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Kim Carter

The EBONY Power 100 is compiled by the editors of EBONY magazine. Each selection is considered a leader in his or her field. Over the past year, these individuals have had a positive impact on the African-American community. They are game changers in their respective fields and have consistently challenged the status quo. The Star-Studded list of other honorees includes people like Oprah Winfrey, R & B legend Rihanna and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris to name a few. Kim Carter is being honored as one of the “Community Crusaders” reflecting a collective of liberators and leaders who affirm the lives of the misrepresented, no matter race, gender or creed. Through philanthropic efforts and activism, these honorees galvanize and nurture our communities with the mission of ensuring liberty and justice for all.

Kim Carter founded the Time for Change Foundation in 2002, helping homeless women and children reach self-sufficiency. Today, she is a powerful leader transforming the lives of those impacted by poverty and incarceration. Kim’s innovation created a plethora of evidence-based program models, including 2 shelters, 13 permanent supportive housing units and developing her first affordable housing project, The Phoenix Square.   Today, the organization’s impact and model is being replicated in 2 different states and the Bay Area.

As a policy fellow, she learned how to navigate the political system and influence policy and laws to advance her cause. Using her past experiences with incarceration and homelessness as the fuel to drive her passion, she has excelled as a notable leader. Through her Center for Housing Advancement & Motivational Projects LLC she does consulting and motivational speaking across the country.   Many call Kim the “Real Deal” because she is a powerful voice for change with dynamic skills that propel others to stand up and take action.

The Ebony Power 100 list features men and women who are truly making a difference in their communities and the world through their work, talent and influence,” says Nationwide Chief Administrative Officer Gale King. “Nationwide congratulates this year’s distinguished honorees and looks forward to celebrating their accomplishments and contributions at this year’s gala.

“My purpose is to do what seems impossible, like ending homelessness and developing leaders from  those that are most impacted by negative social conditions,” says Kim Carter. “Harriet Tubman didn’t quit when she found freedom, she went on to free thousands of slaves… that’s my SHERO!”

RIALTO, CA- The story of Freddie Meeks, a California resident, and Port Chicago a time in history; dare to remember…

It’s July 17 in Port Chicago, California, a cool summer Friday night at a munitions naval base 30 miles North of San Francisco. The year is 1944 and World War II is in full swing. According to a United States Navy report, “The actual work of loading ammunition and explosives aboard the ships was performed exclusively by Afro-Americans under the supervision of White officers and Afro-American petty officers,” and the routine assignment of Afro-American enlisted personnel to manual labor was clearly motivated by race and premised upon the mistaken notion that they were intellectually inferior and thus incapable of meeting the same standards as their white counterparts.”

But then the unspeakable happened, explosion after explosion – so fierce, it shook the ground with the force of an earthquake. Knocking out windows and shaking buildings as far east as Boulder City, Nevada. The results of the explosion at the naval facility killed or wounded 710 people, 435 of whom were African American. This single disaster accounted for more than 15 percent of all African American naval casualties during World War II.

What happened next is even more mind-boggling than the explosion itself? Following the explosion, many of the African-American survivors, expected to be granted survivors, leave before being reassigned to regular duty, but that leave was not granted, even for those who had been hospitalized. All African-American men were sent back to work loading ammunition under the same officers as before.

Fifty sailors of the United States Navy, all African-American men, refused to resume loading activities under the same conditions and were ultimately tried and convicted of mutiny for failing to obey orders. Thurgood Marshall, then chief counsel for the NAACP, was reported to state he saw no reason why the men should be tried for mutiny, which implies a mass conspiracy, rather than on lesser charges of individual subordination, and blasted the trial by stating that the defendants were being tried for mutiny “solely because of their race and color.” Virtually all of the convicted sailors were released from prison early in 1946 and were given a general discharge from the Navy “under honorable conditions.”

In 1999, Freddie Meeks was pardoned by President Bill Clinton in recognition of the injustice he suffered as one of the convicted sailors, and at the time of his pardon, Mr. Meeks said, “After all these years, the world should know what happened at Port Chicago. It should be cleared up that we did not commit mutiny, and we were charged with that because of our race”. In July 11, 2016 the Assembly Joint Resolution No. 33 was filed with the Secretary of State – it would pardon all of the members of the Port Chicago 50.

Dennis Rowe Entertainment is proud to present Port Chicago 50, a story of love for Country, the American Dream and a quest for Equality and Fairness.

Unbelievable…Emotional…Dramatic…Thought Provoking are some words audiences have used to describe Port Chicago 50. Broadway Producer Woody King, Jr. said “The actors and designers did an excellent job” and Linda Armstrong from New York’s Amsterdam News exclaimed “Everyone should see this show!”

Port Chicago 50 is a must see for everyone and will be a weekend of historical enlightenment! The powerful story is co-written by David Shackelford and Dennis Rowe, and directed by Dennis Rowe. Port Chicago 50 does use some strong language. Port Chicago 50 is presented by Dennis Rowe Entertainment from Los Angeles, California.

The play will kick off on Friday, December 1 in Rialto. To claim you discount on your tickets, please use PROMO code: “IMPROVE.”

Click here to buy your ticket!

By Naomi K. Bonman

In this day of age, the phrase “Unapologetically Me” has been heard over and over; however, it is a true testament to being unashamed of who you are. This is how I would describe Christian recording artist, Sherri Bryant. She is unapologetically bold and unashamed in her worship and passion in praising God. Her boldness in her ministry has helped others worldwide to tap into their purpose and calling in Jesus Christ.

Sherri has released three projects since she has been in her ministry of music. Her first project, “I Found the One,” demonstrates her ability to capture melodies of heaven through her unique vocal arrangements and expressive lyrics. Her second cd, “Made II Praise,” is a collection of contemporary praise and worship that radiates with the passion and energy that flow from Sherri during a live performance, and her latest project which just released this year, “True Worship” also is a collection of contemporary songs, but they are also very testimonial to the struggles that Bryant went through on her life’s journey to her destiny. “You Are Greater” is just one of the songs that captures her testimony from fear to faith and helps the listener to understand that no matter how high their mountain our God is Greater.

Sherri is currently the worship leader at Water of Life in Fontana, California, and in addition to that she travels all over the world ministering her gift of music and winning souls to Christ. She recently traveled to The Congo of Africa where she ministered to a crowd of over 140,000!

In a recent interview that Sherri shared with the Westside Story Newspaper, she explained her experience of being in Africa, as well as what inspired her to take her gift of music to the heights of where it is now. 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— United Nations of Consciousness (U.N.C) announced last week that its name would change to Akoma Unity Center (A.U.C), effective immediately. At the same time, the program has elected Kimberly Calvin as the new Executive Director.

Kimberly Calvin has served U.N.C as a volunteer, event coordinator, program manager, and board member. As program manager, she has managed staff, developed and managed U.N.C’s Youth Summer Camp, addressing the needs and opportunities unique to at-risk youth in San Bernardino. Also, she has represented U.N.C at various meetings with state, local government, and agencies.

Calvin says, “U.N.C has built a solid reputation in the community with providing direct services and resources to at-risk youth and disadvantage families such as cultural enrichment, youth after school program and summer camp. We want to make sure that our new name and image accurately reflects what we do. We are moving forward promoting positive youth development, engaging the community leadership and critical community partners and we wanted a more updated, streamlined look to match.”

As of today, AKOMA Unity Center has superseded the name United Nations of Consciousness. Akoma Unity Center will operate under a separate entity. The new website www.akomaunitycenter.com will not be affiliated with www.unclife.org or www.uncyouth.org.

The new Executive Director, Kimberly Calvin has a wealth of experience in the community sector and will continue U.N.C’s mission to serve as a leader and advocate for San Bernardino youth and families.

Chairman, Dr. Nana Lawson Bush V and Secretary Tammy Martin-Ryles state, “We stand firmly on the past work of U.N.C and other like organizations. Looking audaciously and excitedly towards the future under the homegrown and experienced leadership of our new Executive Director, Kimberly Calvin, including recently elected board members, Rikke Van Johnson, Dolores Armstead, Naazir Anyabilwe, Stephanie Robinson, and Dr. Gloria Morrow along with our new meaningful name, Akoma Unity Center.”

For more information regarding Akoma Unity Center’s programs, please call the office at (909) 217-7956 or visit the website at www.akomaunitycenter.com.

Civics and service were the lessons of the day PAL Center CEO Dwaine Radden Sr. said to student’s volunteering as Supervisor Gonzales hosted a community clean-up day for the city of Muscoy. PAL Center graciously hosted the event as a dump site where residents could bring appliances, tires, furniture, metal, and more in an effort to clean up the community. PAL was one of two sites in the neighborhood for this annual event and their student Ambassadors benefited immensely from the experience.

Onsite planning their campus activities for the 2017 -2018 school year as well as preparing for the upcoming Halloween Festival, PAL Ambassadors took a break from their Saturday agenda to meet with Supervisor Josie Gonzales. She offered a wealth of information as she took a moment for a photo-op and selfie session with this group of High School students.

“The reason it’s important to learn about Civics, Government, and Politics is it teaches you the shortest route to the solutions for everyday problems. You now have the beginning of the answer. Government is there for everyone but not everyone knows how to use it as the solution.” Supervisor Josie Gonzales

Totally unplanned was the genuine act of service extended by this group as they all pitched in to assist a neighbor of PAL in clearing out the large waste items on their property. Everyone rolled up their sleeves and got busy doing the work of service as a real-time example of leadership in motion. The team spent nearly an hour of their day with Supervisor Gonzales clearing out debris while San Bernardino County Code Enforcement officers lent a hand with the heavy lifting and loading of debris onto waste management trucks.

“Cleaning the neighbor’s property is certainly not how we planned to spend our Saturday, but the opportunity and experience was invaluable as we attempt to model and teach the necessity of considering others and not just self. Our Ambassadors are AMAZING and they reaffirmed their awesomeness today through service without complaint. We are incredibly proud of who they are becoming.” Ms. Domonique White, PAL Student Success Coordinator

Supervisor Gonzales left the PAL Ambassadors with this note, “You must look around and take ownership of the answers. You are the boss of the problem. Be the solution you want to see.”

PAL Charter Academy is providing solutions for student success by supporting students through an individualized approach to learning. PAL is currently enrolling for the 2017 – 2018 2^nd trimester session as well as PCA Middle School, 6^th – 8^th grade which opened fall of 2017. For more information visit the website at www.palcharteracademy.org or call 909-887-7002.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—Television and Film and can seem like reality, although most of the time its fiction, but just imagine if what was depicted on television happened in real life. This is the synopsis behind the upcoming film, “Full Method” written, produced, and directed by San Bernardino native Katz Carter.

“Full Method” tells the story about two friends who are preparing to play a serial killer for a new television drama series, but end up accidently becoming killers themselves. The film was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s, ‘Rope’ from playwright Patrick Hamilton.

This upcoming Suspense-Thriller will feature an award-winning cast which includes: Aiden Davari (Matthew Campbell), Shane Cervantes (Frank Genger), Cara Kluver (Liz Riley), Caroline Lee Sanchez (Caroline Prescott), and Terri J. Freedman (Janet Witt).

The film is currently in pre-production mode and in the process of accumulating all the funds necessary to make it a success.  There is currently a GoFund me page set up, so if you love a great, juicy thriller and love supporting local talent, please don’t hesitate to donate at www.gofundme.com/KatzCarter1st.

Katz started acting at a young age trying to follow in his father’s footsteps, doing community theater. In high school, he realized he can make a living from his love of movies and started considering camera work. In college when everyone else around him was acting, he figured someone had to write and direct so that everyone else can act, and that is what started his 15-year journey into the life of filmmaking. He developed a real love for directing and left acting behind to pursue a career in directing and producing.

RIVERSIDE, CA- Extraordinary leaders will be recognized and awarded at the Theta Pi Sigma (TPS) Inland Empire alumnae chapter observance of the 95th Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Founders’ Day on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2 p.m., at the Moreno Valley Conference & Recreation Center in Moreno Valley.

Receiving Sigma Gamma Rho’s coveted Beacon of Enduring Light Award is the 12^th Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Judy D. White. Heralded by the community as a “history maker and stereotype breaker,” Dr. White describes herself as a servant leader and has added value to every position that she has ever held.

As a past educator, teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, deputy superintendent in San Bernardino City Schools and Superintendent of Moreno Valley Unified School District, Dr. White is known for increasing graduation rates, empowering students through internships and facilitating a citywide adopt a school process.

According to TPS President Deborah Moore, annual award recipients are not lightly selected. “Our Beacon of Enduring Light Award recipients,” explains Moore, “are men and women whose achievements meet the requirement of proven sustainable impact that will be felt for generations to come.”

In addition to the honored, the event will feature Gwendolyn Lorraine Dowdy-Rodgers, San Bernardino City Unified‘s board of education member, as the keynote speaker for the event’s theme “Spiritual Fitness: Fit to Serve.”

Also, being honored as community Torchbearers are impactful leaders representing each of the five historically African American fraternities: Kevin Hall, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.; Dr. Mel Palmar, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.; Vice Admiral USN (ret) Edward Moore, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.; Danny Tillman, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.; and Damarea Parker, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc.

Tickets are $55 each for the Founders’ Day observance and can be purchased through Eventbrite.com by entering “Theta Pi Sigma Chapter Founders’ Day”; by contacting the chapter at thetapisigma1922@yahoo.com or 951.777.4148; or by contacting any of the chapter members directly. Proceeds will help fund scholarships for Inland Empire youth and other community support efforts. Donations can be made via Eventbrite as well for those unable to attend.

The festive event will also feature the inspirational sounds of songstress Tahera Christy and praise dancer Meosha McAfee.

RIVERSIDE, CA- Each year, the NAACP Riverside Branch hosts a luncheon on Veterans Day to recognize and honor our brave heroes of war. The 47th Anderson Copeland Memorial Veterans Recognition Luncheon will take place on Friday, November 10 at 11 a.m. (Veterans Day) at Mount Rubidoux Seventh Day Adventist Church located at 5320 Victoria Avenue in Riverside.

Special guest speaker will be retired United States Air Force combat nurse, Lieutenant Colonel Sandra Jones. Decorated war heroes and other special invited guests from various military branches will also be present.

Veterans and their families will be treated to a complimentary southern-style lunch. Additionally, all veterans will also be honored with a special medal as a small token of appreciation for their dedicated service to our country. For information call (909) 229-4825 or (909) 456-0786. Visit www.Naacp-Riverside.org.

By Naomi K. Bonman

LOS ANGELES, CA- As usual, the Taste of Soul brought out thousands of Southern California residents to the Crenshaw area on Saturday, October 21.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Taste of Soul, it is one of the largest street festivals in Los Angeles where of variety of ethnic food vendors from in and around Los Angeles County come out to promote their restaurants. The Los Angeles Sentential is the main media producer that puts on the event every year with the help of sponsors, such as.  Other business and entities also come out to promote as well, but the scope of the afternoon is centered around the delicious food that you will embark on.

In addition to the food vendors, there are several stages that bring out top notch talent. This year among those stages was StarQuest. StarQuest held a competition between adults and children where they gave one adult winner $500 and one child winner $500. They also had headlining performances from household entertainers that included Brandy, Melanie Fiona, Kenny Lattimore, Doug E. Fresh, and Kool Moe Dee. In between performances, Danny Bakewell explained the importance of supporting black owned businesses, which is the purpose of way Taste of Soul was put on and has been successful for the past 12 years.

(Photo Credit: Kristina Dixon/11:One Visuals)

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Anyone who has met Rhonda Crayton will tell you she is a warrior.

This 40-year-old mother of two from San Bernardino is known across the San Bernardino Valley College campus for her infectious smile and positive attitude, which she credits with helping in her fight against cancer.

In 2014, Crayton was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, and immediately started chemotherapy and radiation. Her oncologist told her she wasn’t allowed to work while undergoing treatment, but she did not want to sit at home, depressed. “I said, ‘If you don’t let me go to school, it will make it worse,’ so he said I could go, but if I got sick I had to stop,” Crayton said. “I prayed about it, and asked God to cover me and let me go to school. This is now my sixth semester, and I have straight As.”

Crayton, who already has her BA in criminology, will earn her AA in human services, communication studies, and liberal arts, plus a certificate in case management this fall.

Her doctor gave her permission to return to work in October, and Crayton?—?mom to Jasmine, 24, and Tiffany, 20?—?is now also involved in SBVC’s EOPS program, SBVC’s Honor Society, and her church. After she graduates this fall, Crayton would like to work at a high school or college as a counselor, helping young adults who need support and guidance.

“They need to know there is someone out there rooting for them, telling them ‘you can do this,’” she said. “I may also go back into law enforcement, as a probation officer, to help at-risk teens.”

Wherever she goes, Crayton takes with her the message that whatever curveball life throws at you, you should never give up.

“You never know what your purpose is, so I use my story to teach other people that you may think you have it bad, but someone has it worse,” she said. “I always say that if you have cancer, it does not have to be a death sentence. I am still here. You should stay positive, and whatever your faith may be, find something to believe in. I was determined not to give up, not to let the cancer win, and that’s what I tell people?—?I have cancer, it does not have me. You can do anything if you set your mind to it.”