Vol. 56 No. 33
AMERICAN
Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what people will submit to and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them and these will continue till they have resisted either with words or blows or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance those of whom they suppress. —Fredrick Douglass (1849)
A Black Friday of Resistance as Americans Push Back
By Stacy M. Brown
A Black Friday of Resistance as Americans Push Back...continued
this racism. We’re not buying the abandonment of DEI. We’re not buying that the wealthiest country in the world cannot take care of its own citizens,” she stated. “If they want to call it Black Friday, let’s show them what a Black Friday really looks like.”
Home Depot issued its response after activists accused the retailer of working with immigration authorities during enforcement actions. The company stated that it is not notified before such actions occur and that it is not involved in them. Organizers remain unconvinced and continue to include the retailer in holiday boycott plans.
sits a larger truth. Black Americans are living through an economic emergency that has been shaped by federal policy decisions targeting the jobs, protections, and historical pathways that built the Black middle class. Analysts at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities report that Trump’s agenda has attacked food assistance, health care, and family income supports at the very moment when unemployment among Black women is rising, and Black communities are losing stable federal careers that once offered a route out of poverty.
Closeup portrait of two smiling black pretty girls carrying bags, chatting and walking in shopping mall Black Friday arrives this year in a country wrestling with the weight of policies that have stripped stability from millions of Americans and placed Black communities at the edge of economic ruin. Storefront lights shine as if the nation were whole, yet in living rooms across the country, families count the losses of a political agenda that has torn apart the federal workforce and shattered the financial security of those who once depended on it. Hundreds of thousands of
Black federal workers have been removed from their positions since Trump returned to office, and the effect on neighborhoods, schools, and generational wealth has been immediate. The crisis facing Black women is even deeper. The National Partnership for Women and Families reports that 265,000 Black women have been pushed out of the labor market since January, and the unemployment rate for Black women has climbed to 7.5 percent, which
is the highest in years. “These numbers are damning and confirm what we’ve long known to be true,” said Democratic Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “Under Donald J. Trump, Black women continue to face a crisis of disproportionately high unemployment. Their systematic pushout not only has dangerous consequences for Black women, Black families, and Black futures. It is also a glaring red flag for the entire U.S. economy.”
This is the country entering Black Friday. It is why the Mass Blackout movement and the We Ain’t Buying It coalition have stepped forward to reclaim the weekend that once symbolized celebration. Their message calls for shoppers to keep their money, their labor, and their attention away from the companies they believe profit from silence while Black households are battered by economic loss. “No spending. No work. No surrender,” the Mass Blackout coalition announced in its call to action, which accuses the nation’s corporate power structure of thriving while ordinary people struggle to survive.
The second coalition focuses its attention on retailers like Amazon and Home Depot. Activists accuse these companies of cooperating with or benefiting from Trump’s political agenda. LaTosha Brown, cofounder of Black Voters Matter and a member of the We Ain’t Buying It coalition, delivered her remarks in the coalition’s public statement. “We ain’t buying this foolishness. We’re not buying
New Report: Black Women in California Face Stark Inequities – Yet Hold Remarkable Power
McKenzie Jackson | California Black
Media
A new report reveals that while Black women in California face some of the steepest inequities in wages, health, and housing, they also display remarkable strength through high civic engagement and community leadership.
Black women in California earn just 60 cents for every dollar paid to White men — a gap so wide it won’t close until 2121 if current trends continue.
That statistic headlines the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute’s (CBWCEI) newly released “2025 State of Black Women in California report,” a sweeping analysis of disparities in education, health, housing, and economic mobility.
CBWCEI President and CEO Kellie Todd Griffin says the findings aren’t meant to shock — they’re meant to spark action.
“The data gives us direction,” she said. “The lived experiences of Black women give us urgency. We publish this report to push people.”
The 21-page report, authored by Griffin and research director Dr. Astrid Williams, was unveiled
during a Nov. 12 online briefing.
The report examines the realities facing California’s 1.2 million Black women and girls across critical areas, including education; economic mobility; health indicators and disparities; housing and environmental justice; violence and safety; the underfunding of Black womenled organizations and political power; and civic engagement.
Based in Carson, CBWCEI also calls for future research to include more and updated demographic analyses.
Speakers during the video conference included California Black Women’s Health Project CEO Sonya Young Aadam; EVITARUS Managing Partner Dr. Shakari Byerly; Jeness Center President Karen Earl; Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell; and Mount Saint Mary’s University Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Vice President Dr. Krishauna HinesGaither.
Mitchell recalled a time she handed out meals to several single Black mothers at a food drive at Magic Johnson Park in
Los Angeles.
“It’s real out here in these streets with what Black women are facing,” Mitchell said before noting the report reveals “how we as Black women continue to carry the weight of failed systems that frankly were never truly designed to meet our needs.”
According to the report, 25% of the California’s Black women and girls live below the federal poverty line, which is double the rate of White women.
Over 80% of Black households in the state are led by women who are the primary breadwinner. However, Black women are twice as likely to be unhoused as White women. Black women are also evicted at nearly double the rate of any other group in Los Angeles County — home to over 454,000 Black women.
Mitchell equated eviction to felony conviction for Black men.
“It follows you everywhere, and it changes the entire arc of a life,” she explained. “When Black women can’t access stable housing or childcare, families fall into crisis. That’s not an individual problem. That’s a systems’ problem.”
Regarding health, Black women have elevated rates of hypertension, stroke, and diabetes, with social stressors such as racism, poverty, and caregiving burdens as key contributors. Eighty percent of Black women have health insurance but still suffer from higher rates of chronic illness such as diabetes or heart disease. One in three delay care due to
cost.
Black women in California have a 41% obesity rate, and their rates of STI and HIV are five times higher than that of White women.
According to CBWCEI, Black women are up to six times more likely to die from pregnancyrelated causes than White women. Additionally, teen birth rates have declined among Black girls, but remain higher than the state average due to structural inequities in economic support, education, and health.
“We live at the intersection of the best and worst — unmatched resilience and unacceptable health disparities,” Aadam said. “The systems designed to care for us were not designed with us in mind and often work against us.”
Her organization combats these disparities through culturally rooted programs.
The report shared results of a recent survey of Black women conducted by EVITARUS that found 56% for respondents experienced discrimination at work, with 70% experiencing microaggressions. Additionally, 55% were victims of discrimination while shopping.
One survey participant said, “As a dark-skinned woman, I noticed women who are lighter are given passes and darker women are treated harsher in similar situations.”
Despite these challenges, the findings weren’t all bleak. Black
Amazon has faced scrutiny for working conditions and for the $1 million it contributed to Trump’s inauguration, which boycott leaders cite as evidence of political alignment. The coalition argues that Amazon has benefited from federal policy while workers across the country face tightening hours and declining wages, and its owner, Jeff Bezos, has fully capitulated to Trump.
Behind all these confrontations
Organizers say this Black Friday is not about discounts. It is a line drawn by people who are tired of being told to spend in a country that is stripping away their ability to live. It is a refusal to pretend that holiday lights can hide the harm done to families who have been pushed to the margins of the economy.
The final word from organizers cut through the noise of the season. “We’re not buying from companies that won’t stand with us,” LaTosha Brown stated. “Our dollars will go elsewhere.”
Black Voice News Publisher Paulette Brown Hinds Appointed to California Transportation Commission
Bo Tefu | California Black Media
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Paulette Brown-Hinds, a veteran media executive, educator, and civic leader from Riverside, to the California Transportation Commission (CTC).
The CTC a key state body responsible for allocating funding and shaping policy for the state’s transportation infrastructure. The 13-member committee also assists the Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency in “formulating and evaluating state policies and plans for California’s transportation programs,” according to the organization’s website.
Brown-Hinds says she “the lived reality of coming from a rapidly growing region of our state that is too often overlooked in policy conversations.”
“As a lifelong Inland Empire resident and advocate, I’ve seen firsthand how transportation can either connect people to opportunity or become a barrier to growth,” she told California Black Media CBM.
“My work to strengthen civic infrastructure and expand access has always been grounded in advancing justice and equity, and those values will guide my service on the Commission,” BrownHinds added.
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the California
State Senate and carries a per diem compensation of $100.
Brown-Hinds brings more than two decades of experience in journalism, media entrepreneurship, and public service to the role. She is the founder and managing partner of Voice Media Ventures, a company she launched in 2004, and has served since 2012 as publisher of Black Voice News and Black Voice Studios. Her work has focused on providing culturally relevant, community-centered journalism and elevating underrepresented voices in local and statewide conversations.
From 2021 to 2023, BrownHinds was selected as a John S. Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford University, where she explored innovative approaches to sustaining local news and strengthening democracy through media. Her academic career includes teaching as an adjunct professor at the University of California, Riverside from 2018 to 2021 and serving as an assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati from 1998 to 2000. In addition to her professional work in media and education, Brown-Hinds holds several prominent leadership and advisory positions. She currently serves as vice chair of the James Irvine Foundation and is a Democracy Policy Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley. She is also a member of both the American Press Institute and the California Press Foundation. Brown-Hinds earned both a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Arts in English Literature from the University of California, Riverside, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from California State University, San Bernardino. She is registered as a voter without party preference.
Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds
Thursday, November 27, 2025 THE
State Housing Secretary visits San Bernardino County to tour affordable housing communities
Community/Education News
San Bernardino County hosted a visit by California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Tomiquia Moss on Friday for a tour of two major affordable housing communities in the valley region. The visit highlighted the county’s efforts to expand affordable housing and strengthen collaboration with the state.
Secretary Moss toured Pacific Village, one of the county’s flagship revitalization projects, and Arrowhead Grove, a transformative mixed-income development in the heart of San
Bernardino. The state contributed $15.8 million to Arrowhead Grove through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program.
Pacific Village also received significant support from the state, totaling over $69 million. During the visit, Secretary Moss viewed recent progress at both sites and met with local partners to discuss ongoing needs in the affordable housing landscape.
“Communities across California are working hard to meet the moment, and San Bernardino County is
Ontario High, Chaffey District helping to fill the growing demand for automotive service technicians and mechanics
Community /Education News
ONTARIO – Step inside Rich Lewis’ auto maintenance and repair shop at Ontario High School, and you will quickly forget that you’re surrounded by students. There’s a small group repairing brakes, another replacing an alternator and vehicle charging system, and yet using computer technology to inspect an engine – all under the tutelage of Lewis, who has been teaching auto mechanics at OHS for the past 12 years.
“I tell my students that if nothing else, this class is going to make you a good consumer. When you get your car repaired, you’re going to have an idea what they’re telling you,” Lewis says. But it’s potential career opportunities that drive many of his students to his working classroom on the south end of the OHS campus. The California Employment Development Department projects roughly 60,000 job openings for automotive service technicians and mechanics statewide over the next decade, much of that driven by retirements and more specialized skillsets needed to work on today’s more technologically advanced vehicles.
The OHS program is widely regarded as one of the strongest in the region. It is Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)accredited, meaning graduates are well-prepared to enter the workforce. In addition, Lewis has developed strong partnerships with local auto dealers and maintenance shops, which allows students to receive hands-on experience when not in school.
“Relationships in the automotive industry are definitely a big deal. Professionalism is something I
demonstrating what strong collaboration can deliver,” said Secretary Moss. “The state is committed to supporting local partners as we expand affordable housing, strengthen neighborhoods and ensure that families have access to safe, stable places to call home.”
Members of the Board of Supervisors echoed the secretary’s emphasis on partnerships and the role they play in advancing housing initiatives and serving residents.
“Our communities benefit when all levels of government collaborate, and Friday’s visit highlighted the progress underway and reaffirmed our shared commitment to supporting the residents who depend on these housing investments,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe.
Board of Supervisors Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., whose district includes both communities, said, “These projects show the power of strong partnerships to bring dignity and opportunity back into our neighborhoods. When we work together, we’re not just building housing, we’re creating second chances for families who
deserve stability, support and a real path forward.”
Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez, who attended the tour and has similar housing projects in his district, said, “We appreciate Secretary Moss for visiting San Bernardino County and recognizing the hard work our team and partners have put into ensuring housing is accessible, safe and supportive for the families who call our communities home.”
The visit concluded with a roundtable discussion among county and city officials along with housing partners on longterm strategies to support housing stability. Attendees included leadership from the county’s Community Development and Housing Department; the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino; representatives from the city of San Bernardino; and regional development and service partners working on local housing initiatives.
San Bernardino County continues to prioritize efforts that increase housing availability, promote community stability and leverage coordinated partnerships to meet the longterm needs of residents.
Family Caregivers in California Can Tap Into a Wealth of State Resources
National Family Caregivers Month is observed every November to recognize and honor the contributions of family caregivers
By Sunita Sohrabji
When Dan Salinger thinks about when his caregiving journey began, he realizes it didn’t start with a single dramatic event. Instead, it happened slowly, and so gradually that he didn’t even realize the role he had stepped into.
“I was a caregiver long before I knew I was a caregiver,” Salinger told reporters Nov. 19 during an American Community Media news briefing. “I had my dad with me for about five years, but the caregiving journey really started 10 or more years ago.”
try to stress with the students – to make sure they’re ready to go out in the work world,” Lewis says.
OHS offers beginning and advanced classes in automotive technology, available to students throughout their four-year high school careers. Thirty-five students are currently enrolled in the advanced classes.
“An automobile has so many different functions. It’s sort of like an endless learning experience,” says Rodrigo Arenas, a senior at OHS who plans to pursue a career in automotive technology.
Fellow senior Noah Armenta puts it even simpler: “I love cars,” he says. It’s not all about wrenches and gearboxes, either. Lewis spends a good deal of time teaching students the importance of communication and safety.
“We’re going to spend more time on safety than anything else,” he says. “And you have to be able to communicate well, whether verbally or in writing. To be able to communicate with a service advisor, or if you are a service advisor, to communicate well with customers. We try to make them well rounded.”
The automotive program at Ontario High School is part of a broader commitment by the Chaffey Joint Union High School District to provide students the opportunity to learn about 21st century career opportunities.
“It’s so rewarding to see students light up when they come across a career opportunity that fits with their sense of purpose. It’s our responsibility, and our commitment, to make that happen,” says Dr.
Holton, superintendent of the Chaffey District.
Salinger’s 93-year-old father had been living independently before small but significant changes began to worry the family. “One day he walked into the room he had napped in a thousand times and said, ‘Oh, you put in a new room,’” Salinger recounted. “That was the first severe symptom. It opened our eyes. This was not normal aging.”
Then came the misplaced cashier’s check, the unexplained bruises, the driving mishaps. “That was the day my dad moved into my brother’s house,” he said. “Within a week, we realized it was too hard for any one person to do alone.”
His father eventually moved in
with him full time. Last year, a fall resulting in a broken hip changed everything. “Since then, every single need he has, someone has to be there,” Salinger said. “Assisting with the bathroom, showers, eating — everything.”
Salinger, a former attorney, had already stepped back from fulltime practice after a heart attack in 2019. Caregiving has been financially destabilizing, he said, though his father’s unexpected popularity on social media helped bridge a small portion of the gap.
“But that’s like hitting the lottery,” he said. “It’s not something you can rely on.”
What has sustained him, he said, is his wife. “I couldn’t do this without her. Anytime you bring someone into your home,
continued in last 2 columns
New Report: Black Women in California Face Stark Inequities – Yet Hold Remarkable Power ...continued from page 1
women in California vote at higher rates than any other group. Three Black women represent the state in Congress, nine serve in the legislature, and 243 hold local government leadership positions, including six county supervisors and two mayors.
Byerly noted this contrast.
“Although we have some of the highest hurdles to climb, we actually over-index as it relates to civic engagement and civic participation in other ways,” she said. “Over two-thirds in our recent survey say they have donated money, time, and have volunteered in the face of natural disasters, wildfires, and ICE raids. They have provided childcare to their neighbors and family members. They are housing their loved ones.”
Black women, Byerly explained, are “net contributors.”
California Celebrates National Scholarship Month by Empowering Over 5 Million Children with CalKIDS Scholarships
SACRAMENTO, CA — As National Scholarship Month shines a spotlight on the power of educational opportunity, California is celebrating the growing impact of the CalKIDS Scholarship Program, the nation’s largest children’s development account program, serving more than five million children statewide.
Launched in 2022, the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) provides scholarships worth up to $1,500 for eligible public school students and up to $175 in scholarships for every child born in California on or after July 1, 2022. Administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board (SIB) and chaired by State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, CalKIDS was created to make higher education more accessible for California families and to promote college-going mindsets across communities.
In just three years, more than 750,000 students have already claimed their scholarships, which can be used to help pay for tuition, books, housing, and other educational expenses at accredited colleges, universities, and vocational schools across the country.
“CalKIDS is a catalyst for building family assets and expands access to education,” said Treasurer Ma. “For older students, it offers real financial support to meet immediate education needs. For younger families, it plants the seeds of lifelong financial literacy.”
The CalKIDS Program is designed to advance educational access and economic mobility for California families. By giving every eligible child a scholarship account automatically, with no application required, CalKIDS removes barriers and provides families with an easy first step toward higher education.
“Having a CalKIDS [Scholarship] Account had helped me a lot,” said Abigail Lopez, a student from CSU San Bernardino. “I found out about it my first year of college and wanted to use it to pay my tuition, books, and housing. It relieved some stress I had about paying for things for school. I will forever be grateful for the money I had received from CalKIDS.”
For many new parents, CalKIDS serves as an early reminder that it’s never too soon to start thinking about their child’s future.
“We are working more than one job,” she stated. “We are sheltering others. We are providing a good portion of the social safety net when government and philanthropy are failing.”
The report calls for expanded research and lists policy recommendations, including expanding Black maternal health initiatives, increasing investment in Black women-led businesses and groups, expanding STEM and leadership pipeline programs in schools, broadening paytransparency and equity laws, and mandating disaggregated pay transparency by race and gender.
Griffin said progress is happening, but too slowly.
“When we invest in Black women here, we set a national standard,” she said. “If we improve conditions for Black women in California, we improve the trajectory for Black women across the country.”
“College may be a long way away, but seeing my son get his first scholarship last year was a special moment as a new parent,” said Lindsay Ferguson of Orange County.
“My experience with CalKIDS has been eye-opening, especially when students are able to use the money for college and vocational school,” said Cindy Duran, Faculty CalWORKs Coordinator and Counselor at Saddleback College. “CalKIDS provides families with an additional way to receive money for their education that most students aren’t aware of. What makes CalKIDS even more impactful is that families don’t need to apply; accounts are created automatically, and students can simply register online to claim their funds.”
Who is Eligible?
60% of all publicschool students in grades 2-12 across California are eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship 100% of children born in California on or after July 1, 2022 can claim a CalKIDS Scholarship How to Check Eligibility & Claim a CalKIDS Scholarship Families can visit www. CalKIDS.org and click “Confirm Eligibility.”
• Public school students will need their Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), a 10-digit number found on the student’s school portal, transcript, report card, or by contacting their school directly.
Parents of newborns will need the 13-digit Local Registration Number (LRN), located on their child’s birth certificate.
Once a CalKIDS Account is claimed, students can request to use their scholarship funds after turning 17 and enrolling in an accredited higher education or career training institution. CalKIDS plays a central role in California’s cradle-to-career vision, promoting savings behaviors and college-going mindsets across communities statewide. Research from Washington University in St. Louis’s SEED OK study found that a small investment at birth can change family behavior and expectations for years to come, especially for marginalized households and communities of color. Scholarship investments like CalKIDS help close long-standing gaps in educational equity and send a powerful message to children: the future is yours.
Families and students are encouraged to take the easiest step toward a brighter future by visiting CalKIDS.org today to check eligibility and claim their CalKIDS Scholarship
Family Caregivers in California Can Tap Into a Wealth of State Resources...continued
it disrupts both lives. Watching her change my dad at three in the morning — she’s become this amazing mother-like caregiver.”
The experience, he said, has reshaped him. “It’s the most difficult thing I’ve undertaken, but also the most rewarding. I’m a better person, more empathetic. I like myself today more than I did when I was working and playing full time.”
‘People Are Caregivers Long Before They Use the Word’
There are more than 7 million family caregivers in California, noted Susan DeMarois, director of the California Department on Aging. “These are your neighbors, your coworkers, your relatives — people quietly stepping in to help loved ones with everyday tasks.”
But the biggest barrier to supporting them is that many don’t recognize themselves as
caregivers, she said.
“If you ask someone directly, ‘Are you a caregiver?’ they will probably say no,” DeMarois said.
“But if you ask, ‘Do you drive your mom to appointments? Do you pick up your husband’s medications? Do you help your neighbor with meals?’ — that’s caregiving.”
California’s 33 Area Agencies on Aging — AAAs — and 11 Caregiver Resource Centers are designed to support families statewide. Still, people often don’t know where to start.
“These systems have decades of experience — 50 years of AAAs and 40 years of CRCs,” said DeMarois. “But the first step is recognition. People need to know they’re not alone.”
Her own caregiving experience shapes her work. “I cared for both
Housing Secretary Tomiquia Moss (center) stands with Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez (center right) along with county leaders and housing partners in front of the former chapel at Pacific Village, which is being converted into housing units as part of the Pacific Village expansion.
Community /Education News
Mathew
Rich Lewis (center) works with Ontario High School automotive technology students.
(Unsplash photo, copyright free)
CFP Rankings Update: Alabama Drops
out of Top Four
The biggest change in this week’s College Football Playoff rankings finds the Alabama Crimson Tide falling to No. 10 after a heartbreaking loss at home to the Oklahoma Sooners. The top three remain the same as the Ohio State Buckeyes, Indiana Hoosiers and the Texas A&M Aggies continue to hold serve. Meanwhile, it will be significant at the end of the weekend.
If the postseason kicked off today, the opening matchups would feature Tulane traveling to Texas Tech, Miami heading to Ole Miss, Alabama facing Oregon, and Notre Dame taking on Oklahoma. Although Miami currently holds the top spot among ACC programs, the Hurricanes remain a longshot to capture the conference crown.
A clearer path exists for Georgia Tech or Virginia: if Georgia Tech defeats Pitt this Saturday in Atlanta and Virginia beats Virginia Tech the following week, those two would meet in the ACC title game. The champion would secure the league’s automatic bid as one of the five highest-ranked conference winners.
For Miami to sneak into the ACC championship, the Hurricanes would need to win out and see Virginia, Georgia Tech, and SMU drop all their remaining games—plus a Duke loss in one of its final two matchups. According to ESPN’s FPI, Georgia Tech currently holds a 35.3% probability of winning the ACC, with Virginia close behind at 32.7%.
In Tuesday’s rankings, the SEC once again dominated with nine teams listed. The Big Ten followed with six, the Big 12 tallied five thanks to newcomers Houston and Arizona State, and the ACC landed three after Pitt
fell out following its 37–15 defeat to Notre Dame. Tulane stepped in as the top-ranked Group of 5 team, overtaking USF.
CFP Top 25 Rankings — Nov. 18
1. Ohio State (10-0)
2. Indiana (11-0)
3. Texas A&M (10-0)
4. Georgia (9-1)
5. Texas Tech (10-1)
6. Ole Miss (10-1)
7. Oregon (9-1)
8. Oklahoma (8-2)
9. Notre Dame (8-2) 10. Alabama (8-2) 11. BYU (9-1) 12. Utah (8-2) 13. Miami (8-2) 14. Vanderbilt (8-2) 15. USC (8-2) 16. Georgia Tech (9-1) 17. Texas (7-3) 18. Michigan (8-2) 19. Virginia (9-2) 20. Tennessee (7-3) 21. Illinois (7-3) 22. Missouri (7-3)
23. Houston (8-2) 24. Tulane (8-2)
25. Arizona State (7-3)
The four first-round games will be played at the home campus of the higher-seeded teams on Dec. 19 and 20. The four quarterfinal games will be staged at the Cotton Bowl Classic, Capital One Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
The two semifinal games will take place at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Jan. 8 and 9. The CFP National Championship presented by AT&T is scheduled for Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Submission Deadlines: Mondays By 5pm & Tuesdays by noon after a Monday Holiday
Fate of Civil Rights Office Unknown as Trump Continues to Dismantle Department of Education
By Lauren Burke
A busy news week heading into the Thanksgiving holiday has distracted from a continuing effort by the Trump Administration to relocate, and in some cases end, the U.S. Department of Education. It has long been known that Trump and his policy advisors want to dismantle the department — but the acceleration over the last week has taken some by surprise.
The U.S. Department of Education was established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter. It was created to unify and elevate federal efforts to support public schools and protect students’ civil rights. It has also been the department that has amplified the national education policy.
“The Trump Administration cannot close a federal agency without an act of Congress. Nevertheless, the Trump Administration is intent on breaking the law and dismantling the Department of Education,” Rep. Bobby Scott, the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and Workforce, said in a written statement on Nov. 20.
“Today’s announcement is part and parcel of the Trump Administration’s larger agenda to reduce federal enforcement of civil rights laws and eliminate support for low-income communities. A core function of ED is to protect and defend students’ civil rights,” Rep. Scott added.
Since taking office again in January, the Trump Administration has made its central focus to dismantle civil rights policies passed in the 1960s. The undoing of civil rights protections and a theme of antiBlackness is now a cornerstone policy during Trump’s second term in office.
Trump has reversed the 2015 “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing” (AFFH) rule, a civilrights tool aimed at reducing segregation and racial disparities in housing. Trump has also ended disparate-impact liability in civil-
rights enforcement, and in 2025, Trump signed an executive order instructing federal agencies to deprioritize enforcement of “disparate-impact” theory — a legal standard used to challenge policies that, while neutral on their face, disproportionately harm protected groups. Trump has also ended key DEI and affirmative-action programs in federal hiring and rescinded Executive Order 11246 (initially signed in 1965), which required federal contractors to maintain affirmative-action programs to promote diversity in hiring.
“The federal government must retain its central role in enforcing students’ civil rights, because historically, when states had no federal oversight, we saw segregation of public schools, a refusal to educate students with disabilities, and a lack of resources for low-income communities,” Rep. Scott also pointed out in his Nov. 19 statement.
At a committee hearing on the morning of November 20, Rep. Summer Lee, who represents parts of Pittsburgh, made a pointed observation. As Republicans held a hearing on career and technical education, Rep. Lee pointed out the irony of the Department of Education being dismantled by President Trump in the background.
“Republicans can’t simultaneously hold a hearing about how to strengthen students’ skills through career and technical education while also allowing this administration to dismantle the sole agency tasked with expanding the same students’ educational opportunities and protecting their civil rights,” Rep. Lee said.
One of the remaining mysteries of the Trump Administration’s efforts to destroy the Department of Education is what will happen to the civil rights division within the department. Will the work of the office be destroyed completely or moved to another department in the government? That remains an open question.
Trump’s Death Threat Rhetoric Sends Nation into Crisis
By Stacy M. Brown
President Donald Trump has again shocked the conscience of the nation with his latest outburst.
This time, the president accused six Democratic lawmakers of sedition and declared their conduct “punishable by DEATH” as he reposted calls on social media to “hang them” and demanded their arrest. The president’s words landed with a violent weight, particularly as he continues to publicly support and pardon individuals convicted of attacking the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Trump himself has long faced allegations of encouraging sedition by praising the rioters who erected gallows and hunted his own vice president.
The president escalated his attacks after the lawmakers, all veterans or former intelligence officers, released a video urging members of the military to refuse unlawful orders. Trump responded with a barrage of posts accusing them of treason and sedition and sharing messages declaring “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD.” In one post, Trump wrote that their behavior was “punishable by DEATH,” calling their message “really bad, and Dangerous to our Country.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar released a statement that said political violence must never be normalized.
“Political violence has no place in America,” they stated. “Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed.”
Members of Congress across the country denounced Trump’s language. Representative Norma Torres said the president’s words represented a direct threat to democracy. “The President of the United States is calling for Members of Congress to be executed,” Torres stated. “We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced.”
“Not really, I wake up thinking about it and I go to sleep thinking about it and I think about it when I’m sleeping,” he said. “If anything I have to focus on being able to unplug more. It’s been a really heavy year. It’s been the busiest year that I think I’ve had. I’ve been at the factory more than
I think I was at any other factory before.”
Hamilton is sixth in the drivers’ championship, 66 points behind his teammate Charles Leclerc. He addressed Elkann’s comments, which had been aimed at both drivers.
Leclerc did not add fuel to the fire.
“People’s interpretations are beyond my control, and I’m not even interested in wasting time on them, ” he said. “John called me, as he does after every Grand Prix. We talked about everything, including what he wanted to say. He wanted to be constructive and encourage the team to perform better.”
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, was largely supportive while recognizing Ferrari is largely climbing uphill.
“I joined this team knowing full well that it takes time to steer a ship in a different direction,” Hamilton said. “This is a huge
thing, it’s a huge organization. There’s so many moving parts, you can’t fix it in the click of a finger.
On social media after the Mexico GP, many Ferrari fans were calling for Elkann to leave the team. Ferrari is the equivalent of the Dallas Cowboys in the sport: they have the most fervent and largest fan base. Meanwhile, the Prancing Horse has not won a constructors’ championship since 2007.
Hamilton’s struggles continue
On the track, Hamilton qualified in 20th, dead last, for the first time in his career despite an extremely wet track on the Las Vegas Strip.
There were multiple yellow flags being thrown as drivers ran wide, off the track, and were cited for track limits. It was a case of drivers being in the right place at the right time to improve their times, but for Hamilton, he
“This isn’t about politics. This is about who we are as Americans.” Trump’s accusations arrive as concerns grow about his willingness to issue illegal orders and expand the use of military force both abroad and domestically. A CNN analysis noted that Democrats are responding to a pattern in which Trump has repeatedly floated illegal military actions. The analysis cited his past suggestions involving torture, shooting protesters in the legs, and ordering strikes that violated international law.
Lawmakers who served in uniform said the president’s charges distort the law. Maine Senator Angus King said the Democratic lawmakers simply reminded service members of a basic principle. “All these people said was common knowledge,” King stated. “Military officers are not required to follow illegal orders. That is simply a statement of fact.”
The reaction among members of Congress has been swift, wide, and unusually unified. Even Republican Senator Susan Collins condemned Trump’s words. “The president should not be calling for the death of members of Congress because of what they say,” Collins stated. “Such incendiary comments risk sparking political violence.”
Texas Democrat Al Green, who has repeatedly sought Trump’s impeachment, said allowing this rhetoric to stand threatens constitutional order. “On our watch, we refuse to allow the demise of our democracy,” Green said on the House floor as he renewed his call for impeachment proceedings. As the warnings mount, the six lawmakers targeted by the president said they will not retreat from their oath. “In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage,” they stated. “We will continue to lead and will not be intimidated. Don’t Give Up the Ship.”
The six Democratic lawmakers at the center of Trump’s attacks include Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and Reps. Jason Crow, Chrissy Houlahan, Maggie Goodlander, and Chris Deluzio. In a joint statement, they reaffirmed their oath to the Constitution. “No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation,” they stated.
Lewis Hamilton set to start LAST in Saturday Night’s Las Vegas Grand Prix...continued
could muster no higher than P20.
Replays show that a cone got stuck under Hamilton’s car on his last lap, preventing him from going faster.
“I got yellow flags in the last corner and coming into turn 17 there was a yellow flag, so I had to have a lift and when I came to the line it was red,” Hamilton said.
“It’s very annoying, of course, because I felt like, in FP3, the car was feeling awesome and I thought it was gonna be a great day, but… turned out to be the worst.”
“At least it can’t get much worse than that.”
His team radio during FP3 was crystal clear: “I couldn’t get the tires to work,” Lewis Hamilton told the pit wall. “It was very slippery out there.” That was predicted because Las Vegas in late November is cool at night and the cars have struggled to maintain grip. Coupled with the intermittent rain, the tires took longer to warm up. Despite the fact Ferrari, which initially looked competitive on the Las Vegas street layout, now finds itself having to chase from Saturday onward. For Lewis Hamilton, forced to start from the back, the Las Vegas Grand Prix will become a full recovery mission as he attempts to climb back through the field. LeClerc qualified in ninth.
Lewis Hamilton set to start LAST in Saturday Night’s Las Vegas Grand Prix
A portrait of Scuderia Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton during the 2025 Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, the 22nd round of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship from November 21 to 23, 2025 on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, in Paradise, Nevada, United States of America. (Photo Eric Alonso / DPPI)
The CFP logo is is displayed on the down markers before the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday, January 20, 2025 inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen)
Do You Know About California’s Vehicle Safety and Disaster Mortgage Assistance Programs? Get Details
Edward Henderson | California Black Media
On Nov. 20, the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC) hosted an online forum with ethnic media outlets across the state to highlight two statewide programs that benefit all Californians: the CalAssist Mortgage Fund, which provides disaster-related mortgage relief, and Check to Protect, a vehiclesafety campaign led by the National Safety Council and supported by the California New Motor Vehicle Board.
While these programs serve residents across the state, the conversation was designed specifically for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Black media outlets to ensure communities that have been historically underrepresented— and often disproportionately affected by disasters and safety recalls—receive timely, accurate, and culturally relevant information.
“These families have lost everything—not once, but repeatedly,” said Rebecca Franklin, Chief Deputy Director of the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
“And while they work to rebuild, they are still responsible for their mortgage payments, adding emotional and financial strain to an already difficult situation,” Franklin continued.
IN
Thursday, November 27, 2025
Do You Know About California’s Vehicle Safety and Disaster Mortgage Assistance Programs? Get Details... continued
2025 Los Angeles wildfires, San Diego floods, the Park Fire, and disasters in Butte, Tehama, and Plumas Counties.
Income limits apply, and eligible properties include single-family homes, condos, or permanently affixed manufactured homes with up to four units.
The CalAssist Mortgage Fund, administered by CalHFA, recently expanded its income limits, allowing thousands more California homeowners to qualify for mortgage assistance after losing or sustaining severe damage to their homes in recent disasters.
In Los Angeles County for example, homeowners earning up to $211,050 may now be eligible for up to $20,000 in mortgage payment grants that never have to be repaid.
“We recognize that thousands of homes were affected in the fires in Altadena and the Palisades, and in recent flooding in the San Diego area,” Franklin continued.
“Our message is clear: We’re here to help. You are not alone.”
One of those families is the Lee family in Altadena, whose home was destroyed by the Eaton Canyon Fire.
“I am grateful for the CalAssist Mortgage Fund. Thanks to the program’s support with 3 months of my mortgage, I have been able to put that money aside to help with living expenses and add to my rebuild fund,” said T. Lee.
To qualify, the home must have been your primary residence and destroyed or severely damaged in a qualified California disaster between January 2023 and January 8, 2025—including the
MEMORIAM: Jimmy Cliff: Music Pioneer and Partner to Bob Marley, Dies at 81
By Lauren Burke
The six-decade career of legendary artist Jimmy Cliff, who was born in the Somerton District of Jamaica, was one of the most influential in reggae history and a global ambassador for Jamaican culture. Cliff was raised in a rural farming community and began writing songs as a child. His family moved to Kingston as a teenager to pursue his music. What followed over the next thirty years was legendary. Cliff’s wife, Latifa Chambers, wrote on Instagram in the early morning hours of November 24 that, “It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia. I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists, and coworkers who have shared his journey with him. To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career. He really appreciated each and every fan for their love.” She then thanked Cliff’s doctors and medical staff.
Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley shared a parallel rise within Jamaica’s dynamic 1960s music
scene, each shaping the emerging sound of reggae while carving distinct artistic identities. The two maintained a relationship marked by mutual respect and an understanding of each other’s cultural impact. Cliff, who achieved international recognition earlier, particularly through “The Harder They Come,” helped open global doors that Marley would later rocket through as he became the reggae genre’s most iconic figure. Marley would, in turn, push the music’s political aspects to new heights, which Cliff openly admired. Their relationship was defined less by collaboration and more by a shared mission: Elevating Jamaican music onto the world stage and using it as a vehicle for storytelling, struggle, and liberation.
Jimmy Cliff achieved his breakthrough moments with a series of socially conscious songs in the 1960s. They included “Many Rivers to Cross,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” and “The Harder They Come.” That song became part of a continued in next 2 columns
The Check to Protect Campaign reminds Californians to check their vehicles for open safety recalls. California currently leads the nation with more than 6 million vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls, including over 110,000 “Do Not Drive” recalls, where the risk of crash, fire, or injury is severe.
“Vehicle recalls disproportionately affect communities of color, rural communities, and low-income communities,” said Kimberlee Bay, Assistant Director and Equity Officer for the California New Motor Vehicle Board.
“These communities may be more likely to be unaware of recalls and may face barriers such
as scheduling repairs or accessing authorized dealerships.”
Visit CheckToProtect.org then enter your license plate or VIN number to check and see if your vehicle has any open recalls. Repairs are free at authorized dealers, regardless of where the vehicle was purchased. Anyone can bring the vehicle in for service. When contacting your dealer, you can ask about free transportation, loaner vehicles, or mobile repairs.
San Joaquin resident Irina Garcia-Martin shared her experience navigating the site when she found out her vehicle had an open recall for her airbags.
“I received a recall letter for airbags in my 2017 Kia Sedona. Immediately I was worried— when airbags are mentioned and you have a family, it becomes concerning, she explained.
“So, I checked the site and called the dealership. They set up an appointment. I took my van in. The process was so easy, quick, and free. It put my mind at ease,” Garcia-Martin concluded.
IN MEMORIAM: Jimmy Cliff: Music Pioneer and Partner to Bob Marley, Dies at 81...continued movie soundtrack that would introduce reggae to international audiences and build Cliff’s image as a pioneer of the genre. Cliff would become second only to Bob Marley in shaping reggae’s global reach.
Over the decades, Cliff continued to change musically and fuse reggae with rock, pop, and world music influences. But he always maintained sharp political and emotional clarity in his songwriting. Jimmy Cliff’s musical collaborations included work with the Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, and Annie
Lennox.
Cliff’s contributions earned him induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010, making him one of the few reggae artists to be inducted into the Hall. Known for his charismatic stage presence and unwavering commitment to political messages of resilience, Jimmy Cliff will remain an enduring icon whose music has spoken across generations from Jamaica and beyond.
Jimmy Cliff is survived by his children, Lilty Cliff, Aken Cliff, and Nabiyah Be.
Victorville Senior Citizens Club
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Family Caregivers in California Can Tap Into a Wealth of State Resources...continued from page 2
my parents — my father with heart disease, my mother with dementia,” she said. “I know what exhaustion feels like. I know the emotional weight. None of this is theoretical to me.”
“Our resources can help alleviate part of the strain: emotional, financial, or physical,” said DeMarois.
The Sandwich Generation Alma Valencia’s caregiving journey began even earlier than she realized — but unlike Salinger, her mother was just in her late 50s when symptoms appeared.
“My mom, Arminda, wasn’t herself,” Valencia said. “Bills were piling up. People we didn’t know — and didn’t trust — were showing up at her house. She was forgetting basic things. But we thought it was menopause, or stress, or depression. Dementia wasn’t even on our radar.”
Her mother stopped paying her mortgage. She misplaced important documents. Her personality seemed to shift. “We were trying to solve a mystery while raising our kids,” she said. “I was in the fashion industry, working full time. I was juggling my career, parenting, and this growing worry about my mom.”
Valencia became her mother’s power of attorney to avert financial disaster — but the medical answers
Family Caregivers in California Can Tap Into a Wealth of State Resources...continued
Her message to other caregivers: “You’re not failing. You’re adapting. And that’s the bravest thing you can do.”
Historical Shifts
Dr. Donna Benton, director of the USC Family Caregiver Support Center, placed the issue of caregiving in a broader historical context.
“For most of American history, families cared for one another at home,” Benton said. “But people didn’t routinely live into their late 80s or 90s. Care wasn’t something that lasted a decade.”
Today’s caregiving, she said, is more comparable to running a small medical unit in the home. “You’re dealing with medication schedules, mobility issues, behavioral symptoms of dementia, hospital-level care tasks. It’s almost like you need a health care degree just to keep up.”
But what hasn’t changed, she said, is the emotional core of caregiving. “We do this because we want dignity and respect for the people we love.”
The state’s 11 Caregiver Resource Centers offer coaching, counseling, support groups, and training — all available regardless of income or immigration status,” said Benton.
“Caregivers are invisible because they don’t see themselves as caregivers. “But they need wraparound supports. That’s how families survive and how
communities stay whole.”
Burnout, Confusion, and Isolation
“Caregiving is deeply personal, but it’s also universal,” said Paul Dunaway, director of Sonoma County’s Adult and Aging Division and a board member of the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging. “Every family’s story is unique, but the themes — burnout, confusion, isolation — repeat across the state.”
AAAs serve as the connective tissue for families seeking support. “Caregivers need more than services. They need validation. They need someone to tell them, ‘You’re doing everything you can, and you don’t have to do the rest alone.’”
AAAs are the quiet workhorses of California’s aging network, running hundreds of programs from dementia trainings and in-home respite to caregiver counseling, fall-prevention classes, and transportation assistance Too often, families contact their AAA only when they’ve reached a crisis. “Caregivers call when they’re overwhelmed. They say, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ Our job is to help stabilize things and show them a path forward.” He encouraged early engagement. “If people reach out sooner, we can help sooner. We can help them build a community they didn’t know they had.”
WITNESS FOR JUSTICE Issue #1283
Immigration Agents Are Terrorizing Our Cities—Faith Communities Are Pushing Back
Noel Andersen
As I gathered with faith leaders alongside Clergy Laity United for Economic Justice at a rally to stop the raids in Los Angeles, we didn’t know what we would face when the National Guard approached us. But we marched together with collars and stoles knowing that as faith communities, we had to take a stand. Los Angeles Police created a line. We went peacefully to pray, sing songs, and provide testimony to stop family separation, an image that ended up on CNN. I spoke with several clergy who earlier that week had been shot by rubber bullets or tear gassed as this new reality in our country took shape.
The escalation of force against immigrants from the Border Patrol, Immigration Customs and Enforcement, and the National Guard is the greatest we’ve seen in modern history. The horrific scenes of masked agents violently throwing people to the ground, breaking car windows, and abducting people from church parking lots in order to separate families have now become daily occurrences.
didn’t come quickly. “We had misdiagnoses for years,” she said. “It took a long time to finally hear the words ‘frontotemporal dementia.’”
Her mother moved in with her family in 2019, just before the pandemic. Through Medi-Cal, she qualified for In-Home Supportive Services — IHSS — allowing Valencia to be compensated for part of her caregiving work. She went from earning $90,000 a year in the fashion industry to just $17.50 per hour for caring for her mother.
‘Caregiving Forces You to Grow’
The caregiving experience reshaped her family life. “I’m part of the sandwich generation,” she said. “My husband has been my rock. Spouses are unseen heroes. And my kids had to learn why their grandmother was changing. They would ask, ‘Why is Nana angry?’ or ‘Why does she forget me?’ I had to teach them compassion for something even adults struggle to understand.”
Valencia said she still learns something new every day. “Caregiving forces you to grow,” she said. “It pushes you into roles you never imagined — advocate, medical coordinator, financial manager, peacemaker, educator.”
From Los Angeles to Washington, DC to Chicago and now Charlotte, faith communities are responding with a sense of moral responsibility to take prophetic action to denounce hateful rhetoric and protect their immigrant neighbors at risk of detention, deportation, and family separation. This necessitates a commitment to making houses of worship welcoming places for all people, and feeding, clothing, and providing shelter to our neighbors who may be in danger of deportation.
Last summer at the 2025 UCC General Synod, two resolutions were passed condemning the racist and xenophobic policies fueling this family separation. In one resolution of witness, the committee even condemned the presence of masked ICE agents in our communities as a form of “domestic terrorism,” making national news.
UCC faith communities have joined rapid response networks, assisted with Know Your Rights resources, conducted ICE verification, held vigils, and peacefully and non-violently confronted agents. Recently, Pastor of College Heights Church, a UCC church in San Mateo, California, Rev. Jorge Bautista, was shot with chemical projectiles at a protest against ICE’s presence in Alameda, CA. The ecumenical and interfaith community has shown up to offer pastoral services at Broadview Detention Center in Chicago. Rev.
David Black of First Presbyterian Church in Chicago threw his hands out in prayer, and was shot in the head with a pepper ball by an ICE agent. Weeks later, Rev. Michael Woolf of Lake Street Church of Evanston was arrested with six other faith leaders. While he was being held down on the ground and arrested, he testified, “This is wrong, I’m here because there is torture in that facility, it’s a concentration camp and because my conscience calls me to do this.” As federal agents tried to keep faith leaders from conducting religious ceremonies such as communion outside the detention facility, many UCC faith leaders signed on to a letter calling for humane conditions. On November 12, the US Catholic bishops approved a “special pastoral message on immigration,” reminding the public of the importance of welcoming our neighbors. Now, as Border Patrol brings their model of terror to Charlotte, faith communities are joining protests and attending training on rapid response. As the focus on deportations continues, the Trump administration is attacking legal immigration as well, cancelling people’s humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status. The refugee resettlement program, which has a decades long history of bipartisan support, is now indefinitely suspended, a policy that has brought litigation from UCC partner Church World Service in the Ninth Circuit Court. In the latest Presidential Determination for the refugee admissions goal in Fiscal Year 2026, the administration upholds the ban on refugees, but wants to make space for nearly 7,000 White South Africans, which will constitute the majority of admissions. This can only be seen as part of a broader White Supremacist agenda.
Last month, 22 UCC conference ministers showed up in DC to offer prayer and take action as part of a campaign called Love Knows No Borders. The Conference Ministers called on an end to these raids and deportations. They asked members of Congress to pass legislation that would protect houses of worship, hospitals, schools, and sensitive locations from such actions. We must continue to follow the lead of people like Rev. Bautista, Rev. Black, and Rev. Woolf, to let our collective moral conscience resound and call upon the community to show up to take prophetic action.
Jimmy Cliff in concert (Wikimedia Commons / Photo by Philippe Jimenez)
Faith Over Fear: Two powerful journeys through breast cancer
By Chianti Marks/AFRO Intern
At the age of 30, Akosua “Sua” Bamfo found a small lump in her breast. It was October 2022. She immediately scheduled an appointment with her OB-GYN. After undergoing an MRI and ultrasound, she was told her breasts were too dense for clear imaging and that they would follow up in a few months.
“My doctor told me that it was most likely nothing since I had just turned 30, and it was normal for my breast tissue to change around this age,” Bamfo said. “I didn’t worry about it until something in my spirit wasn’t sitting right. I knew something else was up, but I also knew I wasn’t a professional, nor did I know anyone with breast cancer.”
She later found out, after doing genetic testing, that a history of breast cancer ran in the family.
Bamfo found herself in a position faced by many women: she was fighting both cancer and a medical system filled with professionals who didn’t believe her or the severity of the situation. Through much self-advocacy and persistence, she finally received a biopsy almost a year later. She was diagnosed in July 2023 with stage 3 luminal A carcinoma, eight days before turning 31 years old.
“It was–and still, sometimes, is–hard to deal with the anger… what could have been stage 0 or 1 turned into stage 3, which is right under stage 4 — incurable,” Bamfo said. “That’s really frustrating.”
In her darkest moments, Bamfo leaned on her faith and the support of her loved ones. She said it was only by turning to God that she found peace amid the chaos.
“I just knew that no one could rescue me. No one could save me. No one could really console me,
although my community really did [stand] strong for me,” she said. “I just locked in with God through prayer, worship and reading the Word — that’s how I dealt with the anger, grief, sorrow and pain.”
After finding strength through faith and prayer, Bamfo began an aggressive chemotherapy regimen.
The physical toll was unlike anything she had imagined. For five years she had worn her hair in locs. Bamfo described losing her hair as “an ambiguous loss” — a painful symbol of the life she once knew.
“I thought that was going to be the worst pain,” she said. “But it wasn’t.”
Her chemotherapy lasted five grueling months. During treatment, she suffered a life-threatening complication. Still, Bamfo pushed through, determined to finish. When chemotherapy ended, she underwent a full right breast mastectomy.
“Both were scary,” she recalled, “but I had the love of my people — my dad, my sisters who flew in to be with me.”
After surgery, Bamfo completed radiation and physical therapy to regain strength. Now, she’s on hormonal treatment and ovarian suppression therapy to keep her hormones stable.
Through it all, Bamfo said her greatest source of inspiration came from witnessing how deeply her community showed up for her.
“One of my biggest inspirations that kept me going was seeing how God moved through my community,” she said. “I knew people loved me, but I didn’t know so many cared so deeply. I had friends from all over the country flying in, creating meal trains, sitting in the waiting room during surgery, driving me to
chemotherapy — they looked out for me in every way.”
When asked what advice she would give to others facing a similar diagnosis, Bamfo’s message was one of faith, courage and hope.
“I would tell them that they’re not alone,” she said. “Even though nobody may fully understand what you’re going through, know that you are loved by God. Really surrender to Him and understand that you’re in a win-win situation.”
Bamfo recalled asking her doctor, on the day of her diagnosis, what the best- and worst-case scenarios could be.
“She said, ‘The best case is you get healed and live a normal life. The worst case is you walk outside today and get hit by a bus,’” Bamfo said. “At the time, that felt incredibly insensitive. But now, I see it differently. Either you beat cancer and live to tell your story, or your fight inspires others. Either way, God’s got you.”
For her, overcoming fear is one of the hardest — and most important — parts of the journey.
“It’s temporary,” she said. “You go through different stages, you heal, and you can fight and win.”
Bamfo’s story mirrors that of another survivor, Dr. Vernetta N. Owens, whose battle began nearly three decades earlier — both women finding their strength in faith, community and courage.
Owens was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996 at 39 years old after discovering a lump in her breast during a self-exam. By the end of that month, she underwent a radical left mastectomy. Though she doesn’t recall the exact cancer type, her doctor warned it was highly aggressive and could spread quickly.
She began chemotherapy soon after surgery, enduring two rounds before becoming extremely ill during the second one.
“I got really, really sick behind it,” she said. “So I had a serious talk with God. I told Him, ‘You’ve got to fix this.’ And he did. I am healed — I’ve been healed for 29
years. Next year will make 30, and to God be the glory.”
Since recovery, Dr. Owens has devoted her life to ministry and cancer support. She’s served for more than 15 years with the East Coast Women’s Azusa Ministry and Grace Support Ministry, leading women’s conferences and prayer breakfasts.
“It’s been a joy to help somebody else,” she said. “When I went through, all I had was my family. But when I became part of these ministries, they became my family too.”
She also worked with Dr. Ruth Travis, founder of the Ruth’s Pink House, a nonprofit that supports breast cancer patients and survivors in need. “Whether it’s food, rent or encouragement, she makes sure we have what we need,” Owens said. “I’m proud to be part of her team.”
Now pursuing certification as a mental health coach at Light University in Virginia, Owens continues to help women prepare mentally and spiritually for the challenges of illness and healing.
“I tell these ladies that you should live and not die,” she said. “How you go through it is how you’re going to come out. If you go in with fear, it’s going to be difficult — but you have to have faith over fear.”
]For Owens, every struggle has a purpose. “What you go through isn’t just for you — it’s so you can help someone else,” she said. “You’re not dying — you’re just sick right now. You’ve got to believe that God will help you and choose to operate in faith over fear at all costs.”
Though their diagnoses came nearly 30 years apart, Akosua Bamfo and Dr. Vernetta N. Owens share the same message — that even in life’s hardest battles, faith and community can turn pain into purpose. Their stories prove that survivorship is not the end of a story, but the beginning of one meant to inspire, empower and help others.
Dashboard Shows Deep Gaps for California’s Black Students—Educators
See a Path Forward
and the public education system is still not organized to deliver the excellence they deserve.
The
suspension, graduation, and college-career readiness. Five colors — Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red — show, from high to low, how well students are performing and how much progress they’re making. This year, African American students continue to score lowest among major racial groups across most academic indicators.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond says the results reveal both
momentum and a mandate for urgency. “Our students are gifted; the system must rise to meet their potential,” he said.
Thurmond points to statewide gains: Black students posted a 2.4% increase in ELA proficiency, 2.3% in math, and 2.1% in science, alongside increases of 3.5% in graduation rates and 3.1% on the College & Career Indicator.
Those improvements, he said, “are showing results” from state investments in literacy coaches, tutoring, teacher residencies, community schools, and mental health supports.
But progress, Thurmond stressed, “Is not enough. We have more work to do.”
California Black Media (CBM) sought out leading Black educators across the state — including Dr. Margaret Fortune, founder of Fortune School; Dr. Ramona Bishop, former Vallejo Unified superintendent and co-
founder of Elite Public Schools; Compton Unified superintendent Darin Brawley, Ed.D.; and the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Chief, Communications Troy Flint, which represents thousands of school board members statewide — to ask the central question: Why are Black students underperforming, and what will it take to close the gap?
What emerged is a set of insights shaped by each leader’s role — and ultimately reinforcing one another.
Fortune, whose charter schools serve a majority Black student body and outperform county and state averages, says the issue isn’t student ability — it’s whether schools are designed to help students succeed.
“Black kids are very, very smart,” she said.
For Fortune, the question is
G A L S / C L A S S I F I E D S G O H E R E
Breast cancer survivor Akosua “Sua” Bamfo reflects on her journey of faith, perseverance and healing after being diagnosed with stage 3 luminal A carcinoma, a type of breast cancer, in 2023. (Courtesy Photo)
Dr. Vernetta N. Owens, a breast cancer survivor of nearly three decades, continues to minister and mentor women battling illness through faith-based support and mental health advocacy. (Courtesy Photo)
California’s latest School Dashboard makes one thing clear: Black students are making progress, but not nearly fast enough —
Dashboard, a colorcoded statewide K-12 public school accountability tool, rates schools and districts on English language arts (ELA), math, chronic absenteeism,
Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media
The Salvation Army Angel Tree Gives Needy Children a Memorable Christmas
“Without your help, some children won’t get anything for Christmas,” said Major Adam Morales, Commander of The Salvation Army of San Bernardino.
REDLANDS, Calif.—Getting
a gift on Christmas Day often provides lifelong memories of joy and happiness for a child. For children in need whose parents cannot afford to buy a gift, The Salvation Army Angel Tree often fills a void that is greatly appreciated by youngsters who get a gift from the tree.
People who make this possible by donating to The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree will make this Christmas memorable for needy children and their families.
“Without your help, some children won’t get anything for Christmas,” said Major Adam Morales, Commander of The Salvation Army of San Bernardino.
These cards include the names and wish lists of needy children whose families cannot afford to buy gifts. Shoppers pluck a tag off the Angel Tree and head for the appropriate store to purchase their gift donations, then return it to the Angel Tree volunteers.
Shoppers get to keep the card as an ornament to hang on their own Christmas tree, reminding them of their good deed.
“This is a great way to start a tradition with your family by selecting a gift for a child in need.
The gifts are based on their wishes, and for some children, it may be the only gift they receive all year,” said Major Morales.
Thursday, November 27, 2025
Dashboard Shows Deep Gaps for California’s Black Students—Educators See a Path Forward ...continued
supporting districts and holds the state itself accountable — just as it holds districts.
Thurmond, when asked about CSBA concerns, defended the state’s initiatives and investments but agreed that the state must measure itself. He said he is open to working with CSBA to create a statewide accountability tool analogous to the local Dashboard.
Despite their different roles in the system — state leader, school district leaders, charter operators, and representative of school boards — these educators are not contradicting one another. Their perspectives align: Black students can achieve at high levels, but they all agree: California must commit to the practices that work and deliver them consistently statewide.
Thurmond stresses progress and the value of state investments. Fortune and Bishop
Lifestyle News continued in next 2 columns
People who want to help need to pick up an Angel Tree tag with the gift listed on the tag. “The Angel Tree matches donors with hundreds of children who rely on The Salvation Army this year to bring them a Merry Christmas,” said Major Morales.
Tags are available at the Inland Center Mall in San Bernardino, at 500 Inland Center Drive, and at nearby Walmart stores. Donations received there will provide toys to children from 400 disadvantaged families in Big Bear, Blue Jay, Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, other mountain communities, Bloomington, Colton, Grand Terrace, Highland, Rialto, Loma Linda, Yucaipa, Mentone, Redlands and San Bernardino.
“Please support disadvantaged children with a Christmas gift at the Angel Tree by visiting our table in the Inland Center Mall and fulfilling a child's wishes from now until December 22nd,” said Major Morales.
Shoppers will find cards attached to the Angel Tree.
Dashboard Shows
“Legos, board games, and clothes are just a few items on the children’s wish lists,” said Major Morales. “Shoppers who participate in the program are encouraged to shop for more than what is needed on the list. I can’t think of a better way for local people, including business owners and managers, to help the community and spread the spirit of Christmas.”
For more information on the Angel Tree, call Steven Pinckney at (909) 792-6868 or visit the tree in the Inland Center Mall in San Bernardino.
The Salvation Army also needs food: turkeys, hams and canned foods, as well as cash, checks or gift cards. These can be dropped off at the Salvation Army’s Corps Office at 838 Alta Street, Redlands, 92373, or at the Hospitality House at 925 W. 10th St., San Bernardino. Donations can be made online at sanbernardino.salvationarmy.org by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY, specifying that you want your donation applied to San Bernardino Corps in California.
Deep Gaps for California’s Black Students—Educators See a Path Forward ...continued from page 6
whether schools are designed to produce strong outcomes: high-quality teaching, tight assessment cycles, re-teaching when needed, and classrooms where students can learn without disruption. Her schools’ results, she argues, show what’s possible when instruction is rigorous and expectations are high. But she says the state still hasn’t invested at the level necessary to change outcomes statewide.
“Groups that make progress have money and policy. Blacks don’t have that,” she said. Bishop described the problem in sharper terms. “There’s no accountability… for any students in these systems,” she said. Districts can remain in the red or orange year after year.
“I’ve never seen a superintendent lose their job because Black students aren’t performing,” she said.
In Bishop’s classrooms, she emphasizes structure, coaching for teachers, ensuring students get access to grade-level work daily, and rejecting the “mental tracking” that leads educators to lower expectations for some students
“Every student can reach our high expectations,” she said. “We have had students skip three proficiency levels in one year.”
Brawley leads one of the
state's most improved districts. African American students in Compton outperform African American students statewide on all measures. He attributes the gains to disciplined systems — “setting the vision,” developing SMART goals, holding regular principal data chats, and using performance data to adjust instruction throughout the year. He stressed that Compton’s progress comes from consistent monitoring, clear expectations, and staying focused on results for every student group. While encouraged by the improvements, Brawley cautions that no one should “pat themselves on the back” while achievement gaps remain— and says the same data-driven approach is guiding Compton’s next phase of work for African American students and all learners.
CSBA says the state must be held accountable for its own role in addressing the gap experienced by African American students. Flint said California has “a hodgepodge of projects and mandates” instead of a coherent strategy. CSBA wants the state to publish goals, benchmarks, and what Flint calls a “state of the gap” dashboard that evaluates how well state agencies are
emphasize what must happen inside classrooms: rigorous instruction, strong teaching, and eliminating low expectations. Brawley shows how disciplined systems translate investment into results. CSBA stresses the need for a coherent statewide plan and state-level accountability.
Their views echo the late educator Ron Edmonds, whose research in the 1970s on effective schools remains a touchstone in Black education.
Edmonds famously said: “We can, whenever and wherever we choose, successfully teach all children whose schooling is of interest to us. We already know more than we need to do that.” His point was blunt: inequitable outcomes are not mysteries — they are choices.
What these Black leaders are saying today follows directly from that insight.
Legislative Analyst’s Office Releases Outlook on California Budget; State Could Face $18 Billion Shortfall
Bo Tefu | California Black Media
California may face substantial financial challenges in the 20262027 fiscal year, according to the latest analysis from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO).
Despite a surge in state revenue this year, which brought in roughly $7 billion more than expected, the state could face an $18 billion budget shortfall, driven by rising spending commitments and continued reliance on volatile revenue sources, particularly high-income
earners and major technology companies.
Legislative Analyst Gabe Petek noted that the state currently has little capacity for new spending.
“There are some particular uncertainties with the numbers, and things could shift in the coming months,” he said, emphasizing that the state’s revenue relies heavily on companies like NVIDIA, Apple, Google, and Meta. Analysts
Legislative Analyst’s Office Releases Outlook on California Budget; State Could Face $18 Billion Shortfall...continued
warned that a stock market downturn or other economic shocks could quickly impact California’s finances.
The report highlighted concerns over abnormal growth in spending, projecting future deficits of $20 billion to $30 billion. Several factors are contributing to the strain, including expansion of state programs, new costs from recently passed ballot propositions estimated at $8 billion, and potential federal policy changes that could affect state industries and tax revenue.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed additional spending, including a boost to the Hollywood tax credit, preparation for possible litigation under the incoming federal administration, and potential disaster relief funding. Analysts said addressing these proposals would require cuts to other programs, tapping reserves, or creating new revenue sources.
Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) responded to the report on Nov. 19.
“California’s economy remains steady, despite some self-inflicted economic wounds from our own federal government, including
harmful tariffs, attacks on our workforce, and shortsighted federal budget actions,” said Limón. She added, while the LAO forecasts a shortfall, upcoming January and May forecasts will guide the Senate in crafting a responsible budget that protects education, childcare, safety net programs, health care, and public safety. Limón also thanked the LAO and stressed collaboration with the Assembly and the governor to develop the best possible budget for Californians. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) urged preserving core services, while Republican Vice Chair of the Senate Budget Committee Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) called for a review of inefficient programs. Former Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) emphasized strategic investments to support families, and Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) warned of long-term fiscal consequences. California currently has about $11 billion in savings, but analysts stressed that careful oversight is essential to maintain fiscal stability while meeting the state’s policy priorities.
Paris Jackson’s $65 Million Tantrum: Family Power Struggles Explode in New Estate War
By Stacy M. Brown
There are moments in a family’s life when truth becomes a battlefield, when people confuse the echo of old wounds for revelation, and when the soft stir of resentment becomes a storm.
Paris Jackson has opened such a storm. Her new legal filing against the Michael Jackson Estate radiates anger, suspicion, and the weight of history. She claims the men who rebuilt her father’s empire have turned probate into a forever machine that feeds them riches while denying her and her brothers the transparency that she insists is owed to them.
But beneath that filing lies something older and more complicated. Long before Paris entered a courtroom, a faction within the Jackson family rejected the executors, John Branca and John McClain, and never accepted that Michael gave them the authority to run everything. It is a faction that has included Randy Jackson, who once desired the executor’s role for himself, and his sister Janet Jackson, who has, at various points, stood in open opposition to the Estate. Several insiders say that faction has found a new vessel in Paris, and her filing reads like a continuation of their war, not the beginning of hers. Her petition accuses the executors of dragging probate into a sixteenth year because they benefit from the delay. She calls the Estate a private kingdom that shelters itself in silence. She claims they sit on more than $460
million in cash that earned next to nothing in 2021, that they paid themselves $7,981,204 in fees that same year, and that Branca’s own law firm received $2,162,439 on top of that. She says more than $148 million has already gone to the executors through 2021. She argues that while they prosper, she and her brothers remain dependent on financial reports that arrive years too late.
But the rest of the story, the one inside the documents, is larger than Paris’s filing allows. It is the story of how Branca and McClain inherited an Estate that was more than $500 million in debt, riddled with nasty and unproven allegations, and raised it into a multi-billion-dollar force that now surpasses $3 billion in value. It is the story of projects that have sold more than $2 billion in tickets worldwide. It is the story of a lawyer who negotiated the ATV Beatles publishing deal, the catalog acquisition that changed the industry, and whose work for Michael spanned decades. It is the story of “This Is It,” the highest-grossing concert film in history, “MJ: The Musical,” which continues to play to sold-out houses and has been showered with Tony Awards, “The Immortal World Tour,” “Michael Jackson ONE,” and the $600 million Sony catalog deal that fortified the Estate with unprecedented strength.
The documents note that Katherine Jackson has received more than $60 million in
support since Michael’s death –a reaffirmation of the love the King of Pop always displayed toward his beloved mother. The late Tito and Jackie Jackson have been among the most steadfast supporters of the executors, calling this perhaps the greatest and most organized Estate administration in modern entertainment history. One observer quoted in the record put it simply. The executors had taken such careful control of Michael Jackson’s legacy that his heirs, including Paris herself, would be able to feed dozens of generations of Jacksons.
That is the scale of what Paris is attacking.
Even her argument about the upcoming Antoine Fuqua biopic, “Michael,” cracks under closer scrutiny. In the filing, she claims that the project lacks A-list performers except for Miles Teller, the actor portraying John Branca. That is false. The cast includes Nia Long as Katherine Jackson and Lorenz Tate as Berry Gordy, both acclaimed, awardwinning performers with long and respected careers. Colman Domingo, one of the most decorated actors of his generation, anchors one of the lead roles. He has earned Emmy wins, Academy Award nominations, Tony Award nominations, and in 2024 was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. The film stars Michael’s nephew Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, and Paris’s own brother Prince serves as an executive producer, a direct contradiction to her claim that the film is a playground for the executors.
Some whisper that the pain she has carried, the years of battling addiction, the struggle with mental health that has been openly acknowledged, and the volatility that has surrounded her adulthood may be driving her toward those who want to aim her anger elsewhere. Sources quoted earlier agreed that her latest actions are out of step with the triumph of the Estate. One said, “Michael died more than five hundred million dollars in debt. The Estate not only cleared that, it built a fortune. For her to turn on them now is shocking.” Another warned, “She’s stubborn and she’s getting disastrously bad advice.”
The executors and those aligned with them see the truth in quieter terms. They point to the will Michael signed. They point to the courts that upheld their authority. They point to the billions generated. They point to the musicals, films, tours, Las Vegas residencies, catalog sales, and international productions that have reborn Michael Jackson’s legacy. They point to the support given to Katherine, to Tito, to Jackie, to the children, to charities. They point to an empire that was resurrected from ruins.
A source close to the Estate had the last word, and it carries the weight of a closing door. “This is another misguided attempt by Paris Jackson’s attorneys to provide themselves cover. The fact is, Paris Jackson’s lawyers lost their latest case against the Estate and have been ordered to pay the Estate’s attorneys’ expenses. All the beneficiaries are well taken care of by the Estate. This is a weak attempt to change the narrative of their loss.”
But the contradiction that towers above all others is the one in Paris’s own life. Public records show she has received more than $65 million from the Estate to date. Her brothers, Prince and Bigi, have received far less, creating a disparity that insiders say no one in the public ever seems to notice. When Paris sues the Estate, she is suing the very entity that pays her. Any attorney fees the Estate must now cover because of her lawsuit will be drawn from the pool that funds her own wealth. As one family insider put it, “What person has a $65 million allowance. Well, that is Paris Jackson.”
The Salvation Army of San Bernardino County Business Administrator Steven Pinckney looks at some of the toys received from last year's Angel Tree toy drive.
Paris Jackson for a Mylo campain in 2021 (Wikimedia Commons / Photo by Kadri Koop)
HBCU Football Roundup: SC State and Delaware State will battle for MEAC Title
Josh Shaw’s late-game burst lifts South Carolina State over NC Central Josh Shaw delivered the decisive moment for South Carolina State, breaking loose for a 30-yard touchdown run with just under two minutes left to secure a 34–27 victory over NC Central on Friday night.
Shaw powered the Bulldogs’ (8-3, 4-0 MEAC) rushing attack with 83 yards on 10 carries, while KZ Adams chipped in 52 yards on 14 touches. Behind a wellbalanced 454-yard offensive effort and a defense that tightened in key moments, South Carolina State strengthened its undefeated conference record.
Quarterback William Atkins IV fueled the passing game, completing 24 of 36 throws for 314 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Senior receiver Jordan Smith hauled in seven passes for 72 yards and a score.
On defense, Roderick Kelly led the Bulldogs with eight tackles and a tackle for loss.
Ka’Von Chisolm added five tackles and a sack, and Michael Lunz contributed two tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble to help close out the win.
Delaware State remains unbeaten in MEAC behind dominant ground game
Delaware State stayed perfect in conference play thanks to a standout defensive moment from Wayne Favors III, whose picksix sparked a 26–13 victory over Howard on Saturday.
Favors jumped a pass deep in Bison territory, returning it for a touchdown to put the Hornets (8-3, 4-0 MEAC) ahead 23–6. Delaware State leaned on its trademark rushing attack once again, with five players surpassing the 20-yard mark on the ground as part of a 205yard team effort. Entering the weekend, the Hornets led the
FCS with 283.6 rushing yards per game.
Marquis Gillis set the tone with 92 yards on 16 carries.
Quarterback Jayden Sauray added a rushing touchdown, and Ryan Pellum Taylor scored on his lone 4-yard attempt of the day.
Jackson State rolls past Bethune-Cookman with three 100-yard rushers
Jackson State’s backfield overwhelmed Bethune-Cookman on Sunday, piling up 360 rushing yards in a 28–13 win behind three different 100-yard performers.
Travis Terrell Jr. posted 103 yards on 11 carries, highlighted by a 25-yard touchdown burst.
Donerio Davenport added 106 yards, including a 6-yard score and a 36-yard breakaway run.
Ahmad Miller led the trio with 118 yards on 22 attempts as the Tigers (8-2, 6-1 SWAC) continued their strong season.
Quarterback Jared Lockhart completed 12 of 21 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown, connecting with six receivers.
Jameel Gardner Jr. paced the group with 98 yards on three catches. Defensively, 22 Tigers recorded at least one tackle, with Frankie Dunn Jr. leading the way with five.
Alabama State cruises past Mississippi Valley State in Port City Classic
Alabama State made quick work of Mississippi Valley State, rolling to a 41–3 victory on Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile.
The Hornets (8-2, 6-1 SWAC) extended their winning streak to four games and remain tied with Jackson State atop the SWAC East Division. The blowout victory also secured the program’s first eight-win season since 2018. Under head coach Eddie Robinson Jr., Alabama State improved to 3-0 in the Port City Classic and 12-2 in Classic matchups overall.
Mississippi Valley State dropped to 1-9 on the season and 0-6 in conference play.
Prairie View claims SWAC West crown with dominant win over UAPB
Prairie View A&M clinched the 2025 SWAC Western Division title with an overwhelming 56–9 triumph over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday afternoon.
The Panthers (8-3, 6-1 SWAC) secured their spot in the upcoming
conference championship game after an explosive showing that featured multiple touchdowns each from Chase Bingmon, Lamagea McDowell, and Andre Dennis.
Quarterback Cameron Peters delivered another efficient outing, throwing for 269 yards and two touchdowns on 20-for24 passing with no interceptions.
Bingmon headlined the ground game with 135 yards and two scores on a remarkable nine yards
late to defeat Southern 35–30 on Saturday at A.W. Mumford Stadium in Baton Rouge.
Quarterback KJ Cooper threw for 210 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Tigers (5-5, 4-3 SWAC) mount their comeback after trailing 24–14. Lawrence Butler narrowed the gap with a 2-yard scoring run, and Texas Southern recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff to seize momentum.
per carry. McDowell added two more rushing touchdowns, and Shadrick Byrd contributed 37 yards as Prairie View dominated the red zone.
The Panthers now turn their attention to Senior Night against Mississippi Valley State before preparing for the championship showdown.
Texas Southern storms back to shock Southern Texas Southern erased a 10-point deficit and held on
Southern (1-10) pulled within five on a late touchdown run by Cam’Ron McCoy, but the Jaguars ran out of time on their final possession.
Up Next South Carolina State travels to Dover this Saturday (Nov. 22) for a pivotal showdown with Delaware State at 1:00 p.m. The matchup carries enormous stakes: the MEAC championship and a berth in the Cricket Wireless Celebration Bowl.
DeSean Jackson's amazing season
(Photo:
State Athletics)