The Victor Valley branch (1082) of the NAACP held a press conference to voice concern over the death of Dante Parker, who succumbed while in police custody.  The details of his death while in police custody are sketchy with apparent lapses that are both troubling and cause for concern.

The conference was opened by Southwest Area Director of the NAACP, Ron Hasson, he shared the why, and the organization’s concern for the rash of deaths of African American males by law enforcement.

The second speaker was president of the local branch, Samuel Carl, who built on the statement by Mr. Hasson, calling for transparency, accountability, and the use of body cameras for all deputies in the field.

Cameron Sehat, an attorney representing the family stated what his office hopes to accomplish, and the possibility of a lawsuit against the department.

Mrs. Bianca Parker, the surviving spouse of Dante, his mother Deltra McCoy, two of their five children, twin daughters scheduled to graduate from Silverado High School in 2015, and other family members were present.  Mrs. Parker read the birthday card she had purchased for her husband’s birthday, he was killed on August 12, and his 37^th birthday was August 14,  She shared the trauma of not knowing what had happened, that fateful Tuesday evening that will always be etched in her memory.  They delayed dinner, waiting for his return, his dad and brother were visiting to celebrate his birthday.  The incident with police apparently occurred around 4pm, but Mrs. Parker was not notified, she started calling hospitals around 11pm, and that led to her receiving the news around 1am that her husband would not be returning to the family he adored, nor to his job at the Daily Press Newspaper.

There was not a dry eye, even among seasoned journalists, who have seen it all… as she shared the heartbreak, the anger, the pain, etc.

A.Majadi, 1^st vice president of the San Bernardino branch of the NAACP also spoke at the conference, and Ms, Deltra McCoy, his mother.

Media outlets represented were: KNBC News; CBS/LA; Channel 7 eyewitness News, the San Bernardino Sun, The Precinct Reporter and the Daily Press.  Other media outlets gathering information about the conference included The American Newspaper, and Westside Story Newspaper.

The Victor Valley branch of the NAACP is appreciative for those outlets for embracing the cause of human rights by their mere appearance.

Atlanta protests held Monday, August 18 in front of the CNN Center

By Naomi K. Bonman

L.A. Protest Photo Credit: Joe Satran (The Huffington Post)

Throughout the previous years we have heard about history repeating itself, and 50 years later after the Civil Rights Movement to this present day, we see are seeing what we dreaded would happen. History has been repeating itself for the past few years now, but on Saturday, August 10, after 18-year-old Michael Brown was gunned down in Ferguson, MO, outside of St. Louis, the issue of police brutality among African-Americans have sparked up the Nation causing multiple protests across the Country among both the young, seasoned and celebrity crowd.

In the immediate days after Brown was murdered the world seen yet another brutal shooting by the Los Angeles Police Department on Sunday, August 11, when 25-year-old Ezell Ford was shot and skilled by two officers while walking down the street near his home. According to the Huffington Post, by 2:30 p.m. several protesters had gathered in front of the LAPD headquarters. Protesters varied in age, race, ethnicity and creed. Some even came as far as San Bernardino, such as Sandra Nunez, who was there with her young daughter.

“I not only fear gang members killing my son, I fear the police killing my son. I feel helpless because I don’t know who will protect him from them”, she stated.

Another local L.A. resident, David Bryant, who is a former member of the Nation of Islam, stated that he has been arrested while protesting in exactly the same place in 1992, after the trial for officers who has beaten Rodney King.

“That was over 20 years ago, and here we go again. It’s déjà vu, but what else can you except when you have prostitutes and cowards as politicians”, he said.

Let us rewind back to July 17 in New York, before Brown was killed. Eric Garner, 43, who was an asthmatic father of six, was confronted by NYPD officers for allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes. When he resisted being cuffed, an officer appeared to put him in a chokehold, a tactic banned by the department since 1993.Garner was unable to breathe and unfortunately succumbed. The

Actress, singer, and business owner Tiffany Evans, joined protests for change in Atlanta

city medical examiner later ruled Garner’s death a homicide, stating that neck compression from the chokehold killed him; however, officers involved in the arrest may not face charges if the homicide is found to be justifiable. Staten Island district attorney Daniel Donovan is investing the case.

Then on August 5 in Beavercreek, Ohio, two police officers responded to a 911 call about a man waving a gun at customers inside a Walmart store. According to the Beavercreek police department, John Crawford, 22, disregarded officers’ orders to disarm before being fatally shot in the chest. It later was reported that Crawford’s gun was a .177 calibre BB rifle that he had picked up from the store shelf.

On August 12, Dante Parker. 36, of Victorville, California who was a pressman at the Daily Press was tased by police after a Victorville resident told police a robbery suspect had fled on a bicycle. The police detained Parker, who by the way had no criminal background (other than a DUI), after a scuffle ensued which led to him being tased. He later died at a local hospital. The police assumed he was the suspect because he was found on a bicycle.

Who knows how long these protests will go on before justice is served and change is done. In the midst of these occurrences I read a statement from a young lady on Facebook, I do not remember her name, but she stated that “People react certain ways to prior fears”. She used an analogy of her being beat by a blue belt and as she gets older she still fears that blue belt every time she sees it because she

Atlanta protest. August 18, 2014

connects it to that incident of when she was beaten by it. So, the same goes for the police. Some may have a fear that could have been passed by to them by their ancestors, so instead of talking things out to come to a solution they automatically assume and react. Other law enforcement who do not have this fear, could just be a “dirty cop” instilled with evil and hate.

Hopefully at the end when all is said and done, we not only get the change that we need, but that Blacks start coming together as a people, as a force, because that is the only way we will get the deserved change that Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and a countless number of others fought for 50 years ago. Right now they would all be turning in their graves to see how we have separated as a people and how our race has fallen. We don’t support each other in our business efforts as we should, we do not own hardly any big corporations, and the list goes on.

While you are out there protesting, keep in mind that as African-Americans/Blacks we need to continue to come together in unity. I would love to see a multitude of Black owned businesses emerging within the next years to come, and I would like to see us keep those businesses in our communities and for them not to be sold off to “white companies and investors”.

The Black community has the highest buying power, so if we take that power and put it back into our own communities, just imagine how much we would thrive as a community and what the future would like for our youth that will soon be taking over. Let’s be an example and stand up for what’s ours. Let’s take back our communities in a positive way.

I would love to hear your feedback, please tweet me at @NaomiKBonman on Twitter, or email me atnaomibonman@gmail.com.

Publisher’s Commentary by Wallace J. Allen

Another Black man killed by police. At the time of this writing, the dead Black man I am talking about has possibly or probably been joined by another. At first thought I felt that I should honor the dead by naming them; however, my long-term thought is that by naming them I am trivializing the overriding long-term issue that Black men are a police target in America regardless of their name rank or serial number.  The only group that kills more Black men than police is, of course, Black men.

The obvious question is, why Black people get mad enough to riot in the streets when police kill a Black man, yet, though angered by Black-on-Black killing, there is not the display of anger and frustration that occurs with a police shooting.

For those who really are possessed by that question, let me give you the obvious answer.  Police shootings reflect the final attitude of a society that displays its fear and distain for Black males at first social sight. From Pre-school, Black males are disproportionately identified as troublemakers and treated that way regardless of name, rank and serial number. That is documented in the number of school detentions and discipline referrals handed to Black boys. The disproportionate unemployment and incarceration rates for Black males reflect the penalty for the Black male that refuses to “play ball” in the “change the rules anytime” game that marginal Black Males are restricted to.

We Blacks know that many of our young gangsters are a result of customs and laws that push Black families apart. Laws that remove the parental power of discipline that ultimately marginalize and compromise the value of young black lives. So, we understand and are thoroughly pained by Black on Black crime, and in general attribute it to self-hate generated by America’s long-term love-affair with racism. Thus, the shootings done by the police are the “final straw” acts that activate the “time to raise hell button” in Black Communities.

I, like many of you, look forward to when we who promote good over evil are able to provide enough protection and access to resources, opportunity and guidance for our children to truly empower them to excellence despite racism.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- SHAD Club #62, a male group associated with Gamma Omega Chapter of Eta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., has received the “Club of the Year” by the National Council of SHADS.  It is the third consecutive year the club has received this prestigious award.  SHADS are the husbands of active sorority members in Eta Phi Beta. The club was given this award for its work with young males in the community.  The goal of the club is “to be positive role models to young men in our area.”

One of the key programs the club sponsors is an Annual Oratorical/Essay Contest.  The goal of the contest is to help young men hone their skills in research, organization and presentation skills.  Contestants of the contest receive cash prizes totaling more than $1,000  per year.   The club has been sponsoring this contest since 2007.

The National Council of SHADS also recognized Tom Jones as its “Man of the Year.”  Mr. Jones is an original member of SHAD Club #62, and serves the local chapter as chaplain.  Tom was recognized for his work in the church, community and the club.  He serves as a deacon in New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and is active in many local clubs and associations.  One of his passions is his work with the prison ministry of his church.

Dr. D. Marie Battles regional director of Eta Phi Beta Sorority and Bettie Bell president of Gamma Omega Chapter were on hand to congratulate the club and Mr. Jones for their accomplishments.

Nia Campbell

RIVERSIDE, CA- The Riverside Branch National Association for the Advancement of colored people (NAACP) competed at the NAACP National Convention held in Las Vegas this past July 19-23. The Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) division is a major youth initiative of the NAACP that provides a forum through which youth of African descent demonstrate academic, artistic and scientific prowess and expertise.

The crowd was electrified at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada as the 2014 NAACP ACT-SO Awards Show got underway. Bresha Webb who hosted the program kept the audience energized. There was an amazing tribute to Dr. Maya Angelou, based on her legendary poem, I Rise. R&B/pop group, McLain’s performance included an ode to hip-hop legends TLC. The show concluded with the crowd participating in a sing-along of Pharell’s Happy.

Over 600 NAACP youth from around the country participated in ACT-SO this year. The program included 26 categories of competition in the fields of science, humanities, business, and performing and visual arts. Nia Campbell, Riverside NAACP branch’s ACT-SO member was one of five winners coming from Region One which included: Japan, Korea, Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Utah.

Campbell is a recent graduate of King High School and she plans to attend Valley College in the fall. Her passion is writing and she took home a bronze medal in the category of playwriting. She is currently working on three novels and a book of poems.

LOS ANGELES, CA- Where can Inland Empire entrepreneurs go to learn how they can grow their business?  The CA Black Chamber of Commerce and Foundation has the answer during their annual Ron Brown Business and Economic Summit to take place at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel on August 21 to 23.

This year’s theme is “Fitting Pieces Together for Business Success”. The event opens with the First Women’s Symposium “Success Above the Glass Ceiling… Is It Real?” and welcome reception on Thursday and closes on Saturday with the Ron Brown Awards Gala honoring leaders in government, small business of the year, and chamber of the year.

Learn how to develop partnerships and contract with major suppliers in the public and private sector, as well as how to build wealth in minority communities. Non-profits can learn grant writing and non-profit funding strategies along with applied technology. Speakers for the weekend include Janice Bryant Howroyd, Founder and CEO of the ACT-1 Group; Cynthia Marshall, AT&T Senior Vice President-Human Resources; Lisa Cagnolatti, Vice President Business Customer Division, Southern California Edison; Carol H. Williams, CEO and Founder Carol H. Williams Advertising, Inc.; and Barbara Perkins, President, Iyanla Vanzant Enterprises. During the summit, youth entrepreneurs will learn how to identify alternative business opportunities and access capital for their business ideas.

For more information on the summit, visit www.calbcc.org or call BPC Media Works at 951.682.6070.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

For some time now, the Holy Spirit has been saying to me, “No more pity parties!”  We are not victims.  It’s time out for feeling sorry for ourselves. Is God saying this because He has lost His compassion?  No.  God is saying “no more pity parties” because He has already released us from every trap.  We are agonizing over matters that God has already resolved. Stop It!

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, God made an important promise.  He told us that we could never be backed into a corner.  In every temptation and challenge, He has already given us a way out.  That means that whatever we are facing right now, we have a righteous way out.  We are not waiting for a way out – we have the way out.   Why should we ever feel depressed or overwhelmed when God has already given us the way out? Choose Gratitude. It’s so much more empowering than feeling sorry for yourself. Chew on that one for a while!

Our problem is that we think that the world revolves around us. Well, I got some news for you. The world does not revolve around you. You are not the center of the world; you are a part of it. There are people out there who think the world revolves around them; that everything somehow ends up being about them.  They drive us nuts. Yet there are times we drive ourselves nut thinking the same thing, even if with less vanity.  We take things too personally; we don’t think about the other person, just our own part in whatever the situation, thinking it’s either all our fault, or that it has something to do with us, even when we end up finding it has nothing to do with us. Let’s call a spade a spade…. Selfishness…..that’s what having a pity party is all about…. and if you didn’t know, let me just tell you that  “Selfishness,” is the enemy of God. The enemy of God’s sovereignty and His mercy.

Listen, Jesus serves as an example of someone who if anyone could have warranted having a pity party for himself. He faced what no one will ever have to face. What no one else could bare to face….

and yet Christ went to the cross not deserving it, but taking the weight of our sin upon Himself as He was about to die an agonizing death upon the cross for which He did not deserve, but He took our place of guilt in order to remove our sins. He did not sing a song of pity words of”.. Troubles…I’ve got more than anyone.” He did not whine or complain or pout about the cross. He did not ask for…… or throw his own pity party!

The conclusion of the matter and our response is clear: We need to recognize we all are capable of self pity. We need to let adversity lead us to God and not lead us to whining, complaining , quitting or having pity parties. If you sense that you are slipping into self pity… take rest in knowing that God will lift you up if the weight of pity begins to bring you down., but  only if you  let Him. Stop wasting your time complaining. Stop throwing your pity party.  Just praise the Lord.

May the God of truth enable us to carefully and rightly dissect His precious Word, allowing God’s Word to say what it says, remembering that God says what He means and means what He says.  May we be those who tremble at His Word (Isaiah 66:1-2).  

Wonderland Dreams shirt in Blue

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Inland Empire has become a Mecca for the fashion industry. Local residents shop at specialty boutiques, attend fashion shows or begin careers as fashion designers. Paul Martinez, a San Bernardino resident, plans to be a leader in this movement with the launch of his clothing brand, Fresh Clinic, early next year.

Martinez  has been obsessed with fashion since his first day of college at UC Riverside. “I remember thinking that if I wanted to make myself presentable to employers in the fashion industry, then I better start taking my clothes more serious,” said Martinez.

As a new college graduate, Martinez struggled to find a job and fashion internships were competitive. Financial setbacks and the economy made Martinez a fashion entrepreneur. Fresh Clinic started as a blog for Martinez to express his love for fashion, but because of the weak job market it’s now become a business. Fresh Clinic combines urban and upscale clothing for a unique take on modern fashion.

Martinez embraces what his home, the Inland Empire, can bring to the table.

“I believe it is important to buy from local designers, hire local models and work with local professionals. The only way the Inland Empire will be competitive in this industry is if we work together and bridge the gap with professionals in Los Angeles,” said Martinez.

Martinez works with local graphic designer Luke Vicious, of Rialto, to design a collection of shirts.

“I have been following Luke for a few years as a fan of his art, but now it’s cool we are working together,” said Martinez.

Vicious has made his impression on the fashion industry for the past few years, and designs for Los Angeles brands StampdLA,

One Love shirt front

TISA and JoyRich.

As a young veteran in the fashion industry, Vicious is confident in Martinez’s future success.

“Paul is a great client to work with, being that his ideas have meaning behind them. It motivates me to do my best, and I see his graphics as works of art that tell a story. These original concepts will always stand out because they can’t be bought on a site or duplicated. This makes Fresh Clinic a rare, valuable brand because it keeps fashion traditions alive,” said Vicious.

Martinez also works with Amanda Pelaez, a graphic designer and graduate of Cal State San Bernardino.

“I like Amanda’s work because she is able to design the ideas I give her without needing much direction. She is definitely a self starter who does not waste time,” said Martinez.

Pelaez is excited about her work with Fresh Clinic. “Working with Paul has always been gratifying. He knows what he wants, and he tells you clearly & concisely. I look forward to the future of Fresh Clinic,” said Pelaez.

Martinez is hopeful for the future. He now has a job and is managing his own business.

“I learned to create opportunities for myself, instead of waiting for them to come my way. I encourage everyone, especially the youth in our communities, to do the same.”

Fresh Clinic’s goal for the community is to provide free fashion shows, fashion events and scholarships to Inland Empire residents.

“I want to give our people something to look forward to, to bring hope back into their lives. We all have a long road ahead, but the most important message is to never give up. I’m happy to say my team has no room for quitters.”

You may contact Fresh Clinic by email at FreshClinic@live.com. Visit the Fresh Clinic website at www.FreshClinicLife.com for updates on the brand and follow Fresh Clinic’s Creative Director on Instagram @freshclinicpaul.

Yolanda Holder

CORONA, CA – Last year Inland Empire resident and 2x Guinness World Record holder of “Most Marathons Run in a Calendar Year”, Yolanda Holder, set foot on a trial of walking from Corona to the Bay Area. That prior year in 2012, she power walked 120 marathons by breaking her own record of 106 marathons in 2010.

The “Walking Diva” is set to break yet another record. On Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 31 she will be walking from Corona, California to Las Vegas, Nevada to spread the word about healthy living and the benefits of walking 30 minutes a day. This event will also be used as a fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association.

For those who would love to become corporate sponsors or would like to know more about Yolanda Holder and her campaign, visit www.yolandaholder.com.

Brittany Evans

RIVERSIDE, CA – While teens are surrounded by a world of social media, selfies and hashtags, one teen in Fontana is making a difference by breaking the mold of conformity. Her name is Brittany Evans, 18, and unlike most teens Brittany would rather be about her business than taking tons of pictures to show off to her friends. She not only has beauty and brains but she is the first in her family to become an inventor.

Her invention is called Sparkbudz (patent pending) it is an all new earphone in which you can magnetically attach and detach when you are alone or with a friend. “It’s a cool concept, I love it!” says Brittany. “Every day I wake up and thank God for such an amazing, witty invention”.

In addition to her building her brand, Ms. Evans is also finishing her education in communications at Riverside Community College. After completing her degree, her plans are to become a motivational speaker and mentor, and she is already getting a jump start through speaking engagements at her local church.

“I myself have been bullied, threatened and been back stabbed. I never want to see anyone go through what I have encountered”, Evans states.

Since then she has forgiven her enemies and works hard to fight against bullying.

She continues, “You don’t have to start a big campaign to fight against bullying. You can start off small by giving advice to a friend or peer who is being bullied, or ultimately by reporting it!:

The Sparkbudz inventor is giving back through her work that she currently does at her school in assisting others in their public speaking abilities. With her earnings that she makes, she donates 10 percent towards her tithes and offering and 80 percent towards her God given plan.

“God has blessed me tremendously to the point where I feel I don’t deserve it. I give not because I have to but because I want to,” Evans said.

For updates on Speakbudz, please follow @official_sparkbudz on Instagram.