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

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

2014 Mr Cardinal group07

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On April 5, thirteen young men from San Bernardino High School (SBHS) will attempt to demonstrate that they have the Cardinal City virtues of justice, fortitude, school spirit, and charity. The contestants, all SBHS juniors, will take to the Sturges Center for the Fine Arts, 780 North E Street in San Bernardino, stage at 6 p.m. to compete for the title of Mr. Cardinal City 2014-2015. Mr. Cardinal represents the high school at local events with co-royalty Miss Cardinal City. The pageants were named to honor San Bernardino High’s status as a chartered city, Cardinal City. Local businesses and community groups interested in supporting the event should contact Jamie Rios, bilingual school outreach worker, by phone at 909-881-8217 or by email at jamie.rios@sbcusd.com. Mr. Cardinal City 2013-2014 sponsors included Stater Bros. Markets, Trophy House, San Bernardino High Class of 1952, The Sun newspaper, Toyota of San Bernardino, D’Arca Formal Wear, Angel’s Closets, San Bernardino City Unified School District, Virginia Marquez, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hickey, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Arellano, Miss Corina Borsuk, and San Bernardino High School Associated Student Body. Tickets for the April 5 Mr. Cardinal City pageant are $7 pre-sale and $10 at the door. Tickets are available from any contestant and Jamie Rios.

Joe Smith

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- To promote awareness and education about mental awareness in the African American community, the Department of Behavioral Health’s African American sub-committee in partnership with the African American Coalition and San Bernardino Valley College will be presenting a day honoring African American Mental Health Awareness week on Tuesday, February 11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Library of San Bernardino Valley College, 701 S. Mt. Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92410.

There will be a special message by guest speaker, Joseph Smith, former Los Angeles Lakers player. Smith, born and raised in Norfolk, Virgina, played power forward with the Lakers. He was the College Player of the Year at Maryland in 1996 and the umber 1 draft pick of that season;’s draft. Smith has created an Independent Record Label, novaunitrecords.com, signing his first Latino artist Dino Durand, Smith is intent with breaking boundaries, and bridging gaps between all nationalities. Alter ego “Joe Beast” enjoys writing, rapping, and performing, and has braced many stages through–?out the U.S. Joe Smith continues to participate in several charitable events per year, and enjoys motivational speaking to youth all across the country. For more info email: lynlaneliaison@gmail.com

Honorees with their awards posing with PAFF Founders Ja’Net DuBoise(left) and Ayuko Babu (right)

LOS ANGELES, CA- On Saturday, February 1, the Pan African Film Festival kicked off its’ festivities with ‘A Night of Tribute’ where they honored legendary icons Charles Dutton, Roz Stevenson, Jeff Clanagan, Emayatzy Corinedaldi and Tequan Richmond for their achievements in the film industry.

L to R 1st Row: Mrytle Foster, Ruth Harris, Annette Weathington (President), Rev. Paul S. Munford, Darnetta Duncan, Twillea Evans-Carthen, Harriet Moore, Joni Wright; 2nd Row L to R: Devorlynn Celestine, Carol, Yvonne Ashe, Geri Fox-All Kater, Earnestine Warren, Alice LaTouche, Olivia Taylor-Smith, Lorraine Melbourne)

RIVERSIDE, CA- Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Eta Nu Omega Chapter of San Bernardino-Riverside chapter celebrated the founding of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.106 years of “Service to All Mankind” on Sunday, January 26 at New Joy Baptist Church in Riverside.  The ladies were the guest of golden member, Ms. Darnetta Duncan who has been a member of the sorority for over 50 years and a current member of Eta Nu Omega Chapter.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is known for being an international, community service organization of college women founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. by 16 courageous young women. It is the first Greek letter sorority for black college women with over 260,000 members in more than 900 chapters around the world. It is an organization whose mission is to provide “Service to All Mankind.” The sorority implements this through its many service projects such as the Emerging Young Leaders Program for middle school girls, which benefits the Inland Empire.  Happy Founders’ Day! For future events, please visit www.etanuomega.org

Miss Black San Bernardino 2014, Noelle Lilley

The Westside Story would love to send out a congratulations to one of our interns, Noelle Lilley, who was crowned the 2014 Miss Black San Bernardino this past Saturday, January 25. She will also be graduating from Arroyo Valley High School this summer, and will be attending Arizona State University where she will major in Journalism.

Noelle Lilley, Queen (Left); Leanna Pollard, 1st Runner Up (middle); and Bobbie McFerson, 2nd Runner Up (right)

Rap Artist Nappy Tee

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce,(Inland Cities East Chapter) will be hosting the 45th Annual Black History Super Expo Celebration on Saturday, February 1 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at the Youthbuild Charter School, 606 E, Mill Street in San Bernardino.

The theme for this year is “Transitioning to New Beginnings” which will feature inspirational speakers, dancers, bands, drill teams, poetry, fashion, food and vendors. There will be a Battle of the Bands competition between San Bernardino and Arroyo Valley High School. In addition, a few familiar faces from television will also be in attendance which include rapper Nappy Tee who appeared as “Sweetie” in the reality show ‘Flava of Love’ and ‘America’s Got Talent‘; 10-year-old comedienne Leroya “Roya” Sanford from Disney’s hit show ‘Shake it Up’ and ABC’s ‘The View’ will also be making an appearance.

The Southern California Black Chamber would love to thank the Black Culture Foundation for all of their support and wonderful work they have done over the last 44 years with this event. For more information visit blackchamberofcommerce.org or call 888-466-7408 ext. 12 or 2.

Davie Champagnie at Ronald McDonald House

LOMA LINDA, CA- Inland Empire Invaders are doing an amazing job on and off the court. They are currently ranked number 23 in the NATION. Not bad for their first season in the largest basketball association in the United States. While they are doing work on the court making the IE proud, they have had some very special moments. Coach Al Smith of the Novastars wrote a brief description capturing the emotions from a visit to Ronald McDonald House over the holidays.
Ronald McDonald house in Loma Linda Davie Champagnie, an ABA Basketball Player, made one lucky girl’s night the most amazing night ever! It will be a moment she will remember for the rest of her life. The basketball player spent time to speak with her that was staying at the home in Loma Linda, CA. He took the time to listen to her story and by the end of the night he felt in his heart that she would get more strength from having his ring and he gave it to her without blinking an eye. It was a moment where you could feel the blessings all around you and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
The ABA is MUCH MORE than just a game and Davie Champagnie is a perfect example of what we can do when we are in support of each other. He is coach Al’s new ‘Lord of the Ring’. To Contact Christy Lancaster with the Inland Empire Invaders  call 855-434-6823 Ext. 6, email clancaster@abaieinvaders.com or visit their website at www.abaieinvaders.com.

Senior King and Queen

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The  San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation is happy to announce the 2014 Senior King and Queen, Heck and Barbara Thomas.  Barbara was born in Six, West Virginia and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and Sanford, North Carolina. Heck was born and raised in Meridian, Mississippi.  They have been residents of Highland since 1985 and Heck retired from the United States Air Force in 1988.  They are the proud parents of Yolanda, grandparents of Kristy and Kamari, and great-grandparents of Jaxson. The Thomas’ have been very active in San Bernardino.  They attend the Traditional Community Fellowship Chapel in Highland, a church started by the military men and women who were stationed at Norton Air Force Base. Barbara served as Women Auxiliary Chairperson, special events planner, and is in charge of social activities and raising funds to support the church ministry.  She also volunteered as a mentor for some of the adult students at the San Bernardino Adult School who did not have positive female influences in their lives.  She worked for ten years in the Army and Air Force Exchange Service at Norton and Malmstrom (Montana) until her medical retirement in 1989.  She was a member of the Non-Commissioned Officers Wives club and a member of the Radiant Rubies of Highland, a chapter of the Red Hat Society.
Heck was employed by the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health from 1988 to 1996 as a Mental Health Employment Specialist; a Teacher on Assignment for The San Bernardino City Unified School District and worked at the San Bernardino Adult School from 1996-2010.  He has been active in the community, serving as church executive board president, past president and board member of the Kiwanis Club of Highland, past president and board member of the Frazee Community Center, past San Bernardino chapter president of the California Council of Adult Educators and has worked and volunteered with programs to assist the homeless for over 25 years.  Heck has also served with the Highland Youth Accountability Board.  He has received the Black Rose Award from the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, several Kiwanian of the Year Awards, Hixson Fellow, Dunlap Fellow, and several Kiwanis Distinguished Service Awards.  He is also the recipient of the George McCune Collaborative Award.
They are both enjoying retirement, community service, and spending quality time with their great grandson, Jaxson.