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News Observer The Valley’s
Volume 37 Number 16
Serving the San Fernando Valley for Over 37 Years
Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California
Black Women, Legal Scholars Praise SCOTUS Nomination Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Nyah Marshall Howard University News Service Americans around the country, including legal scholars and Black women, are praising President Joe Biden’s announcement last week nominating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to replace Associate Justice Stephen Breyer on the U.S. Supreme Court. If confirmed, Jackson would make history as the first Black woman and the first former federal public defender to serve as a Supreme Court justice. “For too long, our government, our courts haven’t looked like America,” Biden said at the White House, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Judge Jackson. “I believe that we should have a court that reflects the full talents and greatness of our nation with a nominee of extraordinary qualifications and that will inspire all young people to believe that they can one day serve our country at the highest level,” Biden said. Jackson, 51, currently sits on the District of Columbia (D.C.) Court of Appeals and has broad judicial, academic and practical legal experience. She was three times confirmed by the Senate, twice unanimously, when picked to serve on the U.S. Sentencing Commission and when appointed by President Barack Obama to be on the D.C. Federal District Court. In her acceptance speech, Jackson revealed that she shares a birthday with Constance Baker Motley, the first Black woman appointed to serve as a federal judge. “Today, I proudly stand on Judge Motley’s shoulders, sharing not only her birthday, but also her steadfast and courageous commitment to equal justice under law,” Jackson said. “Judge Motley – her life and career -- has been a true inspiration to me, as I have pursued this professional path,” she explained. “And if I’m fortunate enough to be confirmed as the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, I can only hope that my life and career, my love of this country and the Constitution, and my commitment to upholding the rule of law, and the sacred principles upon which this great nation was founded, will inspire future generations of Americans.” “Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is an outstanding nominee,” said Danielle Holley-Walker, dean and professor at the Howard University School of Law, whose alumni include Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Holley-Walker said a noteworthy aspect of Jackson’s background is that she has devoted most of her career to serving the public. As a federal public defender, Jackson represented defendants on appeal who did not have the
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Rare Copy of First Novel by African American Woman Donated
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) – A rare version of a book considered the first novel published in the U.S. by a Black woman has returned to her home state of New Hampshire. An original first edition of Harriet Wilson’s “ Our Nig; or Sketches From the Life of a Free Black “ was recently donated to Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, WMUR-TV reports. The book was hand-delivered to the organization by a retired librarian in California who found the novel in a family safe, according to the station. The organization plans to display the book at its headquarters in Portsmouth after it undergoes some minor restoration. JerriAnne Boggis, the organization’s executive director, said the largely autobiographical work, which Wilson wrote while living in Boston in 1859, represents an act of courage. The novel tells the story of Frado, a Black girl who is abused and overworked as the indentured servant to a New England family. “She sold them door to door, and all during that time when the Fugitive Slave Act was in place,’’ Boggis told WMURTV. “So, she’s knocking at people’s doors and not even sure if she would be captured and taken into slavery.’’ Wilson was born in Milford, New Hampshire in 1825 and a statue in the town’s Bicentennial Park honors her. She died in 1900 in a Massachusetts hospital.
Trayvon Martin’s Mother: ‘Don’t Give Up’ Fight for Justice Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson speaks after President Joe Biden announced Jackson as his nominee to the Supreme Court in the Cross Hall of the White House, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Washington. Vice President Kamala Harris listens as right. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
means to pay for a lawyer and worked to identify errors that occurred during their trials. “I think one of the most important things for those of us who are interested in issues of justice and equality is that she served as a public defender, and she would not only be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court. She would also be the first public defender to ever serve on the Supreme Court,” she added. Jackson was born in Washington, D.C., in 1970 and grew up in Florida with her parents who are both graduates of HBCUs. After graduating from Harvard, Jackson clerked for three federal jurists, including retiring Justice Stephen Breyer. Later, she began representing clients in criminal and civil appellate matters at Goodwin Procter LLP, appearing
before the Supreme Court in the case McGuire v. Reilly. In this case, she represented Massachusetts reproductive rights groups, arguing that the state law prohibiting anti-abortion protesters from harassing people seeking reproductive health care should be upheld. During her seven years as a district judge, Jackson issued several rulings on topics like federal environmental law, employment discrimination and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The most notable one included Committee on the Judiciary v. McGahn, in which she ruled that Don McGahn, the former White House counsel to President Donald Trump, was required to testify before the House Judiciary Committee as part of its investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.
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Black Caucus Honors 11 “Unsung Heroes”
Edward Henderson California Black Media Last week, to mark Black History Month, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) held a virtual ceremony honoring people with the group’s Unsung Heroes award. The 11 CLBC lawmakers nominated an individual from their respective districts – people who exemplify selflessness, courage and service, and whose work to lift others often goes unrecognized. “From our earliest days in the United States, the course of this country’s history has been influenced by African American heroes and pioneers that go far beyond slavery and fighting for our freedom,” said Bradford. “We have contributed to science, medicine, business, education, government, industry and social leadership,” he continued. Bradford said he hopes the CLBC tradition of
Take One!
honoring a wide variety of people doing extraordinary work serves as a reminder that “no matter who you are you can create long-lasting change.” Here is a list of the CLBC’s 2022 Unsung Heroes: 35th Senate District (Los Angeles County) Bradford nominated Dr. Keith Curry, President of Compton College and CEO of the Compton Community College District (CCCD). Curry is responsible for overseeing all departments and functions of Compton College and serves as secretary for the CCCD Board of Trustees. He helped raise $11.3 million to help the school transition to an independent college. 30th Senate District (Los Angeles) Sen. Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles), Co-chair of the CLBC, nominated Charles “Bear” Sprately. Sprately founded Brothers Against Banging Youth (BABY) in 2008. The community-based nonprofit provides gang prevention and crisis intervention for young men and women in
CLBC 2022 Unsung Heroes: (L-R): Keith Curry, Nancy Harvey, Derek Steele, Ayana Davis
NEW YORK (AP) – The mother of Trayvon Martin used the 10th anniversary of her son’s death Saturday to urge those who sought justice for her family to continue to fight. “I never do anything on the 26th, I never even plan anything on the 26th of February,’’ Sybrina Fulton said at the weekly meeting of the National Action Network, the civil rights organization founded by the Rev. Al Sharpton in Harlem. She told an audience that included Sharpton and Mayor Eric Adams that she wanted to be there to support her supporters. Adams, a New York state senator at the time, was among several Black lawmakers who wore hooded sweatshirts to a 2012 legislative session to call attention to the 17-year-old’s death in Sanford, Florida. Trayvon Martin had been wearing a similar sweatshirt when he was fatally shot on his way back from a store while visiting his father in a gated community in the Orlando suburb. George Zimmerman, a member of the community’s neighborhood watch, confronted the teenager and shot him after reporting him to authorities as a suspicious person. Zimmerman, who told authorities that Martin had attacked him, was acquitted of second-degree murder in 2013. The shooting refocused attention on race and justice in the United States. Sharpton, who early on met with Martin’s family and their attorney Ben Crump as they worked to draw attention to his death, on Saturday compared Martin’s legacy to that of Emmett Till, the Chicago teen whose lynching in Mississippi in 1955 stoked the civil rights movement. “Today is a bittersweet day,’’ said Fulton, who with her family created the Trayvon Martin Foundation to raise awareness of gun violence. “I thank God for all the Trayvon Martins that you don’t know, all the young ladies who have been shot and killed and our Black and brown boys who have been shot and killed and you don’t know their names. Thank you for standing up for them. Thank you for praying for them. Thank you for supporting them. They need you. They need your voice. And if you don’t do anything else, don’t give up.’’ Adams praised Fulton for “turning pain into purpose.’’
underserved neighborhoods. BABY has been key to opening up new opportunities to thousands of Los Angeles area youth. 7th Assembly District (Sacramento and Yolo Counties) Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) nominated Sharron Chandler, Founder and Executive Director of Yes2Kollege Education Resources, Inc. The Sacramento non-profit provides African American students with “real time” educational tools and resources to live healthy and productive lives, while helping them aim for academic excellence and prepare for high-skill jobs.
Biden Closes Out Black History Month w/White House Event
9th Assembly District (Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties) Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) nominated Dr. Janine Bera, Chief Medical Officer at WellSpace Health. The non-profit community health center system provides medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services to more than 100,000 people each year at 31 greater Sacramento area locations. 18th Assembly District (Alameda County) Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) nominated Nancy Harvey, owner of Lil Nancy’s Primary Schoolhouse, a home-based family childcare program in Oakland. The school serves children 4 years old and younger, teaching them language, arts, math, science, and social skills. The program prides itself on its low staff-to-child ratio designed to increase interactions with adults, promote learning, and prevent education gaps -- so children enter school “kinderready.” 41st Assembly District (Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties) Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) nominated Ray Ealy, founder of STEAM:CODERS. Founded in 2014, STEAM:CODERS enhances the education of K-12 students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM), preparing them for educational or professional opportunities. STEAM:CODERS recruits students who reside in communities served by Title I schools. Through the program, thousands of students have been introduced to skillbuilding training. 54th District (Los Angeles County) Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) nominated Cassandra Steptoe-Sampson, founder of A Child’s Dream-CA. The non-profit is dedicated to helping children in South Central Los Angeles -- and their families -- access resources they need for school and to stay healthy. Under her leadership, the organization has distributed backpacks, school supplies, shoes, clothing, hygiene kits and toys to the families in Los Angeles, and beyond, with the help of sponsors and partners.
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden welcomed Black leaders to the White House Monday for a jovial Black History Month celebration, where he called on Congress to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, and pass voting rights bills. “I know progress can be slow and frustrating,’’ Biden said. “But I also know what’s possible if we work together, if we keep the faith, if we remember - changes and charges that are passed down to us.’’ About 150 people including members of the Congressional Black Caucus, state and local elected officials, the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and other community leaders, were gathered in the East Room. Members of Biden’s Cabinet who are Black and other administration officials stood on stage as Biden called on them by name to express his gratitude. Biden said he was happy to have the event in-person; the coronavirus prevented the event last year. He was joined by first lady Jill Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris, who said that the group was gathered at at a time when America’s democratic principles have come under threat as Ukraine is attacked by Russia. “Black History Month was established to teach the history that too often has not been taught - the history of black excellence and leadership in America,” Harris said. “And we are clear,’’ she said. “Black history is American history. It is living, breathing history.’’ Biden was introduced by a high schooler named Cateo Hilton, who mentors younger students in Washington and will attend Delaware State University - news that prompted a standing ovation from the president, who grew up in Delaware. In his remarks, the president called on Congress to confirm Jackson, who would be the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. “She is an incredible woman,’’ he said. “She has done so many things.’’ And he also asked for the passage of voting rights bills, an effort he pushed for but one that has so far failed in Congress.
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