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Invited dignitaries, California state representatives, members of the Chadian diaspora, & celebrities celebrated Her Excellency Kitoko Gata Ngoulou on becoming the first & youngest female Ambassador of Chad during a private black tie dinner party.

BEL AIR, CA—- Health4Peace Founder & CEO Nathalie Beasnael hosted a private black-tie dinner party in honor of Her Excellency Kitoko Gata Ngoulou, Ambassador of Chad. The private event was held in Bel Air at the home of President & CEO of Spectrum Solutions, Phillip Westbrooks and was well attended by dignitaries, California state representatives, members of the Chadian diaspora, and celebrities. The primary focus of the evening was to celebrate Her Excellency Ngoulou on her latest appointment on becoming the first and youngest female ambassador of Chad.

The evening began with guests walking the red carpet, a cocktail hour followed by a three-course dinner prepared by Chef Stephen Metoyer. Among the distinguished guests were Her Excellency Kitoko Gata Ngoulou (Ambassador of Chad), Nathalie Beasnael (Health4Peace Founder & CEO), Erin Bromaghim (Deputy Mayor International Affairs for Mayor Karen Bass), a representative on behalf of Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (Senator District 28), Fernando Morales (Deputy Chief for Congresswoman Katy Yaroslavsky District 5), Aden Binyam (Deputy of Homelessness & Housing for Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson), Mame Mbaye Toucouleur (Honorary Counsul of Senegal), Jordan Garcia (Consul of Guinea), Phill Westbrooks (President & CEO of Spectrum Solutions), Tyrone DuBose (Actor & America’s Premier R&B Music Historian), Zimzon Zion Lelo (ALLBLK’s Double Cross as a series regular for Season 5), Petri Hawkins-Byrd (Court Bailiff from Judge Judy Court Show), Anthony Bless (BET+’s Tyler Perry “Ruthless”), Barak Zilberberg (Self Made Entrepreneur, Real Estate Investor, and Announces Candidacy for President of the United States of America 2024), Dr. Lance McCarthy (Faith Based Economist and Investment Advisor), Chesley Heymsfield (Producer), Vincent Akosah (Apostle), Dan Wilson (Pastor), and many others. Throughout the evening, there were special performances by Nigerian Singer Abiodun Koya and Afro R&B Singer Ash Hamman.

To cap off the evening, Her Excellency Ngoulou took a few minutes to speak on an array of topics pertaining to efforts in strengthen ties between the United States and Chad through cultural exchanges and economic opportunities. She spoke about Chad’s rich in natural resources and investment opportunities. In addition, she praised Ms. Beasnael for her crucial role in bringing nations together through this event as it was a significant step towards a future of collaboration and progress.

Sponsors and supporters of this year’s event included BEASNAEL “We Are Not The Same,” Spectrum Solutions, NACI (North America Chadian Initiative), Djibia Mangue and Haoua Mangue of Grocery Outlet Irvine, IMMAQUL’8 Entertainment, HAPAWARDS, NAIIZHAIR, Jo Malone London Fragrance, Coquette Kouture, Breaking Hits, Curve Communications, and MaisonDene Incorporation.

ABOUT HER EXCELLENCY KITOKO GATA NGOULOU

Her Excellency Kitoko Gata Ngoulou served as an institutional lobbyist in Western countries at the prestigious French lobbying firm, Prestige Communication, where she represented President Idriss Deby. Since 2015, she has held the esteemed position of roving ambassador for the Republic of Chad, tirelessly representing the country’s interests abroad. In January 2023, her dedication and capabilities were acknowledged when she was appointed as the plenipotentiary and extraordinary ambassador of Chad to the United States of America by President Mahmat Deby Itno. To learn more, visit https://www.chadembassy.us/biographie-de-l-ambassadeur.

ABOUT NATHALIE BEASNAEL

Nathalie Beasnael is Founder and CEO of Health4peace. She holds a board position as Director of International Affairs for MaisonDeneinc. Currently, Nathalie works as a Recovery Nurse at Surgical Institute in Beverly Hills working closely with Dr. Tarek Smiley. She is licensed and certified as follows: Licensed Vocational Nurse, Licensed Esthetician, AHA First Aid and BLS/CPR Certification. Los Angeles Fire Department (Hospital Fire and Life Safety Certified), Tracheostomy Certification, and Ventilator Certification. She has clinical experience as a Surgical Nurse at California Surgical Institute and as a Charge Nurse.

ABOUT HEALTH4PEACE

Health4Peace is a non-profit 501c3 organization designed to help hospitals and medical facilities in rural areas worldwide. The organization currently has hospitals in Chad, Senegal, Ghana, South Africa, and Nigeria. Health4Peace is founded by Nathalie Beasnael whose goal is to promote, protect and improve the lifelong health of individuals and communities in rural of the world while bridging the gap between diasporas and Africans through education on health issues with the assistance of technology. To learn more, visit www.Health4Peace.com.

LOS ANGELES, CA— Metrolink’s low-income discount program was relaunched today as the Mobility-4-All program. Metrolink passengers with a California Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card are still eligible for a 50 percent discount on all Metrolink tickets and passes. Riders can use their EBT card at any Metrolink station ticket machine to validate and unlock the discount.

“Since we began the program in September 2022, we have sold more than 80,000 tickets with the discounted fare,” Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle said. “Thanks to a generous Caltrans grant, we have made Metrolink an even more affordable option for people. Renaming the program to Mobility-4-All reaffirms our commitment to make public transportation more equitable, without reference to socioeconomic status.”

Funding for the discount is made possible by a grant from the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP), administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

A California EBT card is required to validate the discount, while an alternative form of payment is needed to complete the ticket transaction.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Four California government employee unions are demanding salary increases from the California Department of Human resources (CalHR) and the State Legislature to keep up with the high cost of living in California. When compared to their peers in the private sector, the employees say, there is a significant disparity in salaries.

Representatives of the unions say they are frustrated with stalled negotiations with the state over disparities in pay. Last week, one of the Unions, the American Physicians and Dentists, authorized a strike.

The other three unions are the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000 – California’s largest labor union; the California Correctional Peace Officers; and the California Association of Professional Scientists.

In June, the SEIU employees initially demanded a 30% wage increase in their next three-year contract. The legislature countered with an offer of a 2% annual increase over three years. That offer – which union members view as a move to low-ball them — sparked a demonstration at the State Capitol in June that has been followed by an ongoing stalemate between the parties.

“It’s moving slowly,” said Local 1000’s Vice President of Bargaining Irene Greene. “We’re severely disappointed in the state’s movement to get this contract negotiated with bargaining team members.”

According to the bargaining update, the state also rejected the union’s request for paid time off to observe Juneteenth.

Local 1000 represents approximately 100,000 workers in jobs as diverse as prison librarians, janitorial staff and educators at California’s schools for the deaf and blind.

In response to the state’s 2% initial offer, the Union lowered its wage request to a 26% raise.

Greene believes the union’s 26% compromise is reasonable, considering the high cost of living in California.

“We have a large number of members that are unable to maintain a living wage in the state of California. They love the positions that they work in, however we’ve been delayed in our salary increase for a number of years,” she said.  “The reason we felt that the 30% and 26% were justified is because of the low income we are finding ourselves getting.”

Greene said union jobs once ensured a comfortable standard of living, but this is no longer the case.

“We used to be able to have these jobs as middle class jobs, purchase a home, be able to provide for our families and retire with dignity,” she added. “At this point, those who we represent are really struggling.”

California Black Media contacted CalHR for comment, but Camille Travis, deputy director of communications for the state’s human resource agency, said the department does not comment on or share proposals for ongoing negotiations.

For nearly three years now, the California Association of Professional Scientists have been in negotiations with the state, demanding up to 43% increases in pay.

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) introduced a bill Assembly Bill (AB) 1677 that would commission the UC Berkeley Labor Center to assess the salary structure of scientists employed by the state. The Assembly Appropriations Committee is currently reviewing the bill.

Another study commissioned by Local 1000 and conducted by the UC Berkeley Labor Center released in March found that many Local 1000 members, particularly women, Black and Latino employees were struggling financially. The study also found that nearly 70% of the union’s members did not earn enough to support themselves and at least one child.

While the majority of Local 1000’s contracts will remain in effect until a new agreement is reached, members enrolled in CalPERS health insurance plans lost their monthly $260 health care stipend on June 30.

Some consider this as an additional reduction in pay that workers must endure. Local 1000 proposed a new monthly payment of $320 to cover those losses, but the state rejected that request, according to the bargaining update. Instead, the state countered with a three-tiered stipend — $30, $70 or $140 — depending on the employee’s chosen health plan.

Despite the complications and setbacks during current negotiations, Greene remains hopeful that an agreement will be reached that will benefit the workers she represents.

“I’m still optimistic. I still believe in my state, I believe in this negotiation process, and I still have hope that the state is going to live up to their end and that they’re going to be there for those who work for them,” she said. “My hope is still there. I believe we are going to get this done.”

RIVERSIDE, CA—- The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Anthony Parnther will present their second annual evening of cinematic music on Saturday, August 12 at 7:30 p.m. Entitled “Movies with the Maestro,” this performance will be held at the historic California Theatre of the Performing Arts in downtown San Bernardino. A second performance is scheduled for Wednesday, August 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Riverside City College Coil School for the Arts in downtown Riverside.

The concert will include repertoire from a variety of movie favorites, and patrons are highly encouraged to become a part of the performance by bringing their light sabers and wave along to John William’s “Imperial March” from Star Wars and to Ludwig Goransson and Joe Shirley’s Main Theme from Star Wars-The Mandalorian.

Multi-talented artist Holly Sedillos, who Symphony fans will remember from radiant performances at several previous concerts, will take on two diverse yet equally challenging cinematic pieces: Bernard Herrmann’s Salaambo’s Aria from Citizen Kane (1941) and John Powell and Carlinhos Brown’s Poisonous Love from Rio 2 (2014).

Sedillos is a rare Los Angeles native having grown up in Santa Monica public schools, playing French horn or singing in every possible orchestra, band, choir and musical her schedule would allow. She attributes her ear and sight-reading ability to the stellar education she received there. Holly holds a B.A. in music–with a focus in vocal performance from Dartmouth College. There, she exercised many other musical skills, including arranging, orchestrating, and conducting. After college, Holly took an intensive 2-year Meisner acting program at the Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Acting studio. Holly is one of the few truly versatile sopranos in Los Angeles, being able to switch easily between classical, musical theater, and more popular genres. She is equally comfortable on stage and in front of a mic. She jumps at the chance to tackle difficult new works.

Recent stage highlights include Anaïs Nin in Anais: A Dance Opera at L’Off Theater Festival in Avignon, France, (Cindy Shapiro, composer), Yoruban wailing solos with The Los Angeles Master Chorale in Calixto Alvarez’s Osun Requiem, soloing in the west coast premier of Dylan Mattingly’s The Bakkai with Jacaranda Music (part of LA Phil’s Noon-Midnight), Coachella with Hans Zimmer, and bounding across The Hollywood Bowl stage in a plush tiger costume during Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Richard Kraft.

A recent top recording highlight for Sedillos was the once-in-a-lifetime privilege to sing under John Williams’s baton for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Other highlights include solos for Jeff Russo’s theme to Altered Carbon and Austin Wintory’s Deformers score, featured vocals in a Joey Newman song for ABC’s The Middle and for two Chris Lennertz film scores (Smurfs: The Lost Village and El Camino Christmas), and her first exposed solos in a theatrical release in Mychael Danna’s score for The Man Who Invented Christmas.

Prior stage experience includes the roles of Consuelo in John Adams’s I Was Looking at the Ceiling and the I Saw the Sky, with Long Beach Opera at the Ford Amphitheater, Jasmine in Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular! at Disney’s California Adventure, Aquata in The Little Mermaid Live at The Hollywood Bowl, 1st Soprano in Disneyland’s Voices of Liberty, Disney’s D23 in Tokyo, soprano solos in Handel’s Messiah with LAMC, Zappa’s 200 Motels with the LA Phil, and Nancy in Oliver! at Palm Canyon Theater. Prior recordings include Austin Wintory Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (solos), Joe Bishara The Conjuring 2 (trio), La La Land, Minions, Sing!, and many others.

The Symphony will also be joined by a select ensemble from the Riverside City College Chamber Singers under the baton of John Byun. The Singers will perform Simon Franglen’s Suite from the motion picture Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), Pinar Toprak’s Slumberland Suite (2022), and Christopher Young’s End Titles from Drag Me To Hell (2009).

Byun received his Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of California, Irvine and his Masters in Choral Conducting from California State University, Long Beach. He is the director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Riverside City College, where he directs both the Chamber Singers and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. He has been the guest conductor for several district honor choirs, the SCVA Men’s Honor Choir, the Central California Women’s Honor Choir, Texas Honor Choir Region 9, the Clark County, NV Honor Choir, the North Carolina All State Honor Choir, the Southern Invitational Choral Conference in Mississippi, Tennessee All State Honor Choir, and the New Mexico All State honor choir.

The Riverside City College Chamber Singers have performed at the American Choral Directors Association Western Divisional Conference in Tucson 2010, Santa Barbara 2014, and in Salt Lake City 2020. They have also performed at the ACDA National Conference in Chicago 2011, Minnesota 2017, and have been invited to perform at the National Conference in Dallas 2021, and at the NCCO national conference in Fort Collins 2011 and Portland 2015 and at the CASMEC conference in San Jose, CA 2016.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- As the start of the school year approaches, there is good news for high school, middle school, and elementary students all over San Bernardino County.  K-12 students now ride free every day, on every bus system in the County. That includes Omnitrans, Victor Valley Transit, Mountain Transit, Basin Transit and Needles Area Transit.

“We are very excited about this program,” SBCTA Board President Dawn Rowe states. “ It provides a financial break to families and gives them more options. Whether riding to school, for after school fun, or for a weekend outing, kids ride free.”

The free fares are being promoted with the tag line “You’re now free to GO,” emphasizing not only that the fare is free, but that public transit offers youth the chance to gain independence.

The free fare program is being implemented separately by each system. Identification requirements and rules may vary.  Riders are encouraged to visit their local transit system website to learn more:

• Omnitrans – omnitrans.org, 800.966.6428
• Victor Valley Transit Authority – vvta.org, 760.948.4021
• Mountain Transit – mountaintransit.org, 909.878.5200
• Basin Transit – basin-transit.com, 800.794.6282
• Needles Area Transit – cityofneedles.com/transit, 760.326.2113 ext. 115

The K-12 Student Free Fare Program is sponsored by SBCTA and was approved by the Board of Directors in March 2023.  It is a one-year pilot project, funded primarily with Low Carbon Transit Operations (LCTOP) funding which seeks to reduce carbon emissions by increasing transit use.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor, Joe Baca, Jr., hosted a Backpack Giveaway at Mary B. Lewis Elementary School. This initiative supports students from all grades by providing each with a backpack filled with essential school supplies and resources.

“With the new school year upon us, ensuring our students are prepared is a top priority. As a former teacher, I see firsthand the importance of equipping students with the necessary tools at the start of the school year,” says Supervisor Baca, Jr.

The event took place at Mary B. Lewis Elementary School, in Bloomington CA. Supervisor Baca, Jr., along with key community partners including Molina Healthcare, California Highway Patrol, and various county departments, were in attendance to distribute the backpacks and other valuable resources.

Supervisor Baca, Jr. adds, “Our community is coming together to support our students, particularly those who are underserved. This initiative is a testament to our shared commitment to their success. We are excited to start the school year on a positive note.”

By Jaya Padmanabhan | California Black Media

California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom says, “gender discrimination is the oldest form of oppression,” and America must act urgently to fix it.

Although California has some of the strongest pay laws in the nation and the smallest gender pay gap, Siebel Newsom says the Golden State still has work to do to close the wage gap for all women.

For Black women, the first partner says, closing the wage gap is “most obvious.”

“Black women live at the intersection of racial and gender discrimination leaving them doubly impacted by the wage gap,” said Siebel Newsom. “Pay inequities and gaps in wealth and economic opportunity are deeply rooted in our country’s long-standing history of racism and misogyny.

To mark Black Women’s Equal Pay Day Siebel Newsom released a video on July 27 along with Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and PolicyLink Founder in Residence, Angela Glover Blackwell.

“Today is Black Women’s Equal Pay Day – a day set aside each year to shine a light on the disparity in pay for Black women in this country and the far-reaching impacts for families, communities, and our economy,” said Bass in the video.

“Economic injustice is a problem across the board, and to solve problems effectively and authentically, we have to focus on those most impacted. Together, we will work to close this gap,” the mayor of California’s largest city continued.

On average, women earn 84 cents for every dollar a non-Hispanic White man does. That breaks down to Black women earning 67 cents; Latinas and Native Americans 57 cents; mothers 74 cents; LGBTQIA women 87 cents and women in leadership positions 72 cents for every dollar a non-Hispanic White man earns. Women are hired into lower paying roles at lower starting salaries and take longer to move into leadership roles.

Black women are overrepresented in industries that experience significant downturns. A report by the Department of Labor found that in 2020, 12% of Black women were employed in education and health services but a disproportionate number of them (14.9%) experienced job losses. Also, in wholesale and trade, the majority of losses were Black women. In that sector, Black women comprised 5.6% of the workforce but 14.6 % of the job losses

According to the report, Black women lost out on $39.3 billion in potential wages due to differences in industry and occupations relative to White men.

Racism and sexism are two of the obstacles that Black women face in the workplace. More than half of Black women surveyed for a 2021 National Women Law Center reported facing gender and racial hurdles to opportunity at work.

In 2019, Siebel Newsom launched the California for ALL Women, an initiative to address gender equity at the state level. Through the initiative, she has been an outspoken champion and thought leader on pay equity, working to close the race and gender wage gaps.

That same year, Siebel Newsom announced the California Equal Pay Pledge under California for all Women to build upon California policies such as the Fair Pay Act.

In 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law the Pay Transparency for Pay Equity Act, introduced by Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara). This law requires employers to disclose salary ranges on all job postings and to allow public access to pay data broken down by race, ethnicity and sex for direct employees and those hired through third-party staffing agencies.

“As there is more transparency in the hiring and promotion process there will be outcome in closing the pay gap across companies,” said Siebel Newsom.

Mitchell says she is proud to stand with the first partner and other women and allies around California and the United States to end racial and gender pay discrimination.

“Intentional and bold action on closing the wage gap among Black women and women of color is needed across every sector and will put us on a path to truly ensuring all women, their families and communities are no longer shortchanged from economic prosperity,” said Mitchell.

Recently, Siebel Newsom convened and moderated a panel on pay equity at Genentech in South San Francisco. Genentech was an early signatory of the Equal Pay Pledge. The panel included Genentech CEO Alexander Hardy, Interim Chief Diversity Officer Cari DeLoa, and representatives from other parts of the business.

In addition to Genentech, there are 130 other companies and municipalities in California that have signed the Equal Pay Pledge. While acknowledging that this is not a significant number, Siebel Newsom said that there are several major global companies, like Apple, Intel, Twitter, Airbnb, Salesforce and Gap, that “are committing to equity and fairness in their policies.”

“Closing the pay gap for Black women is an essential step for economic justice,” said Glover Blackwell. “When Black women and other women of color are paid equally, we’ll see the benefits cascade throughout society.”

Jaya Padmanabhan is a freelance journalist and a consulting editor for Ethnic Media Services.

By Doug Moore | California Black Media

While I would like nothing more than to put the pandemic in the rearview mirror, I’ve accepted the fact that COVID-19 is still a part of our lives. We’re a far cry from where we were in the summer of 2020 – we now know what works to keep us safe and how to mitigate the worst of the virus. Tools like COVID-19 medications can help us keep the worst of the virus at bay, if only more people knew about them.

In my role as the Executive Director of UDW Homecare Providers Union/AFSCME Local 3930, a union fighting for the rights of domestic care workers, I’ve seen COVID-19 have a disproportionate impact on our members. Many come from vulnerable communities, and the fact that they were often given little to no protection and did not qualify as essential workers heightened the impact of the pandemic on them. Vaccines were essential in establishing safe homecare environments as the pandemic raged on. But domestic workers were (and still are) entering potentially dangerous settings every day, often without access to vital PPE, and we needed to find ways to keep themselves safe, even when they did test positive. COVID-19 medications have helped bridge that gap.

It can be hard to dodge COVID-19 even when we take precautions to stay safe, especially for workers whose workplaces are other people’s homes. Fortunately, medications that treat COVID-19 became available in 2021. They are safe and effective at stopping the virus from multiplying in the body and scientific evidence shows that taking COVID-19 medications within the first week of testing positive can lower the rate of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 by half or more.

COVID-19 medications can mean the difference between life and death. That’s why I’ve been advocating tirelessly to make sure that domestic workers are getting vaccinated and tested, and that they’re aware of and can easily access COVID-19 medications if they test positive. Even though medications have been free and available, regardless of insurance or citizenship status, for over a year. Many people are surprised when they find out that they’re actually eligible for these medications, when in fact, they’re recommended for most adults.

At UDW Homecare Providers Union/AFSCME Local 3930, we’ve launched initiatives to educate and empower our workers – including resource fairs, clinics, and food drives – that provide information about and access to these medications. Our meetings have been vital times for us to spend time with the community and spread relevant treatment information. These member-centered, community-driven initiatives have created a united front against COVID-19 among the domestic worker community – allowing the people I represent to stay safe, protect their families, and continue their work helping others.

The public at large can benefit from COVID-19 medications, not just our union’s domestic workers, especially as life returns to a new normal. As we enjoy summer by traveling, attending events, and spending time with friends and family, it’s inevitable that people will continue to test positive for COVID-19.  But the key is understanding how to move forward when you test positive. So, let’s continue doing the things that we love, worry-free, by normalizing testing and treating COVID-19.

About the Author

Doug Moore is Executive Director of UDW Homecare Providers Union/AFSCME Local 3930, a union that advocates for domestic care workers and their communities.

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Petty Officer 2nd Class Gabriel Duran, a native of San Bernardino, California, serves with Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 8 based out of Jacksonville, Florida. The squadron’s primary mission is to undertake maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

Duran, a 2018 graduate of Cajon High School, joined the Navy five years ago.

“I joined the Navy to travel the world, to get new experiences and to bring new ideas and philosophies to my hometown,” said Duran. “I’ve traveled to a lot of countries and Canada was my favorite so far.”

Today, Duran relies upon skills and values similar to those found in San Bernardino to succeed in the military.“I learned to work hard from back home,” said Duran. “I was part of the Fire Explorers in San Bernardino County, and that taught me to be part of something bigger.”

These lessons have helped Duran while serving in the Navy.

VP 8 flies the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft. Designed to secure the U.S. Navy’s future in long-range maritime patrol capability, the P-8A has transformed how the Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force will man, train, operate and deploy, according to Navy officials. While the aircraft is also equipped with high-quality weapon systems, it also has an open architecture to allow for expansion. P-8A deploy around the globe to monitor the world’s oceans wherever they are needed.

This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as “The First Six,” earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.

With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.

“Our mission remains timeless – to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”

Serving in the Navy means Duran is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy plays one of the biggest roles in protecting the country,” said Duran. “The Navy is not just ships. We protect the country from the air, on land and even through cyber security.”

Duran and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“I am most proud that I’ve traveled around the world and broadened my way of thinking,” said Duran. “Experiencing philosophies from different parts of the world has given me some amazing insights.”

As Duran and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving means that I get to protect American culture,” said Duran. “Freedom of expression and being able to have different cultures is so important. The Navy ensures that future generations get to experience that as well.”

Duran is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“Along with my family, there were many people who supported me in my decision to join the Navy,” added Duran. “I was given a lot of advice from teachers, fellow firefighters and mentors to go out and see the world.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Approximately 250 Southern California education leaders attended the first Learn.Lead.Liberate conference, and there were 16 education leaders from San Bernardino County, representing the following schools: New Designs Charter, Provisional Accelerated Learning Charter Academy, Ontario Charter, Myers Elementary, Sierra High School, PAL Charter Academy.

Creating education environments that work to eliminate inequity and injustice for students, parents, and staff was the conference’s focus. These local leaders discussed how to remove barriers to foster communities that support and honor BIPOC individuals through evidence-based educational practices that treat students’ differences and experiences outside of school as assets, so they can be valued and learn, regardless of socio-economic or ethnic background.

“The conference has been amazing, and the guest speakers are so knowledgeable on their areas”, said Dr. Shelley C-Bradford, Ethnic Social Diversity Lead & Teacher, Sierra High School, San Bernardino City Unified School District. “As our children change, we need to change with them; we can’t just stay the same. It’s important to keep our children engaged if we want them to learn the content and apply it to their life. Literacy means freedom.”

The 21st Century California School Leadership Academy (21CSLA) and the Los Angeles Education Partnership (LAEP) hosted the conference. LAEP is the Regional Academy providing 21CSLA programming in Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties.

“Our aim is for this forum to bring these leaders together to network and share information about what is working in their communities,” said Michele Broadnax, President and CEO, Los Angeles Education Partnership. “We want to emphasize that these leaders don’t need to do this alone, as 21CSLA and LAEP are here to support them. We see and appreciate the dedication these educators have to this important work.”

Zaretta Hammond, author of Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain, gave the keynote address. She is a curriculum developer, consultant, and coach who has spent the past 15 years translating the latest research and teacher experiences on equity, literacy, and culturally responsive teaching into practical tools and strategies. Hammond started her career in the classroom, where she began to understand how important literacy was to equity, and how neuroscience and culture should inform our instructional practice.