Tag Archives: slider

San Bernardino County has reached one million registered voters

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY—- About 1,200 county residents registered to vote last week, pushing the total number of registered voters in San Bernardino County past the one million mark for the first time ever.

More than 75 percent of eligible county residents are now registered to vote.

The Registrar of Voters processed the registration records submitted last week and determined which were new voters and which were updates to existing voter records.  The Registrar of Voters confirmed today that the one million registered voters’ milestone was achieved on Wednesday, September 25, 2019.

“It’s great to see this level of interest in voting in our county. Voter participation increases our community’s influence on regional, state and federal issues,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman.

As the County celebrates this milestone, we encourage voters to share their thoughts on social media about why it is important to register.

The registrar may share or retweet non-partisan posts that tag the Registrar of Voters and use #VoteReady and #SBCountyCounts in an effort to reach more than 330,000 potential voters in San Bernardino County still not registered to vote.  

Eligible citizens may register or re-register online at SBCountyElections.com. Voter registration applications are also available at the Registrar of Voters office in San Bernardino and throughout the county at post offices, city clerks’ offices, county libraries, and the Department of Motor Vehicles. A map of these locations is available on the Registrar of Voters website.

Likewise, 16 and 17 year olds may now pre-register to vote if they meet all other eligibility requirements. On their 18th birthday, they will be automatically registered to vote so they will not miss an election.

Finally, the Registrar of Voters encourages voters and potential voters to be #VoteReady for the upcoming Presidential Primary Election on March 3, 2020.

Voters can verify their registration status by visiting SBCountyElections.com and logging into the My Elections Gateway application. Any voter who wants to update their name, address, or party affiliation will need to re-register to be #VoteReady.

For more information about registering, re-registering or pre-registering to vote, visit the Registrar of Voters website at SBCountyElections.com, or call (909) 387-8300.

The Legacy of Emma Shaw

On Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at the age of 107 years old the Lord called Emma Shaw home. She’s had her bags pack since she was 90, so 17 years later the matriarch of the Shaw family has finally moved to her eternal address.

Emma was the second born to James and Gertrude Armstrong on August 9, 1912 in Tallulah, Louisiana. Emma was raised by her aunt and uncle and attended Madison Parish Training School. Emma was not able to complete school because the family needed her to help in the cotton fields. At the tender age of 15 she met the love of her life, George Bernard Shaw.

Emma and George were married on February 6, 1929 and to this union God blessed them with 13 children; six sons, five daughters and two children who died at birth. Six of their children; Cleveland, Luretha, Johnny B, Joyce, Wiley and Mary were born in Tallulah. Emma and George were married for 62 years until he passed away.

In 1942 George saw potential for advancement by moving his family from Louisiana to Las Vegas, Nevada. While in Las Vegas, Emma was an employee at the El Rancho and Frontier hotels. Emma gave birth to Donell and Ronell before leaving Nevada in 1944.

As times began to change, George had the foresight again to relocate his family to San Bernardino, California in 1944. Emma began working in private homes as a maid. She then found new employment at Norton Air Force Base. After leaving Norton, Emma began doing seasonal work at the National Orange Show. Once the seasonal work was done, Emma found employment in Palm Springs where she worked for 16 years. While in California Barbara, Vernon and Valerie were born.

Though their resources were limited, that did not prevent Emma from sharing with those who were even less fortunate whenever they stopped by. She was an amazing cook and was known for her homemade biscuits, fried chicken and her peach cobbler.

Emma joined New Hope Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend David Campbell. After the passing of Reverend Campbell, Mother Shaw changed her membership to Greater New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ, which was then under the leadership of Elder Herbert C. Pugh. Mother Shaw grew spiritually at Greater New Jerusalem where she became the Church Mother. She served as Church Mother for over 40 years and in recognition for this service Mother Shaw was appointed Church Mother Emeritus.

Everyone who knew Mother Shaw has heard her testimony and can repeat it verbatim as she starts to say…”Early one Saturday morning I was in my bathroom when I heard a loud voice saying, ‘Be ready, I’m on My way back’…” and from that time until she went home, Mother Emma told everyone that she would encounter to be ready, the Lord is on His way back.

Emma Shaw was a local legend, living to celebrate her 107th year of life here on this earth. She was still so full of wisdom, discernment, encouragement and honesty. She had a no nonsense attitude when ‘stuff ain’t right’, and she would speak her mind and let you know. When you heard ‘now looka here’, you know something of importance was about to follow.    

Emma was preceded in passing by her husband, George; Sons, Cleveland, Johnny B, and Ronell and Daughter, Luretha Johnson. The matriarch of six generations Emma leaves to cherish her memory; Joyce, Wiley (Alexis), Mary (Charles), Donell, Barbara and Valerie. Granma Emma also leaves well over 300 grand; great; great great; great great great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Mother Shaw’s Wake will be held at New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ, 1424 W. 21st Street, San Bernardino, CA on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. Her Homegoing Celebration Service will be held at Ecclesia Christian Fellowship, 1314 E. Date Street, San Bernardino, CA on Friday, October 4, 2019 with the viewing at 10:00 a.m and the Service at 11:00 a.m. Hallelujah for the time He blessed us with her presence.

California Leaders, Activists Praise Kamala Harris’ “Reform First” Criminal Justice Plan

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

Several political leaders as well as activists in California shared their reactions to U.S. presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris’ criminal justice reform plan.

It calls for ending mandatory minimum sentences, legalizing marijuana, expunging marijuana convictions and shutting down for-profit prisons, among a number of other proposals, that could have a positive impact on African-American communities across California.

Other policies in the plan to overhaul the country’s criminal justice system include introducing a national standard for police use of force; providing incentives for states to get rid of mandatory minimums; equalizing sentencing for possession and distribution of crack and cocaine; mandating prisons to offer educational courses, vocational training as well as mental health and addiction treatment. Harris also wants to end federal laws that prohibit formerly incarcerated people from accessing housing, loans, food stamps and other public services

 “By ending mass incarceration, holding police accountable, and keeping families intact, Kamala would fundamentally transform public safety and protect our children,” said California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond who oversees the state’s 977 school districts that enroll more than 6 million students. Thurmond says he’s excited by the focus on prevention and rehabilitation in Harris’ plan because one of his own top priorities is keeping kids safe, enrolled in school, and out of prisons.

Harris announced her plan earlier this month. According to her campaign it “replicates and nationalizes” programs she introduced during her law enforcement career in California. 

“This plan uses my experience and unique capability to root out failures within the justice system,” she said. “We can end mass incarceration and combat the bias and racism that fuels it. We can ensure accountability for all parts of the system to build foundations of trust in our communities. We can stop profit from incarceration and stop criminalizing poverty. As president, I’ll fix this broken system to make it fairer and more accountable for communities across the country.”

Lateefah Simon is a civil rights activist who runs the Akonadi Foundation, a social and racial justice organization in Oakland. She believes Harris is best equipped to lead reforms because she understands how the justice system works.

“As a lifelong activist, I don’t say this lightly,” said Simon. “Her career is proof that you can fight to rectify what’s broken from the inside. Her plans for our country prove that she has a lot of fight left. We need a leader like Kamala in the White House to ensure that we end private prisons and give Black and Brown families their lives back.”

Simon is also a California State University Trustee and the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transportation Board Director.

Billie Mizell, former executive Director of Insight Prison Project based in San Quentin, says she’s not surprised by the progressive policies in Harris’ plan. 

“Kamala Harris first earned my respect over 15 years ago when I was working for people sentenced to death,” said Mizell. “To the surprise of many of us in the abolition community back then, DA Harris refused to seek a death verdict, despite enormous political pressure. Before ‘progressive prosecutor’ was a trendy term, Kamala was fighting to be in spaces historically dominated by White men so that she could be a game-changer.”

Most Democrats have reacted favorably to Harris’ criminal justice reform plan. But other critics have been attacking her record as prosecutor and California’s top cop since she announced her candidacy for President of the United States in January.

“Time after time, when progressives urged her to embrace criminal justice reforms as a district attorney and then the state’s attorney general, Ms. Harris opposed them or stayed silent,” wrote

Lara Bazelon, a law professor, in the New York Times. Bazelon is the former director of the Loyola Law School Project for the Innocent in Los Angeles. 

Defending her record, Harris said “I was swimming against the current, and thankfully the currents have changed. She made the statement in an interview with the New York Times just before releasing her plan. “The winds are in our sails. And I’m riding that just like everybody else is – because it’s long overdue.”

“I know the system from the inside out,” Harris continued. . “So trust me when I say we have a problem with mass incarceration in America. Trust me when I say we have a problem with accountability. Trust me when I say we have to take the profit out of criminal justice.”

Harris points to a program she started in 2005 when she was district attorney. Called “Back on Track,” the initiative provided jobs for young people arrested the first time for drug offenses. She also hired more women, people of color and LGBTQ people in an effort to increase diversity on her staff, according to her campaign.

In the presidential race, Harris seems to be losing steam. She is polling at only 5 percent in Iowa, the first State in the Democratic primaries, according to a Focus on Rural America survey.  She has dropped more than 13 points over the last two months.

Among African-American Democrats, most polls place her third after Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.“As someone who has seen the flaws in our criminal justice firsthand, I have long appreciated Kamala’s commitment to reforming it,” said San Francisco Mayor London Breed. “Her plans to end mandatory minimum sentencing, money bail, and the death penalty exemplify why her platform is so important. She is a trailblazer through and through.” 

 

Gov. Sets Up Advisory Team on Aging as Golden State Population Grows Grayer

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

After Carl Maryland retired in 2009, he started playing for a team in the Sacramento Golden Seniors Softball Club league.

“Mostly to stay active and fit,” the 78-year-old says, but he enjoyed hanging out and shooting the breeze with his teammates, too.

During his seven-year run, playing in the league, Maryland’s team won 10 championship rings.

“If you love the game, you got to stay with it,” says Maryland.

Then, two years ago, he fell ill. His doctor advised him to take some time off from playing. In April of this year, when it was time to go back, he wasn’t well enough to get back on the field.  

Maryland has now moved into his son Robert’s home in Sacramento. Occasionally, they go out to the batting cage and play catch together.

The younger Maryland is freelance photographer and father of two. He loves hanging out with his dad, he says. And although the senior Maryland is independent most of the time, caring for  him while balancing all of his other obligations at home and work can be challenging.

“He doesn’t drive anymore,” Robert says. “It would be good if he could go out at anytime and hang out with his buddies. He misses that.”

In California, caring for aging parents can be difficult for middle income families like the Marylands. There are few resources they can access for information or money to pay for medical bills, at-home care, or other needs.  The state provides assistance for home aides and transportation for low-income families. And most aging Californians who are wealthy can afford to move into plush nursing homes or senior communities – an unaffordable option for  average families – where there are people on staff to assist them.

Expecting California’s aging population to balloon by about 4 million to 8.6 million people by 2030, Gov. Newsom is taking steps to meet the needs of families like the Marylands.

In June, the governor issued an executive order, asking the Secretary of the Health and Human Services (HHS) to set up a cabinet-level “Workgroup for Aging” to advise the Secretary on “developing” a Master Plan on policy and programs. 

Gov. Newsom expects the committee to complete and deliver the Master Plan by October 2020.

To support the workgroup, Ghaly announced the creation of an advisory committee comprised of Californians from various backgrounds who have some expertise on aging, including former Assemblymember Cheryl Brown (D-San Bernardino). Brown was chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long Term Care during her tenure in the legislature.

For Brown, working to solve problems aging adults and their caregivers face is fulfilling. Since she was about 14 years old, Brown says she remembers being a caretaker for aging adults in her family. 

“I never thought twice about it,” says Brown. “That’s what we did. Families used to have that intergenerational support. It brought us closer together. It made us stronger.”

That’s why, Brown says, when she was a member of the state legislature – a Democrat representing a district covering parts of the Inland Empire from 2012 to 2016 – she authored legislation that would have required the state to set up a task force on caregivers for aging adults. The bill passed in the full Assembly and state Senate. But when it landed on then-Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk, he vetoed the legislation, letting her know there was not a need at the time for the team she was proposing.

“Of course, I disagreed,”said Brown. “ Californians provide an estimated $47 billion a year in unpaid labor taking care of their families and every day in California, 1,000 people turn 65. Long-term care costs are increasing.”

Instead of re-introducing the bill or authoring a similar one, Brown wrote a resolution that pointed out the need for the task force on caregiving for the aging. It passed in both the Assembly and Senate. 

Now, with her new appointment to the advisory committee, Brown says she’s ready the to join other Californians on the board to influence statewide policy on aging adults 

“Our collective charge is to develop a roadmap that envisions a future where all Californians, regardless of race, economic status or level of support, can grow old safely, with dignity and independence,” wrote Marko Mijic, a Deputy Secretary at the HHS in an email to the new committee members. 

Gov. Newsom, who has first-hand caregiver experience from taking care of his dad before his death in 2018, announced the Master Plan committee in his State of the State speech in January. The governor’s father, William Newsom, was a former Appeals Court Judge who suffered from dementia.

The governor said the plan must be “person-centered” and address issues like isolation, transportation, the nursing shortage and the increasing demand for in-home supportive services.”

By 2030,  the Public Policy Institute of California estimates about 1 million aging adults in the state will need some assistance to take care of themselves. The population of seniors who will need nursing home care is expected to grow as well. California is also one of 14 states that has a poverty rate of more than 10 percent among the 65-and-older population, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

Accurately counting California’s aging population in next year’s Census will be a challenge as more and more aging adults fall in to poverty, become isolated from family and social networks, and continue to lack access to the internet. The 2020 Census will be the first to be primarily conducted online.

Brown says it is important for California to get ahead of the challenges coming.

“How do we create a one-stop shop?,” asks Brown. “What can we do to assist middle income families? Then, there is the sandwich generation – those working Californians with both young children and aging parents. How can we help them to help their loved ones?” 

A Warm Sendoff for E. Dotson Wilson, the Nations First And Longest-Serving African American Legislative Clerk

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

On January 6, 1992, the California Assembly elected E. Dotson Wilson as its Chief Clerk and Parliamentarian.

The Berkeley native made history that day, becoming the first African American to be voted into that all important, non-partisan role at any legislative body in the United States. 

Since then, he has been re-elected to that office every two years by all 80 members of the state Assembly for 26 back-to-back terms.

“It has been an honor working for the Assembly,” said Dotson, who is retiring this month. “I am humbled to have had a front row seat as policy is being made in the world’s fifth largest economy. California has always been at the forefront of policy change in the United States.”

When the state Assembly held a special tribute on the chamber floor August 29, to thank him for 27 years of service as Chief Clerk, Wilson had gained another history-making notch on his belt. The 64-year-old, who now lives in the Sacramento area, is currently the longest-serving Chief Clerk in the history of the state of California.

“He has given us the gift of his wisdom, expertise, acumen, temperament and deep commitment to fairness over the decades,” said Assembly Speaker Pro-Tem Kevin Mullin (D-San Mateo). “Institution above party. Service above self.”

Later that evening, the California Legislative Black Caucus hosted a reception at the Grand Sheraton in Sacramento to recognize Wilson’s service to the Assembly and the inspiration he has provided to countless African-American elected officials and staff members.

Almost everyone CBM interviewed for this article mentioned the example of professionalism Wilson set for colleagues at the Capitol.   

“Your name will take you places, because of your integrity,” said Assembly Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), chair of the Legislative Black Caucus.  “You can’t buy it, you can’t market it, its who you are. And your name speaks volumes in this house and across the nation.”

Wilson first joined the California Assembly as a fellow in 1979. He worked his way up to deputy chief of staff for former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Jr., who served in the lower house’s top leadership role for 15 years and later became the first African-American mayor of San Francisco in 1996.

Brown nominated Wilson for Chief Clerk.

“He was one of the greatest politicians in the history of the state, said Wilson, talking about his experience working for Brown. “You’re only as strong as the people’s whose shoulders you stand on and Willie Brown is one of those people for me. At the time California was going through a lot of social and political changes and Brown showed extraordinary leadership.”

Wilson says Brown is one of those Californians who does not get enough credit – “ not only for his broad knowledge of the, law but also his razor-sharp understanding of policy.”

Wilson, who grew up in Albany near Berkeley, says, from childhood, he has always been fascinated with history, law, the legislative process and how they impact ordinary people. 

“I was not old enough to be a part of the civil rights movement,” says Wilson. “But growing up in the Berkeley area, I got to see a lot of that activism and the change that followed up close.”

Wilson retells a story his parents told him about not being able to buy a house in the 1950s because there were laws in California that allowed sellers to discriminate against people based on race and religion. Then the legislature passed the California Fair Housing Act (AB 1240), also known as the Rumford Act, that outlawed that practice.

“That to me, as a young person, was a turning point,” says Wilson. “That’s when it was clear to me that politics and the fight for civil rights and equality were all intertwined.”

During his 27 years as Chief Clerk, Wilson worked with about 500 Democrat and Republican elected lawmakers, overseeing a staff of 30. He made sure members followed parliamentary procedure and that the legislative process ran smoothly, efficiently and fairly. He was also in charge of publishing all official documents of the Assembly and keeping a record of all bills and proceedings.

For Wilson, one of the most important ways a leader can make an impact is to “reach back” and mentor others.

“As African Americans, it is critical to help others grow professionally,” says Wilson. “Be an example. Provide leadership. Share advice. I grew up in a household where education was the focus. And my mom was one of the first Black teachers in Berkeley. She always emphasized that her job was not only to educate young minds, but to also equip them so that they can mentor others down the road.”

The Assembly elected its first Chief Clerk in 1849. Wilson was the 37th person elected to the office, which is one of three elected non-member positions in the legislative body. The other two are chaplain and sergeant-at-arms.

Over his years of service, Wilson says it has been remarkable to watch landmark legislation pass in the Assembly and to see how much the demographics of the legislature has changed in terms of race, gender, ethnicity and even political ideology.

 “To see more diversity in the make-up of the membership is the most significant change I’ve seen,” he says.

And for young African-Americans in government, Wilson has some mentoring advice.

“Always operate from a place of integrity,” he cautions. “You’ll benefit from it.”

Gov’s Wife: Stop Paying Women Less Than Men for Doing the Same Jobs

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

Diane Shelton was proud of her professional life. For more than 25 years, she held steady government jobs with the state Assembly as a legislative consultant, capitol office director, legislative director and chief of staff for seven different Assembly members, starting in 1984.

When she got her first job with the Assembly, there were only 7 Blacks out of 120 members of the state legislature, and just a handful of African-American staffers.  

During that time, Shelton – who is African-American and lives just south of Sacramento in Elk Grove – said she earned more than $30,000 less than her White counterparts.

Then in 2011, Shelton, who is now 62, became a trainer with the Capitol Institute, the lower house’s professional development unit. That office operates under the supervision of the Assembly Rules committee.

In that new role, Shelton earned a salary of about $67,000. At the same time, the Assembly paid a White male counterpart almost 40 percent more money than she made: around $105,000. He had the same job title, comparable experience and performed similar duties.

“I loved my job as a trainer,” says Shelton. “I enjoyed using my skills to create original training for an increasing number of new staff. However, after seven stressful years of pursuing more equitable pay and watching decision makers devalue my work, I reluctantly retired.”

Shelton says when she asked her supervisor for pay on par with her peers, he responded with only a 7.5 percent increase. After exhausting administrative options to get an annual salary equal to her White male counterpart, in 2017, Shelton decided to sue the State Assembly. She cited racial discrimination, unlawful retaliation and violation of the California Fair Pay Act, among other claims.

She is not alone.

Even though California has the slimmest gender pay gap in the United States, on average, women still earn about 89 percent of the total money men are paid in the state, according to the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (CCSWG).

That’s about $.89 for every dollar men earn, which adds up to a loss of nearly $78.6 billion every year for women in the state.

For Black women, the pay gap is wider and has a more deep-reaching impact on African-American families across California. Black women – 80 percent of whom are the sole or primary breadwinners in their households – earn only about $.61 for every dollar a White, non-Hispanic man makes.

California has the strongest equal pay laws in the country. Yet, women with masters degrees working full time make only $.72 for every dollar men with masters degrees earn.

“It’s humiliating, its unjust and just plain wrong,” said first partner of California, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, speaking at an event on Black Women Equal Pay Day (August 22) in Sacramento. Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, other lawmakers and guests joined the governor’s life partner to bring attention to the issue.

In April, Siebel Newsom announced that her office was partnering with the CCSWG, California Labor Agency Secretary Julie Su and TIME’S UP, an organization focused on fair, safe and dignified work for women. Together, the coalition launched a statewide initiative called #EqualPayCA.

“We all win when women win,” Siebel Newsom said. “Women are the backbone of our families.”

In 2015, former Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law the California Fair Pay Act. Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) sponsored the bill she wrote to give teeth to the state’s existing labor law, the California Equal Pay Act, which was passed in 1949, first affording equal pay to women in the workplace.

Besides requiring equal pay for men and women in “substantially similar jobs,” the new ammendment included race and ethnicity, too; outlawed retaliation against employees who complain about unfair pay; and allowed for equal pay salary claims for the same kind of job – even when located in different places.

Since then, California’s equal pay law has inspired similar legislation in 41other states and Jackson is putting forth a new bill that will require organizations with 100 employees or more to make annual salary reports to the state broken down by gender, race and ethnicity.  

In California, where there remains a gaping wealth disparity between Blacks and other racial groups, any equal pay effort that takes into account gender and race takes on much greater significance. In 2014, in Los Angeles and Orange counties, the median household net worth of US-born Whites was $355,000 compared to just $4,000 for US-born blacks, according to the California Budget and Policy Center.

Last week, Gov Newsom signed AB 467, also known as the “Equal Pay for Equal Play” bill, into law. The measure, introduced by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath (D-Oceanside) requires sports teams to pay women equal to men in all sporting competitions held on state land in California.

Since launching her equal pay campaign, Seibel Newsom says 27 California companies have taken the equal pay pledge, including Gap, Intel and Cisco.  And even though the state has a strong equal pay law on the books, more work needs to be done.

“Its about education, implementation and enforcement,” she says. “I  applaud these businesses for stepping up and doing their part to ensure pay equity within their companies, and I encourage all other businesses in California to follow suit. Together, we can close the pay gap and create a more equitable California for all.”

CEEM Takes Over LA County Fair, Continues Legacy of Economic Empowerment within the African-American Community

Interview by Naomi K. Bonman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— Economic empowerment and wealth building is a major necessity in the African-American Community. According to the founder of Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement (CEEM) Reggie Webb, in the Inland Empire, as in Greater Los Angeles area, African Americans are 7 percent of the population but own less than 1 percent of revenue from business ownership.

CEEM is bringing awareness to this issue in a fun and engaging way during the weekend of September 13 to September 15 at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona, California. This will be the second year that CEEM is “taking over” the fairgrounds.

The 2nd Annual CEEM Weekend at the LA County Fair will feature a “Tribute to Black Influence on Popular Culture!” The lineup includes musical acts and special celebrity appearances including:

  • Live Entertainment
  • Inspiring panel discussions led by African-American entrepreneurs and business owners
  • A student-led pop culture art exhibit
  • A fun and interactive Kids Zone
  • Delicious soul food and fare from a variety of Black-owned businesses and vendors
  • Inspirational Gospel Sunday

Listen to the interview click here.

The LA County Fair is located at the Pomona Fairplex at 101 W. McKinley Avenue in Pomona. Use promo code CEEM2019 to receive $8 tickets at lacf.com/buy-tickets.

For a detailed schedule and more information, visit www.CEEM.coop/LACF, or follow CEEM on Instagram and Facebook @CEEMCoop and Twitter @ceem_ie.


Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® to Raise $1 Million in One Day For Second Consecutive Year in Support of HBCUs

Endowment Fund has distributed $1.6 Million to 32 HBCUs

CHICAGO, IL—- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® seeks to raise $1 million in 24 hours for a second consecutive year during HBCU Impact Day on September 16, 2019.  As part of a four-year $10 million fundraising goal, AKA International President Dr. Glenda Glover is leading the challenge for contributions that can help to secure fiscal sustainability and success across all Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

“This year, we are simultaneously launching a ten-month campaign to secure larger corporate giving matches, corporate pledges and donations to our AKA-HBCU Endowment Fund, while continuing our efforts to support these all-important educational institutions,” said Dr. Glover, who is also president of Tennessee State University, and an HBCU graduate.

On September 16, as part of the sorority’s recognition of HBCU week, chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will host fundraising events around the globe. Donors can make contributions by texting AKAHBCU to 44321, giving by mail or online at http://aka1908.com/hbcus/donate-hbcu during the 24-hour campaign. Money raised through HBCU Impact Day will assist in providing financial support to these schools over the next three years. 

“Last year, our members and supporters surpassed our million dollar goal in one day, and we began distributing funds almost immediately to support HBCUs around the country,” added Dr. Glover.

“This was a historic moment for Alpha Kappa Alpha, but it was also just as historic and meaningful for our HBCU families.”

In February, AKA gifted $1.6 million from their AKA-HBCU Endowment Fund to 32 HBCUs. Presidents from these institutions joined Dr. Glover and sorority leadership at a special Black History Month program at the Ivy Center International Headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. 

Organizations that provided the largest corporate matches to the AKA-HBCU Endowment Fund in 2018 were Caterpillar, General Electric, Hilton, Houston ISD, IBM, SAP America, State Farm Companies Foundation, UnitedHealth Group, and Wells Fargo Bank.  

These endowment funds can help schools reduce student debt through scholarships, fund industry-specific research, recruit and retain top faculty, and much more.According to The Network Journal, roughly a quarter of all African Americans with bachelor degrees graduated from an HBCU (22%). HBCUs have historically served all people regardless of race or economic standing and continue to do so. These schools are often the largest employer in rural areas, and educate students from pre-K through college via teacher education programs, charter schools and early college high schools housed on their campuses.  AKA believes the importance of these environments of higher learning and the need to support them has never diminished.  

For a complete list of institutions funded in the first cycle from the AKA-HBCU Endowment Fund, and more information on the sorority’s commitment to HBCUs, visit our online pressroom at www.AKA1908.com/news-events/.

Honoring the Legacy of Cynthia (the Tech Diva) Renee Frazier

By John Coleman, Community Photographer

A large gathering of family, friends, students, supporters, & others met, August 22, 2019, at the Ontario Beverly Banquet Center, to remember, honor, share stories & memories about, mourn, & celebrate the life of Cynthia Renee Frazier, widely recognized as: ‘the Tech Diva’.

For all of her working career Cynthia had been immersed in education & technology,  She developed  her own teaching styles  & areas of competence   which formed her field of practice  in working with entrepreneurs, organizations, & communities;   and  developed skill in teaching different populations, including young children, even pre-schoolers.

Cynthia’s home live reflected her love for family;  From early in his life she showered love & attention on her grandson, Isaiah. even as she maintained her community activities.  Remarkable in so many ways he not only participated in many of her community tech/education events,  Isaiah’s early learning’s in math, tech, & science enabled him to model &/or demonstrate what  she taught.  Kids who ‘attended’ (brought by parents to) her events became interested when they saw what Isaiah was able to do with tools & ‘toys’.   Her partner, Ed Williams, was there, providing support.

Cynthia’s work proceeded over a span of years;  covered a range of STEM subject fields;  were held in different Inland locations;  possibly met a lot of people’s expectations;  & likely contributed to some of the progress people of color are making & receiving in the world that Cynthia Renee Frazier envisioned.

But….Cynthia Renee (the Tech Diva) Frazier also was a woman,  calm   soft spoken,  respectful,  but also militant,  aware of the continuing gross under-representation of women in STEM careers.  We Celebrate the Life, Labors, & Contribution’s Her Life represented…..that: 

 “GIRLS GET GEEK” !!!

Former Third District Supervisor Kay Ceniceros passes away at 81

Staff remember first-ever female County Supervisor dedicated to the growth of Riverside County

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— RIVERSIDE COUNTY—- The passing of former Third District Supervisor Kay Ceniceros on Friday, July 26, is received with sadness among long-time county employees. Ceniceros was 81 years old.

Ceniceros served the Third District from 1981 to 1996 and was the first female elected to the Board of Supervisors. Prior to joining the board, Ceniceros was the first woman appointed to the county’s planning commission.

“Kay Ceniceros’ expertise in planning and land use helped shape the County of Riverside into the modern, developed region that we see today,” said Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington. “She is warmly remembered as a resolute leader and a compassionate advocate by the Third District communities that she served.”

During her 16 year tenure as supervisor, Ceniceros was dedicated to ensuring that Riverside County had a larger voice on regional matters. Ceniceros represented the board on numerous committees and commissions, including the California State Association of Counties, Southern California Association of Governments and the Western Riverside Council of Governments. She worked tirelessly to serve residents impacted by the booming growth of the county during numerousinfrastructure and transportation projects, including the passage of Measure A in 1988.

“It was a great pleasure to have worked with Supervisor Ceniceros,” said County Executive Officer George Johnson, who worked in the Transportation Department at the time of Ceniceros’ tenure on the board. “She was a thoughtful leader, who cared deeply about the growth and future of the county. She was well-respected among her peers, county staff and residents.”  

The former Board Hearing Room, located on the 14th floor of the County Administrative Center, is named in Ceniceros’ honor. The Board of Supervisors also named a service center the Kay Ceniceros Multi-purpose Senior Center in Menifee.

Kay Ceniceros is survived by her husband, three children, and six grandchildren.