On Wednesday, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks announced the establishment of a first-in-the-nation partnership with the State, news publishers, major tech companies and philanthropy, unveiling a pair of multi-year initiatives to provide ongoing financial support to news-
rooms across California and launch a National AI Accelerator.
Together, these new partnerships will provide nearly $250 million in public and private funding over the next five years, with the majority of funding going to newsrooms.
The goal is to front-load $100 million in the first year to kick-start the efforts. The total investment could
8915 International Blvd. in East Oakland. Photo by Ken Epstein. By Ken Epstein
A broad, diverse coalition has come together to mobilize local communities to vote against the recalls of two East Bay reformminded leaders, who could potentially be thrown out of office in November after serving less than two years in office. The recall effort is a result of multi-million dollar campaigns that the coalition says are fueled by fearmongering with funding from a Piedmont financier and promoted by a public relations campaign in the corporate media. Opposing the recalls of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price and labeling the efforts as a new form of voter suppression, the coalition, “Respect Our Vote – No Recalls!” kicked off its organizing efforts last Saturday, Aug. 17, with a mass, public meeting, attended by
Special to The Post
DA Pamela Price has charged Elias Nathaniel Jimenez, 22, and co-defendant Maria Rosalia Martinez, 43, with multiple felonies for an alleged freeway shooting in the City of Hayward.
Both defendants are charged with one count of attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, an additional count of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, and possession of a large capacity magazine, among other charges. In addition, Jimenez is charged with two special allegations: use of a firearm and use of a loaded unregistered firearm.
The criminal complaint alleges that on or about Aug. 6, Jimenez and Martinez shot into another vehicle that was occupied by an adult and an underage passenger traveling on Interstate 880.
“These allegations involve shooting from a moving vehicle at another car driving on the freeway, which is beyond dangerous,” said Price. “The charges, which include enhancements, reflect the seriousness of these alleged crimes and my commitment to hold those accountable who use guns in our community for such senseless and violent acts.”
If convicted and sentenced of all charges, Jimenez faces a maximum of 23 years and 9 months in state prison while Martinez faces a maximum of 13 years and 2 months in state prison. Both defendants are scheduled to appear for a bail hearing on Aug. 27 in Department 112 at the Wiley Manuel Courthouse.
This story comes from The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office media office.
By The Coburn Family Special to The Post
William (“Bill”) Pierce Coburn was born on May 10th 1944 in Melrose, Massachusetts to Frank and Rachel Coburn. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Massachusetts College of Arts in 1966, and a Masters in Architecture from Harvard School of Design in 1971. In 1978, Bill Coburn opened his own firm in Berkeley and eventually moved to West Oakland. He was passionate about the City of Oakland and found his calling in preserving Oakland’s architectural heritage.
He spent many years as a Professor of Architecture and Design at UC Berkeley as well as instructing at International Universities in India and Hong Kong. Bill mentored many young architects from India, helping them by jump-start careers in the U.S.
Bill’s process and design became a rare craft in the industry as he drafted entire home designs by hand and not using any digital software. Many of his clients felt the drawings were more a work of art than just a blueprint. Many of his drawings are recorded in the UC Berkeley Architectural Archives. Bill’s love for his community seeps through every crack in the sidewalk, where he planted flowers to beautify the land. It spans generations, where he worked as an architect to keep the historic beauty of Oakland and Berkeley alive through his dedication to restoration projects.
Bill was an integral member of the Oakland Heritage Alliance as a subject matter expert on the history of many significant historical
buildings and sites. He was an instrumental contributor to the City of Berkeley by Selecting Buildings to be moved and placed in the Delaware Street Historic District in West Berkeley. Recognized by the CIty of Oakland for his work in the reconstruction of West Oakland after the massive tragic destruction caused by the devastating 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, Bill volunteered countless hours of his time and skills as an architect to residents needing to rebuild their homes and their lives. He was a visionary designer contributing to the modern day Mandela Parkway development which is now a verdant artery of the community.
Bill's dedication to community improvement is evident in nearly every Oakland neighborhood. Driving through the city, you will see trees he planted, houses and buildings he designed with his hands, and a community which is a little better than when found it. After becoming a newly graduated architect, Bill loaded his VW Minivan with his dog
D.A. Pamela Price. File photo.
William Coburn Pioneered the design for Faith-based sponsored food service to Oakland’s homeless encampments. Photo by Linda Carter.
By Emil Guillermo
“This is going to be a great week,” Vice President Kamala Harris declared in an unexpected early appearance that brought down the house on day one of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
It was already an emotional night after Jesse Jackson in a wheelchair was brought out in front of the crowd to cheers. The man who ran for president twice in the ‘80s behind a rainbow coalition, didn’t speak. But his presence was all that was needed to let us know how far we’ve come.
Harris, the country’s first Asian and Black woman ever to be vice president, by the end of the week would become the first woman to be nominated as the standard bearer for the Democratic Party.
But she knew she had to honor the man who made it possible. Jackson? No, Joe Biden.
“I want to kick us off by celebrating our incredible President Joe Biden,” said Harris, who thanked the president for his leadership and lifetime of service,
which includes stepping aside more than four weeks ago.
But first, Harris looked at the diverse crowd and promised them that “this November, we will come together and declare with one voice, as one people, we are moving forward with optimism, hope and faith so guided by our love of country, knowing we have so much more in common than what separates us.”
It was a mini “anti-politics of division” speech, policy be damned, give me joyful rhetoric. It set the tone for the huge convention crowd that responded with the kind of energy we haven’t seen since the Obama years. And then we waited more than two hours for the Democrats to send out Joe Biden.
BIDEN’S FAREWELL
Was this some left-handed honor?
If political conventions are really TV shows, Joe Biden didn’t even make prime time on his own night. On the west coast maybe, but in the east, he was on after the late news.
It’s the way the last five weeks
have gone for Biden, wrestling with the notion he’s past his prime.
Or maybe the lateness was intentional to show everyone, all his detractors, the ones who deftly pushed him to the side, that a Joe Biden “in full” could still go nearly 50 minutes at the top of his game.
After an emotional introduction from his daughter Ashley (“He’s still my best friend,” she said), Biden was wide awake for this moment, setting the record straight about what he’s done and what he’s yet to do.
He saved his ire for Donald Trump, the man who, as Biden said, promised infrastructure, but “never built a damn thing.”
Maybe his own ego?
And all while being the man who would destroy our nation.
“He’ll be a dictator on day one, his words,” Biden said with zeal.
“This sucker means it.”
It was an energized Biden, who had a few stumbles, but no one cared. He laughed it off. We all did, unlike the last few months when each word was scrutinized through
Continued on page 8
About 100 labor and racial equity activists from across the state converged on the State Capitol on Aug. 13, 2024, to support SB 1340, authored by Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles). The bill would require equitable hiring for federally funded infrastructure projects. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
Assembly to Vote on Legislation That Will Require Equity in State Contractor Hiring
By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media
On Aug. 15, the Assembly Appropriations Committee voted 11-3 to pass a bill Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) authored requiring state-funded contractors hired for large-scale infrastructure projects prioritize hiring “disadvantaged workers.”
Senate Bill (SB) 1340 now moves to the Assembly floor for a full vote.
During a rally on Aug. 13 in front of the State Capitol Smallwood-Cuevas said the bill would help ease the state’s “job crisis” –which only impacts Californians from underserved communities of
color whose unemployment rates remain in the double digits. For all Californians, the unemployment rate is relatively low at around 5.2%.
“We’ve been working on this issue, I would say, a good part of a decade, fighting for better opportunities for our communities to benefit from the investments of public dollars in our infrastructure (projects),” said Smallwood-Cuevas.
The passage of SB 1340 by the Assembly Appropriation Committee happened the same week that the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) released a report showing that Black Californians have the lowest employment rate in California’s top 10 occupations.
When influential people set this kind of example, it sends the wrong message—that details and respect for diversity don’t matter.
If Harris’s political opponents can’t take the time or make the effort to learn the correct pronunciation of her first name, it raises doubts about their ability to tackle more intricate and critical issues that demand attention to detail, empathy, and cultural awareness. In a nation as diverse as the United States, repeatedly mispronouncing the name of one of its highestranking officials undermines the core values of inclusivity and respect that are foundational to effective governance.
Those professions include managers, truck drivers, registered nurses, customer service reps, teachers, construction workers, CEOs and legislators, among other fields.
Overrepresented at lower income levels, Black and Latino families consist at or below the 10th percentile while comprising 44% of all families in the state, the PPIC reported. For every dollar that White families earn, Asians make 95 cents, Black families earn 58 cents, and Latinos earn 52 cents.
“There should be equity and labor,” Smallwood-Cuevas said. “It’s not enough to pass a bill. It’s about implementation and intentionality.”
By Joe W. Bowers Jr, California Black Media
Mispronouncing Kamala Harris’s first name isn’t just a harmless mistake; it’s a reflection of a deeper issue that goes beyond simply placing emphasis on the wrong syllable.
Leadership is about showing respect, paying attention to detail, and engaging thoughtfully with the diverse communities that make up our country. When leaders fail in these areas, it raises questions about their judgement and ability to lead.
Harris, as the first female Vice President of the United States, carries a first name that is rooted in her Indian cultural heritage passed down from her mother, Shyamala Gopalan. Her name means “lotus flower,” and is pronounced “Comma-la.” So, when so-called leaders
can’t be bothered to say her name correctly, it signals a disregard for the significance of that heritage, as well as a lack of commitment to understanding and representing all Americans. This neglect undermines the very essence of leadership, which is to respect and represent the people.
This issue of mispronouncing her name is not an isolated one.
During the 2024 Republican National Convention, nearly half of the speakers who mentioned Harris’s first name mispronounced it.
Former President Donald Trump, tech mogul Elon Musk, and several Republican leaders, including members of Congress and governors, repeatedly mispronounce her name. Bob Unanue, CEO of Goya Foods, even mocked her name by calling her ‘Que-mala,’ which means ‘so bad’ in Spanish.
Mispronouncing a person’s name is often an attempt to characterize them as an outsider or “other,” a tactic that Trump frequently uses to diminish the individual’s identity and create a sense of alienation. This behavior goes beyond disrespect; it is calculated to deepen divisions and foster an “us versus them” mentality.
Trump’s repeated mispronunciation of Harris’s name reflects a growing sense of desperation. As his poll numbers drop, his reliance on disrespectful tactics like this highlights an inability to focus on substantive issues. Instead of engaging with the real concerns of the American people, Trump’s behavior deviates from meaningful dialogue, revealing poor judgment that is unbefitting of a presidential candidate.
In the end, it’s not just about a name — it’s about what that name stands for and the respect it deserves. A true leader understands the importance of every detail, every nuance, and every person they serve. Anything less falls short of the standard of leadership that the American people deserve.
Courtesy of KamalaHarris.com.
Screenshot Darlene Futrel, Orange County National Action Network president
Gov. Newsom Signs New Laws Strengthening State’s Crackdown on Organized Retail Crimes
By Bo Tefu
California Black Media
On Aug. 16, Gov. Gavin New-
som signed a package of 10 bills
aimed at strengthening the state’s ability to prosecute people involved in organized retail crimes.
According to Newsom’s office, “the new laws provide tougher criminal penalties for repeat offenders and additional tools for felony prosecutions.”
“Let’s be clear, this is the most significant legislation to address
property crime in modern California history,” said Newsom speaking at a news conference in San Jose.
“I thank the bipartisan group of lawmakers, our retail partners, and advocates for putting public safety over politics.”
Among other infractions, the news laws cover smash-andgrabs, sale of stolen property and car break-ins.
Earlier in the week, Newsom Continued on page 8
Sec. of State Weber Releases Voter Registration Report
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
So far, 82% of eligible voters in California registered to vote in the November general election, Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber announced last week.
The voter registration report states that over 22 million voters have registered to vote, a slight decrease in the total number of voters that registered in the previous general in 2020. According to state data nearly half of the voters registered as Democrats, approximately 46%, as compared to nearly 24% who identified as Republican.
The report covers a period of 123 days, ending on July 5.
A growing number of voters selected that they had no party preference. Over 24 percent of voters preferred neither party.
Last month, Weber announced that the state mailed vital information to every voting household about the general election, includ-
ing candidate statements. The state also provided information regarding the Voter Bill of Rights and official voter guide available in 10 languages including English, Spanish, Chinese, and Hindi, among others.
According to state data from all 58 counties, political affiliation varied by county revealing that the Democratic Party had a slight lead in major counties. The
counties with the highest number of registered Democrats include San Francisco, Marin, Santa Cruz, and Alameda counties. While counties such as Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, and Tehama had the highest number of Republicans registered to vote.
Weber has pushed back on misinformation and conspiracy theories about the vote-counting process following the county election earlier this year. Weber’s office clarified that election results would be finalized 38 days after election day to certify the results.
“Doing it right takes precedence over doing it fast,” said Weber.
“The time taken to process ballots ensures voters’ rights and the integrity of the election,” she said.
Courtesy of Harris-Walz Campaign.
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
How to Make Your Credit Card Work for You
Sponsored by JPMorganChase
Credit cards can be an important tool toward building a healthy financial future. When used responsibly, credit cards can help you establish a solid credit history, making it easier to finance larger purchases – like a home or vehicle – in the future.
Even if you don’t have a strong credit history, you can still qualify for a credit card. We sat down with Chase bank where they explained how you can apply for a credit card, what to look for in a credit card and how credit cards can help you achieve your future financial goals.
How do I get started?
If you already have a checking or savings account in good standing, consider applying for a credit card at your current bank. You can apply online or visit a bank branch to work with a representative. Make sure to ask about all their credit card options.
You can also apply for a card online through any financial institution. Wherever you apply, you’ll usually need to provide your Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number, source(s) of income and evidence of monthly housing or rent.
What should I look for in a credit card?
You may find it helpful to find a card with no annual fee so you don’t have to pay money out of pocket just for carrying the card.
You may want to make sure your credit card issuer reports to all three credit bureaus. This way, you can build credit history across the board and improve your chance of getting future credit cards and loans.
How can I use credit cards to build credit?
There are multiple ways to use credit cards to help establish credit and increase your credit score. Make your payments on time and avoid “maxing out” your card — maintain a low balance by keep-
ing your credit usage below 30% of your card’s limit.
Time is the best way to build credit history, so make sure you keep your credit card account open even if you don’t use the actual card much.
What if I don’t have a credit history?
While this likely won’t block you from getting a credit card completely, it can affect the types of cards and terms you’re approved for.
Card issuers consider factors
like your credit score, income and employment. Your credit history heavily influences your credit score, so if you don’t have a credit history, your card may come with higher interest rates. You might also have a lower credit limit because you haven’t yet proven you can pay back money on time.
Eventually, you can build a strong credit history through ontime payments, which may make you eligible for lower interest rates and higher credit limits.
If you don’t qualify for a reg-
ular credit card, consider starter credit cards for those new to credit, including: Student credit cards. These cards are usually built for students who haven’t had a credit card before and are looking for helpful benefits, like no annual fees.
• Store credit cards. Retailers can approve applicants with little credit history for a card. Store cards usually carry a higher interest rate, but payments still become part of
your credit profile. Remember to try to pay off the balance each month to help avoid raking up interest.
You can also ask to become an authorized user on someone else’s card. If the other person makes their payments on time, that will reflect on your credit report as well.
Get good credit with credit cards
Applying for and using a credit card responsibly can be a step toward building a solid financial future. As you establish your credit history, you can use tools like Chase Credit Journey to check and monitor your credit so you can stay on track towards your financial goals.
For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any individual. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy.
Discover Medi-Cal’s Vital Supports for Californians Experiencing or at Risk of Homelessness
California
Medi-Cal
office or hospital and addresses their physical and mental health, and also social drivers of one’s health such as housing.
Medi-Cal is opening the door to essential health care services for the most vulnerable populations, no matter where they live or seek care.
Enhanced Care Management
Enhanced Care Management
is a new Medi-Cal benefit that assigns a dedicated Lead Care Manager, a personal guide who helps qualified Medi-Cal members navigate all medical, dental, social, and community services such as housing navigation, housing deposits, and more.
Enhanced Care Management takes a whole-person, interdisciplinary approach to care to address clinical and non-clinical needs of members with the most complex medical and social need and serves as a safety net of care coordination for high-risk groups, including, but not limited to, individuals experiencing homelessness.
“Our unhoused population has inadequate access to shelters and experiences a lack of food and care,” said Glenn Tsang, Policy Advisor for Homelessness and Housing for the California De-
partment of Health Care Services.
“These members tend to have extensive medical and mental health needs that are difficult to address in an unstable living environment. To help address their needs, the Enhanced Care Management benefit builds consistent connections to medical care, mental health care, substance use disorder treatment, and housing stabilization services.”
Addressing Health-Related Social Needs through Community Supports Community Supports are services or care settings, in addition to those required under the California Medicaid State Plan, that Medi-Cal managed care plans may elect to offer. The goal of Community Supports is to provide services that address a member’s health-re-
lated social needs that may be exacerbating their health condition, such as housing instability. Among the 14 services available as Community Supports services, six are specifically focused on helping unhoused members.
Many of these services empower high-risk individuals and families to live healthier lives in less restrictive settings and avoid unnecessary emergency visits and inpatient nursing facility admissions. They include services that go beyond traditional care received in a doctor’s office and may include housing deposits, housing transition and navigation services, housing tenancy and sustaining services, short-term post-hospitalization, recuperative care, and day habilitation.
Street Medicine Street medicine is a set of health
and social services developed specifically to address the unique needs and circumstances of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness, delivered directly to them in their own environment. The fundamental approach of street medicine is to engage people experiencing unsheltered homelessness exactly where they are and on their own terms to maximally reduce or eliminate barriers to care access and follow-through.
Medi-Cal Expansion
Starting on January 1, 2024, all eligible Californians qualify for full scope Medi-Cal coverage, regardless of immigration status. This expansion allows even more Medi-Cal members to potentially qualify for Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports, among other services, to
THE RIGHT MORTGAGE AWAITS.
improve outcomes for California’s most vulnerable populations.
“By expanding Medi-Cal, we’re addressing the root causes of health disparities and providing equitable access to quality health care, leading to a healthy California for all,” said Tsang.
How Providers Support Members
Providers are vital in delivering Medi-Cal’s expanded services, ensuring the most vulnerable members receive the care they need.
These providers include, but are not limited to, housing service providers, housing organizations, and other organizations that have an existing footprint consistent with Community Supports activities and in the communities they serve.
Providers are essential in providing dedicated care management, ensuring seamless transitions and continuous support across various housing settings.
Street medicine providers also offer direct medical care to individuals on the streets, build trust by consistently providing compassionate services, and use comprehensive care management platforms for efficient coordination.
Providers include Federally Qualified Health Centers, mobile medicine units, and many other organizations that provide care to unsheltered members living on the street.
They collaborate with community-based organizations and community support systems like schools, food banks, and housing agencies, and offer proactive support when patients transition through emergency departments, homelessness, or incarceration.
Encouragement to Seek Services
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness or is at risk of homelessness, MediCal’s expanded services offer vital support for members enrolled in a managed care plan to improve their health and well-being. For more information, call the state’s Medi-Cal Managed Care Office of the Ombudsman at (888) 452-8609 or email MMCDOmbudsmanOffice@dhcs.ca.gov.
In Alameda County, Medi-Cal recipients can contact:
* Alameda Alliance for Health: 510-747-4567
* Kaiser Permanente: 855-8397613
In Contra Costa County, MediCal recipients can contact:
* Contra Costa Health Plan: 877661-6230
* Kaiser Permanente: 855-8397613
In Marin County, Medi-Cal recipients can contact:
* Partnership Health Plan of California: 800-863-4155
* Kaiser Permanente: 855-8397613
In Solano County, Medi-Cal recipients can:
* Partnership Health Plan of California: 800-863-4155
* Kaiser Permanente: 855-8397613
So, if you are at risk of or experiencing homelessness in the Bay Area, your health and well-being matter. Medi-Cal’s expanded services are here to support you every step of the way.
Orange, CA - June 3, 2023: Partners in Hope Clothing Distribution, including food and medical help. The event provided showers, washer and dryers, and phone charges for the homeless population. Advertorial
By Tanu Henry California Black Media
World Arts West Dance Festival Puts Culture and Joy Center Stage
Nvidia Announces Partnership with California Black Media In Letter, Atty Gen. Bonta Steps Up Fight Against Medical Debt Reporting
Nvidia, the tech leader in artificial intelligence and the third largest corporation in the world — valued at around $3.06 trillion announced last week that it is partnering with California Black Media (CBM) to create a critical resource that will support Blackowned newspapers in the state.
The same week, Nvidia, based in Santa Clara, also announced a partnership with the state that will train educators and students across California.
“The public-private collaboration supports the state’s goals in workforce training and economic
Kamala’s Convention ...
Continued from page 2
an ageist filter.
But here he was more than functional and powerful, and about to let it all go.
I’m sure it made some people wonder that if this Biden had appeared at that June 27 debate, we’d be having a totally different convention this week.
“I made a lot of mistakes in my career, but I gave my best to you for 50 years,” Biden confessed. He recollected how he was too young to be in the Senate because he wasn’t 30 yet, but now he was “too old to stay as president.”
That got a little laugh.
Gov. Newsom Signs
New Laws ...
Continued from page 4
announced that the state’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) has recovered stolen goods worth more than $7.2 million and has made 884 arrests since the beginning of the year.
The ORCTF’s efforts have led to a 212% increase in criminal investigations statewide. These investigations have led to a 106% increase in arrests in recent months.
Since 2019 when Newsom first appointed the task force, the state has invested over $1.1 billion to fight crimes and bolster local law enforcement efforts in communities across the state. This included an allocation of over $267 million across 55 cities and counties to hire more police and invest time and resources in more criminal investigations to make arrests and file felony charges against suspects.
Some of that funding was allotted last year as part of the governor’s Real Public Safety Plan, partnering with police and sheriff’s departments and district attorney offices to curb organized retail theft.
The state’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force is responding readily and at record pace to crack down on organized criminals attempting to rip off California’s storefronts — demonstrating a continued commitment to enforcing public safety and protecting our communities,” said Newsom.
The task force helped the California Highway Patrol (CHP) make over 2,900 arrests and seize more than $45 million worth of stolen property since 2019 when
development by giving universities, community colleges and adult education programs in California the resources to gain skills in generative AI,” the Nvidia statement read.
With CBM, Nvidia will “train a large language model on nearly a century of journalism by Black journalists in the state.”
“We are excited to collaborate with NVIDIA to empower publishers in our sector,” said Regina Wilson, Executive Director of CBM. “This partnership places the Black Press at the forefront of journalism and technology, unlocking innovative opportunities that will drive the future of our industry.”
“But I hope you know how grateful I am to all of you,” Biden said. “I can honestly say, I’m more optimistic about the future than I was when I was elected as a 29-year-old United States Senator.”
And with that, he made peace with his destiny.
Biden went from being “the” guy, to “the guy who kept the presidential door ajar,” so that Kamala Harris, the first Black and South Asian woman, could go forward and through.
About the Author
Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator on race, media, culture, and politics. See his secret podcast on YouTube.com/@emilamok1. Contact: www.amok.com
it was first created.
Sean Duryee, the commissioner of the CHP, said that pursuing organized retail crime has yielded significant results each month.
“Through targeted investigations and numerous arrests, we are actively disrupting and dismantling these crime rings that threaten our communities and businesses,” said Duryee.
“Our message is clear: we will not allow organized retail crime to go unchecked in California,” he said.
The task force’s special operations and anti-crime initiatives have helped remove guns and drugs off the streets in hot spots such as Oakland, Bakersfield, and San Francisco with the backing of CHP officers, Newsom office stated.
California Retailers Association (CRA) President and CEO Rachel Michelin joined the Governor at the bill signing, along with Attorney General Rob Bonta, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (DHollister), Senate Pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg), and other officials.
“These bills’ swift movement through the state Legislature and into law make it clear that retail theft policy priorities have shifted this year,” wrote Michelin on Facebook.
“This seismic shift is a testament to the California Retailers Association team’s strategic and persistent work with state leadership including the Governor’s office, Speaker’s office, Senate Pro Tempore, various members of the legislature and other key stakeholders to ensure the safety of our customers, stores and neighborhoods in which we operate in,” she added.
By Lisa Petrie
The 45th World Arts West Dance Festival performance at Presidio Tunnel Tops opens with a joyous and colorful procession on Sept. 8.
Kiazi Malonga from the Oakland-based group Fua Dia Kongo will lead over 100 cultural performers to the stage with Congolese dance and drum rhythms, setting the mood for an afternoon trip around the world through music and dance.
Now, in its third year with support from the Presidio as a partner, the 2024 theme Dance as Activism underscores the power of cultural dance to challenge societal norms, preserve heritage, and inspire social change. The broad range of performances will reflect both traditional and contemporary styles –reflecting the rich and diverse aesthetics of the Bay Area’s cultural dance community.
From Chinyakare Ensemble’s presentation of traditional dance from Zimbabwe and Southern Africa to Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company’s original modern show combining hip hop, theater and rap, dance as an art form can keep cultural narratives or see them evolve through a new generation. Thirteen groups will present performances from South Asia, the Middle East, Mexico, the Caribbe-
California Legislative Black Caucus
Elects New Leadership
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
On Aug.13, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) elected Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) and Assemblymember Isaac G. Bryan (DLadera Heights) to serve as its next Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.
“The CLBC has a long-standing tradition of excellence in its ability to represent and advocate for the needs of Black Californians, a responsibility that I deeply care about,” Weber stated.
“As I begin my tenure as Chair, I am committed to ensuring that the CLBC upholds its exceptional legislative advocacy, strong partnerships, and exemplary programs as we focus on the major issues impacting our communities,” she continued.
In her new role as Chair, Weber replaces Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) and Bryan succeeds Vice Chair Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) who is termed out at the end of the current legislative session and announced that he is a candidate for
on page 9
an, China and the Philippines, with music from Eastern Europe and Eurasia by the women’s vocal ensemble Kitka.
Festival director Dr. Anne Huang is committed to giving these artists a platform to express their identities. She says: “Each performance is a coded blueprint for survival, resilience, and evolution. The festival is a testament to the power of social change through dance — more persuasive than shackles and guns, fear and violence.”
The World Arts West Dance Festival will be held Sunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. at The Presidio Tunnel Tops. Admission; FREE. Visit this page for more information and see the complete artist lineup.
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Attorney General Rob Bonta backed a newly proposed rule that prohibits the reporting of medical debt on credit reports, in a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra.
The proposed rule aims to relieve millions of people bridled with unexpected or inaccurate medical bills.
Bonta, along with several state lawmakers, is sponsoring Senate Bill (SB) 1061, a law that would prevent medical debt from being included on credit reports, protecting consumers from those outstanding charges damaging their creditworthiness.
The bill is authored by Sen. Monique Limón (D- Santa Barbara) and Sen. Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park).
Bonta acknowledged the consumer bureau for spearheading the initiative and providing stronger
protections that relieve consumers of the burden of medical debt.
“When someone is scared and in pain, the last thing they should think about is whether seeking care will take away their ability to buy a house or land a job. Unfortunately, this is the reality for many people today,” said Bonta.
“There is no need for medical debt to appear on credit reports as it is not a good predictor of repayment, and it pushes more and more people into a harmful debt cycle that is very difficult to escape,” he said.
In support of the proposed rule, consumer advocacy organizations argue that medical debt is an unreliable indicator of financial risk. As a result, consumers with medical debt are prevented from qualifying for loans, renting an apartment, or securing a job. Consumer advocates stated that the healthcare system is broken and has affected many families nationwide.
Fua Dia Kongo. Photo by D. Kelly Images
File photo.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta. File photo.
What You Should Know: California Has Added Doula Services to Medi-Cal Coverage
By Edward Henderson, California Black Media
Medi-Cal, California’s version of the federal medical assistance program Medicaid, has announced that it is expanding access to maternal health, including doula services.
The expansion is expected to have a critical impact on the health of Black mothers and expectant moms. Nearly half of Black Californians are enrolled in Medi-Cal.
Black mothers are approximately four times more likely to die than their White counterparts to die from pregnancy-related complications, according to The California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The Black maternal mortality rate is three times higher than the rate of mothers of White Hispanic and Asian moms. And Black babies are two times as likely to die before their first birthday than White babies.
Erica Holmes, Chief of Benefits Divisions for the California Department of Health Care Services spoke during an online news briefing in June organized by Ethnic Media Services (EMS) to provide more details about Medi-Cal’s expansion into the doula space.
“The department has issued a standing recommendation for doula services. Medi-Cal members don’t have to get a separate written referral for services. All they need to do is find a doula who accepts medical to start receiving care. The department also has a doula directory where members can find doulas who accept medical by county.”
According to Medi-Cal, the doula services are available to expectant moms as a birthing care pathway for members who elect to use it from conception through 12 months. It is also available to new moms with services such as postpartum care, parent-child dyadic care, and other benefits.
Kairis Chiaji, a Medi-Cal approved doula services provider with 25 years of experience, spoke
during the online news briefing, informing attendees about the value of doulas and the services they provide.
“A lot of people don’t know what doulas do. I would liken it to a personal trainer, but for childbirth. Our job is to get to know you, what your goals are for your body and baby, to help you come up with a plan and remember your plan,” she said.
Doulas are trained professionals who provide physical, emotional and informational support to patients before, during and after childbirth. In the past, their services were not covered by most medical insurance plans.
Now with Medi-Cal’s new expansion, they are.
Chiaji spoke about the value a doula of color brings to the birthing process. The disparities in care and service women of color experience in medical care are well documented. Chiaji says her practice prioritizes Black and indigenous women.
“As people of color and community members, we also have shared experience with our clients. We have been those birthing people in the various environments,” she added. We have encountered the same language or culture barriers, we have had the same unanswered questions and understand the benefit of having someone who not only can explain it but really be a bridge between the community member and the birthing environment, especially in hospital settings.”
Due to the Medi-Cal expansion, doulas will now be reimbursed at the same rate as other service care providers, which Chiaji says is a game changer.
“We were able to move our state into a position of understanding that a large part of healthcare is leveraging relationships. The group that has the ability to found and maintain those relationships are birth workers.”
California Legislative Black Caucus Elects New Leadership
Continued from page 8
Lt. Governor.
“I want to thank our immediate past leadership team for their unwavering commitment to lead during these past two years,” Wilson stated. “Together, we have been a powerful force, championing legislative policies and budget items with the purpose of enriching the lives of Black Californians. I look forward to working
California Legislature Recognizes Black Girl Joy Day and HBCU Week
By Tanu Henry, California Black Media
During the California Assembly floor session on Aug. 12, members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) joined their colleagues in the Legislature to approve statewide recognition of Black Girl Joy Day last week and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) week next month.
La Mesa), officially designated the fourth week of September as Historically Black Colleges and Universities week in California.
with our new leadership as we continue to work to uplift over two million Black residents living in California.”
Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) has been elected Treasurer and Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) will serve as Secretary.
The newly elected officers will assume their two-year terms in December.
‘The
Nation is Watching’: Cal Legislature Advances Four Reparations Bills
Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media
Three reparations bills authored by Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Aug. 15.
Senate Bill (SB) 1403, SB 1050, and SB 1331 are now on their way to the Assembly floor for a full vote. If approved, the bills would advance to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for his signature or veto.
“I want to thank the committee for seeing the importance of these measures,” Bradford said. “I think it speaks to the fact that reparations is an issue that still needs to be addressed. We still experience institutional racism and discrimination in this country.”
SB 1331 proposes creating an account in the state treasury to fund reparations policies approved by the Legislature and the Governor.
SB 1050 would offer compensation to Black Californians who are descendants of enslaved people who lost homes or had their land taken without fair compensation as a result of racially motivated misuse of eminent domain.
SB 1403 establishes the framework for establishing the California American Freedmen Affairs Agency (CAFAA), a state-level department that would oversee all reparations activities, including validating individuals’ status as a descendant of an enslaved person in the United States.
Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), Chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, said it was critical that the reparations bills moved out of the “suspense file,” a designation for bills estimated to cost over $150,000 to implement.
“We moved forward with all the reparations bills. I think this is obviously a huge issue not just for our state but our country,” Wicks said. “It’s about time we have real-direct public policy conversations about it.”
In its final 1,075-page report submitted to the legislature in June 2023, the California Reparations Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans made 115 recommendations to compensate African Americans for harms experienced as a result of slavery.
One of the recommendations is for the state to issue a formal apology to the descendants of people enslaved in the United States. Assembly Bill (AB) 3089, authored by Assemblymember Reggie JonesSawyer (D-Los Angeles), would require the state to make that statement.
It passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee with a 5-0 vote and is the fourth reparations bill advanced by the Legislature. Senate minority leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego) and Sen. Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta), abstained from voting.
Chris Lodgson, a member of the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC), a Sacramentobased reparations advocacy organization, attended the Assembly Appropriation Committee’s suspense file hearing.
“Our ancestors have been with us every step of the way,” Lodgson said. “But there is still more work to do. We must get the (current) bills off the floor in the next two weeks. Make no mistake about it, we would not have those opportunities for the next fights if we did not win today.”
Bradford hopes the bills and other reparations legislation pushed by the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) set the standards for other states.
“This is not a handout. This is what was promised to us 163 years ago and it’s long overdue,” Bradford said. “I hope it sends a signal not only for California but for the rest of the nation that this is a priority. Not only is California watching. The nation is watching.”
Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 226, introduced by Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) officially designated Aug. 10 as Black Girl Joy Day in California.
“This day is not just a celebration, but a profound acknowledgment of the vibrant roles that Black girls play in enriching our state’s diverse tapestry,” said Wilson.
“Black girls in California embody resilience, creativity and potential despite facing systemic challenges from a young age, including higher rates of school discipline and exposure to violence. They continue to make significant contributions across various fields,” added Wilson.
The Assembly voted 75-0 in favor of recognizing Black Girl Joy Day in California.
During that same floor session, the Assembly passed Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 222 with a 76-0 vote.
ACR 222, introduced by Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
“For hundreds of years Blacks were not allowed to attend American institutions of higher learning – not because we weren’t smart enough, but because of racism and segregation. So, we created our own institutions of higher learning,” said Weber, representing her alma mater, Xavier University, in a white and gold letterman cardigan.
Weber noted that although HBCUs represent only 3% of institutions of higher learning in the country, they produce 24% of Black STEM professionals.
Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) spoke about his experiences as a proud parent of Morehouse and Hampton graduates.
Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) shared her perspective as the daughter of a Prairie View A&M Graduate. Her mother relocated from Texas to Los California, where she was born.
“In September of 2023, President Biden proclaimed September 24th through 30th as national HBCU week, Weber continued. “In an effort to align with what has already been done on the federal level, I respectfully ask for your I-vote on ACR 222 to declare the fourth week of September as HBCU week.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the AC Transit Board of Directors invites all interested persons to attend virtual Public Hearings on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.; and hybrid (virtual & in-person) Public Hearings on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at AC Transit’s General Office, 2nd Floor Board Room located at 1600 Franklin Street in Oakland, California 94612 to provide public comment on the service change proposals for the Draft Realign Network Plan as more specifically described below under “PROJECT DESCRIPTION.” No decisions will be made at the Public Hearings.
All Public Hearings may be accessed by teleconference/video conference via Zoom at: Date Time Meeting Location
September 9 6:00pm Virtual: https://actransit.zoom.us/j/88231707039; Phone (669) 219-2599; Webinar ID 882 3170 7039
September 10 9:00am Virtual: https://actransit.zoom.us/j/88231707039; Phone (669) 219-2599; Webinar ID 882 3170 7039
September 11 2:00pm Hybrid: https://actransit.zoom.us/j/98487175063; Phone (669) 900-6833; Webinar ID 984 8717 5063 or 1600 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor Board Room, Oakland, California
September 11 6:00pm Hybrid: https://actransit.zoom.us/j/98487175063; Phone (669) 900-6833; Webinar ID 984 8717 5063 or 1600 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor Board Room, Oakland, California
Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin interpreters will be provided at the hearings. Upon request, a sign language interpreter or interpreter for languages other than those listed in this notice may be provided, but must be requested by calling (510) 891-7201 at least 72 hours in advance of a hearing. For TDD for hearing impaired, call 711, California Relay Service, and specify (510) 891-4700.
PUBLIC COMMENT can be submitted in writing and/or live at a hearing. Due to the potential for long wait times at hearings to provide live comment, the public is encouraged to submit comments in writing. Verbal public comments at the meetings will be restricted to one (1) minute in length to allow as many members of the public who wish to speak the opportunity to do so. Those who have spoken at one of the public hearings will not be permitted to speak again at another hearing and should submit additional comments in writing. Written comments will receive the same attention as verbal comments received at a Public Hearing and may be submitted as follows:
• Email to realign@actransit.org
• U.S. Mail to: AC Transit Board of Directors, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, California, 94612;
• Online comment form (SurveyMonkey) on Project website at actransit.org/realign
All comments must be received by the close of the final public hearing on September 11, 2024.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The service proposals represent AC Transit service adjustments developed through the Realign Plan effort under consideration by the Board of Directors. Service changes, if approved, would be implemented as early as March 2025. The Board of Directors is expected to render a final decision in October 2024.
Service Changes: Proposed changes are detailed on the web at actransit.org/realign. Changes are proposed for Local, Transbay, and All-Nighter lines, except no changes are proposed to lines 40, 41, 46L, 57, 90, 95, 97, 98, 800, 802, 840, 851, E, F, FS, G, J, NL, NX, NX3, P, U, and V. New Streets: Service is being proposed on new streets for lines 7, 20, 28, 29, 45, 70, 73, 74, 76, 96, 200, 216, and 805. Details of the specific streets can be found online at actransit.org/ realign.
The service change proposals are detailed on AC Transit’s website at www.actransit.org/ realign and available in printed format at the District’s General Offices, located at 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, California, and at a variety of other locations, including main county and city offices as well as libraries located within the District’s service area. For information on exact locations where the documents are available in your specific area, please visit: actransit.org/realign for a listing of libraries or telephone: (510) 267-5631 (English); (510) 2675632 (Spanish); (510) 267-5633 (Mandarin); or (510) 267-5634 (Cantonese).
CLBC new leaders, Asm. Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), Chairperson; and Asm. Issac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights), Vice Chairperson. File photo.
California State Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood), left, and his Chief of Staff Carolyn McIntyre, right, leave the Senate chambers on May 21 at the State Capitol after three of Bradford’s reparations bills passed off the floor, including SB 1403 (California American Freedmen Affairs Agency). (CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey).
Continued from page 1
increase over the next several years if additional funding from private or state sources becomes available.
“This agreement represents a major breakthrough in ensuring the survival of newsrooms and bolstering local journalism across California — leveraging substantial tech industry resources without imposing new taxes on Californians,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “The deal not only provides funding to support hundreds of new journalists but helps rebuild a robust and dynamic California press corps for years to come, reinforcing the vital role of journalism in our democracy.”
Assemblymember Wicks authored AB 886 to help ensure the sustainability of local journalism, as news outlets across the country are downsizing and closing at alarming rates.
A Northwestern University study published last year found an average of two-and-a-half newspapers in the United States close every week, and that our nation has lost two-thirds of its newspaper journalists since 2005. California has lost more than 100 newspapers in the last decade alone.
The new suite of initiatives includes multi-faceted support for publishers across California to address challenges that have impacted the depth and breadth of news coverage in the state. They will help ensure the sustainability of existing and new online publications – with an emphasis on small, local outlets and community-facing journalism.
“As technology and innovation advance, it is critical that California continues to champion the vital role of journalism in our democracy,” said Wicks. “This partnership represents a cross-sector commitment to supporting a free and vibrant press, empowering local news outlets up and down the state to continue in their essential work. This is just the beginning. I remain committed to finding even more ways to support journalism in our state for years to come.”
California news publishers will be the beneficiaries of a News Transformation Fund, to be administered by the UC Berkeley School of Journalism, providing financial resources that preserve and expand California-based journalism.
The funding will include contributions from technology platforms and the State of California, supporting innovative new investments that promote local journalism. The funding will support California-based state and local news organizations, particularly those serving California local news deserts, underserved and underrepresented communities, and outlets that prioritize California coverage.
Funding for the initiative would
be complemented by direct support from the State, helping news organizations keep and grow newsroom staff and offsetting the costs of producing local news and information.
“A vibrant press is crucial for strong communities and a healthy democracy. This is a first step toward what we hope will become a comprehensive program to sustain local news in the long term, and we will push to see it grow in future years,” said California News Publishers Association CEO Chuck Champion and Board Chair Julie Makinen.
Partners in this initiative also reiterated their strong commitment to strengthening newsroom and ownership diversity for ethnic and underserved communities. The Governor also announced his support for AB 1511 (Santiago), which aims to increase the state’s ongoing commitment to place official marketing, advertising and/or outreach advertising with local and underrepresented media outlets.
“Ethnic and community media outlets in California have a long history of serving as trusted messengers of culturally responsive news to historically underrepresented and underserved communities,” said Assemblymember Miguel Santiago.
Additionally, researchers and businesses will have access to new resources to explore the use of AI to tackle some of the most complex challenges facing society and strengthen the workforce through a new National AI Innovation Accelerator.
This will be administered in collaboration with a private nonprofit and will provide organizations across industries and communities — from journalism, to the environment, to racial equity and beyond — with financial resources and other support to experiment with AI to assist them in their work.
The AI accelerator will empower organizations with the new technology and complement the work of the Journalism Fund by creating new tools to help journalists access and analyze public information.
“This fund will help news outlets and journalists adapt to a changing landscape with new tools and funding to embrace emerging technologies,” said Regina Wilson, executive director of California Black Media. “This is especially helpful for ethnic and community media which is comprised largely of under-resourced family businesses whose strongest connections are to their community.”
Erin Ivie is the director of Communications, office of Assemblymember Buffy Wicks.
Continued from page 1
unhoused, and provide those in need with hot meals at the Church each week.
He was a gracious Father, Husband and a very humble soft spoken man. William Pierce Coburn passed away at 7:55 P.M. July 26, 2024 after a 4 year long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Subhashini and sons Rahul, Rajiv and granddaughter Arjuna Rose.
A memorial service for Bill Coburn will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway, September 7 at 11 am.
The Obamas Rock Democratic Convention in Chicago
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
‘Respect
Our Vote — No Recalls!’
Continued from page 1
over 100 people in East Oakland at At Thy Word Ministries Church, 8915 International Blvd. in East Oakland.
Servant B.K. Woodson, Sr., pastor of the Bay Area Christian Connection in Oakland and chair of the coalition, links the surging national movement to reject the fearmongering and hateful agenda advocated by Donald Trump and the rightwing authoritarian proposals of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 to their own battle against the efforts to unseat progressive leaders in Oakland and Alameda County.
“This is a powerful moment, (and) across the nation you can feel it,” he said. “There’s joy, there’s hope, there’s expectation. We Oaklanders are at the center of the universe right now because the joy that’s bubbling up against the antipathy and the anger and the mindlessness, the battle for hope is being waged right here (against those) who profit by our poverty.”
“This is the inaugural event of ‘Respect Our Vote – No Recalls!’ because we want all people’s votes to be respected,” Pastor Woodson continued. “We are a diverse coalition, and we are open to more.”
The coalition already has the participation of the Wellstone and John George Democratic clubs, the Latino Task Force, and the Asian Americans for a Progressive Alameda, as well as active involvement of African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, whites, and others, he said.
“(Together), we want to expose what’s happening,” Woodson said. “The vehicle of recall (was intended to be) a people’s device against entrenched power (but) has been co-opted by billionaires,” who have funded these campaigns.
Those attending the meeting raised concerns about Foundational Oakland Unites, a political action committee that received $605,000 from Piedmont financier Philip Dreyfuss, which contributed $480,000 to back the Sheng Thao recall.
Dreyfuss also contributed to recall Price. A political action committee, Supporters of Recall Pamela Price, which Dreyfuss
helped create, received about $400,000 to pay for signaturegathering, as well as a $200,000 loan.
Other speakers at the rally included Stewart Chen, president of the Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council; Carmen Peng of Asian Americans for Progressive Alameda; Jess Inson, lead organizing fellow for Oakland Rising Action; Chaney Turner, chair of the City of Oakland’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission; and Mariano Contreras, member of the Latino Task Force and co-chair of the African American Latino Action Alliance.
Contreras said in past decades, voter suppression was mostly designed to keep African Americans, immigrants, and poor people from being able to vote.
“(But) now we’re seeing a new type of voter suppression, the denial of our vote after we cast it,” he said.
“The recall process was (originally) designed to ensure that elected officials would represent the interests of their constituents. But the recall process has been hijacked by shadowy, conservative money that finds defeated candidates (and others) who are willing to deny you and me our vote as we originally cast it,” he said.
“This is a new, dangerous voter suppression that exists right here in our city,” he said, adding that: “We are seeing the use of fear and misinformation to attract spokespeople to promote attacks and charges that are nothing more than smokescreens to roll back progressive alliances that have been built in our local government.”
Chen said that there has been a “false narrative” about rampant crime, which is a “bunch of baloney.”
There have long been problems with crime in Oakland, and the recalls against Price and Thao began shortly after they were elected and before they had a chance to do much, he said.
“Unequivocally, the people who lost wanted their candidates to win. These are sour grapes.”
“This is undemocratic. We have to stand together, unite together,” Chen said. “That’s why I’m here.”
On the second day of the Democratic National Convention, the Obamas took center stage and delivered electrifying speeches that reverberated through the United Center in Chicago. The convention, already energized by a capacity crowd in Milwaukee where Vice President Kamala Harris spoke during a rally, reached new heights as the former first lady and former President rallied Democrats with their powerful words.
Harris, who spoke to a packed arena in Milwaukee, had her speech live-streamed into the United Center, effectively connecting the two cities in a show of Democratic unity and strength. Her presence set the tone for the evening, with her words filling both venues.
Michelle Obama took the stage before her husband in Chicago, immediately captivating the audience. “Something wonderfully magical is in the air, isn’t it? I’m talking about the contagious power of hope,” she declared as the United Center enthusiastically rocked. “America, hope is making a comeback. Kamala Harris is one of the most qualified people to ever seek the office of president. And she is dignified.”
Obama didn’t shy away from addressing the twice-impeached and 34-times convicted felon and former President Donald Trump directly. “For years, Donald Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us,” she remarked. “His limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking and highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black. Who wants to tell him that job he’s seeking just might be one of those Black jobs?” she asked, eliciting raucous applause from the crowd.
She continued to dismantle Trump’s rhetoric, particularly his attempts to question the blackness of Harris and other Democrats.
“No one has a monopoly on what it means to be an American, no one,” Obama declared, her words striking a chord with the audience.
Barack Obama then took the stage and immediately lifted the energy in the arena to a fever pitch. “I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling fired up,” he began, his voice booming across the United Center. “Even if I’m the only person stupid enough to speak right after Michelle Obama.”
Obama then turned his focus
to Harris, praising her as a leader who embodies the best of what America stands for. “This country has a chance to elect someone who’s spent her whole life trying to give people the same chances America gave her,” Obama said. “Someone who sees you and hears you and will get up every single day and fight for you: the next president of the United States of America, Kamala Harris.”
He also drew a sharp contrast between Harris’s vision for the country and the policies of Trump and his allies. “For them, one group’s gain is another group’s loss. For them, freedom means that the powerful can do what they please, whether its firing workers trying to organize a union, poisoning our rivers, or avoiding paying taxes like everyone else has to do,” he said, highlighting the fundamental differences in their approaches to leadership.
Throughout the night, other prominent Democrats joined the Obamas in rallying the crowd. Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth delivered a searing critique of Trump’s attacks on reproductive rights. “I take it personally when a five-time draft-dodging coward like Donald Trump tries to take away my rights and freedoms in return—especially when it concerns my daughters,” Duckworth said.
Maryland Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks reflected on her close relationship with Harris, emphasizing the vice president’s dedication to justice and public safety. “Kamala Harris knows how to keep criminals off the streets,” Alsobrooks said. “And come November, with our help, she’ll keep one out of the Oval Office,” a line that drew loud cheers from the Chicago crowd.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham contrasted Harris’s healthcare policies with Trump’s, criticizing the former president’s attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. “Donald Trump and JD Vance want to dismantle our healthcare system, repeal the Affordable Care Act, and eliminate protections for preexisting conditions. Either these guys don’t get it, or they don’t care,” Grisham said.
Barack Obama left the crowd with a final, resonant message: “If we work like we’ve never worked before, we will elect Kamala Harris as the next president and Tim Walz as the next vice president. And together, we too will build a country that is more secure, more just, more equal, and free.”
Former President Barack Obama and Former first lady Michelle Obama delivered speeches that rocked the Convention Hall during night 3 of the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Photo: thedemocrats on Instagram.
Bill and Post Publisher Paul Cobb helped organize C.E.R.T Citizens’ Emergency Relief Team which organized 48 hours after the Loma Prieta earthquake that collapsed the Cypress (880) freeway. He and Gay Plair Cobb advocated and formed the Cypress Mandela Building and Trades training program and the renaming and rerouting of Cypress to Mandela Way. Photo from 1990 NYT article about his designs for West Oakland.
Subhashini (Sue) and William Coburn. Photo by Linda Carter.
