon festivities will include performances by R&B Soulful Vocalist Keith Washington and R&B Jazz Singer and Actress Chante Moore. Also, performing will be The Michael Haggins Band. Mr. Haggins is known for his Songwriting, Bass Playing and his Funk/ Jazz stylings.

A special highlight of this festival will be the announcement that Kenny Clark 1st round pick for the Green Bay Packers will be in attendance at this year’s AFL Junior Development Camp.

Founder of The Athletes For Life Foundation, Greg Bell (former NFL running back for the Buffalo Bills and the LA Rams) expressed this comment when asked about Kenny Clark being in attendance. “I will actually get to see the fruits of the labor produced by the Foundation

on June 25 to June 28.

Tickets for the fundraiser can be purchased at www.athletesforlife.org. For more information, contact Ejon Jackson at (909)278-5860 or by email at ejon.jackson@gmail.com.

Michael N. Nduati

RIVERSIDE, CA- The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) has named Michael N. Nduati, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H. of the UCR School of Medicine as one of the 2017 40 Under 40 Leaders in Minority Health.

Nduati, the senior associate dean for clinical affairs and CEO of UCR Health, will receive his award at the 2017 NMQF Leadership Summit on Health Disparities and Congressional Black Caucus Spring Health Braintrust Gala Dinner on April 25, 2017.

“It is a tremendous honor to receive this award and be recognized with peers who are making an extremely important positive impact on minority health,” Nduati said. “It is humbling to be identified as a role model for the next generation of minority health leaders, and I am thankful to all of my amazing mentors for pushing me to be my best and get to this point in my life and career.”

Founded in 1998, the NMQF’s goalis to assist health-care providers, professionals, administrators, researchers, policy makers, and community and faith-based organizations in delivering appropriate health care to minority communities to eliminate the disproportionate burden of premature death and preventable illness for racial and ethnic minorities and other special populations.

“Here at the NMQF, we are truly excited about this next class of honorees and recognizing them at our annual leadership summit,” NMQF President & CEO Dr. Gary Puckrein said in a press release. “The 2017 winners are doing amazing things that both better and diversify the healthcare marketplace. They serve as positive role models for our next generation of leaders in minority health.”

Nduati attended UC Riverside as an undergraduate, where he co-founded the student-run African Americans United in Science at UCR, and was a member of the UCR/UCLA Thomas Haider Program in Biomedical Sciences, earning his M.D. from UCLA. He also earned an M.B.A. from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA and an M.P.H. from the Harvard School of Public Health. In addition to his administrative position,

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino City Unified School District is focusing all its resources on helping the community heal in the aftermath of the Monday, April 10 shooting that killed three people, including a teacher and student, at North Park Elementary School.

In addition, the District will do a complete review of our school visitation policies and procedures to identify additional strategies to keep our 50,000 students and more than 8,000 employees safe.

The District is committed to helping survivors, whose sense of safety has been shattered by this tragic incident, said Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden.

District counselors and psychologists trained in helping children and victims cope with trauma met with families and school staff to begin the healing process for the more than 500 students who attend North Park Elementary. The school is staffed by 24 teachers, 18 support staff members, and an administrator who also need support.

“As Board president, it is with a heavy heart that our school community has had to demonstrate their resiliency once again,” said Dr. Margaret Hill. “I am tremendously proud of our employees and community partners for the way they have responded during this tragedy. I want the community to be assured we will do everything we can to make sure our students feel safe.”

Board of Education member Dr. Barbara Flores expressed her sympathy to everyone impacted by Monday’s tragedy.

“What happened yesterday at North Park Elementary School was an unimaginable event,” Flores said. “Yet, it happened. We mourn the deaths of Karen Smith, an RSP teacher, and Jonathan Martinez, her student. Our prayers and loving thoughts are with their parents, families, and friends.”

When speaking of Smith, Marsden said, “She epitomized excellence and everything a special education teacher should be.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson praised the response of school officials and police.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the students, teachers, staff, and the entire community at North Park Elementary School and the San Bernardino City Unified School District. This is a tragedy, especially for young students, but school officials and law enforcement agencies acted quickly to deal with the event.”

Like Torlakson, Marsden praised the North Park Elementary staff, District Police Department, and local law enforcement agencies for their swift response to Monday’s tragedy, which he called an unfortunate and isolated incident.

He also expressed his gratitude to North Park Elementary parents and guardians for patiently waiting to be reunited with their children.

“This is a rare occurrence in our schools,” Marsden said.  “Nevertheless, we will learn from this tragedy, and we will emerge as a stronger and safer school district.”

Publishers Commentary by Wallace J. Allen

Some believe that we are defined not by the tragedies of life, but how we respond to them.  Tragedy is most often rendered quickly; however, its echo is multi-level and infinite to those directly and indirectly affected.  The response to tragedy is variable. It can range from numbness to heroic!

The beauty of living in San Bernardino Valley, ‘Beneath The Arrowhead’, is often challenged by the ugliness of tragedy… Steel Mill and Air Base Closing killing 20,000 jobs and uprooting families… fires destroying homes and businesses… City bankruptcy, terrorism and most recently, the school shooting!

The shooting at North Park Elementary School leaves a teacher and one of her students dead, another student wounded and a classroom of students traumatized for life based on what they directly witnessed.

The joy of the parents, who found that their children were not the shooting victims, was immediately replaced with pain, empathy and sympathy for the victims and their families.

The response from police agencies was only matched by the quick reaction of religious and community leaders, who quickly descended on the scene of the shooting, and dispersed with parents to CSUSB, and with students to Cajon High School where they were reunited with their parents.

The best medical and social resources for physical and mental recovery are available in the Inland Empire. The prospects for a family recovering from untimely and tragic death are very slim and we pray that it occurs. Our prospects of preventing or avoiding future tragedies, is even slimmer! Tragedy is going to occur. We must be prepared for it.

Our natural response is to sooth the pain, as best we can… I am suggesting that we improve our level of “best we can” to help in an emergency. Tragedies and emergencies are predictably unpredictable! We are all potential “first responders”! More critically, we are all subject to needing a “first responder”! I need for you to know how to help me just as you need me to know how to help you!

I am proposing that we, the residents, business owners, and visitors to the City of San Bernardino, take the leadership position in emergency preparedness! Our access to life in one of the most beautiful places on the planet demands that we meet the challenge to stay here! If not for the regular unexpected catastrophe, surely for the expected!  We know that we shall have an earthquake and that it will be inconvenient and unpredictable, but it will not be unexpected… So we should not be unprepared.

Becoming a certified emergency response team member is a highly-trained status that we all should aspire, but for practical reasons, cannot. But, becoming certified in CPR is attainable, and is one of the most important tools of a first responder.

I propose that we organize ourselves to reject the nation’s exposure to our tragedy as the symbol and image of our being… That we organize ourselves to demonstrate our resilience and determination to define and achieve the All-American Lifestyle that represents the beauty of “Living Beneath the Arrowhead” in beautiful San Bernardino Valley.

Our proposed campaign to learn CPR, though symbolic, is a very practical asset. CPR has value at home, work and play, in private and public places. Our campaign describes our passion and compassion for each other, as well as our arrogant love of life beneath the Arrowhead.

Will you join our campaign to learn and teach CPR?

FONTANA, CA- National Black Grads (NBG) held their 2nd annual “It Takes a Village” Scholarship Breakfast which was co-sponsored by the Black Voice Foundation last Saturday. The Scholarship Celebration offered family members, educators and community members an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of Inland Empire African American students. 

Scholarship donors comprised of local organizations, businesses and individuals desiring to see Inland Empire students thrive in their educational goals were excited to meet the recipients of their $500 or $1000 scholarships and their families. Watching students during “The Reveal” (where students made final decisions on their college/university choice) was one of the ceremony highlights. “It was great to see the 7 or 8 little boys, under the age of 10 all run out and yell YES! When (Darrian Hunter of Eisenhower HS) announced his choice to attend Morehouse College” said Alise Clouser. “It was so great to see the little boys excited for and look up to the graduates.”

The NBG breakfast was well attended and guests included Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren, Riverside County Office of Education Chief Academic Officer Cynthia Glover, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Ted Alejandre, and Assemblymember Mark Steinorth. Students received scholarships from Over 160 seniors from 73 different Inland Empire high schools applied to the “It Takes A Village” Scholarship Contest.

The Ontario Convention Center. The IE Black Grad which is the largest HS Black Graduation Recognition Ceremony in Southern California will host its largest crowd to date. This year it looks like we may have over 3,000 in attendance. Each participating graduate will receive an African Kente Stole to wear at their official HS Graduation. This year’s event is only $5.00 for guests and $10.00 for student participants. To register or purchase tickets for IE Black Grad 2017 please visit www.nationalblackgrad.org.

To learn more about NBG’s initiatives please contact us directly at nationalblackgrads@gmail.com.

By Naomi K. Bonman

In the March 30, 2017 edition of the Westside Story Newspaper there was an article that mentioned a motorcycle run to Las Vegas. It is our apologies for the misprint of information. The run was not a Las Vegas run, but a High Desert Unity Run that was inspired by a member of the “Free Style” Lady Riderz and Ladies, Debra Green. Ms. Green, a.k.a. Beautiful, invited the ladies to attend the church that she belongs to at Faith Ministries International Network of Churches Inc., in Apple Valley.

During the services, Apostle Rebecca Washington became aware of the Lady Riders Bike Club and was impressed that “pretty ladies” ride motorcycles and requested that the group visit the church. Yolondia Mayes a.k.a. Ms. Hannibal and President of Freestyle Lady Riderz & Freestyle Ladies, contacted other bike club presidents and formulated the “High Desert Unity Run” which included 29 clubs.  

The other clubs that were included in the High Desert Unity Run were Desert Brothers, Wolf Pack, 2^nd II None, Black Knightz, Chosen Few, High Desert Deuces, Buffalo Soldiers, Silver Star, Enlightened Ministries LV, No Rules-No Dues, LV, Road Queens, Hub City Ladies, Tru 2 Fact, Kin Folks, Elite, and Rare Pearls.

During the event there was a special presentation where Ms. Hannibal honored a few individuals.

“It is motor tradition to hand out trophies to the largest MC Club supporting the event,” Mayes explained. “Which in this case, the Desert Brothers were honored.”

Other honorees included: “True to the Fact”, largest social club; and “Kin Folk”, largest low rider club. An honorary new member of Free Style Lady Riderz was given to Apostle Rebecca Washington-Berry and E-Mac, President of Wolf Pack, was given an award for Best Supporter of Free Style Lady Riderz. After the awards, Pastor Greg gave a blessing over each biker and their bike.

The Free Style Lady Riderz was started after Mayes has lost her daughter Louise Wheeler-Jones on June 14, 2009 to a tragic shooting. The motorcycle sets showed her a lot of love and respect and because of their actions it prompted her to start her own motorcycle club. The name “Free Style Lady Riderz and Ladies” was picked out by Susan Carter (Sapphire), Vice President, and Yolondia Mayes. The purpose of the club is to promote and secure healthy relationships within all members surrounding communities and the cities they reside in, as well as other cities and or states. Their motto is, “Building a sisterhood pure at heart.” And the mission is, “Loyalty is law.”

The next upcoming bike event will be the Black Knightz Annual Picnic on Saturday, May 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Prado Regional Park located at 16700 Euclid Avenue in Chino. The community cam also assist in upcoming charity events that the ladies participate in which include: a backpack giveaway for the Back to School season, a Feed the Homeless event for the holiday season, a blanket giveaway for the winter season, and a host of other chairyt events. To keep up with the ladies, please follow them on Facebook under “Freestyle Club-Free Style Lady Riderz”.

Check Route 66 Newspaper and/or Westside Story on Facebook for information on where the scavenger hunt begins!

All Easter Hunt participants must download the Seek & Spot App from the Playstore or the Apple Store.

The app is completely free!

Once you’ve downloaded the app, enter the game code that will be posted on Route 66 Newspaper’s Facebook page at 6pm!

Remember to have fun and happy hunting!

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

 “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; Yes, it is approaching! A day of darkness and gloom, a day of thick clouds! Like dawn spreading over the mountains, a vast and mighty army.  Nothing like it has every happen in ages past, nor will the future hold anything like it, even to the most distant generations. Before it, fire devours, behind it flame torches. The land before it is like the Garden of Eden, and behind it, a desolate wilderness; from it nothing escapes. There is that of horses; like war horses they run. Like the rumble of chariots they hurtle across mountaintops; like the crackling of fiery flames devouring stubble; like a massive army in battle formation. Before them people tremble, every face turns pale. Like warriors they run, like soldiers they scale walls, each advancing in line, without swerving from the course. No one crowds the other; each advances in its own track; they plunge through the weapons; they are not checked. They charge the city, they run upon the wall; they climb into the houses; through the windows they enter like thieves. Before the earth trembles; the heaven shake; Sun and moon are darkened, and the stars withhold their brightness. The Lord raises his voice at the head of his army; How immense is his host; How numerous those who carry out his command! How great is the day of the Lord! Utterly terrifying! Who can survive it? Return to the Lord with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning… for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and relenting in punishment. [Book of Joel].

You have been commanded by the Lord to set your face to the ground in humility, brokenness, and repentance. If you will not humble yourself, confess and forsake your sins, He will come suddenly to execute judgment. Quick judgment and sorrow upon all who shut the ear and close the mind to the trumpet sounding in Zion! Thus saith the Lord God; “There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done.” [Ezekiel 12:28]. This is a warning that is so serious; everyone should take serious thought about where they stand with God. There is a quickness of His coming that we are warned about. There is the urgent preparation needed prior to His coming that we are warned about.  What the Bible says about the Lord’s coming is very near. It is upon us closer than we think. According to [1 Peter 4:17] judgment has already begun. You have been warned to repent, in advance of God’s judgment to come through this article. It is now your move!

 “But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.” [Ezekiel 33:6]

  “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.” [Deuteronomy 30:19].

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done…. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes I am coming quickly” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus… [Revelation 22: 12, 20].

Scripture Reference: … [Obadiah 15] [Joel 2:1–11; 2:28–32; 3:1–16] [2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10] [Revelation 14] [Revelation 16:15] [Revelation 18]  [Revelation 22: 7, 10-12, 20].

By Naomi K. Bonman

In life we are always  trying to tap into our purpose and to find out what we were put on earth to accomplish. Timothy Jones, better known as TEACH, helps others to identify with their purpose through film and literature.

TEACH  is an award winning hip-hop artist, actor, producer, filmmaker and youth pastor.  He has recently been featured in the Press Enterprise, on Black Hollywood Live’s ‘Success is the New Black Series’, and Gospel Rhythms Radio for his latest documentary film “Discovering Destiny”  and he is inspiring everyone he speaks to.  

In his film, TEACH plays himself and tells his life story of being bullied which lead him to a path of gang affiliation to overcoming stereotypes and emerging into a successful entrepreneur in the entertainment industry.  He  is charismatic, creative, driven, humble, and easy on the eyes and people are falling in love with his story and genuine personality. 

Check out the interview below: