Tag Archives: slider

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Saturday, April 7, 15 young men will walk across the stage at Sturges Center for the Fine Arts in downtown San Bernardino as part of the Mr. Cardinal City Pageant.

At first glance, the pageant may appear to be a high school popularity contest, but the contestants know it’s an experience that teaches them professionalism and good etiquette, requires high academic achievement, and shapes their perspective on community service.

This year, the students are using the event as a way to shed light on the #NeverAgain movement. Pageant coordinator and founder, Jamie Rios, confirmed the 15th Annual Mr. Cardinal City Pageant will be dedicated to the victims and survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that took place in Parkland, Florida on February 14.

“This could happen to anyone,” Rios said. “We have to be there to support others in need.”

Rios added that Mr. Cardinal empowers participants to develop interpersonal skills and a strong sense of community.

The 2017-2018 Mr. Cardinal contestants are: Aldo Ramirez, Alfonso Sanchez, Alonzo Sanchez, Anthony Valencia, Benito Fregoso, Bryan Rosales, Daniel Cardenas, Daniel Villegas, Hervin Labandaria, Jedn Corona, Jeremy Barrios, Omar Santana, Roman Camarena, Samuel Herrera, and Yair Alcantara.

To purchase tickets, contact any Mr. Cardinal contestant or pageant coordinator Jamie Rios at jamie.rios@sbcusd.com or call (909) 881-8217. Red carpet event starts at 5 p.m. and the pageant begins at 6 p.m. at Sturges Center for the Fine Arts located at 780 North E Street in San Bernardino.

Local associates read books to students on Dr. MLK Jr,’s Legacy at Fontana Unified School District Elementary Schools as part of national service effort

FONTANA, CA- Wednesday, April 4 marked 50 years since the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and his message and values of dignity, equality, justice and service still inspire and motivate millions of people. To honor Dr. King’s legacy and commitment to service, local Walmart leadership and or associates in Fontana hosted and participated in a book reading on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy starting at Dorothy Grant Elementary School.

“Dr. King’s lessons have stood the test of time and continue to unite our communities, bridge differences and bring us together as a people,” said Walmart Market Manager Jondolon Bush. “We encourage everyone to volunteer in an act of service – no matter how big or small – to honor the legacy of Dr. King this week and beyond.” 

As part of this event, Walmart donated 1,000 copies of Brad Meltzer’s book, “I Am Martin Luther King Jr.” to students across 10 Fontana USD elementary schools. Students were challenged to think critically about Dr. King’s message of equality, service, and leadership, and given an activity to illustrate what they want their positive impact in the community to be. Walmart presented the Fontana USD with a $1,500 donation.

“The Fontana Unified School District is proud to partner with Walmart on this day of American history to share with the students of Fontana the values Dr. King preached,” said Fontana USD Superintendent Randal S. Bassett. “We hope that Dr. King’s messages of service, justice, and equality resonate with students today.”

Today’s act of service is part of Walmart’s national effort to honor Dr. King and his legacy. Among several activities planned, fifty Walmart leaders across the country and at least 50 stores nationally are participating in, and encouraging others to engage in, acts of service in their local communities.

Along with the acts of service, the Walmart Foundation has awarded nearly $4 million to 12 nonprofit organizations working to help promote access, equity and inclusion among diverse populations.

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media

Sacramento resident Stephon Clark became the latest unarmed Black male to die in a police-related shooting.  The story has spread across the national media to become the newest flashpoint amongst African-American activists and community leaders and the families who demand action on police violence.

According to reports, Clark, a father of two, was in his grandmother’s backyard as Sacramento police were following up on a call that a man was breaking car windows. The Sacramento Sheriff’s helicopter was providing air coverage while directing Sacramento officers on the ground. 

Upon encountering Clark, officers are heard on police body cam footage saying “gun, gun” and within seconds, immediately shot 20 rounds killing the father of two.

“Prior to the shooting, the involved officers saw the suspect facing them, advance forward with his arms extended, and holding an object in his hands.  At the time of the shooting, the officers believed the suspect was pointing a firearm at them. After an exhaustive search, scene investigators did not locate any firearms.  The only item found near the suspect was a cell phone,” according to a Sacramento Police Department news release. 

Civil Rights Leaders 

In response to the shooting, Black Lives Matter and other Sacramento area activists staged a public protest shutting down a section of the I-5 later to form a human blockade preventing over 10,000 people from entering Golden One arena.  The Kings and the Boston Celtics both wore shirts featuring Clark’s name before their Sunday game.

Press Conference for Clark Family

A Coalition of community activists in support of the Clark family convened a press conference on March 26 at Sacramento City Hall calling for “justice, reform and healing.”

Clark’s grandmother Sequita Thompson recounted the night when she heard gunshots in her backyard. She recalled sitting on her computer and crawling on the floor to her 7-year-old granddaughter who was asleep on the couch when the shots started.

“They didn’t have to kill him like that,” said Thompson. “They didn’t have to shoot him that many times. Why didn’t you shoot him in the arm? Shoot him in the leg? Send the dogs, a taser … why? Over a cell phone? I just want justice for my grandson.” 

President of the Sacramento chapter of the NAACP Betty Williams met with Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn and put calls in to Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert for regular updates.

“The unanswered question remains does the justice system have the capability of dispensing justice for all its citizens?” Said Williams.

The family retained Attorney Benjamin Crump who handled high-profile cases including Travon Martin and Michael Brown. 

“Since 2015 over 73 families have had to endure similar experiences. Over 70 Black Men have been shot and unarmed. This is oh to often a pattern in America,” said Crump.

Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network President, will attend Clark’s funeral on Thursday and deliver the eulogy. Sharpton has sent his West Coast representative Rev. Shane R. Harris, president of the San Diego chapter of NAN to provide counsel to the family. 

“NAN will stand hand in hand with the groups on the ground to ensure legislation is changed,” said Harris. 

“We will not let his name die, his name will live.”

 Harris expressed frustration last year with what he says is California’s lack of action on police shootings. He said that California is the bluest and most progressive state in the union, but other states are more advanced on prosecuting police violence. Harris challenged State Attorney General Xavier to take action on this issue.

Sharpton and other members of NAN have lobbied for Assembly Bill 284, the Deadly Force Act, which would have required all police shootings to be investigated by an independent team from the State Attorney General’s office. The bill has stalled in the legislature.

 Harris argued AB 284 is needed because local district attorneys cannot be trusted to conduct objective investigations of police shootings.

“It’s like students grading their own papers,” said Harris.

Whitney Ashley, graduate of J.W. North High School and former Olympian, will be the keynote speaker at the “I Am Enough” women’s conference.

RIVERSIDE, CA- “I Am Enough” is the theme for the 17th Annual Empowering Young Women Conference, a collaborative effort of the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation, Riverside Community College District, the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa, Riverside Police Foundation, Blumenthal Law Offices, and Dr. Kathy Wright. The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 14 in the Landis Auditorium located on the Riverside City College campus at 4800 Magnolia Avenue in Riverside.

This free conference, geared to young women ages 12 to 21 and their mothers/guardians, will feature informational workshops about health, nutrition, domestic violence, human trafficking, cyperbullying, social media issues, self-image and dress, college and careers as well as a fashion show, a poetry contest and a talent competition.

The morning keynote speaker, Whitney Ashley, is a J.W. North High School graduate and a former Olympian, whose specialty is the discus throw. She represented the United States at three consecutive Global Championships in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Dr. Leita Harris, professor at UC Riverside’s School of Medicine, and Obstetrician-Gynecologist, will be one of our afternoon keynote speakers.

The afternoon career panel includes Virginia Blumenthal, Member of the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees and one of the top 100 lawyers in the nation; Dr. FeRita Carter, Vice President, Student Services, Riverside City College; Carmen Cuevas, Senior Field Representative for California State Assembly Member, Jose Medina; May Lynn Davis, Founder of the Asian Lunar Fest; Commissioner Belinda Handy; Ninfa Delgado, Vice President and COO Riverside Community Health Foundation; and other notable female leaders and entrepreneurs. These dynamic and accomplished women will share their experiences and the steps they took to achieve their personal and career goals with the conference participants.

“We are very excited about this year’s conference as we have a cadre of excellent keynote and workshop speakers willing to share their knowledge and personal experiences with the young women,” said Conference Chair Wanda Scruggs. “Participants will receive breakfast, lunch, a goodie bag and information on everything from how to defend themselves to identifying human traffic perpetrators — all at no cost, thanks to the generosity of our wonderful sponsors.”

Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz praised the conference for its excellence. “The Empowering Young Women Conference is a wonderful opportunity to expose young women to inspiring role models. The participants also receive practical advice for academic and professional success,” said Chief Diaz. “I am proud that the Riverside Police Department is able to contribute to the conference”.
 
All conference participants will receive a free continental breakfast, lunch, a goodie-filled tote bag and opportunities for great door prizes. Participants are requested to pre-register no later than Wednesday, April 11 at
www.empoweringyoungwomenconference.com.

About The Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation
The Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation (formerly Riverside Black History Parade Committee) is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization established in honor of founders Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts. The foundation focuses on the development of events and activities such as: the Riverside Black History Parade, Expo and Car Show; Empowering Young Women’s Conference, and the Back-to-School Back Pack Giveaway event, which promotes positive family and cultural interaction in a cross section of communities.

Dr. Juli Grigsby, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Haverford College, Pennsylvania (photo: Haverford College).

SAN BERNARDINO, California—On Tuesday, March 27, San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) will host renowned anthropologist and university professor Dr. Juli Grisby for a lecture addressing a variety of pressing socio-cultural topics that may hit closer to home for some students than their traditional textbook studies. The event, which is free and open to the public, starts at 6:00 p.m. in SBVC’s Business Building, Room 100.

Originally from the Inland Empire, Dr. Grigsby is a socio-cultural anthropologist who has lectured at universities across the country on issues regarding critical race theory, feminist and queer theory, women’s health and violence, and U.S. social movements. She is also a noted photographer, and author of her current book project, “Grim Sleeper: Gender, Violence, and Reproductive Justice in Los Angeles.” She currently serves as the assistant professor of Anthropology at Haverford College in Pennsylvania.

SBVC sociology professor Anthony Blacksher said Dr. Grigsby can provide valuable insight for young scholars into the practical applications of anthropology today. “The work she is doing right now highlights the unique oppression of Black women and how that can be rendered invisible when things are seen as merely women’s issues, Black issues, or issues in our society at large,” he said. “To this point, Dr. Grigsby’s latest work connects the structural and economic conditions faced by Black women with the very real violence that is enacted upon them, politically and physically.” He hopes Dr. Grisby’s lecture will inspire more students to consider fields in the social sciences, especially anthropology.

SBVC’s Arts, Lectures & Diversity Committee is happy to announce this special event.

•••

WHAT: Guest Speaker, Dr. Juli Grigsby

WHERE: SBVC Business Building Room 100, San Bernardino Valley College, 701 S. Mount Vernon Ave., San Bernardino, CA., 92410. Free parking on campus.

WHEN: 6:00pm, Tuesday, March 27, 2018

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Thirteen distinguished young men will be presented to society on Saturday, March 24 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino during the Social Lites, Inc. 51st Beautillion Ball. The theme this year is, “Reflections of Our Past and Visions of Our Future.” Formal attire is required. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $50 per person. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

The Beautillion Program was started in the Inland Empire out of concern for the future and survival of young, Black men in the community in which they live and serve. High school seniors who participate in the program are known as Knights. 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, public speaking and community service. The all-around Knight will be identified at the conclusion of the program as Sir Knight. Other awards are given for academics and other achievements.

For more information, please telephone chairperson, Mrs. Donna Little-James at (909) 528-9793 or co- chairperson, Mrs. Bridgette Shaw at (909) 648-6165 or publicity chairperson, Mrs. Twillea Evans-Carthen at tevanscarthen@yahoo.com.

LOS ANGELES, CA- Time for Change Foundation’s (TFCF) 2018 Advocates of the Year Award honors those individuals whose strengths and courage amplifies the voices of change and criminal justice reform in their respective communities.  This year among the advocates being honored, Ms. Kim Carter is pleased to honor Jayda Rasberry and Mianta McKnight. 

“Both of these young ladies give me so much hope,” Kim Carter, Founder of Time for Change Foundation, stated. “We know that change will only come when those most impacted by the harmful effects of mass incarceration are at the helm leading the efforts for reform.”

Jayda Rasberry is from Los Angeles. She is in her late twenties, has 5 younger siblings, and a whole host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was raised by her grandmother who loved her unconditionally and instilled in her what it takes to be a productive citizen. In 2006 she was sentenced to Valley State Prison for Women where she would spend six years of her life. Since her release in 2012 she has been to Sacramento to speak about medical negligence and reducing the prison population with alternatives. In 2014 she became an organizer with Dignity and Power Now. She is out 5 days a week educating community members and making them aware of what is happening behind jail walls. As a formerly incarcerated person and a queer woman of color she believes that it is important to be a voice of change in directly impacted communities. She has lived the harsh realities of what happens behind the walls of prison and strongly believes that it is her duty to fight and to be a voice for people who are incarcerated.

Mianta McKnight is a formerly incarcerated juvenile offender tried as an adult who is passionate about incarcerated women. She knows firsthand what the prion experience is like since she served 18 years and 1 day on a 15 year to life sentence and essentially grew up within the prison industrial complex. As a fellow for Justice Now and activist for social change, she is dedicated to challenging inhumane conditions and being a voice for those who are unable to speak for themselves. She attends SFSU and is majoring in dance, which she plans to use to work along with holistic medicine to promote longevity, self-awareness, and self-care.

Other Honorees include: Dr. Carolyn Eggleston with the Community Education Champion Award, Jordyn Rivera with the Humanitarian Award, Bobby Barzi with the “Ramos Family Spirit of Compassion” Award, Virginia Blumenthal with the Women’s Empowerment Award, Dr. Harvey Nurick with the Dynamic Duo Award, Cedar House with the Community Champion Award, and Mitla Café with the Unsung Hero Award.

Time for Change Foundation’s 16th Year Anniversary Gala will take place on Friday, April 13^th , at the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton in Ontario, CA from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. To support TFCF’s efforts to help homeless women and children become self-sufficient, thriving members of society you can become a sponsor, purchase an ad in the event program book or purchase a Gala ticket.  To purchase tickets for the event or to become a sponsor and increase your business’ visibility in the community, please visit our website www.TimeForChangeFoundation.org or contact Vanessa Perez at (909) 886-2994 or by email at vperez@timeforchangefoundation.org.

Time for Change Foundation empowers disenfranchised, low-income individuals and families by building leadership through evidence-based programs and housing to create self-sufficiency and thriving communities. We accept all forms of donations. To see how you can help make a difference visit us on the web at www.TimeForChangeFoundation.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Dr. Brian Haynes, Vice President of Student Affairs at California State University San Bernardino spent the afternoon on Sunday, March 11, at the San Bernardino Boys and Girls Club dialoguing with the Social Lites, Inc. Beautillion Knights and participants of the Beautillion program on the value of education, his personal journey in going to college and how higher education opened doors of opportunities for him. 

Haynes encouraged students to pay attention to deadlines in submitting applications for admission to desired colleges and/or universities, filing for financial aid, living on campus at a minimum for the first year of college and getting involved with the University/College of choice clubs and organizations. Haynes is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. which focuses on education, community service and brotherhood.

The 51st Beautillion program will commence on March 24, 2018 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino. For more information, please telephone chairperson, Mrs. Donna Little-James at 909-528-9793 or co-chairperson, Mrs. Bridgette Shaw at (909) 648-6165 or publicity chairperson, Mrs. Twillea Evans-Carthen at tevanscarthen@yahoo.com.

Fifty years after the Kerner Commission criticized the news media for not sufficiently covering race issues, a new special report shows that women of color continue to be underrepresented in U.S. newsrooms and face multiple challenges in achieving equality in hiring and promotions.

The Women’s Media Center report  “The Status of Women of Color in the U.S. News Media 2018” offers a rare look at where women journalists of color are — and aren’t — in legacy print, radio, TV, and digital news. It is an important extension and extrapolation of data previously published in the Women’s Media Center’s annual “The Status of Women in the U.S. Media” study, and includes data about minority journalists released after the most recent version of that report was produced in 2017.

Women of color represent just 7.95 percent of U.S. print newsrooms overall, 12.6 percent of local TV news staff, and 6.2 percent of local radio staff, according to industry research that is based on news organizations’ replies to professional association queries.

“Whether intentional or not, it seems like there is a cap on people of color in newsrooms,” said Rummana Hussain, assistant metro editor, Chicago Sun-Times.

Among the journalism professionals offering their trenchant views in the report on what’s broken for women journalists of color, and how to repair the breach are journalist and author Dana Canedy, the first black female and youngest person to helm the Pulitzer Prize organization; such marquee broadcast news leaders as Soledad O’Brien, Ann Curry, Maria Hinojosa and Joy Reid; MacArthur “genius grant” winner Nikole Hannah-Jones; freelance journalist Jenni Monet; and women of far less fame who likewise excel in practicing their craft.

“There are so many micro-aggressions that come with being a journalist and female and not White,” according to Soledad O’Brien, founder and CEO, Starfish Media Group. “If you spend too much time seeing yourself — in terms of how they see you — as only those things, you will lose your mind. Because there are just a lot of slights.”

The report comes at a time when the nation’s population is changing rapidly. The U.S. Census projects that Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and those who are multi-racial will be the majority of the population by 2050.

“Women are more than half the U.S. population, and people of color nearly 40 percent,” said Julie Burton, president of the Women’s Media Center.  “But you wouldn’t know this from our media — because U.S. media does not look like, sound like, or reflect the diversity and experience of more than half the population.”

While acknowledging their successes, the women journalists of color say systemic racism, the old boys’ network, and gender bias, among other obstacles, are some of the reasons newsrooms are slow to change.

“Many, many talented women of color are rising through the ranks, as they have since the late ’60s and ’70s,” said Ann Curry, executive producer, reporter, host, We’ll Meet Again on PBS. “One of the most significant reasons they fail is that men tend to groom men.”

News staffs that reflect our nation’s racial, ethnic, and gender diversity are intrinsic to creating a credible media and to the nation’s democracy, said Gloria Steinem, WMC co-founder.

“Missing women of color in the newsrooms of this country is an injustice in itself, and an injustice to every American reader and viewer who is deprived of great stories and a full range of facts,” Steinem said. “Inclusiveness in the newsroom means inclusiveness in the news. Racism and sexism put blinders on everyone.”

“Women of color represent a substantial proportion of the population, and yet their stories are too rarely told and their voices too infrequently heard on most media platforms,” said Maya Harris, WMC co-chair. “The perspectives and findings this Women’s Media Center report offers not only illuminate this lost opportunity, but also help to identify what we must do to work toward a more inclusive democracy.”

Said Pat Mitchell, WMC board co-chair: “Fifty years after the Kerner Commission report, women of color are still battling systemic racism and sexism in the news media.  It is imperative that Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Native women be more visible and powerful in media. The Women’s Media Center won’t rest until our newsrooms are inclusive, representative, and equal.”

The report, compiled and written by journalist and custom content producer Katti Gray and edited by Cristal Williams Chancellor, WMC’s director of communications, offers solutions to editors, producers, publishers, and other news executives, including the need to intentionally search for talented women of color, increased accountability and transparency by news organizations, and innovative recruitment and hiring strategies. Both Gray and Williams Chancellor are veteran, award-winning journalists.

 “I don’t believe in embarrassing and shaming people, but I do believe in giving them actual solutions, people they can hire tomorrow,” said Benét Wilson, founder and editor-in-chief of Aviation Queen LLC and vice president of the Online News Association. “We don’t want to hear the excuses anymore.”

The industry studies on gender and race used in the report were released last year by the American Society of News Editors and the Radio Television Digital News Association.

The Women’s Media Center, co-founded by Jane Fonda, Robin Morgan, and Steinem, works to make women visible and powerful in the media. We do so by promoting women as decision makers and as subjects in media; training women to be media ready and media savvy; researching and exposing sexism and racism in media; and creating original online and on-air journalism.

For more information, contact Williams Chancellor at cristal@womensmediacenter.com or 202-270-8539.

The full report is available here.

The infographic is available here.