MORENO VALLEY, CA- On Saturday, May 14, over 150 artists will compete to see who is the best at music and art at the 5^th annual Changing Lives Showcase!  The Changing Lives Showcase, is the fastest-growing performance competition in the Inland Empire created to allow our youth to express their creative talents while fighting to reduce our communities’ dropout rates.

The Showcase is presented by Music Changing Lives, a non-profit arts organization in partnership with Moreno Valley Unified School District.  Artists and their respective schools will compete in four categories – Musical Instruments, Vocal Performance, Dance and Visual Arts, while schools compete in Overall Performance.

The Changing Lives Showcase is no ordinary school performance; this event rolls out the red carpet for its talented performers, artists and guests.  Celebrity judges will decide the winning finalists and this year’s lineup includes Tray Deee, a member of the platinum selling group Tha Eastsidaz; YouTube sensation and recording artist Ellise; and Stephen Hickner an American film director at DreamWorks Animation.

Music Changing Lives launched the Showcase five years ago, and since then they have produced musicians, artists, fashion designers and more.  MCL’s goal is to create a culture of school being cool and using music and art as a way to inspire students that anything is possible.

The Showcase will be located at the Moreno Valley Recreation Center from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  To get tickets to the event and reserve your seat please visit 2016changinglivesshowcase.eventbrite.com.

The Changing Lives Showcase is sponsored by MVUSD, Wells Fargo Foundation, UC Riverside, The Art Institute of San Bernardino, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Niagara Cares, Edison International, Time Warner Cable, Classics for Kids Foundation, Vizard PR and Goliath Graffix.

For more information about Music Changing Lives or to become a sponsor for the event, please contact an Music Changing Lives staff member at Jbruny@MusicChangingLives.org or visit them on the web at www.MusicChangingLives.org.

Moon Bush

By Lue Dowdy

Highlighting talent and beauty is WHAT IT DO WITH THE LUE. So with that being said, please allow me to introduce the DIVA, MODEL, MOON BUSH. This model is doing her thing all over Cali in a major way. I love seeing women go for what they want; it’s clear that Moon Bush knows exactly what she wants. Please take a moment and learn more about this Queen!

A former Collegiate Basketball player and all-around athlete, Moon Bush of San Bernardino, California, strutted down the runway in 2015. She hit the catwalk during Style Fashion Week in Los Angeles, Ankara Festival Fashion Show, The Model Experience Summer Fashion Show, and again during their New Girl Expo Fashion Show. Moon has been published in Designer Original Magazine, Fashion Xchange Magazine and Styleloftz Magazine, just to name a few.

In the same year, this natural beauty was casted to walk in A Cultural Invasion Fashion Show, Taste of Caribbean Fashion Show, FOGO Fundraiser Fashion Show, Yere Fashion Show, Urban Nature Fashion Show, and the ReUp fashion Show. As you can see she loves the runway because this workaholic has also done the Art Is My Drug Fashion Show, Sheen Magazine Fashion Show, Cypher Fashion Show, Haunted Couture by Russell Couture where she was transformed into Maleficent. Moon also has published print work with Tinz Clothing, Stephanie Burkhalter and Philthy Ragz.

Moon Bush wrapped 2015 up with walking in an intimate show displaying the styling’s of Philthy Ragz Fashion Show Fall collection and finally in the Lady MV Fall Fashion Show. Just 5 weeks later, after entering the tough contest, Moon was super excited to be named the 2016 Lady MV Host.

She will also be walking in Los Angeles Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week for Celebrity Designer Leontine Abdullah of Leontine Collection in the latter part of 2016. Moon Bush has worked with amazing photographers like Will Utley of Will Utley Photography, Derrick Rodgers Director of Photography for Fashion Xchange Magazine, Tyrone Richardson of Tyrone Richardson Photography, Monette Hamilton of Eye Take Pictures and with Director Duke Givens of Duke Enterprise. She has worn amazing pieces by designers like DYMOND of Dhaleter Design, Stephaine Burkhalter, Gaynelle White of Philthy Ragz and Tiara Saleem of Tiara Saleem Designs.

Charities Moon has worked with are San Bernardino Feed the Homeless, Inland Empire Coat Drive, St.Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Pennies for Patients (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) and K.I.O Kids Club. Being a Christian attending Cathedral of Praise Ministries pastored by Bishop Craig W. Johnson, Moon’s unwavering Christian faith is at the forefront of her existence.

She is an obedient child of God whose footsteps are guided by the Almighty. She gives all glory to Jesus, for each and everything that she has been able to accomplish. All the ups and downs she has been through and because of his grace and mercy, not only did she survive but thrived during those times. Moon Bush hopes to inspire others with her experiences to know they can accomplish their dream with hard work and true faith. She realizes that at the essence of it all, our job as humans are to help someone else, so they can help someone else.

Be sure to follow Moon Bush all social media sites. Please like our LUE Productions Face Book page and our Listening with LUE radio Facebook page as well. Until next week L’z!

Stacia and Ariana Pierce

Stacia and Ariana Pierce, mother-daughter duo, have created a national platform that fosters creativity, independence, and inner beauty through the mother daughter relationship.

From building her self-worth to teaching her how to take ownership of her dreams, moms carry a heavy yet powerful weight on their shoulders. Stacia Pierce understands these challenges firsthand as a mom and mentor, and is an expert at giving moms the tools and attitude needed to become a role model for success.

Stacia Pierce has built a name for herself as an award-winning life coach, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur. She helps her clients unlock their full potential by empowering them to take responsibility for their lives and meet each challenge head-on. Her seminars, inspirational materials, 21 books, and coaching program have assisted hundreds of thousands in their pursuit of happiness.

Ariana Pierce is more than just Stacia’s daughter – she’s a fierce go-getter with a passion for entrepreneurship. She provides a bird’s eye view into the struggles of the millennial daughter, where the need for independence is often at odds with a desire for reassurance and guidance.

With the love and support of her own mother, Ariana is making her mark on the beauty world. At the age of 25, she has already launched a fashion and beauty blog that attracts over 100,000 visitors weekly, the Superstar Nail Lacquer product line, an online accessory company called Style Shoppe, and a collection of marketing courses for enhancing one’s online influence.

Creating a fulfilling mother daughter relationship takes two, and Stacia and Ariana are a success story that’s ready to be shared with the world. Follow the duo at arianapierce.com and lifecoach2women.com.

Varsity Brands wanted to find one athletic team that shows respect and graciousness to opposing teams and school groups. The San Bernardino High School Varsity Basketball Team demonstrates the utmost sportsmanship by raising community pride; the team regularly volunteers at homeless shelters, elementary schools, and throughout the school. On game days, the team dresses in suits, demonstrating good sportsmanship off the court, to empower school spirit and character. Before games, they show respect to visiting teams by greeting them and welcoming them to campus. For more information or to download the Varsity Bands 2016 booklet, please visit www.varsitybrands.com/home.

Kiyah Rose Charles

By Delilah Allen

“During my travels I’d like to work with people who need my help due to their lack of  knowledge of the English language or income, I just want to be remembered as someone who helped and has done something great with her life.”

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

“What have you done for Me lately?” Jesus asks.  Fed the hungry?  Visited the sick? Entertained strangers? Nope! So why you bothering Me? What you want from Me? You want me to give you what you want, but you don’t want to do what I command you to do? Forget about it! If you can’t keep My Commandments, should I let you inquire of me at all?” (Ezekiel 14:3). I think not! Too busy pursuing temporal (temporary) rather than eternal things. Don’t you know that only those things that relate to Me, done My way, will count in Heaven! “If you love me, you will obey what I command. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He is the one that gets My blessings.

Bottom-line: As Christians, we need to put God first in our lives. If you’re doing that, God does hear your prayers, and he answers them. Jesus said, “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you” (John 15:7). We must belong to God before we can communicate with him. “He who belongs to God hears what He says” (John 8:47).  The wonderful truth is, God blesses those who walk in faithfulness – He shows favor to those who favor Him. Many, however, don’t have a clue that Jesus Christ is calling their life.

What has happened? Self-interest has replaced God’s interests! Consider your ways!” “Wake up – think about what you’re doing!” You know in the book of Haggai: When the people put God’s interests first, He provided their food and shelter. Indeed, they were cared for by Him in every way: Their vineyards grew, their grapes were heavy. They slept peacefully at night, and their children danced in the streets. None of their enemies prevailed against them. It was a marvelous time of God’s blessing. But then the people became absorbed with their own interests!

Today, so many “Christians” are concerned about their own careers and families – too busy with their own interests!  So wrapped up in making money; trying to improve their life-style. Suddenly, their interests have over-whelmed the interests of God. God says you will pay a high price for putting self-interests first! (Haggai 1:6-9). “Running after material things – houses, land, money – which take up all your time and energy! God says, when you were consumed with doing [His] work, you had joy and satisfaction. But now you are empty, disillusioned, unsatisfied. And no matter what you do, nothing will ever satisfy you!”

So what does the Lord require of you? [Acts 9:6]: The Lord’s answer is “Arise, and go…” For God has not saved you to be idle–to watch others serve while you do nothing.  I suggest you read the book of Haggai. It is a marvelous lesson on how to get and keep the blessing and favor of the Lord. In utter simplicity the prophet Haggai outlines how God’s children can live and walk under God’s continual blessing and favor. Yet Haggai also shows the causes and reasons why people lose God’s blessing – and what they must do to come back into His favor!

I urge you – become faithful once more, putting God’s interests first and seeking Him with all your heart.         Hallelujah!

Author Margaret Hill will have a book signing at Barnes & Noble, Citrus Plaza, 27460 Lugonia Avenue, Redlands, on Saturday, May 7, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  Her book, “From Sharecropping to Non-Stopping” is about her life as the daughter of sharecroppers in the state of Virginia.  She is currently the school board president for the San Bernardino City Unified School District.

RUBIDOUX, CA- If you have been looking for a church or home or a new place of worship, Higher Ground Church of Christ is inviting all to come out and worship with them. They’re mission is to lead souls to Christ. They hold Sunday School at 10 a.m. with worship starting at 12 p.m. For those that cannot make it on Sunday, there is noon day prayer at 12:01 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Bible Study is held at 7 p.m.

Higher Ground also loves to give back to the community. They have an Outreach program every third Saturday of the month where community members can receive prayer, sing songs of praise to the Lord,  get food, and receive information on how to get clothe, free phones, health plans, check-ups, temporary housing, drug abuse counseling, battered women shelters, and a host of other things.

Those that would like to volunteer for these events on a Saturday are encouraged to come at 9 a.m. The food distribution starts at 11 a.m. If you are in need or know someone who is, please come see them or have those come.

The church is located at 5339 Jurupa Blvd. in Rubidoux, CA.

By Naomi K. Bonman

Taylor Jackson with her coaches, Coach Brody (left) and Coach Krystal (right).

RIALTO, CA- With the school year coming to an end in just a mere few weeks, high school seniors from across the Inland have been accepting admissions into the top colleges of their choice. Athletes have also been signing agreements to continue to their passion for sports while in pursuing their higher educational degree.

Carter High School senior, Taylor Jackson, was among the group of athletic students who signed her agreement with Jackson State University where she will be playing volleyball and majoring in Biology.

We wish Taylor much success on her next journey as she steps onto the path of her future career.

By Lue Dowdy

Rapper, Yungan of 4ETE is What it Do With The LUE this Week!!! I totally love the way this dude rocks the MIC. Yungan, whose real name is Eric Taylor, was born in South Central of Los Angeles, California and currently resides in the Inland Empire. Yungan was inspired to write at the age of 12 and began his start in the rap game at the age of 18. Not boxing himself in, he started to explore other fields of the entertainment game such as acting, writing, producing, and modeling.     Currently under the management of 4everthugging Entertainment, Yungan is also a member of the management’s company group called Stoney Gang. Stoney Gang consists of four other talented solo artists.

Yungan has performed at several events and concerts throughout Southern California. His goal is to go international with it. The streets encouraged him to make money but music encouraged him to make HITS, stay out of the way, and not become a statistic. “I have little brothers and family that is depending on me,” says Yungan.

Recently he dropped his new project titled “Parties & Problems, Volume 1.”  Expect to see amazing things from this artist. You can catch this cutie pie performing live this weekend and on air at Mix & Mingle R&B King and Queen on Saturday, May 7at the American Legion Post 710 in San Bernardino; at the Red Cup Edition on Sunday, May 8 at the 420 Night Club in Ontario, and don’t forget to tune in to “Listening With LUE Radio Show” this  Sunday, May 8 on KCAA 1050 A.M. at 6:00 pm to hear Yungan. His other projects include STONEY California Hear me out vol. 1, 4ever LA vol. 1, and Red. Cup vol. 1.

Until next week peeps. L’z!