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SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Employees’ Benefit Association (SEBA) is awarding a total of $40,000 to distribute to teachers throughout San Bernardino County as part of their annual Back to School Shop with a Cop: Teachers’ Edition event.

“We are extremely thankful to our partners at SEBA, who continue to dedicate their time and resources to reward extraordinary teachers who are dedicated to serving our students throughout San Bernardino County,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “This program is an example of how educational and community partners can unite to enrich the learning experience for our students.”

San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre will join SEBA President, Sgt. Grant Ward in visiting 16 school sites as part of this year’s program.

“We are fortunate to have generous donors and a valuable partnership with San Bernardino County Schools,” said Ward. “Together, we are able to make a positive impact in the community we serve and say thank you to our teachers for their hard work and dedication.”

A total of 160 teachers will be recognized, and each teacher will receive a $250 gift card that may be used for classroom supplies, innovative learning resources, teacher tools and other classroom needs.

On Aug. 23, all 14 teachers at Snowline Joint Unified School District’s Wrightwood Elementary School received $250 gift cards each for the first visit of this year’s event. The school held an assembly to celebrate all of their teachers.

With the support from generous sponsors, approximately 4,000 students countywide will benefit from the gift cards awarded to teachers as part of these Shop With a Cop events.

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

The I.E. Live Market Nite group connected the whose who of the Inland Empire. They had dignitaries from all over the I.E., such as Kimberly Calvin, Councilwoman for the 6th Ward, Mayoral candidate Helen Tran, Chief Paulino from San Bernardino City Unified School District, Representatives from Supervisor Joe Baca Jr’s office, and Pam Montana, President of the local Kiwanis Club, and Board member of PAL Charter Academy, just to name a few.
The event was held at the PAL Center one of the longest operating agencies in Muscoy and has a 38-year community tenure in the I.E. Founder Dr. Mildred Henry of the PAL Center stopped by to support the event and promote her newly released book “From the Ashes, I Rise. “I’m so proud of Mr. Radden and his I.E. Live Team for bringing this event to the PAL Center and the Muscoy community Dr. Henry stated”.
The event played host to well over four hundred families and kids. I.E. Live Event Coordinator, Jasmine Jefferson, owner of I.E. Pop Up Events said, “It was just a great day for our community. We gave away free shoes, backpacks, and gifts and raffled off prizes such as Beats by Dre, headphones, a TV, and Clipper tickets.” Tickets were to a game against the Lakers. They were donated by the president of the Knockitoff Youth Foundation, Robin Mckinnon known as Malibu. She was also the host of I.E. Live Event. The music and production were done by DJ Muda. He is known as one of the top DJs in the Inland Empire.
Sistas Making a Difference, delivered a powerful punch to the day by giving out hundreds of free shoes. Founder Ronnie Miller said, “it’s always great when you can put smiles on children’s and families faces. Giving back to the community is what this event and the Founder is all about!” Founder of the I.E Live event, Dwaine Radden Sr. said “music, food, sports, and recreation is always a good recipe for a great event. They had a game truck, jumper, and a water slide for the kids.
Radden assembled a powerhouse group of organizations to be a part of the I.E. Live Market NiteTeam. PAL Center, Sistas Making a Difference, Knockitoff Youth Foundation, 20/20 Vision, Talon36.com, I.E. Pop Up Events. He said “We all had a seat at the table to create this history-making event. Our mission was to create unity in the I.E. Community. We have been plagued with countless murders of men, women, and children throughout San Bernardino and in the I.E. We must find ways to reunify our community if we want to restore the I.E. greatness we once had!”
R&B singer Latrice Kristine of the I.E. was the headliner, and she was accompanied by some dynamic performances by Dre-Lamonte, Kam, and Cornell Lamar, all from the Inland Empire. Vendors came from all over the area to be a part of this event. Reggie Dixon owner of Notorious R.I.B. from Riverside said “it must have been a pretty good day, I’m out of food.” I.E. groups also, partnered with the local Amateur Athletic Union (A AU) Football and Cheerleading organization which conducted plenty of foot traffic for the event. AAU leader MaishaTurner said, “it was a good day. It felt like a big family reunion.”
The next event will be held on November 5th, 2022 at the PAL Center, 2450 Blake Street. For more information on how you can be involved with the upcoming event. Call 909-314-6623 or email them at ielivemarketnite@gmail.com.

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 Solomon O. Smith | California Black Media    

For the first time in history, a Black woman, Sedalia Sanders, was honored by the League of California Cities Past Presidents Council with its 2022 Past Presidents Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sanders has had a lifetime of firsts, pushing boundaries in local politics. As a past president of the California League of Cities, elected in 1995, she was given the President’s Council’s highest honor at the opening of the organization’s three-day conference last Wednesday, at the Long Beach Convention Center.

On stage were some of the past winners — but no African Americans. Cheryl Viegas Walker, also a past president of the league, presented the award.

“Today we recognize a true champion of local government,” Viegas Walker said, voice wavering. “One of my dearest friends and mentors who has been not only a champion of local government but a champion of quality-of-life issues, making our cities better places to live, to work to raise our families.”

Sanders delivered her acceptance speech with a combination of wit and humor. Thanking the audience for coming, she asked those who did not come to see her to “refrain from saying so.” Her speech recalled events of the last 80 years of her life and how they contributed to making her “part of the greatest generation.”

Sanders described her accomplishments as those of a “small town gal” from a “rural community” acknowledging the difficult job of governing, particularly with the recent pandemic. She emphasized the importance of a diverse, fair representation in government.

“So those who look like me, meaning of the same gender, those who may look like me, meaning the same ethnicity, and those who may look like me, because you’re my age or more,” said Sanders, “know that if you live long enough, work hard enough, all things can be accomplished.”

In a moment of reflection backstage, Sanders recalled how her political career began. The mayor of El Centro wanted her on the Board of Trustees of El Centro Community Hospital in 1982 but he warned her that she would need to be appointed to the position.

“This is 20 years after Martin Luther King, Jr. marched on Washington,” said Sanders. “He was killed in ‘63 and people were still worried about whether we (African Americans) have the knowledge, understanding or know-how and education to do this.”

But she persisted. Sanders said she won them over with her willingness to work hard and her tenacity. She went on to win, and defend a seat as a city councilwoman, and later mayor, of El Centro, in Southern California from 1984 to 1999.

Leaders that were inspirational to Sanders at the time included former Los Angeles mayor, Tom Bradley. She remembers meeting him and being asked how she was able to do it. She answered. “it wasn’t easy,” to which Bradley responded, “tell me about it.”

Bradley was the first African American to win the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sanders has achieved a long list of accomplishments and received several awards over 30 years in California politics. She has been mayor of El Centro, the president of the League of California Cities, a two-year member of the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities, a member of the Taskforce on Rural Competitiveness appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson, and the Vice-Chair of the Rural Development Council.

Hard work and faith were what Sanders says got her through some of the most contentious parts of her political career. Now in her eighties, she is not done yet. She has been reappointed by Gov. Newsom to the Executive Committee of the California Commission on Aging Commission, where she has been serving since 2016.

For Sanders, the message is clear— no one should be told they are not as good as someone else. Everyone should be able to participate in the governing process.

“What I’m hopeful for is that the presentation I made today in my acceptance speech will inspire someone so that they can see that they can do this.”

LOS ANGELES, CA—- From an inspirational keynote by acclaimed television personality and Founder, State of Menopause Stacy London to a “queening ceremony” performed by personal transformational vision coach Barbara Biziou, WisePause Wellness LIVE provided a full day of presentations, panel discussions, therapeutics and most importantly, solutions from top physicians, functional medical practitioners, and experts for women on the topics of hormones through menopause.  Over 25 speakers covered a myriad of issues women 35-65+ face ranging from incontinence, belly fat and sleep, to sex, brain fog and nutrition during the daylong event held at the Skirball Cultural Center on September 10, 2022.

“WisePause Wellness is about empowering women with knowledge and information,” says WisePause Founder, Denise Pines.  “The message that we convey to women is that they are not alone, and they don’t have to suffer in silence because there are answers out there.  WisePause brings together experts to discuss virtually every menopausal symptom that women experience, so for the attendees it is like having their own personal appointment with a medical team to not only get crucial information, but also to see how they can thrive during this period of their lives.”

In addition to presentations from the stage, attendees were treated to Table Talks during lunch, where they could sit down one-on-one with experts to ask their own questions on topics such as hair loss, sex, mindfulness, stress, weight loss, facial rejuvenation, CBD and more.

Over 30 exhibitors showcased their latest health, beauty, medical and nutraceutical products and services designed for women 40+ and at the event.  Many of the exhibitors also presented their products in a 2-minute pitch during the WisePause Lifestyle Showcase segments, to provide more information on advances in women’s health and wellness.

At the end of the day, after a relaxing sound bath, attendees feasted on Mediterranean-inspired food at the “Afterparty” and were treated to massages, acupuncture, skin and eyebrow consultations and sampled products at the Best Self Wellness Experience.

Concludes Pines, “The feedback I’ve gotten on WisePause Wellness has been amazing.  I kept hearing the words ‘powerful,’ ‘transformational,’ and ‘I had no idea that what I was experiencing was due to hormones and menopause’ throughout the day.  That is the environment I wanted to create—a safe space for women to talk about what they are going through, get answers and most importantly, a place where community is cultivated and developed through shared experiences.”

Sponsors of WisePause Wellness include Toyota, Tea Botanics and Equelle. Partners included New Beauty magazine, State of Menopause, MoxieLash, Gennev, GoodPharma, Potency NO. 710 and podcast Hot Flashes & Cool topics.

Stacy London, Founder, State of Menopause on Loving Your Age – photo credit Joan Fuller

Panelists (l-r) Master Your Hormones panel Dr. Leita Harris, Dr. Michael Krychman, Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz and moderator/WisePause Founder Denise Pines – photo credit Joan Fuller

Ramos worked to secure $5 million in current state budget

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) today presented a symbolic check of $5 million to BLU Educational Services/ Foundation to expand the organization’s College Exodus Project aimed at helping at-risk students attend and graduate from college. He presented the check to Chief Executive Officer Dina Walker as well as BLU students.

Ramos worked to help secure the funding in the 2022-23 state budget. The lawmaker said, “BLU has worked steadfastly to help at-risk youth receive the opportunities and assistance they need to earn a college degree and the skills they need for career success. I was proud to work with BLU and my colleagues to get this funding into the state budget. It benefits the students directly, but it is also helping our region build a skilled workforce with close community ties. We need the students’ talent and energy if we want thriving communities in our future.”

BLU has worked with local communities since 1996 to help students with limited resources and opportunities receive the assistance and opportunities to complete high school and further their educations while also helping them find internships and develop leadership and workforce skills. The mission of BLU’s College Exodus Project is to help students get their undergraduate or graduate degrees from accredited colleges and universities. BLU’s goal is that those in the project will contribute to the Inland Empire economy through entrepreneurship, employment, and/or volunteer service. BLU provides comprehensive college information, assistance, and support to help students with admissions, financial aid, retention, and graduation from public and private institutions throughout the country.

Dina Walker, BLU’s president and chief executive officer, said, “BLU’s College Exodus Project is a bold step in the diversion arena, placing a priority on education, collaboration, and the young person as a whole. This work is a commitment to the hopes and dreams of our youth and families, and a healthy productive community. This project will be one of the most impactful projects in this region!”

Kaylie White, a freshman at San Bernardino Valley College, participated in Blu’s College Exodus Project and was a graduate of the Entrepreneur High School class of 2022. “My experience with BLU has always been amazing. The advising staff are very resourceful and caring. They go above and beyond to make sure you’re getting the best of the best,” White stated.

MONTCLAIR, CA—- Christian Gonzalez, a senior at Montclair High School, had never seen anything like it – not just the racks and rows of designer clothes and shoes, but the display of generosity toward students in foster care or whose families were struggling to make ends meet.

“We grew up in Compton, and we didn’t have this. It’s really nice,” Gonzalez said as he and his mother eagerly sorted through the thousands of jackets, shirts, pants, shoes and accessories donated by movie studios and advertising agencies.

Montclair High was the first high school selected by The Wrapped Project, a new Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization started by Nichole Lumpkin, a wardrobe stylist, and Lizz Roberts. Lumpkin, whose sister teaches at Montclair, got the idea to start The Wrapped Project while wrapping up a commercial during the pandemic.

“So many of these items go back to the advertising agencies or the studio after a shoot. They become inventory. We saw this as another way for Hollywood productions to give directly back to the community,” she said.

At Montclair, the school sponsored 100 students and two guests each to participate in the clothing giveaway on a recent Saturday. The students were selected based on need, and each could select four clothing items and two accessories.

Donated items were practically new, or gently used, and included custom-made items on up through high-end designer brands such as Prada.

“It’s such a wonderful community event, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to help provide this to students who need it most,” said Joshua Cho, Principal at Montclair High School.

Said Dr. Mathew Holton, Superintendent of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District: “We appreciate the partnership with The Wrapped Project and its founders’ commitment to giving back to the community. This kind of collaboration and generosity can help transform lives and provide hope for those students and families who see nothing but obstacles.”

To learn more about The Wrapped Project, visit thewrappedproject.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Recently, 23 high school graduates from various regions throughout San Bernardino County were honored at the Dorothy Inghram Learning Center for completing the Community Health Worker Jumpstart Summer Training Program.

“I applaud these young adults who chose to continue their education in the summer weeks and fuel their passion for helping others in the community,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “Through collaboration with our dedicated partners, this program connected aspiring healthcare workers with the professional skills and competencies needed for their future careers.”

The Community Health Worker Training Program is one of three jumpstart programs San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) Alliance for Education and San Bernardino County Regional Occupational Program (ROP) have piloted this summer with recent high school graduates.

“Overall, being in this training program opened up my mindset of a world of possibilities I can do. I have the power not only to help my community but other communities as well,” said student Liyah Belvins. “It sparked more of an initiative to change, and to just help people.”

The four-week intensive training program provides students with industry-specific skills, certifications and employer networking to prepare them for the healthcare industry.

El Sol Neighborhood Center provided training to students with several industry and community partners facilitating and supporting the free classes, which took place from June 20 to July 15.

Healthcare partners had the chance to engage in lunchtime collaboration, provide real-world work experience and interview students. The program connected talented students with access to regional employers who are looking to build their future workforce.

Selected students submitted applications to participate in the program, and after completing the training they received a $500 stipend and certificate of completion.

SBCSS Alliance for Education and San Bernardino County ROP piloted two other jumpstart training programs this summer for drone operation and advanced manufacturing.

From June 20 to July 15, eight students participated in the Industry 4.0 Advanced Manufacturing Certification and Training program at the Technical Employment Training, Inc. building in San Bernardino.

All eight students received a Robotics Operator Certification from Yaskawa and a Vision Sensors Certification from Cognex. Three of the students received the Gene HAAS Foundation Scholarship, which provided them full tuition to a 630-hour Introduction to Manufacturing Course.

Throughout the months of June, July and August, 14 students graduated the Drone Pilot Certification and Training program.

This jumpstart program was created in partnership with the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center at San Bernardino International Airport.

Students completed three levels of courses, from obtaining their drone pilot license to flight line training. Ten of the 14 students passed their FAA Part 107 exams and are now certified drone pilots.

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

Students participate in the Industry 4.0 Advanced Manufacturing Certification and Training program at the Technical Employment Training, Inc. building in San Bernardino.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— First 5 San Bernardino is looking to add to its 2022-2023 AmeriCorps team! Team members will work with children ages 2 to 5 in San Bernardino County to increase social-emotional, literacy and mathematic skills to prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.

In addition to the opportunity to begin working in early childhood education and development, First 5 AmeriCorps members will positively impact the San Bernardino County community for years to come. They provide 1:1 support to economically disadvantaged children, assisting with developing learning skills to set them up for lifelong success.

Program Benefits:

• Living allowance
• Education award
• Student loan deferment
• Paid childcare
• Health benefits

To apply, visit https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do

For more information, contact Traci Homan at (909) 386-7706.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Families—complete with fathers, mothers, grandparents, and lots of daughters—attended the first American Girl Doll Tea Party in three years at Dr. Mildred Dalton Henry Elementary School in San Bernardino. The Girl Scouts was there, and they signed up enough girls to start a new troop.

“Another great success of the American Girl Tea Party included the Girls Scouts of San Gorgonio obtaining enough interest to start a new Girl Scout Troop in the Mt. Vernon area,” says Knea Hawley, Vice President of Development for Girls Scouts of San Gorgonio.

“Girl Scouts is a great way to help girls learn new skills and make friends, but the pandemic has made it difficult for some troops to meet,” says Hawley.  “I am thrilled to see the outpouring of support for girls and scouting.  We’re grateful to have Girl Scout alumna Ivana Wright, who led a troop before the pandemic, and will lead this new one.

“I am really excited to work with a new group of girls and help them gain life skills, develop their interest in community and champion girls who will make the world a better place,” said Ivana Wright, Girl Scout of the Year 2017.

Foundation President Arlington Rodgers, Jr. says, “The mission of the San Bernardino City Library Foundation is to make sure that our public libraries continue to be places where everyone in the community can gather, learn, grow, and interact. The joining of local girls with The Girl Scouts at a Foundation-sponsored event, is a fine example of how the Library Foundation helps our community do just that.”

The doll collection and the multi-generational American Girl Doll Tea Party are both made possible thanks to the generous support of the people and organizations of San Bernardino including the San Bernardino City Library Foundation.

“The San Bernardino City Library allows children to check out an American Girl Doll kit.  It includes ethnically diverse dolls, a carrying case, accessories, a book about the doll and a journal. Children checking out the dolls are encouraged to write about their playing with the dolls in a journal,” said Angela Encinas, Children’s Librarian.

For more information on how to join the new San Bernardino Troop or to start a new Girl Scout troop contact Concetta Miller cmiller@gssgc.org.

For more information on the San Bernardino City Library Foundation go to SBCLF.com

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino native DeShawn Radden, who was a hit on season 41 of “Survivor”, a popular CBS TV show. The show pushes contestants to a breaking point and forces them to use social and emotional survival skills. DeShawn, 27 years old, is a native of San Bernardino, California. He will receive his White Coat from The Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine in Miami, Florida on Friday August 26, 2022. The White coat ceremony is known as the Right of Passage. This ceremony is performed in many medical fields when students transition from pre-clinical to clinical rotations.

Dwaine Radden Sr., father of DeShawn said, “I am so proud of him for always staying the course and for embodying the 3D code of “Discipline, Determination, Dedication equals winner always”! His mom will be truly missed today”. Radden said.  “She has the best seat in the house and will be there spiritually”. Mrs. Radden passed away on May 1, 2022. The Inland Empire salutes this hometown young man as he starts on the last component of his medical journey.