Bill Gates Visits the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture in Riverside

• The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture is home to the most extensive private collection of Chicano art in the United States. It is a hub for research and learning opportunities for students and faculty from five local colleges and universities.
• On April 17, 2023, Bill Gates visited The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of Riverside Art Museum, also known as “The Cheech.”
• The Cheech is located at Riverside’s downtown historic core adjacent to The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in the cultural hub of Inland Southern California.

GOCal: The New Face of Tourism and Hospitality in SoCal’s Greater Ontario Region

• GOCal is the premier tourism organization representing Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga in the Inland Empire.
• The rebranding aims to generate economic benefits and employment opportunities, targeting a return of $23 for every $1 invested in tourism.
• The stakeholder survey showed overwhelmingly positive responses to Greater Ontario as a destination and the Convention & Visitors Bureau as an organization.
• GOCal is critical in driving the region’s prosperity, directly employing more than 180,000 people and generating billions of dollars in annual economic activity.

Paulette Brown-Hinds Honored with ATHENA of Riverside Award for Community Journalism

• Paulette Brown-Hinds has been honored with the 38th annual ATHENA of Riverside Award for her news media and journalism work.
• Brown-Hinds’ initiatives, including Mapping Black California and Media In Color, have ensured that communities of color have a voice in the media landscape.
• Proceeds from the ATHENA of Riverside Award luncheon will fund scholarships for young women at Riverside colleges and universities.

City of Corona: Community-Based Organization Grant Program Supports Non-Profits During Pandemic Recovery

• The City of Corona established the Community Based Organization Grant Program (CBO) to offer grants to non-profit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The CBO grant funds are limited, and applicants must demonstrate a COVID impact and use the funds for services exclusively for Corona residents.
• The CBO grant program allows non-profit organizations to receive support and assistance in times of need, recognizing their vital role in addressing social and economic issues.

Riverside County Increases Budget to Invest in Community Improvement

-The Riverside County Council has approved a budget update that reflects the county’s values and includes significant investments in community improvement initiatives.

• In an Instagram post, Mayor Lock Dawson shared the budget update that includes investments in infrastructure, waste management, public safety, and historical landmark safety improvements to address the county’s critical issues.
• The increase in sales tax revenue over the past year is the reason for the significant investment back into the community, highlighting the positive impact of shopping within the county on the community.

Coachella 2023: One of the Biggest Music Festivals in the World

• Coachella 2023 took place over two weekends in mid-April at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.
• General admission tickets were sold for $549, and VIP passes were available for $1,609.
• The festival lineup featured diverse headliners, including Bad Bunny, Blackpink, and Frank Ocean, and initiatives were taken to feature more diverse artists.

Events

1. 2023 Inland Empire World Trade Week Conference – Wednesday, May 3 · 8 – 11:30 am PDT [Event Center at Bear Springs Hotel]
2. SBA Certifications: 8(a), HUBZone, and WOSB Informational Webinar by SBA Orange County/Inland Empire- Thu, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM PDT [Online]
3. CBU Family Businesses Center Breakfast Series – Thu. May 11 – 7:30 AM [CBU Innovators Auditorium]
4. Annual LEILA Awards by National Latina Business Women Association – Inland Empire – Fri, May 12 [DoubleTree Hotel / Ontario Convention Center]
5. The Riverside Forward: Business Innovation Expo – Wednesday, May 31, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM [Riverside Convention Center]