Ratibu

Obituary Written By Carl Dameron

Ratibu Shadidi (William Henry Jacocks) joined his ancestors on Thursday evening, December 10 at Kaiser Hospital in Fontana.  Ratibu is survived by his wife, Wilmer Amina Carter of nearly 35 years.  They were joined as one in 1984 and reaffirmed their marriage in 1994.

Jacocks is remembered for his vision and passion, which will continue through his wife Amina, his children, Anye Imani; Malaika Jacocks Dameron (Kamau); Jamala Shaw (Rubani) and eight grandchildren:  Tariki (Shani), Daima (Shiane), Amina 2 (Darian), Shaila, Akiba (Tayah), Halisi (Darius) Nia, and Miadi (Braelynn).  His brother, James; sisters: Jean, Catherine, Odessa and many other loving relatives.

Ratibu was the co-owner of Elegant Floors and Creative Businesses Services with Amina. Ratibu was also an entrepreneur, author, lobbyist and political consultant. He is a published author of “Incidents, Struggles, and Devine Intervention: Memoirs of Ratibu Jacocks.”

Ratibu was also a community activist, Sunday School Teacher for more than 30 years; Chair, Inland Area Kwanzaa Group; Treasurer, Westside Action Group; Distinguished Toastmaster; Life Member – National Council of Negro Women, Inc.; Longtime Travelers Aid Volunteer, Ontario Airport; Member – Black History Parade Committee; Member – Martin Luther King Breakfast Committee; Black Student Union Advisor  at Bloomington High School; attended the 1995 Million Man March; Tumanini Teacher at San Bernardino Valley College and coordinated Saturday Morning Speakers – a youth speaking club.

Ratibu is predeceased by his Parents, James Alfred and Annie Mae Jacocks. The services are at new Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 10 a.m. on Thursday December 17.  New Hope is located at 1575 west 17th Street in San Bernardino.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the Wilmer Amina Carter Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 332, Rialto CA 92377.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Don’t get it twisted!  Don’t fool yourself and don’t be fooled. Unless your house is built by wisdom and established by understanding, your house is not a home. [Proverbs 24:3] And just so that we are on the same page, I want you to know that I’m not talking about your physical house, I’m talking about your spiritual house. You see in [Matthew 7:24–27] Jesus tells a parable that compares and contrasts two builders: one wise and one foolish. One man built his house on the sand while the other built his house on the Rock. In this context, building on the sand speaks of people who hear the Gospel, but instead of believing the Gospel and coming to faith in Jesus, they believe they can build their lives on the shifting sands of human philosophy, wisdom, opinion, and religious achievement. They are driven by outward, religious appearances and faith in themselves, rather than faith in Jesus. People who build their house on the sand hear the Gospel and believe its general message, but they choose to follow God on their own terms. To them, His Word is open to interpretation. If He commands them to do something they will obey if they choose to. If they don’t like it they won’t do it. People who build their house on the sand they build the house of their lives on self-will, self-fulfillment, self-sufficiency, self-satisfaction, and self-righteousness. Theirs is a works based religion that has the appearance of being right but that lacks the power to save the soul. As [2 Timothy 3:5] says, “Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof…” People who build their house on the sand believe they can pray a prayer, sign a card, join a church, and all will be well. People who build their house on the sand can turn it on and off like flipping a switch. They can be in today and out tomorrow.

But then while one man built his house on the sand, the other dug deep. He dug until he reached the bedrock and built his house on the Rock. The Rock does not move. It is unchanging and stable. Building on the Rock speaks of people who hear the Gospel and believe it to the point that they build their lives on it. People who build their house on the Rock understand that Jesus alone has the power to save their souls. People who build their house on the Rock hear God’s Word and they conforms their lives to it. People who build their house on the Rock, they hear the truth about Jesus and they believe it. They embrace it. They yield to it. The message changes their lives. What God tells them to do in His Word, they do. What God warns them not to do, they avoid. They pay any price, walk any path, and do anything the Lord tells them to do. They love Him, honor Him, and obey Him. I’m talking about people who build their house on the Rock.

I want you to know that the parable tells us that the rain came, the flood followed, and the wind of destruction blew. This image is not just about some storm in life. This is the image of judgment. In the end both houses were subjected to a terrible storm of judgment. One house stood, the other was totally destroyed. The house that was built on the sand could not face the withering judgment of God, and it collapsed. Jesus said, “And great was the fall of it.” This means that the house was utterly destroyed. There was nothing left to show for the life lived within it. Everything was destroyed and swept away as if it had never existed. But as far as the house that was built on the Rock. It experienced the same storm. The rain, the flood and the wind “beat upon” the house. This house was battered, but it stood against the storm that was thrown against it. This house was shaken, but it did not fall. It stood on a firm foundation, and it weathered the storm. I want you to know that there is a storm coming; a day of judgment; a day when every person will face God.  I ask you, how is your foundation? If you haven’t built your house on the Rock, today is today. What is your life; but a vapor that appears for a while, and then disappear. Establish your firm foundation today!

LOS ANGELES, CA- The California African American Museum (CAAM) is pleased to announce Target Sundays at CAAM – Holiday Remix & Kwanzaa Thaaang! The event will take place Sunday, December 13, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Enjoy classic standards reimagined, with a host of great talent to warm the holidays.  Co-hosted by Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter, Target Sundays at CAAM will include live performances, a free art workshop and holiday shopping.

The holiday fete will include performances on CAAM’s main stage from singers Peggi Blu, AEJAYE, Harlem Lee and Ileana Garcia, as well as the Long Beach Dance Academy: Movers & Shakers.  Also, get some holiday shopping done at the Hanukkah/Christmas/Kwanzaa marketplace.  Local educator and artist Teresa Tolliver will host a free art workshop where participants can make their own holiday gift for that special someone.  The art workshop is open to all ages and supplies are provided by CAAM.

CAAM encourages all to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to the Los Angeles Food Bank. This event is free and open to the public. CAAM is located at 600 State Drive, Exposition Park. Parking is $10 and located at 39th and Figueroa Streets.  Take Los Angeles Metro’s Expo Line and exit the Expo Park/USC stop.  For more information on CAAM visit www.caamuseum.org or call (213) 744-7432.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Alen Ritchie was elected as the new president of the San Bernardino County Board of Education during its meeting on December 7.

Ritchie, who was the vice president of the Board, takes over the presidency from Mark Sumpter, who held the position for the past year. In addition, Sherman Garnett was elected vice president of the Board.

Ritchie has served on the Board since 2008. He represents Trustee Area E, which includes the districts of Bear Valley, Colton, Morongo, Redlands and Yucaipa-Calimesa.

Garnett, who was elected to the Board in 2014, represents Trustee Area B, which includes the districts of Alta Loma, Central, portions of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District, Etiwanda, Mt. Baldy, Ontario-Montclair and Upland.

The Board establishes policy, adopts an annual budget, approves building plans and hears student expulsion, inter-district transfer and charter school appeals. The Board meets monthly, regularly the first Monday of the month.

Terence Larae McGee

Terence Larae McGee went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at the age of 50.   Terence was born to Betty Jean Johnson and Harrell McGee on January 11, 1965 in San Bernardino, California.  Terence graduated from Cajon High School in 1983 and was a third generation member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in San Bernardino where he served on many ministries over the years, which included Evangelism, Men’s Choir and Layman.  Terence had a strong, bold faith in the Lord and he shared the goodness of Jesus Christ with those who crossed his path.  Terence believed his life’s purpose was to be the love and protection of family and he spent countless years serving up spiritual encouragement weekly to those who are sick and in long-term care centers.

Terence is survived by his daughters Colibri McGee and Satyn Bailey; his grandson, Titan Bailey; his Father John Funderburk; his brother Courtney McGee and wife Cheryl McGee and their children Tyne McGee, Patrick St. Louis, Courtney McGee Jr., and Kestin McGee; his sister Regina Winston and husband Delbert Winston and their daughter Faith Winston; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services will be held at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 1575 W. 17^th Street in San Bernardino on Friday, December 11, 2015 at 10 a.m.  Repast will also be held at New Hope Church immediately following interment.  Harrison-Ross Mortuary will be assisting the family.

For more information, please contact New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at (909) 887-2526.

Damon Alexander

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Damon Alexander accepted the 7th Ward seat on San Bernardino’s Board of Police Commissioners. With his Federal law enforcement background, that includes participation in San Bernardino’s recent violence, and his leadership in community organizations, including the American Legion, he will improve and expand the Board’s effectiveness in fighting crime in San Bernardino.

By Keith McCarte

I have traveled around the world to at least 27 different countries.  I have actually lived in 4 different countries for extended periods of time.  I must say, that since before December 2, 2015, San Bernardino has had the highest per capita number of people who loved and cared for their community than any other place I have been.   A close second is Basel, Switzerland where most people speak at least four languages.  In Basil, they learn and study the language of culture.  Whereas here in San Bernardino we live, eat and breathe culture on a daily basis.

With this cultural aspect comes several groups of people who feel very strongly about how to better their community.  We have battled issues such as homelessness, education, employment and economic bolstering during a sagging global economy.  Even though each sect of the community has varying opinions as to how to better our community, each group is intensely motivated to make our community better as a whole and they do so by having a common respect for parallel or opposing opinions.

This is the reason I rank the citizens of San Bernardino number one when it comes to love and care for their community.

Now we have been saddled with a calamity of the first order-the horrific shooting incident of December 2, 2015.  San Bernardino has not been weakened.  On the contrary, we have become stronger and will continue to become even stronger.

We continue to love and care for our community but now we do so with one voice.  Now our voice resonates beyond city boundaries.  It now resonates nationally and internationally.  The whole world is watching and we have stepped up to the plate to become leaders as a city and as a community.  We have shown the world a good example of having love and respect for each other, love and respect for the victims and love and respect for our country.  Have you noticed that our leaders and the citizens within has focused on expressing love and condolences, opposed to the alternative?  We are no longer, Black, White, Latino, African American, Mexican or Asian.  We are San Bernadinians.  We are no longer conservative or liberal, we are San Bernardinians first and foremost.

Out of respect for the victims who have lost their lives, were injured or traumatized we must hold dear to our core values and continue to speak these values to the world as one voice.  We will speak as San Bernardinians.  We must become even closer to our neighbors and friends.  This closeness is not for the purpose of spying on their lives but for the purposes of showing our love and support to each other in times of need.  Let us continue to set good examples in our everyday lives.  Remember…we are San Bernardinians and we speak as one voice.

Yawnie

Yawnie, Yawnie, Yawnie is What It Do with the LUE this week. When I think of the word multitask, the artist Yawnie comes to mind. I met this talented lady a year ago at an event and had to book her immediately for one of my own. The energy that she gives during her sets is absolutely refreshing. When Yawnie steps to the MIC the crowd defiantly goes hype.

Kenya Jasnae Garrett, known as Ywanie, knew at a young age she wanted her name in lights. Born in Lynwood, California but now an Inland Empire resident, Yawnie is making a name for herself in the music game. Releasing her first album back in 2012 under the label MEDICI/Interscope Records, Yawnie was inspired by artists such as Keyshia Cole, Eminem, and Trina. By studying them, she was able to develop her own unique sound. She has been performing all over Southern California with big names in the industry. I truly admire her drive and ambition to make it to the top.

Being a rapper isn’t the only thing on Yawnie’s list. Her skills range from hosting, to photography, to acting, writing, DJing, and event coordination. Yep, she does it all! So please do me a favor and check this talent artist out. Catch her live on Thursday, December 10 in Santa Ana at Jaspers Bar and Grill. Prepare yourself for the thrill. You can locate her music on Facebook, Reverbnation, and Soundcloud under “Yawni Mami”. Her songs “Respect My Gangsta”, “Made A Star”, and “It’s a Celebration”, go hard!

Please follow LUE Productions on Twitter and Facebook for more reviews. Until next week peeps, stay STRONG & L’z!

Newman Leadership Academy

By Naomi Riggins

SAN BERNARDINIO, CA- It was only a short six-mile bus ride Thursday morning of December 3 from their school to downtown San Bernardino, but for about 60 third, fourth, fifth and sixth-graders from Newman Leadership Academy in San Bernardino were excited to be going on a field trip to the California Theatre of Performing Arts to see the Inland Dance Theatres, Inc.’s 40th Anniversary of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” Ballet.

The Inland Dance Theatre has presented the Tchaikovsky’s Ballet to estimated 225,000 children from throughout the Inland Empire. Newman Leadership Academy’s Principle, Mrs. Payne stated, “It was an awe of discovery for many of the students. It was like watching the lights come on and opening their minds to a whole new adventure and opportunity in San Bernardino”. For those that want to see “The Nutcracker”, visit www.californiatheatre.net for times and ticket prices.

After spending the first half of the day at the ballet, the students were loaded onto the bus and headed to Norman Fedhelym Library for lunch and a tour of the facility. The library provided each of the 60 students with library card application. Just in time for the school’s Winter Break Reading Challenge (hoping each student will read at least 30 books during Christmas Break).

In the cash-strapped San Bernardino County Unified School District, the time-honored tradition of class field trips have been dramatically cut back.  Newman Leadership Academy is looking for additional funding and donations in order to be able to continue to leave the confines of their classrooms and continue to build onto the school’s library and resources.  To find out more about Newman Leadership Academy, please visit the website www.newmanleadership.org.

Community residents gather in San Bernardino during a previous candle light vigil for the victims of last Wednesday’s attack. (Photo courtesy of NBC News).

By Lue Dowdy, of LUE Productions

SAN BERNARDINIO, CA- This Sunday, December 13, local music artists and community members will come together for a candle light vigil and prayer in honor of the victims that were gunned down in the horrific terrorist attack that occurred on Wednesday, December 2 in San Bernardino at the Inland Regional Behavioral Center.

Don’t be afraid to show your love and support openly. There will be several prominent guest speakers and elected officials that will be present and speaking. They include, but are not limited to Benito J. Barrios, 2^nd Ward Councilmember; Gwen Dowdy-Rogers, newly elected San Bernardino County School Board Member; and Tammy Martin-Ryles, President of the Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Empire.

The Vigil will begin promptly at 5 p.m. on the corner of Waterman Avenue and Orange Show Road. Please feel free to share your thoughts via social media with the hashtag #sanbernardinostrong.