Walmart Ends Diversity Commitments as Trump Policies Stoke Division
By Stacy M. Brown
In 2020, following the global Black Lives Matter protests, Walmart pledged to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging. Its “Belonging” program promised associates they would “feel seen, supported, and connected” and highlighted that diversity would drive engagement and business success. Four years later, Walmart is reversing course, dismantling many of those commitments as the incoming Trump administration advances policies critics argue will deepen racial divisions in America.
Once vocal about promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the retailer announced it would no longer consider race or gender when awarding supplier contracts or collecting demographic data for financing eligibility and grants. Walmart will also review its financial support for “Pride” events and restrict the sale of products such as chest binders for minors, which were previously marketed as part of gender-affirming care.
In a statement, Walmart pointed to its corporate purpose: “Our purpose, to help people save money and live better, has been at our core since our founding 62 years ago and continues to guide us today. We’ve been on a journey and know we aren’t perfect, but every decision comes from a place of wanting to foster a sense of belonging, to open doors to opportunities for all our associates, customers, and suppliers and to be a Walmart for everyone.”
The changes follow efforts by conservative activists, including commentator Robby Starbuck, who has targeted major corporations for their diversity initiatives. Starbuck said his discussions with Walmart led to these changes and described the retailer’s decision as “the biggest win yet for our movement to end wokeness in corporate America.” Walmart has also discontinued racial equity training, ended participation in the Human Rights Coalition’s Corporate
Equality Index, and removed terms like “Latinx” and “DEI” from its corporate lexicon. The reversals align with the broader push from the incoming Trump administration to dismantle diversity programs nationwide. Trump has promised to eliminate federal DEI programs, dismantle protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, and penalize companies that prioritize diversity in hiring and promotions. His administration plans to enforce stricter oversight of corporate diversity efforts through the Department of Justice, targeting practices that allegedly violate laws barring racial and gender-based discrimination.
A Trump spokesperson, Steven Cheung, said the incoming president has made it clear that ending DEI policies is a top priority and that Americans have voted to favor these changes. Vice President-elect JD Vance has also supported efforts to abolish federal DEI programs and repeal Biden-era protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Proponents of DEI argue that such initiatives help companies hire and retain diverse talent and foster innovation. Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase and other business leaders have repeatedly emphasized that diversity benefits both the workplace and the bottom line. Despite this, corporations like Bud Light, Target, and Ford have scaled back or abandoned diversity efforts following boycotts and conservative pressure campaigns.
The rollback of diversity efforts comes as data reveals significant racial inequities in corporate leadership. USA Today reported that its investigation found that white men hold seven out of 10 executive officer positions at the nation’s largest companies, with one in seven of those companies having all-white executive teams. The lack of representation underscores the stakes for employees of color and marginalized communities as diversity programs face increasing opposition.
Experts warn that the rollback of corporate diversity efforts, combined with the Trump administration’s aggressive stance, could deepen racial and social divides in the United States. Franklin Turner, a corporate attorney specializing in federal contracts, said that while companies dependent on federal funding may adjust their policies under pressure, most are unlikely to abandon diversity efforts entirely.
David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at NYU School of Law, told reporters that the work would continue. “It may need a rebranding, but there is no universe where even the most hostile presidency is going to be able to completely eliminate an entire field of work because there are too many people out there who care about creating organizations that are respectful, that are inclusive, and where people have equal opportunity,” Glasgow remarked.
7 Questions for Incoming Black Caucus Vice Chair Asm. Isaac Bryan
By Joe W. Bowers Jr.
At 32, Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) has emerged as one of California’s most dynamic Assemblymembers.
As a former Assembly Majority Leader, Bryan has focused his legislative career on addressing racial inequities and systemic injustice, particularly in criminal justice reform, environmental justice, and economic equality. Now in his fourth year in the legislature, Bryan serves as a generational bridge within the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) as several longer-serving colleagues have left office due to term limits. In 2025, he will assume the influential role of CLBC Vice Chair and is expected to provide greater leadership on issues important to Black Californians.
Representing the 55th Assembly District, which includes both affluent and disadvantaged communities in Los Angeles County, Bryan’s legislative efforts have been crucial in passing policies that uplift marginalized communities, particularly Black Californians, while addressing long-standing systemic inequities. Recently, Bryan spoke with California Black Media (CBM). He reflected on his legislative efforts in 2024, the challenges he faced, and his vision for 2025. His responses have been edited for length and clarity. Reflecting on 2024, what do you believe was your most impactful achievement for advancing the interests of Black Californians, and why?
The first is AB 2716. It is a major win for environmental justice that addresses long-standing health and safety concerns for Black and lower-income residents living near oil and gas production fields. The second is AB 2906. That bill ensures that foster care children, many of whom are disproportionately Black, receive their rightful survivor benefits from federal programs
after their parents pass away. Previously, these funds were often redirected to county budgets. AB 2906 is a real game-changer for foster care youth. We’ve ensured that these kids, who’ve already faced so many obstacles, are not cheated out of the financial support meant for them.
As the incoming Vice Chair of the Black Caucus, how have your leadership and policy efforts helped address key issues impacting Black Californians?
Leadership is about bringing people together across racial, geographic, and political lines to make meaningful change. The Black Caucus secured $300 million in ongoing funding for California’s lowest-performing students, who are disproportionately Black. We fought hard for this funding, and it’s going to make a real difference in our communities, helping to close the achievement gap. What were the most significant challenges you faced in advocating for Black Californians, especially in navigating the complexities of reparations discussions and other policies aimed at addressing systemic inequities?
Misinformation and disinformation were huge obstacles in 2024, especially during an election year. These tactics have been used to divide Black communities and diminish their political influence. Another major challenge was navigating the state’s budget deficit, which threatened critical programs for Black Californians. We had to fight hard to protect programs in education, housing, and social services from severe cuts. When you’re dealing with a budget deficit, every dollar counts, and we had to ensure that our communities weren’t the ones left shortchanged.
What events or movements inspired you the most in your efforts to support Black communities?
Watching grassroots organizations and everyday people stand
Asm Isaac Bryan sharing a light moment while Dolores Huerta provides testimony June 11, 2024 (capitol photo)
up for their communities, especially when it comes to health and safety, has been powerful. It’s inspiring to see local advocates and community members not only speak up, but demand the right to live in safe, healthy environments.
What lessons from 2024 have shaped your approach to policy and decision-making?
The biggest lesson from 2024 is the importance of persistence. As leaders, we have to stay committed to the long game, even when the path is difficult. The fight for equity,
Continued on page A2
CA’s Rising Homelessness Among Aging Adults
By Antonio Ray Harvey California
Continued on page A2
“Thanksgiving
“That
“Now we need this as a movie where the father in laws hate each other and cause havoc during the wedding week,” one fan said.
Eric and Jasmin announced their relationship in June 2021. Their fathers first starred alongside each other in the 1992 romantic comedy Boomerang, before appearing together again in 1999’s Life. They’re rumored to be teaming up again for a remake of It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.
Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence first starred alongside each other in the 1992 romantic comedy ‘Boomerang’ (Getty Images) In 2022, Jasmine revealed to InTouch that it was actually her uncle that introduced her to Eric.
“It wasn’t even our dads, and they’ve done two movies together,” she said at the time. “They’re friends. I don’t even know. It’s crazy. But we met through my uncle, and we became really good friends. We bonded on a lot of things. Obviously, we have similar backgrounds, so we understood each other on a certain level.” Lawrence previously joked about Eric and Jasmin’s possible future wedding on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2022, claiming that he was going to “try to get Eddie to pay for it.”
Kimmel noted that Eric and Jasmin would make “a comedy super baby” — a sentiment later echoed by Murphy in a CBS Mornings interview last June, when he said: “Our gene pool is going to make this funny baby.” He also seemed pleased when he talked about the couple, saying: “They’re both beautiful, they look amazing together.” First
Popularly Elected Black Mayor in New England, Thirman Milner,
Died at 91
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Former Hartford Mayor Thirman Milner, the first popularly elected Black mayor in New England, has died, the Connecticut NAACP said on Friday. He was 91. Milner’s death was announced Friday afternoon in a
Has
income level or the neighborhood where they grew up – have access to a quality education that prepares them for success.” Milner was a descendant of enslaved Black and Native American ancestors, according to a profile of him written by The Associated Press in 2010 upon the release of his memoir “Up from
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
California Black Media
Biden Pardons Hunter, Sparking Republican
Outrage and Questions of Hypocrisy
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA
Newswire Senior National Correspondent
President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, has thrown the Republican Party into an uproar, exposing what critics have called brazen hypocrisy within the GOP. Biden justified the pardon as a response to politically motivated attacks, while Republicans, many of whom have stood by President-elect Donald Trump despite his extensive legal troubles, unleashed their fury.
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung accused Biden of undermining justice. “The failed witch hunts against President Trump have proven that the Democratcontrolled DOJ and other radical prosecutors are guilty of weaponizing the justice system,” Cheung said. “That system of justice must be fixed, and due process must be restored for all Americans.”
Trump, a 34-time convicted felon who has pledged to
pardon the January 6 rioters, quickly weighed in on Biden’s decision. “Does the pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!” Trump posted
on Truth Social. Trump also selected Rep. Matt Gaetz as head of the DOJ despite the Florida congressman’s myriads of legal woes that include allegations of statutory rape.
In an attempt to advance Gaetz’s candidacy, Georgia GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene declared last month that numerous Republicans harbor criminal pasts. Despite Trump’s 91 criminal charges, 34 convictions, adjudicated sexual assault civil conviction, and civil liabilities, Republican leaders took aim at Biden. Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona declared on X, “Biden will go down as one of the most corrupt presidents in American history.”
Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, who chairs the House Oversight Committee and has made Hunter Biden a central focus of his investigations, accused Biden of shielding his family from accountability. “Rather than come clean about their decades of wrongdoing, President
Biden and his family continue to do everything they can to avoid accountability,” Comer wrote on X. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa expressed regret, stating, “I’m shocked President Biden pardoned his son Hunter because he said many times he wouldn’t and I believed him Shame on me.” Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas claimed the decision would erode public trust in the justice system, even as Trump’s legal troubles remain unprecedented. In his statement, Biden pointed to what he called “raw politics” driving his son’s prosecution. “No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son—and that is wrong,” Biden said. He went on to describe the toll the years-long attacks have taken on his family. “In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me—and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough,” Biden declared.
Thanksgiving Bomb Threats Against Connecticut Democrats and Trump’s Rhetoric Highlight
Deepening Political Division
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Thanksgiving morning brought fear and chaos to three Democratic members of Congress from Connecticut, who were targeted by bomb threats as they celebrated the holiday with their families. Reps. Jahana Hayes, Jim Himes, and John Larson reported receiving messages about explosives at their homes, prompting swift action from local and federal law enforcement. Although the threats were ultimately deemed not credible, they underscored an unsettling climate of political violence and division that has gripped the nation.
“I was notified of a bomb threat targeting my home where I was celebrating Thanksgiving with my family,” Democratic Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes stated. After a rapid response by local police and the U.S. Capitol Police, authorities found no evidence of a bomb. Himes thanked law enforcement for their efforts and called for peace during a holiday meant for unity. “There is no place
for political violence in this country. I hope that we may all continue through the holiday season with peace and civility,” he said.
Rep. Jahana Hayes, also a Connecticut Democrat, faced a similar scare when Wolcott police received an email claiming a pipe bomb had been planted in her mailbox. Authorities, including state police and the U.S. Capitol Police, quickly investigated and found no explosive materials. Hayes expressed her gratitude to law enforcement for their swift response. “Their actions demonstrate there is no place in our country for political violence. On this Thanksgiving, I am grateful for my family and loved ones,” Hayes said.
Police also visited Democratic Connecticut Rep. John Larson after a bomb threat was reported at his home in East Hartford. Officers searched the property and determined it was safe. “I would like to thank the East Hartford Police Department for their swift and professional response in ensuring the safety of my family. I am grateful that my
colleagues in the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, who received similar threats, are also safe,” Larson said.
While investigations continue, these incidents are a stark reminder of public officials’ dangers in an increasingly hostile political climate. Many see the rise of such threats as symptomatic of deepening divisions, exacerbated by inflammatory rhetoric from political leaders.
As Connecticut’s congressional delegation faced threats to their safety, former President Donald Trump took to social media with a bizarre Thanksgiving message that some say further exemplifies the toxicity of the current political discourse. Trump shared a doctored video on his X account (formerly Twitter) depicting President Joe Biden carving into a turkey that explodes to reveal Trump dancing to the Village People’s “YMCA.” The video, spliced with fictional depictions of Vice President Kamala Harris and prominent Democrats, gained over 180,000 likes but drew sharp criticism for its provocative nature.
In addition to the video, Trump posted a Thanksgiving
message aimed at his political opponents. “Happy Thanksgiving to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who have worked so hard to destroy our Country, but who have miserably failed,” Trump wrote, adding that America would soon return to being “respected, productive, fair, and strong.”
The post drew immediate backlash. CBS reporter Kathryn Watson noted, “The ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ part gets a little lost in here.” Tennis legend Martina Navratilova labeled the post “an embarrassment to the whole world,” while the group “Republicans Against Trump” remarked, “He’s not even pretending that he wants to unite America.”
The threats against the Connecticut lawmakers and Trump’s inflammatory holiday messaging underscore the widening chasm in American politics. While families across the country gathered to reflect on gratitude and togetherness, the day was marked by acts and rhetoric pushing the nation further from those ideals. “There is no place for political violence in this country,” Himes said
Trump’s Narrow Popular Vote Victory Fuels
Questions of Mandate, Rising Emigration Interest
BakersfieldNews Observer
Adjudicated a Newspaper of General Circulation August 11, 1980, Kern County Superior Court Decree, Case No. 16964, Government Code 6023.
Bulk Mailing Permit 724 Bakersfield, CA 93385
Published By Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc. Corporate Office 1219 20th St. Bakersfield, CA 93301 (661) 324-9466.
Member of The National Newspapers Publishers Association, Associated Press, and The Better Business Bureau
President: Ellen Coley
CEO: Jon Coley
Publisher/ Editor: James Luckey Jr. Operations Manager: James Luckey Intern: William Clark Coley
Credo-The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accounts to every person, regardless of race, color, or creed full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as any one is held back. The Observer Group Newspapers reserves the right to publish views an opinions that may not necessarily reflect those of the staff and management and are solely the product of the responsible individuals who submit commentaries published in these newspapers. Letters, articles and comments appearing in the Observer Newspapers reflect the opinions of the contributor and do not constitute the opinion or endorsement by The Observer Newspapers or its staff. The Observer Group Newspapers assumes no responsibility for photographs, articles, letters, press releases and unsolicited materials. Decisions as to the editing and publishing of materials are at the discretion of the Publisher and Editors. All rights are reserved on materials accepted for publication unless otherwise specified.
Bakersfield News Observer Los Angeles News Observer The Valley’s News Observer 1219 20th St. Bakersfield,
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Donald Trump’s return to the presidency has ignited debates about his legitimacy and a surge of interest in emigration. While Trump won all seven swing states and secured the presidency, his share of the popular vote—49.83%—places him among the least popular modern American presidents. His 1.55% margin over Vice President Kamala Harris falls far short of historical landslides like Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1964 triumph, where Johnson won 61.1% of the popular vote.
And with a growing number of Trump voters expressing buyer’s remorse, many political analysts have questioned whether the election victory reflects broad public support for his policies. “If there ever was a mandate, this isn’t it,”
Georgetown University political scientist Hans Noel told MSN News. Earlier projections showing Trump winning as much as 53% of the popular vote have proven inaccurate and have added further scrutiny to claims of a sweeping mandate.
Cornell University professor Peter Enns, whose model accurately predicted Trump’s swing state victories, said economic dissatisfaction during Joe Biden’s presidency played a key role in voter decisions. “If this election can be explained by what voters thought of Biden and Harris and economic conditions, it really goes against the notion of a mandate for major change from Trump,” Enns told the Guardian newspaper.
Americans Explore Emigration in Droves
In the wake of Trump’s win, many Americans have
begun looking for opportunities abroad. Google reported a 1,270% spike in searches for “move to Canada” as polls closed on the East Coast. Queries about moving to New Zealand climbed nearly 2,000%, while those for Australia rose 820%. According to Google data, searches for emigration had reached historic levels.
Immigration lawyers across North America have been inundated with inquiries. “Every half hour, there’s a new email enquiry,” said Evan Green, managing partner at Green and Spiegel, Canada’s oldest immigration law firm. Green noted that clients’ concerns extend beyond Trump himself to broader societal divisions. “The majority of Americans voted for him, and some people don’t feel comfortable living in that kind of society anymore. People are afraid they are going to lose freedoms.”
High-Profile Figures Join the Exodus Several celebrities have also signaled plans to leave the United States. Sharon Stone intends to move her family to Canada, while America Ferrera is reportedly eyeing the U.K. as a new home base. Minnie Driver has announced plans to leave Los Angeles for the U.K., citing discomfort with the country’s political direction. Whoopi Goldberg, Cardi B, and Elon Musk’s daughter Vivian Wilson are among others expressing interest in relocating.
For those seeking guidance, destinations such as Panama City, Budapest, Belize, and Phuket, Thailand, are being recommended for American expats. The locations reportedly offer affordable living and pathways to residency.
Diaspora Citizenship in Ghana
In Ghana, the African diaspora is reconnecting
with its roots. On November 19, 524 diaspora members received Ghanaian citizenship during a landmark Accra International Conference Centre ceremony. The event, part of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with the diaspora, builds on the success of the 2019 “Year of Return” campaign.
“Your ancestors left these shores under tragic and inhumane circumstances,” Akufo-Addo exclaimed. “Today, we reclaim that connection by welcoming you as part of our Ghanaian family.” He reminded attendees that the initiative goes beyond symbolism, providing tangible opportunities for the diaspora to shape Africa’s future.
“Being Ghanaian is about embracing values such as respect, equity, and peace,” Akufo-Addo said. “These principles are at the heart of our identity, and we invite you to embody them as you integrate into our society.”
7 Questions for Incoming Black Caucus Vice Chair Asm. Isaac Bryan
Homelessness Among Aging Adults
and they still need these services.” In the policy brief, the CCoA presents seven recommendations to mitigate aging adult homelessness. They are exploring a statewide subsidy for older adults atrisk of homelessness; developing a state homeshare program; expanding ministerial approval for smaller assisted living facilities; reforming housing laws; expanding assisted living waivers; and funding community care suggestions.
Cheryl Brown (D-San Bernardino), who just completed a six-year term as chairperson of the CCoA, said there must be policies in place to “remedy the problem” of older adults becoming homeless in the state. The lack of accessible and available housing, healthrelated behaviors, medical problems, social isolation, and limited resources are some of the root causes of homelessness and poverty among aging Californians. Speaking on own her behalf -- not representing CCoA -Brown said more alternatives for affordable housing and services would provide a much-needed safety net for older adults in the state.
“We need to go back to square one and come up with some policies that would help older adults have options,” Brown said. “It’s a tragedy that these people have paid into the system (taxes, social security), and did it the right way,
For the last five years, homelessness among African Americans nationally and in California has seen a continued uptick. Black Californians are disproportionately likely to experience homelessness, according to the California Budget and Policy Center (Budget Center).
Black Californians roughly consist of 5% of the state’s population. However, they comprised over 1 in 4 unhoused people who made contact with a homelessness service provider during the 2021-22 fiscal year, according to the Budget Center’s “Who Is Experiencing Homeleness In California?” report.
“Long-standing racist policies and practices have also concentrated marginalized communities in undervalued occupations, increasing their economic insecurity which is a primary driver of experiencing homelessness,” the March 2023 Budget Center report stated. “We see this today as people of color are largely pushed into lower-paying occupations, the
Michael Jackson’s Thriller: A Legacy That Continues to Dominate Music and Culture
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
On November 29, 1982, Michael Jackson released “Thriller,” a record-breaking album that redefined the music industry and established him as the King of Pop. The album emerged in response to the 1980 Grammy Awards, where his critically acclaimed “Off the Wall” received just two nominations. The perceived snub drove Jackson to create a masterpiece that would command recognition and remake popular culture.
With hits like “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and the titular “Thriller,” the album broke boundaries and records. It became the first to produce seven Billboard Hot 100 top ten singles and remains the best-selling album of all time, with over 70 million copies sold worldwide. Certified 34-times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), “Thriller” is the only album to have spent more than 500 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart. “Thriller” also swept the 1984 Grammy Awards, earning a record-setting eight wins, including Album of the Year. The album’s impact was further cemented when it became the first inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. Later, the title track’s iconic short film was preserved in the National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The album’s success extended to its groundbreaking short film for the title track, directed by John Landis. Released in 1983, it revolutionized the music video format, combining cinematic storytelling with elaborate choreography. In 2017, the short film was restored in 4K and 3D, receiving a limited theatrical release in 2018. Its
re-upload to YouTube in 2022 coincided with the 40th anniversary of “Thriller.” Recently, the video reached a historic milestone, surpassing one billion views. Along with “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “They Don’t Care About Us,” Jackson now holds the distinction as the first 20thcentury artist with four videos crossing one billion views each.
Beyond its commercial triumphs, “Thriller” broke down racial barriers and reshaped the entertainment industry. It made Jackson the first Black artist to achieve heavy rotation on MTV, paving the way for greater representation in mainstream music media. The album’s global influence reshaped not just music but also fashion, dance, and the concept of superstar branding. In December, Let It Be Known News, part of the 197-year-old Black Press of America, will celebrate Jackson’s enduring influence with a special broadcast about “Michael Jackson ONE,” the Cirque du Soleil tribute to Jackson at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The program will include exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, exploring how Jackson’s genius inspires new generations of fans and how his legacy remains unparalleled in its reach and relevance.“Michael’s music transcends time,” Jackson Estate Co-Executor John Branca said earlier this year. “His legacy is a beacon of creativity and impact, reminding us all of what’s possible when talent meets vision.”Forty-two years after its release, “Thriller” remains the gold standard in music, with achievements unmatched and an influence that continues to shape the world. Michael Jackson’s masterpiece didn’t just set records; it defined an era and ensured his place as one of history’s greatest entertainers.
From Bach to Beyonce, Why a Church Orchestra Aims to Lift Up Young Musicians of Color
By DEEPA BHARATH Associated Press
ANAHEIM, California (AP) — For over two years,
Ebonie Vazquez searched to find a mentor of color for her son, Giovanni, now 11 and passionate about playing the violin. She has now found that space at a local church. New Hope Presbyterian Church, a multiethnic congregation led by a Black female pastor in Anaheim, California, started a string orchestra in April, welcoming students, including those who may have trouble getting into and paying for music programs. It's located in Orange County, which is largely affluent.
The Rev. Chineta Goodjoin said her church had a smaller strings program for several years. When Goodjoin’s daughter Nyla started playing violin with the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, founded in June 2009 by renowned conductor Charles Dickerson, the pastor grew determined to replicate the concept in Orange County with Dickerson taking the lead.
The church’s orchestra now has about 18 members ranging in age from 9 to 20, playing violin, viola, bass and cello. The orchestra accepts all students without auditions, and it's free. Like the Los Angeles group, the orchestra is also powered by mentors who look like the young musicians they help guide.
Ebonie Vazquez says it is empowering for students “to see themselves reflected in their mentors and teachers.”
“It’s important they don’t feel like outsiders, but are supported and feel like they belong," she said. "It has definitely helped my son connect more to the music and the craft.”
During rehearsal, when Giovanni started talking about music, the boy's eyes turned dreamy and his arms became animated. Even as his words gushed out in childlike excitement, they reflected the aura of an old soul.
“I just want to be able to express myself in my music and show that I not only have talent, but I also take my time, and I practice," he said. “You can change one little thing, one note, and the music will be totally different. You make your own thing.” Giovanni said that in the church orchestra, he could play classical music or he could chill with Imagine Dragons. He also plays violin in his school orchestra and with Dickerson’s Los Angeles group. He values being part of the church orchestra because “it’s a piece of our community.”
“They encourage young musicians of color and everyone gets a chance to play and maybe use it as a stepping stone to get better or even turn this into a career,” he said. Giovanni thinks it could be cool to play in Carnegie Hall. He pauses, then adds: “But honestly, I just want to play around people who listen to and value music. My favorite part is really to see people enjoy music." Melissa Bausley, a cellist who works in finance and volunteers as a mentor, said she often found herself alone
as a Black woman in this realm.
“I never had a teacher that was African American growing up and I didn’t think it mattered or made a difference,” she said. “But now, as an adult, I’d say there is absolutely value in being able to learn from someone who looks like you.”
Dickerson said he started the Los Angeles orchestra when he was approached by a group of students who yearned to play in their city and neighborhood.
“They would have to drive long distances to be in these orchestras where they didn’t know the other kids and felt like the odd ones,” he said. “The young kids from our communities were always put in the back row and the back row was right next to the door."
“It’s easy to walk out that door," he added, "when you don’t really feel accepted and when you know you’re probably not as skilled as the others who have a smattering of connections and have been playing since they were three.”
Goodjoin said she and her husband, Reggie Goodjoin, a jazz musician and the church's music director, envision an orchestra where “African American kids play classical music and play it well.”
“Not modified or watered down abridgements, but the real deal,” she said. “I like to say they play everything from Bach to Beyonce. We want them exposed to all genres.”
The children will play sacred and secular music as well as the work of Black composers, and the orchestra is open to children of all faith backgrounds, Goodjoin said.
“They learn the music of Count Basie and Duke Ellington and so many others who have forged the path — an experience they might not get in a mainstream school setting,” she said.
She believes the church is a great place to start talking about equity in music.
“We value social justice and equity and we believe we are called to help the marginalized, to set the captives free,” Goodjoin said. “And music is freedom.”
The pastor is already getting positive feedback from parents. One boy who plays the upright bass was about to quit playing because no one in his school orchestra looked like him.
“His mom said that when he came here, the pressure to play and compete was taken off and that it’s a delight to now watch her son light up feeling a sense of worthiness,” she said.
Carol Nealy, whose 9-year-old son Johnathan plays the violin, said the church has the ability to nourish the community — be it with food, spirituality or music.
“Because of this program, my kids are exposed to the violin. It’s no longer something untouchable or foreign,” she said. "It’ll have an impact for generations because their children will see their parents pick up and play the violin.”
Elizabeth Moulthrop, executive director of El Sistema, an international network of music education programs
that was founded in Venezuela, said she has seen similar programs run out of churches.
“Music and art have always been such an important part of the church,” she said. “It’s a natural place for expression of faith."
For those who aspire to advance in the field, such programs also offer access to life-changing summer music camps, college scholarships and connections to jobs, Moulthrop said.
Dickerson says the orchestras are an attempt “to add to the value of what we need in our community.”
“The goal is to uplift young people and give them the opportunity for a better life,” he said.
The Black Church has always served as a place where the community could come together, Dickerson said.
“It’s the one place in history where we’ve been able to assemble without interference from other cultures, so to speak,” he said. “The church started banks when Blacks could not put money in banks. They started newspapers when no one was prepared to cover our communities. We even started baseball leagues when we were barred from playing.
“If we can come together in the church and create a symphonic orchestra, all I can say is all praise to God.”
“A lot of young people feel like it’s not cool to carry a violin down the street,” he added. “But, when you play the violin well with other kids who are like you, social acceptance begins to emerge. You feel pride as opposed to shame because you’re not out there shooting hoops.”
Johnathan Nealy plays the violin as part of a string music program at New Hope Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Black Parents to Santa Barbara School District: Bullying of Black Students Must Stop
By Ethnic Media Services Staff
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – During Black History
Month in 2022, two 12-year-old Black boys were the victims of racist bullying. The alarming incidents happened at two different Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) junior high schools.
SBUSD is being sued by the victims’ mothers, who accuse school officials of not doing more to protect their kids in a city where African Americans have long been an extreme minority.
Over the last 50 years, Santa Barbara’s Black population has decreased nearly two percentage points from a peak of 3.27% in 1970 to about 1.37% in 2024, according to data from World Population Review. That decline in Santa Barbara reflects a broader trend across the state, which experienced a total loss of more than one million residents from 2000 to 2020, according to a study conducted by the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA.
In June 2020, in response to the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, SBUSD issued a “Resolution in Support of Black Santa Barbara Youth,” stating, “We do not tolerate hate or racism and must respond swiftly and decisively when we encounter intolerance, inequity, and bias on our campuses.”
Less than two years later, a Black Santa Barbara Junior High student was assaulted by Latino classmates mimicking the lethal police attack on George Floyd, their knees pressed against the victim’s neck. Within days, a Black La Colina Junior High student was bullied by a White student who made a TikTok video comparing photos of him and other Black students to monkeys and apes. The video, accompanied by an offensive song, was festooned with the N-word.
In their initial court filing, mothers Leeandra Shalhoob and Katherine McCullough argued the attacks were the culmination of a pattern of racist bullying throughout their sons’ years in Santa Barbara public schools. Shalhoob said that despite the district’s proclamations, school officials allegedly acknowledged, “We don’t know how to deal with this.” Blacks make up less than 1% of SBUSD’s student body, which is majority Latino (61%) followed by White students (31%). Asian American and Pacific Islander, Native American and students of two or more races account for the remainder.
Shalhoob and McCullough initially filed suit against the district in August 2022 seeking reform of SBUSD’s practices and compensation for the toll on their sons. Mediation efforts collapsed in December 2022. In February of this year, they filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against SBUSD. The filing requested unspecified damages and a jury trial. The case is still pending.
The mothers allege that despite the schools’ awareness of racist bullying, teachers and administrators failed to intervene, protect their children, adequately inform the parents or provide prompt and effective support for their sons.
“It’s difficult to put a dollar amount on wanting someone to do something right,” said Shalhoob. “I had to learn that often change comes from someone feeling like they had to pay for what they did wrong.”
She continued, “But more than anything, I just don’t want anyone at Santa Barbara Unified School District ever again to be able to say, ‘I didn’t know what to do.’”
Not long after the attacks, McCullough said that Gateway Educational Services, a Black women-led nonprofit learning center, and Healing Justice Santa Barbara, a Black women-led nonprofit, organized parents and children that spring to speak out at school board meetings about unchecked anti-Black racism in the SBUSD.
McCullough said, “There was a common outrage at the lack of transparency.”
In addition to complaints from other parents at the school board meetings, students talked about how regularly they were called racist names by their classmates, how they felt seeing racist slurs written on surfaces in the locker rooms, how they were mocked for their appearances and compared to animals.
In response to the public outcry, school board president Wendy Sims-Moten, pushed the district to independently audit the schools’ racial climate. The district hired an independent auditor to conduct
the assessment using surveys and 24 focus groups. The study participants included 585 district and school staff, 888 families and caregivers and 4,694 students. At the time of the audit, from October 2022 to February 2023, there were about 12,500 children enrolled in the district.
Among the April 2023 report’s key findings: students said school staff ignored and therefore normalized racist bullying. “It’s kind of normal to come to school and feel like it’s going to be a racist day today,” a student remarked in a focus group. “Students get in trouble for cursing, but not for using the N-word,” another said. Staff said they had no clear guidance for how to handle racist incidents. “Santa Barbara staff stated their immediate reaction in response to directly or indirectly encountering racism was to report the event to an acting administrator or supervisor rather than hold space to serve as the first line of defense against racism and anti-Blackness,” the report noted.
Shevon Hoover, who says anti-Black racist incidents have been an “annual occurrence” for her son the past six years, helped organize the push for the climate survey. “The only people that were really surprised [by the findings], I think, was the school district and the administrators, and quite frankly, the White teachers who are completely disconnected,” Hoover said. About 67% of SBUSD’s teachers are White. According
to a focus group summary of school professionals, many “expressed an uncertainty for whether or not their race or whiteness disqualifies them as individuals able to lead antiracist and pro-Black efforts in the district.”
Since the report’s release, the district has been working on several reforms, including an app where students can file reports as soon as something happens and staff training on how to effectively “recognize, respond and report” racist offenses when they happen.
“We now have a policy,” said Sims-Moten. “We have an oversight committee that is helping us guide many of the policies and the responses. And for the first time, we now have a procedure that talks about here’s how you respond. And here’s also how you follow up with families so that they don’t feel left in the dark when these incidents occur.”
Still, for Shalhoob and McCullough, these efforts are too little, too late.
McCullough’s son, who has dyslexia and anxiety, has struggled with serious depression since the racist TikTok video. She said his condition has changed the family dynamic with everyone on edge “because we know that [he’s] not a hundred percent stabilized mentally and emotionally because of the effects of this.”
Two years later, the kid behind that devastating video, and McCullough’s son are both at Santa Barbara High School. So are Shalhoob’s son and the kids who bullied him.
“There’s one main hall at Santa Barbara High School and for a couple of weeks he was dodging the main hall because kids would say, ‘I can’t breathe’ when he walked by,” Shalhoob said. “And still nobody’s doing anything.”
Worst of all, Shalhoob feels she’s failed her child.
“I feel like it’s just taught him like, yeah, that adult might love you to death and might want to make things better for you, but it’s just shown him how, excuse my language, but how f-up the system is.”
The idea that teachers would need special training in protecting Black kids from obviously damaging situations, like getting called the n-word, or dismissing kneeling on someone’s neck as “horsing around,” enrages Shalhoob.
“That’s what brought me the most anger. I don’t think you need training to deal with it,” she said. “You just need to be a human.”
This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
Biden-Harris Administration Moves to Expand Medicare and Medicaid Coverage for Anti-Obesity Medications
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
As the incoming administration prepares to enact sweeping changes to health policy, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s controversial appointment to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Biden-Harris Administration is addressing a critical health issue: obesity. A new proposal aims to expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage for anti-obesity medications (AOMs), potentially providing millions of Americans access to lifesaving treatments.
Obesity, which affects an estimated 42 percent of the U.S. population, is a chronic disease linked to increased mortality and serious conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Despite recent advancements in obesity treatment, including medications that can reduce heart attack risk and Type 2 diabetes, these drugs remain prohibitively expensive, often costing up to $1,000 per month without insurance.
The Biden-Harris proposal seeks to broaden Medicare and Medicaid coverage for these medications, reducing out-of-pocket costs by up to 95 percent for some enrollees. The expanded coverage could benefit an estimated 3.4 million Medicare beneficiaries and 4 million Medicaid enrollees. “This proposal ensures that Americans can access treatments they need to lead healthier lives without financial burden,” a senior administration official stated.
Kennedy’s Controversial Appointment Raises Questions About the Future of Healthcare
The proposal comes as President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to appoint Kennedy as HHS Secretary has drawn widespread criticism. Kennedy, known for his distrust of pharmaceuticals and promotion of healthcare-related conspiracy theories, has repeatedly criticized the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for what he calls its “aggressive suppression of psychedelics.” On his podcast, Kennedy described the United States as “the sickest country in the world,” blaming a healthcare system focused on “pills and potions” rather than building immune systems and promoting holistic health.
Kennedy has also advanced the debunked theory that vaccines cause autism, a stance that has alarmed public health officials. Even the New York Post, which has
previously praised Kennedy, warned that his confirmation could be disastrous for public health. In a 2023 editorial, the Post highlighted Kennedy’s claim that “all America’s chronic health problems began in one year in the 1980s,” calling his views both unscientific and dangerous. If confirmed, Kennedy would wield significant power to reshape the healthcare system, with much of his rhetoric on psychedelics and the pharmaceutical industry mirroring that of Elon Musk, who Trump has also tapped for a cabinet position.
Biden-Harris Administration Focuses on Affordable Healthcare In contrast, the Biden-Harris Administration continues to prioritize accessible healthcare. Since taking office, President Biden has strengthened Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act through measures like the American Rescue Plan Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. These efforts have already delivered significant savings for millions of Americans, including insulin price caps, free vaccines, and a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap for prescription drugs starting in 2025.
The proposal to expand AOM coverage builds on this record, aiming to address obesity comprehensively through prevention, treatment, and systemic change. The administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health has already integrated nutrition and obesity counseling into Medicare and Medicaid, targeting dietrelated diseases such as obesity.
Looking Ahead
As the U.S. prepares for a dramatic shift in health policy under Trump’s administration, the Biden-Harris Administration’s final actions emphasize reducing costs and expanding access to life-saving treatments. By broadening AOM coverage, millions of Americans could soon have the support they need to address obesity and its related health challenges. The Biden-Harris administration’s efforts starkly contrast to the incoming leadership at HHS, whose unorthodox views and conspiracy theories have sparked significant public concern.
“We can lower drug prices and improve health outcomes for Americans,” Biden stated.
SBUSD President Wendy Sims-Moten addresses Black parents during a Nov. 12 meeting, apologizing as a board member for the anti-Black racism their children have experienced in the district’s schools. “The pain I heard devastates me,” she said. (Credit: Peter Schurmann)
Who Gets Obesity Drugs Covered by Insurance? In North Carolina, It Helps If
You’re on Medicaid
By Melba Newsome KFF Health News
After losing and regaining the same 20-plus pounds more times than she could count, Anita Blanchard concluded that diets don’t work.
So when the University of North Carolina-Charlotte professor learned that Ozempic — developed to treat Type 2 diabetes — helped people lose weight and keep it off, Blanchard was determined to try it.
The state employee’s health insurance initially covered the prescription with Blanchard kicking in a $25 copayment. Over the next seven months, she said, she lost 45 pounds and lowered her blood pressure and cholesterol. The most significant benefits, though, were psychological.
“It stopped the food noise in my head, relieved my anxiety, and I was no longer drinking like a fish,” said Blanchard, now 60. “I’d have a glass of wine, and then that’s it.”
But North Carolina suffered from sticker shock as Blanchard shed pounds and thousands of others on the state insurance program — which covers more than 76,000 employees across 178 agencies, plus their dependents — tried to do the same. Ozempic and other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GPL-1) agonist medications accounted for 10% of the state employee health plan’s annual prescription drug spending, according to a North Carolina State Health Plan fact sheet. The state treasurer projected the class of drugs would cost the state more than $170 million this year, with costs jumping to more than $1 billion over the next six years.
“This exceeds the amount the State Health Plan spends on cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and chemotherapy medications,” the State Health Plan said in a March statement.
The health plan’s board of trustees eliminated coverage of this class of medications for weight loss starting in April. The plan continues to cover the drug for Type 2 diabetes management.
But in a twist this August, a separate part of North Carolina’s government allowed the Medicaid program to start covering the drugs for weight loss — not just diabetes — for the state’s poorest residents, who are
Still life of the big three injectable prescription weight loss medicines. Ozempic, Victoza and Wegovy. ( MICHAEL SILUK/UCG/UNIVERSAL IMAGES GROUP VIA GETTY IMAGES)
disproportionately affected by obesity and related diseases. The state’s Medicaid program covers more than 2 million people.
And now the outgoing Biden administration wants to follow suit, proposing on Nov. 26 for the federal government to cover the medications to treat obesity or Medicaid patients nationwide, in addition to Medicare patients.
Still, the North Carolina coverage change left state employees like Blanchard facing a stark choice — stop taking what she views as a miracle drug or pay as much as $1,200 out-of-pocket each month.
“They know diets don’t work long-term for weight loss, yet they are denying coverage for a medication that has been effective,” Blanchard said. “It’s indicative of a profit-driven mindset that is more about cost savings than prioritizing patients’ health.”
The coverage switch highlights concerns about the cost of these medications and ongoing questions about
who should get to have such drugs covered by insurance.
Several other states are also trying to reel in the expense of the medications. West Virginia canceled its pilot program to cover the drugs for its state employees. Connecticut state employees who are prescribed the drugs must participate in a clinical lifestyle management program.
The high prices have also raised concerns about the cost for taxpayer-funded health care programs, such as Medicare. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimated that coverage under the Biden proposal would cost about $40 billion over 10 years, including an extra $3.8 billion for states. But the requirement wouldn’t take effect until after President-elect Donald Trump takes office Jan. 20, giving his administration a chance to change it.
GLP-1 agonist medications, known by the brand names Ozempic, Trulicity, and Wegovy, have proved to be effective for weight loss as well as managing Type 2 diabetes. They work by triggering the pancreas to release insulin, slowing the rate at which the stomach empties, increasing satiety, and regulating appetite by sending signals to the brain to tell the body it is satisfied. But patients typically need to stay on the medications to maintain their weight loss, meaning they face long-term costs.
In clinical trials, patients taking Ozempic also showed significant reductions in cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes, even those without diabetes, or before weight loss started, said Duke University cardiologist and researcher Nishant Shah.
Making these drugs available through Medicaid is in the state’s long-term financial interest, said Kody Kinsley, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, which doesn’t oversee the state employee health plan. Unlike private or employer insurance plans, the Medicaid program receives generous rebates on these types of drugs, significantly reducing the cost, he said.
Calling North Carolina the buckle of the “Barbecue Belt,” Kinsley noted that state’s obesity rate exceeds the national average. The latest analysis from NORC research organization at the University of Chicago showed that 45% of adults in the state had a body mass index above 30, the threshold for clinical obesity, compared with 42% nationwide. That number was 55% for non-Hispanic
Black adults in the state. In addition, Kinsley said, with Medicaid the primary payer for long-term care, covering the drugs helps Medicaid’s bottom line by reducing the need for nursing home care often driven by unmanaged chronic diseases.
“We’re trying to put our dollars where they will lower costs in the long run,” he said. “I spend almost a billion dollars a year on obesity-related diseases. If I can reduce that spend by even 1%, then these drugs are a no-brainer.”
But what about people who aren’t on Medicaid? Duke’s Shah said the U.S. health care system needs to eliminate hurdles that make it difficult to obtain the drugs. Besides making the medication more affordable, he said, it should encourage the use of weight loss drugs and treatment of obesity as a chronic disease instead of stigmatizing it as a moral failing.
“Whether it is drug cost, conditions that require the payer to approve them, the patient’s health insurance plan, or the unaffordability of a plan that would cover weight loss, there are real-world barriers in our health care system,” Shah said.
Family medicine physician Melissa Jones of Charlotte said she has often seen a bias against people in her weight management practice when they try to get these medications covered by private insurance.
“There’s no shame in saying ‘I have high blood pressure’ or ‘I inherited this condition from my family,’” Jones said. “But for some reason, there’s shame associated with saying, ‘I struggle with my weight.’”
Although Blanchard can’t get her Ozempic covered anymore as a state employee, a concierge doctor gave her a
Homebound Seniors Living Alone Often
Slip Through Health System’s Cracks
“What’s
Program. “I don’t know,” she answered, so softly it was hard to hear. “Going from here to the bathroom or the door, I get really winded. I don’t know when it’s going to be my last breath.” Dickens, a lung cancer survivor, lives in central Harlem, barely getting by. She has serious lung disease and
high blood pressure and suffers regular fainting spells. In the past year, she’s fallen several times and dropped to 85 pounds, a dangerously low weight.
And she lives alone, without any help — a highly perilous situation.
Across the country, about 2 million adults 65 and older are completely or mostly homebound, while an additional 5.5 million seniors can get out only with significant difficulty or assistance. This is almost surely an undercount, since the data is from more than a dozen years ago.
It’s a population whose numbers far exceed those living in nursing homes — about 1.2 million — and yet it receives much less attention from policymakers, legislators, and academics who study aging.
Consider some eye-opening statistics about completely homebound seniors from a study published in 2020 in JAMA Internal Medicine: Nearly 40% have five or more chronic medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease. Almost 30% are believed to have “probable dementia.”
Seventy-seven percent have difficulty with at least one daily task such as bathing or dressing.
Almost 40% live by themselves.
That “on my own” status magnifies these individuals’ already considerable vulnerability, something that became acutely obvious during the covid-19 outbreak, when the number of sick and disabled seniors confined to their homes doubled.
“People who are homebound, like other individuals who are seriously ill, rely on other people for so much,” said Katherine Ornstein, director of the Center for Equity in Aging at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. “If they don’t have someone there with them, they’re at risk of not having food, not having access to health care, not living in a safe environment.”
Research has shown that older homebound adults are less likely to receive regular primary care than other seniors. They’re also more likely to end up in the hospital with medical crises that might have been prevented if someone had been checking on them.
To better understand the experiences of these seniors, I accompanied Gliatto on some home visits in New York City. Mount Sinai’s Visiting Doctors Program, established in 1995, is one of the oldest in the nation. Only 12% of older U.S. adults who rarely or never leave home have access to this kind of home-based primary care.
Gliatto and his staff — seven part-time doctors, three nurse practitioners, two nurses, two social workers, and three administrative staffers — serve about 1,000 patients in Manhattan each year.
These patients have complicated needs and require high levels of assistance. In recent years, Gliatto has had to cut staff as Mount Sinai has reduced its financial contribution to the program. It doesn’t turn a profit, because reimbursement for services is low and expenses are high.
First, Gliatto stopped in to see Sandra Pettway, 79, who never married or had children and has lived by herself in a two-bedroom Harlem apartment for 30 years.
Pettway has severe spinal problems and back pain, as well as Type 2 diabetes and depression. She has difficulty moving around and rarely leaves her apartment. “Since the pandemic, it’s been awfully lonely,” she told me.
When I asked who checks in on her, Pettway mentioned her next-door neighbor. There’s no one else she sees regularly.
Pettway told the doctor she was increasingly apprehensive about an upcoming spinal surgery. He reassured her that Medicare would cover in-home nursing care, aides, and physical therapy services.
“Someone will be with you, at least for six weeks,” he said. Left unsaid: Afterward, she would be on her own. (The surgery in April went well, Gliatto reported later.)
The doctor listened carefully as Pettway talked about her memory lapses.
“I can remember when I was a year old, but I can’t remember 10 minutes ago,” she said. He told her that he thought she was managing well but that he would arrange testing if there was further evidence of cognitive decline. For now, he said, he’s not particularly worried about her ability to manage on her own.
Several blocks away, Gliatto visited Dickens, who has lived in her one-bedroom Harlem apartment for 31 years. Dickens told me she hasn’t seen other people regularly since her sister, who used to help her out, had a stroke. Most of the neighbors she knew well have died. Her only other close relative is a niece in the Bronx whom she sees about once a month.
Dickens worked with special-education students for decades in New York City’s public schools. Now she lives on a small pension and Social Security — too much to qualify for Medicaid. (Medicaid, the program for lowincome people, will pay for aides in the home. Medicare, which covers people over age 65, does not.) Like Pettway, she has only a small fixed income, so she can’t afford in-
home help. Every Friday, God’s Love We Deliver, an organization that prepares medically tailored meals for sick people, delivers a week’s worth of frozen breakfasts and dinners that Dickens reheats in the microwave. She almost never goes out. When she has energy, she tries to do a bit of cleaning. Without the ongoing attention from Gliatto, Dickens doesn’t know what she’d do. “Having to get up and go out, you know, putting on your clothes, it’s a task,” she said. “And I have the fear of falling.” The next day, Gliatto visited Marianne Gluck Morrison, 73, a former survey researcher for New York City’s personnel department, in her cluttered Greenwich Village apartment. Morrison, who doesn’t have any siblings or children, was widowed in 2010 and has lived alone since. Morrison said she’d been feeling dizzy over the past few weeks, and Gliatto gave her a basic neurological exam,
asking her to follow his fingers with her eyes and touch her fingers to her nose.
“I think your problem is with your ear, not your brain,” he told her, describing symptoms of vertigo. Because she had severe wounds on her feet related to Type 2 diabetes, Morrison had been getting home health care for several weeks through Medicare. But those services — help from aides, nurses, and physical therapists — were due to expire in two weeks.
“I don’t know what I’ll do then, probably just spend a lot of time in bed,” Morrison told me. Among her other medical conditions: congestive heart failure, osteoarthritis, an irregular heartbeat, chronic kidney disease, and depression.
Morrison hasn’t left her apartment since November 2023, when she returned home after a hospitalization and several months at a rehabilitation center. Climbing the three steps that lead up into her apartment building is simply too hard.
“It’s hard to be by myself so much of the time. It’s lonely,” she told me. “I would love to have people see me in the house. But at this point, because of the clutter, I can’t do it.”
When I asked Morrison who she feels she can count on, she listed Gliatto and a mental health therapist from Henry Street Settlement, a social services organization. She has one close friend she speaks with on the phone most nights.
“The problem is I’ve lost eight to nine friends in the last 15 years,” she said, sighing heavily. “They’ve died or moved away.” Bruce Leff, director of the Center for Transformative Geriatric Research at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, is a leading advocate of home-based medical care.
“It’s kind of amazing how people find ways to get by,” he said when I asked him about homebound older adults who live alone. “There’s a significant degree of frailty and vulnerability, but there is also substantial resilience.”
With the rapid expansion of the aging population in the years ahead, Leff is convinced that more kinds of care will move into the home, everything from rehab services to palliative care to hospital-level services.
“It will simply be impossible to build enough hospitals and health facilities to meet the demand from an aging population,” he said.
But that will be challenging for homebound older adults who are on their own. Without on-site family caregivers, there may be no one around to
Physician Peter Gliatto visits Carolyn Dickens, a lung cancer survivor who lives alone in the one-bedroom Harlem apartment she’s had for 31 years. Dickens doesn’t know what she’d do without ongoing medical attention from Gliatto. “Having to get up and go out, you know, putting on your clothes, it’s a task,” she says. “And I
fear of
(JUDITH GRAHAM FOR KFF HEALTH NEWS)
By Judith Graham KFF Health News
Carolyn Dickens, 76, was sitting at her dining room table, struggling to catch her breath as her physician looked on with concern.
going on with your breathing?” asked Peter Gliatto, director of Mount Sinai’s Visiting Doctors
By Katie Dukes Director of Early Childhood Policy EdNC
“If you don’t have the child care in order for people to go to work, they don’t have the income to pay for housing; it’s this vicious cycle,” said Melanie Shaver, superintendent of Hyde County Schools in North Carolina. “So how can we break that cycle at the root cause?” Shaver is leading her district’s attempt to answer that question. Hyde County Schools is now offering universal pre-k to both 3- and 4-year-olds districtwide, at the Ocracoke School on the island and the Mattamuskeet School on the mainland, with the goal of expanding to include early care and learning for children from birth to age 2 in years to come. And the revived Hyde County Education Foundation — chaired by Shaver — is buying two sites to build workforce housing for teachers and other essential workers. It’s a project based on community needs and with community collaboration, and one that became more urgent after the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian five years ago. While Hyde County sits at the far eastern edge of the state and has its own unique geography, this project could be a model for communities in western North Carolina as they develop long-term recovery plans after the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene.
The housing crisis When Shaver took on the role of superintendent in 2021, she learned that most of Hyde County’s teachers would be eligible to retire within five years. “When you learn you have 60% ready for retirement, first of all, how am I gonna get these people, and where am I gonna put these people?” Shaver said of recruiting new teachers. On the mainland, Shaver said, affordable housing is hard to come by because a portion of the housing stock is inhabited only part-time, mostly by hunters who come to Lake Mattamuskeet seasonally. And on Ocracoke, many houses serve as second homes, and short-term rentals are inhabited by visitors only during the summer tourism season. The high price of homes and lack of long-term rental properties is a major issue for the island’s workforce, including prospective teachers.
“We are seeing fewer applicants,” said Jeanie Ownes, principal of the Ocracoke School. “One of the questions they always ask is, ‘Where can I live?’ and I do think that is deterring a lot of people from applying here.” Housing pressure increased after Hurricane Dorian destroyed dozens of homes and damaged many others in 2019. Sara Teaster, a member of the Hyde County Education Foundation (HCEF) Board of Directors, shared her struggle to find housing. Teaster had visited Ocracoke and loved it, so when a job opened on the island in 2019, she jumped at the chance to relocate full-time. Someone loaned her a house while she searched for a permanent place to live.
Then Dorian hit, destroying and damaging homes that had offered 12-month leases. Teaster said that some homeowners switched from offering those long-term rentals to weekly vacation rentals so they could recoup the costs of rebuilding. Then COVID-19 hit, bringing remote workers with higher incomes to the island, which Teaster said added pressure to the off-season rental market. Add to that the overall rising costs of homes, interest rates, and insurance
over the last five years, and the result is an inaccessible, unaffordable housing market for the year-round residents who make the island so appealing to guests. But Teaster said she got lucky. “Four months after I moved here, I was able to find a yearly rental that was affordable, and I lived there for four years,” Teaster said. “Loved it. Would have continued to live there, but the owner decided that they wanted to come back and live in their home.”
Almost 50 years old, Teaster moved four times in four months after losing that rental. She sent her pet to live with her mother out of state. She’s making it work for now by house-sitting while she continues to search for housing she can afford. And hers is just one story. According to Shaver and Owens, two staff members of the Ocracoke School left their jobs — and the island — because they couldn’t find permanent housing and were no longer willing to live in RVs and campers on lots that can cost up to $1,200 per month to rent.
The childcare crisis
Tekisha Jordan, the district’s pre-k administrator for the last 17 years, said that when Shaver came to Hyde County, licensed childcare was also hard to come by. The mainland has two programs: Head Start, which is licensed to serve up to 40 students aged 3-5, and Linda’s Childcare Home, which is licensed to serve up to eight students from birth to age 12. There’s also unlicensed childcare. “Basically, [parents] have relatives that care for their child, a friend that cares for them,” Jordan said. “And we definitely see a big difference when they reach pre-k since the childcare center closed, socially and emotionally.”
By the time Dorian hit the island, Ocracoke’s only licensed childcare program had already been closed for two years. Ocracoke Child Care was a high-quality nonprofit center that touched the lives of most families on the island. Alice Burruss, who previously taught pre-k and is now the first-grade teacher at Ocracoke School, served as the center’s assistant director starting in the mid-1990s. Both of her children attended the program during her 10 years at Ocracoke Child Care.
“While I was there it was so important for us to have [students] learn and not just be little kids that you’re babysitting,” Burruss said. “It really was a learning facility.”
But since the program closed in 2017, young children on Ocracoke haven’t had that learning opportunity. “We live in a space where there are very few places for little kids to socialize, get that interaction with each other,” Burrus said. She pointed out that there’s not even a public playground or park on the island.
“And then you walk into a classroom as a 3- and a 4-year-old with 15 other kids, and imagine how overwhelming that is for you,” Burruss said. Burrus and her colleague Amanda Gaskins Jackson, who teaches kindergarten and attended both Ocracoke Child Care and the Ocracoke School, can tell the difference between students who have and have not experienced early care and learning in a group setting before starting school, especially since the pandemic.
Along with Jordan and Owens, Burruss and Gaskins Jackson provided examples of how those differences show up in young learners:
Sharing Sitting in a circle on the carpet
Learning to trust adults outside of their families
Following group directions
Washing hands
Standing and walking in a line
Having independence from adults
Without the childcare center, students were simply less prepared to function in a learning environment with other children. They were missing out on some of the critical brain development that occurs in the first 1,000 days of their lives. “Instead of spending the time in pre-k where we would focus on fine motor skills, getting you ready for writing and letter recognition and all those prefoundational skills, now it’s we have to learn how to coexist together, and sit for a little bit of time, listen to a story without seeing it on a screen,” Burrus said.
Shaver called early childhood education “critical” and said, “It does make a difference with your kids. It makes a difference not only on their readiness [to learn], but their social ability and their emotional intelligence to be able to then come and transition into a school.” For children who have been affected by trauma like Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 — or more recently, Hurricane Helene for children in western North Carolina — stability is key to their healthy social and emotional development. “And so I think looking at early childhood is one piece of that root cause, but looking at that housing piece is another,” Shaver said.
Breaking the ‘vicious cycle’
Since Hurricane Dorian hit the island in 2019, the school district has been using the Ocracoke Child Care building as classroom space for their youngest students while the Ocracoke School was being reconstructed. As Shaver began to prepare for the Ocracoke School’s official reopening in 2023, she started thinking about how the childcare building would be sitting empty once again. And she was still wondering how she would hire new teachers when there was nowhere for them to live and no space to build multi-family housing units on the island, even if someone was inclined to do so.
Then she had an idea — maybe the empty Ocracoke Child Care site could be converted to workforce housing. Shaver realized that the HCEF hadn’t been used for 15 years, so she went about reviving it as a nonprofit entity that could address two crises at once by supporting the development of workforce housing and enhancing early care and learning opportunities.
The HCEF by-laws state: “The Foundation recognizes that due to the remote nature of Hyde County, and the housing shortage, the development of housing will provide both the Mattamuskeet and Ocracoke School communities and others the opportunity to partner with the Hyde County Board of Education and others in a common goal of improving public education by ensuring adequate housing.”
HCEF’s Board of Directors is made up of an equal number of mainlanders and islanders because, as stated in the by-laws, “the Board acknowledges that just as mainland Hyde may not know or understand all the nuances for Ocracoke, Ocracoke may not know or understand all the nuances of the mainland. Anytime a decision directly affects an area, an equal or majority number of board members from that area is needed for a vote.”
With the HCEF re-established and a new board in place, Shaver took the first step toward fulfilling its mission — Hyde County introduced universal pre-k for 4-year-olds when the Ocracoke School reopened in 2023. Because Hyde County Schools had already been providing NC Pre-K to eligible 4-year-olds, adding the rest of the
county’s 4-year-olds was a logical place to start filling the community’s early care and learning gap.
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Then Shaver went about finding members of the defunct Ocracoke Child Care Board, so they could start having serious conversations about the property by changing hands. She learned that board members had been holding out hope that the center would be able to reopen one day, and they remained passionate about their commitment to providing early care and learning to Ocracoke’s youngest residents. So, Hyde County Schools extended its universal pre-k program to 3-year-olds, to add programs for birthto-2 students in coming years. In addition to NC Pre-K funds, the district uses Title I funding and grants to finance the expanded Pre-K program.
Jordan described how parents on the mainland reacted when she announced that all 3-year-olds — not just those with special needs or on the island — would be eligible. “I’m gonna cry, but they was like, ‘Oh my God, thank you Tekisha!’ And I’m like, ‘No, oh my God, thank you Dr. Shaver!’” Jordan said. In its first year, the multi-age pre-k classroom at the Matamuskeet School on the mainland has 18 students, and the one at the Ocracoke School has 13. “The whole school benefits when we get them earlier,” Jordan said. “We take them at 3, they transition to 4, we get them ready for kindergarten. If there are any delays, it’s normally picked up in kindergarten. The kindergarten teacher and the pre-k teacher collaborate, sit in on IEP meetings, and then it just follows from kindergarten to first grade. The whole school benefits.” The district’s commitment to expanding early care and learning opportunities aligned with the values and priorities of the Ocracoke Child Care Board. Owens said it’s about more than aligned values, though. It was about doing what’s best for their neighbors. “I think us being so small, it truly is about community,” Owens said. “So, while we are talking early childhood education, it’s almost like, ‘Well, yes, they’re part of who we are, and we are going to take care of our littles.’ The Ocracoke Child Care Board sold their building to the district for $10. The Outer Banks Community Foundation and a local Occupancy Tax Board each donated $25,000 to help HCEF get architectural plans and cost estimates drawn up. Shaver identified a similar opportunity to develop workforce housing on the mainland at a shuttered 26-unit public housing development called Hycienda Heights. With 10 units planned for the Ocracoke Child Care site, the total estimated cost of purchasing both properties and converting them to workforce housing is about $4 million.
When asked where HCEF would find the money, Shaver joked, “Fish frys! And we’re gonna do a lot of bake sales!” She knows they’ll likely take out a loan for some of it, but the Board is also seeking philanthropic donations and other funding sources to reduce the size of that loan. “We’re willing to beat any bush, look under any couch cushion, meet with anybody who asks,” Shaver said. When the units are complete, HCEF plans to offer them for yearly rent to teachers first, then other essential workers who need time to secure permanent housing. And they’ll use any profits to make further investments in early care and learning, including opening birth-to-2 classrooms. “One of the reasons I’m excited about this Hycienda Heights property, if we can obtain that as well, is that it has a community center there on site that could be easily formed into that zero-to-2 [space],” Shaver said. The same goal exists in Ocracoke. “On the island, that’s kind of how we do things; we do take care of each other,” Owens said.
Students in Ocracoke School’s universal pre-k classroom for 3- and 4-year-olds walk in a line together toward the playground. (Photo by: Katie Dukes, EdNC)
7 Questions for Outgoing Black Caucus Chair Asm. Lori Wilson
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) was elected in a special election in April 2022 to represent California’s 11th Assembly District, which includes all of Solano County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties.
Prior to her election to the Assembly, Wilson was the first Black female Mayor to serve in the entire history of Solano County.
In August of 2022, Wilson was elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC). Her tenure ended this month.
In the Assembly -- and as CLBC Chair -- Wilson says she has prioritized bringing state services directly to individuals, local businesses, veterans, non-profits, and local governments. Wilson said her efforts focus on people and organizations that have needed help interacting with government agencies and accessing resources.
A native Californian, raised on the west side of Fresno, Lori is married to her high school sweetheart, Chavares Wilson, a retired Air Force Reserve Technical Sergeant. They have been blessed with two sons, Tyler and Kiren, a daughter-in-law, Brittney, and a grandson, Weston. California Black Media (CBM)spoke with Wilson about her accomplishments, challenges and lessons she learned over the last year. Responses have been edited for length and clarity. Looking back at 2024, what stands out to you as your most important achievement as Chair of the CLBC and
why? The End of Slavery Act -- getting that across the finish line and to voters as Prop 6. It was a central piece of our reparations legislative package. It failed last year at the very end. I was so disappointed. But it was good for me to experience that as a brand-new legislator. Just because something is moral and has values associated with it that are consistent with California’s values, that doesn’t mean people will vote for it. The other involves the bonds. It’s rare for a legislator to be a negotiator on two bonds – Prop 2 and Prop 4 -that made it unto the ballot for voters to decide during the November elections.
How did your leadership contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians?
Well, I think, for sure, there are so many of us; we’re disproportionately impacted by the carceral system, and so if we can get this language changed, I think it will make an impact to ensuring that Black Californians in the system have dignity as well as truly get an opportunity to rehabilitate.
On the education bond, I was instrumental in getting the add-on language for resources like school kitchen facilities to have more access to produce and farmers markets and things like that. As well as urban greening.
On the climate bond, I was instrumental in getting the agriculture section in there with a substantial number of investments. One particular area was to ensure our farmers of color are included.
What frustrated you the most over the last year?
My greatest frustration would be centered around the weaponization of people. Stakeholders in the community who are lobbying directly on bills when they’re not getting their way, or something happens, they go to the community with soundbites and try to weaponize the community against something that might be beneficial. There were a number of bills this year that were like solid bills, and it took forever to undo someone putting it in a negative light.
I think it’s frustrating in this political environment how much misinformation is out there.
What inspired you the most over the last year?
Always people. When people come in and share their stories. When they come in and share their hopes and dreams. Then, you know that the work that you’re doing is so impactful. Now, you have a person in mind that you’ve talked to, that you know, that has been helped. You know that the moment a bill is signed into law, someone’s life is instantly better.
What is one lesson you learned in 2024 that will inform your decision-making next year?
Behind my nameplate, there was a card there since 2015. Somebody wrote down a quote from Jerry Brown. And ever since I found this card on my desk, it’s just been ruminating. And it says, “the challenge is to build for the future, not steal from it.” That is such a profound statement. I’ve just been reflecting on it ever since.
In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians face?
Familiarity. People are so familiar with our struggle that they minimize it. Other people struggle, but ours is so
7 Questions for Outgoing Black Caucus Vice Chair Sen. Steven Bradford
When Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) was sworn into the California Legislature in 2009 as an Assemblymember, he brought with him a long and faceted
Ray Harvey)
record of accomplishments in both the private and public sectors.
From his experiences as a Fortune 500 corporate executive at IBM and Southern California Edison to earning his chops as the first Black Gardena City Councilmember, Bradford excelled in various roles before being elected State Senator in 2016.
In the State Senate, Bradford secured millions of dollars to support projects, programs, and institutions in his district, including Compton Community College and Watts Rising, a collaborative that advocates for affordable housing. Bradford, who is termed out next year, is also a champion of workforce development and environmental initiatives.
Earlier this year, he announced that he is running for Lieutenant Governor. Bradford, who served as Vice Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) until this month, says he continues to pursue and enact policies geared toward equity and fairness.
California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Bradford recently. He reflected on his current goals, his many accomplishments, disappointments, and lessons learned over the course of the last year.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
Looking back at 2024, what stands out to you as your most important achievement and why?
The fact that we got substantive legislation on reparations through both houses with very little opposition, despite the fact that one of those bills was vetoed and two, were not brought up on the floor for a vote.
I still think that’s a major success. We were also able
to secure $12 million in the budget, especially during a deficit year, to fund reparations initiatives. So, those things in and of themselves, were highlights – even if we did not get all the final
How did your leadership contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians?
I think my career overall has been about moving the agenda for not only African Americans, but those who’ve been most disenfranchised, not only by the State, but also by this country. I think my record speaks for itself when you look at the Ebony Alert law, the Bruce’s Beach settlement, or NIL legislation, that not only directly impacted people of color, specifically African Americans, but also helped all people with the challenges they face here. Also, a first-time low-income funding for internet and public housing - $30 million for that.
We secured $40 million for Allensworth, the historic Black-majority city, now state park, that was founded by Colonel Allensworth. The funding helped to restore that park two years ago. My record overall has been one of service and responding where is the most need.
What frustrated you the most over the last year?
The veto of my bill, SB 1050, and the fact that 1403 and 1331, two other reparations bills, didn’t even have a vote on the Assembly Floor, despite the fact that those bills made it through both houses with little or no opposition.
The fact that 1403 and 1331 didn’t see the light of day the last week of session, that was really disappointing. Especially when the entire Black Caucus supported 1403. And again, the bill had not been amended from the time it was introduced to the time it got all the way to the Assembly. So, I’m really sorry that, until the last couple of
days, they chose not to bring this bill up.
What inspired you the most over the last year?
The fact that we’re resilient. You have to keep hope. I don’t let one setback define the movement. We’re going to continue to fight, whether I’m in the legislature or not. And whether it’s a Black Caucus party or not, I think our colleagues are going to continue to do what’s right for all Californians -- but also have a lane for those folks who have been most disenfranchised here in the state and across this country. What is one lesson you learned in 2024 that will inform your decision-making next year?
Always be prepared for the double cross. I was told that almost 30 years ago by my mentor, the late Mervyn Dymally, former State Senator, former Assemblyman, Lieutenant Governor, Congressman. He says always expect the double cross because it will happen. We saw it this year. But again, you got to stay positive and soldier through. So that’s what we’re going to continue to do. In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians face?
Unity. We are, in many ways, moving forward but in a very fragmented way. As the African proverb states, “If you want to go fast, you go by yourself. But if you want to go far, go together.” However, we don’t have the unity that we should have. What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2025? To keep being a voice for positive change. Being supportive of impactful legislation that’s going to help all Californians, but especially those folks who have been most disenfranchised in this state.
Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), right, abstains from voting on SB 1327 while Sen. Bill Dodd, left, who was critical of the bill, votes in approval. SB 1327 proposed fees from major online entities to fund local newsrooms but never received a hearing in the Assembly.
(CBM photo by Antonio
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
Asm. Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) is greeted by ACA 8 supporters from across the state after the bill’s passage in the Senate. (CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey, June 27, 2024)