Bakersfield News Observer 5.29.24

NAACP Members Push Priorities at State Capitol

By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People California-Hawaii State Conference (NAACP Cal/Hi State Conference) hosted its annual “Legislative Day” at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space on May 20.

The day of activities is organized to inspire members to participate in the political process at the state level.

“NAACP CA-HI Day at the Capitol provides a platform for our branch members and youth leaders across California to partake in dynamic, collaborative sessions and dialogues with our state legislators who directly impact policy impacting communities of color,” said Rick Callender, President of the NAACP Cal-Hi State Conference.

NAACP members attending the day-long event came from over 50 branches all over the state, including areas of the state with the highest Black populations: Los Angeles, Oakland, San Bernardino, Stockton, San Jose, San Diego, San Francisco and Stockton.ˆpAssemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) spoke on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus during the morning session. He explained the importance of the oldest civil rights organization, how it is essential to the Black community, and its effect on the legislative process.

“Let me just simply say that I appreciate each and every one of you because America would not be America if it wasn’t for the NAACP,” Gipson said. “I am grateful for the NAACP. Though there are only 12 members of

nearby Swing Space.

The spacious Capitol Annex Swing Space is a temporary home for legislators and staff while the 73-yearold State Capitol undergoes a $1.2 billion facelift. It is located at 1021 O Street in Sacramento.ˆp“We made it where we were going to have an impact,” Callender said of members of the NAACP meeting with lawmakers. “We made sure that they understand what is important to us.”

Calendar, Cal-Hi State Conference’s Second Vice President Zephanii Smith-Eisenstat, and State Director Lujuana Bivens accompanied the NAACCP members to the Swing Space to meet and discuss bills with legislators and legislative staff.

“This (was) a jammed-packed week for the legislators as they were processing bills (in the Assembly and Senate),” Herring said. “The fact that they were taking their time to meet with us, we asked everyone to be respectful of their time.”

On Monday, June 10, the NAACP Cal-Hi State Conference will hold its  12th Annual Legacy Hall of Fame celebration honoring our 2024 inductees, Civil Rights icon Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown, and film actor Danny Glover.

the California Legislative Black Caucus, we would not be where we are today if it weren’t for you.”

The NAACP Cal-Hi State Conference advocates for legislative and policy reforms in areas critical to improving the lives of African Americans and all people who have been historically marginalized or underserved during legislative proceedings.

Representatives of Cal-Hi State Conference discussed six reparations and environmental justice priority bills it supports this legislative season at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in downtown Sacramento before the attendees visited the State Capitol in the afternoon to engage lawmakers.

The six bills are: Assembly Bill (AB) 1827, Low-Water User Protection Act; AB 3089, Formal Apology for Chattel Slavery; Senate Bill (SB) 1050, Racially Motivated Eminent Domain; SB 1403, California American Freedmen Affairs Agency; AB 1567,  Climate Resilience Bond Bills; and SB 867, a measure that proposes to fund projects that reduced fire risk and protects wetlands, waterways, coastal resources, and fish and wildlife populations.

Teneicia Herring, Cal-Hi State Conference’s Government Relations Specialist, and Carolyn Veal Hunter, the Cal-Hi Political Action chairperson, provided an overview of each bill, detailed how a bill becomes law and explained the role of a lobbyists.

CLBC members, Assemblymembers Reggie JonesSawyer (D-Los Angeles) and Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) served as guest speakers at the orientation held at the Sheraton Hotel. After that, Callender led the large group, marching three blocks to the State Capitol and

The event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Sacramento.

Marilyn Mosby Sentenced to Home Detention in Mortgage Fraud Case

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Following her conviction for mortgage fraud and perjury, former Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby received a 12-month home detention sentence and two years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby handed down the sentence on Thursday, May 23, after a protracted and highly publicized legal battle that has stirred significant debate over race, politics, and justice. Mosby, 44, gained national attention in 2015 for charging six Baltimore police officers in the death of Freddie Gray, a Black man fatally injured in police custody. Gray’s death led to riots and protests in the city. After three officers were acquitted, Mosby’s office dropped charges against the other three officers. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Mosby withdrew $90,000 from Baltimore City’s deferred compensation plan and used it to make down payments on vacation homes in Kissimmee and Longboat Key, Florida. Prosecutors argued that Mosby improperly accessed the funds under provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act by falsely claiming that the pandemic had harmed her travel-oriented side business. Mosby’s sentencing argument said the retirement funds came from her own income and that no one was defrauded because she paid an early withdrawal penalty and all federal taxes on the money. The government said that money remained the property of the city until she was legally eligible, and her perjury harmed everyone who followed the rules during the coronavirus pandemic. Mosby’s mortgage fraud conviction stems from a $5,000 “gift letter” she submitted when taking a loan to buy the Longboat Key property. Prosecutors said the letter falsely stated that Mosby’s husband was giving her a $5,000 gift for the closing when it was her own money. Judge Griggsby rejected the defense’s argument that the forfeiture amounted to an excessive fine, ruling that Mosby must surrender the assets gained through “her crimes.” The judge did allow Mosby to collect back more than $40,000 that she used as a down payment for the Longboat Key condo, but the mortgage of $428,000 was fraudulently obtained. While the government argued that Mosby should not be entitled to any of the condo’s appreciated value — it has swelled hundreds of thousands of dollars since it was purchased — she said Mosby could recover 10% since that matched the proportion of the down payment. Griggsby said there “has been a significant harm

in

to the public because of Mrs. Mosby’s role at the time as both an elected official and an officer of the court.” Political strategist Shermichael Singleton questioned the basis of Mosby’s prosecution. “Was there a victim? Did any agency suffer financial loss? Did Mosby use public funds?” he asked, rhetorically. Answering “no” to each, Singleton argued that Mosby should not have been charged, let alone prosecuted. “I keep posting about this because this shows how screwed up our justice system is and how prosecutors have too much power and discretion,” Singleton added.

Federal prosecutors argued that Mosby deserved prison because, unlike others convicted of white-collar crimes, she expressed no remorse or contrition and tried to delegitimize the case against her. They recommended a 20-month prison sentence for Mosby, who served two terms as the

state’s attorney for Baltimore and lost a reelection bid after her 2022 indictment. Mosby’s attorneys urged the judge to spare her from prison, arguing that she is the only public official prosecuted in Maryland for federal offenses “that entail no victim, no financial loss, and no use of public funds.”

“Jail is not justice for Marilyn Mosby,” her lawyers wrote.

Mosby’s supporters said she had already lost a great deal, including her marriage, her career, her campaign for reelection as the state’s attorney, and potentially her law license. Those who testified on her behalf included Mosby’s brother and sister; her former communications director for the state’s attorney’s office; a former colleague who led the prosecution of the police officers in the Gray case; and fellow attorneys, including nationally recognized civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.

“To sentence her to prison for being convicted of minor, non-violent offenses with no victims would be a grave injustice, and it would magnify the trauma of her two beautiful daughters,” Crump argued. “The crux of the matter is (this is) … a minor white-collar crime in which many others have been convicted of and sentenced to … a slap on the wrist.”

Noted Baltimore Attorney J. Wyndal Gordon added, “We need Marilyn Mosby in our community. We need her experience, her knowledge, and her training. We need her love for her community. Her love for her family. Her desire for her to become what she ought to be.”

Mosby’s two teenage daughters, both dressed in white to match their mother, walked beside her through a sea of media cameras. Her ex-husband, Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby, arrived moments later. Dozens of Mosby supporters waited outside and applauded as she arrived with her family and entered the courthouse without answering questions from reporters. “We need her love for her community. Her love for her family. Her desire for her to become what she ought to be,” Gordon demanded. Mosby applied for a presidential pardon earlier this month. In a letter to President Joe Biden, the Congressional Black Caucus expressed support for her cause. “As a nation that leads by example, our justice system must not be weaponized to prevent progress toward a more perfect union,” wrote Rep. Steven Horsford, a Nevada Democrat who chairs the CBC. “We share your desire for racial equity, Mr. President and this Trump-era prosecution is in direct conflict with a justice system that serves us all.”

By ADAM BEAM

The Arizona state Legislature quickly voted to repeal the 1864 law, and Arizona’s Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs promptly signed it. But the repeal won’t take effect until 90 days after the Arizona state Legislature’s session ends, which usually happens in June or July.

Currently, Arizona law allows abortions up to 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Licensed Arizona doctors who want to perform abortions in California would still have to fill out an application. But if the doctors meet certain requirements, the law directs California regulators to approve their application within five business days.

“California stands ready to protect reproductive freedom,” Newsom said.

He vowed to make the state a “ sanctuary ” for people in other states seeking abortions. California has passed dozens of laws to protect abortion access, including setting aside $20 million in taxpayer money to help pay for patients in other states to travel to California to get an abortion. The law Newsom signed on Thursday does not include new money to help Arizona patients travel to California for abortions. But Newsom partnered with the advocacy group Red Wine and Blue to raise money from private donors to help Arizona patients travel to California.

The group, headquartered in Ohio and launched by the Arizona Freedom Trust, seeks to organize suburban women. It had raised just over $111,000 toward its nearly $500,000 goal, according to its website. Newsom and his Democratic allies in the state Legislature worked quickly to get this law passed. But some Republicans questioned the need for it, given the uncertainty around the enforcement of the Arizona law and the state’s top officials opposed to its implementation.

But the Democrats who control the California Legislature pressed on.

“Once again California has made it crystal clear for all who need or deliver essential reproductive care: We’ve got your back,” said state Sen. Nancy Skinner, a Democrat from Berkeley and the author of the bill. The law says Arizona doctors would have to tell California regulators where they planned to perform abortions in the state. But the law bars California regulators from publishing any information on their website about Arizona doctors aside from the doctor’s name, status and license number.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — R&B superstar Usher will join the night concert lineup for this summer’s 30th anniversary of the Essence Festival of Culture. Organizers announced late Thursday that Usher, who is no stranger to the event, will perform during the festival, which this year runs July 4-7 at various venues in New Orleans. As the festival marks its three-decade milestone, Usher also

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and other venues citywide. Launched in 1995 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine, the festival has evolved into the world’s largest celebration of Black women, culture and communities, convening more than 530,000 people annually over the July Fourth weekend in

Mosby, 44, gained national attention

2015 for charging six Baltimore police officers in the death of Freddie Gray, a Black man fatally injured in police custody. Gray’s death led to riots and protests in the city. After three officers were acquitted, Mosby’s office dropped charges against the other three officers.

NAACP Ca-Hi State Conference President Rick Callender, left, is shown with Asm. Mike Gipson (D-Carson), right, at the orientation held at the Sheraton Hotel for A Day At The Capitol. (CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey)

Members of the NAACP traveled from San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco, Fresno, Stockton, and other cities to participate in the Day at the Capitol to discuss Reparations and Environmental Justice bills. (CBM photo Antonio Ray Harvey)

Venus Butler, a member of the NAACP Branch of Los Angeles said the prayer before the orientation began and asked the young delegates to recognize the 70th Anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision on Brown v. Board of Education.

Biden Makes Historic Strides in Diversifying Federal Judiciary

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

President Joe Biden has set a historic precedent by appointing more non-white and female judges to the federal judiciary than any other president in U.S. history, a significant achievement in his first three and a half years in office. According to a published analysis of self-reported data from the Federal Judicial Center, only 13 percent of Biden’s Senate-confirmed judicial appointments are white men.

“I’m particularly proud that these judges reflect the diversity that is our country’s strength, Biden said in February following the confirmation of his 175th judge.

As of mid-May, Biden remains the only president to have appointed more women than men to the federal bench, with over 60 percent of his judges being female. This surpasses the previous record set by former President Barack Obama, who appointed 138 female judges during his eight-year presidency. Biden is on track to surpass this figure as he nears the end of his first term.

The Senate is set to confirm more of Biden’s judicial nominees this week, including Seth Aframe of New Hampshire, who will serve as a Circuit Court Judge on the First Circuit. “This is a big deal,” White House Deputy Communications Director Herbie Ziskend asserted. “These highly qualified individuals have diverse professional backgrounds: they’ve been labor lawyers, civil rights lawyers, public defenders, served in the U.S. military, and more,” Ziskend continued, noting that over 60 percent of women and 60 percent of individuals of color have been included in Biden’s appointments. “These men and women will rule on issues critical to fundamental freedoms: reproductive healthcare, the freedom to cast ballots, whether workers have the freedom to unionize, whether children have the freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water,” Ziskend declared.

Aframe’s confirmation will mark the 198th judge confirmed under Biden. “This week, the Senate will confirm more of President Biden’s outstanding judicial

nominees for lifetime appointments to the federal bench, and we will hit a major milestone along the way,” Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) stated. “Later, the Senate will vote on the confirmation of Aframe.”

Schumer praised Aframe as an exceptional addition to

the First Circuit, highlighting his unanimous “wellqualified” rating by the American Bar Association and extensive experience in the U.S. Attorney’s office in New Hampshire.

“I expect that the Senate will reach the significant

milestone of 200 judges under Senate Democrats and President Biden,” Schumer continued. “That is a figure we can all be proud of and shows how intensely focused we are on filling the bench with jurists who will make our democracy stronger and uphold the rule of law.”

Despite being locked out of a Supreme Court majority, Biden, with the support of the Democratic-majority Senate, has made substantial changes to the federal courts by emphasizing diversity. The absence of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) due to his corruption trial and the opposition from Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who has pledged to support only nominees with bipartisan backing, poses challenges for Schumer in advancing more controversial judges.

Notably, Biden’s appointments have generally garnered bipartisan support. Many have received voice votes, and some have the support of moderate Republicans like Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who backed a procedural vote on Aframe’s nomination.

The racial and ethnic breakdown of Biden’s judicial appointments reveals a diverse slate: 36 percent white, 27 percent Black, 16 percent Hispanic, 14 percent Asian, 5 percent multi-racial, 1 percent Native American, and 1 percent Middle Eastern. In contrast, 65 percent of Trump’s judicial appointments were white men. Biden has appointed 125 non-white judges compared to Trump’s 37 and Obama’s 120.

As Biden aims to match Trump’s record of 237 federal judicial appointments, including three Supreme Court justices, his administration will require significant Senate cooperation in the coming months. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022 was a prime example of the conservative influence that Trump’s administration and a Republican-controlled Senate had on the judiciary. Reflecting on the importance of judicial diversity, Schumer concluded, “We are intensely focused on filling the bench with jurists who will make our democracy stronger and uphold the rule of law.”

High Court Upholds South Carolina Redistricting, Displacing Black Voters

By Stacy M. Brown

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unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. Justice Samuel Alito authored the 6-3 opinion, which overturned a lower court’s finding that the map had illegally removed 30,000 Black voters to favor a white Republican candidate in the 1st Congressional District.

The decision has prompted strong reactions, including from Devon Ombres, senior director for Courts and Legal Policy at the Center for American Progress.

“This ruling allows South Carolina to strip power away from Black voters and implement a congressional map that is clearly racially gerrymandered,” Ombres stated. “The majority cherry-picked evidence disregarded inconvenient proof of racial gerrymandering and substituted its own judgment of the facts instead of deferring to the court below. Worse, the majority makes it clear that, in the future, it will be more difficult to challenge unconstitutional racial gerrymanders.”

The case, Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the N.A.A.C.P., No. 22-807, presented a complex challenge of distinguishing the roles of race and partisanship in drawing voting maps, especially as Black voters predominantly support Democrats. A unanimous three-judge panel of the Federal District Court in Columbia, S.C., had ruled in early 2023 that the state’s First Congressional District, drawn after the 2020 census, violated the Constitution by prioritizing race. However, the Supreme Court’s ruling now overturns that decision.

The lower court had held its decision while Republican lawmakers appealed to the Supreme Court, with the parties

More than

The case, Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the N.A.A.C.P., No. 22-807, presented a complex challenge of distinguishing the roles of race and partisanship in drawing voting maps, especially as Black voters predominantly support Democrats.

urging a resolution by January 1. After the deadline passed, the panel ruled in March that the 2024 election would proceed under the contested map, acknowledging practical constraints. “With the primary election procedures rapidly approaching, the appeal before the Supreme Court still pending and no remedial plan in place,” the panel wrote, “the ideal must bend to the practical.”

The disputed district, centered in Charleston, has been a Republican stronghold since 1980, except for 2018. The 2020 race was notably close, leading Republican lawmakers to strengthen the district’s Republican tilt post-

77,000

census. The judges ruled that this goal was achieved by “bleaching African American voters out of the Charleston County portion of Congressional District No. 1,” moving 62 percent of Black voters to the Sixth District, represented by James E. Clyburn, a Black Democrat. Republican lawmakers admitted that the district was redrawn for partisan gains, but challengers, represented by the ACLU and NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, argued that race was the primary factor. “That predominant reliance on race is impermissible even if mapmakers used race as a proxy for politics,” their brief stated.

Justice Elena Kagan, joined by the court’s other liberal justices, dissented. Kagan contended that the ruling encourages state lawmakers to use race as a proxy for partisan objectives. “Go right ahead, this Court says to States today. Go ahead, though you have no recognized justification for using race, such as to comply with statutes ensuring equal voting rights,” Kagan wrote. “Go ahead, though you are (at best) using race as a shortcut to bring about partisan gains—to elect more Republicans in one case, more Democrats in another.”

Due to the South Carolina case’s reliance on the equal protection clause of the Constitution, it differs from a comparable Alabama case that is subject to the Voting Rights Act. Ombres underscored the broader implications, stating, “Congress must pass legislation to revitalize the Voting Rights Act to ensure that the will of American voters matters—not just the will of those already in power.”

Sign Petition for Justices Alito and Thomas to Recuse in Capitol Attack Cases

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

A petition calling for conservative Supreme Court Justices and noted Donald Trump supporters Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas to recuse themselves from major cases related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack has amassed 77,000 signatures as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 21. Following a report from The New York Times that highlighted potential conflicts of interest for the conservative justices, MoveOn launched the petition. The Times reported that an upside-down American flag, a symbol associated with the twice-impeached and four-times indicted Trump’s false claims of election fraud, was displayed outside Alito’s home in January 2021. The flag appeared outside the Alito residence in Alexandria, Virginia, on January 17, just days after Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. Alito told the Times that the flag was “briefly placed” there by his wife during a disagreement with neighbors.

The revelation has again raised concerns about Alito’s impartiality as the Supreme Court considers two significant cases: one addressing charges against the January 6 rioters and another determining whether Trump can claim immunity from prosecution on election interference charges. Justice Thomas also faces scrutiny for his involvement in cases related to the 2020 election, particularly because his wife, Ginni Thomas, contacted Trump officials and lawmakers, urging them to overturn the election results.

MoveOn’s petition argues that Alito must be held accountable for what they describe as a breach of ethics.

“He must recuse himself immediately or be removed by Chief Justice John Roberts, and the Senate Judiciary Committee must swiftly investigate and take action on

conflicts of interest,” the petition states.

Rahna Epting, MoveOn’s political action executive director, emphasized the need for immediate action to restore public trust in the Supreme Court. “The only way to begin to restore any trust in the Supreme Court—and to ensure any semblance of a fair hearing on Trump’s baseless immunity claims—is for Justices Alito and Thomas to recuse themselves, or be removed by Chief Justice Roberts,” Epting said.

He criticized Chief Justice John Roberts for failing to address these “conflicts of interest,” contributing to the Supreme Court’s lowest public approval ratings ever. “Justice Roberts’ failure to act—and allow these conflicts to go unchecked, has put the Supreme Court at its lowest public approval ever, with the public losing trust in the institution’s integrity and seeing it as the tool of a partisan right-wing agenda that it is,” Epting added.

The petition also calls for the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate the alleged conflicts of interest and consider impeachment if necessary. “Our country and our democracy deserve better,” Epting asserted.

Democratic Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has also urged Alito to recuse himself from cases related to the 2020 election and the Capitol attack. “Flying an upside-down American flag—a symbol of the so-called ‘Stop the Steal’ movement— clearly creates the appearance of bias,” Durbin said in a statement.

In response to growing public pressure, the Supreme Court adopted a code of ethics in November last year, following reports of undisclosed luxury trips and gifts received by some justices, including Thomas and Alito. However, the code lacks enforcement mechanisms,

As of mid-May, Biden remains the only president to have appointed more women than men to the federal bench, with over 60 percent of his judges being female.

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

The U.S. Supreme Court has reinstated South Carolina’s redrawn congressional map, declaring it not

Following a report from The New York Times that highlighted potential conflicts of interest for the conservative justices, MoveOn launched the petition.

The Justice Department is Suing Ticketmaster and Live Nation.

What Does That Mean for Concertgoers?

By Mae Anderson AP Business Writer

UPDATES: Updates Media to add video. Will the Justice Department's lawsuit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation give concertgoers, sports fan and theater patrons some relief from surging ticket prices?

The lawsuit could potentially lead to a breakup of Live Nation Entertainment, a company that resulted from Ticketmaster's 2010 merger with concert promoter Live Nation. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the aim is to allow more competition and to let smaller players gain more of the U.S. ticket-selling

The uproar that resulted from a myriad of problems Swifties encountered while trying to buy tickets through Ticketmaster for the pop star's Eras Tour in 2022 shined a light on cracks in the U.S. ticketing system.

State attorneys general — 30 of whom have joined the Justice Department's lawsuit — started probing Ticketmaster. The widespread social media outcry even led to a Senate hearing.

Eleanor Fox, professor emeritus at the NYU School of Law, said the debacle of an entertainment giant appearing incapable of servicing an eager audience might have helped the Justice Department build its case by making the scale of Ticketmaster's domination more apparent.

“I mean, you can say it was extraordinary that there was so much demand (and that is what led to problems), but they knew it was going to be extraordinary there was so much demand,” Fox said. “When you have competition, the companies are more sensitive and responsive to problems that can come up.”

Why are ticket prices so high?

Ticket prices have gone up for multiple reasons, including a huge surge in demand after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Live Nation reported last month that worldwide ticket sales for the top 100 tours in 2023 jumped 46% compared

with the previous year, bringing in $9.17 billion in sales.

Attendance at Live Nation-produced events jumped 20% to a staggering 145 million last year.

According to trade publication Pollstar, the average ticket price from the 100 top tours in 2023 was $122.84, which was 17% higher than the year before and a 31% increase compared to the average price in 2018.

And as anyone who has tried to score tickets to a popular event knows, service fees and ticket resales can push prices up much higher, in some cases into the thousands of dollars.

The Justice Department's lawsuit alleges that having a giant company like Live Nation Entertainment exacerbates markups since it controls so much of the market.

What does Ticketmaster say?

Live Nation and Ticketmaster which have long clashed with artists and fans, have always denied they act in a monopolistic manner. They say they aren't to blame for high ticket prices. They said Thursday that the DOJ's lawsuit “won’t solve the issues fans care about relating to ticket prices, service fees, and access to in-demand shows.” They say service fees go to concert venues and that outside competition has ”steadily eroded” Ticketmaster’s market share.

What happens next?

Unless it is dismissed, the lawsuit Thursday kicked

“And

In March, the Justice Department sued Apple, accusing the tech giant of engineering an illegal monopoly in the smartphone market. Earlier this month, closing arguments were made in a lawsuit against Google that dates from the Trump administration. Federal prosecutors accused the tech giant of maintaining a monopoly status as a search engine. In September, the Federal Trade Commission sued Amazon, alleging the e-commerce behemoth abuses its position in the marketplace to inflate prices on and off

platform, overcharge sellers and stifle competition. Amazon asked for the suit to be dismissed in December, but a judge set a trial date for October 2026.

Rapper Sean Kingston and His Mother Stole More Than $1 Million Through Fraud, Authorities Say

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Rapper and singer Sean Kingston and his mother committed more than a million dollars in fraud in recent months, stealing money, jewelry, a Cadillac Escalade and furniture, documents released Friday allege. Kingston, 34, and his 61-year-old mother, Janice Turner, have been charged with conducting an organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, identity theft and related crimes, according to arrest warrants released by the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

The two were arrested Thursday after a SWAT team raided Kingston's rented mansion in suburban Fort Lauderdale. Turner was arrested in the raid, while Kingston was arrested at Fort Irwin, an Army training base in California's Mojave Desert where he was performing. Kingston, who had a No. 1 hit with “Beautiful Girls” in 2007 and performed with Justin Bieber on the song “Eenie Meenie," is being held at a California jail awaiting his return to Florida.

Robert Rosenblatt, the attorney for the JamaicanAmerican performer and his mother, said on Friday that Kingston would return voluntarily if allowed, “which would save the state the expense of extradition and the costs of travel for the detectives and Sean.”

His mother was being held Friday at the Broward County jail on $160,000 bond.

“We look forward to addressing these (charges) in court and are confident of a successful resolution for Shawn and his mother,” Rosenblatt said.

Specific details of Kingston's and Turner's alleged crimes are not included in the warrants, but the documents

say that from October to March they stole almost $500,000 in jewelry, more than $200,000 from Bank of America, $160,000 from the Escalade dealer, more than $100,000 from First Republic Bank, $86,000 from the maker of customized beds and other smaller amounts.

Kingston, whose legal name is Kisean Anderson, was already on two years’ probation for trafficking stolen property. Further information on that conviction could not be found.

According to federal court records, his mother pleaded guilty in 2006 to bank fraud for stealing over $160,000 and served nearly 1.5 years in prison.

The two have also been sued.

In 2015, a seller of customized watches successfully sued Kingston and his mother in a New York City federal court for $356,000 after they failed to pay.

In 2018, a New York jeweler successfully sued the two for $301,000 after they scammed the store out of nine items.

More recently, a Florida entertainment systems company sued Kingston in February, saying he failed to pay $120,000 of a $150,000 bill for a 232-inch (5.8 meter) television it installed in his home. The TV is approximately 17 feet by 9.5 feet (5 meters by 3 meters) and covers a wall. He allegedly told the owners that if they gave him a low down payment and credit, he and Bieber would make commercials for them. That never happened, and Kingston never paid, the lawsuit says. The company's attorney says Bieber had no involvement — Kingston was falsely using his name.

Nicki Minaj’s England Concert

Postponed After Rapper Was Detained by Dutch Authorities Over Pot

Minaj, who is 41 years old, tweeted that she believes police just wanted to make her late for her concert in Manchester. “Told you, it’s to try to make me late so that they can write negative stories. Jealousy is a disease. You know the rest,” Minaj tweeted.

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Nicki Minaj's

Amid Turmoil, Rising Hate and Fear, Jewish-Americans Celebrate Heritage

By Edward Henderson California Black Media

Amid escalating tensions stemming from clashing and entrenched opinions about the conflict in Gaza – and the ongoing chaos on college campuses nationwide -Jewish American Californians paused to celebrate Jewish American Heritage month this May.

On college campus and in neighborhoods across California, many Jewish Americans from different backgrounds representing various perspectives about the conflict in the Middle East reported fearing for their lives and safety.

Despite making up only about 3% of the California’s population, the Jewish community has faced a disproportionate share of religiously motivated hate crimes, with a surge in antisemitic attacks in recent years.

According to the Anti-Defamation League Central Pacific Region, antisemitism has spiked in the U.S by about 140% and by a staggering 202% in Northern California Alone.

“It’s been a challenging time for our community.

It’s been a dark and difficult seven months,” said Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband, referring to the period of time since Oct. 7,2023, when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel and killed nearly 1,200 people.

Since that attack, more than 30,000 Palestinians have died in Israeli retaliative attacks.

Emhoff, a former entertainment industry lawyer based in Los Angeles before moving to Washington DC, was speaking at the White House on May 20 at a Rose Garden ceremony organized to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month.

“I know a lot of us are feeling alone, afraid, and in pain,” Emhoff continued.  “There is an epidemic of hate, including a crisis of antisemitism, in our country and around the world.  We see it on our streets, our college campuses, and our places of worship.”

Earlier in May, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring it Jewish American Heritage Month.

“California is home to the second largest Jewish population in the U.S., with thriving communities in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and other parts of the state,” Newsom said i“This month, we recognize the enduring faith, perseverance, and resilience of the Jewish people and lift up the many ways that Jewish Americans enrich our culture, politics, civil society, and countless other areas.”

“Amid brazen displays of antisemitic hate, California is taking action to protect our communities and ensure that future generations never forget the lessons of the past, including the deliberate murder of approximately six million European Jews during the Holocaust,” Newsom continued.

The California Legislative Jewish Caucus (CLJC) is

advancing legislation its members authored to help combat the increase in antisemitic sentiments and violence.

Members of the CLJC recently announced their priority legislation for the 2024 legislative season.

Those bills, according to the CLJC, seek to protect Jewish students on campus, better educate young people about the Holocaust and modern forms of antisemitism, and address the rise in hate crimes. The Jewish Caucus is also working to implement key strategies outlined in the recently released Golden State Plan to Counter Antisemitism.

Additionally, the state has launched the CA vs. Hate online resource, a platform that allows victims and witnesses of hate acts to anonymously report them.

“I am proud that the Jewish Caucus is laser-focused on legislation that prioritizes combatting this hate and making our state a safer, more compassionate, and more understanding place for all people,” said Sen. Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park), Vice Chair of the CLJC.

“The Jewish Caucus stands united and fully committed to working with other communities to advance our legislative package and ensure that the California Dream is achievable for all of us,” Becker said.

The following bills are included in the Jewish Caucus’s priority package:

AB 2925: Including Antisemitism in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Author: Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale)

AB 2925 requires that any campus that chooses to provide DEI training must include training about discrimination against the groups most likely to be targets of hate, including the Jewish community.

AB 3024: Stop Hate Littering Act

Author: Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego)

AB 3024 seeks to prevent the distribution of hateful flyers,

posters, or symbols that are intended to terrorize vulnerable communities.

SB 1277: Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education

Author: Sen. Henry Stern (D-Malibu)

SB 1277 will enshrine the California Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education as a statewide professional development program for teachers under the Department of Education. The Collaborative will focus on the Holocaust and other genocides, as well as identifying and confronting hate and antisemitism in modern society.

SB 1287: Protecting Free Speech at Institutions of Higher Education

Author: Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) SB 1287 will require colleges and universities to update and enforce student codes of conduct to better prevent violence, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination that is intended to interfere with free speech and other constitutionally protected rights.

“Jewish leaders are on the frontlines fighting antisemitism through education, advocacy, and building bridges with other communities.  It’s because of your leadership that we will dismantle prejudice and ensure Jewish safety,” Emhoff said. This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the

California Vs. Hate Campaign: One Year In, Civil Rights Department Shares Wins, Goals

By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

Last week, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) shared the results of its California vs Hate campaign, including its online reporting tool and telephone hotline, one year after their launch.

The California Vs Hate digital platform is the state’s first-ever multilingual resource to tackle the surge in hate incidents. Approximately 1,020 acts of hate crimes were reported through the online tool and hotline, according to data provided by the University of California Berkeley’s Possibility Lab to CRD.

CRD Director Kevin Kish, state officials, media outlets, and community partners from across the state came together to mark the initiative’s first anniversary at a news conference held at the California Secretary of State Office in Sacramento on May 20.

“This work is only just beginning, but it would not be possible without the advocacy of our community partners and the foresight of our state’s Administration and Legislature,” Kish stated. “With CA vs Hate, we’re doing our part to ensure that when people report they get support.”

CA vs Hate was launched in May 2023 by Gov. Gavin Newsom to offer a safe, anonymous reporting option for victims and witnesses of hate acts. The initiative was a response to a nationwide increase in hate crimes.

In its first year, CA vs Hate had 2,118 inquires from members of the public seeking assistance and directed people to resources, regardless of whether a report was tied to an act of hate.

The most frequently reported reasons cited were discriminatory treatment (18.4%), verbal harassment (16.7%), and derogatory names or slurs (16.7%). Additionally, most of the hate incidents were reported as residential (29.9%), workplace (9.7%), and in public facilities (9.1%).

Ca vs Hate received 1,020 actual hate incident reports based on the information provided by the individual reporting the act. Of those reports, about four out of six

people agreed to follow up for care coordination services, including direct and ongoing support accessing legal aid or counseling.

Nearly 80% of California’s counties were represented in the data, including all 10 of the state’s most populated counties.

The CA vs Hate staff reviewed 560 reports, revealing the primary motivations for bias were race and ethnicity (35.1%), gender identity (15.1%), and sexual orientation (10.8%).

Anti-Black (26.8%), anti-Latino (15.4%), and antiAsian (14.3%) bias were the most cited reasons for reports related to race and ethnicity, CRD states.

As reported hate crimes have risen in recent years, California has led the charge in responding through increased grant funding, innovative programs, and expansive outreach efforts across state government in collaboration with community-based organizations.

These partnerships — whether through the Stop the Hate Program or Ethnic Media Outreach Grants — are critical to CA vs Hate’s success, according to CRD. As CA vs Hate continues to grow, the program is launching new initiatives and building on existing efforts aimed at enhancing the hotline and online platform’s statewide support network and improving access for all of California’s diverse communities.

A year ago, CRD released preliminary data of a total of 180 acts of hate reported through the resource one month after CA vs Hate was launched. Out of the incidents, 102 were reported over the phone, while 78 were made via the online portal.

“I’m going to highlight that this program is new, and the data should not be treated as representative of all acts of hate in our state,” Kish said. “We have more work to do to reach Californians that might be targeted to earn the trust necessary for people to feel they can pick up the phone and contact the government. We’re not resting on our laurels.”

Kish also announced that CRD is kicking off CA vs Hate’s first-ever billboard campaign to raise awareness about the hotline and a partnership with UC Berkeley’s Possibility Lab to enhance data collection and analysis.

In addition, CRD has recently formed a partnership with California Black Media (CBM). This collaboration aims to bolster engagement within communities that are most often the targets of hate, utilizing the federal JabaraHeyer NO HATE Act grant to ensure these communities have access to resources.

“The support from the California Department of Civil Rights coupled with the California State Library Ethnic Media Grants have strategic, and what I like to say, smart use of federal and state resources that have helped us advance our common goal of reporting and reducing hate crimes in our communities,” said CBM Executive Director Regina Brown-Wilson.

California has increased its grant funding, created innovative programs, and expanded outreach efforts across state government, working in collaboration with community-based organizations.

The partnerships -- whether through the Stop the

Potential Hurdles Ahead, but Biden Still Holds Strong Support Among Black Voters

Despite

and

from

African American figures like Stephen A. Smith, Snoop Dogg, and Ice Cube, President Joe Biden continues to enjoy strong support within the Black community. A new Pew Research Center study, “An Early Look at Black Voters’ Views on Biden, Trump, and Election 2024,” highlighted this trend, showing that a majority of Black voters believe Biden possesses the qualities needed for another term. The study revealed that 77% of Black registered voters prefer Biden over Trump. However, researchers noted, “Biden’s advantage among this group is not as wide as it was four years ago,” an indication of a slight erosion of support. The study also revealed that 83% of Black registered voters identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party, down from 88% in 2020. The shift is evident across gender and age demographics, with younger Black voters showing a higher tendency to lean Republican compared to their older counterparts.

Trump’s ratings among Black voters remain overwhelmingly negative. The study found that 72% of Black voters rated his presidency as poor or terrible, and 65% believe the twice-impeached and four-times indicted Trump broke the law in his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Despite this, 49% of Black voters express a desire to replace both Biden and Trump with different

candidates if given the option.

The priorities of Black voters diverge somewhat from those of the general electorate. While the economy is a top concern for 73% of Americans, Black Americans place equal importance on improving the education system (79%) and ensuring the financial stability of Social Security (74%). Other key issues include reducing healthcare costs (72%), addressing poverty (70%), reducing crime (68%), and tackling racial issues (65%).

Biden’s job performance approval among Black Americans has seen some improvement. As of April 2024, 55% approve of his handling of the presidency, up from the near-even split in January 2024. This approval, however, is still below the 87% recorded early in his term.

Looking ahead to the 2024 election, 55% of Black voters believe the outcome is crucial as Trump’s plans include a dictatorship and a complete erosion of rights for all people of color, according to his biggest supporters’ “Project 2025” plan. Currently, 77% lean towards voting for Biden, while Trump garners support from 18% of Black voters, with younger Black voters more likely to support Trump compared to their older counterparts.

Confidence in Biden’s capabilities remains relatively high among Black voters, with 56% believing he respects democratic values and 50% confident in his ethical conduct. Only a small fraction extends these beliefs to Trump, with no more than 8% attributing similar qualities to him.

However, the Biden campaign could face significant challenges if it fails to engage adequately with the Black Press of America. The Black Press, celebrating its 197th anniversary in Baltimore next month, continues to play a crucial role in reaching Black voters. Reflecting on a similar situation in 1992, President Bill Clinton faced backlash for reneging on a promise to address the Black Press at their annual convention. Ironically, that convention was held in Baltimore, the same city that’s hosting the 2024 conference.

“Clinton later made up for it by inviting the Black Press to the White House for a discussion, a move that helped him secure the presidency,” stated Philadelphia Tribune Publisher Robert Bogle, who famously led a press conference during that 1992 convention to denounce Clinton’s absence. Bogle and Houston Defender CEO Sonny Messiah Jiles, who also help lead the 1992 presser, told the Black Press’ Let It Be Known morning news show that, if Biden neglects to address the Black Press or invest in significant advertising, his campaign risks alienating a critical voter base. Overall, Biden still maintains a substantial lead among Black voters, but Jiles and Bogle said his campaign must navigate carefully to maintain and strengthen this support. “Addressing the Black Press and focusing on the community’s unique priorities will be essential steps in securing their votes in the upcoming election,” Bogle asserted.

Hate Program or Ethnic Media Outreach Grants -- are “crucial and important parts of California’s comprehensive approach to combating hating,” Kish said.  Ethnic media platforms have also been a key component of   strengthening the hotline’s statewide support network and improving access to resources for all of California’s diverse communities. CRD Deputy Director Becky Monroe added that ethnic media’s role of communicating with communities through radio, print, and online technology is essential because underserved communities see them as “trusted messengers.”

“We are proud to work with ethnic media because we know that in the past, we have not done justice to those stories. You all do justice to those stories,” Monroe said. “Through this partnership, we are able to effectively reach the communities we want to reach.”

(Shutterstock Photo)

A new Pew Research Center study, “An Early Look at Black Voters’ Views on Biden, Trump, and Election 2024,” highlighted this trend, showing that a majority of Black voters believe Biden possesses the qualities needed for another term.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

endorsements

praise for former President Donald Trump

high-profile

California Capitol News You Might Have Missed  Political Playback:

Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media Calif. Senate Passes Landmark Package of Three Reparations Bills

Last week, the California State Senate voted to advance three landmark reparations bills authored by Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood). The bills aim to redress the economic and social injustices stemming from chattel slavery in the American South and more than a century of state-sectioned discriminatory practices that followed the Civil War.

The package of legislation now moves to the State Assembly for consideration.

The historic vote on Senate Bill (SB) 1403, SB 1050, and SB 1331 was held on the Senate floor late in the afternoon on May 21, while supporters representing several reparations advocacy groups observed from the gallery.

“lI appreciate my Legislative colleagues who have directly faced this important issue and shown great courage by passing these historic pieces of legislation,” said Bradford. “I look forward to working with the members of the Assembly to similarly pass these bills so we can present them to Governor Newsom for his signature.” SB 1403 establishes the framework for the

California State Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood), left, and his Chief of Staff Carolyn McIntyre, right, leave the Senate chambers on May 21 at the State Capitol after three of Bradford’s reparations bills passed off the floor, including SB 1403 (California American Freedmen Affairs Agency). (CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey)

establishment of the California American Freedmen Affairs Agency (CAFAA), a state-level department that would administer all reparations activities. It passed with a 30-7 vote. SB 1050 would offer compensation to Black Californians who lost homes or had their land taken without fair compensation as a result of the racially motivated misuse of eminent domain. It passed with a 32-4 vote. With a vote of 30-7 on the Senate floor, SB 1331 also passed. It proposes the establishment of an account in the state treasury for the purpose of funding reparations policies approved by the Legislature and the Governor.

Darlene Crumedy, a Bay Area resident and member of the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC), is one of the reparations supporters who has shown up at every Senate hearing for Bradford’s compensation bills. She called passage of the bills “historic and special.” “Now the work begins in the Assembly, and they are going to pass there, too,” Crumedy said expressing optimism about the bills’ future.

Calif. Assembly Bill That Would Allow Warrantless Arrests Advances to Senate

The California Assembly approved Assembly Bill (AB) 1990, the “Secured Transactions and Organized Theft Prevention (STOP) Act,” with a vote of 44-1 on May 23. The bill is now headed to the State Senate for consideration.

Authored by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Boyle Heights), the bill would allow a peace officer to make an arrest without a warrant for a misdemeanor shopliftingCarrillooffense.

said in a March 20 written statement that AB 1990 is “an urgent call to action in response to the alarming escalation of organized retail theft” incidents across the state.

“It is our responsibility to confront a problem that has been increasingly worsening over time,” Carrillo stated.

Assemblymembers Mike Gipson (D-Carson), and Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) are co-authors of the bill. Gipson and Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), who are members of the California Legislature Black Caucus (CLBC), voted in support of the bill. Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, also a member of CLBC, opposes the legislation. She stated that it would be a “stop and frisk” law that would impact all races but disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities.

“We must keep a close watch on this bill,” McKinnor posted on the X social media platform on May 23.

Calif. Union Leader April Verrett

Elected First Black President of SEIU

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), one of the nation’s largest labor unions, elected its first Black president, April Verrett.

The union represents nearly two million members in the public sector, healthcare, and property services.

“By joining together, organizing, and -- in many cases -- striking, working people are taking power back from corporate interests and using that power to lift up their families and communities.”

Verrett is recognized for spearheading the union’s strategic planning process as the SEIU’s Secretary-Treasurer and she served as president of the SEIU California local chapter in 2015.  Verrett was sworn into her new role on May 20, at a ceremony held during the SEIU convention in Philadelphia. Vice President Kamala Harris gave the keynote address. Harris and Verrett have known each other for years and worked together during their time as public servants in California.

“April is a leader who is always guided by an uncompromising focus on worker empowerment and their rights,” Harris said.

“What some people need to understand is that care work is physical work,” Harris continues. “It is emotional work. It is a job, and it is a calling, and care workers deserve to be paid fairly and fully for that work.”

The healthcare industry is one of several industries that has been impacted by national strikes following the

COVID-19 pandemic.

“Make no mistake: working people are under attack and the stakes have never been higher; but the real challenge and opportunity of leading our union in this moment is meeting the momentum of workers across the country -especially the young people of color who are showing us what’s possible,” Verrett said.

Amsterdam-Style Cannabis Cafés Move One Step Closer to

Becoming Legal in California

The California Assembly passed a bill that would legalize cannabis cafes, inspired by Amsterdam-style restaurants and clubs where marijuana is openly smoked.

If the bill passes in the Senate and is signed into law by the Governor, Assembly Bill (AB) 1775 would grant local governments the authority to approve cannabis clubs that make and sell non-cannabis food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) said he proposed the bill to benefit small businesses and help them expand their goods and services.

“This is a bill that supports our legal small businesses that just want to diversify their businesses and do the right thing,” Haney said.

The bill allows small businesses to compete with the illegal drug market, Haney added.

“The illicit illegal market is continuing to grow and thrive, while our legal cannabis market is struggling,” he said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed an earlier version of the bill last year to “protect smoke-free workplaces.” The updated version of the bill, however, separates cannabis consumption from other workspaces.

Haney is confident that Newsom will not veto the updated version of the bill. Under the new bill, consumers are prohibited from smoking cannabis in the back of restaurant kitchens and food prep areas to protect nonsmoking employees.

Currently, California has four cannabis cafes in operation -- two of them are in West Hollywood and the other two in Palm Springs. The cafes are similar to lounges and offer cannabis-infused snacks and prepackaged foods.

However, it is illegal for food establishments to offer alcohol and cannabis under the same roof.

The bill would give city officials the power to approve the cannabis lounges.

California Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Controversial Gig Worker Law

California State Supreme Court Justices last week heard oral arguments from attorneys representing both sides in a lawsuit questioning the constitutionality of Proposition 22.

Prop 22 is the controversial gig worker law that voters approved in a 2022 ballot measure that reversed AB 5, a law that went into effect in 2020 that mandated tech companies to reclassify independent contractors as fulltime W-2 employees.

During the court hearing, advocates questioned whether the initiative conflicts with the Legislatures’ constitutional power to implement a complete worker’s compensation system for gig workers. Currently, Prop 22 states that independent contractors for gig companies are ineligible for workers’ compensation.

Digital tech companies, including Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash supported Prop 22.

John Logan, a professor of labor and employment at San Francisco State University, said the state supreme court ruling will have national significance.

“Everyone is watching what the California Supreme Court will decide and whether or not these companies have a right to classify their workers as independent contractors,” Logan said.

Tech companies Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash spent $200 million backing the initiative and helped reclassify 1.4 million drivers as contractors rather than employees.

California labor groups argue that Prop 22 is unconstitutional and goes against state law since the legislature codified workers’ compensation in 1911. The state’s largest labor union, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) argued against Prop 22 alongside four drivers affected by the lawsuit.

However, gig companies Uber and Lyft threatened to leave the cities and states that classify drivers as employees following their large investment in the initiative.

During the hearing, company representatives from Uber said that removing the law would be, “devastating for thousands of drivers and couriers who turn to Uber for flexible work.”

“Millions of Californians would see major service reductions and cost increases,” Uber representatives said.

Following the arguments, the court justices have 90 days to deliberate, take a preliminary vote, and then issue a final ruling on the lawsuit.

Creators: Pan-African Story Telling Academy Will Aid Black Student Success

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) launched the Pan-African Immersive Storytelling Academy, an educational initiative tailored toward empowering Black students. The Black Student and Family Task Force spearheaded the initiative alongside the school district in partnership with the African American Parent Council (AAPC), and Equation 2 Success. The initiative aims to integrate immersive storytelling techniques in core subjects including mathematics, science, and language. The program will help Black students nurture their critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy skills. The school district will work with community partners to foster a curriculum and implement educational programs

that encompass the history, cultures, and experiences of Africa and people of African descent.

Elizabeth Blanco, Pasadena school district superintendent said the initiative is a framework that gives Black students relevant tools to celebrate African history and cultures.

“It strengthens our students’ sense of belonging and creates pathways for Black students to succeed,” Blanco said.

John Lynch, chair of the African American Parent Council said the task force gave Black students and their families a framework to, “radically reimagine school.”

“We know that an intentionally curated space that centers Black student success is long overdue in PUSD, and once successful, will be a place to draw best practices from and replicate,” Lynch said.

The curriculum includes the use of emerging technology to share stories. The program has modules focused on immersive storytelling using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Students will be exposed to hands-on learning experiences, collaborative projects, and experiential activities.

The academy will offer educators professional development opportunities and train them to use digital tools and technology in their teaching practices.

Patrice McKenzie, a member of the Board of Education recognized that Black students experience unique challenges in the education system that hinder their academic progress.

“It is our hope that the Pan African Immersive Storytelling Academy is a demonstrative commitment to re-framing, re-imagining, and re-engaging with our community to better serve the needs of Black students in the District,” McKenzie said.

The first cohort of sixth-grade students will commence lessons at the academy during the 2025-2026 academic year

California Could End Donor and Legacy Preferences in College Admissions

The California Assembly approved a bill that bans admissions based on legacy ties and donor preferences at colleges and universities statewide with a 55-0 vote on May 21.

Assemblymember Phil Ting (D- San Francisco) and Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas) co-authored Assembly Bill (AB) 1780, which will now be considered by the State Senate for approval.

Ting said he introduced the bill in response to last year’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that banned race considerations for college admissions.

“If you work hard, get good grades, and have a wellrounded background, your spot should not be taken by someone else just because their family can write a big check

or is a graduate of that school,” Ting said.

It is well documented that a number of prominent universities around the U.S. consider legacy and affiliation with donors in the admissions process. At Stanford University, over 13% of admitted students have connections to alumni or donors. More than 14% of newly admitted students at the University of Southern California have similar ties.

If the Legislature approves AB 1780 and Gov. Newsom signs it into law, the state will impose a civil fine equal to the amount of CalGrants the university or college received in the previous year.

“If we value diversity in higher education, we must level the playing field,” Ting said.

California is set to join Maryland, Colorado, and Virginia in banning legacy and donor admissions at public and private institutions if the law gets approved.

L.A. Mayor Bass and SBA Administrator Announce Women’s Business Center in South LA

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabel Guzman joined hands last week to launch of the first federally recognized Women’s Business Center at the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC) in South Los Angeles to help small businesses start, grow and develop in the city. Bass highlighted the partnership Los Angeles has with the federal government and emphasized her administration’s work to open Los Angeles for business by making more resources like the new Women’s Business Center offers available to more Angelenos.

“This beautifully renovated building will provide a dedicated space for business experts and consultants to meet one on one with entrepreneurs and small business owners to help their business launch, grow and thrive,” said Mayor Bass during the ribbon cutting ceremony. She reminded guests that not only the Olympics, but another Super Bowl and All-Star Week is coming to the city and local business owners should be prepared for the opportunities that lie ahead.

“As the business center develops, we need to partner with organizations like Vermont Slauson to make sure that these events don’t just come to LA and pass us by, but that these events help serve as a catalyst so that our small businesses become larger businesses and everyone in the area prospers from the world coming to this center,” said Bass.

The official opening was among initiatives the mayor led this week to support businesses in Los Angeles through LA Optimized 2.0, a program created to help small businesses build and strengthen their digital presence along with LApreneur, a new online learning platform created to equip entrepreneurs with key skills and information to succeed.  Bass also encouraged residents, small business owners, and other residents who were impacted to apply for the low-interest disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration that were recently made available following Mayor Bass’ calls for federal support.

“We are committed to investing in women through our Women’s Business Centers, where knowledge and connections to capital can be deployed to power that next generation of founders, said SBA Administrator Guzman following remarks from Mayor Bass. “The SBA is committed to making sure that they have the funding that they need. We have instituted transformations across our policy, loan, investment, and bonding programs to ensure that the $52 billion that’s put out from SBA every year goes to the people who are starting businesses at the highest rates and that our check writers look like the businesses who are starting businesses at the highest rates. We’ve seen a 70% increase in our lending to women.”

“When women-owned businesses succeed, our economy succeeds,” stated U.S. Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) in a press release following the event.

“I am thrilled to celebrate the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation’s launch of its Women’s Business Center, located here in South LA, which will support women entrepreneurs throughout every step of their business journey,” she added.

The South LA Women’s Business Center (WBC) is the first women’s business center in South LA and Watts. It will offer support to Black and Latino women entrepreneurs. Marva Smith Battle-Bey founded VSEDC and led the organization for 35 years before her passing in 2016.

California Black Freedom Launches Program to Protect Racial Justice Orgs From Legal Threats

The California Black Freedom Fund (CBFF) today announced the Legal Education, Advocacy, and Defense (LEAD) for Racial Justice initiative.

The program provides racial justice organizations in California with resources to fight legal threats that have been increasing in the state – and around the country –since the United States Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling that banned colleges and universities from considering race in the admissions process.

According to CBFF, an advocacy organization committed to ending institutional and systemic racism, hundreds of nonprofit organizations and philanthropic institutions will benefit from the imitative.

“The racial justice movement is under attack by opponents who want to stop our progress,” said Marc Philpart, Executive Director of CBFF.

“While racial justice efforts remain legal and necessary, opponents to affirmative action are sowing confusion and fear.  LEAD aims to provide the tailored guidance and information organizations need at this moment.”

According to the CBFF, LEAD will ensure nonprofits and foundations serving Black communities and communities of color have ongoing legal analysis, in-depth training, and a bank of legal support hours and pro bono representation.

The programs legal partners are Adler & Colvin, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), Public Counsel, and Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCR SF).

“Throughout California, organizations led by those most impacted have worked tirelessly to push California toward systemic transformation, and they need our support more than ever,” said Kendra Fox-Davis, Chief Program Officer at the Rosenberg Foundation, a non-profit that supports advocates of racial justice efforts across California.

“LEAD will help organizations and their funders better understand the legal landscape and our continued capacity to engage in racial justice programming and grantmaking,” Fox-Davis continued.

“It will ensure that grantees and funder partners can combat misinformation and double down on our commitment to racial justice.”

LA Mayor Karen Bass, VSEDC President/CEO Quentin Strode (Photo by LILA BROWN/CBM)

Patrice McKenzie

Assemblymember Phil Ting (D- San Francisco)

(Shutterstock Photo)

Scrivner Investigation Currently in the Hands of California Attorney General’s Office

By Haley Duval

South Kern

Sol Kern Sol News has learned that the California Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the child molestation case against Kern County Supervisor Zack Scrivner.  The Kern County Sheriff’s Office began the investigation against Scrivner on April 23.  But the AG’s office is not saying much else about the case.  An email from the AG press office to Kern Sol News reads, “At this point all we can confirm is that we are reviewing the case.”

The case was turned over to the State because the Kern County District Attorney’s Office has a conflict of interest in reviewing it.  District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer is the aunt of Scrivner.  After reviewing the investigation, the AG’s office may decide if criminal charges against Scrivner will be filed.

The Kern County Board of Supervisors had their second board meeting since the allegations of Scrivner allegedly sexually assaulting one of his children last month. As Scrivener’s seat remains vacant several community members once again requested answers and the resignation

of Scrivner during the board meeting on May 21.

As of Tuesday’s recent board meeting, no charges have been filed on Scrivner.  Scrivener’s attorney H.A. Sala announced in a press release last week that as of May 6, Scrivner is on a medical leave of absence.

One of the community speakers Vince Maiocco read a statement on behalf of the town hall organizers who wish to remain anonymous due to “local political pressure.”

Although he was not part of the town hall organization, he is also a concerned citizen on this issue in Kern County, he said.

“We, the people, members of the community, and voters in District Two formally ask for an item to be placed on your agenda. Recently, a public hall was to be held to openly discuss our options to fill the vacated or otherwise district two supervisor seat, our wish for supervisor Scrivner was to resign. We’re met with an indefinite leave of absence,” Morocco said to the board on behalf of the anonymous organizers. He continued: “Essentially leaving us unrepresented

for an unknown amount of time. Our meeting was canceled due to intended or unintended political pressure. We are asking for an opportunity to be heard and educated in a safe, neutral environment. Since our calls for resignation were denied by Supervisor Scrivener, it has been left to us as a community to find a solution to be represented in a productive manner.”

Several people also questioned why Scrivner has not been arrested.

“These recent actions from Zach Scrivner are disgusting, they’re foul, and they go against everything that a public official should stand for. It has been one month since these allegations and yet there hasn’t been any arrest or any updates given to the community in which he represents. Given the severity of these allegations and the position that Zach holds, the community must be given some updates on the status,” Armando Garcia with Kern County Young Democrat Leaders said.

Armando Garcia with Kern County Young Democrat Leaders demanding for the resignation of Supervisor Zack Scrivner as his seat remains vacant during the Kern County Board of Supervisors board meeting on May 21. (Haley Duval/Sol Kern News) Continue story down below.

Garcia also told the board regardless of the outcome they demand that Scrivner resign from his post immediately. “He has tainted the integrity of this board and should have any influence or power that he has stripped away from him.”

“It’s unconscionable that someone accused of such heinous crimes is allowed to continue serving in a position of power,” Harveen Kaur, Vice President of Kern Young Dem Leaders, told the board. “Let’s just call him what he is. A pedophile.”

Last month on April 27, KCSO announced in a press conference that at approximately 11 p.m. on April 23 Sheriff Youngblood received a call from District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer, Scrivner’s aunt, that she was concerned about her nephew and he was having “some type of a psychotic episode.”  Upon arriving, deputies secured a gun and started an investigation.

During their investigation, they learned that Scrivner had a physical altercation with his children and Scrivner was stabbed twice in his upper torso. Scrivner was treated with non-life-threatening injuries at Kern Medical.  Youngblood said the physical altercation occurred because Scrivner allegedly sexually assaulted one of his children. “The child was protecting the other child from what he believed occurred,” said Youngblood in last month’s press conference. Scrivener’s attorney H.A. Sala denied the sexual allegations last month. On May 22, Kern Sol News reached out to the California Attorney General’s Office and they confirmed they are reviewing the case from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.