Tag Archives: slider

Headed to a Runoff: Mia Bonta Could Be First Member of Black Caucus From Bay Area in Almost a Decade

Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Mia Bonta and Janani Ramachandran
Mia Bonta and Janani Ramachandran

From a pool of nine candidates, Mia Bonta, and Janani Ramachandran emerged as the two frontrunners in a special election held June 29 for the seat representing California’s 18th Assembly District.

A run-off election has been set for Aug. 31.

Bonta, an Alameda Unified School District School Board member, and social justice attorney Ramachandran will vie against each other to fill the seat Bonta’s husband Rob Bonta vacated when Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed him the state’s 34th Attorney General in March.

In last week’s poll, neither candidate reached the 50%-plus majority threshold to stave-off a runoff. As of July 31, Bonta had 22,551 votes (38.2%) while Ramachandran, in a distant second-place position had 14, 030 votes (23.7%).

“I’m honored and humbled by the outpouring of support from the diverse coalition we built over the course of this primary campaign,” Bonta said after preliminary results showed that she was leading Ramachandran by 40%.

“While we did not reach the 50% threshold tonight, momentum is on our side and I know we are ready to continue reaching out to earn every single vote to win in August,” she added.

Ramachandran expressed her gratitude to supporters.

“Thank you for believing that our grassroots movement for justice is winnable, because fearless progressive change is what our District wants and deserves,” said Ramachandran. “You helped us stun the political

experts who didn’t see our grassroots surge coming. Naysayers who didn’t believe in the strength of people-powered movements.”

California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber’s office will certify special election results for Assembly District 18 on July 8.

Malia Vella is currently in third place with 10,049 votes (17.0%), the last candidate in the double-digit range.

AD 18 includes most of Oakland, San Leandro and Alameda. About 65% of voters there are Democrat, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. It is one of the largest bases of liberal voters in the state. Bonta and Ramachandran are both Democrats.

Depending on the results Aug. 31, Bonta, who is Afro-Latina, could join the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) as the group’s 11th member.

Bonta would also be the CLBC’s first member from the Bay Area since Sandré Swanson served in the Assembly. Swanson, who represented the 16th Assembly District from 2006 to 2012, was also former Deputy Mayor of Oakland and served as chief of staff to U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-13).

The 16th Assembly District cuts across parts of Alameda and Contra Costa counties and covers Orinda and parts of Walnut Creek and the Tri-Valley.

Bonta was elected to the Alameda Unified School District School Board in 2018 and currently serves as board president. She has been endorsed by Lee; California’s junior U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla; California Treasurer Fiona Ma; Secretary of State Shirley Weber; the California Teachers Association; Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California; and Equality California.

Bonta her campaign’s message rests on three key pillars: housing, education, and addressing homelessness.

Between 2015 and 2019, the number of homeless people living in Oakland increased by 86%, according to According to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Point-in-Time (PIT) count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons. That report also reveals that 70% of the East Bay city’s homeless population are African American although Blacks account for 24 % of the general population.

“I will work to secure funding for local homelessness programs in the East Bay and push for the wraparound services it takes to lift our unhoused neighbors out of poverty,” Bonta stated.

Ramachandran’s political platform includes providing affordable housing, addressing “extreme climate events,” and raising California’s wages to $22 per hour, she said.

According to Minimum-wage.org, a website that tracks minimum hourly rates around the country, California’s state minimum wage is $13.00 per hour, which is greater than the federal minimum Wage of $7.25.

The California minimum wage was last changed in 2008, when it was raised $5.00 from $8.00 to $13.00.

The current minimum per hour for employers in California with 26 or more employees, is wage $14.00, Minimum-wage.org reported.

“I will fight to raise the minimum wage in California to $22 per hour by 2022 – with a dedicated plan to support small businesses. Living wages will lift millions of California families out of poverty while strengthening our economy,” Ramachandran stated.

Photo Release: Café Organix Celebrates One Year Anniversary

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- On Saturday, June 26, 2021, Café Organix celebrated it’s one year anniversary. The vegan café is co-owned by NBA legend and retiree, John Salley. Their products are primarily made in-house with organic ingredients. “Expect a well-seasoned and tasty vegan cuisine. We will play with the menu to figure out the favorites and the foods we are good at making,” John Salley explained.

In addition to offering drinks and eats, Cafe Organix also stocks frozen packaged goods, tea blends, candles, and other products! There is an art gallery inside the cafe that features new local artist each month. The café also hosts regular events for the community.

Café Organix is located at  420 E Hospitality Ln Suite A10, San Bernardino, CA 92408

Time for Change Foundation’s Kim Carter to Have Her Story Told in Taraji P. Henson’s ‘Pepcy & Kim

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Founded in San Bernardino, California in 2002, and expanded into the Bay Area in 2018, Time for Change Foundation’s (TFCF) mission is to empower disenfranchised low-income individuals and families by building leadership through evidence-based programs, and housing to create self-sufficient, and thriving communities.

Academy Award winner Taraji P. Henson will direct Academy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson in ‘Pepcy & Kim,’ a part of Iervolino Entertainment’s star-studded anthology project ‘Tell It Like a Woman’.

This project is seen by the non-profit as a means to expand on their mission. “If Kim could do it, so can other women,” says Time for Change Foundation Executive Director Vanessa Perez, “Kim Carter’s life story will inspire women as it speaks to our mantra, ‘we call it home, others call it hope.'”

As told by Variety Magazine, Hudson, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Effie White in 2006’s ‘Dreamgirls,’ will take on the role of both Pepcy and Kim in the piece, which is inspired by Kim Carter, a former addict who rebuilt her life, founded Time for Change Foundation, and has helped over 1,700 homeless women achieve self-sufficiency, while reuniting over 300 children with their mothers.

Andrea Iervolino, who founded the production company, said: ?”This trio is a marvelous compliment to the spirited filmmakers and talent banding together for this one-of-a-kind film, and their sincerity in delivering a ‘must see’ segment is simply moving. “We can’t wait to show this film to the world.”

Catherine Hardwicke, best known for her directorial efforts ‘Thirteen,’ and ‘Twilight’ has penned the segment—one of seven made by and about women that will make up one film, featuring the likes of Eva Longoria, Cara Delevingne, Margherita Buy, and Marcia Gay Harden.

‘Tell it Like a Woman’ producer Chiara Tilesi—founder of non-profit film production company We Do It Together—added: “‘Tell It Like A Woman’ has been a very long journey, almost six years producing this film, and we couldn’t have asked for a better ending segment in ‘Pepcy & Kim’….”

“I’m still amazed how God could take my pain and use it for my purpose to help so many others,” says TFCF Founder Kim Carter, “It’s a blessing!”

Empire Talks Back (ETB) Goes from Hot Topics to Hot Pizza Slices with FREE SLICE of Pizza Pie on the 4th of July

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Each Sunday morning Wallace Allen and Guest host Tammy Martin Riles discuss hot topics on KCAA 1050 AM Radio during the “Empire Talks Back” (ETB) broadcast. This coming Sunday they will celebrate the 4th of July with hot pizza slices!

“We will give free pizza slices from 10 AM to 11:30 AM to the first fifty listeners who stop by the KCAA Radio Station! Says Allen, the host of the 30-year-old ETB radio show.  We are featuring slices from Chef Raheem’s “Pies On The Flyy” Food Truck!  He and his family can quickly produce a variety of both Vegan and non-vegan pizzas in their portable clay oven. “  

The KCAA radio station is at 1378 Industrial Park Ave. in the Burlington Mall east of Alabama street, one block south of the 10 freeway. You are encouraged to “Begin the 4th of July with a slice of pizza pie!

Southern California Gas Company awards Crafton Hills College grad with $5,000 scholarship

CRAFTON HILLS, CA—- Recent Crafton Hills College (CHC) grad Alexander Manjarrez has been awarded a $5,000 scholarship from Southern California Gas Company. 

Manjarrez is one of the 2021 scholarship recipients of Southern California Gas Company, which selects high achieving graduating high school seniors and transferring community college students with scholarships from $1,000 to $5,000. To qualify, students must live within the SoCalGas service area, maintain a GPA of at least a 3.0 and demonstrate strong community involvement, among other criteria.

“SoCalGas believes that a well-educated workforce makes good business sense and is essential for a vital and economically healthy Southern California,” said Regional Affairs Manager Robert Visconti, who also serves on the College’s Foundation Board of Directors.

In his scholarship application, Manjarrez outlined his future educational and career plans and the need for the scholarship to continue his education. He said the pandemic had significantly impacted his family, slashing their collective income by 25 percent. Manjarrez put his studies first, although doing so interfered with his ability to continue helping his father manage Rainbow Board and Care, an assisted living facility that was also impacted by COVID-19.

“I stopped working with him so I could focus more on my studies,” Manjarrez said. “It will be tough for me to go back and help him run his business since I will be focusing on my upper division course work at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) in Fall 2021.”

Manjarrez is goal-oriented when it comes to mapping out a plan for his studies. His long-term goal is to earn a Master’s degree in computer science at UCR and work as a software developer while continuing to do research on tech-related topics. He also wants to work in a field where he can construct large software systems, something that drew him to his major.

“Research is something that has resonated with me ever since I enrolled at CHC,” Manjarrez said. “I conducted research on image blurs for DEKA, company that specializes in complex problem-solving, and I learned how to run algorithms on MATLAB and met the company’s expectations.”

“Research has taught me that being an effective researcher means being passionate, knowledgeable and prepared,” he said.

Southern California Gas Company is focused on promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Energy Education to improve and support educational opportunities and workforce development in their communities. 

To learn more about the company’s work, visit www.socalgas.com/our-community/promoting-education-workforce-development.

To learn more about how Crafton Hills College can help you reach your goals, visit craftonhills.edu.

San Bernardino Native Serves Aboard USS Roosevelt

BALTIC SEA—- Logistics Specialist 1st Class Joseph White, from San Bernardino, Calif., takes inventory in supply support aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) during BALTOPS 50, June 15, 2021. The 50th BALTOPS represents a continuous, steady commitment to reinforcing interoperability in the Alliance and providing collective maritime security in the Baltic Sea.

Beauty Enthusiast, Sharon Chuter, Celebrates Launch of UOMA Beauty Brand During Juneteenth Weekend

LOS ANGELES, CA—- The UOMA Pride Month & Juneteenth Celebration Launch Event for UOMA by Sharon C for WALMART was produced by CEO, Founder & Creative Director of the black-owned beauty brand, UOMA Beauty, Sharon Chuter, and was attended by celebrities and the biggest names in beauty and social media at Hyde Sunset. The event took place on Friday, June 18th, and featured a surprise musical performance by legendary music artist Wiz Khalifa.

Celebrity attendees included Wiz Khalifa, Ashlee Simpson, Jordyn Woods, Elizabeth Woods, Slick Woods, Mario Lopez, Jasmine Tookes, SJ Bleau, Mario Lopez, Evan Ross, Cassie Scerbo, Madison Pettis, Dartes Kelly, Khaneshia “KJ” Smith, Jasmine Sanders, Skyh Black, Sarah Jones, Todrick Hall, Shaun Ross, Jackie R. Jacobson, Lindsey Shaw, Shahd Batal, Marcela Iglesias, Aaliyah Jay, Hayley Herms, Nazanin Kavari, Samantha Ware, Joy Osmanski, Melissa L. Williams, Alex Meneses, Lisa Yaro, Aysha Harun, Brendan Jordan, Mea Wilkerson, Shelby Jaems, Michael Franklin, Alonzo B. Slater, Reagan Yorke, Margie Plus, Broderick Hunter, Carrie Bernans, Riley Hubatka, Mhair Zeitounian, Kathy Kolla, Laila Odom, Legendary Damon, Richard Nevels, Norman Towns, Johnny Kritsberg, Jordan Huxhold, Maddy Crum, Zoi Lerma, Peyton Jordan, Chel, Nyesha Arrington, Donny Savage, Tara Mirshokraei, Sav Palacio, Terrell Ransom, Darius Marcell, Cas Jerome, Coco and Breezy, Karlee Perez, Tati Mitch, Kinya Claiborne, Kanou AWTA, Emmy Combs, Autumn Swinbank, Sadaf Beauty, Wizard Kelly, Siobhan Bell, Auti Angel, Ethan Shiri, Adolfo Sanchez, Angel Moret, Jayden Robison, Kyle Shaffer, Maad, Mehki Letreigh, Pablo Kaestu, Max Talisman, Alyssa Ljubicich, Kinya Claiborne, Ben Elkayam, among many others. 

Guests arrived at HYDE SUNSET in Los Angeles, CA, for cocktails and were transported into an amplified sustainable environment as they were greeted with a plethora of greenery and bold activist imagery. The carbon-neutral event opened with an eco-friendly carpet to celebrate PRIDE Month and to kick off the Juneteenth celebration, an HBCU marching band played. Guests enjoyed carnival dancers, free product giveaways, a station with jewelry artists who created bejeweled installations on guests’ faces and wrote personalized messages paired with a tree sponsored by UOMA. The event was sustainable and addressed social and environmental issues while positively impacting the community. Glowing hot pink lights inside the venue created an immersive and visually powerful setting. 

Time For Change Foundation Hosts Community Action Fair, Gives $50,000 To Those in Need

The event featured the sharing of food, Covid-19 supplies, and clothing to over five hundred members of our community

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- On Saturday, June 12th, Time for Change Foundation, and our community partners held a Community Action Fair.

An opportunity to do our part, and help those in need, we gave away $100 dollar bills to the first two hundred and fifty people in line when a utility bill was provided. Additionally, $50 dollar Food for Less gift cards were handed out to over five hundred people. Together that is over $50,000 in aid to the community, with half being direct cash assistance.

Vendors from a variety of local organizations were on hand with groceries, hot meals, clothing, and Covid-19 supplies for anyone who came out.

Since late August 2020, the Household Pulse Survey has provided data on the overall number of adults struggling to cover usual household expenses such as food, car payments, utilities, medical expenses, or student loans. Some 61 million adults—26 percent of all adults in the country—reported it was somewhat or very difficult for their household to cover usual expenses in the past seven days, according to data collected May 12–24.

For many, this event was the rope needed to pull themselves up from a cliff. One attendee expressed her gratitude for the event. “Especially right now… a lot of people are having hard times, so every little thing helps.”

Another, spoke on his observations and the importance of this event, “for those who are down on and out…with the pandemic, loss of wages, homelessness. There were a lot of kids here early with their parents, so things for some seem to dire.”

We wish to thank our partners in this event, Young Visionaries, Catholic Charities, and St. John’s Episcopal Church. They continue to outdo themselves in their efforts to service those in need.

We are extremely grateful for all whom donated and volunteered. Community becomes powerful when all members pull together for a united cause. The change, or transformation, that occurs when we act together is something we all must continue to strive for.

Provisional Educational Services Inc. (PESI) Receives ‘YouthBuild’ Grant

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- For over 30 years, Provisional Educational Services, Inc. (PESI) has been an active leader in serving the disadvantaged community of San Bernardino. In an effort to expand on this work, Chief Executive Officer, Dwaine Radden Sr. recently applied for a grant through YouthBuild. The US Department of Labor describes YouthBuild as “a community-based pre-apprenticeship program that provides job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth ages 16-24 who have previously dropped out of high school.”

The $1.3M grant would be used to address disparities of unemployment and homelessness within San Bernardino. PESI looked to partner with YouthBuild to mitigate these concerns by serving 74 low-income and/or homeless 17-24-year-olds in the city, through a project that would provide secondary education and construction trade training for youth in a classroom setting. It would also provide hands-on construction work experience, building and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for low income or homeless families in San Bernardino.

On June 10, 2021, it was announced that PESI was awarded the grant for its project. This was a nationwide grant which covered states like New York, Atlanta, Chicago and even to Puerto-Rico to name a few. They were selected with three other California agencies in Los Angeles and Riverside.  Radden said, it took an incredible and dynamic grant team to tell the story of San Bernardino in this grant. He thanked God for his grant team, Bill Clark and Geddes Mohammed.  The YouthBuild grant is likely to be a remarkable step forward for the community of San Bernardino. The city of approximately 215,000 has about one-third of its population living below the poverty line. The city’s employment rate was dampened by the recent pandemic but is expected to climb during the second half of 2021. This partnership between PESI and YouthBuild will help to increase the employment rate that was recently affected by the pandemic.

The city can expect PESI’s new community-based project to include construction trades training and other job sectors throughout the region, re-entry secondary education, counseling case management services, personal and academic support services and more. Additional details on the project and its services will be released soon.

SBCUSD Class Of 2020 To Get The In-Person Commencement They Deserve

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) Board of Education is fulfilling a promise made to the Class of 2020—an in-person commencement ceremony has been scheduled for all SBCUSD members of the Class of 2020.

A combined SBCUSD Class of 2020 graduation ceremony will be held Friday, June 18, 2021, 6 p.m., at Glen Helen Pavilion. Any members of the Class of 2020 who are interested in participating must complete the online interest form before June 14, 2021, at 5 p.m.

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the SBCUSD Board of Education made the decision to close physical schools and move to a distance learning model for the remainder of the 2019–2020 school year in order to protect the health of students, families and staff.

At the time the decision was made to cancel commencement and hold drive-thru ceremonies instead, the Board of Education committed to holding a make-up graduation ceremony when it became possible.