WSSN Stories

LAS VEGAS, NV— The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (“SMGHA”) an affiliate of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (“San Manuel” or the “Tribe”) today announced they received approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission as licensees for Palms Casino Resort (“Palms”) in Las Vegas.

With this approval, SMGHA Nevada, LLC, owned by SMGHA, is set to close the transaction and become owners of Palms Casino Resort with plans to reopen next year in the spring.

“We are grateful for this opportunity to share our long-standing tradition of hospitality with Las Vegas and execute our vision for this iconic resort, starting by welcoming back former and current Palms employees,” said SMGHA Chairwoman Latisha Casas. “Together, we will create history.”

“We would like to extend a sincere ‘thank you’ to Red Rock Resorts and their leadership team,” said SMGHA Management Committee Member Laurens Vosloo.  “We deeply appreciate the support and ongoing partnership they provided as we worked through transition of ownership.”

Recruitment for more than 1,000 positions ranging from casino, operations, hotel management, food and beverage along with supervisor positions is underway. Following the close of the transaction on Friday December 17, interested applicants can apply at www.palmscareers.com.

In addition to the casino, Palms includes more than 700 hotel rooms and suites, multiple casual and upscale dining options, meeting and convention space, a 2,500-seat theater, pool and spa, and Palms Place condominiums.

Within days of the close of the deal, guests can make reservations at Palms Place at www.palms.com. Room reservations for Palms Casino Resort will be available in early 2022.

“It’s such an honor to reach this milestone today. As we forge ahead, it’s important we bring forward the strong values and culture of the Tribe into everything we do at the property,” said Cynthia Kiser Murphey, General Manager of Palms. “From team member culture to exceptional guest service, it’s our intent to create a lively and fun environment not only for customers but our dedicated staff as well.”

Even prior to opening the property, the Tribe has supported Las Vegas based community groups and non-profits by contributing more than $10 million to organizations including UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality and William S. Boyd School of Law; the Public Education Foundation; Three Square Food Bank and Shade Tree Shelter to name a few. Additionally, the Tribe has partnered with local sports teams through sponsorships with the Las Vegas Raiders, Allegiant Stadium, and the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Tribe owns and operates Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel (formerly San Manuel Casino), in Highland, CA. What started 35 years ago as a humble bingo hall became one of Southern California’s premier destinations for gaming, entertainment and culinary delights. Earlier this year, the Tribe unveiled the first of a three-part expansion project at the casino, adding more than 6,500 slot machines, a new high-limit gaming room, retail shops, bars and new restaurants. Just days ago, the Tribe celebrated the opening of the resort at Yaamava’, featuring 432 guest rooms with 127 spacious suites, a pool, private cabanas, a full-service spa and salon and new food and beverage options. In 2022, the expansion will be complete with the debut of a 2,800-seat entertainment venue.

San Manuel is a top-10 private employer in San Bernardino County with nearly 6,000 team members and the recipient of Great Place to Work® recognition by the Great Places to Work Institute.

About San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority 
The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority is a governmental instrumentality of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, a federally recognized Indian tribe, created for the purpose of independently carrying out the investment in, and ownership and management of, gaming and hospitality businesses outside of the San Manuel Reservation.

Brotherhood Crusade celebrated its 20th Annual Christmas in the Neighborhood, Saturday, December 11th, at the parking lot of the local Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper.

Stacy Hill Williams, Executive Vice President, Brotherhood Crusade said ,”Brotherhood Crusade enjoys bringing this annual holiday event to the community. It creates considerable joy for our neighbors at a time of year when many people feel forgotten. We thank our partners for making it possible to show support for our community and bring this much needed holiday cheer for so many at risk families.”

Families enjoyed free holiday gift baskets, including gift cards, toys, food and clothes. The socially-distanced Drive Thru & Go event, required that all guests wear masks and remain in cars for safe distribution. More than 1000 families were served during the event. Partners for the event included:

Los Angeles Sentinel

AHF

LA Food Bank

Blue Shield of California

Chris Paul Family Foundation

SEIU 2015

SoCalGas

AIM (Acts Inspired by Mookie)

Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation

PepsiCo

City of Los Angeles

Council District 10

Marqueece Harris-Dawson

Council District 8

The Hutt Group

Blackline

The Smidt Foundation

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works

Charisse Bremond Weaver, President and CEO , Brotherhood Crusade said, “Thank you to our partners whose generosity continues to make it possible for us to make a significant impact in bringing relief to underserved families. This service helps provide security and stability to many at risk-families, when assistance is most critical.”

“It is so special to kick off the holiday season by distributing toys and meals alongside such a prominent organization as the Brotherhood Crusade. It was my pleasure to support this heartwarming event along with my SoCalGas colleagues. We are a proud partner in the communities where we live and work.” – Cedric Williams, chief safety officer for SoCalGas.

To learn more about Brotherhood Crusade or to make a contribution to its programs and services, please visit us online at brotherhoodcrusade.org or call 323-846-1649.

Below is a list of different organizations that are doing toy and gift drives this season.

• Christmas Toy Giveaway: Now until December 9 to December 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lourdee’s Dentistry located at 16701 Valley Blvd in Fontana. Lourdes’s Dentistry is giving away Christmas toys to all children who come in for their end of the year dental checkup and cleaning! Don’t Miss Out! we will also be providing pictures with Santa Claus this year! Call them today at Call us today! (909)356-4490
• CAPSBC Presents Santa’s Workshop Toy Giveaway: Saturday, December 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in San Bernardino at Community Action Partnership’s headquarters. To participate you must be a resident of San Bernardino County and Pre-Registration is required. Register at ly/capsbcsantasworkshop.
• 4th Annual Christmas Toy Drive Fosters Unity in the Community: Saturday, September 18 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at North Recreation Center located at 1554 Art Townsend Drive in San Bernardino. This year, SMD aims to gift at least 5,000 toys. There will also be information to connect families with essential resources. Families can find out how to register children for the toy drive by following SMD on Facebook @sistasmd2020 and Instagram @sistasmd. Walk-ups are also welcome.
• Winter Wonderland by Shiekh Shoes and Young Visionaries: Saturday, September 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Shiekh Shoes Headquarters located at 1777 S. Vintage Avenue in Ontario. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2021-winter-wonderland-tickets-212722076457.
• Project Bon Christmas Event: Saturday, December 18 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Grocery Outlet located at 1145 West Renaissance Parkway in Rialto. Register for FREE at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/project-boon-christmas-event-tickets-210137044557.
• Christmas Community Giveaway: Sunday, December 19 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 1945 East Riverside Avenue in Ontario. Register for FREE at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-community-giveaway-tickets-226485202337.
• 2^nd Annual Never Stop Grinding Impact Toy Drive: Wednesday, December 22 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Wilmer Amina High School located at 2630 North Linden Avenue in Rialto. All children must be present in the car or parent must present school IDs for any child who cannot be present. Registration is recommended but not required to attend and does not guarantee toys. Please register at eventbrite.com.
• Music Changing Lives Christmas Eve Party: Friday, December 24 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 261 West 40^th Street in San Bernardino. Register for FREE at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-eve-party-tickets-222047489017.

By Lou Yeboah

And think about all the events in my life up unto the present time, the good as well as the bad, the bitter, and the sweet, my soul cries Abba, Father. Looking back upon those days I see now that the chief comfort of my soul was you Oh, Lord. In my time of doubt, it was Your assurance. In my time of darkness, it was Your light. In my time of confusion, it was Your instructions. Man’s opinion meant nothing to me because man could not help me. It was You and You alone Oh, God.

“I say a prayer every night, whatever I do, I’ll get it right. With no regrets, no guilt or shame, no not this time once I surrender, I won’t dare look back, cause if I do, I’ll get off track… Prepare my mind, prepare my heart for whatever comes… I feel like I’m so blessed. With You in control, I can’t go wrong. You showed me Your Grace, now my life’s renewed and I thank You, Yes, I thank You. So, I’ll tell anyone who’ll listen. I’ll testify about how good You are to me. The fact that You would show somebody so broke down, so-much-mercy, use me as You will, I’ll pay the price cause You made the ultimate sacrifice. It’s all because of You, that I even have life, and I’ll give my love, as a tribute, to how great You are…” [I’m Gonna Be Ready – Yolanda Adams].

All my days He had sought me, now I began to seek Him. He had called me, now I began to call upon Him, yet I thought He would never hear me. I had truly become the beggar. I wept till I had no more tears; prayed till I had no more words. Sought for advice and comfort but none could help me. Then one night by my bed side as I lay under the burden of my guilty conscience, He suddenly revealed Himself to my heart. I saw all my sin taken away in His blood. For the first time in my life, I knew the Lord, He was in Heaven, and I was on Earth, yet He had made Himself known to me through His cleansing power.

I tell you the Love of God is Unmerited. [Deuteronomy 7:7-8]. The Love of God is Eternal. [Jeremiah 31:3]. The Love of God is Universal. [John 3:16; 1st Timothy 2:4]. The Love of God is Unlimited. [Ephesians 2:4-5]. The Love of God is Immutable. [James 1:17] and He wants to bestow His love upon you. “Come to the feast.” The lamb is slain. The wine is poured. Forgiveness of sins, life and salvation is offered freely to you. God asks for the honor of your presence at the banquet of His love. He will compel you, lavish His gifts upon you, put the wedding suit on you, seat you at His table and feed you. Come. Come Now! “Come to the banquet, come to the feast. Eat the bread of life! Share in the singing, share in the joy. Drink the cup of love!”

“All things are ready,” Come, for the door is open wide… He waits to welcome thee; Delay not while this day is thine, tomorrow may never be. Leave every care and worldly strife; Come, feast upon the love of God, And drink everlasting life.” [Come To The Feast Lyrics & Chords By Charles H. Gabriel & William A. Ogden].

And “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” [Revelation 22:17].

Oh, When I Look Back Over My Life – My Soul Cries Abba, Father!

Governor Newsom: “It’s critical that we keep our immunity strong, not just for ourselves, but for our communities”

“California has led the nation’s fight against COVID-19 through robust vaccination efforts rooted in science and data. This has helped slow the spread of the virus and save countless lives, especially in our most vulnerable communities,” wrote Governor Newsom. “It’s critical that we keep our immunity strong, not just for ourselves, but for our communities…Californians have met every challenge with vigor and courage, and together, we will continue to lead the nation in the fight against COVID-19.”

SACRAMENTO, CA— Last week the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) awarded Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) the Regional Legislator of the Year Award during their 45th Annual Legislative Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Each year, hundreds of African American legislators, along with advocates, policy experts, corporate executives, and community leaders, attend NBCSL’s premier event to discuss policies addressing the nation’s most pressing issues affecting African Americans. This year for model legislation, Senator Bradford submitted Senate Joint Resolution 7, which calls for the destruction of illegal FBI surveillance tapes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Senate Bill 796, which authorizes the County of Los Angeles to return the beachfront property known as Bruce’s Beach to the Bruce family.

“This year, it was my honor and distinct privilege to serve as Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus,” Senator Bradford said. “In everything I do and in every bill I introduce, my role and my responsibility is to pick up the baton from where our predecessors left off. I stand on the shoulders of giants who championed African American issues for the state and nation long before I was born. I am honored and humbled to be recognized for this prestigious award by President Billy Mitchell and my fellow NBCSL members. I commend NBCSL’s efforts to enrich the lives of African Americans and collaborate with them to tackle the social, educational and economic challenges facing our community.”

LOS ANGELES, CA—- The cast of “ILU America” (Land of America) grace the red carpet at their world premiere on Saturday, December 4th at the Culver City Film Festival in Los Angeles, California. Stars from the film who were in attendance included Producer Director Taiwo Oduala, Actress Doris Simeon, Actress Mistura Asunramu, Actor Femi Brainard, and Actress Rosemary Huff.

ILU America (Land of America) directed and produced by Taiwo Oduala is an African full length feature foreign language film with suspense, intrigue, emotion, love, and action fully subtitled in English. An indigenous emotional classic reality story of an immigrants’ ordeal and survival. The film is a groundbreaking adventure full of humor where the film’s pessimist, Ade, is forced to discover the meaning of resilience. Despite the obstacles and hardships along the way, his mission is to obtain citizenship in a land he was not born in, so he may see his dream come true.

ILU America (Land of America) cast members include leading actors Taiwo Oduala as Ade who also directed and produced the film and Actress Doris Simeon as Stacy. The film actors also include Adebayo Salami as CEO, Bayo Bankoleas as Tolu, Ayo Mogaji as Ade’s Mom, Mistura Asunramu as Mary, Femi Brainard as Jydo, Shina Ayooyinlola as Ade’s Friend, and Israel Ogunleye Alayo as Drug Guy.

Celebrity talent in attendance included Anthony Bless (Tyler Perry BET+ “Ruthless”; Paramount Pictures “Shooter”), Michael Adegoke (15 Time USA Show Dance Champion), Actress Montana Jacobowitz (Amazon Prime “2Real4U”), Actress Gloria Garauya (ABC “Grey’s Anatomy” & How To Get Away With Murder”), Actress Samantha Bailey (CBS Soap “The Young and the Restless”), Actor Jax Malcolm (CW Network “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”; FOX “The Other Side of the Door”), Abiola Azeezat (Headwrap Designer for Beyonce in The Lion King), Actress Nitu Chandra (Mandalay Pictures “Never Back Down: Revolt”), Actress Deana Moelle (Falcon Pictures “State of Consciousness”) and many others.

Sponsors for the film premiere included Oduataj Productions & Entertainment Inc., Top Dreams Universal, Sweven Culture, Indie Vision Films, Culver City Film Festival, Strictly Industry PR, Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards, Madam Omolara Okunubi, Melody Bar & Grill, Cinemark, Advanced Protection Services, and JW Express.

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10239560/

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/iluamericamovie

INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/iluamericamovie

By Lou Yeboah

It’s over! We need to understand that. There is no shortage of fire and brimstone to be found in the Bible. [Revelation 21:8]. It’s clear from the opening pages of Genesis that there is a wrath of God, which abides on every ungodly man. For it is written, “God is angry with the wicked every day.” [Psalms 7:11].

What does this mean for us? It serves to remind us that we need to take the words of the Lord to heart! What He says will happen, will happen. What He promises, He will do. Do not trifle with your salvation. Be like the wise virgins in [Matthew 25] and prepare, because I tell you like a tidal wave, judgment is heading towards us.

Yes, there’s a time when God says, “Enough” to a nation. There’s a time when God says, “Enough” to an individual. God gives grace, He gives mercy, He gives space to repent, but when man is living in rebellion to God, God will not continue forever to give him space. When God draws a line, when God says, “That’s it!” It’s over! Period!

I tell you, it is frightening when the trumpets are sounding, when the alarms and the warning bells are ringing aloud, but yet, you will not take heed, nor believe His word. Just as in the days of Noah, people are ignoring the warnings even with destruction right at their doors. Why? God says, because you rather believe a lie and trust in the arms of mere man and follow after the things of this world which are temporary, than to trust in Him and follow after the things which are established eternally, in His Holy Word.

Therefore, He says, “Enough is enough! All that are unjust, let them be unjust. All that are wicked, let them remain wicked. Do not think that I come to bring peace, but I will come with a sword [Matthew 10:34] with fire and fury and will judge the wicked and all who follow and trust in the idols of this world.” For there are only a few, a small remnant who will hear and take heed to My warnings and will run to Me for true safety.

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins,” [Isaiah 58:1].

You have a decision to make. If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Savior, then heed [Mark 1:15]. “The time has come…the Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” “Because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” [Mark 13:35-37].

Then the Lord said to me, “Even though Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me, My heart would not be with this people; send them away from My presence and let them go! And it shall be that when they say to you, ‘Where should we go?’ then you are to tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Those destined for death, to death; And those destined for the sword, to the sword; And those destined for famine, to famine; And those destined for captivity, to captivity.”‘ I will appoint over them four kinds of doom,” declares the Lord: “the sword to slay, the dogs to drag off, and the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. I will make them an object of horror among all the kingdoms of the earth because of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, for what he did in Jerusalem. [Jeremiah 15].

Oh, when the Spirit of the Lord says, “Enough is enough! It’s over!

“Weep for yourselves and for your children.” [Luke 23:28].

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media  

In June, California launched the nation’s first Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans this year.

The nine-member committee was established to meet the requirements of Assembly Bill (AB) 3121, which California Secretary of State  Shirley Weber authored and introduced in 2020 when she served in the Legislature.

Gov. Newsom signed it into law September 2020.

“This is a debt that is owed, just because it hasn’t been paid doesn’t mean it goes away,” said the newly elected chair of the California reparations task force Kamilah V. Moore.

At the task force’s first meeting on June 1, Moore’s colleagues elected her the task force chairperson.

“It stems from President Lincoln’s promise to give emancipated Black people 40 acres and a mule,” Moore told California Black Media.

“But that failed with Johnson coming in after Lincoln’s assassination and taking all of that back, leaving my ancestors to fend for themselves in a country that facilitated their demise through discrimination,” she said.

As the task force chair, Moore, 29, aims to use her knowledge of domestic and international human rights to help guide the reparations push for African American descendants of enslaved people who live in California – and, perhaps, across the country.

Moore, an attorney, earned her law degree at Colombia University in New York City. Her specialization, she says, was the study of reparations.

Although she practices entertainment law in Los Angeles, Moore says she is determined to ensure that the task force proposes a package that is in accordance with international standards for reparations.

“I hope that the reparations package that comes out of this comports with international law standards,” said Moore.

With her deep knowledge of international law, Moore hopes that reparations for African Americans in California will follow the international guidelines provided by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner. The recommendations based on the United Nations Charter offer basic protocols on reparations for victims of gross violations of international human rights law. However, the violations need to be acknowledged by the UN and other actors on the global stage. Unfortunately, the transatlantic slave trade is yet to be acknowledged as a gross violation of international human rights law, consequently, the United States is not obligated to compensate African Americans, Moore points out.

International human rights law states that reparations must be administered in five forms namely restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction, and guarantees of non-repetition.

“The package must include all five forms of reparations under international law, not just one, two, or three, but all five would be the ultimate success,” Moore explained.

“The challenge is making sure that it is as comprehensive as possible. I know compensation is a tricky issue,” she said.

The members of the task force are collaborating with the California Department of Justice and several researchers to set guidelines for who will be eligible to receive reparations in the state.

According to data compiled by the Pew Center, there are 46 million people in the United States who identify as Black. That research shows that Generation Z, people born between 1997 and 2012, make up 35 % of the total Black population. Another 23 % are Millennials, people born between 1981 and 1996.

Moore believes it is important for young African Americans to include their voices and perspectives in the conversations about reparations, especially since census data reveals that they make up the majority of the Black population in the US.

“There are more millennial and Gen Z Black Americans than there are Black baby boomers and people who are from the Silent Generation. So, America is increasingly becoming younger and younger. But, you know, that’s not necessarily reflected in our politics,” said Moore.

“It’s important for us to have a voice, not a marginal voice, but we should be at the center of these conversations, taking the advice and insight and working alongside our elders,” she said.

According to Moore, her experiences growing up in Los Angeles, ignited her passion for social justice. She was involved in various community service projects as a teen and young woman.

While studying at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) she worked with other community organizers in the University of California (UC) system to campaign for all UC schools to divest from private prison corporations and companies that do business with them. She was among the student leaders who passed a resolution that organized for UC to sell its shares in Corrections Corporation of America to security and prison management companies.

During her time at Columbia Law, she challenged the Academic Vice Provost to offer courses on reparations. Moore worked with the university’s human rights clinic to introduce classes on reparations taught by professors and experts in the field.

Moore followed up on her interest in human rights and her track record working and organizing in her community with a Master of Law degree in international criminal law from the University of Amsterdam. Her thesis focused on reparatory justice for victims of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and their enslaved descendants who suffered numerous atrocities and centuries of legal discrimination.

Moore acknowledges that, for some activists, there is fatigue and impatience when she and other advocates push the country to do a deeper study on reparations. But she emphasized that a research study is an all-important first step.

She and the rest of the reparations committee intend to use the power of persuasion to help build enough public interest and support that will strengthen the legal argument for reparations across the US.

“I acknowledge the hesitancy because I have reservations, too. How many more years do we need to study? We see the writing on the wall. There’s ample documentation of the harms, but in order for the recommendations or the proposals to be as comprehensive as possible, the study has to be as well.” said Moore.

Before joining the task force, Moore worked with several public figures to facilitate public discussions about reparations held on Club House, the popular new audio-only social networking platform.

“It was a great opportunity to democratize the conversations around reparations and make it more accessible to folks because in the past 30 years or so it’s been mainly discussed in political and academic circles,” said Moore.

The young attorney is optimistic that African Americans from different backgrounds will contribute to conversations about reparations because “you don’t have to be an expert to join something new,” she said.