Thursday, September 3 | Volume 40 No. 25

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Haitian-American Advocate Farah Larrieux Appeals to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin as TPS Protections End

Inland Empire Women’s Business Center Highlights Small Business Empowerment Grant Opportunity

Haitian-American communica tions strategist and community advocate Farah Larrieux is calling on U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to consider the human im pact of ending Temporary Protect ed Status for Haitian immigrants. In a recorded video message, Lar rieux speaks directly about the un certainty facing Haitian families and longtime U.S. residents who have relied on TPS protections for years. She raises concerns about family separation, the future of American-born children and the dangers many Haitians could face if forced to return to Haiti. Larrieux is also personally con nected to the issue. She has been a prominent voice in immigration advocacy, working with commu nity organizations, meeting with members of Congress and speak ing through local, national and in ternational media. Her work has focused on immigration, human rights, social change, economic development and foreign policy. A longtime leader within the Hai tian-American community, Lar rieux has also served with several civic and advocacy organizations, including the NAACP, Florida Rising and the Florida Immigrant Coalition. Her message urges federal lead ers to look beyond immigration policy and consider the families, workers and communities affected by the decision. Watch Farah Larrieux’s full mes sage to DHS Secretary Mark wayne Mullin at westsidesto rynewspaper.com.

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Dolly Parton’s Gift to Children

30, 2022. Authored by state Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and co-authored by then-Senate President pro tempore Toni At kins (D-San Diego), the bipartisan legislation created the statewide Imagination Library program. California committed approxi mately $68 million over five years to support the expansion, making the books available at no cost to participating families regardless of income. The program began expanding statewide in June 2023 with the goal of serving children in all 58 counties by 2028. California also became the first state to offer fam ilies a fully bilingual English-to- Spanish book option.

To read more, visit westsidestorynewspaper.com.

The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center is encouraging local entrepreneurs and small business owners to explore a new funding opportunity through the Small Business Empowerment Grant. The organization, which works to connect business owners with resources and opportunities that support growth, is directing in terested applicants to review the grant information for details on eligibility, requirements, applica tion deadlines and how to apply.

Business owners who need assistance with the application process can also contact the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center for support. The IEWBC team is available to answer questions and help guide applicants through the process. Small business owners are en couraged to review the opportu nity and apply if their business meets the qualifications. For more information and appli cation assistance, visit iewbc.org.

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Upland Unified Board Selects Dr. Shinay Bowman as Superintendent for the District’s 15 school prin cipals, providing coaching and support to strengthen instructional leadership across Upland Unified. Her connection to the district also extends beyond her professional role, as Dr. Bowman is an Upland Unified parent whose three chil dren graduated from Upland High School. Her tenure has coincided with sig nificant academic growth and the expansion of programs designed to provide students with opportunities to succeed in college, ca reers, and life. In her leadership role, Dr. Bowman has worked closely with Dr. Carmen Day, the Board of Education, District ad ministrators, educators, and staff to advance Upland Unified’s com mitment to “Creating Excellence for All.”

To read more, visit westsidestorynewspaper.com.