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Altadena Residents Rebuild
But Luxury Developers Could Stop Them in Their Tracks
By
Months later, the fires are out, the dust has settled and Altadena residents are looking towards their next lofty challenge of rebuilding the places that they have called home and the buildings that were the sites of dreams realized — but just as this next optimistic phase gets underway, a crop of luxury developers could be ready to grind things to a definitive halt. The signs were there of what is currently an ever-growing fear, as just one month after the Eaton fire ravaged the Altadena community the first vacant lot available, among the ash and debris, sold for a jaw-dropping $500,000 — which was $100,000 over the initial asking price. This was the start of the current obstacle facing Altadena residents hoping to rebuild their lives — leaving them questioning how they can go up against luxury developers rabid for real estate in the area, who are essentially pricing them out. In the months since the Eaton fire, 14 properties in Altadena have been sold and half of those properties were bought by real estate developers or investors, who quickly purchased land in the neighborhood via all-cash offers. There is also another troubling aspect, the majority of these buyers are from outside the United States, adding to the sentiment that money triumphs over the personal connection of loss and rebuilding something anew. This troubling economic strategy is called “The Shock Doctrine,” a term coined by author and activist Naomi Klein and also the title of her 2007 book about capitalism. It details how corporations and wealthy elites swoop in to take advantage of crises and push policies forward that solely benefit the wealthy — leaving especially vulnerable communities out in the cold. This predatory behavior has become so concerning that California Gov. Gavin Newsom
signed an executive order in January to safeguard home and property owners. “All those impacted by these fires, and especially property owners who have lost their family home or business, or even their entire neighborhood, maybe traumatized, uncertain, and especially vulnerable to exploitative practices of unscrupulous individuals who seek to profit from this disaster,” the executive order read. Additionally, civil rights attorney Areva Martin is advising Altadena residents to be extremely careful of exploitative business practices. “Do
not sign anything or accept offers from strangers.
Go through trusted friends and advisors, vet people, and seek personal referrals. Don’t fall prey to predatory lawyers or developers,” she said. A community so fiercely built on the hard work, dedication, and ambition of its residents, now faces multiple challenges ahead — proving that although the fires have burned out, the unfortunate flames of capitalism are burning brighter than ever.
Target Reels from Boycotts, Employee Revolt, Massive Losses
as Activists Plot Next Moves
By Stacy M. Brown
BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
Target is spiraling as consumer boycotts intensify, workers push to unionize, and the company faces mounting financial losses following its rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. With foot traffic plummeting, stock prices at a five-year low, and employee discontent boiling over, national civil rights leaders and grassroots organizers are vowing to escalate pressure in the weeks ahead. Led by Georgia pastor Rev. Jamal Bryant, a 40-day “Targetfast” aligned with the Lenten season continues to gain traction. “This is about holding companies accountable for abandoning progress,” Bryant said, as the campaign encourages consumers to shop elsewhere. Groups like the NAACP, the National Newspaper Publishers Association, and The People’s Union USA are amplifying the effort, organizing mass boycotts and strategic buying initiatives to target what they call corporate surrender to bigotry. Meanwhile, Target’s workforce is in an open revolt. On Reddit, self-identified employees described mass resignations, frustration with meager pay raises, and growing calls to unionize. “We’ve had six people give their two-week notices,” one worker wrote. “A rogue team member gathered us in the back room and started talking about forming a union.” Others echoed the sentiment, with users posting messages like, “We’ve been talking about forming a union at my store too,” and “Good on them for trying to organize—it needs to happen.” Target’s problems aren’t just anecdotal. The numbers reflect a company in crisis. The retail giant has logged 10 straight weeks of falling in-store traffic. In February, foot traffic dropped 9% year-over-year, including a 9.5% plunge on February 28 during the
24-hour “economic blackout” boycott organized by The People’s Union USA. March saw a 6.5% decline compared to the previous year. Operating income fell 21% in the most recent quarter, and the company’s stock (TGT) opened at just $94 on April 14, down from $142 in January before the DEI cuts and subsequent backlash. The economic backlash is growing louder online, too.
“We are still boycotting Target due to them bending to bigotry by eroding their DEI programs,” posted the activist group We Are Somebody on April 14. “Target stock has gone down, and their projections remain flat. DEI was good for business. Do the right thing.” Former congresswoman Nina Turner, a senior fellow at The New School’s Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy, wrote, “Boycotts are effective. Boycotts must have a demand. We will continue to boycott until our demands are met.” More action is on the horizon.
Another Target boycott is scheduled for June 3–9, part of a broader campaign targeting corporations that have abandoned DEI initiatives under pressure from right-wing politics and recent executive orders by President Donald Trump. The People’s Union USA, which led the February 28 boycott, has
already launched similar weeklong actions against Walmart and announced upcoming boycotts of Amazon (May 6–12), Walmart again (May 20–26), and McDonald’s (June 24–30). The organization’s founder, John Schwarz, said the goal is nothing short of shifting the economic power balance.
“We are going to remind them who has the power,” Schwarz said. “For one day, we turn it off. For one day, we shut it down. For one day, we remind them that this country does not belong to the elite, it belongs to the people.” As for Target, its top executives continue to downplay the damage. During a recent earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Jim Lee described the outlook for 2025 as uncertain, citing the “ripple” effects of tariffs and a wide range of possible outcomes. “We’re going to be focusing on controlling what we can control,” Lee said. But discontent is spreading internally. A Reddit post from a worker claimed, “The HR rep is doing his best to stop the bleeding, but all he did was put a Bluey band-aid on what is essentially a severed limb.”
Several employees criticized the company’s internal rewards system, “Bullseye Bucks,” for offering what amounts to play money. “Can’t pay rent or buy food with Bullseye Bucks,” one wrote. Others urged their colleagues to join unionizing efforts. “Imagine how much Target would lose their mind if they were under a union contract,” one team leader wrote. “It needs to happen at this point.” One former manager said they left the company after an insulting raise. “Quit last year when they gave me a 28-cent raise. Best decision I’ve ever made.” From store floors to boardrooms, the pressure is growing on Target. And as calls for justice, equity, and worker rights get louder, one worker put it plainly: “We’re all screwed—unless we fight back.”
The SAVE Act: A New Weapon Against Black and Brown Voters
By
By DAVE COLLINS Associated Press
performance of “Not Like Us” at this year’s Super Bowl, adding it to his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over the diss track and its allegations of pedophilia against Drake.
“The Recording was performed during the 2025 Super Bowl and broadcast to the largest audience for a Super Bowl halftime show ever, over 133 million people, including millions of children, and millions more who had never before heard the song or any of the songs that preceded it,” says the amended lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court in Manhattan.
It adds, “It was the first, and will hopefully be the last, Super Bowl halftime show orchestrated to assassinate the character of another artist.”
Although Lamar removed the word “pedophile” that’s in the track during the halftime show, the fact that it was omitted showed that “nearly everyone understands that it is defamatory,” the suit says. It also alleges Universal Music used financial benefits and leveraged business relationships to secure the headliner spot for Lamar at the Super Bowl, and promoted the performance.
“Drake’s amended complaint makes an already strong case stronger,” his lawyer, Michael Gottlieb, said in a statement. “Drake will expose the evidence of UMG’s misconduct, and UMG will be held accountable for the consequences of its ill-conceived decisions.”
This year’s Super Bowl and its halftime show were the most-watched ever, according to Nielsen. In a statement responding to the court filing, Universal Music, the parent record label of both artists, continued to deny Drake’s allegations.
“Drake, unquestionably one of the world’s most accomplished artists and with whom we’ve enjoyed a 16-year successful relationship, is being misled by his legal representatives into taking one absurd legal step after another,” the company said. “It is shameful that these foolish and frivolous legal theatrics continue.”
A spokesperson for Drake said in a prepared release that the artist is “holding the largest music conglomerate in the world accountable for its actions and doing so without fear.”
The amended lawsuit also adds that defamatory portions of “Not Like Us” were played at the Grammy Awards in February, when the single won five awards, including song and record of the year. The suit claims that Universal Music also helped secure the Grammy nominations and allowed the song to be played at the ceremony.
Drake sued Universal Music, but not Lamar, for undisclosed damages in January, saying the company published and promoted “Not Like Us” despite its false pedophilia allegations and suggestions that listeners should resort to vigilante justice.
The result, the suit says, was intruders shooting a security guard at Drake’s Toronto home and two attempted break-ins there, online hate and harassment, a hit to his reputation and a decrease in his brand’s value before his contract renegotiation with UMG this year. The amended lawsuit also adds more online comments indicating people believe the pedophilia allegations. Drake, a 38-year-old Canadian rapper and singer and five-time Grammy winner, and Lamar, a 37-year-old Pulitzer Prize winner with 22 Grammy wins, have been beefing for years. The feud is among the biggest in hip hop in recent years.
The two were occasional collaborators more than a decade ago, but Lamar began taking public jabs at Drake starting in 2013. The fight escalated steeply last year, as both launched diss tracks at each other, including Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”
“Say, Drake, I hear you like ’em young / You better not ever go to cell block one,” Lamar raps. In its motion to dismiss the lawsuit, Universal Music says Drake helped fuel the beef with his own inflammatory diss tracks aimed at Lamar.
“Plaintiff, one of the most successful recording artists of all time, lost a rap battle that he provoked and in which he willingly participated,” the motion says. “Instead of accepting the loss like the unbothered rap artist he often claims to be, he has sued his own record label in a misguided attempt to salve his wounds.”
Drake Kendrick Lamar
A fireplace is all that remains after a fire destroys the entire house. The rubble surrounds it (Photo by Brian Koester)
Danielle Jennings News One Special to BlackPressUSA.com
African American Mayors Set to Convene in Nation’s Capital for Landmark Conference
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) will host its 2025 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., from Wednesday, April 16 through Friday, April 18. This year’s gathering at the Omni Shoreham Hotel marks the largest annual convening of African American mayors in the United States. It will spotlight forward-thinking leadership, community empowerment, and development across America’s cities. Hundreds of city leaders are expected to attend, representing more than 500 African American mayors who serve over 25 million Americans in large and small communities. Under “The Power of Now,” the conference will feature high-profile appearances, policy discussions, networking opportunities, and a summit designed to cultivate emerging leadership.The conference opens Wednesday with a 2:00 p.m. kickoff session featuring University of Colorado head football coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders. Later that afternoon, at 3:30 p.m., the association will hold its “Power of Now” opening press conference. Thursday’s schedule includes an opening plenary breakfast at 9:00 a.m., a welcome luncheon at 1:00
p.m., and the Legacy Awards Session beginning at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Legacy Awards Gala at 7:30 p.m. On Friday, the Business Council Breakfast is set for 9:00 a.m., and the event will close with a 1:00 p.m. luncheon featuring Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. The Kevin Johnson Scholars Summit, an exclusive gathering for college students from across the country, will also take place during the conference. The summit offers an opportunity to engage with mayors and industry professionals on critical policy issues while helping students build networks and gain practical insight into leadership and public service.AAMA remains the only national organization exclusively representing African American mayors. It continues to play a critical role in advancing public policy that benefits diverse communities, providing leadership and management tools to local executives, and creating platforms for the exchange of ideas and strategies. “We are proud to bring together mayors who are on the frontlines of transformative change in their cities,” AAMA leadership stated. “This conference is not just a celebration of Black leadership, but a launchpad for the policies and partnerships that will shape the future of our cities.”
Tainted, Toxic, and Troubling: Recalls Spike Nationwide
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
It may feel like every day brings news of another product recall—from baby carrots and cold cuts to LED bear lights and adjustable dumbbells— and you’re not imagining it. The avalanche of food and consumer safety alerts is real, and it’s happening against a backdrop of deep federal cuts and deregulation under the Trump administration. For Black Americans and other vulnerable communities, the consequences of these safety lapses hit harder, from the dinner table to the workplace and beyond.
The latest food recall involves Panaderia Salvadorian Inc., which pulled its Quesadilla de Queso bread off shelves in Rhode Island and Massachusetts due to undeclared milk allergens. The product, sold in 14-ounce clear plastic packages, failed to properly list milk among its ingredients, posing a potentially life-threatening risk to individuals with allergies. No illnesses have been reported, but the Rhode Island Department of Health flagged the mislabeling during a routine inspection. The company cited a packaging breakdown as the cause and claims the issue has been resolved.
Just days earlier, Fresh Creative Foods recalled Trader Joe’s Hot Honey Mustard Dressing sold in 17 states due to undeclared peanuts, soy, sesame, and wheat—another oversight that could prove fatal for allergy sufferers. Meanwhile, Frito-Lay
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yanked select bags of Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips after discovering some bags contained nacho cheese chips, again with undeclared milk. Additionally, The FDA said more than 1,700 pounds of Cabot Creamery butter is being recalled because it is “contaminated with elevated levels of coliform,” a bacterium prevalent in animals’ digestive systems and excrement. The recalled butter is distributed in New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Arkansas. According to the recall notice, the Cabot butter product is packaged in cardboard shells holding two four-ounce sticks. The possibly tainted batch expires on September 9, 2025. Just as alarming is the recall from Walker’s Wine Juice LLC, which pulled its pumpkin juice due to potential botulism contamination. The New York State Department of Agriculture discovered improper pH levels posed a serious foodborne illness risk during processing. While no illnesses have been reported, the threat of botulism—an often fatal toxin—shows a breakdown in quality control. And it’s not just food. Recent consumer product recalls underscore mounting dangers:
Five Below’s Room2Room LED Iridescent Bear Lights were pulled after 28 overheating incidents, including six burns and two cases of property damage.
Vivitar Blender Bottles, sold at Target, could allow the blades to run without the bottle attached, posing a laceration hazard.
AliExpress’ LVOE Hair Dryers are under recall for lacking shock protection, which could potentially cause electrocution if dropped in water.
HONEYJOY Highchairs, sold on Amazon, violated federal regulations with their dangerous incline—posing suffocation risks.
Gerolsteiner Sparkling Water bottles from Trader Joe’s were recalled due to risks of cracking and lacerations.
Supercan Bulk’s Pig Ear Slivers pet treats tested positive for salmonella, endangering both pets and humans.
The Trump administration’s sweeping layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services— announced as part of efforts to “shrink the federal government”—have only fueled these safety failures. Among those fired were leadership staff at the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, essential for overseeing food safety, especially during crises like the ongoing bird flu outbreak affecting nearly 1,000 U.S. dairy cattle herds. Federal health officials have warned against the dangers of consuming raw milk, which could carry the H5N1 bird flu virus.
Still, Trump’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal proponent of raw milk, has slashed oversight capacity at a time when coordination is crucial. “You chop off the head of the leadership, and now we have to reinvent that wheel,” said one health official. “That’s not in our best interest.”The ripple effects of weakened federal protections are already being felt by millions, especially in Black
communities, which are more likely to suffer from environmental and health disparities. From the closing of community grocers to job losses in federal food safety and healthcare programs, many called the pain personal and pervasive. For consumers, the advice remains constant: Read labels, monitor recall alerts, and return or destroy recalled items. However, as oversight continues to erode, so does public trust in the institutions meant to protect consumers. “If your product is unsafe, it shouldn’t be on the market. Period,” said Dr. Janet Woodcock, former acting FDA commissioner, during a recent panel on public health accountability. “And when government agencies are gutted, the people paying the price are the ones least able to afford it.”
Pope Francis Dies as Catholic Church’s Reckoning with Racism Remains
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a global voice for the poor, immigrants, and the environment, died Monday at age 88. Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced his death from the Domus Santa Marta, the Vatican residence where Francis chose to live instead of the Apostolic Palace. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” said Farrell. “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.” Church bells rang across Rome as word spread. The pope had been hospitalized since mid-February with double pneumonia, marking his longest hospitalization during his 12-year papacy. Despite his declining health, he finally appeared before thousands in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, Francis was the son of Italian immigrants. A former chemical technician, he entered the Jesuit order in 1958, was ordained in 1969, and rose through the ranks to become Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and Cardinal in 2001. Elected pope in 2013 following Benedict XVI’s resignation, Francis quickly distinguished himself with a reformist tone. He rejected the papal palace and wore simpler vestments. He condemned economic exploitation, called for urgent action on climate change, and made the inclusion of migrants, the poor, and LGBTQ+ Catholics central to his mission. However, his papacy
also deepened tensions within the Catholic Church, especially in the United States. While Francis urged compassion and social justice, many American Catholics—particularly white conservatives— supported political figures whose policies ran counter to the pope’s teachings.In a February op-ed for the National Catholic Reporter, writer Alessandra Harris addressed the disconnect: “We are living in a time when self-professed Catholics are not only turning a blind eye to evil but have elected and are supporting President Donald Trump, who is against diversity, against immigrants, against the poor.” Harris cited a long history of racism in the Church, from segregation and exclusion in Catholic schools and neighborhoods to the silence of Church leaders during Jim Crow and beyond. She noted that 59% of white Catholics voted for Trump, writing that “the Catholic Church is once again siding with white supremacy or hoping to benefit from its proximity to whiteness at the expense of people who are Black, Native, noncitizens and LGBTQIA+.” Though Pope Francis spoke forcefully against racism, xenophobia, and exclusion, the institutional Church in the U.S. has often lagged behind his moral calls. “Trampling upon a person’s dignity is a serious sin,” Francis once said—a principle he lived by and preached consistently. Now, as the Church prepares for its next chapter, many are left wondering whether his vision of inclusion will take deeper root or fade with him. “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” said Cardinal Farrell.
The SAVE Act: A New Weapon Against Black and Brown Voters
democracy works.”Critics also point out that it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections — a crime punishable under law. Federal law mandates that registrants swear under penalty of perjury that they are citizens. Noncitizen voting is exceedingly rare, and courts have repeatedly blocked states from adding proof-of-citizenship requirements in federal races. The ACLU condemned the bill, citing its resemblance to a nowdefunct Kansas law that purged more than 30,000 voters before it was struck down in federal court. The group urged the Senate to reject the measure, which they say would destabilize election administration and disproportionately impact naturalized citizens, Native American voters, first-time voters, and those with limited access to personal documentation. The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) also slammed the legislation. “The SAVE Act erects a discriminatory barrier to the ballot while pretending to ‘solve’ a problem that does not exist,” said Janai S. Nelson, President and Director-Counsel of LDF. “Its true
purpose, rooted in fear of the multiracial democracy the United States can and must become, is to limit access to the ballot and stifle the political power of our increasingly diverse electorate.” Under the bill’s provisions, rural residents without access to government offices, married women whose identification does not match their birth certificates, and young voters without driver’s licenses would face some of the steepest barriers to registration. Studies show that only half of all Americans — and just one-third of Black Americans — hold valid U.S. passports. Nearly half of all Black Americans under 30 do not have a driver’s license with their current name and address. “The SAVE Act would cause nothing but harm to
Washington D.C. Capitol Building (Photo by Jordan Younce)
Portrait of Pope Francis (2021) (Wikimedia Commons /Photo by Samuele)
‘Sinners’ Surges Past ‘Minecraft’ to Lead Box Office
By JAKE COYLE
AP Film Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Brand names, not filmmakers or stars, are said to rule the box office these days. But Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” led by twin Michael B. Jordans, proved a bloody exception to modern movie rules, launching with $45.6 million in ticket sales in U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday.
“Sinners,” a Warner Bros. release that cost about $90 million to produce, was a bold gamble on originality — albeit with genre elements — and one of the most bankable American directors in Coogler. The “Creed” and “Black Panther” director wrote and produced “Sinners,” a 1932-set vampire movie about bootlegging brothers (both played by Jordan) who open a juke joint in their Mississippi hometown.
“A Minecraft Movie,” the year’s biggest Hollywood hit, followed close behind in second, collecting $41.3 million in its third week of release. That gave Warner Bros., after a handful of disappointments, an enviable one-two punch at the box office with one original, director-driven movie and one IP-based property.
“A Minecraft Movie,” which Warner Bros. coproduced with Legendary Pictures, has amassed $720.8 million worldwide in three weeks of release.
Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca, co-chairs of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, celebrated the two films’ resonance with moviegoers. The studio accounted for a remarkable 64% of the domestic box office for the Easter weekend.
“Movies have the power to transport us to worlds only seen on the big screen, and Warner Bros. Pictures remains committed to bringing singular in-theater experiences to audiences looking for bold movies, both original and those based on beloved existing properties,” Abdy and De Luca said in a statement Sunday.
But all eyes were on the performance on “Sinners,” which Warner Bros. went to extreme lengths to secure. Abdy and De Luca agreed to give Coogler not just a cut of gross ticket sales but ownership of the film after 25 years — a virtually unheard of concession.
But Coogler and Jordan, whose collaborations stretch back to “Fruitvale Station,” make up one of the industry’s most potent director-actor duos. Reviews (98% “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes) were
stellar for “Sinners” and audiences, too, were enthralled by its supernatural twists. The film earned an “A” CinemaScore from moviegoers.
Overseas, “Sinners” faced a more uphill battle. It collected $15.4 million in 71 international markets. Domestically, “Sinners” attracted a diverse audience: 38% Black, 35% white, 18% Hispanic and 5% Asian.
Before “Sinners,” dual roles had been rough business for Warner Bros. The studio saw flops in both “The Alto Knights” (a period gangster film featuring a doubled Robert De Niro) and “Mickey 17” (a sci-fi movie with two Robert Pattinsons). But the strong opening for “Sinners,” which should be sustained in the coming weeks given the strong word of mouth, cements Coogler’s place as one of a handful of filmmakers whose name draws big audiences. Another would be Jordan Peele, whose “Nope” (2022) debuted similarly with $44.3 million.
Angel Studios’ “The King of Kings,” an animated tale of Jesus’ life aimed at Christian audiences, capitalized on the Easter weekend, grossing $17.2 million in its second week of release. That was nearly equal to its opening weekend ($19.1 million), and brought “The King of Kings” to a domestic total of $45.3 million.
Bleecker Street’s “The Wedding Banquet,” Andrew Ahn’s reimagining of Ang Lee’s 1993 queer comedy of errors, opened on 1,142 North American screens with $922,906 in ticket sales. “The Wedding Banquet,” a hit at the Sundance Film Festival, stars Lily Gladstone, Bowen Yang, Kelly Marie Tran and newcomer Han Gi-chan.
Top 10 movies by domestic box office
With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:
1. “Sinners,” $45.6 million.
2. “A Minecraft Movie,” $41.3 million.
3. “The King of Kings,” $17.3 million.
4. “The Amateur,” $7.2 million.
5. “Warfare,” $4.9 million.
6. “Drop,” $3.4 million.
7. “Colorful Stage: The Movie,” $2.8 million.
8. “Pride & Prejudice” (2005), $2.7 million.
9. “The Chosen: Last Supper,” $1.8 million.
10. “Snow White,” $1.2 million.
By LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer
Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw didn’t realize she was going to make history on “Sinners.” The Ryan Coogler film, now playing in theaters nationwide, marks the first time a female director of photography has shot a movie on large format IMAX film. It was Kodak executive Vanessa Bendetti who texted her the news.
“I smiled at the thought,” Arkapaw said in a recent interview. “I felt very proud that Ryan gave me the opportunity.”
The format, a favorite of filmmakers like Christopher Nolan, has gained popularity in recent years — not just with directors but with moviegoers seeking it out as well. Coogler hadn’t originally sought it out for “Sinners” (he had planned on using 16 mm) until Warner Bros. executive Jesse Ehrman asked him if he’d considered large format, which gives moviegoers more resolution and a shallower depth of field.
“Just from an exhibition sense in this day and age with folks having so much access to streaming and watching so many things on their phones, it’s nice to have a format like IMAX that can be an
experience you can only experience in the theaters,” Coogler told The Associated Press. Coogler and Arkapaw then began a testing process, looking at 70 mm IMAX prints of films like “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “The Hateful Eight” and “Tenet” and consulting with Nolan and his regular cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema. Coogler quickly fell in love with the format and felt it was fitting for the larger-than-life, genre-bending film about vampires, the blues and life in the Jim Crow south in 1932.
“I wasn’t surprised that we were exploring large format,” Arkapaw said. “We shot ‘Wakanda Forever’ on IMAX, but that was digital. We always talked about true IMAX being ... something that you see and you fall in love with.”
Her conversation with Hoytema made her even more excited. The Oscar-winning “Oppenheimer” cinematographer told her not to worry about the size or weight of the equipment and to shoot the movie as she would with any other kind of camera.
“Hearing that straight off was inspiring and encouraging and we took that advice and just told our story,” Arkapaw said. “It was very freeing.” In the end, they decided to employ a combination of IMAX film and Ultra Panavision
70, an even rarer format that Quentin Tarantino resurrected for “The Hateful Eight.” This means different scenes have different aspect ratios, which Coogler himself broke down in a video explainer for Kodak.
“We’re using these two formats for the very first time,” Coogler said. “It really complements the story, it really complements the setting and it really complements the filmmaking.”
One of Arkapaw’s favorite scenes was one they weren’t even initially going to do on IMAX film because it was dialogue heavy and the cameras are notoriously noisy. But if her work on “Wakanda” taught her anything about Coogler, it’s that he’s always looking to push boundaries.
The scene is the introduction to Jack O’Connell’s Irish vampire Remmick and the Choctaw trying to hunt him down, which they shot like a Western as the sun sets in the distance.
“We had a lot of beautiful crane work in that and some intimate stuff. Ryan loves a hallway, so there’s a Steadicam shot inside. It’s very eerie,” she said. “I can’t see that scene in any other format now.”
With “Sinners” out now, the hope is that audiences will seek out the special formats where they can, whether it’s IMAX film or digital.
“We want to bring people back to the cinema, get back to theaters,” “Sinners” star Michael B. Jordan said. “I think this is a movie that’s meant to give for the moviegoing experience…it takes you on a ride.”
The profession has come a long way since Arkapaw started exploring cinematography as a career path. It wasn’t too long ago that she said she struggled to find many women cinematographers besides Ellen Kuras (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”). And while there are more than there were 20 years ago, there are still barriers to be broken, including an Oscar win. Only three have been nominated: Rachel Morrison (who worked with Coogler on “Fruitvale Station” and “Black Panther”) was the first for “Mudbound," in 2018, followed by Ari Wegner for “The Power of the Dog" and Mandy Walker for “Elvis.” Arkapaw takes the significance of her landmark seriously.
“I heard a phrase that said you need to see you to be you,” she said. “I think for us females in business, the more women are able to shoot on large format, it will inspire the younger girls who maybe don’t think that they can get there.”
These Four Bills Focus on Financial Compensation for Descendants of Enslaved People
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
Last week, California Black Media (CBM) provided an update on four bills in the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) 2025 Road to Repair package.
The 16 bills in the Black Caucus’s 2025 “Road to Repair” package focus on “repairing the generational harms caused by the cruel treatment of African American slaves in the United States and decades of systemic deprivation and injustice inflicted upon Black Californians,” said the CLBC in a release.
This week, CBM examines four more bills in the package -- each offering ways for Black Californians to receive restitution for past injustices -- from housing assistance and reclamation of loss property to fairer pay and the establishment of a state agency charged with determining eligibility for reparations.
Here are summaries of these bills, information about their authors, and updates on how far each one has advanced in the legislative process.
Assembly Bill (AB) 57
AB 57, introduced by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), would require that at least 10% of the monies in the state’s home purchase assistance fund be made available to applicants who meet the requirements for a loan under the home purchase assistance program and are descendants of formerly enslaved people.
“California has long been a leader in addressing historical inequities and AB 57 builds on that legacy by acknowledging and addressing the systemic barriers that have prevented descendants of enslaved people from achieving equitable access to homeownership,” said McKinnor in a release. “Homeownership is a cornerstone of wealth building, and this bill is an important step toward ensuring that this historically marginalized community has opportunities to close the wealth gap and achieve economic stability.”
Existing law requires budget allocation for the Home Purchase Assistance Program, which assists low- and moderate-income homebuyers in purchasing owner-occupied homes.
On March 26, the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee held a hearing on AB 57 and approved it with an 8-0 vote.
The Assembly Judiciary Committee is currently reviewing the legislation.
Assembly Bill (AB) 62
AB 62, also introduced by McKinnor, would require the Office of Legal Affairs, to review, investigate, and make certain determinations regarding applications from people who claim they are the dispossessed owner of property seized from them because of racially motivated eminent domain. The bill would define “racially motivated eminent domain” to mean when the state acquires private property for public use and does not provide just compensation to the owner due in whole, or in part, to the owner’s race.
“For decades, racially motivated use of eminent domain uprooted communities of color, stripping families of their homes, businesses, and opportunities for generational wealth,” said McKinnor. “AB 62 acknowledges these injustices and works to provide pathways for redress, whether through the return of property or equitable compensation.”
If it is decided that a person should get their property back or be paid for it, the bill would require the Office of Legal Affairs to confirm that they have the right to either get their original property back, receive a different public property of the same value, or be paid money as compensation.
AB 62 is currently under review in the Judiciary Committee.
Senate Bill (SB) 464
SB 464, introduced by Sen. Lola SmallwoodCuevas (D-Los Angeles), aims to strengthen the existing civil rights laws in California concerning employer pay data reporting. The bill mandates that private employers with 100 or more employees submit annual pay data reports to the Civil Rights Department. These reports must include detailed demographic information -- including race, ethnicity, sex, and sexual orientation --
pertaining to their workforce distribution and compensation across different job categories. Furthermore, beginning in 2027, public employers will also be required to comply with these reporting requirements.
“While the state has done significant work and made targeted investments to create greater upward mobility, our progress must be measured,” said Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. “Simply put, we don’t know what we don’t track. SB 464 expands upon existing pay data reporting requirements establishing greater transparency and accountability in these reports to ensure that we have adequate tracking and reporting mechanisms to guide policymaking and enhance existing programs.”
The amendments proposed by SB 464 are intended to enhance transparency in pay practices and address potential discrimination in compensation based on race, gender, and sexual orientation. By extending these requirements to public employers, the bill seeks to ensure that public sector pay equity aligns with practices in the private sector.
The Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Rules is currently reviewing SB 464. A hearing is expected to be held on April 23.
Senate Bill (SB) 518
SB 518, introduced by Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego), establishes the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery to address and remedy the lasting harms of slavery and the Jim Crow laws suffered by Black Californians.
“For generations, California upheld discriminatory policies and practices that denied Black residents access to land, wealth, education, and economic opportunity,” said Weber Pierson. “From exclusionary housing practices to barriers in employment and healthcare, these policies created deep racial disparities that persist today.”
Building on the findings and recommendations of the California Reparations Task Force, SB 518 would establish a state agency to verify lineage of eligible Black Californians and facilitate access to reparative justice programs. By ensuring that descendants of enslaved people receive recognition and targeted benefits in housing, education, and economic opportunity, this bill aims to take a step toward dismantling institutional barriers and advancing justice for African Americans.
SB 518 is under review in the Senate Judiciary Committee. A hearing is expected to be held on April 22.
Chavis Confronts Digital Racism and Demands Reparations at U.N. Forum
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior
National
Correspondent
National Newspaper Publishers Association
President & CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.
delivered a forceful address during the fourth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, calling on global leaders to confront algorithmic discrimination, reject media-driven imperialism, and fully recognize the crimes of slavery through official reparatory justice.
Representing the Black Press of America and media led by people of African descent around the world, Chavis condemned what he called “digital racism” — the growing presence of racial bias embedded in artificial intelligence and across digital platforms. He said the same systems that once commodified Black bodies are now being used to control and misrepresent Black voices in the digital space. “We, therefore, call on this distinguished gathering of leaders and experts to challenge member states to cite and to prevent the institutionalization of racism in all forms of media, including social media, AI, and any form of digital bias and algorithmic discrimination,” Chavis stated.This year’s forum theme, “Africa and people of African descent:
United for reparatory justice in the age of artificial intelligence,” guided a week of sessions and events hosted by the U.N. and its agencies. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) participated in multiple discussions centered on justice, recognition, and development, with Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem delivering remarks at the session’s opening. Chavis, a veteran civil rights leader and former NAACP executive director, said one of his key goals was to ensure accurate and direct language around slavery and its legacy. He pointed out that for the first time, the Permanent Forum is officially using the term “reparations.” He also called for the U.N. and its member states to update terminology related to the transatlantic slave trade, including recognition of chattel enslavement as a legal framework for understanding the denial of humanity. “We cannot trust nor entertain the notion that former and contemporary enslavers will now use AI and digital transformation to respect our humanity and fundamental rights,” Chavis told the forum. He proposed the formation of an international collective of multimedia and digital organizations that are owned and operated by Africans and people of African descent. Such
a collective, he said, would serve as a necessary counter to the racism and imperialism maintained by so-called mainstream global media corporations and technology companies.
Established by the U.N. General Assembly in 2021, the Permanent Forum serves as a consultative and advisory body to the U.N. system and the Human Rights Council. Its mandate includes providing expert guidance on combating systemic racism, contributing to the drafting of a U.N. declaration on the rights of people of African descent, and assessing progress from the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024) while shaping the next decade (2025–2034). Chavis’s appearance also focused on language deconstruction, especially in the Caribbean, where sanitized or inaccurate terminology has distorted historical understanding. The famed Wilmington Ten leader spoke of the importance of framing slavery as a crime against humanity rooted in the ownership of human beings. “Our focus is on reparatory justice, digital justice, and the dismantling of algorithmic bias,” Chavis said. “Basta the crimes against our humanity. Basta Racism. Basta Imperialism. A Luta Continua. Victoria est Cert.”
PepsiCo Meets with Sharpton Over
DEI Rollbacks, Future Action Pending
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com
Senior National CorrespondentRev. Al Sharpton met Tuesday morning with PepsiCo leadership at the company’s
on what we will do around PepsiCo moving forward, as we continue to deal with a broader swath of corporations with whom we will either boycott or buy-cott.”Sharpton initially raised concerns in an April 4 letter to Laguarta, accusing the company of abandoning its
California Capitol News You Might Have Missed Political Playback
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Gov. Newsom Approves $170 Million to Fast Track Wildfire Resilience
With wildfire season approaching, last week
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB)
100, unlocking $170 million to fast-track wildfire prevention and forest management projects -- many of which directly protect communities of color, who are often hardest hit by climate-driven disasters.
“With this latest round of funding, we’re continuing to increase the speed and size of forest and vegetation management essential to protecting communities,” said Newsom when he announced the funding on April 14.
“We are leaving no stone unturned --including cutting red tape -- in our mission to ensure our neighborhoods are protected from destructive wildfires,” he said.
AB 100 approves major investments in regional conservancies across the state, including over $30 million each for the Sierra Nevada, Santa Monica Mountains, State Coastal, and San Gabriel/ Lower LA Rivers and Mountains conservancies.
An additional $10 million will support wildfire response and resilience efforts.
Newsom also signed an executive order suspending certain regulations to allow urgent work to move forward faster.
This funding builds on California’s broader Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, a $2.7 billion effort to reduce fuel loads, increase prescribed burning, and harden communities. The state has also launched new dashboards to keep the public informed and hold agencies accountable.
California has also committed to continue investing $200 million annually through 2028 to expand this effort, ensuring long-term resilience, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Newsom Fights Back as AmeriCorps Shutdown
Threatens Vital Services in Black Communities
Gov. Gavin Newsom is suing the federal government over its decision to dismantle AmeriCorps, a move that puts essential frontline services in Black and Brown communities across California at risk, the Governor’s office said.
From tutoring students and mentoring foster youth to disaster recovery and community rebuilding, AmeriCorps has been a backbone of support for many communities across California.
“When wildfires devastated L.A. earlier this year, it was AmeriCorps members out there helping families recover,” Newsom said when he announced the lawsuit on April 17. “And now the federal government wants to pull the plug? We’re not having it.”
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration is behind the rollback, which Newsom calls “a middle finger to volunteers.”
Meanwhile, Newsom’s office announced that the state is expanding the California Service Corps, the nation’s largest state-run service program. AmeriCorps has provided pathways for thousands of young people to gain job experience, give back, and uplift underserved neighborhoods.
Last year alone, over 6,000 members across the state logged 4.4 million hours, tutoring more than 73,000 students, planting trees, supporting foster youth, and helping fire-impacted families.
The California Service Corps includes four paid branches: the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps, Youth Service Corps, California Climate Action Corps, and AmeriCorps California. Together, they’re larger than the Peace Corps and are working on everything from academic recovery to climate justice.
“DOGE’s actions aren’t about making government work better. They are about making communities weaker,” said GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday.
“These actions will dismantle vital lifelines in communities across California. AmeriCorps members are out in the field teaching children to read, supporting seniors and helping families recover after disasters. AmeriCorps is not bureaucracy; it’s boots on the ground,” he said.
Atty Gen. Bonta Commits to Fighting Trump Admin Social Security Cuts
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is pushing back against federal policies that make it harder for millions of Americans, especially seniors and people with disabilities, to access Social Security Administration (SSA) services.
Last week, Bonta joined 20 attorneys general in filing a legal brief against the Trump Administration and its controversial Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), which has slashed Social Security staffing, shut down field offices, and introduced chaotic policy changes.
For many Black Californians, Social Security is a lifeline -- whether it’s helping aging parents cover rent, providing disability support for family members, or connecting folks to health insurance through Medicaid. But with field offices closing and wait times rising, these basic needs are becoming harder to meet.
“This is about protecting our elders, our disabled neighbors, and everyone who relies on Social Security to survive,” said Bonta. “The Trump Administration’s reckless actions have made a broken system worse -- and we won’t let that stand.”
Since DOGE’s changes, advocates say call wait times have nearly doubled, online services are crashing, and seniors who don’t use social media are being told to check for updates on the social media platform X, which is owned by DOGE head Elon Musk. Field offices are being also being shut down even in rural areas where Black seniors already have to travel miles to get help, the advocates say.
Bonta’s office has launched a new website where Californians can report disruptions in SSA services. This legal action is just one of many efforts to protect the rights, dignity, and survival of California’s most vulnerable.
Report: Californians Are Losing Confidence in Schools as Black Parents Voice Growing Concerns
A new statewide survey from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) shows that Californians’ confidence in public schools and in how Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers are handling education has dropped significantly since the pandemic.
PPIC released the findings last week, highlighting the growing frustration across the state, especially among Black and Latino families.
Half of California’s adults say K-12 schools are headed in the wrong direction. Just five years ago, most Californians believed schools were improving. Now, only 50% approve of Newsom’s leadership on education, a sharp drop from 73% in 2020.
The survey also highlights that Black Californians are among the most concerned about key issues like chronic absenteeism, declining enrollment, and school funding. About one in three Black adults said absenteeism is a major concern, compared to just 14% of White and Asian adults.
Because school funding depends on attendance, these issues could have a deeper impact on Black communities, advocates point out.
Nearly all Californians agree that teacher pay is too low. Many Black and Hispanic parents also expressed growing support for school choice
programs like vouchers, signaling dissatisfaction with the current public school system.
Although California has a funding law that gives extra support to districts with more lowincome students and English learners, most parents surveyed said their schools are not asking for community input on how that money is spent.
The PPIC survey was conducted in both English and Spanish and shows that California’s school recovery efforts continue to face challenges. Families are calling for more communication, stronger leadership, and equity in classrooms.
For many Black parents and students, the message is clear: schools must do more to meet the moment and deliver on the promise of education for all.
Attorney Gen. Bonta and Gov. Newsom Fight Tariffs They Say Threaten California’s Economy, Communities
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Gov. Gavin Newsom are taking a stand against the Trump administration’s tariffs, which they argue are hurting California’s economy and disproportionately impacting Black communities.
The pair announced a lawsuit on April 16 that the state has filed to challenge these tariffs that have been imposed without congressional approval.
The tariffs, which President Trump began to issue on April 2 by executive order, have sent shockwaves through financial markets and are expected to significantly increase the costs for goods and services.
The economic toll is expected to shrink the U.S. economy by $100 billion annually and cost the average American family an additional $2,100 each year,” Newsom’s office warns. For California, a major importer and exporter, this means higher prices for everyday items and more challenges for businesses, especially small and minority-owned ones.
Black Californians, particularly those engaged in agriculture, retail, and small businesses, are facing the brunt of these impacts. As one of the nation’s largest exporters, California’s agricultural sector, which provides food and jobs for many communities of color, is now under threat. Retaliatory tariffs from other nations are only adding to the strain on these industries, which will likely lead to job cuts and financial losses in communities already grappling with economic inequality.
Bonta emphasized the importance of protecting California’s economy, noting that these tariffs have already led to significant disruptions, including rising inflation and higher living costs. “This is more than just an economic issue; it’s about ensuring that communities of color aren’t left behind when powerful forces in Washington make decisions that impact our daily lives,” said Bonta.
Newsom echoed Bonta’s commitment, stating, “We are standing up for all Californians, especially those who can least afford to shoulder the burden of these unlawful tariffs.”
Asm. Corey Jackson Proposes Safe Parking for Homeless College Students Amid Housing Crisis
As California’s housing crisis continues impact students, new legislation, Assembly Bill (AB) 90, promises to allow college students without stable housing to sleep in their cars on campus, offering a stark but practical solution aimed at immediate relief.
Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), a member of the California Legislative Black
Caucus (CLBC), is the author of the AB 90, which would require community colleges and California State University campuses to create overnight parking programs where students can sleep safely in their vehicles. With one in four community college students in California experiencing homelessness in the past year, Jackson says the state must act urgently.
“This just deals with the harsh realities that we find ourselves in,” he said at a recent hearing.
The bill passed its first committee vote and is gaining attention as housing affordability remains a top concern across the state. California rents are more than 30% above the national average, and long waitlists for student housing have left thousands in limbo. CSU reported more than 4,000 students on its housing waitlist last year.
Supporters stress that the bill is not a long-term solution, but a humane step toward helping students who have no other place to go. A successful pilot program at Long Beach City College has already shown that safe, supervised overnight parking can work, giving students access to restrooms, Wi-Fi, and a secure environment.
However, the CSU and community college systems oppose the bill, citing funding concerns. Critics also worry about safety and oversight. But Jackson and student advocates argue the crisis demands bold action.
“If we know students are already sleeping in their cars, why not help them do it safely?” said Ivan Hernandez, president of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges.
$4.4 Million in Stolen Goods Recovered, 383 Arrests Made in Statewide Crackdown on Organized Retail Crime
California’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force has recovered nearly 41,000 stolen items valued at $4.4 million and made 383 arrests since January 2025, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced April 17. The state-led effort, spearheaded by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), is part of a broader initiative to tackle the growing problem of organized retail theft.
“The CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force teams have demonstrated exceptional dedication and coordination, leading to significant disruptions of criminal networks targeting California’s businesses,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. In March alone, the task force recovered over $2.1 million in stolen merchandise and made 174 arrests. Notably, officers dismantled a major theft ring in the Bay Area, retrieving more than $779,000 in goods. In another incident, CHP used real-time tracking to apprehend a suspect in Lincoln who stole 137 beauty items, leading to the recovery of $19,000 in goods and discovery of $10,000 in store damage.
Since its formation in 2019, the task force has led over 3,700 investigations, resulting in about 4,200 arrests and the recovery of stolen merchandise valued at more than $56 million.
California law allows for felony charges in organized retail crime cases involving thefts over $950, which is one of the strictest thresholds in the nation.
Recent data shows that property crime in California fell 8.5% in 2024, while violent crime declined by 4.6%, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. As part of its ongoing commitment to public safety, the state has invested $1.1 billion since 2019 to support law enforcement efforts. Last year, $267 million was distributed to 55 communities to hire more police and strengthen criminal enforcement. Officials credit the progress to stronger law enforcement partnerships, focused operations, and ongoing public safety investments aimed at protecting communities and businesses.
Oakland Mayoral Race: Barbara
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
As a candidate for mayor, former U.S. Representative Barbara Lee released a “10-point plan” last week to reassure residents that she will tackle Oakland’s most pressing challenges. Now that she has edged out her competitors in the ranked-choice special election with 50% or more of the vote, the former Congresswoman, who represented parts of the Bay Area in the U.S. House of Representatives, can put her vision in motion as the city’s first Black woman mayor.
“I accept your choice with a deep sense of responsibility, humility, and love. Oakland is a deeply divided City,” Lee said in an April 19 statement. “I answered the call to run to unite our community, so that I can represent every voter, and we can all work together as One Oakland to solve our most pressing problems.”
As of April 18, Lee had secured 47,045 votes (50.0%), while Loren Manuel Taylor trailed her with 42,276 (44.9%) votes, according to Alameda County election results. Lee and Taylor were among 10 candidates who vied for the office after embattled former mayor, Sheng Thao, was recalled in November.
On Saturday evening, Taylor conceded to Lee. There are still about 300 Vote-by-Mail ballots left to be verified, according to county election officials. The ballots will be processed on April 21 and April 22.
“This morning, I called Congresswoman Barbara Lee to congratulate her on becoming the next Mayor of Oakland,” Taylor said in a statement.
“I pray that Mayor-Elect Lee fulfills her commitment to unify Oakland by authentically engaging the 47% of Oaklanders who voted for me and who want pragmatic, results-driven leadership.”
The influential Oakland Post endorsed Lee’s campaign, commending her leadership on the local, state, and federal levels.
Paul Cobb, The Post’s publisher, told California Black Media that Lee will bring back “respect and accountability” to the mayor’s office.
“She is going to be a collegial leader drawing on the advice of community nonprofit organizations and those who have experience in dealing with various issues,” Cobb said. “She’s going to try to do a consensus-building thing among those who know the present problems that face the city.”
Cobb continued, “I also think she has the one thing that the previous leaders didn’t – the willingness to want to work with (Alameda) county to solve social issues like homelessness and housing because the county has the resources and the budget.”
Born in El Paso, Texas, Lee’s family moved to California while she was in high school. At 20 years old, Lee divorced her husband after the birth of her first child. After the split, Lee went through a tough period, becoming homeless and having to apply for public assistance to make ends meet.
But destitution did not deter the young woman. Lee groomed herself to become an activist and advocate in Oakland and committed to standing up for the most vulnerable citizens in her community.
Lee traveled to Washington, D.C. to work for then
U.S. Congressman Ron Dellums after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mills College in Oakland in 1973. Lee later won a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) fellowship to attend the School of Social Welfare, and she earned a Master of Social Work from the University of California-Berkeley in 1975. Lee later served in the California State Assembly
and State Senate before she was elected to Congress in 1998 to represent California’s 9th District, which includes parts of Berkeley and Oakland.
After serving in the U.S. Congress for more than 25 years, Lee ran unsuccessfully for California’s U.S. Senate in the 2024 primary election.
Lee joins current Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass and former San Francisco Mayor London Breed as Black women serving as chief executives of major cities in California over the last few years.
“For the past 100 days -- as I have for the past 30 years -- I worked hard every day to continue to earn your trust, your respect, and your vote,” Lee said in the April 19 press release. “I couldn’t be prouder of the margin of our collective win and our amazing coalition.”
In an April 10 press release, Lee said she expects to improve public safety, find effective solutions to address homelessness, and revitalize the city’s economic state in her first 100 days in office.
According to the United States Census, Oakland’s population was 436,504 in July 2023, a decrease of 4,165 since April 2020. The Black population makes up 21.1% of the city’s residents compared to the city of Los Angeles’s 8.5%. As it has all over the state, homelessness has risen considerably in Oakland over the last decade.
Cobb said that Lee’s work governing will take patience from the community. She not only has to repair the city’s image but also, “like the Betty Wright song, ‘Cleanup Woman,’ she’ll have to clean up the mess that was left behind,” Cobb said.
“That’s the role of Black women in politics –arriving to clean up the mess that was left by others,” Cobb said. “But I believe she can do both, repair and clean up some of the internal bureaucratic messes, while branching out to
Barbara Lee
Bakersfield to the Big Stage: Coach John Bonner Leads Toros to Historic Season
By Akasia Jackson
Contributing
Writer
John Bonner’s journey from high school athlete in Bakersfield to head coach of a nationally ranked college team is a story of resilience, mentorship, and vision. Bonner, a West High School graduate, got his start coaching middle school boys before moving up the ranks to positions at Fresno State and Fresno Pacific. His break came when he was named interim coach for Cal State Dominguez Hills women’s basketball. After just one season, he was promoted to head coach—and for the past six years, he’s been building something special.
This year, Bonner’s team made history, finishing with a 36-2 record and earning a spot in the Division II National Championship game.
“We expect our players to give energy and effort,” Bonner said. “That’s our standard.”
His coaching philosophy extends beyond the court. Bonner emphasizes respect, character, and what he calls “cultural grace”—values that guide both individual behavior and team dynamics.
A Culture of Excellence
Senior guard Nala Williams has thrived under Bonner’s leadership. Averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 4.1 steals per game, she earned multiple accolades including D2 National
Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
“Coach Bonner’s style is intense but intentional,” Williams said. “He focuses on rebounding, defense, and teamwork, and it helps us play as a unit.”
She also credits his infectious energy for keeping the team motivated throughout their long postseason run.
Championship Mindset Forward Asia Jordan echoed that sentiment.
With 12.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, Jordan was named MVP of both the conference and regional tournaments.
Jordan described the season as “nothing short of amazing,” attributing their chemistry and camaraderie to a shared belief in their coach’s vision.
Although the team came up just short in the national title game, the Toros’ remarkable season has put Cal State Dominguez Hills on the map— and Bonner’s leadership at the center of it.
“As a coach, you always support your players’ goals,” Bonner said. “I’m proud of what we accomplished together.”
“Coach Bonner studies the game constantly,” she said. “We all bought into his system—and that made us successful.”
California Rideshare Drivers and Supporters Step Up Push to Unionize
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
On July 5, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into federal law the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Also known as the “Wagner Act,” the law paved the way for employees to have “the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations,” and “to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, according to the legislation’s language. Today in California, over 600,000 rideshare drivers want the ability to form or join unions for the sole purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid and protection. It’s a right, and recently at the State Capitol, a large number of people, including some rideshare drivers and others working in the gig economy, reaffirmed that they want to exercise it.
On April 8, the rideshare drivers held a rally with lawmakers to garner support for Assembly Bill (AB) 1340, the “Transportation Network Company Drivers (TNC) Labor Relations Act.”
Authored by Assemblymembers Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) and Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), AB 1340 would allow drivers to create a union and negotiate contracts with industry leaders like Uber and Lyft.
“All work has dignity, and every worker deserves
a voice -- especially in these uncertain times,” Wicks said at the rally. “AB 1340 empowers drivers with the choice to join a union and negotiate for better wages, benefits, and protections. When workers stand together, they are one of the most powerful forces for justice in California.”
Wicks and Berman were joined by three members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC): Assemblymembers Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), Sade Elhawary (D-Los Angeles), and Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights).
Yvonne Wheeler, president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor; April Verrett, President of Service Employees International Union (SEIU); Tia Orr, Executive Director of SEIU; and a host of others participated in the demonstration on the grounds of the state capitol.
“This is not a gig. This is your life. This is your job,” Bryan said at the rally. “When we organize and fight for our collective needs, it pulls from the people who have so much that they don’t know what to do with it and puts it in the hands of people who are struggling every single day.”
Existing law, the “Protect App-Based Drivers and Services Act,” created by Proposition (Prop) 22, a ballot initiative, categorizes app-based drivers for companies such as Uber and Lyft as independent contractors.
Prop 22 was approved by voters in the November 2020 statewide general election. Since then, Prop 22 has been in court facing challenges from groups trying to overturn it.
However, last July, Prop 22 was upheld by the California Supreme Court last July.
In a 2024, statement after the ruling, Lyft stated that 80% of the rideshare drivers they surveyed acknowledged that Prop 22 “was good for them” and “median hourly earnings of drivers on the Lyft platform in California were 22% higher in 2023 than in 2019.”
“We are thrilled that the California Supreme Court unanimously upheld the democratic will of the voters and did what’s right for California’s communities and economy. Prop. 22 was overwhelmingly passed by nearly 10 million California voters, and the effort to pass it was supported by more than 120,000 drivers and 140 community groups and organizations.
Wicks and Berman crafted AB 1340 to circumvent Prop 22. AB 1340, if it becomes law, would provide that Transportation Network Companies (TNC) drivers also have the right to refuse to join or participate in the activities of TNC driver organizations. The bill would require the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to
enforce these provisions.
“With AB 1340, we are putting power in the hands of hundreds of thousands of workers to raise the bar in their industry and create a model for an equitable and innovative partnership in the tech sector,” Berman said.
In July 2024, Uber and Lyft drivers in the state of Massachusetts launched a first-of-its-kind ballot initiative to earn union rights in the rideshare industry. The ballot measure was passed by the voters in the 2024 General Election. AB 1340 would also provide the following provisions: the prevention of wage theft from drivers, including tips; the outlawing of “Robofirings,” where drivers are deactivated by algorithm; and the elimination of rideshare companies’ pricing practices, where riders are sometimes charged higher prices, but the drivers are still paid pre-set rates.
“By coming off a groundbreaking organizing win for drivers in Massachusetts, gig workers’ momentum is powerful and growing,” Wheeler said.
“With California’s labor movement united behind drivers’ demand for the choice to form their union, we’re well on our way to growing the union strength needed to deliver what working people demand -- fair wages, safe working conditions, and the opportunity to create a better life for our kids.”
