Oakland Post, week of April 17 - 23, 2024

By Ken Epstein

A group of former Holy Names University (HNU) education students are seeking support from local leaders and members of the public to push the HNU Board of Trustees to honor its commitment to use a still existing $55 million endowment to pay tuition for its education students who are now at other teacher training institutions after the university closed and abandoned them.

HNU trustees still administer the affairs of the university, though they closed the school in Spring 2023 and sold the campus to private real estate developers.

Many of HNU’s former education students currently teach in public, charter, and private school classrooms around the Bay Area while struggling to pay the high expenses of finishing their teaching credentials, often at the cost of over $1,300 a unit.

About 90 former HNU education students signed a letter to Attorney General Rob Bonta, asking the institution’s trustees to use the $55 million endowment for its intended purpose, which was left to the university as part of an estate to support training for new East Bay teachers.

The HNU Board responded in

By McKenzie jackson California Black Media

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) won a $10,000 fair housing settlement last November against a property management company, CIM Group LP, a global real estate company headquartered in Los Angeles, and property owner, RACR Sora, LLC, for implementing a blanket ban on renting to tenants with criminal histories at Sora Apartments in Inglewood.

Three months earlier, the department, which enforces California’s civil rights laws, won another $20,000 civil rights settlement against a Lemon Grove property manager, who had targeted a Black tenant with a series of racist actions and threats of violence.

CRD Director Kevin Kish said the department investigates cases of

By Post Staff

In 1970, high school graduation rates for Black students in the U.S. were half those of whites. Civil rights protests turned this reality into a big issue and these protests made possible the birth of a truly unique school like the Oakland Emiliano Zapata Street Academy.

Over the years, it has been featured in several local news stories. One network touted it as ‘the miracle school located at 417 29th St. And, perhaps miraculously, the school will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a community party on Saturday April 27 at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church. While the system called kids drop-outs, the organizers of the Street Academy said they were actually being pushed out by an impersonal and bureaucratic system. Whereas regular high school stu-

dents had six or seven classes a day with no adult that really got to know them, the Street Academy created a “consulting teacher” model with one adult for every 20 students.

The consulting teacher would get to know them and their families well and stay with them throughout their years in high school. While other schools had history classes focused through the lens of European accomplishments, Street Academy was the first high school to require that every student take an ethnic studies class

And Street Academy had staff with activist mindsets. Bernard Stringer, the history teacher, for example, had been on strike as a student at San Francisco State. Betsy Schulz had been part of VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) a sort of stateside Peace Corps. Roger Chavarin had been an activist in

apparent racial bias in housing and sometimes more subtle acts of prejudice like nuisance-free or crimefree housing policies or holding tenants to different standards based on their race.

Kish said, “People will get evicted if they call the police. This can negatively impact victims of domestic violence. We also see these no-crime ordinances, or nocrime policies, used in racially discriminatory ways. If there is some kind of incident, and the police are called and it involves a Black family, then they get evicted, but other folks aren’t necessarily evicted.”

On April 11,1968, a week after Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, President Lydon B. Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination

the Latino community. As a result, many of the students have shown a desire to help the community and Street Academy graduates have had an impact within and beyond the school. Ze Segundo and Corrina Gould worked for the American Friends Service Committee. Gould later became a leader of the Ohlone people and has led in the repatriation of Ohlone land through her organization, the Segorea Te Land Trust

Ana Guadalupe Aviles graduated in 1990 and became a bilingual mental health therapist and a member of the Street Academy board. Bukola (Lara) Lawal and Jaron Epstein graduated from Street Academy, went to college, and returned to the school as educators. The staff has influenced other schools as well. Gina Hill and Monica Vaughan worked at the Street Academy for many years and carried its practices into their new leadership responsibilities at Alameda County and the Oakland Unified School District level.

Street Academy also has a unique travel club: Students have visited Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti and France. This year, some students are going to Italy.

The school has had many “angels” over the years, people who went out of their way to make sure the school survived. Former school board members, Sylvester Hodges and Peggy Stinnett, now deceased, were pivotal, as were the owners and publishers of this newspaper, Gay and Paul Cobb.

Several television networks have aired shows about the Street Academy. One of them referred to it as the “Miracle School.” The ‘Miracle School’ celebrates its 50th birthday this year

The 50th anniversary celebration will be at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 521 29th St., in Oakland from 1-5 p.m. Web site - https:// www.streetacademy.online/

By Magaly Muñoz

The Alameda County Registrar of Voters announced Monday that they had certified the required number of signatures to trigger a recall election against Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price.

Recall supporters submitted 123,374 signatures before the March 5 deadline, although only needing 73,195 valid signatures to trigger a special election. After the Registrar of Voters (ROV) was unable to verify the needed amount through a random sampling, they proceeded to manually count the signatures, which resulted in 74,757 signatures verified.

Save Alameda For Everyone (SAFE), one of the two primary recall groups, celebrated their success in a press release Monday afternoon, stating they were “thrilled” for reaching this milestone towards ensuring “accountability and transparency in the District Attorney’s office.”

“We are confident that this grassroots movement will pave the way for positive change and a brighter future for all residents and businesses in Alameda County,” Carl Chan, SAFE’s Principal Officer, said in the statement.

Brenda Grisham, the other primary officer of SAFE, told the Post that they’re excited that the efforts of the volunteers and all involved with the campaign are paying off “Our effort is just about public safety. Our main focus is keeping the citizens of Alameda County safe,” Grisham said.

SAFE initiated its efforts only seven months into Price’s administration, a point that Grisham made when discussing how long Price had to prove herself in the District Attorney role.

She claimed that Price had six months to meet with families of victims and prosecute perpetrators of those crimes to the fullest extent of the law, but instead chose to do the opposite and not protect the people in the community as crime and concerns for public safety continue to rise.

Former Holy Names students who are teaching while finishing their teacher training are shown online during a Zoom meeting. Courtesy photo. Alameda County District

By Tamara Shiloh

journey from humble beginnings to becoming the first African American woman to earn a commercial pilot’s license in the United States is nothing short of inspirational.

Born on June 11, 1907, in Griffin, Ga., Bragg grew up at a time when societal barriers based on race and gender seemed nearly impossible to surmount. Despite the challenges she faced, Bragg held a deep-rooted passion for flying from a young age. Her fascination with aviation only intensified as she witnessed the achievements of pioneering aviators like Bessie Coleman, who became the first African American woman to earn an international pilot’s license.

Defying the odds, Bragg pursued her dreams with determination. In the 1920s, she began her journey into the world of aviation, which was predominantly occupied by White men. She refused to let the obvious barriers hold her back. Undiscouraged by the lack of representation and the pervasive racial discrimination of the era, Bragg persevered, fueled by her ambition and love for flying.

In 1928, Bragg made history by becoming the first Black woman to attend the Curtiss Wright School of Aeronautics in Chicago. Imagine this, she was the only girl in a class full of 24 Black men.

In 1933, she joined the Curtiss Wright Aeronautical University, a school just for African Americans who wanted to learn to fly. Un-

bothered by the social norms; she contributed her own money to help buy the school’s first airplane. And she helped build an airfield for the school in Robbins, Illinois.

During the summer of 1934, Bragg got serious about flying. She earned her private pilot’s license, making her one of the few women and Black people in the country to do so. But things got tough when she applied to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program in 1943. Although Bragg was qualified, she was turned down because she was Black.

Yet, Bragg didn’t give up. She tried to join the military nurse corps, but again, she was rejected because of her race. So, she headed to Tuskegee Institute in Alabama to train as a pilot. Even though she finished her training and passed all her tests, Alabama wouldn’t give her a pilot’s license because she was a “colored girl.” But Janet wasn’t one to let obstacles stop her. She got her license at Pal-Waukee Field in Illinois, showing everyone that determination can break down even the toughest barriers.

From 1941–1951, she worked as a health inspector for an insurance company. In 1953 she married Sumner Bragg; together the Braggs managed and founded two nursing homes for the elderly in Chicago until their own retirement in 1972.

Bragg passed 1993. Her autobiography, “Soaring Above Setbacks,” was published posthumously in 1996.

By Zoe Jung Special to The Post

I went on my longest-ever road trip this month: a drive from Oakland to Arkansas to see the total solar eclipse on April 8.

It took some preparation. Before the trip, I got solar eclipse viewing glasses from the Oakland Public Library where I volunteer.

I traveled with a family friend, Kiki, who owns a Tesla. We had to plan our route based on the availability of Tesla Superchargers

Oakwood University Crowned the 35th

Honda Campus AllStar Challenge National Champion

PR Newswire

TORRANCE, Calif. — Fol-

lowing a commanding final game series last week, Oakwood University secured top honors and a $100,000 institutional grant from Honda at the 35th Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC), America’s premier academic competition for students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Oakwood is a Black, Seventhday Adventist university in Huntsville, Alabama.

Hosted on the American Honda corporate campus in Torrance, Calif., more than 200 HBCU students and their coaches participated in this year’s HCASC National Championship Tournament.

Beyond the competition, the HCASC program included student networking opportunities and activities with HBCU presidents and representatives. Honda provided more than $500,000 in institutional grants to the participating HBCUs.

“Congratulations to the scholars from Oakwood University on their dynamic performance and national championship win at the 2024 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge,” said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion & Diversity at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “On behalf of Honda, we applaud all the 35th an-

niversary HCASC participants on their exemplary display of HBCU excellence. We also thank all the volunteers and alumni who made this year’s program possible.”

Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is a year-round program that celebrates HBCU academic excellence and challenges students to expand their scope of knowledge on a wide range of topics, with the opportunity to gain lifelong learning skills, including leadership, collaboration, and sportsmanship.

Sixty-four teams competed in a series of national qualifying tournaments earlier this year and were narrowed down to field of 32 teams that participated in the HCASC National Championship Tournament. Based on the program’s emphasis on making “Friends for Life,” participating students share in the opportunity to build camaraderie with their peers from other HBCUs and gain mentorship opportunities with HCASC alumni and Honda associates. The 2024 HCASC theme, “Live Your Dream,” aims to inspire students to embrace their dreams and manifest the success and achievements they envision for themselves.

Oakwood University Earns 2024 HCASC National Championship Title In a two-game sweep during the 35th HCASC National Cham-

WOMEN IMPACTING THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY: Pastor Talia Benet

An Advocate for Economic Development

Pastor, Mother, Consultant, and Difference-Maker

By Antoinette Porter

Rev. Talia Benet has been making a difference in the African American Bay Area Community since 1984. For the past four years her impact has been felt as the executive director of the Health & Human Resource Education Center (HHREC) located in Oakland. HHREC was founded in 1984 and is funded by Alameda County Behavioral Health and the Mental Health Services Act. HHREC has six community-based programs that are rooted and centered in health and wellness. HHREC is committed to creating healthy communities by improving the overall health and quality of life of Bay Area residents. They focus on reducing the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, as well as eliminating racism and violence of all kinds. HHREC acts as a fiscal agent for the Alameda County Office of Ethnic Services, The African American Health & Wellness Steering Committee, and the Alameda County Workforce Education and Training Program with Ohlone College. Rev. Talia Benet is also the owner of a consulting firm that offers fund

development strategy and provides grant writing services.

Benet is the senior pastor of Taylor Chapel CME Church located in Vallejo. Taylor Chapel CME Church has served the Vallejo community for over 74 years. Pastor Talia credits her mentor, Bishop Charley Hames, Jr. for preparing her for such a time as this.

She is the proud daughter of retired attorney and Navy Vietnam veteran Mansour Salahudin. She is also the honored mother of Sparkle Hicks, currently attending Chico State. Pastor Talia is engaged to retired Air Force veteran Michael Solomon.

“As far as impact, my goal is to build up the younger generation, coming behind me. I often tell them my job is to pray for them and teach them how to “skip” to the bank! The CME church has a rich history, but the youth must have a role and should be taught the value of community. It’s all about mentorship! At Taylor Chapel CME Church our young adult ministry takes the lead.”

This is the impact this woman of God has on her church and the community.

Calendar of Events — April and May

along the way.

The path of totality went from Texas to Maine, crossing Arkansas and the very corner of Oklahoma. We went to Arkansas to avoid crowds, and mostly succeeded. It was a 33-hour, four-day drive including overnight stays at hotels.

We stayed in an Airbnb in Fort Smith Sunday night. On Monday, the day of the eclipse, we set off for Russellville, a town in northwest Arkansas.

8711 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland obal.vpprograms@gmail.com

April 20, 2024 – 11 a.m. –

Spring Fitness Workout

Beth Eden Baptist Church, 1183 – 10th St., Oakland

For more information: (510) 444-1625

April 20, 2024 – 6 p.m.

115th Church Anniversary – Concert of Choirs

Phillips Temple CME Church, 3332 Adeline St., Berkeley

April 21, 2024 – 3 p.m.

115th Church Anniversary Service

Special Guests, Pastor Alton McGriff and the Missionary

Temple CME Church of San Francisco

Phillips Temple CME Church, 3332 Adeline St., Berkeley

April 27, 2024 – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

“No Boundaries in Mental Health”

Grand Worthy Matron’s Special Project – North Golden

State Grand Chapter – Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Rite of Adoption, State of California

Radisson Oakland Airport, 8400 Edes Avenue, Oakland

April 28, 2024 – 1 p.m.

The World of Fashion ~ A Fashion Show & Luncheon

Scholarship Fundraiser

Presented by: Allen Temple Baptist Church, Business & Professional Women’s Society

Allen Temple Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 8501 International Blvd., Oakland

For more information: (510) 544-8910 or Allen-Temple.org

May 4, 2024 – 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Pre-Mother’s Day Concert & Health Symposium

Presented by I’m Every Woman Productions

Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia Street, Vallejo RSVP at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/ empresstheatre/7268/event/1371559 |

May 9, 2024 – 6 p.m.

Lend A Hand Foundation, 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Stay in School & Joy of Giving Program

Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland Buy Tickets & Show Your Support: https://paybee.io/inperson-event/lendahand/5

May 19, 2024 – 10 a.m.

Pentecost Sunday and Community Baptism Sunday (all white attire)

Beebe Memorial Cathedral CME Church, 3900 Telegraph Ave., Oakland

For more information please call: 510-655-6114.

May 19, 2024 – 3 p.m.

Men and Women’s Day Reunion Choir Concert

Beebe Memorial Cathedral CME Church, 3900 Telegraph Ave., Oakland

For more information please call: 510-655-6114.

May 26, 2024 – 12 p.m. –

25th Anniversary Stone Soul Concert

Special Guest Artists ~ El Debarge, Montell Jordan, Big Daddy Kane, Keith Sweat and Charlie Wilson

Toyota Pavilion at Concord, 2000 Kirker Pass Road, Concord

For more information and tickets: StoneSoulConcert.com

Northern California Chapter Gospel Music Workshop of America ~ Choir Events

April 20, 2024 – 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

“Choirs United” Parks Chapel AME Church, 476 – 34th Street, Oakland

April 21, 2024 – 5 p.m.

3rd Sunday Night Concert

Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 831 So. 43rd Street, Richmond

April 27, 2024 – 1 p.m.

Reverend Kermit Dearman 1st Year Anniversary Star Bethel Baptist Church, 5800 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

Janet Harmon Bragg’s

Zoe Jung taking a break from driving after passing through a blizzard.

Photo by Kiki Jewell.

Rev. Talia Benet is senior pastor of Taylor Chapel CME Church in Vallejo. Courtesy photo.

Oakwood University earned the 2024 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge national championship title and a $100,000 institutional grant from Honda. Photo courtesy Honda/PR Newswire.

Hate Incident: ‘Black Maternal Deaths Are God’s Will,’ Says White Supremacist in Letter to Legislators, AG Bonta

By California Black Media

A member of a White supremacist group wrote a racist letter addressed to members of the California Legislature and Attorney General Rob Bonta claiming deaths of Black mothers and children during childbirth are God’s will.

Earlier this month, the Assembly Committee on Health voted 12 to 2 to advance Assembly Bill (AB) 2319, the California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act, legislation crafted to address the high infant mortality rate among Black women.

Opposing that decision last week, a person claiming to be a member of two racist, White Supremacist organizations sent a letter to the office of Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City).

Wilson, Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), is the author of AB 2319.

“I submit this letter in strong and vehement opposition of AB 2319,” the letter obtained by California Black Media stated. “We believe that every non-White birth in this state is a drain on the taxpayers and that any miscarriage or complication that results in death or defect of the mother, or the child, is

God’s way of ensuring population control among Blacks and other minorities.”

Wilson said she and her staff were shocked by the raw hatred expressed in the letter.

“The recent racist opposition to our efforts to secure equitable health care for every Californian is not only offensive but deeply concerning,” stated Wilson.

“As the Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, I unequivocally condemn these views, which are steeped in hate and ignorance. The language used in this letter is not only disgraceful but dangerous and has no place in our society or legislative discourse.

I want to make it unequivocally clear: there is no place for hate in California.”

Wilson said she and other colleagues opposed to bigotry — including Republican members, who have also condemned the letter — “are committed to moving forward together, ensuring that our legislative efforts embody our unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the safeguarding of human rights for everyone.”

More Muscle for Calif’s Retail Crime Fight as Speaker, Legislators, Unveil New Bills

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

Assemblymembers Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) and Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) last week added their names to a growing list of California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) members who have introduced legislation aimed at addressing the state’s retail theft problem.

Jones-Sawyer and McCarty appeared with Attorney General Rob Bonta, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, legislative colleagues, district attorneys, business leaders, and law enforcement personnel to introduce seven bipartisan bills at the Capitol Annex Swing Space on April 9.

“The Assembly is moving forward with a comprehensive, balanced, and bipartisan legislative package that seeks to strengthen public safety, and protect shoppers, and business owners across California,” Rivas said.

Jones-Sawyers introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 1802 – the Retail Crime Force Sunset Extension. The bill would eliminate the expiration date on another JonesSawyer bill, AB 1065, which was passed in 2018. AB 1802 would require the California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Justice to create regional property crimes task forces to assist local law enforcement with resources to fight retail theft in affected parts of the state.

Currently, the CHP property crime task force has conducted 1,225 investigations, made over 1,800 arrests, and recovered almost a half million items of stolen merchandise valued at more than $21 million in areas across California, according to information provided Jones-Sawyer’s office.

“Retail theft is not a new problem in California, and, in fact, it’s been a troubling and complex issue that I have worked hard to address during all of my time in the

Assembly,” Jones-Sawyer said.

“AB 1065 was designed specifically to target organized crime rings.”

The other bills included in the package are AB 2943 (California Retail Theft Reduction Act), authored by Assemblymember Rick Zbur (D-Hollywood); AB 1972 (Organized Retail Theft: Cargo),

Assemblymember Juan Alanis (RModesto); AB 1779 (Theft: Jurisdiction), Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Palo Alto); AB 1960 (Sentencing Enhancement: Property Loss), Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D-Merced); and AB 1794 (Retail Theft Repeat Offender Curtailment), Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento).

McCarty is the chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee. His bill, AB 1794, aims to curtail activities by repeat offenders.

It will also streamline the process of reporting shoplifting incidents directly to prosecutors through a program called, “CAL Fast Pass.”

CAL Fast Pass would help retailers speed up investigations against serial offenders and aids in “reducing the financial strain and operational disruptions” caused by retail theft, the bill states.

“The Fast Pass program allows retailers to go directly to District Attorneys without police involvement to bring swift action and accountability,” McCarty said.

Speaking to those running organized retail crime schemes, Bonta said, “If you ransack our stores, attack our people, and harm our communities, we’ll come for you.”

California Assembly Passes Bill to End Digital Discrimination

By California Black Media

On April 10, the California Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee voted to approve Assembly Bill (AB) 2239 after a hearing at the State Capitol.

The bill aims to close the digital divide for low-income residents in the state.

Authored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), the

legislation calls for prohibiting internet service providers from implementing policies and practices that have a negative and unequal impact in low-income communities.

The bill, “addresses a critical issue in our digital age, ensuring equitable access to broadband internet services for all Californians,” Bonta said.

Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland). Photo courtesy Assemblymember Mia Bonta.

Oakwood University

Crowned the 35th Honda Campus All-Star Challenge National Champion ...

him the head coach title that he has held ever since.

In addition to his own team, Mack has fostered relationships with other competitors, helping to raise the bar beyond the borders of North Carolina.

Oakland Student Drives to Eclipse in Arkansas ...

California Assembly Passes Bill to End Digital Discrimination ...

Time to Deal with America’s Skeletons in the ClosetUnaddressed White Psychopathy and Sociopathy (PART 3) Continued

pionship final match, the scholars from Oakwood University defeated the Howard University team by accurately answering questions about history, science, literature, religion, the arts, and pop culture.

Oakwood bested teams from 31 HBCUs and qualified for the National Championship Tournament after winning a series of regional competitions throughout the academic year.

The winning team was coached by Dr. Steven Lai Hing and includes team captain Jonathan Gunthrope, a senior majoring in Finance from Westchester, N.Y.; Hannah Browning, a senior majoring in Film & Television Production from Powder Springs, Ga.; Janiah Hinds, a sophomore majoring in History from Memphis, Tenn.; and Grayson Mejia, a senior majoring in Applied Mathematics from Henrico, Va.

This year marks Oakwood University’s 28th appearance in a Honda Campus All-Star Challenge national championship tournament and its fourth win.

“Winning HCASC in one word? Unbelievable,” said Mejia. “This is my fourth year competing, and I just really can’t believe it happened.”

“I want to thank our players for their work ethic, drive, and sportsmanship. They were champions to me before the trophy. This win just confirms for everyone else what I already knew,” added Dr. Lai Hing.

Runner-up Howard University received a grant from Honda, as did the third and fourth place finishers–Spelman College and Morehouse College, respectively.

Albany State University, Hampton University, Lincoln University-Pennsylvania and Tennessee State University rounded out the “Great 8” teams that competed in the HCASC Finals. In all, Honda will distribute more than $500,000 in institutional grants to the 32 participating schools.

Celebrating Individual Contributions

For 35 years, dedicated coaches, volunteers and program alumni have helped to make the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge a success.

This year’s HCASC competitors selected Lauren Nicole Johnson of North Carolina Central University to receive this year’s Ernest C. Jones Sportsperson Award, which recognizes a student who epitomizes team spirit, camaraderie, good sportsmanship, and academic focus during the National Championship Tournament. The award is named for one of HCASC’s early volunteers who mentored many HBCU students.

Clayton Mack of North Carolina Central University was recognized as Coach of the Year. Investment and commitment of time and resources are important to building a successful HCASC program and team.

Mack’s relationship with HCASC spans more than 30 years. He played for North Carolina Central’s team before returning as an assistant coach after graduation. His passion for developing students into top-tier players earned

The HBCUs that qualified for the 2024 HCASC National Championship Tournament included:

Alabama A&M University

Alabama State University

Albany State University

Allen University

Central State University

Claflin University

Dillard University

Edward Waters University

Fisk University

Florida A&M University

Fort Valley State University

Hampton University

Harris-Stowe State University

Howard University

Lincoln University-

Pennsylvania

Livingstone College

Morehouse College

Morgan State University

Norfolk State University

North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina Central University

Oakwood University

Paul Quinn College

Prairie View A&M University

Shaw University

Southern University - Baton

Rouge

Spelman College

Tennessee State University

Tuskegee University

University of Maryland

Eastern Shore

Virginia State University

Winston-Salem State University

Honda continues to drive the legacy of HBCUs through programs like HCASC and Honda Battle of the Bands, the nation’s premier showcase for HBCU marching bands and dance teams, which is set to return in 2025.

Honda also has partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and UNCF to provide scholarship funding to support HBCU students pursuing an education in engineering, supply chain management, and manufacturing-related fields.

Honda and Historically Black Colleges and Universities

For 35 years, Honda has supported the success and dreams of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students through initiatives including the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge and Honda Battle of the Bands. These programs provide unforgettable experiences and opportunities for HBCU students, including meeting and networking with peers from other HBCU schools. Honda has impacted the lives of more than 300,000 students and awarded over $14 million in grants in support of HBCU education programs and facilities improvements.

To advance its leading investment in HBCUs, Honda is a member of the HBCU Partnership Challenge, a Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus initiative that brings together government, industry, and HBCUs to create strategic, more sustainable HBCU partnerships.

Learn more at https://www. honda.com/community/diversityreports.

Learn more at http://csr.honda. com/.

The traffic to the eclipse wasn’t as bad as it could have been when we reached it. The eclipse would begin around 12:30 p.m. We drove within a cluster of other eclipse travelers that thinned out by noon.

As we got closer to the time of the eclipse, we started passing rows of cars parked on the shoulder. People were setting up telescopes and picnic chairs on knolls next to the highway.

We decided not to go all the way to Russellville, eventually pulling over at the Lake Dardanelle boat ramp around 12:45, an hour before totality. A group had already congregated and we chatted with some people — one of them was shocked that we’d driven all the way from the Bay Area without even being astronomy students.

The sun began to fade. For the first half hour or so, I was focused on keeping under the four-minute maximum for direct solar viewing noted on the glasses. After that, I relaxed, enjoying how the shadows changed.

When the moon covered twothirds of the sun, even small things looked different. Someone brought a bright blue colander, and its round openings cast dozens of tiny crescent shadows on the concrete picnic tabletop. The shadows the trees cast on the pavement became slivers, all overlapping each other.

As the eclipse went on, the light became a tintless sunset. The temperature dropped noticeably. By the time totality arrived, we were all in a froth of excitement.

Totality itself was more and less than I expected. It was more real than I had imagined it would be: cold and dark; night, in the middle of the day.

When the eclipse was finally visible to the eye, the glasses I had were too dark so I only glanced at it, not learning until I returned home that NASA advised that totality was safe to view without causing eye damage.

In person, I saw something different than either the glare picked up by a cell phone or the clarity of a telescope image. The corona flared out from behind the moon, both shadow and light apparent. It was incredible, and I wasn’t expecting it.

And then it was over. As Kiki pointed out, we drove seven days - including through thunderstorms and a blizzard — for a four-minute event. I said I thought the rarity made up for the length.

It was a little strange, but only in the same way as walking in a forest for an hour and then driving away, or going to Arizona’s Meteor Crater and staying for half an hour like we did on our way back home. It doesn’t need to be celebrated by remaining in proximity.

It was a major adventure for a 17-year-old undertaking their first long distance journey just a few weeks after getting a driver’s license. I’ll remember it.

This law protects consumers from “digital discrimination of access” that disproportionately affects communities of color. The bill adopted rules from the Federal Communications Commission that defines “digital discrimination of access” as “policies or practices, not justified by genuine issues of technical or economic feasibility, that differentially impact consumers’ access to broadband internet access service based on their income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion, or national origin, or that are intended to have a differential impact.”

Bonta was backed by dozens of community-based organizations that are advocates for digital equity. More than 40 partners of the California Alliance for Digital Equity showed up to support AB 2239 at the hearing.

The bill, however, faced opposition from other communitybased organizations. Opponents stated that the legislation would negatively affect small businesses and overlap with anti-discrimination laws that already exist.

OPINION

By Tony Heru X Jackson, PhD

Recall Dr. Cress Welsing’s definition of racism as a tool for understanding how psychopaths and sociopaths readily gain access to systemic power. Although a more psychoanalytic (anxiety-based) explanation of unconscious motivation, it is worth considering.

American brutality is indeed instigated by those in power — whether that power is expressed politically, economically, or religiously.

Many in the Republican orbit have fully and outwardly embraced psychopathy, thereby moving closer to standardizing it for the White American collective com-

munity (consider the Jan. 6th attack on the Capitol).

Many would still rather see the violent and brutal attack on Congress as a “peaceful protest.” Some of the instigators and perpetrators actually still hold office! For the Republican Party, Donald Trump is their crown prince. Let’s look at this “icon of Republican strength” relative to psychopathic/sociopathic criteria.

The sociopathic personality falls under the general category of Antisocial Personality Disorder, a psychiatric condition that tends to be characterized by manipulative and exploitative behavior with a tendency towards violating the rights of others. Many sociopaths engage in behaviors that are often criminal.

However, their wealth can keep them out of jail.

If this sounds familiar, it may be because as stories from Trump’s past emerge (abusive bullying behavior; cheating in school; multiple sexual assault accusations; cheating construction workers out of their pay; failure to pay his own

ters, with only the Inland Empire and Sacramento showing growth. Homeownership among Black Californians has also declined, while rents have risen significantly.

Conference Tackles Pressing Issues

The conference addressed these challenges through a series of panel discussions. Participants in the panels included members of the CLBC, local and state officials, community leaders, and academics. Topics included:

• Community solutions to Los Angeles’ challenges, featuring local leaders.

Time to Deal with America’s Skeletons in the Closet

... Continued from page 7

lawyers; bankruptcies, a history of housing discrimination; the Trump University con; etc.), we begin to understand early signs of his later use of the Oval Office for money-making schemes.

and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the actual criteria for sociopathic personality include:

The 2024 State of Black California Conference, held at UCLA on April 13, brought together about 200 policymakers, advocates, and community members to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Black Californians.

A key focus of the conference convened by The Black Policy Project, an initiative of the UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies, along with the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) was the launch of the 2024 State of Black California report - Assessing 20 Years of Black Progress in the Golden State written by the Center for the CLBC. The attendees were welcomed by UCLA Chancellor Dr. Gene D. Block, Dr. Lorrie Frasure, Director, UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies, and CLBC Chair Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City).

The report, presented by Dr. Michael Stoll, Professor & Faculty Director of the Black Policy Project, paints a complex picture: While Black Californians have seen modest socioeconomic gains over the past two decades, a significant racial gap compared to White residents persists. The 2024 report builds on the original State of

Black California report published in 2007.

Report Details Mixed Progress

The report utilizes an “Equality Index” to show a 21.7% improvement in Black Californians’ outcomes. However, this progress is overshadowed by the fact that Black Californians still have the lowest index score among all racial groups, lagging 30% behind White Californians. There were some bright spots. Education showed the most significant improvement, likely due to policies that expanded access to universities. Criminal justice reforms also had a positive impact.

Challenges Remain, Particularly Housing

A concerning trend highlighted in the report is the shrinking Black population in California, down from 2.2 million to 2.1 million. High housing costs are pushing Black residents out of urban cen-

• A conversation with Los Angeles City Mayor Karen Bass on her efforts to promote equity.

• The intersection of artificial intelligence and its impact on Black Californians. Legislative solutions with members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC).

• California’s leadership in reparations and its potential for national reconciliation. Secretary of State, Dr. Shirley Weber, author of California Assembly Bill 3121 that established the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans was a participant.

The conference also provided opportunities for attendees to engage in meaningful dialogue and brainstorm solutions through breakout sessions on topics like civic engagement, criminal justice, and education.

More about the conference can be found at the event website – (https://sobc2024. com/#homepage)

The El Bethel Baptist Church in San Francisco Western Addition community is seeking a PT Organist for Sunday morning service. Provide organ music in a professional manner for all worship services and all seasonal and special services; Provide organ music for weddings and funerals and be permitted to receive additional compensation from the parties involved. Facilitate the congregation to sing and worship through hymns. The first and third Sundays monthly from 10:45am – 1:00pm required. Salary TBD based on experience. Please call Ms. Sims at 415-563-3061 or 415-505-3062.

I Want to Be a Trump Juror! Progress, Racial Gap Highlighted at State of Black California Conference

OPINION

By Emil Guillermo

Trump jury? It better have at least one Asian American, as we generally get cast as Juror No.1 or Juror No. 9, in all the court dramas on TV.

But it may take a few days to see if that happens or if we can even find the perfect Americans for this history-making jury. It would have to be composed of people who never read the news, have never been polarized by the former president, and think trump is a term in the game of bridge. (Dummy is another bridge term, by the way).

Perfect.

But first, the historical aspect of all this should be killing you.

Can you imagine Abe Lincoln heading to a criminal trial — of his own?

Or George Washington?

Or fill in the blank, your favorite president in the glorious history of America, all 247 years.

Think about it.

sel out of this is in jury selection.

He just needs one hold-out to thwart unanimity. The chances are nearly 80% that even in the Democratic stronghold of New York, there will be one Trump supporter. But would he or she be a rabid MAGA type to the end?

PERFECT JUROR

Sociopaths tend to be very disconnected from the human consequences of their actions as do institutions that tend to reward sociopathic behavior. We need look no further than Wall Street for evidence of this. Trump has never been held accountable for withholding his tax returns.

According to the Diagnostic

A) A pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by three or more of the following: Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors; deceitfulness; impulsivity; irritability and aggressiveness; reckless disregard for safety of self or others; consistent irresponsibility; and lack of remorse. In addition, B) The individual is at least age 18 years; C) Onset of conduct disorder is before age 15 years; and D) Antisocial behavior is NOT exclusive to schizophrenia or a manic episode. We could venture into issues of causality as well as the possible

dimensional quality of this disorder or consider Theodore Millon’s personality subtypes (i.e. reputation-defending antisocial) as part of this discussion, but I believe you get the idea. Next let’s consider the political “perfect storm.”

About the Author

Dr. Tony Heru X Jackson is the immediate past president of The ABPsi Bay Area Chapter, a healing resource committed to providing the Post Newspaper readership with monthly discussions about critical issues in Black Mental Health. Readers are welcome to join us at our monthly chapter meetings every 3rd Saturday via Zoom. We can be contacted at bayareaabpsi@gmail.com.

In this case, the perfect juror for Trump is as I’ve said, a person who is apolitical, doesn’t read the news, and thinks trump is a term in the game of bridge.

And it’s not just any criminal act, but an act allegedly involving falsifying documents to cover up an embarrassing affair with a porn star, all while his wife and toddler son were at home.

The coverup was necessitated because the then-presidential candidate didn’t want voters to know about his moral gaffes.

This is more than just covering up a porn star fling. It’s concealing information that could possibly sway an election.

So, this week is historic. And yet, despite all the media, until you see the alleged perp, Donald Trump in court, it doesn’t quite sink in.

But maybe it has begun to sink in for Trump who made headlines on day one for reportedly dozing off at his own trial.

So much for the fitness of a slightly overweight indicted 77-year-old White male bored by his own criminality.

JURY SELECTION

Knowing the probable testimonies, Trump’s best chance to wea-

A former president, the onetime leader of the free world, trusted with nuclear codes and Kim Jung Un’s private phone number, is being brought to court on 34 counts for allegedly committing a criminal act.

That’s not a person living under a rock. It is a person who just doesn’t care. Or may not exist.

For me, I want to know will there be any people of color on the jury?

I know I would love to be a Trump juror. Could I be fair and impartial? Of course. I’d put aside any bias toward Democrats, or against Republicans, of course, and I would say that under oath.

I’m a career reporter, I know how to turn off my biases when looking at the facts. Being on a jury isn’t writing an opinion column.

But would the lawyers put someone like me on?

No, of course not.

That’s why we’re back to looking for someone who doesn’t read the news and thinks trump is solely a term in bridge.

About the Author

Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. His “Emil Amok, Lost NPR Host,” a oneman show is at the New York City Fringe Festival. See it in NY or livestream it from your home. Tickets are on a sliding scale.

Photo: iStock photo.

Photo: iStock photo image.

By California Black Media

Three U.S. Vice Presidential Candidates Are Women from California

By California Black Media

As the 2024 election season ramps up, presidential candidates are introducing their running mates.

On April 10, independent presidential candidate Dr. Cornel West announced his campaign running mate is Dr. Melina Abdullah, former chair of the Pan-African Studies Department at California State University in Los Angeles.

West and Abdullah have made history as candidates on the first all-Black presidential ticket in American history.

Abdullah is a Howard University graduate and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She is also a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles.

Another independent candidate, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., named

Nicole Shanahan, an attorney with ties to the technology industry from Oakland, as his running mate on March 26.

Shanahan said that her primary mission in the White House would be to support sustainable agriculture. She attributes diseases like autism to harmful agricultural practices.

Finally, Vice President Kamala Harris, who previously served as California Attorney General and Senator, is the vice presidential candidate on President Biden’s ticket for reelection. Harris is an outspoken supporter of reproductive justice, and she has also pushed the administration to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Former President Donald Trump has yet to name a running mate.

U.S. Rep. Kamlager-Dove Leads Discussion on Improving Black Student Learning, Test Scores

By Lila Brown California Black Media

On April 8, U.S. Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) moderated a roundtable focused on Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) strategies to improve Black student performance in classrooms.

Kamlager-Dove, who represents a district that covers parts of Los Angeles County, hopes that ideas shared at the event can be incorporated into models that can impact other regions across California, where Black students continue to fall behind their peers of other races and ethnicities.

Discussions at the event centered on LAUSD’s Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) and other educational initiatives aimed at enhancing learning and boosting test scores.

“The Black Student Achievement Plan is unique in that it takes a community-centered approach to uplifting Black students,” said Kamlager-Dove during the event held at John Muir Middle School in Los Angeles.

“We must implement culturally responsive education in the classroom to challenge our students academically while giving them a sense of purpose,” she continued.

In 2023, nearly 70% of Black children in California fell below a passing mark on the state standardized English Language Arts exam, and only about 20% of those students were performing at grade level based on their scores on the math assessment test.

A variety of public education experts joined Kamlager on the panel, including Dr. Kortne

Edogun-Ticey, Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of Education; Dr. Robert Whitman, Educational Transformation Officer at LAUSD; Dr. Pedro Noguera, Professor and Dean at the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education; and Keith Linton, founder of the non-profit Boys to Gentlemen.

Jonathan McGee, a student who sits on the BSAP Student Advisory Council, also spoke during the panel.

The BSAP was approved by the LAUSD Board of Education in February of the 2020-21 school year. Funds have been earmarked to address the longstanding disparities in educational outcomes between Black students and their non-Black peers. Dating back to the landmark case, Brown v. the Board of Education of Tope-

ka, Kansas, in which the U.S. Supreme Court declared that segregated schools were unconstitutional, positive outcomes for Black students continue to lag behind district and national averages for their non-Black counterparts.

Edogun-Ticey spoke about broader investments the federal government is making in education that directly impact Black students through The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans.

“This administration did not shy away from the idea that we need resources for support which means billions of dollars in investment for HBCUs,” she explained.

BSAP strategies include partnering with Black families and local community; supporting the implementation of culturally and linguistically responsive and anti-racist practices; offering wraparound support structures; and highlighting experiences that uplift the contributions of the Black community as motivation and models to develop positive Black student identity. Additionally, the BSAP provides increased staffing to support Black students’ academic and social-emotional needs.

“School districts across the country must push back against attacks on marginalized students by implementing programs like the BSAP, which should serve as a model for future initiatives,” Kamlager said.

Dr. Cornel West (left) announced his campaign running mate is Dr. Melina Abdullah (right), former chair of the Pan-African Studies Department at California State University in Los Angeles.

Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, far right, moderates a panel including Dr. Kortne Edogun-Ticey, center, senior advisor for the U.S. Department of Education, during a Roundtable on Equity in Education for the Los Angeles Unified School District. To her right is Dr. Robert Whitman, educational transformation officer for LAUSD, and to her left is Keith Linton, founder of Boys to Gentlemen. photo by Lila Brown, (CBM).

Black First Time Homebuyers ... Holy Names University Education Students ...

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in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, religion, and nationality.

Kish noted that William Byron Rumford, the first Black California State Assemblymember, who represented Berkley and Oakland, spearheaded the passing of the Rumford Act in 1963. That law sought to end discriminatory housing practices in the Golden State, five years before the Fair Housing Act became law.

Real estate agent and housing advocate Ashley Garner is the director of the CLTRE Keeper Home Ownership program. That organization gave 25 Black, indigenous, and people of color $17,500 each in down payment and credit repair support to purchase a home in Oak Park, a traditionally Black neighborhood in Sacramento, last fall. CLTRE obtained a $500,000 grant from the city of Sacramento to award the funds to the residents after they completed an eight-week homeownership program.

In 2021, the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) noted that around four in 10 Black California families owned homes, which trails that of White, AsianAmerican and Latinos.

Black lawmakers recently introduced their Reparations Priority Bill Package that includes support for Black first-time homebuyers, homeowners’ mortgage assistance and property tax relief for neighborhoods restricted by historic redlining.

California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) spokesperson Eric Johnson said CalHFA helps prospective low-income and moderate-income Californians purchase homes by offering down payment and closing cost aid. “There are lots of people who have steady jobs, good credit scores, constant income, but they haven’t been able to save up the money that traditional banks need or want to see for a down payment,” Johnson stated. “We help those folks out. We give a loan for the down payment to get them over that hurdle.”

CRD and the Department of Real Estate hosted “Fair Housing Protections for People with Criminal Histories” Zoom call on April 10.

On April 25, CRD will also hold Zoom seminars focused on advocating for fair housing for people with disabilities.

According to Forbes, the median price for a home in California is over $500,000, which is double the cost of a home in the rest of the country.

Visual Artist Akaysha Calhoun ...

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She began her research on Black artists in the Bay Area and around the world. “I was drawn to the art that reflected a life I could recognize. I looked at art by Faith Ringgold, Betye Saar, Timothy Washington, and more.”

In 2021, Calhoun was accepted to California College of the Arts (S.F.) with a full scholarship to study fine arts. She learned to create images she wanted to see. She began to find her individual style and technique.

“I didn’t always feel confident,” Calhoun said. “There aren’t a lot of students that look like me at CCA, and that sometimes made it difficult to fully express myself and feel accepted as an artist.”

In this, her last semester at CCA, Calhoun has had her work exhibited in “The Black Woman Is God” show in San Francisco, the Joyce Gordon gallery in Oakland, and four different satellite shows from Art of the African Diaspora which took place across the Bay Area. Her latest exhibit is at CCA’s gal-

lery. “It was overwhelming to have my pieces up on the wall and to have people comment and ask questions about my work. I met many amazing Black artists. It was a full circle moment when I saw my middle school instructors walk into my senior show.”

Calhoun will graduate in May and plans to continue to study and create art. She received a scholarship to attend Anderson Ranch Art Center in Colorado in June, where she will take an advanced master class with Mickalene Thomas and Jasmine Wahi, two Black women’s work she admires.

Calhoun adds, “For me art is the best form of nonverbal communication: through it I have found a voice and reason. Though I’m still learning, my sincere advice is to let your art be all parts of you. It all comes together in the end, and it’s great to get the $#+ out. Also, Free Palestine!” See Calhoun’s work on Instagram (@kaysh_ruleseverythingaroundme or www.akayshabc. com).

Javonka Beckles Wins Spot in Runoff

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torious in the State Senate primary!

This victory is not just about me. It’s a victory for our working class, our poor, our disenfranchised Black and Brown communities, our Palestinian siblings fighting for liberation.”

In the March 5 primary, Arreguín came in first with 32.81% of the vote, while Beckles received 17.48%. Oakland Councilmember Dan Kalb was third with 14.89%, while Kathryn Lybarger followed with 14.46%. Sandré Swanson received 13.36%, and Jeanne Solnordal captured 7%. Born in Panama, Beckles immigrated to the U.S. with her family when she was nine. She attended Florida A&M University on a fullride basketball scholarship, majoring in psychology as an undergraduate and later earned an MBA.

She worked for decades in public health as a mental health clinician, serving impoverished and marginalized children and families in Contra Costa County. In a speech at a recent victory

Pamela Price ...

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eda County Board of Supervisors to schedule a special election no later than 125 days after their meeting later this month.

But despite the celebration from the recall proponents, Price’s legal team says that the DA is “not happy” with the Registrar of Voters.

Jim Sutton, legal counsel for Price, told the Post that they deem the recall process to be illegal by not following the clear guidance of the county charter to recall local officials.

The county charter states that the ROV has 10 days to verify sig-

an email to the issues raised in this article, saying that they were operating within the court-ordered requirements, which leave them with no discretion.

Though $50 million of the endowment is still tied up in probate court, approximately $5 million has been disbursed to provide scholarships to help students who need financial support. Some students have received a little money, but while the HNU trustees had pledged in probate court to reach out to all former students about the availability of scholarships, that has not happened, and the scholarship amounts have been arbitrary and partial, according to students.

“We’ve been reaching out to let people know how to apply,” said members of the student group. “The Attorney General informed us that they (the HNU trustees) said they were going to contact everyone, but that never happened. No one from the School of Education, who this money was intended for, has heard from them.”

When students originally enrolled in HNU, the university had promised that the Logan endowment would pay 50% of their tuition. Yet the HNU Board, led by chair Steven Borg, now is distributing varying amounts, generally not over $3,000, which does not pay for a single three-unit class.

Some students are taking three units per semester, while others are taking 12 units and received the same amount of money. Those who have received scholarships, report that the money was not issued in a timely way. Many students are graduating this semester after having paid out of pocket, and no retroactive funds are being distributed.

Scholarships must be issued promptly because students cannot graduate if they have an outstanding overdue balance, and much of the money students received was “not based on anything solid, not based on units they were taking,” said another student.

In interviews with the Oakland Post, some former HNU students, all of whom take classes at the University of San Francisco while teaching in K-12 classrooms, discussed some obstacles they have faced since HNU closed.

Adrianna Castaing, who teaches first grade at a private school in the East Bay, said she attended HNU since 2017, completing her undergraduate degree and then entered the teacher training graduate program.

she was told that the amount she received was determined by the Attorney General. Kassandra Solano, an elementary teacher in Oakland who started at HNU in 2018, had completed all the classes for her masters’ degree except for one or two. “I reached out for counseling, advising, but heard nothing. They kept changing advisors. I never found out what other class I needed to take,” she said.

“I reached out for a scholarship but was told I didn’t qualify because I wasn’t registered for classes,” she said. “HNU changed advisors three times, and there was never an answer from any of those advisors,” she continued. “I was very upset.”

HNU failed to create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with any school of education, so that students could transfer, though the trustees had promised to do so.

“Every student was left to fend for themselves,” said Dr. Nirali Jani, a former education professor at HNU who is currently teaching at the University of San Francisco.

Many of the students emphasized that the closing of HNU and failure to maintain the scholarships only exacerbates the teacher shortage that is hitting Oakland and other districts across the state and country.

In response to this article, Bernard D. Bollinger of HBU wrote: “The terms for the distribution of Logan Fund Scholarships for transfer students are delineated in … (an) order of the Superior Court (a public record). Paragraph 1 … permits scholarships to be provided to ‘students who were enrolled at Holy Names University during the 2022-2023,’ (if) they continue to meet academic performance requirements of the Logan Fund gift instrument.

“It does not require that the scholarship recipients attend a school of education. Distributions from the Logan Scholarship are specifically limited to the provisions delineated in court orders and the terms of the gift agreement, so neither HNU (nor any other party) has discretion on how to award those funds.

“As a result, HNU did not focus on getting MOUs with ‘schools of education’ but with schools that HNU believed to be attracting large numbers of transferred students from HNU in order to assist as many students as possible.

executive living in Los Angeles, told California Black Media.

During surging antisemitism, Gov. Newsom has announced a $40 million round in continual state funding through the California State Non-Profit Security Grant Program, to harden security at at-risk institutions in the state, including Jewish organizations and non-profits as Jewish families across California prepare to celebrate Passover (also known as Pesach), one of Judaism's most significant holidays, from sundown on April 22, to sundown on April 30.

The holiday stands as a testament to the resilience of the Jewish people and their journey from bondage to freedom. Passover is a time of reflection, celebration, and unity, according to adherents and religious scholars.

A week earlier, the Governor introduced a comprehensive roadmap called the Golden State Plan to Counter Antisemitism. It includes proposals for strengthening the relationship between the State of California and ensuring ethnic media studies curricula is free of antisemitic content.

Dating back millennia, Passover holds a central place in Jewish religious and cultural life, marking the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The holiday's name itself evokes the pivotal moment when the angel of death “passed over” the homes of the Israelites, sparing their firstborn sons from the plagues that Egypt suffered.

“Drinking wine is not only encouraged, its actually part of the ceremony, four cups worth of wine to be specific, so it can be a very good time,” Rochkind added.

Central to the observance of Passover is the seder, a special family meal held on the first night of the holiday. At the seder table, generations come together to retell the story of the Exodus through prayers, rituals, and symbolic foods.

The unleavened bread, or matzo, serves as a reminder of the haste with which the Israelites fled Egypt, leaving behind the leavened bread that had no time to rise. Each item on the seder plate carries profound symbolism, from the bitter herbs representing the bitterness of slavery to the roasted egg symbolizing rebirth and renewal.

For many Californian Jews — and others around the world — preparations for Passover begin weeks in advance, as families engage in a thorough cleansing of their homes, similar to a spiritual spring cleaning. The ritual search for chametz, or leavened products, on the eve of Passover serves as a symbolic purging of impurity, reinforcing the theme of liberation from bondage.

For the faithful, Passover serves as a beacon of hope and resilience, a reminder of the enduring power of faith, community, and tradition.

celebration, she emphasized her progressive record of working for her East Bay constituents. “I’m here today because of you, your belief in me, a Black, Latinx, immigrant, gay woman,” she said.

“We did something historic. Grassroots candidates don’t (often) beat millions of dollars.”

“When I get to Sacramento, I will continue delivering results for you,” she said, pledging to continue working on tenant protections such as supporting the ballot measure to remove a ban on rent control in California.

Beckles plans to propose expanded legal protections for seniors and disabled tenants; create educational opportunities to make public school and university education fair and available for all students; provide transfers for AC Transit and make public transportation affordable for seniors and people with disabilities; and enhance environmental protections.

She also supports a Gaza ceasefire.

natures, which ultimately took nearly six weeks after the random sampling method failed. Additionally, the Board of Supervisors has to appropriate money to the ROV to hire staff in order to make the 10day deadline, which Sutton claims they did not. ROV officials did not respond for comment, as staff were instructed to tell the media to refer to the latest update until new information was released. Sutton talked to the Alameda County Counsel office about the deadline, but claims they gave a “very convoluted” explanation for why they don’t have to comply with the 10 days.

Though she received no money for fall semester, she said she did receive a small amount after “little to no communication from HNU,” but the amount was not in any way equal to the amount she had to pay for her coursework, which she expects to complete this semester,

Donna McClinto, who teaches elementary school in Oakland, said she was denied any money because HNU said she still owed HNU, though she had never heard that before, and because she was not enrolled in classes at HNU toward the end, when the school stopped offering classes that she needed. One of her classmates in the same situation did receive funding. There is no clear formula for distribution and students feel that the amounts are arbitrary.

Alice Thiuri, who teaches high school at a private school in Oakland, said she received $3,000 which did not cover her tuition. “I requested a little more, but they said no, though I gave them receipts for five classes I took.” They said the scholarship amount was not based on her expenses, but when she expected to graduate. She said

Sutton added that many of the circulators of the recall petition were from outside of the county, incentivized by the high payout per signature. He says that this action also violates county charter as circulators need to be residents of Alameda County. The county charter requires a “qualified elector” to circulate the petition, but also states that the United States Supreme Court has previously ruled that this requirement is an “unconstitutional limitation on protected expressive activity.” The charter says because of this ruling, it will follow the state requirements, which only stipulates that a person must be 18 years or older to circulate

“The list of 11 schools that HNU has entered into an MOU with (including USF) can be found on HNU’s website (at) https://hnu. edu/resources/formerhnustudents/ #tinstitutions

“That section of the HNU website has a list of several resources for former students including under Financial FAQs. At the question ‘Is my HNU scholarship still available?’ students can provide information and get in contact with HNU representatives via that link that is provided there in addition to readily available information on the HNU website.

“Student outreach was significant, with multiple emails and paper letters to former students.”

The student group will hold an information session for former HNU education students on how to apply for scholarships and to complete their teacher training programs Saturday, April 27, 3 -5:30 p.m. at Wild Child Schoolhouse, 160 41st St. in Oakland.

A happy hour will follow at Cato’s Ale House, 3891 Piedmont Ave. in Oakland.

For more information, email reclaimlogan@gmail.com.

a petition.

According to Sutton, Price will be asking the Board of Supervisors to not put the election on the ballot based on these alleged illegalities. When asked if her team will be pursuing legal action should the Board approve the special election, Sutton said, “if the board does schedule the election, [Price] will consider all of her legal options.”

Members on the Board of Supervisors did not respond for comment at the time of publication.

The Board of Supervisors will meet on April 30 to consider the approval of the certificate of sufficiency for the signatures and the date of the special election.

“Passover is a lot like Jewish Thanksgiving. It's a time where family and friends get together for a celebratory and ritual meal known as a Seder (Hebrew for Order). It's a celebration of our liberation and is generally a very happy holiday. There's great food and tradition,” Blake Rochkind, a video game

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

Who Am I? ...

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questions: Who am I? Where do I actually belong?

These questions were the initial inspiration for the Johannesburg Applied Ancestry Program launched in 2006 by researcher and program coordinator Clive Haydon, and Dr. Brian Hill, a university professor at Brigham Young University.

The program’s name: “Ngingubani,” or “Who am I?” in the African Zulu language, has a goal to help teenage boys between the ages of 12-16 better understand their identities by learning and sharing their own family stories.

Connect

One story included a young boy who was separated from his biological mother when he was only 5 years old. Having no written history or knowledge of his family, his story was like many at the Twilight Children’s Center in Johannesburg where the program took place.

Through outreach to extended family, program social workers were able to find this young boy’s mother and facilitate their reuniting nearly 14 years after their separation.

After being connected with unknown relatives, participants sat down for an interview to learn the stories of those who had gone before them: the boys developed a stronger sense of self after hearing their rich oral history from people who shared their blood, culture, and heritage.

Robyn Fivush, PhD and professor of Psychology at Emory University stated: “These kinds of family stories create meaning

beyond the individual. To include a sense of self through historical time and in relation to family members” (Jorgenson & Bochner, 2004: Norris, Kuiack, & Pratt, 2004).

Belong

The interviews and DNA samplings gave insight about these young boy’s native ancestral tribes. While not all participants were reunited with parents, they were all still able to connect with a living relative.

Through a culminating cultural celebration, participants at the Twilight Children’s Center dressed in traditional tribal clothing, and shared dances, artwork, and personal stories from the knowledge they gained during the program. This emotional tearful event made the boys feel valued by their parents and motivated their belief in who they could become.

Become Thanks to DNA testing and family history stories, many can now discover their heritage and find a similar connection and belonging with deceased and distant family members.

A great way to begin is by telling family stories. Tell them as they are, setting aside opinions and personal bias to allow one’s family to interpret the meaning themselves.

For information on how to start, visit: familysearch.org, or through visiting a cemetery or by celebrating an ancestor’s birthday.

The ripple effect of family storytelling has the capacity to answer “Ngingubani.”

Chelsea Trautman is a research assistant at Brigham Young University.

Edward Henderson California Black Media

Shutterstock photo provided by California Black Media.