Vol. 49 No. 16
August 9, 2018 - August 15, 2018
This publication is a Certified DBE/ SBE / MBE in the State of California CUCP #43264 Metro File #7074 & State of Texas File #802505971 Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what people will submit to and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them and these will continue till they have resisted either with words or blows or words or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they suppress. —Fredrick Douglass (1849)
USC Calls For Federal Investigation After Hiring, Firing Former Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas
Editor in Chief’s Corner Email: sbamericannews@gmail.com Clifton Harris Publisher of The San Bernardino AMERICAN News
Boston’s 1st black police commissioner sworn in BY ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press
City News Service
Former Calif. Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley- Thomas.Credit: State Assembly Democratic Caucus LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – After hiring and later firing former California Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (DWest Los Angeles) as a professor, USC has asked the U.S. Attorney’s Office to conduct a criminal investigation into a recent $100,000 donation from a campaign fund controlled by his father, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, 30, was hired by USC as a professor of social work and public policy after abruptly resigning from the Assembly in December, saying unspecified health problems left him no choice but to step down as he needed an extended period of time to recuperate. USC also gave Ridley-Thomas, who lacks a graduate degree, a scholarship to pursue a master’s program in social work, sources familiar with the matter told the Los Angeles Times. The unusual arrangement has come under scrutiny in recent weeks as the scandal-plagued university attempts to adopt more transparency in its affairs, according to the newspaper. Administrators launched an investigation and Sebastian Ridley-Thomas was fired in July, according to
The Times’ sources. After the internal probe, USC approached the U.S. Attorney’s office in Los Angeles and told federal prosecutors it had concerns about a recent $100,000 donation from a campaign fund controlled by Mark Ridley-Thomas, The Times reported. The university sits in Mark Ridley-Thomas’ district. The gift to USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work ended up in the account of a nonprofit group outside the university run by Sebastian RidleyThomas, according to sources and public records, the newspaper reported. Mack Jenkins, head of the public corruption and civil rights section at the U.S. Attorney’s office, confirmed that a lawyer for USC briefed him on the Ridley-Thomas matter and referred it “for criminal investigation,” The Times reported. He declined further comment. Sebastian Ridley-Thomas’ attorney, Lance Olson, told The Times his USC admission was “based on his own merits” and went through “normal channels.” As for Ridley-Thomas’ faculty job, Olson said USC’s offer letter stated his client was hired with
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas the “enthusiastic recommendation of the faculty.” A lawyer for Mark Ridley-Thomas told The Times the supervisor was “surprised to learn that his donation to USC has become an issue.” “We do not believe that it raises any legal or ethical issues, and it had nothing to do with his son’s scholarship or employment at the university,” attorney Stephen Kaufman told The Times. USC’s board of trustees learned of Ridley-Thomas’s donation last month and were working with federal authorities, board chair Rick Caruso told The Times. “I am disturbed and concerned by these allegations and people will be held accountable for their behavior, as appropriate,” Caruso said in a statement issued by USC. “It looks like (USC) was a passthrough for this money, and it looks like there were favors done for Mark Ridley-Thomas and his son by (USC) getting a donation and hiring the son for a job that he may or may not have been qualified for, and that he may or may not have done,” criminal defense attorney Steve Meister told CBS2. USC has faced a series of scan-
dals over the past few years. More than 200 women have come forward over the past several months accusing former longtime USC health center gynecologist George Tyndall of sexual misconduct. The scandal prompted USC President Max Nikias to step down, although he has not officially resigned his post. In April 2016, Carmen Puliafito stepped down as dean of the USC Keck School of Medicine after it was revealed he had partied with underage girls and provided drugs to his girlfriend, who was a prostitute. The California medical board later ordered Puliafito be stripped of his license to practice medicine. In November 2016, Dr. Rohit Varma, a noted ophthalmologist, was named dean to replace Puliafito. However, in October 2017, however, he also resigned amid a report that 15-years-prior, USC reached a financial settlement with a female researcher who accused him of sexual harassment. “No institution wants to be scandal-plagued, but USC is right now, and it’s way beyond the athletic department this time,” Meister said.
The 106th birthday celebration of Emma Shaw Community News
Family Matriarch Emma Shaw On August 11, 2018, in San Bernardino the Shaw family will gather together to celebrate the 106th birthday of the family matriarch, Emma Shaw. Emma was the 2nd born to James and Gertrude Armstrong on August 9, 1912 in Tallulah, Louisiana. Emma was not able to complete school because the family needed her to help in the cotton fields. At the tender age of 15 she met the love of her life, George Bernard Shaw. Emma and George were married on February 6, 1929 and to this union God blessed them with 13
children; six sons, five daughters and two children who died at birth. Six of their children; Cleveland, Luretha, Johnny B, Joyce, Wiley and Mary were born in Tallulah. Emma and George were married for 62 years until he passed away. In 1942 George saw potential for advancement by moving his family from Louisiana to Las Vegas, Nevada. While in Las Vegas, Emma was an employee at the El Rancho and Frontier hotels. Emma gave birth to twins, Donell and Ronell, before leaving Nevada in 1944.
As times began to change, George had the foresight again to relocate his family to San Bernardino, California in 1944. Emma began working in private homes as a maid. She then found new employment at Norton Air Force Base. After leaving Norton, Emma began doing seasonal work at the National Orange Show. Once the seasonal work was done, Emma found employment in Palm Springs where she worked for 16 years. While in California Barbara, Vernon and Valerie were born. Though their resources were limited, that did not prevent Emma from sharing with those who were even less fortunate whenever they stopped by. She is an excellent cook and is known for her homemade biscuits, fried chicken and her peach cobbler. Emma joined New Hope Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend David Campbell. After the passing of Reverend Campbell, Mother Shaw changed her membership to Greater New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ, which was then under the leadership of Elder Herbert C. Pugh. Mother Shaw grew spiritually at Greater New
Jerusalem where she became the Church Mother. She served as Church Mother for over 40 years and in recognition for this service Mother Shaw was appointed Church Mother Emeritus. Everyone who knows Mother Shaw has heard her testimony and can repeat it verbatim as she starts to say…”Early one Saturday morning I was in my bathroom when I heard a loud voice saying, ‘Be ready, I’m on My way back’…” and from that time to this day, Mother Emma tells everyone that she encounters to be ready, the Lord is on His way back. In 2008 in recognition of her longevity the City of San Bernardino dedicated a street in her honor – Emma Road (emerald), located on the Westside. This street was bestowed with that name because she has been a jewel in the community for so many decades. The matriarch of six generations Emma has 6 living children, and well over 300 grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren and great great great grandchildren.
In this July 23, 2018 photo, newly appointed Boston Police Commissioner William Gross speaks at City Hall after he was introduced to succeed William Evans. Gross will be sworn in as the city’s first African American police commissioner on Monday, Aug. 6. (Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via AP) Jessica Rinaldi AP
In this July 23, 2018 photo, newly appointed Boston Police Commissioner William Gross, right, speaks after he was introduced to succeed William Evans, left, at City Hall in Boston. Gross will be sworn in as the city’s first African American police commissioner on Monday, Aug. 6. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP) Matt Stone AP
BOSTON William Gross was sworn in Monday as Boston’s first black police commissioner, pledging to create a more inclusive and diverse department and prioritize officer well-being. Calling it a historic occasion, Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh administered the oath of office to Gross in front of a standing-room only crowd of about 900 people at the Morning Star Baptist Church. As the crowd cheered, Gross took off his new
badge and put it around the neck of his mother, who’s been a member of the church for 35 years. At one point, someone in the crowd shouted “This is history!” ”I know that Dr. Martin Luther King is looking down today and smiling at the realization of one of his dreams: that a man is not judged by the color of his skin by the content of his character,” said Randall Halstead, a retired police superintendent.
Preschool Services Department Volunteers Needed San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department (PSD) is accepting applications from individuals interested in serving as Community Representatives on the Head Start Policy Council for the 2018-19 program year. Volunteer service in this role is limited to three one-year terms. The Policy Council is a part of the format structure of shared decision-making in the Federal Head Start/Early Head Start Child Development Program serving San Bernardino County. Meetings are held during the day, on the 3rd Monday of each month, noting that conference call meetings may be scheduled as needed. According to the Federal Head Start Act membership of the Policy Council must consist of parents of enrolled children, and community representatives drawn from former Head Start parents, the private community, civic and professional organizations, and others who are familiar with resources and services to low-income preschool age children and families. The application can be found at http://hs.sbcounty.gov/psd, https:// www.facebook.com/SBCPSD/, and https://twitter.com/sbcpsd.
Our Values, Mission, & Vision Statement Our Values: Treat all people with care, respect, honor, and dignity. Tell it as it is with love, truth and integrity. Promote the interests of advertisers and sponsors along their strategic interest for the betterment of the community and beyond. Speak truth to power. Our Mission: To continuously improve communication between all people of the world. Our Vision: To be the best community newspaper in our region and the nation. Provider of: A voice for the poor, the underserved, those that are marginalized, Positive and edifying news about people, places and businesses. Keep San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles Counties informed about global trends while retaining the consciousness of local events and processes. Memberships and Associations: The San Bernardino American Newspaper is a member of the California Newspaper Publishers Association, National Newspaper Association and addociated with California Black Media.