Happy faces, proud smiles, loving families and a warm supportive community celebrated the accomplishments of 2018’s 30 Under 30 awardees on Saturday night, July 28, 2018, in Downtown San Bernardino.
The 30 Under 30 event has been honoring remarkable young members of the community since 2007 thanks to its founder, former Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter.
“I say to the recipients tonight, you’ll never know how much this event is going to do for you,” Carter said. “It is going to do wonders for you, it will open doors for you, it will allow the assemblymember to help you in more ways than you can imagine.”
Current Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes of the 47th District is continuing the tradition and 2018 marks her second year hosting the event.
“This is one of the grandest events as we honor 30 young pioneers within the 47th district,” Reyes said. “Not only are these young people change-makers, they are exceptional human beings.”
As the reception was in full swing everyone got to meet some of the 30 honorees who were mingling with guests. The 30 awardees are some of the brightest and hardworking people in the 47th District.
The list of 30 consists of entrepreneurs, activists, politicians, athletes and artists. They represent young adults who persevere through tough times and dedicate their time to helping the community. Their achievements motivate people to get up and want to do the same. That is special a special quality to have, to be able to inspire people through your work. Each of the 30 honorees is different and has their own backstories, but they all represent how amazing it is that one person can make a difference. For a full list of honorees, see www.citynewsgroup.com.
Sadie Albers, one of the 30 and a Northern District Community Engagement Specialist for the San Bernardino Police Department, talked about what inspired her to work so hard and achieve what she has.
“I knew I wanted to set my life straight and be able to support myself no matter what,” Albers said. “On my drive to work I see a community and community relations and it’s a community that is so deserving and needing and I work every day to help them.”
Another honoree Nia Bush, a Volunteer Coordinator with Youth Action Project, says that “it solely depends on the person themselves” when asked what advice she has for young adults who aspire to achieve the same goals as the 30.
“I would definitely say that your mindset is everything and if you believe you can do something and if you can imagine something to be real than it already exists in creation,” Bush said.
Before Reyes called this year’s 30 Under 30 recipients to the stage to give each of them an individual honor, she acknowledged 2017’s awardees and their continuing community service.
Reyes noted that “just last week, 2017 30 Under 30 awardees completed a community service project with the help of mural artist, Rory Murray” for Martin Luther King Middle School in San Bernardino, a mural which they helped complete in just one day.
The awardees, their families, friends and supporters were entertained before the ceremony began by a live musical performance, live art painters and had the opportunity to socialize with prominent members of the community.
The place was serenaded by singer Chris Baylon on one side of the seating area. On the other side, there was a live artist exhibit showcasing three artists: Eric Navarrete, Juwaun McCrary and Larry “WetPaint” Jones. Everyone got to witness how amazing the artists who come from the 47th District are. Being able to see so many talented people at the event was truly inspiring for those in attendance.
Guests were also greeted by two food trucks, Chef TLC Sidewalk Café and Street Foods Co. In the back of the parking lot there was a Tesla exhibit where guests got to visit and unbeknownst to the guests, Assemblymember Reyes announced that the 30 honorees get an opportunity to rent a Tesla for one night.
Assemblymember Reyes and her husband, San Bernardino Community College Board Trustee Frank Reyes, made their way all around the site before the ceremony to greet, hug and welcome their guests to the 30 Under 30 event as well as to take pride in their community.
“It’s good that we have this,” Mr. Reyes said. “A lot of students want to move away, [after high school and college] but now some of them are planning to stay.”
The night was bittersweet. Everyone was full of life and it was unreal how many extraordinary people were in attendance. Although only 30 people were honored for their talents and innovations, creativity does not stop with them.
The 47th District is filled with people who desire to do great things and work hard to give back to the community. This is just the beginning for the 30 and hopefully, it encourages people that their dreams can come true.
Congratulations to this year’s 30 Under 30 and we cannot wait to see whose next year’s 30 will be.