RIVERSIDE – (INT) – Two icons in the Inland Empire black community have died.

Dr. Lulamae Clemons was 104 when she passed away at her, according to her grandson Marlan McClanhan.

Black Voice News Publisher Dr. Paulette Brown Hinds referred to her as a “remarkable woman who was just as fearless at 100 as she has been her entire life.”

With the passing of Dr. Clemons the inland community has lost an icon who leaves a legacy worthy of recognition and praise.

Jennifer Vaughn-Blakely, another pillar of the Inland Empire community, died January 17th. She was 73
.
Vaughn-Blakely was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi. In 1964 at the age of 16, she moved to San Bernardino to live with her uncle and planted roots in the community. From a young age, she was encouraged by her family to value education because of the opportunities education could provide, Black Voice News reported.

Vaughn-Blakely worked as the assistant city manager of Fontana for approximately 10 years before taking a similar role as the assistant city manager of Riverside.

Story Date: January 27, 2022