By Lou Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— You know, there have been many definitions of love. There have been many people who have written books about love. There are songs about love. There are poems about love. There are discussions about love. But when you’ve said it all and you’ve read it all and you’ve sung it all, you just might wonder “What Love Got to Do with It,” because the things they talk about, sing about and write about really aren’t about love at all, but rather about affection, longing, goose-bumps types of emotional thrills. The love they talk about runs hot, it runs cold, and it runs lukewarm. It brings tears of joy, tears of depression, and screams of excitement and hollers of disappointment. However, the Bible addresses a “Greater Love” that uses an entirely different term than “philo.” That term is “Agape.” A love characterized by commitment. A love, that takes captive and cleaves and unites and cherishes and defends.  A love that last, that is not fickle, or uncertain, or capricious, but durable, constant, and stable. A love, that bleeds into every fabric and fiber of our lives. A love, that is beyond comprehension. Nothing, no calling or circumstance, no adversity or advancement, no pain or promotion, no status or station, escapes the brush strokes of this type of love – A Mother’s Love – Unconditional Love, Eternal Love!

As God describes His love for us, He says in (Isaiah 66:13) look at the love a mother has for her children, her family; it is nurturing, faithful, protective, and sacrificial. “…. She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” (Proverbs 31:10-29)

I encourage you, if your mother is still a live; appreciate her because she is irreplaceable. If she is no longer here, a leave you with a love letter from God ……“You may not know me, but I know everything about you. I know when you sit down and when you rise. I am familiar with all your ways. Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. For you were made in my image. In me you live and move and have your being. For you are my offspring. I knew you even before you were conceived. I chose you when I planned creation. You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. It is my desire to lavish my love on you. Simply because you are my child and I am your father. My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. And I rejoice over you with singing. I will never stop doing good to you. You are my treasured possession. I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. And I want to show you great and marvelous things. If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. I am your greatest encourager. I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.  I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.  Will you be my child?  I am waiting for you.  Love your Father, Almighty God.

Oh, May God gives us the power to comprehend what is the height and depth and length and breadth, and to know the love of Christ through our mothers which passes knowledge that we might be filled with all the fullness of Him.

To the only wise God my Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

By Manny Otiko and Tanu Henry | California Black Media

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— Black women voters across the state have begun to organize themselves to express dissatisfaction with the California Democratic Party (CDP) and some of its members for overlooking issues that are important to them and taking recent actions that do not advance their interests.

They plan to share those grievances with fellow Democrats and officials of the party at the state CPD annual convention May 29 – June 2 in San Francisco. Activists have also organized a number of other events, including a rally and march on the State Capitol on June 22 to speak about some of their concerns and celebrate Black womanhood as they consolidate their political presence and power in the state.

This Wednesday, another group of African-American women Democrats, Black Woman Organized for Political Action – Political Action Committee (BWOPA-PAC), the oldest and largest Black political fundraising and advocacy organization in the state, will hold a “Legislative Learning Day” in Sacramento. That event is designed to teach Black women to lobby their legislators on issues that are relevant to them.

“When someone takes you for granted over and over again, it’s time to seriously reevaluate the relationship,” says Elika Bernard, the executive director of the Sacramento-based non-profit Black Women United. Bernard made the statement in an editorial she shared with California Black Media.

“In the case of the California Democratic Party,” Bernard continued, “ it’s time for Black women to rethink our loyalty and commitment.”

The view Bernard is expressing is not new. It articulates a widespread sense among Black women Democrats – who are becoming one of the most powerful voting blocs in the country – that the Democratic party relies on their support during elections but rarely rewards or reciprocates it.

During the last election, 94 percent of Black Women voted for Hilary Clinton. Black women are also largely credited for electing Democrat Doug Jones over his Republican rival in a special election for the US Senate last year in Alabama, one of the reddest Red states in terms of its GOP majority and tendency to consistently vote for Republicans.  According to APVoteCast, a political polling service, Black women votes were responsible for the majority of the Democratic Party wins during the last national midterm elections.

“While the Democratic Party has talked a good game about making space for Black women in leadership, we’ve seen time and time again that these words ring hollow,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, a Democratic party activist, former vice mayor of Oakland and state president of BWOPA-PAC.

Critiquing her party, Bernard cites the way some California Democrats are treating Kimberly Ellis, an African-American woman and progressive Democrat from Richmond, California. She is on the verge of becoming chair of the CDP if she wins the election at the state convention later this month.

In 2017, Ellis lost the election for chair by a thin margin to now embattled former chair Eric Baumann, who resigned last year after allegations of sexual harassment by two staffers.

Ellis has picked up key endorsements from a wide range of progressive and moderate groups, including the Silicon Valley Democratic Club and BWOPA-PAC. California US Reps. Jackie Speier (D-CA 14^th District), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA 11^th District) and Ro Khanna (D -CA 17^th District) have all thrown their support behind her.

But when the executive board of the Democratic Party of Sacramento County (DPSC) voted to endorse Ellis at their April meeting, Bernard says, that decision was rejected and overturned by its membership.

“Immediately questions of the approval threshold were brought up and the rules changed from a simple majority to ? majority vote,” Bernard told CBM.

Then, there’s the case of Tina McKinnor, another African-American Democrat and former operations director of the CDP. Late last year, the acting chair of the CDP Alexandra Gallardo-Rooker, who took over after Bauman resigned, fired her. McKinnor has now filed a lawsuit against the CDP alleging discrimination because she is Black and retaliation because she helped another colleague file a sexual harassment compliant against Bauman.

In the filing papers obtained by CBM, McKinnor accuses Bauman of taking job responsibilities from her, including chairing staff meetings, fundraising and meeting with party officials and donors, because her style was “too urban.” She says the former chair of the CDP also used racial slurs like “Schwarze,” a disparaging Yiddish slang for African Americans, to describe her and Ellis. The lawsuit also claims Bauman made statements stereotyping all Black people as poor.

Another time, Bauman asked McKinnor, according to the lawsuit, to chair a meeting and sit up front “for the benefit of the Black folks.”

Mckinnor alleges that Bauman hired her as a token after winning with a slight margin against Ellis. The suit quotes Bauman allegedly saying he needed a “strong Black woman” on his staff to keep Ellis quiet.

As for Ellis, she remains focused on winning the election and bringing her vision to the leadership of the CDP.

“Consistently on the campaign trail I hear from our longest-serving activists that they want new blood and are welcoming the new energy with open arms,” she said.  “It’s clear that there is no longer a place in the California Democratic Party for elitist attitudes. We’re expanding the tent and adding new voices to our ranks – and we’re a better party for it.”

The Black women in California who support her are fired up, too, calling on party members to stand with them in their support of Ellis.

Tonya Burke, a lifelong Democrat, political consultant and former mayor pro-temp of Perris in Riverside County, said Black women in California should stop giving their money to the Democratic Party and donate directly to candidates they support. She says they should also run for political office and recruit others to do the same on the state, local and national levels.

“All we seem to keep getting from the Democratic Party are superficial luncheons, tea parties, BBQ’s fish frys and social media apologies,” she said. “If the Democratic Party was a living and breathing human being, Black women would be its brain, heart and soul.”

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOS ANGELES, CA— As May 1st is the deadline by which many high school seniors determine which college they plan to attend in the fall, Reach Higher hosted their annual College Signing Day on Wednesday, May 1 with former First Lady Michelle Obama and over 9,000 students from across California at UCLA‘s Pauley Pavilion.

Reach Higher, started by former First Lady Michelle Obama during her time at the White House, works to inspire every student in America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university. 

McDonald’s is a proud supporter of Reach Higher’s mission to empower students to take charge of their future and own their success. McDonald’s and its franchisees bring positive economic opportunities to the neighborhoods they serve in numerous ways, including hiring directly from the community, providing scholarships and engaging in other philanthropic activities that provide access to education, empowerment and entrepreneurship.

The high-energy event featured celebrities such as John Legend, Yvonne Orji and Usher, as well as education influencers, all of whom attended to recognize students’ academic achievements, and to offer encouragement and guidance on how to make the most of their future educational opportunities.

St. Elmo Village’s 50th Anniversary
THE ART OF CREATIVE SURVIVAL

Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26, 2019

Memorial Day Weekend

12pm-6pm

FREE

Mid-Town Shopping Center4830 St. Elmo Drive
Los Angeles, California 90019-5571

Park and use the Shuttle Bus

4725 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019 (behind Living Spaces / Shuttle Bus Location)

The Village is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this Memorial Day Weekend with outstanding performers and musicians. Amongst them are some of our favorite musicians and cultural symbols of Los Angeles including Dwight Trible, which Bandcamp calls “The Bridge Between Two Generations of Jazz.” And highly respected for her scat ability and “Crystalline Tone,” Sandra Booker pushes the musical envelope to create a unique style and sound. We can’t wait for their performances!

The two-day weekend will also feature cultural dance and spoken word performances, artisan vendors, delicious food trucks, arts and crafts and more – come join the fun and invite your friends! For more info, please visit our website.

The Village is transforming as folks come to paint to courtyard mural. There are two weekends left to participate in our Pay-to-Paint Fundraiser – come add your creative energy to the space and be a part of something beautiful!

For more information visit stelmovillage.org.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Women of St. Paul A.M.E. located in San Bernardino will hold a weekend of Prayer, Praise and Worship May 18 and 19, 2019 at 1355 W. 21st St. The speakers will  include Rev. Laurie McDonald Albert and Rev. Noella Buchanan. The  weekend theme is “Overcoming Life’s Challenges and Living Victoriously.”

The Women’s Prayer Conference on Saturday will focus on the spiritual means of overcoming challenges and living victoriously through Christ. McDonald, former pastor of Greater Harvest AME Church, will bring the inspirational message that will focus on “Overcoming.”  

On Sunday the 10 A.M. worship service will also honor two faithful members Dr. Mildred Dalton Henry and Mrs. Thelma Earl and will feature Rev. Noella Buchanan former pastor of Corona, Allen Chapel Riverside, and St. James AME, St. Louis, MO. Her message will focus on “Living Victoriously.”

The weekend is free and the community is invited to come join them in prayer, anointing, worship and praise in song and dance.

By Naomi K. Bonman

This has been an active year for the African-American community, as far as street dedications are concerned. From Nipsey Hussle Square to ‘Ruby Dee Place’ and ‘Ossie Davis Way’, and now Obama Boulevard, this is a positive vibe that appears to be gaining momentum as Los Angeles named a 3.5-mile stretch of road after former President Barack Obama.

After a successful fundraising campaign by Black Lives Matter Youth Vanguard co-founder, Thandiwe Abdullah, Obama Boulevard finally became reality on Saturday, May 4 during a block party festival in the Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw neighborhood. During the festival the renaming of Rodeo Road to Obama Boulevard took place.

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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—

Anderson School

Graduation: Wednesday, June 5, 9:30 a.m., Anderson School MU Room

Graduates: 7^

Arroyo Valley High School

Graduation: Wednesday, June 5, 7 p.m., San Manuel 66ers Stadium

Graduates: 576*

Valedictorian: Yoselin Mayoral

Salutatorian: Ismael Banuelos-Romo

Cajon High School

Graduation: Thursday, June 6, 6 p.m., Cajon High School, Jack Wilkins Cowboy Stadium

Graduates: 660*

Valedictorians: Zakaria Doueiri, Chloe Cooper, Rocky Rivera, Charlotte Ward, Elizabeth Ortiz, Natsumi Ruiz, and Daniel Gonzalez

Salutatorian: Janay Burks

Indian Springs High School

Graduation: Thursday, June 6, 6 p.m., Indian Springs High Athletic Complex

Graduates: 355*

Valedictorian: Jimmy Nguyen

Salutatorians: Steven Huynh, Kevin Nguyen, and Steven Nguyen

Inland Career Education Center (formerly San Bernardino Adult School)

Graduation: Wednesday, May 29, 11 a.m., California Theater, 562 W. 4th Street

Graduates: 200* (includes high school diploma and GED certificate graduates)

Middle College High School

Senior Crossing: Friday, May 17, 6 p.m., Valley College Auditorium

Graduation: Wednesday, May 22, 6 p.m., San Bernardino Valley College Greek Theatre

Graduates: 67* (includes 10 students who will also earn an A.A. degree)

Valedictorians: Faith Lauren Falcone and Mariah Yasmin Grajeda

Salutatorians: Karen Fuentes Santana, Angela Lizeth Villalbazo Garcia, Madison Virgina Morrie, Samantha Victoria Spencer, and Jennifer Duyen Tran

Pacific High School

Graduation: Thursday, June 6, 6 p.m., San Bernardino Valley College Football Stadium

Graduates: 261*

Valedictorian: Morgan Diaz

Salutatorians: Paloma Alvarez and Maria Stroud

San Andreas High School

Graduation: Monday, June 3, 6 p.m., San Manuel 66ers Stadium

Graduates: 320* (includes Destination Diploma graduates)

San Bernardino High School

Graduation: Friday, June 7, 7 p.m., San Bernardino Valley College Football Stadium

Graduates: 330*

Valedictorians: Ivy Garcia Guevara and Johanna Soto

Salutatorians: Jhunelyn Parafina and Guadalupe Lopez

San Gorgonio High School

Senior Celebration: Monday, June 3, 5 p.m., San Gorgonio’s gymnasium

Graduation: Thursday, June 6, 6 p.m., San Gorgonio’s Phil Haley Stadium

Graduates: 458*

Valedictorian: Athena Vo

Salutatorians: Ashley Alvarado, Ryan Chung, Hanh Le, and Leonarda Medina Ruiz

Sierra High School

Graduation: Saturday, June 1, 6 p.m., San Manuel 66ers Stadium

Graduates: 185*

Approximately 3,412 San Bernardino City Unified School District students will receive their high school diplomas or GED certification this year. This does not include those graduating from vocational programs.

It’s a story of struggle, perseverance, and achievement with a legacy that includes art, music, literature, architecture and lasting contributions to the world. Discover the energy and richness of the African American experience throughout the year and join the Black Chamber as we present the Black History Super Expo Celebration Rewind because everyday is black history.

This event is free to the public and will take place May 18th 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Greek Theater inside San Bernardino Valley College.  Enjoy live entertainment, shop local vendors, enjoy food, a kid zone and youth workshops, a fashion show presented by local designers, artist exhibit and so much more.

Come out with the family and enjoy:
Live Entertainment( Bands, Singers, Dancers)
Kids Zone
Youth Workshops
Artist Exhibit Sculptures
Murals and Painting
Fashion Show
Jewelry
Food and Vendors

San Bernardino Valley College
Inside The Greek Theater
701 South Mount Vernon Ave.
San Bernardino, CA. 92470

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE

We invite you to a vendor or sponsor!BECOME A VENDOR / SPONSOR

Click here for info/ limited spacing

For more information, please call 844-332-2243 ext 902 (Tammy)or visit us (click events):bccinlandempire.com

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Akoma Unity Center has been selected at the beneficiary of Macy’s 2019 Your Extra Change Can Help Your Community Round Up Campaign from May 1 – May 15, 2019. Each year, Macy’s chooses a local based charity to support. With Akoma Unity Center serving over 2,500 youth and parents in San Bernardino since its inception in 2017, the choice was made clear.

During the Macy’s Round Up Your Change Campaign customers are encouraged at the register to round up change to .99 cents that will be donated to Akoma.

“The best way to contribute is to purchase each of your items separately and round up with each purchase,” Akoma’s Executive Director, Kimberly Calvin stated. “On Saturday, May 4, 2019 Girl Scouts Troop #1419 will be present to meet with customers and are excited for their first outreach event.”

For an extra 30% off, stop by Akoma to pick up a Friends and Family coupon just in time for your Mother’s Day shopping. Macy’s is also sponsoring the School Cents Program, where customers can shop at any store in the Inland Center Mall and earn points for every dollar spent. Points are then accumulated to a dollar amount that will be donated to Akoma. There are three ways to turn in receipts: turn in receipts into management office, log receipts online at shopandlog.com/inland or drop them off at Akoma. Either way, your receipts will go a long way!

Akoma Unity Center is a 501 C(3) Non-Profit organization committed to providing children with high quality, no-cost after school structured recreation, and development programs in a safe and supervised environment.

If you would like to more information about Akoma Unity Center, please visit www.akomaunitycenter.org or call (909) 217-7956.

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— African-American children are California’s lowest performing group of students, only above students with special needs. Only 2 percent of Black kids in the state attend schools that are considered “high performing.” And only 10 majority African-American schools, located mostly in hard-to-count, high-poverty census tracts around the Bay Area and Los Angeles, score, on average, above the state math and language arts requirements. 

On top of that, nearly 68 percent of all African-American students in California perform below their grade level in English and language arts. In math, about 80 percent of Black students fail to meet the state’s proficiency mark. 

Black children are also three times more likely than Whites to be suspended for similar behaviors, according to a report by San Diego State University’s Community College Equity Lab and UCLA’s Black Male Institute.

When it comes to getting admitted to a California State University or University of California school, only 22 percent of Black high school seniors graduate from schools where a majority of their racial group passes the required courses.

“The critical question is not being asked: ‘what is best for our children?,’” said Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), a member of the  Assembly Education committee. She was speaking at a hearing held earlier this month on three charter school bills – AB 1505, AB 1506 and AB 1507 – before her colleagues voted to move them out of committee.  The package of legislation would place significant restrictions on charter schools, if the full legislature passes them and Gov. Gavin Newsom signs them. 

Then, last week, the Senate Education Committee voted in favor of another charter school bill. This one, SB 756, would place a five-year ban on certifying any new charters. The language in the bill, introduced by Sen. María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), states that it is designed to ensure public charter schools do not “replace or undermine” the state’s public school system.

In California, roughly 52,800 Black students attend charter schools. Although the independent taxpayer-funded schools only account for about 10 percent of public schools, they enroll 3 percent more Black students than the traditional district schools.

Because such a high percentage of African Americans attend charters, opponents of the bills see the package of proposals as a direct attack on Black students.

“Charter schools have been a way within the public school system for African-American and all families to have choice,” says Margaret Fortune, an African-American educator who founded and runs Fortune School, a network of seven charter schools in Sacramento and San Bernardino that focuses on closing the African-American achievement gap and preparing students for college beginning in Kindergarten. 

She says, under current California law, the number one consideration for a charter school to be approved is the academic performance of students. Under the new proposals, one of the criteria would be money – if the applying charter impacts the finances of the local school district. 

The legislators who authored the bills and their supporters say they introduced them to bring about more accountability and that charter school reform is long overdue.

“School board members have a fiduciary duty to ensure the fiscal health of their district. They know the needs of their schools the best and should be able to consider the fiscal impact on their students and district when considering whether to approve a new charter school,” said Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland).

Critics of the legislation have said nowhere in the language of the new bills or public statements about them, have the bills’ legislative sponsors taken a critical look at why Black students are underperforming across the state. 

Last week, nationally recognized television journalist and commentator Roland Martin moderated a town hall in Sacramento focused on school choice.

Martin said charter schools are the only option for African-American families who don’t have the means to move to a better performing school district. 

During the town hall, Martin stated reasons he supports charter schools and has launched a national initiative to explore the issue called, “Is School Choice the Black Choice?” 

“You control the resources,” he told the audience. “You control who gets the janitorial contracts, textbook contracts, IT contracts. So you do not only control the education of our children, you control the economics of our neighborhoods.” 

Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego)| recently proposed making Black students a high-risk group under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) because of low scores on statewide exams. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Los Angeles), the Chair of the Assembly Education committee, has pulled the bill. 

The education chair’s staff said that this was not the only bill O’Donnell has withdrawn and that he is waiting for a state auditors report before hearing legislation that would tinker with LCFF funding.

 During the town hall, several of the panelists called out Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), who is African American and in whose district has three high performing charter schools that are performing above traditional district schools, two of those are Fortune schools. 

“To see Black state legislators, Black city council members, Black county commissioners – who are some of the most ardent opponents of charter schools. Yet, they are representing constituents who have some of the worst academic records,” Martin said. “That to me is an abomination.” 

In McCarty’s legislative area, which covers two school districts, Natomas Unified and Sacramento City Unified, Black students are performing below the state’s African-American averages in both math and English. About 87 percent of students are scoring below their grade level in math and about 78 percent are not meeting the English requirement.

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This article is the first in a series of stories on African-American students and public education in California.