Los Angeles News Observer 3.16.23

Ruth E. Carter Becomes First Black Woman to Win 2 Oscars

News Observer One!Take

Actor Mike Epps Apologizes after TSA Seizes Gun at Airport

By Earl Heath

Contributing

Sports Writer

Toros Claim Western Regional Title

March Madness is in full bloom in Carson, California as Cal State Dominguez Hills wrapped up the Women’s NCAA Division II Western Regionals title.

The top seeded Toro’s knocked off the #3 seeded Cal State University San Marcos 73-51 at the Torodome.

The win sends the Toro’s to St. Joseph, Missouri for an eight-team tournament that takes place March 20th-22nd. The two top teams will head to Dallas April 1st to play for the National Championship.

Dawnyell Lair had a double-double scoring 13 points and grabbing a game high 11 rebounds.

Asia Jordan poured in a game high 19 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the charge after the Toros were in constant foul trouble during the first half of play. The sophomore sensation from Lakewood High stepped up big time and was named West Regional Most Outstanding Player.

Lair asserted herself after halftime and showed why she was named the CCAA Player of the Year and CCAA Defensive Player of the Year. The former Fairfax standout scored eight points in 90 seconds to give the Toros a 37-31 lead.  That pumped up her teammates leading to the first double-figure lead of the game at 48-38 on a Jordan layup with four seconds left in the quarter.

All-Tournament selection Charity Gallegos scored seven-straight points to bring CSUSM to within 10 at 55-45 with 4:30 left in regulation. The Toros were just to strong as they out-rebounded the Cougars 51 to 29, including 23 on the offensive end, leading to 50 points in the paint.

The victory allowed the Toros to reach the 31-win plateau for the first time in school history. They have also won three games in a regional for the first time in program history played in the NCAA West Region final.

“I am extremely proud of this team,” said head coach John Bonner.  “They are a bunch of hungry, helpful, and humble young women who are doing all they can to make sure their imprint on the university is set in stone.”

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Actor and comedian Mike Epps has apologized to fans after security screeners found a gun in a carry-on bag at Indianapolis International Airport.Agents from the Transportation Security Administration called airport police Sunday morning after finding a Smith & Wesson .38-caliber pistol loaded with four rounds in Epps’ backpack. Epps, an Indianapolis native who was in town for a comedy show at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, was not arrested, but police took the firearm.

In a a video posted on his Instagram account, Epps told fans he “had a long night” in his hometown and forgot about the firearm. He said he carries a gun for protection.“Shoutout to all my fans out there and wanna apologize if you’re seeing any negativity about a gun charge at an airport. I had a long night, I had a show in my hometown and I literally forgot that I had my pistol in my bag,’’ Epps said in the video.

‘’Now if you wanna know why I carry a gun, I carry money all the time, I be having jewelry on, and these dudes is out here robbing people.

‘’So I wanna make sure I make it clear that I ain’t out here doing nothing wrong but I keep a gun on me because I gotta protect myself. Sometimes I’m not with my security. So just wanna let y’all know that I’m still on some positive vibes. And sorry that it happened. All I can tell you is that the world is crazy. Stay strapped.”

No charges have been filed against Epps.

Epps has starred in movies including “The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2,” “Next Friday’’ and “Friday After Next.” He appears in the upcoming Marvel movie “Madame Web” starring Dakota Johnson, and the Apple TV+ series “Lady in the Lake” starring Natalie Portman.

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Judge Uses a Slavery Law to Rule Frozen Embryos are Property

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) - Frozen human embryos can legally be considered property, or “chattel,” a Virginia judge has ruled, basing his decision in part on a 19th century law governing the treatment of slaves.

The preliminary opinion by Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Richard Gardiner - delivered in a longrunning dispute between a divorced husband and wifeis being criticized by some for wrongly and unnecessarily delving into a time in Virginia history when it was legally permissible to own human beings.

‘’It’s repulsive and it’s morally repugnant,” said Susan Crockin, a lawyer and scholar at Georgetown University’s Kennedy Institute of Ethics and an expert in reproductive technology law.

Solomon Ashby, president of the Old Dominion Bar Association, a professional organization made up primarily of African American lawyers, called Gardiner’s ruling troubling.

“I would like to think that the bench and the bar would be seeking more modern precedent,” he said.

Gardiner did not return a call to his chambers Wednesday. His decision, issued last month, is not final: He has not yet ruled on other arguments in the case involving Honeyhline and Jason Heidemann, a divorced couple fighting over two frozen embryos that remain in storage.Honeyhline Heidemann, 45, wants to use the embryos. Jason Heidemann objects.

Initially, Gardiner sided with Jason Heidemann. The law at the heart of the case governs how to divide “goods and chattels.” The judge ruled that because embryos could not be bought or sold, they couldn’t be considered as such and therefore Honeyhline Heidemann had no recourse under that law to claim custody of them.

Cal State Dominguez woman’s basketball team along with the coaching staff, University President Dr. Thomas A. Parham (far left), and University Vice President Dr. William Franklin (far right) after punching their ticket to the NCAA Division II Elite 8 in St. Joesph, Missouri.

West Regional Most

Asm. McKinnor Joins Panel of Legislators at Sacramento Event

Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

Last week, Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) joined a diverse panel of women legislators at the “Women in California’s Legislature: 2023 Speaker Series on California’s Future” luncheon to discuss the essential roles they play in shaping governmental policies benefiting Californians.

The event was hosted by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento.

This year’s class of legislators includes the largest number of women in state history– 18 senators and 32 assemblymembers. Joining McKinnor on the panel by were state Senators Janet Nguyen (R-Garden Grove) and Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), and Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro). McKinnor said she made the decision to get into politics after seeing the video of police officers beating motorist Rodney King in Los Angeles in 1992.

Over the years, Mckinnor said, a major influence on her policy decisions are the learnings she gleans from raising a family.

“I think (women) bring diversity to the table because we are about taking care of our families,” McKinnor said.

“So, the legislation that you see coming out of this (panel), I believe, will be around housing, jobs, equity, and public safety. The women here are going to make a tremendous difference because we take care of our families differently.”

Before McKinnor was elected to the California State Assembly in June 2022, she served as civic engagement director for the non-profit LA Voice and previously served as operational director for the California Democratic Party and chief of staff to several members of the State Assembly. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from California State University Dominguez Hills. McKinnor is currently chair of the Public Employment and Retirement Committee. She serves on other policy committees, including the Business and Professions Committee, Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee, and the Governmental Organization Committee.

McKinnor’s legislative priorities include California’s continued COVID-19 recovery, increased funding for public education, expanded universal access to healthcare, the state’s housing and homelessness crisis, and reforming the state’s criminal justice system.

“I never thought I’d be in politics in 1992. I thought I

had better get off the sofa and pay attention to what’s going on,” McKinnor said. “After that, I didn’t sit down, and I

Continued on page A8

But after the ex-wife’s lawyer, Adam Kronfeld, asked the judge to reconsider, Gardiner conducted a deep dive into the history of the law. He found that before the Civil War, it also applied to slaves. The judge then researched old rulings that governed custody disputes involving slaves, and said he found parallels that forced him to reconsider whether the law should apply to embryos.

In a separate part of his opinion, Gardiner also said he erred when he initially concluded that human embryos cannot be sold.

“As there is no prohibition on the sale of human embryos, they may be valued and sold, and thus may be considered ‘goods or chattels,’” he wrote.

Crockin said she’s not aware of any other judge in the U.S. who has concluded that human embryos can be bought and sold. She said the trend, if anything, has been to recognize that embryos have to be treated in a more nuanced way than as mere property.

Ashby said he was baffled that Gardiner felt a need to delve into slavery to answer a question about embryos, even if Virginia case law is thin on how to handle embryo custody questions.

“Hopefully, the jurisprudence will advance in the commonwealth of Virginia such that ... we will no longer see slave codes” cited to justify legal rulings, he said. Neither of the Heidemanns’ lawyers ever raised the slavery issue. They did raise other arguments in support of their cases, however.

Jason Heidemann’s lawyers said allowing his exwife to implant the embryos they created when they were married “would force Mr. Heidemann to procreate against his wishes and therefore violate his constitutional right to procreational autonomy.”

Honeyhline Heidemann’s lawyer, Kronfeld, argued that Honeyhline’s right to the embryos outweighs her exhusband’s objections, partly because he would have no legal obligations to be their parent and partly because she has no other options to conceive biological children after undergoing cancer treatments that made her infertile.

Kronfeld also argued that the initial separation agreement the couple signed in 2018 already treated the embryos as property when they concurred - under a subheading titled “Division of Personal Property” - that the embryos would remain in cryogenic storage until a court ordered otherwise.

Gardiner has not yet ruled on the argument over Jason Heidemann’s procreational autonomy.

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) speaks at the Women in California’s Legislature event in Sacramento on March 8. The Women’s History Month event was hosted by the Public Policy Institute of California.CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

(Courtesy Photo)

Outstanding Player Asia Jordan (23) with two of her 19 points to go along with 10 rebounds. (Courtesy Photo)

Coach Jon Bonner getting his victory shower by members of his Cal State University Dominguez Hills women’s basketball team after their 73-51 victory over Cal State University San Marcos moving on to the NCAA Divions II Elite 8. (Courtesy Photo)

World & Nation

California and Florida Govs Clash Over Their COVID-19 Responses

Edward Henderson California Black Media California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Florida Gov. Rob DeSantis seem to be on a political and philosophical collision course. Each one takes a shot at the other when the opportunity presents itself -- which is often, as both men stand diametrically opposed, Left and Right respectively, on most issues.

Recently, some conservative media voices have joined the crossfire, taking aim at how Newsom responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the global health crisis began in 2020, California responded with strict policies and shutdowns while Florida’s less urgent approach was a clear contrast. A new study from the Paragon Health Institute, a conservative think tank founded by former Trump administration economic advisor Brian Blase and other health experts-- is critical of California’s handling of the pandemic.

Now, the Paragon study is adding fuel to the frequent backand-forth between Newsom and DeSantis, who are both rumored to be Presidential hopefuls.

“Not a week goes by when Newsom is not boasting about how effective his policies were in addressing the COVID-19 crisis,” said Craig DeLuz to California Black Media. DeLuz is the Director of Communications for the California Republican Assembly, President of 2A News Corp and a director at the Frederick Douglass Foundation of California.

“He loves to compare California’s response to that of Republican-run states, claiming that he had greater success fighting the virus, while protecting his constituents,” DeLuz contnued his critique of Newsom. “His favorite target appears to be the state of Florida, which is run by likely 2024 presidential opponent, Ron DeSantis. There is one small problem with his grandstanding, though. It is all based on lies.”

Study Findings

The study compares a quantitative measure of government interventions from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker -- a systematic collection of information on policy measures that governments have taken to combat COVID-19. It uses health, economic, and educational indicators to measure the impact of government actions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The study uses a metric called the Government Response Index, which is the Oxford researchers’ most comprehensive index. Low index scores are favorable over high scores.

According to the study, Florida achieved a low index score even though the state relaxed general lockdowns after a short time. On the contrary, despite California’s strict and prolonged lockdowns, the study gives the Golden State one of the highest Oxford index scores in the nation.

The study also looked into migration patterns in and out of Florida and California during the pandemic. The purpose was to see if there was a correlation between stricter and looser restrictions and the decisions of where people wanted to live.

“California’s severe lockdowns seemed to elicit a jump in its already high out-migration, while Florida experienced

a significant in-migration increase during the pandemic as compared with pre-pandemic trends,” the Paragon Health stated

in the study. “Florida’s commitment to keeping schools open was likely a significant factor in attracting people from around the

country.”

In the conclusion of the study, Paragon Health offered the following recommendation: “In future pandemics, policymakers should avoid severe, prolonged, and generalized restrictions and instead carefully tailor government responses to specific disease threats, encouraging state and local governments to balance the health benefits against the economic, educational, health, and social costs of specific response measures.”

California’s Response

When asked for a response to the study, the California Center of Disease Control did not have a statement. However, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office draws a comparison to Florida, relying on statistics in a Feb. 28 press release that declared an end to California’s COVID-19-related state of emergency

The release highlighted the fact that California’s COVID-19 death rate was among the lowest in the nation. Nationally, the COVID-19 death rate was 339 per 100,000, far above California’s rate.

“If California had Florida’s rate, 56,000 more people would have died here,” the press release stated. Newsom’s office also addressed economics and education during the pandemic. California’s GDP grew, the press release points out, and unemployment rates fell twice as fast as other large population states.

The statement from Newsom office goes on to highlight that the state is on track to become the 4th largest economy in the world, and it illuminates how, on average, California students experienced less learning loss than the rest of the nation. Eighth graders had no declines in reading scores in California. Nationally, however, 8th grader reading scores declined 3 points on the National Assessment of Educational Progress scale.

Regarding vaccinations, California has administered a total of 88,208,666. About 72.7% of the population has been vaccinated with a primary series and 9,308 people a day are receiving COVID-19 vaccinations (average daily dose count over 7 days).

Addressing Comparisons in Media

Both Newsom and DeSantis have publicly shared their thoughts on the COVID-19 responses in their respective states. Newsom made appearances on ‘The View’ and ‘The Late Late Show with James Corden,’ and addressed the subject directly.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, Florida has had a 53% higher death rate than the state of California, a 33% case rate and their economy has done worse. California’s example vs. Florida, its not even close in terms of the outcome if you care about life and you care about the economy,” Newsom said.

DeSantis was critical of California’s response during his inaugural address in January, saying Newsom and the state “imposed medical authoritarianism in the guise of pandemic mandates.”

Like two prize fighters taking turns exchanging quips at the press conference before their main event, time will only tell if DeSantis and Newsom will have the opportunity to square off on politics’ largest stage. What we can assume with some certainty, however, is the way they handled the pandemic will be a point of contention raised again and again if that day ever comes.

Despite Increased Black Unemployment Rate,

Biden Celebrates Robust Job Mrkt

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By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

America’s employers added 311,000 jobs last month, surpassing the 208,000 experts predicted.

Further, the last two years saw more jobs created since 1940, a sign that the country has recovered soundly from the COVID-19 recession.

In January, employers added 504,000 jobs, and then 300,000+ last month, robust gains that pointed to high demand for labor.

However, despite the solid report, the African American job market remained problematic.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall unemployment rate rose to 3.6% in February from 3.4% the prior month.

Women over 20 saw an unemployment rate slightly rise to 3.2% from 3.1%.

Unemployment rates for Black women climbed to 5.1% from 4.7%.

Among Hispanic women, it jumped to 4.8% from 4.4%.

The Black unemployment rate peaked at 5.7%, up from 5.4% in January.

But, President Biden said he was excited about overall progress.

“I’m happy to report that our economy has created over 300,000 new jobs last month, and that’s on top of a half a million jobs we added the month before,” a celebratory President Joe Biden exclaimed.

“All told, we’ve created more than 12 million jobs since I took office, nearly 800,000 of them manufacturing jobs.

“That means, overall, we’ve created more jobs in two years than any administration has created in the first four years.” Biden said he believes his administration’s economic plan is working.

The President asserted that when he took office, the economy was reeling.

“And 18 million people were unemployed, on unemployment insurance, compared to less than 2 million today,” he stated.

“Unemployment was 6.3 percent, and the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicted it wouldn’t get below 4 percent until 2026.

“Because of our economic plan, unemployment has been below 4 percent for 14 straight months since January 2022.”

In February, the unemployment rate remained near the lowest level in a half-century.

“That’s really good news. People who were staying out of the job market are now getting back into the job market,” the President noted.

“They’re coming off the sidelines. They’re getting back into the job market. And today’s job numbers are clear: Our economy is moving in the right direction.”

Biden declared that jobs are available, and Americans are working again and becoming more optimistic about the future.

He called right-wing Republicans the biggest threat to

America’s economic recovery.

“The reckless talk, my MAGA friends. This is not your — as you’ve heard me say, it’s not your father’s Republican party,” Biden railed.

“But the Republicans in the United States Congress, what they want to do with regard to the debt limit. You know, they’re threatening to default on our national debt. Planning to default, as some Republicans seem to be doing, puts us much at risk.”

He continued:

“I believe we should be building on our progress, not go backward. So, I urge our extreme MAGA Republican friends in Congress to put the threats aside. Instead, join me in continuing the progress we’ve built. We’ve got a lot more to do, so let’s finish the job.”

Black Press Week Celebrates and Empowers African American Journalism

NNPA Newswire Washington D.C. – The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) will host the annual Black Press Week from March 16-17, 2023, with events and activities aimed at promoting and empowering African American journalism.

The two-day event kicks off on Thursday, March 16, with the NNPA’s daily news show, Let It Be Known, hosting a mixer and broadcast from the Let It Be Known studios inside the NNPA’s national headquarters in the historic Thurgood Marshall Trust Center, located in Washington’s historic Shaw District.

Each year, Black Press Week provides an opportunity for journalists and media professionals to connect and discuss issues facing the Black Press.

The primary event, which takes place on Friday, March 17, will include the NNPA Board of Directors Meeting, held at the National Press Club’s Zenger Meeting

Room, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm.

In celebration of the 196th anniversary of the Black Press, NNPA will host “The State of the Black Press Luncheon,” at the National Press Club’s Ballroom on the 13th floor from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm.

The State of the Black Press Luncheon features a keynote speech from Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., NNPA President and CEO, who will speak about the importance of the Black Press in promoting social justice and democracy.

Dr. Chavis plans to highlight the role of Black newspapers in shaping public opinion and advocating for civil rights, and a call for continued support for Black media outlets.

Dr. Benjamin Talton, Director of the MoorlandSpingarn Research Center at Howard University, will also speak at the luncheon, discussing the Black Press Archive Digitization Project at Howard University.

The project aims to digitize and preserve historical Black newspapers, making them accessible to researchers and the public.

The event also promises to provide an opportunity for attendees to network and engage with Black media professionals from across the country, including publishers, editors, and journalists. Tickets are required for entry to the event, and attendees can reserve their seating at www.nnpa-events. com. Black Press Week remains a vital event for the NNPA, providing a platform to celebrate and promote the achievements of Black journalists and media professionals, and to discuss the challenges facing the industry. The event aims to empower and inspire the next generation of Black journalists, and to support the continued growth and success of the Black Press.

Ruth E. Carter Becomes First Black Woman to Win 2 Oscars

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.

AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Ruth E. Carter made history: The costume designer behind the "Black Panther" films became the first Black woman to win two Oscars.

Carter took home best costume design Sunday night at the 95th Academy Awards for the Marvel sequel "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." Carter also won in 2018 for "Black Panther," which made her the first African American to win in the category.

In her acceptance speech, Carter thanked the film's director Ryan Coogler and asked if "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman could look after her mother, Mabel Carter, who she said died "this past week." Boseman died in 2020 of cancer at 43.

"This is for my mother. She was 101," Carter said. ''This film prepared me for this moment. Chadwick, please take care of mom."

Carter then paid tribute to her mother backstage.

"I had a great relationship with her in her final years. The same relationship I always had with her. I was her rideor-die. I was her road dog. I was her sidekick,'' she said. ''I know she's proud of me. I know that she wanted this for me as much as I wanted it for myself."

"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" grappled with the grief of losing Boseman, its superhero. In her career, Carter has been behind-the-scenes in some of Hollywood's biggest films. She's received Oscar nominations for her work in Spike Lee's "Malcolm X" and Steven Spielberg's "Amistad" and received praise for her period ensembles in other projects such as Lee Daniels' "The Butler," Ava DuVernay's "Selma" and the reboot of "ROOTS." She's created costumes for Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy and even Jerry Seinfeld for the "Seinfeld" pilot.

Carter played an influential role as lead costume designer in making "Black Panther" a cultural phenomenon as she infused the pride of African diaspora into the

character's stylish and colorful garments to help bring Wakanda to life. She wanted to transform the presence of Queen Ramonda - played by Oscar nominee Angela Bassett - as a queen in the first film to being a ruler in the sequel.

''Angela always wanted to play a queen, so to amplify her, we added vibranium ... we gave her the royal color of purple, and adorned her in gold as she wore the crown at the UN," Carter said. "When she sits on the throne, she's in a gray one shouldered dress. The exposed shoulder shows her strength - Angela, she got those guns, right?"

Carter said she was able to pull off the win against a "tough lineup." She was up against designers from "Elvis," "Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris," "Everything Everywhere All at Once," and "Babylon." She got her start in 1988 on Lee's "School Daze," the director's second film. They've since collaborated on more than 10 films, including "Do the Right Thing" and "Jungle Fever." She's also worked with Robert Townsend

on "The Five Heartbeats" and Keenen Ivory Wayans on "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka."

"I pulled myself up from my bootstraps,'' Carter said. ''I started in a single parent household. I wanted to be a costume designer. I studied. I scraped. I struggled with adversity in an industry that sometimes didn't look like me. And I endured."

Through the Oscar-nominated "Malcolm X,'' she reached new heights. That film, starring Denzel Washington, propelled her into the "Hollywood makeup," offering her more opportunities to work with directors who had different points-of-views and scripts.

Carter's wish is that her historic win Sunday will offer more opportunities to women of color.

"I hope this opens the door for others ... that they can win an Oscar, too," Carter said.

HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ Season Finale Draws in a Series High

By KARENA PHAN Associated

Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) - "The Last of Us" fans set another rating record for the season one finale of the apocalyptic, mushroom-infected zombie video game adaptation. Despite airing against the Oscars Sunday night, HBO said the season finale drew in 8.2 million viewers.

Viewership for "The Last of Us" has consistently grown throughout the season. The series has not only won over gamers with high expectations but also critics and people who aren't familiar with the game.

The series premiere drew 4.7 million viewers in the U.S., based on Nielsen and HBO data, making for HBO's second-largest debut, behind "House of the Dragon."

Outside of the U.S., "The Last of Us" is now the mostwatched show in the history of HBO Max in both Europe and Latin America, HBO said.

As viewers watch episodes on the streaming platforms days after the episodes air, the numbers for the series will continue to increase. The series is now averaging 30.4

million viewers across its first six episodes, with the first episode approaching 40 million viewers in the U.S., HBO said.

HBO did concede to the ratings behemoth that is the Super Bowl, dropping the fifth episode of "The Last of Us" on HBO Max and HBO On Demand early last month on the Friday before the big game on Feb. 12. But the ratings for episode five were still strong, with 11.6 million viewers from Friday through Sunday.

The series finale ended with Joel making some difficult and controversial decisions that left viewers wondering what was next for protagonists Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal). While not much has been officially announced about the second season, fans of the video game know about "The Last of Us Part II" and are eagerly anticipating how the game will be adapted for season two.

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Black Patients Dress Up and Modify Speech to Reduce Bias

By Annie Sciacca California Healthline

A young mother in California’s Antelope Valley bathes her children and dresses them in neat clothes, making sure they look their very best — at medical appointments. “I brush their teeth before they see the dentist. Just little things like that to protect myself from being treated unfairly,” she told researchers.

A 72-year-old in Los Angeles, mindful that he is a Black man, tries to put providers at ease around him. “My actions will probably be looked at and applied to the whole race, especially if my actions are negative,” he said. “And especially if they are perceived as aggressive.”

Many Black Californians report adjusting their appearance or behavior — even minimizing questions — all to reduce the chances of discrimination and bias in hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices. Of the strategies they describe taking, 32% pay special attention to how they dress; 35% modify their speech or behavior to put doctors at ease. And 41% of Black patients signal to providers that they are educated, knowledgeable, and prepared.

The ubiquity of these behaviors is captured in a survey of 3,325 people as part of an October study titled “Listening to Black Californians: How the Health Care System Undermines Their Pursuit of Good Health,” funded by the California Health Care Foundation. (California Healthline is an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.) Part of its goal was to call attention to the effort Black patients must exert to get quality care from health providers.

“If you look at the frequency with which Black Californians are altering their speech and dress to go into a health care visit,” said Shakari Byerly, whose research firm, Evitarus, led the study, “that’s a signal that something needs to change.”

One-third of Black patients report bringing a companion into the exam room to observe and advocate for them. And, the study found, more than a quarter of Black Californians avoid medical care simply because they believe they will be treated unfairly.

“The system looks at us differently, not only in doctors’ offices,” said Dr. Michael LeNoir, who was not part of the survey.

LeNoir, an Oakland allergist and pediatrician who founded the African American Wellness Project nearly two decades ago to combat health disparities, found the responses unsurprising, given that many Black people have learned to make such adjustments routinely. “There is general discrimination,” he said, “so we all learn the role.”

There is ample evidence of racial inequality in health care. An analysis by the nonprofit Urban Institute published in 2021 found that Black patients are much more likely to suffer problems related to surgical procedures than white patients in the same hospital. A study published in November by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that Black mothers and babies had worse outcomes

than other groups across many health measures. And a study published in January, led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators, found that older Black and Hispanic patients with advanced cancer are less likely to receive opioid medications for pain than white patients. (Hispanic people can be of any race or combination of races.)

Gigi Crowder, executive director of the Contra Costa County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said she frequently sees delayed mental health diagnoses for

said her doctor advised her simply to exercise more and lose weight when she reported feeling short of breath. She eventually discovered she had anemia and needed two blood transfusions.

“I feel like Black voices aren’t as loud. They are not taken as seriously,” the woman told researchers. “In this case, I wasn’t listened to, and it ended up being a very serious, actually life-threatening problem.”

People KHN spoke with who weren’t part of the study

and recurring fever were symptoms of laryngitis. After she pleaded for a referral, a specialist diagnosed her with an autoimmune disorder.

Smith said it’s not clear to her whether bias was a factor in those interactions with doctors, but she strives to have her health concerns taken seriously. When Smith meets providers, she will slip in that she works in the medical field in administration.

Black patients also take on the additional legwork of finding doctors they think will be more responsive to them.

Ovester Armstrong Jr. lives in Tracy, in the Central Valley, but he’s willing to drive an hour to the Bay Area to seek out providers who may be more accustomed to treating Black and other minority patients.

“I have had experiences with doctors who are not experienced with care of different cultures — not aware of cultural differences or even the socialization of Black folks, the fact that our menus are different,” Armstrong said.

Once he gets there, he may still not find doctors who look like him. A 2021 UCLA study found that the proportion of U.S. physicians who are Black is 5.4%, an increase of only 4 percentage points over the past 120 years. While health advocates and experts acknowledge that Black patients should not have to take on the burden of minimizing poor health care, helping them be proactive is part of their strategy for improving Black health.

LeNoir’s African American Wellness Project arms patients with information so they can ask their doctors informed questions. And the California Black Women’s Health Project is hiring health “ambassadors” to help Black patients navigate the system, said Raena Granberry, senior manager of maternal and reproductive health for the organization.

Southern California resident Joyce Clarke, who is in her 70s, takes along written questions when she sees a doctor to make sure her concerns are taken seriously. “Health professionals are people first, so they come with their own biases, whether intentional or unintentional, and it keeps a Black person’s guard up,” Clarke said.

While the study shed light on how Black patients interact with medical professionals, Katherine Haynes, a senior program officer with the California Health Care Foundation, said further research could track whether patient experiences improve.

“The people who are providing care — the clinicians — they need timely feedback on who’s experiencing what,” she said.

Black patients.

“I hear so many stories about how long it takes for people to get their diagnoses,” Crowder said. “Many don’t get their diagnoses until six or seven years after the onset of their illness.”

Almost one-third of respondents in the California Health Care Foundation study — which looked only at Black Californians, not other ethnic or racial groups — reported having been treated poorly by a health care provider because of their race or ethnicity. One participant

described similar bad experiences.

Southern California resident Shaleta Smith, 44, went to the emergency room, bleeding, a week after giving birth to her third daughter. An ER doctor wanted to discharge her, but a diligent nurse called Smith’s obstetrician for a second opinion. It turned out to be a serious problem for which she needed a hysterectomy.

“I almost died,” Smith said.

Years later and in an unrelated experience, Smith said, her primary care doctor insisted her persistent loss of voice

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

Auto Journalist and NNPA Columnist Frank Washington Dies

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National

Correspondent

When Frank Washington wrote about how the newly released 2022 Mercedes Benz E450 was much better than its replacement, some may have thought the aboutthatcars. com editor was throwing shade at the automaker’s previous version of one of its prized vehicles.

But in proper Frank Washington form, he explained that, under the hood, “the twin-turbo V6 has been replaced with an inline 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine. It made 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque at a ridiculously low 1,600 RPM.”

Later, when explaining that “value” was the word that best described the latest Toyota Prius Prime Limited, Washington exclaimed that the vehicle’s fuel efficiency numbers were impressive.

“In hybrid mode, the Prius Prime gets an estimated 55 mpg in the city, 53 mpg on the highway, and 54 combined mpg,” Washington wrote in one of the many auto columns for the Black Press of America.

According to his LinkedIn bio, Washington’s career gave him a unique view of media relations, public relations, event planning and publishing, the World Wide Web, editing, and reporting.

Those columns are just one part of what his family, friends, and readers will miss.

Washington’s family confirmed his death to the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA).

His career in journalism and communications

spanned several decades.

According to his LinkedIn bio, Washington’s career gave him a unique view of media relations, public relations, event planning and publishing, the World Wide Web, editing, and reporting. His writings include articles for Advertising Age, Ebony, www.ebonyjet.com, Fortune, Newsweek, Newsweek Japan, The New York Times, and Time magazines.

Washington also spent much time covering the auto industry for African Americans on Wheels, Auto Executive, Automotive News, Automotive News Marketer, Savoy, Ward’s Auto World, Ward’s Automotive Reports, Ward’s Dealer Business, the Detroit News Online, and the Detroit News.

In 1989, he became Newsweek magazine’s Detroit bureau chief after serving as the city’s correspondent for one year.

In addition to automotive journalism, Washington reported on the 1992 Democratic presidential primary. His editors also sent him to South Central Los Angeles to report on the civil disturbance there following the police beating of motorist Rodney King.

He authored Newsweek’s cover story, “Fire and Fury,” and the publication’s follow-up story, “Rethinking Race

and Crime in America.”

The story became one of the entries for which Newsweek won a National Magazine Award. The series was also honored with a First-Place award from the National Association of Black Journalists for outstanding coverage of the Black condition.

Frank continued as managing partner/editor of www. AboutThatCar.com, and his nationally syndicated column appeared in the more than 230 African-American-owned newspapers represented by the NNPA.

Additionally, Washington produced segments for ABC’s Good Morning America and the Mutual Broadcasting (Radio) Network.

He also gave his opinion on The Today Show on NBC, the MBC Network, Newsweek on Air, and many radio news talk shows.

Washington was the editor-in-chief, the editor-atlarge, the managing editor, the advertising and marketing editor, the bureau chief, a correspondent, a staff writer, a reporter, a producer, and a contributing editor. Washington’s brother, James, is the publisher emeritus of the Dallas Weekly and president and general manager of the Atlanta Voice.

Louisville Police Routinely Call Black People ‘Boy,’ ‘Animal,’ and ‘Monkeys’

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

A review of the Louisville police department by the U.S. Department of Justice found that officers conducted searches based on invalid warrants and illegally carried out raids without knocking and making an announcement.

In a lengthy report, which the DOJ issued on Wednesday, March 8, noted that for years, the Louisville police department “has practiced an aggressive style of policing that it deploys selectively, especially against Black people, but also against vulnerable people throughout the city.”

“Some officers have videotaped themselves throwing drinks at pedestrians from their cars; insulted people with disabilities; and called Black people ‘monkeys,’ ‘animal,’ and ‘boy,’” the DOJ investigation revealed.

Further, federal investigators discovered that police officers routinely and illegally stopped and arrested suspects while primarily discriminating against African Americans.

The department also showed little kindness to those with behavioral health disabilities, notably when dealing with a crisis.

“This conduct erodes community trust, and the unlawful practices of LMPD and Louisville Metro

undermine public safety,” DOJ investigators wrote.

The review comes after two years of a DOJ investigation sparked by the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, an unarmed Black woman whom police shot and killed in 2020 after entering her apartment in a botched and unannounced raid.

Last year, the DOJ charged four officers with federal civil rights violations and perjury.

Former detective Kelly Goodlett pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges, while the Louisville department fired Sgt. Kyle Meany.

A jury acquitted officer Brett Hankinson, the only cop who discharged his weapon, on state charges, but he’s still facing a federal case.

Former detective Joshua Jaynes also faces charges of conspiring to deprive Taylor of her civil rights.

The DOJ found that one high-ranking department official lamented that Taylor’s killing “was a symptom of problems that we have had for years.”

“The findings are deeply troubling and sobering, and they compromise LMPD’s ability to serve and protect the people of Louisville,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.

“We are committed to working with Louisville on a

path forward to constitutional policing and stronger policecommunity trust. Although police reform won’t happen overnight, focused effort and sustained commitment will bring us closer to transformed relationships, safe communities, and this nation’s promise of justice and equality under the law.”

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division added that people in Louisville deserve policing that’s constitutional, fair, and non-discriminatory.

“Our investigation found that the police department and city government failed to adequately protect and serve the people of Louisville, breached the public’s trust, and discriminated against Black people through unjustified stops, searches, and arrests,” Clarke stated.

“The police used excessive force, subjecting people to unlawful strikes, tasings, and canine bites.

“The police sought search warrants without justification and carried out no-knock warrants unlawfully, evading the constitution, defying federal law, and putting ordinary citizens in harm’s way.

“Today marks a new day and a new chapter for the people of Louisville.”

“Some officers have videotaped themselves throwing drinks at pedestrians from their cars; insulted people with disabilities; and called Black people ‘monkeys,’ ‘animal,’ and ‘boy,’” the DOJ investigation revealed.

Ovester Armstrong Jr. lives in Tracy, California, but is willing to drive an hour to the Bay Area’s more urban regions for doctors’ appointments. “I feel like those doctors are the ones who pay attention to Black folks or minorities of color,” he says. (Shelby Knowles for KHN)

Civil Rights Icon Xernona Clayton and Other “Herstory Sheroes” Honored in Atlanta

Maxim Elramsisy

California Black Media

Civil rights icon Xernona Clayton became the first woman to be enshrined with a statue in downtown Atlanta on March 8. The eight-foot statue with its arms open, propped high on a pedestal, looks down on Xernona Clayton Plaza, making the petite icon a giant in the cradle city of the modern Civil Rights Movement.

World renowned sculptor Ed Dwight created the bronze statue despite challenges with his vision. With Dwight by her side, Clayton announced that it would be his final commissioned project. “As he was making this statue he lost vision in his good eye,” Clayton said at a private dinner before the unveiling. “But if he could do this without seeing, imagine what he could do if he had vision.”

More than 20 speakers, including representatives from the Bahamas and Ghana, praised Clayton at the unveiling ceremony, which was followed by “High Heels in High Places,” an event honoring distinguished women in business and journalism. Among the “sheroes: honored at the dinner were California Black Media (CBM) Executive

Director Regina Brown Wilson and LA Focus Publisher Lisa Collins. Clayton also acknowledged the mothers of several local celebrities, including Silvia Dickens, mother of Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens, Trice Morgan, mother of rapper T.I., and Mary Tucker, mother of comedian Chris Tucker.

A few of the speakers at the event claimed to be Clayton’s boyfriends, including Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens, who began working on the project as a city councilman, and Clayton’s close friend and fellow civil rights icon, Ambassador Andrew Young. Former CNN President, Tom Johnson spoke on behalf of Ted Turner, who was ill, lauding Clayton’s outstanding achievements and attesting to her contributions to broadcast media. Clayton was also a consistent supporter of the Black Press across the country. Martin Luther King III reflected on his memories of Clayton growing up. “There is no greater honor than what is being done here today,” said King III. At the unveiling, Clayton recalled arranging logistics for a meeting between Dr. King and supporters of the SCLC in the heart of Atlanta. “I pride myself in getting

everything right before I start out, and I knew I had all my details in order for this special luncheon hosted by Dr. King, but everything went wrong,” Clayton said. The motel which supposedly had an “open door policy,” expressly told Dr. King to leave. “I Xernona Clayton was thrown out of a hotel. Now, you are standing backed by a street named Xernona Clayton Way.”

“The idea for a monument to Xernona Clayton was born from a 4 a.m. meeting with her in 2020. Our kids didn’t know who she was, and we felt that such an inspiring figure deserved recognition,” said Project Co-Founder Mariela Romero, a Latina journalist, originally from Venezuela, who co-presented the idea for the statue and has been one of the forces helping to make the monument a reality. Romero said when she learned about Clayton’s contributions to the Civil Rights movement and all her personal accomplishments, she was surprised that more Americans of all races did not know about her life story and legacy.

“Seeing the statue standing proudly in Xernona

Continued on page A8

Roger B. Sweis Joins Essential Access Health as Chief Financial Officer

LOS ANGELES (February 22, 2023) — Essential Health Access welcomes Roger B. Sweis to their Executive Leadership Team as a Chief Financial Officer. Roger will lead the Essential Health finance team in fulfilling the

commitment to equity in expanding and protecting sexual and reproductive health care for all.

Roger is an award-winning Chief Financial Officer with 20 years of leadership experience. In his career, he has

helped mission-driven organizations take their operations to the next level. He is a Founder/Co-Founder of 13 social enterprise organizations and special assistant to founders of over 100 organizations, nonprofits and real estate

investment groups with a proven track record of successful government grant and contract management

As Essential Access Health’s CFO, Roger will lead and oversee the organization’s financial, accounting, tax compliance, employee benefits, contracts and facilities. He will be responsible for the strategic leadership of the finance, accounting and administrative functions, and provide financial strategy, budget management and forecasting needs to the organization. This drives the Essential Access mission to advance health equity through a wide range of programs and services including clinic support initiatives, provider training, advanced clinical research, advocacy and public awareness campaigns.

Most recently, Roger served as the CFO of Community Health Councils in Los Angeles. In this role, he successfully managed a multidisciplinary team and the organization’s first large-scale federal audit. In addition, he led business process improvements in the HR, IT and Legal & Compliance divisions to help navigate 300% growth in revenue. Roger has also held CFO positions for organizations like Startup For America, SmarterHealth. io and The Wheelhouse Project, in addition to serving as Executive Vice President or Co-Founder.

Team awards Roger has been recognized with include American Health Data Conference’s Top 5 AHIMA Startup of the Year, Robinhood Foundation’s Social Impact Award and PepsiCo Challenge’s Innovation Grant Award.\ Roger received his bachelor’s degree in Finance and Psychology from the University of Illinois. He received his master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance & Entrepreneurship from the University of Chicago, where he was a Capstone Award Recipient. Roger is a founding team member of Impact Hub Nashville and a member of the Nashville Social Enterprise Alliance and Disruptive Innovation. For more information on Essential Access Health, please visit www.essentialaccess.org.

Award-winning Chief Financial Officer Roger B. Sweis

Xernona Clayton (center), Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens(right) and statue sculptor Ed Dwight as the statue of Xernona Clayton is unveiled in Downtown Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. (Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media)

Remembering the Legacy of Women in Healthcare

By Kara James Planned Parenthood Los Angeles Nurse Practitioner

This March marks the 36th commemoration of Women’s History Month, celebrating the vital role of women in American history. Because this year’s theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” I feel inspired to tell my mother’s story. More than any other narrative, her experiences profoundly impacted the trajectory of my life while connecting me to a larger story we should all celebrate this March – the women nurses who care for us, even in the most challenging circumstances.

My mother, Elsie Davis James, was the most amazing person I have ever known. Finding herself pregnant at 15 in rural Louisiana in 1956, where opportunities for a Black woman were rare, she left home at 22 years old and moved to Los Angeles alone for a chance at a better future.

Once in Los Angeles, my mother began to work toward her goals. She met and married my father and raised a family of four children while working at the post office as a postal union leader, advocating for labor rights. While working full-time, she earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) – I still remember attending classes with her when I was little. She then went on to law school.

Her energy was boundless. Despite her commitments, she never missed a high school basketball game or track meet. When I reached my twenties, I had to take naps to keep up with her if we had plans to go out together. “Mama” was my best friend, and I thought it would always

be that way. Sadly, in 2010, gallbladder cancer took my beautiful, vibrant, and stylish mother in four short months. In that brief time, her beautiful golden-brown face became dull and sunken, and our roles changed quickly. It was my turn to show her the care and compassion she had instilled in me. As her nurse and advocate, I fed and dressed her while applying pain patches and administering her everchanging, steadily growing list of medications. Some days she would ask me just to lie there beside her. Those were our best days together. After she passed, I knew my life would be completely different. I felt called to medicine ever since I read science articles and medical journals my uncle gifted me. Caring for my mom served as a wake-up call and reignited these interests. Following in her footsteps, I returned to school to study medicine at CSUDH. Today, I am a nurse practitioner and have worked in healthcare for the past nine years. My story is my own, but my path is not. When I decided to pursue a career in healthcare, it connected me to a much larger women’s story in the U.S. – the nurses who tirelessly care for their patients. And it is women who primarily do this work. The U.S. Census reports that over three-quarters of the country’s full-time, year-round healthcare workers are women. Nursing is the nation’s largest healthcare profession, with women making up 85% of registered nurses.

Women have served as nurses in the U.S. since the Civil War. These women, and those that followed, have provided care in the most challenging times and places,

from battlefields to surgical rooms to overcrowded clinics. In fact, the eight women on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC., are all nurses. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has had severe repercussions for healthcare workers, including nurses, who face circumstances most will never understand – trying to save patients from a new, incredibly contagious virus while struggling to protect themselves and their loved ones from contracting it.

Even in “normal” healthcare settings, nursing requires extraordinary stamina. Nurses see people die despite their every effort. As they treat and comfort people at their most scared, nurses are on their feet for hours while too often being underpaid, understaffed, and underrepresented in leadership positions.

Given the physical, mental, and financial hardships, you may ask why nurses do it. And the answer is simple: Everyone deserves care, advocacy, and comfort in their time of need. This Women’s History Month reminds us to honor the women who care for us and those we care for, including nurses and mothers.

About Kara James

Kara James is a Nurse Practitioner with Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, providing direct clinical care to patients since 2015. As an evidenced-based clinician and activist, Kara’s work is framed through racial equity and anti-racism. She also played a vital role in creating the Black Health Initiative in 2020 to promote holistic wellbeing and health in Los Angeles’ Black communities.

Women’s History Month: Asm. McKinnor Joins Panel of Legislators at Sacramento Event

got involved in the community.”

Black women are 7.7% of the total U.S. population and 15.3% of the total number of women in the country, according to the U.S. Census.

In 2021 study, the State Innovation Exchange (SIE) – a group that advocates for representation in state legislatures -- and the National Organization for Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL Women) took a deep dive into their analysis of women serving in government.

Left to right, Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), state Sen. Janet Nguyen (R-Garden Grove), District 36; Assemblywoman Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro), District 20; and Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) of District 9. The Women in California’s Legislature event was hosted by PPIC in Sacramento, Calif., on March 8, 2023. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

SIE and NOBEL Women reported that Black women fill just 4.82% (356) of 7,383 state legislature seats across the United States. That same year, eight state legislatures convened without a single Black woman in their ranks: Vermont, South Dakota, Hawaii, Arizona, Idaho, Nebraska, Montana, and North Dakota – all places with Black populations falling in a range from 2 to 6%, the study revealed.

Currently, there are five Black women in the California Legislature: McKinnor and Assemblymembers

Smallwoold-Cuevas is the lone Black woman among 40 state senators.

“I am the 20th Black woman to be elected to the (California) legislature,” McKinnor said at the event held on International Women’s Day. “Sen. Lola Smallwood became the 21st Black woman. So, we still have a lot of work to do.”

PPIC, the nonprofit that organized the event, bills itself as nonpartisan think tank with a mission to inform and improve public policy in California through independent, objective, nonpartisan research. Former California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani CantilSakauye is PPIC’s president and chief executive officer.

Ophelia Basgal, an affiliate at the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at University of California, Berkeley, and a senior executive consultant for Inclusion INC, provided the opening remarks.

All the women legislators who participated in the event are members of the California Legislative Women’s

Caucus, a political body that represents and advocates on the behalf of the diverse interests of women, children and families.

The panelists discussed gender diversity in state politics, how personal interests play out in politics, legislation they are currently working on, setting better policy for the state, and offered advice to women who are interested in running for office.

“In addition to the vision and experience, we bring that voice into the room that is often unheard and unseen,” said Ortega, a longtime labor leader and activist from an immigrant family. “We will make sure we are seen and heard and deliver (policies) for all in the state of California and the United States.”

The Sheraton Ballroom in downtown Sacramento was filled with women and men listening to the 60-minute conversation between the women that was at times passionate, thought-provoking, reflective and lighthearted.

“We’ve been truly inspired by this distinguished panel for their questions, insight, and answers,” CantilSakauye said to the audience. “Thank you for making this (speakers series) memorable.”

International Women’s Day: Civil Rights Icon Xernona Clayton and Other

“Herstory Sheroes” Honored in Atlanta

Clayton Plaza, facing downtown Atlanta, fills me with incredible pride and accomplishment,” Romero added. “This project was important to us because Xernona Clayton has been a role model, she has dedicated her life to serving others and we have always admired her tenacity, grace, and vision.”

Romero partnered with philanthropist and Bank of America-Merrill executive Rick Baker to spearhead the campaign that made Clayton’s monument a reality.

Clayton became involved in the civil rights movement

working for the National Urban League in Chicago. She went undercover to investigate employment discrimination against African Americans at Marshall Fields, a major Chicago department store. She moved to Atlanta at the behest of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, where she organized events for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and grew close with Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King.

Clayton was instrumental in the desegregation of Atlanta’s hospitals by organizing the city’s Black doctors.

In 1967, Clayton became the first Black female in the southern US to host a weekly prime time talk show. The show eventually came to be known as The Xernona Clayton Show.

In 1968 Clayton’s impact in the fight against bigotry became clear when Calvin Craig, a Grand Dragon of the Klu Klux Klan, denounced the Klan, crediting Clayton’s influence in the decision.

In 1988, Clayton was named Corporate Vice President for Urban Affairs with Turner Broadcasting System. In her role she served as liaison between Turner Broadcasting and

civil rights groups, both in Atlanta and across the country.

As a broadcast executive, Clayton founded the Trumpet Foundation and, with Turner Broadcasting, established the prestigious Trumpet Awards in 1993 to highlight the achievements and contributions of African Americans.

With the unveiling of the Xernona Clayton statue an influential Black woman is finally immortalized in Atlanta, a city that still holds several confederate monuments and countless stories and memories of its history in the segregated south.

Kara James shares the story of her mother, who passed away from gall bladder cancer which drove her to become a nurse. (Courtesy Photo)

Xernona Clayton speaks at High Heels in High Places in conjunction with the observance of International Women’s Day and the Unveiling of a Statue of Xernona Clayton in downtown Atlanta, Georgia on March 8, 2023. Clayton is the first woman honored with a statue in the city often called the cradle of the modern Civil Rights Movement. (Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media)

Xernona Clayton (center) and Xernona Clayton Statue Project Co-Creators Mariana Romero (Left) and Rich Baker (right) cross Xernona Clayton Way in Downtown Atlanta, Georgia toward the unveiling of the Xernona Clayton statue on Wednesday, March 8,2023. (Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media)

Left, Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, PPIC’s president and chief executive officer, was the moderator of the event.

Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City), Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) and Sen. Lola Smallwood Cuevas (D-Ladera Heights). They are also members of the California Legislature Black Caucus.

Ray Charles: “A

Sound of His Own” Comes to Fixin’s

By Rhyan Nile

Contributing

Writer

Blacked Owned businesses means so much more than just being “black owned”. It’s about the vision, the goal and the inspiration behind the business that makes it so special. Taking away status and fame, what is left is just creating a great product that anyone can enjoy.

Fixins is all about finding new innovative ways to bring the community together. Collaborating with the Ray Charles Foundation is just one of many opportunities that pinpoints history, legacy, honor and revolutionary pioneers that have paved the way to where we are now.

Fixin’s and the Ray Charles Foundation collaborated in creating a Non-Alcoholic Beer, and payed homage to his music with four different hits on the can. They also included his background story on the can as well. And to top it off they not only had his records on the wall, album covers, and quotes all over the restaurant and bar, but they also created an exclusive menu with his favorite meal. Which includes Smothered Chicken, collard greens, black-eyed peas and Banana pudding, all costing $19.30 because that’s the year the legend was born. Talk about details! It’s those little details that made him who he is. His music created life lasting memories for all of us to enjoy every time we hear a song. Ray Charles wasn’t secluded to just one sound, or one look. It was never about the fame, or the money, or the status. His music was his own. His voice and message were heard. It moved spirits all over the world and that’s what it was all about. His music was made for everyone to not only listen, but to feel.

“It started with Black History Month, but for us, Black History Month is all year round. People want to be here; they want to be a part of it. They know that it’s different.”, said Kat Dym, the Bar Manager of Fixins. And it doesn’t stop here. Fixins uses food as the glue to bring the community together. They donate their food at the end of every night. They are 100% eco-friendly and have been a part of several movements to feed and help those in need; like “Feed the Streets” with Roddy Rich. They already have several community events lined up for the rest of the upcoming year. They’re all centered around different legends and companies all with the same purpose: Making a Difference and Impact the world around us. Kevin and Michelle Johnson, along with all the staff, use the food and restaurant as their voice to make everyone feel included, and cared for despite race, background, preference, or age. Everyone is welcomed at Fixins. Everyone matters at Fixins.

Statement from the National Bankers Association on Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank

Today, National Bankers Association (NBA) President & CEO Nicole Elam Esq. and Chairman Robert James II released the following statement regarding Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank.

“In light of recent industry events, the National Bankers Association wants to assure consumers that your money is safe with minority banks. Minority depository institutions are very different from both SVB and Signature Bank which had high concentrations in crypto deposits and volatile venture capital. Minority banks are not exposed to riskier asset classes and have the capital and strong liquidity to best serve consumers and small businesses. If you’re looking for a place to bring your deposits and have greater impact, bring your deposits to minority banks” said Nicole Elam, President and CEO of the National Bankers Association.

“The Biden-Harris Administration, FDIC, and Federal Reserve worked hard this weekend to make sure that these bank failures are the exception, not the rule, and that all Americans can continue to have confidence in our banking system. I also applaud bipartisan leaders in Congress for keeping stakeholders informed about how hard-earned deposits are being kept safe.” said Robert James, II, Chairman of the National Bankers Association, President & CEO, Carver Financial Corporation

The National Bankers Association is the nation’s leading trade association for the country’s minority depository institutions (MDIs). MDIs have always focused on safety and soundness as a part of our conservative, relationshipbased business model. We continue to monitor SVB’s impact on large corporate deposit concentrations, fintech,

tech companies, and larger financial institutions that have partnerships with MDIs or who have made investments in MDIs.

MDIs are in the strongest position ever to support their customers and here’s why:

• Traditional Banking Model with Diverse & Secure Assets: MDIs are diversified in terms of their assets, predominately focused on well-collateralized loans, and are not exposed to riskier asset classes. Unlike both SVB and Signature Bank, MDIs have very limited exposure to the venture capital industry and crypto.

• Well-Capitalized and Strong Liquidity: MDIs are in the strongest position ever. The sector is exceptionally well capitalized, enjoys substantial liquidity overall, and has grown by 33% over the last three years in total assets. Nearly $4 billion in new, permanent capital has flowed to MDIs and currently, the median MDI common equity ratio is 16.4% versus 14.8% for non-MDIs.

• Positioned for Impact: 77% of MDI branches are in areas with a higher average share of minoritiescompared to 31% for all FDIC-insured depository institutions. According to a Dallas Fed Study in 2022, MDIs originate almost 40% of their mortgages to minority borrowers, versus only 10% by other banks. Additionally, MDIs originate 30% of small business loans to low- to moderate-income communities incomparison to 20% at community banks and 24% at large banks. Customer deposits are not onlyextremely safe in an MDI but are far more likely to have a positive impact in the community.

Women’s Hoops Contribute to CSUDH History

By Earl Heath  Contributing Sports Writer

The success of the Women’s basketball team has created a lot of buzz on campus, around So Cal and Nationally. This also brings attention to CSUDH and its contribution to the world on the academic stage.

“Coach Bonner and the team deserve all the congratulations,” said CSUDH President Thomas Parham.  “This is really a historic year for them – to be 28 and 2 going into the tournament, to be ranked within the top 5 in the nation, at number 4, to be the number one seed in the Western Region. And if you look around at the legacy that this campus has created, for us to be hanging a banner in the fall for the conference championship, and another banner to say we’ve been to the NCAAs. That’s pretty good!”

The university has an enrollment of more than 17,000 students, comprising 15,873 undergraduates (89.4%) and 1,890 post baccalaureates. About half of all students identify as the first in their families to go to college.

CSUDH is one of the most ethnically and economically diverse universities in the western United States.  It is consistently ranked nationally as a top degree producer for minority students, including graduating more African American students than any public university in California.

CSUDH has been design be a Hispanic -Serving Institution and is a member of the Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Its College of Education &

College of Arts and Humanities offers training in Spanish for bilingual education teachers. The University has the third largest percentage of Latino Americans that are not Mexican-American in the CSU system. (Latino Americans with heritage from the Caribbean, Central America, South America).

Along the way it has produced five mayors that include Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, Compton Mayor Emma Sharif, Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, Hawthorne Mayor Alex Vargas, and LA’s newest Mayor Karen Bass.

The CSUDH women’s track and field 4X4 relay team won the NCAA Division II Championship in 2011.

The CSUDH women’s soccer team won the 1991 NCAA Division II Championship, defeating Sonoma State 2–1 in the final. The CSUDH softball team won the NCAA Division II in 2022.

The men’s golf team has claimed titles in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019 PGA Works Collegiate Golf Championship, a tournament open to Historically Minority Colleges.

Coach Bonner summed up the teams goals this season and what it means to CSUDH: “They (team) are also hoping that this run helps to continue to reiterate the narrative that DH is a campus to be a part of and to show the greatness that it can provide. They love this school and want to continue to represent it athletically, academically, and nationally.”

PGA TOUR Announces Pathway to Progression Player Development Program

Special to NNPA Newswire

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – The PGA TOUR today formally announced its Pathway to Progression player development program, a comprehensive effort to achieve greater diversity in golf through an increased focus on developing talent from diverse and historically underrepresented groups.

“Through the Pathway to Progression program, we hope to motivate and inspire the next generation of golfers from diverse and underrepresented communities,” said PGA TOUR Vice President, Player Development Kenyatta Ramsey. “Pathway to Progression, in alignment with our APGA Tour partnership and the Collegiate Ranking program, will provide a path for talented junior and collegiate golfers from diverse backgrounds to continue their development and chase their dream of becoming a professional golfer. We are excited to provide these enhanced competitive and training opportunities in the development process.”

The junior golf program will create competitively focused opportunities for the identification and support of highly talented junior golfers from underrepresented communities. Twenty-four juniors, to be determined with key partners at the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA), American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), Cameron Champ Foundation, First Tee, Jim Thorpe Invitational, Notah Begay III Junior National Championship and UNDERRATED Golf presented by Stephen Curry, will have the opportunity to participate in a joint AJGA/Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) junior golf tournament, a two-day development camp and shootout at TPC Sawgrass, and receive developmental support and college preparatory tools.

The collegiate program – aligning with PGA TOUR and APGA Collegiate Ranking goals to provide top Black collegiate players with transitional support in the professional ranks – will elevate the level of awareness, competitive opportunities and education for HBCU golfers while providing tangible career development opportunities. This includes, with support from partners at the GCAA, Black College Golf Coaches Association (BCGCA) and Golfstat, a continued HBCU Coaches Summit at the GCAA National Convention. Top performers will also participate in a two-day development camp at TPC Sawgrass.

“The PGA TOUR continues to provide HBCUs with the exposure and resources to grow our college golf programs,” said North Carolina Central University Coach Dr. Kendra Greene. “The support not only assists financially, but continues with professional development

Program to provide path to professional golf for junior and collegiate golfers from diverse backgrounds.

opportunities for HBCU coaches, collaboration with the BCGCA to execute quality collegiate events for our players, and devotes attention on a global stage to the promotion of minority golf. It has really allowed for us to elevate our profiles and get junior golfers interested in competing for our teams.”

About PGA TOUR By showcasing golf’s greatest players, the PGA TOUR engages, inspires and positively impacts our fans, partners and communities worldwide.

The PGA TOUR, headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, co-sanctions tournaments on the PGA

TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, PGA TOUR Canada and administers the PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament and PGA TOUR University. TOUR members represent the world’s best players, hailing from 24 countries and territories. Showcasing the biggest moments in the sport with history and legacy on the line, the PGA TOUR has long-term domestic distribution partnerships for broadcast coverage on CBS, NBC and Golf Channel and video streaming service on ESPN+. Internationally, PGA TOUR coverage is available across 200+ countries and territories in

26 languages via 44 broadcast and digital partners. Virtually all tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations to maximize charitable giving, and to date, tournaments across all Tours have generated more than $3.64 billion. Fans can follow the PGA TOUR on the new PGA TOUR app and PGATOUR.COM, and on social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram (in Spanish, Korean and Japanese), LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter (in English and Spanish), WeChat, Weibo, Toutiao, Douyin and LINE.

How The Toros Got There

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports

Writer

CSUDH got to the finals by beating Cal Poly Pamona 87-61 in their tourney opener, after leading by just one at the half 46-45. The host team trailed by 10 points in the second before pulling away outscoring the Broncos 22-4 in the third period.

Nala Williams led all scorers with a season high 26 points. The CCAA Freshman of The Year was one of four Toros who scored in double figures. Joe’l Benoit had 12 all coming from downtown. Deejanae Poland and Asia Jordan chipped in 11 apiece.

After that game Bonner commented on the first tourney win since the 1994-1995 season.

“I’m proud the way our team fought back tonight, this is new territory for us so we had some jitters at the start. Once we relaxed our defense showed and we were able to pull away.”

The following night the team would battle the #4 seed

Montana State Billings prevailing 77-66.

Asia Jordan again had a solid performance. The Lakewood High product had a game high 23-points 15 in the first half to go with 10 boards to help put the Toros in front at the break 43-31.     Kortney Nelson and Taryn Shelley each had 13 as Dyaini Boyce and Shala Montague had 12 and 11 respectfully for MSUB.

It was the first win against the Yellowjackets 25-8, in six previous tries dating back to 1988.    Jordan, Nala Williams and Deejanae Poland were named to the All-Tournament team.

NEXT UP: The Toros will square off against CATAWBA College of Sailsbury, North Carolina at the St Joseph Civic Center. The Indians (28-5) won their first Southeast Regional title with a win over Georgia Southwestern 75-65. Lyrek Thorne scored 33 points while hitting 5 of 9 from behind the arc. Thorne made the Alltourney team and was named Most Outstanding player.

California State University Domingues Hills

Women’s Head Coach John Bonner takes a moment after winning their first round game with Los Angeles News Observer Editor James Luckey Jr. (right). (OGNSC File Photo)

Los Angeles News Observer Editor James Luckey Jr. (left) interviews California State University Dominguez Hills President Dr. Thomas A. Parham (right). (OGNSC File Photo)

Jim Thorpe Park Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

By Ricky Richardson

Contributing Writer (Hawthorne, CA) The City of Hawthorne held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to unveil upgrades performed on Jim Thorpe Park, 14100 Prairie Avenue. The ceremony was held near the playground area, Monday, March 13, 2023, from 10:30am-noon.

City Officials, community stakeholders, (Hawthorn Historical Society, Parks and Recreation, Fine Arts Commissioners, Civil Service Commissioner) and staff from the Housing, Human Resources, Finance and Public Works Department and members of Hawthorne Police Department as well as local residents were in attendance for the ceremony.

Welcome remarks were presented by Von Norris, City Manager and Director of Community Services and Angie Reyes English, Mayor Pro Tem. Jasmine Leon Guerrero, District Representative, Office of State Senator Steven Bradford, Hayley Hutt, Field Representative, Office of Assembly member Tina McKinnor and Ara An, Deputy, Constituent Engagement, Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell were additional speakers who spoke about the importance of parks for the community and its positive benefits.

Attendee heard about and viewed the upgrades to the picnic area, new installations of exercise equipment, playground equipment, baskets courts and parking lots. It didn’t take long for the adults and children to partake and enjoy the new features of the playground equipment. Light refreshments were enjoyed at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Severe Storms Continue to Strike California;

How to Prepare and What Resources Are Available to Residents

By Philtrina Farquharson

Contributing Writer

At this point, California is no stranger to large and damaging storms. The saga continues as much of the state will be affected by heavy rain in the coming days and throughout the month.

On average, residents will see two - five inches of rainfall with some areas seeing over eight inches. These high-powered storms pose a threat to communities throughout the state.

Governor Newsom has activated the State Operations Center to coordinate mutual aid and bring state support to county-led emergency response efforts. Additionally, the governor has declared a state of emergency in 40 counties including Los Angeles. President Biden has also authorized federal assistance to support the storm response effort in California.

According to Corrin Buchanan, Deputy Secretary of the California Health and Human Services (CalHHS), 33 shelters are already available across the state, with 12 more to be available shortly”. Buchanan also stated that CalHHS is prioritizing the state’s most vulnerable populations, including unhoused people, the elderly, and those living in congregate settings. If you know of any elderly or disabled neighbors, check in with them to ensure their safety.

When disaster does strike and flooding arises, never drive around barricades, as local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas. Never drive into flooded areas, as a foot - or 12 inches - of water can float many vehicles. Finally, do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters.

How to Prepare: Prepare for Loss of Power

Residents should keep any necessary equipment charged and conserve power when possible. There is also an opportunity to work with programs like Disability Disaster Access & Resources to secure backup batteries. Lastly, it may be best to connect with local friends, family, and care providers to assist during power outages.

Create a Plan to Evacuate

If told to evacuate, do so immediately, and know that personnel at emergency evacuation centers cannot ask for identification. Everyone is welcome at emergency evacuation centers. Also, make a list of friends, family members, co-workers, neighbors, or others who can help you evacuate. Always follow the guidance of local authorities and learn different evacuation routes to leave your community.

Get Emergency ALERTS

Signing up for your community’s warning system is important, and you can learn more at CalAlerts.gov. Staying informed about the conditions around you will help you make better decisions about how to stay safe during severe storms and flooding.

Resources Available:

CalHHS Emergency Resource Guide

This guide offers a Personal Emergency Plan for Vulnerable Individuals (English & Spanish), Prescription Drug Guide (English & Spanish), Mental Health Resources, and Social & Health care services. For more information, visit www.chhs.ca.gov/blog/2023/01/04/ calhhs-emergency-resource-guide/

Connect with CalHOPE Call the 1-833-317-HOPE (4673) warmline for direct support or visit calhope.org. The situation can be very stressful, but help is available.

California Department of Social Services

Shelters and warming centers can be accessed at www. cdss.ca.gov Resources are available for Californians in need, and you can find up-to-date information at listoscalifornia.org/ recovery. It is crucial for individuals to stay informed and prepared to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones amidst severe storms. While the state government and emergency responders are coordinating mutual aid and providing assistance, Californians should also take the necessary precautions.

Jim Thorpe Park Monument (Photo by Ricky Richardson)

Jim Thorpe Park Mural (Photo by Ricky Richardson)

New Playground Equipment (Photo by Ricky Richardson)