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SAN BERNARDINO, CA- As you may have heard, JCPenney is returning to San Bernardino by opening a new store at Inland Center this fall.  The store will bring over 200 new jobs to the San Bernardino area, and JCPenney is having two special hiring events, which you’re invited to cover:

• The first event will be held at Inland Center Mall at 500 Inland Center Drive, August 18-20 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• The second event will be held at the San Bernardino Employment Development Department location at 658 East Brier Drive, August 25-26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Recruiters will seek department supervisors, replenishment and support associates, visual associates, sales associates (commission and non-commission), Sephora inside JCPenney beauty consultants and The Salon by InStyle stylists.  Interested candidates may also visit jcpcareers.com to view and apply for positions.

By Naomi Riggins

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Mr. Jase Patterson, the new principal of Newman Leadership Academy is focused on creating high-quality education by bridging the gap through building stronger ties to the community with collective partnerships, not only with parents, but also with local businesses to support student achievement by first starting at the child’s home.

Patterson, 38, a native of Washington D.C., was an assistant principal at Assata High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for five and half years before transferring to Progressive Achievement Center in Compton, CA where he served as assistant principal for 2 and half years before coming to Newman Leadership Academy. His passion and commitment to children in the urban demographic had led him to the city of San Bernardino.  He recognizes parents are looking for positive male role models to change the perception that role models are only exclusive to the athletic figures. He is showing that role models need to and do include Teachers and Educators who harness educational attributes to make a difference in the world.

In a tough economy and competitive job market, Patterson says “parents find themselves raising children and looking to enter the job market,” or have had past employment problems or limited education. For those parents he plans to implement regular job fairs and educational and literacy programs, which includes computer literacy programs and home computers for the students of Newman, as well as community health fairs with blood pressure and health screenings.

Patterson engages students with the opening of a student store which children will earn incentives called “Scholar Dollars.”  Newman has future plans of expanding the library through donations, and incorporated the assistance of community businesses to help in funding for field trips. His openness has already impressed Newman Academy parents due to the fact that he has first and foremost put the children first. He is going to be a wonderful asset to Newman Leadership Academy Team.

Newman Leadership Academy is looking for additional donations in order to be able to continue to build onto the school’s library and resources.  To find out more about Newman Leadership Academy please visit 1314 E. Date Street in San Bernardino (92404) or visit www.newmanleadership.org.

SAN BERNARDINO CA- Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino), in partnership with Wells Fargo, sponsored the 47^th Assembly District Youth Academy’s trip to Sacramento on Monday, August 8. The Youth Academy, comprised of local high school students, are working together to finalize a bill proposal for next year’s legislative session.

“The goal of the trip was to get a better understanding of how a bill becomes a law,” said Assemblymember Brown. “I want to thank Wells Fargo for generously sponsoring our field trip to the State Capitol. The experience was both fun and educational for our students.”

During the visit, the Youth Academy members participated in legislative and professional development workshops, as well as attended a committee hearing and Assembly floor session. 

“Every minute of the trip, from meeting Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon to participating in a very compelling question and answer session with Assemblymember Brown’s Chief of Staff, was informative and captivating,” said Maria Mendoza, a recent graduate of Kaiser High School in Fontana. “Witnessing our state Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown in action and finalizing our bill proposal has been unparalleled. I am very thankful to have received the opportunity to be a part of Assemblywoman Brown’s Youth Academy; it has inspired me to become a more politically cognizant citizen.”

            “The trip to Sacramento was a great experience for me,” said Michael Egiebor of Carter High School in Rialto. “I have never been to Sacramento before, so everything I saw was new to me. My favorite part of the trip was working on our legislative proposal with Assemblymember Brown’s Legislative Director, Shannon McKinley.  It showed me that young people can make a difference in their society. All in all, it was a great trip and it inspired me to consider working in the political field.”

“Wells Fargo is pleased to support the 47th Assembly District Youth Academy whose mission is to help enrich the lives of underserved students. At Wells Fargo, we believe it is vital to the health and success of our communities that young people are able to learn from pioneering role models such as Assemblymember Brown,” said President Evelin Martinez, Wells Fargo Inland Empire Area. “We’re pleased to hear that the visit was more than just an educational field trip, but an enriching experience that has motivated our students to become remarkable leaders of the future.”

The 2016 Youth Academy program will conclude November 2016. Applications for the 2017 Youth Academy will become available December 1, 2016.  For more information, contact Ashley Jones at (909) 381-3238.

FONTANA, CA- An eager group of students cheered alongside Fontana Unified officials on Aug. 4 as a ceremonial ribbon was cut to celebrate the first day of the new Dolores Huerta International Academy, a $30 million campus that provides dual-language and pre-International magnet programs for 350 learners.

The academy, named for civil rights activist and labor leader Dolores Huerta, will serve students in kindergarten through third grade in 2016-17, and add fourth grade in 2017-18 and fifth grade in 2018-19.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the highly anticipated opening featured school and District officials, community members, parents, and students dressed in blue and white school colors.

“This school is truly a dream come true,” Principal Maribel Lopez-Tyus said. “It is the result of what we can accomplish as a community when we come together and demand the best for our children. This is an exciting time for Fontana.”

High demand for enrollment led Fontana Unified officials to select students through a random drawing that included 600 applicants.

The academy’s vision was a collaborative effort, with a council of 15 to 20 parents helping to develop the school’s beliefs, logo and vision, which is “Academic excellence and global compassion through innovative and multilingual education.” The academy’s international flair will be on display in the school’s foyer later this year when flags from multiple countries will hang to acknowledge the diverse heritage of the students.

The academy’s dual-language classrooms include a mix of native English and Spanish speakers so students can learn from each another.

Dual-language students receive 90 percent of their instruction in Spanish and 10 percent in English in kindergarten and first grade. As they progress through the grades, the percentage of English instruction grows until lessons balance equally between English and Spanish in fifth grade.

The Pre-International program will provide K-5 students with a challenging course of study to prepare them for enrollment in high school IB programs, which feature college-level coursework. Fontana Unified offers an IB program at Jurupa Hills High School.

“The international program here at the academy will put our students on an advanced track to achieving their academic goals,” FUSD Co-Interim Superintendent Randal Bassett said. “The bright and talented students of this school are our true dignitaries. They will be building our future.”

LOS ANGELES, CA- Powerhouse and best-selling author/publisher Zane will headline the Leimert Park Village Book Fair (LPVBF)! Zane is a New York Times best-selling author of 32 titles, and considered one of, if not the most, powerful African-American female in the publishing industry. She is the publisher of Strebor Books International — an imprint of ATRIA Books/Simon and Schuster, and the third largest publishing corporation in America. Interestingly, until 2006, Zane, Toni Morrison and Terri McMillan were the only three African-American females to make the print list of the New York Times Best Seller List in this century.

“Voted One of LA’s Five Best Annual Book Festivals,” the LPVBF will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the outdoor promenade of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza (BHCP), located at 3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in LA.  Thousands are expected to flock once again to this family-oriented festival held in the heart of Leimert Park, the epicenter of the Los Angeles area African American arts, intellectual and literary scene. The Leimert Park Village Book Fair’s tribute to the love of reading cleverly merges the worlds of literary, entertainment and the culinary arts, offering an eclectic mix of literature, art, music and food.

The Wait

The book fair’s lineup includes headliners, crowd pleasers and fan favorites, offering an intellectually engaging day, promoting literacy. Along with Zane, who will be signing her latest tome, “Vengeance;” celebrity power couple Meagan Good and DeVon Franklin will share bits about their courtship and love affair from their best-selling novel, “The Wait.” White House correspondent and political commentator April Ryan, author of  “The Presidency in Black and White,” and economist and political analyst Dr. Julianne Malveaux  author of “Are We Better Off” will take time away from the Capitol to talk about the topic of “Are We Better Off?” AND Grammy Award-winning recording artist Bobby Brown will spill the dish in his new biography, “Every Little Step,” on his life and love, Whitney Houston.  

Bobbly Brown

Crowd pleasers like media personalities Rolonda Watts and Flo Anthony will share excerpts from their new books, “Destiny Lingers” and “One Last Deadly Play,” respectively.  There will be an iconoclast conversation between pioneering director-turned-author Matty Rich (“Straight Out of Brooklyn and the “Inkwell) and legendary musician Charles Wright (writer of the hit song, “Express Yourself”). Rich will discuss “Bev,” a gripping novel that centers on the real-life story of a little-known figure in the Civil Rights movement – a white social worker by the name of Beverly Luther. Rich has also secured the movie rights to the book for a film adaptation.  And Wright will talk about his new book, “Up: From Where We’ve Come,” which highlights historical accounts of his past long before he gained status as a musical legend.

For readers who like thrillers and mysteries, they’ll love meeting fan favorites like Pamela Samuels Young, winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Fiction for “Anybody’s Daughter” and Gary Phillips, author of “Cowboys” and “The Cocaine Chronicles.” Best-selling husband-and-wife writing duo  Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes will be signing their latest releases, including “Ghost Summer” and the “Seacape Tattoo.” An award-winning novelist and screenwriter who teaches creative writing at UCLA, Due also nabbed an NAACP Image Award literary nomination for the short story collection “Ghost Summer” this year.  Directing the main stage’s incredible line-up will be known inspirational speaker, award-winning executive life coach, and author of “Betrayal”, Barbara Perkins, joins us as the Mistress of Ceremony.

The culinary stage will also be heating up with reality star Miss Robbie of OWN’s “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” serving up something special – like her famous mac ‘n cheese — and signing her new cookbook. Titled “Sweetie Pie’s Cookbook: Soulful Southern Recipes, from My Family to Yours” the celebrity chef welcomes you into her kitchen to experience more than 150 tasty foods as she shows what it means to put heart and “foot” into a dish. And celebrity Chef Rome Brown – who has cooked for former Secretary of State General Colin Powell, NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal, and NFL player Cam Newton – will share his passion for cuisine and sign his new cookbook, “Eat Like a Celebrity: Southern Cuisine With a

ZANE

Gourmet Twist.” Foodies may be familiar with Chef Brown from competing on season one of the Food Network’s reality show, “Extreme Chef.” And while Miss Robbie and Chef Rome will be serving up some serious soul food, Chefs Jaime Martin Del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu of Mexicano Restaurant at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza will bring an authentic taste of Mexican fare to the book fair’s culinary stage. Affectionately known together as Jaime and Ramiro, the chefs are two of the biggest stars in the Mexican cooking world.  In 2008, the two nabbed a nomination for Best Chef from the James Beard Foundation, and continue to earn recognition for their exemplary Mexican cuisine. 

And for the sports lover, former NBA player A.C. Green  (LA Lakers) and journeyman NBA/CBA player Juanquin “Hawk” Hawkins (Houston Rockets), who is the author of “Stroke of Grace,” will grace the sports pavilion, and offer words of inspiration for both on an off the court.

The day will culminate with a closing keynote speech by motivational speaker, Ramsey Jay Jr., author of “Empower Dreamers to Become Achievers.” Jay is a Wall Street- trained, Ivy League-educated finance professional with more than a decade of global investment management experience.  Named by Ebony magazine as one of the top “30 Young Leaders Under 30,” he recently delivered opening remarks at the White House where President Obama and the First Lady hosted an event, honoring Ray Charles. His message and enriching inspiration has touched many lives, encouraging all people to live their best lives without fear and limitations. 

For more information about the LPVBF, including an electronic press kit with downloadable talent photos for promotional use, visit  www.leimertparkbookfair.com. 

For the extended lineup with blurbs about headliners, crowd pleasers and fan favorites, visit http://bit.ly/2ab0KNU  For more information about the LPVBF TURNING 10! visit  http://bit.ly/23kqbkr

Robert Carl Hill, Jr.

Robert Carl Hill, Jr. of Highland passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2016.  He was employed by the County of San Bernardino for many years.  His next career was spent at Fedco as supervisor of the maintenance crew, something he did while he worked as owner/CEO of Red-Leg Building Maintenance Company.  He retired in 1999.

Robert is survived by his wife, Margaret Hill; children, Jacqueline D. Hill, Anner Minette Hinds and Robert C. Hill, III; sisters Beverly McCabe and Linda Austin; brother Michael Austin; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, Uncle Jimmy Jimmerson, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius & Alma Ruth Austin; brothers John Hill, Cornelius Austin, Jr. & Darrell Austin; and granddaughter Najah Hill.

A Night of Reflection will be Friday, August 12, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Community Hospital of San Bernardino, Henderson Auditorium.  A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 13, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Norman Feldheym Library.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Robert Carl Hill, Jr. Diabetic Scholarship Fund, c/o Maggie’s Kids Foundation, P.O. Box 705, Patton, CA   92369-0705.

CaSonya Thomas, director of the Department of Behavioral Health

A director with 25 years of experience in meeting the social service and mental health needs of San Bernardino County residents was appointed on Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors to lead County Human Services.

CaSonya Thomas, director of the Department of Behavioral Health, will succeed Linda Haugan, who is retiring as Assistant Executive Officer of Human Services on Oct. 15 after more than 35 years of service to the County.

Haugan has spent the past 11 years as head of Human Services, a County agency that includes eight departments, more than 6,000 employees, and a $1.9 billion annual budget. Both Haugan and Thomas began their careers in what is now known as the Transitional Assistance Department as eligibility workers, an entry-level position in County Government. Thomas began her career in 1991.

Their careers illustrate the County’s successful efforts – mandated by the Board of Supervisors – to identify and develop talent from within the County organization, and ensure the County maintains a bench of qualified managers and executives to promote when vacancies occur. This practice will allow a nearly three-month transition for Thomas to work closely with Haugan before assuming her new role.

“It is an honor to receive this appointment, which comes with a tremendous responsibility to the people of San Bernardino County,” Thomas said. “Each day, Human Services changes lives through a number of programs and services, and we will remain committed to our Countywide Vision to build healthier communities by strengthening individuals and families, enhancing quality of life and valuing people.”

Thomas has held a number of positions within Human Services over the course of her 25-year County career, including Director of Behavioral Health and executive and management positions within Human Services. Under Thomas’ leadership, Behavioral Health played a key role in the County’s efforts to assist the survivors of the Dec. 2, 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino and the families of those who died.

“CaSonya Thomas is an outstanding employee and an asset to the county. As the newly appointed Assistant Executive Officer for Human Services, Ms. Thomas will bring professionalism and expertise that will continue to strengthen the County of San Bernardino,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman and Third District Supervisor James Ramos.

“CaSonya has proven herself as a successful and well-qualified leader for this position. Her experience, hard work and professionalism will serve our residents and the County well,” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman and First District Supervisor Robert Lovingood.

“It was a privilege to appoint Ms. Thomas as the Director of the Department of Behavioral Health in 2012, and I am thrilled to now support her appointment as the Assistant Executive Officer for Human Services,” said Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales. “I am so pleased to see her succeed and I have no doubt she’ll continue to do a remarkable job.”

“CaSonya has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the well-being of all county residents,” said Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford. “Her intelligence, compassion and creativity are perfectly suited to the challenges we face.”

Haugan assumed the reins of Human Services in July 2005 after an already-notable career that included the implementation of the landmark C-IV Statewide Automated Welfare System. Her first order of business as Humans Services chief was to successfully and dramatically reduce the County’s food stamp error rate.

Throughout her tenure, Haugan has fostered collaboration between Human Services departments to improve services to the public, a practice that has made the County a consistent leader in winning national and state awards for innovative and effective programs.

“I have had the good fortune of working with many talented people who carry out their public service mission with passion and intelligence. That’s why I feel I am leaving Human Services in a very good state and in very good hands,” Haugan said.

Thomas has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a post-graduate degree in public administration, both from California State University, San Bernardino. She is also certified in healthcare compliance by the national Health Care Compliance Association.

Thomas serves as president-elect to the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California (CBHDA), whose goals include advocating and developing public policy agendas that support access to necessary quality services that promote behavioral health and wellness, and resiliency and recovery in communities. She also is co-chair of the CBHDA Cultural Competence, Equity and Social Justice Committee.

Human Services departments, divisions and offices include Aging and Adult Services, Animal Care and Control, Behavioral Health, Child Support Services, Children and Family Services, Children’s Network, Environmental Health Services, Homeless Services, Preschool Services, Public Health, Transitional Assistance and Veterans Affairs.

RIVERSIDE, CA- On Saturday night, July 30, 2016, twenty-eight year old professional boxer Mikey Garcia returned to the ring at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, after a two and a half year layoff due to a contract dispute with his former promotional company, Top Rank. On the Showtime televised broadcast, Garcia knocked down former WBC World Featherweight Champion Elio Rojas four times, before referee Eddie Claudio called an end to the fight at 2:02 of Round 5. Following Saturday’s TKO win, Garcia’s record improved to 35-0, with 29 KOs, while Rojas’ record dropped to 24-3, with 14 KOs. Garcia-Rojas was scheduled for ten rounds in the junior welterweight division as the co-main event on the fight card promoted by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Cyclone Promotions, and presented by Premier Boxing Champions. In the main event, Carl Frampton won the WBA Super World Featherweight Title by defeating Leon Santa Cruz by majority decision.

Garcia, a former two-time WBO world champion in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions, last fought on January 25, 2014, when he successfully defended his WBO World Super Featherweight Title in a unanimous decision win against Juan Carlos Burgos on HBO. In October 2014, he vacated the WBO World Super Featherweight Title because he had plans to move up in weight. Mikey grew up in Oxnard, California, trains in Riverside at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy, and resides in Moreno Valley.

He shared his thoughts about his winning performance against his opponent, Elio Rojas. “It took me a round or two to get my rhythm going. I had to find that right distance and range to connect my punches. I didn’t feel any ring rust. My defense and footwork were fine, my punches felt sharp and fast, and I felt good with my jab. My opponent used the ring well and demonstrated solid footwork. The plan was always to keep my distance and measure him. It was difficult to land that one big shot, because he kept moving and using his legs. He was smart and he wanted to win. Rojas had good reflexes, and he was able to see me coming in. He kept moving out of the way before I could land a big punch. I worked hard to close the distance, and when it happened, I let my hands go. Once I started landing hard shots, I knew that I hurt him, and eventually he went down.

After the first two knockdowns, Rojas didn’t look like he wanted to be in the ring anymore. The last time that I dropped him, the referee asked him if he wanted to continue. He kept looking down and finally said no. I made a statement by stopping Rojas in my return fight. Everybody at the Barclays Center was cheering, and it was great to get a victory in that manner. I easily made 138 lbs for this fight, and the contracted weight had been set previously at 140 lbs. I felt real comfortable on fight night, so making 135 lbs for my next fight won’t be any problem.”

Mikey discussed his career going forward. “During the past two years, I never went away from boxing. I’ve stayed busy helping other fighters get ready for their fights, and continued making improvements in the gym. I had good sparring prior to this fight, and I had adequate time to prepare. It’s very important that I get right back in the ring again soon. I didn’t have any cuts or abrasions, and my hands feel good. I’m ready for a world title fight right away at 135 lbs. I would love to fight for the WBO World Super Featherweight Title, which is currently held by Terry Flanagan of the UK. If the world title opportunity isn’t available, then I want to be back in the ring as soon as possible so that I can stay active. My next objective is to challenge for a title at 135 lbs, then perhaps unify titles in that division if the opportunity presents itself. After that, a move to 140 lbs would be likely, and I’ll seek world title opportunities there. I’ll target big names and the big fights that fans want to see. There are plenty of big challenges ahead of me. Because of the time away, it’s important to me that I’m moved on the fast track, so that I can face champion after champion. Now that the Rojas fight is over, I plan to resume conversations with boxing promoters. I’m still a free agent and am willing to negotiate a deal if it is in my best interest to do so.

I want to thank Stephen Espinoza, Al Haymon, and Lou DiBella for giving me the opportunity to fight on Saturday night. I also want to thank my sponsors: B&B Plastics Inc., Asanti Wheels, and Everlast. It feels great to be back, but there’s so much more I want to accomplish. This is just the beginning, and I will do my best to give everyone memorable fights. The time off helped me regain that fire, and it motivated me to come back stronger. I’m thankful for all the fan support I’ve received. My performance on Saturday night hopefully reminded everyone what I’m capable of doing inside the ring, and it’s a great way to begin this next stage of my career.

Mikey Garcia Fight Night Recap Video:

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- A recent series of workshops at San Bernardino Valley College educated young women about the importance of aspiring to leadership roles to bring about change in their local communities.

Sponsored by the BLU Educational Foundation, the Soul Sisters Leadership Academy was launched on July 18 and attended by several dozen local high school and college students, ages 14 to 21. Workshops focused on African American women’s history, self-identity, racism, sexism, and the importance of women taking leadership positions on school and college campuses.

“I am glad that we can discuss the realities of discrimination in a safe and open environment,” says Ana Stewart, an SBVC economics major. “I don’t think there is enough discussion about the challenges of being minority and female in the Inland Empire.”

Debra Robertson, the mayor of Rialto, shared an inspiring account of her own path to becoming the first black mayor of her city, referencing her family’s long history of community involvement.

For more information on the BLU Educational Foundation, visit www.bluedfoundation.org.

By Naomi K. Bonman

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- They say it takes a village to raise up a child, and that is exactly the motto that United Nations of Consciousness (UNC) has been doing with our youth in San Bernardino.

The organization recently acquired a space where they are able to meet and hold activities for the youth at Anne Shirrells Park. However, things are never quite official until there’s a ribbon cutting.

UNC held its official grand opening and ribbon cutting on Saturday, July 30 at Anne Shirrells Park. Youth from all across the community came out to receive their backpacks filled with goodies, lunch provided by McDonalds, and a day filled with activities stations which included art, reading, building blocks, coloring, movies, and more.

To show their support, government and elected officials were in attendance, from Assemblymember Cheryl Brown, Rick Van Johnson, Carolyn Tillman, and the Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Empire.

If you would love to get involved with UNC and their community endeavors, please visit www.uncyouth.org or www.unclife.org.