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SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Tuesday, December 5, the San Bernardino Valley College campus will once again transform into a holiday wonderland from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the college’s second annual “WinterFest.”

This campus-wide celebration of the coming of the holiday season is estimated to have attracted over 2,000 students, staff, and community members to campus last year. Visitors were especially drawn to the holiday light show, the free musical performances and theater productions, and the delicious treats offered by food trucks and the college’s culinary arts and food services programs.

The evening will be filled with fun events for all ages, including holiday film screenings, live music, theater performances, Santa pictures, and story time for children among the many activities. For those looking to pick up the perfect gift, a holiday sale with a wide range of items will run throughout WinterFest. College staff will also be on hand to provide information about enrollment and the many degree and certificate programs available at San Bernardino Valley College.

This exciting event is free to attend and open to the community. Valley College is located at 701 S. Mount Vernon Avenue in San Bernardino.

RECAP Written by John Coleman, Community Photographer

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) and Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy provided 1,000 Turkeys and Food Boxes to needy families in San Bernardino County.  Approximately 2,000 people attended the Turkey Giveaway and Resource Fair which was held at CAPSBC on Saturday, November 18.

“The CAPSBC Food Bank has been serving San Bernardino County since 1984.  Every year we provide thousands of holiday food baskets, in addition to our regular food operations serving 40,000 households per month.  $19 million in food went out in 2016 and that number will be even higher this year.  San Bernardino County suffers some of the highest levels of poverty in the nation, and this food is greatly needed,” stated Patricia L. Nickols-Butler, CEO of CAPSBC.

Fifty-seven (57) community organizations, county agencies and nonprofits were on hand at the event Resource Fair providing information, goods and services to assist low-income families.  In addition, approximately 100 volunteers provided vitally important assistance.  All in all, hundreds of people who care about struggling San Bernardino County families, came together to make the holidays a little brighter for their neighbors in need.

The CAPSBC Food Bank continues its mission for the upcoming Christmas holidays providing thousands of additional holiday baskets for those needing food assistance.  If you are interested in supporting the CAPSBC Food Bank in its efforts to fight hunger and malnutrition in San Bernardino County, you may make a check payable to CAPSBC and mail to 696 S. Tippecanoe Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92408, or a secure donation can be made on our website at:  www.capsbc.org/donate   If you would like to volunteer, please e-mail:  msalcido@capsbc.org or fill out a volunteer form at www.capsbc.org/volunteer.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- As a child growing up in San Bernardino, Dr. Milton Clark’s weekly Saturday visits to the central library on Arrowhead to read started him on a path of academic achievement that culminated in his earning a Ph.D. and a distinguished academic career as a faculty member for more than 30 years before retiring as the Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Studies at Cal State San Bernardino.

He has also returned his fondness for public libraries and their value in communities such as San Bernardino by serving on the San Bernardino Public Library Board of Trustees since 2005 and as its president since 2007. That time period marked a decade of the city’s economic challenges since the national economic crash of 2008 that culminated in San Bernardino filing for bankruptcy in 2012.

The economic challenges SBPL faced in that timespan resulted in several budget cuts which threatened the closure of the Howard Rowe, Dorothy Inghram and Paul Villaseñor Branch Libraries in 2009, 2012 and 2014.

Dr. Clark’s leadership and advocacy working with the other trustees has been instrumental in keeping those libraries open, according to San Bernardino Public Library Director Ed Erjavek. The members of the SBPL Board of Trustees are city residents who volunteer their time without compensation to administratively govern the library with the funding amount allocated by the Mayor and City Council.

His leadership and advocacy were honored earlier this month as he was named the Best California Library Trustee for outstanding service to a specific library system by the California Public Library Advocates (CPLA) during an awards dinner at the California Library Association’s annual conference in Riverside. CPLA seeks to strengthen California libraries through advocacy and education.

“Dr. Clark is most deserving of this honor since I doubt there’s a Library Board President in the country who has done as much in advocating for their library system in the last decade, “ said Erjavek, who nominated him for the award. “His leadership and passion for library service in San Bernardino have been instrumental in helping to preserve library service in this community. I tell people he is the finest Library Board President in America. He was the right man to lead the Library Board of Trustees during this last challenging decade in San Bernardino.”

“I’m not sure what motivates the other Board members, but my passion for this institution is deep rooted.  I grew up in San Bernardino, and as a young child, I used to walk to the library on Saturday morning and lose myself among the stacks of books.  Those visits to the library gave me a glimpse into a broader world than the one to which I was confined living in the de facto segregated city of San Bernardino,” Clark said, when reminiscing about his childhood in his acceptance speech. Among the dinner attendees were California State Librarian Greg Lucas, family and friends of Dr. Clark, and Board Vice President Carolyn Tillman and Secretary Val Lichtman. Dr. Tom Rennard is also a member of the Board.

“In part, because of the library, I went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in English at California State College, San Bernardino,” he continued.  “I subsequently went on to earn a Master’s degree and then a Ph. D at UC Riverside.  Because San Bernardino had a Public Library, the world of opportunity was opened up to me. It is my duty, my responsibility, and my honor to make that same amazing resource available to the citizens of my city, young and old.”

SBPL had an annual budget of almost $3 million and 31 full-time staff position in 2008 before the national economic crash but the budget had been reduced to a little over $1.7 million in 2014 when the library was facing a proposed cut of $1 million, which would have not only closed the branch libraries but even operations at the Feldheym Central Library might not have been possible with a budget cut of that size.

Thanks to the leadership and advocacy of Dr. Clark and the other library board members and an alternative budget proposal from Erjavek – the library was allocated almost $1.4 million of annual funding for FY 14-15 by the Mayor and Common Council which resulted in full-time staff being reduced to 10 and zero city dollars for books and library materials but at least the weekly 37 public service hours at Feldheym and the 20 weekly hours at each of the three branches were retained.

Erjavek wrote in his nomination: “He has volunteered his time waiting to speak (often for more hours sitting on hard plastic chairs than he would care to recall) to the city’s mayor and city council at many a budget meeting during the last 10 years to give a voice for the voiceless for the importance of library service in this community.  Dr. Clark is keenly sensitive to continuing library service to the underserved and underprivileged who are many in this city and those who may not have the means to go to another library if their neighborhood branch closed.”

VICTORVILLE, CA- On Friday, November 3, the Hilton Garden Inn in Victorville hosted the NAACP Branch 1082 Annual Freedom Fund Dinner. The evening featured a delicious full course meal, exciting musical sounds by local band Willie Cockrell “Strings ‘n Things”. The event was ‘sold out’ as many community members, leaders and organizations gathered in recognition of the NAACP, the nation’s oldest civil rights organization.

NAACP President Bill Thomas warmly welcomed everyone, as Jiles Smith was introduced as MC for the evening. A few noted representatives and organizations in attendance included Supervisor Robert Lovingood, Delta Sigma Theta, NCNW, San Bernardino Sherriff’s Department, Burning Bush Church, Emmanuel Temple and First Missionary Baptist Church.

Shonda Scott, an entrepreneur, community leader and activist was introduced by Windsor Richmond, Anthem/Blue Cross Field Sales Manager, as keynote speaker for the evening. Scott is the CEO of 360 Total Concept, a corporation based in Northern California that provides services to organizations needing support with program management, communications, contract compliance, logistics and general management. 

Scott, passionately shared her journey as becoming involved in community service during her early years. Raised by her father, a college professor and mother a retired Navy Officer, they each instilled in her the importance of serving her community and making a positive difference. 

Scott commented, “Though I was too young to vote, my parents would often have me ‘phone bank’ and distribute flyers” along with many other miscellaneous tasks”. Scott humbly performed her duties that would later define her attitude and approach to politics. The early on work ethics experience attributed to Scott’s career lead to serving alongside great leaders such as Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Senator Kamala Harris including working with Pres. Barak Obama’s Whitehouse platform committee.

Scott encouraged the audience, specifically the youth to become in her words “Disrupters” in their communities. Further clarifying her statement, she closely described the meaning, “”Disrupters” as prioritizing justice, equality and the integrity of the political process, not to settle for the ‘status quo’. She further stated, “Dr. Martin Luther King was a ‘Disrupter’, Rosa Parks, John F. Kennedy and many other great historical leaders that made tremendous strides to better our nation”. “We would not be where we are today without these prolific “Disrupters”. It is a reality that we have to cultivate the next generation to maintain what many have fought and died for. Scott continued to comment regarding today’s youth saying, “If we are hosting events and the room is not half filled with young people or if we are not teaching our youth wisdom and knowledge on how to become positive “Disrupters”, then their outcome is our fault, and that’s the truth”. 

Shonda Scott is the embodiment of an empowered woman, who grew up in an ordinary family and made extraordinary developments in her career. She is an ‘Agent of Change’, dedicated to serving her community, as she inspires and influences us all. Concluding her speech, she exited the stage amid a standing ovation. 

An exciting highlight for the evening was the introduction of youth from the Millionaire Minds Kids Program and other young achievers. Standing onstage, they each had an opportunity to share their education and career goals/achievements. Their impressive career choices included accomplishments with obtaining degrees in the various fields of Medical, Engineering and Legal Studies.

An Inspiring student commented that her sibling, a previous NAACP recipient, was not in attendance due to her on- duty employment as a Pilot for a major airline carrier. They each vowed to continue being positive “Disrupters” of their generation as they took photos with speaker Shonda Scott.

Former NAACP Scholarship Recipients Attorneys, Phyllis Morris-Green, San Bernardino County Public Defender and Garner C. Morris, Jr. Deputy District Attorney, Santa Clara, CA were acknowledged. Both have excelled immensely in their chosen fields. 

Peggy Moore, Chair for the NAACP Scholarship committee was introduced by MC-Jiles Smith.   Acknowledging the past recipient’s success stories, Smith thereby challenged the audience, requesting donations to assist students with their future academic scholarships. Eager and generous hands began to spontaneously wave checks in the air donating contributions that will create college access and success for many motivated youth and young adults. 

Award recipients were recognized for their outstanding community service; Charley and Evelyn Glasper- (Political and Educational Achievement); Cara Denise Hutson (Judicial Excellence); Regina Weatherspoon-Bell – (Community Service).

The NAACP wishes to recognize and thank these outstanding sponsors for the event, Platinum Sponsors-The GEO Group, Frontier Communications, Gold Sponsor-Edible Arrangements.

Table Sponsors included Attorneys Jim Terrell/Sharon J. Brunner; Burning Bush Church; City of Adelanto; Delta Sigma Theta; Emmanuel Temple; First Missionary Baptist Church; Mr. & Ms. Rick Hudson; Mr. & Ms. Garner Morris; San Bernardino County Sheriff Dept.; NAACP President Mr. & Ms. Bill Thomas; Mr. & Ms. Charley Glasper; Mrs. LaVern Scriven; Ms. Yolande Culbreth; Ms. Gloria Roberts.

Special thanks to Mrs. Terry Thomas, Chairperson of the Freedom Fund Banquet and her outstanding committee. 

On behalf of High Desert/Inland Valley News, we wish to applaud NAACP-High Desert Branch 1082 for their outstanding efforts in making the Annual Freedom Fundraiser Dinner a great success!

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.