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SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Every year Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) strives to brighten the holiday season for thousands of low-income families throughout San Bernardino County, and this year was no exception. CAPSBC purchased over 4,100 turkeys, 2,000 holiday food boxes, and 15,000 hams to distribute to families in need of food with the total value exceeding $453,000.

To meet the demand for food assistance from families struggling to put food on their tables, CAPSBC hosted two large scale Annual Turkey Giveaway events in San Bernardino and Joshua Tree. The San Bernardino event was held on November 19th in the CAPSBC parking lot where approximately 1,000 low-income families received turkeys and holiday food boxes. The Joshua Tree event was held on November 21st at the Joshua Tree Community Center where 500 families received turkeys and holiday food boxes. Additionally, CAPSBC provided turkeys and holiday food boxes to the following organizations to support their community distribution events: (view site locations online).

“In the richest country in the world, we believe that no one should go without a meal. As a result, CAPSBC has partnered with over 250 organizations throughout San Bernardino County to distribute food. This holiday season, CAPSBC’s Food Bank Program will distribute over $500,000 worth of food,” stated Patricia Nickols-Butler, CAPSBC President and CEO. “Last year, our agency’s Food Bank Program distributed over 16 million pounds of food. The work that we do in this community could not be done without the partnerships that we hold dear to our heart. We are proud to serve our communities and the positive impact we have each year in our fight against hunger. We are grateful that so many families will enjoy a special meal with their loved ones and wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!”

CAPSBC has been serving the communities for over 57 years, and it is the largest provider of food throughout San Bernardino County.

ATLANTA, GA— On Saturday, November 19, the film premiere of Manifested Bliss was held at the Atlanta Marquis Marriot, Tower Two, in Downtown Atlanta. The evening was a red carpet event that consisted of press interviews, a cocktail hour where popcorn, drinks, and sweets were served all followed by the screening of the film and a question and answer session led by Bonman’s fellow Clark Atlanta University alumni, the Marvelous Marissa. The next step of the film will be to distribute it to film festivals, host more screenings, and then shop it to different platforms. This will be done after a few minor adjustments are made to the film. There will also be a trilogy series follow up to the film.

For more information and to stay updated on the film, please join the mailing list at www.theawakenedlounge.com.

By Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media

Around 48,000 academic workers at all 10 University of California (UC) campuses went on strike November 14, shutting down classrooms and research laboratories in the largest employee walkout at any academic institution in history.

The Post-Doctoral scholars, teaching assistants’ and associate instructors, graduate student researchers, and academic researchers are represented by the United Auto Workers union in contract negotiations with the UC system.

Bargaining between the disputing parties has been ongoing for months, and while UC officials recently called for a third-party mediator to address remaining issues, they are continuing to negotiate without one.

“When I was working in the lab, I worked 50-60 hours per week, and the salary was so low that every month I really had to think about if I would make it through the month,” said Neil Sweeny, President of UAW 5810, which is representing the striking UC employees. “I have two small children and my partner was a full-time student. We lived in campus family housing, and we went to the campus foodbank every month to make sure that we had food.  This was while my research was bringing in millions of dollars in research funding for the University.”

The workers are demanding better pay and benefits, including wage increases tied to housing costs. Housing costs in California are among the highest in the country, especially in the Los Angeles and San Francisco metropolitan areas

Aside from UC campuses located in the state’s biggest cities, many of the research university system’s campuses are in parts of the state that have relatively high costs living, like Berkeley, San Diego and the Westside of Los Angeles.

“UC’s pay falls below all their self-identified peer institutions, including Harvard, Stanford, Yale and even public schools like the University of Michigan where living costs are far less” the union said in a press release on Thursday.

The UC maintains that “On average, UC rents systemwide are 20-25% below market rates, with some campuses providing even deeper discounts. UC has offered wage increases for all UAW members which would further help them meet their housing needs.”

The aggrieved employees paint a different picture.

“Being a TA pays for tuition but there is no way I can support myself in this city with what they pay,” said Victor E., a PhD. student and Teachers Assistant on strike at UCLA. “With teaching, my own coursework, and my research, there isn’t really any time to pick up another job. This has resulted in me taking out loans just to live and eat here. This shouldn’t be the case. With the amount of work the university gets out of its graduate students, postdocs, and others, a living wage is a small ask… A number one ranked public university should be doing no less and certainly much, much more.”

Another priority for the workers is transportation costs. The cost of gasoline has gone up around the world and according to a statewide survey conducted by The Public Policy Institute of California, an independent and non-partisan research firm, 43% of Californians including half of lower income residents worry every day about the high cost of gasoline and the increasing unaffordability of various modes of transportation.

The union wants UC to cover regional transit passes, and additional subsidies and incentives for taking public transit or bikes to work.

Recently, UC has offered to pay campus fees to extend “existing student-funded transit discounts,” to UAW members.

Although agreements have yet to be announced, on Thursday the UAW reported that “parties made progress on issues related to Parking and Transit, Appointment Notification, and Paid Time Off.”

There continues to be a large gap between the salary asks and the UC proposals. On Friday, a UAW statement said, “UC made another economic proposal to Academic Researchers containing 4.5% raises that do not match the rate of inflation.”

However, they did report progress in some other areas. “We have reached agreement on a few issues – such as health benefits improvements for Postdocs – which, while important, are not the major ones dividing the parties.”

As final examinations approach for students in the UC system, so does uncertainty. “UAW remains ready to meet for round-the-clock negotiations, but UC has not agreed to schedule sessions for the weekend,” a UAW release said. “Workers will be back on the strike lines Monday Morning.”

Students, faculty and elected officials are showing support for the strikers. Some professors are cancelling classes, and some students are electing to walk out. California State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon tweeted “Academic workers are essential to the success of all of our @UofCalifornia campuses. The UC must continue to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement with the @UAW.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce brings back The San Bernardino MLK Day Parade & Extravaganza in celebration of Dr. King’s birthday on Monday, January 16, 2023, at 11 a.m. The Parade starts at Graciano Gomez Elementary School at Mt. Vernon and Baseline and continues west on Baseline ending at Arroyo Valley High School and Anne Sherrell’s Park.

“Everyone is invited to attend the parade and & Extravaganza in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his legacy of freedom. Come rejoice with vendors, music, community booths, First 5 children’s zone, custom and classic cars, motorcycles, fun and entertainment at the parade and after at Arroyo Valley High School and Anne Sherrell’s Park,” said event Chair Lou Dowdy.

Set up and staging for The San Bernardino MLK Day Parade & Extravaganza begins at 11:00 am at Graciano Gomez Elementary School in San Bernardino and the parade starts at 1:00 PM. The celebration at Arroyo Valley High School and Anne Sherrell’s Park continues until 8:00 PM.

Collaborators for The San Bernardino MLK Day Parade include: The Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce, Lue ProductionsCommunity Umbrella Services, Dameron Communications, YouthBuild Inland Empire, Chords Youth Enrichment Program, San Bernardino Valley College, San Bernardino Airport, Off the Chain Alliance, Westside Story Newspaper, Empire Talks Back and Black Health Coalition.

For more information or to sign up to be in the MLK Day Parade go to BlackChamberofCommerce.org follow the link for information and registration or call (888) 466-7408.

By Gail Fry | Westside Story News Contributor

As Gail Fry, Contributor to The West Side Story, waited at Gram’s Mission BBQ to meet with its owner, Benita Bratton, a new customer was overheard sharing with a friend of how she was digging into the mac & cheese exclaiming, “it was so good.”

The new customer was not wrong as Fry placed her own order for beef BBQ ribs and a healthy side of fresh grilled vegetables, which was exceptionally delicious, despite the temptation to try the mac & cheese, or the fried green tomatoes.

Benita Bratton, the owner, explained that in 1987 her dad, Robert Bratton, was the founder of the Gram’s Mission BBQ restaurant, which for ten years was located directly across the street from the Mission Inn Hotel.

Robert Bratton found an opportunity, an abandoned restaurant building in a prime location.  The name, Gram’s Mission BBQ, was to tie in the Mission Inn Hotel directly across the street, under renovation at the time of the restaurant’s opening day.

Photo of Robert Bratton

Benita Bratton recalled the struggles her father went through when his restaurant became a political hot potato and a struggle to exist ensued when the owner of the Mission Inn Hotel attempted to influence elected officials of the City of Riverside that he wanted something “classier” than Gram’s Mission BBQ, where meat was grilled outside in a big barrel.

In response Benita Bratton remembered, “The community banded together, and rallied in a petition to fight against the City of Riverside and its effort to close my dad’s restaurant.”  Press-Enterprise humorist columnist Dan Bernsteinregularly covered her father’s battle with the city, she recalled.

Robert Bratton persevered with the community’s support and help that came from all cultures and races when they realized what the City of Riverside was doing to Gram’s Mission BBQ wasn’t right, as Benita Bratton remembered.

Eventually, Robert Bratton sued the City of Riverside which led the city to award him with a settlement and paid for his restaurant’s relocation to where they are today at 3527 Main Street in Riverside where the restaurant was equipped with an indoor smoker.

At the time, according to Benita Bratton, the area was an older dilapidated area of town with sidewalks in disrepair, the Convention Center, a Sheraton and a Holiday Inn, and abandoned businesses.  However, Benita recalled, her father fought back through hustling. until where Gram’s Mission BBQ is today, 25 years later, basically in the sweetest spot in Riverside.

Photo of Gram’s Mission BBQ

Benita Bratton shared that she was there with her dad in 1987, when the restaurant opened, as she had restaurant experience from working at a restaurant in Las Vegas.  But when they did not see eye to eye she left and worked for AT&T for many years.

Robert Bratton is a great businessman, a great community leader, people liked him like to be around him.  “My dad knew how to make a business happen, how to hustle,” Benita Bratton credited, by then he had remarried, and had a new wife who liked to cook.

Benita Bratton shared she found herself becoming increasingly unhappy with her job at the phone company, and kept going to church and praying asking the Lord for guidance on what she should do, and the answer that kept coming was to help her dad at the restaurant.

AT&T was outsourcing jobs to other states and foreign countries, she had thoughts of retiring, there was an opportunity for a buyout, Benita Bratton explained she finally let go and surrendered to what the Lord wanted for her life returning to help her dad at the restaurant, however, their views still differed on its direction.

Benita Bratton explained she wanted a smaller menu, their foods to be really fresh, grilled every day, offering collard greens with turkey, not pork, to increase quality and service, add music, and desserts.  Benita Bratton told West Side Storyshe took ownership of the business in 2012.  A link to Gram’s Mission BBQ: https://gramsmissionbbq.com/

Photo of Benita Bratton

Benita Bratton shared she continues to go to her dad for guidance, that he is a visionary always looking at the big picture, reminding her the restaurant is about community, giving back, nourishing families, providing food, giving people jobs, sponsoring youth sports teams, scholarships for college, and looking out for each other.

Benita Bratton explained she started offering the grilled vegetables when her father suffered a stroke and needed to change his eating habits, she grew a vegetable garden, which increased her dad’s appreciation of vegetables.

“I love what I do, it’s hard work,” Benita Bratton acknowledged, that she wouldn’t have it any other way, observing, “Cooking brings people together, to the table, most people they want to eat with somebody, they don’t want to eat alone.”

Our weekly coverage of local news in San Bernardino County is supported by the  Ethnic Media Sustainability Initiative, a program supported by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services to support minority-owned-and-operated community newspapers in California.

By Jill Munroe | EUR

In the film, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett,) Shuri (Letitia Wright,) M’Baku (Winston Duke,) Okoye (Danai Gurira), and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. However, when Namor (Tenoch Huerta,) king of a hidden undersea nation, alerts them to a global threat and his disturbing plan to thwart it, the Wakandans band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.

EUR’s Jill Munroe spoke exclusively with Moore about how much comic book material was sourced for the sequel and incorporating the strife within marginalized communities into the storyline.

Moore said a lot of inspiration comes from the comics. “Certainly, with how Namor and Atlantis have found themselves on opposite ends with Wakanda. But there’s no single storyline that we pulled from. As we always do, we combed through all the great stuff that’s been published and picked the best moments,” he explained.

“Building a sequel around a character’s passing is something we’ve never had to do before and never had to consider. It is a little bit of art imitating life to that extent. So you want to make sure it’s holistic when you’re telling a story. The movie’s themes are also dovetailing, with some of those comic book inspirations to tell one singular story,” Moore added.

In telling the story of the Talokan, bits of Aztec and Mayan history were included via language and symbols. Moore says their goal was not to be derivative in the conflict and to be as honest as possible.

RIALTO, CA— San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. presented a check to the City of Rialto on November 15, 2022, to invest American Rescue Plan Act (A.R.P.A.) funds into the Rialto Library study room project. The project will entail of two study rooms where students can focus in a peaceful and safe environment.

“Libraries are a gateway to knowledge and culture, and they play such a fundamental role in our society. The resources found in libraries offer greater opportunities for education, learning and growing. Our goal is to make sure that our local libraries are as impactful as they possibly can be. We want to make sure our community members can come to our libraries, sit down and really be able to grasp all the information they are trying to educate themselves on. We are so excited to see the outcome of the study rooms project,” Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., stated.

By Nana Kwadwo Abban Bediako

All is set for the much anticipated “Uniting & Igniting for Economic Development Conference which is slated to take place on November. 19, 2022 at Loveland Church, 17977 Merrill Avenue, in Fontana, CA.

The “Uniting & Igniting for Economic Development Conference” which is the first of its kind has been organized by Mission Africa Incorporated in collaboration with the Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches (IECAAC).

The theme for the conference is, “Ten Times Better Generation” which seeks to focus on bridging the gap between the next generation of Africa and the Africa Americans and descendants of Africa worldwide in America is expected to attract over 5,000 youth and 1000 businesspeople across Pacific Island, Africa to American.

Again, Ambassadors from various countries in America and some delegates including members from the Ghanaian Parliament and Ghana’s Parliamentary Christian Fellowship are among hundreds of people who will be in attendance.

Speaking in an interview with the media, the founder and president of Mission Africa Incorporated, Dr. Kodjoe Sumney explained that the rationale behind the “Uniting & Igniting for Economic Development Conference is to encourage and to wake up the spirit of unity and igniting missions in the Inland Empire in San Bernardino County in California

According to Dr. Sumney, he and his Co-founder wife, Dr. Akosuah Sumney in the last twenty years have taken over one thousand people mainly African Americans, Caucasian-Americans, Indians, and Mexican-Americans for missionary work and the African Union parliament prayer conference in Ghana.

“Our friends and partners join us to empower youth in the universities mission work in the remote villages. Given various humanitarian assistance and tourism.

But for the last two and half years, Mission Africa Incorporated has been operating through viral due to the emergence of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic.” He noted.

We are going to focus more on uniting diaspora Africans worldwide for economic empowerment in skills and entrepreneurship where they live and return home to assist in developing our continent through the private sector. The founder and President of Mission Africa Incorporated reiterated.

He assured that everything possible will be done for Mission Africa Diaspora Fellowship in California and Mission Africa Diaspora Clergy Association (MADCA) which seek to unite All African Clergymen and women to stand in the gap in Africa and America to see Africa’s second renaissance come to reality.

Dr. Sumney said “we are entering another ten years phase of Africa rising. The current challenges facing the continent is a time of reawakening for the youth and the next generation to join the crusade for a rebirth of the continent”.

He continued by saying this is the time for Africans to have leaders who are spirit-filled, and willing to sacrifice for the total development of the continent, like Nehemia in the Bible and leaders who did not receive allowances for twelve years to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.

Africa, Dr. Sumney reiterated needs servant leaders who are full of wisdom, visionary leaders with seven eyes ( Zechariah 3:9), and successful in entrepreneurship together with our renowned business people, wisdom kings/ Queens to be in governance. Thus Africa Democracy- SANKOFA.

Some of the sub-themes to be treated during the conference will include the following: How to fill the empty churches and auditoriums after covid19, the year of Return and beyond to Ghana, Mission Africa Progress report of 2000-2022, investing in Ghana- Africa through Chamber of Commerce, Name changing ceremonies, School exchanging programs, Business partnership forum and Import and Export.

He is therefore calling on all Africans in America, business owners, and churches in California to come and be refreshed and empowered. Saying the way forward for Africa is through uniting and igniting for economic development wherever we are and preparing our next generation to give us the African we need before agenda 2063.

Our weekly coverage of local news in San Bernardino County is supported by the  Ethnic Media Sustainability Initiative, a program supported by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services to support minority-owned-and-operated community newspapers in California.

African Americans are more likely to die from cancer than any other ethnic group

LOS ANGELES, CA— The American Cancer Society (ACS) announces the launch of “Get Screened for Cancer Day” taking place Wednesday, November 16, 2022, to highlight the need for cancer screening in the African American community and the importance of having conversations with loved ones about getting screened. The nationwide screening campaign features partnerships with community-based organizations and celebrity influencers as well as a social media campaign to encourage individuals to get screened, learn how to have the conversation with others, and share personal screening stories.

“Today is the day to have The Conversation about cancer screenings with your loved ones and then be The Conversation for yourself,” stated Dr. Robert Winn, director and Lipman chair in Oncology of VCU Massey Cancer Center and a member of the American Cancer Society Board of Directors. “Schedule screenings you have missed and do what it takes to get your family and friends to their appointments — whether that is making the phone call or committing to drive them to the doctor’s office. Early detection increases the likelihood of survivorship, and we all have a responsibility to take that message to the masses.”

Regular cancer screening can detect changes in your body before cancer develops, and screening tests like mammograms and colonoscopies can catch cancer early when it may be easier to treat

“You can’t play around with your life,” said Dave Ford, colon cancer survivor and ACS Cancer Action Network board member. “Loving yourself means that you’re going to do the right thing to get screened, so you can be around to witness a childbirth, weddings, a high school and college graduation of your children or a grandchild. Getting screened gives you a greater chance of survival.”

One in two men and one in three women will face cancer in their lifetime. Yet, many wait until they have symptoms to visit a doctor. Screening tests, for people without symptoms, check certain parts of the body at regular intervals to detect changes that may develop into cancer and can catch them early.

“The COVID pandemic highlighted health disparities throughout the African American community, and cancer screenings are not exempt,” said Dr. Winn. “More and more African Americans put plans for screenings on pause, and it has the potential to move the needle in the wrong direction for a population that already has the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial or ethnic group for most cancers.”

Cancer screenings are safe, effective, and should be a regular part of your life. Cancer doesn’t wait and neither should you. Talk to your loved ones about getting regular cancer screening. Even if you think you don’t need to, talk to a doctor about what screening tests may be right for you. There are resources available for people who don’t have a primary care doctor, who are uninsured or underinsured, or who have never been screened. Many states also have free or low-cost cancer screening programs.

Find guidance and screening resources for you or a loved one at cancer.org/get-screened.

About American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is the leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. We are the only organization working to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Find more information at cancer.org.

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece—Angela Buenrostro, a native of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., is a program assistant for the Fleet & Family Support Center at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece. . Prior to joining Team Souda in January 2021, Buenrostro was a developmental specialist where she worked with children, aged newborn to 3 years old, and supervised a team of other developmental specialists. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology.

What do you do at NSA Souda Bay? 

At NSA Souda Bay I am the Program Assistant for Fleet & Family Support Center. In this role I work alongside the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate where I provide training to our Sailors and base community and assist with scheduling appointments for counseling.

Why do you feel your work is important to the mission?

Fleet & Family Support Center is essential for mission readiness to assist and meet the obligations and challenges of our Navy Sailors, families and civilians. Our services help with family readiness that may affect job satisfaction, job performance and personnel retention.

Why did you want to work at NSA Souda Bay? 

My husband and I moved to Greece when he got a job as a base firefighter. In doing so, I’ve had to put my own career on hold in support of his. When the opportunity arose, however, I wanted to challenge myself by working with a different type of community. Even though I’m not prior military I enjoy helping people, and I wanted to learn about the military lifestyle and assist in helping our active-duty military and their families with my skills.

When not at work, what are you doing? 

On my off days, I enjoy hanging out with my husband and two dogs. I have a Golden Retriever named Ollie who is obsessed with the ball and all he wants to do is play fetch. I also have a Dalmatian named Halligan, who loves to play tug-o-war. In addition, I enjoy crocheting blankets, outfits and stuffed animals. Lastly, I spend my free time exploring the island and reading books.

What is something you have enjoyed about living in Greece? 

Something I enjoy about living in Greece is the friendly culture of Crete, the nature and the amazing food the island has to offer. It is my first time living overseas and the people I have met have made me feel welcomed and part of the community.

What is something you have found interesting about Greece since living here? 

Something I have found surprising about Greece is that their language has some similarities to my Mexican culture. Certain words and pronunciations are alike. Another interesting thing is that on Sundays it is family day and most of the stores are closed to honor that.

What would you like Team Souda to know about your work?

I am the first face you will encounter when walking in to Fleet & Family Support Center and I am always willing to help in any way that I can. Everyone is welcomed to come in, we are never the wrong door. We currently a two-team crew, but we try our hardest to ensure every Team Souda member who requires our services receives the best support for mission readiness. We are located on the ground floor of Building 11 and you can also reach us at 314-266-1688. We always have our doors open for you and your family.