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WASHINGTON, D.C.— The National League of Cities (NLC) awarded the City of San Bernardino its 2023 City Cultural Diversity Award at the League’s National Conference held in Washington D.C. from March 26-28. The award recognized the San Bernardino Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department’s inaugural Festival: Where Our Cultures Connect event. The award was accepted by Mayor Helen Tran and Council Member Kimberly Calvin, who were attending the NLC conference.

The NLC City Cultural Diversity award recognizes cities that developed innovative programs demonstrating cultural diversity and promoting inclusive resident involvement.

“Festival was an amazing event,” said Mayor Helen Tran. “The performances, the food, the art, and the crowds all highlighted our diverse and inclusive community. I was so proud to accept the award along with Council Member Calvin on behalf of San Bernardino.

Festival: Where Our Cultures Connect, was an all-day event held on October 8, 2022, at Seccombe Lake Park. It featured musical and dance performances on multiple stages, an artist’s village, an interactive kids’ village, a car show, karate demonstrations, cultural exhibits, roving performers, community booths, food vendors and a petting zoo. Each zone highlighted the many diverse communities, artists, and performers that reside in San Bernardino. Attendance for the inaugural Festival was estimated to be between 7,000 and 10,000.

“To receive such a highly competitive national award for San Bernardino’s first Festival speaks volumes to the vision and hard work of the entire Parks staff and countless volunteers,” said Parks and Recreation Director Lydie Gutfeld. “I could not be prouder.”

At the sold-out awards ceremony, National League of Cities officials stated that there were 51 submissions from across the country for the award. Judging was conducted by a panel of NLC officials from Auburn, Virginia; Cerritos, California; Kenmore, Washington; Dumfries, Virginia; San Antonio, Texas; and Tempe, Arizona.

“Creating diverse and inclusive programs within our communities is a key element to making our residents feel included and supported,” said NLC President and Mayor of Tacoma, WA, Victoria Woodards.

Council Member Kimberly Calvin noted, “After receiving the award, leaders from other cities from across our region, state, and nation took notice. People came up to me saying, San Bernardino is back. And we are.”

San Bernardino’s award was for cities with a population between 200,000 and 500,000 residents.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Hundreds of students throughout San Bernardino County showcased their incredible talents at several visual and performing arts events.

San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) is proud to support arts education programs that cultivate and encourage students’ passions and talents.

“These students are some of our county’s most exceptional young musicians and artists,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “With the dedication and talents of our partners, educators and guest conductors, these incredible opportunities are possible.”

Hundreds of elementary, middle, and high school students performed at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel during the Basin Honor Bands and Honor Orchestras events held in February.

Over two hundred students from K-12 schools in the high desert region took the stage at Barstow Community College’s Performing Arts Center for the High Desert Honor Bands event.

Since 1986, SBCSS has collaborated with the San Bernardino County Music Educators Association to host these concerts for students involved in music education programs throughout the county.

Performances extended into new territory for SBCSS with the introduction of the Poetry Out Loud competitions thanks to a partnership with Arts Connection, whose goal is to elevate arts and culture in San Bernardino County.

Several high school students from different regions in the county competed for a spot in the state championship. Faith Bakhos, a student from Big Bear High School, placed first in this year’s county finals. She then represented San Bernardino County in the California State Finals, where she competed against 49 poets from across the state and placed in the top ten.

Through collaboration with the Riverside, Inyo, Mono, and San Bernardino California Arts Project (RIMS CAP), which also supports Kern County, and the Arts Council for San Bernardino County, SBCSS created and supported The San Bernardino County Arts Education Network.

This initiative promotes quality arts education and events throughout the county, including The Young Artists’ Gallery.

The annual competition saw close to 400 works of art submitted by student artists, with nearly 150 entries selected for a month-long exhibition at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB).

The event provided students an opportunity to showcase their photography, ceramic sculptures, paintings and video productions for public viewing.

A culminating arts showcase sponsored by SBCSS will take place on April 4, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the California Theatre. The Performing Arts Showcase will feature student musicians, vocalists, thespians and dancers from across San Bernardino County. Admission to attend is free.

SBCSS is grateful not only for the arts partners, teachers, parents and volunteers who help support and encourage students’ exploration of arts education, but also the voters who supported Proposition 28, which will help to expand music and arts education for every student in San Bernardino County and the state of California.

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

SACRAMENTO, CA— As part of an annual recognition of Women’s History Month in the State Capitol, Assemblymember Chris Holden announces the University of La Verne President, and first woman president, Dr. Devorah Lieberman as the 41st Assembly District’s Woman of the Year.

“I am thrilled to have Dr. Devorah Lieberman as Woman of the Year for the 41st Assembly District,” said Assemblymember Holden. “She has contributed to the well-being of the university’s students, the scholarly activity of the faculty, and the vitality of the surrounding community while also advocating for engagement, inclusivity, and respect among all.”

Dr. Devorah Lieberman, the University of La Verne’s 18th and first female president, brings more than three decades of higher education experience, scholarship, and leadership to the institution. Among Ms. Lieberman’s accomplishments are raising $128 million in the largest comprehensive campaign in the university’s history; significantly increasing funding for student scholarships; expanding the international student population; increasing the number of named colleges, endowed deans, and endowed faculty positions; and, significantly increasing the institutional endowment from $36 million to $151 million. Under Lieberman’s leadership, the university launched the La Verne Experience, a curriculum where students connect deeply with each other, with faculty, with staff, and with the greater community. Through the La Verne Experience, students “major in a mission”. Currently, she is leading the university’s establishment of a College Health and Community Well Being to help address the region’s critical need for healthcare professionals.

Women of Distinction from throughout the district include Veronica Jones, Town Council Member (Altadena), Terry Grill, Director of Sustainability for Sealed Air Corporation (Claremont), Caroline Anderson, LCF School Board Member (La Cañada Flintridge), Cynthia Cannady, Attorney and Community Advocate (Pasadena), Lois Gaston, Community Advocate (Monrovia), Jennifer Oglesby, Founder Community Services of America, (Rancho Cucamonga), Kris Boneman, Director of Educational Tech for Bonita Unified School District (San Dimas), Julie Bencosme, Small Business Owner & Community Volunteer (Sierra Madre), and Linda Clinton, Community Volunteer (Upland), and Desirea Haggard, Director of Environmental Affairs at CalPortland (Pinon Hills). Over 100 nominations were sent to Assemblymember Holden for the honor.

“The 2023 Women of Distinction are dedicated leaders who improve the lives for thousands of individuals and families in the 41st Assembly District and beyond,” said Holden. “Their commitment to excellence and service has left an indelible mark on the San Gabriel Valley and the people who call it home.”

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

On her first day in office, Dec. 12, 2022, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency on homelessness. This gave her administration expanded powers to help people gain access to permanent housing.

As she marks 100 days in office this week, Bass estimates that around 4,000 Angelinos will have been housed since she took charge of City Hall. She points out that most of the people are housed due to Proposition HHH and programs already in place when she took office, but about 1,000 of them have found housing due to her Inside Safe program.

One of the major challenges for Bass in getting people into permanent supportive housing has been navigating bureaucratic red tape.  “Well, it did take a long time because of the red tape, but it’s finally coming to fruition in a big way,” she said. She expects to see a significant increase in the number of people in permanent housing over the next 100 days.

According to Bass, probably the most controversial decision of her administration was agreeing to give LAPD Chief Michel Moore a second term. This decision has potentially long-range consequences for the mayor and her record on crime.

“We have the World Cup coming up in 2026 and the Olympics coming up in 2028.” Bass said. “He (Moore) has said he has no intentions of staying five years. I have no intention of a five-year contract. But we are going to begin a community process citywide to ask Angelinos what they want and need to see in order to be safe. And that will provide a roadmap for how we select a chief, but it is important that we have a chief in place.”

Yet another issue that the city government needs to address that has Bass’ attention is its current inability to prevent homelessness “now”. Speaking to Black journalists, Bass said, “Here’s where you guys can all help us, and we desperately need your help. I’m very worried that we’re going to have another spike in homelessness because of evictions that are kicking up now, because of the eviction moratorium going away.”

“The city council passed tenant protections, and where you could be helpful, and we could be helpful to you is we need to get the word out,” Bass continued. “And so, we’re going to be coming to you for advertising. we need you to advertise, and we need to support your advertising.”

When asked by California Black Media what best prepared her for taking on the responsibilities of the mayor, Bass said, ” I think it’s been my life’s work. I don’t think it’s been one thing. There are the 14-years at Community Coalition, but that’s always been my foundation. Of course, being in the state house and Congress is very helpful. I know that was why the government alignment happened so quickly because I was building on many, many, many years of relationships. I think what’s always driven me is my commitment to the issues and my purpose is to stop the suffering of our people on the streets.”

As she has been dealing with the homelessness crisis, Bass has been building her City Hall team. Members of her senior leadership team include Chris Thompson, Chief of Staff, and Mercedes Marquez, Chief of Housing and Homelessness Solutions. Filling many of the open deputy mayor positions, she has hired Rachel Freeman, Deputy Mayor for Business and Economic Development, Karren Lane, Deputy Mayor of Community Empowerment, Brian K. Williams, Deputy Mayor of Public Safety, Randall Winston, Deputy Mayor of Public Works and Nancy Sutley, Deputy Mayor of Energy and Sustainability.
The deputy mayors are tasked with hiring based on an assessment of the personnel needs of their department. Currently many departments are understaffed and that is affecting the city’s ability to deliver essential services.

LOS ANGELES, CA— Essential Health Access welcomes Roger B. Sweis to their Executive Leadership Team as a Chief Financial Officer. Roger will lead the Essential Health finance team in fulfilling the commitment to equity in expanding and protecting sexual and reproductive health care for all.

Roger is an award-winning Chief Financial Officer with 20 years of leadership experience. In his career, he has helped mission-driven organizations take their operations to the next level. He is a Founder/Co-Founder of 13 social enterprise organizations and special assistant to founders of over 100 organizations, nonprofits, and real estate investment groups with a proven track record of successful government grant and contract management.

As Essential Access Health’s CFO, Roger will lead and oversee the organization’s financial, accounting, tax compliance, employee benefits, contracts, and facilities. He will be responsible for the strategic leadership of the finance, accounting, and administrative functions, and provide financial strategy, budget management and forecasting needs to the organization. This drives the Essential Access mission to advance health equity through a wide range of programs and services including clinic support initiatives, provider training, advanced clinical research, advocacy and public awareness campaigns.

Most recently, Roger served as the CFO of Community Health Councils in Los Angeles. In this role, he successfully managed a multidisciplinary team and the organization’s first large-scale federal audit. In addition, he led business process improvements in the HR, IT and Legal & Compliance divisions to help navigate 300% growth in revenue. Roger has also held CFO positions for organizations like Startup For America, SmarterHealth.io and The Wheelhouse Project, in addition to serving as Executive Vice President or Co-Founder.

Team awards Roger has been recognized with include American Health Data Conference’s Top 5 AHIMA Startup of the Year, Robinhood Foundation’s Social Impact Award and PepsiCo Challenge’s Innovation Grant Award.

Roger received his bachelor’s degree in finance and psychology from the University of Illinois. He received his master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in Finance & Entrepreneurship from the University of Chicago, where he was a Capstone Award Recipient. Roger is a founding team member of Impact Hub Nashville and a member of the Nashville Social Enterprise Alliance and Disruptive Innovation.

For more information on Essential Access Health, please visit www.essentialaccess.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The City of San Bernardino celebrated the reopening of Second Street between Arrowhead Avenue and Mountain View Avenue on Tuesday, March 14, restoring vehicle and pedestrian traffic to a key downtown corridor. The road had been closed for three years for the demolition and reconstruction of the Second Street Bridge, which passes over Warm Creek and was found to have structural issues in 2020.

At a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the bridge, Mayor Helen Tran stated, “I share in the excitement of our residents and businesses in the reopening of Second Street. It is a small bridge, but a big connection point.”

When Caltrans found structural issues with the bridge in March of 2020 and ordered it closed to vehicles and pedestrians, plans were already underway to replace it. In February of 2021, the City awarded a contract to Ortiz Construction to construct a new bridge. Construction began in June of 2021.
“I would often get asked by constituents when Second Street would re-open,” said Council Member Damon Alexander. “We are pleased that today is that day.”

Completion of the project was delayed by over a year due to supply chain issues experienced by both the contractor and Southern California Edison, who needed to construct new electricity connections through the new bridge to downtown San Bernardino.

“This project was the poster child for the supply chain issues experienced at the height of the pandemic,” said San Bernardino Public Works Director Daniel Hernandez. “I’d like to thank our contractors and utility partners for their flexibility and patience with each other.”

The project was further delayed last summer to ensure the existing electricity connection remained in place to meet peak load demand downtown.

The cost to replace the four-lane bridge was just over $3.2 million. Approximately $2.6 million was funded by the City, and $600,000 was funded for project design, inspections, and contingencies by Caltrans.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The time has come to the last few weeks of the Knights training and completing of their six-month culminating program. Together they have learned, volunteered, persevered and staying the course. Through this process they have maturing and are ready for the next journey in their lives. The Social Lites’ Inc goal since 1968 has been to prepare these young men to understand the struggles and opportunities involved in the journey to succeed in college and in life.

They are recognizing these outstanding five Knights who are on their way to prestigious colleges across the country and will return to serve our communities. The community is invited to join them for the 56th Annual Beautillion Scholarship Program on April 1, 2023, at California State University San Bernardino in the beautiful San Manuel Student Union Building. The black-tie formal events’ tickets can be purchased for $50 at the door as you will witness the crowning of Sir Knight 2023.

If you have questions, please contact the Business Manager, Brenda Daniels at (909)856-6341 or the President, Sheri Lewis at (909) 320-0799.

By Tanu Henry and Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media

It was a history-making moment as Malia M. Cohen was inaugurated the 33rd California State Controller at Los Angeles City Hall on February 23. During the swearing-in, she was flanked by her husband Warren Pulley while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass administered the oath.

As California’s chief fiscal officer and top accountant, the State Controller’s office is an independent watchdog overseeing the disbursement of state and local funds, including one of the nation’s largest public pension funds.

Cohen, a San Francisco native will be the first Black person, and second woman Controller, as the state continues to make an intentional effort to break gender and racial barriers. Two of the top four largest cities, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are led by Black women Mayors, Karen Bass and London Breed respectively, and the state also elected its first Black in Secretary of State, Shirley Weber, who previously served under an appointment by Gov. Newsom.

“Mayor Bass and Congresswoman Lee: I know that you know all too well, that no matter the campaign budget difference, no matter how much they outspend you, leadership can’t be bought,” Cohen said in her inaugural speech.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. allocated for the approval of a funding contract with Provisional Educational Services Inc., to the PAL Ballfield at Blake Park to begin improvements on the park. The project has now been approved and plans to begin the rehabilitation project have begun. PAL Center Chief Executive Officer Dwaine Radden Sr. said, “restoring these fields has been a long time coming. But we are grateful that Joe Baca Jr. embraced the vision to refurbish this community baseball field. He allocated 2.1 million dollars to make this project happen for the PAL students, local baseball youth programs, and the community. Our children need safe fields to play on, or they will be playing in the streets.”

“Allocating these funds for an underserved and disadvantaged community such as Muscoy was just a small step in the right direction. Blake Park Ballfield project approval has allowed our County to keep pushing to provide recreational, health, social services, and better quality of life to our county residents. Creating safe fields, especially for our youth is pivotal in keeping them safe and keeping them from playing on the streets. We are so excited to see this project soon come to life and see our residents enjoy it together, “Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., stated.

By Tanu Henry and Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media

March is Women’s History Month, and several California organizations are celebrating trailblazing women making history in our state — whether it’s recognizing the record-setting number of women who are state constitutional officers or lauding the unprecedented number of women serving in the Legislature ((50 out of 120).

Last week, the Black Women’s Collective kicked off Women’s History Month with an event organized to help build an Economic Action Plan for Black Women. It brought together experts in policymaking, labor, economic development, and entrepreneurship.

“Black women serve as breadwinners in 80% of Black households in California with over 70% headed by single mothers,” said Kellie Todd Griffin, President and CEO, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute. Griffin was citing statistics from a report on the State of Black Women in California from 2018 and 2022.

“Typically, Black women have higher labor force participation rates than other women, meaning a higher share of Black women are either employed or unemployed and looking for work,” Griffin continued. “However, the economic safety net is not secure as Black Women makes less than most of their counterparts making .55 cents to White males, which is one of the lowest in the nation equally the wage gap in Mississippi. California falls short of the national rate at .63 cents.”

Panelists at the event included Los Angeles City Councilmember Heather Hutt (CD10); Yvonne Wheeler, President, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor; Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, President and CEO, Center by Lendistry; and Denise Pines, Co-Founder and CEO, Tea Botanics and Women in the Room Productions. Moderators were Griffin and Regina Wilson, Executive Director, California Black Media.