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Prop 6 Could End “Involuntary Servitude” in California Prisons
Edward Henderson California Black Media
Proposition (Prop) 6 would repeal language in the California Constitution that prohibits “involuntary servitude except to punish crime.”
Instead, it will replace it with language that prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude absolutely.
The amendment would also prohibit the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from disciplining any incarcerated person for refusing a work assignment and authorize the department to award time credits to incarcerated persons who voluntarily participate in work assignments.
To gain a greater understanding of the proposition and the experience of incarcerated individuals impacted by the current language, California Black Media spoke with Dr. Tanisha Cannon, Managing Director of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (LSPC).
The LSPC organizes communities impacted by the criminal justice system and advocates to release incarcerated people, to restore human and civil rights, and to reunify families and communities. They also build public awareness of structural and systemic racism in policing, the courts, and the prison system, and aim to advance racial and gender justice in their work.
“There are really two main messages for this to be a yes vote,” said Cannon. “The way that the Constitution names what’s going on in these prisons is called involuntary servitude. Involuntary servitude is just another name for slavery. That means that there’s a force and there’s coercion. People don’t have autonomy over their bodies or their decisions: if they even want to work. So, the main message here is that involuntary servitude is slavery.”
The LSPC also facilitates focus groups to gain understanding on how individuals who have not been impacted by the prison-industrial complex view the involuntary servitude currently utilized.
“They’re like, ‘Oh, people are in prison; they do the
crime; they should do the time.’ That has nothing to do with bodily autonomy. You should still be able to make decisions -- if you want to work or an option maybe if you want to go to school instead or maybe if you want to take anger management classes instead you should have the choice to create what you believe is your rehabilitative process.”
So far, eight states, including California, have made provisions in their constitutions permitting involuntary servitude, but not slavery, as a criminal punishment.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 34 states have “earned time” credits that are awarded for participating in or completing education, vocational training, treatment, and work programs. Time credits can later be applied towards early release from secure custody.
The Anti-Recidivism Coalition has also been on record supporting Prop 6, stating that, “More than 94,000
Californians are currently enslaved in state prison. African Americans account for 28% of the prison population despite making up less than 6% of California’s overall population. Although no courts explicitly order forced labor as a part of criminal sentencing, it’s standard practice to force incarcerated people to perform labor.”
Of those roughly 90,000 inmates, the state’s prison system employs nearly 40,000 who complete a variety of tasks including cleaning, cooking, firefighting, construction and yard work. Most of these workers earn less than 74 cents an hour, excluding the firefighters who can make up to $10 a day. State law permits the corrections department to pay up to half of the current minimum wage in California ($16).
Eighty percent of the employees at LSPC have been directly impacted by the prison-industrial complex. Cannon’s brother works there as well and was in prison at the age of 16 experiencing first-hand how forced labor can negatively impact an individual’s psyche.
“My grandmother passed away and he received that news in the evening. On the outside, you’d get some grieving time. That wasn’t the case for him,” said Cannon.
“He had to wake up at five o’clock the next morning. So, imagine learning that the woman who raised you just passed away. You’re due for work at 5 a.m. in the morning to operate heavy machinery and you cannot say that you don’t want to work because there’s no excused absence in prison.”
So far, there hasn’t been any organized opposition to Prop 6 in California.
A “yes” vote supports amending the state constitution to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime and authorize the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to award credits to incarcerated persons who voluntarily participate in work assignments.
A “no” vote opposes amending the state constitution to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime.
Medi-Cal Spending Has Broad Support, Opponents Flag Pitfalls
By Bernard J. Wolfson
The proponents of Proposition 35, a November ballot initiative that would create a dedicated stream of funding to provide health care for California’s low-income residents, have assembled an impressive coalition: doctors, hospitals, community clinics, dentists, ambulance companies, several county governments, numerous advocacy groups, big business, and both major political parties.
The Yes on Prop 35 campaign has raised over $48 million as of Sept. 9, according to campaign filings with the secretary of state. The measure would use money from a tax on managed-care health plans mainly to hike the pay of physicians, hospitals, community clinics, and other providers in Medi-Cal, the state’s version of Medicaid. For many months, there was no organized opposition. But shortly after Labor Day, a small group of community advocates, including the League of Women Voters of California, California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, and The Children’s Partnership, announced they were united against it.
“We do not have the deep pockets that the proponents of the initiative do,” said Kiran Savage-Sangwan, executive director of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network. No fundraising has been recorded from opposition groups thus far. Gov. Gavin Newsom hasn’t taken a public stance, but he has warned that the proposal to lock in how proceeds from the managed-care tax are used would hamstring his administration’s ability to address the state’s yawning budget gap. The people represented by some of the opposition
groups include Medi-Cal patients who are among the state’s most vulnerable — children, seniors, people with disabilities, and the chronically ill — as well as some workers who provide ancillary care to them.
The opponents say that if Proposition 35 passes, the patients, workers, and programs they care about could lose millions of dollars included for them in this year’s state budget. That’s because the ballot measure would supersede the budget, and it leaves them out of the health tax proceeds.
The budget currently provides tens of millions of dollars a year to raise the pay of community health workers, nonemergency medical transport drivers, and private-duty nurses, among other personnel. It also funds the cost of a new program, scheduled to start Jan. 1, that allows children through age 4 to stay on Medi-Cal without requiring their families to prove eligibility every year. Child health advocates say that will help avoid potentially harmful gaps in coverage.
Mayra Alvarez, president of The Children’s Partnership, estimates the program would bring coverage stability to about 1.2 million California kids. But funding for it will be at risk if Proposition 35 passes, she warns.
It’s not that the money for that program, or the pay increases for ancillary health care workers, would necessarily go away forever. But advocates would have to fight for it in subsequent budget rounds. Dustin Corcoran, CEO of the California Medical Association, told me that in addition to the Medi-Cal pay hikes, and some funding for medical education and extra residency slots, the initiative would provide $2 billion a
year in 2025 and 2026 to the state’s general fund, “which the legislature can appropriate as they see fit, which vastly exceeds the cost of the programs you mentioned.” CMA and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California are leading the charge on Proposition 35.
Corcoran’s comments suggest that the groups worried about losing funding if Proposition 35 passes should be able to get it restored in future budgets. Given the current fiscal crisis, however, not everyone is buying it.
“We’re short tens of billions of dollars,” says Ramon Castellblanch, vice president of the California Alliance for Retired Americans, which opposes the measure. “For these people to say, ‘Wait, the general fund is going to cover it’ — is that called gaslighting?”
Proposition 35 proponents say that children, seniors, and disabled or chronically ill people also use doctors, hospitals, and community clinics, for which the measure does provide extra money.
They argue the initiative will go a long way toward addressing Medi-Cal’s historically low pay rates, enticing more providers to participate in the program and enabling those who already do to take more Medi-Cal patients.
“This will be the most significant investment in the Medi-Cal system since the Affordable Care Act,” Corcoran says. “I think it holds great promise for improved access to care, improved quality of care, shorter wait times for all Californians in our ERs, and elimination of health care deserts that are popping up in too many parts of our state.”
Another concern raised by Proposition 35 skeptics is that a long-threatened change in federal rules governing
State Department Launches Online Passport Renewal
System for Millions of Americans
By Stacy M. Brown
not offer faster processing times or reduced fees compared to renewing by mail. Passport processing times, which ballooned during the pandemic, are currently below six to eight weeks.
The announcement follows months of limited testing of a public beta version of the tool. The department closed the tool after it reached certain application thresholds, making changes based on customer feedback. The state also previously piloted online applications in 2022.
Bitter noted a significant change in the number of applications the system can now handle. The department plans to expand the service to include more types of renewals in the future.
“We will expand this. This is not going to be the last thing that we do,” Bitter stated. “We want to see how this goes and then we’ll start looking at ways to continue to make this service available to more American citizens in the coming months and years.”
The update is part of the department’s broader efforts to modernize and reduce administrative barriers. The move to online renewals was included in a 2021 executive order on customer experience. “Our goal, of course, is to get away from paper as much as we can, as quickly as possible,” said Bitter. “This is a first step in what we hope will be a much longer-term process to
be able to modernize the systems that we’re using.”
Currently, only adult passports can be renewed online, and only those living in the U.S., either in a state or territory, can use the service. “The benefit of online passport renewal is that it’s a more convenient service,” Bitter added. “We don’t expect to have a different service standard for people who apply online versus people who apply by mail. We just want to make sure that we give the American people a choice to be able to do either.”
Passport processing times have returned to below six to eight weeks after peaking at 18 weeks in 2021 due to COVID-related staffing shortages. Despite a drop in demand during the pandemic, the department reported a significant bounce- back in 2023 as more Americans resumed global“Wetravel.want to make sure we provide the most efficient and modern services possible,” Bitter concluded.
By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.
Entertainment Writer
footage emerged from 2016 of Combs’ hotel hallway attack of then-girlfriend R&B singer Cassie, he lost the key to the city of New York, Peloton paused the usage of his music and he saw his honorary degree from Howard University evaporate in disgrace. His charter school, Capital Preparatory School in Harlem, also cut ties with him.
Earlier this year, Combs withdrew a lawsuit filed last year against Diageo as part of a settlement with the London-based spirits giant, making the company the sole owner of Ciroc and DeLeon. Combs may have lost his major deals but his music remains untouched, at least for now. While awaiting further details, let’s delve into Combs’ music and his public image in the wake of the indictment. Where his music stands Combs' Bad Boy Records might be associated with 1990s artists like Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Ma$e and 112, but his label was still in the mix with recent releases by a couple of popular performers.
Last year, Combs released his first solo studio album since 2006 with “The Love Album: Off the Grid” and Janelle Monae put out “The Age of Pleasure” through his label. Both projects were Grammy nominated including Monae's album, which earned a nomination in the record of the year category.
In 2022, Machine Gun Kelly dropped his album “Mainstream Sellout” under the Bad Boy umbrella too.
Despite his arrest, Combs' music is still available on several major streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. The streamers have yet to comment on their plans for how his music will be featured on their platform in the future. Before the release of “The Love Album,” Combs reassigned his Bad Boy publishing rights back to artists and songwriters. The move came after some criticized him over the years for mistreating his artists. How Diddy's peers are reacting Some expressed concern for Combs’ children, while others feel shame over his alleged missteps and actions, which have become the subject of jokes.
Entertainers from 50 Cent, LL Cool J, Shyne, Aubrey O’Day, Charlamagne tha God and the Notorious B.I.G.’s mother have publicly shared their thoughts on Combs.
“I feel for his kids,” LL Cool J told The Associated Press in a recent interview. He and Combs collaborated on the 1997 album “Phenomenon.”
While LL Cool J showed concern, 50 Cent took a jab in a social media post. The rapper turned TV mogul trolled Combs after he learned law enforcement seized drugs, videos and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant during raids at his Los Angeles and Florida homes.
50 Cent posted his thoughts after a recent appearance on the Drew Barrymore’ talk show.
“Here I am keeping good company with @ thedrewbarrymoreshow and I don’t have 1,000 bottles of lube at the house,” said 50 Cent, who often has criticized Combs during the accusations. He expects to release a docuseries on Netflix about the allegations against Combs.
Shyne, a former Bad Boy artist, said he finds no satisfaction in seeing Combs potentially facing prison time despite past trouble between them.
“This is someone who destroyed my life,” said Shyne, who was convicted of assault and other charges stemming from a Manhattan nightclub shooting that injured three people in 1999. Combs’ then-girlfriend, singer and actor Jennifer Lopez, also was there when shots rang out.
Combs was acquitted of charges that he took an illegal gun into the club and tried to bribe his driver to take the fall for the weapon. However, Shyne was convicted of assault and other charges in the shooting and served about eight years in prison.
Now going by Moses Barrow, he is a member of the House of Representatives in his native Belize, where his father was once prime minister.
“But do I take any joy or any satisfaction with what he's going through? Absolutely not," he continued. “I am different than most people. No one has to fail for me to succeed.”
After B.I.G.’s mother, Voletta Wallace, saw Combs’ attack of Cassie, she wanted to “slap the daylights” out of him. She felt embarrassed for Combs, who along with her son played a huge role in shaping 1990s East Coast hip-hop.
Are people canceling Diddy's music?
The short answer is mostly no. However, listeners of Combs' music are proceeding with caution. Some online are questioning whether it's time to back away from his records.
Most online are saying that could be challenging, especially since many of his biggest hits are collaborations with other artists.
Combs has had several infectious singles including “I'll Be Missing You” with Faith Evans and 112, “Victory” featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes, “I Need a Girl (Part One)” with Usher and Loon, “Last Night" with Keyshia Cole and “Been Around the World” with Ma$e, who also teamed with Combs on “Can't Nobody Hold Me Down.”
Head Start Is a Jump Start for Women’s Economic Security
By Christian F. Nunes
MBA, MS, LCSW
Since 1964, the Head Start program has been a lifeline for generations of women and families, providing free, high-quality educational, health, social-emotional, and nutritional services and opening doors to opportunity and economic justice that had long been kept shut. Now, as Head Start approaches its 60th anniversary, it’s a great time to look back on all that the program has achieved — and look forward to what our country could look like if Head Start was strengthened. It’s been said that when it began, Head Start was not simply an “innovation” but also an “invention,” and a radical one at that. President Lyndon Johnson, a former teacher in a one-room schoolhouse, believed strongly that education was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and Head Start was one of the earliest elements of the “War on Poverty” launched by his administration. He put the whole engine of government to work on disrupting the cycle of poverty that endured from one generation to the next and advanced a social justice agenda in areas where educational opportunity was denied based on race. Naturally, this intersects with the issue of economic justice for women. As Marian Wright Edelman — the first Black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar and the founder of the Children’s Defense Fund — described it, “After the Mississippi Summer Project, the Freedom Summer of 1964, without a doubt, Head Start coming to Mississippi in 1965 was the most important follow-up and aftermath. It led to a bunch of independent people getting
jobs outside of the plantation structure, not going through the state structure — where they wouldn’t have gotten jobs anywhere, except as janitors. And creating this Head Start program, those 3,000 people multiplied into many of your hundreds of elected officials today. It was the next phase of trying to build the movement.” The experts, scientists, and officials who crafted Head Start believed that a child who is physically or mentally unwell, or who is hungry, would not be able to learn, and they made health and nutrition integral parts of Head Start. By now, Head Start has served nearly 40 million children (about twice the population of New York), birth
to age five, and their families. In 2023, that included more than 833,000 children and pregnant people in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Head Start protects the healthy development of children living in poverty and it frees parents to pursue their education or employment, opening doors to middle-class security. What’s more, Head Start is an essential building block on the path to universal pre-K, with many states integrating Head Start programs into their state pre-K system. But not everyone sees it that way, with some pushing to eliminate Head Start from state and federal budgets. That would slash pre-K, cut the number of available childcare slots, cause childcare costs for families living in poverty to skyrocket, thwart economic growth, and widen income inequality. Roughly 68% of children under age six have all available parents in the workforce, making access to childcare both a necessity for families and the nation’s economy. It’s been estimated that lack of access to reliable, affordable infant and toddler care costs $122 billion every year due to lost earnings, productivity, and tax revenue.
Childcare is work that supports all other work. Mothers, who do most of the caregiving, too often must choose between staying home reducing their paid work hours to care for their children, or arranging childcare that can be so expensive that continuing to work may not be worthwhile. The cost of childcare can be a “tax” on wages — for every hour a single mother works, she must pay someone else to take care of her children. Head Start saves women money and connects them to a support network of other parents and service providers to help them rise the economic ladder.
Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Mortality Rates Across All Tumor Subtypes
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Despite advancements in early detection and innovative treatments, Black women in the United States face higher mortality rates from breast cancer compared to white women. A systematic review and meta-analysis led by Mass General Brigham Integrated Health Care System sheds light on the extent of these disparities across different breast cancer subtypes. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, aimed to determine the disparities in breast cancer survival between Black and white women according to tumor subtype. Researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of 18 studies published between 2000 and 2022, including data on 228,885 breast cancer cases—34,262 of which were in Black women. The different types were determined by the presence of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and hormone receptor status. HER2 is a protein that is linked to more aggressive cancer. The results revealed that Black women have a significantly higher risk of breast cancer mortality across all tumor subtypes. Specifically, the risk of death was 50%
higher for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative tumors, 34% higher for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive tumors, 20% higher for hormone receptornegative, HER2-positive tumors, and 17% higher for hormone receptor-negative, HER2-negative tumors. The findings indicate that disparities are present even in the most treatable forms of breast cancer.
“Our findings demonstrate that multiple, interacting factors contribute to disparities in breast cancer survival between Black and White women,” said senior author Erica Warner, ScD, MPH, a cancer epidemiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. “To achieve equity, intervention is necessary at multiple levels—from community to healthcare systems and individual healthcare providers to patients themselves learning about their disease and what their expectations should be for their care.”
Along with Warner and Chandler, the study’s coauthors were Juliana M. Torres, Michelle O. Sodipo, and Margaret F. Hopkins. The study calls for concerted efforts at all levels of the healthcare system to ensure that Black women receive the quality of care necessary to reduce breast cancer mortality rates.
Breast cancer remains the most diagnosed cancer among U.S. women and is the second leading cause of cancer death. Reportedly, Black women are around 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. Until this study, researchers said it was unclear if this disparity existed across all breast cancer subtypes.
The study contends that several factors, including
systemic racism, socioeconomic inequality, delays in cancer diagnosis, and inadequate access to high-quality cancer treatment, contribute to these disparities. These factors can affect the timeliness and effectiveness of treatment, regardless of the biological nature of the tumor.
“There had been an anecdotal sense in the research community that differences in survival between Black and White women were greater for the most treatable forms of the disease—tumors that carry hormone receptors—and smaller for the historically less-treatable, hormone-negative tumors,” Warner explained. The study confirms that disparities are indeed present across all subtypes, though they vary in magnitude.
“These findings underscore a stark reality in our healthcare system (that) Black women are facing higher risks of death from breast cancer compared to their white counterparts, across all types of the disease,” co-author Dr. Paulette Chandler, emphasized. “This disparity isn’t just about biology. It’s a call to action for healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities alike to confront these inequities head-on and strive for meaningful change in breast cancer outcomes.”
The researchers highlight the need for multilevel interventions to achieve health equity. Programs that have successfully reduced disparities in cancer survival include those that help patients navigate the healthcare system, proactively identify social needs, and connect patients with necessary resources.
Additionally, the study points to the potential
impact of the underrepresentation of Black women in clinical trials, which may result in therapies not being adequately tailored to specific tumor subtypes. However, researchers concluded that the disparities are not inevitable. With targeted, multilevel interventions, the authors said it is possible to close the gap in breast cancer outcomes and achieve health equity.
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NAACP Urgently Calls on Missouri Governor to Halt Execution of Marcellus Williams
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
The NAACP has issued an emergency call to Missouri’s Republican Gov. Mike Parson to stop the execution of Marcellus Williams, a Black man on death row who has consistently maintained his innocence. In an open letter, NAACP President Derrick Johnson and Missouri State Conference President Nimrod Chapel Jr. warned that executing Williams would be a “horrible miscarriage of justice” and a reflection of Missouri’s troubled racial history.
“Taking the life of Marcellus Williams would be an unequivocal statement that when a white woman is killed, a Black man must die. And any Black man will do,” Johnson and Chapel wrote.
Williams, now 55, was convicted of the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle, a former newspaper reporter. However, significant doubts have been raised regarding his guilt, as no physical evidence links Williams to the crime scene.
A statement from the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office indicated that footprints, hair samples, and fingerprints found at the scene do not match Williams. DNA evidence on the murder weapon also excludes him as the source.
In 2017, then-Governor Eric Greitens paused Williams’ execution and established a special board to review the case, which spent six years investigating whether clemency should be granted. However, upon taking office,
Parson disbanded the board and reinstated Williams’ execution. Williams’ defense team argues the move violated his due process rights since the board never completed its review.
“The Board investigated Williams’ case for the next six years — until Governor Parson abruptly terminated the process,” his defense team stated in court documents. They claim that the governor’s actions have violated Williams’ constitutional rights and have created an urgent need for the U.S. Supreme Court’s intervention. Further concerns about Williams’ conviction include racial bias during the original trial. St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell highlighted issues, such as removing a potential Black juror due to race. “These would be key issues for the Board of Inquiry’s consideration in whether to recommend clemency instead of execution — if the Governor had not wrongly dissolved the Board,” the documents state.
Despite the concerns, a judge recently denied a motion to vacate Williams’ conviction, leaving his legal team scrambling for another option before the scheduled execution on September 24. U.S. Representative Cori Bush (D-Missouri) has also intervened, sending a letter to Parson urging him to spare Williams’ life. “We are urging you to immediately commute Mr. Williams’ sentence and halt his execution,” Bush wrote, describing the execution as a “grave injustice” that would leave a lasting scar.
The NAACP’s letter to Parson highlighted Missouri’s
troubling history of racial violence and the racially discriminatory application of the death penalty. A 2015 study by the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill found that homicides involving white female victims in Missouri are nearly 14 times more likely to result in execution than those involving Black male victims. The study also revealed that 81% of individuals executed in Missouri were convicted of killing white victims, even though white victims make up less than 40% of all murder victims in the state.
“Execution of Marcellus Williams would not be seen as just punishment for a crime. It would not be viewed as Missouri being ‘tough on crime,’ being ‘a law and order’ state, or any other bumper sticker political rhetoric,” Johnson stated. “Instead, taking the life of Marcellus Williams would be an unequivocal statement that when a White woman is killed, a Black man must die. And any Black man will do.”
The NAACP said Parson must intervene and stop the execution. “Governor Parson, you have the power to prove that Missouri is better than its ugly history of racism and unspeakable treatment of its Black residents. The NAACP urges you to do the right thing – stop the execution of Marcellus Williams,” the letter stated.
“Public confidence in the justice system is restored, not undermined, when a prosecutor is accountable for a wrongful or constitutionally infirm conviction.”
Medi-Cal Spending Has Broad Support, Opponents
Continued from page A1
Children in HeadStart by Vince Alongi
Michael Jackson’s Thriving Estate Makes it a Target for Extortion Attempts
Is Enough’ say Representatives to Latest Attempt
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
As we reported earlier this month, Michael Jackson’s legacy continues to dominate the entertainment industry, with his various projects collectively surpassing $2 billion in global ticket sales. The King of Pop’s influence remains unmatched, from groundbreaking concert films to sold-out Broadway shows, making his the most successful celebrity estate ever. Ironically, the greater its success the more it has faced attempts from those seeking to shake down the Estate for money.
The most recent case resulted in the Michael Jackson Estate having to go so far as to contact law enforcement officials while filing an arbitration claim in response to threats from a few longtime friends and former associates of the pop icon. We have learned that they are now demanding $213 million from the estate threatening to release false damaging information about Jackson if their demands are not met, even though for decades they have stated Michael did nothing to them. Co-Executor of the Estate John Branca has described their actions as a blatant attempt to exploit Jackson’s legacy for financial gain at no risk of defamation because those laws don’t protect the deceased. These threats come amidst the Estate’s enormous financial success, having generated $3 billion for beneficiaries. For 25 years these associates have steadfastly maintained Michael’s innocence. In his book, one member of the group defended Jackson, writing, “Michael had never acted in any way even approximating inappropriate toward us. Michael was being attacked by liars. There was nothing ambiguous about the whole thing. These people were after Michael’s money. But he was innocent.” He reiterated this stance in numerous media appearances, including interviews with Oprah Winfrey and Wendy Williams. “I’m gonna tell you what sleepovers were like,” he told Williams. “Everybody in a room, me, and others, we would just sit up talking, us on the floor, talking until four o’clock in the morning; let’s go raid the kitchen.” In a group sit down with Oprah, another member insisted, “Michael couldn’t harm a fly. He’s such a kind and gentle
soul. Michael was a target.”
Despite their public support for Jackson, the person is engaging in the very behavior he once condemned. In 2019, following HBO’s release of the controversial documentary “Leaving Neverland,” the Jackson estate, was under significant pressure due to the media frenzy that spawned calls to cancel Michael. Representatives sought the group’s support given they for years vouched for Michael’s character, and that’s when they turned. As fiduciaries, the executors’ mission is to generate income for Michael’s beneficiaries. So, they had two goals: preserve the upcoming projects, while shielding his loved ones from further pain of having to endure another round of salacious, unproven allegations. The estate reached a private settlement with the group including $3 million for each of the five individuals. Both sides mutually agreed to keep the agreement under wraps to where even its existence couldn’t be divulged. “In 2019, there was ‘Leaving Neverland,’ which was a complete surprise hit job,” Branca said in an exclusive interview with the Black Press of America’s Let It Be Known. “We didn’t know it was coming and weren’t asked for comment. And the media didn’t want to hear Michael’s story. MGM was threatening to cancel the Cirque show. We wouldn’t have been able to mount a Broadway show. There were a lot of things that would have gone south. We have a fiduciary responsibility to maximize the income of the estate, and our counsel insisted we sign the agreement. So, we did it with a mutual nondisclosure. And they didn’t want it disclosed either because Michael’s fans would have gone after these people,” Branca said.
The estate’s mutual nondisclosure agreement with the associates was vital in keeping the matter private and allowing the estate to move forward with projects that that would ensure that future generations could share in Michael’s musical and creative legacy and that could prove lucrative for Michael’s three children, the King of Pop’s heirs. “We and they signed this nondisclosure agreement, and the nondisclosure said you can’t even tell people there’s an agreement,” Branca explained. “It was awkward because we were making a movie with Antoine Fuqua and Graham
King. And we couldn’t tell anybody about it, including the filmmakers.”
The recent demand for $213 million and the threat of making salacious claims have pushed the estate to take legal action. Branca commented, “The associate’s lawyer even said to us, if you don’t meet our demands, we’re going to have to share these allegations with a wider group of people. It was a shakedown. Enough is enough.”
The estate has reported the extortion attempt to authorities and is filing an arbitration proceeding against the associates for civil extortion. Branca noted the challenge of protecting Jackson’s legacy after his death, as libel laws that protect the living do not extend to those who have passed away.
When asked, Branca addressed the racial element in the treatment of Jackson, pointing out the media’s bias. “I definitely believe there’s a racist element in the media coverage of Michael Jackson since the 1980s. I was there. Michael got so big many were jealous, especially when he bought the Beatles catalog. I remember James Baldwin having that famous quote: ‘Michael will forever pay the price for his success.’” Jackson himself was acutely aware of the racial undertones in how he was perceived. Branca recalled Jackson saying, “Sinatra’s the chairman of the board. Elvis is the king. Springsteen is the boss. But what do they call me? They call me the Gloved One. And he says, you know that’s racist. They’re trying to keep me down.” Branca added, “I don’t think they would do this to Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon or Elvis for that matter.”
Branca has played a pivotal role in Jackson’s legacy, including his involvement in the 1985 acquisition of the vaunted ATV catalog that included the Beatles and music from other artists. “The music catalog was something that carried him through good times and bad,” Branca noted.
“Michael was somewhat of a visionary because some of his advisers were saying it was too expensive. And Michael said, ‘Branca, get that catalog.’” This move proved to be one of the most strategic decisions in Jackson’s career, solidifying his financial future and expanding his influence in the music industry.
The partnership between Branca and Jackson extended beyond financial dealings. They shared a mutual appreciation for creativity and entertainment. Branca recalled attending a Cirque du Soleil show with Jackson. “He and I attended a Cirque du Soleil show together in Santa Monica. And he said, ‘Branca, we gotta go backstage and meet everybody.’ So, Cirque was an easy one,” Branca remembered. This shared vision later led to successful collaborations, including the Cirque shows centered around Jackson’s music. Despite vast challenges and unproven allegations, the executors have transformed Jackson’s estate into a financial powerhouse. Following Jackson’s death in 2009, the estate was nearly half a billion dollars in debt. Through strategic deals and projects, they turned it into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. This included a blockbuster $600 million sale of 50% of Jackson’s music catalog to Sony wherein the Estate maintained control and the success of projects like “Michael Jackson’s This Is It,” the highest-grossing concert film in history. Upcoming endeavors, such as the Antoine Fuqua biopic MICHAEL starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, aim to solidify Jackson’s enduring influence in popular culture. The estate has also diligently ensured the well-being of Jackson’s family. Branca confirmed that Jackson’s mother, Katherine, is well cared for. Earlier reports suggested that Katherine has received more than $60 million from the estate since her son’s tragic death in 2009. “She’s well taken care of. She’s got two beautiful homes,” Branca stated, “full-time security and a private chef. Mrs. Jackson, as she should be, is well taken care of.” Branca reflected on the estate’s role in maintaining Jackson’s vision, saying, “We’re not Michael. We would never pretend to be. But we know what he loves. A lot of it is trying to execute Michael’s vision.” Despite the hurdles, he remains steadfast in his commitment to protecting and preserving Jackson’s legacy. “We will continue to manage the estate with the integrity and dedication that Michael deserved,” Branca affirmed. “Attempts like this to tarnish his memory for financial gain will not succeed.”
Trial in Daytime Ambush of Rapper Young Dolph
By ADRIAN SAINZ Associated Press
3 Years Ago to Begin in Memphis
near his childhood home turned into an event that shocked the city and the entertainment world. Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was gunned down in a daylight ambush on Nov. 17, 2021. Nearly three years later, a trial in the 36-year-old rapper's killing is scheduled to begin Monday. Justin Johnson has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and is scheduled to face a jury from the Nashville area after a defense attorney argued that intense media coverage and social media attention would make it hard to seat a jury from Memphis. Another man, Cornelius Smith Jr., also was charged with first-degree murder. He is not scheduled for trial on Monday, said his lawyer, Michael Scholl. Smith also has pleaded not guilty.
Young Dolph's family and friends have been patiently awaiting a trial and are praying for justice for the father of two children, said Carlisa Brown, his older sister.
“We want everyone involved to get what they deserve,” she said in a phone interview. “It was a very senseless murder.” On the day the rapper was shot, two men got out
of a stolen Mercedes-Benz and fired shots into Makeda’s Homemade Cookies before fleeing, authorities say. As they searched for the suspects, police released photos taken from surveillance video that captured two men getting out of a Mercedes and firing into the store. After more than a month on the run, Johnson was captured in January 2022 in Indiana. Smith was arrested on an auto-theft warrant involving the Mercedes. Authorities have not released a suspected motive. Two other men also have been charged in the shooting. Hernandez Govan has pleaded not guilty to organizing the killing. Jermarcus Johnson pleaded guilty in June 2023 to three counts of serving as an accessory after the killing by helping Smith and Justin Johnson, his half-brother.
Jermarcus Johnson acknowledged helping the two shooting suspects communicate by cellphone while they were on the run from authorities and helping one of them communicate with his probation officer. Jermarcus Johnson has not been sentenced.
Right after the shooting, the bakery turned into a makeshift memorial for Young Dolph, with fans praying in the parking lot and writing messages of condolences and love on plywood covering the shot-out windows. The bakery closed for months but has since reopened.
He also was honored by the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA during a game. Murals of the rapper were painted around the city. A neighborhood street was named after him.
Known for his depictions of tough street life and his independent approach to the music business, he began his career by releasing numerous mixtapes, starting with 2008’s “Paper Route Campaign,” and multiple studio albums, including his 2016 debut “King of Memphis.” He also collaborated on other mixtapes and albums with
fellow rappers Key Glock, Megan Thee Stallion, T.I., Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz and others.
He had three albums reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200, with 2020′s “Rich Slave” peaking at No. 4.
Young Dolph's desire to be an independent entrepreneur led him to create Paper Route Empire, his sister said.
“He didn't want to be confined and put in a box, like when you get on some of these other labels,” Brown said. “It was about having something of his own, something that he built and made, that he could ultimately use to help impact other people.”
Born in Chicago, Young Dolph came to Memphis with his three siblings when they were young. His parents were struggling with addiction, so they moved to be close to their grandmother.
“We had a fun childhood, and my brother always had an independent, big brother type of mentality,” Brown said. “My sister and I, we are the oldest, but he always had that leader-type role, like ‘I’m a protector, I’m going to protect you.’”
He was an artistic kid who liked to draw and hang out in Castalia Heights, a working class neighborhood that sometimes showed Young Dolph a gritty side of Memphis that he later portrayed in his music, Brown said.
“He wasn't that type of boy that you see standing on corners, and all that kind of stuff, but he was definitely street smart,” she said.
Young Dolph's legacy not only lies in his music, but also in his charitable works, including the IdaMae Family Foundation, named after his grandmother. The charity holds an annual Day of Service in his honor.
“Our grandmother was the one people would call on to ask for help, and of course, she would go do it,” said
Michael Jackson live “Dangerous Tour” in Monza (Italy) 06/07/1992. Photo: Daniele Dalledonne from Trento, Italy / Wikimedia Commons.
Brown, the foundation's president. “It is something that is innate in us, to be able to just help people and give to people. It's just something that came naturally. It came out of the kindness of his heart.”
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Stevie Wonder Calls for “Joy Over Anger” on New Tour Ahead of Election
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Stevie Wonder has announced that he’s bringing a message of “joy over anger” this fall with his “Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” tour. The 10-show run begins on October 8 in Pittsburgh and concludes on October 30 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This tour arrives at a crucial junction in American politics, and Wonder said he’s seeking to inspire unity and healing. Wonder, a 25-time Grammy Award winner, will offer free tickets to individuals working tirelessly in their communities to mend what he calls “our nation’s broken heart.” The gesture aligns with Wonder’s longstanding commitment to social justice and humanitarian causes. In his recent release, “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart,” Wonder sings about the country’s current challenges, asking, “Can we fix our nation’s broken heart?” The song reflects the nation’s mood, with lyrics like, “Children marching on the boulevard / Tears are streaming down their face,” encapsulating the tension and hope for change. Tickets for the tour go on sale Friday, September 20, at noon local time, available through StevieWonderLive. com. The Wonder Productions-led tour, which AEG Presents is promoting in collaboration with Free Lunch, will visit cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Greensboro, Atlanta, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis.
Wonder’s impact on music and culture remains unquestionably profound. At just 12 years old, he became the youngest artist to top the charts with “Fingertips, Part 2,” simultaneously reaching #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, R&B Singles, and Album Charts. Over his illustrious career, Wonder has released numerous iconic albums, including “Songs in the Key of Life,” which is preserved in the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. With 49 Top Forty singles and 32 #1 hits, Wonder’s worldwide sales have surpassed 100 million units.
Beyond his musical achievements, Wonder is known for his activism and philanthropy. In 1983, he played a pivotal role in establishing Martin Luther King Day as a national holiday, with his song “Happy Birthday” serving as an anthem for the movement. His participation in the 1985 “We Are The World” fundraiser for hunger in Africa is a landmark moment in music history, and his efforts to end apartheid in South Africa are legendary. Wonder has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Kennedy Center Honors, and a U.N. Messenger of Peace designation focusing on persons with disabilities.
As Wonder embarks on this tour, he continues to be a vital influence in both the music industry and global activism, using his platform to advocate for social progress and world harmony. With his call for “joy over anger,” Wonder said he’s inviting audiences to join him in “seeking healing and unity during these challenging times.”
New Report Reveals $16.5 Billion in Economic Impact and Calls for Immediate Action to Secure the Future of America’s Black higher education Institutions
WASHINGTON, DC (Sept. 13, 2024)—Today, UNCF (United Negro College Fund), the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization, proudly
unveiled its 2024 HBCU Economic Impact Report. The report, Transforming Futures: The Economic Engines of HBCUs, commissioned by UNCF’s Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute (FDPRI), is a comprehensive, data-
driven analysis highlighting the substantial contributions the nation’s 101 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) make to their students, local communities and the nation at large.
HBCUs have long been pillars of educational excellence and economic engines, driving prosperity in their communities and across the nation. Despite these contributions, chronic underfunding threatens their ability to sustain this impact. Transforming Futures: The Economic Engines of HBCUs, underscores the urgent need for equitable and sustainable funding to ensure HBCUs can continue their vital role in promoting social mobility and economic growth and calls on the public to advocate for these essential institutions.
“As UNCF observes its 80th anniversary, one of the highlights of our yearlong celebration is the release of the sequel to our groundbreaking 2017 report. This report reaffirms what we have always known about the resilience of HBCUs: despite a deadly pandemic, social unrest caused by the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and the economic uncertainties of the past seven years, HBCUs continue to do more with less—not only in preparing the next generation of leaders but also in contributing to our nation’s economic impact,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF.
“At this critical moment, with a crucial election on the horizon, we all must immediately actualize our commitment to these cornerstone institutions.”
Key findings in the 2024 HBCU Economic Impact Report include:
HBCUs generate $16.5 billion in direct economic impact nationally.
If they were a company, the nation’s HBCUs would place in the top 50 of the nation’s Fortune 500 companies in job creation.
Collectively, 136,048 jobs exist because of HBCUs.
On average, for each job created on campus, 1.5 off-campus jobs exist because of spending related to the institution.
HBCUs are far more accessible to students and more successful at moving students from the bottom 40% of a country’s income distribution to the top 60%, signaling social mobility.
The 51,269 HBCU graduates in the class of 2021 can expect work-life earnings of $146 billion, 57% ($53 billion) more than the $93 billion they could expect without their degrees or certificates.
The 2024 HBCU Economic Impact Report is acontinuation of the landmark 2017 study, HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which showed that HBCUs’ economic benefits extend beyond the students they educate. In addition to the comprehensive
report, a website has been launched where users can explore state-specific data and insights for individual HCBUs. This resource allows users to explore the localized impact, emphasizing the critical role HBCUs play in communities across the nation.
“Transforming Futures: The Economic Engines of HBCUs represents the latest chapter in a longitudinal research initiative by UNCF’s Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute. By leveraging robust methodology and extensive data, we highlight how HBCUs continue to be critical drivers of economic growth and social mobility,” said Dr. Nadrea R. Njoku, assistant vice president, of Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute, UNCF.
“This report not only underscores the substantial economic benefits generated by HBCUs but also contextualizes the broader challenges they have faced over the past three years, including the far-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the threats of violence that have been levied against many of these institutions.”
“Now more than ever, we must recognize the indispensable role HBCUs play in shaping not just the future of their students but the future of our nation. This report is not just a call to awareness but a call to action,” said Lodriguez Murray, senior vice president, of public policy and government affairs, at UNCF. “As we move forward, it is imperative that we leverage this data to galvanize our communities and demand the necessary support from our policymakers by voting for HBCUs. We urge every supporter to make their voices heard, to advocate for the equitable funding our HBCUs deserve, and to ensure that these institutions can continue to thrive and contribute to America’s future.”
UNCF will soon shift its focus towards voter mobilization efforts, leveraging the findings of the 2024 HBCU Economic Impact Report to raise awareness about the critical role of HBCUs ahead of Election Day, and the need for elected officials to commit to strengthening HBCU infrastructure, safety, and student life. By highlighting the economic and social contributions of these institutions, UNCF aims to inspire voters to support policies and send letters to elected leaders at the state and federal level in support of equitable funding and resources for HBCUs, ensuring their continued impact on communities and the nation.
To view the brief and full report for Transforming Futures: The Economic Engines of HBCUs, visit: UNCF. org/HBCUImpactReport. For more information on how to actualize a commitment and be a voice for HBCUs, visit: UNCF.org/ EquityPledge.
California Voters Consider Tough Love for Repeat Drug Offenders
A California ballot measure would roll back some decade-old criminal justice reforms that have become fodder for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. Stiffer penalties for shoplifting have gotten much of the attention, but the measure also allows controversial treatment requirements for repeat drug offenders.
By Don Thompson KFF Health News
SACRAMENTO, Calif.
— California voters are considering whether to roll back some of the criminal justice reforms enacted a decade ago as concerns about mass incarceration give way to public anger over property crime and a fentanyl crisis that has plagued the state since the covid-19 pandemic hit. Proposition 36, on the November ballot, would unwind portions of a 2014 initiative, known as Proposition 47, that reduced most shoplifting and drug possession offenses to misdemeanors that rarely carried jail time. Critics say that has allowed criminality to flourish and given those suffering from addiction little incentive to break the cycle. The law also has become a political weapon for former President Donald Trump and other Republican politicians who have tried to tie it to Vice President Kamala Harris to paint her as soft on crime. As California attorney general she took no position on the issue.
Much of the Proposition 36 debate has focused on the increased penalties for shoplifting, but the drug policy changes are even more dramatic. In addition to boosting penalties for some drug crimes, the measure would create a new “treatment-mandated felony” that could be imposed on people who illegally possess what are called “hard” drugs, including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and
methamphetamine, and have two or more prior convictions for certain crimes.
Those who admit to the new felony would be required to complete drug or mental health treatment, job training, or other programs intended to “break the cycle of addiction and homelessness.” Those who complete the treatment program would have their charges dismissed, while failure could bring three years in prison.
The measure has opponents, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, warning about renewing a “war on drugs” that once helped swell California’s prison population.
Supporters counter that stricter penalties are necessary
as overdose deaths from fentanyl crowd morgues. They also point to studies showing that more than 75% of people experiencing chronic homelessness struggle with substance abuse or a severe mental illness.
“We crafted this not to move people into any kind of custody setting, but to incentivize them into treatment,” said Greg Totten, chief executive officer at the California District Attorneys Association and a spokesperson for the initiative’s supporters.
Totten and others cast the measure as a way to revive drug courts, which they say waned in effectiveness after Proposition 47 removed the stick from what had been a carrot-and-stick approach.
Drug courts are led by a judge with a specialized caseload, use a collaborative approach to promote
rehabilitation, and have been found to be effective in California and nationwide. Participants in California had “significantly lower rates of recidivism,” according to a study in 2006 commissioned by the Judicial Council of California: 29% were rearrested compared with 41% of a group who didn’t receive treatment.
The Center for Justice Innovation, a nationwide research and reform group that grew out of the New York state court system, found that drug court caseloads dropped across California after Proposition 47.
Still, advocates who favor decriminalization challenge the idea that the approach is effective and say coerced treatment violates people’s rights. Meanwhile, Lenore Anderson, a co-author of Proposition 47, said “we cannot pretend that this sort of feel-good idea that we’re going to arrest and incarcerate out of it is going to work. It never has.” Proposition 47 led to an increase in property crime, but there is no evidence that changes in drug arrests sparked any increases in crime, found a recent study by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California.
The latest reform effort leaves many questions, said Darren Urada of the University of California-Los Angeles Integrated Substance Abuse Programs. He was the principal investigator on UCLA’s evaluation of an earlier attempt to promote treatment.
“When policies are properly implemented, treatment obtained through courts can help people. However, there are a lot of details here that are not clear, and therefore a lot of opportunities for this to go poorly,” Urada said.
For instance, the ballot measure doesn’t say what would happen to someone who enters treatment but relapses, as is common; how long they would have to complete the program; or what would constitute completion for someone in long-term treatment for mental illness or substance abuse.
Those details were deliberately left vague so that local experts like community corrections partnerships, which are already established under existing law, could decide what works best in their jurisdictions, Totten said.
Totten expects a range of approaches including diversion programs and inpatient and outpatient treatment, and that judges would be guided by the recommendations of treatment professionals.
“I’m hopeful that that will help people who are really struggling with addiction, living on the streets, who engage in petty theft and other crimes in order to support their
habit — that it will be a doorway into treatment for them,” said Anna Lembke, a Stanford University addiction expert.
The November ballot measure also would allow judges to send drug dealers to state prisons instead of county jails and boost penalties for possessing fentanyl. It would make it easier to charge someone with murder if they provide illegal drugs that kill someone.
The changes could increase California’s prison population, currently about 90,000, and its county jail and community supervision population, currently around 250,000, each by “a few thousand people,” projects the state’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office. Opponents of the measure project that the increase would be far higher: 65,000 people, most for drug offenses and most of them people of color.
Newsom, one of the initiative’s most outspoken critics, argues that the November ballot measure lacks any funding; would reduce the $800 million in Proposition 47 savings, much of which has gone to treatment and diversion programs; and would only aggravate an existing lack of treatment alternatives.
“Prop. 36 takes us back to the 1980s,” Newsom, a Democrat, said in August as he signed a package of 10 property crime bills that he and legislative leaders tout as an alternative to the broader ballot measure. Yet, illustrating the contentiousness of the debate, the ballot measure has been endorsed by some Democratic leaders, including San Francisco Mayor London Breed, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who often highlight its treatment requirement. This article was produced by KFF Health News, a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. KFF Health News is the publisher of California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. Social posts: California voters are considering boosting some drug penalties and requiring treatment for repeat offenders.
Proposition 36 would reverse portions of a decadeold ballot measure that Republicans are raising in the presidential campaign. Proposition 36’s proposed changes to drug policy have been overshadowed by its emphasis on combating shoplifting.
Not So Sweet: California State Health Campaign Highlights Dangers of Sugary Drinks
By Edward Henderson
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and CalFresh Healthy Living, the state’s nutrition assistance program, recently launched a health campaign to illuminate the risks of drinking sugar-sweetened beverages and the health benefits of hydrating with water. The “Not So Sweet Side” initiative encourages families
to make informed decisions about the drinks they choose and to be aware of the sugar content present in them. According to the campaign, consuming too much sugar has been associated with an increase in chronic conditions and diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and tooth decay. African Americans face a higher risk of developing diabetes mellitus, heart disease and tooth decay.
Dr. Redieat Assefa is a pediatrician at Riverside University Health Systems. She spoke at a webinar hosted by California Black Media introducing the campaign to ethnic media publishers across California.
Assefa underscored the importance of reading labels on sugary drinks you may consume and how to identify drinks that contain too much.
“When reading a nutrition label, there are a few key components that I would like us to consider. The first thing is the serving size of your sugary drinks. Is it one can? Is it one bottle? Then you go down to your total carbohydrates, which can be broken down to your fibers and sugary, added sugars or non-added sugars. Another part of the nutrition label is looking at the ingredients and the red flags. When reading ingredients, it’s going to be high fructose corn syrup, fruit, glucose, and sucrose. So those are the main ones that are harmful to our bodies when we have them in excess, of course.”
To simplify the process, compare the grams of sugar in a box of Apple Juice with preservatives that could be around 40 grams of sugar and that of natural juice which averages around 6 grams. The healthier choice is the 6-gram option due to significantly less added sugars.
Assefa also added that research indicates that African American women who drink one to two sugary beverages daily have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Sugary drinks can lead to high blood pressure, hype, and hypertension, contributing to a greater risk of heart disease among African American young adult men who, on average, consume sugary beverages at a higher level than other groups.
Assefa pointed out that there are about 10 teaspoons of sugar in a single can of soda.
Dr. Maxmillian Chambers, a dental professional and public health advocate, also spoke on the panel promoting the campaign highlighting the impact sugary drinks can have on dental health.
“As we continue this dialogue, it’s crucial to turn our focus to oral health, a key component of our overall well-
being that doesn’t often receive the attention it deserves. Sugary drinks are a significant contributor to tooth decay. Research shows that drinking more than two eight-ounce servings of sugary beverages per week can drastically increase the risk of cavities. And for our youth, particularly those aged 9 to 18, sugary drinks are primary sources of added sugar in their diets.” Chambers added that the issue is amplified when we consider that Black adolescents who consume high amounts of these beverages and brush their teeth no more than once a day are at a significantly higher risk of developing cavities.
Lakeysha Sowunmi, a mom and public health advocate who has worked to influence state policy and mobilize communities, including churches, around health issues, said, “I work with families on a budget, for example, and help them understand CalFresh and the resources that are available. We talk about portion control. We talk about feeding big families.” Sowunmi, who is a founding member of the San Diego Women’s Affordable Housing Network, added, that making healthy food choices can seem like a luxury to families overwhelmed by housing insecurity. As she helps them find permanent or more affordable housing, Sowunmi says she continues to stress the importance of avoiding bad food choices. The campaign recommends families set new health standards when it comes to the beverages consumed in the home. Flavored water alternatives for children returning from play, not ordering drinks during fast food stops, and increased awareness of sugar content in drinks are among their recommendations. The CDPH and CalFresh believe that a community focused outreach effort ensures the ‘Not so Sweet Side’ campaign will reach diverse families across California. The CalFresh Healthy Living Program is led by CDPH’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Branch. To explore recipes, resources, and tips for making healthier beverage choices, visit http://uncoverhealthyhabits.com
Justice Department Opens Civil Rights Investigation Into Rankin County Sheriff’s Department
By Stacy M.
The U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into Rankin County, Mississippi, and the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD). The probe will determine whether the RCSD engages in unconstitutional practices, including excessive force, unlawful stops, and racially discriminatory policing. Rankin County, which has a population of about 160,000, is located 30 minutes east of Jackson, the state capital.
The investigation follows the highly publicized case involving the so-called “Goon Squad,” a group of five former Rankin County deputies convicted for the brutal assault of two Black men, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker, in January 2023. Those deputies were sentenced to federal prison, but the Justice Department is now examining whether the issues within the department are more widespread.
“We are launching this investigation to examine serious allegations that the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department systematically violates people’s constitutional rights through excessive use of force, unlawful stops and arrests, and discriminatory policing,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
The investigation will scrutinize the RCSD’s use of force, including deadly force, and evaluate whether officers have engaged in unlawful searches, stops, and arrests in violation of the Fourth Amendment. The Justice Department will also assess claims of discriminatory
policing practices that could violate the 14th Amendment, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the Safe Streets Act.
Rankin County officials have pledged their cooperation with the investigation. The DOJ said it would review the sheriff department’s policies, training, and oversight systems. Investigators will gather information by meeting with community members, law enforcement officers, and department leadership.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division referenced the Goon Squad case in
Officials said the investigation is being conducted under the authority of the Violent
of justice is not just about punishing individual officers; it’s about ensuring that the culture of policing reflects the values of our Constitution,” Garland said. “No community should live in fear of those sworn to protect them.”
(Moment/Getty Images)
Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
California Black Media
California Capitol News You Might Have Missed Political Playback:
By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media State of Black California: Oakland Tour Stop Rescheduled
The 2024 State of Black California Tour stop in Oakland has been rescheduled from Sept. 28 to Dec. 13, at the Oakland Museum of California. Registration for the event is closed after reaching maximum capacity, according to CBBF’s website.
Registration for the Oct. 5 tour stop in Moreno Valley is closed as well. Al Sharpton will be a guest speaker at that event.
The series, co-hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), has made stops in San Diego, Santa Barbara, Fresno, and Sacramento.
The State of Black California series creates space for Black Californians to engage the public and policymakers on the issues that impact the Black community. It will also provide conversations about the status of reparations legislation.
The CBFF is a five-year, $100 million measure to ensure that Black power-building and movement-based organizations have the sustainable investments and effective resources needed to remove systemic and institutional racism. CBFF was the benefactor of $3.5 million in state funds last year, distributed to various Black networks in the state.
San Diego: Controller Malia Cohen Attends Launch of First All-Electric Harbor Crane in U.S.
State Controller Malia Cohen attended the launch of the new all-electric mobile harbor crane system at the Port of San Diego, the only dockside lifting machine of its kind in the United States.
Cohen participated in the event along with Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas) and Randa Coniglio the Acting Port Chief Executive Officer.
The Port of San Diego is transitioning its industrial activities to advance the state’s clean energy goals, have a great economic impact, and improve the air quality to nearby neighborhoods. The port installed two Generation 6 Mobile Harbor Cranes at the port’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal (TAMT), the first-ever in the nation’s history. State and local leaders, partners stakeholders, and community members attending the celebration witnessed a demonstration of the crane’s system capabilities.
Cohen, who is also chair of the State Lands Commission, was optimistic about the health and environmental impact of the new development.
“These new cranes will advance the state’s clean energy goals while amplifying the Port’s tremendous economic impact on the San Diego County region,” said Cohen.
“I believe that with continued investments in innovative clean energy infrastructure, workforce development, and job training, paired with ongoing meaningful community engagement and inclusion, and collaborative leadership, we can build a better tomorrow with thriving communities, a sustainable economy, and a vibrant port industry,” she added.
Frank Urtasun, chairman of the Port of San Diego and board of Port Commissioners, said that the new all-electric cranes meet the agency’s dual-focused maritime missions to have cleaner air and deliver goods for communities in the region.
“We’re improving air quality, driving commerce, and supporting good jobs. Everybody wins,” said Urtasun.
The newly installed cranes are replacing the Port’s former diesel-powered crane. This transition is a step toward achieving one of the Port’s goals as part of the Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS). The Port is working to replace all cargo handling equipment to zero emissions by 2030.
Gov. Newsom Signs Legislative Package to Increase Housing, Improve Accountability
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bipartisan legislative package to improve housing initiatives and address the homelessness crisis. The laws aim to streamline housing production and hold local governments accountable to state housing laws. The Legislature will enact over 30 new laws to strengthen housing protections for residents and improve transparency and efficiency for housing programs and initiatives.
“No more excuses. California is taking action to fix the decades-long homelessness, housing, and mental health crises,” said Newsom
“These new laws -- paired with the state’s unprecedented resources -- will deliver more housing, get people off the streets, and provide life-changing support that will benefit all Californians,” he said.
The bill package has new laws that mandate local governments to provide housing to vulnerable residents or low-income individuals experiencing homelessness. The laws will create strict timelines and robust requirements for local governments to report progress on housing and provide notice to the public, increasing accountability for local agencies. Under the new state laws, cities and counties that fail to adopt housing element revisions or approve housing developments will face monetary penalties for
failing to comply with housing laws. The state will reduce regulatory barriers to promote housing near transit and provide incentives for accessory dwelling units as well as senior and student accommodation.
The bill package includes $2.2 billion in funding through Proposition 1 to build housing for veterans and individuals struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. The state plans to develop over 4,000 housing units and expand its HomeKey initiative to convert existing buildings into housing projects for homeless people statewide.
Sen. Laphonza Butler Helps
Secure Nomination of Central California Federal Judge Michelle Williams Court
Last week, U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.),
a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, helped to secure the nomination of Judge Michelle Williams Court as Judge for the Central District of California with a vote of 49-44.
In her new role, Court became the third Black woman and fifth in the court’s history to serve as an Article III Judge in the state’s Central District. Since 2012, Court worked for the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles County.
In 2023, she was a supervising judge in the court’s civil division. Before being a judge, she worked as an attorney, then later became the vice president and general counsel at Bet Tzedek Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm specializing in human rights and poverty justice.
Court dedicated her career as a lawyer to civil rights and social development. She led and contributed to several projects at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the American Civil Liberties Union in Southern California. The judge earned her Juris Doctor in 1993 from the Loyola Law School at the Loyola Marymount University, and she received her bachelor’s in 1988 from Pomona College.
“The Central District of California serves roughly seventeen million people, making it the largest federal district by population in the entire United States. The judges who serve these Californians are currently facing an unprecedented number of filings, making the need to fill the court’s vacancies all that more urgent. It is commonly said that
‘justice delayed is justice denied,’ and at this moment the people of California’s Central District are indeed being denied justice as a direct result of these judicial vacancies,” said Butler in her statement on the Senate Floor urging her colleagues to approve Court’s nomination.
Butler also praised Court’s commitment to justice and track record of serving the state of California.
“Her nomination is an important step towards building trust in our legal system by ensuring that our federal courts reflect and represent the diversity of the people it serves,” he said regarding Judge Court’s career serving in the state’s justice system.
Legislative Republicans Present “Real Solutions” to Drive Down Gas Prices
Assembly Republicans presented a plan last week with what they called “real solutions” to lower gas prices during a special legislative session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom and Assembly Democrats to pass legislation to address the high cost of gasoline prices in the state.
The Republican Caucus proposed seven bills that aim to make gas more affordable statewide. The package includes bills that exempt gas from the state’s cap-and-trade program that adds 30 cents to the cost of a gallon of gas.
Republicans also introduced a bill to suspend the state’s gas tax for one year, a bill requiring the California Energy Commission to regularly update a public dashboard comparing the state’s gas prices to national averages.
Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) said Newsom failed to reduce the cost of gas and that the special session is an attempt to distract residents and leaders from the governor’s failure.
“While Democrats fall in line behind a scheme that Newsom’s administration says could increase gas prices, Assembly Republicans have a common-sense plan to give drivers relief,” said Gallagher.
However, Capitol insiders expect the Democratic majority to push back on the bills. They could also be vetoed by Newsom.
Despite these challenges, Daniel Villaseñor, a spokesperson for the Governor, stated that the Republican bills are a part of “Big Oil’s wish list.”
He argued that there is nothing in the proposed bills that will prevent spikes in gas prices. Newsom is focused on solutions that protect residents from getting gouged at the pump with prices that only bring profits to the oil industry and misery for consumers, Villaseñor stated.
Study: UC 4-Year Grad Rate Doubles That of CSU
Graduation rates at the University of California have increased by 10 points over the last ten years putting the college system on track to achieve its 2030 graduation goals, according to a report on college completion in the state released by the Public Policy Institute of California.
Recent data indicated that the UC system has a graduation rate of 73% for four-year students and a sixyear graduation rate of 86%, according to the institution’s data. The system will increase the four-year graduation rate to 76% and the six-year rate to 90% by 2030.
However, students at California State University are lagging behind with a graduation rate of 36% for fouryear students and a 62% for six-year graduation rate. The graduation rates for students in the UC system are more than double that of students at CSU. Consequently, it is unlikely that CSU will meet its graduation goal of graduating 40% of four-year students and 70% of six-year students by 2025.
The report revealed that nonprofit institutions have relatively high completion rates compared to a high number of for-profit and private colleges that have lower graduation rates.
Researchers stated that longstanding equity gaps in college completion persist indicating that Black and Latino students graduate at lower rates of 52% and 64% The data is varied in comparison to White and Asian students who graduate at higher rates of 75% and 83%, respectively.
Nonetheless, the report showed that Black students in the UC system graduated at a rate of 78% in four years, nearly double the graduation number of Black students in the CSU system with a rate of 47 percent.
“Campus and regional disparities are stark,” the report stated regarding the varying graduation rates at the different college locations.
“Despite progress, equity gaps at UC remain nearly as large as they were in 2018. At CSU, gaps have widened over time; however, many campuses have made progress in closing them,” the report stated about the equity gaps in the college systems.
The state has set a goal to achieve a graduation rate of 70% by 2030.
Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Protecting Creatives as AI Evolves
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills to help actors and performers, including deceased individuals, protect their digital likeness in audio and visual content posted online.
The legislation intends to promote the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and different forms of digital media technologies used for entertainment.
Newsom signed Assembly Bill AB 2602, authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) requires contracts to specify the use of AI-generated digital replicas of a performer’s voice or likeness. The bill stipulates that the performer must be professionally represented in the negotiating contract.
The law, supporters say, will protect performers, preventing the use of AI to replicate their voices and likenesses without permission.
Kalra acknowledged the impact of AI in the entertainment industry and expressed gratitude for Newsom supporting the bill.
Kalra said AB 2602 is, “a bill that will safeguard a performer’s right to their digital self and protect artists’ livelihoods. While this bill was informed by negotiations during the historic strike by SAG-AFTRA, AB 2602 shows how California can strike the right balance between AI innovation and protecting workers in the digital age.”
The second law, AB 1836, authored by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda), prohibits the commercial use of digital replicas of deceased performers in the media without consent from the performer’s estate. The use of replicas includes, but is not limited to, various forms of media, including films, TV shows, video games, audiobooks, and sound recordings. The newly signed law will restrict the unauthorized use of digital replicas in any visual or audio recordings delivered by performers while they were still alive.
Kahan said that the law helps protect the work of performers and prevents the harmful impact of AI when they are deceased.
“California has always had the best protections for artists in order to safeguard their work and likeness, but
artificial intelligence (AI) requires us to continue to update the law to ensure that we are fully protecting our amazing performers,” said Kahan.
“It is now possible to create new performances of artists even after their death. Individuals and their estates deserve protections that extend beyond their life to ensure they control their own likeness and profit from it; that is exactly what AB 1836 does,” she said.
With the ever-evolving nature of AI and digital media, state officials and leaders in the tech industry anticipate that California will help regulate and shape legislation to address issues regarding online content and mass media.
Ahead of Nov. Election, Event to Check Pulse of California’s Political Landscape
The Public Policy Institute of California is hosting a “2024 Speaker Series on California’s Future,” a preview event outlining the political landscape of the state and the nation ahead of the upcoming November elections.
The event, which will be held Sept. 26 from 12 noon to 1 p.m., will include a panel of prominent political journalists who will assess the mood of the electorate and discuss themes and issues that are likely to shape the election outcome in November.
The welcome and opening remarks of the event will be led by Tani Cantil-Sakauye, the president and chief executive officer of the PPIC. The discussion will be moderated by FOX 11 news anchor Elex Michaelson, journalists joining the conversation include senior political writer Joe Garofoli of the San Francisco Chronicle, national politics reporter Astead Herndon of the The New York Times, political correspondent for KQED Marisa Lagos, and senior political reporter POLITICO Melanie Mason.
A statewide survey by the PPIC revealed key findings that highlighted people’s concerns regarding candidates of choice for the 2024 presidential election, the 10 state propositions on the ballot, and the financial direction of the state in the next 12 months.
Since Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic Party standard bearer, 6 in 10 California likely voters support the Democratic presidential ticket compared to the Republican party and other candidates.
“Californians’ support for the Democratic presidential candidate -- and partisans’ overwhelming preference for their party’s candidates -- were the consistent trends before Harris replaced Biden,” the survey report stated.
Among the 10 ballot measures, approximately 71% of voters are expected to vote yes on Proposition 36, allowing felony charges and increased sentences for some drug and theft crimes.
According to the survey, the majority of voters, “think it is a good thing that a majority of voters can make laws and change public policies by passing initiatives.” Voters agree that initiatives on the ballot, “bring up important public policy issues that the Governor and Legislature have not adequately addressed.”
The survey also revealed that nearly half of voters think the state and country are headed in the wrong direction and expect financial struggles in the next 12 months.
The event will be held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento.
The PPIC Speaker Series on California’s Future invites thought leaders and changemakers to address challenges in the state. Residents can visit the PPIC website for more information and register for the event available online and in person.
Assembly Select Committee on Happiness Releases Its Final Report
Happy people have better general health and tend to live longer enjoying employment, economic, and personal benefits, according to a report on happiness by California’s Select Committee on Happiness and Public Policy Outcomes.
The committee revealed that the negative impact of unhappiness and its related factors is severe. The report showed that happier people are healthier compared to unhappy people who struggle with behavioral health issues.
Susan DeMarois, director of the California Department of Aging, testified to the committee that loneliness has damaging health outcomes for senior residents.
“A significant driver in the epidemic of older adult behavioral health issues is loneliness,” said DeMarois. “Loneliness has such far-reaching consequences that the health impact is comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.”
According to surveys conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) in 1998 and 2023, happiness for people in California has decreased significantly by almost half in the last 25 years.
The survey showed that fewer residents are “very happy,” 28% of residents were happy in 1998 as opposed to 16% in 2023.
Survey results indicated that more people said they were “not too happy,” 13% of people admitted to being unhappy in 1998 compared to 26% in 2023. A major concern for the committee is that the number of unhappy people has doubled in the last quarter century.
Other survey polls by Gallup showed that coastal residents were more likely to be happy than their inland counterparts.
Given the recent survey results, the committee urged the state to adopt a creative and collaborative approach to improving happiness among residents. Survey polls verified that public trust in the state government is at a historic low. The report recommends lawmakers develop policies that help create trust between residents and the state government.
By Edward Henderson
issues of our time.” Opponents believe that decisions which put more debt
on the state should be made via a board consensus. They warn, if Prop 5 passes, borrowing for local development projects will be paid with higher taxes.
Critics also call the measure an attempt to undo the taxpayer protections that California voters embedded into the state constitution with Prop 13.
CBM spoke with David Kline, Vice President of Communications & Research for CalTax on why a no vote for prop 5 is the best option.
“The bottom line is, we oppose it because it’s going to increase the cost of living in
Sen. Laphonza Butler
Chargers Offense Stalls Against Steelers, Potentially Lose Herbert to Injury
By Austin Gage
Contributing Sports Writer
Failing to score in the second half, the Los Angeles Chargers suffered their first loss in the Jim Harbaugh era to the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers in a game that saw star quarterback Justin Herbert exit due to an injury.
For the first time under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Los Angeles Chargers dropped a game as they suffered a 20-10 defeat at the hands of the now 3-0 Pittsburgh Steelers. Los Angeles, a team that has established itself as a run-first football team in the first two weeks of the season, just could not get the ground game going Sunday afternoon against a very tough Steeler defense. After averaging over 197 yards per game running the ball in their first two games, the Chargers were held to a drastic low of just 61 yards on the ground. And, for the third straight game, star quarterback Justin Herbert failed to reach 150 passing yards, a clear indicator of Harbaugh’s intentions with the Los Angeles offense for the rest of the season. Although Herbert finished with a season-low 125 passing yards on 12 for 18 attempts, he started the game on fire. Despite stalling for a punt on the first two offensive drives, the fifth-year man out of the University of Oregon orchestrated a quick five-play drive to put the first points of the game on the board. A blown coverage assignment by the Steeler defense saw wide receiver Quentin Johnston emerge wide-open down the left sideline, and Herbert hit him in stride for the easy 27-yard touchdown. Johnston, a second-year player who was highly criticized in his first year for a multitude of reasons including drop issues and compared play against other successful fellow rookie wide receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft class, now has three touchdown receptions in the last two weeks. His first-quarter reception put the Chargers up 7-0 and he would go on to finish his day with a team-leading 44 receiving yards on 2 catches and that touchdown score. However, Pittsburgh and quarterback Justin Fields would respond immediately, tying the game up at 7 after a 13-play, 70yard drive that was capped by a Fields’ 5-yard touchdown rush. With three 3rd-down conversions on the grueling drive, Fields and the Steeler offense were able to equalize the game. Fields, who only became confirmed as the starter for Pittsburgh after an injury to presumed starter Russell Wilson before Week 1, has impressed and led the Steelers to a 3-0 record to begin the 2024 campaign. The former first-round pick struggled with turnovers and tacking sacks in his previous time with the Chicago Bears but has looked much better with Pittsburgh and has eliminated careless mistakes. For the afternoon, Fields tallied 245 passing yards, a passing touchdown and an interception to go along with 6 yards on the ground with the rushing score.
A solid response from the Charger offense ensued as they used a 12-play drive to lead to a Cameron Dicker
interception of Fields by former Steeler linebacker Bud Dupree, with really only one big mistake in the second half being a 55yard touchdown reception given up midway through the fourth quarter to wide receiver Calvin Austin, the
second-half offense was non-existent. In the second
the Steelers had 272 offensive
compared to
drives for the Chargers resulted in negative
the
to
for the Chargers. Three out of the four
and
a 10-point lead that they would not
from. A game-ending drive from the Steelers saw them take up the final five minutes basically all on the ground as the Chargers defense could not force them off the field.
“They got the momentum and kept it, held on to it. That’s the way it went. Any kind of drive, any kind of points, three-andouts; those give momentum and we weren’t able to get it back and hold on to it,” Harbaugh said. To add much more insult to injury, Herbert, who entered the week’s matchup with a lingering high ankle sprain picked up in last week’s victory over the Carolina Panthers, was seen limping off the field midway through the third quarter, potentially aggravating the injury and forcing backup Taylor Heinicke into the game. Paired with injuries to fellow stars in linebacker Joey Bosa and offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, Sunday was not kind to Los Angeles in the health department.
“My responsibility as a quarterback is to give everything that I can to this team and to my teammates, and I felt like I did that,” said Herbert. “I pushed myself and I couldn’t go
JMU’s Barnett III and Navy’s Ramos Named Walter Camp Winners
By Earl Heath
JMU
single-game history, while his 388 passing total was tied for seventh. With the win, JMU improved to 3-0. The redshirt sophomore from Whitsett, NC is just the second James Madison player to earn Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since 2004 (defensive lineman Jalen Green was recognized on Oct. 29, 2023). On the Defensive side, Ramos recorded a career-high 20 tackles in Navy’s 56-44 win over No. 23 Memphis. The 20 tackles were the most by any player in the FBS this year and the most by a Navy player since 2007. Ramos also recorded Navy’s only two tackles for a loss, Navy’s only sack, and broke up a pass in the end zone that saved a
touchdown on a drive that Memphis ultimately came up empty. With the win, Navy improved to 3-0, 2-0 in the American Athletic Conference.
The Senior, Linebacker from Wayne, NJ is the fourth Navy player to earn Walter Camp National FBS Player of Week honors since 2004, and the first since safety John Marshall on Nov. 20, 2022.
This is the 21st year that the Walter Camp Football Foundation will honor one offensive and one defensive player as its national Football Bowl Subdivision player of the week during the regular season. It is the nation’s longest-running Player of the Week award. The award is presented by The Heights Group at Morgan Stanley. Walter Camp is “The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries, and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation (www.waltercamp.org) – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.
“Never Say Die” RAMS Pull One Out
Stafford said. “NFL is an improbable business, I’ll tell you that much. You never know what’s gonna happen week in and week out. You’ve got to go out there and earn it and prove it, and we did that.”
The win also helped the Rams (1-2) match their franchise’s biggest second-half comeback victory since 2006 while earning their second straight win over the 49ers (1-2) after losing nine of the NFC West archrivals’ previous 10 meetings.
Stadium. The home opener saw the team trail most of the game until rookie Joshua Karty nailed a 37-yard field goal with 2 seconds left to complete the dramatic rally. As L.A. outscored San Francisco 20-3 in the final 19 minutes.
“I’m not into improbable, probable,” Matthew
Kyren Williams helped the ground game by rushing for 86 yards on 24 carries and also caught a TD pass for the Rams, who avoided their first 0-3 start under Sean McVay in remarkable fashion. Stafford passed for 221 yards. Tutu Atwell had four catches for 93 yards.
Leading by led 24-14 midway through the fourth quarter, 49er,s kicker Jake Moody missed a 55-yard field goal attempt with 2:43 to play. Stafford then hit Atwell for a 50 completion to the San Francisco 5, and Williams took it in two plays later.
Stafford struggled early and didn’t complete a pass until Atwell made a running grab with about eight minutes left in the first half. Williams then made a short catch and did a full front-flip somersault into the end zone.
After Jauan Jennings caught a 31-yard TD pass for the 49ers midway through the third quarter. Williams responded by scoring a rushing TD in his sixth straight game, matching the franchise-record streak set by Marshall Faulk in 2001.
Brock Purdy made Jennings his primary target. He responded and caught two scoring passes in the
A group of Pittsburgh Steelers arrive to sack Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) in the second half of their matchup on Sunday, September 22th at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania . (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
TE Jordan Whittington (88) moves for yards after a pass receptionPhoto by Earl Heath
Kyren Williams (23) rushes for some of his 89 yards vs San Francisco-Photo by Earl Heath
Alonza Barnett III of James Madison University
Colin Ramos of Navy
Jazz at Drew - It’s Time to Jazz Up Your Health
By Ricky Richardson Contributing Writer
(Los Angeles, CA) Jubilant shouts of joy and excitement filled the air as word spread for the triumphant return of Jazz at Drew, in fall 2024.
The 23rd Annual Jazz at Drew was a huge success for everyone involved. The beloved community music festival was held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, on the inviting, relaxing campus of Charles R. Drew University of Science and Medicine (CDU).
Jazz at Drew has been on hiatus since 2019. Its welcome return will continue to revitalize the essence of community and cultural richness in South LA, hosted by Charles R. Drew University of Science and Medicine.
Jazz at Drew assembled a stellar lineup of musicians that promised and delivered an unforgettable experience for festival goers, with a mix of jazz R&B, and soul to the stage.
The festival was headlined by Morris Day & The Time,
Grammy-winning guitarist Norman Brown, Grammynominated vocal group DW3, The Lao Tizer Band featuring Grammy-winning saxophonist Eric Marienthal, powerful vocalist Erin Stevenson, and talented local artist J.Anthny.
A diverse crowd, of over 3,000 people from all walks of life showed up and showed out. Guests know from experience that Jazz at Drew would provide a truly awesome day, filled with great entertainment, food, community, culture, and health, for a greater mission.
The weather Gods looked down favorably upon this iteration of Jazz at Drew. The day was sunny, slightly warm as a result of recent rains. This was a welcome respite from the heatwave of several weeks ago.
Jazz at Drew was the perfect event to usher in the arrival of fall. The well-maintained, manicured lawn of CDU provided an ideal setting for some incredible music.
Radio personalities/hosts Adai Lamar, 102.3 Radio Free KJLH, and Greg Mack 94.7 The Wave served as emcees.
DJ Mr. Quick played tracks that got the grown folks, aka, party people on their feet to dance and have a good time between live performances. The soundtrack of DJ Mr. Quick laid down made sure that there wouldn’t be any parking on the dance floor.
J.Anthny is a member of the campus IT Department.
LA County Library Provides Free Access to
Wi-Fi and Technology
By Skye Patrick
The school year is in full swing, and LA County Library would like to remind our neighbors of the resources available at your local library to support children, teens, and adults in their educational and personal goals.
As we continue navigating the digital age, ensuring that every resident has access to technology and reliable internet is more important than ever. We are dedicated to bridging the digital divide and providing essential resources to meet the needs of our communities. Two of our key services—Park & Connect and Laptop & Hotspot Loans—are specifically designed to enhance access and connectivity for everyone in our county.
Park & Connect: Free Wi-Fi at the Library
Since its launch in November 2020, our Park & Connect program has been a lifeline for many residents who lack reliable internet access at home. This initiative provides free Wi-Fi coverage in LA County Library parking lots. Whether you’re a student working on assignments, applying to college, or simply needing to stay connected, Park & Connect provides reliable internet access to meet your needs. To use Park & Connect, simply park in a designated spot in our library parking lot or find a comfortable spot to sit within 25 feet of the library building. From there, you can connect to our Wi-Fi network with your personal device or laptop. The program extends to 82 library locations, providing a crucial resource for those who might otherwise be disconnected. For a list of participating locations and more information about Park & Connect, visit LACountyLibrary.org/Wi-Fi. Laptop Loans: Bridging the Technology Gap
For those in need of more robust digital resources, our Laptop Loan service offers a valuable solution. Available to LA County Library customers aged 18 and over, this program allows you to borrow a Chromebook and a hotspot for six weeks, with an option to renew if needed. These loaner devices are instrumental for those who need technology for education or other essential tasks. By providing Chromebooks enabled with the internet, we aim to empower individuals and families to stay connected and thrive in today’s digital world. This service is accessible at all 85 of our libraries, and you can check availability online at LACountyLibrary.org/laptop. Connect & Go: Hotspot Loans In a world that is constantly on the move, Connect & Go Hotspot Loans from LA County Library provides customers with the tools to stay connected, wherever they go. Students who are hoping to study, a professional who needs to meet a deadline, or someone who just needs to browse the web, hotspot loans from LA County Library allow everyone to explore the world of connectivity. Connect & Go hotspot loans can be borrowed for up to 6 weeks at a time, with an option to renew if available. Visit LACountyLibrary.org/ hotspot to check on availability. Work Ready LA County Library’s Work Ready program is a springboard for job seekers. By providing free access to virtual job training workshops, essential resources, and even laptops with built-in internet, Work Ready empowers everyone to reach their career goals. Whether you’re just entering the workforce or looking to level up to new possibilities, Work Ready has the tools you need to succeed. To learn more, visit LACountyLibrary.org/workready. These programs reflect our ongoing commitment to digital equity. As we continue to innovate and adapt, our goal remains clear: to support our
He got the show underway with music filled with raw emotions and motivation that resonated with festivalgoers on a deep level. J.Anthny’s thoroughly entertaining set featured original selections “Something For You,” “Drop Top,” “Up Now,” “What I Need,” and “You Make Me Better.”
Erin Stevenson graced the stage to showcase her powerful and varied vocal range and dynamic stage presence. Erin Stevenson established a connection with the crowd by bringing a mix of R&B with modern vibes that had the crowd grooving throughout her set. Her set featured the selections “I Need Some Lovin,” “Save Your Love for Me,” with a segue into “Rock Me Baby.” She continued with “Smooth Soul,” Funk M,” with a chorus of “Funkin for Jamaica,” and continued with “Don’t Touch.” Erin Stevenson concluded her set with a tribute to the late great Frankie Beverly with “Before I Let Go,” and “Happy Feelings.” Throughout her set, I kept hearing people say that Erin Stevenson can SING!!!
Grammy-nominated vocal group DW3 offered a perfectly artful balance between smooth, seductive ballads, and up-tempo dance/funk jams. Simply put or translated, wherever DW3 is, that is where the party is at. They have been entertaining crowds since 2003, at concerts, and festivals, locally and internationally. DW3 always leaves the crowd wanting more. Brothers Eric and Billy Mondragon and close family friend Damon Reel delivered the goods on the selections “Superstition,” “Let the Music Be Your Guide,” “Right On,” “Yearning,” “Close the Door,” “Never Too Much,” “Do I Do,” and “September.”
The Lao Tizer featuring Eric Marienthal is back by popular demand. Jazz enthusiasts were captivated by their artistry and performance of original tracks. Their set featured the selections “Carousel,” “16 Heaven,” and “Why.” Eric Marienthal’s original track “Baby Cakes” riled
up the crowd. The group continued with “Down,” and concluded their set with “New Orleans. The band featured Lao Tizer-keyboards, Eric Marienthal-saxophone, Anthony Crawford-bass, Gene Coye-drums, Munyungo Jackson Jr., -percussion, and Elliott Yamin on vocals. Grammy-winning guitarist Norman Brown was next to perform. The crowd was in for a treat as Norman Brown showcased awe-inspiring soulful performance, and masterful guitar technique. Norman Brown’s set featured selections from previous EP’s. The crowd was vibing throughout his set that blended jazz, R&B, Pop, & Blues. The set featured “That’s the Way Love Is,” “Let’s Get Away,” “After the Storm,” “Any Love,” and “Man in the Mirror.” Norman Brown related the various guitar legends that influenced his musical journey from Jimi Hendrix, and Wes Montgomery to George Benson. The life and legacy of the late great Frankie Beverly were remembered during a special touching and celebratory set of music played by DJ Mr. Quick. I’m sure by now you should know WHAT TIME It IS!!! Morris Day and The Time ignited the stage and the festival with an electrifying performance to the delight of guests who stayed until the very end. A chorus of the crowd sang along to such hits as “Get It Up,” “The Bird,” “Cool,” and “Jungle Love,” to name a few.
Photo credit:
County
J.Anthny, (Photo by Ricky Richardson
Morris Day, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Erin Stevenson, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Norman Brown, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)