Prince Ogidikpe among Black Rose Young People Award winner s announced

The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation has announced the winners for its 30th Annual Black Rose Awards in the Margaret Hills Black Rose Inspiration Young Adults category

They are Liyah Bevins and Prince Ogidikpe

They will be honored at the Foundation's annual banquet on February 4, 2023, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the California State University, San Bernardino, Santos Manuel Student Union, 5500 University Parkway

"The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, founded in 1986 to honor and share the richness of our Black heritage, to recognize world diversity and inspire our youth/adults toward leadership, providing scholarships and career opportunities," said Foundation President Arlington Rodgers

The Black Culture Foundation's mission is to bridge cultural differences across generations through nurturing, educating, and building lasting, respectable, and encouraging communities

Prince Ogidikpe Bio

Prince earned a bachelor's degree in biological psychology with a minor in communications at Cal State San Bernardino

A native of Bayelsa State in Nigeria, he moved to the United States in 2010 At CSUSB he was elected to serve terms as the Associated Students' Executive Vice President and President

He currently works as a Dis- trict Representative for Eloise Gomez Reyes, the California Assembly's Majority Leader, representing the 47th Assembly District

This is the Foundation's first event since Covid, and "our coffers are bare and in need of replenishment to continue providing scholarships," said Committee Co-Chair Kristine Scott

Individual tickets are $75 each For more information or to purchase tickets go to EventB r i g h t : https://www eventbrite com/e/3 0 t h - b l a c k - r o s e - a w a r d s - b a nquet-tickets-491089169927

For more information please contact the event's Co-Chairs: Kristine Scott at (909) 8090317 or kscott@socalgas com or Jim King at (760) 239-8200 or jimking5000@yahoo com

Crafton Hills College br eaks g r ound on new $9.5 million Public Safety Training Center

Community News

Construction is underway on Crafton Hills College’s (CHC) voter-approved and funded Public Safety Training Center, following a groundbreaking ceremony on January 20 in front of a crowd of more than 150

Upon completion, the $9 5 million facility will house CHC’s Fire Academy and public safety programs and further elevate CHC’s reputation as one of the premier public safety colleges in the nation The Public Safety Training Center was made possible thanks to the vision of current and former CHC leaders and funding from 2018’s Measure CC, approved by voters to fund campus upgrades at both CHC and its sister college, San Bernardino Valley College

Consistent community support has been the cornerstone of the public safety programs’ successes Neighboring agencies, like the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and its fire department, have partnered with CHC to provide necessary tools of the trade, such as fire engines, equipment and training while supporting students’ growth with scholarships

During the groundbreaking, Tribal leaders presented a check for a $1 8 million grant that will cover student out-of-pocket expenses associated with the program The need for a steady income and secure housing is an obstacle for many who wish to study public safety fields, said Ed Duro, San Manuel Business Committee member-atlarge

“San Manuel believes that those with their heart [set] to serve others should be able to, especially if they come from historically underrepresented communities,” said Duro, a CHC alumnus, as Tribal leaders presented the gift during the event “This is why I am proud to announce our investment to offer direct support to students, enabling them to devote themselves to the program It is a priority for the Tribe to advance these opportunities for everyone regardless of background ”

“This project has been a decade in the making and serves as the best example of what happens when a community comes together for a common goal,” said CHC President Dr Kevin Horan

Dr Stephanie Houston, chair of the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees and a CHC alumna, called the new facility “near and dear” to her heart As a parent of a first responder, Houston said the Public Safety Training Center brings her a sense of relief because “at that end of the day, [first responder graduates] are going to rely on their training, and their training all started here,” she said

“So, as we look at our cadets, this next generation of students who are going to be coming through this amazing facility that we are building, [we will know that] it’s to ensure that parents, siblings, spouses and children of our first responders can sleep at night,” Houston said during the ceremony “Because they can rely on that training we provide [to their loved ones] This is an amazing opportunity for all of us ”

The Academy including other first responder-related training programs, such as those for paramedics and respiratory care has undergone a series of upgrades since its inception in 1982 CHC’s Fire Academy originally operated from an old automotive shop on campus that was transformed into a training space