The Dameron family 1965 in E. St. Louis, IL. Barbara, Carl T., Crystal (baby), Denise, Carl and Kathleen. “We we integrators,” said Katheleen Dameron.
“When you look at the history of redlining, the history of denying Black people and Native Americans the right to housing, this is a significant step in saying, ‘Yes, we did do wrong,’ and when you do someone wrong, you apologize and you make amends,” Dameron said. “That is the beginning of the healing process.”
(Paris, France). A Chicago suburb recently became the first city in the United States to agree to pay Black residents reparations for slavery and past discriminatory policies and practices.
That decision shows that some communities are beginning to recognize and acknowledge the harm caused by America’s systemic racism, an expert on race relations said.
“It’s a historic decision to do this, and we’re hoping that this is the beginning of people being able to open their minds, open their eyes to what’s happened in the past and the consequences today,” said Kathleen Dameron, an internationally recognized cross-cultural trainer.
The City Council of Evanston, Illinois, recently voted to distribute $400,000 in housing assistance and mortgage relief to eligible Black households. The city will provide $25,000 for down payments on houses or property, home repairs, and interest or late penalties on property in Evanston.
To qualify, residents must either have lived in the city between 1919 and 1969 or be a direct descendant of a black Evanston resident from that time. Those who experienced housing discrimination in Evanston after 1969 are also eligible.
The $400,000 comes from a $10 million reparations fund created in 2019 using tax money from the city’s recreational marijuana program.
“When you look at the history of redlining, the history of denying Black people and Native Americans the right to housing, this is a significant step in saying, ‘Yes, we did do wrong,’ and when you do someone wrong, you apologize and you make amends,” Dameron said. “That is the beginning of the healing process.”
Even though $25,000 is not enough to pay for a house, paying reparations is still important for the city, said Dameron, a Black American now living in Paris.
“It’s not reparations in the sense of, ‘We denied you a house, so we’re going to give you a house now,’ but it is acknowledgement of the damage done, of the impact on the generations of that damage,” Dameron said. “It recognizes and it acknowledges that we did harm consciously, in policy, in law and in practice and we’re seeking to recognize it and to make amends.”
Dameron said that getting national reparations or getting some areas to agree to reparations is still a difficult process.
“One of the problems we have is that there are some people in the United States – and this happens consistently across the United States – they would rather close the swimming pool and have no swimming pool in the community than to have Blacks have access to the swimming pool, so as desegregation started throughout the South, public swimming pools disappeared, public parks disappeared,” she said.
“Some people thought, “I’d rather have nothing than have Back people share in this,” she said.
“That mentality makes it extraordinarily difficult to say, ‘We did you wrong. As human beings, we did not give you a fair environment. We persecuted you. We banned you. We burned your houses down and we killed people.’ ”
So even though Evanston is making amends and recognizing and acknowledging that they caused harm, “that acknowledgement is still difficult for many Americans to make,” Dameron noted.
Dameron is currently leading a series of seminars on “Healing the Collective Trauma of Racism.” In her sessions, she helps participants recognize the difference between interpersonal and institutional racism.
Participants build a feeling of community and energy to create social justice.
To introduce people to her sessions, she is offering a free, self-paced, one-hour course. You can learn more by going to www.KathleenDameron.com
“I understand people’s anger at being told to be less white,” said internationally recognized cross-cultural trainer Kathleen Dameron. “Be less white. What are the qualities?
“I have a lot of empathy for people being told to be less white,” she said. “I know it hurts. As a Black child and as a grown-up, I have been told to be less Black, straighten your hair, dress to look like a nice corporate person. I can understand how being told to be less white hits you in your identity, because I was told be less Black.”
(Paris, France) Americans should not get upset over reports saying Coca-Cola was asking its employees to “be less white” as part of its mandatory diversity training.
“I understand people’s anger at being told to be less white,” said internationally recognized cross-cultural trainer Kathleen Dameron. “Be less white. What are the qualities?
“Be less oppressive. Where’s the problem? Listen more. What’s the problem? Be less defensive. where’s the problem?” she asked. “But people get upset the minute they hear, ‘Be less white,’ because it hits them in their identity. It hurts and they reject it.”
Dameron said it might be more effective to say, “We’re asking you to create a JEDI society, to create Justice, Equality, Dignity and Inclusion.”
The training course at the center of the Coca-Cola backlash was titled “Confronting Racism.” It advised whites to listen more and be less oppressive, less arrogant, less certain, less defensive and less ignorant,” according to the New York Post.
Coca-Cola denies that it was part of their required training.
“That’s not the point,” said Dameron, who has more than 30 years’ experience training American, European and Asian executives worldwide but is not involved in the disputed training.
“Coca-Cola should have said, ‘We are committed to a fair, equal workplace environment,’” she explained. “It’s not corporate training that makes workplaces fair. It’s offering equal pay and equal opportunities for hiring and advancement regardless of race or gender. That’s how you change.”
Dameron understands why the issue triggered some people’s emotions.
The Dameron family 1965 in E. St. Louis, IL. Barbara, Carl T., Crystal (baby), Denise, Carl and Kathleen. “We we integrators”
“I have a lot of empathy for people being told to be less white,” she said. “I know it hurts. As a Black child and as a grown-up, I have been told to be less Black, straighten your hair, dress to look like a nice corporate person. I can understand how being told to be less white hits you in your identity, because I was told be less Black.”
Dameron is currently leading a series of seminars on “Healing the Collective Trauma of Racism.” In her sessions, she helps participants recognize the difference between interpersonal and institutional racism and build a feeling of community and energy.
To introduce people to her sessions, she is offering a free, self-paced, one-hour course. You can learn more by going to www.KathleenDameron.com
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)
African American history exhibit at Hard Drive Data Doctor The San Bernardino County Museum from the Black Voice Foundation Inc.
More than 1,000 African American museum leaders from all over the world look to Riverside to host the first AAAM Conference west of the Rocky Mountains
(RIVERSIDE, CA) The Association of African American Museums (AAAM) is in final negotiations with the Riverside Convention and Visitors Bureau to host the 38th annual AAAM conference in downtown Riverside in August 2016.
The conference covers three days, attracting more than 1,000 curators, historians, librarians, museum professionals and cultural leaders from 200 museums, libraries and institutes from around the world.
“We are pleased to select Riverside, California as the finalist for our 2016 conference,” said Samuel W. Black, AAAM President, and Director of African American Programs at the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Association of African American Museums (AAAM) is a non-profit organization established to support African and African American focused museums nationally and internationally, as well as the professionals who protect, preserve and interpret African and African American art, history and culture.
“We are planning the largest exhibit of African-American art and culture on the West Coast,” said world famous African-American artist, Charles Bibbs, art committee chair.
“We are excited that the City of Riverside was chosen as the location for the 2016 conference,” said world famous African-American artist Charles Bibbs, art committee chair. “We are planning the largest exhibit of African-American art and culture on the West Coast.”
Riverside is the host city and the Dora Nelson African American Art and History Museum in Perris, is the host museum in collaboration with Riverside African American Historical Society, The Black Voice Foundation and the Riverside Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“This is an exciting opportunity for more than 1,000 African-American museum leaders to visit Riverside and showcase African-American Culture and to experience the region’s culture,” said Debbie Megna, executive director of the Riverside Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This event will generate income for the convention center and our region’s businesses, hotels, restaurants and encourage shopping with local malls, shops, stores and vendors.”
To take advantage of hosting world’s foremost authorities in the preservation and promotion of African-American Culture to downtown Riverside, the Riverside African-American Festival Committee is planning to host a week long African-American Cultural Celebrationto coincide with the conference.
“The addition of a week long African-American Cultural Celebration will increase the number of visitors to more than 10,000 people, generating more revenue to our city and increasing Riverside’s international cultural significance,” said Carl M. Dameron, Committee Chair.
Left to Right: Lovella Singer, Carl Dameron, Charles Bibbs. Front Row: Alberta Mable Kearney, 92 year-old visionary & founder of the DNAAAHM. Members of the AAAM 2016 Riverside reception committee. Not pictures and Dr. Ruth Jackson, Director Tuskegee Airman Archive, University of California, Riverside, Rose Mayes; President Riverside African American Historical Society, and Hardy Brown II, Black Voice Foundation.
“We are excited about to the opportunity to showcase the Cities of Riverside and Perris and the region as a cultural hub. We plan to celebrate African American culture by partnering with the area’s leading artists, museums, theaters, schools, colleges and universities to showcase world class exhibits of African American art, photography, film, theater, history and music,” said Dameron.
Previous AAAM conferences were held in major eastern cities including Charlotte, North Carolina; Washington D.C.; Baltimore, Maryland; Tallahassee, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Birmingham, Alabama; St. Louis, Missouri and the farthest west, Denver, Colorado.
The Riverside AAAM Conference 2016 is charged with raising the funds to host the conference. The initial fundraising goal is $15,000, with a third of the funds already committed. The committee is looking for business and community organizations, along with local leaders for sponsorships and advertising at the conference.
Contact Carl M. Dameron at (909) 534-9500 for more information on sponsorships, advertising and promotions.
The Riverside African-American Festival Committee members include Chair, Carl Dameron, Creative Director of Dameron Communications; AAAM Conference Co-Chairs, Lovella Singer, CEO of the Dora Nelson African American Art & History Museum (DNAAAHM) in Perris and Dr. Ruth Jackson, Director Tuskegee Airman Archive, University of California, Riverside and Charles Bibbs, Arts Coordinator Chair.
Additional committee chairs include: Site, Transportation and Logistics, Debbie Megna; Treasurer/Finance, Rose Mayes; President Riverside African American Historical Society, Sue Strickland, Lynne Taylor, DNAAAHM Treasurer; Hardy Brown II, Black Voice Foundation, museum consultant; Dave Stuart, City of Perris Museum Consultant; Sarah Wolk, Western Region Outreach Coordinator; Shirley Johnson, Chair of DNAAAHM Board of Directors; Katie Keyes, Perris Valley Museum Historical Association; and Patricia Korzac, March Air Museum.
For more information on the Riverside AAAM 2016 Conference contact Debbie Megna at (951) 222-4700.
About Riverside Association of African American Museums (AAAM) 2016
Riverside AAAM 2016 is a collaboration of several agencies that attracted the 2016 Association of African American Museum Conference to Riverside. Their mission is to promote the positive interpretation of African and African American art, history and culture in the Inland Empire. The group will also develop and promote an annual African American Cultural Festival in downtown Riverside to protect, preserve, interpret and commemorate African American/Black culture. About The Association of African American Museums (AAAM)
The Association of African American Museums (AAAM) is a non-profit member organization established to support African and African American focused museums nationally and internationally, as well as the professionals who protect, preserve and interpret African and African American art, history and culture.
Established as the single representative and principal voice of the African American museum movement, the Association seeks to strengthen and advocate for the interests of institutions and individuals committed to the preservation of African-derived cultures.
The services provided by AAAM enhance the ability of those museums to serve the needs and interests of persons of African ancestry and those who wish to know more about the art, history and culture of African-derived cultures.
(San Bernardino, CA) – Carl Dameron, president of Dameron Communications, has been nominated for recognition in the Fourth Annual Spirit of the Entrepreneur awards sponsored by California State University, San Bernardino.
The award honors local business people who have overcome challenges and given back to their community.
“I am honored to be considered for this award,” Dameron said. Dameron said he also appreciates how this awards program promotes an awareness of entrepreneurship among the Inland Empire’s youth.
“They need to realize there are successful professionals who live right down the street from them,” he said.
Dameron, 47, established Dameron Communications in 1989 after a marketing campaign for his former employer, AutoSound, increased that company’s profits by 250 percent. Despite his marketing success, Auto Sound was not able to keep Dameron on the payroll, so he parlayed that success into a business that has helped many other companies and non-profit organizations reach new customers.
Dameron has also worked as a journalist before, both on radio and newspaper. That experience still helps him in dealing with media.
“I see things with a journalist’s eye,” he said.
Some of Dameron’s earliest customers were in the automotive business, and while he has had large corporations as clients, today’s clients include non-profit organizations that pay a reduced rate. Dameron doesn’t charge them full price because he believes they are performing important services for the community.
For instance, the African-American Health Initiative promotes that African Americans in San Bernardino County will die, on average, 13 years before those of other races. The average African-American man in this county will not live to see his 56th birthday.
As the father of two young girls, Dameron does not want to be part of that statistic.
“I want to see my daughters graduate from high school,” he said. “I want to walk them to the altar on their wedding days.” Dameron also is an event producer.
The largest event he is involved with is the Inland Empire Diversity Job Fairs, and he assists the Inland Empire African-American Chambers of Commerce in bringing these to various San Bernardino and Riverside County locations. In the 14 years, they have helped thousands of residents find jobs close to home.
“People should be able to work where they live,” Dameron said. “The job fairs help local employers meet face to face with local people.”
Even though Dameron has recently started another business, 909Models.com, his workforce is still small, with just four full-time employees. The employees keep busy all day, and are talented at what they do, freeing them to concentrate on increasing business.
“I hire good people and stay out of their way,” he said. Frank Doughton, an account executive with the Riverside Press-Enterprise, nominated Dameron for this award.
“Carl has done so much, with his agency, the job fairs, starting 909Models.com and his agency,” Doughton said. “He has been out there, taking the risks, and I just think it’s time he got some recognition.”
Michael Stull, director of the Inland Center for Entrepreneurship, started this recognition program soon after coming to CSUSB in 2002. His university began the program with assistance from the Press-Enterprise, which continues to be a co-sponsor. Other sponsors this year include Arrowhead Credit Union, Citizens Business Bank, Citibank, Inland Empire National Bank, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Varner Saleson and Brandt LLP, Soren McAdam Christenson LLP, Family Business Partnership, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, Glencrest Investment Advisors, the Riverside Convention Center, Wilkin Guge Marketing, KVCR, KTIE, and Milestone Media.
Stull said this program not only promotes awareness of the Center for Entrepreneurship but also provides role models to CSUSB students interested in starting their businesses.
“Students need to know about the great things people are doing right here,” he said.
The deadline to nominate an entrepreneur is Aug. 15. To do so, go to www.inlandspiritawards.com
For more information, call Stull at (909)) 537-3708
