Bakersfield News Observer 11.22.23

`Purple Rain` Shirt and other Pieces from Late Singer’s Wardrobe Go Up for Auction Page A3

Happy Thanksgiving from the Staff of the Bakersfield News Observer

News Observer

A Looming Crisis: Black Families are Facing More Threats to Homeownership

The high cost of housing, predatory financing programs, and the temporary nature of a critical government assistance program are all factors making it harder for Black Californians to buy homes -- or keep the ones they already own. Policy leaders, building industry organizations and other concerned advocates are expressing concern that, if left unchecked, this crisis could worsen.

“We have a massive housing shortage, and we should do everything we can to increase the production of housing throughout the entire state, not just infill areas,” said Cornelius Burke, Vice President of Legislative Affairs at the California Building Industry Association (CBIA).

Advocates: Smarter Policy Could Increase California’s Housing Inventory Burke was speaking on Nov. 16, along with other CBIA officials -- including the organization’s President and CEO Dan Dunmoyer -- during a webinar on how the high cost of building homes affect Blacks and Latinos homeownership.

According to Dunmoyer the key to resolving the problem is effective policymaking. He said several current housing laws restrict construction even though the policymakers that introduced them may have had good intentions.

One of the housing laws that is a concern to CBIA is Assembly Bill (AB) 68, the “The Housing and Climate Solutions Act.” Authored by Christopher Ward (D-SanWhileDiego). AB 68 aims to alleviate California’s housing crisis and reduce climate change risk by expediting new home approvals, the CBIA says it is a “housing killer” and it “discourages and ignores innovation.

“We believe that the decisions made by policymakers both local, state, and federal have added to this complexity and confusion,” Dunmoyer said. “As a result of that, we in California are uniquely harmed by our policies in a way that is distinct from the rest of the country.”

“Compared with California, more than a third of the nation’s households can afford to purchase a $406,900

median-priced home, which required a minimum annual income of $106,800,” according to data released on Nov. 10, by the California Association of Realtors (CAR).

Pandemic Relief Program Is Helping Struggling Californians Keep Their Homes Black families that already own homes are also facing a number of threats, including the impending end of a taxpayer-funded homeowner assistance program. Since it was launched in 2021, the California Mortgage Relief Program (CMRP) has granted millions of dollars to thousands of homeowners struggling to keep up with mortgage payments due to job loss or other setbacks resulting from the pandemic.

“Black and Latino households, in particular. had less net worth to deal with pandemic related financial hardships,” said Joe Jaramillo, an attorney at Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA), a statewide housing legal service and advocacy nonprofit.

Jaramillo was speaking about the problem at an Ethnic Media Services (EMS) news briefing.

Jaramillo and other housing advocates in California say, like a perfect storm, several factors have converged to threaten homeownership for Blacks and other minorities. Among them is the fact that the one-time $1 billion CMRP taxpayer-funded mortgage assistance program will end when the fund is depleted.

The CMRP has been the primary resource for homeowners to overcome these threats, said Rebecca Franklin, president of the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).

Over 23,000 Californians have kept their homes due to CMRP grants of up to $80,000 per home, amounting to a total of nearly $650 million dispersed so far. Franklin urged homeowners to take advantage of the program as soon as they can.

“Often when homeowners hear about our program, they say ‘Getting $80,000 they don’t have to pay back, that’s too good to be true, this isn’t real,’” said Franklin.

While the housing affordability rate has begun to decline in California, the median cost price of a home remains out of reach for most Californians. According to CAR, only 15 % of households in the state could afford to purchase an $843,000 median priced home during the third quarter of 2023.

“Twenty-three percent of home buyers were able to purchase the $650,000 median- priced condo or townhome. A minimum annual income of $170,400 was required to make a monthly payment of $4,260,” the same study reports.

Franklin said the passing of homeowners who do not have trusts or wills causes hardships for surviving family members. When this happens, relatives go through an arduous, expensive, and lengthy probate court process to inherit the deceased family member’s property. While this is happening, mortgages, taxes and insurance rates increase.

Housing advocates say post-pandemic foreclosures have surged to their near pre-pandemic levels. Consequently, a growing number of families across California are losing the most valuable intergenerational wealth-building asset, their home.

Jaramillo pointed out another factor contributing to the crisis. “Many salespeople and contractors target lowincome households and misrepresent costs, or they install nonfunctioning improvements like solar panels.”

Then, there are zombie mortgages.

“Second loans often taken out at the same time as a larger first lien mortgage, split to allow borrowers to avoid large down payments and apply part of the second to the down payment,” Jaramillo described the borrowing scheme.

Homeowners can contact CalHFA and speak to housing counselors or attain legal services even if they don’t meet the agency’s criteria of being low-to-moderate income.

Mary Day, an attorney at HERA, spoke alongside her client, Danny Bishop, who shared how he saved his Richmond home from foreclosure.

After his mother began suffering dementia in 2015, her sibling neglected the property they jointly owned. Soon, he began receiving citations totaling above $90,000 for code violations and property tax evasions.

Day worked with the City of Richmond on Bishop’s behalf. She later found that the $56,000 her client owed for code violations was a mistake. His balance was later lowered to under $30,000.

“The larger the entity, the more resistant they are to dealing with individual situations,” said Day. “Although there’s a tax code that gives them the discretion to give relief, they told us after six months they wouldn’t provide it. California mortgage relief has been the family’s savior.”

In Berkeley, California Kicks Off Sixth Annual

“United Against Hate Week”

Ray Harvey California Black MediaCommunity and advocacy groups joined government officials and other leaders last week to kick off California’s sixth annual United Against Hate Week (UAHW) in Berkeley. The city of Berkeley in partnership with Not In Our Town, LA vs Hate, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) held the ceremony on Nov. 13 with government and community at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park in TheBerkeley. event was organized to raise awareness about discrimination, encourage cross-racial and cross-cultural tolerance, and inspire Californians to push back against the rise of hate crimes and hate incidents in their communities.

“This is a week of action where we recommit to working together, reckoning with our history, and building stronger communities for all. It’s about coming together even -- and especially when -- these conversations feel hardest to push for action,” said Becky Monroe, Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives and External Affairs at the California Civil Rights Department (CRD).

“Whether it’s the Civil Rights Department, the California Department of Social Services, the State Library, Department of Justice, Department of Education or elsewhere in government, we’ve been committed to the fight against hate and building on past efforts to spur on new initiatives,” Monroe added. California has made statewide, historic investments to back up that commitment

to make sure funding gets directly to the advocates and the service providers who are working day-in and day-out with individuals and communities who are targeted for hate.”

Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee said he hopes more awareness will encourage victims of hate to use resources available to them like the CRD’s hate crime reporting hotline.

“With hate crimes increasing in California and different views spurring debate that sometimes turns hostile, movements like United Against Hate Week become more vital,” said Ting. At the event, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín welcomed UAHW stakeholders and mentioned how his city contributed to the creation of the initiative.

“Berkeley is proud to have a founding role in United Against Hate Week,” said Arreguín. “Over the last few years, we have seen this event grow exponentially, yet there is still so much work to be done. Now more than ever, in the face of growing hate crimes, we must take a stand to bring our communities together against hatred.”

Throughout UAHW, local government and community partners hosted dozens of anti-hate events across California -- from poetry slams to rallies, and more.

In addition, the CRD announced the release of new statistics showing approximately 513 reports of hate to California vs Hate, the state’s telephone hotline anti-hate online resource in the first six months since its launch.

Across the state, reported hate crimes have continued to rise in recent years, reaching their highest levels since

2001 — jumping more than 20% from 2021 to 2022.

Reported hate crimes targeting Black people remain the most prevalent, increasing 27.1% from 513 in 2021 to 652 in 2022, while reported anti-Asian hate crime events decreased by 43.3% from 247 in 2021 to 140 in 2022.

Reported hate crime events involving sexual orientation bias increased 29% from 303 in 2021 to 391 in 2022.

“Black people are disproportionately impacted by hate crimes in California, which is why the NAACP California/ Hawaii State Conference is proud to participate in the sixth annual United Against Hate Week,” said Rick L. Callender, President of the organization.

“The NAACP California/Hawaii State Conference, in conjunction with our 57 branches across California, is dedicated and committed to eradicating hate within our state through community action,” Callender added.

UAHW was formed by local government and community leaders in the Bay Area responding to rallies White Supremacist held in 2017. One of those rallies was held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park in Berkeley where the UAHW launch event took place.

“We’re honored to stand with this coalition of organizers and leaders who are committed to pushing back against hate for the safety of all residents,” said Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission President Ilan Davidson. “Through community partnerships, organizing, and activism, we have created a unique, holistic program and an expanding system that is working to ensure peace and safety for all of our communities.” A key component of the state’s anti-hate initiatives is CA vs Hate. In the first six months, hundreds of Californians have contacted the service to report hate crimes.

“During United Against Hate Week, we encourage all Californians to take advantage of existing resources -- like California vs Hate -- to push for change from the ground up for all our communities. Whether it’s because of conflict abroad or here at home, it takes real strength to stand in solidarity in the face of bias and discrimination,” said CRD Acting Director Mary Wheat.

Since its inception, UAHW has spread to over 200-plus communities. Faith-based groups, civil rights advocates and other community based and civil rights organizations across California organize events each year to commemorate it.

“By supporting bills such as AB 449 (Ting), the CA vs Hate Hotline, and our collaborative efforts with the (California Department of Social Services’) Stop the Hate grant, we will make a positive difference in the statistics we have seen persist for far too long,” Callender

a new business-related or marketing venture down the road. Others applauded the announcement and suggested Snoop may have chosen to stop smoking for his own personal health.

Marketing and branding experts note that it`s not uncommon to see this kind of response when celebrities make unexpected announcements –– especially if it contradicts something fans have identified them with for such a long time.

“You feel a certain way about this particular person who’s iconic in your life for various reasons,” said Americus Reed II, a professor of marketing at the University of Pennsylvania`s Wharton School of Business. “And so you’re going to create a narrative in your own mind about what the particular reasons might be for this pivot.” It can be risky to “allow the world to fill the silence,” Reed said, noting that it can be hard to control the narrative without additional context. At the same time, it fosters a buildup of interest if a larger announcement is indeed down the road.

Reed predicts fans will likely hear more from Snoop on this announcement in the near future __ whether it be to clear the air of speculation or build on this announcement for potential future ventures, particularly in the growing cannabis space which, from edibles to infused beverages, goes well beyond smoking.Snoop Dogg has been candid about his love for marijuana in the past and has launched several business ventures in the pot industry over the years __ including his own cannabis brand, Leafs by Snoop. The rapper and longtime friend Martha Stewart have also paired up for related ventures. Just last week, BIC EZ Reach Lighters announced a limited edition, bag-lighter combo from Snoop and Stewart called “ Best Buds Bags.” In the announcement, it said the design “ensures that owners are always equipped to light hard-to-reach places, no matter, ahem, what they’re lighting.”

Bill Cosby Accuser Files New Lawsuit Under Survivors Law

A woman who said Bill Cosby sexually assaulted her when she was a young comedy writer more than 50 years ago filed a lawsuit against the actor Thursday under a soon-to-expire New York law that gave victims of sexual abuse a one-year window for claims that would otherwise be barred by time limits. The New York resident was living in California at the time of the first assault and had met Cosby through a mutual friend while he was starring in ``The Bill Cosby Show,`` according to the lawsuit, filed in state Supreme Court in New York City.

A spokesperson for Cosby did not address the specifics of Tarshis`s claims.

“Diddy, LA Reid, Steven Tyler, and now they circle back to this,`` spokesperson Andrew Wyatt said, referring to others recently sued under New York`s Adult Survivors Act. ``When is it going to stop?” Cosby, 86, has been accused of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment by more than 60 women. He has denied all allegations involving sex crimes. He was the first celebrity tried and convicted in the #MeToo era and spent nearly three years at a state prison near Philadelphia before a higher court overturned the conviction and released him in 2021.

Tarshis was among the first accusers to speak publicly about Cosby, whom she met when she was 19 and just breaking into comedy writing. An interview she did with CNN newsman Don Lemon soon after she came forward drew a flurry of attention on social media, and an apology from Lemon. While on-air, the host suggested Tarshis could have bitten Cosby on his genitals during the first assault, something Tarshis said she hadn`t thought of.

Tarshis previously sued Cosby in Massachusetts, where Cosby had a home. She was among seven women who filed defamation claims after Cosby branded them liars. The cases were settled in 2019.

The new lawsuit alleges assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment. It seeks unspecified damages. In it, Tarshis said Cosby invited her to meet with him at the studio lot where he was filming his show, under the pretense of working on a skit she was writing. Once in his bungalow, Tarshis said she fell unconscious after accepting a drink from Cosby and awoke to find him undressing her before forcing her to perform oral sex.

“Ms Tarshis was mortified and feared for her life,” and returned to New York without telling anyone what happened, according to the lawsuit.

She next heard from Cosby in 1971, when he called her home, spoke with her mother, and invited her to his show at Westbury Music Fair, the lawsuit said.

“Though Ms. Tarshis was fearful at the prospect of seeing Cosby again, she had not yet told anyone, including her mother, of the prior sexual assault and she reluctantly agreed to meet with Cosby at the insistence of her mother,” according to the lawsuit. She said she lost consciousness in a limousine Cosby had arranged for them and awoke the next morning in a bed next to Cosby, who she said had undressed and raped her.

The Adult Survivors Act is set to expire next week.

Cornelius Burke, vice president of legislative affairs CBIA.

(Shutterstock Photo)

Antonio Ray Harvey and Edward Henderson

California Black Media

Antonio

Reactions Pour in Following the Passing of Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady and Global Humanitarian

By Stacy M. Brown For The Washington

Informer

In a wave of condolences, political leaders and public figures expressed their grief and admiration for the late Rosalynn Carter, former first lady and tireless advocate for various social issues. President Joe Biden, visibly moved, shared his sentiments with reporters as he boarded Air Force One in Norfolk, Virginia, on Sunday night.

Habitat For Humanity, the Georgia-based charity closely associated with the Carters, expressed sadness at the news. The organization described Carter as a “compassionate and committed champion” who worked tirelessly to help families worldwide.

The late First Lady and her husband co-founded the Carter Center, which expressed its sorrow in a statement by highlighting their global initiatives to strengthen democracy, settle disputes, advance human rights, and eradicate crippling diseases. The center announced that, instead of flowers, contributions in Carter’s memory could be made to the Carter Center’s Mental Health Program or the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers.

“He had this great integrity and still does. And she did too,” Biden remarked. “God bless them.” After speaking with the family, Biden learned that Jimmy Carter’s children and grandchildren were by his side during his final moments. The White House later issued an official joint statement from President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, lauding Rosalynn Carter’s inspirational impact on the nation.

Former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush also paid their respects, praising Carter’s dignity and strength. “There was no greater advocate of President Carter, and their partnership set a wonderful example of loyalty and fidelity,” Bush stated.

U.S. Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia emphasized Carter’s compassionate nature and commitment to various causes. “The State of Georgia and the United States are better places because of Rosalynn Carter,” Ossoff stated. “May Rosalynn Carter’s memory be a blessing.”

Vice President Kamala Harris acknowledged Carter’s redefinition of the First Lady’s role and her life of service, faith, compassion, and moral leadership. “Her legacy will

be a beacon for generations to come,” Harris asserted.

Former first lady Melania Trump expressed her condolences, noting Carter’s meaningful legacy and servant’s heart. “May she rest in peace,” Melania Trump conveyed on X, formerly Twitter.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described Carter as a “saintly and revered public servant,” highlighting her historic diplomatic missions and advocacy for mental health. Pelosi offered condolences to the Carter family. Bill and Hillary Clinton, in a joint statement, referred to Carter as a champion of human dignity. They praised her advocacy for mental health and childhood immunization and her work with the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity.

of a First

Funeral Services Planned for Wilmington

Ten Member, James ‘Bun’ McKoy

By Stacy M. Brown

For The Washington Informer Funeral services for James “Bun” McKoy, a member of the civil rights and political prisoner group The Wilmington Ten, were held on Friday, Nov. 17. McKoy died on November 10th, at the age of 69. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed. McKoy’s life was forever changed on Feb. 1, 1971, when Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. arrived in Wilmington. Chavis made the journey at the invitation of a local preacher who wanted the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. disciple to lead a boycott of the desegregated high schools that refused to acknowledge King, who had been slain just three years earlier.

By 1969, the city had only three high schools: allwhite New Hanover and Hoggard, and all-Black Williston Senior High School. Officials eventually relocated Black students and teachers to New Hanover and Hoggard and closed Williston, and African Americans faced increased racially motivated name-calling, physical attacks, and threats in the schools, while riots occurred virtually daily.

Chavis, McKoy, Connie Tindall, Marvin “Chilly” Patrick, Wayne Moore, Reginald Epps, Jerry Jacobs, Willie Earl Vereen, William “Joe” Wright, Jr., and Ann Shepard comprised the Wilmington Ten, and the group advocated for Black history classes, respect for Martin Luther King Jr.

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and all Black people, and equality.

However, tensions reached a boil in Wilmington, with the Ku Klux Klan and other white nationalists firebombing buildings and shooting at Black pupils, and then on a cold February night, the popular Mike’s Grocery Store was firebombed, leading to more chaos.

As police and firefighters approached, a sniper fired at members of the Wilmington Ten, striking one of the officers. “Chilly” Patrick, one of the Wilmington Ten, stood in front of a sniper’s bullets to save Chavis. Police ultimately arrested the group and falsely charged them with firebombing the grocery store.

Racist prosecutors forced witnesses to go against their court-appointed lawyers during the trial and give false testimony accusing McKoy and others of arson and violence towards law enforcement.

When it became clear that 10 African Americans would be seated for jury duty, Prosecutor Jay Stroud pretended to be ill during jury selection. A second trial included only two African Americans, and the Wilmington Ten were convicted.

McKoy and the other defendants received a total of 282 years in prison. At the age of 19, McKoy’s 29-year sentence was the third-longest handed down to any of the members. Chavis, the then-24-year-old commander, was sentenced to 34 years in prison, while Tindall got 31 years. The Wilmington 10, consisting of nine Black males and one white woman, spent nearly a decade in jail before their

convictions were overturned by federal appellate courts because of prosecutorial misconduct.

In 1976, Amnesty International took over the group’s defense. The London-based human rights organization declared the Wilmington Ten to be “prisoners of conscience.” They were arrested not for the crimes they were charged with, but because of their political activities. Amnesty International’s proclamation about the Wilmington Ten upset some and embarrassed others, especially when they were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize that year, as reported by The New York Times.

“Soon the charge was repeated and amplified by the American Ambassador to the United Nations, Andrew Young, who contended in an interview with a French newspaper that the United States harbored ‘hundreds, perhaps thousands of political prisoners,’” according to the newspaper.

“The Wilmington Ten, for example, are innocent,” Young stated. He later reiterated that the charges against the group were “trumped up,” according to the Times.

In December 1980, the convictions of the Wilmington Ten were finally overturned. Timothy Tyson, a North Carolina history, and Duke University visiting professor, told CNN that he was handed the Wilmington Ten prosecutor’s handwritten notes before 2012, when the NNPA and NAACP called for pardons of innocence for the Wilmington 10. “It was pretty shocking stuff,” Tyson said of the incident.

He mentioned at least six potential jurors who had “KKK Good!!” scribbled next to their names. It said next to a woman’s name, “NO, she associates with Negroes.” The prosecutor, Jay Stroud, had written the benefits and drawbacks of a mistrial on the back of the legal pad, according to Tyson. One of the benefits was a new jury and a fresh start.

In 2012, 40 years after they were wrongfully convicted, the Wilmington 10 were pardoned by North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue.

“These convictions were tainted by naked racism and represent an ugly stain on North Carolina’s criminal justice system that cannot be allowed to stand any longer,” the state’s governor stated at the time. “Justice demands that this stain finally be removed.” Responding to McKoy’s death, Chavis reflected on the group and his fallen comrades. “Once again, I am saddened at the passing of another freedom fighting member of the Wilmington Ten,” Chavis remarked. He said McKoy was dedicated to the freedom movement in Wilmington and globally. “He was also a master base guitarist who would always play the right beat with the inspiring music of freedom,” Chavis recalled. “May James ‘Bun’ McKoy rest in power and in peace, and may his memory and uplifting spirit live on for generations to come.”

Trump’s Role in Capitol Riot Takes Center Stage at D.C. Trial

By Stacy M. Brown

“On January 6, 2021, lives were lost, blood was shed, portions of the Capitol building were badly damaged, and the lives of members of the House and Senate, as well as aides, staffers, and others working in the building, were endangered,” Smith asserted in the new court documents.

“Yet publicly, the defendant has promoted and extolled the events of that day. While the violent attack was ongoing, the defendant told rioters that they were ‘very special’ and that ‘we love you.’ In the years since, he has championed rioters as ‘great patriots’ and proclaimed January 6 ‘a beautiful day.’ In this case, though, the defendant seeks to distance himself, moving to strike allegations in the indictment related to ‘the actions at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.’”

Trump has vehemently demanded that any information linking him to the January 6 insurrection should not be admissible in the upcoming trial. According to Politico, calling witnesses like rioters Dustin Thompson and Danny Rodriguez to the

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter poses for a portrait in New York in 2011. (Photo: Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post/Getty Images)

The Wilmington Ten (Courtesy Photo)

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Singer

Cassie Settle Lawsuit Alleging Abuse

By LARRY NEUMEISTER

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) –– A lawsuit by singer Cassie

containing allegations of beatings and abuse by music

producer Sean “Diddy” Combs has been settled, the artists announced Friday, one day after the lawsuit was filed.

The settlement was announced in a statement sent by attorney Douglas Wigdor, who represents Cassie, whose full name is Casandra Ventura.

The statement said they had reached a deal “to their mutual satisfaction” Friday evening, but no terms of the agreement were disclosed and no further statements would be issued beyond those made by Ventura, Combs and Wigdor in the email distributed by the lawyer.

In her statement, Ventura said: “I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control. I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support.”

Combs said: “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.”

Ben Brafman, an attorney for Combs, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. On Thursday, he said in a statement that Combs “vehemently denies” the allegations.

The lawsuit alleged Combs brought the singer into his “ostentatious, fast-paced, and drug-fueled lifestyle” soon after she met him and signed to his label in 2005, when she was 19 and he was 37.

Ventura, now 37, said Combs, now 54, began a pattern of abuse as soon as their on-and-off relationship began in 2007.

The lawsuit alleged that, “prone to uncontrollable rage,” Combs subjected Ventura to “savage” beatings in which he punched, kicked and stomped her. It alleges he plied her with drugs and forced her to have sex with other

Faith Evans and 112. This year, he released his fifth studio album, “The Love Album: Off the Grid,” which earned two Grammy nominations this month. It was his first studio album in 17 years. “The bad boy of entertainment is getting the key to the city from the bad boy of politics!” Mayor Eric Adams said in September as he presented a giant key to Combs in Times Square. Combs was born in New York City and raised in nearby Mount Vernon.

Ventura gained fame with the Ryan Leslie-produced hit single “Me & U,” which rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart in 2006. It was her only studio album. As an actor, she was in several projects including Fox's “Empire,” “Step Up 2:The Streets” and “Spenser Confidential.” Brafman`s statement on Thursday said Ventura had for the past six months persistently demanded $30 million while threatening to write a damaging book about her relationship with Combs. The lawyer said the demands were rejected as “blatant blackmail.”

Ventura withdrew the initial threat before filing a lawsuit “riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs's reputation and seeking a payday,” Brafman said.

Wigdor responded Thursday in a statement saying Combs had offered her “eight figures to silence her” and prevent the lawsuit from being filed.

“She rejected his efforts and decided to give a voice to all woman who suffer in silence,” Wigdor said.

Wigdor praised his client in a statement included in his email announcing the settlement on Friday.

“I am very proud of Ms. Ventura for having the strength to go public with her lawsuit. She ought to be commended for doing so,” he said.

Prince’s Puffy ‘Purple Rain’ Shirt and Other Pieces from Late Singer’s

Wardrobe Go Up for Auction

By STEVE LeBLANC Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) –– Fans of Prince, who was known nearly as much for his extravagant wardrobe as for his chart-topping hits, will have a chance to bid on some of the late musician`s sartorial splendor in an online auction this week.

The collection, including more than 200 lots up for sale, was assembled by a French collector who initially hoped to open a museum celebrating the musician but later scrapped the plan, according to RR Auction of Boston, which is overseeing the sale.

The collector had reached out to individuals who worked closely with Prince to gather the items, believing that the trendsetting artist, who died in 2016, was not only a musical virtuoso but also a fashion icon, according to the auction house.

One of the highlights of the auction is a white ruffled shirt worn by Prince during his 1985 American Music Awards performance of the song "Purple Rain."

The auction house estimated its value at $15,000. The auction traces Prince's evolution in music and fashion from his "Purple Rain" era through to his death, according to Bobby Livingston of RR Auction.

"What this auction really does is it shows the influence and legacy of Prince with his fashion choices and how it relates today, when you see all these artists on tour, you know, different costumes, different outfits, reinventing themselves for each tour," he said.

Also up for auction is the outfit Prince wore from "Under the Cherry Moon," a 1986 film starring Prince that also marked his debut as a director. The auction house placed an estimated value on the outfit of $45,000.

Other items up for bid include a pair of high-heeled blue boots from the Act I Tour valued at $20,000; a custom-made gold stage outfit with love symbols estimated at $10,000 and a blue Schecter 'Cloud' Guitar played by Prince, valued at $4,000; and a chain hat.

In addition to fashion, this auction includes original Polaroid photographs, master tapes of hit albums, and official documentation about his films and music videos.

Bidding for the auction closes Thursday.

Earlier this year, Prince`s home state of Minnesota honored him by renaming a stretch of highway after him that runs past his Paisley Park home. The ink the governor signed the renaming bill in was purple __ Prince`s signature color.

How Growing Interest in Formula One is

By MARIA SHERMAN AP Music Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) –– Beyond the engineering, the athleticism, the speed, the luxury –– fans love the sound of Formula One. The fierce rhythms of a V6 turbocharged hybrid engine; the sticky staccato of a rushed downshift; sexy, loud zooms. There's a real musical appreciation for the elite motorsport. Engines are described using RPMs, the same way vinyl records are. It is no wonder that F1 has long been an enthusiasm of musicians and music fans for decades __ the Beatles ' George Harrison wrote "Faster" about the series, what he called "a noisy rock 'n' roll"; the same spirit that inspired a Mario Andretti namecheck in A Tribe Called Quest's "Award Tour." But in the last few years, an accelerating interest in F1, particularly among young Americans, has made its influence on the music world –– and vice versa –– impossible to ignore. There's Bad Bunny 's "Monaco" and Carín León's "Por La Familia," both of which feature Red Bull driver Sergio "Checo" Perez in their videos. The up-and-coming indie twang band Wednesday released a track called "Formula One" on their 2023 album. Musicians loving F1 is limited to no genre and no country –– its appeal is as global as the sport itself.

A prime example is this week's inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, which will see F1 drivers zipping down the strip, bathed in the electric glow of its opulent casinos. Music will mix with the motorsport at countless events beginning Wednesday, including an opening ceremony with will.i.am, J Balvin, Tiësto, John Legend, Keith Urban, Kylie Minogue, Thirty Seconds to Mars and more. Concerts have become an expected addition to the F1

Across the Music World

experience, and the trend has made its way stateside over the last decade. Since 2012, Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, had been home to the sole U.S. F1 race –– until the inclusion of Miami last year and Vegas in 2023. Glynn Wedgewood, COTA`s senior vice president of music and entertainment, says the track first introduced live music performances with Elton John in 2015. Since then, Taylor Swift, Imagine Dragons and Pink have performed. By 2019, COTA was boasting three days of performances. 2023's lineup alone included The Killers, Queen with Adam Lambert and Tiësto.

That lineup –– which leans more rock-oriented for the COTA audience, compared to the Latin lineups of Miami, is "a testament to what we've seen over the past several years," Wedgewood says. "It`s a young rock audience."

Wedgewood references the effects of Netflix`s "Drive to Survive", the popular docuseries that successfully altered the demographics traditionally associated with the world's most luxurious motorsport (older, wealthy, male) and opened it up to a younger generation –– particularly Americans. In 2018, 265,000 people attended the COTA race. In 2023, that number jumped to 432,000. That translates to television viewership as well. According to ESPN, F1 viewership in 2022 jumped significantly among teenagers, women and the key 18-34-year-old demographic.

The connection between music and Formula One, for Wedgewood, is innate.

"The majority of people listen to music in their car," he says. "It's almost subconsciously ingrained in our DNA –– that racing goes hand-in-hand with music. "

This year, will.i.am became Formula One's first Global Artist in Residence, which he pitched to Formula

One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali as a series of musical collaborations celebrating the sport as well as an opportunity to bring the concert aspect of F1 to a global audience __ not just the ticket holders lucky enough to see it live. The role led the Black Eyed Peas' member to release his first solo single in over a decade: "The Formula," featuring Lil Wayne. That was followed by "Let's Go," another F1-inspired track, which features J Balvin.

will.i.am has been a huge F1 fan since the Peas performed at the first Singapore Grand Prix held at the Marina Bay Circuit in 2008. Since then, he's noticed a disconnect between the live music and entertainment experiences at F1 races and what`s broadcast on TV –– as well as missed opportunity for artists.

"Why aren't people releasing music around the time they're playing their F1 event?" he asks, comparing it to the Super Bowl –– for which artists frequently release new music in advance of their (televised) halftime performances. "Artists in Residency can really help bridge that gap."

Tiësto, a lifelong F1 fan, released the album "Drive" in April, featuring an F1 racing helmet on the cover.

"It's not just the car and racing, it's about the environment around it, the excitement around it," he says of a race weekend. "There's an organic connection there."

He believes the evolving experience of going to a Grand Prix mirrors growing interest in the sport, particularly in the U.S. and with young people.

"They want to see the race, you know, but they want to party. They want to have a drink. It is the perfect moment to create a festival,`` he says.

Formula One drivers, too, have been getting into music. Ferrari F1 driver Charles LeClerc signed with music management company Verdigris earlier this year and has been releasing instrumental compositions; Lewis Hamilton,

the seven-time world champion, is no stranger to music making, having been featured on Christina Aguilera's 2018 track "Pipe" under the pseudonym XNDA. Chloe Stroll, the sister of Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll, has built a nascent singer- songwriter career celebrated by the sport's fans.

"What made me like the sport was music. I went to the sport playing music," says will.i.am. "I've always loved cars, but why do I like F1 and not (IndyCar)? What

men while he masturbated and filmed them.

According to the lawsuit, as Ventura was trying to end the relationship in 2018, Combs forced her into her Los Angeles home and raped her. The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come

forward publicly as Ventura has. Combs is among the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the past three decades. The founder of Bad Boy Records and a three-time Grammy winner, he has worked with a slew of top-tier artists including Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim,

Children Who Survive Shootings Endure Huge Health Obstacles and Costs

By Liz Szabo KFF Health News

McClain was struck by a stray bullet on a Philadelphia street corner when he was 10.

The bullet shattered the back of his skull, splintering it into 36 pieces. McClain’s heart stopped, and he was technically dead for two minutes and 17 seconds.

Although a hospital team shocked him back to life, McClain never fully recovered. Doctors removed half his skull, replacing it with a gel plate, but shrapnel remains.

The shooting left him in a coma for seven weeks and in a wheelchair for nearly two years. School bullies magnified his pain, laughing at his speech and the helmet he wore to protect his brain. McClain said he repeatedly attempted suicide as a teenager. He remains partly paralyzed on his right side and endures seizures and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“People who die, they get funerals and balloon releases,” said McClain, now 33. “Survivors don’t get anything.”

Yet the ongoing medical needs of gun violence survivors and their families are vast.

In the year after they were shot, child and adolescent survivors were more than twice as likely as other kids to experience a pain disorder, said Zirui Song, an associate professor of health care policy and medicine at Harvard Medical School and the co-author of a new study in Health Affairs. The shooting survivors in the study — age 19 and younger — were found to be 68% more likely than other kids to have a psychiatric diagnosis and 144% as likely to develop a substance use disorder.

Across the United States, firearm injuries were the leading cause of death for people ages 1 to 19 in 2020 and 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 48,000 Americans of all ages were

killed by firearms in 2022. And an average of about 85,000 Americans survive firearm injuries every year.

“The public hears about mass shootings and the number of people who died,” Song said. “The population of people affected by firearm violence is much larger than deaths alone.”

Most Americans say they or a family member has experienced gun violence, including witnessing a shooting, being threatened by a person with a gun, or being shot, according to a KFF survey.

“We are now a nation of survivors, and we have an unmet obligation to help families and communities heal, both physically and emotionally,” said Megan Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health.

Being shot added an average of $35,000 to the health care costs of each young person studied, compared with the expenses of those who weren’t shot. The more serious the injury, the greater the cost and extent of medical complications, according to the study, based on data from employer-sponsored health insurance plans.

Although McClain’s mother had health insurance through her employer, the plan did not cover the cost of his wheelchair. Insurance didn’t pay for dance or theater classes, which his therapists recommended to improve his speech and movement. Although his grandparents helped pay the medical bills, his family still held fundraisers to cover additional out-of-pocket costs.

The study is one of the first to assess the effects of a child’s shooting on the entire family, said Ranney, who was not involved in the research.

Psychiatric disorders were 30% more common among the parents of the gun-injured children, compared with parents of uninjured kids. Their mothers made 75% more mental health visits than other moms.

Ranney noted that caregivers of shooting survivors

often neglect their own needs. In the study, parents and siblings of the injured children made fewer visits for their own routine medical care, lab tests, and procedures.

Doctors can now save most gunshot victims, said Jessica Beard, a trauma surgeon at Temple University Hospital who was not involved in the study.

“We have more experience with bullet wounds than even many battlefield surgeons,” said Beard, who is also director of research for the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting. “Surgeons from the military will get stationed at hospitals in Philadelphia to learn how to do combat surgery.”

Survivors of gunshot wounds often need continuing care from physical therapists, occupational therapists, makers of prosthetics, and others, which can pose additional hardships for rural residents, who may need to travel long distances multiple times a week for specialized services. Even in major U.S. cities, the hospitals and health systems best equipped to treat shooting survivors may be out of range for families who rely on public transportation.

Using public transportation would have been especially difficult when McClain was in a wheelchair. He said he feels lucky that his grandfather could drive him to the hospital for the first couple of years after his shooting. Later, when McClain could walk, he took two buses and a subway to the hospital. Today, McClain drives himself to get care and receives health insurance through his employer.

The psychological damage from child shootings may be even greater than the study indicates, Ranney said. Negative attitudes surrounding mental illness may have prevented some patients from acknowledging they’re depressed, so their struggles weren’t recorded in doctors’ notes or payment records, she said. Likewise, children afraid of punishment may not have told their doctors about illegal substance use.

McClain said he saw a therapist only once or twice.

“I would scream at the doctors,” McClain said. “I said, ‘Don’t tell me you know how I feel, because you don’t understand.’”

Yet McClain has found purpose in his experience.

Last year, he co-produced a documentary called “They Don’t Care About Us, or Do They?” with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting, where he works. In the film, young survivors talk about wearing hoodies to hide their scars, navigating the world in a wheelchair, and combating infertility caused by their injuries. McClain is now working to improve news coverage of gun violence by creating a directory of shooting survivors willing to share their stories.

“My therapy is helping people,” he said. “I have to wake up and save somebody every day.” Survivors are the forgotten victims of the nation’s gun violence epidemic, McClain said. Many feel abandoned.

“They push you out of the hospital like you have a normal life,’’ McClain said. “But you will never have a normal life. You are in this club that you don’t want to be in.”

This article was produced by KFF Health News, formerly known as Kaiser Health News (KHN), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.  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.

Underdiagnosed and Undertreated, Young Black Males With ADHD Get Left Behind

By Claire Sibonney KFF Health News

As a kid, Wesley Jackson Wade should have been set up to succeed. His father was a novelist and corporate sales director and his mother was a special education teacher. But Wade said he struggled through school even though he was an exceptional writer and communicator. He played the class clown when he wasn’t feeling challenged. He got in trouble for talking back to teachers. And, the now 40-year-old said, he often felt anger that he couldn’t bottle up. As one of the only Black kids in predominantly white schools in upper-middle-class communities — including the university enclaves of Palo Alto, California, and Chapel Hill, North Carolina — he often got detention for chatting with his white friends during class, while they got only warnings. He chalked it up to his being Black. Ditto, he said, when he was wrongly arrested as an eighth grader for a bomb threat at his school while evacuating with his white friends. So he wasn’t surprised that his behavioral issues drew punishment, even as some of his white friends with similar symptoms instead started getting treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

“Black kids at a very young age, we start dealing with race, we have a lot of racial stamina,” said Wade, who now lives outside of Durham, North Carolina. “But I didn’t understand until later on that there was probably something else going on.”

After spending years grappling with self-doubt and difficult relationships — and smoking what he called “Snoop Dogg volumes of weed” from middle school until his 20s — he learned he had ADHD and dyslexia, two diagnoses that often overlap. He was 37.

It’s long been known that Black children are underdiagnosed for ADHD compared with white peers. A Penn State report published in Psychiatry Research in September studied the extent of the gap by following more than 10,000 elementary students nationwide from kindergarten to fifth grade through student assessments and parent and teacher surveys. The researchers estimated the odds that Black students got diagnosed with the neurological condition were 40% lower than for white students, with all else being equal — including controlling for economic status, student achievement, behavior, and executive functioning.

expectations of Black students and don’t recognize an underlying disability, and Black parents who are distrustful of teachers and doctors, fearing they’ll label and stigmatize their children.

“We’ve known for a long time that ADHD diagnoses are not made in a vacuum. They’re made in a geographic context, cultural context, racial context,” said George DuPaul, a psychology professor at Lehigh University who studies nonmedication interventions for ADHD.

Studies have shown that ADHD underdiagnosis contributes to harsher school discipline and to the “schoolto-prison pipeline.” Black kids routinely face punishment,

years of

with the

I’ve gotten fired from. I’ve never been promoted, ever, in my professional life.” Wade’s experiences of race and ADHD are intertwined. “ADHD is an accelerant to my Black experience,” he said. “I can’t separate my experiences as a Black boy and Black man from my experiences of understanding my neurodivergent identity.”

People who study and treat ADHD cite several reasons why young Black males fall under the radar, including teachers who are racially biased or have lower

For young Black males, the odds of being diagnosed with ADHD were especially stark: almost 60% lower than for white boys in similar circumstances, even though research suggests the prevalence of the condition is likely the same. The racial ADHD divide isn’t merely a health concern. It’s deepening inequity for Black children, and especially Black males, said the study’s lead author, Paul Morgan, the former director of the Center for Educational Disparities Research at Penn State. He now leads the Institute for Social and Health Equity at the University of Albany. ADHD has been diagnosed in nearly 1 in 10 children in the United States, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published in 2022, with rates surging nearly 70% in the past two decades. It is often a lifetime condition that can be managed with treatments including therapy and medication. Untreated, children with ADHD face much greater health risks, including drug addiction, self-harm, suicidal behavior, accidents, and untimely death. By adulthood, many people with undiagnosed ADHD have spent years feeling isolated and hopeless, just as Wade did. Even before Wade’s diagnosis, he was helping similar college students in a career counseling role at North Carolina State University. Today, he’s a licensed mental health and addiction counselor and doctoral student, but he said it’s been hard to see his successes. “To the rest of the world, this is a Black man with two master’s degrees, and he’s a PhD candidate, and he has two licenses and certifications,” he said. “But to me, I’m a brother who’s had a lot of bad luck with people and jobs

including criminal prosecution, for problem behavior and mental health conditions such as ADHD, while white kids are more likely to be diagnosed with behavioral conditions and receive medical treatment and support. There’s a common saying: “Black kids get cops, white kids get docs.” Courtney Zulauf-McCurdy, a researcher and clinician at the University of Washington School of Medicine, focuses on decreasing mental health disparities in early childhood. By preschool, she said, Black children with ADHD symptoms are more likely to be expelled and less

likely to receive appropriate treatment than their white peers.Her research has found that teachers’ judgments of children are heavily influenced by their opinions of the kids’ parents, and that often determines whether those children are evaluated for behavioral conditions and given appropriate support — or simply kicked out of class. She said the Penn State findings confirm what she’s seen in clinics and heard from parents.

Zulauf-McCurdy also pointed to research that shows Black children are 2.4 times as likely as white kids to receive a diagnosis of conduct disorder compared with a diagnosis of ADHD. She said the racial bias and overdiagnosis of conditions such as oppositional defiant disorder, defined by symptoms of being uncooperative and hostile toward authority figures, result in more punitive consequences such as being isolated in separate classrooms. To fix inequities in ADHD diagnosis, mental health experts see a need for increasing culturally sensitive screening and addressing Black families’ concerns about potential bias and racism. Ensuring access to information about symptoms and treatments for ADHD may help address obstacles to care.

Looking back, Wade said, he is grateful he got diagnosed, even if it came late. But, he said, learning about his condition earlier would have given him more confidence navigating school, work, and life. “If I was able to get a diagnosis, I would have had a lot more support and love in my life,” he said. Behavioral tools and medication have made it easier for him to focus and to regulate his mood. The diagnosis has also helped him become more aware of how to manage his depression and anxiety.

“Now it’s an understanding of how I exist, how my brain works,” Wade said. “I don’t think that I’m just broken.”

Still, Wade wonders what the ADHD label would have meant for him as a child — despite his family’s privileges of money and education — before more awareness existed about the condition. Even now, he said, the remaining stigma around the diagnosis is probably worse for Black kids, who still get less benefit of the doubt than white children.

Today, Wade is helping Black and neurodivergent youth and adults identify ADHD and other conditions. It’s part of his work, but it’s also deeply personal.

“I remember how it felt to not be seen, to not be heard, and to have your needs dismissed,” he said. “It feels good to see other people getting the help that they need and know that it helps Black people as a whole and generations of those families.” This article was

by

In this photo from childhood, Oronde McClain wears a protective helmet as he heals from a gunshot injury. At age 10, he was struck in the back of the head with a stray bullet that shattered his skull. Today, he remains partly paralyzed on his right side and experiences seizures and post-traumatic stress disorder. (Oronde McClain)

After getting shot, McClain repeatedly attempted suicide as a teenager, he says. “People who die, they get funerals and balloon releases,” he says. “Survivors don’t get anything.”(Jim MacMillan)

Oronde

Wesley Jackson Wade is a licensed clinical mental health counselor who practices in Durham, North Carolina. Wade was diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia in 2020, after

grappling

symptoms of those conditions. Now Wade counsels Black youth and adults to help identify neurological conditions. (Eamon Queeney for KFF Health News)

Miss Black America Pageant Returns to Atlantic City for 55th Anniversary Celebration

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

The Miss Black America Pageant is coming back to Atlantic City to celebrate its 55th anniversary. It will be held on the Boardwalk on Saturday, December 16th. The return to the city where the “Historic Protest Pageant of 1968” took place has generated considerable anticipation among many. As announced, a captivating parade and a series of exciting festivities are guaranteed as the prelude to the grand main event at the renowned Showboat Atlantic Hotel.

J. Morris Anderson, an individual who performed at the forefront of his time, established the Miss Black America Pageant, and made a lasting impact as the founder of the “American Institute of Positivity.” “The Seeds of Positivity,” the term “Positivity,” and the “Success Seekers Seminars” hosted by the institute are all works Anderson authored. His influence transcends the pageant, as does his vision, which surpasses the conventional.

Aleta Anderson, Morris’s daughter, stated that it’s critical to recognize the differences between the Miss Black America Pageant and a Black Miss America pageant. “I’ve been working with this pageant since I was a little girl,” Anderson declared. “The thing that it originally was meant is still there, and it means so much more in that it provides an opportunity for the young women to participate.”

Established in 1968, the organization carved its path, boasting a syndicated television network to showcase Black women’s often-overlooked beauty, talent, and intelligence in mainstream pageants. “Miss Black America was always a pageant of access,” Anderson told the Black Press. “It wasn’t a beauty pageant, but a story of Black beauty, and of confidence, and self-esteem. And it continues to be a part of our learning process as we now have all these platforms of exposure.”

Saundra Williams, a college student from Philadelphia, made history as the first Miss Black America. She used her platform to showcase an enchanting traditional African dance and to challenge the long-standing exclusion of Black women from the Miss America pageant. “Miss America

does not represent us because there has never been a black girl in the pageant,” Williams once stated. In 1970, Cheryl Browne became the first black Miss America contestant, and Vanessa Williams secured the historic title in 1983.

Over 50 distinguished women will compete for the Miss Black America title this year, joining the ranks of past champions such as Oprah Winfrey, Toni Braxton, Bern Nadette Stanis, and Nicole Hibbert. Anderson underscored the pageant’s lasting relevance as a symbol of hope for young women. The pageant was originally created to celebrate Black beauty, confidence, and self-esteem. Now it has become a platform for challenging traditional ideas of beauty and providing needed exposure.

Anderson emphasized the pageant’s diversity, which transcended social, economic, and educational limitations.

She described the Miss Black America Pageant as a national and global event that has shaped American history since 1968.

“We have so many young women in the pageant and just because it’s the Miss Black America pageant doesn’t mean it isn’t diverse,” Anderson argued. “The diversity exceeds socio-economic status, and our education because the way we are educated is different. Every woman who has participated is vested and becomes a lifelong participant and we have so many coming back to Atlantic City to pay homage.”

The first-ever senior Miss Black America will be crowned, Anderson believes, marking a historic event that will give the competition a new dimension. She promised to commemorate J. Morris Anderson’s devotion to Black women by keeping the pageant going forward as a legacy program.

“I want everyone to walk away with the feeling that anything is possible and that they have the support and a window of opportunity,” Anderson stated. “It doesn’t start in Atlantic City, it starts before. Getting there and showing up, being highly motivated, and having a feeling of going into this that they are now a part of something that provides an experience that elevates the rest of their lives.”

Blockchain the Backbone of Bitcoin

Has Power to Increase Accountability and Transform Industries

The rise of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology has sparked a revolution that holds the promise of greater financial accountability. While many may view cryptocurrencies as nothing more than speculative assets, to better understand the transformative power they have, it is crucial to delve deeper into the underlying blockchain technology that supports them.

Blockchain, the technology underpinning cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, is essentially a decentralized ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers. This ledger is immutable and transparent, making it virtually tamper-proof. Transactions are grouped into “blocks,” and each block is linked to the previous one, forming a chain of blocks, hence the name “blockchain.”

It’s common to hear people talk about investing in cryptocurrencies without fully comprehending the intricacies of blockchain technology. While it’s not necessary for every user to be a blockchain expert, a basic understanding of how it works can help one appreciate the significance of this innovation.

One of the most compelling aspects of blockchain technology is its wide range of use cases. Beyond serving as the backbone of cryptocurrencies, blockchain has the potential to revolutionize various industries, including agriculture, entertainment, real estate, and retail.

In the agricultural industry, it enables the tracking of agricultural products from farm to table, recording information such as seed quality, crop growth, and the journey of a plant post-farm. This transparency ensures the authenticity of food products, reduces fraud, and enhances food safety. TE-FOOD has already revolutionized the tracing application of blockchain technology, providing over 150 million people access to farm-to-table foods across the globe.

Blockchain-based platforms are revolutionizing the entertainment industry by ensuring fair compensation to artists and content creators through smart contracts, eliminating intermediaries. Artists and creators can receive fair compensation for their work through transparent and automatic royalty payments, eliminating intermediaries who often take a substantial cut. Companies like Hollywoodland and Decentralized Pictures are even leveraging crypto tokens and blockchain to identify emerging talent and finance projects.

Real estate transactions frequently entail multiple intermediaries, leading to high fees and lengthy processes. However, blockchain technology can greatly simplify property transactions, rendering them more efficient, secure, and cost-effective. For instance, Docuwalk by ShelterZoom used blockchain to oversee every facet of the real estate offer and acceptance procedure. This secure online platform meticulously documents each step in the journey towards finalizing a real estate deal, thereby guaranteeing an immutable financial record, and enhancing consumer protection.

Consumers are already reaping the rewards of blockchain technology within the retail sector. Starbucks has leveraged blockchain technology to enhance customer satisfaction through a loyalty program that enables customers to accumulate rewards points from every purchase made at their stores. These accumulated points can later be redeemed for valuable rewards. Similarly, Walmart has adopted blockchain technology to offer loyalty programs, granting reward points to all customers who make purchases at their stores.

One of the key features of cryptocurrency that often comes under scrutiny is its financial accountability. Critics argue that the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies

technology itself provides a level of accountability that traditional financial systems cannot match. Every transaction on the blockchain is recorded and publicly accessible, making it possible to trace the flow of funds. This transparency can deter fraudulent activities and provide a level of financial accountability that is often lacking in traditional banking systems.

Critics may contend that the absence of intermediaries means users must take responsibility for their financial transactions, which can be challenging for some. However, this very aspect empowers individuals to have greater control over their finances. With cryptocurrencies, you are your bank, and you can manage your assets directly, without reliance on third parties.

Cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology have ushered in a new era of financial accountability and empowerment. While it’s essential for users to educate themselves and exercise responsibility, the benefits of transparency, efficiency, and reduced reliance on intermediaries cannot be understated. Cryptocurrencies and blockchain are not merely speculative assets but represent a significant step towards a more

Samuel Houston Special to California Black Media Partners

makes it challenging to hold individuals accountable for illicit activities. While it’s true that there is no centralized middleman, it’s essential to recognize that blockchain

As announced, a captivating parade and a series of exciting festivities

lude to

California Black Media Political Playback: News You Might Have Missed

Tanu

Vice President Kamala Harris Joins Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass

to Announce Reopening of I-10 Freeway

On Nov. 19, Vice President Kamala Harris accompanied by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Mayor Karen Bass and other state and city officials visited the I-10 freeway construction site in Los Angeles, which was previously the site of a freeway fire. At a news conference, Harris announced that the highway would be reopened before the morning rush hour on Nov. 20. Around 7:30 p.m. that same evening, the Governor’s office followed up with an announcement that the Department of Transportation had reopened the highway.

“Traffic is now flowing on five lanes in each direction between Alameda Street and the East Los Angeles interchange, ahead of tomorrow morning’s commute and before the Thanksgiving holiday, reducing the disruption to Los Angeles commuters,” the announcement read.

On Nov. 11, a fire that started in a nearby storage yard engulfed the freeway damaging the understructure of the thoroughfare that runs through downtown Los Angeles and ends in Santa Monica. The blaze downed power lines and damaged several vehicles, support columns and highway guardrails.

During her visit, Harris highlighted the federal government’s historic investment of $400 billion in infrastructure funding for the project, thanked hundreds of union workers for fast tracking the repair, and pledged to continue delivering investments for communities across California and throughout America.

“The work that happened here is extraordinary. It was possible with the will and ambition of the workers on the ground, and their commitment as public servants and as union members to get this done and deliver for the people of Los Angeles,” said Harris. “This is the kind of work that is happening around the country -- where hardworking men and women, carpenters, laborers and government workers are rebuilding America’s infrastructure.”

Last week, Gov. Newsom announced Caltrans emergency contractors cleared all hazardous materials from the site and that the Biden-Harris Administration had approved California’s request for $3 million in “quick release” funds to offset initial costs.

On Nov 17, Bass announced financial support and resources that are available for businesses impacted by the I-10 closure. Under the mayor’s direction, the Economic Workforce and Development Department (EWDD) launched a grant program for affected businesses. The agency is accepting applications until midnight on Dec. 10.

Hamas-Israel Protests Shut Down Dem Convention in Sacramento This past weekend the California Democratic Party held its Fall Endorsing Convention in Sacramento On the evening of Nov. 18, all planned events were canceled after hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators shut down the conference taking place at the Safe Credit Union Convention Center.

The demonstrators converged on the convention demanding a ceasefire to the Israel-Hamas war. This demonstration was one of several others held around the

convention, which was located two blocks northeast of the State Capitol.

Impassioned demonstrators shouted, “Ceasefire in Gaza,” and staged a sit-in protest in the lobby of the conference center.

The California Black Legislative Caucus cancelled activities planned during the evening, due to the demonstrations.

CADEM Chairperson Rusty Hicks released a statement on Facebook the following day.

“Every Delegate, volunteer, staff person and attendee has the right to be safe and feel safe in the peaceful expression of their own voice and viewpoint. So, this morning, we might come together with a heavy heart, but we also come with a determined resolve to reconnect to one another, to embrace our collective cause of peace and to ensure the work of this Party moves onward and upward.”

Mayor London Breed Hosts APEC Summit in San Francisco

Last week, Mayor London Breed hosted the largest gathering of global leaders in the United States in nearly 80 years. The event was mainly held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

More than 20,000 people attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco last week. This included the CEOs of major corporations and 21 world leaders, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and President Xi Jinpeng of China.

With the theme “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All,” the conference focused on climate action, job creation, international trade, global conflicts and other topics.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom also attended the event and met with the leaders of Australia, Canada, Singapore the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

“California is America’s gateway to the Asia-Pacific – we’re a state of dreamers and doers, entrepreneurs and innovators. We don’t tolerate our diversity, we celebrate our diversity – that’s our strength: it’s central to who we are as Californians,” said the Governor during his remarks.

“We’re proud to welcome the 21 APEC member economies so we can work to achieve a better, more prosperous future for all — that’s the California Way.”

Breed, who welcomed guests with a party at City Hall, said San Francisco is “larger than life city.”

“What this city has represented in history, whether it is the founding of the United Nations in 1945, or the peace treaty with Japan in 1951, San Francisco continues to be the city that creates those global connections,” said Breed. “It is really oversized in terms of its image around the world, and it is one of the most beautiful and iconic places anywhere.”

Federal Judge Dismisses Huntington Beach Lawsuit Seeking to Exempt City From State Housing Laws

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney Gen. Rob Bonta are hailing a U.S. District Court decision to dismiss a case

brought against the state by the city of Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach, an oceanside town in Orange County and one of the most expensive – and most conservative – cities in California filed a lawsuit in June attempting to exempt itself from the state’s Regional Needs Housing Allocation (RHNA) requirement.

The RHNA requires Huntington Beach to plan for more than 13,000 new homes, including some designated for low-income residents.

Huntington Beach’s city council voted against that mandate in April, prompting the California Department of Justice to file a motion against the city.

Last week, Federal Judge Fred Slaughter dismissed the lawsuit in a 15-page decision, stating that California did not violate the city’s First Amendment and 14th Amendment protections.

“What we need is housing. Instead, the City of Huntington Beach chose not only to evade responsibility and break the law, but also file a baseless lawsuit in federal court to delay the State’s enforcement action,” said Gov. Newsom. “Thankfully, this path was a dead end.”

Bonta called the lawsuit “meritless.”

“We are pleased that the court agreed,” said Bonta. “With this behind us, we look forward to prosecuting our state case against Huntington Beach. Everyone must do their part to address California’s housing crisis.”

San Diego Black News Publisher and City Official Chida Warren-Darby Enters Race for City Council Seat

Last week, Chida Rebecca Warren-Darby, a San Diego city official and second-generation Black publisher, announced her candidacy to replace City Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe, who won the Nov. 2 election for the District 4 seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

Warren-Darby, who currently serves as Director of Appointments, Boards and Commissions in San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria’s office, says her goal is to strengthen communications between City Hall and constituents.

“If we can build better partners, we can get more done,” said Warren-Darby. “This starts with education and inclusion. There are so many people that don’t understand the work we do at City Hall.”

Warren-Darby’s father Dr. John Warren is the publisher of the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint newspaper, the largest and oldest Black-owned publication in the city.

She is also the publisher and former Editor-in-Chief of the online digital publication Black & Magazine.

Using Digital Technology, SoCal Panel Explores “Combating Racism as a Public Health Crisis”

On Nov. 15, the Black Voice News (BVN), a Blackowned-and-led publication in Riverside, hosted a virtual panel discussion titled “Combating Racism as a Public Health Crisis.

The event focused on a project BVN has developed in partnership with Stanford University using the decentralized web. It holds California elected leaders to account by tracking documented declarations they made promising to address systemic racism after the 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

“Our Mapping Black California team partnered with Stanford’s Starling Lab and Esri to utilize decentralized web and blockchain technologies to build an accountability tool to better track the multiple declarations made by government agencies across the state,” said Paulette BrownHinds, BVN Publisher and a Fellow at Stanford’s Starling Lab for data integrity.

The Starling lab is an initiative that “prototypes tools and principles to bring historians, legal experts and journalists into the new era of Web3,” according to the research center’s website.

The BVN project collects and archives web pages from government websites and displays them along with tracking tools.

Panelists participating in the conversation were Ann Grimes Director, Journalism Fellowships, Starling Lab; Alex Reed, Mapping Black California Manager at BVN; Breanna Reeves, Reporter, BVN; and Lindsey Walker, Product Manager, Starling Lab. Candice Mays, Mapping

Black California Director at BVN, moderated the discussion.

“Our Black Voice News reporting team has been the first to dig into the data and publish a series of reports on the findings. It is our hope that other journalists and media organizations will explore the data in their communities and use it to measure progress and ask important questions that could lead to systemic change,” added Brown-Hinds. New Alliance Announced to Promote California Reparations Task Force’s Recommendations

The California Black Power Network (CBPN), Equal Justice Society (EJS), and six former members of the California Reparations Task Force -- Dr. Cheryl Grills, Lisa Holder, Don Tamaki, Dr. Jovan Scott Lewis, Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), and Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) -- have announced the formation of the Alliance for Reparations, Reconciliation, and Truth.

The Alliance aims to broaden public support for reparations for qualifying Black Californians by increasing the diversity of its allies across different races and sectors. They plan to achieve it by educating the public about reparations and advocating for the recommendations of the California Reparations Task Force’s report.

“The alliance brings advocate groups, academics, legal professionals, and legislators together to take on this historic and challenging endeavor,” Jones-Sawyer said in the Alliance announcement.

The Alliance includes Black-led and non-Black ally organizations such as Black Equity Collective, Catalyst California, AAPIFORCE, PICO California, Nikkei Progressives, and Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress (NCRR).

The report by the California Reparations Task Force connects centuries of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and ongoing discrimination to the disparities currently faced by Black Californians. It recommends over 115 policies to the state legislature to cease the ongoing harm and develop a longterm plan to redress historical injustices.

The Alliance’s nonprofit members, CBPN and ESJ, are deeply involved in the reparations movement. CBPN, a coalition of about 40 organizations, led a community engagement campaign and submitted around 5,000 letters from community members to the task force. Meanwhile, ESJ’s President, Holder, along with Grills and Tamaki, have been organizing philanthropic support for reparations and securing endorsements from over 470 organizations and businesses. They aim to reach 1,000 endorsements by the end of 2023.

Leaders of the Alliance have met with the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC). They have proposed a collaboration to jointly organize and promote legislation based on the task force’s recommendations.

“We call upon the Legislature to develop a feasible approach, spanning years, in good economies and bad, to study the 115-plus recommendations and address the harms that have been decades, if not centuries, in the making,” Tamaki commented in the Alliance announcement. The Alliance may also explore applying the task force report recommendations beyond the state level in California, at the international, federal, regional, and municipal levels.

Learn more about the Alliance at https://alliancefor. org.

Sen. Steve Bradford: Dept of Corrections Wage Increase for Prisoners Who Do Essential Work Is Not Enough

Last week, Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Inglewood), vicechair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) joined his colleague, Sen. Dave Cortese

Vice president Kamala Harris with Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Alex Padilla, California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass greet a line of Caltrans workers who worked to repair the 1-10 freeway after fire closed the interstate for more than a week.

(Photo ByLila Brown/ California Black Media)

Henry, Lila Brown and Joe W. Bowers Jr.

Chida Rebecca Warren-Darby ( courtesy photo)

(Shutterstock Photo)

Senator Steve Bradford (D- Gardena)

(Shutterstock Photo)

Blue Shield Presents Healthcare Information

Stacy Anderson

By Jason Land Jr.

Contributing Writer

“We are stronger together.. I am stronger with you.”  Blue Shield, alongside the community of Bakersfield, recently convened for a town hall meeting dedicated to championing the cause of wellness. On the afternoon of November 19, 2023, members from every corner of Bakersfield gathered at the Greater Harvest Christian Center on 5421 Aldrin Ct., uniting to shed light on the significance of healthcare and the myriad advantages that a comprehensive health plan, such as Blue Shield’s Covered California, can offer to families throughout the state.

“Blue Shield’s mission is to ensure that all Californians have access to high quality health care at an affordable price,” she declared. Anderson went on to elucidate that Blue Shield stands as the sole statewide PPO across all California regions. This means that participants benefit from coverage through a carefully curated network of healthcare providers, including hospitals and physicians. Notably, Blue Shield California upholds a 2 percent pledge within its major health plan, capping its revenue income. Any excess beyond this percentage is reinvested to support local communities and members.

Stacy Anderson, the spokesperson of the afternoon and outreach manager for all matters related to Blue Shield, passionately shared the organization’s mission.

In the course of the enlightening seminar, Anderson delved into the multitude of benefits offered through Covered California, spotlighting the American Rescue Plan Subsidies provided by Blue Shield. This plan stands out for its inclusivity, catering to individuals working for themselves, small business owners, contractors, or those employed by companies without affordable health coverage. It ensures that people, regardless of income levels, can access healthcare at remarkably low prices, allowing them to redirect their financial resources towards other critical priorities, such as caring for their families.

“Experience care on your terms with a Blue Shield of California PPO plan. Crafted for members who value

their choice of doctors, specialists, and hospitals without the constraints of a referral, our Exclusive PPO Network boasts over 62,000 doctors and 320 hospitals. Blue Shield of California PPO plans offer the choice and flexibility you seek,” emphasizes Blue Shield. For many within the community, healthcare serves as a poignant reminder that not all plans are created equal. With Blue Shield, a spectrum of packages, encompassing medical, dental, and vision care, is available. Anderson underscored the pivotal role of mental wellness, stressing the indisputable truth that health is indeed wealth.