RIVERSIDE, CA – The Riverside Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. hosted it s 40th Annual Black and White Scholarship Ball at the Riverside Convention Center on Saturday, March 5.  The stately gala raised thousands of dollars in support of academic scholarships and mentoring programs for local youth.

The evening began with a festive social hour, which included professional photography and disc jockey services with classic rhythm and blues music.  Welcome and introductory remarks were made by Polemarch Demarius Carmichael and Vice Polemarch Eric V. Isaac, who acknowledged community leaders and dignitaries.   Those in attendance include Danny Tillman, Member of the San Bernardino City Unified School District Board of Education, Joanne Gilbert, Community Action Partnership Board Member, Hardy Brown II, Board Member of the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, Robin McIver Brown, President of the San Bernardino Valley Chapter of the Links, Inc., Tracy Tillman, President of the Inland Empire Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and Tammy Martin-Ryles, President of the Black Chamber of Commerce.

Highlights of the evening include a dance by the Kappa Omicron Court of Cal Poly Pomona and the announcement of honorees Dr. Judy White, Superintendent of the Moreno Valley Unified School District for community service, Theodore Davis, recipient of the Edward Moore Lifetime Achievement Award, and Kappa members Larry Clayton and Thomas Fisher for outstanding achievement.

Angela Clayton, President of the Riverside Alumni Chapter of the Silhouettes (wives of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. members) presented two college scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each to local high school students Cynthia Price and Sierra Smith.

For more information about the Riverside Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. visit www.rackapsi.com.

(from left to right (front row): Derrick Norwood, Heru Bush, (kneeling) Anaiah Hollis; (middle row): La’Nae Norwood, Nana Kweku, Kimberly Phillips, Akyl Phillips, Kimberly Johnson-Calvin (Back row): John Griffin, Dumisani Phomello (Photo by Wallace J. Allen)

By Wallace J. Allen

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Last Saturday, March 19, members of the United Nations of Consciousness (UNOC), a non-profit community based organization, gathered at San Bernardino’s Ann Shirrells Park and picked up about ten large garbage bags of trash. The clean up was part of the group’s, “Adopt a Community Project.” The clean up takes place once per month for two hours from March through November. During that time they pick up trash and debris, do landscaping, clear any safety hazards and meet and greet community residents and share information about their organization.

You are invited to inquire about UNOC and to join in their efforts, one of which is the  “Adopt A Community” Project.  They provide the clean up tools and supplies, including water and refreshments. Bring your gloves, a hat and some “elbow grease!” For more information about UNOC, call (909) 575-8862

By Lou Coleman

Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing… Pretending to be something they are not…. Invoking the name of Jesus; calling Him, “Lord”, dressing to kill, brandishing angelic smiles, speaking with confidence and eloquence, carrying large bibles, peppering sermons with cries of “Hallelujah!” “Praise the Lord!” and “Amen!” Woe unto you Jesus declares, “Destroying and scattering the sheep of [His] pasture!” Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel concerning the shepherds who are tending My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds,” declares the LORD.… [Jeremiah 23:1].  You must know that those who do not faithfully preach and teach only Christ will be cut off, discarded, and cast into the fire. This is God’s verdict. The word from the LORD that the prophet Jeremiah wrote down is extremely clear, straightforward and plain.” Sound the alarm!

This message is not for God’s sheep in the pews but for the false prophets, apostles, pastors, teachers, preachers, bishops and priests themselves.  It is a woe pronounced on you by the God you say you serve! “By your words you are justified and by your words you will be condemned.” Your words will fall like a sword of judgment upon your own necks. You have prophesied lies to the people.  You have taught them after the imaginations of your own hearts and you have not heard from God.  You have taught false doctrines.  You tell the people that no evil will come upon them; they will be ruptured out before the end time; before bad things start to happen–the fall of the one world system.  But that is a lie! Why do you insist on taking Scripture out of context to make it appear as if your lies are God’s truth, instead of obeying [2 Tim 2:15] and expositing Scripture in context, [Nehemiah 8:8]? Woe unto you!

Listen, God is not fooled by a false prophet and He does not want His people to be fooled by them either. The section of the Sermon on the Mount found in [Matthew 7:15–20] deals with this very critical need for all believers. What God unfolds for us is the right way to judge hidden things! A false prophet does not wear a sign that declares his status. Instead, he masquerades as one of God’s faithful while sounding forth a message that he claims comes from God. What is a believer to do? How can a believer preserve himself from the snares set by any false prophet? How can you judge the hidden things?

First, accept The Challenge found in [verse 15 of Matthew chapter 7]. Beware! Christ’s command is to be discerning. The challenge for the “sheep” is to detect every hidden wolfish intention and nature disguised as God-fearing morality and demure harmlessness. Second, take a lesson from Common Sense found in [verse 16]. Third and fourth, observe what Every Man Can Only Do found in [verse 17] and what Every Man Cannot Do in [verse 18]. Man can only produce fruit that is generated by their inner nature and they cannot produce fruit that is not descended from their nature. A false prophet is one who claims to speak for God but, in his word or deed, diminishes the incomparable majesty of God or downplays the superlative sacrifice of Christ, thus showing his true nature.

Recall Jesus warning that false teachers would be on the rise through history, culminating in the vast and powerful deception of the last days [Matthew 24:24-25]. Beware! “See,” Jesus said, “I have told you beforehand.” He was warning us to be prepared. Do not be quick to embrace every teaching that comes from the pulpit. Learn to sift the teachings that have been given to you through the filter of the Scriptures. The Word of God will expose that which is error and that which is truth. You must pay attention to what God’s Word is saying. If what you are hearing is not lining up with the Word of God, you would save yourself from deception and heartache if you would just learn how to spit out the bones [Hebrews 13:9.] I tell you, there are few things more important to hear than the warning Jesus gives us in [Matthew 7:15-20]. He begins with the word “Beware . . .” and we should always take it very seriously whenever Jesus tells us to “beware” of something.

I want you to know that God’s true prophets had a practical office to discharge. It was part of their commission to show the people of God their transgressions and the house of God their sins. This means that they functioned as both pastors and ministerial monitors of the people of God. It was their duty to admonish and caution, to denounce prevailing sins, to warn the people of the terrors of divine judgment, and to call them to repentance. They also brought the message of consolation and forgiveness. They were the watchmen set upon the walls of Zion to blow the trumpet to timely warn of approaching danger. Beware: Not everyone who claims to teach the truth really does.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

God says, [Revelation 3:15-16], “[He] knows thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: [He] wish thou were cold or hot. But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, [He’s] going to spew you out of [His] mouth.” “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other [Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13]. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Walking with God, and holding hands with the Devil. Shame on you! How long will you be caught between two opinions, two lifestyles, two beliefs, two directions, two mindsets, two masters, two desires. “If it seems evil unto you to serve the LORD, then choose you this day Whom ye will serve…” [Joshua 24:15]. It’s all or nothing! You can’t be 50% Christian and 50% worldly. It doesn’t work that way. Jesus stated: “He that is not with Me is against Me” (Matthew 12:30). Not only is indecision a dangerous thing. It is repugnant to God mouth. [James 4:4] says, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” Trying to live for God and mammon at the same time! The Bible says it cannot be done. You must take sides. You are either following Jesus or you are following Satan.  There is no middle ground.  Trying to keep one foot in the world, and one foot in the church.  Ain’t gonna work!

The problem is you don’t want to give up your sin. You don’t want to give up your status in the world.  Naw, you’re having too much fun…. You want your cake and ice cream too. Well you can’t have it! Ain’t no mixing of allegiance to God with other gods! You got to choose! Either God is your daddy or Satan! Who’s your daddy? Time to decide! You cannot remain neutral. You cannot straddle the fence and you can’t just give Jesus lip service. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” [Matthew 15:7-8]. Choose this day Whom you will serve.

Listen, you cannot, and must not, compromise to any of Satan’s conditions. Ultimately, everything you have and ever hope to be, must be laid on the altar. Make the transition from declaration to discipleship. That is, declaration to dedication. Don’t let Satan deceive you and rob you of the greatest blessing man has ever known: salvation from sin through Jesus Christ our Savior and redeemer. Stop straddling the fence. Liberty is not a license to compromise. You are either with Jesus fully, or you oppose him. Which is it? The record of choice: life or death, blessings or cursing.  God wants wholehearted dedication or nothing! That is the clear message of this passage. It’s time to make up your mind! And, it is! Are you ready to serve the Lord? The application could not be clearer: “Choose for yourselves this day Whom you will serve.” There is no room for neutrality. Make your choice. Cast your vote. Choose your God. I pray you will make the right choice. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

By Gloria J. Ingram

POMONA, CA- Heart and Soul Line Dance celebrated its’ 12^th Anniversary on Saturday, March 5, at the Palomares Community Center in Pomona with a Mardi Gras theme. Harriette Coggs Stuckey, Founder/Director of the line dance organization, welcomed new and experienced line dancers to the annual event, always held on the first Saturday in March.

The festive affair was sold out well in advance. An excited crowd started gathering at the entrance around 12 noon, an hour before the doors opened for admission. Many line dancers were dressed in green, purple, and/or gold…Mardi Gras colors, as well as costumes, including several ladies wearing a tri-colored tutu! Approximately 200 enthusiastic line dancers seemed to always rush to the dance floor as songs were played for popular and standard line dances. A King and Queen presided over the event. King Ulric Jones and his Queen, Jean Woods wore royal regali, both wearing a crown, he in a royal robe and sash, she wearing a sash, beads and gold fringed attire led the diverse crowd of revelers in a customary “Second Line.” The room seemed to reach a higher level of brightness because of so many happy, smiling faces. And, the floor seemed to reverberate as partygoers energetically stepped, pranced, and danced around, up and down the dance floor to lively music.

One of the many highlights enjoyed by all was a delicious soul food meal of BBQ chicken, red beans and rice, collard greens, and peach cobbler prepared by Executive Chef Terry Cleveland. Other highlights included, awarding gift cards as door prizes and a generous donation to the American Heart Association from the proceeds of a Money Raffle.

Heart and Soul Line Dance class members from Beaumont, Eastvale, Fontana, Menifee, Pomona, Rialto, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Walnut were well represented. The Line Dance Family at-large was also well represented by members of other line dance companies i.e. Jus Dancin, Marva Black and her L.A. Country Strutters, LA and Natalie Kelley, K- Stepmobile, L A. Others came from the Bay Area i.e. Novella Peterson, Shirley Jefferson, and Yvonne Carnelus. Congratulations to Harriette Coggs Stuckey for another stellar celebration of bringing line dance to so many throughout the Inland Empire and the San Gabriel Valley.

By Angela M. Coggs

On Wednesday, March 9, over 100 community members and parents gathered at Life Center Church in San Bernardino for a town hall meeting to address public officials about a crisis of imprisonment that is fueled by the school-to-prison pipeline, mass incarceration, and high rates of prisoner recidivism. The meeting began with an outstanding dramatic monologue from actor and C.O.P.E.’s resident artist, Mr. Amad Jackson. His performance focused on ending the cycle of mass incarceration. The audience was encouraged by his noteworthy delivery.

The community concerns addressed in the meeting were: Challenging the use of citations that prevent students from getting a driver’s license and enlisting in the military, ensuring that San Bernardino county spends money on intervention/prevention programs and not prison, and making sure that school funding serves those most in need of academic support. The goal was to make the community voices heard with decision-makers who have the authority and power to do something about the community’s concerns.

San Bernardino County Supervisors, Josie Gonzales and San Bernardino County School Board Members, Hardy Brown Jr., San Bernardino County Schools Earl Smith, San Bernardino City Unified Director of Student Services Ray Culberson, and San Bernardino City School Board Members, Barbara Flores, and Gwendolyn Rogers, and Danny Tillman were all in attendance.

The town hall meeting, organized by Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE), intended to keep public officials focused on the school-to-prison pipeline and concerns that the excessive use of citations and arrests that could otherwise be handled apart from law enforcement involvement, could keep students in a never ending school-to-prison trap.  As school board members in San Bernardino City Unified School District continue to press for a new discipline policy that would, among many things, reform the district’s practices on school citations and school-based arrests, the town hall illuminated citations as a county—wide crisis.

Testimonies from two parents from the Rialto Unified School District highlighted the need for a county-wide look at discipline policies involving school citations.  Charnice Miller, shared a story about her daughter who was cited for a fight in which she defended herself after notifying the school administrator that she was being bullied.  The parent and student were never provided with an alternative to suspension and expulsion, nor adequately informed about the citation process but was mandated to pay a $400 fine. A similar story shared by another Rialto parent highlighted the pain and trauma her son experienced as a result of an incident in which he was ultimately found innocent but that landed him a ten day suspension. San Bernardino City School Board Member Barbara Flores agreed that the problem lies in “the way we (the district) communicate with our parents because right now it is unacceptable.”

Another parent shared a heart wrenching story about how her son, a SBCUSD graduate from Cajon High School, is still dealing with the effects of a school citation while away in college.  From the campus of Howard University, Brandon Watts shared a video testimony of how a citation issued in the 8th grade, may now impact his eligibility for a summer internship in the White House.  He urged public officials to take a different approach because citations can do a lot of harm. The SBCUSD motto is to “Make Hope Happen” but the constant issuance of citations to students is not giving the students hope, it is in fact discouraging the students. They are not feeling hopeful.

When questioned about what the San Bernardino City Unified School District board members intend to do to ensure that San Bernardino Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) money is earmarked for school funding , alternative discipline, as well as other intervention programs such as mental health programs so that students are adequately supported, SBCUSD Board Member Rodgers responded without hesitation. “What we are making sure is that funding is targeted to support necessary for the specific students that  are more at risk, which we all know is the majority of all of our students. The targeted funding what we have and we know that funding is on a limited bases but we have to make sure we maximize it in every way that we can.” She spoke about specific line items that are set for the specific needs and for the specific things that the community and parents have brought to the Board’s  attention.

“This is a critical time because once that money is allocated it definitely can change from year to year,” SBCUSD Board Member Tillman also added. The school district has been making positive changes on behalf of the students. “Two big things that we (the school district) did do was to ensure that all students have the ability to have access to a computer and the internet. Every student in our district can get one computer per household.” He also stated that school pays the monthly payment for the internet access. Secondly, Tillman stated that they also eliminated the wait list for the CAPS Program. “This past year the wait list went away. That cost us about three or four million dollars.”

On the other end of the pipeline, a testimony from a formerly incarcerated female, who is now drug free, working, and giving back to community, shares a story of redemption and what is possible when there are resources available.  Demita Burgess, a San Bernardino resident, urged the County to make sure that Proposition 47 meets its intended outcomes and give people a second chance to be productive citizens.  In 2014, California voters passed Proposition 47, a ballot measure to reduce some felony records to misdemeanors and uses the savings from prison spending for intervention and prevention services such as drug treatment and mental health services.  The savings may also be directed to youth intervention and prevention programs.  However, according to Governor Brown the savings from prison spending only amounts to approximately $29 million when the Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) says that the savings is closer to $100 million dollars.  Community members urged County Supervisor Josie Gonzalez and other officials to join a statewide effort urging the Governor to adopt the LAO’s calculations so that resources can be properly utilized for adult and youth intervention and prevention efforts. The collective voices have the power to dismantle the pipeline.

The break  a cycle imprisonment, community members want public officials to take action by instituting policies that undo the cycle and place youth and adults in a better position to be productive citizens.

This effort was organized by Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement in partnership with Inland Congregations United for Change, Youth Action Project, Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches, African American Mental Health Coalition, and members of the African American Education Collaborative.

“I was very inspired to become more involved in the community and school boards to ensure our children has the same chance and opportunities as their neighboring peers,” said Alondra Ladison, San Bernardino County Site Supervisor Preschool Services Department. She left the meeting enlighted and ready to stand up for all of our children.

With the input and feedback from the community hopefully the San Bernardino City Unified School District will depart from its current code of conduct, which is based on a zero-tolerance approach, and make a strong commitment to an approach that is grounded in teaching and learning, interventions and restorative practices.

T’ana Phelice (left) at her event Lunch With T’ana and her childhood friend NaKendra (right)

By Naomi K. Bonman

LOS ANGELES, CA – Need a new book to read? Want to read a book that will not only hold your attention, but that is inspiring and powerful at the same time? Then come on down on Saturday, March 19 to Zahra’s Books & Things from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to pick up T’ana Phelice’s books, get them signed, and engage in an insightful conversation with the author herself. Pigs & Pearls is $18, Bratty Tatty (for the kids) is $9, and JADED Diamonds is $16. So mark your calendars and let’s continue to support our Black entrepreneurs and keep Black literature alive! Zahra’s Books & Things is located a 900 N. La Brea Avenue in Inglewood

RIALTO, CA – NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) welcomed 21 Rialto students who toured the facility for President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Initiative. Students had visited the Spacecraft Assembly Facility, Space Flight Operations Facility, and the “Mars Yard” to see the twin of the Curiosity Mars Rover.
“I was so excited,” said Rialto Frisbie Middle School eighth grader and year one Summer Bridge graduate Cassandra Alvarez, “I’m looking forward to learning more about the Mars Rover.”
The initiative, launched in February 2014, addresses persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and their sisters in reaching their full potential. A goal of the My Brother’s Keeper initiative is to instill a passion for Computer Science, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM.)
“This is an awesome day for the youth of Rialto, we are one of only four organizations visiting JPL today, and the only group selected from San Bernardino County,” said Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson, who went with the students to JPL.  ”It was so exciting to see the joy in the children’s faces as they learned about space and space technology.“

The City of Compton, Long Beach Neighborhood Services Bureau, and LA County Supervisor Solis’ students also attended. Each group brought youth who do not traditionally have the opportunity to visit local NASA Labs and Centers to JPL.
The Rialto Police Department’s Officer Javier Pulido and several other community-based organizations were instrumental in identifying youth from last year’s e3p3 GIP’s Summer Bridge program that showed promise and interest in STEM.
Ten of the students selected to go on the trip are distinguished graduates from year one of the Rialto’s e3p3 Gang Intervention and Prevention (GIP) program.
“The Rialto’s GIP project targets twelve-hundred Rialto Unified School District elementary and middle school students to receive classroom instruction and become Resilient, Empowered, and Directed. This field trip advances our efforts of helping youth become directed, immensely!” said Nate Van Cleve, project manager from M.H.M. & Associates.
The Rialto e3p3 GIP program receives grant funding from the Board of State of Community Corrections and is currently in its second year.   A select group of approximately 100 youth take part in a rigorous and highly interactive 12-week e3p3 Summer Bridge program, each summer.
For more information, contact City of Rialto, Office Javier Pulido, at (909) 421-4944

Patricia L Nickols-Butler, President, & CEO, CAPSBC, (center) & Members , Community Action Partnership Board of Directors, (not in the order named): Dr Margaret Hill, Joanne Gilbert, Nancy R White, John ‘Fred’ Sagoe Dr Joshua Beckley, William Anthony Ruh, Eladio ‘Eddie’ U Garcia, Deborah Robertson, Daniel Enz, Thomas Rice, Socorro Enriquez, Bob Lemley, & Tyneia Merritt.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Almost everywhere we in the Inland Empire, whether via media outlets, social media, television, or through the windows of our cars as we go about our busy I.E. lives we see spreading signs of poverty,   social disruption and in some, a fading sense of confidence.   Who among us feels economically ‘secure’?
The Symposium identified excellent leaders and provided opportunities for their interaction, sharing, and support.   They dug deeply enough to expose not only the surface signs, but also the destructive interconnection of poverty’s ‘magnifier’, effects across modern lifestyles.   In today’s world, we depend on many and diverse kinds of knowledge, skills, and resources to advance common wellbeing. Join them !!!

  Sponsorship contract is What It Do with the LUE! Congratulations to hometown artist’s Gwaap Fam on their new sponsorship deal with Chef Music Studios.
This is a major, major move for the group as they embark on a new journey. Currently putting together their new project is clearly the group’s number one priority. Providing Quality Service, Chef Music is one of the hottest recording studios in Southern California with three locations to select from. Our company is excited about working directly with the team of Chef Music. We hope ya’ll ready for what’s COOKING in the studio with GWAAP FAM. They’re ready to make magic! Until next week L’z Up!
More on Chef Music:
Chef is an acronym for “Creativity is Heard and Emotion is Felt” with creativity and emotion being what they believe to be the ingredients for making good music. They are a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in quality vocal recordings, useful resources, and superior customer service since 2009.
Their main office is located in Burbank, California. Book your session with their recording engineer at your studio or choose from a list of Southern California locations that are sure to be creative, professional, and productive. Call them toll-free at 1-844-484-CHEF (2433)
Other Studio Locations include Victorville and North Hollywood. For more information, please visit chefmusic.com/musicservices.