The members of Riverside
Alumni Chapter celebrate Founders Day at Clayton home.

On January 5, the brothers of the Riverside Alumni Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi F?raternity, Inc., gathered at the home of Brother Larry Clayton to celebrate the 103rd year of the fraternity. Over 25 Brothers and their Silhouettes attended. The Loving Cup
was passed and provided a chance for Brothers initiated in 1956 through the 2013 Neophytes to rededicate themselves to achievement in every field of human endeavor.

Chapter Polemarch, Dr. Samuel Gibbs, sliced two cakes prepared for the occasion. Chapter Historian, Alvin Stephens, summed up the history of the chapter saying, “The March and Norton Air Force Bases were going strong in our history and Brothers would be stationed in and mustered out but we were successful in gaining great recognition in the community for our service projects.”

On the heels of this auspicious celebration, over 20 members of the chapter traveled on January 25 to co-sponsor the Los Angeles Metro Founders Day Event. Baseball great Brother Don Buford provided the keynote and encouraged all as he told of his path to achievement in the field of sports.

RIVERSIDE, CA- On Saturday, February 8, The Riverside Black History Committee held the 35^th Annual Riverside Black History Parade and Expo in Downtown Riverside. This year was a very special one because the event also recognized Dell Roberts for his philanthropic efforts and civic leadership that he provides to the community.  For more photos of the parade, please visit www.wssnews.com.

Audrey Matthews

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The County of San Bernardino Workforce Investment Board, which oversees the use of federal dollars to train local job seekers and support employers, has announced the appointment of two new members and a vice chair.

The Board has named Audrey Mathews as interim Vice Chair. Mathews was honored in 2013 for more than 35 years of work in local and state governments as a professor, budget director, planning commissioner and consultant. She received the American Society for Public Administration’s Elmer B. Staats Lifetime Achievement Award.

In addition to serving on the Workforce Investment Board, Mathews works with the County’s Planning Commission and sits as a legislative advisor to the National Association of Workforce Boards, and the California Workforce Association.  She has written multiple workforce initiatives and testimony that was submitted to Senate and House subcommittees on workforce issues.

Audrey is CEO of Mathews and Associates, an organizational behavior and diversity management-consulting firm.  She will be Interim vice Chair until elections are held in March.

Dr. Dale Marsden, newly appointed member of the Board, is Superintendent of San Bernardino City Unified School District. He is well known for his work in engaging employers and community partners to help students graduate and pursue college and a successful career. With the Alliance for Education, a partnership between businesses and educators, he played an integral role in a national initiative, called STEAM, to ensure more students enter careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.  The father of four began his teaching career in 1985, working his way up to Superintendent of Victor Elementary School District before being appointed to his current role in 2012. He also served in the US Air Force, where he earned several awards.

Gary Watson, Deputy Director of the Employment Services Program (ESP) for the County of San Bernardino Transitional Assistance Department, was also appointed as a member of the Board.  The ESP helps clients receiving cash aid remove barriers to employment, develop self-esteem, and prepare to find and retain employment. Watson has more than 20 years of human services experience including programming, budget and operations to provide support to needy families in San Bernardino County.

“The San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board has a national reputation for excellence due to the active leadership and team work of its members,” said San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Rutherford. “These dedicated individuals, collectively representing business, government, and community organizations, bring their best to the table.”

The Workforce Investment Board partners with the County’s largest industry sectors to identify the needs of the workforce and employers and to support training programs that prepare residents to enter careers in growing industries.

“Our Workforce Investment Board has become a national model due to the efforts and creativity of our members,” said Sandy Harmsen, Executive Director of the Board. “Their decisions impact the lives of thousands of at-risk youth through our Workforce Investment Act Youth program as well as adults and veterans who find career and training opportunities through our three America’s Job Centers of California.”

(l-r) Vanessa Williams, PAFF Celebrity Juror Erica Gimpel, PAFF Life Time Achievement Award recipient Charles Dutton, Kristoff St. John, Jamil XT Qubeka, CCH Pounder, Nicki Micheaux & “Of Good Report” Co-Star Petronella Tshuma (Venus Bernardo)

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) held its opening night gala on Thursday, February 6 at the Rave Cinemas in Los Angeles, with the premiere of the film ‘Of Good Report’ directed by Jahmil X.T. Qubeka which starring Mothusi Magano, Petronella Tshuma, Thobi Mkhwanazi, Nomhlé Nkyonyeni and Tshamano Sebe. After the film, a question and answer session was held with the cast and filmmakers.

The film is about Parker, a shy and mysterious high school teacher, who arrives at his new assignment in a rural school. While he is earnest in his passion for teaching, his extra-curricular attentions are drawn to a gorgeous young girl. When he realizes she is a student at his school, and forbidden fruit, he grows increasingly obsessed. She ends up missing and a female detective comes snooping around, fueling Parker’s unstable, dangerous behavior. ‘Of Good Report’ won Best Feature Film in the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Nigeria.

SAN BERANRDINO, CA- Las Vegas Entertainment will be returning to the Inland Empire for a special Valentines show on Saturday, February 15 at The American Legion, 863 N. “D” Street in San Bernardino, at 8 p.m. All throughout the evening, there will be legendary guests which include “Las Vegas Al Green impersonator”, David Prescott, Mr. Melody, Johnny Brown, H-Len, and many more. This year’s show is dedicated to San Bernardino’s own Mr. Show-in-Tell, Al Wilson, and the late Ms. Mattie Davis. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased for $15 in advance, $20 at the door and $25 per couple. For more information, please call 909-384-0782.

INGLEWOOD, CA– Aio Wireless collaborated with A-MAN, Inc. to host a teen rap session entitled “Moving Black History Forward,” at its dealer-owned store at 1295 S. La Brea Avenue. The session enabled students from A-MAN, Inc. to share their perspectives and experiences, as well as their plans to play a positive role in advancing their communities. A-MAN, Inc. is one of three local community organizations which, through Aio’s “30 Days, 30 Dreams” program, provided 10 college-bound students with $1,000 scholarships and tablets.

Aio Wireless (pronounced A-O) was created for today’s value-conscious connected consumers who want it all. We created a new class of service for individuals who expect a first class wireless service at a value price – one with no-annual contract, friendly service, uncomplicated plans and the mobile phones and tablets you love.  All of Aio’s phone plans include unlimited talk, text, and data, with taxes and fees included – the price you see is the price you pay. Aio Wireless is a subsidiary of AT&T Inc.  Visit www.aiowireless.com to find out more.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office has completed its review of the fatal officer-involved incident involving Christopher Jordan Dorner, 33, of La Palma, on February 12, 2013.

Under the facts, circumstances and law applicable to this case, the use of deadly force and non-deadly force by law enforcement personnel was in response to an immediate threat of death and serious bodily injury to themselves and to members of the public posed by Christopher Dorner’s actions, and was therefore legally justified under the laws of self-defense, defense of others, and laws of arrest.

The report of the written case evaluation is available at www.sbcountyda.org by selecting Press Releases under the Newsroom tab at the top of the home page. The identities of the involved law enforcement officers are not included in this memo as a result of security concerns for the officers and their families.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) is seeking nominations to identify and honor outstanding women whose successes and contributions to the 47^th District have set the pace for our region’s future. A selection committee will use the nomination forms and independent research to make final selections to be recognized as Woman of the Year.

Nominees should be innovative leaders who are making waves with their energy, ideas, achievements, and commitment to excellence in the 47^th District. In addition, the nominee should reflect a woman who is of exemplary professional excellence and is a role model for others; a woman who has broken down barriers and helps create connections and new opportunities for other women while continuing to be a respected resource in the community.

One nomination per person will be accepted. For each submission, one nomination form describing the nominee’s qualifications and reasons for making the nomination is required. The deadline for entries is Friday, February 21 at 5 p.m.

The nomination form can be retrieved by visiting the district office at 290 N “D” Street in San Bernardino or by going online to www.asmdc.org/members/a47/ and clicking on the “Woman of the Year” button.

Please email your submission to Lisa Blacksher at lisa.blacksher@asm.ca.gov. Contact 909-381-3238 for more information.

UPLAND, CA– Keisha Harris, an educator in the Rialto Unified School District, took a leap of faith when she decided to embark on a new journey to publish her first children’s book.

“Giving children a voice has always been  been my mission as a writer.  I want to give life to their adventures,”  Keisha Harris states.

“Beware of the Common Core” is a comical adventure about a boisterous six year who will be entering the world of first grade.  She’s excited about starting school this year until she receives a suspicious letter in the mail about some strange “common core” that has invaded her school over the summer.  Convinced it must be a contagious virus, she tries to devise a plan to send it back to Washington only to discover the true meaning of the Common Core.

This is the first book released in the Alley Petes series.  Each book concentrates on a core standard and introduces new strategies and techniques to help children comprehend new concepts in language arts and math.  The book’s comical flare is designed to captive a young audience while incorporating literacy and language skills. The concept behind the Alley Petes series is to create a series of short stories that demonstrates a child ability to overcome her struggles with mastering complex standards.  The use of humor is a guaranteed motivator to encourage children to read.  “Beware of the Common Core” will keep young readers engaged and wanting to read more about Alley’s adventures.