Bakersfield News Observer 3.8.23

Chris Rock to Finally Address Oscars Slap at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theater for Live Netflix Special Page

Reparations: California Legislative Analyst’s Office Proposes “Paths” For Payments

Antonio Ray Harvey

California Black Media

This past weekend, the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparations Proposals for African Americans received insight on how the state government might implement recommendations the panel submits in its final proposal due before July 1.

Chas Alamo, the principal fiscal and policy analyst at the California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), appeared remotely in front of the panel as an expert witness during the two-day meeting held March 3 in Sacramento.

Alamo offered “several paths that could be possible for ultimate recommendations” by the task force to “flow through the Legislature and become state law” and how they can “apply” to the creation of the proposed California American Freedman Affairs Agency (CAFAA). The agency, if approved, would oversee compensation the state authorizes to Black California residents who are descendants of enslaved people in the United States.

The LAO is a non-partisan office overseen by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC), a 16-member bipartisan team. It is the “eyes and ears” of the State Legislature ensuring that the executive branch is implementing legislative policy in a cost-efficient and effective manner. Its biggest responsibility is analyzing the Governor’s annual budget.

Alamo explained to the task force how the recommendations they make will likely become state policy.

“The creation of a new agency would be initiated through the governor’s executive branch and reorganization process, but other options exist,” Alamo said. “Regardless of the path, to initiate a new agency or enact any other recommendation that makes changes to state law, fundamentally both houses from the state Legislature would have to approve the action and the governor will have to sign it.

During discussions at the Sacramento meeting, the task force began the process of clearly defining CAFAA’s role, focusing on adding clarity to the agency’s mission as overseer for other entities offering reparations in the form of assistance to Californians who qualify.

After a two-hour spirited debate at the meeting – the 13th convening of the task force so far -- all nine-members agreed that CAFAA that would have specified powers and its structure would include an administrative body that guides implementation.

“The proposed entity would be an agency, independent agency, that would provide services where they don’t presently exist (and) provide oversight to existing (state) agencies,” task force chair Kamilah V. Moore said.

CAFAA would facilitate claims for restitution and would set up a branch to process claims with the state and assist claimants in proving eligibility through a “genealogy” department, the task force members said. A commitment to assisting with the implementation and operation of policies and programs being considered for recommendation would also be in the purview of the agency.

The concept of CAFAA is based on the defunct federal Freedman’s Bureau. On March 3, 1865, Congress passed “An Act to establish a Bureau for the Relief of Freedmen and Refugees.” The bureau’s main objective was to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical services, and land to newly freed African Americans.

Ward Connerly, the African American political activist who led the ballot initiative that outlawed Affirmative Action in California in 1996, Proposition (Prop) 209, told FOX News one day after the task force’s Sacramento meeting that offering reparations was a “bad” and a “goofy idea.”

Connerly, former President of the California Civil Rights Initiative Campaign, has made objections to reparations for about a year now as California gets closer than any government in United States history to making amends for historical injustices committed against Black Americans.

“California is a progressive state but we’re not insane,”

Connerly told FOX News on March 5. “So, I think that people of this state would rise up and say ‘no.’”

The two-day meeting in Sacramento was held at the Byron Sher Auditorium at the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) in downtown Sacramento. Both days attracted crowds, mainly comprised of interested individuals and groups from Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area.  Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg attended the second day of the meeting. Steinberg is one of 11 mayors who pledged to pay reparations for slavery to Black residents in their cities.

Similar to efforts in Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, and Richmond, Sacramento is focused on developing a municipal reparations initiative through the city’s ongoing Sacramento Centered on Racial Equity (SCORE) initiative.

“I wholeheartedly support reparations and think everyone should,” Steinberg told the task force panel on March 4. “If government should stand for anything, it should stand for investing in communities and people who have been the victims of discrimination and disenfranchisement for far too long.”

The task force also recommended “appropriate ways” to educate the public about the task force’s findings and future reparations actions by the state.

The charge calls for building a collective base of knowledge to inform racially diverse communities in California about reparations, appealing to different ways of learning, expanding task force discussions into mainstream conversations, and inspiring reflection and action among all residents of California.

Task force members Dr. Cheryl Grills and Don Tamaki presented the proposal.

The next two-day task force will return to Sacramento at the end of March. For more information on the next meeting, visit the California Department of Justice’s website.

The California Black Media Political Playback: Black Advocates Celebrate

Women’s History Month

Tanu Henry and Maxim Elramsisy

California Black Media

Black Advocates Celebrate Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, and several California organizations are celebrating trailblazing women making history in our state -- whether it’s recognizing the record-setting number of women who are state constitutional officers or lauding the unprecedented number of women serving in the Legislature ((50 out of 120).

Last week, the Black Women’s Collective kicked off Women’s History Month with an event organized to help build an Economic Action Plan for Black Women. It

Exxon Mobil Sued as 5 Nooses Displayed at Louisiana Facility

Exxon Mobil Corp. violated federal law for failing to take sufficient action as five hangman’s nooses were displayed at its facility in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the U.S. government said in a lawsuit.

According to the government, in January 2020, a Black employee found a hangman’s noose at his worksite at the Baton Rouge complex run by Exxon Mobil Corp. and reported it. At the time, the company knew of three other nooses that had been found at the complex, but it failed to investigate all the complaints and take action to prevent such harassment, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said in its lawsuit filed Thursday.

Then, in December 2020, a fifth noose was found at the complex, which includes a chemical plant and nearby refinery. Exxon Mobil’s lack of action created a racially hostile work environment, the EEOC said.

Todd Spitler, a spokesperson for Exxon Mobil, said in a statement Sunday that the company disagrees with the EEOC’s allegations and that it “encourage(s) employees to report claims like this, and we thoroughly investigated.”

“The symbols of hate are unacceptable, offensive, and in violation of our corporate policies,” Spitler said. “We have a zero tolerance policy of any form of harassment or discrimination in the workplace by or towards employees, contractors, suppliers or customers.”

Employers who become aware of racially offensive or threatening conduct in the workplace are legally obligated to take “prompt, remedial action aimed at stopping it,’’ Rudy Sustaita, an attorney at the EEOC’s Houston district office, said in a statement.

Elizabeth Owen, a senior trial attorney in the EEOC’s New Orleans field office, said in a statement that the displays of nooses required swift action.

“A noose is a longstanding symbol of violence associated with the lynching of African Americans,” she said. ‘’Such symbols are inherently threatening and significantly alter the workplace environment for Black Americans.”

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Obama Praises Woman Behind ‘Fired Up’ Chant

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Former President Barack Obama, marking the retirement of the woman credited with popularizing the chant “Fired up, ready to go!” that epitomized his campaigns, says her energy played a key role in lifting his spirits and his candidacy.

“It was early in my campaign, and I wasn’t doing that good,” Obama recalled in a video provided to The Associated Press by the Obama Foundation, harking back to a 2007 campaign stop in Greenwood, South Carolina, on a dreary, rainy day.

But the small crowd, Obama said, was transformed as Edith Childs led them in the rousing, back-and-forth chant, “Fired up, ready to go!”

“Leadership and power and inspiration can come from anywhere,” Obama said in the video to mark Childs’ retirement after 24 years on the Greenwood County Council. “It just has to do with spirit, and nobody embodied that better than Edith.”

“Fired up, ready to go!” swiftly became part of the Obama campaign’s ethos, manifested in T-shirts, signs and bumper stickers.

This week, Childs told the AP that she had come to know the “fired up” verbiage from its use decades ago, the words energizing participants during NAACP voter registration drives.

“Once we sang that song, it reminded us that, no matter what, we have to remain fired up and ready to go, and be prepared for whatever confronts you,” she said.

brought together experts in policymaking, labor, economic development, and entrepreneurship.

“Black women serve as breadwinners in 80% of Black households in California with over 70% headed by single mothers,” said Kellie Todd Griffin, President and CEO, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute. Griffin was citing statistics from a report on the State of Black Women in California from 2018 and 2022.

“Typically, Black women have higher labor force participation rates than other women, meaning a higher share of Black women are either employed or unemployed and looking for work,” Griffin continued. “However, the economic safety net is not secure as Black Women makes

less than most of their counterparts making .55 cents to White males, which is one of the lowest in the nation equally the wage gap in Mississippi. California falls short of the national rate at .63 cents.”

Panelists at the event included Los Angeles City Councilmember Heather Hutt (CD10); Yvonne Wheeler, President, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor; Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, President and CEO, Center by Lendistry; and Denise Pines, Co-Founder and CEO, Tea Botanics and Women in the Room Productions. Moderators were Griffin and Regina Wilson, Executive Director, California Black Media.

In Historic Los Angeles Ceremony, Malia M. Cohen Sworn in as Top State Accountant

It was a history-making moment as Malia M. Cohen was inaugurated the 33rd California State Controller at Los Angeles City Hall on Feb. 23. During the swearing-in, she was flanked by her husband Warren Pulley while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass administered the oath.

As California’s chief fiscal officer and top accountant, the State Controller’s office is an independent watchdog overseeing the disbursement of state and local funds, including one of the nation’s largest public pension funds.

Cohen, a San Francisco native will be the first Black person, and second woman Controller, as the state continues to make an intentional effort to break gender and racial barriers. Two of the top four largest cities, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are led by Black women Mayors, Karen Bass and London Breed respectively, and the state also elected its first Black in Secretary of State, Shirley Weber, who previously served under an appointment by Gov. Newsom.

“Mayor Bass and Congresswoman Lee: I know that you know all too well, that no matter the campaign budget difference, no matter how much they outspend you, leadership can’t be bought,” Cohen said in her inaugural speech.

California Black Freedom Fund Hosts Panel

Discussions in Oakland

On Feb. 28 in Oakland, the California Black Freedom Fund (CBFF) hosted an event titled “Strengthening Democracy and Building Black Futures” followed by a reception for guests who attended.

The event included two panel discussions centered around the need for philanthropy to commit resources to building and sustaining a just, racially diverse, equitable and inclusive civil society.

“Civil society is the basis upon which you have a democracy, and civil society needs to be informed. It needs

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Childs attended several events with the Obama family at the White House during his presidential tenure, led delegates in the chant during the 2012 Democratic National Convention and sat with first lady Michelle Obama at her husband’s final State of the Union address in 2016.

In the years since, the chant has become ingrained in South Carolina’s Democratic political scene. Politicians, including state Sen. Marlon Kimpson, regularly use it to amp up crowds at rallies across the state.

In 2020, it was adopted by billionaire businessman Tom Steyer, who ran a TV ad in South Carolina and other early-voting states featuring Childs’ endorsement of his presidential campaign.

Looking ahead to the 2024 presidential campaign - and South Carolina’s new first- in-the-nation Democratic primary - Childs said she was open to connect with candidates who might seek her support, although she said she wanted Democrats to be clearer about showcasing the party’s accomplishments in trying to appeal to voters.

“When you’re fired up about something, you put more into it,” she said. ‘’We’re going in the right direction, but we need to be more vigilant about what we’re doing.’’

Tempe OKs Plan to Change Street, Park

Names with KKK ties

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Tempe city officials will move forward with plans to rename streets and parks with namesakes that had century-old ties to the Ku Klux Klan. AZFamily.com reports the Tempe City Council approved a resolution at a meeting Thursday night to change the names of three streets and four parks. Some will be renamed for two local families, the Sozas and Sotelos. Both have been active in the area for generations. They were suggested by members of the community.

Among the changes, Hudson Park will now be Parque De Soza. East Laird Street will become Obregon Street after pioneer farmer Pete Obregon. Redden Park will be renamed for late activist and philanthropist Michelle Brooks-Totress.

The renaming effort began in 2021 after historical research led to proof that several prominent Tempe leaders were members of a Klan chapter in the 1920s. The Arizona Historical Society and Tempe History Museum assisted in the research. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, KPHO-TV.

A participant stands and waits to give public comment at the March 4  Reparations Task Force  meeting in Sacramento. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

Khansa “Friday Jones” Jones-Muhammad, is the vice president of the Los Angeles Reparations Advisory Commission. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

Reparations Task Force members during the debate to determine the scope of a Freedmen’s Bureau-like agency. March 4, 2023, Sacrameto, Calif. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

Photo by Leroy Hamilton

On Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, Biden and Harris Vow Continued Push for Voting Rights

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

To protect one of America’s most precious liberties — the right to vote — 600 courageous people marched out of Selma, Alabama 58 years ago.

However, their peaceful demonstration on the Edmund Pettus Bridge was met with brutal force.

John Lewis, a young civil rights leader, and congressman, was beaten and had his skull fractured when he was 25.

“Those brave marchers were pushed back, but they continued to march forward,” Vice President Kamala Harris stated ahead of the March 5 commemoration ceremony at the foot of the famous bridge.

Harris said the courage of those civil rights marchers and their sacrifice inspired many to join the fight to put an end to poll taxes, literacy tests, and other forms of discrimination that blocked Black Americans’ access to the ballot box.

“They achieved passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, which enshrined critical protections for voting rights in federal law,” the vice president stated.

But the Shelby County Supreme Court decision in 2013 undermined the Voting Rights Act, making it more difficult to prevent discrimination.

Harris argued that this has led to a renewed attack on the right to vote in the United States in recent years.

“Extremists have worked to dismantle the voting protections that generations of civil rights leaders and advocates fought tirelessly to win,” Harris said.

“They have purged voters from the rolls. They have closed polling places. They have made it a crime to give water to people standing in line.”

Representatives Terri Sewell of Alabama and James Clyburn of South Carolina, as well as NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., Reverend Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader Charles Mauldin, and Martin Luther King III, were among the many dignitaries who attended the annual pilgrimage to the Pettus Bridge.

During the ceremony, President Joe Biden vowed that voting rights remains a top administration priority.

“The right to vote, to have your vote counted is the threshold of democracy and liberty,” Biden said.

“This fundamental right remains under assault. Conservative Supreme Court has gutted the Voting Rights Act over the years. Since the 2020 election, a wave of states has passed dozens, dozens of anti-voting laws fueled by the big lie,” he insisted.

The President continued.

“We must redouble our efforts and renew our commitment to protecting the freedom to vote.

“We know that we must get the votes in Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and the Freedom to Vote Act. I’ve made it clear: I will not let a filibuster obstruct the sacred right to vote.”

Harris said she and Biden have continued to call on Congress to pass federal legislation that protects voting rights, election integrity, and American democracy.

“And we will continue to implement the President’s Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting, which enhances the federal government’s efforts to advance voter participation,” Harris stated.

“If we are to truly honor the legacy of those who marched in Selma on Bloody Sunday, we must continue to fight to secure and safeguard the freedom to vote.”

DOJ Court Brief Hints at Possible Federal Indictment of Donald Trump

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA

Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Officials from the U.S. Department of Justice have stated that inciting imminent private violence is not part of a president’s official responsibilities, the strongest indication yet that criminal charges are being considered against former President Donald Trump.

In a case involving police officers who want to sue Trump, the federal appellate court in the District of Columbia asked the Department of Justice to weigh in on the matter.

“Such incitement of imminent private violence would not be within the outer perimeter of the Office of the President of the United States,” the DOJ wrote in a memo to the court.

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Trump asserted that he can’t be sued for his role in organizing his supporters’ attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Lawmakers and Capitol Police officers have filed a lawsuit claiming that Trump incited the attack by falsely claiming in a speech that the 2020 election had been stolen and urging his supporters to march on the Capitol.

The civil division of the Department of Justice filed a 23-page brief with the court of appeals, requesting that the court allow the lawsuit to move forward.

The DOJ said Trump’s incitement of the deadly insurrection fell outside the scope of his presidential powers and therefore disqualifies any immunity argument.

The U.S. Supreme Court has previously decided that the Constitution protects presidents from being sued for their official actions.

“The District Court correctly rejected Trump’s categorical assertion ‘that whenever and wherever a President speaks on a matter of public concern he is immune from a civil suit,” the DOJ insisted.

“Speaking to the public on matters of public concern is a traditional function of the Presidency, and the outer perimeter of the President’s office includes a vast realm of such speech.

“But that traditional function is one of public communication. It does not include incitement of imminent private violence of the sort the district court found that the plaintiff’s complaints have plausibly alleged here.”

The lawsuits allege that Trump’s speech was responsible for inciting the attack, which the DOJ said begs the question of whether it is within the scope of his presidency to update his supporters on the results of the 2020 election.

In a ruling made last year, Federal District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta allowed the lawsuits against the former president to proceed.

The judge concluded that Trump’s various communications leading up to and including January 6 amounted to a “call to action” and that he urged his supporters should “fight like hell” to prevent Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s election victory.

Trump’s attorneys have appealed that ruling to the D.C. Circuit. They claimed presidents have always been protected from legal action for statements made in the course of their official duties because such statements are considered “speech on matters of public concern.”

Several Democratic lawmakers and Capitol Police officers have joined forces to file a lawsuit against Trump over the attack on January 6.

Other groups not involved in the appeal, such as the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, are also named as defendants in the lawsuits.

By its very nature, “such conduct plainly falls outside the President’s constitutional and statutory duties,” the

DOJ wrote. As such, it cannot be squared with the President’s customary role of addressing the nation on vital issues, they argued.

The President has “extraordinary power to speak to his fellow citizens and on their behalf” in his role as the nation’s leader and head of state.

“But that traditional function is one of public communication and persuasion, not incitement of imminent private violence,” the DOJ continued.

“To extend immunity to such incitement would contradict the ‘constitutional heritage and structure’ that have informed and justified the doctrine of presidential immunity.”

College Park Mayor Arrested for Downloading and Possessing Child Exploitative Material

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior

In College Park, Maryland,

was arrested by the police and charged with 40 counts of having exploitative material about children in his possession and 16 counts of giving out such material.

Wojahn, who is 47 years old, gave his resignation as mayor right away, and the city said in a statement that a special election would be held to replace him.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children told the police, according to 7News in Maryland, that a social media account in the county was suspected of having child pornography and was sharing it.

On Feb. 17, investigators discovered the social media account belonged to Wojahn. Some uploaded the image and videos to the social media account in January 2023, the police said.

On Feb. 28, detectives served a search warrant at Wojahn’s College Park home and recovered multiple cell phones, a storage device, a tablet, and a computer.

Authorities arrested the mayor early on Thursday, Mar. 2. ABC-7 said that Wojahn was recently elected Chair of the National League of Cities (NLC) 2023 University Communities Council (UCC).

He ran for mayor in 2015 after serving eight years on the city council, according to his biography on the city’s website. The city of College Park released a statement on the resignation of Wojahn: “Last night, after business hours, Mayor Patrick L. Wojahn submitted his letter of resignation as Mayor of the

City of College Park, effective immediately on Mar. 2.

Wojahn has served in this position since 2015 and on Council since 2007. The City of College Park thanks Mayor Wojahn for his many years of dedicated service,” College Park officials said in a statement.

Mayor Pro Tem Denise Mitchell will serve as presiding officer until a special election is held and a new mayor takes office. The city’s charter mandates that officials hold the election within 65 days.

Wojahn’s resignation letter did not specify the charges against him, only acknowledging that he’s the subject of an “ongoing police investigation.”

“It has been a profound honor and privilege to serve the city of College Park since 2007 as a city council member and your mayor,” he wrote.

“On Feb. 28, 2023, a search warrant was executed on my residence as part of an ongoing police investigation. I have cooperated fully, and will continue to cooperate, with law enforcement.”

Wojahn continued: “While this investigation does not involve any official city business of any kind, it is in the best interests of our community that I step aside and not serve as a distraction.

“I have great trust in the ability of Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell, the City Council, and our staff to carry forward what we have accomplished. Many of you have already reached out with well wishes and thoughts, and I am eternally grateful.

“I am stepping away to deal with my own mental health. I ask that you continue to keep me and my family

in your prayers.”

Authorities ask anyone with information relevant to their investigation into Wojahn to call the Prince George’s County Police Department detectives at (301) 772-4930. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), go online at www. pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app (Search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device.) Please refer to case number 23-0009239.

John Lewis, a young civil rights leader, and congressman, was beaten and had his skull fractured when he was 25.

The DOJ said Trump’s incitement of the deadly insurrection fell outside the scope of his presidential powers and therefore disqualifies any immunity argument.

National Correspondent

the mayor, Patrick Wojahn,

Chris Rock to Finally Address Oscars Slap at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theater for Live Netflix Special

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

One year after Will Smith stunned a live audience and millions watching the Oscars on television when he slapped Chris Rock, the comedian on the receiving end of the attack will finally address the incident.

On Saturday, March 4, Netflix will debut, “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage,” a live comedy special from Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theater.

“The thing people wanna know … did it hurt? Hell, yeah it hurt,” Rock reportedly will say during the special which airs at 10 p.m. EST.

“[Smith] played Muhammad Ali! I played Pookie (in ‘New Jack City’). Even in animated movies I’m a zebra, he’s a [bleeping] shark. I got hit so hard, I heard ‘Summertime’ ringing in my ears.”

In another line, Rock talked about how much bigger Smith is than him.

“Will Smith is a big dude. I am not,” Rock said.

“Will Smith is shirtless in his movies. If you see me in a movie getting open heart surgery, I’m gonna have a sweater on.”

The Academy Awards banned Smith for 10 years following the incident, and while Rock has mostly maintained his silence, Smith has publicly apologized.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air legend said he “fogged out” during the infamous March 27 Oscars.

“It’s all fuzzy,” Smith said in an Instagram video posted last summer. “I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk. And when he is, he will reach out.”

While Rock presented the Oscar for best documentary at the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony, Smith took exception to the comedian’s comments about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.

Pinkett Smith had revealed she has alopecia. After some uncomfortable laughter, Smith emerged from his seat, approached Rock during the live telecast, and slapped the star.

“Keep my wife’s name out of your [bleeping] mouth,” Smith yelled out at Rock.

The only time Rock had addressed the incident was during a standup performance, which he only briefly mentioned the Oscars.

“Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face,” Rock said during a standup a day before Smith’s Instagram video surfaced.

“I’m not a victim. Yeah, that s— hurt,” Rock remarked. “But I shook that s— off and went to work the next day. I don’t go to the hospital for a paper cut.”

In Smith’s new video, he also apologized to Rock’s mother and brother Tony Rock. “That was one of the things about the moment. I just didn’t realize,” Smith recounted.

“I was thinking but how many people got hurt in that moment. I want to apologize to Chris’ mother,” he continued. “I want to apologize to Chris’ family, specifically Tony Rock. We had a great relationship. You know, Tony

Rock was my man, and this is probably irreparable.”

Smith also refused to lay any blame on his wife. “I made a choice on my own, from my own experiences from my history with Chris,” Smith stated.

“Jada had nothing to do [with it].”

He also noted how his actions detracted from his best actor win and other nominees and winners.

“It really breaks my heart to have stolen and tarnished your moment,” Smith asserted. “Sorry isn’t really sufficient.

But I promise you, I am deeply devoted and committed to putting light and love and joy into the world.”

John Jurgensen of the Wall Street Journal said Rock, by saving his ammunition for Netflix, has set up a rare thing: a stand-up special with a timely hook. How it lands might determine whether he can reframe the incident that, in an instant, revised the story of his four-decade career. Preparing for the special may have also served another

purpose for Rock himself, Jurgenson said in quoting fellow stand-up George Wallace.

“You ain’t never going to forget that somebody slapped the [mess] out of you. But laughter is healing for the soul, and that’s what he’s getting up there…and in the long run, he’s also getting paid for it,” said Wallace, who has a bit about how the slap turned him against all Smiths (Granny Smiths, locksmiths, blacksmiths, Smith Brothers Cough Drops and whatnot).

Three Rap Legends Set for DC’s Hip Hop Museum’s Grand Induction Ceremony

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

This Saturday, March 11, is the National Hip Hop Museum of DC’s Grand Induction Ceremony, where they will honor CL Smooth, Special Ed, and Dres of Black Sheep. The event will kick off at 4 p.m. with a live broadcast of “Master Gee’s Theatre,” the museum’s executive director’s weekly SiriusXM Show, where guests will reminisce about the legendary MCs, they grew up listening to.

Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio plans to read a proclamation at Mayor Muriel Bowser’s request.

“We felt like we would complement what was going on in New York down here in the DMV,” said Master Gee whose real name is Guy O’Brien.

Gee counts as one of the three members of the hiphop trailblazer group, The Sugar Hill Gang, whose seminal hit “Rapper’s Delight” was the genre’s first hit.

“We had to put something in effect that would last over generations,” Gee said during an appearance on the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s morning news broadcast, Let It Be Known.

“Because we are the first commercially successful hiphop group in the world, it made sense from a business standpoint for me to put those skills and abilities towards preserving the legacy of what we’re doing,” he stated.

As one-half of the classic-era hip-hop duo Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, C.L. Smooth was responsible for penning some of hip-hop’s timeless classics, including “The Creator,” “Straighten It Out,” “Take You There,” and the landmark “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.).”

According AllMusic.com, the rapper’s smooth voice, effortless flow, and conscious lyrics were easily recognizable signatures of Smooth’s style, “and with Pete Rock’s soulful and funky backing, they distinguished themselves as a formidable duo even amid the flourishing of many other acclaimed alternative rap groups in the early “90s.”

Smooth, born Corey Penn, was raised on his grandparents” jazz music.

Growing up in Mount Vernon, NY, his grandfather always used to find ways of integrating jazz into many aspects of his daily life; “thus, it was only natural that Smooth would gravitate toward his literal soul partner, Pete Rock, a friend whom he met in grade school.”

Special Ed, whose real name is Edward Archer, is best known for hits like “I Got It Made,” and “I’m The Magnificent.”

“Though he was only 16 when it was released, the rhymes were mature and supremely confident; over half a million sales confirmed his arrival,” according to AllMusic. com.

“There was a more romantic discourse evident on the follow-up, which while less abrasive, was still an exemplary introduction.”

According to MusicianGuide.com, Black Sheep became part of music’s hip-hop landscape in 1991 with the release of their debut album, A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, who’s single “Flavor of the Month” sealed the duo’s popularity.

At the time of their debut, Black Sheep were one of many New York City-based hip-hop and rap groups attracting national attention; Cypress Hill, Naughty by

The event will kick off at 4 p.m. with a live broadcast of “Master Gee’s Theatre,” the museum’s executive director’s weekly SiriusXM Show, where guests will reminisce about the legendary MCs, they grew up listening to.

Nature, Brand Nubian, and L.O.N.S. had all paved the way for Black Sheep’s appearance. Black Sheep’s members, Dres, whose real name is Andres Titus, and Lawnge – two friends raised in New York City – met in 1983 in Sanford, North Carolina.

Dres grew up in the Astoria housing projects in Queens and by the time he finished high school, he had served time in jail; this early brush with the criminal justice system convinced Dres not to glorify crime in his music, MusicianGuide.com reported.

Master Gee noted that the Universal Hip Hop Museum opening in New York next year and headed by

executive director Rocky Bucano is huge for those who love hip hop and others who may not. He said his museum is in D.C. because “that’s the home of all the big museums.”

According to Gee and other officials, the Hip Hop Museum of DC is a “pop-up experience,” that serves as a “traveling art, food, fun, broadcasting, DJ, producer, performance, graffiti, B-boy, music concert experience that encompasses all aspects of hip-hop music, history and culture.”

The National Hip-Hop Museum opened “The HipHop Shop”, their new flagship retail and event space, in

January 2023. This 6,000 sq. ft. facility, located in the heart of Dupont/Adams Morgan, features the largest selection of Hip-Hop memorabilia on the East Coast including, vintage apparel, sneakers, toys, memorabilia, vinyl and art. Gee said Rapper’s Delight opened up doors that he’d never previously envisioned. “Rapper’s Delight is my license to the world,” Gee asserted. “It’s my permit, my passport to give me the ability to do what I do.”

To attend the ceremony and the museum, visit https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/grand-induction-ceremony-xgrand-opening-event-tickets-523737973377

Legal Notices

California Dangles Bonuses for Nursing Homes That Add Staff

By Samantha Young California Healthline

SACRAMENTO — California is revamping how it rewards nursing homes to get them to improve patient care.

Rather than limit bonuses to top-performing facilities, the state will hand out additional Medicaid payments next year to nursing homes — even low-rated ones — that hire additional workers, reduce staff turnover, or improve quality of care. Facilities will be scored on their performance so facilities that do more will earn larger bonuses. And to ensure an acceptable level of care, the state will sanction facilities that fail to meet clinical and quality standards for patients.

The switch is part of a multipronged effort by Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers to entice nursing homes to do better after the devastating toll of covid-19. Facilities that improve working conditions for their staff will also earn higher daily Medicaid payments.

“When you’re investing in the workforce, then you have the appropriate levels of care to provide services,” said Lindy Harrington, deputy director at the Department of Health Care Services, which administers Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid insurance program for people with low incomes and disabilities.

Patient advocates and industry officials described the changes as an improvement, but they expressed skepticism about whether they would work. They said the bonuses fall short of what’s needed to address chronic understaffing and the closure of rural facilities.

Last year, lawmakers allocated $280 million for the bonus program — just a fraction of the more than $6 billion that nursing homes take in every year from MediCal. The safety-net health program insures two-thirds of nursing home residents in the state. Meanwhile, the money nursing homes could get by improving working conditions for their employees is comparable to temporary funding that facilities received from the state during the pandemic — which means funding essentially remains flat overall.

“The overwhelming majority of the money goes to facilities regardless of what their quality looks like,” said Tony Chicotel, an attorney with California Advocates for Nursing Reform, a nonprofit that represents long-term care residents. “The worst performers will still get paid about the same as the best performers.”

Newsom and legislators adopted the new payment structures in a state budget bill last year, explicitly calling on regulators to leverage taxpayer funding in order to

improve pay and working conditions for staffers who feed, bathe, dress, and ensure the well-being of elderly and frail patients at the state’s 1,200 nursing homes.

But the pandemic had already exposed deep, systemic problems at nursing homes. While older adults have a heightened risk of dying of covid, the coronavirus spreads more easily in institutional settings — and some studies have found that nursing homes with fewer staff members had significantly higher covid infection and death rates.

According to an industry official, California’s nursing homes care for 350,000 residents each year. More than 10,000 nursing home residents have died of covid since January 2020, about a tenth of Californians killed by the virus so far.

Nationwide, at least 163,538 had died of covid in U.S. nursing homes as of Jan. 22, according to the latest data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

In an August memo, CMS Deputy Administrator Daniel Tsai encouraged states to use Medicaid money to improve training and staffing at nursing homes. The federal agency is also reviewing mandatory staffing levels.

In California, regulators are acting on the belief that increased staffing and better working conditions will reduce patient injuries and emergency room visits. Hence, facilities that make improvements in those areas will qualify for boosted Medi-Cal payments. Guidelines are expected to be drafted this year. Democratic lawmakers, many with ties to labor,

suggested the administration consider rewarding facilities that unionize or pay a prevailing wage. The inclusion of those incentives in the bill was a win for labor, since only 20% of California nursing home workers belong to a union. Industry officials have largely shrugged at the state’s incentives. They said Medi-Cal payments are lower than what they receive from Medicare and private health plans.

“This is not going to move the needle fundamentally as long as the state continues to disinvest so badly into nursing homes,” said Craig Cornett, CEO of the California Association of Health Facilities. “Facilities desperately want more staff. They want to hire more staff, but they are paid so poorly through Medi-Cal that that’s virtually impossible.”

Harrington, who is implementing the nursing home rules, called the funding level “appropriate.”

This isn’t the only change the state has made to get nursing homes to hire more workers.

Lawmakers rewrote complicated Medi-Cal formulas last year so that nursing homes have an incentive to pay workers more. Under the change, facilities can collect up to 5% more in labor costs every year through 2026, compared with a 2% increase for administrative and other non-labor costs. That amounts to an estimated $473 million more for nursing homes in the next fiscal year, according to the Department of Health Care Services.

Labor is also pushing for a statewide $25 minimum wage for health support staffers, who include nursing home workers. In 2022, California nursing assistants earned an average $20.38 an hour across the health industry, according to the state Employment Development Department.

“We’re really making sure the needs of a patient are met,” said Arnulfo De La Cruz, president of Service Employees International Union Local 2015, which represents nursing home workers and in-home caregivers. “And a big part of that is addressing the needs of workers who deserve to work with dignity, to be well paid, to have benefits, and certainly not to be overly taxed and stressed out physically because they’re caring for too many patients.”

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

States Seek Crackdown on Toxic Ingredients in Cosmetics to Close Gaps in Federal Oversight

By Michael Scaturro California Health Line

Washington has joined more than a dozen other states in seeking to crack down on toxic substances in cosmetics

of Ecology in January found multiple products with concerning levels of hazardous chemicals, including lead and arsenic in dark-tint CoverGirl Clean Fresh Pressed Powder foundation. CoverGirl Continuous Color Lipstick

Smith, Washington state’s senior regulatory toxicologist, and formaldehyde is also a carcinogen.

“When we find these chemicals in products applied directly to our bodies, we know people are being exposed,” Smith added. “Therefore, we can assume these exposures are contributing to health impacts.”

Though most of the products’ lead content was low, Smith said, people are often exposed for years on end, considerably increasing the danger.

The Washington ecology department findings were not altogether surprising: Other testing bodies have picked up preservatives such as formaldehyde or, more often, formaldehyde-releasing agents such as quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, and diazolidinyl urea in hair-straightening products marketed especially to Black women. Formaldehyde is one of the chemicals used to embalm corpses before funerals.

In addition to Washington, at least 12 states — Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, and Vermont — are considering policies to restrict or require disclosure of toxic chemicals in cosmetics and other personal care products.

States are acting because the federal government possesses limited authority, said Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs for the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit that researches what’s in household and consumer products.

“The FDA has had limited resources to pursue ingredient bans,” Benesh added.

subjecting cosmetics ingredients to an approval process. In the meantime, states are fighting an uphill battle, because thousands of chemicals are available to manufacturers. As a result, a gap exists between what consumers need for protection and regulators’ ability to act, said Laurie Valeriano, executive director of ToxicFree Future, a nonprofit that researches and advocates for environmental health.

“The federal systems are inadequate in that they do not require the safest chemicals to be used,” Valeriano said. “Instead, they allow hazardous chemicals in personal care products, such as PFAS, phthalates, or even formaldehyde.”

Moreover, the federal government’s risk assessment system is flawed, she said, “because it attempts to determine how much risk from toxic exposures is acceptable.” In contrast, the approach that Washington state hopes to legislate would assess the hazards and ask whether the chemicals are necessary, or if there are safer alternatives — which is to say prevent toxic ingredients in cosmetics in the first place.

It’s a lot like the approach taken by the European Union.

“We put boundaries and restrictions around these chemicals,” said Mike Rasenberg, hazard assessment director of the European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki.

Rasenberg said that because research shows formaldehyde causes nasal cancer, the EU has banned it, plus lead and arsenic, in beauty products. The EU’s 27 countries also work together to test products for safety.

(Lydia Zuraw / KHN)

after a state-funded study there found lead, arsenic, and formaldehyde in makeup, lotion, and hair-straightening products made by CoverGirl and other brands.

The U.S. stalled out on chemical regulations after the 1970s, according to Bhavna Shamasunder, an urban and environmental policy associate professor at Occidental College. And that has left a regulatory void, as lax federal oversight allows potentially toxic products that would be banned in Europe to be sold in American stores.

“Lots of products on the market aren’t safe,” Shamasunder said. “That’s why states are helping create a solution — it’s a patchwork approach.”

The potential exposure to toxicants in cosmetics is especially worrisome for women of color, because studies show that Black women use more hair products than women of other racial groups and that Hispanic and Asian women have reported using more cosmetics in general than non-Hispanic Black and white women.

The Washington state legislation is a second attempt at passing the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, after legislators approved a bill in 2022 that was stripped of the ban on toxic ingredients in cosmetics. This year, lawmakers have additional context after a report commissioned by the legislature and published by the state Department

and Markwins Beauty Brands’ Black Radiance Pressed Powder foundation were among other products from various brands containing lead, the report found.

Research teams asked Hispanic, Black, and multiracial women what beauty products they used. Researchers then tested 50 cosmetics purchased at Walmart, Target, and Dollar Tree, among other shops.

“Companies are adding preservatives like formaldehyde to cosmetics products,” said Iris Deng, a toxics researcher for the Washington State Department of Ecology. “Lead and arsenic are different stories. They’re detected as contaminants.”

Markwins Beauty Brands did not respond to requests for comment.

“Nominal traces of certain elements may sometimes be present in product formulations as a consequence of natural mineral origin, as permitted by applicable law,”

Miriam Mahlow, a spokesperson for CoverGirl parent company Coty Inc., said in an emailed statement.

The Washington report’s authors said European Union countries ban products like the dark-tint CoverGirl foundation. That’s because arsenic and lead have been linked to brain and nervous system damage and cancer. There is “no known safe level of lead exposure,” said Marissa

Congress has not given the Environmental Protection Agency widespread authority to regulate such products, even though contaminants and preservatives from cosmetics end up in the water supply. In 2021, a California man petitioned the EPA to ban toxic chemicals in cosmetics under the Toxic Substances Control Act, but the petition was denied, said Lynn Bergeson, a lawyer in Washington, D.C., because cosmetics are outside the scope of the act’s jurisdiction.

“The law is crystal clear on this,” she said.

Bergeson said the regulation of chemicals is subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, but the FDA regulates only color additives and chemicals in sunscreen because those products make the medical claim of decreasing the risk of skin cancer.

Minnesota, for example, fills in the regulatory gaps by testing for mercury, hydroquinone, and steroids in skinlightening products. It also passed a law in 2013 banning formaldehyde in children’s products such as lotions and bubble baths.

California has passed several laws that regulate cosmetics ingredients and labeling, including the California Safe Cosmetics Act in 2005. A law adopted in 2022 bans intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, in cosmetics and apparel starting in 2025.

Last year, Colorado also passed a ban of PFAS in makeup and other products.

But consumer safety experts said that states should not have to fill in the void left by federal regulations, and that a smarter approach would entail the federal government

In Germany, more than 10,000 cosmetic products are examined annually, said Florian Kuhlmey, spokesperson for that country’s Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety. And it doesn’t end there. This year, Germany will examine about 200 samples of children’s toothpaste for heavy metals and other elements banned in the EU for cosmetics, Kuhlmey added.

The legislation in Washington would move the state toward a more European approach to chemicals regulation. If approved, it would give retailers that sell products with banned ingredients until 2026 to sell existing stocks. Meanwhile, customers can protect themselves by seeking out natural beauty products, Atlanta-area dermatologist Dr. Chynna Steele Johnson said.

“Lots of products have formaldehyde-releasing agents,” Steele Johnson said. “But it isn’t something customers can find on a label. My suggestion — and this goes for foods too — would be fewer ingredients are better.”

This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

The California Black Media Political Playback: Black Advocates Celebrate Women’s History Month

to be about achieving something. It needs to reflect the broader society,” said Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder in Residence, Policy Link, who presented during one of the panel discussions.

CBFF is a “five-year, $100 million initiative to ensure that Black power-building and movement-based organizations have the sustained investments and resources they need to eradicate systemic and institutional racism,” according to the organization’s website.

In April 2022, CBFF named Marc Philpart its Executive Director, a leader with broad experience in social advocacy working with grassroots and community organizations.

Panelists at the event included Blackwell; author Steve Phillips (Brown Is the New White); Lateefah Simon (president of the Meadow Fund); James Herard (Executive Director of Lift Up Contra Costa); Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker (District 1 Antioch City Council); Kavon Ward (CEO/Founder of Where Is My Land); and James Woodson (Executive Director of California Black Power Network.

Californians Impacted by Winter Storms Get

Extended Tax Deadline

Both the state and federal governments are offering some relief to Californians impacted by winter storms in January and February.

In addition to allowing qualifying state residents to make deductions for disaster losses, last week Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state tax deadline for those affected by the winter storms will be October 16, 2023.

“As communities across the state continue recovering from the damage caused by the winter storms, California is working swiftly to help recovering Californians get back on their feet,” said Newsom.

The extension aligns with Biden administration adjustments to the IRS tax deadline for people affected by winter storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides in the following counties: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Kings, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, Yolo, and Yuba.

For filing instructions and more details on eligibility, visit the California Franchise Tax Board.

Mayor Karen Bass Endorses “Friend for Decades”

Rep. Barbara Lee

Last week, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass endorsed her former colleague and “friend for decades,” Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), in her bid to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein who is not seeking another term.

“I’ve seen her leadership firsthand. Her work in a divided government to secure billions of dollars in COVID relief for underserved communities is just one example of the type of principled and tenacious leadership she will bring,” Bass tweeted.

Both alums of the California Assembly, Bass and Lee served together for nearly 11 years as two of three Black women members of California’s delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives. The other Black woman is Rep.

of Directors as we welcome Emerge California’s Class of 2023 – the most diverse class in organization’s history,” said Ransom, who joins four other board members, including Julie Waters, Board Treasurer, and Jacqueline Piccini, Board Secretary. Founded in 2002, Emerge California has trained over 800 women political candidates. The organization prides itself on a win rate of nearly 70 % and, last year, there were 125 alumnae of its training program on the November ballot, including Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, State Controller Malia Cohen, San Francisco Mayor London Breed and seven state legislators.

SoCalGas Customers Can Apply for Hardship Assistance

Responding to spiraling inflation and a winter hike in gas prices, SoGalGas is offering hardship assistance to its

customers that have been hit hardest.

“SoCalGas is stepping up to help customers in need with charitable donations of $10 million in shareholder funding to help customers with bill assistance and to bolster community resources for those who may be struggling financially,” the company said in a press release last week. The assistance will be distributed through three channels: $5 million through the Gas Assistance Fund administered by United Way for “Income Qualified Customers”; $4 million through the company’s Fueling our Communities program, a community feeding program organized by local food banks and nonprofits; and $1 million to restaurant owners through its Restaurant Cares Resilience Fund.

Maxine Waters (D-CA-43). Emerge California Announce Black Woman as New Board Chair Emerge California, an Oakland-based organization that recruits and trains women in the Democratic Party to run for political office, announced it has appointed Rhodesia Ransom to chair its Board of Directors.

“I’m excited to step into this role to lead our Board

FORE HIRE launches “Women Who Want to Work in Golf”

Former Atlanta Fire Chief Says Slavery Was God’s Plan Because of Social, Spiritual and Economic Famine in Africa

The book reportedly contains statements like “naked,” “wicked,” and “ungodly” as it described sinners as gay and those who have sex outside of marriage. Homosexuality, he added, was a “sexual perversion on par with bestiality.”

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA

Newswire Senior National Correspondent

In a videotaped lecture that many called out as teeming with self-hate, a former Atlanta fire chief ridiculously opined that it was God’s divine plan that permitted Americans to enslave Africans.

NBC News reported that Kelvin J. Cochran, who is Black, lectured at a Georgia Department of Labor event honoring Black History Month.

The outlet noted that Cochran explained how his religious beliefs were consistent with the nation’s founding.

The network reported that Cochran began “his patriotic speech” by claiming that the United States “has been a part of God’s divine plan from the beginning of time.”

Later, he mentions slavery, implying that the entirety of American history is “His story.”

Special to the NNPA Newswire

FORE HIRE launches “Women Who Want to Work in Golf” program Presented in partnership with the PGA of America and hosted by PING FORE HIRE announced today that it has launched the “Women Who Want to Work in Golf” program, created for former and current college golfers who are interested in pursuing a career in the golf industry.

The program will provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity for education, professional development, career advancement and direct connection to potential employers.

It is also designed to increase awareness of the availability of talented women looking to enter the golf business.

“Women Who Want to Work in Golf” sessions are May 21-23, 2023, and the program will be in Scottsdale, Arizona, held in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship.

The program is presented in partnership with PGA Career Services and is hosted by PING.

Moon Golf continues to support FORE HIRE in its women’s initiatives.

The program has been created in collaboration with the Women’s Golf Coaches Association.

To be eligible, applicants must have played women’s college golf at any level during their college career and must be seeking full-time employment.

Women of all ages are encouraged to apply.

“When [FORE HIRE founder] Courtney Trimble approached us to be the host of the first FORE HIRE event, it was an easy decision,” said Stacey Solheim Pauwels, PING Executive Vice President.

“Besides being in our own backyard, PING has a long history of supporting women both on and off the

golf course. Courtney’s vision fits perfectly with our brand values, and we look forward to highlighting the many career paths and opportunities for women interested in working in the golf industry.”

Objectives of the program are to raise awareness of the many opportunities available within the industry, increase understanding of skills necessary to secure specific positions and to provide an opportunity to network and connect to opportunities for employment.

“As Participation in golf continues to grow, the demand for industry companies to expand their workforce has also grown, and with the ability of college golfers to play the game at a high level, it makes them even more marketable to potential employers,” said PGA Career Services Senior Director Scott Kmiec.

“I have never seen a better time to consider a career in the game.”

The program will consist of attending the NCAA Women’s Division I Golf Championship, a behind-thescenes look at PING headquarters, roundtable networking sessions with key industry professionals, a panel discussion from golf companies and organizations as well as updated headshots, resume updates and mock interview sessions.

Those selected will be awarded a stipend for travel, hotel, meals, and entertainment. Applications for the program open today. Click here to apply.

The deadline is Wednesday, March 22 at 5 p.m. ET. Up to 30 women will be accepted into the first program.

For more information contact Courtney Trimble: info@forehireus.com or visit forehireus.com. And if you are interested in a career in golf TODAY, please visit www. pga.org/workingolf to book a free career consultation with a PGA consultant.

God was not taken aback by slavery in the United States, Cochran argued. The enslavement of Africans in the Americas was sanctioned by God, who “in his sovereignty” allowed it to happen, he asserted.

A social, spiritual, and economic famine was imminent in Africa, and it has persisted to this day, Cochran claimed without providing any evidence to support his rhetoric.

Hence, God was responsible for the Middle Passage slave trade that delivered six million Africans to the Americas, he said.

It also was God’s divine design to enslave the nation of Israel, as Cochran put it, and God’s sovereignty “enabled Africans to be brought to America in bondage.”

Cochran referred to the Bible, namely Genesis, where God foretold that Abraham’s offspring would be imprisoned and tormented for four hundred years.

He said slave owners were committed to educating their slaves about religion, and that slaves would often congregate outside of churches in order to listen in on the worship services.

Cochran sent copies of his self-published Bible study book, “Who Told You That You Were Naked?” to his employees in 2013.

The book reportedly contains statements like “naked,” “wicked,” and “ungodly” as it described sinners as gay and those who have sex outside of marriage. Homosexuality, he added, was a “sexual perversion on par with bestiality.”

The fire department suspended Cochran without pay for 30 days in November 2014 for failing to obtain approval or provide sufficient notice prior to the publishing of the book, which had been flagged as a concern by an

assistant fire chief in October 2014.

Cochran was let go in January 2015 after a campaign he launched following his suspension. He claimed he was terminated because of his religious views.

The Atlanta City Council voted in October 2018 to settle Cochran’s claim, paying him $1.2 million.

Cochran currently works as a senior fellow and vice president of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conversative and religious group that represented him in the lawsuit against the city.

“Here’s the bottom line,” Cochran asserted.

“We all got here on different boats, but now we’re in the same boat. I thank God for America and I thank God for American history,” he said.

Malia Cohen (left), with her husband Warren Pulley (center),  was sworn in as California State Controller by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (right) at Los Angeles City Hall on February 23, 2023. (Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media)

Photo caption: CBM Staff/ Reimagining Democracy panel at the Black Freedom Fund listening session Feb.28:(L to R) Steve Phillips and Angela Glover Blackwell (Founder in Residence at  PolicyLink), moderated by Lateefah Simon (president of the Meadow Fund).

Addressing the Issues Around Public Safety and Policing

By Congressman James E. Clyburn

Following the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd in 2020 at the hands of law enforcement—two in a long line of avoidable tragedies—Democrats reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring that law enforcement truly protect the communities they serve. House Democrats passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to prevent police misconduct by improving law enforcement practices and enhancing accountability. Regrettably, the bill stalled in the Senate due to Republican opposition. Since taking office in 2021, President Joe Biden has restricted the transfer of military equipment to police departments and directed federal law enforcement agencies to end the use of chokeholds and no-knock warrants.

Now a renewed call for action has emerged as the country mourns the violent death of Tyre Nichols, yet another unarmed Black citizen murdered by police. It has become undeniable that the culture of policing must improve. To reform this violent culture, we must enact public safety reforms that address the lack of accountability and transparency in policing while increasing the standards for those who wear the badge.

Our communities deserve meaningful change in how they are policed, and increased accountability will further that goal. It is unconscionable that a police officer can be fired from their local department for misconduct only to find employment in another department without consequence. Lawyers, doctors, public school teachers, and nearly all other professionals face accountability. Police officers have a sacred responsibility to protect the public— they should certainly not be immune from it. Increased accountability goes hand in hand

with increased transparency. Police department data, information, and policies should be made available to the communities they serve. There are more than 18,000 local police departments in the United States. However, there is no national requirement for collecting and sharing use-offorce data. Nor is there a nationwide database or registry that tracks problematic officers, preventing those who have been fired from moving on to another jurisdiction without accountability. The lack of transparency erodes public trust and allows dangerous actors to patrol our streets.

Increasing the professional standards for those who serve involves setting national practices and instituting mandatory trainings to ensure officers have the communication and de-escalation skills they need to better connect with their communities and prevent the deadly escalation of force. Training officers in these areas would improve police conduct and help officers better serve their communities.

In his January 7, 2023, State of the Union Address, President Biden urged us to “rise to this moment. We can’t turn away. Let’s do what we know in our hearts we need to do. Let’s come together to finish the job on police reform.”

It is time for us to enact the reforms necessary to save lives.

I call on our colleagues across the aisle to join in this critical effort.

To those who have lost loved ones to police violence, know this: just because you’re not in the headlines doesn’t mean you’re absent from our hearts and minds. South Carolina remembers Walter Scott, who was shot in the back and killed by a North Charleston police officer the morning of April 4, 2015. His brother, Anthony Scott, was my guest for this year’s State of the Union Address.

Together, we heard President Biden’s call for action, and I can assure you that I will do all within my power to answer that call.

2nd Chronicles 15:7 urges, “be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” The

road to achieving police reform may be long, but we must not tire. Instead, we must press on in honor of those we have lost and to prevent more Black men and women from falling victim to the same fate.

President Biden is Investing in America’s Underserved Communities

end the tale of two cities in Atlanta. I promised to fight for an economy that grew in a balanced way, so that workers could get trained for family-sustaining jobs, small businesses could participate in our city’s growth and all of Atlanta could rise together. More plainly, I wanted to ensure that Atlantans from all backgrounds have a shot at fully participating in Atlanta’s economy.

Atlanta is one of the most diverse cities in America, so the economic mobility of all Atlantans is of extraordinary importance to me. It matters to President Joe Biden, too.

In fact, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have proven this time and again by delivering federal resources. Thanks to the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act, American Rescue Plan, and executive orders signed by the president, historic investments are being made in cities like Atlanta – and everybody has a shot at participating and benefiting from these investments.

This month, Vice President Harris joined me in Atlanta to celebrate federal dollars coming to electrify Atlanta-area school buses. We’re moving away from the hazardous fumes of diesel school buses, which are disproportionately used in underserved communities, toward cleaner energy that’s better for the environment and better for our children’s health. And with these investments, we’re ensuring Atlantans in all zip codes have access to apprenticeships and good-paying job opportunities.

Auburn

for all but had a laser focus on economic empowerment for everyone

When I ran for mayor, I made a commitment to

These investments are just the beginning when it comes to ensuring all of Atlanta participates in our economy. Within days of taking office, President Biden signed an executive order which requires the federal government to live up to the Justice 40 Initiative. Justice 40 is an effort to ensure that at least 40 percent of certain

federal investments go to communities that have faced a disproportionate burden of environmental harms and pollution. That means more improvements and more jobs in our communities.

Plus, thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration working alongside Sen. Ossoff, Sen. Warnock and Rep. Williams, Atlanta will receive $30 million to improve safety along Pryor Street and Center Avenue through the Safe Streets and Roads for All Program. This program will allow the city to hire workers from our communities to build protected bike lanes and pedestrian facilities, making the area safer and more accessible while connecting the Southside and the Southside Beltline. This is in addition to $40 million delivered to upgrade Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and millions of American Rescue Plan funds the City has already put to work on pre-arrest diversion services, combatting homelessness, job training and so much more. We have a lot more work to do before every family in Atlanta has the same access to economic mobility, but change is happening right now – and a lot of that progress is due in large part to the priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration.

Here’s the bottom line: as mayor, my job is to show up and deliver. President Biden and Vice President Harris make that job easier – they are providing the resources to create jobs, contract with women and minority-owned firms, and make real improvements in our communities. In the cradle of the civil rights movement, we’re benefitting from allies in the White House who are laser focused on economic empowerment.

Reregulation of Airlines Will Have Negative Impact on Travelers of Color

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.

Among the significant strides our country has made to create a more equitable society, air travel does not always come to mind. However, it was not long ago that air travel was only for the elite. Airfares were prohibitively expensive, and flying on commercial airlines was a privilege that almost exclusively upper-class, white Americans could enjoy.

Today, the vast majority of Americans from all income levels and walks of life are able to travel by air. According to an Ipsos survey, more than 90% of Americans have flown commercial in their lifetime – with 53% of Americans taking to the skies before the age of 16. It is hard to believe that only 50 years ago, fewer than half Americans of all ages had experienced air travel.

What spurred this new reality of affordable airline fares and accessibility? The answer is simple: the deregulation of the industry in the 1970s.

Today, there are some in the Biden Administration and in Congress pushing to reregulate the airline industry – a decision that threatens to upend the progress our country has made to make air travel more accessible for all Americans.

In 1978, President Carter signed the bipartisan Airline Deregulation Act into law – ushering in a new age for air travel. This bill drove tremendous progress in improving the accessibility of air travel, especially among low-income and diverse communities.

The bill introduced a free market in the commercial airline industry. Dozens of new airlines formed, and due to increased airline competition, more planes took to the skies every day, new routes were added, and fares plummeted, providing more and more passengers with the opportunity to take advantage of a fast and safe method of travel.

Today, two million passengers board planes across the U.S. every day to visit friends, reunite with families, and meet with colleagues. These travelers are benefitting from an unprecedented amount of choice – more carriers to choose from, more flights and routes and varying ticket types that include more affordable options.

Two new carriers entered the market during the pandemic, offering new service to small communities and further spurring the fierce competition within the industry. This, in turn, drives down fares – and improves the travel experience – as the carriers all vigorously compete for the same consumers.

The benefits of the Airline Deregulation Act are still felt throughout the country, with fares remaining remarkably affordable. In 2021, domestic air travel in the U.S. was 55 percent less expensive than it was in 1979.

As a result, one-third of Americans boarding commercial aircraft in the U.S. had family incomes under $75,000.

Even as record-high inflation has impacted businesses across the country, U.S. airlines have maintained these affordable airfares. For example, the price of jet fuel averaged 83 percent more in 2022 than in 2019, but in 2022, inflation-adjusted fares averaged 6.8 percent below 2019. Thanks to a reduction in unnecessary, inefficient regulation, air travel is no longer a luxury. Instead, air travel is now an essential method of transportation for Americans of all races, cultures and incomes. However, potential action by the Biden Administration could change that.

It is critical that the White House recognize that their proposed policies to increase regulation of the airline industry could make it increasingly difficult for low-income Americans, and particularly those of color, to afford airline tickets.

While regulation can sometimes be a useful tool, in the case of the airline industry, increased regulation can do more harm than good. Let’s not move backwards and reregulate an industry that has made tremendous progress

in accessibility and affordability. The people that will be harmed the most from more regulations are those from low-income and diverse communities of color.

Congressman James E. Clyburn

By Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens Atlanta has a proud legacy as the cradle of the civil rights movement. Throughout our history, Atlantans from Martin Luther King, Jr. to the trailblazers of Sweet

not only helped birth the modern movement to create justice

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and Executive Producer/Host of The Chavis Chronicles on PBS TV stations across the US and be reached at dr.bchavis@nnpa.org

Atlanta City Mayor Andre Dickens

Meet California’s Black Mayors: Acquanetta Warren, Fontana

California Black Media

This profile is part of a series of 10 California Black Media articles capturing the stories of elected Black Mayors working to make a difference in the lives of Californians in large cities and small towns across our state.

When the City of Fontana hosted NASCAR Feb. 24, third-term Mayor Acquanetta Warren served as an honorary official for the final run of the Cup Series Pala Casino 400. According to Warren, Auto Club Speedway, formerly California Speedway, will undergo reconstruction that will reduce its size from the current two-mile track to a halfmile one.

One observation stood out for Warren as the mayor reflected on the final race on the racetrack that opened in 1996 in the city about fifty miles east of Los Angeles.

“I’m seeing way more African Americans working on the cars. They are more among the vendors, and I think in two more years, we’ll have even more,” she said.

“I’m constantly trying to get younger sisters and brothers that look like me to understand that you can have these dreams and they can be fulfilled,” Warren told California Black Media (CBM). “Don’t limit yourself.”

Although stock car auto racing has a well-known lack of racial diversity, particularly among owners and drivers, former NBA great Michael Jordan bought a majority stake in NASCAR’s 23XI team in 2020. Driving the team’s “23 car,” a nod to Jordan’s Chicago Bulls jersey number, is Bubba Wallace, NASCAR’s only active Black racer.

Other racing teams are becoming more diverse, too. Lamar Neal, a 29-year-old Black man, was on the pit crew for Kyle Busch’s race-winning team.

“It’s a sport that’s waiting for young smart people, not just drivers or pit crew, but the analytical side, the engineers -- a whole world waiting for young, good people,” said Warren.

As the race cars revved up their engines to the thundering roars of the race spectators, Warren said she was reminded that inflation continues to skyrocket and that natural gas prices are running higher than normal -- a point many guests attending the series also pointed out.

“We recognize these are really hard times, especially with the gas costs. People are calling me with bills [totaling] $600 to $800 when they’ve been paying $52 a month. That is terrible,” Warren told CBM.

Leaders must respond urgently to the high costs, Warren said.

Enter Fontana Eats, a program distributing gift cards for food to residents of the city.

“We had already been working on this program, but I want to increase [the amount people in the program receive]. It is also an opportunity for us to get our residents out more and do it safely,” she said. “They can go to restaurants, or they can go to grocery stores.”

When Warren was elected mayor in 2010, she was an experienced local politician, having served eight years on the city council.

Like many places around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic presented new challenges.

“We probably had over a half a million free masks to give out,” Warren said, recalling a step the city took responding to price gouging by some businesses.

Measure EE, in San Bernardino County, narrowly passed in November 2022. It directed elected representatives for San Bernardino County to research and advocate for all methods (including secession from the state) for receiving an equitable share of state funding and resources.

“I really advocated for people to vote for [Proposition] EE, because it’s a study on whether or not we’re obtaining the funds fairly in this county. We always are the stepchildren,” said Warren. “San Bernardino County is the largest county in the United States by land mass. Yet, we can’t really make it work if we’re not getting adequate funding.”

For example, Warren says her city does not have enough courthouses and judges.

“People talk about fairness, equity and due process.

Well, it would help if we could get them into court and get them out of jail. If you don’t have the resources, everybody has to wait,” she said.

In addition to advocating for funding and tackling food insecurity, Warren is pushing for more public parks.

“We’ve always focused on our recreation, particularly for our young people. We don’t want them to be graduates of sidewalk university,” she said. “We’ve got softball, we’ve got baseball, football, soccer, basketball. We have various programs that the kids can sign up for. They can do arts, they can dance.”

According to Warren, the city now has 59 parks to keep its 220,000 residents active.

As she walked across the front straight away, Warren spoke with anyone who approached her, and she stopped by to a room full of teenagers from the Boys and Girls Club of Fontana.

Warren says she moved to Fontana after the Rodney King riots in 1992 shook her neighborhood in Compton.

“When I got appointed to be the first African American on the council, people were making a really big deal, but I discounted it,” she said. “For many residents though, it was a big deal. The Black pastors and a lot of the older African Americans in this community called me to a meeting and they let me have it. They let me know that I stood on their shoulders, and they were proud of me.”

Warren is an advocate for more diversity among people addressing the challenges all Californians face. This month she was named the Chair of the Southern California Water Coalition’s Board of Trustees.

“We need more African Americans in the water world. All these people are retiring,” she said.

Although several heavy storms have hammered California over the past three months, including a historic storm disrupting the weekend race schedule, Warren doesn’t think California’s historic drought is over.

“The challenge will be, can we capture the water when it melts, and store it, and that’s where we fall short,” she said.

Drivers resume the race at the final NASCAR race on Auto Club Speedway’s 2 mile configuration in Fontana, California on February 26, 2023. (Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media)

NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace and Mayor Acquanetta Warren at Auto Club Speedway Fontana, California on February 26, 2023. (Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media)

Mayor Acquanetta Warren greets JROTC volunteers at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California on February 26, 2023. (Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media)

Maxim Elramsisy

Founder of Largest Black-Owned Cause Marketing Agency Proves

Diversity Is Good For Business

Nationwide — Diversity, equity and inclusion are good for business at CMRignite, the nation’s largest Black-owned cause marketing agency. The firm, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been able to achieve exponential growth in staff and revenue by prioritizing diversity as a best practice for its business model.

Since the company was founded by Jacqueline Moore in 1995, CMRignite has been on a mission to develop innovative, cross-cultural marketing campaigns that lead to real, positive change. While many agencies struggle to hire and retain diverse talent, CMRignite has intentionally and methodically built a staff that is 70% Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ and/or people with disabilities. In addition, the company acquired a Washington D.C.-based marketing agency in 2022, creating an even more diverse team of creatives and communicators.

The agency’s current client list includes organizations like U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, National WIC Association, NAACP, Wisconsin Department of Tourism and the University of Wisconsin.

“I knew I wanted to build an agency that would make an impact and leave a legacy, and I also understood the importance of reaching the multicultural market in an authentic way long before it became popular,” said Moore, chairman and CEO of CMRignite. “Hiring the best and brightest talent allows us to compete at the highest level, yet it’s our diversity that sets us apart. I believe it’s one of our biggest assets.”

Moore understood the potential of tapping into emerging multicultural markets in the mid-90s, and she sought to satisfy that need. It paid off. Today, with a staff of close to 60 full-time employees, CMRignite is an awardwinning agency that recently earned a spot on the INC 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in the United States based on its unprecedented three-year growth rate of 709%. Data provided about some of CMRignite’s most recent marketing campaigns confirms that many of its multicultural ads perform two to three times better than the general market industry average.

“Our team’s talent, coupled with their diverse lived experiences, allows us to create compelling campaigns that get results for our clients. Our strategies are designed and developed in an inclusive environment, and that matters,” said David Bowles, president of CMRignite. “In an industry that often struggles with diversity, I hope our story inspires others because it proves that diversity is good for business.”

A 2023 employee engagement survey found that 90% of CMRignite’s employees felt the agency’s mission is the reason their jobs are important, and more than 90% of employees said they believe their work offers a sense of purpose and motivation.

“If you want to compete in the marketplace, you have to be inclusive. I’m extremely proud that we have built a team that defies the industry norm and actually reflects the diversity of America,” Bowles added. “It hasn’t been easy, but when you make diversity a priority, it can transform your business.” About CMRignite is a full-service, strategic communications agency that specializes in developing cause and behavior change marketing for Fortune 500 companies, major nonprofits and government agencies. Since 1995, the agency has focused on developing innovative, crosscultural marketing campaigns that lead to real, positive change. Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, CMRignite is an award-winning agency that specializes in creative, paid media, public relations, social media, research and digital marketing. To learn more, visit CMRignite.com.

Five Ways to Help Protect Your Health During Spring Travel

By Dr. Amit Arwindekar, Medical Director UnitedHealthcare Global

With spring break coming up soon, many California residents may be planning a getaway to visit with family and friends in other parts of the country or to explore an international destination. While spring-time travel can be a chance to reconnect with loved ones or visit someplace new,  it can also present challenges. Any number of factors can lead to packed airports, and bad weather can cause annoying delays and cancellations. What’s more, nearly one in 10 international passengers end up requiring medical attention while traveling abroad. It all highlights the importance of pretravel preparation.

To help minimize potential stress and reduce the risk of health-related issues while away from home, here are five tips to think about:

Anticipate potential health issues. Consider a wellness checkup with a primary care doctor before departure to talk about travel plans, including the possible need for vaccinations. Packing a portable health kit may also prove helpful, so consider including items such as antiinflammatory pain relievers, first-aid supplies, earplugs, sunscreen and sunburn relief, motion-sickness remedies and insect repellents. Refill medications. Before any trip, it is a good idea to refill medications and pack extra doses in case of travel delays. Some pharmacies may have limited hours during peak holidays, which could make a refill more difficult. When traveling by airplane, always pack medication in carry-on luggage to help ensure access. For international travel, be sure to check prescription drug restrictions for each country to help avoid the risk of medications being

confiscated upon arrival.

Reduce jet lag. People taking to the air can face the possibility of jet lag. To help avoid this, get lots of rest before a trip, and drink plenty of water before, during and after flights to reduce the dehydrating effects of cabin air. Then, make a point to get plenty of sunlight during the day, which can help to reset the body’s internal clock and promote better rest at night. Proper sleep can help strengthen the immune system, better regulate appetite and aid in recovery from injury.

Stay active. Studies have shown that exercise is a great choice for helping to reduce stress and improve mood. Incorporating physical activity into sightseeing is one strategy for staying active, as many places offer walking or bike tours that can be relatively affordable, informative and fun. Using a fitness app may also help, providing access to thousands of workouts, from high-intensity interval training to yoga, and meditation too.

Get protection. Prior to traveling, take time to review your health insurance plan and confirm what it covers. Some health plans only offer network access to local health care professionals, and most insurance policies — including original Medicare — do not extend overseas or across the border. For additional protection abroad, travel medical plans may cover the cost of medical care and offer additional services. These may include foreign-language translation, direction to appropriate facilities or help with evacuation to other facilities and coordinated care with local health providers.

Whether traveling for work or leisure, considering these tips can help avoid health issues, promote well-being and protect against unexpected complications.