WSSN Stories

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media 

California Community Colleges have kicked off a new campaign to inform underserved populations about the good-paying jobs available through career education.

According to a press release, there is a skill and an information gap in California, as many high-paying jobs go unfilled because employers can’t find employees with the right training.  This includes jobs in the information technology, healthcare, biotechnology and digital media fields. 

Many people are put off by the cost of college education, but advocates say community colleges offer a low-cost alternative to career education programs and are expanding new efforts to ensure people are aware.

“Both adults and high school students hesitate to pursue higher education to gain new skills and refresh existing ones because they worry about student debt,” said Van Ton-Quinlivan, vice chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. “Career education offers a great pathway to increase earnings and make a living wage without that type of debt burden.”

She added that the legislature had allocated money specifically targeted for students interested in training for new careers.

The campaign will target potential students through ads on traditional and digital media, a website and an app. The promotional campaign is part of a $200 million recurring investment made by Gov. Jerry Brown and the California legislature, according to a news release. 

Ton-Quinlivan also said community colleges would work with local organizations to spread the message.

“We will get the advice of community leaders on how to get the word out,” she said.

Cassandra Jennings, president of the Greater Sacramento Urban League, said working alongside community organizations was an important part of spreading the word in the Black community.

“What’s going to be critical to their success is working with non-profit organizations, community-led organizations to really do a targeted outreach to reach certain populations,” said Jennings.

The California Community College system has 114 campuses and educates more than 2 million students. It is the largest provider of workforce training in the nation.

African-American students make up 6.5 percent of the students at community colleges. About 5 percent of the more than 6 million students in the K-12 system are Black. Black students make up 6 percent of students enrolled in four-year colleges.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

What would it take for you to realize that it is time to put your house in order? That it’s time for you to get your act together! Oh, I know, you’re hoping to be like the thief on the cross and meet your Savior in just the last minutes of your life? Well thus saith the Lord, “I want you to give careful thought to this once again, “What is your life? A vapor that appears for a little while then vanishes away.” [James 4:13-17].  Get your act together or you are going to Hell! Set your house in order, and pray that you are found worthy to escape the tribulation that is coming upon the whole world. Warning after warning in Scripture, telling you that the time is short; have sense enough to discern the signs of the times and see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise… [Ephesians 5:16]. I want you to know that Hezekiah was forced to reflect on all aspects of his life.  He had to wrestle with the short time he had yet to live.  He had to wrestle with what would happen after death.   You see, death for all of us is just a breath away. And the nearer death is, the closer we are to answering to God for all we have said and done.”[2 Corinthians 5:10]. Get your act together or you are going to Hell! Believe it or not!

I want you to know that when Paul preached to Governor Felix he reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgment to come. Thus, Felix was terrified! When Peter preached, the people were pricked in their hearts and cried out, “What must we do?” Today however, nobody trembles and cries out in anguish over their sins. Just like when Stephen preached they stopped their ears and all rushed upon him. But I tell you life is short; death is sure and God’s judgment is coming. So as [2 Kings 20:1] admonish you, “Set thine house in order for thou shalt die and not live.” Prepare to meet thy God! [Amos 4:12]. Your very salvation depends upon it. The Bible makes it perfectly clear that God’s judgment is certain. And it IS coming! [Acts 17:31] tells us, “…because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” I don’t know about you, but even now I can hear the thunderous hooves of the four horses storming across the stage of human history, bringing deception, wars, hunger and death on a scale so massive it staggers the mind! Our time is growing short! While no man knows the day or the hour…all of the major players are walking onto the world stage. I believe that we are literally watching Bible prophecy unfold before our very eyes. So I will make it as clear as I can. Get your house in order. While you do not live in fear, you must be prepared. Your time grows shorter with every waking hour. Don’t wait another second to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life. You have no time to waste! Death is not just probable, but absolutely certain, and can happen at any minute,

“Then I saw another angel flying the in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to Him for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wind of the wrath of her fornication.” Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength in the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever, and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosever receives the mark of his name.” [Revelation 14: 6:11].

“So teach us to number our days that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” [Psalms 90:12].

Mer-C

By Lue Dowdy

Female emcee Mer-C is WHAT IT DO! When I see an artist on their grind, especially a female, I must say “Salute.”  

I’ve been watching this talented young lady for a cool minute now. I see how serious she takes her music, image, and brand. A lot of other female emcees can truly take a page from her book.

Below is more about this beautiful, fire spittin’ Queen. Make sure you follow my articles and events on Facebook under ‘LUE Productions.’

Mer-C a.k.a. Sharea Brown was born and raised in Pomona, California. She went to school in Rialto during some of her younger years. She is known for dancing at Pomona High and in a couple music videos by Master P and Goodie Mobb. She is also a mother to two sons.

She moved to Chicago for six years and while there she won a reality show called “#Thehungriestrapper” produced by Stacey ‘Boss Diamond’ Gill where she walked away with $10,000 that she invested in herself working with a little bit of everyone from Chicago to California.

She sacrificed it all in the height of her rap career when she moved back to California when her oldest son was off to college. While back in California, Mer-C continued to pursue her rap and pinup model career while doing shows in and opening acts for DJ Quik and Juvenile, just to name a few. She eventually ended up linking with Pomona Young and his daughter Ree Ree where together they created the Pomona Ladies Movement capturing the attention of RMM Percy and Snoop Dogg. Both ladies were chosen to go on the “Puff, Puff, Pass Tour 2” along with legends from the Dogg Pound, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Warren G, Too $hort and several others.

Mer-C came right off tour totally focused. She created her own clothing line for men and women titled, “No MerC Clothing” and “No MerB Kings Only.” Out of that she formed her own crew of Queens called the “No MerC Models” who were recently featured in “DBG” featuring Snoop Dogg and the “Don’t Fuck with Y’all” video which can be seen on World Star Hip-Hop.

Giving back to the community Mer-C also works with a group of young girls she calls ‘Lil Ladies Motivating Little Girls to Stick Together.’ The purpose is to teach little girls to stay little girls for as long as they can. Follow Mer-C on IG at @no_merc and @no_mercmodels for booking or questions email Im2010mercy@yahoo.com. Blessings. Until next week L’s!

By John Coleman

REDLANDS, CA- Carlotta Poole is a Redlander.  She is born, schooled, and lived here most of her life.  Following the death of her father, she returned to her childhood home and began to settle into typical Redlands life.  Then a fire burned the brush in the open field near the freeway interchange area and across from her home. She then raised awareness of other (hidden in full sight) ?issues and needs of the city.

She walked through the neighborhood, knocked on doors, and asked neighbors what city issues concerned them. She collected a list of issues, names, and addresses, then notified City Officials of her findings. They responded to the information by visibly dealing with a frequently identified issue and the city planned with Ms. Poole for a time and place where community members could meet with City Officials, raise questions, and share in seeking solutions.

Ms. Poole again walked through the neighborhood, knocked on doors, prepared and distributed notices of the event which was held on Tuesday, July 25 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Redlands Senior Center.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

That’s a darn shame! Yet you expect God to bless you! Well forget about it! Ain’t going to happen! God made it very clear in [Matthew 6:33] He said, “Seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” What part of “Seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God” do you not understand? To seek means to have a keener sense of the spiritual.  It is to have that spiritual vision that there is more to life than the physical world. Being committed to everybody and everything but God… Slap yourself!

I want you to know that twice Haggai instructed the people, “Consider your ways.” [Haggai 1:5-7]. The word considers means to give careful thought to. It was time for the people to do some serious self-examination before the Lord. Haggai wanted the people to stop long enough in their busy schedules to evaluate their life in light of God’s Word. He wanted them to measure the consequences of their actions. Samuel urges the people of Israel to consider what great things God has done! “Yes, consider…and fear the LORD!  Consider…and serve the LORD!  Give yourself completely to Him” Samuel said. When we recognize what God has done for us through his son Jesus Christ, the only response is to give ourselves completely to him. Nothing significant ever happens in life without commitment. Your commitments determine your future. You can’t lose by being committed to God. The Bible tells us in [2 Chronicles 16:9] that God is looking for people whose hearts are fully committed to Him so that He can bless and use them. Paul put it this way, ‘Even before the world was made, God had already chosen [you] to be His through your union with Christ, so that you would be holy and without fault before him [Ephesians 1:4].

 I tell you if reflecting on God’s mercies doesn’t move you, then you are in trouble? Where would you be without God’s love and forgiveness? Where would you be without God’s presence in your life? What kind of hope would you have without him? [Psalm 37:5-6, 34-40]. God wants you to know that, “No other person must come before Him: not your children, your mate, your parents, or your best friend, not even.” Consider the greatest commandment. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, all thy mind, all thy soul, and all thy strength.” That is the greatest commandment and the second is like unto it, “Love thy neighbor as yourself and you shall live.”

I don’t know about you but I surrender my life to God because He’s given His life to me.  If God never did another thing for me, never blessed anything else in my life, never answered another prayer, never gave me another morsel of food or never said another kind word my way, I owe Him my all right now because of what He did for me on the cross. Paul writing about His own motivation in [1 Corinthians 15:10] stated, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and I labor more abundantly than they all-yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” I commit to Christ because I’m grateful for my salvation. You know Jesus told the Ephesians that they stopped loving Him, and to fix that problem He told them to do two things: Remember the height from which they fell. And repent by doing the things they did at first. God expects unconditional surrender. Whatcha gonna do?

Remember, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” [Proverbs 16:25].

By Ysrayl

For the uplifting and encouragements of my people…

The Hebrew Doctrine is the only doctrine that ensures their believers of a life expectancy beyond the grave. I myself laid out each brochure of each faith before me, and considered the strength of the faith. It was the best thing that was going on. We are the only faith that promises eternal life through the sacrificial blood atonement which places us back in terms with the Mighty One.

Our ancestors followed the precepts in the literal ceremonials, pointing ahead into the future of Messia, [of whom would come through the loins of a Hebress woman.] The Word came in the flesh, in the person of Yahshua, and there are those of our forebears that beheld His glory [John 1]. We in this day, observe these same ceremonials in the Spirit, by faith, not by anything we can touch and feel, see and smell. Yah is a spirit. These festivals of old were and are summed up in the life and death of Jesus the Christ. In Genesis, we observe the Mighty One taking a skin [we suppose a lamb] making the covering for their sin. We have Yahshua taking His blood into the presence of Yah as the atonement for the world, regardless of complexions of skin. This life is offered to all. It takes you to receive it. It’s freely given. You don’t have to pay for the Word of Yah. The so-called preachers are cheating you. Those of us that believe in this message are promised eternal life with the Father, and when we sleep [we will] be awaken in Paradise and we will see our loved ones again; mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, all of us will unite up under the banner of Love, over our heads in Yah’s Kingdom. This is the gift that God gives to those of us that believe.

Erica Brown

Helping clients shine is one of the key tasks of Erica Brown, the newly appointed Associate Creative Director and Senior Graphic Designer at Sonshine Communications.  In this new role, Erica is responsible for managing creative design, graphic services, and creative packaging.

“Erica has an exceptional eye for detail and creativity,” says Bernadette Morris, president/CEO. “She often veers away from the norm and strives to develop products that are extremely innovative and out of the box. She is a valuable asset to our team.”

The consummate professional, Erica has been a part of the Sonshine team for nearly 15 years.  Her award-winning designs have included campaigns for the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Department of Transportation, the U.S. General Services Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, among others.

Erica holds a Master of Communication Arts degree from New York Institute of Technology. In addition, her work has afforded her with multiple awards including recognition from the American Advertising Federation, and the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts.

Sonshine Communications is a leading public relations, marketing and advertising agency headquartered in Miami, Florida.  Sonshine works with a diverse array of government agencies, non-profits and businesses in numerous industries nationwide.

For more information on how you can experience the Sonshine Communications, please call (305) 948-8063 or visit www.sonshine.com.

This week GWAAP is What It Do! They will be dropping EP, “F.R.O.M.” on 9/1/17! Keep your eyes and ears on the lookout. Be sure to follow them at facebook.com/gwaapfam and www.facebook.com/lueproductions.

Until next week, L’z!

Although we are half way through summer, the kiddos are still trying to enjoy their last few days before it’s time to hit the books again, and not to mention the days are still hot and just getting hotter! Whether you spend these hot days outside having picnics or enjoying that dip in the ocean or pool, it is important to stay safe. The American Red Cross offers these 15 safety tips to make sure your summer fun stays safe, fun and stress free.

HEAT SAFETY.

1. Stay hydrated, drink plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
2. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors – they absorb the sun’s rays.
3. Slow down, stay indoors. Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
4. Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat. Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
5. Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat. 

WATER SAFETY.

1. Do your part, be water smart! Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well.
2. Actively supervise children by staying within arm’s reach of young children and newer swimmers.
3. Don’t fool with a pool: fence it in. Enclose your pool and spa with four-sided, four-foot fencing and use self-closing, self-latching gates.
4. Don’t just pack it; wear your U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket – always when on a boat and if in a situation beyond your skill level. Inflatable children’s toys and water wings can be fun, but they are no substitute for a life jacket and close adult supervision.
5. Swim as a pair near a lifeguard’s chair – everyone, including experienced swimmers, should swim with a buddy in areas protected by lifeguards.

GRILLING SAFETY.

1. Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
2. Never grill indoors – not in your house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
3. Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.
4. Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
5. Use long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.

The Red Cross Emergency App can help keep you and your loved ones safe by putting vital information in your hand for more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts. The Red Cross Swim App promotes water safety education and helps parents and caregivers of young people learning how to swim. The Red Cross First Aid App gives instant access to expert guidance on handling the most common first aid emergencies at your fingertips. Download these apps by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.

 Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Going around doing things you know you have no business doing; all because you want to fit in! Ye adulterers and adulteresses know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God [James 4:4]. You need to have a realization in your heart, that you are now a child of God, and you don’t have any business fooling with the things of the world. As Christians, we have to be ever so careful who we associate ourselves with. We have to be careful who we allow to be in our space. Fools cannot be real friends to a child of God. It is impossible, for they are incompatible by nature. They have nothing of value to offer. Avoid the company of fools and you will save yourself harm! Walk with the wise and you will become wise!

[Romans 12:2] says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. [Ephesians 5:15-16] says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” So come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning … I say this to your shame” [1 Corinthians 15:33-34]. Listen, [Psalm 1:1] says, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. What a simple rule for wisdom and life! Get rid of foolish friends, and choose the wise for friends. You will grow in wisdom and avoid much trouble in life.  

The Bible declares, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” [I Corinthians 15:33]. The warning about deception is to save you. I ask you, How did Lot, Abraham’s nephew, end up in a cave with nothing but his two daughters pregnant by his incest? He moved toward Sodom and made friends in that wicked city [Genesis 13:12]. What a disaster it turned out to be for him, his wife, and five daughters. Be not deceived!  Fools cannot be real friends to a child of God. It is impossible, for they are incompatible by nature. They have nothing of value to offer. I tell you, if you lie down with the dogs, you will rise up with fleas. Do not go in their direction [Psalms 1:1; Proverbs 1:10, 15; 4:15; 9:6), and have no fellowship with them [Proverbs 14:7; Amos 3:3; Ephesians 5:11-12]. The clincher of Jehoshaphat’s story in [2 Chronicles] is the devastating effect that his compromise with the world had on his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and on the whole southern kingdom. In [Chapters 21 and 22] we read that after Jehoshaphat’s death, his son Jehoram [married to Athaliah] slaughtered all his brothers and then turned the nation to idolatry [see 21:6]. God struck him with a terrible disease of the bowels and he died after eight years in office. His son Ahaziah became king and lasted one year before he was murdered [see 22:3-4]. Ahaziah’s wicked mother Athaliah then slew all his sons [her own grandsons] except for Joash [a one-year-old] who was rescued and hidden from her. The Davidic kingly line from which Christ was descended came that close to being snuffed out! And then the wicked Athaliah ruled the land for six years. All this was the result of Jehoshaphat’s compromise with the wicked Ahab! Do not be deceived. He who lie down with dogs, will rise up with fleas!

My aim is to walk with God, to follow His Word of truth, and to help you do the same.