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Shemar Moore and his mother, Marilyn Wilson-Moore, at last week’s Dinner of Champions event.

LOS ANGELES, CA- Shemar Moore, best known for his role as FBI Special Agent Derek Morgan on the hit CBS show, Criminal Minds, was honored at the 40th annual Dinner of Champions, sponsored by and benefiting the National MS Society, Southern California & Nevada Chapter. The gala event took place on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. The event raised funds that support the National MS Society’s vital programs and services to improve the quality of life for people living with MS, as well as cutting-edge research worldwide for better treatments and a cure.

Moore received the award in recognition of his incredible contributions in helping the National MS Society move closer toward a world free of multiple sclerosis. Moore has been a major supporter and ambassador to the National MS Society for ten years through the annual Bike MS: Coastal Challenge cycling event in honor of his mother, Marilyn, who lives with MS. Friends and colleagues from Criminal Minds, including Joe Mantegna, Kristen Vangsness, and Aisha Taylor, turned out to support Moore for this honor. Other celebrities in attendance included Kristoph St. John, Deborah Cox, Sheryl Underwood, and Guillermo Diaz. Actor and comedian Anthony Griffith performed at the dinner and Jillian Escoto, radio personality for Los Angeles-based station MyFM, served as master of ceremonies. Both Anthony and Jillian live with MS.

Shemar Moore’s mother, Marilyn Wilson-Moore was presented with the “Dorothy Corwin Spirit of Life” award for her relentless efforts to bring hope and awareness to people living with MS, like herself. Previous recipients of the Spirit of Life Award include Annette Funicello, Richard Pryor, Alan Osmond, David Lander, Michael Kamen, Teri Garr, and Rep. Henry A. and Janet Waxman. Previous Dinner of Champions honorees have included such distinguished individuals as Jeff Robinov, Sir Howard Stringer, Steven Hilton, Peter Chernin, Joe Roth, Amy Pascal, Jim Gianopulos, Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Tom Rothman, Michael Lynton, Rob Moore, Rob Friedman, Greg Dunn, and most recently Pam Kehaly of Anthem Blue Cross.

The Dinner of Champions makes an enormous contribution in the movement to end multiple sclerosis, not only in raising funds for research, programs and services, but also in raising awareness about MS itself. With the continuing commitment of its supporters the Chapter’s Dinner of Champions in Southern California has become the most successful dinner held by any chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Each year, the dinner honors a philanthropist who has made a significant contribution to the movement to end MS. Because of fundraising events such as the Dinner of Champions, the National MS Society is able to support more MS research and offer more services for people with MS than any other MS organization in the world, including educational and wellness programs, professional counseling and support, financial assistance and more.

REDLANDS, CA- Music Changing Lives, (MCL) is looking for talented young artists to compete in their Performing Arts Showcase on Saturday, October 17 during their annual celebration of “Lights On After-School”.

They are looking forward to receiving submissions from students across the Inland Empire, ages 8 to 24, in the following categories: dance, instrumental, vocal and visual arts.

The focus of the event is to highlight the importance of performing arts in after school programs, as well as in the lives of our youth.  MCL is proud to provide a safe, enriching and creative environment for children to grow and excel.

The performing arts competition is a great opportunity for students to gain recognition for their talents. There will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes in each category. Be as creative as possible and help keep the arts alive in our community!

The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 25.   Event details and registration forms are available upon request to MusicChangingLives@Gmail.com.

The San Bernardino Transit Center is a LEED Gold designed facility which includes drought tolerant landscaping and public art. The mural banner, “Exploration” by Louie Solano, hangs from the north side of the building.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Touted as a tangible sign of transformation for both public transit and downtown, the San Bernardino Transit Center completion ceremony on August 24 featured the symbolic release of 200 butterflies. The Omnitrans multimodal hub, which opens to the public on September 8, is expected to serve 6,000 customers daily.

The $25 million facility connects 10 local and two freeway express Omnitrans bus routes, the sbX bus rapid transit line, and bus routes operated by neighboring Victor Valley Transit Authority and Mountain Transit. In 2017 Metrolink commuter rail service will be extended to the new transit center, with Redlands Passenger Rail service expected to arrive a few years later.

“Improving our public transit network is an important part of growing the Inland Empire economy. The San Bernardino Transit Center is a perfect example of the type of results we can achieve when communities work together to move our region forward,” said Representative Pete Aguilar. The U. S. Congressman pledged his support for a long-term surface transportation bill to increase funding levels for public transportation and highways, saying, “We need to stop kicking the can down the road.”

The existing MAP-21 surface transportation bill, which has been extended numerous times, is set to expire at the end of October. The Senate already has advanced a six-year authorization bill that increases investment in public transportation. The House of Representatives will take up the issue this fall. Fran Inman of the California Transportation Commission suggested going for a longer term bill. “Instead of six years, why not ten?” she said.

Located at the southwest corner of Rialto Avenue and E Street, the four acre site includes 22 bus bays and a 7,500 square foot building. Passengers will appreciate the enclosed climate-controlled lobby, interior and exterior seating, public restrooms, drinking fountains, bike racks, real time bus arrival signs, a customer service desk, ticket vending machine, and 24/7 on-site security. Two acres on the corner are available for future transit oriented development.

“We are proud that this facility was designed to meet LEED Gold standards,” said Sam Spagnolo, Omnitrans Board Chair and Mayor Pro Tem of Rancho Cucamonga. “This means it boasts the latest and greatest in energy efficiency design and systems. There are solar panels on the roof. Of course, all of the landscaping is drought tolerant.”

Public art elements at the center include a transportation-themed mural banner, “Exploration” by local artist Louie Solano, on the north side of the building. The bus turnaround features a 50-foot high, weathered steel plate sundial. Lobby walls are decorated with a mural featuring historic transit photos. A century ago, the same location was home to a car barn and tracks for the San Bernardino Valley Traction Company and Pacific Electric interurban rail services.

Project funding was provided by the Federal Transit Administration, Federal Highway Administration and the state of California through State Transit Assistance funds, Local Transportation Funds, and Proposition 1B funds. Omnitrans is the owner and operator of the San Bernardino Transit Center.

Federal Transportation Administration Regional Administrator Leslie Rogers applauded the “transformative potential” of the center and commended Omnitrans and San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) for their “perseverance in overcoming the challenges and hurdles” to take project from vision to reality. Omnitrans identified the property as an ideal location for a multimodal transit hub in the early 2000’s, but it was not until 2008 that the property was acquired from Union Pacific Railway Company. Construction of the center finally began in February 2014.

San Bernardino Mayor and Omnitrans Board Member R. Carey Davis lauded the transit center’s economic benefits as it relates to redevelopment of downtown and gave credit to former mayor, Pat Morris for pushing for the transit center project forward. SANBAG President and Victorville Councilmember Ryan McEachron said, “This multimodal approach to transportation, centered here in the hub of the county, is just the beginning of what is the future of transportation. At SANBAG we are proud of this investment.”

SANBAG, the council of governments and transportation planning agency for San Bernardino County, managed design and construction. HDR, Inc. is credited with facility design, Parsons Brinckerhoff handled construction management, and Kemp Bros Construction served as general contractor.

Board members and staff at Knotts Family Agency stand outside for a picture after their fundraising soiree that was held at Edwards Mansion on Saturday August 15 in Redlands. The evening consisted of Jazz, food, and wine. Pictured from left right are: James Knotts, founder/board member; Gwen Knotts, founder/CEO; and board members Danielle Mackey, Kay Fangerow and Ernestine Brown. Funds were raised support a cultural and educational enrichment program for youths in foster care.

LOS ANGELES, CA- The California African American Museum (CAAM) invites the community to attend CAAM’s fifth annual Shorts at CAAM Showcase and Industry Writers Panel on Sunday, August 30, from 11 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Shorts at CAAM Showcase will feature 15 short films created by independent filmmakers.  During the Industry Writers Panel we will hear from series creator, producer and director Issa Rae of the upcoming HBO comedy Insecure; actor, writer and executive producer Gary Lennon of the Starz series Power; and series creator, producer and director Diarra Kilpatrick of the NBC comedy-drama The Mysteries of Laura.  Dayna Lynne North, the writer and executive producer of VH1’s Single Ladies, will moderate the discussion. Each panelist will share their stories of how they were able to enter the Hollywood writer’s room. Additionally, they will discuss their experiences writing for projects that include film, television, online and stage.

This event is free and open to the public. CAAM is located at 600 State Drive, Exposition Park. Parking is $10 and located at 39th and Figueroa Streets. Take Los Angeles Metro’s Expo Line and exist the Expo Park/USC stop.  RSVP is encouraged at 213.744.2024.  For more information on CAAM visit www.caamuseum.org.

Kathleen and Carl Dameron

By Kathleen Dameron

Hello my name is Kathleen Dameron and I am initiating this fundraiser.  Carl is my little brother.  OK he is taller than me, but he is still my little brother.  In December of 2014, Carl was diagnosed with fourth stage cancer.  To be specific he has CLL Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia.

Carl has spent the majority of 2015 in the hospital.  In March of 2015 after his first round of chemotherapy Carl caught a wicked infection and became septic.  All of his organs shut down and he went into coma and almost died. Carl was put on a ventilator and had many IVs and dozens of medicines.

Through his long months of illness, Carl was put on dialysis, lost the ability to walk and to feed himself.  After weeks of rehabilitation he can feed himself and walk short distances again.

Carl has a huge heart and a strong sense of helping others. He has volunteered for the Salvation Army providing free public relations services for 11 years. He has been very active in his community helping  & serving on many boards and providing free PR services to dozens of non-profit organizations.   Carl is credited with helping to bring about positive changes in the Inland Empire.

Wife Malaika and Carl at Loma Linda Universiy Medical Center

Yet, it must be a man thing, he is reluctant to ask for help in his fight against cancer and lung infection.  It seems to be a challenge for his ego.

Carl had a near death experience.  In fact, Carl had several near death experiences between March and June.  He has prayed and battled to stay alive.   He is slowly healing and contemplating going back to work.

In addition to cancer, he has black mold in his lungs because toxic mold is in his house. It was discovered after he was back in the hospital with a critical lung infection.

I respectfully ask you to come together and assist me in creating a safe home environment conducive to healing for Carl.

He should not be living in his home because of the toxic mold.  No one should.  It is even more dangerous given that CARL has a very LOW IMMUNE system as he is on Chemotherapy and battles Stage 4 Cancer – Leukemia.

So Carl needs $20,000 to make his home safe to live in…. A home he can live in and not die in.  The family’s savings are gone and Carl hasn’t worked since February.  This means the family does not have the resources to fund this project themselves.

The black mold is in the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, hall and bedroom ceiling.  So that’s what needs to be torn out, cleaned out, then redone.  The leak in the roof must be fixed, the carpets must be replaced and the walls painted.

To begin the process Carl and his family must move out all of their belongings and live somewhere else for a month. Volunteers with the Salvation Army will help with moving out. Tom Brickley, president of Brickley Environmental has agreed to help with the mold remediation.  He needs materials. Habitat for Humanity will help with rebuilding after the mold removed.

What does Carl need to create an environment conducive to building his health and vanquishing the cancer and lung infection?

1. Money – to cover the costs, which are lower due to already, agreed donations of work from Brickley Environmental and the Salvation Army.

2. Materials – for both of these organizations.

3. Lodging in the community – while work is being done on our home.
   (Carl’s 14-year daughter is in high school, his 21-year-old daughter is at Cal State and his wife works full time in the community.)

4.    Your continued prayers for Carl to return to full health. At Loma Linda University Medical Center they acknowledge the miracle that he is alive and walking.

To Donate Click here:http://www.gofundme.com/7d24xnfw

Every 4th Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. there will be a FREE community health and wellness fair at The Waterman Gardens in San Bernardino. Featured each Saturday there will be a mobile health care unit onsite from IEHP and Molina. There will also be groceries, food, and clothing giveaways. Mission 4Him Radio station will also be playing live music for your entertainment. The next event will be held this Saturday, August 22.

Marlo Wells

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA- Women with Voices is pleased to announce its first annual book fair featuring acclaimed authors, speakers, and entertainers. The fair will take place Saturday, September 26 from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Rancho Cucamonga Community Center, David Dreir Hall East and West located at 11200 Base Line Road. The fair is free to attend and open to the public.

“We’re thrilled to bring this caliber of book fair to the Inland Empire Region,” said Rena Neal, founder of Women with Voices. “We’ve received overwhelming response and look forward to a great event highlighting a roster of phenomenal authors and inspiring speakers.”

Confirmed authors include Angela Alexander (“Miracles in Action”); Annette Hubbard (“Oh! Sing Praises!”); Torrian Scott (“Running After Destiny”); Shamilla Pennington (“From Waiting on God to Waiting in God-My Faith Journey”); and Lori Bryant (“Anthology of Stories – When Life Happens”).

The fair will also feature live performances by comedian Mel Austin

Mel Austin

and gospel jazz artist Marlo Wells. Inquiries regarding vendor space or requests to read from published material as an author, poet or spoken word artist may be submitted to womenwithvoices@outlook.com.

The Chino Fire Foundation will be receiving a Black Rose Award this year. (Photo courtesy of Chino Fire Foundation)

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation is happy to announce the winners of the 26th Annual Humanitarian of the Year, Commitment to Community Service and Black Rose Awards.

The Humanitarian of the Year award will be given to Kim Evette Anthony. Kim gives tirelessly of herself, using her skills and abilities to help others.  Much of her work is on a pro bono basis because of her unrelenting commitment to serving her community.  She provides countless number of volunteer hours servicing nonprofit and community based organizations including Stop the Violence Foundation and the establishment of the Regional Violence Prevention Coalition.

Kim volunteered with the Red Cross in Houston, TX serving and supporting displaced Hurricane Katrina survivors. A product of the foster care system, Kim spent fourteen months during her reign as Ms. California delivering motivational speaking and raising funds and awareness for the plight of foster children and at-risk youth.

Davis Clark will be receiving the Commitment to Community Service award. David, a retired military person, volunteers his time at March Air Force Base assisting retirees with their retirement and other benefits.  He also assists the families of the deceased, making sure they get the paperwork needed for proper burial.  In addition, he mentors students at San Gorgonio High School as well as the youth and young adults at his church.  He transports church members and neighbors to doctor appointments and the grocery stores and is involved in the food and toy outreach for the citizens on the west side of the city.  He ministers to the residences of Highland Palms Residential Living and when the senior citizens ask for special food and clothing, he purchases them with his own funds.

The Black Rose Charles Burris 1^st Responders’ Award will be given to Chief Joseph Paulino. Chief Joseph Paulino makes sure that over 50,000 students are safe each day; and has implemented an explorer program for the middle and high school students in the district.  He still finds time to provide service to his community.  He is a member of 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire and recently, he hosted a Searching of Mentors Summit at California State University San Bernardino.  He volunteers his time with the annual Christmas toy giveaway, safety fairs, and positive tickets program.

The Chino Fire Foundation and Officer Marcus Pesquera will both be receiving the Black Rose Award. The Chino Fire Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the safety and welfare of the public through educational programs, direct assistance, and financial support of charitable organizations, victims of tragic events and injured firefighters. Officer Pesquera was in training when early one morning, he and his fellow officer approach a few individuals who appeared to have suspicious behavior.  Officer Pesquera’s quick thinking saved the lives of both men.  Unfortunately, his fellow officer was critically wounded but Officer Pesquera was able to save both lives.  He volunteers in his community at the firing range and his skills enabled him to protect the citizens of San Bernardino.-

By McKenzie Jackson and Tanu Henry/California Black Media

For the past couple of weeks, America has been celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Voting Rights act with events all around the country.

Last Thursday evening, many statewide and local organizations joined the commemoration with an event on the steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento. Legislative Black Caucus members partnered with the Sacramento branch of the NAACP and Urban league, civil groups, other elected officials from around the state and Californians from all walks of life to mark the historic legislation many regard the most important achievement of the Civil Rights Movement.

“As we see attempts to roll back voting rights in a number of states, it’s a good time to reflect on the widespread disenfranchisement of minorities and the struggle that led to passage of the Voting Rights Act,” said

Assemblymember Cheryl Weber (D-San Diego) who was an official host of the event about 100 people attended. “We need to revisit the history and heroes of that struggle and recommit ourselves to honor their sacrifice by exercising our right to decide who makes the decisions that affect our lives.”

For many voting rights advocates, California’s decision last week to restore voting rights to tens of thousands of felons serving sentences under community supervision makes marking the golden jubilee of the historic legislation even more special. California’s new policy comes at a time when there is growing support across the country among liberals, conservatives and moderates for extending voting rights to ex-felons.

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla made the announcement last week after the state settled a lawsuit filed by the ACLU and a number of Civil rights groups on behalf of 60,000 felons.

 “If we are serious about slowing the revolving door at our jails and prisons, and serious about reducing recidivism, we need to engage – not shun – former offenders,” Padilla said. “Voting is a key part of that engagement; it is part of a process of becoming vested and having a stake in the community.”

All across the state there were Voting Rights celebrations honoring  the efforts of civil rights activists half a century ago whose actions led to former U.S. President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act into law on Aug. 6, 1965.

At the largest commemoration in Los Angeles, Peggy Trotter Dammond Preacely, a civil rights activist since she was a teenager in the 1960s, was the keynote speaker. Organizers held the event titled “ The 1965 Voting Rights Act 50th Anniversary Tribute Call-To-Action Mass Meeting” at Holman United Methodist Church Thursday evening.

Preacely, who was a member of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, urged blacks to continue to fight for equal voting rights.

“I speak to all of us, all of you, about how critical it is that we each find our voice and stand for something,” she said. “This is the time; this is the place to work for equal rights.”

The landmark legislation outlawed the discriminatory voting practices taking place in the Deep South after the Civil War. The act was designed to enforce the voting rights cemented by the U.S Constitution, but voting advocates say more work needs to be done after U.S. Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in the Shelby v. Holder case.

The case’s verdict  nullified the Section 5 protections in the Act. The section required certain states and jurisdictions to get approval in advance from the Department of Justice when it made electoral changes, such as changing voting requirements.

Empowered by the Supreme Court’s ruling, over the last two years several states have enacted laws requiring certain types of identification to vote, cut back on early voting days and limited who can register voters.

Over a dozen speakers took to the pulpit at the historic Black church on the west side of Los Angeles and spoke of the importance of making sure everyone, particularly African Americans, have a right to step into the ballot box.

The speakers at Holman UMC included U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass; Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; Los Angeles City Council members Marqueece Harris-Dawson and David Ryu; SCLC-Southern California President Pastor William D. Smart Jr.; Holman UMC Pastor Kelvin Sauls; CORE California Chair Adrian Dove; and Bend the Arc National Chair Stephen Rohde.

Other speakers were Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin, Los Angeles Urban League President and CEO Nolan Rollins and SCLC-Southern California Board Chairman Alice Golf.

The event was organized by a number of voting and civil rights groups and hosted by award-winning actor and singer Keith David. SCLC Freedom Singers and the Own Your Voice|Own Your Vote Ensemble performed during the two-hour tribute.

Congresswoman Bass, the Democrat whose district is in the greater Los Angeles area, called the Supreme Court’s judgement two years ago a mistake.  She is supporting the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015. The bill aims to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with a key provision that would limit the power states have to amend federal voting laws. This bill is making its way through the United States House of Representatives.