Local

By Quinci LeGardye 

Gov. Newsom says he wants to help small businesses. Combined, they are a major economic engine in the state. He wants them to get online quicker and expand their markets to reach new customers in cyberspace. This is as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hammer their bottom lines and change the way we shop. 

To that end, the governor declared July 2020 “California for All Small Business Month” in a proclamation issued July 8. 

“With local businesses across the state working to meet unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 crisis, California for All Small Business Month is an important time to recognize their essential contributions to our state, and each do our part to help California’s diverse small businesses recover and thrive,” reads the proclamation. 

African American business owners and advocates across the state are optimistic. The much-needed assistance Gov. Newsom has announced in a time of crisis, they say, will enable them to remain competitive in a rapidly changing global marketplace. 

“95% of the world customers are outside of the United States. As small businesses learn to pivot as a result of the Covid pandemic, it is imperative that they have the online presence and access to capital to reach those potential clients,” said Gene Hale, president of the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC). “ Supporting local businesses will help stimulate those communities and invigorate job growth.” 

The Small Business Month proclamation coincided with the start of “Calling All Californians: #ShopSafeShopLocal,” a new campaign the governor’s office is leading. 

The #ShopSafeShopLocal campaign encourages shoppers in California to help small businesses operate safely during the pandemic. It also provides small business owners with resources to help them improve their online presence, including free website development and digital marketing. 

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development has partnered with leading tech companies in the state, including Google, eBay, Square and Yelp, to provide services to small businesses, including free online advertising, free websites, and COVID-19 relief. They will also connect California businesses with under 750 employees to shipping companies that can help them set up e-commerce deliveries. 

“Local has taken on a new meaning and California’s beloved small businesses need our help now more than ever,” said Isabel Guzman, co-chair of the Small Business Subcommittee and Director of the state’s Office of the Small Business Advocate, in an OpEd she co-authored with Sarah Friar, who is co-chair of the Small Business Subcommittee and CEO of San Francisco-based Nextdoor. The Press Enterprise, a Riverside County media outlet, published their statement. 

Nextdoor is a San Francisco-based company that provides a hyper-local social networking platform to connect people with each other and to businesses and resources in their community. 

“Supporting nearby stores, business owners, and local employees, as they modify operations to slow the spread of COVID-19, is an essential commitment to our community,” Guzman and Friar wrote. 

In addition to resources from business partners, the campaign’s website includes links to state and county industry guidance, free business consulting, and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association’s personal protective equipment (PPE) marketplace. The online portal links California businesses with COVID-19 safety equipment. 

“California’s small businesses are adapting to the new marketplace, integrating technology at higher rates than ever, developing creative ways to connect with clients digitally and repurposing to serve their communities with innovations that meet the moment,” said Gov. Newsom. “California remains committed to helping all of our diverse small businesses become more resilient and thrive.” 

There are nearly 4 million small businesses in California. In good times, they make up over 99% of all businesses in the state and employ nearly half of the state’s workforce — over 7.1 million people, according to U.S Small Business Administration’s 2018 numbers. 

Before the pandemic, across the United States, African-American and Latino women-owned businesses were experiencing the fastest growth, according to 2012 U.S. Census Bureau data. 

But COVID-19 is presenting new financial and operational challenges, especially for businesses owned by African Americans and other ethnic minorities in California. 

“According to the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, in the last 4 months, there has been a 15 percent drop of active business owners across the nation,” Guzman and Friar shared. “That decrease is nearly double for Black-owned and operated businesses at 26%, and at 19% for Latino, 21% Asian, and 25% immigrant. 

The governor also emphasized the importance of maintaining social distancing protocols while shopping. 

“Critically, amid the ongoing emergency, we must all do our part to keep small business employees, owners, and others safe by wearing face coverings when we go out, practicing safe shopping and following public health protocols.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Congratulations to class of 2020 Social Lites Beautillion Knights who will be celebrated virtually due to COVID-19 on Saturday, July 25, 2020.  We are so proud of these distinguished young men.  A bright future awaits them!

The Beautillion Program was started in the Inland Empire out of concern for the future and survival of the young black men in the community in which they live and serve.  High school seniors who participate in the program are known as Knights.  This program is designed to help young men who are seniors in high school prepare for college through the solicitation of ads, leadership development, accountability, responsibility, etiquette, attire for all occasions, spiritual growth, public speaking, and community service.   The all-around Knight will be identified as Sir Knight on July 25, 2020 along with other awards for academics and other achievements.  

For more information, please telephone chairperson, Mrs. Tina Darling at tribicu2@msn.com or Ms. Lisa Blacksher-Owens, President at lisasocialities@gmail.com or Mrs. Bettye Brewster, Business Manager,bettyebrewster@yahoo.

“How Full Is My Train” Gives Riders More Comfort for Safe Return to Public Transportation 

LOS ANGELES – Metrolink, Southern California’s passenger rail service, today launches an online tool called “How Full Is My Train?”. The tool allows riders to check recent ridership levels of a train they plan to ride and confirm they will have the ability to maintain safe distances on board trains. 

Metrolink’s goal is to keep ridership at or below 30 percent of the available seats per rail car to allow for up to six feet of social distance between riders. Ridership is closely monitored on all trains so when one has consistently reached 30% ridership, Metrolink can add a passenger car or additional train service, as possible, to allow for social distancing. 

“How Full is My Train?” users will be able to view average train ridership before boarding. If their travel plans are flexible, they may choose to take a train that usually has fewer people on it. In many cases, riders will be able to simply move to other cars if one car appears crowded.

“We know that safety is top of mind with our customers,” said Metrolink Board Chair Brian Humphrey. “Safety is foundational at Metrolink – and a shared responsibility.  Riders are required to wear face coverings while on our platforms and on board our trains. This tool empowers the rider to practice social distancing.” 

Metrolink’s recent Customer Survey, found that social distancing and cleanliness are among the top concerns of riders. Close to 81% of survey respondents indicated they would ride with Metrolink again, with 29% planning to return as soon as the stay-at-home measures are lifted. The survey also revealed that popular amenities like electrical outlets and Wi-Fi are now taking backseat to riders’ desire for hand sanitizers on every rail car.
Safety First at Metrolink
Since March, Metrolink has significantly enhanced cleaning and other safety protocols to keep riders safe. These include:

• Enhancing cleaning protocols, which include wiping down regularly touched surfaces such as doors, restrooms, head rests, armrests, handrails, tables and trash areas using disinfecting products, as well as the daily use of electrostatic sprayers that mist hospital-grade disinfectant on all areas of train cars – especially helpful for hidden and hard-to-reach locations.

• Introducing a new Clean Care Crew dedicated to cleaning and disinfecting trains throughout the day.

• Installing hand sanitizer stations on each train car, and ensuring they are filled more often.

• Requiring face masks and coverings for anyone on board Metrolink trains and on Metrolink platforms and providing conductors with a limited supply of face masks for riders who have forgotten their face covering.

Continuing to reiterate guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and other health authorities on ways to keep themselves and others safe through personal hygiene and social distancing.
For more information about Metrolink, please visit metrolinktrains.com.

RIVERSIDE, CA— Each year, the  NAACP-Riverside Branch holds its local Afro-Academic Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) competition, open to youth from 9th to 12th grade, competing for a chance to move on  to compete at the NAACP National Convention. Due to Covid-19, this year’s competition was done via Zoom. Nine scholars competed in various categories online. The NAACP National Convention will take place July 22-25 and will be virtual. ACT-SO categories include: Performing Arts, Humanities, Visual Arts, Science/STEM, Entrepreneurship and more. ACT-SO was founded in 1978 by the late Vernon Jarrett. It is designed to recruit, stimulate, improve and encourage high academics and cultural achievement among African American high school students. 

Medals were handed out at a special ACT-SO Award Recognition held at Woody’s Restaurant in Moreno Valley, Calif. Songstress Anyana Arbuthnot opened the event with a performance of ‘Song Rise Up’ by Audra Day. Also, 12-year-old Zaiah Shepard did an amazing and thought-provoking spoken word performance, voicing his perspective of why Black Lives Matter. Although he is too young to compete this year, he said he looks forward to competing next year. NAACP ACT-SO Chair Maudi Wilson expressed her thoughts about this years competition.

“Despite the challenges we had to overcome of not being able to hold this year’s competition in person due to the Corona virus pandemic, I was very pleased and thankful for the support of my team members who helped make 2020 ACT-SO competition a success,” said Wilson. 

The Gold medalist winners who will move on to compete at the NAACP National Competition include: Jibaiana Jakpor (Stem/Mathematics/Medicine & Health), Veritus Miller (Music Composition/Classical Instrumental), Zenmarah Duruisseau (Contemporary Dance/Poetry), Sanaa Jefferson (Modern Dance) and Ayana Arbuthnot (Music Vocal Contemporary).

In order for our us to continue to mold and shape these future scholars and prepare them for the ACT-SO National competition, donations and sponsors are needed. If you would like to support our youth, please contact: Maudie Wilson, ACT-SO Chairperson at 951-640-1650 for additional information.###

About NAACP Riverside Branch #1059 (www.naacp-riverside.org)
The mission of the NAACP is to advocate for political, education, social and economic equality of rights for all citizens, as well as eradicate racial injustice. The NAACP-Riverside Branch has been fulfilling this mission serving the community for over 75 years. 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar announced $3,802,601 in federal funding for the County of San Bernardino Preschool Services Department (PSD). The funding was made possible by the CARES Act, bipartisan legislation passed by Congress to provide relief and resources during the coronavirus crisis, and will allow PSD to offer summer programming to the families it serves.

“This pandemic has presented countless challenges for San Bernardino County families, including new barriers to early-childhood education. I was proud to support the CARES Act to bring this funding to our community so that children throughout the Inland Empire can continue receiving high-quality educational programming throughout the summer,” said Aguilar.

“During a time of great uncertainty, the Preschool Services Department would like to thank Rep. Pete Aguilar and the members of Congress for the funds on behalf of the families that we serve. The CARES Act funds will provide for summer programming for children in need of high quality early learning over the summer. The funds will also be used to address health and safety concerns related to COVID-19,” said Phalos Haire, Director of the Preschool Services Department.

Rep. Aguilar serves as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, the committee responsible for allocating funding for federal agencies and programs.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- During a lengthy NBA career, which including 4 titles, John Salley was on a different journey. He became a vegetarian during his playing days before going vegan in 2007. Now the TV host and chef has his very own vegan restaurant, the brand-new Cafe Organix located at 420 East Hospitality Lane, Suite A-10.

The grand opening was held on Friday, June 26. The event was definitely a celebratory one with community members from all throughout the Inland Empire and Los Angeles that stopped through. Kayla Collins DJ’ed during the last half of the event.

When asked why Salley chose San Bernardino for his establishment, he stated, “I wanted to be a part of the growth of veganism in San Bernardino, putting an end to food deserts in Black and Brown communities.”

Cafe Organix 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,” shared Salley.

Aside from offering drinks and eats, Cafe Organix will also stock frozen packaged goods, tea blends, candles, and other products! There is an art gallery inside the cafe that will feature a new local artist each month, and they also plan to host regular events for the community.

Visit CafeOrganix..com to plan your visit!

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By Robert Walker

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Enterprise Building and The 320 Premiere Hall will be hosting a special July 4th holiday series of events on July 4th and 5th from 11 A.M. to 3 P.M., at 320 North E Street in downtown San Bernardino called, “Show & Tell: A Story of Our Ancestors Freedom Fight!”.

All families are encouraged to participate in observance of America’s other Independence Day of Juneteenth marking the end of slavery to today’s Black Lives Matter and their importance for all people’s edification.

The events are coordinated by LUE Dowdy, Vice President of the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce; along with volunteers from local community organizations such as: LUE Productions, Youth Build Inland Empire, Purposely Awakened, and the Westside Story Newspaper.

Participating organizations at this event include: YouthBuild School – Africa American Icons; Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce – Before Black Wall Street, The Story of Eatonville, FL; Westside Story Newspaper – Liberation Through Black Media; T’ana Phelice Productions – “The Only Tired I Am” (short skit); LUE Productions – Musical Timeline of Music That Helped Our People Sustained Through Dark Times; African American Mental Health Coalition – Methods Of Treatment Provided For African American Women with Mental Health conditions; Purposely Awaken – Liberation through Black Media in Conjunction with the Westside Story Newspaper; Off The Chain Alliance – The Discrimination and Elimination of African American Hair; Unitee – Born Guilty, A Look At Incarceration and Social Inequality; Painter, Maurice Howard; Young Women Empowerment (YWE) – Human Trafficking Awareness – Social and Emotional Barriers That Prevent Young Women From Achieving Their Aspirations; and We 3 Productions – Isolation Concentrations: Under The Boabab Tree.

These events are sponsored by The Enterprise Building and will be a COVID-19 required setting for participants to maintain social distancing and wearing of masks in order participate.

“Don’t wait! You can register your tour today and select your tour time. Please visit the link below. We Look forward to seeing you at the events. Remember to bring your entire family, especially your children” — LUE Dowdy

For further information, contact LUE Productions at: Lue@Blackchamberofcommerce.org. I 888.466.7408, Ext. 11, or Mobile phone at: 909.566.1000 / https://productions.wufoo.com/forms/rdjl8h90566y8h

Amid Pandemic and Economic Crisis, Directors Collaborate to Improve Water Quality & Infrastructure Without Increasing Costs for Ratepayers

As the country continues to face a pandemic and an economic crisis, the Water Valley Water District (WVWD) Board of Directors responsibly approved fiscal year (FY) 2020-2021 budget with $416,000 in cost savings and no water rate increases.

“In the face of a pandemic and economic crisis, this budget delivers on our promise to increase fiscal responsibility and accountability,” stated Board President Channing Hawkins. “I’m proud of the West Valley Water District board and management team for working together to make hard choices and prioritizing investments in our infrastructure. Despite all the obstacles, we were able to account for revenue shortfalls and ensure quality services for ratepayers without raising rates.”

Anticipating a decline in revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WVWD staff introduced a proposed operating budget in May that applied a 10 percent reduction to operation expenditures. Over the past several weeks, the board of directors held five public virtual workshops to recommend additional cost savings opportunities.

During these meetings, the board identified and eliminated an additional $416,000 in expenses from professional service contracts, including fees to lobbyists and consultants, and internal operating agreements for fleet, waste and building maintenance services. The overall FY 2020-2021 budget includes a nearly 12 percent decrease compared to FY 19-20 approved budget but keeps water rates steady for ratepayers. 

“We will not consider rate increases during a global pandemic,” stated Vice President Kyle Crowther. “I am pleased that we were able to identify funding for critical projects to enhance services across our Water District. I am proud of the work our management team has done to ensure that we have a budget that keeps water flowing.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic forces California’s economy into a recession, many state and local agencies are being forced to cut back on spending. Governor Gavin Newsom recently suggested that the State of California faces $54.3 billion deficit despite starting the year with about $20 billion in reserves. While WVWD does not fund operations and capital improvement projects via sales tax revenues, it does fund operations by utilizing district general fund and capacity charges, which were also affected by COVID-19 and ratepayers’ inability to sustain payments due to financial strain. The approved budget not addresses WVWD’s financial needs but does so without rate increases or issuing new debt. 

Congratulations to Myrlene Pierre for being selected as the NEW Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. (SBCSS)

Previously, Pierre served as the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for the Westminster School District for the past three years. She also was an assistant superintendent of Educational Services with the Claremont Unified School District. She also was the director of Educational Services with the Magnolia School District for four years. From 2006-2010, Pierre served in roles as a principal and curriculum specialist in the Anaheim Elementary School District.

“I join our County Superintendent and County Board of Education in our excitement to have such a decorated educator with 3 decades of experience join our team.  Alejandre said. “She has been a teacher, principal and district administrator in Southern California and has a passion for developing strong educational programs for all students.”

In her new role as Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, Pierre will oversee the operations of the Student Services branch that includes the administrators, teachers and paraprofessionals who provide direct support to students in the County Schools.

Pierre will be a member of the county superintendent’s executive cabinet. County Schools’ Student Services program annually provides education to approximately 6,000 students in alternative education, special education, juvenile court school and state preschool programs.

RIALTO, CA—- During its June 9, 2020 meeting, the Rialto City Council approved the City’s continued federal funding allocation for the Inland Empire Section of the National Council of Negro Women (“IE NCNW”), allowing the long-standing Rialto-based nonprofit to continue to provide career and educational assistance to Rialto youth and young adults.

On February 11, 2020, the City Council authorized a financial audit of all its federal block grants and its state-funded Proposition 47 grant. Additionally, the City Council voted to retain Special Counsel to produce a report looking into possible conflicts of interests and financial entanglements between Mayor Deborah Robertson and IE NCNW, a long-time grant recipient. The City Council expressed concern that Mayor Robertson was a member of IE NCNW and her daughter is currently President of the organization. With the Special Counsel Report (“Report”) completed, the City Council took up the funding item; and after hearing hours of strong community support for IE NCNW, awarded the organization funding for the 2020-21 fiscal year.

IE NCNW cooperated fully and voluntarily in the Special Counsel investigation by providing written answers to questions, as well as corporate and financial records. The Report offered legal guidance and recommendations but was not designed to make a final determination of the issues.

Importantly, the Special Counsel found that Mayor Robertson and her daughter, IE NCNW President Milele Robertson, did not have a “financial interest in the grant.” The Report contained recommendations that the City could follow-up with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, California Attorney General, and the Board of State and Community Corrections to obtain further guidance. Mayor Robertson’s attorney, Allison Bracy, informally consulted with HUD’s regional representative, who did not view the issue as problematic from a conflict-of-interest viewpoint.

Although the Report stated that the arrangement may be an “apparent” conflict under state common law, it concluded that Mayor Robertson had no financial interest in IE NCNW and Milele Robertson received no compensation from IE NCNW. The Report also noted that Mayor Robertson and Milele Robertson may have received a “tangible personal benefit” based on the receipt of grants by IE NCNW. The Report, however, did not explain how either received any type of personal benefit because the funding went to the organization and neither Mayor Robertson nor Milele Robertson obtained any compensation or financial benefit from the funds.

Following the approval of the IE NCNW funding, The Sun newspaper, on June 18, 2020, published an incomplete and misleading article on the Special Counsel Report’s findings, failing to mention that Mayor Robertson decided to recuse herself from the June 9t h vote and, subsequently, the IE NCNW funding was approved.

The June 18th article also failed to mention findings in the Report that several state statute and regulations were not violated by the arrangement. Prior to publishing the article, IE NCNW’s attorney attempted to reach the reporter, Joe Nelson, by telephone, but The Sun reporter did not return the call to get IE NCNW’s viewpoint or comment.

With the City Council’s decision to award IE NCNW grant funding, the service organization will continue to provide career services and educational assistance to Rialto youth and young adults. IE NCNW members also volunteer their time and expertise as well as give financially to support additional activities not covered by the City’s CDBG funding, such as: assisting walk-in residents seeking resources and referrals for assistance programs, job referral and placement, and helping local homeless individuals and families. On a typical day, IE NCNW assists up to 100 people, striving to help them meet basic needs for housing, employment, and food.

IE NCNW membership also holds an annual food drive, giving 50 or more food baskets to Rialto families experiencing food insecurity during the holiday season, as well as offering monetary and in-kind donations to support local victims of domestic abuse.

“On behalf of IE NCNW, I thank everyone who provided support and used their voice to speak to the integrity of our Section and the services we provide through the organization and Bethune Center program. The support speaks volumes of our collective strength when we all come together,” said Milele Robertson, IE NCNW President.

Please address any questions to Willie W. Williams, attorney for IE NCNW, at the number provided.

(P)   909.581.8341  •  (F) 909.586.9380

10621 Church Street, Suite 110 • Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

Web: www.williewilliomslaw.com • Email: www@williewilliamslaw.com