By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

Last week, Gov. Newsom announced that he has doubled the funding for a state grant program created to help religious institutions, places of worship and faith-based non-profit improve their security.

‘The deadline to apply is October 27.

“Today’s announcement authorizes $10 million in state funding to immediately increase police presence at places of worship and authorizes an additional $20 million investment to the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program to provide physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations — including synagogues and mosques — that are at high risk for violent attacks and hate crimes,” read an email from Newsom’s office.

“The program fully funds upgrades that include reinforced doors and gates, high-intensity lighting and alarms, access control, and more,” the email provided more details.

By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

Shortly after Sen. Laphonza Butler announced that she will not run in the race to succeed Sen. Dianne Feinstein next year, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) responded to the news.

“Senator Butler took on the enormous responsibility of filling an open senate seat with grace, integrity, and a deep commitment to delivering for the people of California,” wrote Lee in a statement on social media.

“I look forward to continuing our work together for the remainder of her term,” continued Lee, who is among the three contenders and the only Black American — in the crowded race for the U.S. Senate seat Butler currently occupies.

Gov. Newsom appointed Butler to complete the term of Feinstein, who passed away last month. The other two contenders for Senator with Lee are her Democratic colleagues, Congressmembers Katie Porter (D-CA-47) and Adam Schiff (D-CA-30).

In a statement on Oct. 19, Butler said her decision not to run may not be what people expected, but it is the best one for her.

“I’ve always believed elected leaders should have real clarity about why they’re in office and what they want to do with the responsibility and power they have,” wrote Butler in a statement.

“I’ve spent the past 16 days pursuing my own clarity – what kind of life I want to have, what kind of service I want to offer and what kind of voice I want to bring forward,” she continued. “After considering those questions I’ve decided not to run for a full term in the US Senate. Knowing you can win a campaign doesn’t always mean you should run a campaign. I know this will be a surprise to many because traditionally we don’t see those who have power let it go.”

Quoting Muhammad Ali, Butler added, “Don’t count the days. Make the days count. I intend to do just that.”

Butler, who expressed strong support for the Black press during a 30-minute Zoom call last week, has not yet announced her endorsement for her successor.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The City of San Bernardino has announced that it has received a $6.4 million grant from the California State Library to improve the Norman F. Feldheym Library. The Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Grant will fund energy efficiency projects and building upgrades at Feldheym Library.

“Feldheym Library is a great facility, but it needs some repairs and upgrades to maintain the library experience for the thousands of patrons that visit us every year,” said San Bernardino Library Director Ed Erjavek. “We are excited to receive this grant from the State.”

San Bernardino was one of thirty-four local libraries across the state to receive a total of $172 million in competitive grant funding. The funding was approved in 2022 by the Governor and Legislature to improve libraries in low-income areas. The grant application was submitted by the Library in collaboration with the City Grants Division and Public Works Department.

“It’s great that the State Library can provide this opportunity for California libraries to address critical maintenance and accessibility needs. The return on investment in our local libraries is always big,” said California State Librarian Greg Lucas.

Improvements planned for Feldheym Library include a replacement of the HVAC and air filtration system, ADA accessibility upgrades, energy efficient windows, a new security system, electrical upgrades, a backup power generator, and additional repairs to the library interior and foundation. The work is expected to take place in 2024.

Last month, the San Bernardino Public Library also received a grant from the State Library to upgrade its broadband capabilities for staff and patrons to one gigabit at all four City libraries.

The Norman F. Feldheym Central Library opened in 1985. The library was named in honor of the late Rabbi Norman F. Feldheym. The 64,000 square foot library was designed by architects Gregory Villanueva and Oscar Arnoni and includes the 200 seat Bing Wong auditorium, where the San Bernardino Mayor and City Council currently hold their meetings.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr | California Black Media

October 7, 2023, will be known as Israel’s 9/11. Hamas terrorists crossed the Israel-Gaza border and indiscriminately slaughtered Israeli civilians in their homes and apartments. They killed nearly 300 young people at a music festival and took at least 200 hostages including 30 children. The atrocities they committed included massacres of entire families, the abduction of the elderly and young children, burning babies and rapes of women.

The horrific surprise attack by Hamas deserves universal and unequivocal condemnation. President Joe Biden called what Hamas did an act of sheer evil and pledged to defend the lives of Israelis and Jewish Americans. He said, “Let there be no doubt. The United States has Israel’s back. We’ll make sure the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself today, tomorrow as we always have.”

Hamas killed approximately1400 people including 32 Americans. Citizens from 40 different countries including the United Kingdom, France, Mexico, and Thailand were killed or reported missing.

Hamas fighters breached Israel’s border defenses on the final day of Sukkot while soldiers were away due to the holiday and launched attacks on 22 towns outside the Gaza Strip. This security lapse has been described as a catastrophic failure of Israel’s intelligence agencies, including Aman, Mossad, and Shin Bet.

Hamas is an extremist Islamist militant organization that has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is recognized as an Iranian backed terrorist group by the US and European Union and has a long history of violence against Jews and Palestinians, the latter of whom they often use as human shields.

By Lou K Coleman

Hear what the Lord says. Because they have failed to listen, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them. [Jeremiah 11:11]. I will pursue them with sword, famine, and plague. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth—a curse, a desolation, and an object of scorn and reproach among all the nations. I will do this because they have not listened to My words, which I sent to them again and again through My servants. [Jeremiah 29:19].

Therefore, disaster and devastation shall be their portion. For the days will come upon them, when their enemies will set up a barricade around them and surround them and hem them in on every side and tear them down to the ground, them, and their children. And they will not leave one stone upon another in them. [Luke 19:41-46] because I have spoken to them and they have not listened, I have called to them, and they have not answered” [Jeremiah 35:17]. Damnation and devastation will be their portion.

So, do not pray for these people or lift up a cry on their behalf, for I will not listen. [Jeremiah 11:14] because they refused to listen when I called, and no one paid attention when I stretch out My hand. So, since they disregarded all My advice and did not accept My rebel, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes them; I will mock when calamity overtakes them like a storm, when disaster sweeps over them like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm them. Then they will call Me, but I will not answer; they will look for Me but will not find Me, since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. [Proverbs 1:24-32].

I the Lord has spoken, and My Words shall not return void! [Isaiah 55:11].

The Lord rebukes his people for their disbelief. [Isaiah 48:1-11].

UPLAND, CA—C.A.S.A. of San Bernardino County will host their first ever Casino Night event, this year at the Upland Hills Country Club Pavilion on November 2nd, from 5:30pm to 9:00pm. All proceeds from this event will support the Court-Appointed Special Advocate (C.A.S.A.) program which recruits, screens, trains, and supervises community volunteers to mentor and advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children living in foster care. Adult volunteer advocates provide a stable and consistent presence in the often-turbulent lives of foster youth by assisting them in navigating through life’s challenges, providing encouragement, and advocating for each child’s individual needs.

Diane Smyers, Donor Relations Manager for C.A.S.A. of San Bernardino County says, “The community’s support is of vital importance to the success of our program. This event is one where community members can join us to learn how our program supports children in foster care, and how they can positively impact a child by becoming involved in various ways, all while enjoying a great evening.”

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. when guests arrive and are greeted by C.A.S.A. Staff members. The evening will be filled with Casino games, music, entertainment, food, exhibits and various raffle prizes. Our honorary speaker will be, Jason Anderson, District Attorney for San Bernardino County. Many elected officials from San Bernardino County will be in attendance, too.

Be sure to come hungry and have your taste buds ready for an exquisite array of, wine and beer, as well as a vast array of fine foods provided by Felipe’s Catering and 1906 bartenders.

Individuals wishing to purchase tickets to CASA’s Casino night may do so by https://tinyurl.com/casacasinonight or by calling 909-881-6760 ext. 105.CASA of San Bernardino County is seeking Sponsors for this event. Proceeds raised will go to the recruiting and training of community volunteers to mentor and advocate for youth in foster care.

By Dymond Walker, Inland Valley News

San Bernardino City Hall witnessed a wave of outrage at an anti-racism event on Oct. 23 as community members and leaders expressed their dismay regarding last week’s City Council meeting where an African American woman was subjected to hate speech.

More than 100 San Bernardino residents gathered on the steps of City Hall, seeking explanations for the events of Oct. 18. With just three out of seven council members present, residents questioned the city’s commitment to addressing racial tension. During a public City Council meeting, local resident Amy Malone voiced her discontent with the city’s new manager, Charles Montoya. The meeting took a troubling twist when a remote participant targeted Amy with racial slurs and hateful comments.

“The city apologizes to the person speaking at the time, to everyone in attendance at the meeting, and to anyone who heard what was said,” said San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran as she made her opening remarks at the Stand Against Racism event. “It was offensive and unacceptable, and the City of San Bernardino condemns what happened in no uncertain terms.” However, the city’s public apology was overshadowed by the absence of four out of seven council members. This has left community members, leaders, and even the three attending Black council members—Ben Reynoso, Kimberly Calvin, and Damon L. Alexander—skeptical about the sincerity of their solidarity and eagerness for action.

“I’ve been debating this all day. I wasn’t even going to show up,” said Reynoso. “This was for them [absent council members], and it was clear as day. This whole thing was because it was on the news. We’re only here because people are trying to save face, and the people who should be doing that aren’t even here.”

Mayor Tran conveyed her sincere apologies for the absence of council members Theodore Sanchez and Juan Figueroa due to work commitments. She also read statements from San Bernardino City Council Members Sandra Ibarra and Fred Shorett, who were unavailable as well.

Residents like Jacqueline Banks, a retired San Bernardino County employee, perceived that the statements offered by the absent council members were disingenuous and misleading.

“The letters that the mayor read were lies and deception—smokescreens,” said Banks. “Because you know what? If it were that important to them, they would’ve been here. This is the city that you represent, so you should’ve been here.”

Banks proceeded to share her account of the events on the evening of Oct. 18, expressing both her and the chamber’s astonishment. She was shocked that the mayor and city council carried on with the meeting as if nothing had happened.

“If it’s so devastating now, why wasn’t it devastating Wednesday?” said Banks.

NAACP San Bernardino Branch President Chache Wright shared his experience with the crowd that evening. Wright, seated in the chamber with his two sons, had hoped the meeting would allow residents to voice concerns for the community. However, he left startled that his sons had encountered such ignorance.

“The moment you allow negative things to happen to just Black people and you let everything else slide? It’s a problem for everybody, whether you realize it or not,” said Wright.

However, despite his disgust over the incident, Wright remained steadfast in making demands.

On behalf of the NAACP San Bernardino Branch, Wright unveiled a set of requests, which included obtaining an unedited version of both the live council meeting and the Zoom call, disclosing the name of the third-party entity that provided technical support during the meeting, and Wright asked for a comprehensive internal investigation into the Oct. 18 incident.

The San Bernardino Faith Council, represented by Pastor Joshua Beckley of Ecclesia Christian Fellowship, presented several requests without disclosing specific details. Beckley publicly stated that the council has been given a 30-day deadline for these demands to be met, aiming for this to not be a “stumbling block but a steppingstone” in a long journey to restore the community’s reputation.

Regrettably, it could be too late, given that the harm has already been inflicted. The absent council members have deeply disappointed the community, leading to widespread skepticism.

Banks likens the situation to cotton candy, underscoring its fleeting and insubstantial nature.

“It’s a whole bunch of fluff,” said Banks. “What happens to cotton candy when you hold it for too long? It shrinks and starts to disappear, and that’s what I feel like is going to happen. It’s going to go to nothing.”

City Council Member Reynoso has committed to addressing the people’s demands earnestly, promising to convene meetings with fellow council members to show solidarity.

“The council is going to meet with them,” said Reynoso. “We’re going to take it to the city manager so there is no confusion and we are going to be honest. That is the only way we can start to fix this.”

Mayor Tran concluded the event by delivering her closing remarks, aiming to encapsulate the community’s pain and suffering while also presenting a path toward healing and progress.

“What happened last week was unacceptable on any level,” said Tran. “While this will require the time to heal, this is an opportunity for us to come together. What happened last Wednesday does not define us as a city, but what happened tonight defines our resolve.

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media

The San Bernardino Branch of the NAACP is calling on the City of San Bernardino to investigate a racial incident that occurred last week.

During the public comments section of a council meeting on Oct. 18, Amy Malone, a Black resident of San Bernardino was interrupted by racial slurs from a commenter who was viewing the meeting remotely.

The anonymous commenter told Malone to “go back to Africa” and called her the N-word. She was also called a “bitch.”

Malone was shocked by the comments and insisted that they be addressed immediately.

“You should apologize for what just happened,” said Malone to the city council members present.

The local branch of the NAACP also reacted to the incident, calling it “disgusting.”

“It is with a heavy heart that we must deal with racial insults being tossed at the Black community on 10/18/23 as they cautioned the mayor and council not to hire Mr. Charles Montoya as City Manager because of his public legal issues cause from being fired by the Mayor and Council from Avondale, Arizona,” wrote Chache Wright, NAACP San Bernardino Branch President.

“A letter signed by Mayor Kenneth N. Weise (Avondale, AZ) lists these five alleged reasons for Montoya termination. 1. Montoya did not live in Avondale as required by his employment contract. 2. Demanding funds from the city he was not entitled to according to his contract. 3. Failing  to make timely payment on a loan he had borrowed against his retirement account. 4. Receiving tuition reimbursement payments beyond what his contract allowed. 5. Refusing to repay vehicle reimbursement funds that he was paid in error,” the NAACP statement continued.

Before she was interrupted, Malone was expressing her objections to the hiring of Montoya because of past misconduct and his questionable professional past. She was one of several residents who opposed his hiring because of his checkered employment history. According to some of the protestors, Montoya also has a history of filing lawsuits against previous employers.

According to news reports, Montoya clashed with Avondale board members and raised concerns about nepotism prior to his dismissal. He was terminated for not living within the city limits. However, his attorney argues that the city unlawfully terminated him without giving him adequate time to address the problem.

Montoya said he was fired out of spite. During an appearance at the meeting, he said he had no regrets about his decision. The case is currently proceeding to federal court.

Despite these concerns, the city council approved Montoya’s hiring. Montoya has previously worked as a city manager in California and Arizona.

A statement posted on the city’s website says that the official recording of the meeting has been edited to remove the offensive language.

“The racist comments made during the October 18, 2023, City Council meeting by individuals connected remotely through Zoom were offensive and unacceptable, and the City of San Bernardino condemns what happened in no uncertain terms,” according to the statement.

“The city apologizes to anyone who heard what was said. Our community will not tolerate this type of hateful language in our public meetings, or anywhere. The city is working to identify the individuals who made the comments. The City Clerk and her staff, along with our IT department, are working with the San Bernardino Police Department on this. We have identified all the IP addresses that were in the queue at the time and are working to identify those that were involved. SBPD is investigating this as a violation of California Penal Code 403.”

The offensive comments are part of a phenomenon known as Zoom bombing, which gained prominence during the coronavirus pandemic when many groups and businesses were forced to conduct most meetings via the videoconferencing platform. When these meetings were not properly secured, unauthorized individuals could join the chat and make inappropriate comments.

The San Bernardino NAACP says it plans to file a formal request for an investigation into the hate incident and the hiring of the city manager with the city. It will also share that request with State Attorney General Rob Bonta and the U.S. Department of Justice.

“The NAACP Legal Redress Committee is currently in the process of compiling relevant information and plans to transmit this information to the appropriate authorities next week, accompanied by their official request,” Wright concluded.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. last Saturday, the 18th annual Taste of Soul family festival took place on Crenshaw Boulevard, known as the Mecca of Black culture and business in Los Angeles. This event is recognized as the largest one day ‘free’ street festival on the West Coast.

Founded in 2005 by civil rights activist and CEO/Executive Publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel, Danny Bakewell Sr., the Taste of Soul festival has grown from attracting 15,000 attendees to drawing crowds of nearly 350,000 visitors annually, including families, politicians, and celebrities.

U.S. Senate candidate, Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) was among the local and state politicians at the Taste of Soul either campaigning or attending to constituents.

Reflecting on the festival’s evolution, Bakewell said, “This has far outreached my wildest dreams. I wanted a place in our community where Black people could come out and share all the things our culture represents.”

Bakewell emphasizes that while the event is rooted in the Black community, everyone is welcome.

The Taste of Soul festival has grown to be a significant economic catalyst for the local community, contributing to the revitalization of South Los Angeles by showcasing the very best the community has to offer.

This year’s Taste of Soul celebrity chair was the stand-up comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish. Joining her as event chairs were Mayor Karen Bass, LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, LA City Councilmembers Marqueece Harris Dawson (8th District), and Heather Hutt (10th  District). Festival Co-Chairs were Councilmember Curren Price (9th District), Assemblymembers Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), Issac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights), and Mike Gipson (D-Carson), LAUSD Board Member George McKenna, CBS/KCAL 9 Anchor Pat Harvey, and the Law firm of Ivie, McNeil, Wyatt, Purcell, and Diggs.

At the festival, Bass said, “This is the best block party in town. It was a wonderful gathering and celebration of the community. It is peaceful. Everybody has a good time. We’re supporting local businesses, especially restaurants. So, it’s a boon to the economy.”

Food is a major attraction of the festival. Out of the 300 local, ethnic, and international vendors that took part in the festival, over 100 were food vendors. These included some of the finest chefs in the world, with soul food being the main attraction among the dishes being offered.

The event offered live performances on four stages dedicated to Gospel, R&B, Jazz, Dance, and local artists. Among featured musical acts were the Whispers, the Delfonics Experience, and Switch. A new addition to the festival was Tiffany Haddish’s ‘She Ready’ Comedy Lounge & Beer Garden. The proceeds from ticket sales go to Haddish’s ‘She Ready’ foundation for youth impacted by foster care and to sponsor Mother’s in Action to support their initiatives.

Additionally, the festival provided a platform for social & healthcare resources, fun pavilions promoting social awareness, exhibits showcasing local and international visual artists, and curated events for children.

The Taste of Soul festival stands as a vibrant celebration of Black culture in Los Angeles that brings people together from all walks of life.

ATLANTA, GA— Lights, camera, action! Awakened Lounge and All Things Authentic is excited to share a sneak peek of their latest production, Jubilee Amor, coming to a screen near you in 2024. This past weekend, the cast and crew had a blast shooting behind the scenes footage and we can’t wait to see the final product!

The talented cast and crew, led by the amazing Naomi K. Bonman, Writer and Director; Lillie Mae, Producer and Casting Director; and Quintin LaFrench Cammack, Assistant Director, worked tirelessly to create a romantic drama that will have you on the edge of your seat. The story follows a former playboy and a strong woman as they navigate jealousy, tragedy, and self-discovery to find true love.

They are also thrilled to announce their incredible cast, including Nieashia Eyvette, Maurice Leggett, Tiffany Walter, Ray A Kendrick, King Judah, Lillie Mae Jones, and Akilah Khari Duncan. With such a talented team, we know Jubilee Amor The Movie will be a hit!

And to all the brands out there, they are currently accepting brand placement opportunities for the film. Send an email to namaste@theawakenedlounge.com to inquiry more about brand placement.