Local

FONTANA, CA- In honor of our local youth, the Inland Empire Alliance of Black School Educators (IEABSE) presents “It Takes a Village” 2016 Scholarship Celebration, sponsored by Black Voice Foundation and New Life Christian Church. The scholarship celebration will take place on Saturday April 16, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Jessie Turner Center located at 15556 Summit Avenue in Fontana. This event is open to the public with a $20 donation, but seating is limited. The Scholarship Celebration foreshadows the IEABSE annually hosted Inland Empire High School Black Graduation Recognition Ceremony (I.E. Black Grad).

The I.E. Black Grad is the largest High School Black Graduation Recognition Ceremony in Southern CA and will be held this year on May 14 at 2 p.m. on the CSU San Bernardino campus where over two thousand individuals are expected to be present. The Scholarship Celebration offers family members, educators and community members an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of local African American students. The scholarship donors are comprised of local organizations and businesses as well as individuals who desire to see Inland Empire students thrive in their educational aspirations.

Seniors from all districts throughout the Inland Empire were invited to apply for our “It Takes A Village” Scholarship Contest where winners will be awarded from $500 to $1000. Each application was evaluated on academic merit, community service, perseverance and leadership.

This year’s special guests include 47^th District Assemblymember, Cheryl Brown, and Fontana Mayor, Aquanetta Warren. There will be representatives from each donor organization and the high schools of the scholarship recipients. An anticipated highlight of the ceremony will be “The Reveal” where students will make final decisions on their college/university choice. For more information please contact IEABSE directly at ieabse@gmail.com.

Front L/R: Joyce Smith, VP Social Lites, Inc., Cynthia Wilhite, Social Lites,, Inc. Member and Chairman, Edna Wade. Back Row L/R: Zonte Walker, Julian Houston, Donovan Ferguson, Tyree Walk, Courtney Wilson, Terrance Bradshaw, Brigitte Shaw, Twillea Evans-Carthen, Linda Hart, Ariella Houston, and Madison Gill

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Social Lites, Inc. under the leadership of Bettye Brewster, president, held its inaugural healthy living seminar on Saturday, April 2, at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino.  According to the chairperson of the event, Cynthia Wilhite, “Healthy leaving is a lifestyle that needs to be developed and practiced.”  Daily monitoring of healthy choices will help to develop a healthy habit in balancing, nutrition, exercise, and rest.

Brigitte Shaw educated attendees to pay attention to their mental health as well as their physical health.  Dr. Steve Wilson of “In Your Best Interest Medical Clinic,” was among the guest speakers who inspired attendees to work towards preventive care to avoid sickness and illnesses, including heart disease by way of making healthy food choices.

Healthy leaving is more than diet and exercise.  Rest and creating healthy habits is key.  “The life in front of you is far more important than the life behind you.” Educational information both oral and written were provided to all along with healthy snacks. Participants left the event expressing the morning seminar was time well spent in a relaxed environment to “Learn, Grow and Live Healthy!

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-      Mr. Donovan D. Ferguson, senior at Grand Terrace High School was recognized as Sir Knight 2016 at the 49^th Social Lites, Inc. Beautillion program among approximately 200 guests at the formal event held at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino on Saturday, April 2.  Mr. Ferguson has participated in this annual program as a “Page,” (elementary school) a “Squire,” (middle school) and now a “Knight.”  Also, during this Beautillion season, Mr. Ferguson held the office of president and was awarded “Mr. Congeniality” among his peers.   Mr. Ferguson will be attending Bendict College in Columbia, South Carolina in the Fall and will major in Psychology to work towards becoming a High School Counselor.

This year’s event included guest speaker, Dr. Edward Bush, President of Consumnes River College in Sacramento.  Dr. Bush shared with the “Young men of valor: from vision to reality” to be more than ordinary men, and that they should  strive to become successful men and an asset to society.

All Knights were awarded various scholarships and gifts to help with their future college expenses.  Congratulation to Sir Knight, Donovan D. Ferguson and all participants in the Beautillion program!

For more information for future events and activities, please contact Mrs. Bettye Brewster, President at bettyebrewster@yahoo.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-During National Boys & Girls Club week, which was held from March 7 to March 12, Wells Fargo Cajon District employees participated in the “Blue Jeans for Blue Doors” campaign, a campaign that raises funds by allowing employees to wear jeans to work in exchange for a small donation to the Boys & Girls Club of San Bernardino.

On Monday, March 28, Shirli Driz, District Manager; and Deborah Smith, Community Business Relationship Specialist, presented a check for $1,255 to the Boys & Girls Club of San Bernardino. The funds were raised entirely by Wells Fargo employees.

By Naomi K. Bonman

For some time now, many African Americans have complained that there were no Black owned hair supply stories and that the Asians were dominating the hair industry. Through the midst of the complaints, no one was doing anything about it until now.  Two young entrepreneurs from Moreno Valley, California decided to quit talking and to be about it!

The Davis sisters, Kayla (19) and Keonna (21), have opened KD Haircare Supply located at 24453 Sunnymead Blvd. Although the city has a high population of Blacks, there is not a large mass of Black owned businesses, so KD Haircare Supply is definitely a major milestone for both the city and for other millennials who aspire to work for themselves and making a living while doing it.

We salute these two! If you’re in the area make sure you stop by and tell them that Westside Story Newspaper sent you. Also be sure to follow them on the social networks @kdhaircarellc or visit www.kdhaircaresupply.com.

Panelist Zumar Zamaan (back center) pictured with students who work closely with Dina Walker

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – – BLU Educational Foundation (BLU) launched a thoughtful dialogue this month with the community screening of the award-winning provocative news documentary, The Souls of Black Girls. The screening was held Thursday, March 24 at San Bernardino Valley College and included a post-screening panel discussion with thought-leaders from the Inland Empire Region. The panel also included local students who work closely with Dina Walker, founder of BLU.

Dina Walker, Founder of BLU, pictured with community leaders (l to r) Hardy Brown II and Jonathan Buffong

“Our objective was to provide a safe environment where the community could come together to discuss socially relevant issues facing African American girls and women,” said Walker. It’s important for all women to have a healthy self-image. We’re optimistic that this discussion will extend well beyond Women’s History Month.”

Panelists included Zumar Zamaan, a local writer; Dr. April Clay, a counseling consultant; Faith Ellis, an English teacher; and students Davina Clay, Raihanah Medlock, and Breanna Smith. They each shared personal experiences and how they’ve chosen to navigate issues such as family dynamics, dating relationships and public perceptions of black women.

The screening also served as a precursor to BLU’s Soul Sister’s Leadership Academy and Conference slated for this summer and fall respectively. T-shirts bearing the slogan #BlackGirlsMatter can be purchased to support the Academy and participant scholarships.

Produced by rising filmmaker Daphne Valerius, The Souls of Black Girls raises the question of whether or not women of color may be suffering from a self-image disorder as a result of trying to attain the standards of beauty that are celebrated in media images. The candid piece features interviews with young women discussing their self-image as well as social commentary from Rapper/Political Activist Chuck D, Actresses Regina King and Jada Pinkett Smith, PBS Washington Week Moderator Gwen Ifill and Cultural Critic Michaela Angela Davis, among others.
 

Dennis M. Brown

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Memorial services for Pastor Dennis M. Brown will be held on Friday, April 8 at 7 p.m. at Temple Missionary Baptist Church located at 1583 Union Street in San Bernardino. Pastor Brown was called “The Voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” When he would sing, members of the community caked him the Black Elvis.

Pastor Dennis was called home to be with The Lord on Thursday, March 24 at 4:35 p.m. For more information on the services, please call Bishop Leroi Lacey at (949) 705-8191 or Bishop Daniel Frazier at (909) 534-1383.

By Lue Dowdy

Our YOUTH IS WHAT IT DO WITH THE LUE. This Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the PAL Center come out and support our youth as they perform live! The showcase will be hosted by Comedian, Anthony Stone. The day will consist of a FREE community resource fair opened to the public. “Bring the entire family out for FUN! Until next week, L’z!

The Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa (CRY-ROP) was one of four agencies selected nationwide to participate in the Youth Action Council on Transition (YouthACT), a national initiative designed to get more youth with disabilities to partner with advocates and organizations to improve their opportunities for disabled young adults. Pictured from left are Fernando Olivarez, Nicole Drazin and Branley Acevedo who represented the agency in Washington, D.C. recently.

The Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program (CRY-ROP) was one of four agencies nationwide selected by the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth  to participate in the Youth Action Council on Transition (YouthACT).  YouthACT is a national initiative designed to get more youth with disabilities to partner with advocates and organizations to improve opportunities for disabled young adults.  The initiative is led by the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability (NCWD/Youth). Program funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).

The San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board (WDB) is a nationally recognized leader in workforce issues, and is often used as a model for other boards across the country.  CRY-ROP, one of the San Bernardino County WDB youth service providers, now joins the national ranks on the youth perspective, serving as a testament to how the Workforce Development Board’s funded youth employment programs are making a positive impact on the lives of at-risk youth.

CRY-ROP’s YouthACT team is working with teams across the nation to discuss and plan leadership, advocacy and transitional strategies for young adults.

“I am proud to be named the adult partner for the YouthACT team out of Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa ROP.  The partnerships between youth and adults that the program creates are powerful forces,” said Nicole Drazin, placement specialist.  “As we collaborate, we are creating a new energy in our communities that will pave the way to better opportunities for transitioning youth.”

The Workforce Development Board is making efforts to gain input from youth about what they need during their transitioning years.  This input helps provide the right opportunities, services, and support for this population.

YouthACT aims to increase positive youth-adult partnerships where young people and adults work together, share information and learn from each other. All individuals in the partnership have the opportunity to engage in planning, decision-making, and action consistent with their own interests and skills.

“It’s imperative for us to point youth in the right direction to succeed in life during their transitional years,” said James Ramos, Chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.  “Colton Redlands Yucaipa ROP is a voice for our San Bernardino County youth community and their needs will be heard at the federal level.”

In 2016, the YouthACT team and peer leaders from CRY-ROP’s WDD-funded employment program will be making presentations at community and school organizations on how students with disabilities can advocate for themselves and their families, and identify short and long term plans to support personal and career goals.

“We are very proud that one of our youth service providers was selected as one of four national cohorts to be the voice for YouthACT.  This is a testament to the high caliber of our Workforce Development Board funded youth programs,” said Workforce Development Executive Director Sandy Harmsen.

Attorney Zulu Ali (PRNewsFoto/Law Office of Zulu Ali)

RIVERSIDE, CA- Attorney Zulu Ali of the Law Offices of Zulu Ali in Riverside, California has been named Top 10 Best Lawyers by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys. The American Institute of Criminal Attorneys is an invitation only legal organization recognizing excellence of practitioners in the field. Each lawyer must be formally nominated, have attained the highest degree of professional achievement in his or her field, and have an impeccable client satisfaction rating.

Attorney Zulu Ali, a native of Shelbyville, Tennessee, is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, who served with the Marine Security Forces. After graduating from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, Attorney Ali served as a sworn police officer with the City of Shelbyville, City of Lewisburg, and Vanderbilt Police Departments, respectively.

Attorney Ali earned a Juris Doctorate (law degree) from Trinity International University Law School and a liberal arts degree with an emphasis in African Studies from Regents College through a consortium with Tennessee State University.

Attorney Ali has been admitted to the California State Bar; United States District Courts for the districts of Central California, Southern California, Northern California, and Colorado; United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits; and the United States Supreme Court.

In 2007, inspired by civil rights attorneys Charles Hamilton Houston, Thurgood Marshall, and Avon Williams, Jr., who used the law and courts as a vehicle to make change and protect all people against injustice, Attorney Zulu Ali opened the Law Offices of Zulu Ali with a focus on representing persons accused of crimes and seeking criminal justice, immigrants, victims of discrimination, and persons seeking civil justice. Attorney Ali and his law firm take on extremely difficult cases and matters that provide an opportunity to make changes in the law, through the courts, when the law is unjust.

Attorney Ali serves as Director of the American Committee for United Nations Oversight, an advocacy group lobbying the United Nations for police reform; Director of the Stop and Frisk Academy, which trains at risk youth and others to deal with police encounters; Director of the Southern California Veterans Legal Clinic, a legal clinic offering no cost and low cost legal services to military veterans; and a member of the National Conference of Black Lawyers. Attorney Ali was Honored Top 100 Lawyers by the National Black Lawyers-Top 100.

Attorney Ali resides in Southern California with his wife (Charito) of 30 years. Their four adult children, Christine, Whitney, Ashley, and Lynda; and two grandchildren, Amayah and Tye, also reside in Southern California.