Vol. 49 No. 3
May 10, 2018 - May 16, 2018
This publication is a Certified DBE/ SBE / MBE in the State of California CUCP #43264 Metro File #7074 & State of Texas File #802505971 “If you can control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his action. When you determine what a man shall think you do not have to concern yourself about what he will do. If you make a man feel that he is inferior, you do not have to compel him to accept an inferior status, for he will seek it himself. If you make a man think that he is justly an outcast, you do not have to order him to the back door. He will go without being told; and if there is no back door, his very nature will demand one.” Carter G. Woodson, The Mis-Education of the Negro
Wells Fargo Commits To $60 Billion In Lending For Black Homebuyers
Editor in Chief’s Corner Email: sbamericannews@gmail.com Clifton Harris Publisher of The San Bernardino AMERICAN News
N.Y. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman resigns after he abused four women By VICTORIA BEKIEMPIS, KENNETH LOVETT and LEONARD GREENE
By Stacy M. Brown (The Washington Informer/NNPA Member)
Cerita Battles, the senior vice president and head of retail diverse segments for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, says that Wells Fargo is committed to doing what it takes to help increase African American homeowners. (Pexels.com)
Black Home Ownership Wells Fargo’s $60 billion pledge to African American homebuyers is a major part of the company’s dedication to a community that’s grown accustomed to being shut out from having a slice of the American Dream. In addition to the $60 billion in lending for home purchases, the company committed to increasing the diversity of its sales team and providing $15 million toward initiatives focused on homebuyer education and counseling. “Homeownership is vitally important, because homes are the
building blocks of the American Dream and a proven, sustainable vehicle for building individual and family wealth that can be passed down from generation to generation,” said Cerita Battles, the senior vice president and head of retail diverse segments for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Battles continued: “Homes make up our neighborhoods and our communities and are a stabilizing force for families, making homeownership a key driver of our nation’s economic and cultural well-being.”
With that understanding, bank officials know that their commitment and helpful information to those interested in becoming homeowners must be communicated to the African American community. To that end, sharing news through the Black Press is also important for Wells Fargo, Battles said. “Being present in the communities we serve is one of our key strategies for reaching our goals and African American newspapers are a trusted vehicle for news and information in those communities,” Battles said. “So, having information about being a homeowner and sustaining homeownership is critical to reaching the goals of the commitment and helping more African American families become homeowners.” Housing experts have said that it’s important for aspiring homeowners to have as much knowledge as possible about the homeownership process; that information helps to dispel myths that many African Americans have about homeownership.
“There are many myths that cause a lot of potential African American homebuyers to assume that getting a home mortgage is something beyond their reach. But many times, this is completely untrue, and that message needs to get out,” Battles said. “African Americans need to have the confidence and knowledge to recognize that they can be homeowners, and that a lender, like Wells Fargo, truly wants to help them meet their home-financing needs. The Black Press, and other media for that matter, helps us share these messages to those who desire to obtain and sustain homeownership.” Battles noted that it’s also important to remember that Wells Fargo’s African American homeownership commitment is not a separate loan program, but an effort by the company to increase homeowners in the community. Any of the programs, products, and services that Wells Fargo offers are available to all customers who qualify. She said it’s not really about what the bank is doing differently for African Americans, but more about how Wells Fargo is showing up for them. “It’s more about getting the messages to them, meeting them where, when, and how they want to interact with us so that we can leverage all that we have to offer. It’s about education, counseling, and being present in their communities,” Battles said. Wells Fargo’s commitment to the African American community extends beyond the homeownership commitment. In 2016, the company committed to offering $75 million in grants and lending to help diverse-owned small businesses access capital and technical assistance by the end of 2020. “In fact, by the end of 2016, the Wells Fargo Works for Small Business: Diverse Community Capi-
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is resigning amid allegations that he physically assaulted four women he dated. Schneiderman, an outspoken supporter of the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, bowed to pressure from politicians, including Gov. Cuomo, who called for him to step down. “It’s been my great honor and privilege to serve as Attorney General for the people of the State of New York,” Schneiderman said in a statement.
ment, the accusers charged that Schneiderman “repeatedly hit them, often after drinking, frequently in bed and never with their consent.” At least two of the women, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, categorized the abuse as “assault.” The other two women declined to be identified because they feared reprisal, the magazine said. Barish and Selvaratnam did not report the allegations to the po-
Tanya Selvaratnam and Michelle Manning Barish have both accused New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman of abuse. (Getty / Getty)
“In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me. While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office’s work at this critical time. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8,
lice, but both said they sought medical attention after they were slapped hard across the ear and face. They also said Schneiderman choked them. Selvaratnam said Schneiderman followed up the abuse with threats, telling her that he could have her followed and have her phones tapped.
(continued on page 3)
Federal agents search Adelanto mayor’s home, City Hall in wake of corruption probe, officials say By JAMES QUEALLY and PALOMA ESQUIVEL In a written statement, city spokesman Michael Stevens said the city was unaware of the nature of the FBI investigation but was “prepared to cooperate with any investigation being conducted.”
Because of the search warrants, City Hall will be closed Tuesday but should reopen Wednesday, Stevens said. “The City Council wants to assure the public that the city will continue to focus its efforts on
Gov. Cuomo released a statement saying Schneiderman should step down immediately. (James Keivom/New York Daily News)
2018.” According to The New Yorker, which shared a Pulitzer Prize last month with The New York Times for stories about sexual harass-
under seal. Adelanto Mayor Rich Kerr stands in handcuffs as FBI agents execute a federal search warrant at his home Tuesday morning. Kerr was seen being removed from his home in handcuffs Tuesday morning, according to the Victorville Daily Press. The official, however, told The Times that Kerr had not been arrested.
(continued on page 7)
Our Values, Mission, & Vision Statement
Adelanto Mayor Rich Kerr stands in handcuffs as FBI agents execute a federal search warrant at his home Tuesday morning. Photo by: James Quigg, Daily Press L.A Times reports that federal agents executed search warrants at Adelanto City Hall and the home of Mayor Rich Kerr on Tuesday morning, according to law enforcement officials. An FBI spokeswoman confirmed agents were executing federal search warrants in the city on Tuesday but declined to comment further because the affidavits in support of the warrants are
Barish and Selvaratnam both said he threatened to kill them if they broke up with him. A Schneiderman representative
Adelanto city councilman arrested on bribery, arson charges in FBI corruption probe providing the services that residents and businesses expect,” Stevens said. The agencies involved in Tuesday’s searches included the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service’s criminal investigation
division and the San Bernardino County district attorney’s office, according to Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles. The searches were executed at (continued on page 8 )
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.