COLTON COURIER We ekly
Vol 151, N O. 0 7
Febr uar y 09, 202 3
Bla ck Ro se Awa rds Ba nquet ho nor s I ECN Publisher Gloria Macias Har rison
T
By Manny Sandoval
www.iecn.com
he Black Culture Foundation held its 30th Black Rose Awards Banquet on Saturday, February 4th at California State University, San Bernardino to recognize the achievements of community leaders in the Inland Empire.
The event was held at the new Santos Manuel Student Union and attended by local politicians and digincluding Assembly nitaries, Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes, Assemblymember James Ramos, Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran, and San Bernardino Councilmembers Damon Alexander and Kimberly Calvin.
Legendary Hollywood Actor Pepe Serna hosts 15th Annual RITZ! Pg. 8
The honorees of the night included Inland Empire Community News' Gloria Macias Harrison, Mayor of Rialto Deborah Robertson, Nonprofit Organization CEO Linda Wright, and Community Hospital of San Bernardino President June Collison.
The Black Rose Young Adult Inspiration Award was also presented to Liyah Belvins and Prince Ogidikpe.
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Each awardee received a special cultural painting and a dozen certificates of recognition from local and state politicians and dignitaries.
Gloria Macias Harrison, recipient of the Black Rose Award, spoke about the importance of diversity and community improvement. "Diversity is our strength and before everyone was talking about diversity, equity, and inclusion, we were already doing that in San Bernardino. With the Inland Empire Community News, our purpose was and is to show the good works that we are doing here in the region and show that we are not what is often depicted of us," she said.
The Black Rose Awards Banquet is a significant annual event that brings together members of the community to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of individuals who are making a positive impact in the Inland Empire. It is a celebration of the diverse and dynamic communities that make up the region, and a recognition of the hard work and dedication of those who are committed to making it a better place.
photo MANNY SANDOVAL
IECN publisher Gloria Macias harrison thanking the San The Black Culture Foundation's Bernardino and Inland Community for all the hard work they do on a daily basis to make the region a better, more unified Awards, cont. next pg. place.
Neighborhood Housing Ser vices of the IE launches new targeted initiatives to incr ease affordable housing and wealth
By Manny Sandoval
February is Black History Month in the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom
H HO OW W TO E AC CH H UUSS TO RREA
Inland Inland Community Community
Empire Empire Ne wspapers Ne wspapers
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n its 40th year, Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire (NHSIE) just announced new initiatives aimed at increasing homeownership rates and generating real opportunities for wealth building in the low to moderate income communities of San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Kailin Scott, newly appointed CEO of NHSIE, stated, “Last year the organization took the time to step back and conduct research to understand where we could make an intentional impact in the field of affordable housing with effective solutions. One of the key initiatives we are launching is the Jack Hill Initiative, aimed at increasing the homeownership rate of
black residents in the area.”
Currently, black homeownership in the Inland Empire stands at 45 percent, compared to 71 percent for whites.
NHSIE plans to address this disparity by offering financial assistance opportunities and education on the home buying process, credit, financial literacy, and budgeting. The organization will host an open house on February 23, 6-8 PM at their office at 1845 South Business Center Drive, San Bernardino, Unit 120, to discuss these initiatives and answer any questions from the community. “Another initiative is the ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Initiative, which is part of Project Grow. NHSIE is working with local cities to provide NHSIE cont. next pg.
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NHSIE
NhSIE providing homeownership, landlord, rental, and affordable housing counseling in January 2023.