What it do with Lue

YUCAIPA, CA— For Lauren Valdez, Crafton Hills College was the perfect place for her to make connections and discover opportunities. About two years ago, the now 18-year-old Redlands resident made the choice to take the California Proficiency Exam and start her college career at the Yucaipa-based college.

“I was going to Redlands High School and just felt it wasn’t the best choice for me,” said the youngest member of the Class of 2022. “But I couldn’t go to a four-year university because I did not have the A-G requirements needed, so the plan was to do my general ed courses at Crafton and then transfer to a four-year university.”

But Valdez found more at Crafton, she said, including that sense of belonging that she did not experience while attending RHS. Crafton, she explained, “was the closest community college to me, but when I got here, I absolutely loved it here and there were so many opportunities for me.”

Those opportunities included having her first two years of college paid for through the CHC Promise Program and diverse course offerings, including Chicano studies.

“It was just balanced,” she said.

Valdez has plans to attend UCLA in the fall and hopes to receive a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in gender studies. But what she really wants to do is become a poet.

As for others who might want to follow in Valdez’s footsteps, she has some words of wisdom for you. “I think my advice would be to try it. It couldn’t hurt because it can only help you if you go for it,” she said. “If you work hard and stick with it, you’ll see the reward at the end.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Starting Saturday, August 20, San Bernardino’s westside community now has a free, monthly food distribution opportunity that runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Arroyo Valley High School. Saturday’s event is the first of three taking place through Monday at locations across the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) boundaries as part of partnerships with non-profit organizations.

For months, Chief Communications Officer Ginger Ontiveros worked hand in hand with representatives from the Pure Land Foundation to bring this much-needed distribution to a segment of the school district community not currently served by other food distributions.

“Food insecurity remains a significant challenge for our community and many of our students,” Ontiveros said. “We hope by partnering with Pure Land, our families and our students will have a new opportunity to receive healthy food once a month right in their neighborhood.”

SBCUSD currently partners with Pure Land Foundation, Tzu Chi Foundation and Loma Linda University CAPPS for regular food distributions at Pacific High School, Del Vallejo Leadership & STEAM Academy, and other locations. The Arroyo Valley High site adds both a new location and additional days to the District’s efforts to ensure our families have access to healthy food.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

At its last meeting, the California Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board (RIPAB) discussed the discrepancies in the racial profiling data reported by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD).

RIPAB co-chair Melanie P. Ochoa told her board colleagues that there is “sufficient evidence” that data concerning police stops are not being reported by LASD as required by Assembly Bill (AB) 953.

Ochoa said that “over 50,000 self-initiated stops” were “not captured as Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) data.” Deputies “failed to report over 18,000 consent searches,” and “over 25,000” or 37% of backseat detentions were not filed.

“It’s a big deal,” said Ochoa, a staff attorney for Criminal Justice and Police Practices at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California. “The overall trends may be accurate but it’s really scary how much certain communities are impacted by this.”

The Los Angeles County Office of the Inspector General (OIG) confirmed data was missing in its June 10 Underreporting of Civilian Stop Data to the California Attorney General report.

OIG reported that LASD’s Sheriff’s Automated Contact Reporting System (SACR) which supplies data to RIPA and its Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD) which tracks patrol-related contacts run independently and do not communicate information.

The SACR system underreported observation-based stops by at least 50,731 entries and underreported reasonable-suspicion stops by 8,625 entries. Reasonable suspicion stops are made by deputies when they suspect a person is engaging in criminal activity.

RIPAB learned about the LASD missing information about 6 months after it released its fifth annual report that found Blacks or African Americans were searched 2.4 times more than Whites in 2020.

Information from agencies reporting data showed law enforcement officers used force against Blacks 2.6 times more than White people.

Board member Lawanda Hawkins, founder of Justice for Murdered Children (JMC) said, “I am concerned that the data received from the biggest (law enforcement) agency in the state is inaccurate. It makes you question all of it. If they are not giving us all the stops…. there’s a problem. And what is the repercussion if they don’t do it?”

AB 953, the Racial and Identity Profiling Act of 2015, requires California law enforcement agencies to report data to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on all vehicle and pedestrian stops, and citizen complaints alleging racial and identity profiling. AB 953 was authored by Assemblywoman Dr. Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), currently the Secretary of State.

On July 1, 2018, the eight largest law enforcement agencies, began collecting stop data and reporting the information to DOJ. According to Attorney General Rob Bonta California is now one of the leaders in the country in collecting and analyzing police traffic stops.

“To date, the state has provided the public with an in-depth look into nearly 9 million police stops. This information is critical and these annual reports continue to provide a blueprint for strengthening policing that is grounded in the data and the facts,” Bonta said.

RIPAB is a diverse group of 19 members representing the public, law enforcement, and educators. Their charge is to eliminate racial and identity profiling, and improve diversity and racial and identity sensitivity in law enforcement.

Ochoa said the missing RIPA data could have a “significant” effect on people’s lives in terms of litigation, policy change, and potential intervention programs, and implementation of Assembly Bill (AB) 2542, the California Racial Justice Act (CRJA).

CRJA prohibits the state from seeking or obtaining a criminal conviction, or from imposing a sentence, based upon race, ethnicity, or national origin.

“There should be an acknowledgment of missing data and the direction this missing data is probably (going). It’s just not randomly missing. It’s just missing in a way to suggest that there are more certain things happening than being reported,” Ochoa said.

Bill Ayub, Ventura County Sheriff and the California State Sheriff’s Association representative on the Board said there could be many reasons why the absent information was not entered as RIPA data.

The report shows that in December 2020 LASD was aware of issues with SACR system data and assured OIG that “steps would be taken” to prevent misreporting of stop data to the DOJ.

But a year later, LASD “conceded” that the department was not “in compliance with RIPA requirements” due to the system being outdated. The CAD system was implemented in the 1980s and is running on hardware and software that are no longer supported by the manufacturer.

Ayub warned that there should be “a word of caution” when considering the data.

“If you look at arrests by my agency you would see far fewer RIPA entries for arrests than arrests that actually occur. Court-ordered remands, warrants that appear for people that are already in custody, and in-custody incidents that result in arrest are all incidents that would not trigger RIPA reporting,” Ayub told the Board.

RIPAB’s latest report analyzes millions of vehicles and pedestrian stops conducted Between Jan. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020, by 18 law enforcement agencies. All state and local law enforcement agencies will be required to report stop data to the California DOJ by April 1, 2023.

About 40 million people live in California, according data from the state’s Department of Finance. 2.25 million African Americans live in the state (about 6.5%).

Reporting agencies made over 2.9 million stops during the stop data collection period, with the California Highway Patrol conducting the most stops of any single agency (57.7%). Law enforcement officers searched 18,777 more people perceived as Black than those perceived as White

The law enforcement agencies reporting 2020 RIPA data were the Police Departments serving Bakersfield, Davis, Fresno, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Unified School District, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose; the Sheriff’s Departments of Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, Sacramento County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County; and the California Highway Patrol.

LASD is the largest sheriff’s department in the world with nearly 10,000 deputies serving almost 10 million people. San Francisco has a population of 888,305 with 2,140 sworn officers and San Diego has 1,415 residents and 1,887 sworn officers.

SACRAMENTO, CA— Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills) announced that he has selected Cafe Aficionado, a family-owned coffee shop in Northridge, as the Small Business of the Year for California Small Business Day 2022.

“Small businesses are the backbone of communities across California, and Cafe Aficionado is the perfect example of why these establishments are so valued,” said Assemblymember Gabriel. “I’m proud to be honoring such an incredible small business that does so much to enrich the lives of those in the West Valley, both through its delicious food and coffee, and even more so through its commitment to serving our community.”

After Reggie Cua returned from service in the United States Coast Guard, he and his wife, Abby, opened Cafe Aficionado in 2018 with a vision to bring coffee culture to the San Fernando Valley and to create a space that all members of the community could enjoy. The cafe frequently hosts trivia nights, meetings for local non-profits, speed dating events, art shows, fundraisers—anything that makes the cafe “feel like home,” as Abby and Reggie have stated.

One date in September, leading to one year of service for one Mr. Cardinal City winner and one Miss Cardinal City winner to represent San Bernardino High School (SBHS).

It may seem like Mr. and Miss Cardinal City are just about pageant night, but that is far from the truth. The September 24, 2022, pageant will be preceded by many days of preparation. The Mr. Cardinal and Miss Cardinal contestants will spend days practicing their opening number and hundreds if not thousands of hours performing community service before the big night. And although only one Mr. Cardinal City and one Miss Cardinal City will be crowned, they will each have a court to help them fulfill their duties.

The Mr. and Miss Cardinal City pageant is the brainchild of Jaime Rios, who wanted to bring positive attention to both SBHS, where he has worked for more than 20 years, and the entire San Bernardino community. He also wanted to empower the young men and women of Cardinal City, named for the school’s mascot. That is why the focus of the entire process is on academics, social skills, and community service.

“I am looking forward to attending the pageant to see the impact it makes on our student participants,” said newly appointed SBHS Principal Anna Sosa. “When I was a teacher, it was wonderful to see some of my students find their voice, build their confidence, and experience the value of giving back to the community.”

The school is asking local businesses and individuals to help make the pageant and the reign of both Mr. and Miss Cardinal City a success by donating time and resources. Any donations are welcome, from cash to bottles of water. To become a sponsor, contact pageant director and bilingual school outreach worker Jaime Rios at (909) 881-8217.

The pageant is set for Saturday, September 24, 2022, at 6 p.m. at Sturges Center for the Fine Arts, 780 North E Street in San Bernardino.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

A lawsuit filed by the California-Hawaii NAACP Conference on August 2 to remove an election ballot opposition statement to Proposition 26 attributed to a Los Angeles NAACP branch member has been settled.

The statement will be stricken from ballot materials.

The civil rights organization found the statement “false and/or misleading” because it supports Prop 26. Also, according to NAACP bylaws, a local branch is prohibited from taking positions opposite that of the state group.

The statement against Proposition 26 found on the Secretary of State’s website reads as follows:

“We oppose Prop 26 to protect young people from developing lifelong gambling addictions that often lead to ruined finances, relationships, even homelessness and crime.” Minnie Hadley-Hempstead, Retired teacher, and President Emeritus of the Los Angeles NAACP Branch

The lawsuit named Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber as the defendant because removing the quote from ballot materials, requires a court ruling.

A declaration statement made by Hadley-Hempstead for the lawsuit describes how she was misled by the No on Prop 26 Campaign.

The lawsuit also points out that the position ‘President Emeritus’ does not exist within the NAACP, and the only branch that can clear use of the trademarked term NAACP in support or opposition of any legislation is the state branch of the organization. It also claims the use of the term ‘We’ creates the belief that the NAACP supports a NO vote, which it did not.

“We’re glad the card room casino operators did the right thing and removed the deceptive and inappropriate quote from their “No on 26” ballot arguments,” said Rick Callender, President of the California-Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP. “Despite the California-Hawaii NAACP’s strong support for Prop 26, opponents tried to deceive voters into thinking the opposite. Thankfully, voters will not be provided this false and misleading quote in the official voter guide sent to every voter.”

Prop 26, the in-person Tribal Sports Wagering Act would authorize in-person sports wagering at existing tribal casinos. All bets must be placed in-person at a tribal casino with safeguards in place to prevent underage and illegal gambling.

Proponents of the proposition believe it will help create jobs and economic opportunities that support Indian self-reliance, while benefiting all Californians, generating new revenues for public schools, wildfire prevention and other state priorities.

Opponents of the proposition believe it will force local cardrooms out of business and, in turn, cause the state to lose tax revenue.

A statement from the “No on 26” Campaign, respectfully adheres to the wishes of Hadley Hempstead while standing behind the ballot initiative.

“Californians from across the state have been clear with their objections to Prop 26 which includes a poison pill that will unfairly harm communities of color. We appreciate and respect Ms. Hadley-Hempstead and will honor her wishes to remove her previously approved quote from the ballot statement,” it read.

Also named in the NAACP lawsuit, was Jay King, President of the California Black Chamber of Commerce. He told California Black Media opposition to Prop 26 is justified saying, “With the tribes, they want to oversee what cardrooms do and want to legislate cardrooms. We have a body to do that already. I stand on the opposite side of the NAACP statewide and that’s ok.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Support the San Bernardino County Library through the Friends of the Library as they offer a BUY ONE GET ONE BOOK SALE event. All proceeds made from the sale will be used to fund special events, materials, and programs at the library branches.

From August 22nd-28th, buy one book and receive a second book of equal or lesser value 50% off at the following branches:

• Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Branch Library, 14901 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley | (760) 247-2022
• Barstow Branch Library, 304 East Buena Vista, Barstow | (760) 256-4853
• James S. Thalman Chino Hills Branch Library, 13180 Central Avenue, Chino Hills | (909) 590-5380
• Crestline Branch Library, 24105 Lake Gregory Drive, Crestline | (909) 338-3294
• Fontana Lewis Library and Technology Center, 8437 Sierra Avenue, Fontana | (909) 574-4500
• Hesperia Branch Library, 9650 7^th Avenue, Hesperia | (760) 552-6050
• Joshua Tree Branch Library, 6465 Park Blvd., Joshua Tree | (760) 366-1430
• Lake Arrowhead Branch Library, 27235 Highway 189, Blue Jay | (909) 337-3118
• Phelan Memorial Library, 9800 Clovis Road, Phelan | (760) 868-3053
• Rialto Branch Library, 251 West 1^st Street, Rialto | (909) 356-2570
• Yucaipa Branch Library, 12040 5^th Street, Yucaipa | (909) 790-3146
• Yucca Valley Branch Library, 57271 29 Palms Highway, Yucca Valley | (760) 228-3244

In support of the Countywide Vision’s Vision2Read literacy campaign, this program will help to improve literacy among children, by inspiring an excitement to read, providing a variety of reading materials, and a special incentive.

The San Bernardino County Library System is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serve a diverse population over a vast geographic area. The County library system strives to provide equal access to information, technology, programs, and services for all people who call San Bernardino County home.

The library plays a key role in the achievement of the Countywide Vision, by contributing to educational, cultural, and historical development of our County community.

For more information on the San Bernardino County Library system, please visit http://www.sbclib/org/ or call (909) 387-2220.

SAN BERNARDINO — Three schools in San Bernardino County were awarded Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Teacher Advocacy Awards.

“I applaud the three AVID school site teams that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in serving our students, their schools and communities,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “They are making an incredible impact on the lives of students to ensure success throughout their educational journey.”

The AVID College Readiness System assists first-generation college-bound students and aims to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and beyond.

The Teacher Advocacy Award recognizes and supports outstanding California AVID teachers and site teams each year. This awards program encourages the implementation of AVID schoolwide and allows for sharing of best practices and professional learning by awardees. Each site is awarded $10,000 to be used to further AVID implementation at their schools.

The three schools awarded a 2022 AVID Teacher Advocacy Award are:

• Piñon Hills Elementary, Snowline Joint Unified School District
  • Site team members include Dr. Shannon Avery, Georgina Coonce, Angela Stepp, Nicole Lain and Diane Johnston.
• Vernon Middle School, Ontario-Montclair School District
  • Site team members include Kim Tovar, I-Esha Scott, Bradley Diamond, Kristen Schneyer, Gilbert Correa, Michelle Araneta, Belinda Chicon-Brown and Regina Kranzer.
• Sequoia Middle School, Fontana Unified School District
  • Site team members include Christine Clark, Lisa Hayes, Antonio Viramontes, Ryan Murphy and Tammy Devries.

The sites were nominated by their district director at Riverside, Inyo, Mono, San Bernardino (RIMS) AVID.

Each of these three sites has been a model for the RIMS AVID region. They were showcased to visitors from other area sites and used for trainings.

At the elementary level, AVID includes implementing schoolwide strategies where all students are deliberately taught the structures to help them continue to be successful throughout their school experience.

At the secondary level, AVID students are enrolled in an AVID elective class where they are given support to navigate their most rigorous classes as well as access to AVID schoolwide strategies for all teachers and students to utilize.

Both utilize a collection of instructional strategies associated with the AVID College Readiness System to teach students skills in the areas of writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading (WICOR).

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

By Lou Yeboah

Tricked, backstabbed, [hoodwinked, bamboozled, lead astray, run amok and flat out deceived ? Malcom X] believing, the lies of Satan. Jesus clearly revealed Satan’s intentions: He said in, [John 10:10] “The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy.” Satan’s ultimate goal is to promote death and destruction, as the Bible makes clear. I tell you; you’ve been had, tricked, and backstabbed. The devil was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. [John 8:44].

Be sober [watch], be vigilant [stay awake]; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour [1 Peter 5:8]. The devil is active and working to take hold over your entire life. His ultimate goal is to steal you away from God, through lies, distorting your view of God, and appealing to your fleshly desires. And so far, he has done well, got you believing that you can continue on the destruction path that you are on without any consequences. The devil is a liar! You better repent before it is too late! Cause living in sin means playing a game that you cannot win. And sooner or later, sin’s consequences will catch up with you [Leviticus 20 and Deuteronomy 22].

I tell you; you’ve been had, tricked, and backstabbed, just like Adam and Eve in the garden [Genesis 2:16-17]. The devil showed up in the garden and deceived man into eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God told Adam that he could not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because he would surely die if he had done so. Yet Satan came along and whispered in Eve’s ear that they would not die if they ate from the tree, and that they would be like God, knowing good and evil [Genesis 3:2-5]. Believing the lies of the devil, Adam and Eve ate from the tree and from that, both sin and death entered into the world. Don’t let his lies deceive you into compromising your obedience to God. You have an enemy. His number one weapon against you is a lie, and if you believe that lie, your onward progress will stop with God.

You see, the Bible describes Satan as the prince of this world who opposes God and lies to you, to appeal to the appetites of your flesh. “I don’t want you to be ignorant of his devices.” He’s a schemer. [2 Corinthians 2:11]. Scripture tells us that those who end up falling for the devil’s tricks, and are fully convinced to follow him, that God will give them over to a debased mind [Romans 1:28] and that they will be condemned because they did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness [2 Thessalonians 2:11-12]. I tell you, you’ve been had, tricked, backstabbed, “hoodwinked, bamboozled, lead astray, run amok and flat out deceived.”

It’s time to wake up! Do not give place to the devil [Ephesians 4:27]. Resist him and he will flee [James 4:7]. Learn to recognize the devil’s lies, reject those lies and replace them with the Truth of God’s Word. Only then can you live the way you were meant to live. The devil had your past, but he shall not have your future! Declare war on him –Make up your mind that you are going to resist him. Become indignant about the damage he has done in your life and the lives of those you love. Determine you are going to do everything to keep him from invading your life anymore. Verbally declare that he has no place in your life and mean it. Arm yourself – [Ephesians 6:10-17 – 2 Corinthians 10:4-5], and FIGHT! [1 Timothy 6:12] God has authorized you to stand against the enemy. [Ephesians 6:10-18]. Go to battle because your life depends on it!

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. [Revelation 20:10].