Thursday, June 11, 2009

IE African American Chamber Hosts Reception for Rialto Superintendent Dr. Harold Cebrun

The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce holds a reception for Dr. Harold Cebrun, superintendent of Rialto Unified School District, on Thursday, July 2. 


 (SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce hosts a reception for Rialto Unified School District Superintendent, Dr. Harold Cebrun on Thursday, July 2, 2009.  

The reception will place at Acquire Learning Center, 1188 W. Leiske Drive in Rialto, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Dr. Cebrun took over the superintendent’s duties in Rialto in February 2009, after former superintendent Edna Davis-Herring resigned. Superintendent Cebrun has worked for more than 40 years in public education, starting as a substitute teacher. 

 “Dr. Cebrun is a leader in the war against ignorance, striving always to share his wealth of knowledge with schools, school districts, businesses and corporate executives,” said Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-Anaheim), when Congress honored him with special recognition in 1998, for what was then 30 years of service to education. 

“He is an eloquent speaker whose views are sought by many organizations. His expertise in team building, team management and effective leadership has earned him the respect and admiration of peers and community leaders.” 

 He will share these views with members of the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce at this reception, and listen to their concerns and suggestions as to how he can serve youth in Rialto. 

 “We are grateful, that in such a short period of time, the Rialto Board of Education unanimously selected an experienced, highly educated and highly motivated superintendent who has started off with great strides,” said Board Member Joanne Gilbert. 

“We appreciate the Inland Empire African American Chamber recognizing our superintendent and offering this generous ‘meet and greet’ for the community.” 

 Before arriving in Rialto, Dr. Cebrun served as superintendent of the Lynwood Unified School District, for five years and served as superintendent for Compton Unified School District for five years. He previously was the Assistant Commissioner for Athletics in the California Interscholastic Federation, which oversees high school sports programs throughout the state. He was the first African-American employed by CIF since its inception in 1913.

 “I am humbled, and always welcome the opportunity to thank community leaders who make efforts in uniting and building bridges through these positive encounters,” stated Superintendent Cebrun. Dr. Cebrun earned his master’s degree at Azusa Pacific University and holds two doctorate degrees, a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Columbia Pacific University and an Ed.D. from Argosy University. He has also completed additional studies for life credentials as a teacher, counselor, and administrator, attending University of Southern California and Pepperdine University. 

 “The Rialto Unified community, which includes portions of Rialto and San Bernardino, is fortunate to have a leader the caliber of Dr. Cebrun,” said Carl Dameron, president of the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce, and the father of two Rialto Unified students. “As a business leader and as a parent, I am excited about this opportunity for local African-American community leaders to meet and support him as he serves the Rialto Unified School District.” The reception is free and refreshments are included. 

The event is co-sponsored by San Bernardino Mayor Pro Tem Rikke Van Johnson, Rialto Council Member Deborah Robertson, Fontana Mayor Pro Tem Acquanetta Warren, Acquire Learning Center and Dameron Communications. For more information, or to RSVP, please call Shannan Gonzales at 909-888-0017. 

 About The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to promote the economic and professional development of African American-owned businesses, thus enhancing the quality of life in our community.
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Monday, June 8, 2009

Meet San Bernardino's New City Manager Charles McNeely

The Inland Empire African-American Chamber of Commerce will host a reception for new San Bernardino City Manager Charles McNeely on Thursday, June 11 at Castaway Restaurant & Banquet Center, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.


(San Bernardino, Calif.) – The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce hosts a reception for Charles McNeely, San Bernardino’s new city manager on Thursday, June 11.

The reception takes place at Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center, located at 670 Kendall Drive in San Bernardino, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

McNeely began leading San Bernardino through the City Manager’s office on Monday, June 1. He previously was city manager in Reno, NV.

He is the first Black to serve as San Bernardino’s city manager.

The reception provides McNeely with an opportunity to tell other Black community leaders in the Inland Empire how he plans to serve the city and the Inland Empire region as a whole.

“Since Charles McNeely is an African-American overseeing one of the largest cities in the Inland Empire, we heartily welcome him to San Bernardino,” said Carl Dameron, president of The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce. “His leadership will no doubt be positive for our city, our region and our members, and we are all excited about the opportunity to meet him and discuss our thoughts and concerns with him.”

The reception is free and refreshments are included. The event is co-sponsored by San Bernardino Mayor Pro Tem Rikke Van Johnson, Castaway Restaurant & Banquet Center, Arrowhead Credit Union, The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire and Dameron Communications.

For more information, or to RSVP, please call Eddie L. Catoe or Brenda Erickson at 909-888-0017.

About The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce

The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to promote the economic and professional development of African American-owned businesses, thus enhancing the quality of life in our community.

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Rikke Van Johnson to Host Town Hall Meetin


San Bernardino Mayor Pro Tem Rikke Van Johnson, top photo and City Manager Charles McNeely, bottom photo, along with Chief of Police Keith Kilmer, will present information about projects taking place in Ward 6 (Johnson's area of representation) and elsewhere in the city at a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, June 18.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) On Thursday, June 18, 2009 Mayor Pro Tem and Sixth Ward Councilman Rikke Van Johnson will host a Town Hall Meeting & Report at the Inghram Community Center, 2050 N. Mt Vernon Avenue beginning at 6:30 p.m. This will be an opportunity to inform the Sixth Ward residents about the city’s budget and how it will impact their neighborhoods.

City Manager Charles McNeely and Chief of Police Keith Kilmer, who both became employed by San Bernardino on June1, 2009, will both speak during Johnson’s Town Hall Meeting.

“This is an opportunity for Sixth Ward residents to meet their new city manager and their new chief of police,” said Johnson, who has represented the Sixth Ward since 2004. “Both of these gentlemen are quality individuals and I’m excited about the City’s possibilities and the improvements that will be achieved under their inspired leadership.”

Voices 4 Change will also have a presentation. “Voices 4 Change is a powerful grassroots and social action campaign, that draws on the recognized capacity of photography and poetry to effectively reach and connect to people emotionally while serving as a platform to achieve a transformation of individuals and environments,” Johnson said.

Johnson will also discuss projects in his presentation to the community including:

  • State Street Widening – State Street will be widened from the 210 freeway to Foothill Boulevard, thus creating the last major north-south arterial street that can be built in San Bernardino. The project is now in the design phase. When completed this four-lane arterial will have bicycle lanes (the first in the Sixth Ward) and meandering sidewalks. It also will improve access between California State University San Bernardino, Arroyo Valley High School and Colton High School.

  • Route 66 – This historic federal highway runs through the Sixth Ward, including neighborhoods experiencing economic blight. However, a new McDonald’s restaurant opened on Route 66 recently, the first major chain restaurant to open on the Westside since 1992. This restaurant and other new developments nearby are fueling economic revitalization in the area. The NorthWest Redevelopment Project Area Committee is focusing efforts to improve this historic corridor as well. These plans will be highlighted.

  • Meridian Apartments – This 18-unit apartment complex, at one time owned by 14 different owners, has long been a hangout for drug dealers and other criminals. The city has acquired eight of these units, with three to be demolished before the end of the month. Eventually, Johnson says, the city hopes to acquire and demolish all the units, extend the cul-de-sac on which these apartments are located to create a through street, and offer the vacant property for potential development opportunities.

Rikke Van Johnson represents the Sixth Ward on the City Council of San Bernardino, where he has lived for most of his life. He is the manager for Greenwood Bail Bonds, and previously worked for 27 years as a clerk for the United States Postal Service.

For more information about the Town Hall Meeting, please call Eddie Catoe or Brenda Erickson at (909) 888-0017.

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