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Publishers Commentary by Wallace J. Allen

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- JUNTEENTH BLUES… America became great because of slave labor! The Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery and America became the beacon of opportunity for people all over the world!

People have come from all over the planet, migrating to the “land of the free and home of the brave”! Taking their lumps and squeezing through any crack leading to an opportunity for advancement!

The heat in America’s melting-pot, easily blended the white-skinned European, but could not generate enough heat to meet the challenge of accepting and absorbing the people wrapped in the hues of red, black or yellow.

Racism is a prominent member of the same family as slavery. However, racism is more efficient if not as blatant, an expression of hate! The language of racism is guised in, ‘We need to build boarder walls!” The idea of racism occurs when we hear where the wall is to be built. When we hear the POTUS say that we need more immigrants like Norwegians or that Nazis are good people!

Racism is a dehumanizing tool that allows people to rationalize that separating children from their parents is OK! Racism encouraged slavery to capitalize by selling children!  Racism is separating Brown babies/children from their parents at America’s Southern boarder today!

We are experiencing the same brand of racism that allowed slavery to flourish as an American beauty mark, instead of the hideous cancerous sore that it is! A birthmark that still defies makeup!

It is obvious racism when Black professional athletes are distained by POTUS for taking a knee in protest. Distained for protesting the lack of equal protection for young Black men! Distained for protesting police shootings of Young Black men! Shooting young Black men, the descendants of the same enslaved Black men whose unpaid labor-built America! 

The unpaid labor from forced immigrants that made America great, did create a debt! Protest is a simple reminder!

America owes itself and world observers an explanation for the obvious hypocrisy that finds Black Americans in a “State of Emergency” in the country that was made great by the labor of their ancestors! That same explanation just might expose why the POTUS is so determined to keep Brown migrants from crossing our borders.

“Walk together children, and don’t you get weary!”

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—SAN BERNARDINO, CA—On Saturday, June 16, women of the Social Lites, Inc., were in the community at the San Bernardino Juneteenth Annual Festival held at Anne Shirrells Park to promote and educate the community on Healthy Living.  The weather was beautiful, and it was a pleasure to see the community come together for a wonderful event.  There was music, dancing, food and several other vendors. 

The Social Lites Scholarship Foundation is a 501© 3 non-profit organization that has provided services to the local community for the Inland Empire since 1956. Efforts are to perform community service and encourage and support college bound youths as they succeed in college, with the hopes of paying it forward in their communities as professionals and entrepreneurs. 

Tina Darling, Chair of the Healthy Living Social Lites, Inc. sub-committee stated, “The Social Lites Scholarship Foundation is promoting healthy living because our bodies are the temple that God has granted us. Our bodies need nutrients by eating a variety of nutrient-packed foods such as whole grains, lean protein, fruits and vegetables for the soul.”  

We look forward to next year!

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Mary Texeira, Cal State San Bernardino sociology professor, brought attention to intersectionality and the overwhelming issues of sexual harassment at the Yotie Talks presentation “Exploring Race and Class in the #MeToo Movement” on Thursday, June 7.

Texeira wrote her doctoral dissertation about sexual harassment among women in law enforcement and “has been thinking of these issues for a number of years.” When the #MeToo movement started, she said she was impressed by the celebrities who were stepping forward and telling their stories.

“I’m really encouraged by the way people have been responding to this stuff,” she said, “and I think it’s because of the voices of those powerful women in Hollywood and in Silicon Valley and places like that who have insisted that this stop.”

However, she says there are still many groups whose stories we have yet to hear.

“As Oprah pointed out in her speech at the Oscars,” Texeira said, “there’s a whole group of women … who have been left out of this conversation, and so I want to do my part and call attention to their voices also.”

Texeira pointed out that the further away you are from being a heterosexual, white male, the more vulnerable you become in society.

“The marginalized are the most broken because of their, at least, triple jeopardy of race, class and gender,” she said and mentioned that sexual orientation, gender expression and other factors also come into play, making these people increasingly marginalized.

Texeira highlighted documentaries such as “Rape on the Night Shift,” about women janitors, and “Rape in the Fields,” about agricultural workers.

“These are the women who are voiceless, literally because they don’t speak English,” she said, “but also because they’re making life comfortable for us, stuck out in the fields or stuck in office buildings — somebody cleans this space at night, sometimes all alone here at night, which makes her very, very vulnerable.”

Texeira also shared a story about the sexual harassment occurring in public housing in Baltimore, and the victims, who are predominately underprivileged African-American women, are continually ignored.

According to Texeira, the most important part of the presentation was the topic of toxic masculinity. She quoted Niobe Ways, author of “Deep Secrets: Boys’ Friendships and the Crisis of Connection,” as saying: “We essentially raise boys in a culture that asks them to disconnect from … their desire for relationships and all sorts of things the boys articulate that they want.” Way says that this cycle leads to a culture that accepts lonely, aggressive boys, and puts them in positions of power to perpetuate such abuse against women and other men who are perceived as weaker.

Infamous men tied to sexual assault cases were also discussed, such as Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby and Brock Turner, the Stanford student who served only three months for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman, and whose judge, Aaron Persky, notoriously said that any sentence longer than six months would “profoundly affect this young man’s life.”

“Let’s have better consequences, let’s have stronger laws and rules that work,” Texeira said, “I don’t necessarily believe in the whole idea that stronger laws are going to take care of everything, but we have certainly been lax when it comes to domestic violence, rape … we have marginalized women victims and women survivors and we should … move them from the margins to the center.”

Texeira, who has taught introductory sociology, critical thinking and classes on race and gender at CSUSB since 1994, has a doctorate in sociology from the University of California, Riverside. Texeira’s research focuses on social inequality with a focus on race and ethnicity, class, gender and sexuality.

The Yotie Talks series was launched in the 2015-16 academic year by CSUSB’s University Diversity Committee to discuss current issues that are critical to the university, with a goal of creating space for dialogue for the campus community.

Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Horizon, was officially named by godmother Queen Latifah in a ceremony in New York recently that showcased the talented young artists from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital whose artwork adorns the Dreamscape, a stunning three-deck-high LED sculpture in the ship’s atrium.

Following the ceremony, Latifah squared off against Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion Jake Elliott in Lip Sync Battle: Horizon modeled after the hit Paramount Network TV series and rolling out across the Carnival fleet.

Latifah rocked the house with her incredible interpretation of the Weather Girls classic “It’s Raining Men,” while Elliott had a chance to live out his rock star fantasies performing Whitesnake’s arena anthem “Here I Go Again,” all performed with back-up dancers from Carnival Horizon’s Playlist Productions to a packed house in the Liquid Lounge.

But the big winner was St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital which received a $100,000 donation from Carnival representing monies raised from various fundraisers, both onboard and ashore.  The funds continue the line’s ongoing support of St. Jude with more than $16 million raised in the fight against childhood cancer since the partnership began in 2010.

“Carnival Horizon’s naming ceremony was one of our best yet, with Queen Latifah carrying out her duties as godmother then battling it out with Super Bowl champion Jake Elliott of my hometown Philadelphia Eagles in an entertaining Lip Sync Battle,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  “We were also delighted to showcase the wonderfully talented children from St. Jude whose artwork on the Dreamscape will be forever associated with this spectacular ship,” she added.

Added Latifah, “My time aboard Carnival Horizon was nothing short of incredible.  In addition to having the honor of serving as the ship’s godmother, meeting the amazing kids from St. Jude and their families and squaring off against Jake in an all-out Lip Sync Battle is certainly something I will always cherish.”

“This is an absolute thrill for our patients and their families to have their artwork featured as a permanent display on this magnificent ship,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “The ongoing support of Carnival team members and their customers around the globe for our lifesaving mission plays a critical role in advancing research and treatment for pediatric cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”

As the newest ship in the fleet, Carnival Horizon introduces several innovations, including the first-ever Dr. Seuss water park, a new teppanyaki venue, and Smokehouse Brewhouse, a unique dining concept that combines real deal BBQ favorites created by Food Network star and longtime partner Guy Fieri, along with four craft beers brewed on board by brewmaster Colin Presby.   

The second in the line’s Vista-class series, Carnival Horizon also includes features like SkyRide, an IMAX Theatre, a Havana section with its own Cuban-themed bar and pool, and Family Harbor with extra-roomy staterooms and the Family Harbor Lounge.

Carnival Horizon kicks off a summer schedule from New York with a four-day cruise to Bermuda departing later today.  The ship will operate four-day Bermuda and eight-day Caribbean departures from New York through September then reposition to Miami for year-round six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning later that month. 

To learn more about Carnival Cruise Line or to make a reservation, visit Carnival.com, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, or contact any travel agent.

Los Angeles joins Chicago and Atlanta to host fitness-focused scholarship fundraiser

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- LOS ANGELES, CA- With successful 5K run fundraisers in place in Chicago and Atlanta, the Divine Nine 5K Race Series is pleased to announce its West Coast expansion with the addition of Los Angeles as the next location.

Launched in 2015 by fitness enthusiast Neecy Roney, the Divine Nine 5K Race set an early goal of bringing the community together for fitness, fellowship and fun.  The first event took place in Chicago in 2015 with 500 participants.  In 2016, the race expanded to Atlanta, where the inaugural race attracted nearly 600 participants.  Both events are organized in collaboration with the local National Pan-Hellenic Councils (NPHC) and raise funds for the Council’s scholarship and community programs.

Recognizing the Divine Nine 5K’s positive impact on the community, organizers made plans to strategically expand to other locations.  From a list of other major cities, Los Angeles was selected based on its location, strong NPHC council and the community’s interest in fitness and track record of supporting unique fundraising activities.

“We’re pleased to join the Divine Nine 5K family,” said Jacqueline Sparrow, President, Los Angeles NPHC.  “The event will provide a unique opportunity for NPHC- Los Angeles to bring the community together in the name of fitness and scholarship.” 

“Our expansion to Los Angeles confirms that the Divine Nine 5K Race Series is truly a national event.  With locations in the Midwest, South and now Southern California, we’re excited about the opportunity to grow the race series,” added Rooney.

At present, the NPHC-Los Angeles is reviewing possible locations for its inaugural Divine Nine 5K – Los Angeles.  The event is tentatively planned for October 2018.  Additional details will be announced later this month. 

The Atlanta and Chicago 5K races are planned for June 9th and June 16th, respectively.

For additional information about the Divine Nine 5K Race Series, please visit www.divinenine5k.com.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- SAN BERNARDINO, CA- From twin sister valedictorians who have had nearly every class together since kindergarten to a self-driven Latina who was once afraid to speak English and now plans to become a lawyer, San Bernardino City Unified School District’s Class of 2018 has produced many stellar graduates.

There’s Jalen Stevenson, who is making history not because he’s among nine Cajon High School seniors graduating at the top of their class.  Jalen, 17, is the only African-American valedictorian at Cajon High and the District this year.

A native of San Bernardino who attended North Park Elementary and Richardson PREP HI Middle School, Jalen is the first in his family to go to college.  He is headed to UCLA to study psychology, with plans to be a psychiatrist or marriage and family therapist.  Although Jalen never set out to be valedictorian, the achievement has empowered him to be a role model for younger students.

“Humbly speaking, I do feel I am a role model for young African-American males,” said Jalen, who was accepted to nearly every college where he applied.  “I’m a testament to the potential of our city.  The students like me, who graduate from high schools in San Bernardino amid struggles and tribulations, we worked so much harder to earn our diplomas.”

Jalen hopes to return to San Bernardino often while at UCLA to motivate students to work hard for their goals.

UCLA is also where fraternal twins Claire and Caitlin Todd, 18, will go to college this fall, the first time in many years they won’t share the same class schedule.  Claire, who is older by three minutes, will study political science with hopes of holding elected office, while little sister Caitlin will major in biological science.

Since kindergarten, the Pacific High School valedictorians had all but one class together and are now looking forward to carving out their own identities.  Caitlin dreams of designing cutting-edge prosthetics that she hopes will bring movement and freedom to people like her uncle, who uses a prosthetic leg.

“I learned 3D design in ninth grade, and ever since then I’ve been completely fascinated by all the new advancements in science,” said Caitlin, who hasn’t ruled out going to medical school.  “I want to help people who have lost limbs or were born without limbs.”

Claire wants to improve her community by holding elected office at the local level before pursuing a state seat.

“I’ve always been very interested in politics,” Claire said.  “I like debating with people.”

For Middle College High School valedictorian Britney Nicolas, debating was the furthest thing from her mind.  As a child growing up in a Spanish-speaking home, Britney overcame a speech impediment after years of therapy.  No longer afraid to speak English, she will be the first in her family to attend college when she tackles business administration at UC Berkeley before heading to law school.

“Although my parents never read a book to me or helped me with my schoolwork, they’re very proud of me,” said Britney, the oldest of five children. “Without my dad, I wouldn’t know the value of an education.”

Jalen, Claire, Caitlin, and Britney are among more than 3,400 San Bernardino City Unified School District students who will receive their high school diplomas or GED certification this year.

INGLEWOOD, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- U.S.VETS successfully kicked off Memorial Day weekend with a meaningful day of honor for the women and men that served our country. 

On Friday, May 25, U.S. VETS—the country’s largest non-profit provider of comprehensive services to homeless and at-risk Veterans—celebrated their 25th Anniversary with their rededication of the organization’s first established veteran’s facility. The site was, for the first time, officially dedicated as U.S. VETS—INGLEWOOD.

The event hosted political dignitaries and notable special guests such as Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA District 43), Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr., Akilah Templeton, Executive Director, U.S. VETS—Inglewood and Stephen J. Peck (President/CEO, U.S. VETS). Additionally, the day included a commemorative ceremony, open-to-the-public community resource fair, live music, special appearance by the Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders, and the inaugural performance of the U.S. VETS-Inglewood InterService Veteran Color Guard. 

Executive Director Akilah Templeton—an Inglewood native, and long-time mental health advocate, who helms U.S.VETS—INGLEWOOD, one of the country’s largest residential sites for homeless veterans, stated that “our collective service and commitment to our veterans will continue, as we have for 25 years, until every last veteran is moved off of our streets and into the proud future they deserve.”

“U.S. VETS is an extremely important organization that is dedicated to ensuring a better quality of life for homeless and at-risk veterans here in Inglewood and across the country. I am so pleased to join with them once again to celebrate 25 years of distinguished service, and I look forward to continuing our long and strong partnership of providing housing assistance and services to veterans in our community,” said U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

“On behalf of the City of Inglewood, I am honored to pay tribute to all of the veterans, past, and present, who protect the freedoms and way of life we cherish in America.  Inglewood salutes you,” stated Mayor James T. Butts Jr.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)-Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. received the Gail Margolis March of Dimes Advocacy and Government Affairs Volunteer Champion Award in a special presentation before more than forty volunteers and staff at the annual March of Dimes day of advocacy and awareness. Volunteers came from across the state to Sacramento to educate legislators about the March of Dimes mission and advocate for key 2018 legislative initiatives. 

The dedicated volunteers of the service organization were recognized by March of Dimes for their significant contributions by supporting numerous advocacy efforts including policies related to newborn screening, health care access and maternal and child health programs.

“We are honored to be recognized by March of Dimes, an organization which has been making a difference in the health of moms and babies for eighty years,” said Joann Loveless, member of Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority, Inc., and March of Dimes California Advocacy & Government Affairs Committee.

“We are grateful for the support of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.,” said Erric S. Garris, March of Dimes California Director of Advocacy & Government Affairs. “We are delighted to be able to recognize them for their passion and tireless support of key programs and policies that help tackle the biggest health threats to moms and babies.”

March of Dimes renamed the volunteer advocacy award the Gail Margolis March of Dimes Advocacy & Government Affairs Volunteer Champion Award in honor of Gail Margolis, the past Chair of the California Advocacy & Government Affairs Committee.  Gail passed away in September 2016.  She served as Chair of the Advocacy & Government Affairs Committee for ten years.  Her advocacy leadership led to numerous legislative achievements at the State Capitol including several expansions of newborn screening to require testing for cystic fibrosis, hearing loss, severe combined immunodeficiency and critical congenital heart disease, restored funding to key maternal and child health programs and increased access to health care for women and children.

ONTARIO, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) recently congratulated four area high school students accepted to the U.S. military service academies. The students were nominated by a panel of judges with military backgrounds. Following a rigorous application and interview process, the judges made their recommendations to the respective service academies for final approval.

“Each year, one of my greatest privileges as a member of Congress is to nominate the best candidates our district has to offer. I want to congratulate these four exceptional students on their acceptance into the service academies,” said Torres. “These students will not only receive an excellent education and learn invaluable skills and training, they’ll also serve California and our nation proudly.”

The following are this year’s nominees, their city of residence, high school, and the academy to which they have been accepted: Lucas Florendo (Jurupa Hills High School, Air Force Academy); Malachi Samuels (Diamond Bar High School, Air Force Academy Prep School); Nicholas Ramos (Chino Hills High School, USMA-West Point); and Jacob Turner (Damien High School, USMA Prep School-West Point).

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. 

In addition to a free college education, the honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Rep. Torres will nominate, through a competitive process, one individual for each vacant academy slot allotted to the 35^th district.

Executive Director, Akliah Templeton, Chats with WSS News on the vision and mission of the U.S. Vets Program

By Naomi K. Bonman

Executive Director of U.S. Vets Inglewood, Akliah Templeton

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Memorial Day is on Monday, May 28 and to commemorate it, the U.S. Vets organization will be celebrating its 25^thAnniversary by honoring the veterans who have served for our country. The celebration will take place on Friday, May 25 at U.S. Vets-Inglewood located at 733 S. Hindry Avenue in Inglewood.

U.S. Vets is the nation’s largest non-profit provider of direct services to homeless and at-risk veterans. The organization currently has 20 residential sites and 9 service centers across the country, as well as national homeless prevention programs. U.S. Vets provides housing, counseling and career development services to help veterans and families successfully transition to civilian life.

WSS News recently caught up with the executive director of U.S. Vets, Akilah Templeton where she chatted on her overall mission and vision for the organization.

Check out the interview below:

As executive director, what is your vision for the future of U.S. Vets?

Ultimately, it is imperative that my vision aligns with the collective vision of the organization’s leadership.  My Vision for U.S.VETS Inglewood involves a commitment to ensuring excellence in service delivery, continued growth and more collaboration with those who are concerned with improving the quality of life for our nation’s heroes. This means using evidence-based interventions to address the challenges faced by veterans. It includes expanding programs and services to reach more veterans and veteran families. It requires coalition building so that we are part of a community-wide response to solving a set of complex problems.

I am certain that as an organization, we cannot do this alone. Veteran homelessness is a humanitarian issue. It is an issue that shouldn’t exist.  When we talk about expanding housing programs, we have to involve the community. The community must make the connection between the sacrifices made by these brave men and women and the freedoms we enjoy as a result.

For those who are unfamiliar what id U.S. Vets and what does the organization do?

Simply put, U.S.VETS rebuilds lives. Every service we provide, every bed we fill and every meal we serve in some way contributes to helping a veteran gain stability. Services include transitional housing and now permanent housing in some areas, help with re-integration into the labor force,  targeted case management, therapy, substance use treatment, social activities, help with strengthening independent living skills, family services, legal services and assistance with finding a permanent place to call home. U.S.VETS is the largest non-profit provider of veteran specific housing, employment and case management services in the country.

How can veterans who aren’t apart of the organization become involved?

Veterans who are seeking services can contact their nearest U.S.VETS location for more information. The Inglewood site is located at 733 S. Hindry Ave. in Inglewood. We accept walk-ins. You can also reach us by phone at 310-348-7600.  

Veteran’s wanting to offer support or simply get involved can find us at usvetsinc.org for information on donating and volunteering.

What other upcoming events does the organization have?

We are looking forward to our first annual celebrity basketball game in August. We hope to raise funds to cover gaps in existing programs and to expand service delivery.