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Black Religious Groups, Non-Profits Can Apply for Security Grants as Gov Prioritizes Hate Crimes With $15M Emergency Fund

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— African-American churches, mosques and other religious organizations are among vulnerable non-profits in California eligible to apply for security grants after Gov. Gavin Newsom approved $15 million in emergency funds this week to help religious and community based groups protect themselves against hate crimes.  

The governor made the announcement two days after a violent mass shooting at a synagogue just north of San Diego shocked Californians and people around the world. 

On Saturday, John Earnest, 19, a White supremacist allegedly entered the Chabad of Poway Synagogue carrying an assault-style rifle and opened fire. Police said he killed one woman, Lori Kaye, 60, and injured three others, including a Rabbi and an 8-year-old girl.  Authorities are investigating the case as a hate crime and possibly a federal civil rights violation. 

“We all must call out hate – against any and all communities – and act to defend those targeted for their religious beliefs, who they love or how they identify,” said Governor Newsom. “An attack against any community is an attack against our entire state – who we are and what we stand for.”

Earnest, the accused gunman and a nursing student at California State University San Marcos, has been arrested and charged with one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder. 

“Just weeks ago, African-American churches were burned in the South and these were confirmed as hate crimes,” said Shane Harris, an African-American pastor and President of the People’s Alliance of Justice, a national civil rights organization based in San Diego.

“I have worked closely with the Jewish community for many years on interfaith efforts to take on social justice issues surrounding hate in our country against any faith. It hurts my heart to hear that one person has been killed in this shooting and our prayers go out to the others who have been injured.”

For the African-American religious community in California, the synagogue shooting brings with it echoes of a painful past familiar with centuries of fire bombings, arson, shootings and other acts of domestic terrorism perpetrated against predominantly Black church congregations and places of worship. This year, in a 10-day span between late March and early April, arsonists burned down three historic African-American churches in Louisiana. And between 1995 and 1996 alone, more than 30 African-American churches were burned in the United. States, spurring Congress to pass the Church Arson Prevention Act. Since the 1950s, there have been close to 100 hate crimes committed at African-American places of worship.

The most heinous attack in recent history against a Black church was a hate-fueled mass murder that happened on June 17, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina. Dylan Roof, a then-20-year-old White supremacist and Neo-Nazi,stormed into the historic Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church during a Bible study in the sanctuary and killed nine African-American parishioners, including a South Carolina state senator, Clementa Pinckney.

In California, there are more hate groups than in any other state. Hate crimes are also on the rise in the state, increasing by 17.4 percent between 2016 and 2017, according to the California Attorney General’s office. The sharpest upturn in the state has been Anti-Jewish attacks which rose from 82 too 104 between 2016 and 2017.

Several lawmakers, community activists and religious leaders have already stepped forward to thank the governor for his timely decision and his willingness to address a pressing safety concern in the state.

“We appreciate Governor Newsom commitment to the faith community. These resources will be helpful to protect our residents and communities that rely on our churches. I look forward to assisting Black churches in taking advantage of these resources,” said K.W. Tulloss, president of The Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles and Southern California.

The funding, which will be administered through the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, will be awarded through a competitive grant process. The grants will help Non-profits that are targets for hate-motivated violence bolster security at their facilities. Criteria identifying those groups may include, religious affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, immigration status and more.

Since 2015, California has allocated $4.5 million for the State Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Because more non-profits than anticipated have applied for grants, the governor’s office said he made the decision to add an additional $15m to the fund in the wake of the Poway shootings. The governor will also work with the Commission on Peace Officer Standards to ensure training modules are up to date as new applicants become a part of the ongoing state program. 


“You Stiff-neck, Uncircumcised Philistines!”

By Lou Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— “I give you chance, after chance to come unto me, but you take my grace for granted. You best know that I will not strife with men always. Do not be like your fathers and your brethrens who trespassed against Me, causing me to give them up to desolation. Yield yourselves to Me, and enter My sanctuary, which I have sanctified forever, and serve Me. Do not provoke my anger! Turn from the evil road you are traveling and from the evil things you are doing. Only then will I let you live. Again, I say, turn, turn, turn!”

I tell you, we have just about reached the limit of God’s mercy and forbearance. Our pride and arrogance, our greed and selfishness, our violence and brutality have reached a level which is intolerable. God, of course, will not destroy us without first warning us of the impending doom. But, like those in Noah’s time, most of us will ignore the warnings. Noah preached to the people for 120 years, trying to warn them of what was going to happen, but none would listen. They mocked and ridiculed as he gave the warning that rain would fall to such an extent that the whole world would be flooded. They laughed and insulted as he constructed the ark which carried him and his family safely through the flood.  Again and again the Lord has sent you his servants, the prophets, but you have not listened or even paid attention.

Listen, we cannot afford to see the warnings and not heed them. The Bible says in [2 Peter 3:9], that God wishes that no one perish, but that all should come to repentance.” “If you do not repent, God says, that He will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place [Revelation 2:5].  “O that (you) were wise, that [you] understood this, that [you] would consider [your] latter end!” [Deuteronomy 32:29]. Rend your heart and turn unto the Lord your God [Joel 2:13]

John the Baptist said, “Repent”… Jesus says, “Repent”…. The Apostles said, “Repent”….. Paul said, “Repent”…… Peter said “Repent”…. Jeremiah said “Repent”…. Ezekiel said “Repent”… [Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; Matthew 9:13; Mark 1:15; Luke 5:42; Mark 6:12; 2Corinthians 7:9; Acts 2:34; Acts 3:19; Acts17:30; Ezekiel 14:6]…..

Repent! Repent! Repent!

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and earth, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live, that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” [Deuteronomy 30:18-20]

San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra Receives ACSO’s Sinclair Leadership Award

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO) announced today that the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra is the recipient of the 2019 Kris Sinclair Leadership Award for its successful implementation of a new strategic direction, which has led to impressive growth in concert attendance and community engagement over the past three years.

This award is named in honor of Kris Sinclair, ACSO’s longtime former executive director, and is given to an ACSO Organizational Member that demonstrates recent and measurable leadership initiatives by its staff and/or board in one or more of the following areas: finance, governance, staff development, audience development, education, or community engagement.

“The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra is a great example of how orchestras that have been in operation for decades can still continue to evolve and grow and provide relevant and meaningful art experiences for their diverse audiences,” said Sarah Weber, executive director of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras. 

“In the last few years, the leadership of the orchestra has programmed innovative concerts, provided music education for thousands of at-risk youth, and increased community awareness and ticket sales through expanded media coverage. They did hard work to make a plan for improvement, and that plan is yielding amazing results.”

With the Sinclair Award comes a $5,000 prize, which the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra will use to install new software for ticketing and to train staff to effectively utilize the system.

Chaffey College Foundation Receives $1.3 Million Grant for InTech Center

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK–ENN)— FONTANA, CA— The James Irvine Foundation awarded the Chaffey College Foundation a $1.3-million grant this month to support pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs at the Industrial Technical Learning Center in Fontana.

The two-year grant will provide accelerated training programs and paid internships in advanced manufacturing for low-income Inland Empire residents.

Chaffey College Superintendent/President Dr. Henry Shannon said the grant will help InTech continue to close the gap between skilled workers and the needs of industry in the region.

“We are grateful to the James Irvine Foundation for its generosity,” Shannon said. “This support will change many lives by giving more students access to a quality education and lucrative careers.”

Sandra Sisco, director of Chaffey College economic development and the InTech Center, said the grant will help InTech strengthen the Inland Empire’s economic footprint by training its residents to take on in-demand careers.

“The James Irvine Foundation grant is critical to helping InTech continue building partnerships with employers, which allows us to offer training programs specifically designed by industry to meet their employment needs,” Sisco said.

Programs benefiting from the grant include welding, machining, additive manufacturing, as well as heating, ventilation air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R). The grant will also support a new industrial electrical and mechanical pre-apprenticeship pathway. Students who successfully complete one of these programs will then be eligible to be placed at a company for a 240-hour paid internship at $17 an hour.

“The Chaffey College Foundation is pleased to be able to facilitate public-private partnerships such as The James Irvine Foundation’s Better Careers initiative,” said Foundation Executive Director Lisa Nashua. “This partnership benefits the community by helping Chaffey train Inland Empire residents for living-wage jobs.”

U.S. manufacturing is facing an unprecedented talent shortage as the economy continues to grow and the aging workforce looks to retire. In a 2018 study by The Manufacturing Institute, there will be an estimated 2.4 million jobs that will go unfilled by 2028 due to a lack of skilled workers available to take those positions.

For employers interested in selecting a paid intern, contact Rosalinda Rivas at (909) 652-8482 or rosalinda.rivas@chaffey.edu. For general information or to learn about qualifications to participate in one of InTech’s training programs, contact the InTech Center at (909) 652-8488.

Lashaun Turner announces Cali’s Best Radio Show national syndication, now playing on 15 Am/Fm/Digital outlets

The popular show in its 4th year hosted by Lashaun Turner (Lady I.M.PRE$S) is impacting radio audiences across multiple platforms giving exposure to artists & entrepreneurs across the country!

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— REDLANDS, CA— Cali’s Best Radio Show airs on CNBC/NBC affiliate radio station KCAA on 102.3FM and 106.5FM in the Inland Empire Wednesdays at 7 p.m. PST. The show is a unique platform which showcases the Who’s Who and What’s “BEST” in Music, Business, Entertainment, and Lifestyle. For indie music entrepreneurs it’s an opportunity to share the spotlight with established artists and to have their music played among mainstream music.

Cali’s Best has been picked up by numerous outlets including Crazy Genius TV network on Roku, KHUR, WCDR, Indie Central Radio, WHTL 95.2FM, 98.2TheBeatLA, 98.5FM Kmix and more. For the full lineup, times & listen links visit www.CalisBestRadioShow.com orwww.LashaunTurner.com.

LASHAUN WILL BE COVERING THE RED CARPET MAY 4 & 5-
320 N E St, San Bernardino, CA 92401-1510, United States
LUE Productions 3rd Urban Fashion, & Music Event JOIN THE FACEBOOK EVENT HERE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE.

First African-American Mousekeeter, Raquel Herring, Joins the Cast in Mickey Mouse Club Reunion

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK–ENN)— ORLANDO, FL— It’s the 30th anniversary of the debut episode of the ‘All New’ Mickey Mouse Club and it’s the 90th birthday of the ‘Leader of the Club’ himself! Mouseketeers from all seven seasons will be reuniting in Central Florida on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19. The event will be hosted by Joey Fatone.

#MMC30 proceeds will benefit onePULSE Foundation and their efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, and Give Kids The World Village to help fulfill the wishes of critically ill children of all backgrounds and faiths visiting Central Florida and its collection of theme parks and attractions. #MMC30 will also support arts and education for underserved youth through Always In The Club Foundation.

In addition to joining her #MMC cast, actress, comedian and Gospel sensation Raquel Herring will be releasing her latest single, “Running to You” on May 14. She will also be gracing the stage to perform in front of her Disney family.

For more information on the Mickey Mouse Reunion, please visit www.mickeymouseclubreunion.com. To follow Raquel, visit www.raquelherring.com.

Trusting the Powerful Yet Fragile American Dream

By Hakim Hazim

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— The Founding Fathers mulled over various approaches to governing before establishing the viscous of our nation. When they framed our constitution, they did so with care, deliberation, and foresight. Luke 7:35 states, “…Wisdom is justified by its works.” We see the fruit of their work enduring in this great nation. Believing that axioms, self-evident truths, would remain relevant in people’s judgment and conduct, they constructed a new approach for future governance. They factored in various aspects of human nature – paying careful attention to the morally corrosive nature of unchecked power. To guard against this, they instituted three branches of government, along with a free press, and empowered citizenry. America was not just a place; our nation gave birth to an inspiring idea that people, collectively and individually, could, despite their differences, flourish. Leaders trusted the collective will of the people over tyrants, and the people trusted their leaders. This powerful, fragile, dream gave birth to revolution. We became a shining light, a place in which people armed with aspirations, gifts, work ethic, and morals, could come and start afresh. Now, America’s promise is in peril. Our leaders have failed us. Today many feel a sense of angst, and powerlessness – believing they no longer matter. They are waiting on a new movement or political figure to arrive on the scene and change the direction we are headed. That direction is likely void of godly principles, logic, and critical thinking.

America has always been imperfect and flawed, but the dream has remained and carried us. Today, there are many fault lines and a massive fissuring taking place. Cynicism about the other is systematically being fed to us and replacing “we the people.”  (The other, are those who don’t agree with us.) Despite this, my optimism springs from my forbearer’s history in this country.  I recall the salient imagery of my ancestors crossing the North Atlantic under some of harshest and most inhumane circumstances ever thrusted upon a people. People deprived of the very things America supposedly stood for helped build the American Dream for others, while being subjected to centuries of nightmares.  We were excluded; yet, we longed and labored for our piece of the promise. Generations of our leaders fought for the futures of their children, bearing patiently the injustices of our nation, while keeping a long-term view in mind. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., understood the landscape. He employed godly principles, strategic logic, and critical thinking to arouse a nation’s conscience. He knew that the legal system, religious institutions, and scientific community, had long agreed upon our inferior status. As a Christian, I marvel at Dr. King’s use of spiritual values. He shattered those racist perceptions, while unifying a nation. King understood and trusted that the original idea was good, but it needed to be fully implemented for all. He was grateful to be an American, because the dream, though delayed, proved true.

America, from its inception, was a collaborative effort in which the founders considered history, philosophy, principles of governing, and the passions of the people when they decided to wrest power and their future from British tyranny. They rightly placed their faith in God and the people. Today, we are returning to the old, divisive politics of exclusion. We are returning to a tribalism that shuns those we don’t agree with and critical thinking about issues. We see politicians on both sides utilizing strawmen arguments, victimizing victims, ranting about selective prosecution when justice is at work against them, and not shockingly, debating when a baby can be terminated. Missing from these discussions is our voice. We matter, and a great deal more than we think.

I am challenging you to step forward and get involved in your community and political discourse—not meme sharing and Facebook ranting. America was based on the notion that every citizen matters and has a voice. Do you believe that? If you do, are you willing to engage with people you disagree with? Will you break bread with people who are different than you in race, ethnicity, beliefs, and political party? Will you seek common ground? What if we rejected the cynical news cycles that show one side of an issue only? What if we, the citizenry, took seriously our civic duty to be educated on matters and critically thought about some of the things taking place in this country? If we did, things would change, and politicians could not get away with their business as usual approach. Corporations could not slant the news they have purchased with impunity.

We matter and what we do matters. If we lose sight of this, the American Dream dies, and our children’s dreams will die with it. We can secure the results we seek if we return to the original principles of our nation, trust in God and one another. What we are seeing today are the results of our entrenched political party system, and our apathy. This approach will fill us with fear and angst, while stripping us of our voice. It is time to return to civil, informed conversation. It is time to return to the American Dream.


Hakim Hazim is the founder of Relevant Now, a nationally recognized consultancy that focuses on security, criminality and decision analysis. Mr. Hazim has been featured in many publications and has provided more than 17 years of trusted service to a broad spectrum of professionals tasked with law enforcement, national security and offender populations. He is also the co-founder of web-based Christian think tank, Freedom Squared.

‘The CROWN Act’ To End Hair Discrimination In The Workplace And Schools Passes Senate Vote In California

SB 188 Introduced by Senator Holly J. Mitchell Sponsored by National Urban League, Dove, Color of Change and Western Center on Law & Poverty

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SACRAMENTO, CA— The CROWN Coalition, a national alliance comprised of the National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty, Color Of Change, and Dove, is proud to announce the bill they are sponsoring, Senate Bill 188 (The CROWN Act), passed the Senate floor today in California. 

Introduced by Senator Holly J. Mitchell, SB 188 aims to “Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair” (the CROWN Act) by clarifying that traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and hairstyle, be protected from discrimination in the work place and in our K-12 public and charter schools.

“Many Black employees, including your staff, members, will tell you if given the chance that the struggle to maintain what society has deemed a ‘professional image’ while protecting the health and integrity of their hair remains a defining and paradoxical struggle in their work experience, not usually shared by their non-Black peers,” said Senator Mitchell shortly before the Senate vote.  “Members, it is 2019. Any law that sanctions a job description that immediately excludes me from a position, not because of my capabilities or experience but because of my hair, is long overdue for reform.”

The C.R.O.W.N. (Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural hair) Act will ensure protection against discrimination in the workplace and schools based on hairstyles by prohibiting employers and schools from enforcing purportedly “race neutral” grooming policies that disproportionately impact persons of color.   Additionally, while anti-discrimination laws presently protect the choice to wear an Afro, Afros are not the only natural presentation of Black hair. SB 188 will ensure protection against discrimination based on hairstyles by extending statutory protection to hair texture and protective styles in the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the California Education Code.

“Dove has been committed to championing real beauty for women and girls for decades, and believes the individuality of all of our hair should be celebrated,” said Esi Eggleston Bracey, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of North America Beauty and Personal Care at Unilever.  “As a proud member of the CROWN Coalition, we’re overjoyed to see that the California Senate passed SB 188, and look forward to continuing to drive equity and fairness for all women and men, particularly around hair inclusivity.”

The CROWN Act corrects an inconsistency in existing anti-discrimination laws by amending the California Government and Education Codes to protect against discrimination based on traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and protective hairstyles.  The Coalition, in support of The CROWN Act, aims to put an end to the significant injustices of hair discrimination that has spanned decades across the United States.

The CROWN Coalition
The CROWN Coalition is a national alliance comprised of the National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty, Color Of Change, and Dove as sponsors of Senate Bill 188 ‘The Crown Act’.  The CROWN Coalition members believe diversity and inclusion are key drivers of success across all industries and sectors.

For more information on SB 188 ‘The CROWN Act’ click here to see the legislation.


New study links workplace factors with nurses’ smoking behaviors

Research suggests changes in healthcare systems, policies are needed to support nurses’ quit efforts

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOMA, LINDA, CA— A study conducted by researchers in California and the Czech Republic has identified four key hospital workplace factors that influence the smoking behaviors of nurses in Central and Eastern Europe. Access to work breaks was identified as the most prominent of the four influencing factors impacting nurses’ experiences with quitting smoking and staying tobacco-free.

Published in February by Cancer Nursing journal, the study explored nurses’ perceptions of hospital workplace factors that influence their smoking and quitting behaviors. In addition to differences in work breaks by smoking status, other recognized themes include lack of support for quitting, negative effects of nurses’ smoking on patient interactions, and impact of workplace policies on continuing to smoke or deciding to quit.

Anne Berit Petersen, PhD, MS, MPH, assistant professor for the Loma Linda University School of Nursing and the study’s lead author, said changes in healthcare systems and policies are needed to support nurses’ quit efforts and wellbeing. “We need to provide additional education to ensure that nurses, administrators and policymakers understand key issues related to smoking and interactions with patients,” she said. “Supporting nurses’ efforts to quit is critical to strengthening the profession’s impact on prevention of tobacco-induced diseases.”

Titled “‘Everyone Needs a Breath of Fresh Air’: Workplace Impact on Nurses’ Smoking Behaviors,” the study was a joint project of several researchers from the University of California, San Francisco — Petersen’s alma mater — the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Eastern Europe Nurses’ Centre of Excellence for Tobacco Control.

“There was a consensus among current and former smokers that nurses’ smoking behaviors are linked to the routines and culture of the workplace, with the most prominent matter being the relationship between work breaks and smoking,” Petersen said.

The study was conducted across five Central and Eastern European countries and included nurses who self-reported as a current smoker or former smoker. Between March 2015, and February 2016, 82 nurses participated in nine focus groups, recruited from hospital-based work settings from across the five Central and Eastern European countries.

Work or rest breaks have been associated with many benefits, including improved job satisfaction, less burnout and stress and even decreased patient death rates, Petersen said. “The lack of guaranteed equitable work breaks was perceived as a significant factor impacting nurses’ smoking behaviors,” Petersen said.

The study identified smoking as the only perceived sanctioned reason for taking a break. Nonsmokers were perceived to receive fewer breaks than nurses who smoked — which incidentally, has been substantiated in quantitative studies conducted in the United States, Petersen said.

“In addition to promoting comprehensive smoke-free programs, one of the most supportive actions employers can take to assist nurses to quit is to ensure that all nurses have equitable access to work breaks.”

First 75 Students to Receive Sephora Inside JCPenney Giveaways While Supplies Last

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— JCPenney has partnered with the career service center at California State University, San Bernardino for a college Suit Up event designed to help students dress for success and jump start their careers. This private event will take place at the JCPenney in Inland Center on Sunday, April 28, to accommodate hundreds of students looking for advice on what to wear for job interviews. Faculty, staff and alumni from California State University, San Bernardino, along with members of the JCPenney team, will be on-hand to offer insights into the latest career fashion trends, how a suit should fit, what size to buy, how to tie a tie and more.

JCPenney will offer a special EXTRA 40 percent discount to all California State University, San Bernardino students with a valid school ID during this event. Through this substantial discount, men can easily purchase a JF J. Ferrar suit jacket and pants, shirts, ties, belts and shoes for under $200. Women can buy a Worthington suit jacket, skirt, shirt and shoes for under $100. Students will also be eligible to receive a free mini makeover at Sephora Inside JCPenney.

WHEN:

Sunday, April 28

6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

WHERE:

JCPenney at Inland Center

500 Inland Center Dr.

San Bernardino, CA 92408