Fall 2016 Volume 10 Issue 4

Transcription

1 Fall 2016 Volume 10 Issue 4 Students of the Youth Mentoring Action Network (YMAN) pose for a photo with Dr. Torie L. Weiston, CEO (far left) and, Joann Loveless, YMAN Board Member and member of Theta Pi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., (fourth from the right). Members and supporters of the Youth Mentoring Action Network, YMAN, attended the annual jazz fundraiser at Claremont Graduate University on Saturday, September 18, The event raised money for programs and services, such as mentor training, college application boot camp, social entrepreneurship training, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and music programs that the nonprofit organization provides for Inland Empire high school students and local community organizations. strong ever since. Partnerships with businesses, such as Southern California Edison and Claremont Graduate University have enabled YMAN to help students graduate from high school and go on to four year universities. The success rate is very high, with the majority of student participants graduating from high school and remaining in college after the first year. For more information about YMAN visit

2 Pi Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Celebrates its Founders The Pi Rho Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. honored the contributions of its founders at the Doubletree Ontario Hotel on the evening of Saturday, November 5, A formal dinner took place, which included spoken word and dancing for guests. Included among the guests were members of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce and members of the Theta Pi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Jason O Brien, Fontana School Board Member-Elect, was also in attendance, although a candidate for election at the time. Chuck Moore presided as the master of ceremonies, while Danny Young delivered the invocation. Maurice Smith presented an overview of the history of the Fraternity, which was founded at Howard University on November 17, 1911 by three undergraduates, Edward Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper, Frank Coleman and their faculty advisor, Dr.Ernest Everette Just. The Omega Psi Fraternity is an international fraternity with over 750 undergraduate and graduate chapters. It is the first predominantly AfricanPictured above, members of the Theta Pi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Shannon O Brien, Tawiah Finley and Christine Potter (left to right) are with Vice Basileus (Vice President) A.C. Campbell of Pi Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, in celebration of the original Founders of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. American fraternity to be established at a historically black university. Fraternity member, Mel Palmer presented awards to Chapter members, and new officers were sworn in as well. Pictured from left to right are A.C. Campbell, Vice Basileus, Chuck Moore, Keeper of Records, Ken Morris, Keeper of Finance, Kevin Peete, Chapter Chaplin, Danny Young, Sergeant-at-Arms and Tirrell Hamilton. For more information about Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. visit

3 Co-founder of Children s Resources is Elected to the Fontana School Board On November 8, 2016 Jason O Brien Sr. was elected to the Fontana School Board. The District, which contains 45 schools and serves students from K-12 to adult education,was established in the 1920s and unified in Jason O Brien s platform, which advocated for STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and anti-bullying programs, seemed to resonate with Fontana voters, who elected him with approximately 21% of the vote. Raising a millennial has enlightened me as a parent, says O Brien. I realize that there are many talented young people in our community who want a plethora of career and educational options.... I consider it my job to adequately prepare them to seize the options they most prefer. O Brien, who holds a B.A. degree in political science from Howard University, is an active member of the Los Angeles Police Protective League and believes that keeping students safe should be a top priority. Parents send their children to school to acquire an education says O Brien. Children should not spend their days distracted by bullies and students who are involved in ventures that take away from that. I am especially excited about the State s efforts to address the unique needs of our foster youth, says O Brien. I was a foster youth, emancipated at the age of 16, and I appreciate the value of mentors and educational programs that specifically meet the unique needs of these students. A community swearing in ceremony will be held for Jason O Brien on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at the Fontana Unified School District at 6:00 p.m.

4 Theta Pi Sigma Hosts Scholarship Fundraiser for Inland Empire Students Theta Pi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. hosted its annual Founders Day celebration at Christ s Church of the Valley at Etiwanda Gardens on Saturday, November 12, The well attended event was a full afternoon of entertainment, which included a solo performance by gospel songstress Pamela Olivia and a fashion show featuring the couture line of Casonna GibTammy Martin-Ryles son, a Los Angeles designer. Tawiah Finley Guests enjoyed music and a buffet lunch, concarrie Christy sisting of freshly baked potato chips, pasta salad, a variety of sandwiches and several soup choices. Three local women were recognized for their commitments to the community and enduring perseverance: Cynthia Frazier, a technology instructor and STEM workshop facilitator, Dr. Tonia Causey-Bush, founder of Sacred Sistahs, Inc. and Director of Teaching and Learning for the Fontana Unified School District, Tammy Martin-Ryles, high school teacher and founder of the Inland Empire Black Chamber of Commerce, and Gwendolyn Rodgers, founder of Young Women s Empowerment Foundation and San Bernardino City Unified School Board Member. Each received the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority s Torch Bearer Award and certificates of recognition from the San Bernardino City Unified District. Cynthia Frazier received the highest honor as well, which is the Sigma Gamma Rho Beacon of Enduring Light Award. The closing scene of the fashion show consisted of a tribute to recent victims of police brutality and Sandra Bland, deceased Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority member, who lost her life after a confrontation with a police officer at a traffic stop in Waller County, Texas. Funds raised from the event will go to scholarships for Inland Empire students. Deborah Moore

5 The Fair Housing Council of Riverside partnered with the Riverside Alumni Chapter (RAC) of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 for a turkey giveaway. Families gathered in the early morning hours to line up in anticipation of the free turkeys that were distributed. Members of RAC Silhouettes (Kappa wives), Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. were also present to distribute toys, special socks for diabetics, and beverages and snacks for those in attendance. Free parent workshops coming soon! Visit us on the Web at To register call (909) School San Gorgonio High Belvedere Elementary December 2016 January 2017 February th, 24th and 31st 7th and 14th 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 12th through 16th 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Warm Springs Elementary 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th 9:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.