Vice President Joe Biden (Photo Credit Angela Coggs)

By Angela M. Coggs

How often can someone say they attended an event in their own backyard where the current sitting Vice President of the United States was a speaker? Most people can go their entire life without having such an opportunity. But two students from the San Bernardino County Unified School District had the chance to do just that. On Saturday, November 1^st at a “Get out the Vote” Rally at Colton High School, Yonathan Habtemariam (8^th grader- Richardson Prep Middle School) and Jonathan Rodgers (9^th grader- Cajon High School) were two students in a sea of several hundred adults in the Colton High School gymnasium. Both young men attended the event with their respective mothers, both whom are officers of the SBCUSD District African American Advisory Council (DAAAC), whom were also elated to see history up close and personal.

Vice President Biden was on the campaign trail for then candidate Pete Aguilar. Aguilar, the former Mayor of Redlands, went on to win his election bid for the 31^st Congressional District seat held by the retiring Rep. Gary Miller, R-Rancho Cucamonga.  The 31^st district stretches through San Bernardino County from Rancho Cucamonga to Redlands.

Joe Biden arriving to event. (Photo taken by Izaiah Frazier)

During the rally, Biden referred to Aguilar’s childhood and being raised in a working-class family in San Bernardino. He also mentioned how Aguilar paid his way through college with two jobs and federal grants and loans. Biden urged the attendees in the Colton High School gymnasium to “pick a son of America who understands what it’s like to work hard, who understands what it’s like to put a family together, who understands what it means to struggle and get through school, who understands that every single solitary child out there deserves the same chance he had.”

“I never thought I would have an opportunity to see the Vice President in person. I didn’t believe it was really happening until he walked on stage. We were so close,” said Yonathan Habtemariam, who was taking pictures on his phone for proof. “Nobody will believe I was actually here. I can’t believe that I’m in the same breathing space as the Vice President”.  When asked what he remembered most about Biden’s speech he stated, “It was sad to hear how he had to move in with his grandfather and his father had to leave the family for a year just to find work. He also could not get a loan to send him (Biden) to college. Even though he was really good in baseball and football, it wasn’t enough to pay for school. That’s why he (Biden) is in favor of Pell grants. Having a Pell grant helped him get through college and he said everyone deserves an equal chance.” Hearing the speakers talk about the future in regards to making college an equal opportunity reality really resonated with Habtemariam who will be a high school freshman next year. “Anyone who wants to go to college should have the opportunity. I look forward to going to college, like my sister, in a few years.”

Yonathan Habtemariam, Angela Coggs, Jonathan Rodgers, and Gwen Rodgers

For the self-declared future civil rights attorney Jonathan Rodgers, having an opportunity to see Vice President Biden at this time in his life made him think about what more lies ahead. Rodgers was equally impressed with and motivated by what was said during the rally.  He had the chance to hear firsthand what the Aguilar political platform was and how Aguilar plans on achieving it.  “It was a once in a lifetime experience. Knowing that I’m 15 years old, and I got to be in the same room as the Vice President. I think waiting in the rain was worth it for the reward.” Rodgers is planning ahead because he knows that college is in his future. “I’m grateful to have that moment at such a young age.”

Another student on the scene was 10 year old Izaiah Frazier. He was given a “special assignment” from his grandmother, Cynthia Frazier, to figure out where to position himself to get pictures of Biden’s motorcade. After strategically studying his environment, he decided to stand on the corner of Valley Blvd and Rancho Avenue across from the 10 freeway exit ramp. Although he did not know what direction the Vice President was travelling to the event, he believed that the corner he stood on would allow him an opportunity to get a good picture. Frazier was baffled and bewildered that local residents had no idea that the Vice President of the United States was due to arrive in their neighborhood. “It was awesome to see the Vice President and his motorcade. It is something that I will remember when I grow up,” Frazier said. Frazier was correct about is location. Minutes later after an initial police escort, the official motorcade exited the freeway and Frazier was able to take a few good pictures as he waved at the limo in hopes that Biden would see him. Even at such a young age, he knows the importance of voting and that he had a rare opportunity to see a Vice President in his community.

A valuable lesson these three young boys learned is the importance of getting involved in community events no matter what one’s age is. Another lesson they learned is that it is important to allow one’s voice to be heard at the ballot box.  Although the opportunity to attend the rally was not available to many young students, the message conveyed clearly resonated with these three.

Makeda Francisco

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Time for Change Foundation will hold its annual Taking Time to Give Thanks Concert to benefit Homeless Women and Children on Sunday, November 23 at the Community Hospital San Bernardino- Henderson Auditorium located at 1805 Medical Center Drive in San Bernardino. Featured artists include Makeda Francisco, lead vocalist of Rose Royce and the Time for Change Foundation National Spokesperson. There will be a meet and greet and gift drop off from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The community prayer and benefit concert will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $5 or a gift for women and children that can rnge from coats, socks, bus passes, and gift cards.

Winter months tend to have a chilling effect on mothers who are unable to provide warm coats and socks for their children.  Oftentimes, it’s these items that most of us take for granted that can be the spark of hope for children as they walk to school with the precious gift of being warm.          Additionally, gift cards to places such as Target and Walmart enable homeless women to purchase items necessary to reclaiming their role as a nurturing and caring parent.  All financial contributions assist Time for Change Foundation in providing our shelter services, transportation, childcare and educational supplies, among other things.

For more information please visit www.Timeforchangefoundation.org or call (909) 886-2994

San Bernardino County School Board District Members and Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown gather for a group shot during the Grad Summit ceremony on Saturday, November 15. (Photo credit: Angela M. Coggs)

By Angela M. Coggs

On Saturday, November 15^th, Grad Summit 2014 was held at California State University, San Bernardino from 8:30am to 3:00pm. The event was organized by a coalition of local, state and national organizations that joined forces to make college and career readiness a core educational priority in San Bernardino.

The summit convened in partnership with America’s Promise Alliance and National GradNation Campaign and the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) and CSUSB, among other groups, which was attended by parents, students, and community officials.

The primary goal of the National GradNation Campaign is to achieve a 90% graduation rate nationwide by 2020 with no high school graduating less than 80 percent of its students.

The summits goal is to build on dropout prevention efforts by elevating San Bernardino County-Wide efforts to link classroom innovation with career development to improve graduation rates and college/career readiness. The day-long summit featured inspirational speakers and dynamic workshop sessions that demonstrated rigorous academics emphasizing real-world application critical for college and career.

Dina Walker (Photo Credit:: Angela M. Coggs)

Officials in attendance included SBCUSD Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden, SBCUSD Communications Director Linda Bardere, Superintendent Elect SBCS Ted Alejandre, CSUSB President Dr. Tomas D. Morales, SBCUSD Board President Mike Gallo, SBCUSD Board Member Abigail Medina, and Executive Director Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE) Rev. Samuel Casey.

Two SBCUSD students helped to kick off the morning with encouraging and inspirational words. Raihanah Medlock, Grand Terrace High School sophomore, recited an uplifting spoken word and Alexander Mattison, San Bernardino High School senior, also represented the student voice and challenged students to graduate from high school and to sign the pledge banner. His speech reverberated with the audience.

Dina Walker, newly elected member of the Rialto School Board and President/CEO of BLU Educational Foundation, was the moderator for the event.

“I thought the Summit was excellent. We had great buy-in from many community leaders, educational leaders, as well, parents and students. The connection for career and college was definitely evident. The feedback I received from some of the students was that they were very interested in everything especially about the entrepreneurship. It gave them ways to connect what they want to do and make money out of it. Even if they did not go onto college how they would be viable,” said Walker.

The keynote speakers, Eric Schmidt, Co-Founder of Exquadrum Inc. and Garner Holt, Garner Holt Productions, Inc. addressed the attendees with their inspirational stories of how their passion was realized at a young age and how they made a living from something the loved. Their message really resonated with the students, as well as the parents, in the audience. Walker agreed, “One of the things they (students) got out of the speakers today was taking their personal interest, even as a young person, and making into a business opportunity.”

Rev. Sam Casey with members of the SB County Sheriff Department (Photo Credit: Angela M. Coggs)

In addition to the speakers and the many valuable workshops, including Building Ideas for Teen Entrepreneurs, Career Pathway Success in Public Safety Academy, College Knowledge 101, and Building Ninjas Robots, there were vendors on hand with information and giveaways. Edison International representative, Wendell Jones, attended the summit to promote their 2015 Edison Scholars Program and was very impressed with the day-long event. “The Summit was amazing. It had a lot of valuable information for the students and the parents here. It was a great informational session and I look forward to being a part of it again next year.” Jones spoke to many students and parents about the scholarship opportunity from Edison in hopes to motivate them to apply for the program. “Edison is offering thirty (30) $40,000 scholarships to high school seniors looking to go into a four year university in an S.T.E.M (Science Technology Engineering and Math) program. They must live or go to school in an Edison region, have a 2.8 grade point average. The application pool was low last year and this is why I am out here and going to other events and schools and letting students know about this opportunity.”

Performances from local schools Richardson PREP Jazz Band, San Gorgonio High School Dance Group, and Arroyo Valley High School Dance Company in the afternoon were a real crowd pleaser. All the students put on a flawless routine and received standing ovations.

Brianna Robertson, 9^th grader from Cajon High School, was empowered after the Summit. “I was really surprised how much of a good time I had. I learned a few new things that will better prepare me for college. Plus, I had friends there and we will remind each other of what we learned and to stay on track. The school band, BSU dancers, lunch and raffle prizes made the day even better.” Robertson attended the event with her mother who was also a vendor. Devona Robertson is an engage mother of three, community leader, District African American Advisory Council (DAAAC) Officer and Vice President of Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation (YWE), signed the San Bernardino 2014 GradSummit Call to Action Pledge banner after accepting the challenge given to the educational leaders, parents/caregivers and students during the opening welcome and remarks.

As a growing movement of dedicated individuals, organizations and communities working together to end America’s dropout crisis, this day-long summit to help ensure that all students graduate from high school prepared for college and a career was a success.

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines^®–Heart Failure Gold-Plus Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation guidelines for heart failure patients.

This marks the sixth consecutive year that Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center has been recognized with a heart failure quality achievement award.

Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure is a quality improvement program that helps hospital teams provide the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing hospital readmissions for heart failure patients.

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include proper use of heart failure medications, including beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, aldosterone antagonists, and diuretics while patients are in the hospital. Before patients are discharged, they also receive education on managing their heart failure and overall health, as well as referrals for early follow-up.

“Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our heart failure patients, and implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure program helps us to accomplish this goal by tracking and measuring our success in meeting internationally-respected guidelines,” said Gregg C. Fonarow, M.D., director of the Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center and co-chief of clinical cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

“We are pleased to recognize Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for their commitment to heart failure care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, M.D., M.P.H., national chairman of the Get With The Guidelines steering committee and Executive Director of Interventional Cardiovascular Programs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. “Studies have shown that hospitals that consistently follow Get With The Guidelines quality improvement measures can reduce patients’ length of stays and 30-day readmission rates and also reduce disparity gaps in care.”

According to the American Heart Association, about 5.1 million people suffer from heart failure.  Each year, 825,000 new cases are diagnosed and more than 275,000 people will die of heart failure. However, many heart failure patients can lead a full life when their condition is managed with proper medications and devices and with healthy lifestyle changes.

About the UCLA Health System

The UCLA Health System has for more than half a century provided the best in health care and the latest in medical technology to the people of Los Angeles and the world. Comprising Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center; UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica; the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA; Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA; and the UCLA Medical Group, UCLA Health, with its wide-reaching system of primary care and specialty care offices throughout the region, is among the most comprehensive and advanced health care systems in the world. For information about clinical programs or help in choosing a personal physician, call 800-UCLA-MD1 or visit www.uclahealth.org.

About Get With The Guidelines

Get With The Guidelines^® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 4 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org/quality or heart.org/myhealthcare.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

To put it bluntly, there is a lot of Phony Christianity out there. There are those who are deceived and who are deceiving others. There are those trusting more in rituals and church membership than a relationship with Jesus Christ. There are those claiming to speak for God and using their “ministries” to line their pockets with money from gullible people. Not only did the apostle Paul had to confront people who did dumb things in the name of the Christian faith, but God tells us that He doesn’t like it when people do not do the very thing that He has commanded. Exactly! Not only does He “not like it,” He hates it! He hates it when people fake it.  He hates it when people attempt to serve him with self-effort. He hates guile and duplicity. He hates it when people have the audacity to think that they can fool Him! We may be able to fool men – even ourselves- of our bogus piety and sincerity, but are we really so arrogant to think that we can fool God? You know Jesus warned about bogus Christianity many times? In Matthew 7:15 He said, “Watch out for false prophets.” He wasn’t speaking about false prophets in the world but about false ministers in the church. False prophets are ministers who preach a gospel of deception and lies. As agents of Satan, they speak lies and contradict the Word of God at every turn. They are dangerous, like ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing.  In Jeremiah 6:14, God says, “They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. “Peace, peace,” they say, when there is no peace.” False prophets never speak about man’s sin, the wrath of God, or the coming judgment. Their mission is to put Band-Aids on people serious wounds, covering them up rather than dealing with them. Instead of preaching about sin, judgment, hell, the wrath of God, repentance, or saving faith, or saying the cross is necessary for salvation, they say God loves and save all people. But as Jeremiah asked, “To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? I tell you the dogs have been turned loose on folks trying to live for God like never before. Satan and his minions hate believers, and they strive to trip us up, tempting us and trying to lure us into sin and impair our effectiveness in God’s Kingdom. But thank God we were not created ignorant of what sin is and what it would do, (Gen 2:16-17; Romans 4:15; 5:13)

 Listen; regardless of whether you realize it, Satan has targeted you as a victim. He knows your name and address, your strengths and weaknesses. Somewhere in the shadows, he and his forces lurk, even in churches, waiting, planning for the moment they will strike when you’re caught off-guard. He desperately hopes that you will, as many Christians remain ignorant of his reality. But as Jesus said, “whatsoever causes you to forget yourself, even if it is your right eye… then take it out and throw it away.” He is not saying anything that has to be taken literally; it is a metaphor. He is saying that it is better to be blind than to be forgetful of yourself because the blind man who remembers himself is not blind, he has the real eye. But if a man who has eyes forgets himself, what is the use of having eyes? He cannot see even himself; what else can he see? Either we need to hit our knees and pray for spiritual reality in us or assume God has given someone else a message. But I, for the sake of the ‘form of things’ or human convention or pride, WILL NOT FAKE IT! “Who Let The Dogs Out?”  Because most of those who claim to represent Jesus actually don’t. Moreover, as time goes on, even more pretenders will arise, however sincere they may be. Jesus said, I have told you beforehand” (Matt.24 25).  So wake-up and smell the coffee! The truth will set you free!

Even though some of what I’ve said may sound critical.  It may sound harsh, even sarcastic.  There are times when truth sounds that way and I make NO APOLOGY.  In Matthew 23 Jesus is speaking out against the religious rulers of His day. His tone was angry.  He was both confrontive and critical.  He even used biting sarcasm several times to make His point and illustrate how far these men had departed from God’s righteousness and truth.  But His heart was pure.  His love and compassion for them was evident.  I’m not Jesus, and I can’t say my heart is pure, even though I’d like it to be.  But, I can identify with Jesus in this one thing: when I see the religious deception perpetrated on people, I grieve.

Some time ago the Lord took me to Jeremiah 5 and showed me that this passage doesn’t just describe the condition of Israel in Jeremiah’s day; it also describes the condition of churches today.  This is what it says:  “And should I not punish them for this rebellion? Declares the Lord! Should I not avenge Myself on a nation such as this?  A horrible and amazing thing has happened in the land: the prophets are liars, telling the people only what they want to hear; the leaders deceive my people, using a false authority that I have not given them; and worst of all, the people want it this way.  But what will they do when the end comes, and they are still bound up in all this deception?”  (Jeremiah 5:29-31) 

Herein lies my greatest fear: that most people in the Church are happy with the way things are and will not be interested in anything that opposes the truth as they see it.    But all I can say is that I’m confident of the message God has given me, and I know the Word of God can take care of itself. Since most of what God has given me represents a serious departure from conventional wisdom, I can only quote Paul:  “Remember what Isaiah said, God will turn conventional wisdom upside down.  The time will come when the so-called religion experts will be the ones who look foolish.  So where does that leave the one who thinks he’s wise, or the well educated, or the one who understands the ways of the world?  Isn’t God going to expose all this pretentious nonsense?  The world never had a clue when it came to knowing and understanding God.  That’s why He uses the things that the world thinks are foolish or just plain wrong, even unpleasant, to guide those who trust in Him on their way to salvation.”  (I Corinthians 1:19-21)  

I pray that we will examine our Christianity and see whether it is simply empty profession or whether we embrace the kingdom of God and its law. Think it through. Foolishness will never help us, because, according to the Bible, foolishness is rejection of God as King, rejection of His law, rejection of His plan, and rejection of His way. “Who Let The Dogs Out? Woof, Woof!”

By Naomi K. Bonman 

In the world of sports becoming the greatest is more than just being good at a particular sport. Being great goes beyond the skill set that one has and goes deeper within the athlete’s personality traits. Baltimore native and Trea Day Management and Publicity client, Rock Blackwell, is one of those greats. He demonstrates prominence not only in the ring, but within the community.  He is able to remain humble and above all determined when it comes to reaching any goal that he has set. In a recent interview with the boxing champ, he discussed his inspiration for boxing at an early age, his experience in being trained by boxing legends, and his upcoming fight in Minnesota in December where he will defend his WBU America Title.

Photo Credit: Mike Jon Photography

Since the age of seven, Rock Blackwell knew that he wanted to be a boxing champion. Once he realized that he never gave up on that goal and set out to accomplish it. “I was determined to get it done,” he states. “It was one of those things that I couldn’t walk away from or else my life would feel meaningless if I didn’t pursue it. I kept the faith and stay determined.”

And that determination led him to a few great accomplishments before he went professional. He earned an incredible 156-28 record including becoming the winner of the South Atlantic Championship.

“It was exciting!” Blackwell explained. “It was more so confirmation that I could do this because [at times we’re always questioning ourselves of whether or not we can do something]. Winning that championship motivated me to do more, keep pushing, and work harder.”

Hard work and persistence is what continued to push the rising champ to new heights. As a professional boxer, he joined the International Boxing League (IBL) where he outclassed all challengers on his way to a 15-0 record. By him excelling within the IBL, he was rewarded be being able to travel and box overseas. Although nervous at first, by him being an American boxing in different countries, he quickly adapted after experiencing the support and love shown to him. Blackwell’s favorite place that he has traveled to was Scotland.

“When I went to Scotland that was awesome,” he said. “They showed me a lot of love. Everyone embraced me and made me feel like a Scottish man. It was a very great experience.”

In addition to the countless voyages that the Baltimore native was able to endure, he was also granted the special opportunity to hone his fighting skills while in the IBL from training legends Roger Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather Sr., and Freddy Roach. Each of these individuals taught Blackwell something different. Freddy Roach, who is an offensive coach, taught Blackwell how to sharpen his skills in the ring offensively. On the defensive end, the Mayweather’s showed him how to become better defensively where he worked on his footwork, head movements, and other defensive moves.

“Just to be able to sit and learn boxing from them was amazing!” Blackwell said.

From his numerous accomplishments, trips around the world, and lessons from the legends, Blackwell stated that those things alone does not make him a great. Yes they may make him a good boxer, but he states that, “Personally, I think that being great is what you do for others. It is being a servant to the community.”

Photo Credit: Mike Jon Photography

During his time away from the ring, Blackwell loves going out in the community and reaching out and feeding the hungry. He recently joined the #HTLB (Hashtag Lunch Bag) movement where he is part of a community of people that pack and distribute 1,000 lunches to the homeless community. While he does his civic duties in the city, he offers nourishment to the body and mind while interacting with the less fortunate. His humble rise to super stardom keeps him forever grounded and devoted to helping others out.

Next up for the rising champ is prepping for a big fight in Minnesota on December 10 where he will defend his WBU America Title. He will be going up against JJ Flint.

While he is preparing for his upcoming fight, he has his iPod loaded with his favorite music to motivate him as he is training to before the big day.

“I’m a music junkie,” he states. “I listen to a mixture of everything from Hip Hop to R&B. My favorite artist is Drake. I think he is amazing and I can relate to his music. But overall, I just love music.”

Blackwell would love to leave everyone with a few words of encouragement and motivation which is:

“If you want to accomplish something stick with it. If you really focus on it during both the good and bad times and give it your all, you will be victorious and accomplish it. A lot of people get discouraged on the road to success because of certain things that tend to hinder them on the way, but if you just hang in there and don’t give up you will get it done.”

He continues, “You are powerful beyond measure. Whatever your most dominant thought is, is what you will become.”

To keep up with Rock Blackwell, follow him on Instagram @RockBlackwell. For more information or to book Blackwell, please contact Trea Davenport with Trea Day PR at treadaypr@gmail.com or by calling (678) 327-8281.

Choir Director, Ayanna Smith (front, center), poses with the Park Avenue Baptist Church A.M. Simpson and Youth Choir during the Children’s Music Workshop in 2013.

RIVERSIDE, CA- Park Avenue Baptist Church presents it’s “1^st KIDZ Music Camp- Courageous, Contagious Praise!” This extraordinary camp will be held on Saturday, November 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church which is located at 1910 Martin Luther King Blvd, in Riverside.

There will be offering workshops from highly skilled Christian musicians, dance instructors and voice coaches, and Marvina “Cooky” Levy will be making a special visit for the event.

Your children will be learning about basic music theory, liturgical dance, voice as well as how to play various musical instruments.  There will also be a bible class, arts and crafts and games.  This camp will give memories to the kids that will last a lifetime.  It plants seeds and inspires kids to use their music gift for God.  They get hands on experience on the instruments and are able to hear firsthand testimonies from Christian musicians. This will be a unique experience for the children to fellowship, learn and enjoy each other in a Christian environment.

They will culminate the camp with the Courageous, Contagious Praise Concert on Sunday, November 30 at 4 p.m.

“We are excited about what God has in store for this event! We pray that you will come and share in this awesome experience with us,” Ayanna Smith, choir director, said.

In addition to the festivities at Park Avenue, the church will also be celebrating their 99^th Anniversary on Sunday, November 16 at 3 p.m. The festivities for this year’s anniversary will be a lead up to the big centennial celebration which will be held in November 2015. Guests are welcome to bring their family and friends to both the afternoon service and morning service which starts at 10:45 a.m.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Eta Nu Omega Chapter 2014/2015 Debutante Candidates

ONTARIO, CA- On Sunday, November 9, the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Eta Nu Omega Chapter, Annette Weathington (President with The Inland Ivy Foundation), and Joyce Ballard held the “Timeless Elegance Through Timeless Pearlfection Fashion Show and Schloarship Benefit.” The event was held at the newly renovated Radisson Ontario Airport Hotel.

According to Ms. Twillea Evans-Carthen, Co-Chairman of the event, “This was not your typical fashion show! Ms. Kaylin Hart, Chairman along with her mother Ms. Tiena Johnson-Hall, Co-Chairman along with the fashion show committee ensured guests were welcomed with sweets from “Sweet T’s Equisite Candy and Dessert Buffet,” hors d’ oeuvres, door prizes and vendors to enjoy pre-holiday shopping before and after the fashion show presentation by Onlave Signature Productions and Franzine Beauty Management.”

The sorority’s 2014/2015 debutante candidates were on site to lend a helping hand along with students from Emerging Young Leaders (EYL) from Heritage Intermediate School.  Miss Charlisa Kelly, EYL student graced the audience with a musical selection prior to the fashion show. Also, special recognition was presented to the local chapters of The National Council of Negro Women, Option House, Incorporated, The Boys and Girls Club and United Negro College Fund.

Shown left to right are Chancellor Bruce Baron, President of the SBCCD Board of Trustees Donna Ferracone, 45 year employee of SBVC, Angelita Gideon, Dr. Gloria Fisher, interim president of SBVC and Dr. Cheryl Marshall, president of Crafton Hills College.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino Community College District employs more than 1,200 full and part-time employees on multiple sites stretched from the mountains outside Yucaipa to downtown San Bernardino. Last week, they came together to recognize 409 employees who each had worked for the District from 5 to 45 years – a collective total of more than 4,900 years of service to the students of the Inland Empire.

The District recognized 18 employees who have served the District from 30 to 45 years each and 25 who have been with the District for 25 years. Angelita Gideon, recipient of the 45 year award, is a supervisor in the San Bernardino Valley College library who came to the campus as a student, fell in love with the school, and stayed on. She said, “Every day is a wonderful day in the library. I love what I do and the people I work with and the students we serve.”

The San Bernardino Community College District is experiencing significant growth, with enrollment having jumped over 10 percent in the past year. The Board of Trustees for the District voted to fund an increased number of sections above the funding the District receives from the State of California to help meet the demand. They anticipate serving more students than ever before in the next few years.

Washington, DC – Long before the final results of the Midterm Elections were reported on Tuesday night, a team of esteemed women from Black Women’s Roundtable, students from Howard University, and young professionals from Black Youth Vote and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, had determined that Black voter participation surpassed expectations and outnumbered turnout in 2010. The intergenerational team at the eighth biennial National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) Ronald Walters Election Day National Command Center (NCBCP RWCC) communicated with on-the-ground field operations in twelve states  to monitor problems at the polls,  disseminate important information via social media, and analyze voter turnout and election results.

“This is the first time the Command Center was held on a historically Black college campus, but not the last. The Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center (RWLPPC) is the perfect partner to co-host the Election Day Command Center,” said Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO, NCBCP and convener Black Women’s Roundtable. “Nearly fifty young people volunteered throughout the day. It was refreshing to see the young people pair up with seasoned experts sharing knowledge and telling our own story. The NCBCP looks forward to expanding its partnership with RWLPPC to provide civic leadership, engagement and non-partisan campaign management training opportunities for Black women, students and community organizers on a year-round basis.”

Elsie Scott, PhD, founding director Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center at Howard University and co-host of the NCBCP RWCC adds, “We were honored to host the Command Center and look forward to compiling the data to produce a detailed report of what happened on the ground. Dr. Walters would be proud to see the effort that the Howard University Student Association put into making this a resounding success.”  An internationally recognized political scientist, professor and scholar, the late Ronald W. Walters was on a founding board member of the NCBCP and an early framer of their voter empowerment campaign and Election Day Command Center.

The get-out-the-vote operations in the states were conducted by affiliates of the NCBCP’s Black Women’s Roundtable & Black Youth Vote; A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), and the National African American Clergy Network. Here are some of the highlights from the ground reported to the Command Center:

• Field organizers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina reported higher than expected early voting in counties with large African American registered voters.
• Clerks in Alabama rejected 300 out of 1500 absentee ballots for not enough postage.
• The website of the Georgia Secretary of State had an outage so voters could not find out where to vote and some polling locations listed on the website were incorrect.
• In 25 Virginia Beach precincts, 34 out of 820 voting machines were out of service.
• In Georgia and North Carolina, there were reports of untrained poll workers denying voters the right to cast a ballot when a name did not appear on the electronic registration lists.  In some cases, poll workers did not offer a provisional ballot or check the paper voters’ rolls. For example, in Wake County,  North Carolina poll workers turned away 247 voters.

Clayola Brown, president,APRI,stated, “Our field coordinators from North Carolina to California, were able to tell us first-hand what problems they were experiencing so they could be addressed immediately. Their anecdotal accounts on the ground validated that Black women were showing up in phenomenal numbers. We know Black women vote to improve conditions for families and the community, that’s why we saw state ballot initiatives for minimum wage and paid sick days passed.”

“The African American faith community has been a vital part of every major advancement of Black people in our nation,” said Rev. Barbara Williams-Skinner, Ph.D., co-chair, National African American Clergy Network.  The Black faith community worked in coalition with community groups and produced a larger than expected Black voter turnout.”

“Black Youth Vote coordinators on the HBCU campuses reported that Black youth showed up at the polls enduring historical barriers even in 2014,” comments Lisa Fager, senior advisor, Black Youth Vote.  “As we move forward we must continue to fight for our right to vote for quality candidates that stand for improving our communities and daily lives.  Working with young people from Black Youth Vote, HUSA and RWLPPC gives me the confidence that the next generation of leaders willunderstand their history and the importance of protecting their vote.”

Other national partners and women leaders facilitating the Command Center included: Waikinya Clanton, National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women; Holli L. Holliday, Esq.,  Holliday Advisors;  Rene Redwood, Redwood Enterprise, LLC; Leslie Baskerville, NAFEO; Joycelyn Tate, Esq.,  Black Women’s Roundtable; Enid Doggett, INSPR Media; Muriel Cooper, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation; Lisa Paris, Pew Charitable Trust; Jan Temple, APRI; Carol Joyner, Black Women’s Roundtable; Michelle Mitchell-DuBois, Values Partnership and Avis Jones-DeWeever, PhD, Incite Unlimited. For more information on the RWCC visit www.ncbcp.org.

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Founded in 1976, the NCBCP is a   non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to increasing civic engagement and voter participation in Black and underserved communities. The women’s initiative, BWR stays at the forefront of championing just and equitable public policy on behalf of Black women and girls.  Established in 1996 to address the chronic decline in Black youth voter participation, Black Youth Vote! has served as one of the leading youth-led movements focused on training the next generation of civic leaders and organizers, and increasing Black youth voter participation and engagement.

The RWLPPC was established by Howard University to serve as a focal point for research, publications, service, policy discussions and leadership development activities in areas involving the engagement of African Americans in the U.S. political process and in U.S. national and foreign policy. The Center is an interdisciplinary center that will preserve the legacy of Dr. Ronald Walters, a scholar-activist who conducted research, served as a mentor to students and political leaders, provided strategic direction and thinking in the political and civic arenas, was a prolific writer and served as a political commentator.