Madrid Martin (center) and women

RIVERSIDE, CA-The 2015 The CARE Project, Inc.’s, Woman of Excellence Award to be presented to Dr. Angela D. Martin – Physician In Charge at Kaiser Permanente, Meridian Clinic at the third annual Pink and White Celebration.  The event honors Inland Empire breast cancer survivors and celebrates life on Sunday, October 4 at 5 p.m.

“It’s the non-profit’s biggest fundraiser of the year,” said founder Carrie Madrid.  “We are proud to have the event sponsored by D and D’s Dance Center and held in their beautiful ballroom at 1445 Spruce Street in Riverside,” she added.

Tickets are $30 each, $240 table of eight. Admission includes:  Pink carpet photo, dinner, DJ, dancing, raffles and live performances.  Reserved seating tickets are on sale now at Eventbrite.com

“This is the 3rd Annual Pink and White Celebration. The first two years were a huge success honoring many breast cancer survivors and raising breast cancer awareness throughout our community.  Last year’s event was standing room only with more than 250 people in attendance. This year, reserved seating has been put in place and tickets will not be sold at the door,” said Madrid.

Riverside’s Police and Fire department’s personnel and breast cancer awareness vehicles will be on site to welcome the honored survivors as they arrive.

Entertainment for The 3rd Annual Pink and White Celebration includes: Special performance by jazz saxophonist and Riverside native, J. Anton Boykin; Special guest speaker, Evelyn Erives – 99.1 KGGI/iHeart Radio and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s 2010 Woman of the Year.

Stage III breast cancer survivor, Carrie Madrid, founded The CARE Project to help support local patients, undergoing and recovering from Cancer treatment.

The CARE Project provides gas cards, grocery gift cards, prepaid Visa cards for copays, utility bill assistance, Chemo “CARE” Packages, counseling and mentoring.

The first 30 registered survivors receive free admission.  Each guest must be accompanied by at least one paying guest.  Contact Carrie at (951) 707-7965 to register.

For more information including sponsorships opportunities please contact Carrie Madrid at tcpfounder@gmail.com or call (951) 707-7965.  All donations are tax deductible.

Naimah S. Allen

By Deborah Ealy

‘Our Children Sing’ is an annual program held in San Bernardino, CA on or around September 11^th of each year. This event was founded by the late Alice F. Page, community leader, entrepreneur, and “peace major,” in September 2002.   The “Our Children Sing’ program allows a venue for many of the talented youth in our schools, churches, and gang-riddled communities to come together in peace to celebrate one another without the fear of violence. In this world of grown-up wars, national rivalries, and teen and young adult gang violence, Alice believed that we should start our peace outreach by reaching out to our children while they are still young and impressionable and teach them how to work, play, fellowship, perform, and communicate with one another without resorting to violence.

After the devastating events of 9/11, Alice felt that she could no longer sit idly by without doing something, anything, to help in the fight against violence and in the push towards peace.  She began her fight by reaching out to numerous public officials and people of influence in the city and state in an effort to bring about a National Day of Peace which would be observed annually on September 11;  just one day of peace when there would be no guns, no violence, and no fighting.

Alice worked tirelessly to bring about peace and non-violence one step at a time, starting here in her own backyard. She measured her own success not by her own wealth or comfort, but by the lives she touched on a daily basis.  Like the heroes of 911 she knew that she needed to do something to make the world a better place.  She chose to put her words, her beliefs, her dreams into action and stepped forward with a plan to promote peace.

The ‘Our Children Sing’ program is coordinated by Vicki Lee, Homeless Liaison for San Bernardino City Unified School District. The event will be held at Norman F. Feldhym Library, 555 West 6^th Street in San Bernardino on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at 3 p.m. The recipient of The Alice F. Page Award will be Beverly Earl  from Catholic Charities,  and special recognition will be given to The late Frances Montano from Ballet Folklorico who was faithful until she passed away.

This year’s  participants include James Ramos supervisor 3^rd District, Fajamora Fox, , Naimah S. Allen,  Kya Gary, Pacific Cultural Club, Malichi Compton, Gloria Chavez and The Ballet Forklorico Cultural Group; New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Children’s Choir Cathedral of Praise International Ministries Dance Team; Arroyo Valley High school Marching Hawks, and San Bernardino High School  Air Force Junior ROTC. They are not performing just to showcase their talents. They are not just dancing because their parents or friends are watching. They will not be just supporting another community event. No: they dance, they perform, they sing for peace.

Edited by Naomi K. Bonman

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation is happy to announce the winners of the 26th Annual Humanitarian of the Year, Commitment to Community Service and Black Rose Awards, which will be held on Friday, September 11 at The National Orange Show, Valencia Ballroom located at 689 South “E” Street in San Bernardino. There will be a social hour at 6 p.m. with the dinner and awards starting at 7 p.m. Honorees for this year’s celebration include: Kim Evette Anthony, Humanitarian of the Year; David Clark, Community Service; Chief Joseph Paulino, Charles Chuck Burns Award; Officer Marcus Pesquera, Black Rose; and the Chino Valley Fire Foundation, Black Rose.

Kim has given tirelessly of herself, using her skills and abilities to help others.  Much of her work is on a pro bono basis because of her unrelenting commitment to serving her community.  She has provided countless number of volunteer hours providing services to nonprofit and community based organizations including Stop the Violence Foundation and the establishment of the Regional Violence Prevention Coalition.  She volunteered with the Red Cross in Houston, TX serving and supporting displaced Hurricane Katrina survivors. A product of the foster care system, Kim spent fourteen months during her reign as Ms. California delivering motivational speaking and raising funds and awareness for the plight of foster children and at-risk youth.

David, a retired military person, volunteers his time at March Air Force Base assisting retirees with their retirement and other benefits.  He also assist the families of the deceased, making sure they get the paperwork needed for proper burial.  In addition, he mentors students at San Gorgonio High School as well as the youth and young adults at his church.

Chief Joseph Paulino makes sure that over 50,000 students are safe each day and has implemented an explorer program for the middle and high school students in the district.  He still finds time to provide service to his community.  He is a member of 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire and recently, he hosted a Searching of Mentors Summit at California State University, San Bernardino.  He volunteers his time with the annual Christmas toy giveaway, safety fairs, and positive tickets program.

The Chino Fire Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the safety and welfare of the public through educational programs, direct assistance, and financial support of charitable organizations, victims of tragic events and injured firefighters.  Their Adopt a Family program makes funds available to families that have suffered personal tragedy such as an un-expected death or a fire-related loss.

Officer Pesquera was in training when early one morning, he and his fellow officer approach a few individuals who appeared to have suspicious behavior.  OfficerPesquera’s quick thinking saved the lives of both men.  Unfortunately, his fellow officer was critically wounded but Officer Pesquera was able to save both lives.  He volunteers in his community at the firing range and his skills enabled him to protect the citizens of San Bernardino.

For more information or for last minute tickets, please visit www.sbbcfoundation.com or call (909) 210-6373.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

You want somebody to pacify you; you want somebody to tell you what you want to hear; you want somebody to agree with you. Well, it’s not going to happen… forget about it! You must know that your ways are not pleasing to the Lord! I want you to know that God has entrusted me with His ministry where there are No Corner-Cuts, No Pacifying, and No Round-About Way; and I take what God has entrusted to me very seriously. I am thankful that He has chosen to trust a wretch like me to tell it. Understand I am not writing to attack any Christians; on the contrary, I am writing to wake you up if you’re sleeping in this dark hour 1Cor 15:34 so if you get offended by truth, that could only mean one thing; you need to examine yourself as the Apostle Paul stated in 2Corinthians 13:5.

Truth is supposed to challenge the status quo and disturb the complacent. Truth is supposed to upset the pretentions of the hypocritical. What a crybaby!  Gird your loins. Be strong in the Lord. Allow me to declare the whole counsel of God letting the chips fall where they may. This is a call that tells the truth and offends the untruthful. It is a call that is sharper than a two-edged sword and just as dangerous. It is one that lays it on the line day after day without regard to what it does to the security as deem by man. The Apostle Paul who “got” this, said, “If I should please men, I would not please God.” Galatians 1:10.  In Psalm 94:16 God asked the question, “Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?” We all have to choose; I choose to please God rather than man. “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” Galatians 4:16 Jesus told you Himself in Matthew 10:34 “Think not that I come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a Sword. For I came to seat a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in-law”… but my bag… I thought you knew that. Even Romans 9:33 refers to Christ as a “stumbling block” and a “Rock of offence.”

I want you to know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has always offended the wicked!  True Biblical love NEVER allows for sinful compromise.  If the truth is offensive to the unsaved wicked world and to backslidden Christians, and you just happen to fall into one of those category… Uh-oh…. Understand that the purpose of gospel teaching is to save those who believe Mark 16:15-16; 1Corinthians 1:21. I tell you we must develop a “love for truth.” It is the Rock that will withstand the forces of Hell and deception. We must be willing to receive gospel teaching without taking offense at it! Matt. 11:6

To Preachers and teachers: God’s directives on preaching the truth… Preach truth regardless of how or whether it is received – 2 Tim. 4:2. Do not be silenced by mockery, threats or consequences – Jer. 20:7-11; Amos 7:11-13; Ezek. 2:5-7.  Know that until Christ returns you are responsible to stand against the evils of our day Psalm 94:16. Yeah the truth will make people angry because truth demands an answer; but the truth will also cause others to come to God in repentance. To Hearers: Meekly receive truth and obey it – James 1:21-22; Acts 2:36, 37-38, 41.

May God grant that the truth spoken in love and received in love heal our hearts, lead us to repentance, free us from bitterness, and unite the body of Christ…. No more lies, no more pretenses. Tell your neighbor the truth. Ephesians 4:15; 22-25… 2Corinthians 4:2

SAN BERNARDINO –More than 500 backpacks were gathered for distribution at Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown’s (D-San Bernardino) 3rd Annual Tools for Success Day on Saturday, August 22, at the Inland Empire Job Corps Center in San Bernardino.

To date, Assemblymember Brown and a number of her local partners have donated over 1,200 backpacks to students in the 47th Assembly District.

“I am proud to host this annual event to ensure that students have what they need for the start of school,” stated Assemblymember Brown. “I was very pleased with this year’s turnout and I want to thank all our donors for their continued support.”

During this year’s program, Assemblymember Brown focused her remarks on the greatest issue affecting student success, chronic absenteeism.

According to the California Department of Education, chronic absenteeism impacts one out of every four children in San Bernardino. Research shows that children who were chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade were significantly behind in reading skills by third grade.

Assemblymember Brown concluded her remarks by announcing that she would join parents and school district leaders in eliminated chronic absenteeism by emphasizing the importance of regular, on-time attendance in school.

“By coming together and working cooperatively, we can accomplish this goal and improve student success,” she said.

Additional program speakers included San Bernardino Mayor Carey Davis; Supervisor Josie Gonzales, 5th District; Deputy Superintendent Harold Vollkommer, San Bernardino City Unified School District; Kit Alvarez, representing the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools; Suzanne Schaeffer, IE Job Corps; and Linda Jackson, NID Housing.

“It was a pleasure to be a part of this OUTSTANDING community event coordinated by Assembly Member Brown,” stated Deputy Superintendent Vollkommer. “The backpacks and other information available at the 3rd Annual Tools for Success event will go a long way toward helping us Make Hope Happen for our students. Additionally, the district wholeheartedly supports Assembly Member Brown’s emphasis on reducing truancy.  We have staff dedicated to this effort.  Several times per year our district office staff and community members participate in Operation Student Recovery.  This program is designed to bring missing students back to school and keep them there via alternative programs and/or academic support.”

Following the backpack distribution, nearly 30 organizations provided educational resources and free health screenings including:  Alinea Medical, Loma Linda University, Vernon Dental, San Bernardino County Library, Center for Employment Training (CET), San Bernardino County Fire, Consulado de Mexico, and Susan G. Komen.

The event also featured free lunch sponsored by Stater Bros and Rio Ranch Market, live music by Coyote Radio, a Pillowcase Project presentation by the American Red Cross, games, face painting, and interactive performances.

“This was a wonderful opportunity to help low-income children with much-needed back to school supplies.  Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) is proud of the tradition of supporting kids to do their best in school.  We are grateful to Kaiser Permanente Fontana and Ontario Medical Center staff for donating to CAPSBC school supplies and 31 back packs valued at $2,700.  Together with another 100 backpacks and supplies from our Food Bank, CAPSBC was able to help the kids who showed up seeking support at Assemblymember Brown’s Tools for Success event,”  stated Patricia L. Nickols-Butler, CEO of CAPSBC.

The Tools for Success Day is held annually in August to benefit children and their families in the 47th Assembly District.

This year’s donors included: Inland Empire Job Corps, Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County, Farmdale Creamery, NID Housing, IEHP, San Bernardino County Library, San Bernardino City Parks, Recreation, & Community Services Department, Rio Ranch Market, Stater Bros., Coyote Radio at Cal State San Bernardino, Consulado de Guatemala, SEIU-ULTCW, San Bernardino County Fire, Alinea Medical, Loma Linda University, Incredible Edible Community Gardens, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, American Red Cross, Devry University, CAPE Consultants, Al-Shifa Clinic, Time Warner Cable, West Valley Water District, San Bernardino Valley Links, Arrowhead United Way, and First 5 San Bernardino.

For more information, contact Ashley Jones at (909) 381-3238.

LOS ANGELES, CA- LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS (LC), a multicultural integrated marketing communications firm, will celebrate 25 years in business on September 1, 2015. Since its opening in 1990, LC’s expertise and services have supported clients in developing culturally relevant and sensitive advertising, marketing and public relations campaigns that target the African American, Hispanic and LGBT Consumer Markets.

LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS was founded by President and CEO Mr. Kim L. Hunter. With more than three decades of experience in communications, Hunter realized there was a need to develop strategies and campaigns targeting multicultural markets. Hunter is also the Chairman and CEO of The LAGRANT Foundation (TLF), a nonprofit that provides scholarships, internships/entry-level jobs, career and professional development workshops, and mentors to African American/Black, Alaska Native/Native American, Asian American/ Pacific Islander and Hispanic/Latino undergraduate and graduate students; and Managing Partner of KLH & Associates, a multicultural executive search firm.

“There are many factors that can attest to the firm’s sustainability, however the overarching theme is the unwavering commitment to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations,” said Hunter. “For the past 25 years, staying client focused has been the underlying thread that positively affects our clients and agency.”

The firm has had the pleasure of representing a variety of clients including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and non-profit. Establishing itself as a pioneer in multicultural marketing, LC has received numerous awards from organizations including PRWeek, SABRE Awards, Hermes Creative Awards, among others.

Since inception, LC has expanded from its foundation of developing award winning campaigns to raise awareness on social marketing and healthcare issues, such as HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, tobacco control and teen pregnancy, to include an overall six industries of focus: healthcare, social marketing, utilities, financial services, automotive and travel and tourism industries.  The Hispanic Practice also now targets the Brazilian Consumer Market and provides in-language Portuguese services. This led to the launch of Afro-Brazilian.com, a website owned by the firm devoted to educating African Americans on the diversity of the Afro-Brazilian culture.

The firm also recently introduced POLISH (Political, Opportunity, Leverage, Integrity, Strategy and Honest), the firm’s public affairs division that promotes and supports women seeking elected office at the local, regional and national levels, with a strong emphasis on women of color. Through POLISH, the firm has coordinated Senator Holly J. Mitchell’s community swearing in ceremony and fifth annual Christmas in July program along with providing support for California State Controller Betty Yee, 26^th State Senatorial candidate Betsy Butler and Carolyn Ramsay, candidate for Los Angeles City Council for District 4.

“LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS has been a key part of my communications efforts over the past 15 years,” said Roger Frizzell, senior vice president and chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation. “We are fortunate to have such great partners for our business.”

To celebrate LC’s milestone, the firm will host a series of cultural and educational events, both internally and externally, with past, current and potential clients and employees. The first event was on Tuesday, September 1, where staff visited Universal Studios Hollywood. Other activities include, but are not limited to, the LC team going on California Resources Corporation’s refinery tour, creating masterpieces at a private Paint Nite, touring USC Pacific Asia Museum and Japanese American National Museum, cruising the Pacific shoreline with Carnival Cruise Line,  attending The Pasadena Playhouse’s ‘Casa Valentina’ and ‘Real Women Have Curves’  productions. For the holidays, the firm will host its annual holiday celebration at entertainment complex L.A. Live, to include a reception and activities. Be sure to follow LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS’ Facebook and Twitter page for the firm’s latest news and upcoming events.

ABOUT LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS? 

LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS (LC) is an award-winning, full-service integrated marketing communications firm that specializes in African American, Hispanic and LGBT consumer markets.  Celebrating 25 years in business, the firm provides culturally relevant and sensitive counsel to corporate, government, and not-for-profit organizations that strive to reach ethnically diverse populations.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, LC offers clients a vast array of communication services, including advertising, marketing and public relations. The firm’s current client roster includes: California African American Museum (CAAM), Carnival Corporation, Covered California, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, L.A. Care Health Plan, Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, The California Wellness Foundation, The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and Verizon.  For more information on LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS, visit www.lagrantcommunications.com.

Shemar Moore and his mother, Marilyn Wilson-Moore, at last week’s Dinner of Champions event.

LOS ANGELES, CA- Shemar Moore, best known for his role as FBI Special Agent Derek Morgan on the hit CBS show, Criminal Minds, was honored at the 40th annual Dinner of Champions, sponsored by and benefiting the National MS Society, Southern California & Nevada Chapter. The gala event took place on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. The event raised funds that support the National MS Society’s vital programs and services to improve the quality of life for people living with MS, as well as cutting-edge research worldwide for better treatments and a cure.

Moore received the award in recognition of his incredible contributions in helping the National MS Society move closer toward a world free of multiple sclerosis. Moore has been a major supporter and ambassador to the National MS Society for ten years through the annual Bike MS: Coastal Challenge cycling event in honor of his mother, Marilyn, who lives with MS. Friends and colleagues from Criminal Minds, including Joe Mantegna, Kristen Vangsness, and Aisha Taylor, turned out to support Moore for this honor. Other celebrities in attendance included Kristoph St. John, Deborah Cox, Sheryl Underwood, and Guillermo Diaz. Actor and comedian Anthony Griffith performed at the dinner and Jillian Escoto, radio personality for Los Angeles-based station MyFM, served as master of ceremonies. Both Anthony and Jillian live with MS.

Shemar Moore’s mother, Marilyn Wilson-Moore was presented with the “Dorothy Corwin Spirit of Life” award for her relentless efforts to bring hope and awareness to people living with MS, like herself. Previous recipients of the Spirit of Life Award include Annette Funicello, Richard Pryor, Alan Osmond, David Lander, Michael Kamen, Teri Garr, and Rep. Henry A. and Janet Waxman. Previous Dinner of Champions honorees have included such distinguished individuals as Jeff Robinov, Sir Howard Stringer, Steven Hilton, Peter Chernin, Joe Roth, Amy Pascal, Jim Gianopulos, Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Tom Rothman, Michael Lynton, Rob Moore, Rob Friedman, Greg Dunn, and most recently Pam Kehaly of Anthem Blue Cross.

The Dinner of Champions makes an enormous contribution in the movement to end multiple sclerosis, not only in raising funds for research, programs and services, but also in raising awareness about MS itself. With the continuing commitment of its supporters the Chapter’s Dinner of Champions in Southern California has become the most successful dinner held by any chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Each year, the dinner honors a philanthropist who has made a significant contribution to the movement to end MS. Because of fundraising events such as the Dinner of Champions, the National MS Society is able to support more MS research and offer more services for people with MS than any other MS organization in the world, including educational and wellness programs, professional counseling and support, financial assistance and more.

REDLANDS, CA- Music Changing Lives, (MCL) is looking for talented young artists to compete in their Performing Arts Showcase on Saturday, October 17 during their annual celebration of “Lights On After-School”.

They are looking forward to receiving submissions from students across the Inland Empire, ages 8 to 24, in the following categories: dance, instrumental, vocal and visual arts.

The focus of the event is to highlight the importance of performing arts in after school programs, as well as in the lives of our youth.  MCL is proud to provide a safe, enriching and creative environment for children to grow and excel.

The performing arts competition is a great opportunity for students to gain recognition for their talents. There will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes in each category. Be as creative as possible and help keep the arts alive in our community!

The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 25.   Event details and registration forms are available upon request to MusicChangingLives@Gmail.com.

Demetra Coulter

This week WHAT IT DO WITH THE LUE is professionalism and Teamwork. I always talk about the Indie artists. I never talk about what goes into making or promoting the Indie Artists. Everyone whether they know it or not, needs a team in order to succeed at anything. This idea of being independent or a one man show is a joke. I mean even Jesus had a team according to the Bible. So, with that being said, I’d like to introduce you to a very special lady, Demetra Coulter, Public Relations Officer for LUE Productions and many more.

Demetra Coulter is a consultant with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Master of Arts in Public Relations, both from California Baptist University in Riverside, California. She is also the creator of “So What Am I Saying?”. She also helps people to develop a message, ranging from public speaking to physical appearances and teaches them how to deliver it to the right audience. From God given talents, education, and years of experience, Demetra has gained the wisdom and knowledge to help others by using common sense approaches. She is on a mission to help change the world by offering everyday advice and solutions for everyday situations.

In addition to the aforementioned accomplishments and attributes, she has worked with organizations including the NAACP Youth and College Division of Riverside California, the Campaign of Donovan Saadiq, Black Penny Press, Lue Productions and a whole host of other individuals. Her articles can be read at http://deecoulter.wix.com/so-what-am-i-saying. Currently, she is in the process of developing a YouTube channel with her 22-year-old daughter DeAnah that focuses on being fashionably frugal among other aspects. Stay tuned!

For your communications and public relations needs, she can be contacted at (951) 809-3848 or deecoulter@gmail.com. Make sure you check my girl out, she’s about that LIFE. L’zzzz!

Street Motivation

By Lou Coleman

ANAHEIM CA- Have you ever attended an event that was great, so great that you keep telling your friends? Well on Saturday, August 29 I attended “The Bank Sale” which was held in Anaheim, California and it was fun and amazing! The fashion show was off the chain and none other than Inland Empire’s own, Miss Krystal Yvonne, represented. Did she own the runway? Oh yes she did! She was all that! Not only did Miss Krystal Yvonne represent, but Street Motivation Magazine and Total Kontrol Organization was in the house. Shout out to Lady Sharon and Mr. Alonzo. I tell you ain’t no party without the Inland Empire! Amazing Experience, Incredibly Engaging! If God says the same, hope to see you there next year!

Model Krystal Yvonne

Vendor