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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- Higher Heights, the leading, independent and trusted voice for Black women leading up to, and beyond Election Day, has rolled out its #BlackWomenVote campaign for the 2018 cycle. The nationwide effort is aimed at ensuring that Black women raise their voices and mobilize their networks to get out the vote on Tuesday, November 6.

During the next week, leading into Election Day 2018, #BlackWomenVote will help prepare Black women to get ready to go to the polls, by encouraging them to activate their networks, by using the make a vote plan tool that can be found on BlackWomenVote.com, and by hosting a series of online activities to further energize Black women and emphasize the importance to get out the vote in November, as well as staying active beyond Election Day.

The #BlackWomenVote campaign is fueled by BlackWomenVote.com, which was launched during the 2014 cycle and provides the latest election news, commentary and tools for Black women to prepare to vote, and get out the vote within their social networks. Over the week the campaign will reach Black women across the country, encouraging them to activate their circles and give them the tools to raise their voice, cast their vote, and flex their collective voting power.

Earlier this year Higher Heights launched its Truth Tellers campaign lifting up Black women’s unique voices, votes and power centered around “Ain’t I a Woman?”, a question from Sojourner Truth that continues to resonate with Black women today—167 years later. This election season Higher Heights wants Black women to tell their truth and ensure Black women’s voices are heard in the political process.

“There is much at stake this election cycle. Black women are a major voting bloc that we want to ensure is armed with the tools and necessary information to vote,” said Glynda C. Carr, co-founder of Higher Heights.

“BlackWomenVote.com provides Black women with those tools, and also provides a common space where they can read about other Black women’s experiences.”

BlackWomenVote.com includes an Election Center, where women can commit to vote and make a voting plan. The website will provide Black women with the tools to activate their networks and create a space where they can share their stories on the latest news from Black women across the country about this election and current topics focused on issues affecting Black women.

“We have all seen the news coverage about how Black women showed up and showed out to the polls in 2016, 2017, and 2018 is not expected to be any different,” said Kimberly Peeler-Allen, co- founder of Higher Heights.

“We have launched this campaign and website to provide meaningful ways for Black women to organize their networks this election and demonstrate our collective power for change in our communities and nationwide. Higher Heights wants to ensure that Black women have seats at political and economic decision-making tables.”

Please visit BlackWomenVote.com here.

About Higher Heights

Higher Heights is the leading national organization exclusively dedicated to advancing Black women’s political power by ensuring they have the tools to engage, advocate and lead in their personal and professional communities. Higher Heights is building political power and leadership of Black women all the way from the ballot box to elected office.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— November is epilepsy awareness month. Join Epilepsy Education Everywhere for a month of education, support and a whole lot of fun!

They will kick off the month with the 6th Annual Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland on November 5^th to November 7th. Tickets are available until Saturday, November 3 at 9 p.m./PST.

If you would like to join us for events, or learn more about epilepsy, visit epilepsyed.org.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— OAKLAND, CA—- As 39,000 University of California workers wrap up a 3-day strike over issues of inequality at the state’s 3rd largest employer, a bombshell of a research brief reported by CALmatters has revealed that Black and Latino workers employed at UC are more likely to be fired and get smaller raises when they are promoted.

Read the report: “Limitations on Career Advancement for Black and Latino/Latina Workers at the University of California,” click here to download.

The new report supplements Pioneering Inequality, a study released last April that revealed growing income, racial, and gender disparities at UC. The new research brief tracks promotions and separations for 25,000 UC service and patient care workers between 2013 and 2017 to highlight growing patterns of inequality within the University’s frontline workforce.

The new report supplements Pioneering Inequality, a study released last April that revealed growing income, racial, and gender disparities at UC. The new research brief tracks promotions and separations for 25,000 UC service and patient care workers between 2013 and 2017 to highlight growing patterns of inequality within the University’s frontline workforce.

“The data reveals that Black and Brown service and patient care workers are far more likely than white workers to be fired or otherwise forced out of their jobs,” said Owen Li, co-author of the reports. “When Black and Latino workers change jobs or get promoted, they receive far smaller pay increases on average than their white counterparts. Whether due to an implicit bias in UC’s employment practices or a real lack of structural career advancement opportunities, women and people of color who are employed in these job titles are clearly being short-changed.”

While more than 5,000 Service and Patient Care Technical workers left their University job during the period under review, the study found that white men were the most likely to leave voluntarily and that Black workers were involuntarily forced out at nearly twice the rate of white men.

Among the more than 3,000 Service and Patient Care Technical workers who changed job titles within the AFSCME-represented workforce during the study period, white workers received raises amounting to as much as $3,000 more per year—on average—than Black women.

“The absence of more equitable career development ladders for people of color likely contributes to the growing income gap at UC that was revealed in Pioneering Inequality,” Li added.

“In 12 years, I’ve taken several certification courses, put in countless volunteer hours for training and experience, trained co-workers for positions I applied for but did not get hired into, and applied for over 130 UC jobs to advance my career. I haven’t even received a call-back for any of those applications in those 12 years,” said Mshindi Cherry, a Black member of UC’s Patient Care Technical Unit at UC Davis Medical Center. “It seems UC would rather hand higher paying jobs to people who don’t look like me.”

Cherry—whose last call-back from UC was for the job he currently holds—has been told that he is not qualified for jobs that he already informally performs as an Operating Room Assistant.

The University is disproportionately firing Black workers and people of color in the same job titles that UC is outsourcing jobs to contract companies that pay workers lower wages and fewer benefits. Fully 71% of Black workers who lost their jobs during the study period were employed in food service or custodial positions, yet UC spent over $54 million per year outsourcing this work through 99 different contracts between 2013 and 2017.

The study notes that this trend is not limited to service work. At UCSF Medical Center, the single most outsourced job title is Patient Support Assistant (PSA). PSAs are 96% non-white at UCSF.

“The University of California has stopped investing in career ladders for its most vulnerable workers, and is instead outsourcing jobs,” added AFSCME Local 3299 President Kathryn Lybarger. “If UC is sincere about serving as an engine of economic mobility, it will actually work with us to address these problems, instead of pretending they don’t exist.”

In May, Service workers staged a 3-day walkout in protest of these issues and 53,000 UC workers joined them in solidarity. Today, nearly 6 months later, Patient Care Workers have decided to follow in their footsteps. Their 3-day strike officially ends at 4:00am on Friday morning.

By Naomi K. Bonman

Dr. Joe Johnson

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Take this. You dream of working at “X” company with X” person who is known to the best in the industry. However, when you finally land that dream role you are still not fulfilled. Yes, you may make great money, but you still fill empty. This is because you are not living out your purpose.

This is what Dr. Joe Johnson, speaker and peak performance coach, teaches his cliental. He shows them how to tap into their purpose and how to live a purposeful life.

“Purpose is that feeling. It just feels right,” Dr. Joe Johnson explains.

Dr. Johnson was born in Milwaukee, WI but has lived in several places during his childhood including Hawaii and New York. He considers Milwaukee, AKA: “The Mil” his hometown because of the family ties. He understands the meaning of struggle but has lived with a mentality instilled in him by his mother,” I can do and be anything I want in life”.

Johnson learned the value of education from both parents but as he began his love for sports at an early age, his focus with competing on the football field and basketball court caused him to develop a “who cares” attitude toward his education. Growing up in the inner-city of Milwaukee allowed for Johnson to almost fall victim to what many young males were doing in his neighborhood.

Sports was his key out of a city where many Black and Hispanic males were often victims of gang violence and self destruction. Johnson soon learned the power of competing in the classroom, the same way he competed in sports. With his new found attitude and focus, he began to excel academically after being accepted into a Master’s program. Johnson soon founded to love learning and realized his purpose was transforming the lives of individuals and the culture of organizations allowing through speaking, training, and peak performance coaching.

As a proud graduate of Milwaukee Bay View high school, Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from Saginaw Valley State University and a Master’s degree in Counselor Education from Western Michigan University, and a PhD in Counselor Education from the University of Florida, over 20 years of experience working with individuals and organizations, and is ready to take on the world!

Now that you guys know a little about Dr. Joe Johnson, tune into the interview below where he chatted on purpose!

To listen to the interview, please click here

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Talking about an urban event drippin’ with talent, this is it! A few local entities came together to make one entity that focuses on the performing arts. We want you to tap in with us Sunday, November 4, as we launch out first event in the city of Riverside/Moreno Valley at Club Status starting at 7 p.m.

The event will showcase funny comics the first half hosted by Comedian Brett As Is and rap artists the second half hosted by KG X DEE Drizzle. We have door prizes, giveaways and more for those in attendance. Early arrival is strongly suggested. Below explains more about the movement.

Who: The Collectives – likeminded entities banning together for the sake of achievement surrounding the performing arts. (Legendary Entertainment/LUE Productions/Grim Reality/Future Pioneer Enterprises).

What: I.E. Culture Fest

Why: The I.E. Culture FEST was created for artists of diverse backgrounds to showcase their artistry on different platforms while networking.

Get your tickets online now for IE’s Culture FEST
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-culture-fest-tickets-51480549710?aff=efbevent

Until next week L’s!

The SBCUSD Board of Education presented Outstanding Student Awards to 12 elementary students, including students from Anton Elementary School.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—-VICTORVILLE, CA—- The San Bernardino City Unified School District Board of Education honored 12 students with Outstanding Student Awards at the October 16, 2018, Board meeting. The San Bernardino Symphony also recognized students by providing them and their families with free symphony tickets.

Outstanding Student Award winners are recognized for achievement in academics, athletics, fine arts, citizenship, or for showing significant improvement in these areas. Students are awarded and inspired to have hope for their future by thinking about long-term educational and career goals.

Ramona-Alessandro Elementary School Outstanding Students

Fifth-grader Jesus Echeverria is an excellent citizen. He is polite and respectful to staff and fellow students. He is also a good student. He completes all homework assignments and takes good notes in class. Jesus wants to attend college, but he hasn’t picked a career yet.

Kindergartener Rogelio Mercado has just started school and can already identify his numbers up to 31. He is eager to learn, even at this young age. Rogelio has lots of time to decide what career he wants to pursue, and the Alessandro staff thinks he will go far.

Fifth-grader Kartavya Singh is an excellent role model. He is responsible, excels academically, is active, and appreciates music. Kartavya reads at the 11th-grade level and is a creative and innovative writer. He aspires to study physics at MIT.

Anton Elementary School Outstanding Students

Fifth-grader Gonzalo Ahumada is an outstanding role model. He is a great classroom helper and is very reliable. Math is his favorite subject, so it’s no surprise he excels at it. Gonzalo wants to become a police officer after he graduates.

Third-grader Natalie Reynaga-Gil is polite and kind. She is also a hard worker who always tries her best in the classroom and the learning center. Natalie wants to attend college and become a veterinarian.

Fourth-grader Kaziana Williams is a sweet girl who does her best every day. She is friendly and kind and has a positive attitude toward learning. Kaziana wants to become a police officer someday.

Arrowhead Elementary School Outstanding Students

Fourth-grader Dominic Guevara is an outstanding person. She is empathetic and helpful. She takes her schoolwork seriously, always staying on task and working hard. Dominic wants to attend college and study medicine so she can become a doctor and help others.

Second-grader Aliyah Orozco is an outstanding citizen and positive role model. She believes in herself and knows she can be brave and strong enough to achieve her dream of being a police officer. She also wants to use her artistic talents and create video games.

Third-grader Michael Padilla is an avid reader who is reading at a 6th-grade level. He works hard and takes pride in his academic achievements. Michael wants to attend UCLA and serve his community as a police officer.

Barton Elementary School Outstanding Students

Fourth-grader Itza Arambula is in the top of her class, academically. She scores in the 99^th percentile in English and the 90^th percentile in math. Itza wants to attend college and become a teacher.

Sixth-grader Dayra Perez is a model student and the epitome of Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). She is responsible and organized. Her attention to detail is present in everything she does. Dayra wants to attend UC Santa Barbara and open an eco-friendly business.

Sixth-grader Zechariah Saha is an exceptional role model and scholar. He scores in the 97th percentile in language arts and the 86th percentile in math. He understands the importance of perseverance and displays leadership skills. Zechariah wants to become a singer/songwriter.

Danielle Lilley

By. Naomi K. Bonman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- Citrus Valley High School senior, Danielle Lilley, recently received the MVP for the Citrus Belt League for volleyball where she plays the position of Outside Hitter.

Lilley’s journey in volleyball began at the age of 10-years old when a family friend suggested that she try a volleyball camp at California State University of San Bernardino. Prior to volleyball, Lilley had tried gymnastics, swimming and tennis.

Many Black children do not play volleyball because of the cost of club competition training and travel. It can be quite expensive costing up to $5,000 per season in California. However, with a payment plan and much sacrifice, Lilley’s parents made it happen, and the sacrifice and hard work has paid off!

Danielle has played for Rancho Valley Volleyball Club (RVVC) for 7 years. Her RVVC club teams have qualified for and competed in the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships for the past 4 years. In 2017, her team won the Gold Medal in the 16 American Division. They were honored by the San Bernardino mayor and city council.

“Danielle’s mother and I are very proud of her. She’s always been a good girl. I think with all of kids, we’re really just blessed thus far with how they have turned out,” Myron Lilley, Danielle’s father, stated. “We give all glory to God for having favor with them. She took two official college visits and kind of fell in love with Texas Southern, and for us we felt okay with Texas Southern because we used to live in Texas and we used to live around the Houston area. I also have family there; my wife has family there and we have close friends that are like family, so we felt that it could be the right situation for her and that in case of an emergency they can check in on her.”

At Citrus Valley, she has played on the varsity team all four years and has been recognized with all league and all Inland Area selections for the past two years. This year as a team captain, Danielle led her team (21-5 overall and 8-2 in CBL) and the Citrus Belt League in kills in spite of playing in fewer sets than any other scoring leader. Danielle scored 321 kills in only 56 sets for an average of 5.7 kills per set and a 40 percent kill percentage. 

She made the top 10 in CBL in 3 other categories: hitting percentage, service aces, and digs. Danielle scored a career best 30 kills vs Murrieta Mesa in pre-league competition.

I recently interviewed Ms. Lilley, where she chatted on her plans for after high school and her inspirations in getting into volleyball.

You recently received the MVP title. What was your initial reaction to that?

It was one of my goals that I have set this season and I really wanted to work hard and earn it. I was able to and I was over the moon excited about it.

What was the journey like in claiming the MVP title?

It was interesting because the way I found out was that my mom sent it to me. She was the first person to show me. I was really surprised. I was trying to calm down because I was in class when she texted it to me.

There are not very many African Americans in volleyball, so what inspired you to get into the sport?

I started playing when I was ten, so I’ve been playing for about seven years now. At first, I didn’t love it right away. I liked it and I enjoyed it, but the love came later as I built friendships and got better, and of course it always helps when you’re doing well and you’re good at something. I just became good at it and I found the love for it.

How do you balance you academics and your sports?

It can be very difficult; it’s not easy! My parents have always taught me how to get ahead of my school work and to get things done early so that I don’t fall behind. They showed me how to be proactive because it is hard to catch up when you fall behind.

What are your plans for after high school?

I just recently committed to play volleyball at Texas Southern University in Houston. I got back from my first visit about three weeks ago and while I was there, I loved it! I am also a music major which is a prodigious major at the school. So that is like a hand and hand thing, volleyball and my passion for music.

What some of your hobbies outside of music and volleyball?

I’m in two different bands at school: the symphonic band and the wind ensemble. That’s mainly what I do. I am also really involved in my church.

What do you have planned as you wrap up your senior year?

My band at school always has concerts for each semester and seasons. We have a Christmas concert coming up, followed up with a festival where we perform in front of judges and get a rating and following that is the spring concert. As far as volleyball, my club team is about to start practicing in a couple of weeks. We also have a lot of tournaments and qualifiers where we travel out of state where we play to qualify for the national tournament which will be held in Dallas, Texas this year.

What is for advice for our youth, especially our Black youth, who may be passionate or into a particular sport that may not be highly recognized in the community? How can they stay motivated to keep pushing forward?

My advice is to not be afraid to be different. I know on the court there are not that many African Americans, but that is something that you should take and be inspired by to be one of the few out there. If you’re not one of the few or one of the only ones on the team, then just be that one person that stands out. Don’t let not seeing other Black people out there stop you from doing what you want to do.

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— God says… Don’t do it!! …  Don’t do it!! … Don’t do it!!… But naw, what do we do? Not only do we do what the Lord tells us not to do, we do it thinking no one will never know…. Oh, how wrong we are! For [Numbers 32:23 and Isaiah 59:12] say, “Be sure your sins will find you out.” [Luke 12:2] says, “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.” [Proverb 15:3] proclaims, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” I ask you, if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, how shall we escape?

Consider scriptural illustrations of sin finding out men.  Cain tried to hide the murder of Abel in a field and deceive God about it [Genesis 4:3-15].  Lot compromised with sin in order to “provide for his family” [Genesis 13:10-13; 19:14, 30-38]. Abraham took Hagar as a second wife, which caused much trouble [Genesis 16:1-6; 21:9-14]. Isaac and Rebekah let Esau marry worldly girls, which caused grief [Genesis 26:34-35; 28:1-9]. Dinah went to play with the world’s girls and lost her virginity and boyfriend [Genesis 34:1-31].  Joseph’s brethren deceived their father about Joseph’s plight [Genesis 37:18-35; 42:21-22].  Judah considered the use of an apparent prostitute an innocent thing [Genesis 38:12-26]. Korah criticized Moses for his office, but God heard and buried him alive. [Numbers 16:1-35] Achan hid his stolen goods of Jericho from the sight of everyone and Israel stoned him [Joshua 7]. Adoni-Bezek mutilated prisoners, so Israel mutilated him before his death [Judges 1:4-8].  Eli’s sons abused God’s worship, but they died young together [I Samuel 2:12-17; 4:17]… and the illustrations go on, and on, and on. Look, be not deceived, what’s done in the dark shall come to the light! You cannot cheat or compromise on God’s religion and His commandments and get away with it. God will not be mocked … neither in this life nor in eternity.

As Paul wrote to the Ephesians; “I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking… For I have not shunned declaring unto you all the counsel of God…” [Acts 20:27, 31] Repent and begin to live Godly lives in the light of the scriptures and to begin to seek God with great intensity, honesty, sincerity and urgency.

The Bible says, “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” [2 Chronicles 7:14]. ”

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” [Isaiah 1:18]. ”

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteousness man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon”. [Isaiah 55:7].

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Friends of the San Bernardino Public Library (SBPL) has received a $40,000 donation from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to purchase library books for the four city libraries of the San Bernardino Public Library.

“On behalf of the Friends of the San Bernardino Public Library, the Library Board of Trustees and the City of San Bernardino, we would like to thank the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for their generosity to help us provide more literary resources to the public. The donations go a long way to promote education and early literacy to San Bernardino youth and their families,” said Library Director Edward Erjavek. “This longstanding partnership with San Manuel is a noteworthy example of community organizations coming together to help San Bernardino thrive.”

The library plans to purchase an estimated 2,000 books for readers of all ages in various genres and subjects, including some in Spanish. Books purchased with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians donation can be identified by the name of the tribe stamped on the blank page when you open a book as well as in the library’s public access catalog where it will read “Purchased by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians” along with the first letter of the respective library’s name receiving that copy. The catalog can be accessed at the library’s website at www.sbpl.org.

“San Manuel is proud to have an ongoing relationship with the San Bernardino Public Library. Our goal is to support the community through a variety of non-profit partnerships that reflect our core values including the importance of education. Therefore, we are proud of our ongoing efforts with the library to provide access to books and information to all those who seek it in this region,” said San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena.

In 2015, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians donated $40,000 for library books and donated $45,000 in 2017.

Information about SBPL, directions to its four locations, hours and resources, Overdrive eBooks and audiobooks can be found at www.sbpl.org  or at 909-381-8201. You can also follow the library including its various programs onFacebook,  Instagram and Twitter.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Salvation Army ARC has open treatment beds for alcohol and drug rehab. For those that are interested, they can call Jeff Campbell at (909) 899-9605.

For those that are referred to the program, they must be ready to change and be sober for 24 hours before entry. Currently, there are more than 12-beds available and there are new graduates every week.