theBlack Rose Awards honors of the unsung heroes who have worked diligently to improve the lives of others throughout the Inland Empire, in 2011 The Black Cultural Foundation awarded Black Rose Awards to the following award community advocates: (back row left to right) Juanita Dawson, James Butts, Jimmie Brown, Herb English Jr., John Futch, Mark Campbell, Vicki Lee, Carl Dameron, Timothy Evans from The Unforgettables Foundation, Dr. Queen Hamilton, (left to right front row) Geraldine Reaves, Jennifer Vaughn-Blakely and Dr. Harold Cebrun. Photo by Chris Sloan.
San Bernardino, Calif. In 1926 Carter G. Woodson founded the first Black History Week, selecting the second week of February to commemorate the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, whose birthdays were the 12th and 14th, respectively. In the 1940s, efforts began to expand the week to a month, with West Virginia Blacks inaugurating the change.
Black History Month
Known then as Negro History Month, the expanded commemoration began to spread and by the mid-1960s had taken root in Chicago, where cultural activist Frederick H. Hammaurabi, who founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, made the change. Later in that decade, young Black college students all over the country (starting with Kent State in Ohio in February of 1969), who were becoming more politically conscious and active, began changing the name to Black History Month.
In 1974 then-President Gerald Ford met with civil rights leaders Vernon Jordan, Bayard Rustin, Dorothy Height, and Jesse Jackson and two years later made the celebration of Black History Month official. As he said at the time, “…we can seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
As the Association for the Study of African American Life and History notes on its website about the adoption of Black History Month, “Since the mid-1970s, every American president, Democrat, and Republican, has issued proclamations endorsing the Association’s annual theme.”
Black Rose Awards
The Black Rose Awards are a complement to Black History Month. The awards are sponsored by the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1968 by a small group of people who were concerned that, “…nationwide, our school systems have not yet incorporated Black history studies into regular school curriculums. Thus, all students miss the opportunity to learn more about a vital part of this country’s history.”
The Foundation’s purpose “…is to foster an interest and a greater understanding of African-American culture, to heighten community awareness of the accomplishments of Black people, past and present, and to plan, coordinate and direct an annual Black History Month parade and related cultural activities…[and] bridge the gaps that exist across cultural lines by bringing the local community together to celebrate this event in the spirit of unity and brotherhood.”
The Black Rose Awards are the Foundation’s showcase cultural event. The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation’s 30th Black Rose Award Winners will be recognized at the annual banquet on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the California State University, San Bernardino, Santos Manuel Student Union 5500 University Parkway.
Arlington Rodgers, President of the Foundation, said, “We are enthusiastically looking forward to this year’s Black History Month activities as we extend the hand of friendship and understanding to all ethnic groups throughout the Inland Empire.”
The Black Rose Awardees for 2023 are: Dr. Juanita H. Scott Humanitarian of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year to Rose Mayes, Executive Director Fair Housing Council of Riverside County; Black Rose Recipients are: Linda Wright, Moreno Valley Black Chamber of Commerce; Gloria Macias Harrison, President Emeritus, Crafton Hills College, San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees; Deborah Robertson, Mayor of Rialto, Founder of The Women’s Conference; and the Jim King’s Black Rose Corporate Founder’s Award from Dignity Health—Community Hospital of San Bernardino: Administrators June Collison, President, Roz Nolan, Chief Nurse Executive Officer and Staff Dr. Ruby Skinner.
Liyah Bevins – 18, is a psychology major at California Baptist University in Riverside
Prince Ogidikpe District Representative for Eloise Gomez Reyes, the California Assembly’s Majority Leader, representing the 47th Assembly District
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation has announced the winners for its 30th Annual Black Rose Awards in the Margaret Hills Black Rose Inspiration Young Adults category. They are Liyah Bevins and Prince Ogidikpe.
They will be honored at the Foundation’s annual banquet on February 4, 2023, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the California State University, San Bernardino, Santos Manuel Student Union, 5500 University Parkway.
“The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, founded in 1986 to honor and share the richness of our Black heritage, to recognize world diversity and inspire our youth/adults toward leadership, providing scholarships and career opportunities,” said Foundation President Arlington Rodgers.
The Black Culture Foundation’s mission is to bridge cultural differences across generations through nurturing, educating, and building lasting, respectable, and encouraging communities.
Bios:
Liyah Bevins
Ms. Bevins, 18, is a psychology major at California Baptist University in Riverside. She hopes to combine her passions for teaching and psychology by being a teacher to parents of children with mental health issues. She aims to help them understand what their child is going through and how to help. “I aspire to be someone’s light when they are in a dark place.” She is a member of the Unspeakable Praise Dance Ministry, working to create family bonds in her community ad church. She returned to her high school alma mater to help create a positive environment for students struggling mentally as a member of the school’s Wellness Team.
Prince Ogidikpe
Prince earned a bachelor’s degree in biological psychology with a minor in communications at Cal State San Bernardino. A native of Bayelsa State in Nigeria, he moved to the United States in 2010. At CSUSB he was elected to serve terms as the Associated Students’ Executive Vice President and President. He currently works as a District Representative for Eloise Gomez Reyes, the California Assembly’s Majority Leader, representing the 47th Assembly District.
These two outstanding young people will join 10 other awardees at the Foundation’s February 4th dinner. The other honorees are: Dr. Juanita H. Scott Humanitarian of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year to Rose Mayes, Executive Director Fair Housing Council of Riverside County; Black Rose Recipients are: Linda Wright, Moreno Valley Black Chamber of Commerce; Gloria Macias Harrison, President Emeritus, Crafton Hills College, San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees; Deborah Robertson, Mayor of Rialto, Founder of The Women’s Conference; and the Jim King’s Black Rose Corporate Founder’s Award from Dignity Health—Community Hospital of San Bernardino: Administrators June Collison, President, Roz Nolan, Chief Nurse Executive Officer and Staff Dr. Ruby Skinner.
This is the Foundation’s first event since Covid, and “our coffers are bare and in need of replenishment to continue providing scholarships,” said Committee Co-Chair Kristine Scott. Individual tickets are $75 each. For more information or to purchase tickets go to EventBright: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/30th-black-rose-awards-banquet-tickets-491089169927.
For more information please contact the event’s Co-Chairs: Kristine Scott at (909) 809-0317 or kscott@socalgas.com or Jim King at (760) 239-8200 or jimking5000@yahoo.com.
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. The 30th Black Rose Award Winners are Dr. Juanita H. Scott, San Bernardino Valley College Foundation, Humanitarian of the Year Rose Mayes -– Executive Director Fair Housing Council of Riverside County; Black Rose Winners; Linda Wright, Moreno Valley Black Chamber of Commerce; Gloria Macias Harrison, President Emeritus, Crafton Hills College, San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees; Deborah Robertson, Mayor of Rialto, Founder of The Women’s Conference; and three honorees for the Black Rose Founder’s Award from San Bernardino Community Hospital: June Collison President, Roz Nolan, Chief Nurse Executive Officer, and Dr. Ruby Skinner.
The awards ceremony will also make three posthumous tributes to Black Rose Senior Kings Don Griggs, Jimmy Jews, and Jesse Nichols.
The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation’s 30th Black Rose Award Winners will be recognized at the annual banquet on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the California State University, San Bernardino, Santos Manuel Student Union 5500 University Parkway.
In remembrance of Dr. Margaret Hill, the Black Culture Foundation has renamed its Margaret Hill Community Support Award to the Dr. Margaret Hill Black Rose Young Adults Inspiration Award. This award will present scholarships to two inspirational and outstanding San Bernardino Black young adults graduating grade 12 or in college, said Black Rose Committee Co-Chair Kristine Scott.
“This year’s Award Gala is held to commemorate Rosa Parks’ birthday,” said Black Rose Committee Co-Chair Jim King.
Black Culture Foundation President Arlington Rodgers said the foundation’s mission is to bridge cultural differences across generations through nurturing, educating, and building lasting, respectable, and encouraging communities.
“The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, founded in 1986 to honor and share the richness of our Black heritage, to recognize world diversity and inspire our youth/adults toward leadership, providing scholarships and career opportunities,” said Rodgers.
“The Foundation has prided itself on giving more than 125 scholarships to community students over the years. This is our first event since Covid, and our coffers are bare and in need of replenishment to continue providing scholarships,” said Committee Co-Chair Kristine Scott.
Bios:
Dr. Juanita H. Scott Humanitarian of the Year Award:
Rose Mayes
Rose Mayes
Executive Director of the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc. since 1993. Under Rose’s leadership, the Fair Housing Council created Mission Heritage Plaza, a mixed-used project that includes the Fair Housing office, the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, and 72 units of affordable housing.
Black Rose Awards:
Linda D. Wright
Linda Wright
As an organization design specialist, Wright has successfully helped over 70 nonprofit organizations to attain their 501(c) 3 or (c) 6 nonprofit status, 80 for-profit corporations, 15 LLCs, and 10 partnerships.
The Moreno Valley Black Chamber of Commerce that Wright directed received several awards, including Chamber of the Year three times. Wright also wrote and created several community educational programs for the Foundation that including prisoner and group home re-entry training.
Deborah Robertson, Mayor of Rialto
Mayor Deborah Robertson
On November 3, 2020, the voters of the City of Rialto reaffirmed their confidence in the leadership of Mayor Deborah Robertson, reelecting her to a third four-year term as mayor. Her public service career includes over 20 years on the Rialto Council and over 45 years of public and governmental career public service.
Mayor Robertson’s visionary leadership has thrust the City of Rialto into the national spotlight as a recognized leader in the areas of public-private partnerships, industrial environmental sustainability endeavors, first-in-the-nation grant-supported partnerships of environmental efficiency projects, as well as a partnership with alternative fuel generation return to the natural gas grid, generating local revenue outcomes, more significant business development, and a skilled job creation platform.
GLORIA HARRISON
Gloria Macias Harrison
Gloria Macias Harrison has balanced two careers plus family and community activism since the early sixties. She is one of the founders of El Chicano (1969), a community weekly that provides a Chicano voice in the Inland Empire.
Her activist history includes work with the San Bernardino City Unified School District, the War on Poverty, United Farm Workers, Operation Second Chance, and Planned Parenthood.
Harrison served as President of Crafton Hills College from 2000 until her retirement in 2012. Before that, she was Vice President of Instruction at Crafton Hills College for six years and Dean of Humanities at San Bernardino Valley College for three years and taught community college students for over 20 years.
Since 2012 she has served on the San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees, currently as Chair of the Board and sits on the Budget and Legislative Committees. She serves on the Crafton Hills College Foundation and the California Housing Foundation.
Jim King Corporate (Founders) Award:
Don Griggs
Don Griggs
Griggs, who passed away in July 2020, pioneered the first Boy Scouts Camporee program for over 100 Black and Latino boys who experienced outdoor camping, learned first aid, and mastered scouting skills. The BSA awarded him its Whitney Young Award in 2015. As a Nordstrom manager, he ensured that people of color were hired and employees of all races were treated equitably and was a volunteer at Priscilla’s Helping Hands HUGS (Home Unity Growth Groups) program.
Jimmy Jews
Jimmy Jews
Jews broke the color barrier as San Bernardino’s first Black firefighter in 1971 and retired 25 years later, having risen through the ranks to hold the positions of a fire investigator, spokesperson, and finally, Captain in 1989. Jimmy passed away in November 2022, at the age of 79.
Jesse & Vicki Nichols
Jesse Nichols
Nichols was a business owner who founded Nichols Private Security and was a community activist who made time to help with Home and Neighborly Services’ weekly food distributions and serve as volunteer coordinator for the San Bernardino City Unified School District’s foster and homeless program and their Thanksgiving food distribution program. He passed in August 2021.
San Bernadino Community Hospital
San Bernardino Community Hospital Administration and Staff
Community Hospital has been serving Inland Empire residents for more than 100 years. As a not-for-profit, non-denominational hospital, its mission is building a healthier community and serving the needs of a diverse population.
June Collison
June Collison has served as the President of the Community Hospital of San Bernardino since 2012. As the leader of this 343-bed acute care hospital, she is working to meet the demands of health care reform and the challenges of the local economy.
Roz Nolan is the hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer and Dr. Ruby Skinner is the Chief Medical Officer. With Ms. Collison, both serve on the hospital’s leadership team.
For additional information please contact our Co-Chairs: Kristine Scott at (909) 809-0317, kscott@socalgas.com, or Jim King at p:(760) 239-8200, / jimking5000@yahoo.com.
San Bernardino Calif. – 30th Black Rose Award Winners are Linda Wright – Moreno Valley/Perris – Moreno Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, Business. Gloria MaciasHarrison – Yucaipa/Redlands – President Crafton Hills College Emeritus, Board of Trustees of San Bernardino Community College Board. Deborah Robertson – Mayor of Rialto, Founder of The Women’s Conference. The Founder’s Award– San Bernadino Community Hospital Administration, June Collison, President of the Hospital, (June won’t be in town to represent the administration) and Roz Nolan, Chief Nurse Executive Officer, and Dr. Ruby Skinner.
The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation’s 30th Black Rose Awards Winners receive their awards at the annual Banquet on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at The California State University in San Bernardino’s Santos Manuel Student Union.
“This year’s Award Gala is held in honor of Rosa Parks’ birthday,” said Black Rose Committee Co-Chair Jim King.
The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation is a Non-profit 501.3C organization, founded in 1986 to honor and share the richness of our Black heritage, recognize world diversity, and inspire our youth toward leadership, scholarship, and career opportunities.
President Arlington Rodgers said, the Black Culture Foundation’s mission is to bridge cultural differences for generations through nurturing, educating, and building lasting respectable and encouraging communities by adopting these goals:
Commit to the appreciation and provide an understanding of Black culture while ensuring the Foundation continues to be inclusive.
Our ultimate purpose is to foster a better understanding of the contributions that African Americans have made throughout history to the citizens of California and our nation.
Equip our youth with the knowledge of quality education, leadership skills, and the means to be “Lifelong Learners” to achieve life goals.
Recognize our community members, organizations, and businesses that go “above and beyond” the call to do great work in relation to goals 1 and 2.
Collaborate and assist with projects (the Arts, cultural diversity programs, organizations) in alignment with mission statement and goals.
“The Foundation has prided itself on the ability to give more than 125 scholarships to our community students over the years. This is our first event since Covid, and our coffers are bare and in need of replenishment to continue to provide scholarships to our students,“ said Black Rose Committee Co-Chair Kristine Scott.
In remembrance of Dr. Margaret Hill, the Black Culture Foundation has renamed the “Margaret Hill Community Support Award” to the “Dr. Margaret Hill Black Rose Youth Inspiration Award”. This award will present scholarships to two inspirational and outstanding San Bernardino Black American students graduating grade 12 or in their first or second year of college, said Scott.
Individual tickets are $75 each. For more information or to purchase tickets go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/30th-black-rose-awards-banquet-tickets-491089169927.
The Humanitarian of the Year Award winner is Tim Evans, founder of the Unforgettables Foundation.
The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation is happy to announce the 25th Annual Black Rose, Humanitarian of the Year, and Community Service Awards Banquet. The Black Rose Awards focus is to annually recognize volunteers, organizations, and individuals, regardless of their ethnicity or residency, for their lifetime achievement of doing good things for the local community.
“It is important to pay tribute to our local ‘Heroes’ and ‘Sheroes’ who work tirelessly to improve our everyday lives… Each one of our recipients have made a difference in our community and should be acknowledged for their efforts.” said Margaret Hill, Program Co-Chairperson of the Black Culture Foundation.
The Humanitarian of the Year Award winner is Tim Evans, founder of the Unforgettables Foundation. Tim has been serving African American children and families in churches and children’s hospitals across the United States as a pastor and children’s chaplain for over thirty years.
The Unforgettables Foundation was created to assist all families, many of them African Americans, who experienced hardships and lack of funeral funding. A sickle cell patient and a member of Temple Missionary Baptist Church was the first family that Tim assisted in the Inland Empire.
The Community Service Award winner is Dwaine Radden, Sr., newly appointed CEO of The PAL Center and PAL Academy High School. He revived a defunct Pop Warner football program and established the California Raiders, a minor league football team in San Bernardino. He has been a community mentor for athletes for over 22 years. This program provided an opportunity for young men ages 18-30 from different backgrounds to continue their football aspirations while giving back to a community in need of hope.
This year, the organization is presenting a Founder’s Award and the recipient is The California Gas Company. They paid for the first Miss Black San Bernardino crown and sash, provided a fundraising calendar for the organization, and paid for all the after parade volunteer luncheons for more than fifteen years, and has been a sponsor since the mid-1980’s. The Gas Company continues to provide scholarships to students in the San Bernardino area.
Carl M. Dameron Founder and Creative Director of Dameron Communications is a long time Black Rose sponsor being recognized on this silver anniversary.
Other long time sponsors being recognized on this silver anniversary are: The City of San Bernardino, Edison International, Arrowhead Credit Union, San Bernardino City Unified School District, Dameron Communications, Derrick Vasquez, Community Hospital of San Bernardino, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and Adeola Davies-Aiyeloja.
The Black Rose winners are as follows: Arthur & Fredda Davis Foundation, Angela Brantley, Keynasia Buffong, C.O.P.E., Walter Hawkins, Patricia Nelson, and Dr. Gary Thomas.
The Awards Banquet will be Friday, September 12, 2014, at the National Orange Show, Valencia Room, 689 South E Street (entrance on Arrowhead Avenue). Social hour is 6 p.m. with dinner and program beginning at 7 p.m. The cost for this event is $60 per person or $600 for a table of ten.
Please contact Margaret Hill at (909) 864-3267 or (909) 991-6422 for tickets.
Photo caption: Honoring some of the unsung heroes who have worked diligently to improve the lives of others throughout the Inland Empire, The Black Cultural Foundation awarded the 2011 Black Rose Award to the following award community advocates: (back row left to right) Juanita Dawson, James Butts, Jimmie Brown, Herb English Jr., John Futch, Mark Campbell, Vicki Lee, Carl Dameron, Timothy Evans from The Unforgettables Foundation, Dr. Queen Hamilton, (left to right front row) Geraldine Reaves, Jennifer Vaughn-Blakely and Dr. Harold Cebrun. Photo by Chris Sloan.
(San Bernardino, CA) The Black Culture Foundation celebrates 25 years of honoring unsung heroes in the Inland Empire when it hosts the Black Rose Awards on Sept. 12 at the National Orange Show.
The Black Rose was the brainstorm of Dr. Juanita Scott, Jim King and Jeffrey Hill, who was a close friend and play son to 2014 Program Co-Chair Margaret Hill.
“I can still remember the Black Culture Foundation meeting more than 25 years ago where Jim King and Jeff Hill started discussing how there are so many people doing great things but never getting recognized,” Margaret Hill said. “Then Dr. Juanita Scott, and perhaps the rest of us chimed in. We all thought it was a great idea to have this special celebration for unsung heroes.
The idea of Black Roses was King’s idea.
“We were all taken aback by it at first,” Margaret Hill said. “Jim explained that since Black is often known as being negative, and roses are known for being beautiful, it was appropriate to combine them into Black Roses, which changes the myths about Blacks.”
Since 1990, the Black Culture Foundation has honored some of its heroes with Black Rose Awards. It has also bestowed special awards on some since the beginning.
It established the Humanitarian of the Year Award its first year. It was named in honor of Dr. Juanita Scott because of her dedication and financial commitment to the Black Culture Foundation. Jim King received the first award.
It established the Commitment to Community Service Award in 2006, giving that award in honor of Margaret Hill in recognition of her volunteer work in the cities of San Bernardino and Highland. Veatrice Jews received the first award.
It established the Jim King Special Community Service Award in 2009, which is presented only every five years. Brian Townsend received the first award in 2009 for providing the African-American community with helpful and relevant information by publishing the Precinct Reporter and for his community service.
The deadline to nominate an unsung hero for the Black Rose Awards is Thursday, July 31. Applications can be downloaded from www.sbbcfoundation.org. After carefully filling them out, email them to Margaret Hill at marrobhill@aol.com or to Program Co-chair Troy Ingram at unicorncol@sbcglobal.net or in regular mail to The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 7288, San Bernardino, CA 92411.
The Black Culture Foundation seeks sponsors to make the celebration gala a success. It offers several levels of sponsorship.
Gold Sponsor for $2,000 (receives full-page ads in the Black Rose and Miss Black San Bernardino pageant programs, 12 tickets to the Black Rose Awards, and the company logo listed on the Black Culture Foundation website and marketing materials.)
Silver Sponsor for $1,500 (receives full-page ads in the Black Rose and Miss Black San Bernardino pageant programs, 10 tickets to the Black Rose Awards, and the company logo listed on the Black Culture Foundation website and marketing materials.
A half page ad (no tickets) for $250
A fourth-page ad (no tickets) for $125
A business card (3 ½ x 5 ½) ad for $50.
Anyone who received a Black Rose Award during the first 24 years can have their photo in the event program for $50
Anyone can have their name listed in the program for $25
24th Annual – 2013 Humanitarian of the Year was A Majadi. The 2013 Commitment to Service Award went to Ron Cochran. The Black Rose recipients were: Eula Charles, Miriam Vickers, Keyisha Holmes, Judge Richard Fields, Kennon Mitchell, Ed.D, Pastor Robert Fairley, George Bowser and Anita Dimery.
Tickets for this event are $60 per person or table of ten for $600. Table sponsors will be acknowledged at Black Rose Awards. Checks should be made to the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation (SBBCF)
Honoring some of the unsung heroes who have worked diligently to improve the lives of others throughout the Inland Empire, The Black Cultural Foundation awarded the 2011 Black Rose Award to the following award community advocates: (back row left to right) Juanita Dawson, James Butts, Jimmie Brown, Herb English Jr., John Futch, Mark Campbell, Vicki Lee, Carl Dameron, Timothy Evans from The Unforgettables Foundation, Dr. Queen Hamilton, (left to right front row) Geraldine Reaves, Jennifer Vaughn-Blakely and Dr. Harold Cebrun. Photo by Chris Sloan.
(San Bernardino, CA) The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, Inc. will be celebrating its 25th Annual Black Rose, Humanitarian of the Year and Community Service Awards Banquet on Friday, September 12, 2014, at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino.
This is a community event in which individuals and/or businesses of the community are recognized by their peers and the community for giving back beyond what could be expected as well as serving as a fundraising event to help provide scholarships for students who live in San Bernardino and Highland and attend San Bernardino City Schools, Aquinas, and Loma Linda Academy.
Applications are now being accepted for potential nominations. If you know someone or a business deserving to be recognized as an unsung hero for volunteer efforts over and above job related activities, please take the time to complete an application which can be downloaded at www.sbbcfoundation.org or by email marrobhill@aol.com or Troy Ingram at unicorncol@sbcglobal.net.
THE DEADLINE DATE FOR SUBMITTING NOMINATIONS IS JULY 31, 2014.
Application can be submitted via email to marrobhill@aol.com, unicorncol@sbcglobal.net or mailed to:
The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, Inc.
P. O. Box 7288
San Bernardino, CA 92411
If you would like more information about this event or to schedule an interview with Troy Ingram or Mrs. Margaret Hill or becoming a San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, Inc., member, please contact Evelyn Garcia at (909) 888-1696 or visit our website: www.sbbcfoundation.com
BCF-PR-211 2013 NominateFOR MORE INFORMANTION CALLCarl Dameron at (909) 534-9500
Honoring some of the unsung heroes who have worked diligently to improve the lives of others throughout the Inland Empire, The Black Cultural Foundation awarded the 2011 Black Rose Award to the following award community advocates: (back row left to right) Juanita Dawson, James Butts, Jimmie Brown, Herb English Jr., John Futch, Mark Campbell, Vicki Lee, Carl Dameron, Timothy Evans from The Unforgettables Foundation, Dr. Queen Hamilton, (left to right front row) Geraldine Reaves, Jennifer Vaughn-Blakely and Dr. Harold Cebrun. Photo by Chris Sloan.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Now is the time to nominate unsung heroes in your community for the 24th Annual Black Culture Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year, Community Service and Black Rose Awards, which take place Friday Sept. 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the National Orange Show Renaissance Room, 689 South E Street.
“It’s important that when you nominate someone who you believe has made a difference in your community, that you talk to them,” said Margaret Hill, outgoing program chair of the Black Rose Awards and a member of the Black Culture Foundation.
“When you talk to the person you may find out that they have done a lot more than you realize. We recommend that when you nominate someone you are very detailed in your write-up,” says Hill
To nominate someone for this award, go to www.sbbcfoundation.org to download a nomination form, or email the incoming chair Troy Ingram at firstvice@sbbcfoundation.org. Nominations are due by July 31, 2013.
A committee consisting of five members who includes two (2) San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, Inc., members and three community citizens who are not members of the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, Inc. does the selection.
Hill says the awards program focuses on all volunteers, organizations, and individuals no matter their ethnicity or residency. The Black Rose Awards is a diverse program that honors all unsung heroes.
The Foundation is now selling tickets to the award ceremony at the price of $60 per person, until Aug. 17. Tickets purchased after that date will be $75.
To order tickets or reserve a table, contact Troy Ingram at firstvice@sbbcfoundation.org.
The City of San Bernardino can’t fund the repairs so 30 local community organizations and community leaders are raising funds to save the statue.
(SAN BERNARDINO, CA.) Dr. Martin Luther King’s status is showing wear. The 11-foot tall historic monument is deteriorating, the coating of paste wax has dulled, and the base is cracked. To solve the problem more than 30 local groups and community leaders have come together to carry out a sole mission of ‘Saving the MLK Statue’.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. monument has been a treasured landmark since 1981 when it was placed in front of the City Hall of the City of San Bernardino.
The statue is considered the first ‘bigger than life statue’ of Dr. King in the world. It now is in serious need of repair and warrants professional renovation and a plan for sustained maintenance.
The group quickly recognized that city funds are not available for the restoration and maintenance of the statue there will be an effort to raise funds from private and corporate donors, as well as, to seek grants and other sources of revenue.
“We are also committed to ensuring young and old people alike do not forget Dr. Martin Luther King, his mission and legacy and what the statue stands for: Civil Rights, Equality, peaceful co-existence, and respect for the use of power, the struggle, challenge and the plight for the Dream to live on,” said Francis Grice committee member.
Our goal is to have the statue renovated and ready for unveiling at a celebration scheduled for January 2013, said Grice.
The committee is in the process of procuring a contractor for the restoration. The initial renovation will cost approximately $8,500 with an annual maintenance charge of approximately $1,500.
The Black Culture Foundation has agreed to use their 501(C)3 as a conduit to raise and disperse the project’s funds.
The pressing need to restore the statue to its original condition and to insure its maintenance has become the impetus for public-spirited citizens of the greater San Bernardino area to commit themselves to the following objectives:
To assure the ongoing maintenance of the statue through the creation of an Endowment, the income from which would be used for the maintenance of the statue including providing adequate insurance.
To develop a master plan for the beautification and enhancement of the area immediately surrounding the statue including attractive landscaping.
To create an educational component to the statue that would be used by schools in their teaching of American history, attract visitors, and serve to develop a greater appreciation of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
To develop a master plan for the beautification and enhancement of the entire City Hall plaza area with the aim being to make it a tourist attraction.
For more information or to submit your donation in person, please contact any member of the MLK Statue Fundraising Sub-Committee: Joseph Williams (909) 754-1068
All checks should be made payable to: Black Culture Foundation. Checks may be mailed to: E. Garcia, P O Box 7288, San Bernardino, CA 92411.
Mr. Dorthey Gray is the Black Rose Awards’ “Humanitarian of the Year” award winner for 2010.
The Rev. Floyd Lofton is the Black Rose Awards’ “Community Service Award” recipient for 2010.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) “Our 21st annual Black Rose Awards,” says Margaret Hill, program chairman, “honor community leaders who have graciously given of themselves to make our area the best it can be.”
The Valencia Room of the National Orange Show (689 S. East Street in San Bernardino) will be the site of this gala ceremony on Sept. 10. The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation will recognize eight award recipients.
Heading the list as “Humanitarian of the Year” is Mr. Dorthey “Dorty” Gray who has retired from Southern California Edison and is now simply known as “Coach.”
Selected for the “Community Service Award” is the Rev. Floyd Lofton, assistant pastor of San Bernardino’s New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.
A half-dozen outstanding individuals in San Bernardino County will receive the coveted “Black Rose Award.”
§ Pastor Larry Campbell is the senior pastor at the city’s St. Paul A.M.E. Church
§ Sam Handley is the Highland Family YMCA’s Associate executive director
§ Best-selling local author, Janice Higgins, is the founder and director of Project R.A.G.E. (Release of Anger and Guilt Through Empowerment)
§ From Sovereign Employee Benefits, Inc. is CEO Ron King
§ Will Larkin is an area real estate investor
§ The Director of Youth Action Project, Inc. (YAP) is Joseph Williams
Other nominees, granted “Black Rose Recognition” by the Black Culture Foundation, are Shauna Albright, John Coleman, Dr. Betty Daniels and Brenda Parker.
Hosting the evening’s ceremony for the sixth consecutive year are California State University San Bernardino Professor of Theater Arts Kathryn Ervin and Dameron Communications Carl Dameron.
Tickets for the Black Rose Awards September 10 gala are $60 per person and $600 for reserved tables of 10. The social hour begins at 6 p.m. with the ceremony at 7 p.m. To order tickets or reserve a table, call program chairman Margaret Hill at (909) 991-6422.
“Don’t miss out,” urges Hill. “The evening will be one of the community highlights of 2010.”
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