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By Antonio Ray Harvey  | California Black Media

Members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) announced plans to introduce a package of bills this year designed to address the recommendations the California reparations task force made last year in its final report.

Certain advocacy groups and individuals say the legislative package the lawmakers announced on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 does not go far enough. They criticize the absence of direct cash payments, an element they campaigned for as a centerpiece to any compensation due to the descendants of people who endured slavery in the Deep South and more than a century of social, economic and pollical injustices after abolition.

Chris Lodgson, a member of the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC), released a statement after CLBC members made the announcement during a press briefing with reporters held on January 31.

“As we’ve communicated to elected officials directly for some time, we believe any Reparations package must be targeted explicitly and exclusively to California’s 2 million Black American descendants of persons enslaved in the U.S. (American Freedmen),” Lodgson said in a letter obtained by California Black Media.

“In addition, a true reparations package must include timely, tangible benefits (i.e direct monetary payments). Our team will continue to review the proposals announced (Jan. 31 and Feb. 1) and any related bill/resolution language as they become available. But the time for strong, bold Reparations is now, not later.”

Members of CLBC first presented 14 reparations bills on Jan. 31 while on a Zoom call with Black media outlets from across the state. CLBC chairperson Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) outlined the goals of the package and stated its intention to right the wrongs of historical injustices that African Americans endured in the state of California.

Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), the vice chair of CLBC, presented additional pieces legislation to implement reparations at the State Capitol on the first day of Black History Month, February 1.

Wilson said the Caucus’s package is a “first step” in a multi-year effort to implement the legislative recommendations in the report.

Wilson was joined on the briefing by Assemblymembers Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), and Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) – all members of the CLBC.

“While many only associate direct cash payments with reparations the true meaning of the word, to repair, involves much more. As laid out in the report, we need a comprehensive approach to dismantling the legacy of slavery and systemic racism,” Wilson said in a statement. “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.”

Bradford first introduced legislation Senate Bill (SB) 490 in August 2023. The bill would create a new state agency called the California American Freedman Affairs Agency (CAFAA).

The CAFAA would be responsible for managing the infrastructure required to manage reparations as determined by the Legislature and Governor.

“Our coalition’s unwavering commitment has been to pursue lineage-based reparations, encompassing direct monetary payments/compensation, state recognition of descendants as a protected class, and the establishment of the CA American Freedman Affairs Agency through SB490 (Bradford)” Lodgson stated.

The report documented numerous cases of social injustices against Black Californians that occurred either by custom or by law across the state. For example, last year the city of Palm Springs issued an apology for destroying the homes of Black people on short notice under imminent domain laws in an area of the city known as Section 14. However, the affected families that lost their homes were never compensated for them.

The descendants of the Section 14 property owners filed a claim against Palm Springs seeking $2 billion for alleged harms due to the removal of their forebears, according to the family members’ attorney, Areva Martin.

Before issuing the apology, Palm Springs officials, investigated the removal process of the houses, and they voted to provide compensation in the form of reparations.

Martin said the city has not taken any action yet.

The CLBC bill packages were released three weeks after Gov. Gavin Newsom presented a $291 billion spending plan to the California Legislature on Jan. 10. Newsom expects the state to have a $37.9 billion deficit, a figure much lower than the nearly $68 billion deficit projected by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) in December.

Bradford said the state budget will affect potential reparations policies.

“Without a doubt, the budget will impact what we do but we’ve often said in California the budget is a reflection of our priorities and a reflection of our values,” Bradford said during his news conference. “If we say we value reparations and want to heal the harms of slavery in this country and in this state, we have to make this a priority.”

Last year, on June 28, the nine-member panel, officially called the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparations Proposals for African Americans, submitted a 1075-page, comprehensive reparations plan that includes more than 115 recommendations and a survey.

Khansa Jones-Muhammad, better known as “Friday Jones,” a reparations advocate, educator, and Vice President of the Los Angeles Reparations Advisory Commission (RAC), sent a message to the CLBC to share her thoughts about the reparations package.

The RAC is a seven-member task force comprised of activists, academicians, attorneys, racial justice advocates, and more. It is supported by Los Angeles’ Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department’s Office of Racial Equity.

RAC’s main function it to advise the city on the formation of a reparations pilot program for Californians who are descendants of enslaved Black Americans in the Los Angeles area.

“I just emailed @CABlackCaucus to let them know we deserve better #Reparations bill package with targeted, timely, tangible, monetary resources for Black American descendants of U.S. chattel slavery,” Jones-Muhammad posted Feb. 1.

Wilson and Bradford said that additional legislation concerning legislation would be considered in the future.

“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,” Wilson stated.

SAN BERNARDINO — The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) and the San Bernardino California School Boards Association (SBCSBA) proudly recognized the outstanding achievements of six school districts within San Bernardino County during the SBCSBA Annual Meeting held on January 29, 2024.

“We are thrilled to recognize these exceptional programs,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “Each winning school district has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and student success.”

The ceremony, held at the Dorothy Inghram Learning Center in San Bernardino, showcased the exemplary programs of each award-winning district. The 2023 Golden Bell Award recipients from San Bernardino County, listed in the order presented by CSBA, are as follows:

• Redlands Unified School District: Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM) – Closing the Opportunity Gap
• Morongo Unified School District: Outdoor Classroom Project – Family/Student/Community Engagement
• Rialto Unified School District: RITZ (Rialto’s Incredible Talent Zone) – Family/Student/Community Engagement
• Victor Elementary School District: Child Welfare and Attendance Liaison – Family/Student/Community Engagement
• San Bernardino City Unified School District: SBCUSD Bullying Intervention System – School Culture and Safety
• Chino Valley Unified School District: High School Road Show – Student Support Services

The Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM) program in the Redlands Unified School District aims to transform mathematics education by integrating hands-on coding and robotics into California’s Common Core State Standards. The program focuses on closing the achievement gap for students traditionally underrepresented in STEM-related courses and developing 21st-century problem-solving skills.

The Outdoor Classroom Project at Yucca Valley Elementary School, part of the Morongo Unified School District, provides physical spaces for outdoor learning, fostering authentic, project-based learning and environmental education. The program emphasizes collaboration between students, families and the community.

For over 16 years, the RITZ (Rialto’s Incredible Talent Zone) in the Rialto Unified School District has been a showcase for student talent, celebrating music as the universal language and supporting students through the Sharing Our Love Foundation.

The Child Welfare and Attendance Liaison (CWAL) program in the Victor Elementary School District is designed to improve student attendance and build stronger relationships within schools by re-engaging students and families through a data-driven, collaborative approach.

In the San Bernardino City Unified School District, the SBCUSD Bullying Intervention System addresses bullying without resorting to suspensions. The innovative and highly effective restorative practice known as the Undercover Anti-Bullying Team (UABT) helps support bullied students in a structured, safe and restorative manner.

Chino Valley Unified School District’s High School Road Show, created in 2018, focuses on academic data to positively impact student achievement. The Road Show meetings highlight areas of strength and challenges to create yearly goals for the district.

CSBA’s Golden Bell Awards, in its 44th year, recognize outstanding programs and governance practices in school districts and county offices of education throughout California. San Bernardino County is proud to have six school districts recognized at the 2023 CSBA Golden Bell Awards.

To view videos spotlighting each award-winning program, please visit our YouTube Channel.

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

Veteran Jurist Experienced in Overseeing Both Tribal and State Courts

HIGHLAND, CA — The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has appointed the Honorable Judge Yvette Ayala Henderson as Chief Judge for the San Manuel Tribal Court. She was sworn in on January 29, 2024. She will serve as the chief administrator of both the trial and appellate courts of the San Manuel Tribal Court system, along with sitting as a trial court judge and carrying out other duties set out in the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Constitution and San Manuel Judicial Code. The San Manuel Tribal Court system exercises civil jurisdiction over San Manuel Tribal Citizens and others who have consented to the Court’s jurisdiction, whether by contract, presence on the Tribe’s Reservation, or otherwise.

Judge Henderson brings close to 20 years of jurisprudence to this role. Before joining San Manuel, she served as Chief Judge of the Fort Mojave Tribal Court for the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe of Arizona, California, and Nevada, where she presided over civil and criminal proceedings for both adults and juveniles. She also served as Magistrate (16th Judicial District) and Chief Magistrate (13th, 14th, and 16th Judicial Districts) in the Office of the Executive Secretary for the Supreme Court of Virginia.

“Chief Judge Henderson’s experience in tribal court systems gives her a deep understanding of how a sovereign tribe’s unique traditions, principles, and values shape jurisprudence within Native nations,” said San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena. “This coupled with her service in state courts is a welcome addition to San Manuel Tribal Court, which works across jurisdictions with other courts and legal systems.”

Apart from her legal experience, Judge Henderson earned the rank of Captain in the United States Army, receiving the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal and U.S. Army Achievement Medal. She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law, a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Troy University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Hampton University.

The Heisman Trophy winner is celebrated with a parade, received a Key to the City and Cajon High School Football Stadium named in his Honor.

By Angela M. Coggs

SAN BERNARDINO — The cold temperature and rain did not stop the residents of San Bernardino from celebrating Cajon High School graduate Jayden Daniels with a parade on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

Jayden Daniels, affectionally known as, “That Kid Jayden” received a hometown welcome fit for the Legend he is destined to become. The Heisman Trophy winner returned to San Bernardino with a parade, presented with a key to the city by Mayor Helen Tran and a stadium renamed in his honor.

Daniels returned to his hometown as a 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, college football’s most prestigious award, after a record-setting season at Louisiana State University (LSU). Winning this honor has been a dream of his since he was 10 years old. Daniels had the support of the community as evinced by everyone taking to social media to encourage everyone to cast their vote daily for him to be the Heisman trophy winner.

His quiet demeaner and bright smile broke through the clouds and rain as he presided over the very football field he once dominated. “I’m happy to see all the kids out here,” Daniels said. “I hope I give you all hope and inspiration. I love everyone from San Bernardino and I’m happy to be from San Bernardino.”

Family, friends, and fans defied the downpour as they waited on the crowded Cajon football field for the LSU quarterback’s Mardi Gras-themed float starting at California State University, San Bernardino and ending at Cajon High Schools football field.

Once Daniels appeared on stage, he was showered with kind remarks and honors from various local dignitaries. San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran presented Daniels with a key to the city before proclaiming Jan. 20th as “Jayden Daniels Day” in San Bernardino. “May this honor reflect our gratitude for the pride and joy Jayden has brought to us and may his success continue to inspire generations to come,” Tran said. “Your achievements resonate with us all.”

Daniels became the city’s first Heisman Trophy winner, after completing 236 of 327 passes for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns for LSU this past season. The senior also rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns. He became the school’s third Heisman Trophy winner, joining quarterback Joe Burrow (2019) and halfback Billy Cannon (1959).

Daniels’ 2023 season was acknowledged with several other annual college football awards, including the Davey O’Brien Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year and Associated Press Player of the Year. He also earned consensus All-American status.

While in high school, Daniels spent four years as a varsity quarterback, leading coach Nick Rogers’ Cajon Cowboys to a CIF-SS Division 4 Championship in 2017. He used his dual-threat ability to compile 12,482 total yards and 153 total touchdowns in his high school career and established himself as a four-star prospect in the 24/7sports composite rankings. His on-field prowess earned him a scholarship to Arizona State University to play for head coach Herman Edwards and associate head coach Antonio Pierce, now head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Daniels is the third Heisman Trophy winner from LSU. The other two to receive the honor, Billy Cannon and Joe Burrow. Daniels racked up 50 total touchdowns in the Purple and Gold during the 2023 season.

Despite his high school success, Daniels never owned a Cajon letterman’s jacket until when the San Bernardino City Unified School District Board of Education presented him with one Saturday.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Daniels said. “I’m just blessed for everyone supporting me. …  I appreciate everyone who came out here who’s supported me since I was a kid and they watched me grow up.”

The crowd was asked to turn its attention to the Cajon football stadium press box as a banner dropped and read “Jayden Daniels Stadium.” This was an emotional moment in time as the crowd exploded with cheers and tears.

“Just to have a stadium named after me is dope and something I never could have dreamed of. I’m proud to be from San Bernardino,” he said.

The driving force behind any successful person is typically the love and support of family. For Daniels, his cup surely ‘runneth over’. Family gives the roots to stand tall and strong, without “them” we would all fall. Not only does his mother and father stand in support, both sides of his family have always loved and supported him from day one. However, some important, key family members were not there, and it was felt by all. “Our immediate and entire family from coast to coast is beyond proud of our nephew Jayden Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy Winner. As well as our brother, Javon Daniels and our father, the late Danny Daniels, who both played a major part in supporting Jayden and always being available to him during this long process,” said his paternal aunts Feledier “Let” Thrower and Yolanda “Angel” Cohill. “We were overwhelmed with tears of joy. Although our parents are no longer with us, they would be proud. Our daddy’s name (Daniels) will be a legacy with the Jayden Daniels Football Stadium as well as throughout San Bernardino and the nation,” exclaimed the sisters with tears in their eyes. “We are forever grateful to God be the glory.”

Family support is number one, however teachers are privy to having a front row seat to greatness in the making. “As a teacher you often talk to your students about their future, their goals and their dreams. To be able to watch one of your former students be able to realize part of that dream is amazing,” stated Mrs. Singer, Daniels former middle school English teacher. “In my class we had two mantras: ‘Believe it, Achieve it’ and ‘Show up and Show out’. Jayden had the belief in himself and now he is on his way to achieving all he has dreamed of. He has proven to show up and show out time after time and I am excited to see all the great things he will do in the future,” Singer said proudly. I know today will be the first of many honors as Jayden continues to change the narrative of San Bernardino.”

Daniels will take the next step in his football career as he pursues a career in the National Football League. He’s been projected by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. to go as high as a top-five pick in the NFL draft in April. The draft will take place in Detroit, starting on Apr. 25, 2024.

The quarterback signed fans’ memorabilia which included tiny footballs, Cajon and LSU hats and a Raiders jersey.

Mattison, who starred at San Bernardino High School and Boise State University, participated in the parade and spoke on stage after embracing Daniels.

“I remember back in the day when he was running for the TJ Striders,” the Vikings running back said. “He was a quiet, humble and fast kid blazing it on the track, but now you’re blazing a new path that brings hope for a kid who was told he couldn’t and breeds confidence for a kid who’s never seen it before.”

In addition to the local community coming out to support Daniels, one of his friends and former classmates proudly watched the live stream from Japan even though it was 3am. He did not want to miss witnessing the momentous event. “I am proud and excited for my friend Jayden to be living the dream we all knew he was capable of. It shows that his hard work, dedication, and determination paid off,” remarked Yonathan Habtemariam. “All though he has made it this far, I know this is just the beginning for him. He’s an inspiration of character and will continue to be for the younger generation especially for the youth in San Bernardino.” Habtemariam and Daniels met in the sixth grade and have been friends since they attended Richardson Prep High Middle School and graduated from Cajon High School in 2019.

Another person that was very instrumental during Daniels formative years was Ernie Burries, former football coach and current teach at Arroyo Valley High School. “Jayden has always been a star and one of if not the best player on the team every year he played football. Jayden has always been humble like his dad Javon yet on the field ready to take care of business like his mother Regina off the field.”

Burries unapologetically declared, “Jayden would be one of a few players that would get up and ride with me to the gym at 5am work out and still get to school on time and excel in the classroom.” When asked about Daniels work ethic on the field and football IQ, without hesitation his former coach stated, “Jayden was and has always been a student of the game and because of that, he is and was smarter than a lot of us coaches. Jayden made all of those who have ever coached him look good and better than we were and we all definitely appreciate him for that.” Burries has been very supportive to all his former players. “Personally, I try to always support any and all of the kids I have coached and or mentored. I’ve seen him play in Arizona, in Washington verses his former teammate Jeremiah Martin, and at Death Valley. He along with other former collegiate players are just as excited seeing us come out as we are seeing them play.” That kind of support is priceless. “Jayden has a solid foundation around him and even if not for the football success he is/was destined to be great.”

Although it was an accomplishment to leave San Bernardino in pursuit of an education, whilst achieving his lifelong dreams and goals…. Having a key to the City will ensure and remind Daniels that San Bernardino is his forever home and he is welcomed home anytime. He is the holder of the key to San Bernardino and his future. San Bernardino believes in you, Jayden. This writer will continue to pray for and will always believe in you. Stay the course and keep your eye on the prize. This is your HOME.

By Rev. Dr. Barbara Reynolds

Not another King dying far too soon. This was the immediate reaction of many at the news that Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King had died from prostate cancer at age 62. In 2007 his sister Yolanda died at age 52.

At the time of his death, Dexter had served as both chairman of The King Center and President of the King Estate. In that capacity he engaged in legal intellectual property fights with corporations, federal agencies, and court suits with family members to protect his parents’ legacy. His strongest crusade, however, was his battle to bring to justice those responsible for his father’s murder.

Born in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 1961, he was named after Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, where his father served in his first pastorate and helped launch the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott. He was the second-born son of Dr. King and Mrs. King and was only 7 years old when his father was assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968.

For years, Dexter King—who has an amazing resemblance to his globally acclaimed father, confessed that when he “looked in the mirror he saw his father’s face trapped in mine.” In his memoir “Growing Up King,” he spoke of gazing upon the writing on his father’s crypt, “Free At Last,” and feeling that same sense of freedom. Yet he was freed in a different way- not in death – but in the resolution of living his best life on his own terms and not becoming a prisoner of the King name.

As a journalist and later biographer of Coretta Scott King, I was in and out of the King household since the seventies watching their becoming years. As a teenager Dexter used to love talking about one day becoming a businessman and he started his first enterprise, a music company where he hired himself out as a disk jockey for weddings. In later years, his zest for business skills took root at the King Center, where he sometimes took the reins of the King Center with his siblings helping it to become a Beloved world house of peace and non-violence.

Coretta King said all four siblings—Martin III, Yolanda, Dexter, and Bernice had inherited specific qualities from her and their father. Yolanda had a love for the performing arts and became an actress. Martin III, a social justice activist; Bernice, a Call to ministry and pastoral and organizational leadership; and Dexter, a drive to master the complexities of life by pushing forward, overcoming the most difficult problems, even when at the very root he had to overcome himself.

Confronted with the fear of death, instead of running from it, he freed himself by running into it. At age 16, he started working at a funeral home, the same one that buried his father. The experiences in the mortuary he attributed to his quest to come to terms with death and dying. To understand the intricacies of the criminal justice system, in 1982, for a short spell, he became a police officer in Atlanta. His stance to wear a uniform with a sidearm shocked the principled non-violent, anti-gun workers at the King Center. But he was determined to understand the system from the inside out.

Dexter also wanted to test his acting abilities. With his uncanny resemblance to his father, he portrayed him in the 2002 television movie “The Rosa Parks Story.” His love for the creative arts drew him to relocate to California but he also continued his work with the King Center and commitment to the King family legacy,

As deftly as he helped free himself from fear and tradition, he also took responsibility for freeing his family, especially his mother, from digging their graves with their forks.  He became a strict vegetarian, giving up sugars and starches until his body craved natural foods. He said he was bothered that his grandfather, Daddy King, might have lived a longer life had he eaten differently. At her son’s insistence, Coretta, who had mastered the art of rich Southern style cooking, became a vegetarian. Once when I traveled with her to a Florida spa, I was dismayed that for a week, they served nothing but raw vegetables and veggie smoothies. Yet, she also believed her strict regimen eased her pain from gout and other discomforts prolonging her life. She died at the age of 78.

Both mother and son shared an intense determination to prove to the nation that James Earl Ray did not kill Martin Luther King Jr, that his murder was the result of a conspiracy involving the U.S. government and the assassins should be held accountable.

In the early 1990’s I picked Dexter up at the DC airport and took him to the National Press Club where I had helped arrange a briefing on the assassination. He spoke about his plans to meet with Ray and that he believed Ray’s claim of innocence and, based on other evidence, felt along with other family members that Ray was not the lone assassin.

On December 8, 1999, Dexter and Mrs. King, on behalf of the family, pursued a civil suit in Memphis. A jury of six Whites and six Blacks unanimously implicated U.S. government agencies in the wrongful death of Dr. King. The shocking evidence convinced the jury that Dr. King had been the victim of assassination by a conspiracy involving the Memphis Police Department as well as local, state, and federal government agencies, and the Mafia. The Jury also concluded, just as Dexter had argued all along, that Ray was not the shooter, but had been set up as a patsy to take the blame.

This news, where both Dexter and Mrs. King testified, should have rocked the world, but unfortunately it landed like the noise of a feather hitting the ground. The verdict and shocking testimony were virtually ignored by the media – as it is today.

Dexter was often criticized for his insistence on following up on details ignored by the press, but he argued that it was hard for him to believe looking into his father’s murder was somehow illogical.

Yet, even in this failure, Dexter believed as his mother did, that they had both freed themselves of the guilt of not pushing for the truth. So many times, they had heard their father and husband say, “Truth crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again.”

And they left this world believing that one day it would.

The Rev. Dr. Barbara Reynolds is co-author of the memoir, Coretta Scott King: My Life, My Love, My Legacy. 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – On February 4th, 2024, Omnitrans will join neighboring transit agencies in celebrating Transit Equity Day by providing FREE rides on all fixed-route bus services in San Bernardino County! Transit Equity Day is a collaborative effort of several organizations to promote public transit as a civil right and a strategy to combat climate change. Transit Equity Day is celebrated on February 4th each year in honor of Rosa Parks’ birthday. Parks, a civil rights pioneer in Montgomery, Alabama, is an iconic figure who famously refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white person in December 1955.  Her courageous actions ultimately led to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public transit was unconstitutional.

Sacramento Steps Up…

To further honor the legacy of Rosa Parks, SacRT will be installing a “reserved for Rosa Parks” sign to one seat at the front of every bus. This symbolic gesture serves as a reminder of the courage and determination that fueled this fight for transit equity.

“We are proud to celebrate Transit Equity Day by offering free rides and paying tribute to Rosa Parks, whose bravery and commitment to justice continues to inspire us,” said SacRT General Manager/CEO Henry Li. “By providing free access to our transit services, we hope to underscore our dedication to fostering an inclusive and accessible public transit system for all.”

“Public transportation is interwoven in our nation’s pursuit of equity and social justice,” said SacRT Board Chair and Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy. “As we reflect on the impacts of the Montgomery Bus Boycotts and the courage and leadership of Rosa Parks, we must acknowledge the important role of public transportation by ensuring equity and accessibility to all of our communities.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar announced $34,944,702 in new federal resources for the City of San Bernardino from the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Homekey Program that will go towards 140 new interim housing units and additional supportive services.

“I’m proud to announce nearly $35 million in federal funding is coming to the City of San Bernardino to help tackle the housing crisis,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “By providing temporary shelter and additional resources like rehabilitation, education and employment services, this grant funding will help ensure that everyone in our community can have a roof over their heads.”

“San Bernardino is helping the state address homelessness by delivering a unique Homekey project. Their Community Wellness Campus is a creative approach that will serve individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. The work and partnership behind this effort demonstrates what is possible when people think outside of the box and refuse to accept the status quo,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

“These funds are a powerful investment in our community to provide shelter, support, and a brighter future for those experiencing homelessness in San Bernardino. Since declaring a state of emergency on homelessness last year, we have been committed and focused on addressing this issue. The resources from Congressman Aguilar and Congress, augmented by the Governor and State, along with partners such as Lutheran Social Services, will help give hope to those in need,” said San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran.

“This is a big win for San Bernardino. It allows us to continue making strides to address homelessness in the City and provide essential support to our homeless population,” said San Bernardino City Manager Charles Montoya. “We are grateful to our State and Federal partners for the funding opportunity, and Lutheran Social Services as our project partner.”

“I am thrilled that we have been selected and awarded funding through Project HomeKey. Being awarded this funding represents a significant milestone that underscores our commitment to providing shelter and vital services to the unsheltered individuals in San Bernardino,” said Dr. LaSharnda Beckwith, President and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Southern California.

According to a Point-in-Time Count and Survey conducted last year, homelessness in San Bernardino County increased by over 25 percent in 2023, and 71 percent of the homeless population were unsheltered.

The additional units will offer interim shelter at an existing campus, and supportive services including case management, peer support activities, rehabilitation services, behavioral and physical health services, assistance obtaining essential documentation, and education and employment services.

This grant was funded by the American Rescue Plan, which Rep. Aguilar helped pass. To make housing more affordable in the Inland Empire, Rep. Aguilar also recently announced additional housing vouchers for local veterans.

Photos and videos from the event are available here.

Rep. Aguilar serves as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — Redlands High School Team Blue claimed the esteemed San Bernardino County Mock Trial championship title. The triumphant team is set to advance to the state competition scheduled for March 22-24, 2024.

“Redlands High School Team Blue’s triumph is a testament to the extraordinary dedication and teamwork displayed by these exceptional students,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “Witnessing their persuasive arguments and critical thinking skills in action was truly inspiring. Congratulations to the champions, and best wishes to them as they advance to the state competition.”

Redlands High School Team White, also from the Redlands Unified School District, secured an impressive second place in this year’s county competition, with a possibility of competing at the state level as a wildcard entry.

Members of the Mock Trial 2023-24 Redlands High School Team Blue:

• Tala Al Ardah
• Markus Nieal Calip
• Kimberly Castro
• Josephine Faulkner
• Alexandra Martinez
• Nahiara Modrow
• Addison Moralez
• Abhisri Narayanan
• Clarice Pham
• Lauren Reiter
• Ryan Shagiakhmetov
• Carol Tadros
• Julia Tolstova
• Mikail Trimzi
• Grace Wang

Members of the Mock Trial 2023-24 Redlands High School Team White:

• Fatimah Ahmed
• Sam Buscaglia
• Nolan Cobb
• Ansh Dwivedi
• Brileigh Guillen
• William Howo
• Aabir Khan
• Aakriti Maske
• Evan Miller
• Mani Momeni
• Sarah Moore
• Elijah Riggins
• Emily Thompson

This year’s county competition witnessed the participation of over 475 students from 24 teams representing 21 high schools. Students were tasked with studying a hypothetical criminal case developed by Teach Democracy, conducting legal research, and preparing strategies and persuasive arguments for trial. Roles included attorneys, witnesses, defendants, bailiffs, and clerks, guided by local legal professionals who volunteered their time.

The event, co-sponsored by San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office, saw students presenting their cases before a real judge, utilizing constitutional amendments and legal objections.

Redlands High School Team Blue is now gearing up for the California Mock Trial Finals where they will compete against teams from 35 different counties. Since the 1982-1983 school year, a Redlands High School Mock Trial team has won the county competition a total of 16 times. The last time a Redlands High School team secured a county competition victory was in the 2019 – 2020 school year. Notably, the team emerged victorious in the state competition during the 2014 – 2015 and 1996 – 1997 school years.

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

SAN BERNARDINO — The San Bernardino County School Boards Association and the San Bernardino County Committee on School District Organization are now accepting nominations for the 26th Annual Distinguished Service Awards.

The annual awards recognize notable individuals for their exceptional leadership and significant contributions to public education within San Bernardino County. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals known to take risks to improve educational opportunities for students, have had broad community involvement, have been willing to speak out on issues that directly impact children, and have the respect of their peers.

The deadline to submit entries is 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2024.

Criteria for nominations include how individuals have spent their career improving the quality of education in the county and through their efforts, have achieved a positive, ongoing impact on public schools. Honorees may be career educators, school board members or community members who actively support public schools.

Detailed nomination requirements can be found on the nomination form.

Award recipients will be recognized at a ceremony during the spring meeting of the San Bernardino County School Boards Association.

The online nomination form can be submitted digitally at bit.ly/24DSAApp

By Tanu Henry, Lila Brown and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

On January 11, Gov. Gavin Newsom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the California Museum announced inductees into the 17th Class of the state’s Hall of Famers.

Among this year’s 10 inductees — both groups and individuals — are four Black Californians: Former San Francisco Mayor and California Assembly Speaker Willie Brown; award-winning filmmaker Ava Duvernay; Federal Judge and civil rights leader Thelton E. Henderson; and basketball Hall of Fame player and broadcaster Cheryl Miller.

Other 2024 inductees are: master chef and “mother of fusion cuisine Helene An; computer scientist and “father of the internet Vincent A. Cerf; all-female pop punk band The Go-Gos; Chicano Rock band Los Lobos; former U.S. Secretary of Defense and Congressman Leon E. Panetta; and artistic director and choreographer Brenda Way.

This year’s honorees join 150 other Californians who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“The contributions of this newest class of the Hall of Fame will have an impact on California – and the nation – for generations to come. Through their boundless qualities and trailblazing achievements, these visionaries embody the spirit of California and will continue to inspire millions more,” Newsom said in a press release issued after videotaped announcement last week.

First Partner Siebel Newsom also welcomed the “spectacular new group of trailblazers.”

“With a penchant for challenging the status quo, these individuals wholly reflect the courageous, ambitious, and bold spirit of California, and have made an indelible mark on our state, nation, and world,” she said.

Inductees are selected annually by the Governor and First Partner.