4- D College Graduates Ready to Enter Workforce
(L to R) Commencement speaker for recent graduating class of 4-D College, Dr. Gloria Morrow, 4-D College Administrator, Mr. Aisha Smith-Thompson, Founder, Pres/CEO, Mrs. Linda Smith, and Co-Partner, Mr. Ernell Smith.
Colton, CA-- Since 1992, Four-D College has been viewed as an outstanding nursing and medical career training institution in Southern California,
all due to the “Four D’s” of founder, president and CEO, Mrs. Linda Smith.
The "Four D's" are...the DESIRE to achieve, the DETERMINATION to follow through a process, the DRIVE to an energy level needed to maintain consistent efforts to accomplish desires, and DELIVER, reaching desired goals for success. They believe that in order for an individual to be successful, he or she must possess each of the Four-D components.
If you enjoy working with people, possess a caring attitude, and desire a career in healthcare, they invite you to come to Four-D College, an Inland Empire Resource.
Recognized for its commitment, dedication, and excellence; Four-D College has been selected School of the Year by the City of San Bernardino Employment and Training Agencies (SBETA), and Outstanding School of the Year by the San Bernardino Private Industry Council.
They are fully accredited by the national Accrediting Bureau for Health Education Schools (ABHES), the United States Department of Education, and the State of California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE). In addition, out Vocational Nursing Program is accredited by the Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT).
They are approved by the State of California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) and the Department of Health Services and the Licensing Division.
For more information about 4-D College and the services and classes offered call 1-800-600-5422.
Why I Love Black Women Celebration
By Gloria Ingram, IVN Guest Writer
(Seated left to right: Jan Simmons, Madeline Collins, Gloria Ingram, Donna Smith; Standing: Shannon Telles)
Pomona, CA-- Black college men honored Black women at the 2nd Annual “Why I Love Black Women Celebration” on Thursday evening, February 26 at the Titan Student Union on the campus of CSU, Fullerton. Members of the Alliance for the Preservation of African Consciousness(APAC) at CSU, Fullerton and The Brother’s Movement at CSU, Pomona hosted this formal, by invitation only event.
The program began with first recognizing Mothers. Each one received a red silk drawstring “goodie bag” filled with such items as a mirrored compact and a mini vial of perfume from Sephora. Mothers were then escorted into the dining room on the arm of a member of either APAC or The Brother’s. An individual photo was taken as a special remembrance of this occasion. The dining room was decorated with red, pink, white, & black balloons. Rose petals were strewn across the red, black, or white tablecloths covering each round table, and a red or pink heart shaped creamy mint was also found at each setting. A trio played contemporary jazz. After all Mothers had been seated, other women were also individually escorted to a seat at a table in the dining room.
Kenneth Burrell and Rado Quik, Presidents of The Brother’s and APAC, respectively, enthusiastically welcomed approximately 200 guests. A video created by Robert Collins featured members of the organizations expressing their reasons for exalting Black women. Spoken word artists and singers were also featured on the program. Another video by Sneak A Peek Productions was shown on big screens entitled,
“A Black Woman’s Smile.” It chronicled the Black women’s struggle from a historical perspective. Afterwards women were recognized as leaders on both campus whether student, faculty member, or staff member. Each received a framed certificate.
Dinner was served by members of the hosting organizations and consisted of: salad, a choice of vegetarian/non-vegetarian pasta, choice of beverage, and cake with chocolate filling as dessert.
The program ended with members of APAC and The Brother’s circulating around the room presenting each woman with a long stemmed red rose. A fitting ending for a program dedicated to demonstrating the high regard these college men have for Black women.
Words From the Heart Inspires and Encourages
Upland, CA-- Lane Fontenot truly has a way with words. In her writings which consist of poetry, you will find words of inspiration, enlightenment, encouragement and strength.
In honor of Women's History Month, Inland Valley News is so pleased to have Ms. Fontenot’s contributions included in our weekly publication for this important celebration with the submission of a Poetry Salute.
Celebrating the brilliance and resilience of the spirit of women, her poetry additionally highlights the unique struggles and challenges of Black women. The poetry will honor and salute Women, Women of Color and Black Women, as the world honors and recognizes the impervious soul of our mothers, grannies, aunts, sisters and daughters.
Ms. Fontenot states, “My work speaks to our ability to rise above our circumstances with courage, grace and a never-say-die attitude.”
This great writer and poetess is currently working on the completion of her first book, "A Butterfly's Journey... Principles, Practices and Poetry for Wellness and Self-Care."
“My life lessons have given me a very unique and profound perspective, and I know my purpose is to share the triumph and God's love with others who need to be encouraged and edified,” professes Ms. Fontenot.
Look for the great works in the next upcoming issues of the Inland Valley News. The first submission is titled, Sister Ingenuity.
Sister Ingenuity
Maya, Toni, Zora & Me
souls unbound, spirits free
birthing words that give life and heal
penning emotions that can cut and kill
Maya, Toni, Zora & Me
a force of sistah ingenuity
a tidal wave of voices in a turbulent sea
we feel the sublime
it’s in the root of the vine
in the core of the shell
cracked to uncover the need
to share the wonder of our chance in time
to connect with African minds of the bloodline
for it’s thicker than water
stronger than the chains that bound us together
when we were extracted from the cradle of civilization
from out of our ancient existence
but we survived the middle
descending into a strange land
that did not recognize
but planned mass demise
yet triumph was not our enemy’s friend
and in the end
the struggle of the fittest endured jim alive
at times holding our peace
and burying our presence just to survive
but shared onyx voices are mighty
even in a low murmur
and the poignant distinct pitch of our kindred spirits
resounded through space
and linked our souls and pain
and love and strengths
and struggles and stories
and never, all at once, did our collective will retreat
a steady pulse of purpose kept us on a jagged even pace
and “we ain’t no ways tired”
Maya, Toni, Zora and Me
write the words to
Triumphant Endings
© 2005 Lane Fontenot