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SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino County Spelling Bee concluded with exhilarating victories, showcasing exceptional linguistic scholars from across the region. Representing a diverse array of school districts and charter schools, the competition culminated in a thrilling event between the county’s finest spellers.

San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) hosted the annual competition at San Bernardino Valley College on March 13.

This year’s champions emerged from the ranks of Etiwanda School District. Shrey Parikh, a sixth-grade student, and Srikanth Satheesh Kumar, an eighth-grade student, demonstrated exceptional skill and composure throughout the competition.

“The San Bernardino County Spelling Bee serves as a testament to the dedication and talent of our students,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “It’s inspiring to witness their hard work and determination on display, showcasing their semantic skills in such a challenging and prestigious competition.”

Sixth-grader Parikh solidified his victory after correctly spelling the word “rarefaction.” Satheesh Kumar was named the co-champion after providing the correct spelling of the word “recrudescent.”

The champions will now prepare to compete on the national stage where they will represent San Bernardino County during the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.

Parikh expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in such a prestigious event. “Thank you to my mom and dad, family, and my teacher Ms. Miller and to all the spelling bee organizers,” said Parikh.

“I would like to thank my mom, dad, and my brother for support and always being there for me. I will always be thankful for my teachers for encouraging me,” said eighth grader Satheesh Kumar.

Participating school districts in this year’s Spelling Bee included Alta Loma SD, Apple Valley Unified SD, Central SD, Etiwanda SD, Ontario-Montclair SD, San Bernardino City Unified SD, Snowline Joint Unified SD, Upland Unified SD, and Victor Valley Union High SD. Students from Empire Springs Charter, Granite Mountain Charter, and Inland Leaders Charter also participated in this year’s competition.

The San Bernardino County Spelling Bee not only celebrates academic achievement but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship among participants.

The top five 2024 Spelling Bee Champions are:

• First Place Champion – Shrey Parikh, Day Creek Intermediate School
• First Place Champion – Srikanth Satheesh Kumar, Heritage Intermediate School
• Second Place Champion – Ruiee Shih, Day Creek Intermediate School
• Third Place Champion – Abheri Sureddi, John L. Golden Elementary School
• Fourth Place Champion – Afiyah Ashrafi, Spring Charter Schools
• Fourth Place Champion – Anika Crowe, Granite Mountain Charter School
• Fourth Place Champion – Katherine Odell, Spring Charter Schools
• Fourth Place Champion – Leilani Saito, Sitting Bull Academy
• Fifth Place Champion – Summer He, Caryn Elementary School
• Fifth Place Champion – Sophia Raqueno, Ruth Musser Middle School
• Fifth Place Champion – Yahya Tchich, Summit Intermediate School

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

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Join the Social Lites Inc., for an unforgettable evening at its Beautillion Scholarship Program. This exciting event will take place on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at California State University, San Bernardino. Get ready to witness an extraordinary showcase of talent, grace, and intellect as the community honors and celebrates outstanding young men in the community.

Throughout the evening, you’ll be captivated by the exceptional performances and presentations from the remarkable scholarship candidates. These young men have demonstrated remarkable leadership, academic excellence, and community involvement, making them true inspirations for the next generation. As you mingle with fellow attendees, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with community leaders, educators, and like-minded individuals who share a passion for empowering our youth.

The Social Lites, Inc. Beautillion Scholarship Program is not only a celebration but also a chance to build meaningful connections and foster a supportive network.

In addition to the program, the organization will also honor Chief Joe Paulino, Edward Brantley, Wallace Allen, Alton Garrett, Hardy Brown Sr., Hardy Brown Jr., Robert Bivens, and other recipients, Social Lites Inc., recognizes the importance of celebrating those who selflessly dedicate their time and energy to making the world a better place. Their contributions serve as a reminder that each of us has the power to effect positive change and leave a lasting impact on our communities.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 5:30 PM and make your way to California State University, San Bernardino to be a part of this momentous occasion as we recognize and uplift these extraordinary young men. We look forward to seeing you there!  Tickets can be purchased by contacting Marlene Davis (909)709-5502.

By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media 

California Volunteers, part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s California for All initiative, last week announced that it is recruiting hundreds of young people in the across the state to participate in its paid service programs aligned with opportunities to solve some of the state’s most challenging problems like climate change, hatred, education disparities, and more.

Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson joined Josh Fryday, California’s Chief Service Officer at the event organized to celebrate the first anniversary of California Volunteers launch of its Job Corps fellow program in Riverside and to announce the new recruitment.

Lock Dawson said in Riverside alone, 100 California Volunteer college job corps fellows have been placed with a number of organizations.

“Governor Newsom and California Volunteers working in partnership with leaders like Mayor Lock Dawson believe that service has the power to connect us. Service has the power to teach us,” said Fryday.

“We are announcing today here in Riverside to recruit across the State of California over 10,000 members of the California Service Corps,” said Fryday. “We need your help getting the word out about CaServiceCorps.com where you can find out about all the opportunities to fit your needs and your passion.

“You don’t have to let your past define your future. In fact your future is now and it starts today with the Service Corps,” said Lock Dawson.

By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media 

On March 12, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and the Legislative Women’s Caucus partnered to host a screening of the documentary “Respect My Crown: The Rise of African American Women in California Politics.”

The event, held at the Crest Theater in downtown Sacramento, was followed by a Q&A with the film’s director, Pamela Bright-Moon, and its producer, Alisa Covington.

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) was one of the organizers of the event co-created with the California Black Women’s Collective Institute.

“It was about celebrating and uplifting women for Women’s History Month,” said McKinnor, a member of CLBC. “(This film) itself is powerful and dynamic. It really takes you across California’s history and It takes you across Black women’s political history in Northern and Southern California.”

Respect My Crown” is a feature-length documentary film that explores the significant contributions of African American women in leadership in the areas of politics, labor, and community activism in the State of California.

McKinnor said the film starts with former California U.S. senator Kamala Harris becoming the first Black woman Vice President and ends with labor activist Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Ladera Heights), who sworn in as a California State Senator in 2022. Between those milestones, the film traces the rich history of Black women in California politics, including the election of Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, the first Black woman elected to the California Legislature in 1966.

A number of state legislators and elected officials attended the event, including California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who is featured in the documentary.

“We now have Black women politicians, district attorneys and state officials. The film also touches on local city council persons and mayors such as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and San Francisco Mayor London Breed. It shows Black women’s footprints on the political landscape of California,” said McKinnor.

By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media 

Two California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) members, Assemblymembers Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) and Mike Gipson (D-Carson) were among the speakers during a special ceremony organized by the California Women’s Caucus last week to celebrate Women’s History Month.

During the ceremony, lawmakers from different groups in the Legislature and the 50-member strong Women Caucus paid tribute to several remarkable women from California and across the United States and urged their colleagues to pass House Resolution (HR) 72, legislation that declared March as Women’s History Month.

“I rise on behalf of the members of the California Legislative Black Caucus and the incredible women of that Caucus in support of this resolution and thank our colleagues for bringing this very important piece of legislation before us today,” said Gipson during the event held on the floor of the State Assembly on March 11.

“Your groundbreaking career is unparalleled, and I am proud we represent San Diego County together,” Weber posted on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter.

Gipson paid tribute to the five women mwmvwea of the CLBC: Sen. Lola Smallwood Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymembers Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) and Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood).

The Assembly leadership honored Janette Robinson Flint, founder of Black Women for Wellness, at the ceremony. She was escorted to the floor by Mckinnor and Assemblymember Rebacca Bauer-Kahan (D-Walnut Creek).

By Tanu Henry ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

On March 7, President Biden delivered his third State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress.

In the wide-ranging and impassioned speech that covered broad political ground, Biden defended Democracy at home and abroad, drawing policy distinctions with his predecessor and probable opponent in the upcoming November elections, Donald Trump.

From global wars between Russia and Ukraine to the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East, moving on to wedge issues at home like abortion, the economy and immigration, Biden challenged his Republican opponents on the issues while highlighting his achievements.

“This is a moment to speak the truth and to bury the lies. Here’s the simple truth: You can’t love your country only when you win. As I’ve done ever since being elected to office, I ask all of you, without regard to party, to join together and defend democracy,” Biden said.

“Remember your oath of office and defend against all threats foreign and domestic,” the President added. “Respect free and fair elections. Restore trust in our institutions. And make clear — political violence has absolutely no place, no place in America. Zero place.”

During the speech and after, California officials reacted to the President’s message.

“The President’s State of the Union speech was a powerful reminder that government can be a force for good. Over the last three years, President Biden has been a defender of our freedoms, a champion of our democracy, and an advocate for our progress,” said Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.).

“He has done the hard work, securing victories that have led to historic job creation and record low unemployment. Americans in cities and towns across the country – including those in California – are better off today than the day he took office. I am proud to partner with an Administration that doesn’t shy away from taking on our most pressing challenges, and faces our future with urgency and resolve,” she added.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) praised Biden for seeking a political solution to the conflict in the Middle East and committing to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.

“I’m pleased President Biden underscored the dire need to secure a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine. However, as I’ve said several times, in order to reach that goal, the U.S. must call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire,” said Lee. “Each day that Palestinians continue to suffer from famine, violence, and displacement is a tragedy. President Biden’s plan to construct a port for large-scale aid flow is a vital step in the right direction to ending this dire humanitarian catastrophe, but we cannot stop here. The release of hostages is imperative. The lasting peace and security of the Israelis and Palestinians depends on a ceasefire and a hostage deal now.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said he celebrates the President’s decision to support students at different stages of their educational attainment.

“The President’s call to ensure that every three- and four-year-old has access to preschool and to ensure that every child learns to read by third grade echo our work to invest in early learning, reading specialists, and proven professional development for teachers of literacy,” said Thurmond.  

He also touted the President’s plan to support opening career pathways for students to career opportunities.

“President Biden also called for more access to internships so that all students can discover their passions and develop career-ready skills,” said Thurmond. “I am proud of our work to invest in paid internships for our young people, which directly connect California youth with opportunities in high-growth, high-wage industries.”

Reacting to the President’s speech, Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement affirming the President’s accomplishments and crediting him for investing in programs that have transformed the lives of people and improved infrastructure in Los Angeles.

“With President Biden’s partnership, more than 3,365 Angelenos moved into permanent housing through emergency housing vouchers delivered through his American Rescue Plan and the administration provided historic waivers to cut through bureaucracy and moved more formerly unhoused Angelenos indoors,” Bass said.

“In the midst of a global pandemic, the Biden-Harris Administration also provided relief for local small businesses and helped the city keep essential workers on the payroll and continue delivering critical services,” Bass added.

Biden urged Americans to stand up for America’s ideals.

“Hate, anger, revenge, retribution are the oldest of ideas. But you can’t lead America with ancient ideas that only take us back. To lead America, the land of possibilities, you need a vision for the future and what can and should be done. Tonight, you’ve heard mine,” said Biden.

“I see a future where in defending democracy, you don’t diminish it. I see a future where we restore the right to choose and protect other freedoms, not take them away,” he said.

APPLE VALLEY, CA— On Saturday, March 23rd, Music Changing Lives (MCL) and the California Health Collaborative – San Bernardino County Tobacco Control Program (CHC – SBCTCP) will hold a powerful community dialogue to address underage tobacco sales taking place in the Town of Apple Valley. This exclusive event is a call to action for parents, students, and residents to join the conversation and discover how they can play a part in standing against tobacco. The event will be held from 12pm – 2:30pm at the United In Christ Baptist Church located at 13580 Nomwaket Rd., Apple Valley, CA 92308.

More than an informative session, this event is an invitation for residents to actively engage in a meaningful and creative dialogue about cultivating a healthier community. Exciting activities include the Apple Valley Against Tobacco poster art contest, the premiere of a compelling music video by MCL youth sharing their perspectives on the impacts of tobacco, and presentations from key speakers representing MCL and CHC.

Josiah Bruny, CEO & Founder of Music Changing Lives, emphasized, “One of the key reasons MCL is part of this campaign is to protect our youth.  Cities and towns across our region need tobacco retail licensing (TRL) policies to prevent retailers from selling tobacco products to underage youth, potentially exposing them to a lifelong nicotine addiction. Local TRL policies can be adapted to meet the unique needs of our communities such as restricting them from selling tobacco products within 1000 feet of youth sensitive areas. As we continue to survey tobacco retailers in different cities, we continue to find stores willing to sell tobacco to our kids. This is unacceptable and detrimental to the health and well-being of future generations.”

To attend the event, community members can RSVP at https://1l.ink/BXB4H7D. A complimentary and delicious lunch will be provided for all guests who join in on the conversation.

The March 23 conversation marks the second event in a 3-part series hosted by Music Changing Lives and the California Health Collaborative -San Bernardino County Tobacco Control Program in the campaign, Apple Valley Against Tobacco. The first event took place in February and served as a significant platform for advancing campaign initiatives by fostering collaboration among stakeholders, disseminating crucial information, and mobilizing community support for tobacco prevention efforts. The recent event featured key speakers, including Bruny, who discussed the impact of music programs on youth development and substance abuse prevention, while CHC highlighted the importance of community collaboration in addressing underage tobacco sales.  The California Health Collaborative – San Bernardino County Tobacco Control Program participated and shared strategies on how to combat sales to youth and enforce regulations.

Ms. Jones, a past event attendee stated, “[I] truly enjoyed the event’s impact on increasing awareness, empowering youth to make healthy choices, and fostering a sense of unity in the community’s commitment to combatting underage tobacco sales.”

For more information about Music Changing Lives and its initiatives, visit www.MusicChangingLives.org or call 951-992-0721.

About MCL and California Health Collaborative:

Music Changing Lives stands as a catalyst for positive change, dedicated to addressing youth advocacy, social injustices, and health disparities within communities. Leveraging the transformative power of music and art, the organization strives to create impactful initiatives that resonate with individuals, fostering positive transformation and community well-being.

The California Health Collaborative is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization committed to enhancing the quality of life and health of the people of California, particularly the underserved and underrepresented. Learn more at www.healthcollaborative.org.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

As time passes, the details of our great African American historical figures begin to feel more like legends than concrete facts. At the beginning of this Women’s History Month in 2024, and as March marks the 201st year since Harriet Tubman was presumably born, California Black Media (CBM) honors this monumental figure by sharing 10 little-known facts about her life.

1. Harriet was not her birth name.

Historical accounts suggest that Tubman was born between 1820 and 1821 into slavery in Eastern Maryland.

The then-named “Araminta Ross” was the daughter of Ben Ross, a skilled woodsman, and Harriet ‘Rit’ Green. Tubman worked from the age of six, as a maidservant and later in the fields, enduring inhumane treatment, and brutal conditions.

Tubman adopted her mother’s name after escaping slavery, and her surname came from her first marriage in 1844, to a free Black man John Tubman. This blended marriage was complicated by her slave status, passed on by her mother, but was not uncommon.

2. She was the first woman to lead an armed assault in the Civil War.

Recognizing the significance of a Union victory for the abolition of slavery, Tubman contributed to the war effort as scout, a nurse, a cook, and a spy to Federal troops.

In June 1863, Tubman worked alongside Colonel James Montgomery to assault plantations along the Combahee River. Using intelligence from escaped slaves, she guided Union riverboats through Confederate torpedo traps. At least 750 slaves were freed in the mission. Unfortunately, despite Tubman’s years of service, she never received a regular salary and was denied veteran’s compensation for 34 years.

3. She helped find a cure for dysentery.

During her time as a nurse during the Civil War, Tubman was credited for providing a treatment for dysentery. Many people in the hospital where she worked were suffering from the disease. Tubman used her knowledge of plant roots to put together a herbal remedy that alleviated the patient’s symptoms and facilitated their recovery from the disease.

4. She refused anesthesia when undergoing brain surgery in 1898

Tubman lived much of her life experiencing severe migraines and seizures due to an injury inflicted on her by her slave owners. By the late 1890s, the pain in her head had affected her ability to sleep. Fortunately, she found a doctor in Boston willing to operate on her brain. Instead of receiving anesthesia while the doctor cut open her skull and performed the surgery, she chose to bite on a bullet — something she had seen soldiers do during the Civil War when they suffered pain on the battlefield.

5. She had a beautiful singing voice

Tubman reportedly had a beautiful singing voice and would sing two songs – “Go Down Moses” and “Bound for the Promised Land” – as signals while leading escape missions. Tubman would change the tempo of the songs to let escaping slaves know if it was safe to come out of hiding.

6. Two years after escaping captivity, Tubman came back for her husband, but he refused to leave. 

When Harriet escaped slavery in 1850, she left her husband behind in Maryland. Two years later, she returned hoping to bring her husband north with her. However, she soon discovered that he had married another woman and had no desire to leave. Instead, she found a group of slaves who wanted to escape and brought them up to Philadelphia.

7. Her second husband was 22 years younger than Tubman when they wed in 1869.

Tubman’s second husband was Nelson Davis, a veteran of the Civil War. At the time of their marriage, Tubman was 59 years old, while Davis was just 37. In 1874, the pair adopted a baby girl named Gertie. They shared a life together for 20 years before Davis passed away.

8. She was an active proponent of women’s suffrage.

Tubman worked alongside women suffragettes such as Susan B Anthony and Emily Howland. She travelled to New York, Boston and Washington speaking about her actions during the Civil War and her role as an Underground Railroad conductor. Her speeches were seen as validations of the struggle for women’s rights.

9. Harriet Tubman has two National Park sites dedicated to her memory.

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Dorchester County, Maryland, interprets Tubman’s early life and features a visitor center with thorough and informative exhibits, the site of the plantation where Tubman was enslaved as a girl, and the general store where she suffered her traumatic head injury. The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in Auburn, New York, tells the story of her later life and includes the house she owned. Visitors can also see Tubman’s grave at a nearby cemetery that is unaffiliated with the historical park.

10. She converted the home she owned into an assisted living facility.

Tubman was very passionate about the lives of senior citizens. She founded ‘The Tubman Home for Aged and Indigent Negroes’ in 1908 with help from the A.M.E. Zion Church. The facility was located in Auburn, New York, and was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1974.

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

The process the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) promised to initiate to pass a package of reparations bills began Feb. 26, on the Assembly floor at the State Capitol with the passage of Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 135.

Authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), ACR 135 — or the “Human rights violations and crimes against humanity on African slaves and their descendants” — recognizes the “harms and atrocities committed by representatives of the State of California who promoted, facilitated, enforced and permitted the institution of chattel slavery,” according to the language of the resolution.

The measure was unanimously approved with a 57-0 vote on the Assembly floor.

“ACR 135 is not only a resolution to affirm the (California Reparations Task Force) report,” Weber. Said during her presentation on the Assembly floor.  “It is also meant to educate ourselves on California’s history. Ida B. Wells wrote, ‘The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.’ The reparations task force turned the light on truth, and this is laid out in ACR 135.”

The nine-member reparations task force submitted a comprehensive 1,075-page report to the Legislature on June 28, 2023. The report contains the panel’s findings from a two-year study that involved investigations of harms, testimonies from community members, and up to 115 recommendations for compensation for eligible Black Californians.

On January 31, the CLBC announced the introduction of the 2024 Reparations Priority Bill Package, which includes 14 pieces of legislation that represents the first step in a multi-year effort to implement the legislative recommendations in the report.

ACR 15 was among the list of considerations.

Regarding the passage of significant legislation related to reparations for Black Californians, Weber is following in her mother’s footsteps.

Her mother, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, authored AB 3121, the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans, as an Assemblymember representing the 79^th District. This legislation was the first-in-the-nation bill created at the state level to study and recommend redress for past injustices against the descendants of African people enslaved in the United States.

During the announcement of the rollout of the bills on Feb. 21, CLBC Chair, Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), said the package was part of “30 reparations bills” the Black lawmakers are developing. A bill requesting a formal apology from the Governor and the Legislature for California’s historical injustices against African Americans is next in line, Wilson said.

The passage of ACR 135 will officially open discussions about reparations, Wilson said.

“This year’s legislative package tackles a wide range of issues from criminal justice reforms to property rights to education, civil rights, and food justice,” Wilson stated. “The Caucus is looking to make strides in the second half of this legislative session as we build towards righting the wrongs of California’s past in future sessions.”

Before the vote, members from the CLBC spoke about the significance of the report, educating their colleagues about the issues that affected the Black community after slavery, and the task ahead to get the reparations bills to the Governor’s desk.

The members of the CLBC that spoke on the floor were Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D- Ladera Heights), Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson), Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Riverside), Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D- Los Angeles), Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), and Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento).

Other members of the Assembly body shared their sentiments about ACR 135 as well.

Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland), the first Native American elected to the California Legislature, expressed his support for the bill.

“The consequences of those 246 years of slavery and a 100 of segregation still plague African Americans today, and indeed plagues all Americans today,” said Ramos. “It is a history of trauma that still needs to come to light to make sure we can overcome and start the healing process – not only in our nation but here also in the state of California. During those times of slavery, bondage and oppression, many African Americans fled that type of treatment to find solitude with Native American tribes.”

Assemblymember Bill Essayli (R-Corona) condemned the state’s dark past.

“I rise in commendation of racial discrimination and the despicable indefensible treatment of Black Californians in our state’s early years,” Essayli said. “But I also rise as a proud Californian and believe that despite the bleak history of our early days our state has often been at the forefront of the fight for racial equality.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Time for Change Foundation’s (TFCF) 22nd Anniversary Awards Gala will honor outstanding individuals and organizations that go above and beyond for our communities and continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

Bobby Wagner, a football player of the NFL, will be honored with the Philanthropist of the Year Award for his outstanding dedication as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and investor. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Ontario, CA, Bobby Wagner was drafted 47th overall in the 2012 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Quickly excelling on the field, Bobby won a Super Bowl in 2013, and throughout his career, has earned nine Pro-Bowl selections, six First-Team All-Pros, four- Second Team All-Pros, a 2010 NFL All-Decade Team, the Seattle Seahawks Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee (2x) and the Art Rooney Sportsmanship award. He currently leads all active players in total tackles.

Bobby’s passion to promote stroke education and assist stroke patients has led to a partnership with the American Heart & Stroke Association, as well as the creation of the Phenia Mae Fund in partnership with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Cedar Sinai, and Kaiser Permanente. Additionally, Bobby has worked closely with several organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club of King County, Time for Change Foundation and HBCUs, to advocate for health and wellness, education, and child development.

“We appreciate the heart behind Bobby’s giving which is why we chose to honor him at this year’s gala,” said Vanessa Perez, Executive Director, “his support to his local community is helping single mothers provide a stable home for their children, that’s priceless!”

Other Award Honorees include:

Dawn Downs at Symbiosis with the Businesswoman of the Year Award, Laurena Bolden at San Manuel Band of Mission Indians with the Community Champion Award, Dr. Rita (Faridah) Ali from We 2 Matter with the Humanitarian Award, Rev. George Lamb at F.A.C.C.T with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Kellie Todd Griffin at CA Black Women’s Collective with the Michelle Obama Courage Award, Pastor Craig Hadley from Paradox Church with the Nancy Varner Angel Award, and Rialto ROTC with the Ramos Family Spirit of Compassion Award.

Time for Change Foundation’s 22nd Anniversary Awards Gala will be held on Friday, April 19th, 2024, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Ontario, California at 6:00 p.m. PST. To support the work of Time for Change Foundation, you can become a sponsor, purchase an ad in the event program book, or purchase a Gala ticket.

To register for the event or to become a sponsor and increase your business’s visibility in the community, please visit our website at www.TimeForChangeFoundation.org, or contact Florence White at (909) 886-2994 or by email at fwhite@timeforchangefoundation.org.