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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—-VICTORVILLE, CA—- In his regional State of Education Address for the High Desert, San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre applauded local school districts for their collaborative spirit and highlighted student performances and programs that spur innovation and create educational opportunities.

“Preparing a rising generation for the new global economic and civic environment is a shared responsibility,” Alejandre said during his fourth annual State of Education Address. “In the county, we have joined together to create a countywide vision where all sectors of the community support the success of every child from cradle-to-career.”

Delivering his address entitled, “Impact the Present. Transform the Future,” at the High Desert Church, Alejandre was introduced by Caroll Yule, owner of Shear Realty in Apple Valley. This was the second of two regional addresses made by Alejandre, who also presented in San Bernardino on September 27.

Focusing on collective impact in the High Desert, Alejandre touted the Mountain/Desert Career Pathways Joint Powers Authority (JPA), which brings together the school districts of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Hesperia, Silver Valley, Snowline, Victor and Victor Valley. The JPA is designed to develop higher education and skill levels that benefit students and the region’s workforce.

“The Mountain/Desert Career Pathways JPA is an outstanding example of providing students with the opportunity to earn credit for college coursework while completing their high school education,” Alejandre said.

For the more than 403,000 students who attend public school in the county, Alejandre sited the need to develop a more highly skilled and educated workforce. Right now, more than 700 county school students and 50 teachers are taking part in an AP Readiness program through the University of California, Riverside. The program is made possible through a Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) innovation grant and will offer supplemental teaching and support for Advanced Placement (AP) students countywide, joining Riverside County students and teachers who have participated in the program during the past two academic years.

“GIA is geared toward improving educational attainment rates throughout the larger Inland Empire region as a means of furthering economic progress,” Alejandre said.

In an effort to boost literacy rates among early learners, county preschoolers have read more than 895 million words and more than 2.8 million books with a 79 percent reading comprehension level since the inception of Footsteps2Brilliance, a collaborative among County Schools, County Preschool Services, Children’s Fund and First 5 San Bernardino.

“Footsteps2Brilliance is impacting an entire generation of county preschoolers who will begin kindergarten prepared with literacy skills to jump-start their success,” Alejandre said.

Another countywide effort, Vision4Safety, aims to bring county residents together to create safer neighborhoods, schools and workplaces.

“Often when we think about safety, the first thing that comes to mind is crime and violence, including the unfortunate reality of violence on school campuses,” Alejandre said.

This past year, County Schools brought on board a highly experienced safety officer to support our classrooms and school districts in school safety planning, including equipping school communities for active shooter response should such an emergency arise.

In the area of students’ social and emotional wellness, there is a countywide focus on multi-tiered systems of support and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), which debuted in the county in the High Desert in 2009.

“Mental and emotional health are extremely complex issues, so it’s all the more critical that we are prepared to respond to the needs of students, so they can look to our schools as safe harbors,” Alejandre said.

The State of Education Address also featured several student performances from county school districts including:

• The Serrano High School Cadet Corps from the Snowline Joint Unified School District, which presented the flag colors;
• Xavier Padilla, a student at Victorville Education Center, who led the Pledge of Allegiance;
• The Serrano High School marching band, under the director of Mathew Fell, played a patriotic medley;
• Scarlett Brigham, a student at Big Bear High School in the Bear Valley Unified School District, delivered a spoken word performance;
• Granite Hills High School choir from the Apple Valley Unified sang;
• Encore School of the Arts dance group from Hesperia Unified also performed.

In conclusion, Alejandre called for public education not to just reform, but be transformative as it provides opportunities for all students. “Choose each day to make an impact … and transform lives through education,” he said.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— This weekend marks the last weekend of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And to end things off on a bang, the 2018 Queens Brunch will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shandin Hills Golf Course located at 3380 Little Mountain Drive in San Bernardino.

The Queens Brunch is an annual event where women come together in fellowship to empower one another. At this year’s event the ladies will be celebrating those who are Breast Cancer Survivors and those who have left their legacy.

The day will consist of brunch, speakers and vendors. Some of this year’s vendors include: Beauty and the Busy Life with Hannah Cook; Royalty Wells Hair; Many Hats with Lady Sharon Square; Paparazzi Jewelry; Aiyeloja Davis with her artwork; RCM Photobooth; Breast Cancer Awareness with Rusty; Purses by Gwen Russell; Jewelry by Francais Foster; and many more.

This year’s speakers include: Lady Edna Herring Young; Lady Nichelle Gage; Lasy Queen Esther; Lady Gina Negrete; Lady Adrienne Braxton; and Lady LaNette Davis.

For tickets, please visit 2018queensbrunch.eventbrite.com. Don’t forget you hats ladies!

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— ONTARIO, CA—This Saturday, October 20, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., join Stephanie Wiltz Events located at 215 N Laurel Avenue in Ontario. Please join them for this year’s Cancer Awareness Photoshoot. If you attended last year, you will be blown away this year.

There will be photographers, music, Horderves, raffles, a Real men wear pink booth operated by Ava Hooks. Men are welcomed to take photos and encouraged to wear pink. Dress in what makes you feel beautiful, although jeans and heels work just fine.

There is a minimum of a $25 donation at the door or online. You’ll be supporting the work of Knock Knock Angels, Community Makeover. They are raising money to further their work in the community. If you can’t attend and would like to make a tax-deductible donation, please do so by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/knock-knock-angels-annual-cancer-awareness-photoshoot-fundraiser-tickets-51226605155.

Free Concert Series Visits Los Angeles to Continue Support for Ronald McDonald House Charities, Introduces New Scholarship for one HBCU Student

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— LOS ANGELES, CA— – McDonald’s USA announced the return of one of its staple events, the 12th annual Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour. The longest-running, brand-owned gospel tour of its kind is back with an award-winning talent line-up sure to please fans nationwide. This free concert tour began May 17 and runs until October 20, culminating in Los Angeles.

The 2018 nationwide concert series appeals to a wide range of gospel music lovers with its lineup of award-winning talent, including urban contemporary gospel artist and preacher Deitrick Haddon, choir master Ricky Dillard, contemporary artists, JJ Hairston, and Todd Dulaney, as well as hip-hop gospel artist Canton Jones. The tour is set to stop in Los Angeles on October 20th at the 13th annual Taste of Soul festival.

The concert will take place on the Brenda Marsh-Mitchell Gospel Stage, located on the corner of Crenshaw Boulevard and W Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The concert kicks off at 10 a.m.

The tour is just one way that McDonald’s displays its commitment to changing for the better. In fact, for nearly 50 years, the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association (NBMOA) has given back to the communities they serve by providing scholarships, donating time and money to local schools and hiring minority youth.

As with previous years, the tour will celebrate McDonald’s continued devotion to Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®). At each stop, the national tour will raise a love offering to support families served by the Charity. In just the last five years, the love offering has raised nearly $800,000 to aid in helping families stay close when their children are ill, raising nearly a quarter of a million dollars in 2017 alone. Attendees will be encouraged to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southern California (RMHCSC®) during the show.

“Southern California McDonald’s operators look forward to the Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour every year, as it gives us the opportunity to connect with our community through our shared love of gospel music,” states Kiana Webb, President of the Southern California Black McDonald’s Operators Association (BMOA). “We’re excited to celebrate another year of uplifting music, food and fun with our Southern California family.”

As a new part of the tour, McDonald’s will award one HBCU college student with a $10,000 Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarship at a select tour stop during the Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour. This is one of five scholarships McDonald’s is sponsoring throughout the year. More information regarding the scholarships will be available on www.mcdonalds.com.

“It’s a privilege to be apart of the tour I’ve watched and admired over the years. McDonald’s is doing something incredible by giving back to the community through a dynamic gospel tour. Getting behind this was a must,” said JJ Hairston, an award-winning, first-time artist on McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour.

Legendary singer, songwriter, and producer, Donald Lawrence will return as the tour’s music director. Tour favorite, contemporary gospel artist and radio personality Lonnie Hunter resumes hosting duties.

As always, all concerts are free of charge. Tour dates and locations have included the below, with the final stop set for Los Angeles:

• May 17 – Chicago, Jones Convocation Center
• May 18 – Detroit, Greater Grace Temple
• May 31 – Philadelphia, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church East
• June 1 – Washington, DC, City of Praise Family Ministries
• June 8 – Raleigh, Wake Chapel Church
• July 12 – Birmingham, Bill Harris Arena
• July 13 – Atlanta, Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral
• August 9 – Memphis, Brown Baptist Church
• August 10 – Jackson, Jackson Convention Complex
• August 18 – New Orleans, TBD
• August 31 – Dallas, The Potter’s House
• October 20 – Los Angeles, Taste of Soul Family Festival

McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour is an extension of the brand’s 365Black platform, an initiative that celebrates the pride, heritage, and achievements of African-Americans year-round. Dr. Pepper® also returns as the tour’s sponsor, showing its appreciation and commitment to the African-American community.

Visit www.365Black.com to learn more about the 12th annual tour and McDonald’s scholarship opportunities. Follow @365Black on Twitter for tour updates and join the conversation using #365BlackGospel.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— RIVERSIDE, CA— October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is considered an epidemic that affects people from all walks of life. The NAACP-Riverside Chapter will be presenting, “Nowhere to Run” on Friday, October 12 to Sunday, October 14 at The Box Theater in Riverside.

Everyday sex trafficking victims, many of whom are simultaneously victims of domestic violence, appear in courtrooms throughout the United States. Rarely are they identified as victims of domestic violence and even less frequently are they recognized by judges and court personnel as the victims of sex or labor trafficking that they are.

The play “Nowhere to Run” gives you a look into the life of those suffering from mental and physical abuse. The play conception came about when some of the NAACP youth and college students became concern about the issue of sex trafficking. The production leaves you with an essential understanding that sexual exploitation can happen to anyone and that we must all work together to break the cycle of bullying, sex trafficking, and domestic violence.

PayPal is available on the NAACP website at www.naacp-riverside.org/news-and-events.

By Naomi K. Bonman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to recognize a true ‘shero’ of mine who is an extended family member, or as we now use the term ‘framily’. Niya Santos was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, at the young age of 24 and right before her 25th birthday.

Some may say, “Wow, so young!” According to American Cancer Society, women should start routine checks for breast cancer by the age of 40. Instead, they should start as early as possible because breast cancer sees no age. Despite being so young and a mother to three awesome, handsome and intelligent sons, Niya never gave up.

Finding her purpose.

Upon being diagnosed, Niya explained how she had found her purpose, which was to inspire the community. Her purpose grew even more after she was diagnosed with again with a harsher form of breast cancer.

On April 26, 2018, she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer; it had also spread to her lungs. However, that still didn’t stop the fight. She fought harder and continued to live her best life and to continue fulfilling her God given purpose.

Niya lived out the purpose of telling others about God’s grace. She inspired many to get to know Him for themselves and to grow even closer to Him. She prayed for a countless number of people—no matter how she was feeling at the time, she would say a prayer for others. As we we’re praying and fighting the fight alongside her, she was praying for others as well.  She was living the testament of an unselfish life.

Niya gained her wings on July 16, 2018 at the age of 26. So, in honor of Niya the others that we have lost to the disease, as well as the breast cancer survivors, ladies let’s get our mammograms and educate others about breast cancer awareness. #NiyaStrong

EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— More than 700 individuals of all ages, enjoyed the entertainment and down home fun presented by Akoma Unity Center at the 1^st Annual Sunday Jazz in the Park on Sunday, September 30^.  hosted by Akoma Unity Center.

Sponsors for the event included: American Health Coalition, C.O.P.E, Del Valejo Middle School, Empire Management, Image Source USA, Plan B Printing, Westside Story Newspaper, and Sacred Sistahs.. Jazz in the Park unified and reignited a sense of community to over five generations on the West side of San Bernardino. Families enjoyed an evening full of joy, laughter, and love of good music. While continuing the legacy of Dr. Anne Shirrells

“The goal of this event was to deliver a sophisticated, family oriented community event that brought over five generations out to enjoy,” Jennifer Xicara, Operations Manager at Akoma Unity Center stated.

Akoma Unity Center has delivered! This event transformed Anne Shirrells Park into an oasis of premier music, election awareness, food, and fun, creating an ambiance like no other in the Inland Empire.

“Akoma Unity Center did a great job!”Jim Tickemyer, Director, Parks, Recreation and Community Services stated. “Seeing the community come together to just kick back and enjoy themselves was a great way to start the week. Please extend my gratitude to all of Akoma. Thank you for your vision and commitment to seeing it through to fruition.”

The stellar line up included genres for every jazz lover featuring: Inland Empire’s native, Amore the Songstress, who gave vibes of the amazing Anita Baker and Jill Scott intertwined in one; Johnny Meza and Company, whom had his original song Dirty Martini hit number 23 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz charts; and the closing performances by Gee Mack, a legendary guitar player and The Hottest Cats featuring Asia Raye. When musical groups were not on stage, DJ Wen provided old school music that inspired everyone to get up out their seats and dance.

Akoma Unity Center is a 501 C(3) Non-Profit organization committed to providing children with high quality, no-cost afterschool structured recreation, and development programs in a safe and supervised environment.

If you would like to learn more information about Akoma Unity Center, please visit our website at http://akomaunitycenter.org or call (909) 217-7956.

Publisher’s Commentary By Wallace J. Allen IV

My brother/uncle/nephew/son, be careful! The chickens are coming home to roost!  We have sometimes/often/always miss-treated the women in our lives! Notice that I did not say, “our” women! I did not use the term “our” because that is the road to miss-treatment!  The women in our lives do not belong to us… They are not our property!

However, there is an attitude that prevails among some men, a secret society of “We Who Stand 2P” that regards “Those Who Sit 2P” as a slave-gender! The membership of that secret society ranges from the very rich and powerful to the poor and weak.

Their mistreatment of women is the common thread. Many men have paid mistreatment dues to the society and now, thanks to social media, the books have been hacked and all of the receipts reflecting payment to the club are becoming public knowledge.

The time/era that overtly embraced sexism has passed but the memory/damages of that treatment is in our world-face.  The last ditch stand to legitimize the society is being led by President Donald P-Grabbing Trump!

My brother/uncle/nephew/son, you are being solicited every day to maintain your membership in WWS2P!   President P-Grabber wants you to believe that sexism is alive and well… Don’t! Our war is not the boys against the girls… It is/should-be about good vs evil!

Inequality & Outsourcing Spur Continued Unrest at University of California

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— LOS ANGELES, CA— Stalled labor negotiations between the University of California and its largest employee union, AFSCME Local 3299, reached a boiling point at Wednesday’s UC Board of Regents meeting when union leaders publicly announced that their members will be voting on whether to go on strike for a second time this year.

The forthcoming vote follows a 3-day walkout by 53,000 UC workers last May over the University’s outsourcing practices, which research shows is driving growing income, gender, and racial inequality within California’s 3rd largest employer.

“UC’s employment data shows that women are getting paid far less to start than men and that Black workers are vanishing,” said AFSCME Local 3299 President Kathryn Lybarger. “It’s because the University has stopped investing in career ladders and outsourced good middle-class jobs to low-wage contract companies that pay workers dirt.”

At issue for UC workers is the University’s practice of outsourcing career positions to independent contracting companies that pay workers less. In fact, data shows that the staffing ratio at UC San Francisco has been as high as 1 contractor to every 6 directly employed workers. UC workers say that the practice has the effect of taking jobs that once paid living wages with full benefits and turning them into low-wage contractor positions with few benefits and a higher risk of abuse. In the past, UC contract companies have been found to arbitrarily slash worker pay and pay full-time workers under multiple names in order to skirt overtime rules.

Research also shows that AFSCME Local 3299 represents the most diverse workforce segments at UC—resembling the demographic makeup of California as a whole more than any other workforce segment at the University. As such, workers argue that outsourcing has the effect of destroying career pathways for people of color and trapping them into low-wage positions. UC Davis Medical Center has even gone so far as to deny outsourced contract workers career Patient Care Technical Unit positions when they apply, despite the fact that the “temporary” terms of their contracts have been extended multiple years, in some cases.

“Outsourcing is pioneering a future of more inequality,” said Rosalyn Williams, an MRI Technologist at UCLA’s Ronald Reagan Medical Center who spoke during public comment on Wednesday. “We will not allow UC to normalize a reality where darker skin means lower pay.”

UC’s Patient Care Technical Unit will be voting on October 9th and 10th to authorize a strike while its Service Unit workers will be voting on whether to join a strike in solidarity.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— FONTANA, CA— About 1,500 middle and high school students, including about 850 from San Bernardino County, will take part in the annual Manufacturing Day Expo at the Industrial Technical Learning Center (InTech) in Fontana on Friday, October 5.

Students will have the opportunity to meet with local manufacturers and participate in hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. There also will be tours of the InTech facilities.

Participating school districts from San Bernardino County include Chaffey Joint Union High School District, Chino Valley Unified, Colton Joint Unified, Fontana Unified, Victor Valley Union High and Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified.

The event is organized and sponsored by Chaffey College’s Economic Development Department, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools’ Alliance for Education and the California Community College Chancellor’s Doing What Matters Campaign.

For more information about the event, visit www.mfgday.com.