SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On the afternoon of Wednesday, December 18, WWAM Inc., and it’s business affiliates from around San Bernardino County hosted a special Christmas and Holiday Dinner for the homeless students of Juanita Blakely Jones Elementary School and their parents. Last year WWAM Inc. gave out Christmas presents to each homeless student. This year the organization made bags of toys to be distributed to each class room making each student in the school receive a gift; however, the dinner party was only for the homeless youth. Each family received Christmas food baskets. This event would not have been made successful without the help of local businesses and supportive sponsors which include Ramon Velasco, Principal at Juanita Blakely Jones Elementary; Dr. Margret Hill; Danny Tillman; WWAM Inc. staff; Mike, Orchid Thai Restaurant, 27266 Base Line Street, Highland; Riad Haddad,Phoenicia Greek and Lebanese Cuisine, 572 Orange Street, Redlands; Linda Ignacio, ABC Wic, 1505 W. “17th” Street in San Bernardino; and Nancy Gutierrez, gentle outreach specialist. Dr. Deborah Winn, CEO and Founder of WWAM Inc., along with her staff, Dr. Hill, Mr. Tillman and Principal Velasco will be working together in the next and upcoming years to change the homelessness crisis around to provide them with a place of residence. For more information or to donate to WWAM Inc., please call Dr. Deborah Winn 909-889-9509. WWAM Inc. is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization, and all donations count as a tax write-off.

I was in Tucson Arizona on that unforgettable Sunday morning in 1990 when Nelson Mandela was released from prison as I sat transfixed when he was sworn in as South Africa’s first democratically-elected president who happened to be a black man. His death on December 5 made me recount the times and ways he had touched my life.
I became more conscious of the man when the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), under the leadership of president Dr. Dorothy I. Height, urged the membership to support Winnie Mandela who was being persecuted by the government while her husband suffered at Robbin Island. I was aware of apartheid and the ANC already; and wanted to know more about the man and the plight of his people. I read two books by South African writer, Mark Mathabane, who painted a starkly brutal picture of life for black people in the country.
In 1985, I attend the UN Decade for Women Conference in Nairobi, Kenya with the NCNW where we met 20 South African women who were there without the consent of their government and did not know what would happen to them when they returned home. They said they did not care as they would rather be dead than continue to live the harsh conditions imposed on them. They were inspired by the courageous resistance practiced by Mandela and our delegation discussed the situation with the ladies several times.
Following the conference, our group visited the small country landlocked by South Africa: Swaziland, a kingdom never colonized by a foreign power; we had to go through Johannesburg to get to the country. The women there had replicated the NCNW’s Mississippi Pig Project and we were there to see their progress. We visited with the wives of the king who applauded our joint venture. We talked about the women who were selling their livestock in South Africa, they said “We are neighbors-not friends” and they identified with the struggles of Mandela and his people, but had no other market for their product.
On the way home we encountered a heavy police presence in the Johannesburg airport and I checked the newspaper which stated “BOTHA DECLARES EMERGENCY”. Dr. Height suggested we all buy a paper as it could mean we were seeing the beginning of the end to apartheid, but no one could have predicted that only five years later the end would come. In the meantime, NCNW joined the movement to divest in South Africa.
The local NCNW led a large group to the Los Angeles Coliseum to see Nelson and Winnie Mandela during their American tour where thousands of cheering devotees welcomed the couple to the southland. Soon after  I discovered his biography, “Long Walk to Freedom”  which I highly recommend. It reveals an extraordinary man who never lost his dignity under oppression, one who studied his captors and used what he learned to outwit them and win them over. The book has recently been made into a movie featuring British actor, Idris Elba. Readers will learn a lot about the country, as well as the man.
The most important encounter I had was up close and personal, early into the new century, around the year 2000, I had gone to Washington DC for a Workforce Development meeting and called Dr. Height to chat. She invited me to be her guest at a high level international function that night. Thanks to Dr. Height, I got to meet Nelson Mandela, Gracla Marchal, who was being honored,  and Bishop Tutu. Mandela was a tall, stately man whose eyes exuded brilliance and he looked right at you as if you were important to him. Oh what a night! President Mandela said, “It is not that I have no fear but that I had to act in spite of my fear”. That was the same attitude the 20 women exhibited in Nairobi.
It was the book that finally gave me the in depth view of the man and I encourage readers to read the three books I referred to earlier: The Long Walk to Freedom and African Women by Mathabane.  (Written by Lois J. Carson, San Bernardino resident)

It’s Kwanzaa Time – WSSNEWSPAPER

LOS ANGELES, CA- The Kwanzaa Heritage Foundation will be hosting their 12th annual block party, Kwanzaa Heritage Festival and candle lighting ceremony from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 28 at Leimert Park Village-Vision Lot, 4300 Deghan Boulevard in Los Angeles. This a free event for the whole family which will feature live music, traditional dancing, a drum circle, an international food court, the Kwanzaa Heritage Marketplace, a health pavilion and a children’s village that includes face painting. This is an event that you don’t want to miss out on, so come down and get educated and have fun while learning about the history of Kwanzaa. For more information, please call 323-789-0580, email Kwanzala7@yahoo.com or visit www.KwanzaaHeritage.org.

Teddy Lee Hooker and Raquel All Stars every Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Raquel’s Jazz Lounge, 134 S. Riverside Avenue in Rialto. For more information call 909-874-1976.

basketball tryouts

The City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is offering a Youth Basketball League for youth ages 8 to 17 years of age. Those who turn 18 of age before April 30, 2014 are ineligible to participate. The program includes instruction in basketball fundamentals, basic skills, practices and games. Registration is currently taking place and will continue until February 10, 2014. Fees are $20 for city residents and $22 for non-residents. Fees include certificate of participation, a t-shirt, a trophy and six weeks of play. Individuals and teams may register at the Parks, Recreation, & Community Services Main Office located at 201 North ‘E’ Street, Suite 301, San Bernardino, 92401, or at your local community center. For additional information on this and other youth sports programs, please call 909-384-5420.

A young member of the Matibolo Cultural Troupe poses in front of a poster of Nelson Mandela during celebrations for the anti-apartheid leader’s birthday. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

NATIONAL- (By Naomi K. Bonman) Last Thursday we lost a legend; however, he may be gone in the physical, but his spirit and legacy will continue to live on decades and generations to come. Nelson Mandela taught us the value of freedom and accomplishing our dreams and goals. He taught us that no matter what obstacles may come our way, we can always overcome them.

My favorite quote by Mr. Mandela is, “There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.” This quote reminds me that when we have greater goals and dreams than we can ever imagine, that we will have to work hard and remain patient and very consistent. There will always be road blocks on the way to success and sometimes some of us will face greater roadblocks than others, but we must always remember that God will never place more on us than we can bear. Some of us are stronger soldiers and can conquer more than other, and Mr. Mandela was one of those remarkable and strong soldiers.

He not only left a lasting impression on my life, but he also left an impression and inspired others throughout the world.

“His change was monumental. Legendary. Brave. Daring. He’s inspired me to make decisions that will make a difference. He’s inspired me to focus on what I can do today. He’s also inspired me to know this for sure: It’s not about you.” -Kareem Taylor, New York

“Today, the Young Democrats of America pause to remember a leader whose message of freedom and equality transcends race, age and national borders. We are greatly saddened by his passing, but he lived a tremendous life to the benefit of others and to the great sacrifice of himself. He continued to fight with the belief that a nation stands at its greatest height when it stands for equality, fairness, justice and opportunity for all.”- Atima Omara, president of the Young Democrats of America

“I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Mandela family for their loss. Nelson Mandela is one of the most highly regarded, highly respected individuals of all time. He was an effective leader that focused on relationship building and inclusiveness. His ability to maintain peace and love even through adversity speaks volumes about his character. Today, I respectfully stand with my colleagues in the California Legislative Black Caucus, as we remember his life, accomplishments and good deeds.” -Assemblymember Cheryl Brown

(Article written by Naomi K. Bonman)

Curtis Wright

RIVERSIDE, CA – On Sunday, December 15 the Multicultural Council of the Riverside Museum and the Human Relations Commission will be presenting a special program featuring Historian and Master Musician, Curtis Wright, as he and audiences explore the history of the Banjo. The event will be taking place from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Box at the Fox Entertainment Plaza, 3635 Market Street in Riverside. This is a free community event; however, seating is limited so an early arrival is suggested. This program will assist the community in exploring the origins of the banjo from its roots in Africa and its evolution as a handmade instrument used by African American slaves to its current position in the country, folk, bluegrass and traditional music. Wright has worked as a professional cowboy, educator, and is currently a circuit pastor as well as an in demand musician, having performed with Buck Page and the Riders of the Purple Sage, the Frank Wakefield Band and Jimmy Collier. In addition to the banjo, Wright plays violin, mandolin, harmonica, guitar and the Indian flute. For more information, please call the Riverside Metropolitan Museum at 951-826-5273.

Law Day March Mountain High School.

CORONA, CA- This past Saturday (December 7), the Riverside Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., held a courthouse field trip day for its Kappa Law Day. The fraternity took a group of 30 youth from Moreno Valley’s March Mountain High School to the Corona courtroom of Judge Eric Isaac, member of the alumni fraternity group and a mentor in its Guide Right Program. The Chapter’s Guide Right Program focuses on getting the students to select a field trip that most closely matches their career goals. The Guide Right Program exposes students to mentoring and professional fields that the students will be considering in the next few years. Members of the Chapter are given the assignment to present information about their fields, which include  business, law, medicine, armed services, education, law enforcement and pharmacy.
The field trips allow the students to witness the day-to-day activities involved in the selected career. The Chapter thanks Brother Isaac, Brother Edward Moore, Jr., VADM USN (ret) and Julie Alexander and Jamie Bernard teachers at March Mountain High School. The National Education Association and Kappa Alpha Psi are nationally recognized partners to support Priority Schools.

Razon

It’s ya’ girl telling ya’ WHAT IT DO!
This past weekend I had the honor of working a red carpet event hosted by BmikeroB. The star studded Red Carpet was held for up and coming R&B/Pop Recording Artist Razon.
On Saturday, December 7, in the glamorous city of Hollywood, the red carpet was rolled out for “Razon” in honor of her 19th birthday. With a swanky black and white theme, this private affair was attended by celebrity guests and industry professionals. There were actors, actresses, DJ’s, models, singers, rappers, producers, writers and professional dancers. The location looked fabulous. Her team truly went all out to make it a night to remember. Although the night was freezing, it didn’t stop the birthday girl from looking amazing. Several people came out to wish her a happy birthday and help celebrate.
Under the direction of her manager, Mike Robinson, Razon is currently working on her album and will be featured on the upcoming Willie Jae project, “Its Tha Roc”, the first compilation studio album by StarRoc, which is scheduled to be released this year through Roc Nation/Star Roc/Universal Records.
Razon was accepted and currently attends American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) Performing Arts Conservatory in Los Angeles and New York. This beautiful and talented young lady has a bright future in the making. Don’t sleep on her! Special thanks to Melinor Moore. For additional information regarding Razon, visit her online at www.razonmusic.com or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HHaG6pe2CE.

Publisher’s commentary, by Wallace J. Allen

We all know the general effect when a driver “sees” a police car. The driver tends to “check” himself in terms of speed and general alertness.  As we all agree with that statement, pay particular attention to the fact that the police car could be empty.
We can provide the same effect with Police Trainee’s patrolling and adding to the visual police presence in our cities. This would create a means to place additional, low or no cost uniformed bodies in, for instance, the city of San Bernardino.  They are not full-fledged police officers, but who can tell that from a distance? Patrolling and calling in could be an additional deterrent as could other citizen-plus duties that they could perform.
Though this idea works conceptually, the specifics will have to be negotiated.  The negotiation could be made much easier if the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy would add an internship component to its training curriculum. This would give the trainees an obvious benefit to have a real on-the-streets experience to increase his/her value for their future job search;  It would also give added value to the academy training reputation and resulting appeal to potential students as well; and additional value will be created for cash-strapped cities like San Bernardino whose Public Safety Budget would find relief in both providing and paying for Public Safety by utilizing the intern-officers.