U.S. Navy Exonerates Black
The Valley’s The Valley’sNews Observer
Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race and Endorses Harris California Reacts
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
On June 21, President Joe Biden announced in a letter posted on social media that he is ending his candidacy for a second term and throwing his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden, 81, addressed the nation in a statement.
Shortly after Biden’s announcement, political and civil leaders from across California reacted to the President’s decision.
Gov. Gavin Newsom hailed Biden’s leadership as President.
“President Biden has been an extraordinary, historymaking president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans,” Newsom said. “He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents.”
Lori Wilson, the chairperson for the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), released a statement wishing Biden well and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as Biden’s Democratic nominee successor.
“As Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, I would like to express our gratitude to President Biden and thank him for his many years of service and support of policies uplifting Black Californians,” Wilson stated. “As a Caucus, we are proud to stand with President Biden and offer our wholehearted and unconditional endorsement to Vice President Kamala D. Harris. We look forward to working hard to ensure she is elected President in November.” Biden’s campaign released a statement from Harris.
“I am honored to have the president’s endorsement, and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” Harris stated. “Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead.”
U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) released a statement commending Biden for his many accomplishments.
“From appointing the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court to historic investments in addressing climate change and improving infrastructure, to saving lives and reviving our economy after the COVID-19 pandemic, President Biden’s legacy as president will live on forever,” Lee stated. This day is about honoring him.” Lee also endorsed Harris for President.
“The contrast can’t be clearer: Vice President Harris is a prosecutor. Donald Trump is a convicted felon. Vice President Harris is a woman that wants to protect reproductive freedom and the rights of all people,” said Lee in a statement. “Donald Trump wants to take those rights away. We need to unite around Vice President Harris
and ensure that Donald Trump does not get another opportunity to be in the White House ever again.”
LaNiece Jones, Executive Director of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), thanked Biden for his service and praised him for his endorsement of Harris.
“We are profoundly thankful for your steadfast commitment to ensuring equity and equality for Black women and all Americans. Your efforts to create a more just and inclusive society do not go unnoticed, and we stand firmly with you as you pass the torch to the next U.S. President.” said Jones. “We are immensely proud of and commend your historic endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, a longtime and esteemed member of BWOPA, to lead this nation.”
California Senate President pro-Tempore Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) also expressed his appreciation for Biden’s presidency. “His leadership has been nothing short of tremendous, especially coming out of a global pandemic. California is deeply grateful for his tireless dedication to this nation we all love to call home,” said McGuire.
California U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler said the nation owes Biden a “debt of gratitude for his service and patriotism.”
“Thanks to his leadership, the American people have witnessed historic investments in education, infrastructure, and so much more,” said Butler in a statement. “The threat to all that progress remains, and we must now do
everything we can to ensure Vice President Harris succeeds. There’s no one better prepared for this challenge.”
California U.S. Congressmember Eric Swalwell (D-Livermore) endorsed Harris.
“I am all in with Kamala Harris,” Swalwell said on a public television network.
Former U.S. Congressmember and current Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says she will continue to work with the Biden administration until it ends in January 2025.
“I know that the work will continue through the remainder of the President’s term, and I look forward to continuing to partner with him and Vice President Harris to deliver results for those whom we serve,” Bass stated.
California U.S. Congressmember Sydney KamlagerDove (D-CA-37) posted on X that says she’s “all in” and that she has endorsed Harris.
“Let’s do this Democrats. Let’s do this, Independents. Let’s do this, disaffected Republicans. Here. We. Go. Win!”
California U.S. Congressmember Maxine Waters (D-CA43) posted on the social media platform X that Harris has her “full support.”
“Thank you, President Biden! I am one of your greatest supporters and I was willing to stay with you through the Democratic Party nomination. However, you have decided to step down and you have endorsed your Vice President Kamala Harris. You are a kind and decent man who is willing to make a sacrifice for what you believe is for the good of the country.”
Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Dies at
By
The fiery congresswoman disclosed her diagnosis in a written statement shortly after winning renomination in a fiercely contested Democratic primary. Known for her unwavering commitment to social justice, she was a fervent advocate for reparations for African Americans and a vocal critic of the twice impeached and 34 times convicted felon and former President Donald Trump. Unlike some of her colleagues, she did not join the calls for President Joe Biden to step aside from the 2024 race.
As recently as Wednesday, July 19, Jackson Lee continued to champion President Biden’s re-election campaign. “Something that does not get talked about enough: we were able to bring down homicides in Houston with federal investment,” she wrote on X. “After President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, we brought $50 million to the city to take on crime—and it worked! Local/ federal partnership saved lives.”
She added, “This House Democrat believes Joe Biden has served us well and has the best plans for the future. I am laser-focused on beating Donald Trump and delivering for America because that’s what matters.” Jackson Lee also reminded her followers that America saw one of the most significant homicide spikes ever in Trump’s last year in office. “He threw his hands in the air and did not know what to do,” she asserted. “Since he left, I am proud that our American Rescue Plan has done the very important work to bring these numbers down! Federal/local partnerships worked.”
Jackson Lee’s legislative achievements are significant and wide-ranging. She played a crucial role in the passage of the Violence Against Women Act. She was a senior House Committee member on the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget Committees. She was the first female ranking member of the Judiciary Subcommittee for Crime
and Federal Government Surveillance, serving as Chair during the 117th Congress. Among her notable legislative efforts were the Sentencing Reform Act, the George Floyd Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act, The RAISE Act, The Fair Chance for Youth Act, the Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act, Kalief’s Law, and the American RISING Act. She also introduced the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization and Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act and the Federal Prison Bureau Nonviolent Offender Relief Act.
A staunch supporter of women and children, Jackson Lee championed the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. She authored the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Research and Education Act. Jackson Lee was widely recognized for her effectiveness and influence. Congressional Quarterly named her one of the 50 most effective Members of Congress, and U.S. News and World Report listed her among the ten most influential legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives. She was a founder, member, and chair of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus and the Congressional Children’s Caucus. She was chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Energy Braintrust and the Justice Reform Task Force co-chair.
A Yale University alumna, Jackson Lee earned her B.A. in Political Science with honors and later received a J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Elwyn Lee, an administrator at the University of Houston; her two children, Jason Lee, a Harvard University graduate, and Erica Lee, a Duke University graduate and member of the Harris County School Board; and her two grandchildren, twins Ellison Bennett Carter and Roy Lee Carter III.
Sean Kingston and His Mother Indicted on Federal Charges in $1M Fraud Scheme
MIAMI (AP) — Rapper
more than $200,000 from Bank of America, $160,000 from a Cadilac Escalade dealer, more than $100,000 from First Republic Bank and $86,000 from the maker of customized beds.
The Jamaican American performer had a No. 1 hit with “Beautiful
the charges and were “confident of a successful resolution.” Kingston, whose legal name is Kisean Anderson, was already serving a two-year probation sentence for trafficking stolen property.
His mother pleaded guilty in 2006 to bank fraud for stealing over $160,000 and served nearly 1.5 years in prison, according to federal court records.
ATLANTA (AP) — The new judge presiding over the racketeering and gang prosecution of rapper Young Thug and several other defendants said Friday she plans to move forward expeditiously with the trial, which has already dragged on for more than a year. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker held a hearing with prosecutors and defense attorneys to understand any pending issues she needed to address and lay down some ground rules.
Whitaker received the case after the first judge overseeing it, Chief Judge Ural Glanville, was removed. Two defendants had sought his recusal, citing a meeting the judge held with prosecutors and a state witness. Jury selection began in January 2023 and took nearly 10 months. Opening statements were in November, and the prosecution has been presenting its case since then, calling dozens of witnesses.
Whitaker said she was “parachuting in” and had not been following the case. The case is currently on hold, with jurors due back in August. Whitaker said she plans to start court promptly at 8:45 a.m. She also asked for a “realistic” witness list from attorneys, including what they expect those witnesses to say.
She noted she had the authority to exclude evidence and said she could use it.
“I need for us to try to be efficient with the jury’s time,” she said.
Young Thug, a Grammy winner whose given name is Jeffery Williams, was charged two years ago in a sprawling indictment accusing him and more than two dozen others of conspiring to violate Georgia’s antiracketeering law. He also is charged with gang, drug and gun crimes.
He is standing trial with five other people indicted with him.
Brian Steel, a lawyer for Young Thug, has said his client is innocent and seeks to clear his name through a fair trial.
(Shutterstock) President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Stacy M. Brown Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, one of the longest-serving members of the Texas delegation, has died at the age of 74. In June, Jackson Lee announced her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, yet she showed little indication of letting it interfere with her plans to run for a 16th term this November.
Biden Administration Announces $1.2
Billion More in Student Debt Forgiveness
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA
Newswire Senior National Correspondent
On Thursday, July 18, the Biden administration announced the forgiveness of $1.2 billion in student debt for 35,000 public service workers, including teachers, nurses, and firefighters. The announcement is part of a broader effort to provide loan relief following the Supreme Court’s decision last year to block President Joe Biden’s plan for widespread college loan forgiveness, and former President Donald Trump and his Republican ally’s opposition to assisting students, the poor, and the middle class. Ironically, Trump is seeking relief from a $500 million business fraud judgment handed down earlier this year in New York. According to the Department of Education, this latest round of forgiveness brings the total debt relief under the Biden administration to $168.5 billion, benefiting approximately 4.8 million Americans. This represents about one in ten student loan borrowers.
The beneficiaries of this round of debt cancellation are participants in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Established in 2007, the PSLF program aims to help public servants, such as teachers, nurses, and law enforcement officers, have their debt canceled after ten years of repayment. In the past, the program has struggled with confusing instructions and complicated regulations, which has reduced its effectiveness. However, the Biden administration has reformed the PSLF program’s rules, making it easier for public servants to qualify for forgiveness.
“The additional Americans approved for PSLF today are hardworking public servants who will finally receive the financial breathing room they were promised — and all
PSLF recipients can easily track and manage the process through StudentAid.gov,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona stated in the announcement.
The administration also highlighted that this forgiveness includes individuals enrolled in the PSLF program through a limited waiver and regulatory changes. The Biden administration introduced the limited PSLF waiver, which allowed public-sector workers to receive credit for prior repayments that were not previously eligible for loan relief. The deadline for this waiver was October 2022.
Despite setbacks, including temporary injunctions against the administration’s flagship student loan repayment plan, the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, and the Supreme Court’s rejection of a previous debt forgiveness plan, the Biden administration remains committed to student loan relief. Borrowers can still enroll in the program, the Education Department has confirmed.
President Joe Biden emphasized the administration’s achievements over the past three years, including increasing the maximum Pell Grant, fixing income-driven repayment plans, and holding colleges accountable for exploiting students and families.
“From day one of my administration, I promised to fight to ensure higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity. I will never stop working to make higher education affordable – no matter how many times Republican elected officials try to stop us,” Biden said.
“Today, my administration is canceling student debt for 35,000 people through Public Service Loan Forgiveness, bringing the total number of Americans who have benefitted from our various debt relief actions to 4.76
million people,” President Biden stated. “These 35,000 borrowers are public service workers who have dedicated their lives to strengthening their communities. Because of the fixes we made to Public Service Loan Forgiveness, they will now have more breathing room to support themselves and their families.”
aiming to provide more relief to millions of borrowers despite legal and political challenges.
AOC Files Impeachment Articles
Against Supreme Court Justices
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
New York Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, renowned for her unyielding and fiery approach to governance, has taken unprecedented steps against Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito by introducing articles of impeachment on Wednesday. This decisive action comes as accusations of corruption fly along with a deepening constitutional crisis.
Ocasio-Cortez arrived in Congress in 2019 with a flare, temperament, and youthful enthusiasm not seen in a long time. She also arrived as part of “The Squad,” and the
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34-year-old firebrand, better known as AOC, has taken a no-holds-barred approach to governing, something rarely seen in Democrats. Now, she’s leading the charge against a heavily right-leaning and potentially corrupt U.S. Supreme Court.
“The unchecked corruption crisis on the Supreme Court has now spiraled into a Constitutional crisis threatening American democracy writ large,” OcasioCortez declared in a press release. She condemned the justices for their “pattern of refusal to recuse” from cases involving their personal and financial interests and their “failure to disclose” millions of dollars in gifts spanning decades.
The impeachment resolutions are rooted in allegations that Thomas and Alito have repeatedly failed to disclose significant financial gifts and have refused to recuse themselves from cases with clear conflicts of interest. Thomas faces additional scrutiny for not recusing himself from cases involving his wife’s legal and financial interests. At the same time, Alito is accused of presiding over cases where he had a personal bias.
Ocasio-Cortez’s bold move follows a contentious 6-3 Supreme Court ruling that granted presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution, a decision that favored former President Trump amidst his multiple felony charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. “Today’s ruling represents an assault on American
democracy. It is up to Congress to defend our nation from this authoritarian capture,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on social platform X.
Their affiliations with the “Stop the Steal” movement, which questioned the validity of the 2020 election, have made the allegations against Thomas and Alito worse. Thomas’s wife played a significant role in the movement, and Alito faced criticism for a flag associated with the movement flying over his home. Both justices have refused calls to recuse themselves from related cases, raising serious concerns about their impartiality.
In parallel with Ocasio-Cortez’s impeachment resolutions, Democratic lawmakers have proposed reforms to increase accountability within the Supreme Court. These include imposing term limits on justices, establishing an enforceable code of ethics, expanding the number of judges, and enhancing congressional oversight.
This week, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to appoint a Special Counsel to investigate Justice Clarence Thomas for potential violations of ethics, false statements, and tax laws. They highlighted solid evidence of Thomas’s failure to disclose over $267,000 in forgiven debt for a luxury motorcoach and numerous other undisclosed gifts from billionaire benefactors.
The senators stressed the need for thorough investigation and accountability, noting that no government official should be above the law. “Presented with opportunities to resolve questions about his conduct, Justice Thomas has maintained a suspicious silence,” they wrote. Ocasio-Cortez underscored the gravity of the situation, concluding, “The integrity of our democracy is at stake. We must act decisively to uphold the rule of law and ensure that no one is above it, not even Supreme Court Justices.” This decisive action comes as accusations of corruption fly along with a deepening constitutional crisis.
Georgia Appeals Court Sets December Hearing for Trump Election Interference Case
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
oversee the appeal, with a decision anticipated by mid-March. The losing party may then seek a further appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court.
The case stems from an August 2022 indictment by a Fulton County grand jury, which charged Trump and 18 others with attempting to overturn Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results illegally. While four defendants have reached plea deals, Trump and the remaining defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The Georgia case is one of several legal battles Trump is currently facing. Recently, a federal judge in Florida, appointed by Trump and an avowed MAGA supporter, dismissed a case concerning the bombastic former president’s handling of classified documents, a decision that the Department of Justice plans to appeal. In New York, Trump’s sentencing for his conviction in the hush money trial has been postponed following a Supreme Court ruling granting former presidents’ broad immunity. The ruling is also expected to delay a federal case in Washington, where Trump is accused of plotting to overturn the 2020 election results.
In March, Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled that no conflict of interest warranted Willis’s removal but granted the defendant’s request to appeal his decision. McAfee mandated that Willis’ ex-boyfriend Nathan Wade’s resignation.
Ironically, Trump is seeking relief from a $500 million business fraud judgment handed down earlier this year in New York.
The Biden administration said it continues to work on a plan for broad-based student loan relief through the Higher Education Act,
What to Stream This Week: Ice
Spice, Ghostbusters, Bob Marley, Wayne Brady and New ‘Futurama’
By The Associated Press
The long-awaited debut album from Ice Spice and the movie “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” with new and old franchise stars are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Wayne Brady allows cameras into his life for a new reality series and Kate Upton hosts the new competition series “Dress My Tour,” where fashion and music intersect. NEW MOVIES TO STREAM
— It’s been 40 years since the original “Ghostbusters,” and some might argue that it’s time to move on. I ain’t afraid of no ghosts, but I am of needlessly prolonged film franchises. “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” which begins streaming Monday on Netflix, has some things going for it. Namely Kumail Nanjiani, who steals the movie as the reluctant “Fire Master.” But there’s a pleasant-enough kidfriendly-ish vibe to “Frozen Empire,” in which the Spengler family (Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace) returns to New York. OG Ghostbusters Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson and Dan Aykroyd are also still on hand. In my review, I wrote that the movie has “a modest charm as an ’80s-tinged family adventure.”
— “Bob Marley: One Love,” streaming Tuesday on Prime Video, is the latest in a medley of music biopics. The film, which first debuted in theaters in February, stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as the reggae legend. It’s a muddled but sincere and textured approach in capturing one of the most potent musical forces of the 20th century. In my review, I wrote that “the power and complexity of Marley is out of reach for ‘One Love,’ which takes a typical biopic framework.”
— Guy Ritchie tells a true historical tale in “The
Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” (streaming Thursday on Prime Video) albeit with plenty of amped-up, actionmovie exaggeration. During World War II, a small band led by an ex-criminal (Henry Cavill) sails to the West African islands to sabotage a fleet of German U-boats. The tale boasts plenty of real-life intrigue, including James Bond author Ian Fleming, himself. In my review, I praised Ritchie’s jauntily entertaining film but lamented that the real-life stealth mission “would have been thrilling enough if it had been told with a little historical accuracy.”
— AP Film Writer Jake Coyle NEW MUSIC TO STREAM
— The long-awaited debut album from everyone’s favorite contemporary Bronx MC, Ice Spice, arrives Friday. On “Y2K!”, Ice Spice amplifies her idiosyncratic, lackadaisical flow with boisterous, often hilarious bars.
(That’s immediately evident on the previously released singles, like “Phat Butt” and “Think U The S--- (Fart).” She’s also brought out some heavy hitters for features: Travis Scott, Gunna, and the biggest British rapper of the current moment, Central Cee, make an appearance.
— The Australian electronic duo Empire of the Sun will return on Friday with “Ask That God,” their fourth studio album and first in eight years, since 2016’s “Two Vines.” Fans will remember Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore for their 2008 psychedelic dance-pop smash “Walking on a Dream” — and now, there’s new, similarly colorful and maximalist music to enjoy: Start with the shimmery “Cherry Blossom.”
— Each year, around the world and in the U.S., KCON – a convention that celebrates K-pop, K-drama, K-food, K-beauty, everything under the umbrella of “Hallyu,” a term used to describe the growing global popularity of Korean popular culture — takes place. It began 12 years
ago in Irvine, California, and has grown exponentially in the years since. The 2024 Los Angeles KCON returns to the LA Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena, and will take place July 26 through the 28, with a lineup boasting of NCT 127, P1Harmony, BOYNEXTDOOR, Taemin and more. For those who can't make it in person: Each night’s performances will be streamed live on KCON’s official YouTube channel. The concert will also air live on the CW Networks Sunday, July 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT for the first time ever.
— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman NEW SHOWS TO STREAM
— What would happen if the cast of “Love Island” caught the plague while sequestered in their villa? That’s one way to describe “The Decameron” on Netflix, a black comedy set in Florence, Italy. Loosely based on stories from the 14th century, a collection of misfits end up hiding out and partying through the 1348 pandemic at a countryside villa. The eight-part series, debuting Thursday, stars comedy pros like Tony Hale, Zosia Mamet and Saoirse-Monica Jackson in a romp full of sex, booze, love and mortality.
— Hilary Fox
— Fashion and music intersect in the new competition series “Dress My Tour” for Hulu. Hosted by Kate Upton, 11 contestants are challenged with designing looks for a different recording artist each episode who will judge their creations. The musicians who take part include JoJo Siwa, Toni Braxton and Ty Dolla $ign. The winner gets $100,000. “Dress My Tour” premieres Tuesday.
— We’ve seen Wayne Brady in front of the camera as an actor, comedian and host of “Let’s Make a Deal.” Now, he’s inviting cameras into his life off-screen with a reality series following his unconventional, blended family. Brady, who came out as pansexual last year, co-parents daughter
Maīle’ Masako Brady with his ex-wife and business partner, Mandie Taketa. Taketa has moved on with partner Jason Fordham and the two have a young son, Sundance-Isamu. Brady is the godfather of the boy and helping to raise him. “Wayne Brady: The Family Remix” premieres on Freeform on Wednesday and will stream next day on Hulu. — Matt Groening’s sci-fi animated comedy “Futurama” returns for its 12th season on Hulu on Monday. The streamer revived the show last year and has 10 new episodes ready to roll out. In “Futurama,” Billy West voices Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy who accidentally gets cryogenically frozen on the eve of Y2K in 1999. He defrosts one thousand years later and befriends a robot named Bender (John DiMaggio). The series is a workplace comedy following Fry, Bender and their colleagues at a delivery company called Planet Express.
— Alicia Rancilio NEW VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY — Fans of the original Legend of Zelda are sure to find Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure cozily familiar, with a green-clad protagonist fighting monsters and finding treasure across a 2D map. The gimmick here is that every time the intrepid Jemma moves, part of the landscape moves in the same direction. The developers promise a “playful sense of chaos, and a regular stream of small, thoughtful puzzles.” It’s the debut title from an indie studio called Furniture & Mattress, with peppy graphics by the artist who illustrated the cult classic Braid. The journey begins Thursday, July 25, on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC. — Lou Kesten
Co-Author of New Memoir Unveils
the Torture of Los Angeles-Based Revolutionary Deborah Jones
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
Black revolutionaries of the 1960s and 1970s faced unimaginable discrimination, violence, obstruction and hostility from law enforcement, people who opposed their ideologies and activities -- and even undercover agents of the federal government.
But what happens when the pain, torment and sabotage come from individuals they fought alongside, who they regarded as colleagues and “comrades?”
The newly released memoir “What We Stood For: The Story of a Revolutionary Black Woman,” written with the assistance of Thandisizwe Chimurenga, reveals the untold story of Los Angeles-based activist and advocate Deborah Jones. It details the harrowing experiences of Jones, 73, as a member of the Us Organization, one of the leading Black Power groups in California and the United States, from 1968 to 1970.
The US Organization was a political rival to the Black Panther Party.
Two years after Jones joined the Us Organization’s Taifa (Nation) Dance Troupe, Maulana Karenga, cofounder of the organization known for creating the African American holiday of Kwanzaa, accused Jones and Gail “Idili” Davis, another member, of trying to poison him.
According to Jones, that accusation is false and baseless.
According to the account in the book, the women were held and tortured in Karenga’s garage over Mother’s Day weekend in 1970. In addition to describing this account and explaining Jones’ life afterward, the memoir also tells Jones’ story of growing up in Los Angeles in a loving, ProBlack household, and her life’s calling of inspiring Black youth through Afro-centric teachings.
California Black Media spoke with co-writer Thandisizwe Chimurenga about her process working with Jones on the memoir and some of the sensitive subjects it includes. Jones declined CBM’s interview request and deferred to Chimurenga.
“The main reason I wanted to be part of this project, I believe Debroah Jones and Gale Davis, the other woman who was tortured along with her, I believe they are used as a hammer against Karenga and this US Organization,” said Chimurenga.
“What I mean by that is: every year during Kwanzaa, people who don’t like Karenga or the US Organization -because they’ve adopted the beef of the Panthers vs the US organization -- because of the anger and shock and hurt over the murders of Bunchy (Carter) and John (Huggins) -- one of the things they say is ‘in addition to killing Bunchy and John,” they also tortured two sisters.”
Members of the US Organization were convicted for killing Black Panthers Carter and Huggins.
Declassified FBI files have since revealed that some of the tensions between the U.S. Organization and the Black Panthers were inflamed by secret federal agents.
Chimurenga says, with the book, she and Jones want to associate faces with the nameless women people often mention were tortured by the US organization.
“They have names. They are actual people. This is what their life is like,” said Chimurenga. “This is what Deborah says happened to her. I wanted to put the face and the name and her story out there. She’s not just a nameless cudgel.”
Chimurenga, who helped provide background and context in certain areas, was introduced to Jones in 2019 when Jones shared her story as part of California State
University Northridge’s Tom and Ethel Bradley Center
Black Power Archives Oral History Project.
The writing process took about two years to complete, Chimurenga says. She started with transcripts of the oral history given by Jones and continued with subsequent interviews via Zoom, in person and over the phone. She also utilized interviews with other revolutionaries from the period who provided additional context for Jones’ story along with her impact.
“My work is to help people amplify their voice. In my writing I attempt to be as descriptive and detailed as possible. Telling a story that needs to be told in a way it needs to be told. Because I believe in the importance of Black women’s stories, I believe that made her feel comfortable also,” she added.
Jones’ story can be seen as a cautionary one for others involved in the movements of today, Chimurenga shares, “to facilitate justice in a time of polarization and bigotry.”
“Deborah talks about not listening to her intuition, wanting to be involved and the obstacles that she faced and the things she saw. Especially for this generation of activists and the era of Me Too, Black Lives Matter,” Chimurenga states. “We see so many young people getting involved for the first time, so many young women coming to the forefront as leadership. We have to stop making the same mistakes over and over again. When we see leadership that is not accountable to anyone, that acts as if it has the right to be unaccountable, we need to confront it.”
“What We Stood For: The Story of a Revolutionary Black Woman” is available now via Diasporic Africa Press and Amazon.
HUD and The Appraisal Foundation
Forge Historic Deal to Tackle Racial Inequity in Real
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
To address systemic racial disparities in the real estate appraisal profession, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today a historic Conciliation Agreement with The Appraisal Foundation (TAF).
TAF, the organization responsible for setting standards and qualifications for real estate appraisers, faced allegations of creating discriminatory barriers that prevent Black individuals and other persons of color from entering the profession, violating the Fair Housing Act.
Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights the stark lack of diversity in the appraisal industry, with 94.7% of property appraisers and assessors being white and a mere 0.6% being Black, making it the least racially diverse among 800 surveyed occupations. The Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE) warns that this homogeneity contributes to the persistent undervaluation of properties in communities of color, further entrenching the racial wealth gap.
Fannie Mae’s 2021 research underscores this issue, revealing that 12.5% of appraisals in majorityBlack neighborhoods and 15.4% in majority-Latino neighborhoods were valued below the contract price, compared to just 7.4% in predominantly White neighborhoods.
The HUD complaint against TAF identified the experience requirement for appraisers as a significant barrier to entry for people of color. This requirement often forces aspiring appraisers to secure supervision from a licensed appraiser, typically someone they know personally, thereby perpetuating a cycle of exclusion. The new agreement aims to dismantle these barriers by providing increased funding for alternative pathways to meet experience requirements, making the profession more accessible and inclusive.
HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman hailed the agreement as a significant victory in the fight against racial bias in home appraisals. “To eliminate racial and ethnic bias from home appraisals, we must ensure that the industry reflects the diversity of America,” Todman stated. “This historic agreement will help build a class of appraisers based on merit rather than connections, bringing us closer
Estate Appraisal
to eradicating housing discrimination and opening doors of opportunity for all.”
Diane M. Shelley, HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, emphasized the agreement’s significance in promoting inclusivity. She thanked Demetria McCain, who initiated the investigation and secured the conciliation. “HUD’s agreement requires policy changes that expand pathways to becoming an appraiser, promoting greater inclusion of Black people and other persons of color,” Shelley said. “This groundbreaking agreement addresses systemic issues that have perpetuated unacceptable inequities in the appraisal industry.”
Melody C. Taylor, Executive Director of PAVE, highlighted the crucial role of homeownership in addressing the racial wealth gap. “Homeownership remains a primary driver of wealth disparity, with wide racial and ethnic gaps in homeownership rates and financial returns from owning a home,” Taylor noted. “This Agreement is a significant step forward in cultivating a diverse and well-trained appraiser profession that upholds equal opportunity for all.”
Under the terms of the Agreement, TAF will establish a $1.22 million scholarship fund to cover costs for aspiring appraisers attending the Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) programs. These programs provide an alternative pathway to meet state licensure experience requirements. The agreement also includes:
• Provisions for marketing the PAREA program and scholarship fund to diverse communities. Evaluating the effectiveness of this marketing.
• Collaborating with state and territory appraiser regulatory agencies for the program’s adoption.
Although HUD did not issue findings before the agreement and the deal does not constitute admissions by TAF of any violations, it represents an enforceable resolution to dismantle long-standing barriers and foster greater diversity and equity within the appraisal industry.
Individuals who believe they are victims of housing discrimination can contact HUD at (800) 966-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Additional information is available at HUD’s fair housing website.
TAF, the organization responsible for setting standards and qualifications for real estate appraisers, faced allegations of creating discriminatory barriers that prevent Black individuals and other persons of color from entering the profession, violating the Fair Housing Act.
President Biden’s Address to
My fellow Americans, I want to speak to you tonight about the need for us to lower the temperature in our politics and to remember, while we may disagree, we are not enemies. We’re neighbors. We’re friends, coworkers, citizens. And, most importantly, we are fellow Americans. And we must stand together.
Yesterday’s shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania calls on all of us to take a step back, take stock of where we are, how we go forward from here. Thankfully, former [President] Trump is not seriously [injured]. I spoke with him last night. I’m grateful he’s doing well. And Jill and I keep him and his family in our prayers. We also extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim who was killed. Corey was a husband, a father, a volunteer firefighter, a hero, sheltering his family from those bullets. We should all hold his family and all those injured in our prayers.
Earlier today, I spoke about an ongoing investigation. We do not know the motive of the shooter yet. We don’t know his opinions or affiliations. We don’t know whether he had help or support or if he communicated with anyone else. Law enforcement professionals, as I speak, are investigating those questions.
Tonight, I want to speak to what we do know: A former president was shot. An American citizen killed while simply exercising his freedom to support the candidate of his choosing.
We cannot — we must not go down this road in America. We’ve traveled it before throughout our history. Violence has never been the answer whether it’s with members of Congress in both parties being targeted in the shot, or a violent mob attacking the Capitol on January 6th, or a brutal attack on the spouse of former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, or information and intimidation on election officials, or the kidnapping plot against a sitting governor, or an attempted assassination on Donald Trump. There is no place in America for this kind of violence or for any violence ever. Period. No exceptions. We can’t allow this violence to be normalized.
You know, the political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated. It’s time to cool it down. And we all have a responsibility to do that.
Yes, we have deeply felt strong disagreements. The
stakes in this election are enormously high.
I’ve said it many times that the choice in this elect- — that we make in this election is going to shape the future of America and the world for decades to come. I believe that with all my soul. I know that millions of my fellow Americans believe it as well. And some have a different view as to the direction our country should take. Disagreement is inevitable in American democracy. It’s part of human nature. But politics must never be a literal battlefield and, God forbid, a killing field.
I believe politics ought to be an arena for peaceful debate, to pursue justice, to make decisions guided by the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. We stand for an America not of extremism and fury but of decency and grace.
All of us now face a time of testing as the election
approaches. And the higher the stakes, the more fervent the passions become. This places an added burden on each of us to ensure that no matter how strong our convictions, we must never descend into violence.
The Republican convention will start tomorrow. I have no doubt they’ll criticize my record and offer their own vision for this country. I’ll be traveling this week, making the case for our record and the vision — my vision of the country — our vision.
I’ll continue to speak out strongly for our democracy, stand up for our Constitution and the rule of law, to call for action at the ballot box, no violence on our streets.
That’s how democracy should work.
We debate and disagree. We compare and contrast the character of the candidates, the records, the issues, the agenda, and the vision for America.
But in America, we resolve our differences at
Nation after Trump Shooting Support Black Press
the [ballot] box. You know, that’s how we do it, at the [ballot] box, not with bullets. The power to change America should always rest in the hands of the people, not in the hands of a would-be assassin.
You know, the path forward through competing visions of the campaign should always be resolved peacefully, not through acts of violence.
You know, we’re blessed to live in the greatest country on Earth. And I believe that with every soul — every power of my being. So, tonight, I’m asking every American to recommit to make America so — make America what it I — think about it. What’s made America so special? Here in America, everyone wants to be treated with dignity and respect, and hate must have no safe harbor. Here in America, we need to get out of our silos, where we only listen to those with whom we agree, where misinformation is rampant, where foreign actors fan the flames of our division to shape the outcomes consistent with their interests, not ours.
Let’s remember, here in America, while unity is the most elusive of goal- — goals right now, nothing is more — more important for us now than standing together. We can do this.
You know, from the beginning, our founders understood the power of passion, and so they created a democracy that gave reason and balance a chance to prevail over brute force. That’s the America we must be, an American democracy where arguments are made in good faith, an American democracy where the rule of law is respected, an American democracy where decency, dignity, fair play aren’t just quaint notions, but living, breathing realities.
We owe that to those who come before us, to those who gave their lives for this country. We that — we owe that to ourselves. We owe it to our children and our grandchildren.
Look let’s never lose sight of who we are. Let’s remember we are the United States of America. There is nothing, nothing, nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together.
So, God bless you all. And may God protect our troops.
President Joe Biden
Sheila Thorne of Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group Tackles Cultural Deficit with Expertise and Dedication
Since 2003, Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group has been changing the healthcare narrative for People of Color, striving for inclusivity, informed diagnoses, and culturally competent treatments. New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2024) - With a clear vision and personal resources, Sheila Thorne founded the Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group (MHMG) in 2003. Dedicated to bridging the gaps in healthcare and combating racial disparities, she became a trusted voice in the industry, driven by an unwavering desire to provide equal opportunities, raise awareness, and bridge marginalized communities with global pharmaceutical companies.
With over 25 years of experience in healthcare marketing, including roles as a senior executive for several of the world’s most influential healthcare marketing and communications companies, Sheila is equipped with the knowledge and skills that drive change from grassroots to grass tops. Throughout her experience, she noticed the global lack of adequate healthcare services for people of color and the widespread deficit of impactful sustainable campaigns that help communities take lives into their own hands. Since her first years in healthcare marketing, Sheila has been motivated by the possibility of addressing the global healthcare challenges People of Color face. What statistics tell us is that black people›s life expectancy is nearly five years shorter compared to white people, with 72.8 and 77.5 years, respectively even among the middle class and insured. These challenges bleed into the lives of children and their mothers. With an over two times higher mortality rate for black infants compared to their white counterparts. These numbers paint a dire picture that has persisted and been ignored. Calling for immediate action and effective solutions.
With that mission in mind, Sheila created MHMG. She says, “My goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of race, age, or origin, can access quality healthcare. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case for far too long. People of Color often die prematurely from preventable, manageable, and curable illnesses. It’s about time we change that.” According to Sheila, some of the contributing factors include financial challenges, racial biases, and lack of health education. From impactful campaigns to changing the clinical trial landscape and offering insights about disease symptoms and results, MHMG is leading the much-needed systemic change. As a seasoned healthcare marketing expert, Sheila recognizes the essential aspects of effective strategies. During her experience, she identified a striking void in the industry--most marketers lack a profound understanding of the deeply rooted challenges of Black, Latino, Asian, and other populations of color. Especially after working closely with the world’s most renowned pharma firms, this global deficit became more evident. She recalls, “I remember sitting in meetings with these well-known, respected leaders and listening to their marketing strategies. The outreach approach, the messaging, the images, and the impact they wanted to leave clearly weren’t enough. There was a cultural deficit, and I knew I had to fix it.”
Among the most prominent issues within the healthcare space, Sheila highlights the apparent racial differences between PoC and white patients for type 2 diabetes. According to recent data, Black African, African Caribbean, and South Asian communities are at the highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes from the age of 25. This is significantly younger than the white population, for which the risk increases after 40. Racial challenges, access to healthcare, and financial barriers propel the issue, lowering the probability of treatment. Similarly to type 2 diabetes,
Black people are more likely to develop hypertension at an earlier age, with the average systolic blood pressure being 2.9 mmHg and 1.6 mmHg higher for Black boys and girls compared with white children.
A twelve-city campaign dedicated to educating African Americans on the dangers of untreated hypertension, offering culturally competent advice and tangible community-based solutions. This marked the beginning of her profound impact in that sphere, reinforcing her motivation and mission. What started as a one-person operation in 2003 turned into a powerful movement driven by Sheila Thorne’s unyielding commitment to fostering an equitable healthcare system. “After leaving my previous job as an educator, MHMG started as me in a shared office space. Thankfully, the connections I made over the years helped me create the company that MHMG is now--a dedicated team of passionate People of Color who won’t stop until racial disparities disappear,” she adds. Looking into the future, Sheila hopes to see her vision come to reality in other countries, fueling the global healthcare revolution. As one of the most influential upcoming projects, Sheila highlights her commitment to diversifying clinical trials, allowing industry specialists to gain accurate insights into racial
Child Care Aware of America
Child Care: Cost, Shortages and
Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA) recently published Child Care at a Standstill: Price and Landscape Analysis, an annual report assessing the national, state, and regional trends in child care.
The newest edition analyzes the supply, affordability, and price of childcare in 2023. The report also assesses factors like inflation and the lingering impact of the pandemic. Data indicates that quality childcare centers and family childcare (FCC) homes are still out of reach for many families nationwide.
Quality childcare promotes early learning and enables families to work or pursue higher education or training, which strengthens businesses and boosts the economy. Yet, lack of access and affordability continue to plague the childcare field.
The number of childcare centers has returned to pre-pandemic numbers, but the number of FCC homes has decreased since 2022. The national average price of childcare in 2023 was $11,582. This is equivalent to 10% of a married couple with children’s median household income and 32% of a single parent with children’s median household income, despite the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services setting 7% of annual income as the benchmark for affordable child care. The average American family is forced to spend a significant portion of their income on child care, or forgo income and stop working to provide child care.
CCAoA found that the average annual price of childcare in 2023 was comparable to the average annual mortgage and rent payments. In all 50 states and D.C., the price of center-based care for two children was more expensive than average annual rent payments. In 45 states and D.C., the average annual price exceeded annual mortgage payments by 1% to 64%. Overall, it was more costly to send two children to childcare centers than it was to pay for housing, demonstrating the urgent need to lower costs.
CCAoA provided multiple recommendations to improve childcare access and affordability. CCAoA urges Congress, state governments, and decision-makers across the country to:
Increase and expand sustainable funding so states can:
Provide more families with subsidies
Lower the price of childcare
Support and retain the childcare workforce
Increase access and supply
Build the supply of high-quality, affordable childcare by:
Offering grants to providers
Investing in workforce wages, benefits, and professional development
The pandemic revealed how critical childcare is for the well-being and economic security of children, families, and communities. High-quality care promotes early learning and development, while also supporting caregivers who are working, training, or pursuing an education. The data in this report provides essential insights into the childcare landscape that can allow policymakers to make more informed decisions on how to improve access to quality, affordable care.
About Childcare of America
Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) works with a national network of more than 500 child care resource and referral (CCR&Rs) agencies and other partners to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. CCAoA leads projects that increase the
Solutions
U.S. Navy Exonerates Black WWII Sailors
Convicted After Port Chicago Explosion
By Stacy M. Brown
Newswire Senior National Correspondent
The U.S. Navy has exonerated 256 Black sailors wrongfully convicted after the catastrophic 1944 Port Chicago explosion. The move marks a significant victory in the long battle against racial injustice within the military. On July 17, 1944, during World War II, a massive explosion at a munition’s pier in Port Chicago, California, detonated over 4,600 tons of ammunition on a cargo ship. The blast killed 320 people, predominantly Black sailors, and injured around 400 others. According to the Naval History and Heritage Command, the explosion caused widespread damage, with shockwaves felt as far as Nevada. Following the explosion, white officers were given hardship leave, while Black sailors were ordered back to work, tasked with cleaning the devastated base and handling the remains of their comrades. Despite the lack of additional safety measures or clarity on the blast’s cause, 258 Black sailors refused to handle munitions. Under threat of disciplinary action, 208 returned to work but were still convicted of disobeying orders. The remaining sailors, known as the “Port Chicago 50,” were charged with mutiny and sentenced to dishonorable discharge, 15 years of confinement, demotion to the rank of E-1, and forfeiture of pay. Although military officials later reduced their sentences, their names were not cleared until now, on the 80th anniversary of the explosion. “The Port Chicago 50, and the hundreds who stood with them, may not be with us today, but their story lives on as a testament to the enduring power of courage and the unwavering pursuit of justice,” said U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro. “They stand as a beacon of hope, forever reminding us that even in the face of overwhelming odds, the fight for what’s right can and will prevail,” Del Toro stated.
President Joe Biden lauded the exonerations, stating, “[The] announcement marks the end of a long and arduous journey for these Black sailors and their families, who fought for a nation that denied them equal justice under law. May we all remember their courage, sacrifice, and service to our nation.”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III also emphasized acknowledging and rectifying past injustices.
“The NAACP, Thurgood Marshall, Eleanor Roosevelt, and others recognized the case as a travesty at the time,” Austin wrote in a memo. “The Department of Defense must continue to learn from our past, and today’s decision reflects our commitment to reckoning with our history, even when it is painful.” Officials said the exoneration signifies a profound milestone in the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.
“We owe it to these men and their families to remember their bravery and to learn from our past,” said Del Toro.
“Their courage is a beacon for future generations.”
(Photo
Sheila Thorne, Founder of Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group
NNPA
Political Playback:
California Capitol News You Might Have Missed
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Asm. Akilah Weber
each county will be available by the end of July.
with their gender assigned at birth.
After signing AB 1955, Newsom faced backlash from Republican leaders and school boards in conservative parts of the state.
“In the nearly 12 years that I have been in the State Assembly, I have never seen an effort to damage the relationship between children and their parents like this one,” said Assemblymember Jim Patterson (D-Fresno), adding that the bill would create a “government-imposed wall” between parents and their children.
Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego) introduced AB 1955 as the SAFETY Act, removing all school policies that required teachers to out students to their parents.
The SAFETY Act, “simply ensures that conversations about gender identity and sexuality happen at home without interference from others outside of the family unit,” said Ward.
School District Sues Gov. Newsom Over New Gender Identity Law
According to the California Department of Finance, the state’s population increased by 67,000 people due to legal foreign immigration and a higher birth rate. State and federal employment data indicated that California created over 10,000 jobs in the fast-food industry since Gov. Newsom signed a law that raised fast food minimum wage statewide.
PPIC Releases Report on California Prisons and Reentry Pathways
Despite providing educational and employment programs and reentry pathways, recidivism in California prisons remains high, derailing the rehabilitative mission of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
The department launched various programs in 2005 to reduce recidivism and help formerly imprisoned people transition back into the workforce and society.
Endorses Sen. Toni
Atkins
for Governor
State Senate Pro Tempore Toni Atkins’s campaign for governor in 2026 announced last week that Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) is a supporter.
Weber endorsed Atkins’s candidacy along with the members of the San Diego Democratic Legislative Delegation. That delegation includes California State Senators Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) and Steve Padilla (D-Chula Vista), and California Assemblymembers Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas), Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego), Chris Ward (F-San Diego), and David Alvarez (D-Chula Vista).
As a member of the LGBTQ Legislative Caucus, Atkins, 61, has been at the forefront progressive change in the state as a Democratic leader overseeing the State Senate. Her career began on the San Diego City Council where she served for eight years. In 2010, she was elected to the State Assembly and became the first LGBTQ speaker of the chamber.
In January, Atkins endorsed Weber’s candidacy for California State Senate.
“Dr. Akilah weber has devoted her career to helping people in their most vulnerable moments and her experiences – as both a doctor and policymaker – make her uniquely qualified to lead,” wrote Atkins in her statement endorsing Weber.
Other well-known state leaders who have announced their candidacies for California Governor in 2026 include former State Treasurer and California Democratic Party Vice Chair Betty Yee, California Lieutenant Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
More Cash for Calif. Schools, Local Govs. Thanks to Property Value Increases
California county assessors reported significant increases in the value of properties subject to locally assessed property tax, increasing property tax revenue statewide.
The average increase in the assessment roll data was 5.72% in 20 counties for the 2024-2025 financial year, stated county assessors. Jeffrey Prang, Los Angeles County assessor, published a May report forecasting that the final roll will be approximately 4.75% greater than last year.
The growth in the assessment roll is expected to bring in more property tax for local government, school districts, and special districts. In the past 12 years, many counties have experienced increases in property tax revenue.
San Diego County set a new record with an assessment value of $768 billion, stated county assessor Jordan Marks. The county’s assessment value has increased for the 12th consecutive year. Marks highlighted that Proposition 13 caps annual increases at 2% without a change in ownership or new construction.
“Thanks to Proposition 13, no homeowner should lose their home due to unaffordable property taxes from the recent skyrocketing home prices,” said Marks.
The official deadline for assessors to complete assessment rolls was July 1, but the State Board of Equalization granted extensions to other counties. Despite the delay, it is projected that a complete assessment from
California Invests $3.3 Billion in Prop 1 Homelessness Funding
The State of California has allotted $3.3 billion in funding to build inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment centers to address the state’s mental health and homelessness crisis.
The funds are part of a $6.4 billion bond that Gov. Gavin Newsom authorized after California voters approved Proposition 1 in March this year.
Last week, Newsom touted the mental health measure at a new facility in San Mateo County, highlighting the importance of building facilities to help transform health care.
According to Newsom’s office, Proposition 1 is an important part of the state’s strategy to tackle the growing issue of homelessness. The measure also intends to encourage people dealing with severe mental illness and substance disorders to seek treatment.
Newsom said that his administration is working to approve plans in the next few months to build more housing this summer. The governor urged counties to enroll in the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court program that offers mental health patients court-ordered support and care for up to 24 months.
The program is a $14 billion multi-year investment that aims to provide 55,000 housing units statewide. The state has planned to invest an additional $10 billion in community behavioral health services. Counties can sign up for the CARE Court program, early applications are available to eligible individuals. The program is currently available in nine counties: Glenn, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco (City and County), San Mateo, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne.
The state will provide an additional $1 billion to support more construction projects and programs next year.
Gov. Newsom Signs Transgender Notification Law Affecting Schools
On July 15, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1955, legislation that protects transgender and other LGBTQ students from being outed to their parents. It forbids school districts from discussing students’ sexual orientation or gender identity without their consent.
The new law will override policies passed by school boards in some parts of the state that require educators to inform the parents of children who show signs of being transgender.
Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton), the Democratic chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, supports the newly signed law that also protects teachers from facing disciplinary action for teaching statemandated sexual education.
“Safe and supportive schools for all our children should be our top priority,” said Eggman in a statement.
“And at the end of the day that’s what this bill does, ensures our K-12 campuses remain safe and affirming places for our youth no matter how they identify.”
California courts have blocked at least seven schools from passing rules that required staff to notify parents if their child used a name or pronoun that did correspond
Last week, the Chino Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) and a group of parents were in a legal battle with the state.
The southern California school district sued Gov. Gavin Newsom over Assembly Bill 1955, a law that bans educators from notifying parents about their child’s gender identity. The law aims to protect transgender students against being forced to “come out” to their parents against their will. However, parents and school board members in Chino Valley argue that the law violates the parent’s rights under the United States Constitution.
The lawsuit listed Attorney General Robert Bonta, and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond as defendants.
Emily Rae, a lawyer from the Liberty Justice Center representing the school district, said that parents have the right to protect their children and raise them based on trust.
“School officials do not have the right to keep secrets from parents, but parents do have a constitutional right to know what their minor children are doing at school,” said Rae in a statement defending the school district and concerned parents.
Izzy Gardon, a spokesperson for the governor said that the lawsuit is “deeply unserious” and argued that the new law preserves the relationship children have with their parents.
“We’re confident the state will swiftly prevail in this case,” she added.
President of the council Jonathan Keller said that the law violates the rights of parents and disrupts gender roles in society.
“This bill undermines their fundamental role and places boys and girls in potential jeopardy,” said Keller in a statement supporting the CVUSD.
“Moms and dads have both a constitutional and divine mandate to guide and protect their kids, and AB 1955 egregiously violates this sacred trust,” he stated.
California Economy Is Leading the Nation, Newsom Announces
California has the largest state economy in the United States with a nominal Gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $3.9 million in 2023, reported the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Last year, the state had a growth rate of 6.1%, making it the fifth-largest economy in the world for the seventh consecutive year, the economic analysts stated. The state experienced increases in the tourism industry, population growth, fast food jobs, and profits for Fortune 500 companies, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last week.
“There’s only one state with a dream – the California Dream. Built on opportunity, promise, and ingenuity, California is the nation’s economic driver and the place people across the globe look to see what’s possible,” said Newsom in a statement his office released on July 15.
“That’s why we continue to grow businesses, expand our economy, break records, and create thousands of jobs across the state,” he said.
The governor’s office released state data indicating that California had the largest market share of tourism in the country. In the previous year, tourists spent over $150 billion in the state, a 5.6% increase in travel spending since 2022. Also, the tourism industry created more than 64,000 jobs in 2023.
According to a report by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), the two-year reconviction rate decreased by 7% in 2019. However, 62% of people released from prison between 2015 and 2019 were rearrested and 37% were reconvicted for any crime.
Participation in rehabilitative employment programs increased from 8% in 2015 to 30% in 2019 in prisons statewide, according to the report.
State prisons also hired over 200 new academic and vocational instructors, growing participation in educational programs by 9%. Prisons offered career technical education (CTE) programs to supplement existing primary and secondary education classes. These programs improved the reading and math skills of imprisoned individuals.
“On average, people entering prison tested into primary education with eighth-grade level reading scores and sixth- to seventh-grade level math skills,” the report reads.
A majority of the people reconvicted were charged with a drug offense or possession. More than half of the people who get rearrested participate in rehabilitation programs. However, people with previous prison histories and shorter sentences were less likely to participate in educational and employment programs. Yet, people with longer prison sentences had a higher participation rate in rehabilitative employment and educational programs.
“On another front, substance abuse may pose the greatest obstacle to successful reentry -- a threat that has likely grown amid the opioid and fentanyl crisis. Ensuring broader access to substance use disorder treatment should be a priority,” the report stated.
Former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs Is Running for Lieutenant Governor
Former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs is running to be the next lieutenant governor of California in the 2026 gubernatorial elections, he announced last week. Tubbs, 33, serves as a special adviser for economic mobility in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration. He plans to replace Eleni Kounalakis as the state’s secondhighest executive officer.
A well-known figure in the Democratic Party, Tubbs became the first Black Mayor of Stockton and one of the youngest mayors of a big city when he was elected in 2016. He implemented a universal basic income initiative giving low-income residents a $500 monthly stipend for two years.
Despite his efforts, he lost his reelection bid in 2020 to current Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln. However, Tubbs says he is determined to strive higher and implement generational change in the Democratic Party. His campaign is focused on a policy platform that prioritizes minority and working-class voters. Tubbs says he is pushing to expand education and social programs, address climate change, protect jobs from artificial intelligence, and promote initiatives that provide affordable housing and housing security for renters and homeowners.
“California is at a crossroads. We have to start solving some of these issues,” said Tubbs. “We need a problemsolver with a different mindset -- different experience, different background, different outlook -- who’s willing to roll up their sleeves and do the work.”
Tubbs is among a group of Democratic leaders running for the office of lieutenant governor. They include Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood), State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and Sausalito Mayor Janelle Kellman.
Black Women Rally Behind Kamala Harris to Save Democracy After Biden Steps Aside
announcement that he would not run for the Democratic nomination, the network Win with Black Women organized a Zoom call to show how prepared and determined black women were to take on this enormous challenge. The call, held on Sunday, was a powerful display of unity and determination, with Black women leaders from across the nation voicing their unwavering support for Vice President Kamala Harris. The Zoom call reportedly drew an astounding 40,000 attendees and featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including Reps. Joyce Beatty, Maxine Waters, and Jasmine Crockett. The leaders passionately emphasized Black women’s critical role in the upcoming election and shared personal stories about Harris that underscored her qualifications and leadership qualities. Other notable attendees included DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, Maryland Senate hopeful Angela Alsobrooks, civil rights leader Bernice King, and Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown. The call highlighted the urgency of fundraising and voter registration as critical strategies for supporting Harris’s campaign. The participants raised over $1 million during the call. “We have a plan. This is not arbitrary. We are ready.” asserted Holli Holiday, one of the call’s moderators. Enthusiastic attendees expressed their readiness to work tirelessly to elect Harris. “This is work. Roll up your sleeves; we got work to do,” one attendee insisted. Another attendee declared, “Fired up and ready for this moment led by an intergenerational legion of Black women. Let’s get to work. Let’s gather our sons, daughters, nieces, and nephews. Let’s do what Black women do!” After exiting the race, President Biden’s made clear that his vice president should be the party’s nominee. “My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my vice president,” Biden said. “And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today, I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be our party’s nominee this year. Democrats, it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.” In the hours following Biden’s announcement, Harris’ campaign saw a surge of support, with about $50 million
in grassroots donations pouring in. Democratic officials nationwide quickly followed Biden’s lead, voicing their endorsements for Harris. Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina praised Harris, saying, “Kamala Harris should be the next President. I’ve known her since our days as AGs, and she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country thoughtfully and with integrity.”
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York added her voice to the chorus of support: “I’m proud to stand beside Kamala Harris. She is the right candidate to unite our country; I am confident she will deliver for New Yorkers. Let’s get to work.”
Governors Janet Mills of Maine, Gavin Newsom of California, and Jared Polis of Colorado echoed similar sentiments, highlighting Harris’s capacity and readiness to lead. Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin declared, “I’m proud to endorse VP Kamala Harris for President. Today is a new beginning for our party and our country, and I’m excited to keep working together to lower costs for Wisconsin families, grow our Made in America economy, and restore our fundamental rights and freedoms.” Harris has repeatedly stated the importance of the 2024 election. “I will do everything in my power to unite
leaders passionately emphasized Black women’s critical role in the upcoming election
DODGERS Come Out Hot After All-Star Game
Sports Writer
The Dodgers began the week with a 3-2 win over the S.F. Giants behind a three-RBI performance Teoscar Hernandez the reining Home run Derby “King “ The following night never got that kind of drama thanks to Shohei Ohtani. The veteran stepped to the plate with two runners on in the fourth and drilled a two-run double to stretch the Los Angeles lead to 4-1. He added the knockout blow in the bottom of the eighth with an RBI single that pushed the Dodgers’ advantage to 5-1. They went on to win it 5-2, surviving a brief scare in the ninth that was made a little less uneasy thanks to Ohtani’s trio of RBIs.
It’s the game that helps make Ohtani’s MVP case. A twofor-five night with a double and three RBIs pushed his average to .314 and his OPS to a whopping 1.032. He also continued leading the way for a Dodgers offense that hasn’t had its MVPcandidate leadoff hitter Mookie Betts in the lineup for over a month while he deals with a broken hand.
During the fifth inning, Ohtani crushed an 86 mph cutter from Red Sox pitcher Kutter Crawford and hit the ball so far it appeared to fly just under the wavy roof above the pavilion stands. The 473-foot shot was Ohtani’s 30th home run this season.
ADD DODGERS: Gavin Lux was named NL Player of the week-Lux was named the National League Player of the Week for July 15-21, 2024, marking the first time in his career he’s been honored with the feat. Lux became the third Los Angeles Dodgers player to win
The win was the fifth straight for the ‘men in blue’ post Allstar break. A weekend sweep vs Boston saw the team come from behind all three games. In one game of the series The RED SOX and DODGERS combined for seven home runs. The most impressive of which came from, you guessed it, Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani didn’t become the seventh player to hit a ball completely out of Dodger Stadium, but he came oh so close.
Lakers End Summer League With Three-Game Winning Streak: LA Summer League Recap
By Austin Gage
Contributing Sports Writer
The Los Angeles Lakers finished their Las Vegas Summer League with a 107-81 victory over the Chicago Bulls Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. Although two straight losses put Los Angeles out of contention for any championship hopes in the Sin City, the Lakers ended their summer run on a quality threegame winning streak.
After two disappointing losses to the Houston Rockets and the Boston Celtics, the Lakers needed to bounce back in a big way. A big storyline of those first two games involved the first NBA action for rookie guard Bronny James, who endured a shooting slump and scrutiny for poor offensive performances, provided his two best games of the summer against the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. James, who entered Wednesday’s game against Atlanta shooting 4 for 19 from the field and 0 for 11 from threepoint range, was able to turn the corner and produce a quality game on the offensive side of the ball for the first time since being drafted 55th overall just a month ago. The USC product connected on two three-pointers in a 12-point performance, including his first deep-range field goal that brought the fans in attendance to their feet.
“Just trying to forget about all the shots I missed, forget about all the games we lost; I just come out and play my game and try to do my best every time I come on the court,” said James.
Another Laker standout in the matchup against the Hawks included second-year center Colin Castleton, who performed at a high level in last season’s summer league as well. Castleton displayed impressive playmaking skills to go along with his usual rebounding and scoring prowess as he finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. After a rookie season that included some time at Los Angeles’ G-League affiliate South Bay Lakers, Castleton is looking for an opportunity to bring his 14.1 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game (G-League stats) to a full-time role with the purple and gold.
ends on high note.
Missing from the victory over Atlanta was firstround-rookie forward Dalton Knecht. The explosive offensive threat from the University of Tennessee, who also represented the leading scorer for the Lakers this summer, did not play due to a team decision based on the volume of practices and games over the past few weeks. Knecht, who would return the next day in the win vs the Cavaliers, paced Los Angeles this summer with 21.3 points per game. He looks to slide right in as a complimentary piece for Lakers
superstar forwards Lebron James and Anthony Davis in the fall as another lethal option. 20 points from Knecht and another 13 from James pushed Los Angeles past Cleveland Thursday night in a 9389 win. James produced his best game of the summer in the triumph, and all of his shooting-slump demons seemed to be eliminated with a smooth step-back 3-pointer to shrink the then-Cavalier lead to just two late in the fourth quarter.
After James’ three, the Lakers made sure that Cleveland
would not score a single point the rest of the game. Topped by an easy Knecht layup set up by a smooth Castleton assist and two clutch free throws by Knecht to push the lead to two possessions at the very end of the game, Los Angeles was able to secure their second victory of the summer. The victory would mark both the last times Knecht and James would lace up this summer and brought the Lakers to .500 in Las Vegas with a 2-2 overall record.
“Just stayed confident, locked in on the defensive end, [took] open shots and knocked them down,” Knecht said after the game describing how the Lakers were able to escape with the win.
Saturday’s consolation matchup against the Bulls was a high-scoring one, and one that provided opportunities for a few other rookie Laker hoopers to showcase their own games. Guards Blake Hinson, out of the University of Pittsburgh, and Quincy Olivari, out of Xavier University, both provided explosive offensive outputs to pace Los Angeles in the 26-point beatdown.
Hinson finished with 25 points to go along with 5 three-pointers and Olivari added 20 points on 6 threepointers of his own.
The Lakers took the lead from Chicago with 6:38 remaining in the first quarter and never looked back as they ended up leading for the entire game after that. An incredible 39-point first quarter allowed Los Angeles to build a 21-point lead early that would not be touched for the rest of the night.
As the final buzzer sounded, the Lakers’ summer league run ended as well. After an 0-2 record in the exhibition California Classic summer games before the Las Vegas Summer League, Los Angeles ended with a 3-2 record in Nevada.
Up next for the Lakers is the start of training camp in the fall as they look to avenge a first-round series loss to the Denver Nuggets. The elder James and Davis will represent the purple and gold for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, with the first group-stage match starting on July 28th.
Thanks to standout performances from rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, Lakers’ Summer League
(Courtesy Photo)
Gavin Lux sprints after hitting a double in the first inning of the Dodgers’ 9-6 win over the Boston Red Sox at Dodger Stadium this
named NL Player of the Week
Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani hit a 473-foot homer at Dodger Stadium
California Black Health Network’s New Campaign Zooms in on Patient Rights, Empowerment
By Edward Henderson
California Black Media California Black Health Network (CBHN) recently launched its “Health 4 Life: Healthy Black People Campaign.”
The campaign aims to empower and educate all Black Californians with “How do I…” (HDI) information and resources needed to effectively navigate the health care system. It also provides tips for advocating for friends, family, and themselves when undergoing medical treatment.
In addition, the campaign advises Black patients on how to respond when faced with discrimination.
“We are working to ignite a Black Health Movement here in California and create a more empowered community of individuals and patients to become proactive about their overall health and well-being, focus more on prevention, and take ownership of their health and healthcare,” said Smith. “We need to know that there is such a thing as a patient bill of rights, and we need to know how we can exercise our rights as a patient to get the healthcare we deserve and to make the healthcare system work better for us and be responsive to our needs.”
On July 18, CBHN launched a 5-part webinar series titled “Making the Healthcare System Work Better for You,” to help the African American communities in the Golden State understand how to make more informed healthcare decisions and how to make the healthcare system work better for them.
The series featured speaker is Dr. Glenda F. NewellHarris, M.D., a physician, author, speaker, and patient advocate.
Newell-Harris has been at the forefront of addressing health disparities and championing equal access to highquality healthcare for all. Her passion, she says, even prompted her to write a book on the subject along with a colleague, Dr. Brenda Springs.
“It’s very important that you need to understand you have rights as a patient. You may feel when you are in a medical situation that you’re at the mercy of everybody that is there. But even in that process, you do have rights,” Newell-Harris added. “Patients of color are often the ones who are disenfranchised.”
An example of some ‘How do I’ questions the campaign answers are; How do I take action to protect my health? How do I find the right healthcare provider for me? How do I know what my plan covers? How do I prepare for my visits? How do I speak up for my and my family’s health?
Through the HDI Campaign, CBHN is working to create a more empowered community of individuals who are proactive about their overall health and well-being, focus more on prevention, and take ownership of their health and healthcare. To accomplish this, one part of the HDI Campaign is focused on health education.
The first webinar focused on patient rights - “Part 1: Know Your Patient Rights. Newell-Harris delivered a presentation that highlighted patient rights surrounding information, disclosure, insurance coverage, choice of providers, emergency services, treatment decisions, respect and non-discrimination, and patient responsibilities.
“From a standpoint of goals and objectives, patient rights were created to build trust and confidence within the healthcare system, to strengthen the bond between you and your healthcare provider, and also to empower you to take charge of your health,” said Newell-Harris.
While patient rights are not legally enforceable, they present a guideline as individuals travel along their medical journeys, so people feel empowered as to when and where to ask the right questions. For example, NewellHarris stressed the importance of the patient’s right to ask about how many times a doctor has performed a certain procedure, the health record of a hospital, and the right to report concerns or issues with the care you received.
In terms of respect and discrimination, Newell-Haris emphasized the importance of cultivating a relationship with your primary care doctor that is rooted in respect.
“We must demand respect in our visits. If you’re in a medical encounter and you don’t feel like you’re being respected, you don’t hear what the doctor says to you, you don’t listen, and you defiantly will have questions if you are going to follow his or her instructions. If you don’t feel like you’re respected, there are a lot of things you can do with your primary care relationship.”
Lastly, Newell-Harris spoke about the responsibility that individual patients have in the healthcare relationship. She stressed the importance of understanding your insurance plan and deductibles, the health needs of your family, keeping appointments, and being honest with your doctor about taking medications.
“Keep in mind that this is a partnership. There are some things your doctor needs to do, and there are some things that you need to do as well,” she said. “Will you have hiccups along the way? For sure. But hopefully they will happen with you being wide open to the knowledge, you’ve had clear communications, you have been part of the decision making and you feel like you are in this as a partnership with your doctor.”
The remaining webinar schedule is as follows:
• August 8 – Part 2: How to Communicate with Your Healthcare Provider
• September 19 – Part 3: How to Navigate Through the Healthcare System
• October 24 – Part 4: How to Advocate for Yourself and Your Loved Ones
• November 21 – Part 5: How to Participate in the Decision-Making for Your CareˆpFor more information and to register, visit cablackhealthnetwork. org/events.
