Blacks In Government 

Region IX
P.O. Box 795
Fairfield, CA 94533
www.bignet.org
EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
Region IX President
Ms. Rhonda M. Early FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    
1st Vice-President
Mr. John Flowers

2nd Vice-President
On June 4, 2010 Region IX, Blacks in Government hosted it's annual youth
Mr. Wilbert Tillman competition. This event consisted of an oratorical  and web page design component.
3rd Vice President
Ms. Regina Whitney

Region IX Secretary
STUDENTS COMPETE ON INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY
Ms. Sheila Johnson

Corresponding Secretary
Mrs. Rhonda Durant
The 2010 Information Superhighway (webpage) Student Competition  Theme:
Treasurer
""Technology...Dissolving Boundaries Between Countries".  The theme was ALL
Ms. Yolanda Cannon about WHAT'S possible using technology; and empowering students to apply their
Assistant Treasurer
Ms. Gwendolyn P. Tolbert
creativity, knowledge and technical abilities toward making the world a better place
Parliamentarian
through the use of technology. Students took on issues they saw in the world related to
Ms. Edna P. White the theme and implemented real working solutions.  The competition was designed to
Immediate Past President
Mr. Sam Maze
generate interest among young people using their computer skills to develop websites
Advisor
and navigate through the World Wide Web .
Mr. Kenneth C. Pearson
Mr. Sam Maze
STUDENTS COMPETE IN ORATORICAL COMPETITION
Directors
Mr. Sam Maze
Mr. Kenneth C. Pearson
The 2010 oratorical theme: "Social Networks and Cyber Communication, Progress or
Problem'? The Orators  discussed whether they felt the development of cyber
communication (internet, email, text messaging) and the proliferation of social
networking sites such as face-book, My space, Twitter, etc... Has produced positive and/or
negative consequences in the world today. The oratorical competition gave students a chance
to showcase their oral and written communication skills. The competition addressed an
increasing need to assist our students with developing and enhancing their oral and written
communication skills in order to be competitive in a global world. Rashida Simpson, 11th
grader attending Cajon High School in San Bernardino, CA placed third in the 11 th-12 grade
competiton. Malik Sanders 11th grader at Golden Valley, Charter School, Moorpark, CA
placed 2nd in the 11-12th Grade competition. Charles Taliaferro 11th Grader attending Julian
Charter School, Bonsall, CA was the first place contestant in the 11-12 th grade oratorical
competiton and will advance to the National Competition.
The nineth-tenth grade completion 2nd place orator was Keindra Mosely, a 10th grader
attending Dorsey High School, Los Angeles, CA. Rashad Simpson, 9th grader attending
Arroyo Valley High School, San Bernardino was the 1 st place orator for the 9th-10th grade
completion. Rashad Simpson will advance to the National Competition in August along
with Santel Livingstone 10th grade Webpage design 1st place contestant attending Berkely
High School, Berkely, California.
The competition was held at the Hilton Gardens Inn, 1755 S. Waterman Avenue, San
Bernardino, California, Blacks in Government Regional President, Rhonda Early, stated
that the annual competition is open to high school students in grades nine through twelve.
Students compete in a local competition and advance to compete for scholarships and prizes
awarded at the Regional level. In addition to local prizes, the first place Regional winners will
receive an all expense paid trip to the Blacks in Government 32 nd Annual National Training
Conference in Kansas City, Missouri in August 2010 . President Early stated that all are
invited to come out and support our youth. The Regional competition is inclusive of youth
representing the Regional IX geographical areas of California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii,
Guam, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Island and the American Samoas.

 
The National Organization of Blacks in Government Inc. (BIG) is a 501(c)3 non-profit
organization, whose members are civil servants throughout all levels of government and
private industry . BIG was incorporated in 1976 as an employee advocacy and
professional development association.  Blacks in Government is a national response to
the need for African Americans in public service to organize around issues of mutual
concern and to use their collective strength to address workplace and community
concerns.  BIG’S Goals are to promote equity in all aspect of life, excellence in all we do,
and opportunity for all Americans.

Note the follow BIG objectives:

 To be an advocate of equal opportunity
 To eliminate practices of racism and racial discrimination
 To develop and promote programs which will enhance ethnic pride and
educational opportunities
 To establish a mechanism for the gathering and Dissemination of information.
 To Provide a non partisan platform on major issues of local, Regional and
National significance that affect Blacks in Government.
 To promote Professionalism

For more information about the National Organization of Blacks in Government, call Rhonda
Early, Blacks in Government, Region IX President, at (909) 709-7209 or Lamonte Jennings,
President of the Inland Empire Chapter/Regional Youth Competition Chair, at (909) 496-
9252

We welcome your effort to help support this event.

Sincerely yours,
 June 7, 2010
Ms. Rhonda Early Date
Region IX, President
Blacks in Government