blackvoicenews.com

SAN BERNARDINO

By Black Voice Staff Report

Hundreds remembered Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  as San Bernardino, Fontana and Rialto as King Week activities took off.

Councilman Rikke Van Johnson, Supervisor Gloria Negrete McLeod, Assemblymember Joe Baca, Assembly member Wilmer Amina Carter, Pastor Raymond Turner, Supervisor Josie Gonzalez, and Cheryl Brown congratulate Hardy Brown (seated).

Starting on Friday at Cal State University the Black Faculty and Staff held a special luncheon, Building Bridges: Keeping the Dream Alive. The guest speaker was Charles Brown, Principal of Rio Vista Elementary School. His riveting story was about how he always wanted to be a principal and how he used King's principles to shape his life, "I am learning about being a servant, I feel comfortable serving others," he said. Brown said that he wants to provide support to his teachers, parents and staff. CSUSB Black Faculty President Kathy Ervin said she was pleased with the attendance. Most of the elected officials were represented and President Dr. Karnig,  was on hand to celebrate Dr. King's memory.

Saturday in Fontana Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, AME  9th Episcopal District, Birmingham, AL  joined Dr. Isaiah Jones, author of "God Has Smiled On Me", and the Los Angeles Chapter of the Gospel Music Worship of America at New Ephesians New Testament Church. Pastor Emory James was proud that the community-wide event was celebrating 20 years.  Joining them were local ministers.

l-r: Councilman Rikke Van Johnson, Supervisor Josie Gonzalez, Mayor Patrick Morris, Donald Nydam, Patricia Nichols, Assembly member Wilmer Amina Carter, Congressman Joseph Baca and Cheryl Brown.

Bishop Kirkland also spoke again on Sunday at Allen Chapel AME in Riverside.

The Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches held the 28th Prayer Breakfast at the Inghram Community Center.

Arriving long before 7 a.m. were many of the nearly 400 community citizens who wanted to attend the 28th Annual Prayer Breakfast. This year's speaker was Rev. Larry Campbell, the pastor of St. Paul AME Church. Awards were presented to Hardy Brown, who received the Gertrude Whetzel Award, presented by Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter, Dr. Dorothy Inghram received the Trail Blazer award, presented by Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod, Ray Culberson received the Beyond the Boundaries Award, (for his work with youth in the San Bernardino School District) For Public Service, the DA's office was recognized, Mike Camber, Public Defender's office, Karen Bell and  Mike Martinez, District Attorney's office, (Community Plea and Expungement  program) Don Nydam Philanthropist, (president of the community's only Christian College)  Patricia Nickols, head of the Community Action Partnership for her work on homelessness, and working with the poor; and the Sacrificial Giver award was presented by Rev. Raymond Turner to young Jon Nae Overstreet. Jon Nae  attended the breakfast last year and decided she wanted to help so all year she donated her ice cream money.

l-r: Councilman Rikke Van Johnson, Cheryl Brown, Mayor Patrick Morris, Supervisor Josie Gonzalez, Patricia Nichols, Assembly member Wilmer Amina Carter, and Congressman Joseph Baca

Rev. Campbell preached about the importance of staying in the community and making it a better place. He noted problems in San Bernardino that seemed insurmountable but that we should not give up hope.

Wallace Allen, publisher of Westside Story served as the emcee. There was a  performance by New Hope Baptist Praise Dancers led by Rev. Bronica Martindale.

Sponsors included: Stater Bros, Market, Mr. Jack Brown, Supervisor Josie Gonzales, Assemblywoman Amina Carter, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. Robert Fairley and Cathedral of Praise, Bishop Craig Johnson.