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SAN BERNARDINO, CA— – The City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department along with the Arts and Historical Preservation Commission are looking for San Bernardino-based artists or artist teams for a collection of digital designs for outdoor murals for the new Fitness Court at Blair Park. The selected artist or artists will receive an award of $5,000 courtesy of the National Fitness Campaign.

The ideal artwork will enhance the park, represent San Bernardino’s vibrant arts culture, and promote awareness of the city’s social, cultural, and historical composition. The artwork must be appropriate for all ages and engage with the growing, diverse population in the City of San Bernardino.

A selection panel of arts professionals, City staff, City Commissioners, and community representatives will review and score the applications and make recommendations to select 8 artists/teams. These selections will be required to present their art proposal to the Arts and Historical Preservation Commission on May 16th. The selection panel will review and evaluate the design proposals based on criteria including, but not limited to: Artistic merit, artist availability, and if the artist/team is San Bernardino-based.

The deadline for to apply is Friday, May 6, 2022 at 11:59 pm by submitting an email application to Parks Director Lydie Gutfeld at Gutfeld_ly@sbcity.org.

The Fitness Court at Blair Park will be a 32’ x 35’ outdoor bodyweight circuit training system that supports 28 simultaneous users on 30 separate pieces of equipment. The 7 movement, 7-minute system, provides a full-body workout to people of all ability levels. The integrated system includes a sports floor to simulate the indoor gym exercise and the steel bodyweight training wall provides users with many exercise combinations.

MUSCOY, CA.— On Friday, April 22, 2022, Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. presented a $15,000 donation check to Vermont Elementary School in San Bernardino to go towards the building of a brand-new playground for the students. Vermont Elementary School falls under the maps of unincorporated areas in the Fifth District and donations like this one help assist the school serve their student’s recreational needs.

“Vermont Elementary holds a special place in my heart. I know how important playgrounds are for the growth of our young students. The agility, endurance, and creativity skills that are built up in our lives starts right here on the playground. Vermont Elementary serves a lot of underserved students in our district and the redevelopment of this playground will make a difference in the perspective their students have on attending school. These children are our future, and it is our duty to protect and support them in any way we possibly can.”-Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

For Tony Thurmond, California’s African American State Superintendent of Public Instruction, American public education will never be the same after experiencing what it has over the last two years.

“The pandemic really did put a spotlight on places where there were big holes and gaps and inequities,” Thurmond told California Black Media (CBM). “In a nation with the wealth we have, that there should be a digital divide, I think that’s just a big example of the kinds of inequities that have existed.”

But Thurmond is hopeful. Working with lawmakers in both the California Senate and Assembly, he is sponsoring and supporting a range of focused legislation that, if approved, would increase access to education opportunities and improve learning for Black, Hispanic and other children who were most affected by the pandemic. Many of the children Thurmond’s programs target are underperforming on the state’s standardized tests.

As a former Assemblymember representing the 15th District in Alameda County from 2014 to 2018, Thurmond is familiar with the sausage making that goes into creating policy. He is leveraging knowledge of that process, he says, to transform public education.

He told CBM, “Our number one bill is Senate Bill (SB) 1229.” The bill authored by Sen. Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) offers incentives to recruit 10,000 professionals to help support the growing mental health needs of students. SB 1229 provides $25,000 grants to aspiring mental health clinicians who commit to serving a minimum of two years as a mental health professional either in a school district or youth-serving community organization in high need areas.

Approximately eight million Californians, most of them from communities of color, live in areas with a shortage of behavioral health professionals.

“There’s no question that our students need all kinds of support for academic recovery, but our students and families need to really heal from the trauma that is this pandemic.” Thurmond said. “We’ve seen a spike in suicide for Black students; we’ve seen an increase in hospitalizations for young people.”

Addressing childhood literacy and biliteracy, is another of Thurmond’s priorities. Last year, he announced his vision that by 2026 all California students will be literate by third grade. He pulled together a Statewide Literacy Task Force of experts and community partners to design a strategy for reaching that goal. Also, to support the initiative, Thurmond pledged to secure one million book donations for students in need and he exceeded his goal with more than five million free online books downloaded.

Thurmond is sponsoring three bills focused on literacy expansion working with two legislators: Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) and Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda).

The first is Senate Bill (SB) 952 (Limón), written to help existing schools convert to dual-language immersion programs. The second, Assembly Bill (AB) 2498 (Bonta), would expand Freedom School programs — evidence-based Afrocentric literacy programs that have been shown to help students improve their reading by one to two grade levels in as little as six weeks. The third is AB 2465 (Bonta), which would expand literacy programs to fund home visits.

According to Limon, “Dual language schools have demonstrated cognitive, social, cultural, economic and educational benefits for students. They are effective in closing the achievement gap and test results show that most dual language schools outperform other demographically similar schools.”

Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), who is a member of the Statewide Literacy Task Force, says, “AB 2465 was inspired by recommendations from the state superintendent’s Task Force to improve reading by third grade.”

There are several other game-changing education bills Thurmond is sponsoring. Among them are SB 830, which Sen. Anthony J. Portantino (D-Thousand Oaks) introduced. The legislation calls for funding schools based on school district enrollment instead of attendance. It would also finance efforts to address chronic absenteeism and truancy.

Then there’s AB1614, legislation introduced by Assemblymembers Al Muratsuchi (D-Rolling Hills Estates) and Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach), who serves as chair of the Assembly Education Committee. That bill would increase the school funding base to provide greater flexibility to all school districts throughout the state.

According to Thurmond, “SB 830 gives districts predictability on how they receive funding and gives them important resources to address what has been one of our most perplexing challenges: dealing with chronic absenteeism in ways we have not yet seen before. It will put students and schools on a better path to further close opportunity and education gaps.”

Thurmond has thrown his support behind AB 2806, legislation that would help reduce suspensions of preschool children. This bill was introduced by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park). He is a sponsor of AB 2088 introduced by Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D- Elk Grove) that would provide paid internships to students within their Career Technical Education courses or pathways. Another bill Thurmond feels will help work through the challenges ahead is, AB 2794 that would fund the School De-escalation Specialist Pilot Program under the administration of the California Department of Education (CDE) to provide one-time grants to local educational agencies for the creation or expansion of non-police school safety programs. The bill was introduced by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson).

Thurmond notes there appears to be no opposition to any of the bills he is supporting.

“I think the biggest challenge is that these bills have a cost, and they ask for money,” Thurmond told CBM. “I happen to think that while all of them are important if you invest in mental health, if you invest in programs like literacy, and dual language programs, these programs will have a high return of investment for California schools.”

With the funds included by Gov. Gavin Newsom in the state budget and passed by the Legislature, Thurmond’s’ Department of Education is implementing a Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Planning & Implementation Grant program. The initiative will expand prekindergarten for every four-year-old. The budget is covering a program serving two meals free of charge (breakfast and lunch) during each school day to students in grades K–12. Also budgeted is $3 Billion to establish community schools across the state that offer additional services to students and families.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Time for Change Foundation (TFCF) invites you to join them for a night of celebration, philanthropy, and entertainment as they commemorate their 20th anniversary with a star-studded virtual awards gala on April 28th at 6 p.m.

TFCF is excited to announce that actress Jennifer Hudson will be receiving the foundation’s Humanitarian Award this year. Additionally, Taraji P Henson will attend the 20th anniversary event to help commemorate the nonprofit’s milestones over the last two decades.

“We are excited to be honoring the princess of soul, Miss Jennifer Hudson for making a difference in so many lives,” said, Kim Carter, Founder/Ambassador of Time for Change Foundation.

Other honorees include Susan Burton of A New Way of Life Reentry Project with the Harriet Tubman Legacy Award, Patty Favela with the Ramos Family Spirit of Compassion Award, Vickie Lobo of Knock Knock Angels with the Nancy Varner Angel Award.

Time for Change Foundation assists homeless women and children in achieving self-sufficiency by providing housing and necessary supportive services. To date, the organization has reunited 311 children in foster care with their mothers and have helped more than 2,600 homeless women reach self-sufficiency.

TFCF lifts women out of poverty by leading them into economic prosperity through entrepreneurship opportunities that promote generational wealth.

Time for Change Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Awards Gala will be held virtually on April 28th, 2022, at 6 p.m. To register for the gala call Time for Change Foundation at 909-886-2994, visit our registration page at https://conta.cc/3ISrG4d.

To make a donation, visit www.TimeForChangeFoundation.org or text LOVETFCF to 243725.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Last week, Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton, California’s only Black D.A., joined the state’s Attorney General Rob Bonta and Acting Richmond Police Chief Louie Tirona to announce that they have identified the man who killed 28-year-old Meekiah Wadley in 1999.
During an emotional news conference a representative of the three agencies said Jerry Lee Henderson murdered the Contra Costa Community College student inside her Richmond home.

Tirona, said Henderson died 11 days after the killing. He was identified through DNA left at the scene.

“I know it’s been a long 22 years since this heinous crime was committed, and justice doesn’t always come swiftly,” said Becton. “Today’s announcement is a major testament to the determination of our law enforcement partners, forensic scientists, and investigators who continued to work on this case for over 20 years and who never gave up the search for the truth.”

Investigators solved the murder using California’s familial DNA search program.

Becton, who is on the ballot for the June 7 primary election, joins former Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley and Sacramento County District Attorney Ann Marie Schubert as California D.A.s who have used this technique.

Becton, 70, was in the fourth year of a 22-year run as a Contra Costa Superior Court judge at the time of Wadley’s death.

On Sept. 17, 2017, the county’s Board of Supervisors appointed her Contra Costa’s 25th district attorney, the first African American female to hold the position. In June 2018, the graduate of San Francisco State University and Golden Gate University School of Law was elected to a full term.

Becton said her priority is keeping the streets of Contra Costa County safe from dangerous and violent criminals. She says she is committed to safeguarding communities from crimes that threaten health, well-being, and livelihood, and protecting seniors from financial abuse. She is also committed to providing positive outcomes for youth.

The legal eagle from Oakland wants to serve Contra Costa’s 1.1 million residents for four more years. To “effect change” and ensure a “fair” judicial system, she told California Black Media (CBM).

“What I’ve come to realize, though what seems like a short time some days, we’ve gotten a lot done. But the truth is that there’s so much more work to do,” Becton told CBM.
‘This truly is, in terms of building sustainable change that is going to last, is a blueprint. It’s just not something that is going to happen in a short haul. I am running for reelection to continue the important work that we have started.”

Becton removed juvenile justice fees that severely affected low-income families of color, created the Reimagine Youth Justice Task Force to discover alternative solutions to juvenile justice, and established “Clean Slate Day” to allow former offenders opportunities to clear their criminal records.

In addition, Becton set up the first Human Trafficking Unit to fight the exploits of the sex trade, addressed racial disparities, advanced youth justice by establishing the county’s first diversion program, and held law enforcement and public officials accountable.

In April 2021, Becton announced felony voluntary manslaughter and felony assault with a semi-automatic firearm, and unreasonable force charges against Danville police officer and deputy Andrew Hall in the shooting of Laudemer Arboleda in 2018.

Becton said the cop killed Arboleda, who was reportedly driving six miles per hour, “without lawful excuse of justification.” Becton nailed a conviction in that case.

In October 2021, Hall, who is White, was convicted by a jury of assault with a firearm and sentenced to six years in prison on March 4.

Six weeks before Hall was charged for killing Arboleda, shooting him 10 times, he fatally shot a Black unhoused and mentally ill man. The killing of Tyrell Wilson by Hall is still under investigation.

“Deputy Hall’s actions were not only a crime, but they tarnished the badge, and they harmed the reputation of all the good, hard-working police officers that work for our community,” Becton said in a statement.

Months after a jury convicted a former Minnesota police officer of killing George Floyd. It was the first time a Contra Costa cop was charged and convicted in a police-involved shooting.

Becton gets flak for easing the court’s burden by not prosecuting every low-level, non-violent crime, including offenders arrested with small amounts of drugs that come across her desk in an effort to reduce the “footprint” of mass incarceration.

“It’s quite interesting now that I have a historic conviction of an officer in Contra Costa County. But I would say, all and all, that we have mutual respect. I have 25 law enforcement agencies in 19 cities that I work with,” Becton told CBM. “It’s a loud opposition from the Sheriff who may not like the fact that one of his got convicted. But I am not deterred by that. It won’t stop me from being collaborative with these agencies when it is important to bring their voices to the table.”

As District Attorney Becton leads a prosecutorial office of approximately 200 lawyers, investigators, and staff.

Becton was raised in East Oakland by her self-employed beautician mother and her airplane mechanic father. Her journey to be an attorney, judge, and elected official was inspired by a civil rights movement she was able to personally witness in the late 1950s and 1960s.

“My commitment is to keep our community safe but also make this a fair system for everyone. That’s my priority,” Becton said. “I’ve made it a point that not only our traditional justice partners are at the table but people in the community are at the table as well. They (all) help us in problem-solving.”

RIVERSIDE, CA—- Renee Hill, a 28-year educator at Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) has taught at all levels and been an exemplary leader for the region. In less than one year of taking the job, her tenacity, vision, and commitment to public education have helped navigate RUSD through some serious crises and challenges.

It’s no wonder why Assembly Member Jose Medina (D-Riverside) has announced Superintendent Renee Hill as the 2022 Woman of the Year for Assembly District 61.

Superintendent Renee Hill is the first person of color to lead Riverside schools where she has implemented the promise of high-quality education for all students. Through C.A.R.E. (Care, Academic achievement, reducing service gaps, and Excellence every time), students are the priority to make sure they are developing their full potential through excellence from staff and community.

“Ms. Renee Hill is an exemplary leader and advocate for RUSD students, and I would like to celebrate and thank her,” said Assembly Member Jose Medina.

Renee Hill, a 28-year educator at Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) has taught at all levels and been an exemplary leader for the region. In less than one year of taking the job, her tenacity, vision and commitment to public education have helped navigate RUSD through some serious crises and challenges.

It’s no wonder why Assembly Member Jose Medina (D-Riverside) has announced Superintendent Renee Hill as the 2022 Woman of the Year for Assembly District 61.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Each region of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) annually recognizes the outstanding performance and achievement of individual school administrators and classified managers in several categories.

This year, three San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) administrators were honored by ACSA Region 12 for their exceptional leadership in managing school programs, commitment to professional growth, commitment to educational quality and student achievement, and creativity in addressing issues facing public education.

The Region 12 Student Services Administrator of the Year for 2022 is Dr. Marlene Bicondova, the Director of Positive Youth Development for SBCUSD. Dr. Bicondova has a proven track record of creating positive outcomes for youth. As a principal, she transformed Curtis Middle School from one of the lowest-performing middle schools in the county into a high-performing school by implementing a proactive approach to student success that focused on daily assessments that informed teacher instruction. For the past four years, Dr. Bicondova has worked at the District level to reduce chronic absenteeism and suspension rates. Her signature accomplishment has been the creation of the SBCUSD Bullying Intervention System, which uses restorative practices and Undercover Anti-Bullying Teams as the key components, which work to change school culture to stop bullying before it starts and stop bullying when it does happen.

Pacific High School Principal Dr. Natalie Raymundo is the ACSA Region 12 Secondary Principal of the Year. Raymundo has been a principal since 2009 when she took the helm of Richardson PREP HI Middle School. She believes that education can change lives and even entire communities, especially when educators demonstrate respect for students, families, and stakeholders. Her leadership has helped create a safe and welcoming environment for students and instilled in them a desire to become leaders in the community, as evidenced by Pacific High winning the Civics Leadership Award in 2017, 2019, and 2020. She also implemented the fourth-period advisory program, which provides students with social-emotional learning activities, grade checks, goal setting sessions, and other academic and social development every Monday.

Shana Smith, Assistant Director of the Employee Development Department for SBCUSD, is Region 12’s Personnel Director of the Year. Smith began her SBCUSD career in 1995 teaching first grade. She began supporting teachers as a program specialist and new teacher mentor in 2000. After 17 years leading the Teacher Induction Program, she earned her place as the assistant director of Employee Development. In that position, she can combine her love of teaching with her love of mentoring the next generation of educators as she helps develop programs and instruct new teachers so they can be successful SBCUSD educators.

ACSA, which is one of the largest organizations for school leaders in the nation, is dedicated to developing and supporting educational leaders who meet the diverse needs of California students. ACSA Region 12 specifically serves educational administrators working in San Bernardino County.

MONTCLAIR, CA— One day shy of her 18th birthday, Gabriela Jimenez-Ramirez received a gift she will never forget – a new car courtesy of three local auto dealers.

Gabriela was among 68 Montclair High School seniors who qualified for a drawing to win the 2022 Nissan Altima SR. Qualifications were based on a variety of factors related to attendance and academics. Her name was drawn from a raffle drum during the school’s Senior Awards Night on Thursday, April 21.

“I came for an award from school, and I came out with a brand new car,” an exuberant Gabriela said as she and her parents stood in disbelief next to the dark blue sedan. “I was crossing my fingers during the drawing – and so was my Mom.”

The graduating senior plans to commute to Cal Poly Pomona next fall, and said her parents were planning on buying her a car. “You made it possible,” she said in thanking representatives of the three stores that came together to purchase the vehicle; Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge of Ontario, Empire Nissan and Ontario Hyundai – all part of the OREMOR Automotive Group.

“We’re excited about a Drive for Excellence program – to help a local high school, give back to our community and incentivize students to get through school without missing class,” said Jillian Romero Chaves, Marketing Director for OREMOR.

Josh Cho, Principal at Montclair, commended the 68 qualifying seniors for the perseverance during these past couple of years, as schools have moved back to in-classroom learning.

“The pandemic created a lot of disruptions to the learning environment, but these students all showed tremendous will and commitment, and we’re so proud of them,” Cho said.

Dr. Mathew Holton, Superintendent of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District, thanked OREMOR Automotive Group and its local dealerships for supporting student success.

“We’re so grateful for their generosity and their commitment to our District and our students. The message that the Drive for Excellence program sends to our entire school community is a powerful one,” Dr. Holton said.

By Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media

Last week, in Redlands — a San Bernardino County city about 63 miles east of Los Angeles — U.S. military vets joined Assemblymember James Ramos (D-Highland) at a rally in support of Assembly Bill (AB) 1623.

The legislation would implement a statewide tax exemption for military retirees.

Jeff Breiten, a Marine Corps veteran who lives in Redlands, says this bill would be a way to give back to service members.

“California’s military retirees appreciate the fact that Assemblyman Ramos has stepped forward to carry this bill,” said Breiten. “This legislation will not only provide a well-earned benefit to those who served our country for 20 years or more, it will also help retain and attract to California these retirees who will lend their skills during second careers in a variety of key industries and professions across the great state of California.”

Ramos, who is the only Native American in the California Assembly, introduced the bill in January along with Assemblymember Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta).

“Military retirees bring benefits to our state such as stability, job skills used in second careers, and federal funding,” said Ramos. “These men and women have served our nation in a variety of valuable capacities, and they and their families have frequently done so at great personal sacrifice. California needs to acknowledge the contributions more fully they make.”

AB 1623 would “require the Legislative Analyst and state Department of Veterans Affairs to produce an analysis of the tax exemption based on the number of retirees claiming it and to determine whether the tax relief has aided in the retirees’ financial security and increased the numbers of retirees choosing to remain in California,” according to the bill’s text.

Ramos noted that California is one of only nine states that fully taxes the pay of its 146,000 former service members who are military retirees.

Ramos says that he hopes AB 1623 will make California more appealing to vets, incentivizing them to move to the state and boost its economy.

The California Council of Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America (CALMOAA) has expressed support for the bill.

“Military retirees have a steady income and bring stability to the community,” said Fred Green, president of CALMOAA and a retired Navy lieutenant commander. “It should be noted that not all military retirees collect their retirement immediately. Reservists and National Guard members collect retirement at age 60. Regardless, we continue to support our community and our economy after our retirement from the military.”

As the bill is currently written, California Assembly would have until Jan. 2033 to implement the tax exemption.

California’s Personal Income Tax Law currently only excludes combat-related compensation.

“We contribute to job growth and boost sales tax revenues. Thirty states understand this and do not tax military retirement income,” Green continued. “Most military retirees pursue second careers where they utilize their training, technical skills, leadership, and knowledge. After my service in the Navy as an engineer, I became an elementary school teacher and adjunct college professor to give back to my community.”

San Bernardino County’s unemployment rate dropped to pre-pandemic levels in March, as payrolls increased by nearly 10,000 during the month to a record 976,000, the County’s Workforce Development Board reported Friday.

Newly released data from the California Employment Development Department showed unemployment dropping to 4.3% in March, the lowest level since February 2020 and down from 5% in February. Led by continued growth in the region’s supply chain industry and a resurgence in hospitality-related businesses, payrolls across the County are now 24,000 above where they were before the COVID-19 lockdown – one of the strongest recovery rates in California.
Meanwhile, the total number of eligible workers also reached all-time high – 1.02 million. The labor pool in San Bernardino County has now exceeded 1 million five months in a row.

“These numbers continue to underscore the strength of our labor force here in San Bernardino County as we fortify our role as one of the fastest-growing economic and population centers in the United States,” said Curt Hagman, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors.

The surge in payrolls and labor force align with recent studies that have have shown a dramatic migration of residents from Los Angeles and Orange counties into the Inland Empire. Newly released Census data show the IE recording the fifth fastest population growth among metro areas in the U.S. during the 12 months ending July 31, 2021.

“Families and young professionals are coming to San Bernardino County in record numbers to pursue career opportunities and enjoy a quality of life they can’t get elsewhere. All of this great news for employers and the regional economy as we build on this remarkable period of growth for our County,” said Phil Cothran, Chairman of the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board.

Cothran encouraged job seekers to check out the services and resources WDD offers. Information on those services – including the three America’s Job Centers of California across the county – is available at: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/workforce.