Empowering City Youth with Shakespeare (Los Angeles)

Battle of the Bands 2015 …and the winner is (Santa Clarita)

Smokey Robinson Invitational (Santa Clarita)

Smile Club Benefits MFFO (Santa Clarita)

Valencia High Smile Club is causing a global outbreak of smiles and laughter from Santa Clarita to Kenya.

When Andrew Flores became co-president of the Smile Club at Valencia High School this year, he quickly sought to establish the mission of bringing smiles to the community and the world. His research led him to Rocky Turner, co-founder of Mothers Fighting for Others, a Santa Clarita based non-profit providing education for children in Kenya. 

"He's like the mastermind behind all of this," said Smile Club co-president, Gracie Rusk. "I think it is such a great opportunity, not only for Smile Club in the community in Santa Clarita, but also for the girls in Kenya."

Flores took it upon himself to contact other clubs including Valencia High Dance, the Valencia High and Saugus High Improv Club, and other students to perform songs, dance, and comedy in an effort to raise money and awareness for MFFO.  Tickets and refreshments were sold at the Thursday night event, proceeds benefitting the cause.

"As the new Smile Club presidents, our mission is to help the community, serve local charities, and just try to make the world a better place," said Flores.  "It was really touching to know that I could help a little kid out there in Kenya," he said.

Mothers Fighting for Others co-founder, Rocky Turner, would travel to Kenya herself to implement the learning process and raising thousands of dollars for the education of over 40 students, a very dangerous undertaking escalated by recent tensions in the country. 

"I'm amazed that you put all of your talents together, from singing to dancing just to make people laugh," said Turner to the Smile Club presidents during the event.

The student-organized arts in education event not only brings smiles to kids in Kenya, but also encourages local students and residents to be kind to one another.

"It's so important to just be nice to people.  It's such a simple thing and it's so small but kindness goes a long way," says improv performer, Gabriella Shaffer.

The Smile Club raised over $800 for the cause.

"I'm not part of like a big organization but I feel really humbled that I can do something that I enjoy to really help others," said vocalist and guitarist, Edward Kim.

More smiles to come?

"I 100% believe in using your talents to move forward and help the world.  So I definitely believe I'll do this in the future and I'll continue to help whoever I can help," says improv performer, Olivia McAtee.

Shane Vereen Receives Key to the City (Santa Clarita)

Link to Vereen's history making tribute and other 'first and famous' African-Americans of the Santa Clarita Valley.  http://scvtv.com/?p=22760

First and Famous Santa Clarita African-Americans

First and Famous SCV African-Americans

This is the beginning of an investigation of Santa Clarita history pertaining to first and famous African-American contributors.  The intent of this article is to start dialog and research, engage students in local history, and welcome additional acknowledgements for the preservation of  SCV African-American education and history. (Listed in alphabetical order by last name):

Louis Brathwaite - Resided in the Santa Clarita Valley from 1969 until his death in 2001.  He was the first African-American elected to a local political office as a school board member. In 1987, Brathwaite became the first African-American appointed to the Planning Commission and greatly impacted local develop decisions for the future of the City. Brathwaite also served on the board for the SCV Senior Center creating the Bouquet Canyon Senior housing. He served on the board for the SCV Boys & Girls Club. Brathwaite was a strong advocate of the arts and completed his autobiography one week prior to his death, "Black Man's Job, White Man's World." Further references: http://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/sg111501.htm  

Austin Dave - Chief of Video and Audio Operations at the Signal newspaper. Austin Dave is the first African-American web designer and computer programmer for SCVTV and Cougar News at College of the Canyons. He is a graduate of Golden Valley High School. 

Reverend Samuel Dixon - Founded the first Samuel Dixon Family Health Center over 30 years ago in Val Verde, CA by converting the annex of his church into a health center (1980).  The center's funding and operations were provided by partnerships with corporations such as Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation, Santa Monica Hospital, Kiwanis and Rotary members to provide low-income health care for families who would otherwise have no means to obtain medical services.  Rev. Samuel Dixon died in 1980 during the initial construction but his vision forged ahead to create health care centers in Newhall, Canyon Country and Val Verde serving Santa Clarita residents.  

Anthony Ervin - Raised in Santa Clarita and a Hart High graduate, Ervin is the first of African-American/Native American and Jewish heritage named to the US Olympic Swim Team. He then became the first to of African-American heritage to obtain an Olympic gold medal in swimming. He was 18 years old at the time. Ervin continued to become a 2x World Champion and World Record holder. At the age of 33, he became one of the oldest members of the 2012 US Olympic Swim Team, notwithstanding, he won a silver medal.  Ervin is currently a member of the US National team preparing for the 2016 Olympic trials.

Allyson Felix - Track and field sprint Olympic and World Champion medalist. . At age 18, she won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympic games. In 2007, Felix gained four Olympic gold medals, two silver medals, and three World Championship gold medals. In 2012, her net worth was reported at $8.5 million.

Meagan Good - Iconic Hollywood Film/TV actress starring in numerous productions with her career beginning in 1991. 

Julius Harper - Lead pastor of Santa Clarita Christian Fellowship, first African-American to produce and host a televised ministry program in Santa Clarita.

Andre Hollings - Also known as F. Andre Hollings, is the Field Representative for Assemblyman Scott Wilk.  Prior to his position with Assemblyman Wilk, Hollings wrote several commentaries for the Signal newspaper. 

Ervin Hurd and Chip Fields-Hurd - Ervin Hurd is a two-time Emmy award recipient for technical direction.  Chip (Fields) Hurd is a world renowned actor, director, and coach.  She has directed mega-hits including Tyler Perry's "Meet the Browns" and Disney's "Hannah Montana." Chips' daughter, Kim Fields, starred in the hit series "Facts of Life." SCV-Arts interview: https://youtu.be/r9jb_59_BSY

Roosevelt Johnson - In 2014, Roosevelt Johnson was promoted to Captain of the Santa Clarita Valley Station. Captain Johnson is a veteran of over 20 years with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and a Santa Clarita resident.

Jacques Anthony LaBerge - In 2009, "Anthony" La Berge was promoted to Chief of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department overseeing operations in Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Palmdale, Altadena, Crescenta Valley, East Los Angeles, Malibu/Lost Hills, and Temple stations. Chief LaBerge is a resident of Santa Clarita and has over 30 years of service with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

Gloria Locke - The first African-American to produce a radio show and the first African-American to produce a television show in Santa Clarita. She is the first African-American woman to write content for SCVNews.com, Our Valley Magazine, and the Signal newspaper and the first African-American multimedia journalist to produce video for these publications. She is the first African-American to serve on the Santa Clarita Arts Advisory Committee and to open an arts center in Saugus and Valencia.

Alysia Montano - A middle distance runner, she is a five-time USA Outdoor champion. Montano graduated from Canyon High in 2004 as Alysia Johnson.

Eddie Murray - Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.  Career highlights of 504 home runs, 3,255 hits, 19 grand slams are among his accomplishments before he began coaching in 2003. Murray became co-owner of the first Mercedes-Benz dealership in Santa Clarita, opening December 2005. 

Janice Murray - Radio producer and host of the KHTS AM 1220 "Non-Proift Spotlight" show. She began with the station in September 2005 continuing to present-day. She was married to Baseball Hall of Famer, Eddie Murray, until their divorce in 2011.

Edward "Ed" Redd - The first African-American appointed as a Parks & Recreation Commissioner in 2002 where he served until his death in 2010. Redd was also a strong advocate of the arts serving on Santa Clarita's Arts Advisory steering committee to increase multicultural arts education programs reflecting Santa Clarita's diverse population.

Naya Rivera - Television icon for her starring role in the series "Glee."  Naya Rivera was raised in Santa Clarita and is a Valencia High graduate.

Marlon Saunders - Senior pastor and founder of Valencia Christian Center, the largest African-American congregation in Santa Clarita.

Chris Schauble - Iconic KTLA Channel 5 morning news anchor, recipient of two Emmys and five Golden Mike Awards. Schauble calls Santa Clarita his home although he resides in the adjacent community of Stevenson Ranch. 

Felicia T. Sheppard - Television show host on "Talkin' with Felicia" airing on SCVTV.

Morris Thomas - The first African-American publisher of the Signal newspaper. Morris Thomas served as the interim publisher and general manager of the publication from 2009 to 2011 at which time he was appointed District Director for Senator Howard "Buck" McKeon serving from 2012 to 2015.  

Jim Ventress - Came to the Santa Clarita Valley in 1985 becoming the president of the SCV Boys & Girls Club serving in that capacity for 29 years (1985 - 2014). Ventress headed the planning of the Newhall Club and Sierra Vista Jr. High Club.  In addition to mentoring thousands of Santa Clarita youth, Ventress assisted in the creation of the Day for Kids and the Haunted Jailhouse event held at the SCV Sheriff's station.

Shane Vereen - Born and raised in Valencia, Vereen, the iconic #34, is the starting running back of the New England Patriots, champions at this year's Super Bowl XLIX. Shortly after January's Super Bowl win, Vereen receives key to the City of Santa Clarita:  https://youtu.be/7LcbBGvfqQ0

Deanna Warrick - Serves on the PAC Arts Education Advisory Committee, personally responsible for presenting Dionne Warwick's 50th anniversary arranging the first concert in Santa Clarita.

Firsts and Famous SCV African-Americans, Part 1, Olympic Swimmers

During African-American history month, I am posting "First and Famous" contributors to Santa Clarita Valley history, which may well impact the world, as in the case of Olympic swimmers:

http://scvnews.com/2015/02/16/scv-shares-in-african-american-history-commentary-by-gloria-locke/

Thank you to SCVNews.com for publishing this and other stories.
Find more at www.scvtv.com/access