Bakersfield News Observer 9.27.23

Usher Set to Headline 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show

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California Lawmakers Approve Nation Leading $25 Minimum Wage for Health Workers

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News Observer

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

California Has a Critical Shortage of Black Teachers

By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

Numerous studies have shown that Black teachers can improve Black students’ academic outcomes, but in California, where Black Students are the lowest performing sub-group of all ethnic groups, the state has an extremely low count of African American instructors working in school districts across the state

According to the California Department of Education’s 2018-2019 Ethnic Distribution of Public-School Teachers, Black teachers disproportionately make up 3.8% of the state’s 12,000 public school classroom instructors.

Blacks account for about 5.7% of California’s total population of almost 40 million people.

“Addressing the educator shortage is one of the most important things we can do to support student achievement,” stated Tony Thurmond, the state’s Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“We must increase compensation, prioritize training, improve working conditions, and pursue all strategies that can help our schools add staff to help our students thrive,” Thurmond continued.

Thurmond made this assessment at a news conference before he hosted a Teacher Recruitment Summit at the California Department of Education (CDE) in Sacramento last month.

The Teacher Recruitment Summit was opened to individuals from all organizations focused on reducing the teacher shortage. The event formally launched a coalition to engage in direct recruitment of teacher candidates statewide,

The summit included information about teacher credentialing programs affiliated with school districts and county offices of education, pipeline programs, and AmeriCorps programs.

CDE is addressing the needs of Black educators but there some people who found channels to enter the profession outside of the traditional process, including Nisha Britton who is employed at Angelo Rodriguez High School in Northern California.

Britton, 37, is a Special Education specialist at the school located in Fairfield, 45 east of San Francisco. She just started her first year working with special education students where there are about five Black teachers among the faculty.  Britton, who has a bachelor’s degree in communications/Journalism from Morgan State University -- a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Maryland -- says she is aware about the shortage of Black teachers in the state. She’s motivated to combat the issue on multiple levels.

“There is a lot of diversity at this school, but I feel like these kids need someone like me,” Britton told California Black Media (CBM). “I want to help these kids figure out what they want out of life.”

Angelo Rodriguez High School opened in 2001 and is the newest of the three comprehensive high schools in Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. Angelo Rodriguez High School is located in Fairfield.

Britton is not fully certified as an educator. She found a pathway through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing program (CTC) which certifies her for two years. CTC is committed to ensuring the integrity, relevance, and high quality in the preparation, certification,

The California Department of Education held a teacher recruitment summit in Sacramento.  Members of organizations focused on direct recruitment of teacher candidates and credentialing programs attended the event held on Aug. 14. (CBM Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey)

Black Leaders Say Threats to Undermine US Democracy Appear Aimed at Blacks

BY AYANNA ALEXANDER

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) –– Some of the nation’s most influential Black leaders on Thursday said many threats to democratic institutions in the U.S. appear to be aimed squarely at their community, including efforts to make voting more difficult, censor lessons around race and weaken social safeguards such as affirmative action.

They used a wide-ranging forum at the annual meeting of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation as a call to action to ensure that the interests of Black Americans are not further eroded.

“The attacks on our democracy are happening on all fronts,” said Nicole Austin- Hillery, president & CEO of the foundation. She said they are grounded in “a racist view of America, and they all depend on misinformation and often downright deceit.”

Several members of the Black Caucus, along with voting rights advocates and community activists spoke about how mostly Republican-led actions to dismantle affirmative action in higher education, ban books in schools and restrict voting are particularly harming Black Americans.

At Dominguez High School in Compton, University of California Berkeley professor Dr. Travis Bristol moderates a discussion about equipping Black teachers with the resources they need to be successful in the classroom.  Photo: Courtesy of Travis Bristol.

and discipline of the educators who serve the state’s diverse students, according to the organization’s website. There were more than 10,000 teacher vacancies across California during the 2020-2021 school year. The state has allocated $3.6 billion in funding over the last four years to improve recruitment, training, and retention.

Dr. Travis Bristol, Associate Professor of Teacher Education and Education Policy at Berkeley School of Education, was one of the guest speakers at Thurmond’s

news conference.  Through his extensive research, Bristol has been at the forefront of increasing Black male participation in public school education. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s the State of Racial Diversity in the Educator Workforce,” educators of color account for less than 10% of all public-school teachers across the country. Black males represent 1.9% of that total.

Based on CDE’s 2018-2019 figures, Black male teachers in California accounted for one percent (3705) of 307,470 instructors in the state. The student population in the state was 6,186,278 during the last school year.

While doing research in Boston, Bristol discovered that Black male educators had one of the highest rates of turnover. Most of them left the profession due to poor working environments, feelings of isolation and the perception that they are the overseers of problematic students rather than educators, and the inability to receive adequate tools from school administrators.

Bristol and other Black educators have facilitated professional learning networks across the state where Black male teachers can discuss their challenges. s.

Bristol, who majored in English as an undergrad at Amherst College, expressed gratitude and urged caution in recruitment, saying that there are other “critical issues” as to why there is a low count of Black men and women educators. The UC Berkeley professor said he does not advocate for a “replacement theory.” White students perform well academically and benefit from having Black teachers, too.

“The research and evidence is are clear that when students of color have a teacher of color they persist in school They are less likely to get suspended, and have higher achievement,” Bristol said. “But as we spend some time thinking about recruitment, let us not lose sight of thinking about and pushing for recruitment, supporting and sustaining ethnic racial diversity in the workforce.”

Dr. King’s Economic Justice Movement Rekindled Leaders Vow to Continue King’s last fight

By Barrington M. Salmon, NNPA Newswire Contributor

Before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, TN, on April 4, 1968, he was orchestrating a profound shift in the Civil Rights Movement. After achieving significant victories on the political front with the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, King and the Civil Rights Movement focused their attention on another insidious issue confronting the Black community - economic inequality.

In the 60th year following the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom,” speakers, cheered on by thousands,

lined up during an anniversary commemoration on August 26, 2023 and called for a resurgence and continuation of King’s aborted call for economic justice. The striking commentary came from civil rights and economic justice advocates alike.

“Dr. King knew that economic rights were key to true equality,” said Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, LLC and a highly successful investor with intimate knowledge of the economic and financial systems in the U.S.

Standing where King stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial 60 years ago, Smith said, “His moral calls for economic justice are what I want to talk to you about today. Because as we stand here, the war on diversity and inclusion threatens all of the progress made through the sacrifices of our ancestors.”

Well-known and applauded for his having paid the student loan balances of the 2019 graduating class of Morehouse College, Smith told the crowd that the war against economic injustice is not nearly over.

“Yes, there are Black millionaires and a few Black billionaires, but our economy is still structured to keep profits and power out of the hands of Black folks,” Smith said, pointing out that the average white family has wealth that is 12 times greater than the average Black family.”

According to data from Synchrony Bank, the medium net worth of a Black family is $24,100 verses $188,200 for a White family.

Smith concluded, “As we honor the legacy of Dr. King, we must expand our focus to include economic justice.” He called on Americans of all colors to invest in the Black community.

Smith’s speech preceded Martin Luther King III, who asked the thousands, “What are we going to do?” King concluded, “We need all of us to be engaged.”

Like Smith and King, the Rev. Al Sharpton concluded

the rally portion of the day before the march by calling for racial unity behind the cause of economic justice. Reflecting on attacks on affirmative action and against businesses and corporations with racial diversity programs, Sharpton announced that he would lead “a fall of economic sanctions against those who bow to this.”

Sharpton concluded, “If you think you can take money out of our homes and communities, we are not going to allow that to happen.”

While the Great Migration saw approximately six million Black Americans move out of the South into the urban metropolises of the North, Midwest, and West in search of a better life, the economic opportunities many of them hoped for did not materialize.

King knew this all too well, using a 1966 essay for the Nation to paint a portrait of the sprawling urban slums from The Bronx, New York, NY, to the Watts in Los Angeles, CA, and argued that the attainment of political rights does not end the battle for civil rights.

“The future is more complex,” wrote King. “Slums with hundreds of thousands of living units are not eradicated as easily as lunch counters or buses are integrated. Jobs are harder to create than voting rolls.”

Dr. King’s call for economic justice on the eve of his assassination – when he too called for economic sanctions against opponents of equality – remains unfulfilled. But, decades later in sweltering heat on the National Mall, King’s last vision was echoed by a growing chorus of leaders.

“We must defeat poverty,” said National Urban League President Marc Morial before Sharpton lead thousands in a march to the King Memorial. “We call for a national living wage, for the passage of the child tax credit, for an end to gentrification, to redlining, and we will continue to work and fight until hell freezes over. Then we will fight on the ice!”

As one example, they referred to the state and local controversies over critical race theory, an academic concept centered on the notion that racism is inherent in the country’s institutions. It has become a familiar talking point for Republican lawmakers across the country as they have restricted how race can be taught _ even though there is little evidence that critical race theory is being taught in K-12 schools.

Kimberlé W. Crenshaw, a law professor who helped develop the concept, said it was part of a widespread attack on Black history, wisdom and knowledge.

“We have to recognize that what we’re fighting for right now is not just the next election or the election after that,” she said. “We’re fighting for our right to be here for the rest of this century and beyond.”

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation said 18 states have limited how race can be taught. Florida, whose governor, Ron DeSants, is running for the GOP presidential nomination, has made headlines around its efforts to curb how schools teach about race and to block Advanced Placement courses on African American studies.

Several speakers also criticized the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision earlier this year ending affirmative action in college admissions. That is forcing campuses to look for new ways to diversify their student bodies.

Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, called out what he saw as a double standard, with the end of affirmative action but the continuation of so-called legacy admissions, the practice of favoring applicants with family ties to alumni.

“We fought for it because we know that it’s not a handout,” Hewitt said of steps to boost minority enrollment. “It’s what we deserve.”

Several leaders also cited efforts at the state level since the 2020 election to make voting more difficult, steps in mostly Republican-led states that have had a disproportionate impact on communities of color and drawn numerous lawsuits.

LaTosha Brown, co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund, drew on the struggle for civil and voting rights as inspiration to push back harder against restrictive laws and to expand the ability to vote. She noted how Black Americans had once been denied even the ability to learn to read and write.

“And in this country, power is not something that is earned. You’ve got to take power in this country,” she said. “We’re operating in this political context like we’re not fighting for our very lives.”

Virgin Islands Rep. Stacey Plaskett spoke out against attacks made by many Republicans against the country’s core institutions, especially calls to dismantle the Justice Department in the wake of charges brought against former President Donald Trump, including those related to his attempts to remain in power despite losing the 2020 election. She said the attacks on fundamental pillars of democracy and the suggestion that some people should not be held legally accountable were creating widespread distrust in the federal government and deepening the political divide.

“We can’t have that,” she said.

First Black Woman to Serve in Vermont Legislature to be Honored Posthumously

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) –– The first Black woman to serve in the Vermont Legislature is being honored posthumously with an achievement award.

The family of former Rep. Louvenia Dorsey Bright, who served in the Vermont House from 19881994 and died in July at age 81, will be presented with the 2023 Gov. Madeleine M. Kunin Achievement Award on Saturday in Essex Junction. Bright, who represented South Burlington, fought for race and gender equity, inclusion, and opportunity. She served as ranking member of the Health and Welfare Committee, where she stewarded passage of Vermont’s first Parental and Family Leave Act. She also served on Government Operations Committee. Bright lived out her remaining years in Illinois, but her family has remained engaged in Vermont and New England. “It is with heavy but joyous hearts that we accept this award on behalf of my mother,`` her son said in a statement. “We’re honored and humbled that her work is still being celebrated and that her legacy will live on. Her work on race and gender, equity, inclusion, and opportunity is still relevant today and we hope her story will inspire the next generation of leadership in Vermont.”

The award will be presented during the 10th anniversary celebration of Emerge Vermont, an organization that recruits, trains and provides a network to Democratic women who want to run for office.

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced an effort to recruit teachers at the California Department of Education recruitment summit in Sacramento on Aug. 14. (CBM Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey)

on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Joachim Prinz pictured, 1963. Photo: Repository American Jewish Historical Society. Digital images created by the Gruss Lipper Digital Laboratory at the Center for Jewish History. / Wikimedia Commons)

White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to Tackle Epidemic Biden-Harris Administration Launches

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Gun violence remains a pressing concern for the United States, with over 500 mass shootings and a reported estimate of 25,000 victims in 2023 alone. In response, the Biden-Harris administration has announced a significant step forward in curbing this crisis. President Biden has introduced the inaugural White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, dedicated to implementing crucial executive and legislative measures to save lives and heal communities.

The office will be under the stewardship of Vice President Kamala Harris, perhaps the administration’s most vocal advocate against gun violence. Stefanie Feldman, a long-serving policy advisor on gun violence prevention, will take the reins as the Director. Joining her are gun violence prevention advocates Greg Jackson and Rob Wilcox, who assume the roles of Deputy Directors.

“Every time I’ve met with families impacted by gun violence as they mourn their loved ones… they all have the same message for their elected officials: ‘Do something,” Biden asserted. He highlighted the importance of recent legislative strides and executive actions but stressed that they represent the initial required phase.

The White House noted that Feldman, the new director of the inaugural office, brings a wealth of experience. Over more than a decade, Feldman has been a stalwart member of Biden’s team, officials noted. Her journey includes instrumental contributions following the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012.

Further, Greg Jackson, appointed Deputy Director, brings his own profound experience as a gun violence survivor. As a Community Justice Action Fund leader, he has tirelessly advocated for gun violence prevention, shedding light on its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities.

Historic Confirmation of Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown Jr.

Overcomes Blockade, Signals Milestone for Representation

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

With a rare display of bipartisan support in the Senate on Wednesday night,

Brown Jr. overcame a protracted obstruction by Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville to win confirmation as only the second Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest-ranking military position in the United States.

Additionally, Rob Wilcox, also assuming the role of Deputy Director, has a distinguished background in advocating for gun safety measures. Wilcox’s artwork is a tribute to his cousin Laura, a victim of gun violence, and it draws inspiration from personal loss.

The White House said the establishment of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention builds on the historic actions already taken by Biden. This includes signing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at preventing gun violence.

Officials insisted that efforts to implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act have yielded tangible results. They pointed out that the legislation has increased the Justice Department’s ability to prosecute firearms traffickers, restricted access to firearms for those under 21, and increased mental health support for victims of gun violence.

The Biden-Harris Administration also noted they’ve introduced many executive actions to address the root causes of gun violence, including measures to curb the proliferation of dangerous weapons, hold rogue gun dealers accountable, and provide law enforcement with essential resources.

Biden has advocated for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, mandated safe storage of firearms, universal background checks, and an end to gun manufacturers’ immunity from liability. His Safer America Plan also proposes increased investment in community policing and gun violence prevention.

“This epidemic of gun violence requires urgent leadership to end the fear and trauma that Americans experience every day,” Harris affirmed. The vice president affirmed the administration’s unwavering commitment to a safer nation, pledging that “no effort would be spared in achieving this goal.”

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The resounding vote of 83-11 reflects a strong consensus in favor of Gen. Brown, underscoring the widespread recognition of his qualifications and the importance of diversity in leadership roles within the U.S. armed forces.

Brown’s ascent alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin marked a historic milestone in American military leadership. With this confirmation, the top two positions in the Pentagon are now held by Black men, which the Biden administration said is a testament to the progress made in advancing diversity and inclusion within the U.S. military establishment. The late Gen. Colin Powell was the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

This pivotal moment in military history occurs just as the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen. Mark Milley, prepares to retire, signaling a seamless leadership transition at a critical juncture.

Because of Tuberville’s obtuse blockade, the confirmation process proved challenging. Senate Majority

Leader Chuck Schumer orchestrated the votes to circumvent Tuberville’s months-long blockade on military promotions. This maneuver helped fast-track confirmations for Brown and numerous other nominees, including Randy George and Eric Smith, whose confirmations are anticipated in the days ahead.

Yet, Tuberville’s hold remains firmly in place for nearly 300 military nominees, leaving these candidates and their families uncertain and leaving the nation in a precarious military position globally. The blockade is rooted in Tuberville’s objection to a Pentagon policy that provides reimbursement for out-of-state travel for service members seeking access to abortion services. This stance has drawn sharp criticism. Pentagon officials, along with members of the Biden administration and congressional Democrats, argue that this prolonged state of limbo poses a significant national security risk. “This is not a sustainable path. Sen. Tuberville’s continued abuse of his privilege will continue to disrupt the lives of hundreds of our nation’s finest and most dedicated military officers and their families,” Schumer asserted. “And while Democrats didn’t choose this fight, we are ready to put an end to this sooner rather than later.”

With this confirmation, the top two positions in the Pentagon are now held by Black men, which the Biden administration said is a testament to the progress made in advancing diversity and inclusion within the U.S. military establishment.

Book Censorship on the Rise in U.S. Libraries

ALA Reports a 20% Increase in Challenges in 2023

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National

Correspondent

The assault on Black history and that of other minority groups in the U.S. have ramped up with the recent banning of books. The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has released alarming preliminary data indicating a significant surge in attempts to censor books, materials, and services across public, school, and academic libraries in the United States during the first eight months of 2023.

The American Library Association (ALA) compiled crucial data on book challenges from reports filed by library professionals and news stories published nationwide.

This year, between January 1 and August 31, 2023, OIF documented a staggering 20% increase in challenges, with 695 attempts to censor library materials and services. The challenges encompassed 1,915 unique titles, marking an escalation from the same period in 2022.

Books written by or about people of color or members of the LGBTQIA+ community are primary targets. Challenges within public libraries accounted for nearly half of documented cases, a sharp rise from 16% last year.

Rise in Multiple Title Challenges

What sets 2023 apart from previous years is the continued surge in simultaneous challenges to multiple titles. A staggering 92% of books challenged were part of attempts to censor multiple titles, compared to 90% in the first eight months of 2022. Cases involving challenges to 100 or more books were reported in 11 states, a significant increase from just six states during the same reporting period in 2022 and none in 2021. Previously, most challenges aimed to remove or restrict a single book. However, this year, a single challenge targeting multiple titles has become the predominant contributor to the rise in censorship attempts. “These attacks on our freedom to read should trouble every person who values liberty and our constitutional rights,” said OIF Director Deborah Caldwell-Stone. “To

allow a group of people or any individual, no matter how powerful or loud, to become the decision-maker about what books we can read or whether libraries exist is to place all of our rights and liberties in jeopardy.”

She further emphasized the expanding focus of groups with political agendas. “Expanding beyond their wellorganized attempts to sanitize school libraries, groups with a political agenda have turned their crusade to public libraries, the very embodiment of the First Amendment in our society,” Caldwell-Stone insisted. “This places politics over the well-being and education of young people and everyone’s right to access and use the public library.”

Public Cases of Censorship

To ALA documented several public cases of censorship:

• Samuels Public Library (Front Royal, Va.): A local pressure group called “Clean Up Samuels” organized bookbanning BBQ events, intending to fill out Request for Reconsideration forms for library materials. Their efforts primarily targeted LGBTQIA+ materials, resulting in over 500 forms completed for nearly 150 unique titles. County board members, influenced by the group, voted to withhold 75 percent of the library’s budget until it took action to restrict access to certain books.

• Clinton (Tenn.) Public Library: In response to challenges to books related to gender identity and sexual orientation, the library board voted against creating a special section for such materials. Challenges persisted, with group members advocating for the censorship of LGBTQIA+ representation in library materials. They also called for the library director’s resignation and threatened community members who defended access to resources.

In August, elected officials asked the sheriff to investigate whether 17 books violated Tennessee’s criminal obscenity laws.

• Urbandale (Iowa) Community School District: Officials flagged 374 books for removal from school libraries in response to a state law defining age-appropriate content. The list included titles addressing sex, sex

education, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The list was revised to 65 books, with titles like “The Kite Runner” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” removed.

Call to Action and Banned Books Week

“The antidote to the contagion of censorship is public, vocal support for libraries,” said ALA President Emily Drabinski, who encouraged public support for libraries and for individuals to attend local school or library board meetings, participate in Banned Books Week initiatives, and join the Unite Against Book Bans campaign to combat censorship.

Banned Books Week 2023, scheduled for October 1–7, draws attention to attempts to remove books and materials from libraries, schools, and bookstores. Officials said the theme, “Let Freedom Read,” highlights the urgent need to defend the right to read and support the community of readers, library staff, educators, authors, publishers, and booksellers.

In response, the Biden-Harris administration has announced a significant step forward in curbing this crisis. President Biden has introduced the inaugural White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, dedicated to implementing crucial executive and legislative measures to save lives and heal communities.

Air Force Gen. Charles “CQ”

Hollywood Labor Dispute Nears End as Writers Guild Reaches Tentative Deal

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Hollywood’s protracted labor conflict has taken a significant step towards resolution. The Writers Guild of America, representing over 11,000 screenwriters, said the 146-day strike might end with the announcement of a tentative agreement on Sunday, Sept. 24.

The forthcoming days will see guild members vote on whether to accept the deal, which aligns with their demands. The demands include higher pay for streaming content, agreements from studios on minimum staffing for TV shows, and protections against AI technology affecting writers’ credits and pay.

According to the New York Times, the Writers Guild’s negotiating committee emailed members, expressing their pride in the deal. They emphasized the meaningful gains and protections for all members.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, representing studios, consistently refrained from celebrating prematurely, offering a concise statement: “The W.G.A. and A.M.P.T.P. have reached a tentative agreement.”

Many in the entertainment industry, profoundly impacted by the streaming revolution catalyzed by the pandemic, view this tentative accord as a crucial stride toward stabilization. However, a substantial portion of Hollywood remains at a standstill, with tens of thousands of actors continuing their strike and no talks scheduled between the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, and the studios.

Only productions devoid of actors, such as latenight shows hosted by Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert and daytime talk shows hosted by Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Hudson, stand poised for a swift restart.

In addition to actors, over 100,000 behind-the-scenes professionals in Los Angeles and New York face continued idleness, grappling with escalating financial strain. According to Governor Gavin Newsom, the Hollywood shutdown has cost California’s economy more than $5 billion.

SAG-AFTRA has been on strike since July 14, with demands surpassing the Writers Guild’s. The studio alliance prioritized talks with the Writers Guild because of SAG-AFTRA’s leader, Fran Drescher, who pushed for 2% of streaming show revenue. Studios considered this point non-negotiable.

However, given shared concerns, the agreement with the Writers Guild could expedite negotiations with the actors’ union. Actors, like writers, harbor apprehensions over the potential use of A.I. to create digital likenesses or alter performances without consent or compensation.

Reportedly, artificial intelligence became the crucial factor during the last stage of negotiations. Entertainment company lawyers finalized language that addressed the guild’s concerns about artificial intelligence and ownership of old scripts. Senior company leaders, including Robert

A. Iger, Donna Langley, Ted Sarandos, and David Zaslav, directly joined the talks. Hollywood workers have tapped into over $45 million in hardship withdrawals from the Motion Picture Industry Pension Plan as the strike persists. Warner Bros. Discovery

anticipates a $300 million to $500 million reduction in adjusted earnings for the year due to the dual strikes. The agreement gives hope to Hollywood’s recovery, which could prevent billions in losses and financial hardships for workers.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Grammy-winning artist Usher plans to dazzle hundreds of millions of fans as he takes center stage for the highly anticipated 2024 Super Bowl halftime show. On February 11, 2024, the renowned performance will occur at the Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, just outside the famed Las Vegas Strip.

Kim Kardashian surprised Usher with a phone call to announce that he would be headlining at X (previously known as Twitter).

The appearance will mark Usher’s second appearance at the Super Bowl, following his 2011 performance alongside the Black Eyed Peas. Rihanna headlined the event last year and revealed her pregnancy to A$AP Rocky during her unforgettable performance.

“It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list. I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before,” Usher said in a statement.

He extended his gratitude, saying, “Thank you to the fans and everyone who made this opportunity happen. I’ll see you real soon.”

Jay-Z, whose Roc Nation company is returning to produce the halftime show for the fifth consecutive year, also commended Usher. “Usher is the ultimate artist and showman. Ever since his debut at 15, he’s been charting his own unique course. Beyond his flawless singing and exceptional choreography, Usher bares his soul,” Jay-Z stated.

He added, “His remarkable journey has propelled him to one of the grandest stages in the world. I can’t wait to see the magic.” The rapper, 53, and Usher, 44, have previously collaborated on tracks including “Hot Tottie,” “Anything,” and “Best Thing.”

Super Bowl LVIII will be broadcast live on CBS on February 11, 2024. The iconic halftime show generally draws hundreds of millions of viewers, making it one of the most sought-after platforms in music.

Usher Set to Headline 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show Support the Black Community Read

Many in the entertainment industry, profoundly impacted by the streaming revolution catalyzed by the pandemic, view this tentative accord as a crucial stride toward stabilization.

The appearance will mark Usher’s second appearance at the Super Bowl, following his 2011 performance alongside the Black Eyed Peas.

Minority Environmental Justice Orgs Want to Connect to Millions in EPA Funding for California

By Lila Brown California Black Media

Environmental justice advocates in California petitioned Gov. Gavin Newsom this past summer, asking the state to direct a portion of the millions in federal and state dollars California is investing in cleaning and greening communities to Black and other minority organizations.

The California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA) say the programs they have in place to restore decades of environmental devastation and neglect in minority communities can play a key role in achieving the state and federal green goals to enforce regulations and distribute resources more fairly and equitably.

“There’s systemic racism that we are trying to dismantle that is beyond the usual American concepts of environmentalism and there’s a lot of interrelated and intersecting issues that we’re trying to fix on the ground, Mari Rose Taruc, CEJA’s energy Director, told California Black Media.

Taruc says environmental groups recognizing the harm done to communities of color in the past – and their implication on the local level -- is a critical part of the environmental justice movement.

“Environmental justice was born out of the, the Civil Rights Movement and that is to the credit of, of Black organizers that came out of the South to raise consciousness of environmental pollution and destruction of dumping grounds primarily located in BIPOC communities,” she said.

CEJA is a coalition of the 10 biggest environmental justice organizations that coordinate efforts to protect the health and wellbeing of Black, Indigenous, Latino, and Asian Pacific Islander communities in California. The organization also develops programs and raises money to tackle some of the new challenges communities are facing due to the climate crisis.

In July, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Martha Guzman presented $2 million to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to revitalize the Taylor Yard along the Los Angeles River, turning a former freight railyard into urban green space. The project reinforces President Biden’s goal for Environmental Justice to restore the damage that has been done from previous administrations ranging from decades of neglect to the lack of enforcement as it pertains to environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Historically, railyards contaminated nearby ground and waters with petroleum and other dangerous contaminants. Guzman spoke with California Black Media about

policies that led to disadvantaged and low-income communities being the areas where toxic and hazardous wastes were disposed, as opposed to more affluent neighborhoods.

“This can be traced to many of our origins, be it slavery or the taking of indigenous lands here in the West,” she said. “We see where all these facilities are, and we know that race is the largest determinant of pollution.”

Guzman says the Biden administration is keeping equity and environmental justice front of mind.

“We have to invest in these communities because we have to be intentional about dealing with those generations of neglect and land use decisions that led to a disparate impact to our communities,” says Guzman who leads the

EPA efforts to protect public health and the environment for the Pacific Southwest region spanning Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the U.S. Pacific Islands territories, and 148 Tribal Nations.  The investment strategy, she says, intends to heal legacy issues and now the EPA’s number one priority is enforcement.

According to Bass’ office, the City of Los Angeles plans to restore this site as part of a greater LA River initiative to restore ecosystems and habitats, form walkable trails along 52 miles of the river, and create easy access points for residents to enjoy what the river has to offer.

Throughout California, EPA awarded $9,299,566 in total funding from the Fiscal Year 2023 Brownfields

Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Funding through 12 separate grants. According to the EPA, a brownfield is a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. It is estimated that there are more than 450,000 brownfields in the U.S.

“This funding provides unprecedented resources and highlights how President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are delivering environmental and economic benefits for California,” according to a press release from Guzman’s office.

The EPA is investing nearly $100 billion nationwide to deliver clean water and clean air, advance our transition to clean transportation, and enact environmental justice (EJ), especially in communities that have been disadvantaged and underserved, many of which are lowincome communities or communities of color. In addition, President Biden’s Executive Order 14008 – Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad announced Justice40, which mandates that at least 40% of the benefits of specific federal programs-- including Brownfields and those created by BIL and IRA -- must flow to disadvantaged communities. In April 2022, EPA committed to meeting and exceeding this mandate.

Taruc says CEJA has not received any of the EPA funds, but the organization continues to find opportunities for different organizations throughout the state to be able to connect to funding programs focused on environmental justice. One of the ways that CEJA ensures communities are recipients of funds is through programs such as “Solar for All” so that low-income households receive solar panels to improve their homes and lower their fossil fuel consumption, which reduces emissions.

Taruc says one focus of CEJA is ensuring people – particularly disadvantaged minorities who have been disproportionately impacted -- live in safe and clean environments.

“Most environmental justice groups believe we should not build housing next to oil drilling sites and there should be a buffer zone of where you build new housing. We’ve been fighting to close these oil wells because housing should be built in places that are not only affordable but safe,” Taruc concluded.

States Must Ban Guns at Places Where People Vote

Sunita Sohrabji, EMS

Special to California Black Media Partners

Voting and elections have become the targets of threats and intimidation as the nation faces a proliferation of guns, more frequent gun violence, and fewer legal protections, noted Brennan Center for Justice and the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence in a report released this week.

The proliferation of guns in American homes has increased dramatically since 2008, when the Supreme Court ruled for the first time that the 2nd Amendment allows US residents to possess an operable handgun in the home for self-defense.

“This was a considerable change from what the court had long held, which was that possessing a firearm had to be related to militia service,” Robyn Sanders, Counsel for the Voting Rights and Election Reform Democracy Project at the Brennan Center, told Ethnic Media Services.

The Supreme Court did caution that the rights secured by the Second Amendment are not unlimited; it identified laws that would forbid firearms in sensitive places, such as schools and government buildings. “And so there, while the Supreme Court handed down what was a dramatic decision at that time, it did specify that regulations are still permissible in places that are sensitive,” said Sanders, who co-authored the report.

But the Supreme Court further weakened gun restrictions last year in its ruling on the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. vs. Bruen case. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, stated that the American public has the right to carry guns in public for self-defense, and that states cannot require applicants to demonstrate a need for owning a gun.

“The decision in Bruen has invited more legal challenges to gun regulations. But the court also explicitly states that sensitive places are places where states can regulate where

guns can be carried, and they were unequivocal about polling locations being one of those,” said Sanders.

In a Sept. 20 interview with EMS, Sanders discussed the threat gun violence poses for US elections. “We believe this report served a significant purpose in alerting states that there are ways that they could help to maintain the confidence that voters historically had in our elections as being safe and secure from violence and intimidation,” she said.

Excerpts of Conversation with Sanders:

What types of justifications are states using to allow concealed guns at polling sites and drop-off boxes?

The Supreme Court was unequivocal in its decision in Bruen that prohibiting firearms in polling places is constitutional. And so, while I can’t speak for why states have not filled the voids that we recognize in our report, what I can say is that we are offering policy proposals for states to enact laws that would better protect voters and election officials and workers from threats and help voters and the public remain confident that our elections will continue to be by and large peaceful.

Older adults traditionally account for the majority of election workers. Have you seen a drop-off of older adults choosing to work at the polls, given the uncertainty of protection from violence at those sites?

We were experiencing a global pandemic in 2020. And so there was a downturn in retired or elderly folks serving as election workers due to the vulnerabilities related with COVID -19. But it is true that election officials have reported that it’s been harder to recruit the more elderly folks to serve in that capacity.

Compared to anything prior, there was dramatically more harassment and threats lodged at election officials and poll workers over the last two election cycles. Poll workers have reported experiences of harassment and threats of abuse in recent years.

Are election workers of color more likely to face harassment, violence and intimidation?

We found that election officials serving what’s known as majority minority jurisdictions were more likely than election officials overall to report having been threatened, having been harassed or abused because of their job. And they were also considerably more likely to be concerned about being assaulted.

This is alarming, it’s concerning, and it’s unacceptable in a democracy.

One out of every 3 election workers have reported harassment or threats, according to the report.

As a result of the shifts in how our electoral process was being carried out, we started to observe trends in elected leaders and others who were spreading disinformation and misinformation about our elections as it relates to various methods of voting, including voting by mail and the use of drop boxes as a result of the uptick in mail voting.

And so based on that climate, we started to see an increase in threats and intimidation and threats of violence being lodged at election workers and officials. And that was also tied to the election denial movement that took hold at the time as well, where various elected leaders were sowing disinformation and misinformation about our elections and raising conspiracy theories about various methods of voting and really increasing the fear among the electorate that the voting process was insecure and was not fair. So, we think that’s what inspired this increase in the climate of threats and intimidation against election officials.

Could you talk about some of your policy recommendations?

One of the key findings in our report is that only 12 states and Washington, D.C. have laws prohibiting open carry and concealed carry at polling places. And even fewer states have laws that prohibit guns where other sensitive election activity occurs drop boxes as well as places like

Wells Fargo Awards Grant to Brotherhood Crusade

Advances Middle-Wage Workforce Development

LOS ANGELES, CA - (September 25, 2023) –

Brotherhood Crusade is thrilled to announce the support of Wells Fargo through a grant aimed at empowering its Middle-Wage Workforce Development and Career Place initiative. This strategic partnership reflects both organizations’ commitment to fostering economic growth, employment opportunities, and skill development within the community.

Brotherhood Crusade’s Middle-Wage Workforce Development and Career Place program equips youth with the tools and resources necessary to develop skills and thrive in today’s competitive job market. Through comprehensive training, mentorship, and job placement services, the program aims to bridge the gap between job seekers and middle-wage employment opportunities, ultimately contributing to the socioeconomic advancement

of participants.

Charisse Bremond-Weaver, President and CEO of Brotherhood Crusade, expressed her gratitude for the partnership, “At Brotherhood Crusade, we believe in creating pathways to prosperity for our community members. With Wells Fargo’s generous grant, we will continue to expand our efforts to empower our youth with the skills and knowledge needed to secure stable, middle-wage jobs. This collaboration exhibits our shared dedication to uplifting lives and building a stronger, more resilient community.”

Wells Fargo’s Vice President and Community Relations Senior Specialist, Jack Olree, commented on the collaboration, “Investing in workforce development is an investment in the future of our community. We are proud to support Brotherhood Crusade and the Middle-

Wage Workforce Development and Career Place initiative, which aligns perfectly with Wells Fargo’s commitment to promoting economic stability and prosperity. By providing individuals with access to essential training and resources, we collectively pave the way for brighter, more secure futures.”

The grant from Wells Fargo will enable Brotherhood Crusade to expand its reach and impact, enhancing the program’s effectiveness in preparing individuals for successful careers in middle-wage occupations. The collaboration between Brotherhood Crusade and Wells Fargo underscores the importance of partnerships that drive positive change and elevate communities through education, employment, and economic empowerment.

election counting facilities.

And while it is illegal to intimidate voters in all 50 states, neither federal law nor any state law explicitly acknowledges that guns in or around places where people are engaged in voting or conducting election activity can constitute illegal intimidation.

In our report, we offer two main policy proposals. One: we recommend that states enact laws to prohibit guns at and around all sites of voting and vote counting. And we recommend that states strengthen their laws, protecting voters and election workers and officials from intimidation and violence, but explicitly addressing the void that is currently present and addressing the intimidating effect of guns.

I would reiterate to voters that — because our elections have remained by and large peaceful — the proposals that we offer in our report are simply action items that states can take to further strengthen legal protections that are already in place.

EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman visits Los Angeles to tout President Biden’s Investing in America agenda (Lila Brown/CBM)

(Shutterstock Photo)

California Lawmakers Approve Nation Leading $25 Minimum Wage for Health Workers

By Don Thompson California Healthline

SACRAMENTO — A sweeping agreement between labor and the health industry would gradually raise the minimum wage for hundreds of thousands of health workers in California to a nation-leading $25 an hour while ending a years-long battle over dialysis clinics.

The pact approved by state lawmakers on Thursday, the last day of this year’s legislative session, would phase in the wage increase for hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical and psychiatric services providers. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk. A spokesperson for Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, Izzy Gordon, said the governor will evaluate the bill on the merits before his Oct. 14 deadline to act on the legislation.

SB 525 would raise the hourly minimum at large health facilities and dialysis clinics to $23 next year, $24 in 2025, and $25 in 2026. It would boost hourly wages at community clinics to at least $21 in 2024, $22 in 2026, and $25 in 2027. Other health facilities would go to at least $21 an hour in 2024, $23 in 2026, and $25 by 2028.

The agreement “now strikes an important balance between supporting workers and protecting jobs and access to care in some of our most vulnerable communities,”

Carmela Coyle, president and CEO of the California Hospital Association, said in a statement. “The bill creates a pathway to improving wages for our lower-wage health care workers, while also recognizing the needs of our state’s most troubled hospitals.”

The deal is a significant union victory during what has been dubbed a “hot labor summer,” with picket lines formed by Hollywood writers and actors, hotel workers, and Los Angeles city employees. Thousands of nurses could be next. Labor also won a $20 minimum wage for California fast-food workers, a significant boost from the current statewide $15.50 minimum wage.

Union leaders say lower-income health workers such as certified nursing assistants, patient aides, and food service workers — many of them racial minorities — need the additional money to keep up. “Health care in California will be more accessible and equitable because workers and healthcare providers stood together and stood up for patient care,” SEIU California Executive Director Tia Orr said of the health care deal.

The phase-in would be slower at hospitals with a high percentage of patients covered by Medicare or Medicaid, rural independent hospitals, and small county facilities. The minimum hourly wage there would go to $18 next

year, then increase annually by 3.5% until it reaches $25 in 2033. Subsequently, at all sites, the $25 minimum wage would be increased annually to keep up with inflation. However, the bill allows health care facilities to apply for a temporary pause or slower phase-in if they can show state officials that providing the required minimum wage “would raise doubts about the covered health care facility’s ability to continue as a going concern.”

State Sen. María Elena Durazo, the Los Angeles Democrat who introduced the bill, called her bill “a first in the nation historic investment in our healthcare workforce.” The measure “is a critical step to ensuring that we are addressing our healthcare workforce shortage,” she

said before the bill received final passage late Thursday in the Senate.

As part of the deal, in a separate memorandum of understanding, Service Employees International UnionUnited Healthcare Workers West would drop its effort to impose regulations on dialysis clinics through legislation and at the ballot box. Voters defeated all three ballot initiatives, most recently last year, but the fight has cost the dialysis industry hundreds of millions of dollars.

California Dialysis Council spokesperson Jaycob Bytel said in a statement that the agreement “protects patients from the ongoing threats at the ballot and in the legislature.” It bars for four years any legislation or statewide or local ballot measures by either SEIU or the dialysis industry.

The union has pushed for wage boosts in several California cities. But the agreement bars local governments from requiring higher local minimum wages for health care workers for 10 years, until 2034. Local governments could set higher local minimum wages, but they must include all workers.

The original bill cleared the Senate in May with no votes to spare amid strident opposition from employers, who said they couldn’t afford it. The California Chamber of Commerce put the proposal on its annual “job killer” list, a designation that often is enough to kill controversial legislation. The No SB 525 coalition, which included hospitals, doctors, and business and taxpayer groups, had said the bill would cost $8 billion annually, endangering services and leading to higher premiums and higher costs for state and local governments.

Republicans who opposed the bill echoed those arguments while saying the increases will harm rural health facilities. “We’ll see hospitals go out of service and we will see rural health clinics for sure be severely impacted and probably go out of business,” warned state Sen. Brian Dahle, a Republican who represents rural Northern California.

The bill’s opponents also included the California Nurses Association, which said it could prompt employers to lower wages for registered nurses. The association helped scuttle a push for a $25 hourly minimum wage for health workers a year ago. That earlier effort failed in part because it was tied to a delay in earthquake-safety upgrades at hospitals.

The University of California-Berkeley Labor Center projected that the increase would boost wages for more than 469,000 health workers. The center estimates it would most benefit workers of color, who make up 70% of those workers, and women, who represent about three-quarters.

The bump would help about 40% of California’s health workers, earning them on average an extra $10,352 a year and reducing their reliance on Medi-Cal, saving between $181 million and $363 million in the second year of the wage increase, according to a legislative analysis. The analysis said opponents’ $8 billion cost estimate is overblown because it fails to include billions in state assistance to hospitals.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

California Black Media Political Playback: News You Might Have Missed

Tanu Henry and Joe W. Bowers Jr.

California Black Media

Legislative Black Caucus Chair “Extremely Disappointed” by Gov. Newsom’s Veto of Child Gender

Identity Bill

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) says she’s extremely disappointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to veto Assembly Bill (AB) 957, legislation that would have required judges in custody cases to consider a parents’ affirmation of their child’s gender identity in their application of the law.

Wilson, who is the chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus and who has a transgender child said, “I know the Governor’s record. He has been a champion for LGBTQ+ rights even before it was popular to do so.”

“However, on this point, the Governor and I disagree on the best way to protect transgender kids,” Wilson continued.  “I’ve been disheartened over the last few years as I’ve watched the growing hate and heard the vitriol towards the trans community. My intent with this bill was to give them a voice, particularly in the family court system, where a non-affirming parent could have a detrimental effect on the mental health and wellbeing of a child. Whether the roadblock comes from the opposition or even a supporter, it only hardens my resolve. I’m far from done, this fight is

personal! Not just for my family, but to all the trans kids that deserve a brighter and safer future.”

The Governor announced his decision in a press release his office sent out Friday that listed bills he has so far signed and others he has vetoed.

Oct. 14 is the deadline for Newsom to sign bills lawmakers introduced during the 2023 legislative session. Explaining his decision to veto AB 957 in a message, Newsom said people elected officials could point to the legislation as precedent to “diminish the rights of vulnerable communities.”

“I am returning Assembly Bill 957 without my signature,” Newsom wrote.  “I appreciate the passion and values that led the author to introduce this bill. I share a deep commitment to advancing the rights of transgender Californians, an effort that has guided my decisions through many decades in public office.”   That said,” the Governor continued in his message, “I urge caution when the Executive and Legislative branches of state government attempt to dictate - in prescriptive terms that single out one characteristic - legal standards for the Judicial branch to apply.”

State Controller Malia Cohen to Chair State Task Force on Charter School Audits

California State Controller Malia Cohen announced last week that she will chair a “statewide multi-agency task force charged with developing audit criteria and best practices for identifying and preventing fraud in charter schools.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Robert Longstreth formed the task force after the state charged 11 defendants – including a school superintendent -- for defrauding taxpayers of nearly $400 million by enrolling fictitious students in A3 Education, an online charter school, to collect state funds to educate each student.

Cohen says the leading defendants in the case Sean McManus and Jason Schrock have agreed to turn over all the assets of A3 Education and its subsidiaries to the state – and $215 million which will be put back in the “state’s coffers.”

“As the State’s chief fiscal officer and the office responsible for developing audit guidelines to be followed by auditors when auditing school district, I could not in good conscience allow this matter to proceed through the judicial system without offering my office’s assistance in drafting guidelines to detect and prevent a recurrence of this untenable situation,” said Cohen. “To do otherwise would be to neglect the confidence placed in my office to safeguard taxpayers’ dollars.”

S.F. Mayor London Breed: Reparations “Best Handled at Federal Level”  Last week, San Francisco’s Mayor London Breed issued a statement that reparations – particularly cash payments -- for past injustices suffered by Black Americans who are descendants of enslaved people are best handled at the federal level. Breed issued the statement after the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ endorsement on Sept. 19 of a reparations plan submitted in June by an advisory board of

Black leaders in the city. The 400-page plan lists 115 recommendations, including individual payments of up to $5 million per eligible Black resident. It also calls for investments in Black-owned businesses, education, housing and attracting more Black residents to the city. In her statement, Breed committed to undertake certain city initiatives to address inequity like a guaranteed income program and implementing a plan to allocate $60 million every year for investment in the Black community.

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara Announces Plan to Strengthen Industry

California has the largest home insurance market in the country, but, this year, large private companies like Allstate and State Farm have been making plans to pull out of it, citing too many regulations and the frequency of natural disasters like wildfires and extreme winter storms in the state. Seven major companies have either decided to no longer sell insurance in California or they have announced plans to place restrictions on where they provide coverage in the state.

Last week, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara unveiled a state plan, the California’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, to improve insurance options for Californians while strengthening and modernizing the market as the state continues to face intensifying climate threats.

“We are at a major crossroads on insurance after multiple years of wildfires and storms intensified by the threat of climate change. I am taking immediate action to implement lasting changes that will make Californians safer through a stronger, sustainable insurance market,” said Lara. “The current system is not working for all Californians, and we must change course. I will continue to partner with all those who want to work toward real solutions.”

On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order calling for immediate actions to sustain and stabilize the market and expand insurance options for Californians.

It is critical that California’s insurance market works to protect homes and businesses in every corner of our state,” said Newsom. “A balanced approach that will help maintain fair prices and protections for Californians is essential.

The California Mortgage Bankers Association said homebuyers, who are mandated to buy insurance when they sign up for mortgages, deserve better options.

“The agreement that Commissioner Lara has reached to expand insurance availability across our state means more Californians can be able to achieve the dream of homeownership knowing they will have better access to the insurance they need,” he said.

California’s Congressional Delegation Urges President Biden to Grant Gov. Newsom’s Request for Major Disaster Aid

In a letter dated Sept. 19, California’s delegation to the United States Congress -- including the state’s two Democratic Senators, Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla, and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

(L to R) Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D- Suisun City) Gov. Gavin Newsom

Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-20) – urged President Biden to “expeditiously” approve Gov. Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration after Tropical Storm Hilary.

“The heavy precipitation caused dangerous debris flows that threatened lives, businesses, and critical public infrastructure such as roads and waterways,” wrote the lawmakers. “In response to these dangerous conditions, the State of California marshaled all available resources to respond to this storm. However, the severity and intensity of this storm require additional federal coordination and resources to effectively support the ongoing recovery efforts.”

According to the lawmakers, residents of the following counties are in dire need of public assistance: Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Siskiyou, and Ventura.

They also asked the feds for emergency and disaster loans that will benefit affected Californians from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Former L.A. County Prosecutor Christopher Darden Announces Run for LA County Superior Court Judge

Last week, Christopher Darden, an attorney, bestselling author, law professor and former L.A. County prosecutor announced his candidacy for L.A County Superior Court judge. The elections will be held next March.   Darden, 67, a Richmond native, gained national prominence when he served as a co-prosecutor in the 1994 O.J. Simpson murder trial.

Health care workers protest in favor of higher wages and better working conditions as they march down West Sunset Boulevard near Los Angeles Medical Center on Sept. 4. (Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

San Francisco Mayor London Breed

Gov. Newsom’s Education Plans May Be Tone Deaf to Black Parents’ Concerns

By Joe W. Bowers Jr.

California Black Media

Recently, Gov. Gavin Newsom conducted press briefings at Sacramento area public schools to talk about the initiatives he’s supporting to reform and revolutionize public education in California.

At the Miwok Village Elementary School in the Elk Grove Unified School District, Newsom promoted his “California’s Family Agenda,” a public-school initiative that aims to provide students with the right environment and opportunities for growth, learning, and success.

At River City High School in the Washington Unified School District, Newsom signed an executive order that initiates the development of a Master Plan on Career Education to prepare students for future careers, including those that don’t require college degrees.

Newsom has made K-12 education a top priority. Among his accomplishments are increased funding to reduce class size, the hiring of more teachers, providing more resources for students; and universal transitional kindergarten. The Governor has also expanded afterschool and summer programs, especially support for student tutoring; universal free school meals; full-service community schools; and ethnic studies in high school.

While Newsom has tried to improve equity and outcomes for all students, a comprehensive survey titled “California Black Voters Perspectives on the Quality of Education for Black Students” commissioned by the Black in School Coalition (BISC) found that only 27% of Black voters agree that Newsom is doing enough to improve educational outcomes for Black students.

The BISC is a statewide organization dedicated to enhancing academic and social outcomes for Black students in California. Their statewide survey of 1,200 Black voters gauges Black voter viewpoints on education funding, school performance, and major challenges confronting Black students. Insight from the survey provides valuable information for policymakers, educators, and other stakeholders to develop more effective programs to enhance the educational experience of Black students.

Newsom’s Family Agenda is centered around four freedoms: Freedom to Decide, Freedom to Thrive, Freedom to Learn, and Freedom to Succeed. It includes initiatives to invest in community schools and high schools with specialized career and trade pathways. It provides parents and students with access to high-quality instruction, wraparound services, and social assistance.

“We believe in parents’ rights to decide and support their kids. We believe that kids have the right to learn and the right to succeed. And that’s what our agenda lays out,” Newsom said.

Newsom’s Master Plan on Career Education aims to strengthen career pathways, prioritize practical learning, and promote universal access and affordability through

collaboration across government and the private sector.

“California is leveraging billions of dollars in investments to prepare students and workers for goodpaying, long-lasting, and fulfilling careers,” Newsom announced.

Attending the press conference in support of the Career Education Master Plan were State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, University of California President Michael Drake, Cal State Chancellor Mildred Garcia, CA Community College Chancellor Sonya Christian, and other state officials and legislators.

But Newsom failed to highlight in the press conferences

how his education initiatives will tackle concerns Black voters have regarding the quality of education Black students are receiving.

Black students remain the lowest performing academic subgroup in California public schools despite Newsom’s efforts. Seventy percent of Black students are not meeting English language arts standards, and 84% are not meeting math standards. Black students are disproportionately suspended and expelled from school. In the 2021-22 academic year, Black students, who made up 10.7% of the student population, accounted for 23.3% of suspensions and 19.1% of expulsions. The disparity is most pronounced

in early childhood education, where Black male students are 6.2 times more likely to be suspended than their peers of other races.

Despite the ongoing challenges, there have been encouraging advancements for Black students under Newsom’s leadership. This year’s budget includes an ongoing funding of $300 Million called the Equity Multiplier to fulfill a commitment he made to Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) who introduced a bill which would have provided more money for Black K-12 students.

Margaret Fortune, the President and CEO of the Fortune School of Education and a leader of BISC, has expressed concerns about Newsom’s plan for distributing Equity Multiplier funds. She argues it deviates from Weber’s bill intent by directing the funding towards high-poverty schools instead of specifically towards Black students. The funding protocol appears to undermine the bill’s intent, with BISC analyses showing that only 11% of the funds are benefiting Black students.

Seventy-nine percent of respondents in the BISC survey supports a legislative proposal to change the public-school funding formula by creating a new grant for California’s lowest performing subgroups, including Black students.

Fortune told California Black Media (CBM) that she will be pushing in for the Equity Multiplier in future state budgets to be based on academic achievement, not on income. “It is a permanent part of our funding mechanism in California, there’s an opportunity to have that conversation,” Fortune said. Newsom’s office told CBM that it would not comment on the BISC poll because it has not obtained access to its underlying methodology and a breakdown of its results. They stated, “The Governor’s sweeping initiatives to improve equity in education and ensure Black children and families succeed have received strong praise and wide recognition from Black leaders across the state – including the California Legislative Black Caucus and academic leaders including the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators.”

In the BISC survey, 48% of respondents do not believe that the California Legislature is working hard to improve education for Black students.

While Newsom and the Legislature, especially the California Legislative Black Caucus, have supported initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes for Black students, Black voters and Black education advocates believe they are not specific enough and fail to consider the unique needs of Black students.

About the Author Joe W. Bowers Jr. is a contributing editor to California Black Media. He is a graduate of Stanford University.

“Dinosaur Whiz Kid” with Autism Wins at Kern County Fair for 5th Time

Elijah G. Stevenson was born in Raliegh, North Carolina to parents Douglas Elwood Stevenson and Nerissa Robinson Stevenson. Shortly after his birth, his father was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. He succumbed to the disease when Elijah was only nine months old. After this tremendous loss, Elijah and his mother relocated to Bakersfield, California, where Elijah would be surrounded by family, church, and friends.

Elijah was a thriving toddler, however struggled with his speech. At 3 years of age, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and a language impairment, which greatly affected his ability to communicate. His mother, Nerissa, sought early intervention and prescribed therapies to address his developmental delays and struggles. Early on she decided to focus on things he could do and not his shortfalls.

At 5 years of age, Elijah began to development an extreme interest in all things prehistoric, especially Dinosaurs. He watched national geographic documentaries instead of cartoons, collected books, pictures and toys in this genera. Thus, begin his dinosaur collection which would grow into the hundreds. Considering that Elijah was autistic, all were astonished to find that he knew the names and facts about these ancient reptiles. He began to create dinosaur structures and habitats for his collected dinosaurs and built his first display.

At 9 years of age, Elijah created and submitted his first exhibit to the Kern County Fair in the junior hobbies

category. Since that time, he has created five different fair exhibits, five years running. Each year, he has captured first place ribbons and more. Elijah’s accolades include: 2018, First Place ribbon, Channel 23 News feature story and local news articles in News Observer and Bakersfield Lifestyle magazine; 2019, First Place ribbons, “Judge’s Choice” plaque, feature story in Bakersfield Family magazine and local newspaper article; 2021, First Place ribbons, “Best of Show” ribbon, “Judge’s Choice ribbon, feature article “Dinosaur Whiz Kid with Autism Three-peats at 2021 Kern County Fair” (Bakersfield News Observer), feature article “12 year old takes love of dinosaurs to victory at fair” (Bakersfield California); 2022, First Place ribbons and the Kern County Fair CEO award; 2023, First Place ribbons, a cash award and Chairman’s award.

Today, Elijah is a bright, kindhearted, and gentle 14-year-old. In August 2023, he became a freshman at Liberty High School. At 6’4”, he stands tall and confident. Elijah says, “Mommy, I have autism, but autism doesn’t have me!” Although, still today, Elijah faces many challenges related to his condition, he passionately embraces this life that God has given him.

One writer said, Autism is a different operating system, comparing the brain to a computer. The implication here is that autism is not a defect or disorder but a variation in how it affects the whole person’s thinking, feeling and interactions. Elijah’s mom Nerissa says, call him different, not disabled. He is blessed by the best, praise God!

Elijah Stevenson (Courtesy Photo)

Margaret Fortune at a Black In School Coalition rally at the California State Capitol. April 11, 2023. (CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey)