EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 60, NO. 47
Nov. 16 , 2023
San Ber nardino Celebrates Cultural Diver sity with Inaug ural Día de los Muer tos Event
iecn.com
SBPD Officers Involved in Shooting of an Armed Man Pg. 3
F
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
San Bernardino Resident Jacob Hernandez exploring the Dia de los Muertos display on November 3, 2023.
By Manny Sandoval
rom November 1st to 4th, Court Street Square in downtown San Bernardino transformed into a vibrant hub of cultural celebration for the city's first official Día de los Muertos event. This multi-day experience, rich in tradition and community spirit, honored the revered Mexican holiday that dates back to the Aztec Empire. Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is
SBCUSD Board of Education Honors Outstanding Individuals Including Students, Parents, and Staff Pg. 4
Inland
Local San Bernardino Empir e Community Diaper Distribution Newspaper s Program Marks 1 Office: (909) 381-9898 Millionth Diaper Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Milestone Pg. 8
H OW TO R E AC H US
Inland Empir e Co mmunity Newspaper s Of fice: (909) 381-9898
Edi tori al: i ecn1@ mac.com
A dvertisi ng: iecn1@ mac .com
Legals: iecn legals@gmail.com
I
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
The various displays featuring loved ones, young, old, and ages inbetween.
a time for individuals to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. Central to this year's celebration was the Community Ofrenda, an altar adorned with objects representing water, wind, earth, and fire, symbolizing the essential elements of life. The ofrenda, displayed throughout the event, offered communal remembrance and reflection space.
The festivities kicked off each day from November 1st to 3rd, with local food vendors enriching the experience with traditional flavors. November 4th marked the
main event, featuring a beer garden, performances, artisans, music, and more, all encapsulating the joyous spirit of this significant cultural event.
Councilmember Ben Reynoso reflected on the event's success on Instagram, stating, "It felt so good to see our culture on full display downtown for the past few days with the culminating event this past Saturday." He thanked the City of San Bernardino Parks and Rec for fostering community SB City cont. on next pg.
Adeola Davies-Aiyeloja - Championing Social Justice Through Art in San Bernardino
Community News
n the heart of San Bernardino County, a dynamic force driven by the creative vision and social commitment of Adeola DaviesAiyeloja is shifting attitudes over art and social justice.
Adeola is a Southern California BIPOC artist with a multidisciplinary approach that covers painting, printmaking, digital collage, and more, Adeola has also spent over three decades advocating for social and health causes through her art.
Her work delves into the intricate relationships between the environment, human health, and advocacy, all while evoking elements of female power, spirituality, nature, and her cultural heritage. A self-taught artist, Adeola's passion for her craft has only grown stronger over the years.
One of Adeola's recent projects capturing the essence of her advocacy is the mosaic mural titled "The RISE!". Collaborating with a group of fellow artists, they created 33
portraits of influential African Americans who have left an indelible mark on the Black community. This striking mural pays homage to luminaries such as Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Amanda Gorman. It serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and spirit of the Black community throughout history.
Adeola's commitment to her community goes beyond her art and extends to addressing pressing issues like the disparity in women's menopausal health. Recognizing that the lack of educational information about menopause was leading to reactive rather than proactive behavior among women, Adeola’s personal journey of understanding menopause for over a decade inspired her to launch the Menopause Project. The Menopause Project seeks to fill the void in knowledge and support surrounding menopause, particularly in underserved communities of color in San Bernardino and Riverside. BIPOC Art cont. on next pg.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
Adeola is a Southern California BIPOC artist with a multidisciplinary approach that covers painting, printmaking, digital collage, and more.