Local

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

Non-profit organizations across California will be able to apply for funding from a pool of cash created with an initial investment of $15 million from two foundations.

The money will help local Community Based Organizations (CBOs) gain access to almost $200 billion in federal and state funding coming down the pike for economic development projects.

The Center at the Sierra Health Foundation, a Sacramento-based organization that promotes health and racial equity, and the James Irvine Foundation, a private San Francisco-based philanthropic nonprofit that advocates for Californians who earn low wages, are the first two foundations investing in the fund called the Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI).

“CEMI will strengthen nonprofits working in marginalized communities and help them secure and influence the use of public funds designated to reduce economic and environmental inequities,” said Chet P. Hewitt, President and CEO of Sierra Health Foundation and The Center.

This year, California is expected to receive close to $200 billion in federal and state funding. The money will be sourced from the American Rescue Plan ($43 billion) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ($56 billion), as well as the state’s Community Economic Resilience Fund ($565 million) and its budget surplus ($46 billion).

“This is a much-needed investment for community-driven organizations particularly those that support the most vulnerable Californians. Historically, they have not been invested in the same manner as larger organizations. Many of them were affected throughout the pandemic and need this fiscal and operational support. My hope is that there will be intentionality to be inclusive of the organizations that can have the greatest impact in our communities,” said Kellie Todd Griffin, Convenor of the California Black Women’s Collective, an organization of more than 1500 Black women leaders in various professions from different regions of the state.

CEMI is expected to begin funding the CBOs in the summer of 2022 with $14 million from the James Irvine Foundation and $1 million from the Center at Sierra Health.

“We have a golden opportunity to make sure these investments reach community-based organizations that best know the infrastructure their communities need for economic growth that is inclusive and resilient,” said Don Howard, President and CEO of The James Irvine Foundation.

Howard says the funding from CEMI aligns with the James Irvine Foundation’s mission of supporting low-income workers because it helps grassroots organizations and community advocates participate in the planning and decision-making that goes into the distribution of public funds.

“We need an economy built on inclusion, equity, and dignity for all work and workers — and that starts by making room for diverse leaders to have a say in how these once-in-a-generation investments shape their communities’ futures,” Howard continued.

The CEMI funding will provide technical assistance and training to the CBOs that qualify to build their capacity and infrastructure and build models for what community-driven economic development looks like, according to the Center at Sierra Health Foundation.

The funders of CEMI say they believe the organizations they support will grow into a strong network that can drive more “equitable economic development policy, regulation and accountability at state and local levels.”

The California Endowment (TCE), a private foundation with headquarters in Los Angeles, has also committed to investing in CEMI.

TCE is a 56-year-old foundation that supports programs that improve the health care of Californians living in underserved communities.

“The availability of state and federal funding provides California with an important opportunity to address critical health and economic challenges for the most vulnerable Californians,” said Dr. Bob Ross, President and CEO of TCE.

“This potential can only be realized by investing in community-led change,” Ross added.

Gov. Gavin Newsom praised the foundations for taking a leadership role in making a difference in the lives of Californians who need help the most.

“This initiative will help grow the capacity of committed organizations to continue their important work in communities across the state. This will be especially important as we focus on COVID-19 recovery and creating a healthier, safer, more equitable future for all,” the governor said.

Hewitt says the project will result in “transformative change” in California.

“The past few years have laid bare the impact of long-term disinvestment in poor communities. We must do all we can to position community institutions to grow power and create opportunity for the places and populations they serve,” he said.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) has broadened access to the early learning platform Footsteps2Brilliance for children up to third grade and will be launching the 2022 Summer Reading Challenge.

“Proficiency in reading by the third grade is shown to be one of the best predictors of both the likelihood to graduate from high school, and economic success in adulthood,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “This expansion and partnership will allow more students to have access to a program specifically tailored to help them achieve the critical success indicators on the Cradle to Career Roadmap.”

Previously, the early learning platform was only open to San Bernardino County children up to age five. SBCSS is further supporting the countywide Vision2Read initiative by partnering with Preschool Services Department, First 5 San Bernardino and Children’s Fund to expand this resource. Now, all San Bernardino County children up to third grade are eligible to register and use the app for free to access thousands of interactive eBooks, songs, and games.

In 2017, SBCSS began investing in Footsteps2Brilliance, a comprehensive English and Spanish literacy app that can be used on any mobile device or computer. Once downloaded, it is accessible with or without an internet connection.

In addition, SBCSS is launching the 5th Annual Summer Reading Challenge to encourage families with children from birth to 3rd grade to read and learn on the app for 15 minutes a day. SBCSS is also partnering with Footsteps2Brilliance to offer access to Summer Climb, a program including lesson videos and activities to provide expanded learning throughout summer months.

Footsteps2Brilliance is part of the San Bernardino Countywide Vision2Read Initiative, which aims to improve literacy throughout the region. Reading proficiency by the third grade is one of the greatest predictors of success, and these resources give children an opportunity to increase their literacy skills in more than one language. To date, parents and their children have read over 666,000 books and have spent over 118,000 hours on literacy through the early learning platform.

To register and download the free literacy app, Footsteps2Brilliance, please visit https://www.myf2b.com/parent_wizard/get_started/sanbernardinocounty.

For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow us @SBCountySchools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. #transforminglives.

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By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

There are 12 Black Republicans running in statewide races across California this election year.

Come June 7, when the primaries are held, many of them – already longshots without local or statewide political experience – will likely be eliminated from competing in the November general elections.

Either way it goes, some of the Black Republican candidates California Black Media (CBM) has spoken with say they have already made a difference. They entered their races to represent Californians who are frustrated with the policies coming out of the Democratic-run Statehouse and Legislature in Sacramento and their ideas and opposition on problems from homelessness and affordable housing to education and the environment have already begun to influence political conversations at the state, county, and municipal levels across California.

“I really think 2020 woke up a lot of people to get involved in legislation — find out how a lot of things work,” said Pastor Brian Hawkins, a San Diego native and San Jacinto city councilmember who is a Black Republican candidate running to defeat U.S. Congressman Raul Ruiz.

Ruiz is a Democrat representing California’s 36th Congressional District but due to redistricting is running to represent the 25th Congressional District.

“People are starting to question political motives, people are questioning the education system, the model that’s been the same for hundreds of years. So, I think people are hungry for something different and this gives us an opportunity,” he said.

Recently, CBM spoke with another Black Republican candidate Shawn Collins who is running for governor. Critics say Collins’ attempt to become governor is ambitious because he is barely known in the state’s political circles and last week the California Republican Party endorsed another candidate, former California State Senate Minority Leader Brian Dahle (R-Bieber), for Governor.

But Collins, 41, an attorney, dad, and U.S. Navy veteran who lives in Orange County, says his message is connecting with people.

“I tell people that California’s problems are so big right now, they transcend politics,” he said. “And what I mean by that is there are certain issues in this state right now that impact you whether you’re a Democrat or Republican.”

Last week, Collins spoke with CBM about his decision to run for Governor of California.

Here is an excerpt of our conversation. It has been edited for concision and clarity.

Why are you running for Governor?

My primary motivation is my family — my wife, and my four young children. I’m genuinely concerned about my children, being able to start lives and develop careers here in California because the state has become so anti-business.

The governor’s race excites me because I track our K through 12 education. California is ranked 40 out of 50 states. How is that possible?

This is the fifth largest economy in the world. We have a budget of over $300 billion. We have a surplus of over $31 billion and our teachers, are some of the highest paid in all of America. You have to ask: why is our public education system so bad?

How do we fix it?

It is one of the first things I’ll focus on when I become Governor. The Hoover Institute has been tracking this program in Dallas – in the community that I grew up in, actually.

They incentivize high-performing teachers in other school districts to come to lower income communities and try to make an impact. They say, “right now only two out of 10 kids are reading at their grade level. If you can get that up to four out of 10, there’s $50,000 attached to that.”

It’s in its second year right now and test scores have already dramatically improved.

What do you think about the growing school choice movement that a lot of conservatives support?

I’ve always been an advocate of school choice because it puts pressure on the school district to perform. If they don’t perform, their schools will lose funding.

What gives you the confidence that you as a Republican can win in California, one of the most Democratic states in the country?

Well, I’ll start with my background, you know, first of all, I’m not your traditional Republican. They’ve never seen any Republican candidate like me. And what I mean by that is I was not born into the Republican Party. You’re looking at a person that grew up in a very Democrat household. My dad was in electrician, and he was a single father because my parents divorced when I was three years old. My mom gave my dad primary custody because she was very intimidated by having to raise two young boys by herself.

How do you convince Black and other minority voters to support your candidacy?

I grew up in difficult circumstances, so I understand the hurt that average Californians are feeling right now. I can use that personal experience to implement policy that will make substantial changes to individuals’ lives.

How is your plan for tackling homelessness better than what Democrats have done?

Democrats have thrown $13 billion at the problem over the past five years, and it’s gotten worse. We have to stop this “housing first” policy. The assumption is that if you can provide a home for every single homeless person in the state of California — which is in excess of 160,000 at this point — the security of a home will somehow transform them. When you look at the breakdown of our homeless population in the state, roughly a third are homeless because of life circumstances, meaning they lost the job, or some type of catastrophic economic event. That’s one-third. the other two-thirds are drug addicted or mentally ill. So, if you’re talking about a housing option for that one-third, okay, You’re on the right track.

My policy would be to have more drug addiction and mental health services. If the drug addict or the mentally ill person says, “I don’t want your help,” then we have to implement tough love. You have to accept the help or go to jail, but you can’t live on the street because that’s not compassion.

Public safety is a big issue right now. A lot of conservatives are slamming criminal justice reforms and calling for tough-on-crime policies again. What is your take?

We have to have accountability built into our criminal justice system. Criminals talk. I know that because I grew up in a community where criminals talked. And if people know that they are not going to be held accountable, they are emboldened to go out and commit crimes.

How is it effective to implement tough-on-crime laws and lock more people up if rehabilitation programs are not built into the correctional system?

For me, rehabilitation is important. We have to have programs in place whereby incarcerated people can learn a vocation, a trade or skill.

If a person just goes to prison and they hang out there for a certain period of time and they pick up no skills, they have nothing to offer society when they walk out. When you walk out of the doors of that prison with no skills, you’re obviously going to return to a life of crime.
Rehabilitation needs to be intelligent.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — Nine districts and 57 schools throughout San Bernardino County have been recognized through California Department of Education’s (CDE) newly implemented 2022 California Pivotal Practice (CAPP) Award Program.

“I commend these schools and districts for their flexibility and high standards of excellence in the face of adversity,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “The awardees have demonstrated their commitment to doing whatever it takes to provide holistic support to students throughout the pandemic.”

Due to the difficulty of collecting data for statewide assessments during the 2020-2021 school year, the CDE California School Recognition Program has suspended the California Distinguished Schools designation for the year. In its place, the CAPP Program recognizes and celebrates innovative practices implemented by schools and districts despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2022 CAPP Award honors unique strategies to support students in at least one of the four key areas: Student Engagement, Distribution of Technology, Nutrition Services and Social Emotional Well-Being of Students.

2022 CAPP District Awardees:
• Apple Valley Unified
• Chaffey Joint Union High
• Lucerne Valley Unified
• Ontario-Montclair
• Redlands Unified
• Rialto Unified
• Silver Valley Unified
• Victor Elementary
• Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified

2022 CAPP School Awardees:

San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
• Desert Trails Preparatory Academy

Alta Loma School District
• Deer Canyon Elementary School
• Vineyard Junior High School

Apple Valley Unified School District
• Sycamore Rocks Elementary School

Chaffey Joint Union High School District
• Chaffey High School

Chino Valley Unified School District
• Canyon Hills Junior High School
• Levi H. Dickey Elementary School
• Ruben S. Ayala High School
• Walnut Avenue Elementary School

Colton Joint Unified School District
• Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
• Grand Terrace High School at Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex

Etiwanda Elementary School District
• Carleton P. Lightfoot Elementary School
• Grapeland Elementary School
• Terra Vista Elementary School
• Windrows Elementary School

Helendale Elementary School District
• Helendale Elementary School

Hesperia Unified School District
• LaVerne Elementary Preparatory Academy

Lucerne Valley Unified School District
• Lucerne Valley Elementary School
• Sky Mountain Charter School

Morongo Unified School District
• Black Rock High School

Ontario-Montclair School District
• Arroyo Elementary School
• Berlyn Elementary School
• Buena Vista Arts-Integrated Magnet School
• Central Language Academy
• De Anza Middle School
• Edison Elementary School
• Elderberry Elementary School
• Howard Elementary School
• Kingsley Elementary School
• Lehigh Elementary School
• Lincoln Elementary School
• Mariposa Elementary School
• Monte Vista Elementary School
• Moreno Elementary School
• Oaks Middle School
• Richard Haynes Elementary School
• Serrano Middle School
• Vernon Middle School
• Vista Grade Elementary School

Rialto Unified School District
• Dr. Ernest Garcia Elementary School
• Helen L. Dollahan Elementary School
• Henry Elementary Visual and Performing Arts School
• Nancy R. Kordyak Elementary School
• W.J.C. Trapp Elementary School
• Wilmer Amina Carter High School

San Bernardino City Unified School District
• Colonel Joseph C. Rodriguez PREP Academy
• Juanita Blakely Jones Elementary School
• Kimbark Elementary School
• Serrano Middle School
• SOAR Charter Academy

Silver Valley Unified School District
• Silver Valley Academy

Snowline Joint Unified School District
• Wrightwood Elementary School

Victor Elementary School District
• Mountain View Montessori Charter School

Victor Valley Union High School District
• Cobalt Institute of Math and Science Academy
• University Preparatory School
• Victor Valley High School

Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District
• Valley Elementary School

Additional information about the California Pivotal Practices Awards Program can be found by visiting https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/pp/.

For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow us @SBCountySchools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. #transforminglives.

The Executive Committee, Westside Action Group met recently to consider the list of candidates for various elected offices across California.

Following is the slate which was adopted at their last meeting.

US SENATE (Partial Term)
Alex Padilla

US SENATE (Full Term)
Alex Padilla

US REPRESENTATIVE – DISTRICT 33
Pete Aguilar

US REPRESENTATIVE – DISTRICT 35

CALIFORNIA STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Tony Thurmond

STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 45
James Ramos

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Ted Alejandre

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERVISOR – DISTRICT 2
DeJonae Shaw

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERVISOR – DISTRICT 4
Connie Leyva

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ASSESSOR/RECORDER
Bob Dutton

SB COUNTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER/GTREASURER/TAX COLLECTOR
Ensen Mason

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Jason Anderson

SAN BERNARDINO SHERIFF-CORONER-PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR
Clifton Harris

MAYOR CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO
Helen Tran

COUNCILMEMBER, CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO – WARD 1
Theodore Sanchez

COUNCILMEMBER, CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO – WARD 2
Sandra Ibarra

COUNCILMEMBER, CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO – WARD 4
Fred Shorett

The Westside Action Group, a community organization that has been serving the Inland Empire community for 50 years regarding political and social justice issues concerning the African American community. WAG meets every Monday at noon in an open forum where citizens bring up issues that are important to them.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

On June 7, California will conduct a primary election — the first opportunity for voters to elect candidates in newly drawn districts based on the 2020 US census. Registered voters will automatically receive a vote-by-mail ballot no later than May 9, with the option to return it to a secure drop box, or vote in-person up to 10 days before the election for those living in Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) counties.

For those not registered to vote, same day registration is possible up until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

The candidates running to fill eight statewide constitutional offices (Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State (SOS), Attorney General, Controller, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Insurance Commissioner and Treasurer) and one California US Senate seat will be listed on all primary ballots. The primaries for the four positions on the Board of Equalization, the 52 US Congressional, 80 State Assembly, and 20 State Senate seats are listed based on district.

There are 40 State Senators. They serve staggered four-year terms. Twenty of them representing even-numbered districts are up for election this year.

Statewide, there are 145 elections being held to fill these state and federal offices.

California Black Media (CBM) reports that 55 Black candidates are running in 37 of the elections. That’s 25.5% of the races. Blacks make up 5.8% of California’s population.

In nine of the contests more than one Black candidate is competing. Party affiliations represented are: 36 Democrat, 11 Republican, 4 No Party Preference, 2 Nonpartisan, 1 Green and 1 Peace and Freedom.

In six statewide contests, 12 Black candidates are on the ballot. Two candidates are incumbents. One is Dr. Shirley Weber, who was appointed California’s first Black SOS by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021, replacing California’s current junior U.S. Sen Alex Padilla. This will be the first time Weber has run for office statewide. The other is Tony Thurmond, California’s second Black State Superintendent of Public Instruction. He was elected in 2018 in a close contest.

There are no Black candidates on the ballot running for Attorney General or Treasurer.

Governor

Running for re-election as the state’s chief executive officer, Newsom faces 25 other candidates on the ballot. Four of those candidates are Black. Shawn Collins is a Republican, an Attorney, and a Navy combat veteran. He says, “We can and will make California the best place to start a small business, give parents a real voice in their children’s educations, and bring compassion and law and order together to end the human tragedies on our streets.”

Serge Fiankan is an entrepreneur and has a No Party Preference designation. He says, “As your governor, I will change the status quo and address the real problems we are facing with measurable actions.”

Woodrow “Woody” Sanders III is an Entrepreneur/Director/Engineer and has a No Party Preference designation. Sander’s passion is for restoring California’s “crown as the best state in the union.”

Major Williams is a Republican Businessman. He ran as write-in candidate during Gov. Newsom’s recall election and received 8,965 votes. His campaign slogan is, “It’s time to think major.”

Lt. Governor

Incumbent Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis is running against field of seven candidates. Angela E. Underwood Jacobs is a Black Republican Businesswoman/Deputy Mayor running against her. Jacobs was the first African American woman elected to serve on the Lancaster City Council.

Secretary of State

Shirley Weber has six opponents for SOS. Before her appointment, Weber served four terms as an Assemblymember representing California’s 79th Assembly District. She is committed to making California the national leader in running inclusive, trustworthy, and transparent elections – expanding the franchise to more of our citizens, ensuring election security and empowering voters to make informed decisions. She is the only Black candidate running for SOS.

State Controller

State Controller Betty Yee is termed out this year. Among six candidates running to replace her is Malia Cohen the first African American woman to serve on the board of Equalization. Cohen wants to make sure the tax code is fair, that people understand tax incentives are out there to benefit the working class. “I am running because I am committed to equity, empowerment, hope and opportunity for all Californians,” Cohen told CBM.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

There are six candidates running to replace incumbent Tony Thurmond as State Superintendent of Public Instruction. As the chief of K-12 education in the state, Thurmond was instrumental in marshalling the efforts of the Department of Education to help school districts deal with systemic inequities that the pandemic put a spotlight light on. He is running to achieve his vision that by 2026 all California students will be literate by third grade. For Thurmond, Black student achievement and student achievement in general have been major priorities. Among his challengers is Black public and charter schoolteacher Ainye E. Long.

California Insurance Commissioner

Incumbent Ricardo Lara has eight challengers vying to be the next Insurance Commissioner. Three of his opponents are Black. Veronika Fimbres is a transgender nurse running as the Green Party candidate. Fimbres, a Black Navy veteran, has pledged to use the bully pulpit that would come from being insurance commissioner to push for universal health care in the state.

Jasper “Jay” Jackson is a paralegal running as a Democrat. His goal is to deliver transparent and speedy services to the people of California.

Vinson Eugene Allen is a medical doctor and businessman running as a Democrat. Allen says, “I will personally address consumer issues and work with insurance carriers for a fair solution to disputes.”

US Senator

The office of US Senate will have two separate contests on the June 7 ballot. One contest is the regular election for the full six-year term beginning January 3, 2023. The other contest is a special vacancy election, to complete the unexpired Senate term of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Sen. Alex Padilla who was chosen by Gov. Newsom to replace Harris will be competing in both contests. In the full-term contest, he faces 22 opponents. Five are Black. And in the special vacancy contest he has seven opponents. Two are Black.

Black candidates in the full-term US Senate race are: Akinyemi Agbede a mathematician and Democrat; Myron L. Hall Podiatric Physician and Republican; Daphne Bradford, an education consultant and No Party Preference candidate; Deon D. Jenkins also has No Ballot Designation and No Party Preference; and John Thompson Parker, a Social Justice Advocate representing the Peace and Freedom Party. Candidates Hall and Bradford are also running in the partial/unexpired term contest.

In the June 7 primary election, the two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the general election. If a candidate receives a majority of the vote (at least 50 % plus 1), a general election must still be held.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— More than 160 students competed in the 40th Annual San Bernardino, Inyo and Mono Counties Science and Engineering Fair (SIMSEF).

“This year’s virtual competition showcased incredible projects that required creativity, knowledge and commitment,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “I am extremely proud of the many engaging and complex projects our students have developed. It’s exciting to see our students cultivating an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

This regional science fair features science projects designed, developed and displayed by elementary, middle and high school students from schools in each county. Individual and group projects were judged in 21 various science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) categories.

Students competed in three different divisions: Elementary (Grades 4-5), Junior (Grades 6-8) and Senior (Grades 9-12). Submissions from students within the three counties totaled 137 projects, with 115 individual entries and 22 group entries. The awards ceremony took place virtually on March 17, 2022.

Nearly 30 students from the Junior and Senior divisions advanced to the California Science & Engineering Fair, held virtually on April 12, 2022.

Four projects were named 2022 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Finalists. The five students will have the opportunity to travel to Atlanta, Georgia in May and compete with over 1800 students from across the world.

Regeneron ISEF Finalists:
• Makena Bailey & Kyra Phaychanpheng, Chino Hills High School, Chino Valley Unified School District, “The Effects of Varying Nitrogen:Phosphorus:Potassium (NPK) Ratios on Algal Growth in Wetland Water”
• Ellery McQuilkin, Lee Vining High School, Eastern Sierra Unified School District, “Eastern Sierra of the Dana Glacier Using Observed Melt Rate and 3D Modeling”
• Varun Srivastava, Redlands High School, Redlands Unified School District “Predicting the onset of Depressive Disorder using Machine Learning.”
• Snow Cameron, Upland High School, Upland Unified School District “Why can’t gamma see? It’s probably AMD.”

Students also earned various Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Regional Awards:
• American Meteorological Society Award – Makena Bailey & Kyra Phaychanpheng, Chino Hills High School, Chino Valley Unified School District, “The Effects of Varying Nitrogen:Phosphorus:Potassium (NPK) Ratios on Algal Growth in Wetland Water”
• American Meteorological Society Award – Isabelle Pinto, Los Osos High School, Chaffey Joint Union High School District, “Need a Little Space?”
• American Psychological Association Award – Varun Srivastava, Redlands High School, Redlands Unified School District, “Predicting Onset of Depressive Disorder using Machine Learning”
• ASM Materials Education Foundation Award – Lidia Diego, Colton High School, Colton Joint Unified School District, “Can plastic be made differently?”
• Association for Women Geoscientists Award – Ellery McQuilkin, Lee Vining High School, Eastern Sierra Unified School District, “Projecting Disappearance of the Dana Glacier Using Observed Melt Rate and 3D Modeling”
• Mu Alpha Theta Award – Varun Srivastava, Redlands High School, Redlands Unified School District, “Predicting Onset of Depressive Disorder using Machine Learning”
• NASA Earth System Science Award – Ellery McQuilkin, Lee Vining High School, Eastern Sierra Unified School District, “Projecting Disappearance of the Dana Glacier Using Observed Melt Rate and 3D Modeling”
• National Geographic Society That’s Geography! Award – Ethan Chang & Kyle Huang, Upland High School, Upland Unified School District, “Breaking Wind”
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award – Elina Kim, Silverado High School, Victor Valley Union High School District, “Microplastics in the Tissues of Farm-Raised Tilapia, Swai, and Salmon”
• Office Of Naval Research U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps Award – Mason Young, Inland Leaders Charter School, “Which damper will tamper with the vibrations?”
• Office Of Naval Research U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps Award – Michael Flynn, Moore Middle School, Redlands Unified School District, “How Does Viscosity Affect the Protection of a Fragile Object?”
• Office Of Naval Research U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps Award – Elina Kim, Silverado High School, Victor Valley Union High School District, “Microplastics in the Tissues of Farm-Raised Tilapia, Swai, and Salmon”
• Office Of Naval Research U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps Award – Ko Er (Carol) Rau, Chino Hills High School, Chino Valley Unified School District, “Fat Digestion with Digestive Supplements: Ox Bile and Pancreatin”
• Regeneron Biomedical Science Award – Varun Srivastava, Redlands High School, Redlands Unified School District, “Predicting Onset of Depressive Disorder using Machine Learning”
• Ricoh USA, Inc. Award – Srinivas Gollapudi, Upland High School, Upland Unified School District, “The Effects of Temperature and pH solutions on Microbial Fuel Cells”
• Society for In Vitro Biology Award – Ko Er (Carol) Rau, Chino Hills High School, Chino Valley Unified School District, “Fat Digestion with Digestive Supplements: Ox Bile and Pancreatin”
• The Lemelson Foundation Early Inventor Award – Daniel Chien & Arjun Wazir, Country Springs Elementary School, Chino Valley Unified School District, “Light Heating”
• U.S Agency for International Development Award – Mason Young, Inland Leaders Charter School, “Which damper will tamper with the vibrations?”
• U.S. Department of Defense STEM Leadership Award – Abigail Espinoza & Isabel Servin, Sacred Heart Academy, “C.S.I. Crime Scene Investigation”
• U.S. Metric Association Award – Sofia Vega, Paul J. Rogers Elementary School, Colton Joint Unified School District, “Alkaline Grass Water”
• U.S. Stockholm Junior Regional Water Prize Award – Elina Kim, Silverado High School, Victor Valley Union High School District, “Microplastics in the Tissues of Farm-Raised Tilapia, Swai, and Salmon”
• U.S. Stockholm Junior Regional Water Prize Award – Ellery McQuilkin, Lee Vining High School, Eastern Sierra Unified School District, “Projecting Disappearance of the Dana Glacier Using Observed Melt Rate and 3D Modeling”
• United States Air Force Award – Wyatt Browning & JC Cervantes, Cameron Elementary School, Barstow Unified School District, “Payload to Mars”
• Yale Science and Engineering Association Award – Arul Loomba, Rancho Cucamonga High School, Chaffey Joint Union High School District, “Characterization of pathogenic enhancer data using computational analysis”

Professional Engineers of California Government (PECG), Inland Empire Sector Local Community Awards recipients are:
• Elementary Division – Andrew Lee, Gerald F. Litel Elementary School, Chino Valley Unified School District, “Earthquake Resilient Building”
• Junior Division – Hannah Chaix, Charlotte Mason Schools Co-op, “Testing Potassium Carbonate as a Fire Retardant in House Paint”
• Senior Division – Ko Er (Carol) Rau, Chino Hills High School, Chino Valley Unified School District, “Fat Digestion with Digestive Supplements: Ox Bile and Pancreatin”

Project Scientist is a non-profit that aims to increase diversity in STEM fields by empowering girls in pursuit of STEM careers. Three students were awarded the Project Scientist Ignite Award:
• Elementary Division – Ava Utterback, Edwin Rhodes Elementary School, Chino Valley Unified School District, “How Does Music Rock the Brain?”
• Junior Division – Hannah Chaix, Charlotte Mason Schools Co-op, “Testing Potassium Carbonate as a Fire Retardant in House Paint”
• Senior Division – Jessie Lin, Los Osos High School, Chaffey Joint Union High School District, “Padding Down Plastic?”

The Sweepstakes and Science and Technology Education Partnership (STEP) Award recognizes projects that are unique and outstanding in their respective divisions. The Sweepstakes and STEP Award winners are:
• Elementary Division – Elementary Division – Andrew Lee, Gerald F. Litel Elementary School, Chino Valley Unified School District, “Earthquake Resilient Building”
• Junior Division – Hannah Chaix, Charlotte Mason Schools Co-op, “Testing Potassium Carbonate as a Fire Retardant in House Paint”
• Senior Division – Varun Srivastava, Redlands High School, Redlands Unified School District “Predicting the onset of Depressive Disorder using Machine Learning.”

County SIMSEF 2022 Gold Medalists in Elementary, Junior and Senior Divisions, by District:

Barstow Unified
Rylan Dokie, Elementary Division
Wyatt Browning, Junior Division
JC Cervantes, Junior Division
Xavior Collado, Junior Division

Chaffey Joint Union High
Arul Loomba, Senior Division

Charlotte Mason Schools – Homeschool Co-op
Hannah Chaix, Junior Division

Chino Valley Unified
Andrew Lee, Elementary Division
Lavith Raj, Elementary Division
Ava Utterback, Elementary Division
Daniel Chien, Junior Division
Arjun Wazir, Junior Division
Makena Bailey, Senior Division
Kyra Phaychanpheng, Senior Division
Ko Er (Carol) Rau, Senior Division

Colton Joint Unified
Audrina Calderon, Elementary Division
Ava Firnkoess, Junior Division

Eastern Sierra Unified (Mono COE)
Ellery McQuilkin, Senior Division
Etiwanda
Ishaan Iyer, Elementary Division
Alexander (AJ) Pesetski, Elementary Division
Shaurya Varshnay, Elementary Division

Inland Leaders Charter School
Samantha Amick, Junior Division
Abigail Espinoza, Junior Division
Isabel Servin, Junior Division
Mason Young, Junior Division

Redlands Unified
Matthew Li, Elementary Division
Jayden Lui, Elementary Division
Amelia Rush, Elementary Division
Michael Flynn, Junior Division
Benjamin Jordan, Junior Division
Varun Srivastava, Senior Division

Upland Unified
Ethan Chang, Senior Division
Srinivas Gollapudi, Senior Division
Kyle Huang, Senior Division
Snow Cameron, Senior Division
Maria Watkins, Senior Division

Victor Valley Union High
Elina Kim, Senior Division

For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow us @SBCountySchools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. #transforminglives.

REDLANDS, CA — The San Bernardino County Museum Association announces its seventh annual Bucky Ball taking place on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. The in-person gala will feature a special viewing of Homecoming: Works by Cara Romero. The Association is the fundraising, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands and its branches, including the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley. The fundraising event supports the Museum’s mission of developing appreciation and sparking curiosity in regional cultural arts, history, and natural and earth sciences through exhibits and educational programming.

This year, the lively event will be held in the outdoor courtyard of the San Bernardino County Museum where guests will be able to reconnect and engage in conversations celebrating the Museum’s service to county families and support for increasing the number of youth pursuing art and science education and careers. As in the past, the event will include a social and silent auction of unique items including jewelry, excursions, and more.

The 2022 Bucky Ball will also honor three regional partners with the Good Egg Award: The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; Curt Hagman, Chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors; and Beaver Medical Group. These awardees have been exceptional partners of the Association by supporting its efforts to assist the Museum in increasing their impact in our region.

As the largest cultural and natural history center in the region, the San Bernardino County Museum plays a vital role in our children’s education. Named in honor of the science innovation of Buckminster Fuller, an engineer, poet, and environmentalist, the Association’s Bucky Ball event highlights the mission of the museum, as well as the museum’s iconic architectural dome, inspired by Fuller’s geodesic domes, and visible from Interstate 10 since 1974.

“This is our most important event of the year. The funding the Association raises extends the resources available to the Museum and ensures they are able to meet the educational needs of our region,” shared Zack Tucker, the Association’s Executive Director.

Museum Director, Melissa Russo, said, “We are deeply grateful to benefit from the fundraising efforts of the San Bernardino County Museum Association. This long-standing partnership is a key part of the Museum’s ability to develop excellent exhibits and programming. I look forward to a successful 2022 Bucky Ball and thank all the donors that appreciate the meaningful service the Museum provides the community.”

Tickets for the evening are on sale now and can be purchased online. Tickets are $150 per person, $125 for members. A non-member table for eight can be purchased for $1,200 or $1,000 for members. Guests who are unable to attend are encouraged to consider donating or becoming a sponsor. Sponsorship opportunities include a $10,000 Titanium Sponsor, $5,000 Platinum Sponsor, $2,500 Gold Sponsor, $1,000 Silver Sponsor, and $500 Copper Sponsor. For more information on donating or sponsoring, visit www.thesbcma.org, or call (909) 798-8626.

The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional, cultural, and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the County, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.

Established in 1952, the San Bernardino County Museum Association solicits, manages, and distributes funds, engages in programs, and advocates for the benefit of the San Bernardino County Museum and its mission. The SBCM Association achieves its mission by conducting fund development efforts on behalf of the Museum, including individual, corporate, and foundation contributions. Further, the Association partners with the Museum to assist with developing deeper visitor engagement, enhancing stewardship and utilization of its collection, refreshing its facilities, diversifying sources of revenue, and building its organizational capacity.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The Museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcounty.gov/museum. The Museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.

CDPH partnered with WhatsApp to launch Spanish- and English-language chatbots that will provide accurate information on COVID-19 and vaccines

SACRAMENTO, CA—- The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today unveiled new Spanish- and English-language WhatsApp chatbot tools to offer reliable information about COVID-19 to Californians, especially those in the Latino community. Thanks to a partnership with Meta, California is the first state in the country to launch a tool of this kind.

When using this service, Spanish- and English-speakers will receive up-to-date information about the safety of vaccines, how to book vaccination appointments, and how to obtain digital records of vaccinations.

This new tool is a critical facet of how the state continues moving forward via the SMARTER Plan, which prioritizes communicating with Californians and combating misinformation.

This new tool reinforces CDPH’s commitment to ensuring access to vaccines through a data-driven and equity-centered approach. The tool also builds on other strategies to combat misinformation and disinformation, including the deployment of a robust network of trusted community messengers focused on proactively reaching Californians to ensure they are vaccinated and boosted. WhatsApp is a popular communication channel among Hispanics, both in California and abroad.

The chatbot is free to all and can be accessed by scanning a QR code (below) or texting “hola” to 833-422-1090. Once the chatbot is active, a menu of options appears onscreen, allowing users to select the COVID-19 information most pertinent to them. This includes local vaccination sites, transportation options for getting to the site, and other frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Our mission to keep California safe from the threat of COVID-19 is not over, and we must continue to keep our communities informed on how we can continue moving toward the new normal we all long for,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón. “That is why we are meeting even more Californians where they are, and spend time every day, by presenting reliable, accurate information on a trusted platform and in the language they speak.”

California has been able to move towards this new normal by informing its residents about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Since the start of the pandemic, more than 72 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered statewide: 6 million doses have been administered to the most vulnerable communities, with about 59.2% of Latinos in California fully vaccinated (finished their primary series).

“Since the start of the pandemic, WhatsApp has been a powerful tool for more than 150 health organizations around the world to share lifesaving information and tackle misinformation. We’re thrilled to add the state of California, as the first state in the U.S., to this effort as well, and in doing so will be offering even more tools to get Californians accurate and authoritative news, information, resources, and tips to stay healthy during COVID-19,” said Mona Pasquil Rogers, head of Meta State Policy in California. “Partnerships like this one are one of the many ways Meta is helping to fight Spanish-language misinformation.”

For additional information, visit MyTurn.ca.gov, the state’s vaccination website, where Californians can check their eligibility, register, and receive notifications to schedule an appointment.

People without internet access can call the COVID-19 hotline at 1-833-422-4255 (833-4CA-4ALL), which has support in multiple languages. All personal data provided is confidential and protected.

Information about the state’s COVID-19 initiatives can be found at covid19.ca.gov/es/.

By Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media

Last week, people around the world celebrated Earth Week with commemorations and activities leading up to Earth Day, on Friday, April 22.

Activists and advocates in California marked the annual event by highlighting the urgency of climate change and why, more than ever, communities of color need to be engaged and informed.

“We’re already in a climate disaster,” said Simeon Gant, the African American Executive Director of Green Technical Education and Employment, an organization dedicated to getting young Black people more involved in environmental justice.”

“We’ve got fire disasters every year, more than we’ve ever had,” said Gant. “People are dying, whole cities are being burned down in California and other places.”

The state’s ongoing drought, now in its third year, is another major environmental concern.

“Here in California, we are already seeing the effects of the climate crisis in the form of drought, record heat waves, and wildfires that have devastated entire communities,” said Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-13).

“As the United Nations and scientists around the world have made clear, we can still preserve a livable climate for future generations. But that window is closing fast,” Lee continued. “This year, we also must recognize that we are running out of time to save the planet for our children and grandchildren.”

Gant agrees with Lee.

“In the Central Valley, we’re having problems with water. Not just the fact that we’re in a drought but the little bit of water that even comes out of Central Valley is often contaminated,” Gant pointed out — before he invoked Flint, Michigan and the water crisis that city experienced from 2014 to 2019.

Gant says water contaminated by drilling for fossil fuels in California is preventable.

On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced that the state will be contributing $22.5 million to mediating the effects of the drought.

“With the climate crisis threatening communities across the West, we must double down on our work to build water resilience in our communities for the long haul,” said Newsom. “All of us must do our part to tackle the intensifying drought conditions felt across the state. We’re investing critical resources to battle the drought’s impacts on our communities and ecosystems and finding innovative solutions to deal with these new realities.”

At the national level, Gina McCarthy, White House National Climate Advisor, told California Black Media that the Biden administration is committed to addressing issues of clean drinking water.

“The bipartisan infrastructure law is going to be a way of investing in climate change and it’s also going to be a way of investing in the communities that have been left behind,” said McCarthy. “That means getting the lead out of the paint in homes, that means getting the lead out of our drinking water systems, that means investing in communities that don’t have safe portable drinking water.”

But water is not the only environmental issue facing Californians, says Gant.

“In Los Angeles, they have oil pumps right in the hood,” Gant said. “It’s bad for the environment and bad for the air that we’re breathing.”

There are 5,000 known, active oil or gas pumps in Los Angeles County.

According to Gant, the oil industry’s impact on the environment is also being felt in the Bay Area.

“In the Bay Area, in the Richmond area, where we have a whole community sitting next to an oil refinery that often has problems whether it’s catching fire or pollution and fumes that go from the oil refinery into the Richmond area,” said Gant.

Gant also pointed to illegal dumping and freeways running through Black neighborhoods in California as causes for concern.

According to McCarthy, the White House is committed to tackling environmental equity “to ensure that the communities left behind end up being the focus of investments moving forward.”

McCarthy says equity is a part of President Biden’s “Justice40” initiative. The program commits 40% of the benefits from energy and climate investments to communities disproportionately affected by climate change.

So far, McCarthy says, that effort has been worthwhile.

“We have done everything we can, through guidance, through direction to states and local communities,” said McCarthy.

However, Gant feels more needs to be done to ensure the investments being made impact the people they are intended to help.

“They take that federal money, and they send it down to the local government and then they leave it up to local government to send it to the community-based organizations that are closer to the community,” said Gant. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t get from the local government to the community-based organizations in an effective way.”

But, according to McCarthy, that is not solely the responsibility of the executive branch of the US federal government.

“We’re also going to not give up on calling on Congress because we need them to act,” said McCarthy. “We need American families, particularly those in our environmental justice communities, to once again know that the government is working for them.”

As far as solutions go, Gant says education and awareness are central to environmental justice in Black communities.

The governor’s office said that the state will be spending $8.25 million to increase water conservation outreach and education.

Gant says weatherization of California homes in low-income communities would be beneficial, as well as investing in renewable energy and zero emission vehicles.

“If we increase the use of renewable energy, not only are there jobs but we’d be reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses that we’re putting into the atmosphere,” he explained.