Local

ONTARIO, CA- The 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire, Inc. will hold its Inaugural Gala on Saturday, October 10 at the Ontario Double Tree Hotel from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. During this event, the 100 Black Men will honor exceptional black professionals throughout the Inland Empire who have made significant contributions in their fields.

The following professionals will be honored at the event: Admiral Edward Moore, Jr. (Ret.), for his historic contributions to the United States Navy rising to the rank of Vice Admiral as an African American; Judge Richard T. Fields, for his historic contributions as the first African American presiding judge in Riverside County; and Dr. Ernest Levister, M.D., for his significant contributions in the field of medicine in the Inland Empire and to the formation of the J. W. Vines Medical Society.

Tickets can be purchased at www.100bBlackMenIE.com. The 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire, a chapter of the 100 Black Men of America, is committed to intellectual development of youth and the economic empowerment of the African American community based on the following precepts: respect for family, spirituality, justice and integrity.

Dr. Tim Hougen, Jennifer Pacheco, DBH Director CaSonya Thomas, Douglas Fazekas, Imo Momoh.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Board of Supervisors was recently recognized and commended the County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) for winning six Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that enhance services for residents.

NACo recognized the following DBH projects in their respective categories: Mountain Breeze Villas in Community & Economic Development; Remote Group Supervision for Rural Intern Placements in the Employment and Training for County Residents; Culture Specific Subcommittees in Civic Education and Public Information; Child and Adolescent Needs Strengths (CANS), Homeless Outreach Support Team (HOST) and Access, Coordination and Enhancement (ACE) in Human Services.

DBH’s Culture-specific Subcommittees are community-driven advisory groups that engage in policy advocacy, outreach activities and program planning.  Feedback provided by members assist the department in designing programs and services that are culturally informed.

DBH, through these NACo award winning programs, is supporting the Countywide Vision by creating a county in which those who reside and invest can prosper and achieve well-being.  Information on the Countywide Vision and the Department of Behavioral Health can be found at www.sbcounty.gov.

LA VERNE, CA- Garrett Management Group, LLC presents “An Experience Under the Stars”, a captivating dinner show featuring soul stirring music performances by Men of Motown and world renowned saxophonist/vocalist, j.dee. Relive the spirit of classic Motown Saturday, October 24 at the beautiful Hafif Estate located at 4742 Live Canyon Road, in La Verne. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy a 3-course dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the show kicks off at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person, which includes parking, dinner and show.  Patrons will be shuttled from the parking area to the amphitheater.

Alphonso Boyd’s, Men of Motown, are a legendary culmination of Motown vocalists and songwriters. Consisting of four gentlemen, the Men of Motown continue to keep one of the greatest sounds in music alive and kicking. Group members Al Boyd, Kevin Carroll, Russell Watts and Ron Preyer each have a unique story that helped shape the history of Motown Music. Singing professionally for over 50 years, Al Boyd has performed with The Calvanes, The Elgins, The Sixteens, The Olympics, Dennis Edwards, David Ruffin and toured with the The O’Jays. Boyd later became a staff writer for Motown and penned the tune “Shakey Ground” originally recorded by the Temptations and made famous by Elton John. From the Doo Wop era, Kevin Carroll is most known for as the lead singer of The Platters. “When we sing the songs of Motown, people remember where they were and what they were doing when those songs came out,” says Carroll. Russell Watts began his music career with the soul group Imperial Wonders and he continued singing with The Drifters, and toured with the O’Jays alongside fellow group member Al Boyd. Fourth member Ron Preyer also sang and toured with the greats of Motown, including the Temptations, Mary Wilson and the Supremes.

j.dee, a phenomenal soprano saxophonist, adds elements of sultry, funky and smooth jazz sounds guaranteed to put the audience in a cool groove.   A natural born writer, producer and arranger, j.dee has worked with the great Grover Washington, Jr., Lalah Hathaway, Doc Powell, James Brown, Cherrelle, and WAR, just to name a few. j.dee wrote the theme song and several tunes for the motion picture, “Original Gangtas”, and produced the hit song, “12-15-22-5 (LOVE)”, which was placed in the film, “Losing Isaiah”.

Experience Under the Stars is an amazing mix of soul and jazz, under a gorgeous starry night. For event information and tickets for this great show, call 1-866-514-3391. Tickets are available for advanced purchase online at, www.gmgevents.net and at Hafif Family Foundation, 265 W. Bonita Avenue, Claremont, CA, 909-625-7971.

LOS ANGELES, CA- McDonald’s is bringing its Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour to the 10th Annual Taste of Soul Family Festival on Saturday, October 17. Southern California McDonald’s will join local gospel choirs with today’s biggest names in gospel music for a day of fellowship and fun during the community festival.

Hosting the tour is Stellar-nominated artist and radio personality Lonnie Hunter. Joining him on stage will be music director and songwriter Donald Lawrence, vocal powerhouse Yolanda Adams, the “Rose of Gospel” Dorinda Clark-Cole, the incomparable choral-master Ricky Dillard, urban inspirational artist DeWayne Woods, Stellar Award nominee and BET’s Sunday Best season six winner Tasha Page-Lockhart and Christian comedienne Small Fire.

“In L.A. McDonald’s has a long history with gospel,” said McDonald’s franchise owner/operator Reggie Webb, former chair of the Southern California Black McDonald’s Owner/Operator Association and currently serves on the Board of Directors.

“We’ve put on a gospel fest for 19 consecutive years. Lindsay Hughes, an operator here, ran it for 19 years. And then, we started the Inspiration Gospel Celebration, [which] has grown every year.”

Back for its ninth year, McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour focuses on the importance of giving back to the community by supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). In recognition of the Charity’s 41st anniversary, this year concertgoers will have the opportunity to learn about RMHC and the important role it plays in helping families heal and thrive in their local community and worldwide.

“African Americans use all of the McDonald houses in Metropolitan Los Angeles to a greater percentage than we are a percentage of the population,” Webb explained.

“Our kids are more sick than the general population so more of our families are able to take advantage of the Ronald McDonald houses they can stay close to, to support their children while their children are being treated at children’s hospitals around the area for these very debilitating diseases…”

Attendees will also be encouraged to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California by donating to help local families served by the Charity.

To learn more about the tour and the 365Black initiative, visit www.365Black.com. For more information on local gospel acts gracing the stage and details, follow @McDonalds_SoCal on Twitter and join the conversation at #365BlackGospel.

Claudell Curry

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Music Ministry of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church is sponsoring a live recorded concert featuring Claudell Curry and the church’s mass choir.  Mr. Curry, who is “Celebrating Eighty Years of Joy for the Lord in Song,” will be rendering “Music with a Message” as he shares his God given bass vocal talents with resonance and clarity. He has been featured as a frequent soloist in the church’s choirs during his 54 years as a member of St. Paul as well as churches in the Los Angeles Districts of the AME Church.

This will also be an opportunity to preserve the church’s history by having a live recorded concert of the artist and mass choir by a professional recording company. The concert will be held on Saturday, October 10 at 3 p.m., at the Inghram Community Center located at 2050 North Mt. Vernon in San Bernardino.

Tickets for the concert are $10 and $25 for the concert and a copy of the CD.  For further information and to purchase tickets, please contact St. Paul AMEC at 1355 W. 21^st Street, San Bernardino or call 909-887-1718.

By Naomi Bonman

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-Balling for a cause to take back our youth by bringing awareness to the affects that bullying has among our kids is the reason why several of the Inland Empire’s finest in the music industry will be coming together. On Saturday, October 17 at Arroyo Valley High School in San Bernardino AV Lmkr, The Finatticz, Audio Push, The Rejects, and Dirty Birdy will be battling it out in the court for the young ones.

According to the National Education Association, an estimated 160,000 students skip school every day in hopes to avoid their aggressors. Bullying statistics also report that 1 out of every 10 students that drop out of school does so because of repeated bullying, and an estimated 64% of students have been bullied but do not report it.

Our community will not just be entertained through sports, but they will also be gaining knowledge in a fun and interactive way by getting up close and personal with each celebrity throughout the day. Other special guests include Vvs Vision and 99.1 KGGI.

The event will be held from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door. Arroyo Valley High School is located at 1881 W. Base Line Street in San Bernardino.

Victorville rapper, Justified, with his two daughters at “Daughters Lives Matter”.

By Sheri Stuart  

COLTON, CA- Award-Winning Street Positive, a division of 4Positive Knowledge, has launched a national social engagement campaign promoting the importance of healthy father/daughter relationships. The “Daughters Lives Matter” campaign is dedicated to helping young girls avoid the destructive effects associated with child maltreatment, including sex trafficking, dating violence, and drug and alcohol abuse.  Individuals and families from both Riverside and San Bernardino County gathered at Fiesta Village Family Fun Park in Colton to take part in the Sept. 19 kick-off, which included remarks from civic leaders and elected officials who expressed the importance of family/community involvement in the lives of all children.

“The dialogue was powerful and helped raise community consciousness in terms of safety,” said Joe Paulino, chief of police for the San Bernardino City Unified School District. “We’re mindful that our daughters’ lives matter and their safety is important.”

Founder and CEO of Street Positive Terry Boykins

More than 400 people attended the campaign launch, which included the recognition of six distinguished women for their proactive efforts to support fathers and daughters throughout Southern California’s Inland Empire Region. Award recipients included: Acquanetta Warren – Mayor of Fontana; Josie Gonzales –

Individuals and families from the Inland Empire Region

San Bernardino County Supervisor, 5^th District; Pastor Karen Sykes – Cross Word Christian Church; Cheyenne English – Women Who Hide; Susana Zamudio-Riverside Unified School District; and Patricia Nichols-Butler-Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County.

“It was a great event and we are so grateful to have been a part of it,” said Michelle Kapuscinski, owner of Fiesta Village Family Fun Park. “We’ve worked with Terry Boykins and Street Positive over the last eight years. It’s been incredible to watch the programs expand.  We look forward to an even bigger event next year.”

Carolyn Tillman, Special Assistant to the Superintendent of San Bernardino County Schools

Colton Mayor Richard A. DeLaRosa

Kenneth Young, Riverside Superintendent of Schools

Mark Collins on the field (then)

SAN BERNARDINIO, CA- Former New York Giants defensive back and San Bernardino native Mark Collins will return to Pacific High School on Friday, September 25 to celebrate the Super Bowl’s 50th anniversary by presenting his alma mater with a gold football.

Collins, who graduated from Pacific High in 1982, is returning as part of a special NFL celebration honoring every high school in the world that has produced a player or coach who appeared in a Super Bowl. Collins was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1986 NFL draft. He played for the Giants from 1986 to 1993.

Mark Collins (Now)

The NFL estimates that over 3,000 players have played in the Super Bowl, along with 52 coaches. The league invited some of those 3,000 players to personally deliver the gold football to their individual high schools.

Collins’ homecoming will take place at noon on Friday during a special student assembly in the Pacific High Auditorium. It’s been 33 years since Collins graduated from Pacific High, a school he continues to support by participating in the development of the District’s Athletic Strategic Plan. The plan aims to increase student participation in sports by providing state-of-the-art facilities and academic support to athletes.

For Principal Hector Vazquez, Collins’ return to Pacific is an opportunity to remind all students, not just athletes, that setting goals and believing in themselves will take them far in life.

“Mark Collins is an amazing role model for our students,” Vasquez said.  “He’s proof that great things are possible when you set goals, work hard, and persevere.”

By Naomi K. Bonman

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA- Calling all readers, authors, and book lovers! 3 Women Voices will be presenting a day filled with enlightenment and, knowledge on Saturday, September 26. Renowned authors from in and around the Inland Empire will be gathering together to speak, sign their books, and enlighten guests at Rancho Cucamonga Central Park, David Dreier Hall (East & West) located at 11200 Base Line Road in Rancho Cucamonga. The event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Featured guest and authors include: Angela Alexander, Lori Bryant, Annette Hubbard, Susan Goodson, Lisa M. Black, Torrian Scott, Eliza Shansey Green, Don Coffeen, Shamilla Pennington, and Alex Byron. In addition to words of encouragement and enlightenment, there will also be entertainment from Comedian Mel Austin and Gospel Recording Artist Marlo Wells.

RIVERSIDE, CA — “Life in His Hands” Christian Newspaper will launch the first of many evenings bringing music and a message to different coffee houses throughout the Inland Empire. The first stop of The Good News Coffee House Tour is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, at Daily Brew Coffee House, located at 2955 Van Buren Boulevard in Riverside.

“There is something about the casual atmosphere,” says Pastor Chris Thompson. “There are many people who don’t go to church who may be more comfortable starting their Christian walk at a local coffee shop, especially when they can ask questions one-on-one.”

Each evening will begin with a time of praise and worship led by local worship leaders. A message will be given, and followed by a chance to ask questions. Each night of the “Good News Coffee House Tour” will focus on taking the gospel to the public in a casual environment.

Additional Saturday evenings throughout the fall and winter are now booking. For more information about tour, please visit LifeinHisHands.org/tour.