By Lue Dowdy 

“Show It Off I.E. Youth Talent Competition” will be held by LUE Productions on Saturday, October 14. If you can sing, rap, dance, act, recite poetry or spoken word, play an instrument, or any sort of unique talent, here’s your opportunity. Please don’t wait! Text now to reserve your spot at (909) 567-1000. Sign-ups are on a first come, first serve basis.

The winner will receive $500 with a trophy, feature in paper interview, and a photoshoot. To participate you must reside in the Inland Empire, be 19 years and under, and MUST audition. If selected a $25 registration fee will be required.

Auditions will be held on Saturday, July 22 at 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Feldheym Central Library located at 555 W. Sixth Street in San Bernardino. Callbacks will be on July 31 for those that made it into the show.

LOS ANGELES, CA- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California (RMHCSC), in partnership with Southern California McDonald’s operators, is helping 85 of the Southland’s brightest and most deserving high school seniors make their college dreams a reality this fall by awarding more than $233,000 in scholarships. Since 1990, RMHCSC has helped pave the way toward higher education for more than 3,400 exceptional Southern California students, providing more than $5.7 million in funds to help ease the financial burden of college tuition, fees and educational expenses. Selected from a pool of more than 1,400 applicants, the 2016-17 RMHCSC Scholarship Program recipients were recently recognized at a celebratory luncheon that took place at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Poornima Vijayashanker, engineer and founder of education company Femgineer, delivered the keynote address and Univision network’s Fernanda Kelly served as master of ceremonies.

“This year’s group of young scholars has truly inspired us with their extraordinary accomplishments and commitment to their community,” said Vince Bryson, CEO, RMHCSC. “We’re excited to see them achieve their educational dreams and are confident that their successes will motivate the next generation.”

Every year, RMHCSC supports outstanding college-bound students across Southern California through four competitive RMHC scholarships: RMHC/Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources, RMHC/African American Future Achievers, RMHC/Asian Pacific American Students Increasing Achievement, and RMHC/Scholars. Award recipients are selected through a rigorous application process based on a number of criteria including academic achievement, community involvement, leadership skills, letters of recommendation and financial need.

Funding is made possible through the fundraising efforts of more than 120 local McDonald’s operators in Southern California, McDonald’s corporate staff and the global and Southern California chapters of RMHC. Additionally, the McDonald’s Operators’ Association of Southern California (MOASC) pays for all administrative costs for managing the scholarship program.

Interested students can begin the 2018-19 application process in October 2017. For more information, please visit www.rmhcsc.org/scholarships.

By Sophia Rome

The money bail system has long been a norm in the United States and is widely accepted as the routine that follows someone’s arrest. While most people know what money, bail is, most are not aware of the need for immense reform in the system. Evidently, this system is broken and creates more financial hardship for accused people of lower socioeconomic status, as well as for the state. Currently there are discussions taking place in the California State Assembly regarding the passage of bills for reforming the bail system in California. The first one, AB 42, has been stalled, while another, SB 10, appears to have a more hopeful future. As such, it is more important than ever for community members to mobilize in support of this type of legislation. This is especially important in those districts where the representative assembly member abstained from voting on AB 42, including Eloise Gómez Reyes, whose district includes a large part of the city of San Bernardino.

When someone is arrested for anything – such as stealing a chocolate bar, getting pulled over while already in debt for other traffic tickets, or being involved in someone else’s criminal situation – the process of temporary liberation before trial, known as the bail system needs to be followed, with conditions set by the judge to ensure that the defendant will appear in court. These conditions are usually quite a high fee; the median bail in California is around $50,000. The majority of people are not able to pay this amount of money, hence the fact that about 60% of those incarcerated in the U.S. today are still awaiting their trials simply because they cannot pay their bail. In other words, hundreds of thousands of people in jail have not yet been convicted, and their presence in jail costs the state and taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars every year. Furthermore, those who want to avoid being incarcerated before their trials often seek services from bail bondsmen. This type of bondsman has financial support from the nation’s large insurance companies, and works to give loans to people to pay their bail. However, those who receive help from bail bondsmen need to pay them a downpayment of around 10% of their bail amount, on top of an interest rate; in the end, a person can need to continue paying a bail bondsman for over a year. As if this weren’t enough, if someone who was able to pay bail is then found innocent in his or her trial, the bail money will be returned; meanwhile if someone who asked a bail bondsman for help is then found innocent in his or her trial, the bail money will NOT be returned.

So, our organization, Bend the Arc, has a moral and political mission. In the California Assembly the bill AB 42 Bail, has currently been stalled; however, the bill SB 10 is still on the horizon.

“This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to safely reduce the number of people detained pretrial, while addressing racial and economic disparities in the pretrial system, to ensure that people are not held in pretrial detention simply because of the inability to afford money bail.” – excerpt from text of Assembly Bill 42, also present in SB 10

The proposed system would initiate a slower and more meticulous process of deciding an accused person’s bail terms. It intends to abandon the system of asking for high fees from accused people, and replace it with a legal contract in which the accused signs to assure his or her appearance in court. Discussions about the passage of this bill continue in the assembly, and we are working to mobilize Southern California residents to encourage their assembly members to vote in favor of SB 10, and bring up discussions about AB 42 once again.

In coalition with many other social justice organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Ella Baker Center, the Essie Justice Group and the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Bend the Arc has committees focused on a wide range of social justice issues for which we organize action. Evidently, the movement for bail reform cannot happen without the support of everyday citizens, constituents of the California State Assembly members. Whether it be calling assemblymember Reyes’s office, helping us organize a lobby visit with Reyes, watching and/or hosting a screening of a short documentary made by the organization Brave New Films to address this issue or realizing any other form of community action, the support of the residents of this district is more important than ever.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.

Sincerely,

Sophia Rome

www.bendthearc.us/region/southern-california

By Marla A. Matime

On Sunday, June 4, Mochacademy, hosted their first ever awards ceremony and fashion show at the Mt. Rubidoux SDA church in Riverside, where girls from grades 6th to 10th took the stage to showcase their gifts and talents through song, sewing, painting and other exciting and engaging activities that they had the opportunity to learn throughout the first year of the programs conception.  

I had the privilege of talking with Toni Collins-Percivale, whose two daughters were mentees in the first ever program.  I asked her how did she hear about Mochacademy and she lovingly expressed that she heard about it through co-founder Marjean (MJ) Sterling.  Her main reason for allowing her daughters to partake in the program was because she shared and understood the same philosophy as MJ, in that it takes a village to raise our children. 

Since the beginning of this recent school year, Toni noticed that because of Mochacademy her daughters began to take pride in their grooming habits, their promptness to engagement, and the willingness to speak positively over their selves without pressure from their mother.  A few things that Toni would like to see more of for Mochacademy in the future would be the continuation of mentorship and self-awareness and additional funding, fundraisers to help assist with more cultural and engaging events to expose the girls to more positive things going on in our world today. 

I also had the opportunity to speak with a first-time visitor who was invited by a presenter throughout the year by the name of Sharmaine Campbell.  She brought her daughter to the event to check it out and is considering signing her up for the program to help her break out of her shell of shyness.  She believes that a program like Mocacademy is much needed in our community.

I had the honor of asking Shayla Moore and Marjean (MJ) Sterling, founders of Mochacademy, a few questions, for them to share the thought process behind starting the organization and what they could take away from their first full year.

If I remember correctly, conversations regarding starting this program began in April of last year.  What was the initial thought process of why you wanted to put this program together?

MJ- I’d have to say that conversations about starting this program actually ended in April of 2016. It was at that time that we realized that we could either talk about it or be about it, and we chose the latter. From that night on, we no longer talked about starting this program, we started it and all conversations shifted focus to what we would do within our program. We knew what we wanted to accomplish, and from there we birthed our “why”, after that it was only a matter of “how”.

Shayla – I believe it is necessary to pour into the woman of our future. It is important to provide positive images for our young community and let them know they can become anything they put their mind to. With so many negative images of African American woman we want to remind them that they are a child a God, heirs to the kingdom and should not settle for anything less.

Also, the decision was made to start the program last April but we have been speaking about this for years. We finally said we need to do it and ever since things have come together. This is how we knew it was meant to be.

What did the first year teach you about mentorship?

MJ – My first year with Mochacademy taught me that in order to be successful, I must be open-minded. Sometimes the “perfect” plan or idea still needs a few tweaks and adjustments from a second or third source. And just like all things in life I had to expect the unexpected! If we hadn’t been able to take things in stride, we would have felt defeated from the very beginning. Nothing went exactly as planned, but everything always worked out every single time.

Shayla – There is no guideline to follow. You must follow your heart and take the time to build bonds. Once a bond is made is when you can start to leave lasting impressions. These girls have made me a better person while I want to make an impression on them they have changed my life for the better as well. Mentoring is enriching to the mentor as well the mentee.

Did this first year end up looking how you envisioned?

MJ – Our vision was a sketch, and first year filled in the colors. The sketch was beautiful, admirable, and ambitious; but it paled in comparison to what was unveiled as we started adding the colors. The colors were the individual girls, their personalities, the bonds that were created, the lessons they learned, the conversations that were held, the songs that were made up on long trips, the smiles, the laughter, and even a few tears. Our first year exceeded our vision.

Shayla – No, it exceeded every expectation we had. God has truly blessed us with amazing people that made our dream a reality.

Have you done anything like this in past time?  Any mentorship programs or volunteer programs geared towards a similar purpose?

MJ – I’ve never been involved in or seen a program like ours, but in my youth I was a part of a mentoring program and I always knew that it was imperative that as I came into my own, I paid it forward and poured into the next generation.

Shayla – No, not formally. I have had mentors growing up that have made lasting impressions and I think it is necessary to do it for others.

What are you MOST proud of?

MJ – I’m most proud of the mentors. These ladies have given of themselves wanting nothing in return. Time is precious, and once you give it away there’s no getting it back. These ladies have been selfless with their time, skills, and resources. I’m most proud of the fact that they’re in my life and I can call them Friend. If I had to leave the program today, I know the girls would still be in excellent hands.

Shayla – That I have made an everlasting impression on eight amazing young ladies. I pray that I can continue to lead them to Christ and to a successful future.

For more information, please be sure to contact Mocacademy at Mochacademy.com, Mochacademy@gmail.com, or (951)777-9246.

You can also, find them on social media Facebook: Mochacademy Mentoring Program Instagram: Mochacademy

The meeting times will be held from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. every third Sunday, beginning in September 2017 through May 2018

We accept applicants 6th grade to 10^th grade the program goes up to 12^th grade and are currently accepting mentor applications. Mentees should take advantage of the early bird registration as space is limited.  If you are currently unable to give of your time, but would like to know the areas in which we need donations, please contact them.

By Shalom Ysrayl

For the uplifting and encouragement of my people…

Until the Lions Story is Told, The Hunter will always appear as the Hero! “The calling back of the Children of Israel…The Prophet is calling us back to the Covenant…” We are the Hebrew People! This idea will allow us to experience an upgrade in our lives and neighbor hoods… A Solid People…!

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

You see the Almighty declared, “I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” [Ezekiel 22:30].  How alarming that God would have to look for a man. How astonishing He could not find a man.  This verse is not only amazing, this verse is disturbing. God had to go and search for a man. The words “I sought” carry the idea of diligently going from place to place; from person to person; seeking, asking, and trying to find someone to do His work. Every time I read this statement I think of how appalling it is that God would have to even look for a man, much less “diligently” search for one. You would think that after all that God had done for us that the line to serve him would be so long that it would wrap around Heaven. You would think that we would be ready and willing to be used of God. But most of us, who are doing nothing for God, have become so apathetic to the cause of Christ. Some of the saddest words that you will ever find in the Word of God are right here before us: “BUT I FOUND NONE.” Listen, it is one thing to reject a preacher of the Gospel. It is one thing to have a closed ear and a closed heart to what you hear from God’s Word. However, it is another thing to reject the Lord and Savior of the world. God could not find one man to make up the hedge! No one took His challenge seriously! I tell you it’s time to separate the men from the boys!

So in light of “Father’s Day” [Sunday, June 18^th] this message is directed to all men. Listen, I know times are tough. I know that many of you have to work more than ever. I know that some of you have been dealt a bad hand. But do you understand that until you do as the Word of God says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, then and only then, will all other things be given to you.” The Word of Haggai says, “Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. …Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came too little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.” [Haggai 1:6, 9]. I tell you the hedge has been severed! The gap is widening! The enemy is attacking!  It’s time to separate the men from the boys! Listen, God has not sent me here to get on you. God has not sent me here to make you feel guilty. God has sent me here to tell you that He is still searching. My assignment for this hour is to tell you that some of the hedge is down! By the grace of God, is there any man that will say, “STOP THE SEARCH?” For God only needs one person!  One who will build up a hedge and hold up God’s holy standard? One who would hold back the tides of judgment? One, who like Shammah will take his stand in the middle of the field, defend it and strike the Philistines down, causing God to bring about a great victory. [2 Samuel 23:12]. I ask you, is there such a man? [2 Chronicles 16:9].

“You know a few years ago I saw a huge familiar billboard it was a lifelike picture of a Marine sergeant. Underneath his portrait were only five words, but they said it all. They said: Wanted: A few Good Men! Not many words? but a message it was, indeed. It said, by implication: [1] this was not for everyone. This was not a general call for the average man on the street. The word few indicated that this was an isolated, somewhat specialized opportunity. [2] The word wanted indicated that there was a role to fill, and someone needed to fill it. Not everyone could, but someone must. [3] The request was not limited only by number, but by quality. A few good men meant only those of a certain caliber need apply. [4]The word men meant it was limited not so much because of discrimination, as by specifics. So the call was clear. A specific need existed that could only be filled by a few special men who would have to be a certain kind of man to qualify. I tell you, God is looking for a few good men. A few spiritually qualified men whose lives demonstrate the nature of God with such clarity that they might be like beacons set before the body of Christ to lead it through this age. ‘Mighty Men.’  Men who are of courageous faith.  Men who are committed and willing to contend for what God has given them. Real men who make sure they stay close to God, and who are sensitive to His desires for their lives.”

I ask you, is there such a man today? If so, God is calling, “I want you.” Will you heed the call? Will you be like the men in the [Navy] and be dedicated to the Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment to build the foundation of trust and leadership upon which our strength is based and victory is achieved?  Will you give Jesus Christ first place in your life? Will you let “Semper Fidelis” be your motto: which will guide you as it does the [Marines] to remain faithful to the mission at hand, to each other, to the Corps and to our country [Kingdom of God] no matter what. Will you consecrate yourself to God today? Are you courageous enough today to say with Joshua and Caleb, “Even though the odds are against me; even though it would be much easier to compromise and hang with the crowd; even though it may cost me friendships, family relationships, pleasures, or even my life, I will do what I know is right?” I hear the Lord’s voice, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” [Isaiah 6:8].  Is there one that will say here I am Lord, send me? If so, you are challenged to go forward for the cause of Christ and be a good soldier for Him. [2Timothy 1:6-9] One life to live – One life to give to our Lord and Savior, our Coming King!

Happy Father’s Day!

RIALTO, CA- The Time for Change Foundation in partnership with Senator Connie M. Leyva, Assembly member Eloise Gómez Reyes and Mayor Deborah Robertson of Rialto will host the Justice in July Jamboree (JJ-Jam) event at Rialto City Hall. The event’s purpose is to increase civic engagement by having the local community raise their issues and craft solutions in partnership with local and state officials. Additionally, tangible resources will be available on site along with music, dancing and free food.

State legislators and local elected officials need to understand the severity of the issues that plague our communities. Our families are unable to access affordable housing, adequate transportation and employment opportunities. To prioritize investment in our community, Justice in July Jamboree will bring community and statewide elected officials together to identify specific community issues, craft solutions and ascertain public funding resources necessary to address the issues. “The Justice Jamboree brings voices of change together with decision makers while using the power of the “voter” as a catalyst for change,” says Vanessa Perez, Assoc. Director of Time for Change Foundation.

We are so excited that Governor Jerry Brown has received a special invitation from our state legislators to attend our local event and further raise the awareness about the local needs for statewide resources.

Other local organizations collaborating in this effort include: Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy, COPE, United Nations of Consciousness, California Partnership, Center for Employment Opportunities, Option House, and ACLU – So Cal.

Residents can expect to access Voter Registration, Felony Removal, Rental and Utility Assistance, Free dental checkups, face painting, dance contest, fire trucks, and free food on this day.

The event will be held on Saturday, July 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rialto City Hall located at 150 S. Palm Avenue in Rialto.

LOMA LINDA, CA- Kappa Sigma Fraternity, located on the Cal State San Bernardino Campus, recently donated over $7,600 and toys to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) through “penny wars,” a competition amongst the sororities on campus to support Vision 2020 – The Campaign for a Whole Tomorrow.

Six members from the fraternity stopped by LLUCH Tuesday, June 6 and presented a check and a variety of toys to Children’s Hospital staff and patients, Justin Correa, 9, of Bloomington and Tiffany Borrego, 9, of Lake Elsinore. 

“Our campus became involved in competing to see who could raise the most coins, and it was powerful to see everyone’s involvement,” said Danny Razo, philanthropy chair of Kappa Sigma. “Many of us have had personal experiences and family members who have been treated here.”

Giovanni Barreto and the fraternity’s executive committee shared their personal connections with the children’s hospital through siblings who were born and treated at LLUCH. They wanted staff and patients to know that their fraternity plans to make this an ongoing project.

“We have no plans on stopping now, we’re just getting started,” Barreto said.

Helen Staples-Evans, chief nursing officer of LLUCH, emphasized the difference the fraternity is making in building the new hospital tower as part of Vision 2020.

“You have raised money for children whose faces you’ve never seen, and they’ll go to kids who you will never meet,” Staples-Evans said to the fraternity, “but you make a difference, and for that we are very grateful.”

Joanna DeLeon, director of the LLUCH foundation said she felt inspired by the fraternity. “This is an amazing testament to how a community can work together to improve the lives of our smallest patients.” 

By CBM Newswire

In June, many African American’s celebrate Juneteenth, the celebration of the last state in the union to receive word that slavery ended in 1865.

Community organizer Michael Harris hosted a Juneteenth celebration at Negro Bar, a California State Park located within the city of Folsom in the county of Sacramento.

Harris said he picked this location to celebrate the history of the old mining site and contributions African American’s played during the gold rush area.

“Together, we celebrate Juneteenth as we continue to identify, document, preserve and share the authentic contributions by people of African ancestry 1840-1875 along the American River Parkway. The Negro Bar Historic State Park is poised to tell the story of people of African Ancestry’s significant contributions along the American River Parkway, part of an ongoing effort to expand inclusion and create a California African American Heritage Commission. Our 2017 Folsom Juneteenth, honors the amazing contributions and sacrifice by US Colored Troops during the US Civil War and local unknown “hidden figures” in our ongoing journey towards freedom,” said Harris.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JUNE 13: Actress and The Lucy Award for Excellence in Television Honoree Tracee Ellis Ross (R) receives award presented by actress Aisha Tyler onstage at Women In Film 2017 Crystal + Lucy Awards presented By Max Mara and BMW at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 13, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images )

LOS ANGELES, CA- On Tuesday, June 13, Women in Film, Los Angeles (WIF) celebrated outstanding women in the entertainment industry with the 2017 Crystal + Lucy Awards presented by sponsors Max Mara and BMW. The evening, themed “Evolve,” was hosted by actress and comedian Jessica Williams and raised funds and awareness for Women in Film, LA and its many educational and philanthropic programs, and its advocacy for gender parity for women throughout the industry.

Event highlights included: The Crystal Award honoree Elizabeth Banks and Lucy Award honoree Tracee Ellis Ross each received special video messages from former First Ladies. Following Ross’ acceptance speech, she was surprised with a video message from Mrs. Obama. In the video, Mrs. Obama congratulated Ross and said, “You are brilliant, you are hilarious, and you are one of the most talented actors I know. Your character on Black-ish, Bow, is an inspiration for folks across this country.”

Before Elizabeth Banks was presented the Crystal Award by Donna Langley, she was surprised with a video message from Senator Hillary Clinton. In the video, Clinton thanked Women in Film for “more than 40 years of championing gender parity in media on and off the screen.” And shared, “I want to congratulate my dear friend Elizabeth Banks… You are not only a creative force in front of the camera and behind it – you are a passionate advocate for women’s equality and opportunity.”

Elizabeth Banks was awarded by Women In Film with the Crystal Award for Excellence in Film. She was first honored by the organization in 2009 with the WIF Max Mara Face of the Future Award.

Lupita Nyong’o presented the BMW Dorothy Arzner Directors Award to her Queen of Katwe director Mira Nair.

During Zoey Deutch’s acceptance speech for the WIF Max Mara Face of the Future Award, she thanked the women in her life including her mother Lea Thompson and sister Madelyn Deutch. Thompson recently directed her daughters Zoey and Madelyn in the film The Year of Spectacular Men, which was also written by Madelyn.  

Robert Redford, who played Dan Rather in the 2015 film Truth, presented Rather with the Norma Zarky Humanitarian Award.

Women In Film premiered, Flip the Script, a new provocative digital series/social media campaign, which aims to open an irreverently fresh dialog about gender parity in Hollywood.

During WIF’s Executive Director Kirsten Schaffer’s remarks, she announced WIF has joined forces with APM Music, the leading creative music house & production music library, to launch the first ever Women In Film Library for female composers. This is part of an overall initiative to increase the number of female composers working in the industry, especially on top-grossing films (currently 1%).

The 2017 Crystal + Lucy Awards was designed and produced by Academy Award-winning producer Cathy Schulman and Tony Schubert of Event Eleven.

AWARDS: The 2017 Crystal + Lucy Award honorees are:

• ELIZABETH BANKS – The Crystal Award for Excellence in Film-Presented by DONNA LANGLEY

• TRACEE ELLIS ROSS – The Lucy Award for Excellence in Television-Presented by AISHA TYLER

• ZOEY DEUTCH – The Women In Film Max Mara Face of the Future Award^–Presented by NICOLA MARAMOTTI, Max Mara Ownership and Brand Ambassador

• MIRA NAIR – The BMW Dorothy Arzner Directors Award–Presented by LUPITA NYONG’O

• DAN RATHER – The Norma Zarky Humanitarian Award–Presented by ROBERT REDFORD
• MICHAEL BARKER & TOM BERNARD – The Women In Film Beacon Award-Presented by JACKI WEAVER

Women In Film advocates for, and advances the careers of, women working in the screen industries – to achieve parity and transform culture. Founded in 1973, WIF focuses on advocacy and education, provides scholarships, grants and film finishing funds and works to preserve the legacies of all women working in the entertainment community. For more information visit www.wif.org.