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Photo Recap: United Nations of Consciousness Hosts Ribbon Cutting with FREE Backpack Give-Away

By Naomi K. Bonman

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- They say it takes a village to raise up a child, and that is exactly the motto that United Nations of Consciousness (UNC) has been doing with our youth in San Bernardino.

The organization recently acquired a space where they are able to meet and hold activities for the youth at Anne Shirrells Park. However, things are never quite official until there’s a ribbon cutting.

UNC held its official grand opening and ribbon cutting on Saturday, July 30 at Anne Shirrells Park. Youth from all across the community came out to receive their backpacks filled with goodies, lunch provided by McDonalds, and a day filled with activities stations which included art, reading, building blocks, coloring, movies, and more.

To show their support, government and elected officials were in attendance, from Assemblymember Cheryl Brown, Rick Van Johnson, Carolyn Tillman, and the Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Empire.

If you would love to get involved with UNC and their community endeavors, please visit www.uncyouth.org or www.unclife.org.

Inland Prosperity Conference: Learn, Act, Prosper

ONTARIO, CA- Eldonna Lewis Fernandez, chief executive officer of Dynamic Vision International and author of “Think Like a Negotiator,” will be the keynote speaker at the 2016 Inland Prosperity Conference on Friday, July 29, in Ontario.

The conference is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ontario Airport Hotel and Conference Center, 700 N. Haven Ave.

Lewis Fernandez is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran with 23 years of honorable military service and over 30 years of leadership, contracts management, and negotiation experience. She has negotiated contracts from $1 to over $100 million both stateside and internationally. Her upbeat, interactive, and engaging “Think Like a Negotiator” presentation will show attendees that not only is everything negotiable, but also how to find more power, negotiate better deals and create ethical win-win results in both business and personal situations.

In addition to the keynote presentation, accomplished local entrepreneurs, authors, and business leaders will lead three panel discussions on “The Power to Prosper,” “Taking the Leap to Achieve Your Dreams,” and an interactive session on “Technology Time Savers and Money Makers.” Parking is free and the $67 admission includes a light breakfast and lunch.

The 2016 Inland Prosperity Conference is sponsored by the College of Business and Public Administration at Cal State San Bernardino, Bank of America, Monpreneur.buzz, Hispanic Lifestyle, and The Wright Place TV Show, and is presented by the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley Women’s Business Centers.

Registration is $67. Vendor space and sponsorships are also available. For registration or additional information, visit the IEWBC website at www.iewbc.org or call Nicole Kinney (909) 890-1242.    

The Inland Empire and Coachella Valley Women’s Business Centers are programs of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State San Bernardino. Housed in the College of Business and Public Administration, IECE, which administers the programs in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration, is inland Southern California’s leading organization dedicated to supporting and promoting entrepreneurship. The WBCs provides business counseling, training and mentoring designed for women business owners. 

Jessie Trice Community Health Center Launches iChooseHealth4 Campaign in Recognition of National Health Center Week

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- In recognition of National Health Center Week, planned for August 7 – 13, 2016 the Jessie Trice Community Health Center has launched the iChooseHealth4 campaign. National Health Center Week provides an opportunity for Health Centers to showcase the incredible services they provide to their communities, while advocating for the resources necessary to expand their programming.  This year’s theme is Innovators in Community Health.

“Health should be a priority in all of our lives,” says Annie Neasman, CEO of the Jessie Trice Community Health Center.  “Through the iChooseHealth4 campaign, we plan to celebrate National Health Center Week and encourage everyone to get involved and choose health — whether it’s for you, your family or your community.”

The #iChooseHealth4 campaign will include a social media component in which participants are invited to write what they choose health for on a card, have someone to snap a photo, and then share the photo on social media using hashtags #iChooseHealth4, #NHCW16 and #CHCsInnovate. In addition, the campaign will also include a “fun” raiser which will help support the community health center’s initiatives.

“Sponsorships and support received in our “fun” raiser will help support events and activities planned out for National Health Center Week,” says Toni Thompson, Executives Projects and Marketing Office of JTCHC. “It is our hope that the community joins in and supports the #iChooseHealth4 “fun” raiser and social media campaign.”

JTCHC’s National Health Center Week events and activities include

August 9, 2016 – Back To School – JTCHC to provide immunizations, physicals and school supplies to children in Miami Gardens.

August 10, 2016 – Grand Opening of the Opa Locka Children’s Wellness Center – This Center focuses on health, wellness and nutrition and will host cooking classes for pediatrics and parents.

August 12, 2016 – Grand Opening of Walgreens Pharmacy located in JTCHC Main Center – This convenient location will provide pharmaceutical needs to the patients and providers of JTCHC as well as the surrounding community.

National Health Center Week has been celebrated for more than 30 years to recognize the services and contributions of Community, Migrant, Homeless and Public Housing Health Centers. While there are countless reasons to celebrate America’s Health Centers, among the most important and unique is their long success in providing access to affordable, high quality, cost effective health care to medically vulnerable and underserved people throughout the United States.

The Jessie Trice Community Health Center, Inc. is a Florida 501(c)3, not-for-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center, which has been serving Miami-Dade County since 1967. A community mainstay, JTCHC owns and/or operates fifty-five (55) facilities, which includes eleven (11) Comprehensive Primary Care centers, including a women’s substance use residential program, two (2) Dental Health Centers, forty (40) school-based locations two of which are Primary Care Centers and two (2) university centers. JTCHC’s multicultural, multilingual, and multidisciplinary staff serves a diverse population of over 39,575 patients who make more than 126,000 visits annually.

For more information or to receive a sponsorship packet, contact 305-805-1700 or visit jtchc.org.

Four Positions Open on SBCCD Board of Trustees

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The SAN BERNARDINO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT (SBCCD) seven-member Board have four positions to be filled in the November 2016 election. The positions open serve Areas 1, 3, 5 and 7. Specific information regarding the jurisdictions covered by those areas is available on the Announcements section of the SBCCD home page, www.sbccd.org

The members of the Board are elected to four-year positions by area. Candidate filings began July 18 and will be closed on August 12. Candidate packets are available through the County Elections Office, a link to which is also available on the SBCCD home page.

Chancellor Bruce Baron said: “The Board of Trustees is at the helm of the policy decisions made regarding the administration of our two colleges that serve more than 40,000 students per year, the Economic Development and Corporate Training division, our public broadcast tv and radio stations, KVCR, and FNX, the First Nation’s Experience affiliate created in partnership with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. They serve a vital leadership role in our community. These are important positions that need to be filled by those committed to enhancing our communities.”

He continued, noting, “Education is the key to improving our residents’ personal and professional lives and community colleges provide the necessary link between the K-12 and the university systems. We are also the most significant provider of career and technical training in the Inland Empire, including preparing first responders like fire, nursing, and peace officers. Our students receive top quality education opportunities for the lowest cost in the country. Most of our students receive financial aid and they all have a large array of courses and programs from which to select. Our faculty, staff and administrators look forward to working with a well-qualified, enthusiastic Board that is dedicated to continuing to meet our Mission.”

The Heat was brought to the So Cal Region at the First Annual Los Angeles Soul Music Festival

By Naomi K. Bonman

Grooving, singing, kicking back, and just having the moment of the their lives are just a few words describe the emotions of soul lovers during this past weekend’s first annual Los Angeles Soul Fest. From July 22 to July 24, Southern California residents enjoyed a handful of activities at the Autry Museum of American West Griffith Park in Los Angeles.

The LA Soul Fest is the baby of Mark Douglas, CEO of Airborne Tickets that has blossomed and exceeded his exceptions. For the first annual Soul Fest, the event was very well attended and was an ultimate success. It brought out people of all ages and nationalities with everyone being there for one sole purpose—to enjoy some great soul music.

“Whether its vocals, instrumental soloists or a band, it doesn’t matter as long as each artist has the ability and talent to inspire and connect with an audience,” stated Los Angeles Soul Festival Head, Mark Douglas. 

This year’s talent included Grammy, Soul Train, BET, NAACP Image, Billboard, and ASCAP award-winners and nominees, as well as international and newly discovered talent. Highlighted acts included Eric Benet, Angie Stone, Marsha Ambrosius, Lalah Hathaway Lyfe Jennings, Jazmine Sullivan, Joe (Joe Thomas), Melanie Fiona, Eric Roberson, Rahsaan Patterson, Goapele, Vivian Green, Loose Ends featuring Jane Eugene, Avery Sunshine and Conya Doss. 

Great music would not be complete without good food and refreshing drinks. Guests were able to put their taste buds to the test with a variety of delicious food from several local food trucks. There were also smoothies and slushy trucks to cool patrons down from the heat. And of course, when it you’re groovin’ you usually want to have a drink in your hand. There was a 21+ drinking area that served a variety of beer and wine from vendors which included Stella Rose, Budweiser, Budlight, Stella Artois, Shock Top and Golden Road Brewing.

To keep up with the LA Soul Fest for the next year or to view photos and videos from this year, visit lasoulmusic.com or follow them on Twitter @LASoulFestFacebook and Instagram.

7 Web Sites and Apps to Help You Find and Support Black-Owned Businesses

There are so many reasons why it is important to support black-owned businesses. Black-owned businesses represent just 7 percent of all small businesses in the U.S., but they create jobs and contribute to the economic strength of urban communities.

Many more people would like to support black-owned businesses by buying their products and services, but they often lack information on where exactly they are located. So, here are 7 web sites and apps that will help you find and support black-owned businesses across the globe:

#1 – iZania.com: a social networking site for Black entrepreneurs, professionals, and consumers. The site includes a business directory, networking forum, online marketplace, blogs and more.

#2 – WhereYouCameFrom.biz: a local business search app with up-to-date information on black owned businesses in the Atlanta area. The businesses are listed across categories and even ranked according to the number of referral counts received by peers.

#3 – WeBuyBlack.comthe largest online marketplace for black businesses and sellers. Black-owned vendors include clothing and accessories, jewelry, toys and games for children, health and beauty products, products for the home, and more.

#4 – Afroworld.org: is a web site of global black businesses and black professionals. Their slogan is “We Help Afroworld Professionals and Consumers Connect.” The site allows consumers to search for African American professionals and businesses by specialty or location, and compare quotes, reviews, and profiles on each Afroworld professional.

#5 – BlackBusinessNetwork.com: Produced by Tag Team Marketing, this site specializes in marketing the products and services of black-owned businesses to black consumers. Business owners from all over the world can sell their products and services through the online store, and consumers can shop for products they know are made from Black-owned companies.

#6 – PurchaseBlack.com: an online marketplace to find quality products from selected Black-owned businesses. They also have a mobile app that allows customers to search black-owned products and services.

#7 – 2MillionJobs.com: an online initiative that encourages people to spend $20 every week with local and/or online Black businesses. Their goal is to create two million jobs for black workers and eliminate unemployment for blacks by the year 2017.

 

To Jumpstart New Instrumental Program, San Bernardino Valley College Launches Summer Band

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- To launch the new instrumental program at San Bernardino Valley College, a Summer Band has been formed, comprised of SBVC students and area high schoolers.

Valley College hasn’t had a band program for about 15 years, and Professor of Music Margaret Worsley was hired in January to get the instrumental music program up and running.

“This will be no easy feat, as none of our former repertoire (music) or instruments remain, and starting from scratch isn’t cheap,” she said. “But, we’ve got to begin somewhere, and a Summer Band seems as good a place as any! No audition was required to join the band, simply a humble amount of experience on an instrument. This session, we’ve welcomed current students at Valley, as well as local high school students looking to keep up their chops during the summer.”

Worsley says the Humanities Department is “very excited” to bring back the instrumental program, adding, “We are presently writing curriculum so that instrumentalist music majors will soon have a large ensemble to participate in, as fulfillment of their degree requirements. Our future dreams are big, and include outreach and involvement with local high schools and community players. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, and that first baby step is Summer Band. I’m looking to start a Community Band in the fall, which will rehearse once a week.”

The Summer Band rehearses on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 5 p.m. This summer, they are sight-reading and focusing on American pieces. For information on future performances, please visit www.valleycollege.edu.

While an audition for participation is not required, there is an audition for seating. Any-one looking to participate in the instrumental music program or Summer Band can email Worsley at mworsley@valleycollege.edu.

Inland Empire Students Receive Sponsorships for the Kappa Kamp Life Skills Summer Enrichment Program

RIVERSIDE, CA- Several members of the 2016 Guide Right Kappa League Mentoring Program were selected by the Riverside Alumni Chapter (RAC) of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. to attend its annual Kappa Kamp summer enrichment program in Dallas, Texas.  The program, which is for young males between the ages of 12 through 16, was held at Paul Quinn College from June 5 through June 17, 2016.  Local high school students Blake Gilmore, Timothy Bolden and Agyei Butler each received sponsorships from RAC Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. to cover their participation, room and board.

Since 1996 Kappa Kamp has provided young males throughout the United States leadership training and experience, college readiness and motivation.  The program curriculum aims to strengthen critical thinking skills, while promoting character development, improved communication, motivation, goal setting and business planning.  This summer’s enrichment activities for campers included a visit to a local church, a tour of the Dallas Police Department’s headquarters, and sporting events at the Texas Rangers Baseball Club and Dallas Cowboys football stadium.

For more information about RAC Kappa Alpha Psi Guide Right Kappa League Mentoring Program contact Zack Stewart at Stew2z@aol.com.

Career Spotlight: Evelyn Calderon, From Soccer Champ to Peace Officer

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- By following her dream of becoming a law enforcement official, Evelyn Calderon hopes to serve as an inspiration to her baby daughter, Isla.

“I definitely want to be a role model for her,” she said. “I want her to be not just where I am but even more successful. I am going to support her as my mother supported me.”

Calderon recently graduated from San Bernardino Valley College’s Police Academy and has already been hired by the Arcadia Police Department. Before heading to the academy, Calderon was a standout on the soccer team at A.B. Miller High School in Fontana, and had continued success, beginning in 2009, as part of the soccer program at Valley College.

“I had a great experience at Valley, with education as well as soccer,” she said. “We were back-to-back league champions and state champions as well. I had an injury, and I received so much support form the whole athletic staff and coaches and teachers. My coaches gave me the biggest push to get through everything, and everyone I came into contact with at Valley was so supportive.”

Calderon still holds the scoring record at Valley College, and her skills on and off the field helped her secure a full-ride scholarship to Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York.

“I was born and raised in California, so it was an adjustment, but it was fairly easy in a way because I went with my best friend, Angela Young, who also went to Valley,” Calderon said. “It made it easier to go with someone. I always liked the fast life so it was a fit for me, and definitely fun.”

She planned on majoring in criminal justice, but when the program was discontinued, she switched to political science. She always had her eye on training with the Police Academy, but put that plan on hold until after her daughter was born in 2015. Once she enrolled, Calderon spent six months in the academy, doing everything from physical endurance tests to learning how to operate emergency vehicles to writing memos, where every sentence and period was critiqued. You either make it through or you don’t, and Calderon excelled.

“It feels like a big accomplishment,” she said. “It’s something I finally accomplished, my lifetime goal and dream. To be able to provide my daughter with a better life is very fulfilling.”

Calderon is now joining the Arcadia Police Department, where she will immediately begin patrolling and is one of only a few women on the force. She is excited to begin this new chapter in her life and is thankful for the people who helped her along the way.

“Valley gave me the biggest push to where I am today,” Calderon said. “Once I started going there, with all the support I received, I knew it was going to help me achieve my lifetime goal. Without Valley, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Sensational Social Lites Celebrates 60th Year Anniversary

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Sensational Social Lites of the Inland Empire will be celebrating 60 years of service on Saturday, August 20 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino.  Earlier this year, these amazing women were awarded the Citizens of Achievement Award from the San Bernardino League of Women Voters.  They continue to raise funds for scholarships for the youth, perform community service, and engage in civic causes to help enhance the lives of others in the communities in which they live and serve. One of the well-known program under this organization is the Beautillion program which is designed to uplift young men and assist them in preparing for furthering their education beyond high school. 

Guests to gala should plan to wear formal attire and enjoy dinner and dancing to a live band. Tickets are $60 per person.  Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m.   For more information, go to www.sociallitesinc.com or contact Bettye Brewster, President at (951) 204-0022 or bettyebrewster@yahoo.com or Edna Noble at (909) 888-3788 or Helen Thomas at (909) 854-7730 or Socialites2@msn.com.