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By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tracey Bannister, Navy Office of Community Outreach

BANGOR, Wash. – A Loma Linda, California, native is stationed at Naval Base Kitsap (NBK), homeport to west coast ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines.

Lt. Yannick Munyakayanza joined the Navy for the educational opportunities and the culture the Navy provides. Today, Munyakayanza serves as an assistant targeting officer.

“I wanted to learn about nuclear engineering, and I joined for the history and heritage in the submarine community with African Americans,” said Munyakayanza.

Munyakayanza attended Campbell High School and graduated in 2007. Today, Munyakayanza uses skills and values similar to those found in Loma Linda to succeed in the Navy.

“A good mental attitude, a good level of malleability, and good study habits are the lessons learned I brought with me to the Navy from my hometown,” said Munyakayanza.

These lessons have helped Munyakayanza while serving with Commander Submarine Group 9/Commander Task Group 114.3.

Known as America’s “Apex Predators!” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.

There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).

Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. The Virginia-class SSN is the most advanced submarine in the world today. It combines stealth and payload capability to meet Combatant Commanders’ demands in this era of strategic competition.

The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles. The Columbia-class SSBN will be the largest, most capable and most advanced submarine produced by the U.S. – replacing the current Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines to ensure continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.

Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.

Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Munyakayanza is part of a rich 122-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.

Serving in the Navy means Munyakayanza is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through underwater fiber optic, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

A major component of that maritime security is homeported at Naval Submarine Base Bangor.

For decades Naval Submarine Base Bangor has been home to Ohio Class ballistic-missile submarines. Beginning in 2028, the new Columbia Class ballistic-missile submarines will arrive and provide continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.

Munyakayanza and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“Qualifying as a submarine officer and being seen as a leader among the submarine personnel, including the subsequent validation through peers and supervisors for my ability to continue a submarine career as a supervisor, is what I’m most proud of,” said Munyakayanza.

As Munyakayanza and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy means doing my part in upholding a longstanding and hard fought tradition in the submarine group, having my family be proud of me and being a part of an elite community that’s also willing to serve others,” added Munyakayanza.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Every student attending San Bernardino City Unified schools will receive COVID-19 rapid antigen tests thanks to a generous donation from Amazon.

A longtime community partner, Amazon donated 150,000 COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to the District’s Making Hope Happen Foundation, which will be distributed to every SBCUSD school. Students will take the tests home in May and can use them to test until early June, when school is out for summer break.

With the help of partners like Amazon, the Making Hope Happen Foundation (MHHF) engages people, builds partnerships, provides leadership, and delivers resources where they are needed to achieve a thriving and innovative community in which every student is a lifelong learner and can be successful in meeting their hopes and aspirations.

The Amazon donation included 75 boxes of Abbott BinaxNow rapid antigen test kits, with two tests per kit. Amazon donated these COVID-19 tests to SBCUSD in support of its continued pandemic response to ensure communities across the country have access to reliable at-home COVID-19 testing.
The Foundation supports the educational mission of the San Bernardino City Unified School District, which has embraced the power of hope as a primary driver of personal motivation and community change.

“The Making Hope Happen Foundation and SBCUSD are grateful for partnerships like this one that make these tests readily available for our more than 46,000 students,” said Ginger Ontiveros, the District’s Chief Communications/Community Engagement Officer and MHHF Executive Director. “Even as COVID wanes, it is important that we all do our part to protect ourselves and our community.”

“We’re proud to support the San Bernardino Unified School District by providing COVID-19 rapid antigen tests,” said David Ambroz, senior manager of community engagement for Amazon. “Regular and accessible testing during the pandemic continues to help keep our students and communities safe and healthy as we return to in-person activities.”

By Tanu Henry. | California Black Media

Last weekend, two of the most powerful Black women in California — both elected officers — visited seven churches in the Inland Empire, ahead of the June 7 primary elections.

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Board of Equalization Chair Malia Cohen began their micro-tour of Black churches at Loveland Church located in Fontana where the Rev. Charles Singleton is pastor.

“I’d like to introduce you to two outstanding servants of God in our state government,” retired California Assemblymember Cheryl Brown told the congregation at the oldest Black church in San Bernardino before Weber and Brown spoke.

Brown, who served in the Assembly representing the 47th District in San Bernardino County, was a member of the State Legislature from 2012 to 2016.

“First, the highest ranking African American in the state and the third in line for the governor succession, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber,” Brown asked the church to welcome Weber.

“Following her is Malia Cohen,” Brown continued. “Malia is the Chair of the Board of Equalization, and she’s running for State Controller. Both have the highest integrity.”

“I’m honored to be with you,” Weber told the congregation. “I’m the first African American to serve in this position in the 170-year history of California.”

Weber reminded the parishioners that it is “election time” and they are presented a unique opportunity to make their voices heard. She contrasted the voting rights Californians enjoy with restrictive policies in some conservative states that she says are being implemented to restrict access to the ballot box and limit public information about the electoral process.

Weber, who was an Assemblymember representing the 79th District in San Diego before Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed her Secretary of State in 2021, told the churchgoers that standing up for freedom and justice has been central to her professional career.

“I’ve spent my life as a legislator advocating on your behalf,” she said. “Making sure we had laws concerning police use of force, reparations – those opportunities that are there – those are my bills. But also making sure that everyone has the right to vote, has the information about voting, and we’ve lifted so many of the barriers to voting. Right now, in California, if you’re not sitting in state or federal prison for a felony, you can vote.”

Cohen took the podium following Weber.

“I love being in the Black church,” said Cohen, who served as President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 2018 to 2019 before she was elected to the BOE. She was a member of the San Francisco city leadership team from 2011 to 2019.

“To the church, I know you know how important voting is. I know you know a lot of elected officials that come through here’” Cohen told congregants. “I don’t want you to be offended. It is our way of saying thank you and acknowledging the power that lies in this congregation.”

Weber and Cohen are two out of three African Americans among California’s eight constitutional officers. The other is State Superintendent for Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. All of them are on the ballot for the upcoming June 7 primary election.

The other Inland Empire churches Cohen and Weber visited are Loveland Church in Fontana, Life Changing Ministries in San Bernardino, St. Paul AME in San Bernardino, Temple Metropolitan Baptist Church in San Bernardino, and Ecclesia Christian Fellowship in San Bernardino.

Cohen also visited New Life Christian Fellowship in Fontana.

“I am here to ask humbly for your support,” said Cohen. “I’ve served eight years on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. I’ve served three years on the Board of Equalization, and I would like to serve another four years as your State Controller. Please remember me as you cast your ballots.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) Superintendent Doc Ervin announced Tuesday, May 3 that he will retire at the end of this school year. In making the announcement, Ervin praised the educational community for putting students first during what he called “the most unprecedented time for public education.”

“When I joined the SBCUSD team, my goal was twofold. First to reopen schools to in-person learning after the pandemic pushed classes online for a year, and second to set us on a transformational path toward becoming a high-performing public school district,” said Ervin. “I am proud to say we accomplished the first and have good curricular, instructional, and assessment systems and structures in place to support the second.”

Ervin was hired one year ago, with the Board of Education unanimously appointing him for a three-year assignment. According to Ervin, he made the decision to retire earlier than expected after carefully considering family, health, and progress toward his professional goals here.

“Superintendent Ervin came to SBCUSD, listened to our community, and led us through reopening our schools with an emphasis on doing what’s best for kids,” said Dr. Scott Wyatt, President of the Board of Education. “While his tenure will be brief, his impact on our system has helped us see new opportunities to help scholars excel and move our District on a trajectory toward becoming a high performing district of excellence.”

Ervin spent several months gathering input from the community through his Listening & Learning Tour. He shared his findings with the District’s leadership team who developed five overarching goals to strengthen student outcomes. Then at Mr. Ervin’s urging parents, students, teachers, community leaders, principals, District administrators, and Board members joined a task force to build on these overarching goals and create a new strategic plan known as Framework for Excellence: Vision 2025. Nearly complete, the Framework will provide SBCUSD with a roadmap to guide its success in the future.

Ervin noted that he appreciates the support he’s received from members of the District’s Board of Education. He added that he hopes they will embrace the collaboratively designed Framework before the next school year begins and will come together to select a new leader who is aligned with their educational philosophy.

“As I have said since I started my role here, SBCUSD has everything it needs to be a high-performing, urban public school system,” said Ervin. “I believe in the plans our team developed together with input from our school community. I believe they can be successful regardless of my decision to step away because this District is an educational community that wants transformational change. Success is possible if everyone stays focused on making decisions in the best interests of kids.”

In addition to reopening schools and preparing the Framework for Excellence, Mr. Ervin also led the District in many other accomplishments including:
• Implementation of a robust COVID-19 management system that protected SBCUSD students, staff, and community to the greatest extent possible.
• Establishing a District division to focus on Equity, Access and Innovation and ensure all students are met with the support and opportunity they need to be successful.
• Implementation of a system-wide digitized 4-year plan to guide high school students toward graduation and improve college readiness.
• Adoption of the NWEA assessment systems to provide meaningful insights for teaching and learning that will help educators improve their effectiveness.
• Establishment of a Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Committee to ensure representation and improved communication with parents and guardians from all 73 schools.
• Improvement of communication between the District and its various stakeholders through the deployment of ParentSquare and several electronic newsletters.
• Achievement of three new Linked Learning Gold Certified Career Pathways and the state’s first Linked Learning Gold High School.
• Launching of a pilot program for a Learning Labs as a model to scale Districtwide in support of academic success in literacy and math.
• Initiation of teacher-led efforts to align curriculum, instruction, and assessment systems to provide uniformity, continuity, and consistency across all schools.

Mr. Ervin’s last day as Superintendent will be July 1, 2022. The Board of Education will discuss the process of identifying the District’s next superintendent at a future board meeting.

YUCAIPA, CA— Eight senior students within the Chaffey Joint Union High School District have been awarded with Chaffey College Trust Fund Scholarships.

The Chaffey Trust, established in 1882, created the scholarship program in 1967 to provide awards to outstanding students in the Chaffey District. Every year, scholarships are awarded to seniors at each of the Chaffey District’s eight comprehensive high schools for their academic record, participation in student activities and potential for collegiate success. Each scholarship is named after a former Chaffey District superintendent.

The recipients are:

Emily Barrera, Chaffey High School, the Bette Harrison Scholarship ($2,000). Barrera plans to attend the University of La Verne and major in education.

Navnit Kaur, Ontario High School, the Barry W. Cadwallader Scholarship ($1,900). Kaur plans to attend the University of California Irvine and major in biology/public health.

Rhema Hooper, Colony High School, the Merton E. Hill Scholarship ($1,800). Hooper plans to attend the Lehigh University and major in humanities and medicine.

Aidan Daniel, Alta Loma High School, the Gardiner W. Spring Scholarship ($1,700). Daniel plans to attend Cal Poly Pomona and major in aerospace engineering.

Annie Pan, Los Osos High School, the Daniel B. Milliken Scholarship ($1,600). Pan plans to attend UCLA or Vanderbilt University and major in applied mathematics.

Hanna Mann, Rancho Cucamonga High School, the Allan G. Smith Scholarship ($1,500). Mann plans to attend UCLA and major in psychobiology.

Richard Nguyen, Ontario High School, the Mike Dirksen Scholarship ($1,400). Nguyen plans to attend the University of California Irvine and major in nursing.

Meghann Domond, Los Osos High School, the Dean Smothers Scholarship ($1,300). Domond plans to attend the California State University Fullerton or the University of California San Diego and major in business legal studies.

The scholarship candidacies were reviewed by Bob Beck, Gary Ovitt, Susan Petrocelli, George Johnson and Joey Collisson.

Former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Dr. Robert Redfield will visit with San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) students who are interested in medical careers during a May 17 visit.

Redfield, a virologist and infectious disease clinician, joined the AM LLC executive team as senior medical advisor and his visit is part of the company’s work to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 around the country. SBCUSD hired AM LLC as a consultant in 2021 as the District was preparing for the return of students to in-person instruction.

SBCUSD high school students who are enrolled in health and medical pathways at Cajon High, Indian Springs High, Pacific High, San Andreas High, Sierra High, and San Gorgonio High Schools will participate in this special event.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Less than a month before California’s June 7 Primary Election, Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton claims reports concerning a civil case filed against her husband’s church are being misrepresented by her opponents.

An unnamed alleged victim has filed a lawsuit in Contra Costa County against the Rev. Alvin C. Bernstine, pastor of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Richmond and a former church employee. The men are accused of sexual abuse of a 14-year-old. The lawyers for the victim say the crime took place about 10 years ago.

Becton, who is the county’s first Black district attorney has been married to Bernstine since 2020.

“The safety of Contra Costa residents, including women and girls, is my highest priority,” Becton said in a statement to California Black Media. “The church where my husband is a pastor has been the subject of misleading news articles that are distorting the facts. The civil case is going to work its way through the courts, and I am confident the truth will come to light.”

Becton, a former Contra Costa County Superior Court judge, was appointed the county’s 25th District Attorney by the county’s supervisors in 2017. The following year, she ran and was elected to the position.

She is currently running for reelection in the June 7 election against prosecutor Mary Knox.

The allegations of sex abuse center around Jesse Armstrong, a former youth choir director at the church, hired by Bernstine.

The victim’s lawyers allege that Armstrong is a registered sex offender in the state of California and is serving a two-year and eight-month prison sentence for the abuse that allegedly took place over a four-month period.

The lawsuit also claims that Armstrong was twice convicted of sexually abusing at least five minor girls before working at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church.

“(Armstrong) used his position as choir youth director to meet, groom and reportedly sexually assault Jane SD Doe,” the victim’s attorneys say. “The sexual abuse mentioned in the lawsuit occurred at various locations, including but not limited to, between classes at the plaintiff’s school, and at hotels, oftentimes immediately following choir practice or other church events.”

The victim’s attorney questioned Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church’s hiring process, arguing that “a minimal background check would have revealed” that Armstrong was a sexual predator.

“Either they hired him with no background check, which is the height of negligence, or they knew of his criminal background and hired him anyway which could expose them to criminal liability,” the attorneys’ stated.

Becton’s spokesperson Ted Asregadoo said, “the events listed in this civil suit occurred in 2012” and “these civil claims substantially predate” Becton’s and Bernstine’s marriage.

Becton recently told CBM that her priority is keeping the 1.1 million residents of Contra Costa County safe from dangerous and violent criminals.

The reports of the civil lawsuit involving a teenage girl surfaced after Becton, 70, received key endorsements for her reelection campaign and her office was recognized for its involvement in closing a decades-old cold case.

On April 23, Becton, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Richmond Acting Police Chief Louie Tirona announced that they identified a man who killed a 28-year-old woman in 1999. The culprit, who died 11 days after the crime, was identified through DNA left at the scene.

Becton has also received backlash from some members of law enforcement for her stance in another case. In April 2021, she announced charges for felony voluntary manslaughter, felony assault with a semi-automatic firearm and unreasonable force against Andrew Hall, a White Danville police officer and deputy. In October 2021, Hall was convicted for assault with a firearm in the 2018 shooting of Laudemer Arboleda, a 33-year-old Filipino American man.

In March, a Contra Costa Superior Court judge sentenced Hall to six years in prison.

Knox, a registered Democrat who has served as a Contra Costa County prosecutor for 37 years, is running against Becton.

Becton blames the timing of the current reports on her opponent.

“It is outrageous that my opponent is using this case to try to score political points and for political gain days before ballots get into the hands of voters. I won’t be doing the same,” Becton stated.

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media
“I really don’t understand how the price of gas can rise so drastically in California,” said a Black woman and 55-year-old Rancho Cucamonga resident who agreed to be interviewed for this article but asked to not be identified.

“Unfortunately, we need to purchase it regardless of the prices and that’s one of reasons, I believe, it continues to increase,” she complained. “Weekly, it is costing me approximately $75 to commute to and from work, which is $35 more than I used to pay.”

The woman, who is a collections officer with a lead abatement company, said filling her tank often means she has to forgo another obligation.

As of Friday, the average gas price per gallon was $5.82 in the state.

Now, news that the state is tacking an extra 3 cent tax on every gallon purchased – which will not be a significant increase – is still absurd, says the woman, considering that California already has the highest gas prices in the nation.

Because Gov. Gavin Newsom and the State Legislature missed the May 1 deadline to suspend an inflationary gas tax increase that is scheduled for July 1, it will still take effect.

Policymakers would have had to act 60 days in advance to avert the increase.
Democratic lawmakers, backed by environmentalists, are digging their heels in, defending their decision not to suspend the inflationary tax increase that they fought hard to approve when they voted to pass Senate Bill 1 in 2017.
“As we’ve said before, suspending the gas tax would reduce critical funds available for road repair and improvement projects,” Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood said in a joint statement.
“Additionally, as oil companies continue to rake in record-high profits, there is no guarantee this relief would be passed onto consumers,” Atkins and Rendon continued.
With the tax hike, the average excise tax price per gallon in the state will go from about 51cents per gallon to 54 cents per gallon.
Last month, with the May 1 deadline looming, Newsom’s office acknowledged that it would not be able to convince lawmakers in the state Senate and Assembly to suspend the tax increase.
Instead, Newsom’s spokesperson Alex Stack released a statement suggesting that the Governor’s office was turning its attention to providing relief to Californians as the cost of gas, food and other commodities continue to skyrocket.
“We look forward to working with lawmakers on the governor’s proposal for direct payments to Californians wrestling with rising prices,” Stack said in a statement. “Helping offset the impact of inflation on California residents remains a top priority for the governor.”
Legislative Republicans blasted their Democratic colleagues for their “inaction” on the gas tax increase.
“Californians are desperate for any relief at the pump while paying the highest gas prices in the nation, but Democrats have decided to run out the clock and increase the state’s gas tax instead,” read a statement the state Republican Party released earlier this month.
Gov. Newsom and lawmakers in both chambers of the Legislature have still not agreed on how to address the excessive cost of gas in the state.

By Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media
After serving a 22-year sentence in a California prison, James Morgan, 51, found himself facing a world of opportunities that he did not imagine he would have as an ex-convict once sentenced to life for attempted murder.

Morgan, a Carson Native, says he is grateful for a second chance at life, and he has taken full advantage of opportunities presented him through California state reentry and rehabilitation programs.

After completing mental health care for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Morgan was released from prison and granted parole in 2018.

“I did not expect what I found when I got out,” Morgan told California Black Media (CBM), explaining that he was fortunate to participate in a program for the formerly incarcerated in San Francisco.

“I was mandated by the courts to spend a year in transitional housing,” said Morgan. “Those guys walked us through everything. They made it really easy. It was all people I could relate to, and they knew how to talk to me because they used to be in the prison population — and they were from where we were from.”

Morgan says he also took lessons on anger management and time management.

Now, he is currently an apprentice in Local 300 Laborers Union, specializing in construction, after he participated in a pre-apprenticeship program through ARC (the Anti-Recidivism Coalition).

“Right now, I’m supporting my family,” Morgan said. “I’d say I’m doing pretty good because I hooked up with the right people.”

Supporters of criminal justice reform say Morgan’s success story in California is particularly encouraging.

Black men in the Golden State are imprisoned nearly 10 times the rate of their White counterparts, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. And just a little over a decade ago in 2011, the Supreme Court of the United States ordered California to reduce the number of inmates in its overcrowded prison system by 33,000. Of that population, nearly 30% were Black men even though they account for about 5 % of the state’s population.

To help more formerly incarcerated people like Morgan get back on their feet after paying their debt to society, last month, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Labor announced that the federal government is investing $145 million over the course of the next fiscal year to support reentry programs across the country.

The Biden-Harris Administration also announced plans to expand federal job opportunities and loan programs, expand access to health care and housing, and develop and amplify educational opportunities for the formerly and currently incarcerated.

“It’s not enough to just send someone home, it’s not enough to only help them with a job. There’s got to be a holistic approach,” said Chiraag Bains, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council on Racial Justice and Equity.

Bains told CBM that that reentry programs help establish an “incarceration-to-employment pipeline.”

The White House announced the programs late last month as President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 75 people and granted pardons to another three, including Abraham Bolden, the first Black Secret Service agent on White House detail.

Bolden was sentenced to 39 months in prison in 1964 for allegedly attempting to sell classified Secret Service documents. He has always maintained his innocence.

“Today, I granted pardons to three people and commuted the sentences of 75 people. America is a nation of laws, but we are also a nation of second chances, redemption, and rehabilitation,” Biden tweeted April 26.

According to Bains, about half of the people the President pardoned are Black or Brown.

“The president has spoken repeatedly about the fact that we have too many people serving time in prison for nonviolent drug offenses and too many of those people are Black and Brown,” said Bains. “This is a racial equity issue.”

Both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have faced sharp criticisms in the past for supporting tough-on-crime policies as U.S. Senator and California Attorney General, respectively, that have had disproportionately targeted Blacks and other minorities.

According to a 2021 Stanford University Study, reentry programs in California have contributed to a 37 % decrease in the average re-arrest rate over the period of a year and a 92 % decrease during the same time.
Over the last decade, California has funded a number of initiatives supporting reentry and rehabilitation. In 2015, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation launched the Male Community Re-Entry Program (MCRP) that provides community-based rehabilitative services in Butte, Kern, Los Angeles and San Diego Counties. The Butte program services Tehama, Nevada, Colusa, Glenn, Sutter, Placer and Yuba counties.

A year later, Gov. Newsom’s office introduced the California Community Reinvestment Grant Program. The initiative funds community groups providing services like job placement, mental health treatment, housing and more to people, including the formerly incarcerated, who were impacted by the War on the Drugs.

Morgan spoke highly of programs that helped him reintegrate into society – both in prison and after he was released.

“In hindsight, I look back at it and I’m blown away by all of the ways that they’ve helped me,” Morgan said.