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SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) is proud to announce that the nonprofit organization Pure Land Foundation has been awarded the prestigious Education Medal of Honor for its outstanding contributions to the community through its mobile food pantry initiative.

The award was presented on April 29 by San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Ted Alejandre at the 2024 Spring Awards in recognition of Pure Land Foundation’s dedication to addressing food insecurity and providing essential support to thousands of families in need.

Pure Land Foundation’s mobile food pantry initiative has been a lifeline for families facing food insecurity in our community, particularly during challenging times. Through this initiative, the organization distributes nutritious food items directly to families in underserved areas, ensuring that they have access to healthy meals and essential resources. The mobile food pantry visits various neighborhoods throughout San Bernardino, always operating out of SBCUSD campuses and with support from dozens of student volunteers, serving about a thousand families each month and making a meaningful difference in their lives.

“SBCUSD is honored to have nominated Pure Land Foundation for the Education Medal of Honor, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to them on this well-deserved recognition,” said Superintendent Mauricio Arellano. “We’re working hard to elevate not just our school district but also our community. If we’re able to meet a lot of the basic needs of our families, we believe that’s going to have a monumental impact not just to the district but to the city as a whole. Pure Land Foundation’s commitment to serving our community aligns with our District’s mission to support the well-being of all students and families. We are grateful for their partnership and the invaluable support they provide to our community.”

Pure Land Foundation’s efforts exemplify the spirit of compassion and service that strengthens our community, according to Pure Land Foundation’s founder and CEO Michael Tsai, who accepted the award on the nonprofit’s behalf.

“We as community partners want to help,” Tsai said in a moving acceptance speech. “We believe that education is the great equalizer, however not every family and not every child starts off on the same footing as one another.”

For more information about Pure Land Foundation and their mobile food pantry initiative, visit www.facebook/pureland.ie.

About San Bernardino City Unified School District:

The San Bernardino City Unified School District is California’s eighth-largest school district and is dedicated to providing a high-quality education that prepares more than 46,000 students for college, career and life. With a focus on equity, excellence and empowerment, the District serves a diverse student population in the San Bernardino and Highland communities.

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) addressed a group of advocates and activists, including formerly incarcerated men and women at the State Capitol last week.  She promised them that she is determined to advance Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 8 “across the finish line” for voters’ to decide in a November General Election referendum.

Wilson, Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), was speaking at an April 29 rally at the State Capitol organized to promote “The End Slavery in California Act,” a measure that Wilson authored to amend the California Constitution, abolishing involuntary servitude in prisons across the state.

“For me, it’s a priority to reassert our unwavering commitment to ACA 8 but not just myself as the author but also the entire legislative Black caucus,” Wilson said at the rally held on the southeast end of the State Capitol’s grounds.

“This is not just legislation. It is a declaration of our value and resolve to end all forms of slavery and involuntary servitude in our state. ACA is vital because it proposes to remove the ‘exception’ for involuntary servitude from the state’s constitution, declaring unequivocally that all forms of slavery are prohibited,” she added.

The “Quest for Democracy (Q4D)” rally was hosted by All of Us or None of Us (AOUNOU), a grassroots civil and human rights organization focused on supporting formerly and currently incarcerated people and their families.

AOUNOU members, advocates, justice-impacted leaders, and supporters from all over the state of California attended the rally and other activities organized around the event in Sacramento. Their goal was to educate lawmakers and participants about prison reform and the importance of ACA 8.

In addition to the morning-to-midafternoon rally, an exhibit of 400 black-and-white photos was on display. AOUNOU collected images from family members of individuals who allegedly died “at the hands of law enforcement,” one of the markers at the exhibit stated.

During the rally, many former incarcerated individuals, along with organizers, and supporters took turns performing songs, reading poems, and sharing their experiences working in California’s penal institutions. They also shared stories detailing the repercussions they suffered in prisons when they refused to work.

The 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution was ratified in 1865. It prohibited slavery and involuntary servitude with one exception: if involuntary servitude was imposed as punishment for a crime.

John Cannon, a member of AOUNOU, performed his hip-hop song, “No Exception: All of Us or None of Us” at the rally. He revealed that he served time in prison and was forced to work in various roles without the ability to object. He worked in warehouses, as a firefighter, and in other jobs. Understanding that the “prison industrial complex is a well-oiled machine,” he said, his mission is to see that forced labor is no longer an option.

“Sometimes I don’t think my voice is heard but since I’ve become a member of (AOUNOU) my voice has been heard. Especially for Quest for Democracy, for people like me who have been incarcerated before,” Cannon said. “I am able to go to the State Capitol and get our voices heard in a collective fashion. The issue that is really important to me right now is ending and removing involuntary servitude from the State’s Constitution.”

Article 1, Section 6 of the California Constitution prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude, “except as punishment for a crime.” Former state Sen. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles) originally proposed ACA 3 in 2020, when she served in the Assembly, to remove this exception.

The Senate failed to pass ACA 3, the California Abolition Act in July 2022, preventing the measure from being placed on the November General Election ballot for voters to approve or reject.

Following Kamlager-Dove’s election to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2022 to replace Rep. Karen Bass, who is now the mayor of Los Angeles, Wilson took up the cause when she was elected to the Assembly. The Assembly approved ACA 8 last September. It will be heard next in the Senate.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union: California Action, over 65% of the people in prisons reportedly being forced to work are performing essential jobs like firefighting and paving roads.

In 2022, incarcerated workers made up 43% of the state’s firefighters, ACLU revealed. After serving time and being released from prison the formerly incarcerated are often denied public safety jobs such as firefighters.

“Incarcerated individuals can have severe inhumane punishment for not working, including physical violence and solitary confinement,” Wilson said. “This is not justice. This is exploitation. Period. These punishments can be imposed for absences caused by injury or illness. The relations between incarcerated individuals and work should not be one of exploitation but one of rehabilitation and preparation for reintegration in our society.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Omnitrans and the city of Fontana will host an Art @ Transit event on Saturday, April 27, combining a community clean-up day at a popular transit center while recognizing local artists who have been beautifying our community by painting agency bus benches.

“Art @ Transit is a great opportunity to enhance our community by sprucing up one of our busiest Transit Centers and celebrating the artists who have done amazing work to beautify our bus benches,” said agency CEO/General Manager Erin Rogers.

The project represents the culmination of the agency’s popular Beautiful Benches Project, a grant-funded effort (Creative Corps Inland Socal, California Arts Council) in which local artists are selected to paint bus benches utilizing local cultural and historical themes. To date, 32 benches have been painted throughout the 15 cities Omnitrans serves.

All are invited to join the agency at the Fontana Transit Center at 11:00 a.m. on the 27th to participate in a community clean-up effort, followed by a bench artwork display, artist meet & greet, live musical performances, refreshments, and connection with local art organizations from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. For further information, visit Omnitrans.org/art-transit-2024.

It’s National Volunteer Month and not only is the San Bernardino County Museum (SBCM) celebrating and recognizing the contributions of its current volunteers, but the museum is also looking to expand its dedicated volunteer team!

Are you interested in history, art, science, or culture? Do you want to give back to your community? SBCM is currently seeking new volunteers to assist with visitor services, special events, educational tours and conducting research in the archives.

This support is essential to the museum’s ongoing operation. But it’s more than that – the knowledge and expertise of our volunteers enriches and deepens the impact of the museum’s programs, educational field trips and school tours, and events. Volunteers help create memorable experiences for our community and inspire the next generation of San Bernardino County history.

A volunteer can be anyone 15 years of age or older that can commit to a minimum of six hours per month.  Many volunteers are high school, college, and graduate students, retirees, or curious individuals looking to learn and serve their community.

Volunteer opportunities are available at both the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands and the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley in the following areas:

• Educational Tours
• Visitor Services
• Special Events
• Collections
• Research Library
• Marketing

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or intern at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands or the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley, you can attend our Volunteer Open House on Tuesday, April 21 at 3:30 p.m. in Redlands. For more information about volunteering, please visit our website at museum.sbcounty.gov/volunteer.

The San Bernardino County Museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child ages 6 to 12). Children five and under and Museum Foundation members are admitted free. Parking is free and the museum is accessible to people with disabilities.

The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional, cultural and natural history and the museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

Although California will have to make significant budget cuts to balance its budget as required by state law, Assemblymember and California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) member Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) said there are still ways to achieve reparations for Black Californians.

Currently, the budget deficit for the 2024-25 fiscal year has been projected to be as high as $73 billion.

Bryan said it will be “absolutely difficult,” but the state is still investing in other priority programs, various essential industries, oil companies, and prisons. The 32-year-old lawmaker made these observations at the California Budget and Policy Center (Budget Center) annual Policy Insights conference held April 16 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento.

“(California) has the 4th or 5th largest economy in the world. There will be $300 billion coming out of California State government,” Bryan said. “So, you can’t tell me that we don’t have the resources to foundationally begin reparations conversations or to start to make amends to start to do the repair work when we can invest in these institutions.”

The Budget Center is a nonpartisan, research and analysis nonprofit dedicated to advancing meaningful public policies that enhance the lives of Californians. It is also committed to exposing inequities in the state, budget priorities, and public policies that affect low and middle-income households, women, immigrants, American Indians, Asians, Black, Latinx, and Pacific Islander Californians.

The Budget Center’s Policy Insights 2024 conference brought together diverse stakeholders, including community advocates, government officials, nonprofits, and members of the media. The conference featured 11 workshops and plenary sessions covering topics in tax and budget policy, poverty, racial equity, housing and homelessness, child development, and more.

During the conference’s luncheon plenary session, titled “Policy Pathways to Reparations,” discussions were centered around the topic of reparations.

The session explored courses of action for securing reparations, guided by a 2023 task force report that examined the damages endured by African Americans as a result of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and legal and illegal discriminatory practices that were a part of the country’s culture for centuries.

Bryan was joined by Felicia Jones, the Director of Programs and Operations for Social Good Solutions and The Black Equity Collective; James Woodson, from the California Black Power Network and African Americans and the Alliance for Reparations, Reconciliation, and Truth (ARRT); and Don Tamaki, a former member of the California Reparations Task Force and Senior Counsel, Minami Tamaki LLP.  The moderator was John Kim, a member of the Budget Center Board of Directors and President and CEO of Catalyst California.

Woodson acknowledged that it would take more than members of the CLBC to pave the way toward reparations in the state. He said it would take a collective effort from people of all backgrounds to get the public and other lawmakers on board.

Both Woodson and Tamaki are members of AART. The organization’s mission is to raise public awareness about reparations and to build a base of multi-racial and multi-sector supporters in the state.

CLBC members Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) and Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) are also associated with ARRT. Both lawmakers were members of the California Reparations Task Force.

“There are hearts and minds we’ve got to change outside the Legislature,” Woodson said. “From a moral standpoint but also a practical standpoint that it just can’t be about Black communities and Black people. We have to have other communities standing with us.”

Several reparation bills presented by the CLBC as a whole or by separate members are working their way through the State Legislature.

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City), Chair of the CLBC, stated in January, “While many only associate direct cash payments with reparations, the true meaning of the word, to repair, involves much more.”

Before discussions about financial payouts can take place, considering budget concerns, Wilson said that “a comprehensive approach to dismantling the legacy of slavery and systemic racism” is necessary.

Gov. Gavin Newsom presented a $291 billion spending plan to the California Legislature on Jan. 10. None of CLBC’s package of bills is tied to direct cash payments but Bryan did ask supporters at the conference to keep the conversation going about reparations.

“Don’t let the legislature or the governor off the hook,” Bryan said.

Tamaki, who is Japanese American, was the only non-Black member of the nine-person reparations task force. He told the Policy Insights attendees that “moving the needle” in the direction of public opinion, raising awareness, and passing the CLBC bills are the next steps in the push for reparations.

“Out of 115 (reparations) proposals for repair, only a few of them deal with individual compensation. The rest have to do with policies,” said Tamaki.  “For example, Black infant mortality over 10 years in San Francisco is literally five times the rate for White babies. So, these are the systematic outcomes we are familiar with that need to be addressed.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On April 12, a significant collaboration between the San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD), California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), and the County of San Bernardino was formalized to combat student hunger. This collaboration is designed to expedite the qualification process for CalFresh, a critical federal aid program that provides monthly assistance for low-income individuals to purchase nutritious food.

The agreement will allow San Bernardino Valley College, Crafton Hills College, and CSUSB to share specific financial information from student’s FAFSA applications with the San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Department which manage CalFresh, with the consent of the students.

The urgency of this initiative is highlighted by findings from the California Student Aid Commission, which estimates that nearly 181,000 college students in Riverside and San Bernardino counties are at risk of facing hunger without CalFresh support. San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. reflected on his connection to the cause, stating, “As someone who has studied at both Valley College and CSUSB, I know the impact of food insecurity first-hand. With today’s economic pressures and high costs, addressing student hunger is more crucial than ever. This partnership is about removing barriers to education by ensuring no student goes hungry.”

SBCCD Chancellor Diana Z. Rodriguez emphasized the broader impact, noting, “Investing in student nutrition is investing in our local economy. Ensuring that students have consistent access to food not only boosts their academic performance but also prepares a stronger, more capable workforce for the future.”

CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales highlighted the critical link between nutrition and learning, saying, “Hungry students cannot effectively pursue their educational goals. CSUSB is proud to participate in the CalFresh Program as it directly supports our students’ well-being and academic success. This data-sharing initiative will help us reach more eligible students and maintain our support throughout their educational journey.”

The MOU is officially effective and will expire on Dec. 18, 2028. CalFresh’s website describes the program as “for people with low income who meet federal income eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table.”

By Lila Brown | California Black Media

On April 8, U.S. Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) moderated a roundtable focused on Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) strategies to improve Black student performance in classrooms.

Kamlager-Dove, who represents a district that covers parts of Los Angeles County, hopes that ideas shared at the event can be incorporated into models that can impact other regions across California, where Black students continue to fall behind their peers of other races and ethnicities.

Discussions at the event centered on LAUSD’s Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) and other educational initiatives aimed at enhancing learning and boosting test scores.

“The Black Student Achievement Plan is unique in that it takes a community-centered approach to uplifting Black students,” said Kamlager-Dove during the event held at John Muir Middle School in Los Angeles.

“We must implement culturally responsive education in the classroom to challenge our students academically while giving them a sense of purpose,” she continued.

In 2023, nearly 70% of Black children in California fell below a passing mark on the state standardized English Language Arts exam, and only about 20% of those students were performing at grade level based on their scores on the math assessment test.

A variety of public education experts joined Kamlager on the panel, including Dr. Kortne Edogun-Ticey, Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of Education; Dr. Robert Whitman, Educational Transformation Officer at LAUSD; Dr. Pedro Noguera, Professor and Dean at the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education; and Keith Linton, founder of the non-profit Boys to Gentlemen.

Jonathan McGee, a student who sits on the BSAP Student Advisory Council, also spoke during the panel.

Representatives from the office of Los Angeles Unified Board of Education Member Dr. George J. McKenna III, and Alberto M. Carvalho, Superintendent of LAUSD, also attended the event.

The BSAP was approved by the LAUSD Board of Education in February of the 2020-21 school year. Funds have been earmarked to address the longstanding disparities in educational outcomes between Black students and their non-Black peers. Dating back to the landmark case, Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka, Kan., in which the U.S. Supreme Court declared that segregated schools were unconstitutional, positive outcomes for Black students continue to lag behind district and national averages for their non-Black counterparts.

Edogun-Ticey spoke about broader investments the federal government is making in education that directly impact Black students through The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans.

‘This administration did not shy away from the idea that we need resources for support which means billions of dollars in investment for HBCUs,” she explained.

“We know that about $2 billion for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), but how many are aware of what those dollars do for student mental health,” Edogun-Ticey added.

In 2023, LAUSD expanded the BSAP Program by $26 million, demonstrating the district’s commitment to improving education for Black students, who are the lowest-performing subgroup of students in the state, only ahead of students with disabilities.

BSAP strategies include partnering with Black families and local community; supporting the implementation of culturally and linguistically responsive and anti-racist practices; offering wrap-around support structures; and highlighting experiences that uplift the contributions of the Black community as motivation and models to develop positive Black student identity. Additionally, the BSAP provides increased staffing to support Black students’ academic and social-emotional needs.

“School districts across the country must push back against attacks on marginalized students by implementing programs like the BSAP, which should serve as a model for future initiatives,” Kamlager said.

February Outstanding Achievement Awards Recognize District Students, Parents and Staff

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- In Feb., the Board of Education presented the Outstanding Achievement Awards to students, parents and staff of Lincoln and North Park Elementary Schools, Rodriguez PREP Academy Middle School and Arroyo Valley High School (AVHS).

The Board recognizes Outstanding Student Award winners to honor excellence in academics, athletics, fine arts, citizenship, and most improvement. The Board also presents the Outstanding Parent/Grandparent/Volunteer Award and Outstanding Employee Award to individuals who embody the district’s dedication to student achievement and well-being.

Lincoln Elementary School, Principal Dr. Heather Regalado:

Malachi Boyd is a fifth-grader and Outstanding Student. Boyd has shown tremendous growth in reading through his consistent perseverance. He now enjoys learning new words and takes pride in the fact he can read words he couldn’t read before. Boyd wants to become a professional football player.

Abraham Lopez Torres is a dual-immersion third-grader and Outstanding Student. Torres is an English Learner who has worked hard to learn his letter names and sounds in both languages and is now reading in Spanish and speaking English. Torres wants to become a fisherman because he loves the ocean.

Outstanding Parent Award winner Diana Alvarez is dedicated to increasing family engagement opportunities at Lincoln. She has led the work for the fall festival and the Dr. Seuss Literacy event. Alvarez is also an important member of the School Site Council.

Senior Recreation Leader Lucila “Lucy” Garcia makes sure Lincoln is a safe place for students when they are on the playground and in the cafeteria. She is always moving and provides active supervision at all times. She is a great model for the Rec. Aide team.

In one short year, Counselor Ariceli Rodriguez has been able to immerse herself into the culture and bring joy and happiness to students and staff. She uses every opportunity available to help students learn anti-bullying strategies and how to regulate themselves.

North Park Elementary School, Principal Heather Bjornberg:

Samantha Cooley is a third-grader and Outstanding Student. She excels in reading, writing and math. She puts her best effort into completing class assignments and shows attention to detail in her work. She is responsible and displays strong leadership skills. Cooley wants to find a career where she can ride horses professionally.

Elyjah Moore is a sixth-grader and Outstanding Student. Moore is a model scholar. He is usually the first to take the lead in group discussions and contribute and share ideas. He is dependable and is willing to help classmates and teachers. Moore’s dream is to attend USC to pursue an athletic career in baseball, and also pursue a career in law enforcement.

Outstanding Parent Award winner Stevie Young’s tireless efforts in creating a nurturing and conducive learning environment do not go unnoticed. Staff members are deeply thankful for her willingness to lend a helping hand, whether it’s through volunteering in classrooms, assisting with extracurricular activities or supporting other events.

Secretary II Darlene Peters is an Outstanding Classified Employee. Peters is instrumental to North Park. She has demonstrated unwavering dedication and exceptional kindness and professionalism to scholars and families, resulting in significant contributions to the betterment of the school.

Program Facilitator Heidi McQueen demonstrates qualities such as attention to detail, timeliness, effective communication, professionalism and adaptability. She not only ensures the quality of her work, but also fosters an environment of trust, collaboration and continuous growth and innovation.

Rodriguez Prep Academy Middle School, Principal Kathy Atencio:

Eighth-grader Aalana Jackson is an Outstanding Student. Jackson’s contributions to her school and community showcase her as a role model for her peers, embodying the qualities of a true scholar and citizen. Jackson aspires to enroll at Howard University and pursue a career path in veterinary medicine.

Blake Marquez is an eighth-grader and Outstanding Student. Marquez’s efforts have not only resulted in significant academic growth but have also demonstrated responsibility, respect and integrity within the school community. His positive attitude, hard work and perseverance will serve him well in his future as a computer engineer.

Lucia Hernandez Noriega is an Outstanding Parent. She is an invaluable member of our parent leadership team, where her insights, input and commitment greatly enhance the school’s collaborative efforts. Her unwavering support and active participation in community initiatives underscore her genuine commitment to promoting the educational welfare of students.

Custodian I Leticia Villalpando is an Outstanding Classified Employee. Villalpando is emotionally committed to the school’s success, striving to make it the pride of the neighborhood. She possesses a positive passion for fostering strong relationships with students, and her dedication to service is consistently exceptional.

Seventh-grade Teacher Abigail Tejada is an Outstanding Certificated Employee. Tejada is deeply committed to the academic growth and well-being of her students. Her approach is holistic, focusing on the whole student, not just their academic performance. Her dedication to her students’ success is evident in her inclusive learning environment.

Arroyo Valley High School (AVHS), Principal Manuel Gonzalez:

Brianna Hernandez is a sophomore and an Outstanding Student. Hernandez actively works toward finding solutions and gaining new knowledge. She is a very principled student who is willing to take on student leadership positions. She would love to pursue a career in physical therapy, dentistry or teaching biology.

Senior Yaretzi Medina-Hernandez is an Outstanding Student. Known for her outstanding citizenship, Medina-Hernandez contributes to a positive and inclusive school environment. In addition to maintaining high academic standards in her rigorous courses, she is a dedicated member of the school orchestra. She has plans to study music and dance at the collegiate level.

Yadira Contreras is an Outstanding AVHS parent who has truly made a significant impact on her child’s education and the entire school community. She not only prioritizes her child’s education but also advocates for the well-being and academic success of all students.

Juanita Loya is an Outstanding Classified Employee. Loya is a dedicated Campus Security Officer II whose commitment to the betterment of students is truly exceptional. Loya not only possesses high standards for security protocols but also goes above and beyond to establish a positive rapport with students.

Linked Learning Program Specialist and CTE Department Chair Dimitri Chronopoulos is an Outstanding Certificated Employee. Serving as a visionary leader, Chronopoulos’s commitment is evident in his instrumental role in developing top-notch Career and Technical Education(CTE) pathways, offering students invaluable opportunities for skill development and real-world preparedness.

About San Bernardino City Unified School District:

The San Bernardino City Unified School District is California’s eighth-largest school district and is dedicated to providing a high-quality education that prepares more than 46,000 students for college, career and life. With a focus on equity, excellence and empowerment, the District serves a diverse student population in the San Bernardino and Highland communities.

VICTORVILLE, CA—- The Queendom Awards, an esteemed annual event recognizing the exceptional contributions of women in the High Desert community, is thrilled to announce its second edition, set to take place on Mother’s Day Weekend, Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Holiday Inn in Victorville, CA, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Queendom Awards celebrate the leadership, philanthropy, and commitment of extraordinary women whose work has made a profound impact on the community. This year’s esteemed honorees include Regina Bell, Founder Of D.V.L PROJECT; 1st Lady Lorrie Denson of The Burning Bush Baptist Church; Leslie Irvin, City Councilwoman, Victorville CA; Pastor Kashmier Hayes, Epiphany Meeting Destiny; and Sylvia Romo, 2023 Women of Excellence Award Recipient. These exceptional women have demonstrated unwavering dedication to empowering others and fostering a positive change in the HIGH DESERT and beyond.

The event is made possible through the generous support of our community sponsors, including Victorville Motors, The High Desert Sports Association, K.I.C.K.S KAFE, Congressional Candidate Derek Marshall, and more. Their commitment to recognizing and honoring the achievements of women in our community is invaluable and deeply appreciated.

The evening promises to be a memorable occasion, featuring a glamorous Red-Carpet Network, followed by a sumptuous dinner sponsored and served by POPPA’S KITCHEN. Members of the media are cordially invited to participate in the Red-Carpet Network and capture the excitement of this special event.

“We are thrilled to host the 2nd Annual Queendom Awards and shine a spotlight on these remarkable women who have made significant contributions to our community,” said Justified Smith, Founder of FATHERS IN HIP HOP. “Their dedication, leadership, and resilience inspire us all, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements on this special evening.”

For sponsorship opportunities, or to RSVP for the event, please contact: Event Producer, Brittany Tinna White at (909-684-1330) or tuproductions3@gmail.com.

About the Queendom Awards: The Queendom Awards are an annual event that honors exceptional women in the High Desert community who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, service, and commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others. The awards seek to celebrate and empower women from diverse backgrounds and industries, recognizing their achievements and inspiring future generations.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Seven distinguished young men were presented to society on Saturday, March 30th, 2024, at the beautiful campus of California State University. Sir Knight 2004 Raafi Bell teacher and principle of Hardy Brown College Prep was the Master of Ceremony.

The 57th Annual Beautillion Ball which was no disappointment to a packed house of spectators as each young man was introduced along with their courts. Elegance, excitement, and suspense were thick in the air as the Knights and their courts performed dances with precession for their guests. The Keynote speaker was Dr. Jerrold N. Thompson, Sr., Senior Pastor of San Bernardino Community SDA Church – where he spoke on our theme of “Your Moment of Greatness” and shared his personal examples on the theme.

The Social Lites honored Wallace Allen of Westside Story / Talk Back, Michael Davis, Alton Garrett – Garrett Management Group, Dr. Danielle Osonduagwuike, Tina Darling, Councilman Damon Alexander and SBVC Aeronautics Department of Valley College with service awards for their unselfish act of pouring into our young men through the last 6 months with their various workshops and activities.

In full force our representatives from the federal, state, county and local government were present which included our Congressional Representative Pete Aguilar of the 33rd District, James Ramos California State Assembly representing District 45th office, Assembly member Eloise Gomez-Reyes representing the 50th California Assembly District, Joe Baca Jr. San Bernardino County 5th District, Dr. Gwen Dowdy Rodgers, San Bernardino of the County of School Board and Damon Alexander of the 7th Ward of the City of San Bernardino and Felicia Alexander, San Bernardino City Unified School District Trustee and Social Lite member who presented our Knights with certificates and witnessed the affair.

Our Successful Well Accomplished Gentleman (S.W.A.G.) Award for 2024 was awarded to Edward Brantley, President of the “I Am Gifted Foundation” for providing countless assistance in coaching and providing a stellar example to our young men and Chief Joseph Paulino, Chief of Police for the San Bernardino City Unified School District was awarded the Trail Blazer Award for giving back numerous years to our young men and creating a path while forging ahead for others.

The evening concluded with our crowning of Sir Knight Solomon Moore of Citrus Valley High School. As dubbed Sir Knight, he receiving over $22,500.00 in scholarships and awards for the prestigious title. This included $10,000.00 for the Social Lites, Inc. (SLI) Scholarship, $6,000.00 for the Evan T. Carthen Emerging Leadership Memorial (ETCEL) Award, $3,000 Academic Excellence Award, a $400.00 Mr. Congeniality Award and a $1,000 Travel Voucher including his countless gifts valued at over $1,800.00 for college expenses to allow him to pursue his dream to become a Civil Engineer at Tennessee State University.

Daniel Rivera, Jr., 1^st Runner- Up was awarded $8,000.00 along with $3,000 Academic Excellence Award by the (SLI) Scholarship, $1,000.00 for the (ETCEL) Award along with a host of gifts and prizes valued at over $1,800.00.

2^nd Runner-Up Syncere Brackett-Lambey was awarded $6,000.00 by the (SLI) Scholarship and $1,000.00 for the (ETCEL) Award along with a host of gifts and prizes valued at over $1,950.00.

Darvion McGee was awarded the Perservance Award by the (SLI) Scholarship of $4,000.00 and $1,000.00 for the (ETCEL) Award along with a host of other gifts and prizes valued at $1,500.00.

Ali Dphrepaulezz was awarded the President Award by the (SLI) Scholarship of $2,000.00 and $1,000.00 Academic Excellence Award and $1,000.00 for the (ETCEL) Award along with a host of other gifts and prizes valued over $1,700.00.

Frank Cox III was awarded the Social Lites Award of $1,500.00, $1,000.00 Academic Excellence Award, $1,000.00 for the (ETCEL) Award and along with a host of other gifts and prizes valued at over $1,100.00.

Destyn Maurice was awarded by the (SLI) Scholarship of $8,000.00 for the Alumni Award and $1,000.00 for the (ETCEL) Award along with other gifts and prizes valued at over $1,100.00.

Each young man received a host of Resolutions and Proclamations by local mayors and dignitaries.

As we conclude our ceremonial event, our work is NOT over. With your help, we are seeking our next African American and brown young men to set on the path toward higher levels through their education. The Social Lites program is a non-profit (501c3) program that created the Beautillion Program. It was started in the Inland Empire out of concern for the future and survival of the young black and brown men in the community in which they live and serve. This program is designed to help young men who are seniors in high school prepare for college through the solicitation of ads, leadership development, accountability, responsibility, etiquette, attire for all occasions, spiritual growth, publics peaking, and community service.

If you know any young men 6 years old to their 1st year in college who aspire to improve with their educational aspirations. Please reach out to us so that we can bring them into the program. If you would like to donate to our cause, we appreciate all contributions. To date, we have we have given out approximately 3.5 million dollars in scholarships to our college bound young men.

For more information, please call President, Sheri Lewis at (909) 320-0799 or publicity chairperson, Marlene Davis at (909) 709-5502