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PASADENA, CA—- The School of Entrepreneurship from the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration at the California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) will be hosting the UpStarters Discovery Camp on campus so high school students can get a first-hand look at the college experience and get a taste of entrepreneurship this summer.

The UpStarters Discovery Camp will run from June 20 to 22, 2023. Student guests will get the chance to stay in the newest dorms at CSUSB and receive 20 hours of intense entrepreneurial insights, develop skills to learn to Think Like an Owner™, and tips for getting the most out of college from a Top 50 Princeton Review ranked academic program. Students will also have the opportunity to engage with local entrepreneurs from different industries.

“This is a rare opportunity for students to get a taste of the college experience on campus in our new dorms,” said Stacey Allis, assistant director of the IECE and lecturer at the CSUSB School of Entrepreneurship. “They will learn real-life skills in innovation and entrepreneurship to apply to any professional level position.”

The two nights and three day-program at CSUSB is $299 per person. For more information visit https://entre.csusb.edu/content/udc. To Register visit https://iece.ticketleap.com/2023udc/.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

A coalition of movement-based organizations from various parts of California converged on the grounds of the State Capitol in Sacramento to send a message: Black Californians need financial resources to overcome setbacks caused by centuries of system and institutional racism.

The coalition, which included members of the California Black Freedom Fund, the Black Equity Collective, California Black Power Network, and LIVEFREE California called for $100 million over five years to strengthen the relationship between the public sector and philanthropy groups serving Black communities across the state.

The group delivered their message May 10, two days before Gov. Gavin Newsom presented the May Revision of his 2023-24 budget, and five days after the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans finalized its final report, which will be submitted to the Legislature on June 29.

During the rally, Kaci Patterson, who represents the Black Equity Collective (BEC), said grassroots organizations “are our communities’ first responders.”

“When we can go from disposable one day to essential workers the next, we know that this state knows how much they need us,” Patterson said. “And we are here today to say fund us like you know you need us. This budget ask is a down payment toward the state investing in who it says it wants to be.”

The BEC is a network of funders and nonprofit leaders committed to investing in the long-term sustainability of Black-led organizations in Southern California. The members of the coalition arrived in Sacramento from Fresno, San Bernardino, Oakland, Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Stockton, Pomona, Riverside, Pasadena, San Jose, San Francisco, San Diego, Fontana, Long Beach and other cities.

“There is a history of systemic racism that our community and our state refuses to reckon with. Yet, when there is a crisis — we can take the pandemic for example — all of a sudden, they need our organizations,” said Marc Philpart, Executive Director of the Black Freedom Fund.

“They want us to outreach to our community, they want us to engage, they want to use us, they want to exploit us,” he continued. “And what we are saying is no more. We are demanding every legislator, the governor and all constitutional officers to get behind our agenda.”

Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Riverside) joined the coalition at a news conference outside the State Capitol. Jackson, who was elected to office in November 2022, has a series of pending legislation that addresses inequality affecting Black communities. He supports the coalition’s efforts to secure funding.

“We are in a critical moment right now in our history as Black people here in California where we have an opportunity to reignite and strengthen our organizations and our communities so that we can create better agencies, better power to deal with our own historic inequities,” Jackson said. “We’ve been waiting too long for our government to help. It’s time for us to go about the business as our ancestors did and create for ourselves our own solutions.”

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom released the “May Revision” of his Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 budget proposal that he submitted in January.

Despite a $32 billion projected shortfall, the $306.5 billion spending plan protects key investments in priorities that matter most to Californians, Newsom said. Education, health care, housing and homelessness, public safety, and climate action are among key focus areas.

“In partnership with the Legislature, we have made deep investments in California and its future – transformative efforts that will benefit generations of Californians, and that this budget will continue to guide as we navigate near-term ups and downs in revenue,” Newsom said during a two-hour news conference held near the State Capitol on May 13.

“As we prepare for more risk and uncertainties ahead, it’s critical that we keep the state on a solid fiscal footing to protect Californians and our progress in remaking the future of our state,” he continued.

Newsom says he does not foresee a recession but recognizes increased risks to the budget since the first month of 2023.

The plan reflects $37.2 billion in total budgetary reserves, including $22.3 billion in the Budget Stabilization Account. Highlights include:

• Billions to continue implementing expansion of health care access and reduce costs measures for programs such as CalAIM to transform Medi-Cal, extending health care to low-income Californians of all ages regardless of immigration status.
• Maintains billions of dollars for aid to local governments, encampment resolution grants, and more to address homelessness.
• Adopted a legally binding goal that local governments must plan to build approximately 2.5 million new homes by 2030, and 1 million of these units must be affordable housing.
• Advancing a $48 billion multi-year commitment to implement its world-leading agenda to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, protect communities from harmful oil drilling, deliver 90% clean electricity by 2035, and more.
• Investing $1.6 billion for all students, regardless of income, to access two free school meals per day – up to 12 million meals per day statewide.

“With the May Revision, the Governor is again putting money where his mouth is — and where California needs to be — investing in bold and transformative proposals to advance equity and address pertinent disparities in Black communities and in the classroom,” said Assembymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City), chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC).

Wilson applauded the “accountability measures” in the budget that “leverage the entire $80 billion in Local Control Funding Formula to focus on low-performing student groups and schools, and require districts to publicly identify and address where Black student performance is low, while providing additional services at high-need schools using the complementary $300 million Equity Multiplier are what the Black Caucus has been fighting for – for years.

During the press conference, Newsom also addressed repreparations payments, a potential budget issue that could come to the forefront soon. The California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans will submit its final report to the legislature on June 29 in Sacramento.

Among other proposals, the nine-member panel recommends a formal apology from the state of California that lessens the gravity of circumstances that historically caused hardships for the Black community.

In addition, the panel suggests that descendants of slavery living in California should be entitled to receive up to $1.2 million in compensation.

Last week, reports surfaced that Newsom said he would not “endorse” direct cash payments to Black Californians based on a statement he made last week about broadly advancing equity and inclusion. Newsom clarified his comment.

“My posture is that let me receive the final report, continue to work with legislative leaders and the task force and assess where to go from there,” Newsom told California Black Media. “We put out a statement that was amplified, no small part by Sen. (Steven) Bradford and Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer and others. We look forward to reviewing the details of the task force’s recommendations.”

After July 1, the panel’s two-year charge will end, and state lawmakers will have the opportunity to consider the proposals for legislation. The final report is expected to be about 1,000 pages,

The final meeting for the Task Force is June 29 in Sacramento.

Responding to the Governor’s budget proposal, California Republicans criticized Newsom’s and California Democrats’ “reckless policies.”

“Today’s massive $32 billion budget deficit should be a wakeup call to all Democrats that after years of increased spending, they should have better results to point to than an outrageous cost of living, surging crime, rampant homelessness, a fentanyl crisis, failing schools and inadequate water storage,” said California Republican Party Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson. “Now is the time for smarter policies and responsible spending that California Republicans have long advocated for.”

Despite the looming deficit, Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Inglewood), CLBC vice-chair, remains confident.

“As a person who was here in the Legislature during the state’s worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, I know we have the skills, the know-how, and the resolve to address this budgetary shortfall and keep California moving forward,” he said.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Music Changing Lives, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing music, art, and tutoring programs in America’s public schools and community centers, is excited to announce its upcoming concert on series and night market, “Concert Under the Stars” on May 20 from 6-10 p.m. This free event is held monthly at San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC).

“Concert Under the Stars” is a family-friendly event that features live art, performances, poetry readings and DJs. The event is open to all ages and will showcase the diverse and vibrant arts and culture scene of the Inland Empire.

“We are thrilled to be hosting ‘Concert Under the Stars’ and to bring music and art to our community,” said Music Changing Lives CEO and Founder Josiah Bruny. “Our mission is to provide access to enrichment programs that help young people in our community thrive, and we believe that music and art are essential components of a comprehensive education and lifestyle.”

In addition to live performances, “Concert Under the Stars” will feature a night market with vendor opportunities for informational, merchant and food booths. Those interested in participating in the night market must register in advance, and food vendors must have a health permit or food handler’s card.

“Concert Under the Stars” is an opportunity to support local businesses and nurture the vibrancy of the community. With its focus on bringing enrichment programs to minority and low-income youth, Music Changing Lives is committed to positively impacting the lives of young people and their families.

“Good Vibes Only” is the motto for “Concert Under the Stars.” The organizers hope attendees will join them in building a better, more inclusive future for the San Bernardino community.

For more information about “Concert Under the Stars” or Music Changing Lives, visit their website at musicchanginglives.org.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

On May 6, the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans held its 15th meeting and voted on its final report. The report must be submitted to the California legislature by the end of June.

During the meeting held at Mills College of Northeastern University in Oakland, the nine-member task force finalized its recommendations for compensating Black Californians for state laws, policies and practices that disproportionately and negatively affected African Americans. The final report which will be available to the public is expected to be about 1,000 pages long.

Task force chair and Los Angeles attorney Kamilah Moore closed out the one-day meeting by thanking “the community of eligibility for attending” the meeting and reflecting on the activities that occurred for nearly two years since the group first convened.

“I know it might have been tough in some spots but I just want to say:  stay encouraged. History is repeating itself,” Moore said. “When we think about what Callie House and Isaiah Dickerson went through, it was actually federal agencies U.S. Postal Office and U.S. DOJ (Department of Justice), the US Pension Office that worked to hinder the free people movement for pensions. So, just stay encouraged and know that justice will prevail at the end of the day.”

House and Dickerson were leaders in the National Ex-Slave Mutual Relief, Bounty and Pension Association, the first organization to push for reparations for slavery.

Among the recommendations made by the task force is for the state of California to issue a formal apology from the state of California. The implied admission of guilt should mitigate the harm historically inflicted on the Black community, task force members say.

The report will contain “a non-exhaustive list” that includes “barbarities carried out on behalf of the State by its representative officers, governing bodies, and the people.”

“The Legislature must apologize on behalf of the State of California and the People of California for the perpetration of gross human rights violations and genocide of Africans who were enslaved and their descendants through public apology, requests for forgiveness, censure of state perpetrators, and tributes to victims,” the report states. “But the Task Force does not recommend the Legislature issue an apology without taking other required steps recommended by the Task Force to conform to the international standards for satisfaction; such an apology would be hollow and ineffective.”

The draft states that the apology would address the “atrocities committed by California state actors who promoted, facilitated, enforced, and permitted” under the institution of chattel slavery.” The final draft includes evidence provided by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) of African Americans denied their fundamental liberties and humanity throughout the state’s history, from before the Civil War to the present.

“To be effective, a considerable number of survivors and their relatives must participate in the development of the apology. As occurred with the apology to California tribal communities, the Legislature should establish a program or government body, such as the California American Freedman Affairs Agency, to facilitate listening sessions that allow victims and their relatives to narrate personal experiences and recount specific injustices caused by the state of California,” the task force recommends.

It took eight hours for the task force members to approve numerous recommendations addressing issues such as over policing and mass incarceration in Black communities, health and environmental inequities and discrimination in education, housing, voting, housing, and business opportunities, and others. The report also addresses the inability to create wealth due to inequity and lack of quality jobs.

During the task force’s14th meeting held in Sacramento in March, economists advising the task force presented economic formulas estimating that the reparations owed to Black Californians who are descendants of people enslaved in the United States is likely to total more than $800 billion.

U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland-12) addressed the panel during the public comments section of the meeting. She is co-sponsoring the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) bill in Congress.

The first-ever congressional commission examines the effects of slaves, institutional racism, and discrimination against people of color and how history impacts laws and policies today.

“Reparations are not a luxury for our people but a human right long overdue for millions of Americans,” Lee said. “A promise of 40 acres and a mule made to formerly enslaved people over 150 years ago has yet to be fulfilled and it’s critical that the promise that was made to our ancestors is kept. We must repair this damage.”

Oakland City Council member Treva Ried (District 7) and Kevin Jenkins (District 6) were present at the meeting which was attended by more than 150 people at Mills College. This is where the Black Panther Party For for Self Defense (BPP) was born in 1966.

Elaine Brown, a former Black Panther Party leader and Minister of Information, was also in attendance. Last year, she broke ground on an $80 million affordable housing project in West Oakland. The housing project includes 79 units and aims to house formerly incarcerated people, homeless people and unemployed individuals.

“I’m glad to see all these Black people together. I want to see us all get into the streets because you know that you cannot legislate freedom…you are going to have to fight for it,” Brown said to the panel and audience. “You want these people to hear you…you’re going to have to get into the streets (to advocate for reparations).”

The final meeting for the Task Force will be held June 29 in Sacramento. Remarks by task force Members, a Presentation of the Report, closing comments by legislators and other dignitaries will end the two-year charge for the first-of-its-kind reparations commission.

For any questions about the Task Force meeting, contact DOJ at ReparationsTaskforce@doj.ca.govor call (213) 519-0504.

ONTARIO, CA— – Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement (CEEM) returns to LA County Fair this year for its 4th annual Black Excellence Weekend May 20 – 21. Grammy-nominated artist MAJOR will headline along with a solid lineup of Hip Hop, R&B, Jazz, and Gospel artists. From the taste of local black-owned food vendors, live performances, CEEM’s second annual Pitch Competitions, and panel discussions with surprise guests to a riveting National Black graduation soirée, CEEM’s Black Excellence Weekend will celebrate and honor the past, present, and future of Black culture.

CEEM’s two-day affair has become an anticipated local tradition, bringing together African American communities. Owned by a collective of members, CEEM is a cooperative economic engine that empowers people to move.  This collective movement creates access to knowledge, wealth, and power, allowing the Black community to prosper, to achieve what CEEM calls prosparity.

CEEM will bring out some of Southern California’s top Black-owned brands and organizations such as That’s A Awful Lot Of Cough Syrup, Snoop Dogg’s Snoop Youth Football League and Special Stars, the National Black Grads (NBG), and more.

Saturday’s lineup includes Nakkia Gold, freestyle artist Ray Wimley, to name a few. 102.3 KJLH Radio personality Aundrae Russell will broadcast live from the fairgrounds creating an unforgettable experience for all fairgoers to enjoy.

“Fairplex is proud to collaborate with CEEM as it champions its mission of prosperity for our Black community. CEEM’s Black Excellence Weekend has created the space to expand both of our horizons to new opportunities,” says Walter Marquez, president and CEO of Fairplex.

“I’m always excited when we get to partner in the community, but I really love the LA County Fair partnership because it truly represents CEEM; creating value, building relationships and showcasing the African-American community in a really fun way,” states interim CEO Kiana Webb. “I enjoy being a steward in a legacy that is looking for new ways to understand parity; it’s an economic movement, an empowering movement, and a cooperative movement.”

Key highlights:

Black-Owned Food Vendor Tasting Experience – May 20 – 21

CEEM will amplify the culinary experience at the fair this year by bringing together Black-owned food vendors and businesses known throughout the county such as such as Billionaire Burgers Boyz, D Lo’s Kitchen, All flavor No Grease, and etc.

Black Graduation Night – Sunday, May, 21

In partnership with National Black Grads (NBG), CEEM will bus over 700+ Black graduate students to the fair for an evening celebration consisting of a fashion show, featuring local high school graduates, live performances, prizes, and other fun activities for Black students and families to enjoy!

CEEM Pitch Competition  – Saturday, May 20

CEEM is excited to announce its annual pitch competition at the LA County Fair! This year, we’re offering $5,000 and a Start-Up Business Service Kit to the winner with the best business idea.

CLICK HERE to see the full schedule! For more information about CEEM, visit www.ceem.coop. 

• To purchase your tickets with CEEM, CLICK HEREand enter the discount code CEEM2023z
• Need media passes and/or interested in covering the event? Please contact our PR rep Cathy J. Hood at cathy@pristineinitiative.com. 

Follow @CEEM on social media:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceemcoop/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CEEMCoop

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors presents a Proclamation to The San Bernardino Salvation Army‘s Major Isais Braga In recognition of National Salvation Army Week.

In 2022 The Salvation Army helped 23,218 people, 22,268 households, served 105,981 meals, gave groceries to 10,318 households, and provided educational and recreational programs for 1,612 children. The Hospitality House provided 31,534 nights of shelter to families and children experiencing homelessness.

PASADENA, CA—- This month, Assemblymember Chis Holden announced a brand-new member to his team. Timme Mackie, who previously served as Director of Digital Engagement for a prominent U.S. Senate candidate in Louisiana during the 2022 election cycle, is taking over Communications for Mr. Holden’s office. She will work mostly out of the district, in collaboration with staff in the capitol office.

“Timme brings a great deal of value to our team, with a record of boosting online presence, and forming lasting relationships on the ground,” said Assemblymember Holden. “Timme Mackie is a proven leader, with a heart for the community and helping people, and a great deal of expertise and innovation in her field.”

Ms. Mackie has a diverse background in communications, having led teams in local news and non-profits before stepping full time into politics. She’s produced political ads that have reached millions of people at a time on social media and created messaging that’s gone from cell phone screens to national headlines. She is new to California, but not new to influencing meaningful change.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra is extremely proud to present the Joshua White Ensemble in a special tribute to the music of Thelonius Monk and John Coltrane on May 20 at 7:30 p.m. the San Bernardino Valley College Auditorium. This performance is part of the Symphony’s Chamber Series curated – and at this event also performed in – by Music Director and Conductor Anthony Parnther.

Explained Maestro Parnther, “Following the popularity of last year’s focus on Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, we were excited to design a new concert centering on the legendary musical minds of John Coltrane and Thelonius Monk. Bringing the great Joshua White to San Bernardino was a real coup for our organization, and I can’t think of anyone better to feature on such a technically challenging concert.”

Thelonius Sphere Monk (1917-1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer with a quique improvisational style whose work significant informed the standard jazz repertoire. The second most recorded jass composer after Duke Ellington, his compositions and improvisations feature dissonances and angular melodic twists and are consistent to his unorthodox approack to the piano which combined a highly percussive attack with abrupt, dramatic use of switched ket releases, silences, and hesitations.

John William Coltrane (1926–1967) was an American jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and  20th-century music. Coltrane moved to Philadelphia after graduating high school, where he studied music. Working in the bebop idiom early in his career, he helped pioneer the use of modes and was one of the players at the forefront of free jazz. However, his addiction to heroin stalled his career and it was not until he formed a collaboration with Monk that he was able to turn his life and his music around.

Following, he led at least fifty recording sessions and appeared on many albums by other musicians, including, of course, Thelonius Monk. Arguably, their most important album collaboration is 1961’s Thelonius Monk and John Coltrane. The impetus for the album was the discovery of three usable studio tracks recorded by the Monk Quartet with Coltrane in July 1957 at the beginning of the band’s six-month residency at New York’s legendary Five Spot Club. To round out the release, label Jazzland included two outtakes from the Monk’s Music  album recorded the previous month, and one additional outtake from Thelonius Himself  recorded that April. The album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007.

Joshua White’s own style is in many ways a reflection of the Monk-Coltrane partnership. As one of the current music scene’s most creative and technically accomplished pianists, and praised by legendary musicians like Herbie Hancock as having “immense talent” and lauded for his “daring and courageous approach to improvisation… on the cutting edge of innovation,” Joshua White has distinguished himself as a formidable leader among his peers. Born and raised in Southern California, White received early training at the piano and developed rapidly through rigorous study of both Western European Classical literature and the Black American Music traditions. Shortly after placing in the top two as a finalist of the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition, he began concertizing as a soloist and musical collaborator all over the world — and continues to maintain an active touring schedule throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The ensemble is comprised of a talented and eclectic group of outstanding musicians including bassist Karl McComas-Reichl, drummer Mark Ferber, vocalist Dwight Trible, alto saxist Josh Johnson, and on tenor sax and clarinet Chris Speed.

Bassist McComas-Reichl is also a cellist, film composer and artist. He earned a BFA from The New School. His arrangement and performance credits include:  Baskets Season 4, The Shrink Next Door, Special, Three Busy Debras, ONI: Thunder Gods Tale, Grace & Frankie, NY State Lottery  Other performance credits include:  Jane Monheit, Ingrid Jensen, Mark Turner, John C. Reilly, Larry Goldings, Ben Monder, Matt Wilson, Joshua White, Joy Crookes, Matt Otto, Tony Tixier, Anthony Wilson, Glenn Zaleski, Josh Nelson, Peter Schlamb, Hermon Mehari, Maelo Ruiz, Liberty Ellman, Logan Richardson, Colin Stranahan, Geoff Keezer, Logan Hone and Tommy Crane.

Drummer Mark Ferber can be heard on nearly 200 recordings.  His ongoing projects include ECM recording artist Ralph Alessi’s ‘This Against That’,  the Marc Copland trio, the Brad Shepik Organ Trio, and his twin brother, Alan Ferber’s Grammy nominated big band.  He currently maintains a busy freelance schedule throughout New York’s jazz clubs, recording studios, and international touring circuit.  Past work includes tours and recordings with Lee Konitz, Gary Peacock, Jonathan Kreisberg, John O’Gallagher, Don Byron, Fred Hersch, Tony Malaby, Anna Webber, Mark Helias, Pete McCann, Matt Pavolka, Michael Attias and Billy Childs, among others.  Mark has taught extensively in the United States and Europe.

Vocalist Dwight Trible combines the best of vocal virtuosity with musicianship and improvisational skills to the delight of audiences and musicians alike. In addition to performing with his own group, the Dwight Trible Ensemble, he is the vocalist with the Pharaoh Sanders Quartet and is also the vocal director for the Horace Tapscott Pan Afrikan Peoples’ Arkestra.  Trible has worked with such notables as Oscar Brown jr., Charles Lloyd, Billy Childs, Kenny Burrell, Kenny Garrett, Steve Turre, Harold Land, Harry Belafonte, Della Reese and Norman Conners, John Beasley, Patrice Rushen, Babatunde Lea, Ernie Watts, Kahlil El Zabar, as well as contemporary soul artist like LA Reid and DJ Rogers.

Josh Johnson is a saxophonist, keyboardist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. He has performed extensively with the likes of Jeff Parker, Kiefer, Makaya McCraven, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Leon Bridges, and Marquis Hill.  Johnson can be heard on records by all of these artists, as well as records from the Chicago Underground Quartet, Jeremy Cunningham, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Dawes, Dexter Story, Louis Cole, and Joshua White.  Since 2018, Johnson has been the musical director, keyboardist, and saxophonist for Leon Bridges, which has taken him to Europe, Asia, and Australia. Highlights of his time with Bridges include sold-out performances at Radio City Music Hall, Greek Theater, and the Hollywood Bowl.  As a composer, Johnson has written music for many of his own projects, including the bands Snaarj and Holophonor, in addition to writing music for commercial use. He recently contributed arrangements to Sara Gazarek’s album “Thirsty Ghost”, which was nominated for two Grammy awards.

Chris Speed is a tenor saxophonist, clarinetist and composer, whose work ranges widely, from a jazz base out through various forms of folk, classical and rock music. Affiliated with a bewildering variety of ensembles, he has been a prominent and influential voice in jazz and improvised music for three decades.  After studies at New England Conservatory followed by a stint with the Artie Shaw Band (led by Dick Johnson), Speed moved to New York City where he started working with Tim Berne and his band Bloodcount. Speed has put an inimitable stamp on the classic sax-bass-drums format.  Most compelling about his music is the incorporation of early jazz styles in a way that is direct and deeply felt.

“Tickets are selling fast to this year’s jazz event. I can’t wait for our patrons to experience this spellbinding concert!” said Maestro Parnther.

Ticket Availability and Performance Location

Single tickets for this and all SBSO concerts are available online at www.sanbernardinosymphony.org or by calling the box office at (909) 381-5388. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Single tickets prices range from $20 – $100 with students and active military always just $15. Money-saving season tickets are also currently available.

The San Bernardino Valley College Auditorium is located at 701 S. Mt. Vernon Street, San Bernardino. Free, lighted parking is available directly across from the venue. Doors open for this concert at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are also sold at the venue on concert night; however, their availability cannot be guaranteed.

Sakrekoff will lead the organization while the board searches for a permanent CEO. A national search will start now with a new CEO expected by the Fall of 2023.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Ann Marie Sakrekoff has been named Interim President & CEO of Growing Inland Achievement (GIA), effective May 15, following the retirement of Dr. Carlos Ayala.

GIA serves San Bernardino and Riverside Counties as a regional, cross-sector network of education, government, nonprofit and business partners in the Inland Empire; collectively, they work towards a shared vision of educational and economic success.

Sakrekoff has over 20 years of higher education and nonprofit leadership experience, including her current role as GIA’s Chief Operating Officer.

Sakrekoff stated, “I am proud and excited to take on the Interim CEO role during such an exciting time for GIA as we continue building on our service to the Inland Empire educational network of students, families, institutions, and community partners. GIA will remain focused on its mission, impact, and growth while we search for our next permanent CEO.”

Diana Rodriguez, GIA Board Member and Chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District praised Sakrekoff’s experience.

“Ann Marie’s passion for helping Inland Empire students achieve their college dreams is truly inspiring. With her deep understanding of the challenges facing students in the region, she is committed to ensuring that every student has access to the resources they need to succeed,” said Rodriguez.

“Whether through innovative programming, advocacy efforts, or community outreach, Ann Marie is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. Her unwavering commitment to this cause has made her an invaluable asset to Growing Inland Achievement, and we are confident that under her leadership as Interim CEO, the organization will continue to make great strides in improving educational outcomes for students throughout the Inland Empire,” Rodriguez added.

Sakrekoff was the first employee hired by GIA’s Board of Directors in 2005, helping to lead the organization since its inception.

“Ann Marie has served as the operations leader for the GIA since its early days. She has been a steady force and an excellent collaborative leader focused on advancing our region’s higher education and workforce goals,” said Sheila Thornton, GIA Board Member and CEO of OneFuture Coachella Valley. “Her dedication to student success is evident throughout her work. We’re grateful to Ann Marie for being willing to serve in this interim position.”

GIA’s board of directors anticipates launching a search for a permanent President & CEO in the coming months.

“Ann Marie is an exceptional leader poised to continue GIA’s efforts to increase equitable educational attainment in the Inland Empire,” said Dr. Kim Wilcox, GIA Board Chair and Chancellor of UC Riverside. “The board fully believes in her abilities to lead the organization while we search for a permanent CEO.”

Growing Inland Achievement, serves San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, in a regional cross-sector network of education, government, nonprofit, and business partners in the Inland Empire, bringing more than $20 million and collectively working towards a shared vision of educational and economic success.

About Growing Inland Achievement

Growing Inland Achievement, serves San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, in a regional cross-sector network of education, government, nonprofit, and business partners in the Inland Empire, collectively working towards a shared vision of educational and economic success.

GIA staff support this work by researching issues and opportunities, developing financial resources for the region, and connecting diverse stakeholders across the two-county region of the Inland Empire.

GIA’s vision is that by 2035, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties will be widely recognized for their educated workforce, thriving communities, and vibrant economy that creates prosperity for all.