History buffs celebrate June 12th as the “Day of Loving” commemorating the landmark 1967 Loving v. Virginia case under Chief Justice Earl Warren. In a unanimous decision, the Court held that distinctions based on race were generally “odious to a free people” and were subject to “the most rigid scrutiny” under the Equal Protection Clause.”  https://www.oyez.org/cases/1966/395

“LIFE photographer Grey Villet met the Lovings (Mildred and Richard) in 1965, before the landmark case went to trial, when he was sent on assignment to document the day-to-day world of the couple. He captured a simple story, a love story. He took photos of the Lovings watching TV together, playing with their kids and kissing. The photos ran in a 1966 issue, providing a rare look into the private lives of a couple that would have such a lasting impact on the laws of the United States.” Read more … https://www.history.com/news/mildred-and-richard-the-love-story-that-changed-america

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Good morning Bakersfield
It is Saturday, June 13, 2020…A great day to be a Renegade

Juneteenth Celebration

We had another active week at the Virtual Home of the Renegades as we continue our conversation and celebration leading into Juneteenth.

On Wednesday, Bakersfield College invited the Bakersfield Police Department to sit down for a live conversation with Danny Morrison.  As the national dialogue on police training is more prominent than ever, BPD spoke about their partnership with Bakersfield College and commitment to high quality training for Kern’s first responders.  Chief Greg Terry and Assistant Chief Joe Mullins referenced our current “Principled Policing” training and the value of the Transformational Policing Model in advancing trust between the police department and public. 

If you missed it, you can still check out the stream here: https://www.facebook.com/dannymoshow/videos/3250895348300092/

Thank you to Dr. Tommy Tunson, BC’s Director of Public Safety Training, for bringing the Transformational Policing Model to BC and working to scale it across the state.  Check out his introduction to the panel discussion below. 

On Thursday evening, the Bakersfield Unity Rally was held at St. Peter Ministries in East Bakersfield. Dozens gathered to hear from political leaders, community activists, and students on the power of listening.

The theme of the evening was “if you see something, say something.”

This important community dialogue is just one of the many that have taken place over the last two weeks.  The diversity of speakers reflected the diversity of our community. It also highlighted the unity that exists and the willingness to continue to engage in dialogue and find solutions to various issues we can no longer be silent about, including law enforcement reform, implicit bias, and racism within Kern County.

As Traco Matthews reminded us, “This shouldn’t just be the burden of black people (to work towards equality),” he said. “It should be a mandate for every citizen of the United States of America.”

Bakersfield is so lucky to have NaTesha “T” Johnson, Michael Bowers, Traco Matthews, and other visionary leaders who are leading the way toward healing in our community.

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I was at an all-day accreditation commission meeting and therefore was not able to attend in person — here is a video message that I did for the event.

The message of listening as a form of healing and showing respect for one another to promote building a better community is part of the call to action Bakersfield College is engaging in through its Juneteenth Conversations and Celebrations.

Thank you to our community members who are promoting BC’s #LightACandle: A Juneteenth Conversation.  Check out their videos:

• Traco Matthews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR3q37kdMpM
• Leticia Perez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHXr6kzttPU
• Jay Tamsi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAA__6_pb7Y

Next week, Bakersfield College has a full slate of virtual activities planned to commemorate Juneteenth, marking the end of slavery in the United States.  Mark your calendars and tune in each evening at 6:00 p.m. to join us live as we hear from local, statewide, and national leaders, as well as our own brothers and sisters right here in Kern County as we honor the moment and #LightACandle to illuminate the pathforward. 

Be sure to keep up with the events on our website and use our hashtag to keep the online conversation going.

Thank you NaTesha T Johnson for always being a friend to BC!

NaTesha T Johnson is a community leader who embodies unity and community.  When called to serve on Boards, T is at the table.  When asked to support a community event, T is at the table.  When asked to help inspire and grow the next generation of community leaders, T is at the table.  When BC calls to ask for support and engagement, T is at the table.  A former Renegade cheerleader, T continues to be committed to Bakersfield College.  (T, thank you for your support of BC’s#LightACandle A Juneteenth Conversation.  Your enthusiasm, bright spirit, and honest insights will help open the dialogue on what it means to be black in the workplace. )

Join us June 15-19 to hear her testimonial.

Monday, June 15, 6pm: Tune in to Danny Morrison Media’s Facebook for a livestream presentation.  Among others you can expect to hear from: Congressman and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Congressman TJ Cox, Congressman and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn.

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Tuesday, June 16, 6pm: Bakersfield College hosts a third #RealTalk on Race in America Discussion with moderator Danny Morrison.  This week, you’ll hear from the youth leading the movement right here in Kern County.  The panelists include: Caleb Warren, 13; Ja’Nell Gore, 20; and Amaya Williams, 19. Ja’Nell is a BC student who writes for South Kern Sol, and Amaya is a BC student athlete in track & field. I am so proud of our BC students who will be speaking up, and I hope you will tune in to support them.

Wednesday, June 17, 6pm: Tune in to Danny Morrison Media’s Facebook for a livestream presentation.  Among others, you can expect to hear from: Supervisor Leticia Perez, Assemblymember Vince Fong, and Kern County Chief District Attorney Investigator Lyle Martin.

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Thursday, June 18, 6pm: Tune in to Danny Morrison Media’s Facebook for a livestream presentation.  Among others, you’ll hear from Assemblymember Rudy Salas, and African American Network of Kern County Director Dee Slade.

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Friday, June 19, 7-9pm: Tune in to Danny Morrison Media and KBAK’s social media for a live celebration of Juneteenth with local artists and musicians.  

• 7-7:30pm: Welcome from emcee Danny Morrison with live music
• 7:30pm: Tune in for our formal program to hear from Bakersfield College, the Bakersfield Police Department, the Kern County District Attorney, and more.
• 8-9pm: End your week with live music and a celebration of Black liberation

Sunday, June 28, 4-5pm: Save the date and plan to tune in to KBAK for our final program to wrap up Bakersfield College’s #LightACandle: A Juneteenth Conversation program.  

BC faculty on the world stage

Prof. Jeff Newby was invited to address a Global Awareness class at Kansai University in Osaka, Japan. Elvita Sensei, a faculty member at Kansai, asked Jeff to speak on his experiences with COVID-19 in the US/California/Bakersfield and the history of pandemics in general. After a brief introduction, he explained how COVID-19 follows very similar patterns to pandemics of the past, and briefly talked about some of the world’s most disastrous diseases – Bubonic Plague, Influenza, and the Pandemic Spanish Flu of 1918. The focus of his lecture (which went from 10:50 pm – 12:00 am due to the time difference lol), however, was on why COVID is affecting the U.S. so much worse than Japan. Her students seemed particularly interested in this. 

The discussion covered a variety of factors, but the conversation steered toward culture as a huge contributing factor. There were many giggles when he explained that his preferred method of greeting family and friends was a big hug – an obvious no-no in the time of COVID. It was a good, important reminder that no matter where one might be on the planet, we are truly all in this together: one global community in desperate need of empathy and understanding.

BC Hosting Amazon Day

Amazon will be hiring full-time/part-time associates in Bakersfield. They plan to fill upwards of three thousand positions by August 2020 in Bakersfield!

Bakersfield College’s Student Employment Office has partnered with Amazon to host a virtual series promoting Amazons upcoming hiring recruitment. Representatives from Amazon will provide step-by-step information regarding the application, requirements, expectations and benefits for our students and the community.

Pre-registration is required and seats are limited to 500 per session. There will be 4 sessions in June on the 17th and 24th. Links to the webinar will be sent via email to all registered attendees only. To register, please fill out the Amazon Day Pre-registration form.

You can also learn more about this event through KGET and 23ABC‘s coverage.

Online Teaching Certificate offered

BC is excited to announce the launch of the Certificate in Online Teaching.

The program starts with the first course EDUC B30 – introduction to online learning environments. This course is intended for current and future educators as well as anyone interested in online teaching and instruction.

For more, visit https://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/onlineteaching.

Parent Info Night

Join Bakersfield College for Parent Info Night! A time for parents of potential Renegades to learn more about Bakersfield College, resources, financial aid, and ways to support your students as they embark on their next educational chapters.

Sessions will be held on June 16 (English) and June 18 (Spanish). Both sessions are from 6-7 pm.

Register online for the English or Spanish session.

Renegade Pantry

BC’s Office of Student Life continues to provide food, hygiene products, and clothes items through the Renegade Drive-Thru Pantry! Students can sign up online or have a question? Email thepantry@bakersfieldcollege.edu.

Closing Week Videos

The Project HireUP team received one of the President’s Leadership Awards:

We took a break on Thursday to stretch and enjoy some photos from the past year:

We shared this video message from the Kern Promise team:

Athletics

CCCAA Board of Directors Adopts Athletics Plan for 2020-21

Last Friday, the California Community College Athletics Association (CCCAA) Board of Directors unanimously approved a three-part plan to allow the state’s community colleges a return to intercollegiate athletics for the 2020-21 academic year while being directed by health guidelines from the state of California. 

To read the official release from the CCCAA click here: https://www.cccaasports.org/about/Board_adopts_athletics_plan

To read the article written by Clay Cunningham in the Californian click here: https://www.bakersfield.com/sports/college/cccaa-moves-forward-with-fall-sports-plan-expects-final-decision-by-july-17/article_07101556-a776-11ea-85eb-43557ba4722d.html

Memorial Stadium at Dusk

Check out this shot of Memorial Stadium on a clear evening this last week at dusk taken by Brandon Urry. We are all eagerly waiting for a return of all sports – including Renegade Football!

Tagged: Bakersfield College, Earl Warren, Leticia Perez, Mildred Loving, Norma Rojas-Mora, Richard Loving, Sonya Christian, T Johnson, Tommy Tunson, Unity in Community Peace Rally