The Message – Voting is Your Power

The Message – Voting is Your Power

California Secretary of State Weber Travels State Urging Youth to Get Early Start on Voter Registration

by Solomon O. Smith | California Black Media

As part of a broad civic education initiative, High School Voters Registration Week, California Secretary of State Shirley Nash Weber has been traveling across the state encouraging young people to register to vote.

High School Voter Registration Week occurs in the last weeks of April and September and offers preregistration, mock voting trials, guidance for teachers and administrators, and other tools to help young people get an early start in voting. Advertising, speaking tours, and videos aimed at future voters are part of the arsenal Weber’s office is using to reach voters.

At the legal voting age of 18, many young voters are in their first years of college or at the end of high school. Through volunteering and education, they are encouraged to participate in the process as early as possible.

Last week, Weber spoke to students at John W. North High School in Riverside County as part of her statewide voting education tour.

“California allows us to register students as early as 16, to preregister for voting,” said Weber. “We also allow those at 16 years old to work in the polls, so we want to encourage voting at every level.”

On National Voting Registration Day, last Tuesday, Sept. 20, she was at Dodger stadium reaching out to citizens and encouraging them to register. The holiday was established by a non-partisan group in 2012, with the goal of increasing voter registration and recruiting volunteers to work at polling places. The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors are among the organizations endorsing the holiday, according to their website.

Weber is the first Black woman to hold the position of Secretary of State in California after being appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2020. She was sworn in on Jan. 29, 2021.

Her office is responsible for more than accounting for the vote, preparing for elections and campaign filings. She is also responsible for business filings and the historical archives of the state.

Weber is one of three Black women in the United States who are Secretaries of State. Tahesha Way of New Jersey and acting secretary of the commonwealth Leigh Chapman of Pennsylvania are the other two. All three are Democrats. Weber acknowledged the historic role of Black women in voting in an interview on NBC.

“Black women in this country have always been sometimes ignored and yet counted on,” said Webber in an interview on NBC. “We’ve been a silent force for change. Everyone always knew you could count on the sister in the front row to get things done.”

Weber has been an active proponent of protecting voting rights and American democracy.

On Sept. 28, she will be hosting a Voting Rights Town Hall at Sacramento State, where she will discuss the 1965 Voting Rights Act and how to further protect voting rights across the nation.

Her advocacy for the vote comes from deeply rooted personal experiences. Growing up, she remembers that her grandparents and parents did not have right to vote during the era of Jim Crow in Arkansas. Her father moved the family to California where she received her PhD from the University of California Los Angeles by age 26. Weber was a four-term Assemblymember representing California’s 79th district and was the chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus in 2020.

While Weber is pushing to include more voters in California, many places across the country have taken a different approach to voting rights. After the gutting of the 1969 Voting Rights Act in 2013, which no longer required some Southern states to seek federal approval of voting changes, many enacted new policies and laws that some deemed restrictive.

The Brennan Center for Justice tracks some of the ongoing fights over voting rights and some of the methods used by states; closing polling places, requiring identification, gerrymandering, removing individuals from voter rolls and casting doubts on thelegitimacy of the process, are a few of the complaints they follow.

This year, 32 cases have been filed in fifteen states. Some of these legal complaints illustrate concerns that protections for the right to vote need to be strengthened. Campaign Legal Center v. Scott, No. 1:22-cv-00092 (W.D. Tex.), for example pointed to voting role purging enacted by then Texas Secretary of State John B. Scott. In the case, which Scott loss, the judge said it had “flawed results” which removed nearly 10, 000 voters from the rolls — only 80 were ineligible.

When visiting Southwestern College in South Bay, on Sept. 9, Weber spoke about the need to protect voting rights and the importance of inclusion and vigilance. She challenged students to find the “courage” to defend democracy with their votes.

“We are helping people to understand that voting is power, that it is an equalizing power, and that every voter gets one vote,” said Weber. “I tell the students all the time do not give away your power … use your power to your best interest.”

Spotlight | Assistance League®of Pomona Valley

Spotlight | Assistance League®of Pomona Valley

Assistance League® of Pomona Valley is a chapter of National Assistance League®, an all-volunteer, member driven organization. Assistance League® of Pomona Valley, is the eighth oldest chapter of more than 120 chapters of National Assistance League® and was organized in 1932-33 and chartered in 1946. Members raise funds and implement programs that serve multiple needs of children.

We operate a Dental Center in Pomona, which serves both uninsured and Denti-Cal children. Patients are usually referred by school district personnel. Often other family members can also benefit from our services. For information or to make an appointment call 909-629-6142 or email dentalcenter@alpv.org

Another service, “Operation School Bell®” provides a weeks worth of new clothing and a family care kit to children in need.
“Assault Survivor Kits®” are another service provided to assist the efforts of Project Sister, a local philanthropy providing assistance to victims of abuse. Kits with items of comfort and care are assembled and donated by us, and given to victims of rape or abuse when the Project Sister staff counsels them.

Our “Act of Giving” is an annual event each Christmas. ALPV and community members, “adopt” a family in need to provide them with a memorable Christmas.

We have two major fundraisers each year. Our annual Golf Tournament is every May and our Tea is held in February. We also have ongoing smaller events in the community to introduce ourselves and encourage community participation and promote membership. Volunteering makes a difference!

Visit alpv.org and find out how you can participate, donate or join us.

Our chapter provides services to the communities of Chino Hills, Claremont, Diamond Bar, Glendora, La Verne, Pomona and San Dimas.

It is qualified as a 501(c)(3) organization with the IRS.

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Festival of Lights Returns to Riverside Nov. 29

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Festival of Lights Returns to Riverside Nov. 29

The 27th annual Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Festival of Lights returns to downtown Riverside on Friday, Nov. 29 with food, entertainment, a fireworks display and the much-anticipated switch-on ceremony to turn on millions of holiday lights at the historic hotel. Vendors and attractions open at noon. The switch-on ceremony, produced by The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce and the City of Riverside, starts at 4:30 p.m., with fireworks following roughly an hour later. The gathering at the corner of Orange Street and Mission Inn Avenue marks the beginning of the holiday season for Riverside residents. “The Festival of Lights is a time-honored way to celebrate the kick-off of the holiday season with family and friends,” Mayor Rusty Bailey said. “This beloved event also showcases our historic downtown, which provides an incredible boost to our local businesses.” At this year’s festival: · A very large snow globe will be placed on Main Street between University and Mission Inn avenues to highlight the progress and accomplishments of UC Riverside. Visitors can step inside the snow globe and take a selfie with a replica of the UCR bell tower. · The century wheel and the carousel will move to the parking lot adjacent to City Hall at 10th and Main streets. · Live music will commence daily at the Entertainment Stage located in the breezeway of City Hall on Main Street between 9th and 10th Streets. · Horse-drawn carriages will return this year. · The Artisan’s Collective will highlight artists and craft makers alike Thursdays-Sundays, starting on Saturday, Nov. 30th and continuing through Sunday, Dec. 29th. The collective will be on Main Street between University Avenue and 9th Street from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. · Vendors will be back selling holiday-themed sweets and treats. More than 750,000 people visit Riverside during the festival to gaze upon the historic Mission Inn covered in more than 5 million holiday lights, decorated with 400 animatronic figures and filled with holiday music. More than 75,000 people attend the annual switch-on ceremony, held each year on the Friday evening after Thanksgiving. After a welcome and brief remarks from local dignitaries, the Roberts family leads a countdown to the switch-on at dusk. The millions of holiday lights spread out around the Mission Inn and the surrounding area are switched on, and the downtown sky erupts in a fireworks show. “We are very fortunate in Riverside to enjoy the support of Duane and Kelly Roberts, Keepers of the Inn, who work so hard to make the Festival of Lights so successful,” Mayor Pro Tem Andy Melendrez said. “We look forward to another great event this year.”
4th Annual SoCal Women Business and Wellness Conference

4th Annual SoCal Women Business and Wellness Conference

The 4th annual Southern California Women Business and Wellness Conference is the event that Connects, Inspires and Empowers women of diverse backgrounds with business and wellness resources and information.  You are invited to Join us on November 13, 2019 for an Amazing Conference that celebrates the success of professional Women, Diversity and Wellness.

Photos from 2018 WBWC

The 4th Annual Women Business & Wellness Conference features an exhibitor area, workshops, morning keynote address and luncheon keynote speakers. We are planning for 350-400 attendees, over 100 women business owners and 30 exhibitors.

 

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The 4th annual Southern California Women Business and Wellness Conference is the event that Connects, Inspires and Empowers women of diverse backgrounds with business and wellness resources and information.  You are invited to Join us on November 13, 2019 for an Amazing Conference that celebrates the success of professional Women, Diversity and Wellness. The 4th Annual Women Business & Wellness Conference features an exhibitor area, workshops, morning keynote address and luncheon keynote speakers. We are planning for 350-400 attendees, over 100 women business owners and 30 exhibitors.
Did you know? There are over 1.4 million Women Owned Businesses in California
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE The 4th annual Southern California Women Business and Wellness Conference is produced by the award winning Hispanic Lifestyle who also publish InTheMarketPlace.Biz and OurEmpireStories.Com EVENT DETAILS  DATE: Wednesday, November 13, 2019 WHERE: Ontario Airport Hotel and Conference Center – 700 N Haven Ave, Ontario, CA 91764 WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Business Owners, Professionals, Community Leaders, Business Start Ups. TIME: 8am – 3pm COST:  VIP Tickets start $34 – $49  Purchase Tickets online @ https://squ.re/2lEggLL PARKING: FREE to Attendees EVENT NOTES:
  • Attendees gather from throughout Southern California, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. 
  • Format | Workshops, Featured Speakers, Vendors and Keynote Presentations
  • Features | Resources from business and health communities. 
For sponsorship information please contact Richard Sandoval directly at 951.640.1146 or RDS@Hispaniclifestyle.com
Working Event Program
The 4th Annual Southern California Women Business and Wellness Program
Working Program**

8:00am – 8:45am | Networking • Exhibitors

9:00am – 9:45am | Welcome and Morning Featured Presentations

Mistress of Ceremonies | Joan Burke Stanford – Jazzy Pen Communications

Kimberly (Kim) Martinez, VP/GM All Pro Broadcasting Southern California KHTI 103.9/KATY 101.3

A Conversation on Wellness

10:00am – 10:30am | Workshops – Session I

Rosaura Parsons – Wealth Advisor Wells Fargo, “Building Wealth”

Stephanie Meriaux, ACC, CPCC, Speaker, Facilitator, Coach
“3 Keys to Building Healthy Relationships & Stronger Leaders: An Interactive Look at Neuroscience, Mindfulness, and Emotional Intelligence”.

11:00am – 11:30am | Workshops – Session II

Living Healthy and Sharing Our Stories

Tammy Martin-Ryles, Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Empire: President and Business Owner BTProductions

Raziel Fuentebella Arcega, Business Owner/Marketing Consultant at LNR PROMOTIONS

Jes Sofia Valle – Bloggers of Health, Mental Health Strategies for your Company.

11:45am – 12:15pm
Goya Club de Cocina Pop-Up Workshop featuring Chef Cindy

Networking • Exhibitors

12:30pm – 2:00pm (TICKETED ACTIVITY, Please purchase your tickets here) 

Luncheon and Afternoon Featured Presentations  

Meena Kotak, Senior Vice President | Regional Wealth Planning Manager –  Wells Fargo Bank

Dr. Sumanta Chaudhuri,  Chief Medical Officer for Hemet Valley Medical Center and Menifee Valley Medical Center

BRA Talk with Hope Suhr, a “Chestologist”™

Energy Break – 

2:00pm – 3:00pm | Networking • Exhibitors • Door Prizes

** NOTE Program is subject to change without notice.

DETAILS and LOCATION

PURCHASE TICKETS

EVENT DETAILS 
DATE: Wednesday, November 13, 2019
WHERE: Ontario Airport Hotel and Conference Center – 700 N Haven Ave, Ontario, CA 91764
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Business Owners, Professionals, Community Leaders, Business Start Ups.
TIME: 8am – 3pm
COST:  VIP Tickets start $34 – $49  Purchase Tickets online @ https://squ.re/2lEggLL
PARKING: FREE to Attendees

Exhibitor & Sponsorship Information
EXHIBITOR AND PRICING INFORMATION Exhibitor Booth – $350 | Small Business/Non-Profit Exhibitor Space – $200
  • 8 x 8 Exhibitor space at the event, Two (2) tickets to the event • Includes profile posting on inthemarketplace.biz, Logo and 100 words and website link)  • Client is responsible to provide deliverables no later 30 days after the event.
  • Exhibitor Booth and Reserved Table (10 Tickets) – $1,200
    • Ten (10) Full Access Tickets • 8 x 8 Exhibitor space at the event • Logo featured at the event
  • Event Community Sponsor – $2,500
    • One 8 x 8 Exhibitor space at the event • Logo rotating at the event. • Reserved table and 10 tickets to the event (Includes Opening night reception and Luncheon) • Profile posting on (Logo and 100 word article with website link)  • Web Banner (280 x 280 pixels) on inthemarketplace.biz, Term – 6 months to be provide by sponsor
Download Our Sponsorship Deck WBWC’19_SponsorDeckRev2b PURCHASE BOOTHS

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS OF THE 2018 SoCal Women Business and Wellness Conference

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