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John Jennings discusses the challenge of transforming the beloved classic into a best-selling graphic novel.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— RIVERSIDE, CA— For graphic novelist and illustrator John Jennings, transforming Octavia E. Butler’s classic “Kindred” into a graphic novel was both physically and emotionally draining.

Jennings, a professor of media and cultural studies at the University of California, Riverside, created the adaptation with fellow scholar, graphic novelist, and longtime collaborator Damian Duffy for Abrams ComicArts.

Published in January 2017, “Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation” debuted at No.1 on the New York Time’s Best Sellers list for hardcover graphic books and has received wide acclaim, garnering a Bram Stoker Award among other honors. Now, it is a finalist for this year’sEisner Awards for best adaptation from another medium.

Jennings, who provided the illustrations for the 240-page book, called the 11-month process “a small miracle.” The work took a physical toll — Jennings injured his shoulder while working on the illustrations — but also an emotional one.

Originally published in 1979, Butler’s story focuses on Dana, an African American woman who is transported to a pre-Civil War-era Maryland plantation, returning numerous times to help her white ancestor Rufus whenever he finds himself in grave danger. Trapped in the past, she experiences firsthand the harrowing cruelty inflicted on her own enslaved ancestors and later, herself.

Turning Butler’s book into a graphic novel presented Jennings and Duffy with several unique challenges, from figuring out how to truncate Butler’s seminal work while doing it justice, to the many aesthetic considerations involved in converting prose to a highly visual medium.

“You can’t go word-for-word with a comic book adaptation because they handle storytelling differently,” Jennings said. “We actually had less pages to tell the same story. Octavia was a masterful writer, but even with the terseness of her words, we still had hundreds of words that had to be cut and instead shown. That’s the thing in comics books; you need to show, don’t tell.”

To depict the time periods, Jennings played with the book’s color schemes, muting the present day and making the past full-color.

“Normally when you’re doing flashback stories, the current day is vibrant and in color and the past is kind of sepia-toned, but we wanted to do something different,” Jennings said. “We wanted to play around with the fact that in the book, Octavia talks about how vibrant and how real the past was, and how bright and harsh it is, so we decided to do the opposite.”

For the scenes in the present, Jennings drew inspiration for the color tones from an unlikely place.

“I actually sampled some of the colors from bruises and blood. The idea is that it’s her blood relationship to Rufus that continues to pull her back. It’s about family ties. That red is actually the color of what scabbed-over blood looks like.”

In Butler’s novel, time travel is more supernatural than scientific. To achieve this transition in the graphic novel, a subtle breakdown of the borders of the panels occurs. The lines become fractured and frenetic as Dana is pulled back and disappear completely when she finds herself on the other side of time.

Jennings found the experience of immersing himself so deeply in slavery especially difficult, noting he is a descendent of slaves in the South.

“I was crying physically onto the pages that I was drawing, because it’s so powerful, and so prescient, and so meaningful still today in the middle of the Black Lives Matter era. How do you get across visually the feeling of this book? My drawings were really manic, and energetic, and they make people uncomfortable.”

Despite the arduous process of creating the graphic novel, Jennings found the experience hugely rewarding, and it served as his first foray into mainstream work.

“These are things that really effect black people in America still, the wages of slavery which I think our country is still paying, and you can see how that presents itself in our current political climate,” Jennings said.

In graphic novel form, “Kindred” is offering new audiences a chance to experience Butler’s thought-provoking work.

“Some people who have never read comic books before have picked up ‘Kindred,’ Jennings said. “A lot of the time, it’s the first sci-fi or speculative story people have read, because sci-fi is still dealing with representation issues with people of color.”

Jennings will be at this year’s Comic-Con in San Diego, participating in several panels and attending the Eisner Awards ceremony on July 20. Known as the “Oscars” of the comic book industry, the awards are named for the pioneering comics creator and graphic novelist Will Eisner. Jennings previously received an Eisner for his scholarly work, “The Blacker the Ink,” but the nomination for “Kindred” marks the first time he has been nominated for his graphic novel work as an artist.

“It’s a huge honor, especially to represent Octavia Butler’s legacy,” Jennings said of the author, who died in 2006. “I’m so glad we are a part of getting people to read her work and push her into the future. I’m hoping that if she’s out there somewhere looking at us, that she’s happy with what we’ve done, and we want to continue celebrating her.”

A softcover adaptation of “Kindred” is due at the end of July, and the adaptation will also be translated to Spanish, French, and Swedish, with those editions released in the fall.

John Jennings at Comic-Con

Jennings will be participating in five panels during Comic-Con International: San Diego. In addition to the various panels, he will also be attending the post-con offsite event, AfroFuturism Lounge, which he helped organize. Catch Jennings at the following panels and events:

Friday, July 20

• Comics Arts Conference #7: Intersectional Identity in Box of Bones
  1-2 p.m., Room 26AB
• In-booth signing with John Jennings at Abrams Booth No. 1216
  3:30-4:30 p.m.
• Diversity and Inclusivity from the Perspective of Libraries/Publishing/Authors in the Industry
  5:30-6:30 p.m., Room 8

Saturday, July 21

• Comics Are for Everyone . . . Aren’t They?
  10-11 a.m., Room 4
• Adapting Folklore, History, and Myth in Comics
  2-3 p.m., Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
• Abrams ComicArts: Reaching Every Reader: New Trends in Graphic Novels for Adults and Kids
  4-5 p.m., Room 28DE
• In-booth signing Abrams Booth No. 1216
  5:30-6:30 p.m.

Friday, July 20 – Saturday, July 21

• The AfroFuturism Lounge
  7-11 p.m., The Broker’s Building Gallery

Inland Affiliate Hosts Breakfast Wednesday Dedicated to Empowering, Supporting Community

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA —- Susan G. Komen IE is hosted a special breakfast on Wednesday, August 1 at Dignity Health St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino to educate, empower and mobilize the African-American community in the fight against breast cancer. 

The breakfast was part of a broader statewide program known as the Susan G. Komen Circle of Promise Initiative that focuses on addressing breast cancer disparities among African-American women by educating the community and providing better access to care. The statewide program is made possible in part by a grant from the Anthem Blue Cross, Foundation, LLC. Proceeds from the breakfast help fund education, screenings, diagnostics, treatment, patient navigation and research to help find cures for breast cancers. 

“All women and men, regardless of race, ethnicity, place of residence or socioeconomic status, should be empowered to take personal action and access appropriate breast health services. However, many African American women still face barriers to screening, diagnosis and treatment services,” said Jill Eaton, Susan G. Komen Inland Empire executive director. “The Circle of Promise initiative will make a significant impact on the lives of women in the Inland region, across the state, and ultimately, save lives.”  

Gains from the war on breast cancer have sidestepped African-American women. Prior to 1980, African-American and white women faced nearly identical mortality rates of approximately 33 deaths per 100,000. But today, African-American women are 40 percent more likely to die of breast cancer than white women.

In fact, these women are between 40 to 70 percent more likely to have a late-stage diagnosis, are more likely to be diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, and are also more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age. 

For women without health coverage, the burden is even greater – uninsured women have a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of dying from breast cancer than those with insurance. 

In San Bernardino County, there is a mounting crisis in the lack of quality and affordable breast health care services. There has been a dramatic decline in the number of surgeons, oncologists and primary care physicians available to serve African-American women, regardless of their insurance status. 

The breakfast at St. Bernardine Medical Center, Matich Conference Center, featured speeches by:

Dr. Margaret Hill, a member of the San Bernardino City Unified District Board of Trustees who will share her own story of battling breast cancer;

Michelle Melancon, a certified oncology nurse and accredited oncology nurse navigator who recently was honored by Dignity Health St. Bernardine Medical Center for her work as a breast cancer navigator

Dr. Krissa Smith, director of research programs for the Komen Research Programs Department

Follow the Susan G. Komen Inland Empire affiliate on Facebook Susan G. Komen Inland Empire and or Twitter. 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre was

Superintendent Ted Alejandre

unanimously chosen as president-elect in 2019 for the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA).

Alejandre, who was elected to his second term as San Bernardino County superintendent in June, will serve as president-elect beginning Jan. 1, 2019. In 2020, he will serve as president of the organization, which includes the 58 county superintendents throughout California. CCSESA’s mission is to strengthen the service and leadership capabilities of the state’s county superintendents in support of students, schools, districts and communities.

“It is a tremendous honor to be selected as the president-elect of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association,” Alejandre said. “I look forward to the leadership position and helping support the terrific work being accomplished at the state level by CCSESA.”

As president-elect of CCSESA, Alejandre will serve on the group’s executive committee for three years. Currently, Alejandre serves as the Region 10 chair for the organization.

For more information about CCSESA, visit the organization’s website a www.ccsesa.org.

By Dania DeRamon, CCAEJ Communications Intern

Mariana Lopez

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—— Canvassing in the scorching heat, knocking door-to-door, talking to residents to get pledge cards, and testifying during public hearings. Sounds extensive, doesn’t it? These sorts of actions are typical for local volunteer, Mariana Lopez.

A recent 23-year-old graduate from the University of California at Irvine, Lopez triple-majored in international studies, sociology, and political science. She’s been a resident of Rubidoux for the majority of her life–a community she says she “wouldn’t leave at all.”

“You can empower and uplift your community when you truly understand the issues affecting people.”

Because of Lopez’s efforts, industry led efforts like Proposition 70 (Cap and Trade Vote Amendment) are being defeated at the ballot box. She was also CCAEJ’s top signature getter in our efforts to repeal Proposition 13. Lopez obtained 55 signatures, more than twice the number volunteers were asked to get.

CCAEJ Civic Engagement Director Italia Garcia notes that Lopez took “a lot of self-initiative” in the process, going above and beyond to attain signatures.

“Mariana really stands out among volunteers because she has great leadership skills and work ethics,” Garcia explains. “She really cares about making a change in her community.”

Civic engagement has always been an important aspect of Lopez’s life. She began volunteering at St. John’s Church, supporting her father’s weekly food pantry program. Interacting with others in the community, especially those from low-income backgrounds, motivated Lopez to dedicate herself to making a difference. While studying abroad in Barcelona, she organized students for a Sisters/Women’s march–where she became truly passionate for “advocating and uplifting everyone’s voices, especially those of women.”

“If you’re truly passionate about what it is you are supporting, I think that will be reflected when you’re communicating with people,” Lopez says about her experiences.

Shortly after returning from Barcelona, Lopez learned about a controversial incident at Rubidoux High School, in which various teachers made derogatory comments about students who chose to participate in the ‘Day Without Immigrants’ protest.

“I was so mad that teachers we looked up to could make racist comments and mock those who participated,” she said about the incident at her alma mater.

With the help of the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice and the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, Lopez learned how to “mobilize the community” in a manner that was non-violent, yet direct.

Through phone banking, Lopez contacted community members–urging them to attend and testify at public hearings to demand action against the teachers. Lopez also testified at one of these hearings, an experience she admitted was frightening for her.

“[My siblings and I] had a close relationship with one of those teachers…so for me it was really scary to go out and testify…but that didn’t hold me back,” she recalls.

In fact, Lopez is now helping lead an effort to bring further resources to undocumented students. The goal, she explained, is to have DREAM Resource Centers at all three Jurupa Unified School District high schools.

“To me, I know that the little action I’m taking will hopefully impact or motivate others to volunteer or help out in the community,” said Lopez. “It’s like voting. If you truly want to see a change within your community, go out and do something. Be relentless about it.”  

Gylbert Eusebio, 16, Lake Elsinore, with Brandon Carlson of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, picks out some school supplies before going to the clothing section of the store.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—LOMA LINDA, CA— More than 30 Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital patients and their siblings were each given $200 to purchase school supplies, new clothes and healthcare items. Each child was accompanied by a law enforcement officer from the community during the bi-annual Shop with A Cop event on July 29.

The event, organized by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Employees’ Benefit Association, was designed for families who don’t have the time or resources to prepare for the back-to-school demands.

“It gives parents of patients one less thing to worry about,” said Mike Tulisiak, the association’s events director. “It also shows the kids that officers are there to help and protect them.”

This is the first year the Shop with a Cop event has included siblings, in addition to the patients.

“This is a chance for us to get the supplies we need to start the next chapter in our lives. It’s something I didn’t expect, but something I’m so glad I get to be a part of,” said patient Gylbert Eusebio, 16, from Lake Elsinore. Eusebio shopped with Brandon Carlson of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department.

Carlson said he loves the program because it gives the children the school supplies they need so when they go back to school, they feel prepared. “I hope it gives them confidence in a time when their lives are unsure.”

EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—ANAHEIM, CA— More than 4,500 students from 48 Anaheim elementary schools participated in the second year of Happiest Class on Earth. The program, which will run over a 10-year period, encourages sixth-graders to give back to their schools and communities by completing a service project, earning tickets to visit the Disneyland Resort as a class.

Through their participation in the program this year, students collected cans of food, planted trees and recycled bottles, just to name a few of their efforts.

Assistant Principal Suzanne Nichols from Thomas Edison Elementary School noted, “Because of the hard work and dedication of the students through Happiest Class on Earth, many people have been positively impacted by the community service!”

Kelli Cluqué and Alfredo Cruz. Photo by Robert A. Whitehead/CSUSB

 (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERBARDINO, CA— The College of Arts and Letters at California State University, San Bernardino has hired two widely recognized media experts to manage the university’s Coyote Radio and Advertising: Alfredo Cruz and Kelli Cluqué.

Cruz is a recent general manager for KVCR TV, KVCR FM, and for the First Nations Experience television network. During his earlier career, Cruz was president and chief executive officer of jazz station KUVO in Denver, and station manager at KRTU in San Antonio.

Cluqué is the recent associate program director and air personality at KCAL FM/KOLA in Redlands. Cluqué has more than 50,000 hours of live, on-air experience. She has managed broadcast facilities in Corpus Christi, Texas; Chico, California; San Diego, California; and in the Inland Empire, where she has managed KCAL FM, KCXX and KATY.

School receives funding for the 16th consecutive year

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— LOMA LINDA, CA —- Loma Linda University School of Dentistry was awarded for the 16th consecutive year $298,848 in federal funding by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part F, to provide community-based HIV/AIDS training for dentistry, international dentistry and dental hygiene students. 

“We’re extremely proud of the funding we have received the past 16years,” said Eun-Hwi Euni Cho, DDS, Director of Educational Assessment at the School of Dentistry. “It’s important that we educate our students to look beyond just a patient’s mouth, but treat the whole person, and this Grant provides another training opportunity to do that with our medically-compromised patients.”

According to Cho, who is also the Program Director of the Grant, 20 percent of HIV positive patients don’t even know they have the infection. In fact, 45-50,000 new infections occur every year in the U.S. The funding supports clinical training, oral health services for patients with unmet needs and the development of innovative models in dental care for people living with HIV/AIDS. 

Students are required to participate in eight hours of training over the course of two days. Their studies include take-home case studies, mini-lectures, classroom role play and live patient interviews. 

More than 2,000 dental, hygiene and international students at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry have received this valuable training to treat community patients who are HIV positive. 

“The Loma Linda University School of Dentistry is a world-class learning institution, which is why they have been selected to receive federal funding through the Community Based Dental Program for 16 consecutive years,” said U.S. Congressional Representative Pete Aguilar, who represents California’s 31st Congressional District. “I’m glad that this funding is coming to the Inland Empire, and that it will give our dental students experience working with patients who live with HIV/AIDS while also providing a specialized treatment option for members of our community who deal with these tragic diseases.” 

Patients are currently seen at the SAC Health System – Norton, but next month will transfer to SAC Health System – San Bernardino. According to Cho, patients travel from the Los Angeles, Orange County and Palm Springs areas for treatment. Many of the patients also willingly allow Loma Linda University School of Dentistry students to treat them in the clinic, and work with them in the classroom.

“It’s great to see that our patients understand that we are doing something at the front end to deliver better healthcare, by training future dental professionals,” Cho said. 

Student feedback over the years has shown that their knowledge, skills and attitudes have improved when it comes to helping patients, and according to Cho, has helped to reduce the stigma of HIV/AIDS. 

The funding supports the school’s initiatives for the next five years, while once a year the institution will apply as a non-competitor to maintain funding. 

For more information on Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, visit their website online.

Subheadline: Online Tool Allows Families to Look Up Home School

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)——SAN BERNARDINO, CA-The 2018–2019 school year begins Monday, August 6. For many families, that means thinking about how to enroll their child in school. The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) is making that a little easier by offering elementary school students’ multiple options to enroll.

Students who attended an SBCUSD school during the 2017–2018 school year and are remaining in the District do not need to re-enroll. School records will be transferred to the appropriate grade and school.

For families who are new to the SBCUSD community and need to register their children, the District offers two options beginning Monday, July 23. Families of elementary school students may enroll directly at the child’s home school or they may visit the new Welcoming Resource Center, 781A W. Second Street in San Bernardino. The center is open weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For more information or for directions, call the Center at (909) 889-7576.

Parents of middle and high school students should register at their child’s home school. Parents can determine their child’s home school by calling Facilities Planning & Development at (909) 388-6100 or by visiting http://apps.schoolsitelocator.com/?districtcode=43985 and entering their home address.

“The Welcoming Resource Center has come from the collaborative efforts of our parents, District staff, and the community. SBCUSD is excited to provide our families an additional option for elementary school enrollment,” said Enrollment & Placement Services Assistant Director Leonard Buckner. “Additional services offered at the Welcoming Resource Center include k through 12 transfers, language assessment, GATE assessment, resources for homeless or foster youth, and family engagement.”

Alize` Ross

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—FONTANA, CA—The San Bernardino Pastors United have been continuing to show support to the Ross family. The family is still recovering from the quadruple shooting on June 21, 2018 in San Bernardino. The home-going services for Alize’ Ross is scheduled for Friday, July 27 at 11 a.m. at Loveland Church located at 17977 Merrill Avenue in Fontana.

Mr. Alfred Ross Jr. and Solomon Johnson survived the attack and will be in attendance. Special arrangements for clergy and dignitaries have been made. Please send any well wishes to McKay’s Mortuary at 16918 Baseline Ave, Fontana, CA 92336. This shooting cries out for justice! Assemblymember Reyes, Congress Pete Aguilar, Mayor Warren, Pastor Gwen Rodgers, Jose Gonzales, Senator Leyva offices have confirmed attendance.

We thank everyone for being a part of this healing process for the family.

On October 19, 1997, a baby named Alize’ D Ross was born in the City of San Bernardino, CA., to his parents Alfred Ross, Jr., and Tamara Harper. Alize’ was a true blessing to his family because at birth Alize’  weighed 2 pounds 3 oz. The doctors didn’t say much due to his size; but God answered prayers and gave Alize’ to the family to have fun and a bond. Alize’ loved traveling and would not allow his grandparents to leave town without him.  He played football growing up in the Snoop Dog Football League as a youth, and also played for San Bernardino High School Football team where he also graduated. Alize’ began working and volunteered at the Family Focus Center for Children. He joined The Way World Outreach Church in November of 2017 where he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. Alize’ was preceded death by his grandmother Patricia Harper, and grandfather Cleveland Banks, and is survived by his father Alfred Ross, Jr., of San Bernardino, CA and mother, Tamara Harper of Fontana, CA; sisters Monnasha Harper, Las Vegas, NV, Jazzmeen Williams, Javiona Tuton, Titianna Ross and Audaiece Ross; brothers, Alfred Ross III, Amaze Ross, Brandon Simms Jr.; grandparents, Alfred Ross Sr., and Darlene Ross, great grandparents, Juana Hatch; Great, grandparents Edward and Almeada Smith, and a host of uncles, aunties, nieces, nephews and friends.