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Loma Linda University Health is now meeting a medical need in neighboring Nevada.

Loma Linda University Transplantation Institute recently opened a satellite clinic in Las Vegas for comprehensive liver disease management to care for patients.

The state of Nevada does not currently have a liver transplant program, according to Juan Ramirez Jr., director of referral and business development for the Transplantation Institute. 

He said, “Many Loma Linda patients reside in Nevada and drive to Loma Linda for their regular clinic appointments, and we wanted to find a way to provide care to these patients in their own community.”

The Transplantation Institute serves adult and pediatric patients not only from the Inland Empire and Southern California, but also Central California, Las Vegas and beyond. The institute performs heart, kidney, liver and pancreas transplants.

The Las Vegas liver clinic opened its doors in February, allowing patients the opportunity to see their hepatology care team in their own community, ultimately decreasing the number of trips they make to Loma Linda.

General hepatology care, such as treatment of viral hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, is offered in addition to serving liver transplant patients. Patients who may need a liver transplant will still make periodic visits to Loma Linda, including for the operation itself.

The 2,182-square-foot clinic offers five exam rooms and is staffed five days a week, by nurse practitioner Inna Goldvarg, APRN, who brings years of experience in hepatology care. Michael Volk, MD, medical director for liver care at LLU Transplantation Institute, supervises the clinic and cares for patients weekly via videoconference and monthly in person.

Located at 2020 Goldring Ave., Suite 506, Las Vegas, the clinic can be called at 702-823-0004.

HAWTHRONE, CA- Resolve to Rise held its first annual symposium entitled “Stand Your Ground –Fighting Sexual Assault Together,” at the Hawthorne Memorial Center, this past Saturday. With the month of April being observed as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (#SAAPM), Yolanda Dunn (founding Director of the non-profit) birthed an event that spoke to the subject through raising awareness, education, empowerment and prevention.

As a survivor of sexual assault, Dunn is passionate about taking the necessary steps to inform the community of the widespread issue. She explains the importance of the event saying, “It’s important to me to try to prevent sex crimes from happening to other families and prevent them from enduring the same emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual trauma that my…daughter and I have endured.”

According to RAINN.org (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), Every 98 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. And every eight minutes, that victim is a child. Meanwhile, only six out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison.”” Dunn, 37, asserts her goal is to continue to raise awareness in the community and bring them together to stand and be able to be a voice to those that don’t have a voice…report crime and also be more vigilant of their own surroundings.

Officer, Christina Chiarello, Special Victim’s Detective at Hawthorne High School opened the event with a presentation about the subject matter. During her presentation, she expressed that sexual assault amongst high school students is common and many times the victims aren’t aware they’ve been victimized.

Panelist, Dr. Sonya Smith, Director of Pupil Personnel Services for the Hawthorne School District, argued amongst the panel the importance of listening to the victim. Dr. Smith further exclaimed that she, too is a survivor of sexual assault. Like Dr. Smith, panelist Tika Thornton is also a survivor. She briefly shared her story about being a victim of sexual abuse starting at age six. She further disclosed that she was also a victim of sex trafficking from 12 – 18 years of age. Currently, she is the Crisis Response Case Manager for a non-profit organization called Journey Out. She says, “I use my pain as power.”

During the panel discussion, Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney, Craig Rouviere and Dr. Vanessa Hurwitz (Psychologist at Harbor UCLA) provided their take on how to communicate and understand someone who has been sexually abused. Attorney Rouviere provided the best way to approach someone who has been sexually assaulted is to build a rapport and identify with them. Dr. Hurwitz debated that sexual assaulted victims sometime suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Dr. Hurwitz explains “People with PTSD are at greater risk of being assaulted, again…it’s difficult for [them] to [identify] a threat.”

City officials Mayor Pro-Tem, Haidar Awad, Councilwoman Angie Reyes English, Councilwoman Olivia Valentine, Councilman Milo Michelin and Hawthorne Police Chief, Robert Fager were all in attendance to support the cause. Toward the close of the event, pro MMA fighter, boxer, kick-boxer and owner of Systems Training Center (a Krav Maga self-defense training studio), Marcus Kowal, took the stage to demonstrate defense strategies for certain attacks. He also spoke about the death of his 15-month-old son, Liam, who was killed by a drunk driver in Sept. 2016. Since the tragedy, Kowal and his wife started Liam’s Life (www.liamslife.org); a non-profit whose mission is to change the social culture toward drinking and driving; “I will die fighting for my son,” he declared.

Following Kowal’s presentation, Mayor Pro-Tem, Haidar Awad, presented Kowal with a donation to Liam’s Life Foundation. Closing remarks were provided by Resolve to Rise’s founding Director, Yolanda Dunn. She gave thanks to all sponsors, supporters, vendors and event committee (Hawthorne Police Department, Mayor Pro-Tem, Haidar Awad, Systems Training Center, Target, Costco, Resolve to Rise, New Star Family Justice Center, Ooh ahh Productions, LW Special Events Management, Underground PR, HCTV 22, Stella Grafx, Trader Joe’s, NorthGate Market, Food 4 Less, Ralphs and the YWCA).

About Resolve to Rise – Resolve to Rise is dedicated to ensuring the welfare, wellness and well-being of children, adolescents and adults by raising awareness against sexual assault. We exist to empower children, families, schools, communities and survivors to rise above the stigma and aim to live fulfilled lives. To learn more about the organization, or to make a donation, visit www.resolvetorise.org

If you, or someone you know is eing sexually abused, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.4673 (24/7).

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) held a High Desert Youth Poverty Symposium at Victor Valley College on Tuesday, April 11.  Students and educators from the High Desert Region were invited to attend the symposium to discuss poverty challenges for youth and to provide resources and guidance to help address these critical issues facing our children and young adults. 

Victor Valley College sponsored the event which was designed to empower youth to help themselves and to be advocates for each other.  Robert Sewell, M.A., Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Victor Valley College commented, “It is vitally important to provide our youth the opportunity to share how they see poverty and how it affects them. Through their valued input we can develop and share tools that can help to mitigate youth poverty.”

Event attendees were greeted by Dr. Margaret Hill, Board Chair for CAPSBC, who also serves as member of the Board of the San Bernardino City Unified School District, Thomas Rice, Esquire (CAPSBC Board member and Attorney at Law with Best, Best and Krieger), Patricia L. Nickols-Butler (CAPSBC President and Chief Executive Officer), Supervisor Robert Lovingood (Chairman of the San Bernardino Board of Supervisors, 1st District Supervisor), Assembly member Jay Obernolte (California State Assembly District 33), and Dr. Roger Wagner (President of Victor Valley College).”

The general session featured keynote speaker Dr. Tayari Kuanda, a professor at the University of Redlands and high school science teacher. He is also a former student at Victor Valley College. Dr. Kuanda shared his personal experiences with poverty growing up in Detroit, Michigan and South Central Los Angeles. Dr. Kuanda’s self-proclaimed mission in life is to help others, especially our youth. From the time he was 10 years old, he has tutored those in need. As an adult has volunteered at schools in at-risk neighborhoods. Dr. Kuanda discussed how he overcame poverty through education, eventually earning his Doctorate of Leadership in Education for Social Justice. He shared with event attendees how important it is to find people to support you, like teachers and counselors.

The afternoon sessions featured several workshops on poverty issues such as homelessness, food insecurity, employment, crime and justice, healthcare, and civic engagement. Many presenters also shared inspiration stories of their personal struggles with poverty and how they overcame the challenges they faced. The afternoon workshops were:

• Poverty & Public Policy – Presented by Assembly member Jay Obernolte, California State Assembly District 33 and Fred L. Valentine, Jr., Attorney at Law.
• Homelessness: Can I Avoid It? – Dr. Dee Gilbert, Moretta, Community Development Foundation
• Poverty, Crime and Justice – Phyllis Morris, The Public Defender
• Education, Employment & Entrepreneurship – Marcelino Serna, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
• Medical & Mental Health Services – Dr. Ernelyn Navarro & Sommer Hail, St. Joseph, St Mary Medical Center
• Civic Engagement & Voter Registration – Marcelino Garza, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
• Food Insecurity: Feeding Those in Need – Bill Edwards, Victor Valley Rescue Mission & Brandon Romano

Presentations were carried on a Facebook Live video stream on CAPSBC Facebook page. The videos will remain on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/capsbc or on CAPSBC’s website where the public is invited you to view, give comments and emojis. We also have made available presentation materials than can be downloaded from CAPSBC’s website.

CAPSBC CEO Patricia L. Nickols-Butler stated, “We are grateful for the opportunity to inspire and educate these students to help them in the future. It is critical for them to become productive, successful citizens for all of our futures. Through this symposium, we are understanding more about the challenges our youth face and what they need to help them.”

The Poverty Steering Committee who planned and implemented this event was led by CAPSBC Board member Thomas Rice. The committee will convene a meeting in the near future to further discuss what has been learned and develop strategies to help address the issues.

Tanya Humphrey,        Awardee, Ray Lewis Award for Police
Accountability, 2017

By John Coleman, Community Photographer

RIVERSIDE, CA- The Riverside Coalition for Police Accountability held it’s 8^th Annual Community Meeting and Awards Ceremony at the Kansas Avenue Seventh Day Adventist Church in Riverside on Feb 27.

Riverside Police Officer, Cheryl Hayes, received the RCPA  2017 Bill Howe Award for Police Accountability in recognition of her career roles in law enforcement since 1985, including her employment by the Riverside Police Department.

Tanya Humphrey, RCPA Member/Community Activist, received the RCPA 2017 Ray Lewis Award for Police Accountability for providing police accountability training and education; and for her community outreach and service.

In recounting the history of the Riverside Coalition for Police Accountability, Michael Dunn, the (RCPA) spokesman reminded that the coalition formed rapidly in the furore following the Riverside Police shooting of  Black, American,  female, adolescent, Tyisha Miller, 3 days after Christmas, 1998.   Over the days, weeks,  months, and currently, after almost three decades,  the Coalition continues the struggle with Riverside City officials & the RPD over ‘real’ police accountability. 

Officer Cheryl Hayes,  Awardee, Bill Howe Award for Police
Accountability, 2017

In the wake of the Tyisha Miller shooting, by a 60 percent vote and over the powerful opposition of the police union, the people of Riverside, supported  the Coalition “in the creation of the Riverside Community Police Review Commission and equally remarkable, authorizing a CPRC role in Officer-Involved Death (OID) Case Evaluations.

Times have changed. The City of Riverside ‘Home Page’  reports the role of the Community Police Review Commission is, “when deemed appropriate by the Commission or Manager”  to conduct  an independent investigation….   (then)…..”provide citizen input to the Mayor and Members of the City Council…”

In fairness, the City reports: CRPC investigation of all officer-invoved deaths “is a work in progress  that will become stronger and more effective only if the community has the political will to stay involved with it.”

Oliver Thompson, Phd, Keynote Speaker

At this community meeting of the Coalition for Police Accountability the  Mayor and members of the Riverside City Council, to whom the Riverside City Police and other city employees are accountable were not in attendance.  No current or retired Chief, Riverside Police Dept was present.

There were 2  retired chiefs of police in attendance.  One, William Howe, began his law inforcement career as a Sheriff in Riverside County before becomming Chief of Police for over 6 years in Corona, CA and Chief of Police at UC Riverside, from which he retired in 1988. Howe introduced the scheduled 8th Annual Community Meeting, Riverside Coalition for Police Accountability, Keynote Speaker, Oliver Thompson, PhD,  Professor,  Police Science/Criminal Justice, Riverside Community College, Riverside,CA.

Dr Thompson, following 27 years background and wide range in assignments and responsibilities in the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for more than 5 years as Chief of Inglewood CA Police Department believes that police accountability is a great idea. A goal worth pursuing. A project sometimes planned, but seldom met.   He may even agree that the RCPA and it’s offspring, the RCPRC may, at times be able to ask ‘accountability’ questions and demand answers. (Despite the increasing pace  of people moving in and out of our communities, Riverside continues to be ‘blessed’  with numbers of civically engaged people whose voices still can be heard).

Dr Thompson also has the perspective of almost 40 years teaching community college students to become police, sheriffs, security and other guards and following their careers and experiences; sees some complete college classes continuing to believe in “protect & serve,” but complete police academy convinced they have and ARE ‘the authority’ in most situations. (And have the badge & tools to prove their superiority).  They become molded into the ‘police culture’ of their fellow officers, superiors and Commanders, whether the mold produces oppressive or responsive and responsible law enforcement.

He spoke of communities where many families earn less than $30,000 to less than $50,000 per year; but officers, recent grads, start at $60,000 with ways to ‘take home’ more;  and  circumstances where
officers who shot and killed someone not only were not investigated, despite unanswered questions, but were enabled to take early ‘disability retirement’ BENEFITS.

The major factor which Dr Thompsom identified and considers a force, super strong, much, like a weight, always there, like gravity.  It’s ever present,  all around, You feel it’s effects, but you can’t see
where it begins or ends.  In the US, Black folks and other People of Color identify it as ‘racism;   Women, as ‘sexism or ‘mysogeny’,  This takes many forms/names.    Oppressed people often feel the weights that keep them (as an identified group) down.  They know their needs, their humanity is disregarded by others who claim superiority.

The standard for full & high status in the US was set early, over a century BEFORE the writing of the US Constitution, which established the bases of US laws and justice/injustice.   Some ‘standards’ are
written into law.  Much are un-written.  ‘Police’  are among those ‘society’ empowers to ‘chose’ who fits where and gets what ‘treatment’.

In summary, Police also are an ‘identified group’, operating under rules  imposed on and within law and custom and ‘Society’.  ‘Police Accountability’  will emerge as law, custom, and ‘society’  permit. Congratulations for all RCPA has accomplished.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The CSUSB University Police Department hosted the Women Leaders in Law Enforcement luncheon on April 12, which featured guest speaker Valerie Tanguay, who spoke on the topic, “Living in the Dash.”

Tanguay is a retired captain form the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and a POST Regional Training consultant. The took place in the university’s Lower Commons Pine Room.

Vicki Dennett

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- After 23 years of dedicated service to Omnitrans, they are saying a bittersweet farewell to Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO/General Manager Vicki Dennett. Omnitrans is grateful to Vicki for her hard work and dedication during her career with the agency, and wish her a happy retirement.

Earlier this week they welcomed aboard Julienne Overland-Villegas in this role. She previously spent five years working for Stater Bros. in a similar capacity, and holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Phoenix. She lives in Eastvale with her husband, is a mother of five, and is excited to join the Omnitrans family!

By Jasmyne A. Cannick-  Special to California Black Media

Black people don’t want to work.

That’s what I was told by a manager at a South Los Angeles IHOP restaurant after I inquired after the lack of African Americans working there during a recent visit.

It all started after I casually observed while waiting on friend to arrive that there were no Black employees on the floor or in the kitchen working.  That prompted me to ask my server if this IHOP—located in the heart of South Los Angeles—had any African American employees.  I was told yes—two.

When the bill came, I asked the same sever to send over the manager because I wanted to confirm that out of the two dozen or so employees working at this restaurant only two were Black.  It turns out the server was wrong.  

According to the manager there were four.  Furthermore, the manager told me they work during the morning shift.  He then went onto explain to me, my guest and the ear hustling family at the table next to us, that anyone could apply to work there via the website.

I explained to the manager that as someone who lives in the adjacent neighborhood, that it was important to me that places Black people patronize also hire Blacks.

The manager asked me how he was supposed to hire Black people if they don’t reply.  To which I quipped, so are you saying you have a problem with Blacks not applying to work at IHOP?

The conversation ended with the manager telling me that yes, he thinks that is the problem and that if “they” meaning Blacks don’t apply, it’s because “they” don’t want to work.

I don’t buy the manager’s excuse that Black people don’t want to work.  I think that Black people aren’t being hired at this IHOP location either they are being disqualified based on their background checks or more likely their inability to speak Spanish.  I also observed that all of the servers and kitchen staff spoke Spanish on and off the floor to each other and other Spanish speaking patrons.

This is unacceptable and the manager’s “it is what it is” attitude about the lack of Blacks working in his restaurant is indicative of the dire employment situation for Blacks in Los Angeles.  Very few are willing to take up the issue because calling out employment discrimination—particularly in the service industry—against Blacks is somehow equated to being racist against Latinos.

But the reality remains unchanged for countless numbers of Blacks in Southern California who attend highly promoted job fairs where almost all of the employers prefer bilingual employees.  Blacks watch new businesses opening up in their communities and hear the rhetoric of mandated local hiring companies that still don’t hire them.

I will say that the IHOP restaurant in question is situated in a shopping center that also houses a Starbucks, Walgreens, Food 4 Less grocery store and a Home Depot.  No matter what time I go into any of those establishments I am guaranteed to see at least one Black employee on duty—at least one.

Still, maybe I can help out IHOP’s manager with his problem of being unable to find Black employees to hire—and without the finder’s fee.

IHOP #792?1880 West Slauson Avenue?Los Angeles, CA 90047?(323) 296-4465?ihop.com/careers

IHOP Corporate Headquarters?450 North Brand Boulevard?Glendale, CA 91203?(866) 444-5144

Jasmyne A. Cannick is a nationally known television and radio commentator on political, race, LGBT and social issues. Follow her on Twitter @Jasmyne and on Facebook @JasmyneCannick. Her website is www.jasmyneonline.com.

RIALTO, CA- The Athletes For Life Foundation will continue its quest to support and guide youth in the community at their 12th Annual Summer Life Skills Camp Fundraiser to be held on Sunday, April 23 at the Jerry Eaves Park in Rialto, California.

Themed,“Mayors Freeway Jazz Festival“ will draw honorable attention to Mayor Deborah Robertson, Mayor Acquanetta Warren, Mayor Carey Davis and Mayor Richard De LaRosa for their continued support of the Foundation.

The afternoon festivities will include performances by R&B Soulful Vocalist Keith Washington and R&B Jazz Singer and Actress Chante Moore. Also, performing will be The Michael Haggins Band. Mr. Haggins is known for his Songwriting, Bass Playing and his Funk/ Jazz stylings.

A special highlight of this festival will be the announcement that Kenny Clark 1st round pick for the Green Bay Packers will be in attendance at this year’s AFL Junior Development Camp.

Founder of The Athletes For Life Foundation, Greg Bell (former NFL running back for the Buffalo Bills and the LA Rams) expressed this comment when asked about Kenny Clark being in attendance. “I will actually get to see the fruits of the labor produced by the Foundation

on June 25 to June 28.

Tickets for the fundraiser can be purchased at www.athletesforlife.org. For more information, contact Ejon Jackson at (909)278-5860 or by email at ejon.jackson@gmail.com.

Michael N. Nduati

RIVERSIDE, CA- The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) has named Michael N. Nduati, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H. of the UCR School of Medicine as one of the 2017 40 Under 40 Leaders in Minority Health.

Nduati, the senior associate dean for clinical affairs and CEO of UCR Health, will receive his award at the 2017 NMQF Leadership Summit on Health Disparities and Congressional Black Caucus Spring Health Braintrust Gala Dinner on April 25, 2017.

“It is a tremendous honor to receive this award and be recognized with peers who are making an extremely important positive impact on minority health,” Nduati said. “It is humbling to be identified as a role model for the next generation of minority health leaders, and I am thankful to all of my amazing mentors for pushing me to be my best and get to this point in my life and career.”

Founded in 1998, the NMQF’s goalis to assist health-care providers, professionals, administrators, researchers, policy makers, and community and faith-based organizations in delivering appropriate health care to minority communities to eliminate the disproportionate burden of premature death and preventable illness for racial and ethnic minorities and other special populations.

“Here at the NMQF, we are truly excited about this next class of honorees and recognizing them at our annual leadership summit,” NMQF President & CEO Dr. Gary Puckrein said in a press release. “The 2017 winners are doing amazing things that both better and diversify the healthcare marketplace. They serve as positive role models for our next generation of leaders in minority health.”

Nduati attended UC Riverside as an undergraduate, where he co-founded the student-run African Americans United in Science at UCR, and was a member of the UCR/UCLA Thomas Haider Program in Biomedical Sciences, earning his M.D. from UCLA. He also earned an M.B.A. from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA and an M.P.H. from the Harvard School of Public Health. In addition to his administrative position,

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino City Unified School District is focusing all its resources on helping the community heal in the aftermath of the Monday, April 10 shooting that killed three people, including a teacher and student, at North Park Elementary School.

In addition, the District will do a complete review of our school visitation policies and procedures to identify additional strategies to keep our 50,000 students and more than 8,000 employees safe.

The District is committed to helping survivors, whose sense of safety has been shattered by this tragic incident, said Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden.

District counselors and psychologists trained in helping children and victims cope with trauma met with families and school staff to begin the healing process for the more than 500 students who attend North Park Elementary. The school is staffed by 24 teachers, 18 support staff members, and an administrator who also need support.

“As Board president, it is with a heavy heart that our school community has had to demonstrate their resiliency once again,” said Dr. Margaret Hill. “I am tremendously proud of our employees and community partners for the way they have responded during this tragedy. I want the community to be assured we will do everything we can to make sure our students feel safe.”

Board of Education member Dr. Barbara Flores expressed her sympathy to everyone impacted by Monday’s tragedy.

“What happened yesterday at North Park Elementary School was an unimaginable event,” Flores said. “Yet, it happened. We mourn the deaths of Karen Smith, an RSP teacher, and Jonathan Martinez, her student. Our prayers and loving thoughts are with their parents, families, and friends.”

When speaking of Smith, Marsden said, “She epitomized excellence and everything a special education teacher should be.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson praised the response of school officials and police.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the students, teachers, staff, and the entire community at North Park Elementary School and the San Bernardino City Unified School District. This is a tragedy, especially for young students, but school officials and law enforcement agencies acted quickly to deal with the event.”

Like Torlakson, Marsden praised the North Park Elementary staff, District Police Department, and local law enforcement agencies for their swift response to Monday’s tragedy, which he called an unfortunate and isolated incident.

He also expressed his gratitude to North Park Elementary parents and guardians for patiently waiting to be reunited with their children.

“This is a rare occurrence in our schools,” Marsden said.  “Nevertheless, we will learn from this tragedy, and we will emerge as a stronger and safer school district.”