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SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- On Saturday, February 25, the 55th Annua; San Bernardino County Black History Parade will be held starting at 10 a.m. The parade will begin on Citrus and Summit Avenue and will proceed to the Home Depot parking lot on Sierra Lakes parkway in Fontana where an expo will be held immediately following the parade.

This year’s Grand Marshal is the founder of the R&B group “Lakeside”, Captain Mark Woods Jr.  and his lovely wife, Soul Train dancer, Sharon Hill Woods.

Soul Train was an American music variety television show and the first to prominently feature African American musical acts and dancers. It was on air nationally from 1971 to 2006 and was one of the longest-running syndicated programs in American television history. The R&B group “Lakeside” performed their hit song “Fantastic Voyage” by lead singer Captain Mark a Woods Jr.  Woods.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) is pleased to announce the winners of the 40th annual San Bernardino County Academic Decathlon Competition. The awards ceremony honoring 18 high school teams, took place on February 9.

“These incredibly talented and hard-working students committed hundreds of hours preparing for this year’s academic decathlon,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “It is an honor to not only recognize them for all their hard work, but also recognize their support systems and coaches for helping them excel in the competition.”

The three teams with the highest overall scores this year are:

• 1st place: Chaffey High School
• 2nd place: Redlands High School
• 3rd place: Rancho Cucamonga High School

The back-to-back champion team, Chaffey High School of Chaffey Joint Union High School District, will send its top nine scoring decathletes and coach to represent San Bernardino County at the California Academic Decathlon State Competition in Santa Clara from March 25-26. At large teams may also represent the county at the state competition.

In addition to coming in first place, Chaffey High School also won awards for the following team events:

• Art
• Economics
• Literature
• Music
• Science
• Social Science
• Speech
• Super Quiz

The award for the highest-scoring student from the Chaffey High School team went to junior classman, Dylan Ventura. Ventura earned 8,088 points out of a possible 10,000.

This year, nearly 300 students from 18 high schools throughout San Bernardino County participated in the competition.

For the first time in nearly 40 years, the San Bernardino County Academic Decathlon Competition was held as a hybrid event with portions of the competition being held virtually, while others were held in person.

This comes after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the competition to transition into a completely virtual format in 2021 and 2022.

The theme for this year’s competition was “The American Revolution and the New Nation.”

Each year, the theme is generated by the United States Academic Decathlon and is provided to SBCSS by the California Academic Decathlon.

The event competition took place over three days in December, January and February consisting of categories in essay writing, both prepared and impromptu speeches, panel interviews, objective testing and culminated with the highly anticipated Super Quiz.

For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow @SBCountySchools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. #transforminglives.

By Angela M. Coggs

On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at the 777 N F Street in the newly remodeled San Bernardino Board of Education building, change and newness was in the air.

While some people were home, settling in to watch the President Biden’s State of the Union Address, there were also many people in the San Bernardino who braved the cold, windy temperatures outside to witness Felicia Alexander be officially sworn in as the newest San Bernardino City Unified School District Board Member. On January 24, 2023, the SBCUSD Board of Education made the provisional appointment of Alexander to fill a vacancy on the governing board. The vacancy was created in December when Dr. Gwen Dowdy-Rodgers resigned to accept an elected position on the San Bernardino County School Board. She will serve on the Board until the next general election in November 2024.

“Tonight, was a very emotional night as I had the honor of being a part of the swearing in of Felicia Alexander,” said Dr. Gwen Dowdy- Rodgers, San Bernardino County Superintendent of School Board Trustee Area D. “She is an engaged and compassionate leader that will make a great asset to SBCUSD.”

The room was filled with community members, friends, family, and members of the Divine Nine, all of whom were there to support Alexander as she took her oath. She was sworn in by her husband, San Bernardino City Councilman Damon Alexander, while her predecessor, Gwen Dowdy- Rodgers, held the Bible. The room bustled with cheers of excitement while family and friends quickly gathered for a few posed pictures. Alexander graciously took her place in the center in a sea of members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., as they showed support on a large scale.

“A heartfelt welcome to our newest board member and superintendent,” said community member and San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (retired) Carolyn Tillman. “I am looking forward to achieving what is possible for our students in San Bernardino.”

After all the flowers, hugs, pictures and smiles, Alexander took her place among the other board members, to continue with the agenda for the evening. With a beautiful congratulatory bouquet of red roses placed at her side, Alexander stepped in and did not miss a beat. The community welcomed her with open arms and know she is there the serve the students, parents, teachers, and the district. While others may remember February 7, 2023, as the night Lakers star LeBron James broke the NBA’s all-time scoring record, surpassing Kareem Abdul- Jabbar, our community will remember it as the night Felicia Alexander stepped into a new challenge and made her presence known. She has arrived!

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- For the second year in a row, a team from Oak Hills High School won the San Bernardino County Mock Trial championship title and will advance to the state competition in March.

“The outstanding performances by students at this year’s Mock Trial were incredibly exciting to watch,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “It’s inspiring to see the teams work together to form persuasive arguments, utilize their critical thinking skills and practice the art of public speaking.”

Citrus Valley High School from Redlands Unified School District took second place during this year’s county competition. The team may be able to compete at the state level as a wildcard.

Part of the Oak Hills High School Mock Trial team poses together at the finals competition held at the Rancho Cucamonga Superior Courthouse on Jan.14. Back row, left to right: Rubi Gamez, Sandra Martinez Rivera, Francisco Rodriguera, Danielle Mitchell, Nicholas Markloff. Bottom row, left to right: Robert Long, Sofia Palomares, Abigail Sicairos, Sara Orellana.

Members of the Mock Trial 2022-23 Oak Hills High School Team:

• Jasmine Alvarez
• Alejandra De Lira
• Ryan Douty
• Rubi Gamez
• Angel Haro
• Moniqua Jimenez
• Shantel Lewis
• Robert Long
• Nicholas Markloff
• Sandra Martinez Rivera
• Danielle Mitchell
• Sara Orellana
• Sofia Palomares
• Jasmine Persley
• Francisco Rodriguera
• Abigail Sicairos
• Coach Jeni Boulanger
• Assistant Coach John Boulanger

Members of the Mock Trial 2022-23 Citrus Valley High School Team:

• Juliana Acuna
• Eleanor Brinegar
• Alyssa Camacho
• Alexandra Carreon
• Ava Esteves-Jaime
• Morgan Fierro
• Maddox Flowers
• Alyssa Gidley
• Ariana Gutierrez
• Vivienne Igbinosun
• Brianna Ilacas
• Inara Khankashi
• Bella Moreno
• Domnic Pedroza
• Marsha Rajagukguk
• Noah Sanchez
• Rashad Tyler
• Coach Kathryn Fonken-Stoker
• Assistant Coach Debbie Muniz

More than 400 students representing 26 teams from 24 high schools competed in this year’s county competition.

Mock Trial simulates a criminal case in which high school students portray various courtroom roles including bailiffs, clerks, artists, journalists, attorneys and witnesses, representing both the prosecution and defense.

Students present their case before a real judge and use constitutional amendments and legal objections.

This event is co-sponsored by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office.

Oak Hills High School will advance to the California Mock Trial Finals scheduled for March 17-19, 2023.

For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow us @SBCountySchools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

SBCUSD and Partners Assisting Class of 2023 in Obtaining Scholarships

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Every year, San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) high schools assist seniors in preparing portfolios that will help them apply for and obtain college scholarships. For most seniors, that task is complete and soon they will begin participating in mock interviews, so they are able to put their best foot forward during the actual scholarship interviews that happen later in the school year.

Additionally, the two non-profit organizations that coordinate and fund scholarships specifically for SBCUSD students—San Bernardino Community Scholarship Association and Making Hope Happen Foundation—have begun coordinating with high school scholarship counselors for the next scholarship application window.

Based on the fact SBCUSD students in the Class of 2022 earned more than $11 million in scholarships and grants, including adult students from Inland Career Education Center (ICEC) and students from the district’s alternative high schools, these efforts appear successful.

Although past performance is no guarantee of future success, the Class of 2022 scholarship earnings demonstrate what a community can do for students and the future when they work together.

Indian Springs High School graduated 342 students in the Class of 2022 who can boast about their combined total of $3,125,000 in scholarships and grants, including more than $360,000 in military scholarships and enlistment bonuses.

Cajon High School’s 583 graduates, which included International Baccalaureate (IB) students, earned $1,950,999 in scholarships and grants, with $440,000 coming from military scholarships and enlistment bonuses. Another SBCUSD IB school, Arroyo Valley High School, proudly graduated 555 students, with 70.6 percent of them earning scholarships and grants totalling $1,459,690.

With 327 graduates in the Class of 2022, San Gorgonio High School secured $2,046,734 in scholarships, including $619,200 in military scholarships and enlistment bonuses.

A full 100 percent of Middle College High School’s 59 graduates earned scholarships totalling $900,000.

Of Pacific High School’s 239 graduates in the Class of 2022, 162 earned $800,278 in scholarships, including military scholarships and enlistment bonuses. And 78 of 232 San Bernardino High School graduates earned $694,412.

SBCUSD’s continuation high schools also boasted scholarship recipients, with 20 San Andreas High School and 19 Sierra High School graduates in the Class of 2022 earning $13,050 and $26,618, respectively.

Seven of ICEC’s 109 adult high school diploma and GED graduates earned a combined $14,819 in scholarships.

“I’m proud to say that the vast majority of the non-military scholarship dollars are the direct result of efforts by our District and our local community,” said Ginger Ontiveros. “Local businesses, charities, and individuals have donated time and money to the Making Hope Happen Foundation and the San Bernardino Community Scholarship Association—two nonprofits geared specifically to support SBCUSD students—just to make sure our students have a chance at success.”

Community Scholarship Association members were responsible for 313 graduates in SBCUSD’s Class of 2022 receiving a total of 364 scholarships totaling $283,447.

“The Scholarship Association awards scholarships only to SBCUSD graduates. Charter school and private school students are not eligible for these scholarships,” said longtime Association member and former SBCUSD high school counselor Blythe Anderson. “Many of our Board members are former District employees or scholarship recipients, so it’s important to us that we support students in our schools.”

For more information or to donate to the Making Hope Happen Foundation, visit https://makinghope.org/. To create your own scholarship or donate to one of the many existing Association-managed scholarships, contact Susan Zavala, Communications/Community Relations Department Secretary I, at susan.zavala@sbcusd.k12.ca.us.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— With our theme being “I Am …Changing the Narrative” the Social-Lites Inc., are excited to have 5 outstanding young men participating in the 2022- 2023 Beautillion Program. The Knights are Jermaine Moreno and Jordan Evans from Grand Terrace High School Senior, K’Miles Davis of Rialto High School, Shannon Williams of Mojave High School & Davion Boyd-Phenix of Arlington High School.

These Knights are in full swing with many dynamic speakers. To date we have had several special guests, starting with:

• Edward Brantley, Student Outreach Coordinator for the PAL Center & Lead Instructor for the San Bern. County’s Probation Depts. Independent Living Program opened our season with a well-received spirited talk about Self-Confidence and How to Bring You’re A-Game into your Life.
• Michael Davis, newly retired 25-year School Administrator who worked across Southern and Bay Area California covered the proper attire for Dressing for Success for any occasion from head to toes.
• Tina Darling, BN MSN Educator and Asst. Director of American Career College discussed all avenues of health and the awareness of STD’s.
• Pastor Reginald L Woods, PhD, Pastor of Life Changing Ministries and former Sir Knight 1976, spoke to the entire units (Squires, Fair Maidens and Pages) about all aspects of life and how to attract positive relationships & how to recognize them at an early age.

• Chief Joseph Paulino, for the S.B.U.S.D. talked to our youth about life and how to think outside the box and now is the time to start your focus.
• Zuriah McKnight – Police Officer of Valverde S.D. and Owner of District Charter Patrol talked to the men about entrepreneurship and how to seize the moment reminding the Knights “if you want something don’t waste time and get it.”
• Fire Chief David Reddix for the City of L.A. City Fire Department shared his journey as an African American male and the challenges of growing to the top rank of Chief as well as the career paths available.
• Charles Brown, former Sir Knight 1989 and member Dar’rell Jones both of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Mu Xi Lambda Chapter along with Social Lites, Inc. member Twillea Evans-Carthen of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Nu Omega Chapter presented information on the upcoming 35^th Annual Oratorical Contest and encouraged each of them to participate for scholarships.
• Anthony Roberson, Associate Director of Operations at California State University, San Bernardino and former Knight of 1995 – talked about his past participation of being a “Knight” in the program and how it helped him with his future life experiences. He also shared with the young men the importance of being an African American man today.

Just this past weekend we accompanied the Knights to the L.A. Black College Expo where they were able to meet Admission Counselors from the majority of our historically Black Colleges from around the United States. We were thrilled that several of our Knights walked away with partial scholarships that day!

The Beautillion Program, now it its 56^th year, it’s designed to help young men who are seniors in high school prepare for college through the solicitation of ads, leadership development, accountability, responsibility, etiquette, attire for all occasions, spiritual growth, public speaking, and community service. At the conclusion of the program one young man will be recognized “Sir Knight.”

The Beautillion program will conclude on April 1, 2023 at California State University, San Bernardino. To date, we have given out approximately 2.5 million dollars in scholarships to our college bound young men.  For more information, please contact Sheri Lewis (909) 320-0799, Elsie Paulino (951)205-8823 or Marlene Davis (909) 709-5502.

LOS ANGELES, CA—- Afro Unicorn®, a fully-licensed character brand founded by trailblazing African American businesswoman April Showers, begins 2023 with a breakthrough year for creativity and authentic representation. Shattering the glass ceiling, Ms. Showers is the first Black woman to own a fully licensed character brand in major retail.

In 2022, Afro Unicorn hit the shelves of 3,800 Walmart stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico with party supplies and apparel. For the holidays, Afro Unicorn launched a new gift-giving tradition with its Magic Afro Unicorn gift box, encouraging acts of kindness. The conscious brand also debuted an original EP featuring Grammy Award Winning Anthony Hamilton, Lara D, Brooklyn Marie, and executive produced by producer Askia Fountain, Afro Unicorn’s GM.

2023 promises to be a Jordan Year for Afro Unicorn with a major presence at seven of the world’s top retail stores, including Walmart, Target, HomeGoods, Kohls, JCPenney, Amazon, and NovaKids. Afro Unicorn will also launch at Walmart Canada this February. The brand will skyrocket onto the scene with 25+ categories, from apparel and accessories to toys, puzzles, books, bedding, bandages, backpacks, collectibles, and more. With 45+ licensee partners worldwide, Afro Unicorn is the “blueprint” to empower and inspire entrepreneurs to enter the licensing space.

Ms. Showers says: “Afro Unicorn signifies two ideas: firstly, empowering and elevating emerging entrepreneurs. Secondly, it’s an homage to Africa and a promise to amplify representation. We deliver a product that feels ‘true and right’ and normalizes Black beauty. By doing so, Afro Unicorn uplifts women and children of color with the confidence they need to embrace who they are – unique, divine, and magical.”

Building the brand from the ground up, Afro Unicorn started in the e-commerce industry in 2019. Back then, it was an organic, grassroots brand, and Ms. Showers was pressing shirts and selling them through her eCommerce store, adding logos to T-shirts and bags at her customers’ request. Afro Unicorn burst onto the scene as a brand in August 2021 after a video of a little girl wearing an Afro Unicorn shirt went viral. Then, Ms. Showers received an email from Walmart with the subject title “Afro Unicorn x Walmart” collaboration, marking her start with Walmart as one of the first Black Women to enter the party supplies/celebration category with Afro Unicorn gaining prime shelf placement next to Marvel characters and Disney princesses.

Children will soon be able to live and play in a world of Afro Unicorn with plushies, collectibles, games, puzzles, books, playsets, ride-ons, outdoor play, and live animation in the works. A new line of original Afro Unicorn® books under the Random House Books for Young Readers imprint will be released widely in Fall 2023 featuring three Afro Unicorn characters by name across all Afro Unicorn® products.

About Afro Unicorn®

Afro Unicorn® is a fully licensed character celebrating representation founded by visionary entrepreneur and CEO April Showers as a conscious brand with the mission to positively uplift and impact women and children of color. Afro Unicorn® represents the beauty and uniqueness of vanilla, caramel, and mocha complexions. From clothing and accessories to holiday gifting and educational resources, Afro Unicorn provides women and children with the confidence they need to embrace who they are – unique, divine, and magical. When a video of a kid influencer wearing an Afro Unicorn® t-shirt went viral, Walmart reached out to Ms. Showers about a collaboration. Recently, ABC News Good Morning America 3: What You Need To Know and CBS Mornings did segments on Afro Unicorn™. She created the character @afrounicorn_official (IG Account) to remind women and kids of color how unique and magical they are. Oprah Daily, Viola Davis, Sherri Shepherd, Alicia Keys, and Tina Knowles are all early believers. Ms. Showers hopes her success is the “blueprint” to empower and inspire women of color to enter the licensing space with 45 + licensee partners worldwide.

Shattering the glass ceiling, Ms. Showers is the first Black woman to own a fully licensed character brand in major retail. In 2022, Afro Unicorn® hit the shelves of 3,800 Walmart stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico with party supplies and apparel. To learn more about Afro Unicorn™ and how you can become part of this inspiring community, please visit www.afrounicorn.com or follow the brand on Instagram and Facebook.

YUCAIPA, CA—- Construction is underway on Crafton Hills College’s (CHC) voter-approved and funded Public Safety Training Center, following a groundbreaking ceremony on January 20 in front of a crowd of more than 150.

Upon completion, the $9.5 million facility will house CHC’s Fire Academy and public safety programs and further elevate CHC’s reputation as one of the premier public safety colleges in the nation. The Public Safety Training Center was made possible thanks to the vision of current and former CHC leaders and funding from 2018’s Measure CC, approved by voters to fund campus upgrades at both CHC and its sister college, San Bernardino Valley College.

Consistent community support has been the cornerstone of the public safety programs’ successes. Neighboring agencies, like the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and its fire department, have partnered with CHC to provide necessary tools of the trade, such as fire engines, equipment and training while supporting students’ growth with scholarships.

During the groundbreaking, Tribal leaders presented a check for a $1.8 million grant that will cover student out-of-pocket expenses associated with the program. The need for a steady income and secure housing is an obstacle for many who wish to study public safety fields, said Ed Duro, San Manuel Business Committee member-at-large.

“San Manuel believes that those with their heart [set] to serve others should be able to, especially if they come from historically underrepresented communities,” said Duro, a CHC alumnus, as Tribal leaders presented the gift during the event. “This is why I am proud to announce our investment to offer direct support to students, enabling them to devote themselves to the program. It is a priority for the Tribe to advance these opportunities for everyone regardless of background.”

“This project has been a decade in the making and serves as the best example of what happens when a community comes together for a common goal,” said CHC President Dr. Kevin Horan.

Dr. Stephanie Houston, chair of the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees and a CHC alumna, called the new facility “near and dear” to her heart. As a parent of a first responder, Houston said the Public Safety Training Center brings her a sense of relief because “at that end of the day, [first responder graduates] are going to rely on their training, and their training all started here,” she said.

“So, as we look at our cadets, this next generation of students who are going to be coming through this amazing facility that we are building, [we will know that] it’s to ensure that parents, siblings, spouses and children of our first responders can sleep at night,” Houston said during the ceremony. “Because they can rely on that training we provide [to their loved ones]. This is an amazing opportunity for all of us.”

The Academy—including other first responder-related training programs, such as those for paramedics and respiratory care— has undergone a series of upgrades since its inception in 1982. CHC’s Fire Academy originally operated from an old automotive shop on campus that was transformed into a training space.

Horan concluded the ceremony by thanking the community and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for their legacy of support.

“San Manuel’s generosity in the direct support of fire cadets enables us to continue to build a capable, highly qualified and diverse first responder workforce that will serve our region for decades.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Omnitrans CEO/General Manager Erin Rogers has been named “Woman of the Year” by the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) –Inland Empire chapter.

“It is an honor to be acknowledged for my work in the industry I have dedicated my career to and have Omnitrans recognized for the strategic and important work the agency is doing,” said Rogers.

“I am proud of Omnitrans’ initiatives to connect our community, and of our team.”

Rogers was nominated and selected by WTS member voting for her leadership in transit service innovation and effectiveness, and her development of women in key roles. Omnitrans’ senior leadership team is 50 percent female, including the agency’s first female director of maintenance. The agency also partners with WTS on events such Classroom to Career days to expose students to professional possibilities in the industry and build the next generation of transit leaders.

WTS’s mission is to attract, sustain, connect, and advance women’s careers to strengthen the transportation industry. “[Rogers] is inspirational,” said WTS Inland Empire Chapter President Stephanie Blanco.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- With a recently approved Homeless Action Plan in place and a commitment to spend over $20 million on a solution, San Bernardino leaders on February 1st will discuss declaring a Homeless State of Emergency. San Bernardino would join Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Los Angeles County in declaring such an emergency.

“We want to make it clear to our residents that addressing homelessness is San Bernardino’s priority number one,” said Mayor Helen Tran. “We must focus our efforts, implement our plan, and demand nothing less than better results.”

By declaring a homeless emergency, the San Bernardino can set policies to accelerate the implementation of its recently approved Homeless Action Plan. In addition, the city will be setting up a Homeless Task Force, made up of City leaders, department heads, service providers and advocates that will meet regularly to monitor the Action Plan’s progress.

At a Council workshop in November, City staff presented a comprehensive Homeless Action Plan that detailed multiple initiatives to enhance what is called the continuum of care, which includes prevention, outreach, emergency shelters, drug and mental health care, transitional housing, and affordable housing. Last month, the Council approved spending over $20 million it received from the American Rescue Plan Act to fund the Plan.

The Action Plan includes spending $12.4 million to construct a homeless navigation center. The navigation center would operate as a centralized point of individualized supportive services, including case management, housing assistance, mailbox services, job placement, substance abuse recovery, and health services. The facility would also include up to 100 short term housing units, possibly in the form of prefabricated “tiny homes.” With additional funding, the navigation center could be expanded to up to 200 units.

The City has also budgeted $1.5 million to create a homeless outreach team. Outreach team members will regularly engage with San Bernardino homeless to build trust and provide resources in the field. In most cases, it takes multiple contacts, sometimes dozens, before a homeless individual is willing to consider accepting assistance. In addition to the outreach, the city is considering purchasing a homeless management information system that can network outreach staff with City’s partners so an inventory of available beds, service appointments, and other resources are available in real time.

San Bernardino will partner with San Bernardino Valley Community College (SBVCC) and Lutheran Social Services to develop new housing projects. The SBVCC project, at a cost to the City of $900,000 will be located near the campus and house up to 60 students who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The Lutheran Social Services, at a cost of $5 million, will consist of up to 200 units and provide additional services to its residents.

The Council also approved adding twelve additional staff in the Public Works Department to significantly increase city wide cleanups, including homeless encampments, and $150,000 for a mobile shower and laundry.

With homelessness a problem throughout California, the city will be seeking additional funding to fully implement the Homeless Action Plan through grants and programs recently launched by the State, as well as continuing to work with non-profits, health care providers, and the County.

“A solution will take the skills and resources of many partners,” said Tran. “Our emergency declaration makes it clear that San Bernardino, its leadership, its staff, and its residents, are beyond our limit for what we are willing to accept. We are committed to addressing homelessness.”