WSSN Stories

ATLANTA, GA— Spelman College today announced that it has exceeded its comprehensive fundraising campaign goal, generating $157.8 million. This is the largest amount raised in the history of the institution. The campaign attracted support for scholarships, academic initiatives, and campus renewal. A record-breaking 12,000, representing 71% of alumnae, made a gift to the campaign.

“When we launched the campaign, we were focused on strengthening the institution’s healthy foundation through increased scholarship support for students, strategic investment in our faculty and academic programs, and capital improvements on our campus. It is very gratifying to have met all of these objectives while exceeding our campaign goal,” says President Beverly Daniel Tatum.

Over the course of the 10-year campaign, scholarship support for Spelman students has tripled, and opportunities for faculty research and development have expanded significantly. The Gordon-Zeto Center for International Education was created with a gift of $17 million, increasing opportunities for student and faculty travel, and providing financial aid for international students. Other highlights include the creation of a signature social justice fellows program, and funding to build a state-of-the-art wellness facility. “From campus expansion and significantly increased housing capacity to dramatic growth in annual alumnae support and a campus-wide focus on wellness, Dr. Tatum has provided exemplary leadership,” says Rosalind Brewer, Chair of the Spelman College Board of Trustees.

With the campaign now at an end, President Tatum has announced her intention to retire on June 30, 2015. “As the campaign closes and I prepare to enter a new decade in my life, it presents a natural time for transition. It is a great time to pass the baton to a new leader, and I am ready to return to my writing,” explains Dr. Tatum, a well-known author, who will turn age 60 this year.

Board Chair Brewer acknowledges this bittersweet moment.

“Dr. Tatum has been a true visionary. She and the entire campus community have demonstrated tremendous leadership and stewardship of the institution over the last 12 years. The entire board truly appreciates the significant strides made under this administration. Now it is time not to rest on our laurels, but to build on these accomplishments. As we look ahead, we take pride in the history of strong leadership that has distinguished Spelman College, and we intend to continue that tradition moving forward. It’s an exciting time.”

2011 Awards Recipients

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, Inc. will be celebrating its 25th Annual Black Rose, Humanitarian of the Year and Community Service Awards Banquet on Friday, September 12 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino.

This is a community event in which individuals and/or businesses of the community are recognized by their peers and the community for giving back beyond what could be expected as well as serving as a fundraising event to help provide scholarships for students who live in San Bernardino and Highland and attend San Bernardino City Schools, Aquinas, and Loma Linda Academy.

Applications are now being accepted for potential nominations. If you know someone or a business deserving to be recognized as an unsung hero for volunteer efforts over and above job related activities, please take the time to complete an application which can be downloaded at www.sbbcfoundation.org and submitted to marrobhill@aol.com or Troy Ingram at unicorncol@sbcglobal.net, or mailed to The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 7288, San Bernardino, CA 92411. The deadline for submitting nominations is July 31, 2014.

Celebrity hair stylist, China Upshaw

Its summer time, it’s hot and sometimes we just don’t know what to do with our hair in order to keep cool. Below are a few summer hair trends that are recommended by celebrity hairstylist China Upshaw.

• First trend: Shorter hair is better for the summer because it’s cooler. It’s already hot during the summer and having a bunch of hair to deal with is the worst.
• Second trend: naturally curly bobs for the summer are also great!
• Third trend: really high buns are in for the summer.
• Fourth trend: Going to a lighter hair color during the summer is the best time to do it.

About China:

China Upshaw is a celebrity hairstylist from sunny California with over 10 years of experience in the celebrity hair styling industry. She currently has a salon home with the world famous Kimble Hair Studio in West Hollywood, and is one of the stars of WE TVs LA Hair which is currently in its 3^rd season and shows every Thursday at 9 p.m..  Some of Upshaw’s clients include Chante Moore, Robin Givens, Kelly Rowland and Necole Bitchie.

To stay up to date on China’s endeavors, follow her on twitter @chinaupshawhair and Instagram @chinaupshaw.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

1st Warning.…. Jesus went into the Church and threw out the money-changers, overturned tables, and cast out those who had used the temple of God in vain for their own betterment and gain. Jesus went to set the Church in order. “My house shall be called the house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.”

2nd Warning……On the appointed day after His death, burial, and resurrection Jesus ascended into the Heavens and sat at the right hand of the Father in glory. But before Jesus relaxed Himself, He called for an old Apostle exiled on Mt. Patmos. Jesus called for John, the Revelator. Jesus told John to come on up, and bring a pad and pen because he needed to write letters to the “Seven Churches.”

Final Warning.…… “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

“The Church of today is filled with whimpering, jealous, defeated Christians.  They are worldly, selfish and cold because they are in bondage under the power of the Devil’s emphasis on their flesh, and the Church won’t preach against it.  Instead of the call of the Church, people hear and give in to the call of the people.  Instead of love for the Father, it is lust of the flesh.  Instead of fishing for men, they are fishing for materialism.”  God says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Church,God is looking for a Church without spot or wrinkle.”  He’s looking for someone to have a committed Spirit. He needs people that are willing to be the Salt of the Earth, to change the world, not to be changed by the world. Bottom-line: God needs people who will, “Keep the main thing the main thing,” and the main thing is Jesus. Don’t you know that you will have to appear before the judgment seat of God and give an account of yourself?  On that day, I wonder, how many will be able to say that, “The life I’ve lived, will speak for me?”

We have been warned. We have been given notice.  Even though we don’t know and will never know the exact time, day or hour Jesus teaches us that the signs of what God is about to do will be clear. He methodically lists those signs in Luke 21:8.  We could almost keep a checklist: Wars – ?…Rumors of Wars – ?…Famine – ?… Disaster – ? Earthquakes – ?… Pestilences -? …Conflict in Families – ?… Increasing Wickedness – ?… Fearful Events and Great Signs in Heaven arising – ?… Believers arrested and Hated – ?…False Teachings – ?… matter of fact goes ahead and put a “Double- ?” on that last one.”  You know the people of Nineveh were warned to repent. We’ve been warned too. We’ve got to be ready in that hour, in that moment. The Church must be ready. You as an individual must be ready. It pays to heed Warnings, because Warnings comes before Destruction!

Perhaps I need to remind you about Moses and the burning bush; Israelites 40 years in the desert; Samson capture by the Philistines; David when he lost his kingdom; Jonah when swallowed by the whale; King Herod, the Jewish leaders, and the nation of Israel, Pilate, Rome, and all who rejected Jesus, rejected the truth of God, and thereby condemn themselves to an early grave; Paul on the road to Damascus after being blinded by His glory; The thief on the cross had to be sentence to crucifixion before he would listen. Where will you have to be before you will listen? Will God have to allow some tragedy in your life so you will listen? Jesus said in Rev. 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.”

Throughout the Bible God has always given mankind a chance to repent. He would send a warning through one of His messengers. God is still sending warnings. “He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.”

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Don’t you know that the ultimate—and severest—consequence of SIN is “DEATH “(Romans 6:23). “This not only refers to physical death, but to eternal separation from God in Hell” (Isaiah 59:2). Russian roulette is a gambling game. A potentially lethal game of chance. You need to know that you are walking a very dangerous path today. You are playing Russian roulette with a fully loaded gun and one day you are going to lose everything, because the Russian roulette you are playing is Spiritual and it is more dangerous, more tragic, more condemning, and more deadly than any kind of Russian roulette played with a man-made weapon. God has made it very clear that the Consequence of Sin is Death,” but “The Gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus.” The only reason you are not in Hell today is because of God’s grace and mercy. But don’t you know that at any moment, God could sever the golden thread of life and you would plunge into a Christ-less eternity, where you would be lost forever. So are you sure you want to play this deadly game?

“What is my point?” Let me make my point clear. While it is highly unlikely that anyone reading this article has ever or will ever be foolish enough to play Russian roulette with a revolver, I believe there are many who, this very moment, are “Playing Russian roulette with their Soul!” And when I refer to “Playing Russian roulette with your Soul,” I am referring to those who gamble on their eternal destiny by either being Ignorant of or ignoring what the Bible says about how to be saved from your Sins and go to Heaven. Paul made it abundantly clear that Sin has Consequences: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7). The late great Tupac Shakur once said, “You live By the Gun, You die By the Gun.” What a tragedy when men play Russian roulette with God!

And you call yourself a Christian (Ministers included) but you play with “Sin” like a cat plays with a mouse. You go through life “Claiming” Christianity but living like the Devil. You “Toy” with God, not considering that your life is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. Playing Games with God is a very dangerous situation. Living in and Out of Sin is a very dangerous situation. Toying with other people’s salvation to justify your own rotten filthiness is a very dangerous situation. Don’t Play Games with the God of your Salvation! Don’t Play Games with Sin! Because God’s Law of Harvest cannot be broken,and you cannot neglect God’s law without consequences (Heb. 2: 2-3).

Although this message has been preached for 2,000 years. It has been ignored by most of those that have heard it. It is still being ignored in this day. It will be ignored during the dark days of the Tribulation, but as an Ambassador for Christ it is my duty to remind you of the “Final Proclamation” (Revelation Chapter 14). Many people will be saved, thank God for that, but many, many more will be lost. The people in the Tribulation will refuse to hear the 144,000 evangelists. They will refuse the preaching of the two witnesses – but here again the promise and the call of the Gospel is presented to you, John 3:16; John 7:37; John 11:28. –  Where will you be five seconds after death? Quit playing Russian roulette with Death! Quit playing Russian roulette with God!

 The consequence of suppressing the truth is that God gives the sinner over to “The Sinful Desires of Their Hearts,” “Shameful Lusts” and “A Depraved Mind” (Romans 1:24, 26, 28). I tell you, it is a fearful thing to be “Given Over” to your own destructive ways. God has made it clear that “The Soul Who Sins Will Die” (Ezekiel 18:4).  What shall you do?’” The answer, simple yet profound: “Repent!”

Ogom Chijindu

By Naomi Bonman

FONTANA, CA- It has been proven through various events that women can do anything that a men can do, and Los Angeles Temptations football league player, Ogom Chijindu (also known as O.G.), is set to compete on a whole new level as she completes head-to-head battles on Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge, which premieres Sunday, July 6 from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on CMT.

Each episode features eight contestants of both men and women who will compete until the last woman or man earns the right to take on the toughest obstacle course in America created by Austin himself, the “Skullbuster”, for a chance to win $10,000.

“We’re going head-to-head, toe-to-toe,” Chijindu explained. “It’s difficult for people to imagine women doing it, but we were doing everything that the guys were doing without a problem.”

O.G. was reached out to the talent crew of the show about a few highlights that they had seen online of her and from there asked her to send over her bio. The next day she received a cll back and was cast on the show.

“It happened really fast. I was kind of surprised, but I thought it would be a great fit. I love to play sports. I’m not really a gym rat but I’m very athletic, competitive and live an athletic life, so I figured ‘How hard could this possibly be”, O.G. states.

If she wins, Ogom plans to put the money towards her swimwear line, “My bikini line is different because I designed it specifically for the woman’s body.” She also stated that most are used to triangle bottoms and with her line she has a wide range of bottoms that compliment the curves of every woman.

After the Broken Skull, in addition to it launching her bikini line and being in season for football, the L.A. Temptations girl plans on going to law school sometime in the future. To stay up to date on O.G,’s endeavors visit her website at www.iheartOG.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @iheartOG.

CHICAGO, IL — Today, Johnson Publishing Company (JPC), launched its new JET magazine app.  The app replaces the printed edition of the magazine.  The new digital magazine app will add fresh content on a weekly basis, every Friday.  Readers will be entertained by 3D images, video interviews, enhanced digital maps, audio content and photography from the JPC archives.

The app will be available on all tablet and mobile platforms.  There will be a free introductory offer of 30 days for all subscribers.

Actress Keke Palmer, the youngest talk show TV host of her new show “Just Keke,” is featured on the cover.  Inside the issue, the actress discusses what it was like growing up on camera, her talk show idols, and dealing with social media drama.

“This is such an honor,” said Keke Palmer.  “JET Magazine was always on the table in my family’s home and it’s great to be their first cover as they enter into the digital age.”

“I am excited to carry the torch of the iconic JET brand into the digital realm,” said Kyra Kyles, the newly appointed editorial director of both JET magazine app and JETmag.com.  “I am confident that we can keep the legacy of the magazine for generations.”

The first JET magazine app will offer:

• The first 360-degree view of the JET Beauty, with enhanced interaction with the model
• An exclusive viewing of Black&Sexy TV’s RoomieLoverFriends debut episode of season three – available only to JET app subscribers until July 6
• A chance to win a VIP experience to the largest house music event in the country – the 25th Annual Chosen Few Picnic (2015) in Chicago
• Featured celebrities – Stacey Dash, Anthony Anderson, Trey Songz and Taraji P. Henson

Instructions on how to download the new app can be found at JETMag.com and Ebony.com.

YAP AmeriCorp Graduates, staff and Elected Official Dignitaries Photo by Naomi K. Bonman

Written by Naomi K.  Bonman

Joesph Williams being presented with a from Bank of America

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Thursday, June 26, the Youth Action Project (YAP) held its 2013-2014 AmeriCorps Members Graduation ceremony. The ceremony was held at the San Bernardino Adult School. The brief ceremony featured a light meal as guests gathered in before the ceremony followed by a welcome from YAP Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Joesph Williams. YAP AmeriCorps Alumni Shonda Hutton was the keynote speaker for the evening where she spoke on “Self-Love and Knowing Who You Are”. She explained the four steps to success which were:

1. Defining your purpose
2. Knowing Your role. You don’t know everything. Make sure to value teamwork because ‘Teamwork makes the Dream work”.
3. Involve yourself around those who are succeeding and doing what you desire to do. Take notes and have them take you under their wings as their mentee.
4. Cultivate your relationships. Serve with those that you become involved with. Thank them often.

Proceeding Hutton, Alfred Arguello of Bank America presented YAP with a check for their dedication and commitment to everything that do in the community.  Kimberly Scott, YAP Program Assistant; and Tremanine Mitchell, Director of Operations, then recognized each graduated and presented them with their certificates and acknowledgments from elected officials throughout San Bernardino County and State District.

2014 community supporters included  Assemblymember Cheryl Brown, 47th District; San Bernardino Mayor, Carey R. Davis; Senator Mike Morrell, 23rd District; Fontana City Mayor, Acquanetta Warren; San Bernardino City Unified School District; San Bernardino  Employment Training Agency; California Volunteers, AmeriCorps; and Corporation for National and Community Service.

The three partner sites were Arroyo Valley High School, San Gorgonio High School, and San Bernardino Adult Education.

Interest rates and fees rise, subsidized loans won’t accrue interest during grace period

Oakland, CA – July 1 is when most changes to federal student aid go into effect for the coming school year.  Several are lined up for 2014-15, including higher interest rates on new student loans for undergraduates, graduate students, and parents. The Institute on College Access & Success’ (TICAS) Project on Student Debt has created a new easy-to-read chart with interest rates, loan amounts, and other useful information about federal loans issued in 2014-15.

In 2013, Congress changed the interest-rate rules for federal student loans. Rates for new loans are now set each year based on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note rate in the spring of that year plus a fixed percentage that varies based on the loan type. Those rates are then fixed for the life of the loans.

“Federal student loans are still the safest way to borrow for college, with fixed rates, flexible repayment options like income-based repayment, and consumer protections like discharges when schools close,” said Lauren Asher, TICAS president. “But with interest rates on the rise, federal loans are expected to cost students and families more over time than if Congress had simply left them alone last year. Without clear information about the benefits of federal loans, news of rising rates may lead more borrowers to take on much riskier private loans instead.”

The rates for new loans this year are lower than if Congress had let the old rules stand, but beginning next July, the rates on some loans are expected to be higher than under prior law.  According to Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projections, rates for new loans will rise substantially over the next decade and generate $127 billion in government profits at borrowers’ expense.  Under prior law, interest rates would have consistently been 6.8% for all Stafford loans and 7.9% for PLUS loans. Under currentlaw, CBO projects rates for undergraduates to exceed 6.8% by 2017, and rates for graduate students and parents to top their old levels in 2015, just one year from now.

The changes coming on July 1 also include some good news for students and families:

• For new subsidized loans, interest won’t accrue during the six-month grace period before the first payment is due.  (This benefit was temporarily eliminated for subsidized loans issued in 2012-13 and 2013-14.)
• The maximum Pell Grant will increase by $85 to $5,730 (up from $5,645), financed by savings from cutting costly middlemen out of the student loan process back in 2010. However, even with this increase, the maximum Pell Grant will cover less than a third of what it costs to attend a four-year public college, the smallest share since the program began.

And here’s how the higher loan costs break down for federal student loans issued in 2014-15:

• Fixed interest rates
  • Stafford loans for undergraduates: 4.66% (up from 3.86% for loans issued in 2013-14).
  • Stafford loans for graduate students: 6.21% (up from 5.41% for loans issued in 2013-14).
  • Parent and Graduate PLUS loans: 7.21% (up from 6.41% for loans issued in 2013-14).
•  Origination fees
  • Because of budget sequestration enacted by Congress in 2011, origination fees will rise for federal Direct loans disbursed on or after October 1, 2014. For Stafford loans the fee will be 1.073% of the loan principal (up from 1.072%); for PLUS loans it will be 4.292% (up from 4.288%).

TICAS’ 2013 white paper includes detailed recommendations to keep federal student loans affordable, streamline the loan program, and better target benefits, as well as broader reforms to increase college affordability and completion.

For more information on new student loan terms, please see our summary of Federal Student Loan Terms for 2014-15.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) honored outstanding men from the 47th Assembly District at her annual Men of Distinction program on Friday, June 20, at the Grand Terrace Community Center. The recognition event was attended by the honorees and their family members and included special appearances from Mayor Carey Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Virginia Marquez and Councilman Rikke Van Johnson, City of San Bernardino; Mayor Pro Tem Edward Palmer, City of Rialto; City Treasurer Janet Koehler-Brooks, City of Fontana; and Trustee Joseph Williams, San Bernardino Community College District.

The 2014 honorees included: Trustee Randall Ceniceros, Colton Joint Unified School District; Carlos Teran, a longtime community advocate; Alan Dyer, a member of the Board of Directors at the West Valley Water District; Richard Loder, a community volunteer and youth advocate;  Ratibu Jacocks, a consultant and executive board member of the Westside Action Group (WAG); Danny Marquez, founder of Veterans Partnering with Communities, Inc., Kermit Moss, a small business owner; and Matthew Slowik, a planning commissioner for the City of Fontana.

For more information, contact Ashley Jones at (909) 381-3238.