B. Johnson
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)
By Quintessa Williams Word In Black
bar chart compares educational disparities between Black and White students in California based on the 2025 Black Minds Matter report. (Photo courtesy of Word In Black)
For decades, California has positioned itself as a national leader in education equity and school funding. However, new data shows that Black K-12 students in the Golden State are so far from reaching proficiency in reading and math that it will take them more than six decades to catch up.
The Ed Trust-West’s Black Minds Matter report released last week also found that only 17 percent of Black students in California have teachers who look like them compared to 87 percent of White students who have White teachers.
Given the slow pace of change, according to the report, generations of Black students will pass through a state education system that continues to fail them.
Dr. Christopher Nellum, executive director of EdTrustWest, the organization behind the report, said the findings weren’t surprising, but that doesn’t make them any less infuriating.
“How are we still doing this?” Nellum says. “How are
these still the numbers we’re seeing? And why is no one else seemingly as upset about this as we are?”
students back?
The BMM 2025 report highlights alarming academic disparities for Black students in California’s K-12 public school system, one of the largest in the nation. According to its findings, Black students won’t reach reading proficiency until 2070 and math proficiency until 2089 due to a range of issues, including poverty and other persistent disparities.
The data portrays a separate, unequal school system with a range of problems. 76 percent of Black K-12 students in California are socioeconomically disadvantaged; just 3 in 10 met English language arts standards, and only 18 percent are proficient in math.
In addition, Black students have a 15 percent dropout rate
projection chart above shows the Black
proficiency in California based on data from the
report. (Photo courtesy of Word In Black)
compared to 8 percent for White students and a 7 percent graduation rate compared to 3 percent for White students, according to the report.
Moreover, Black students in the state are still three times as likely to be suspended as White students — just like a decade ago — and chronic absenteeism increased for them in the 2023-2024 academic year from 21 percent to 33 percent compared to 16 percent for White students.
The key takeaway is that these disparities are not a reflection of Black students’ abilities but of systemic failures in California’s schools.
California’s crisis should alarm the nation
With the sixth-largest Black population in the United States, California’s education system is a microcosm of how public education is failing one of its most vulnerable student groups, despite having some of the strongest state-level equity policies in the country such as the 2011 Local Control Funding
Formula which reformed the state’s school system to allocate extra resources to high-needs students, and the 2023 Mathematics Framework that helps reduce tracking and increase math equity for low proficiency math students. That raises a critical question: If California, a state with resources and a progressive agenda, is still seeing such slow progress, what does that mean for Black students in conservative, less wealthy states?
“If folks—no matter where they are in this country— are interested in supporting Black students and Black communities, California should be on their mind,” Nellum says. California also plays a crucial role in the nation’s economic future. Its $3.9 trillion economy, the largest of any state and 5th largest in the world, significantly impacts the U.S. as a whole. Nellum says if the state fails to bridge the divide between Black and White students, it could affect everyone.
“If we don’t figure out how to close these gaps, sure, California might continue to be an economic powerhouse,” he says. “But we can’t continue to be a powerhouse and allow such gaps to remain. That’s not just a California problem— that’s a problem for all the states that rely on us.”
Dismantling the DOE will surely worsen these projections
Despite the state’s wealth, Black students disproportionately attend Title I and Title III schools, which rely heavily on federal funding. Without those resources, the achievement gaps identified in the report could stretch well beyond the already dire projections of 2070 and 2089.
Recent proposals to dismantle the Department of Education could worsen these projections. If that happens, Nellum says, Black students could fall further behind.
“The Department of Education’s role is to provide oversight, accountability and protect civil rights,” Nellum says. “There’s no part of dismantling the agency that will make any of this better. It will only make it worse — and Black students will bear the brunt of it.”
The call to action: What needs to change?
One of the report’s most urgent policy recommendations is to create a state Commission on Black Education Transformation, a dedicated body with the power to transform education on behalf of Black students. In addition to allocating resources to Black student achievement,
the commission would hold districts accountable for Black student progress (or lack thereof) and prioritize Black students in education funding and policy decisions.
Nellum is clear that this commission alone won’t solve everything. But after a decade of inaction since the first Black Minds Matter report, he says, it’s time for a new approach.
“We released our first Black Minds Matter report ten years ago,” Nellum says. “If what we have in place right now was working, we would have seen change by now.”
Nellum also wants Black families and communities to join the fight for accountability in education.
“If you feel like your child isn’t being served properly, you’re probably right,” he says. “And reports like Black Minds Matter give you the data to back that up. If schools and policymakers don’t listen to your story, show them the numbers.”
Beyond individual advocacy, Nellum emphasizes the importance of collective action. Parents and other interested parties should attend school board meetings, demand an emphasis on Black student achievement and push for changes like equitable funding and an increase in Black educators. If they have the time and interest, he says, they could “run for election to the local school board,” helping ensure leadership in education reflects the needs of Black students.
“Nothing changes unless we force it to change,” Nellum said. “The system isn’t going to fix itself. We have to be the ones to make it happen.”
This article was originally published by Word In Black.
Although all news isn’t always good news, The San Bernardino American News continues to strive to bring good news to our readers about the black community not found otherwise. We aim to spread a positive message that has the power to uplift rather than tear down.
Thank you for your continued support! The San Bernardino American News Staff
Thursday, April 3, 2025
The Outstanding Achievement Awards Recognize District Students, Parents and Staff
CA—On Tuesday, Feb. 18, the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) Board of Education presented the Outstanding Achievement Awards to students, parents and staff of Salinas Elementary School, Thompson Elementary School, Paakuma’ K–8 School and San Bernardino High School (SBHS).
The Board recognizes Outstanding Student Award winners to honor excellence in academics, athletics, fine arts, citizenship and most improvement. The Board also presents the Outstanding Parent/ Grandparent/Volunteer Award and Outstanding Employee Award to individuals who embody the District’s dedication to student achievement and wellbeing.
Salinas Elementary School, Principal Ramon Velasco:
Madyson Kamtan is a fifthgrader and Outstanding Student. Kamtan is very dedicated and focused. This provides her a strong foundation for academic success and good citizenship. She is a good role model for her peers.
Aeris Reyes is a third-grader who was also recognized as an Outstanding Student. Reyes demonstrates responsibility and enthusiasm for her work. She is conscientious about including her peers whenever she can, which is one example of her good citizenship.
Outstanding Parent Award winner Jessica Ruiz Montes is the mother of two Salinas students and is very involved in their educational life. She also supports every classroom and teacher at Salinas in any way she can. She volunteers to beautify and decorate the school and takes time to recognize educators and staff.
Office Clerk Kimberly Vera is an Outstanding Classified Employee. Vera’s exceptional work ethic, customer service approach and service-focused attitude make her an indispensable part of Salinas Elementary. She exemplifies the human potential of our community, having been born in San Bernardino, educated in San Bernardino schools and now working for SBCUSD.
Counselor Marvin Mathis is an Outstanding Certificated Employee. Mathis is in the people business. He has a clear
commitment to developing wellrounded students. He understands that an organized and safe school leads to educational growth and commitment, as evidenced by his focus on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
Thompson Elementary School, Principal Vilma Sandoval:
Flor Chaviedo Castillo is a second-grader and Outstanding Student. Chaviedo Castillo is a consistent role model for the three character traits: integrity, kindness and honesty. She is very self-motivated and loves learning. She is an active learner, always engaged and loves academic challenges.
Caleb Sanchez is a fourthgrader and Outstanding Student. Sanchez is an exceptional example of perseverance, kindness, leadership and significant growth. He demonstrates perseverance by working diligently to overcome personal and academic challenges. He approaches new tasks with a positive attitude even if they are challenging.
Outstanding Parent Award winner Raylena Figueroa has made a significant difference at Thompson through her consistent dedication and support. She is always willing to help and volunteer in her children’s classrooms and provide calm, patient and kind guidance to all students.
Recreational Aide Norma Bailon is an Outstanding Classified Employee. Bailon creates a safe and welcoming space where all students feel included and supported. Her kindness and respect for everyone make her a joy to work with, and she’s always ready to collaborate
with staff to keep things running smoothly.
Teacher Melissa Ramirez is an Outstanding Certificated Employee. Ramirez creates an engaging, supportive environment where every student feels valued and motivated. Her collaboration, professionalism, resilience and innovative teaching inspire both students and colleagues.
Paakuma’ K–8 School, Principal Dr. Dana Jamison:
Seventh-grader John Bond is an Outstanding Student. Bond was recognized for his outstanding dedication and growth this year. He has increased his commitment to his studies, which have led to significant positive changes reflected in improved citizenship and notable academic progress.
Kennedy Williams is a first-grader and Outstanding Student. Williams’ cheerful and bright personality lights up the Paakuma’ campus every day. Her constant smile and welcoming nature make everyone feel valued and appreciated. Energetic and charming, Williams is not only a joy to have around but also a dedicated helper and exemplary student.
Yolanda Mendoza is an Outstanding Parent Award winner. Mendoza provided not only her time and experience but also decorations, treats and a warm smile to make Paakuma’s Book Fair a success despite not having power for two days. Paakuma’ could not have done it without her.
Campus Security Officer Miguel Ortiz, also known as Baker 22, is an Outstanding Classified Employee. Ortiz helps in creating a safe and secure
Leading and Learning, Thanks to Head Start... continued
and dual-enrollment courses.
By Hon. Ashley Kearney
and loving. The teachers seemed like celebrities to me. They exuded a sense of family that I remember vividly. I attended Head Start at Ferebee-Hope Elementary School in Ward 8 in Washington, D.C., and I am one of five children. There were many challenges: my mother was a recovering addict completing workforce development training and my father was reengaging as a citizen after a time of incarceration. However, both of my parents were very active in my life and instilled the importance of education. They wanted my siblings and me to do our very best and get the best education possible. My mother’s belief in the importance of education was so strong that I don’t think she ever let me miss a school day!
I remember feeling secure at Head Start. My memories include my teacher, Ms. B., and the school secretary at the front desk, who always dressed in one color
from head to toe. The atmosphere at Head Start was welcoming and loving. The teachers seemed like celebrities to me. They exuded a sense of family that I remember vividly. Head Start always dealt with my family from a place of concern, and the staff made sure our family was ok. I look back on that and realize how special it was that Head Start didn’t diminish my mother as a parent because she was working through substance dependency. Instead, they operated from the assumption that she loved her children and wanted the best for them.
The years following Head Start were marked by stability and upheaval. My mom finished workforce training, married, bought a home, and the family relocated to the Southeastern U.S. My school experiences there didn’t have the same level of community that I felt at Head Start or in the D.C. schools I had attended. Though the differences were challenging, I excelled academically, taking honors-level
In high school, I was elected class president all four years. I considered college a “must-do” action item, and I attended and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Tampa. While there, I volunteered all four years with a middle school academic program through my sorority’s youth outreach. This service prompted me to become an educator. As a first-generation college student and mathematics educator, I’m motivated by the belief that all students deserve a quality education, the power of empowered educators, and the importance of mathematics education in intergenerational mobility.
In early 2020, I was teaching at a high school and had been
recently named Standing Ovation D.C. Public Schools Teacher of the Year. During that year’s collective pause, I rediscovered my “why” as an educator and my desire to connect policy and practice. This newfound sense of purpose prompted my decision to apply for the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship (AEF). My fellowship assignment was the U.S. House of Representatives. One of my passions is to elevate the teacher’s voice, engage students, parents, and community members in advocacy, and work across sectors to ensure better outcomes for students.
Kearney serves as an at-large council member in Seat Pleasant, Maryland.
Lost Black History: Calle House “Matriarch of Reparations”
By Don Valentine
Before the Civil War in 1789, famed Quaker Moses Brown initiated reparations, as documented in Brown University's Slavery and Justice report. Callie House, known as the “Matriarch for Reparations,” spearheaded Black demands for restitution. Callie was born in
Lost Black History: Calle House “Matriarch of Reparation”...continued in every former slave state with relentless zeal. During her 1897-1899 lecture tour, the association’s membership increased by 34,000 mainly through her efforts. By 1900, its nationwide membership was estimated to be around 300,000.” The Ex-Slave Pension Association pursued reparations through conventions, and lobbying Congress.
The topic of reparations has always been divisive. Even then, as now, reparations ignited controversy, including resistance from prominent Black civic leaders. Callie and her organization faced opposition from both Black leaders and White government officials. The passage of segregation laws throughout the South fostered this antagonistic climate. Black leaders, such as Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois largely ignored the reparations movement, focusing their energy on promoting education and defending equal treatment for Blacks within a hostile post-war environment. White Southerners
viewed the movement with suspicion; they saw Callie’s organizing efforts as confusing and misleading to Blacks. From the White perspective, there was no chance of Congress passing reparations legislation, so Whites assumed that the organizing efforts were a ruse to defraud poor Blacks. In response to alleged complaints from White constituents, the U.S. Pensions Bureau, the governmental agency that supervised the disbursement of money to Union veterans, started covert surveillance on the association. In 1916, the U.S. Postmaster General indicted Callie and the other leaders, claiming that they obtained money from exslaves by fraudulent circulars proclaiming that pensions and reparations were forthcoming. She was convicted, served time in prison for one year, and died of cancer in Nashville, on June 6, 1928.
The Black Press: Preserving Our Heritage!
SBCUSD Board of Education Presents Feb. Outstanding Awards...continued
environment where students are able to learn and thrive. His professionalism and respect of students and staff alike have earned him admiration from all corners of the school community.
As Paakuma’s P.E. Teacher and newly appointed ASB Advisor, Santiago Rodriguez is an Outstanding Certificated Employee who has seamlessly stepped into his role, fostering incredible school spirit and creating opportunities for students to feel welcomed and connected. He dedicates countless hours to ensuring the campus is a vibrant and inclusive place.
San Bernardino High School, Principal Anna Sosa:
Isabella Azcorra is a senior and an Outstanding Student. Azcorra’s charisma combined with a genuine passion for helping others makes her a natural leader. Over the past two years, she has been an invaluable member of the Principal’s Student Advisory Council, contributed to enhancing the overall experience for both students and faculty.
High school senior Pablo
Alonzo-Juarez is an Outstanding Student. Alonzo-Juarez maintains a 3.8 total GPA while also being involved in Air Force Jr. ROTC and Engineering pathways at SBHS. He has been integral in
helping the SBHS water polo and wrestling teams advance to CIF this year and has continuously taken leadership roles in athletics and Associated Student Body.
Wendy McEwen is an Outstanding Parent. McEwen has been engaged in helping her student-athlete son, George, be successful at SBHS, but she also shows concern for all students as a member of the School Site Council, assisting in the WASC accreditation process, as a member of the MOM’s Squad that supports the varsity boys’ basketball team, and more.
Athletic Equipment Attendant Mario Preszler is an Outstanding Classified Employee. Preszler’s attention to detail and commitment to safety have ensured the athletic programs operate smoothly and students are always prepared. He fosters an environment of teamwork and support, offering a helping hand wherever needed.
Math Teacher Linda Nelson is an Outstanding Certificated Employee. She demonstrates professionalism and great passion for supporting students. She contributes positively to SBHS as Math department chair and leadership team member. She keeps up to date with instructional practices and initiatives to better support her colleagues.
1861, and basically grew up free. She raised five kids as a widowed washerwoman living in Nashville. An 1891 pamphlet, Freedmen’s Pension Bill: A Plea for American Freedmen, sparked Callie’s lifelong reparations advocacy.
The online encyclopedia BlackPast chronicles, “With the help of Isaiah Dickerson, House chartered the National Ex-Slave Mutual Relief, Bounty, and Pension Association in 1898 and was named the secretary of this new organization. Eventually, House became the leader of the organization. In this position, she traveled across the South, spreading the idea of reparations
By April Ryan
NEWSWIRE — including the Secretary of Defense, CIA chief, and the head of DNI, used the phone app Signal to discuss an attack on the Houthis that occurred on March 20th.
“I hope by getting busted, and the only reason they were busted is because they were stupid enough to include a journalist in the text chat, that they won’t do this again,” says a “concerned” former National Security Advisor and US Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, on Signal-gate. The vice president and high-ranking Trump administration cabinet members, including the Secretary of Defense, CIA chief, and the head of DNI, used the phone app Signal to discuss an attack on the Houthis that occurred on March 20th.
Rice spoke exclusively with Black Press USA, explaining why she thinks they did what they did. Rice believes using the phone app by Trump officials is a matter of thwarting laws to provide information about the attack, with which they were traditionally supposed to communicate in a secure location. “In Project 2025, which recommended that US National Security and other officials use commercial applications so that they don’t have to make them presidential
records.” Rice added, “These deliberations, by law, as in any presidential administration, have to be preserved, provided to the National Archives, and retained to not retain these conversations as a violation of the Federal Records Act.” Traditionally, in past administrations, there was an attempt to “preserve presidential records.” It is unknown how often the National Security Council held discussions involving national security officials, cabinet members, or any other executive branch officials using the Signal messaging service or any other application not approved for transmitting classified information. However, Rice emphasizes that the United States has created a chasm with its foreign allies, “not just how they fail to conduct proper deliberations, but how they recklessly and negligently treat classified information.”
Rice offers a drastic shift in our foreign posture. “It’s that they’re radically realigning the United States away from our historical traditional allies in Europe, in Asia, and Canada, turning us into adversaries with our traditional allies and getting in bed with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping of China and Russia,” says the intelligence expert.
by
Hands, collaboration and motivation with a business team in a huddle with fists and a mindset of company vision. Mission, teamwork and goal with a group in a circle ready for growth and development
BLACKPRESSUSA
NEWSWIRE — Since returning to office, Trump has targeted unions and diversity initiatives. He’s rescinded Executive Order 11246, which prohibited discrimination by federal contractors
President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order eliminating collective bargaining rights for federal employees across the government, a move civil rights leaders and union officials say strikes an especially devastating blow to Black workers and the middle class. As the largest single employer in the country—with about 3 million workers— the federal government has historically provided Black Americans with stable jobs, benefits, and a pathway to economic security. Trump’s latest order, coupled with earlier efforts to dismantle diversity and labor protections, threatens to unravel that foundation. “I absolutely think that the attacks on federal workers will have an acute and disproportionate impact on
order is necessary to create “a responsive and accountable civil service” and accused unions of waging war on Trump’s agenda.
But unions say the move is aimed at silencing dissent and weakening a federal workforce that’s long been a stronghold for Black employment. The American Federation of Government Employees warned that more than 1 million workers could lose bargaining rights. The National Treasury Employees Union vowed legal action. “This is a brazen attempt by the administration to ensure its reckless assault on vital federal agency services can continue unimpeded,” said NTEU President Doreen Greenwald. The order affects employees at agencies including the Departments of State, Defense, Justice, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, as well as the CDC, EPA, FCC, and ICE.
Commentary
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the consequences will be far-reaching. “As a direct result of the Republican assault on the federal workforce, tax refunds, veterans’ benefits, and Social Security checks will be delayed or wrongfully halted,” Jeffries stated. “The freedom to negotiate, join a union, and collectively bargain for a living wage is a central part of achieving the American dream for many in this country. We will defend the right to organize,” he continued.
“Republicans are driven by their intense desire to reward Elon Musk and their billionaire donors with a massive tax cut and then stick working-class Americans with the bill. House Democrats will continue to stand with everyday Americans, including our hardworking government employees, and oppose the farright extreme agenda in Congress and in the Courts.”
G. Maciel De La Vega | California Black Media
The Vibe Shift is an ongoing series covering the political, institutional, and cultural realignment in California caused by Trump’s win in the 2024 presidential election.
On March 16, the California Republican Party elected its first Black female chair, Corrin Rankin. However, she doesn’t want her identity to be a part of the story; “I'm a qualified person who happens to be a woman who happens to be Black. We're a party based on merit. If you have the qualifications and the experience, you should have the job, and it doesn't matter what the color of your skin is,” she said in a recent interview with the San Francisco Chronicle.
Her words present a view that largely contrasts with the prevailing perspective held by many in the California Democratic Party who have typically made race a central issue.
With the Republican and Democratic parties each pushing further to the Right and Left, respectively, there appears to be
Black federal workers, and that’s because the federal government is highly diverse,” said Jennifer Holmes, deputy director of litigation at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Since returning to office, Trump has targeted unions and diversity initiatives. He’s rescinded Executive Order 11246, which prohibited discrimination by federal contractors, banned race-conscious military recruitment, and dismantled agency-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The most recent executive order expands Trump’s authority by wiping out collective bargaining protections across the board— allowing agencies to sidestep union contracts, issue layoffs, and enforce return-to-office mandates without negotiation. The Office of Personnel Management has issued guidance enabling agencies to begin implementation immediately. The administration claims the
a broader political realignment of Black and Latino voters nationally on the fraying from the Democratic Party.
In the 2024 presidential election, California’s 12 majority Latino counties shifted rightward, voting for President Trump in greater numbers than in 2020. Nationally, Trump enjoyed support from about 30% of Black men under 45, according to AP Vote Cast.
The political shift is underscored by a cultural shift that has been in the making for some time. In 2019, Kanye West – a Trump supporter and California influencer -- told Black Americans, “Own your power. Your power is not to just vote Democrat for the rest of our lives. That’s not the power.1”
Joining Kanye is an evergrowing list of Black and pop culture influencers, including Amber Rose, who spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention, UFC Champion Jon Jones, rapper Lil Wayne, NFL stars Terrell Owens and Herschel Walker, Azealia Banks, boxing star Mike Tyson, and perhaps the most famous Californian of all, Snoop Dogg.
There have been Democratic Party defections in the political arena, too. Former Democratic Assemblymember Sebastian
Educators weigh in on student cell phone use in the classroom
By Tashi McQueen
As state lawmakers consider restricting phone use in classrooms, educators are divided on the impact of technology in schools. While some argue phones are a major distraction that fuel conflicts and disrupt learning, others believe teachers must adapt and find ways to integrate digital literacy into education. Credit: Unsplash/ Nathana Rebouças
Debate is growing as states consider banning cell phone use during the school day. The Illinois Legislature is currently considering a bill that would restrict cell phone use during class time. A bill similar to this was enacted in Florida in 2023. According to the National
Educators weigh in on student cell phone use in the classroom...continued
Despite her experience with the negative aspects of phones in the classroom, she is not totally against them.
Chicago Public Schools counselor JaKendra Williams is firmly on the side of a ban, however.
“I am in support of cell phone restrictions in school and feel 100 percent supported by my administration and school district regarding cell phone restrictions,” said Williams, a Surge Chicago 2025 Fellow.
Williams explained further how she’s seen phones impact the students at her school.
“From bullying in group chats to recording and taking photos of people without permission and posting on social media, cell phones in schools significantly impact the school’s climate,” said Williams. “I had a student find out their brother was shot at another school via Facebook Live. This caused an uproar over
the campus, and adults were the last to know.”
She said this scenario put the adults in a reactive position instead of a proactive one.
“Having cell phone restrictions, in the long run, will aid our students in learning how to unplug from screen time, mastering being present in social interactions and growing the skills of finding a healthy balance between cell phone and social media usage,” she said.
Becton is open to new ways of teaching and learning, which she says teachers must do, though she is still learning.
“The cell phone battle has forced me to stretch my pedagogy to include digital literacy, personalized and interactive learning experiences and other ways to incorporate cell phone use in my lessons,” she said. “Cell phones are not going anywhere. Teaching, like any profession, has to evolve.”
Center on Education Statistics, 76.9 percent of schools had banned non-academic cell phone use during school hours as of 2022.
“I am competing with the technology right at their fingertips and trying hard to get them engaged and keep them engaged,” said Carletha Becton, a Chicago Public School English teacher and a Surge Chicago 2025 Fellow. “It’s exhausting.”
A Surge Chicago Fellow is part of a cohort of educators of color who participate in 10 months of leadership building, racial healing and other activities to help improve their ability to lead and teach youth.
“My kids find it difficult to unplug from their devices even though they know they should,” said Becton. “They know the phones are hindering them, but the toxic attachment is real.”
Commentary - The Vibe Shift: As California Moves to Political Right, Dem Lawmakers Dig Their Heels In...continued
Ridley-Thomas, who endorsed Trump in 2024, citing concerns with kitchen table issues, immigration, and culture.
“As a straight male, religious, pro-capitalist person, the policies of the Democratic Party are incompatible with my civic interests. More than 30 percent of African American men between the ages of 45 and 64 supported Donald Trump because the Democratic Party gave us no options,” Ridley-Thomas told CBM in a phone interview.
That’s not our fault. That’s the Democratic Party’s fault. It is intolerant, it is anti-capitalist, and it is hostile towards religion,” Ridley-Thomas continued.
“They think that welfare and handouts and endless migration are attractive to Black men. They are not. Tax limitation, closed borders, community safety and pro-family policies are much more attractive. If this trend continues, it will be impossible for Democrats to win the presidency in the future.”
Ridley-Thomas ended by highlighting the cultural issues around LGBTQIA+ which have long been championed by the Democratic Party, but have, perhaps, splintered their coalition.
“Prop 8 passed for a reason and the radical Democrats wouldn’t let it go. The Supreme Court action in overthrowing it distorts the sensitivities that people have. We have a new category of sexual identity called ‘zoo,’ which was called ‘furry’ a year ago. Too many names, too many microminorities, and the definitions expansion does not match up with kitchen table economics. Another category on the rainbow flag has not helped lower the cost of living or improve our quality of life.”
I think that the Democratic message is lost, is not focused. It does not center on quality of life, American identity, or American exceptionalism. The Democratic Party wants to be associated with losers, Black men and Christians want to be winners.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom similarly seems to be shifting to the cultural Middle. Although he undoubtedly has a record of standing up for LGBTQIA+ issues, his support is not uncritical. He recently hosted conservative political activist Charlie Kirk on his podcast, This is Gavin Newsom. In the interview, Newsom voiced his opposition to transgender female athletes in girls and women’s sports.
“I think it’s an issue of fairness.
I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness -it’s deeply unfair,” Newsom said during the podcast with Kirk.
“There's also a humility and a grace,” Newsom continued. “You know that these poor people are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety and depression and the way that people talk down to vulnerable communities is an issue that I have a hard time with as well. So, both things I can hold in my hand. How can we address this issue with the kind of decency that I think you know.”
Both the timing and substance of Newsom’s recent comments infuriated some Democrats and progressives across California. However, despite his recent comments, Newsom has not taken a public position on AB 89, authored by Kate Sanchez (R-Trabuco Canyon), which would ban transgender girls from interscholastic sports in California.
The next week, Newsom sat down for a talk with Steve Bannon, chief strategist of the 2016 Trump Presidential Campaign. With a 2028 presidential run all but certain, Newsom appears to be positioning himself closer to the political center and adopting the podcasting media model that has been so popular with the Right wing.
Despite political movement and positioning to the Left and Right of them, California Legislative Democrats seem unmoved. Rather, they are digging their heels in and firming their grips on long-held political and cultural orthodoxies.
Rankin’s rise to Chair of the California Republican Party comes just weeks after the California Legislative Latino Caucus confirmed that --despite a record number of Republican Latino lawmakers -- Republican Latinos will continue to be excluded from the California Latino Legislative Caucus In doing so, the Latino Caucus leadership confirms that they are using taxpayer-funded staff and resources to exclude Latino lawmakers representing over 4 million Californians based on partisan politics. With the Vibe Shift in full force, California Legislative Democrats appear to be banking on more of the same. Perhaps they should be admired for their persistence. Time will tell. Join us next week on The Vibe Shift as we examine the dismantling of private sector DEI programs in California.
Thursday, April 3, 2025
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Carr pointed to internal and public-facing initiatives within Disney, including mandatory inclusion standards at ABC and the company’s “Reimagine Tomorrow” campaign.
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
equity, and inclusion policy practice company business organization
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has ordered an investigation into The Walt Disney Company and its subsidiary ABC, alleging potential violations of the agency’s equal employment opportunity (EEO) regulations stemming from the companies’ diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In a letter to Disney CEO Robert A. Iger, Carr stated that the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau would examine whether Disney and ABC engaged in what he described as “invidious forms of DEI discrimination” in violation of federal regulations that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, or gender. “While I have seen reports that Disney recently walked back some of its DEI programs, significant concerns remain,” Carr wrote. “I want to ensure that Disney ends any and all discriminatory initiatives in substance, not just name.” Carr pointed to internal and public-facing initiatives within Disney, including mandatory inclusion standards at ABC and the company’s “Reimagine Tomorrow” campaign. He cited whistleblower accounts and media reports suggesting Disney employed race- and gender-based criteria in hiring, production, and executive compensation decisions. Among the practices under scrutiny are reported requirements that “50 percent of regular and recurring characters” be from underrepresented groups, and that “50% or more” of writers, directors, crew, and vendors also meet demographic criteria. Carr also flagged fellowships and hiring databases that he claimed were restricted to select racial or ethnic groups. Carr, a Trump-appointed commissioner who now chairs the
FCC under the former president’s administration, said President Trump’s recent executive order banning federal DEI programs prompted the agency’s broader rollback of similar initiatives. He wrote that the FCC has already moved to eliminate its internal DEI efforts and expects regulated entities to do the same. “As I have made clear, promoting invidious forms of discrimination cannot be squared with any reasonable interpretation of federal law,” Carr stated. “Doing so only deprives Americans of their rights to fair and equal treatment under the law.”
A Disney spokesperson said the company was reviewing the letter and looked forward to answering the commission’s questions. The crackdown on diversity is part of a broader Trump and Project 2025 initiative that seeks to erase the history of underrepresented groups, particularly Black Americans. Trump’s second term has been marked by sweeping actions against marginalized communities as the president and his supporters work to whitewash U.S. history and drive the country back beyond the Jim Crow era. Last month, Axios reported that Disney had made some policy changes, including eliminating a website highlighting personalities and stories from underrepresented communities. The company also softened messages that appeared before showings of older films like “Dumbo” and “Peter Pan.” Instead of previous warnings that the films include “negative depictions and/or mistreatment of peoples or culture,” the updated messages now read: “This program is presented as originally created and may contain stereotypes or negative depictions.”
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is moving forward with a sweeping overhaul of its operations, including plans to slash its workforce by 12 percent, shut down six regional field offices, and eliminate key phone services—changes that have sparked fierce opposition from AARP and alarmed millions of older Americans. Beginning March 31, the SSA will require that individuals applying for or managing their Social Security benefits confirm their identity online or in person at a local office, effectively ending the ability to complete specific critical tasks by phone. The new rule impacts retirement, disability, and other benefit applications and alters how individuals change their direct deposit information. Acting SSA Commissioner Lee Dudek said the move is designed to combat a surge in fraud, stating, “Social Security is losing over $100 million a year to direct-deposit
fraud.”
However, the shift has drawn sharp criticism from AARP, which represents more than 100 million Americans over age 50. In a March 19 letter to Dudek, AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond wrote that requiring in-person verification or internet access will create “undue hardship” for millions, particularly those in rural areas, without reliable transportation, or who lack internet access. She called on the SSA to immediately
AARP Pushes Back as Social Security Administration Slashes Services and Staff...continued reverse a “rash decision.” “It is outrageous that under this new policy, older Americans will have to call, wait on hold for possibly hours, make an appointment, or even take a day off work to claim the benefits they have earned,” LeaMond wrote. “There is nothing ‘efficient’ about creating more confusion and disrupting the lives of millions of hardworking American taxpayers with such short notice and no input from the public”.
LeaMond and AARP argue that this change—announced only two weeks before implementation—compounds an existing customer service crisis. SSA is already plagued by long phone wait times, with more than half of callers reportedly hanging up before reaching a representative. Those who do get through often face callback delays of two hours or more.
The SSA’s restructuring plan includes cutting its workforce from 57,000 to 50,000 and reducing its number of field offices from 10 to just four. AARP says these actions will worsen already deteriorating services. “Older Americans have paid into and earned their Social Security after a lifetime of hard work—not just their checks, but top-notch customer service as well,” LeaMond wrote.
The organization has sent letters to both chambers of Congress, urging immediate oversight. In letters dated March 24 to the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee, LeaMond asked lawmakers to hold hearings and intervene to stop the changes before they cause what she termed “serious harm”. “These abrupt changes, made with no public input or adequate notice, will force many Americans— especially those in rural areas or without internet access—to wait on hold for hours, make
appointments, or take time off work simply to access their earned benefits,” she wrote. “This is unacceptable.”
AARP has mobilized its vast membership in response, with over a million emails and calls to Congress in the past few weeks. The group has adopted what it describes as an “all-handson-deck” strategy, engaging directly with SSA leadership, educating lawmakers, and urging the public to act. John Hishta, AARP’s senior vice president of campaigns, said the organization is determined to protect Social Security for current and future generations. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that older Americans continue to see no disruption in their payments and receive the information they need to stay informed and take action on changes at SSA,” he said.
AARP warned that the SSA’s abrupt changes could also heighten the risk of fraud. “While this was announced to combat fraud, we are concerned this will have the opposite effect,” LeaMond wrote in her letter to Dudek. Without a proper education campaign, scammers may exploit the confusion, using fake verification processes to steal personal data and drain bank accounts. The SSA has not publicly detailed how it plans to mitigate the risk of fraud or assist those unable to verify their identity online or reach a field office. AARP is calling on Congress to act before the March 31 implementation date, urging lawmakers to ensure that changes to Social Security service delivery come with transparency, sufficient notice, and public engagement. “We urge the agency to reverse this decision, or for Congress to step in and stand up for older Americans everywhere,” LeaMond said.
“Repeat! Repeat! Repeat says the Lord”...continued
Peter 3:9].
This repetition shows God’s grace in dealing with those of us who don’t pay attention to what He said the first time. So, He tells us some of the same things multiple times in multiple ways throughout His Word. Just call it God’s love and mercy. God is waiting to give more people the opportunity to repent, don’t waste the opportunity to be covered. Repent and get under the Umbrella of the Almighty God NOW!
You know in the beginning in the very first book of the Bible, Genesis, when God wanted to get an important message through to an Egyptian ruler about future events, He gave Pharoah the same dream two times in a row. [Genesis 41:32]. Jesus often repeated himself, sometimes to the point of exasperation.
[Matthew 15:16; John 21:15-17; 2 Peter 1:12-15].
Now you can trifle and play with the truth and refuse to accept the solemn warnings and exhortations of God and just view it as something that never really could happen so much so that there might come a moment when God will no longer plead with you and no longer make the truth available to you but will send a strong delusion and you’ll be trapped. [2 Thessalonians 2:11].
But I admonish you, don’t fool around with the truth. Get under the Umbrella of the Almighty God NOW! The road has already been paved for destruction by Satan puppets!
“Repeat!
Repeat! Repeat says the Lord”
By: Lou K Coleman
K Coleman
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” [1 Samuel 3:10] and the Lord said to Samuel: “Shout to the mountain top! Tell them to get under the Umbrella of the Almighty God NOW! The enemy is about to bring devastation and destruction to cripple them in unprecedented ways. They want mass casualties, just like the Pharaoh of old, to weaken them, bring total devastation to them, and enslave them for their New World Order. Tell them to prepare! To Repent and get under the Umbrella of the Almighty God NOW for He is their hiding place; He will preserve them from trouble; He will surround them with shouts of deliverance.” [Psalms 32:7].
Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision, but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.”
Samuel answered, “Here I am.” “What was it he said to you?”
Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.”
So, Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. [1 Samuel 3: 10-18].
He said, a time of great shaking is coming. Times of rapid fire, increasing attacks, and unprecedented events and He said to tell the people to prepare for this battle by getting under the Umbrella of the Almighty God NOW! And to trust God: Who keeps us alive, [Deuteronomy 14:2; Psalm 66:9] despite harsh conditions and hostile enemies. [Psalm 105:40–42]. For He will supernaturally intervene in attacks made against us. [Isaiah Chapter 36 & Chapter 37]. God can be trusted to protect and preserve His people. [Jude 1:24; Psalm 91:15].
Do you hear what He is repeating to you? If so, you would do well to listen [Hebrews 1227] because when Jesus repeats Himself, it is important. Repent and get under the Umbrella of the Almighty God NOW! The ship is about to sink, and God is not willing for any to perish, but that all should come to repentance. [2
All things continue as they have. What willful ignorance! The truth is that God is shaking all that can be shaken. And what is still to come is too dreadful to think about. There will be no longer any restraints. Lord, have mercy on those who doubt [Jude 1:22].
“I'm just a nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody who can save anybody. Save, your soul. Telling the people about Jesus from corner to corner, from door to door; But they all make fun of me and consider me as nothing and say I don't know what I am talking about.” [I’m Just A Nobody ─The Williams Brothers].
But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life. [1 Timothy 1:16]. Yet they did not listen or incline their ears but stiffened their necks in order not to listen or take correction. [Jeremiah 17:23].
These people, living as if they have no enemy, as if they have nothing to fear – but despite what they thought, despite their chosen ignorance, there was a very real enemy planning their destruction. Refusing to Listen to God: The Ultimate Foolishness!
See to it that you do not ignore the one who is speaking. For if the hearers did not escape when they ignored the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we turn away from the one who is from heaven [Hebrews 12:25]. We are being shaken, as prophecy warned [Matthew 24:4-14; Matthew 42-44]. For safety, get under the Umbrella of the Almighty God NOW!
Sarosh
The testimony of both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures as well as theological reflections on state and government affirm them as established by God.
From the establishment of kingship (1 Samuel 8:4-22), to the Hebrew prophets who insist on the fair treatment of the other and the pursuit of justice as fundamental to leading a life that amounts to faithfully walking with God discussions and directions on the role of the state and government in the Christian scriptures (for example, Romans 13:1-7) are plentiful. In fact, the creation account affirmed in a short span of thirty-five verses spread across the first two chapters of the book of Genesis (Gen 1:1-2:4) establishes the fundamentals that humans must enshrine and pursue with the state and government. These thirty-five verses emphatically establish the singular parentage of all things seen and unseen, the unquestionable equality of all human beings regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, social status, or anything else, the eternal basis for the human claim to be involved in productive work, and the consequent need for and right to rest. These verses from Genesis might be considered as the basis for discernment on how to live faithfully under the Divine.
In recent decades, and in most parts of the world, there has been a steady dilution of the role of the state and government in the lives of the citizens who constitute them, and all the people, including noncitizens, that dwell under them. This intentional receding or dismantling of state and government continues to occur despite recent experiences in which the governments of all countries concertedly pulled the world back from the brink of global economic catastrophe and ruin primarily caused by private corporations in 2008, and when governments across
Koshy
the world collaborated to address the global pandemic from 2020 to 2023. The attempts at indiscriminate deregulation that deliberately diminish states and governments’ capacity to determine and administer what is just, right, and acceptable in any enterprise or matter of public life, might be considered an affront to the Christian understanding of the possibility and prevalence of sin in anything and everything that humans do in their individual and collective lives. Similarly, the dissolution of state and government as a guardian of equality before the law, justice, and the rights of citizens represent an affront to the four precepts that the first thirty-five verses of the Book of Genesis call us to abide by. The Christian and other religious faiths as well as the vast array of nonprofit organizations are collectively termed nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). NGOs can also intentionally or inadvertently contribute to the displacement of the state and government from their role as pursuer and preserver of justice and wellbeing on behalf of all people within their respective domain and as the planner for their collective futures. This happens when NGOs and others consider the plans and programs they institute to serve as a substitute for the state and government. I am glad to be able to testify that the churches and institutions that the Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ partner with in Southern Asia consider their programs to be scalable experiments in the services and opportunities that might be immediately offered to as many people as possible. This means that their work can serve as a template for the state and government to adopt with full force and broad scope.
(2) Appointment of administrator: (a) Petitioner is a person entitled to Letters (If
in attachment 3g(2)(a).) (c) Petitioner is related to the decedent as: SON (h) Proposed personal representative is a (1) resident of California. (3) resident of the United States
4. a. Decedent was survived by (check items (1) or (2), and (3) or (4), and (5)
6402.) (5) child as follows: (a) natural or adopted. (7) issue of a predeceased child. b. Decedent was not survived by a stepchild or foster child or children who would have been adopted by decedent but for a legal barrier. (See
HENRY
JOSEPH
Date:
Decedent was survived by (check items (1) or (2), and (3) or (4), and (5) or (6), and (7) or (8) (1) spouse (4) no registered domestic partner. (See Fam. Code, § 297.5(c); Prob. Code, §§ 37(b), 6401 (c), and 6402.) (5) child as follows: (a) natural or adopted. (8) no issue of a predeceased child. b. Decedent was not survived by a stepchild or foster child or children who would have been adopted by decedent but for a legal barrier. (See Prob. Code, § 6454.)
6. (Complete if decedent was survived by (1) a spouse or registered domestic partner but no issue (only a or b apply), or (2) no spouse, registered domestic partner, or issue. (Check the first box that applies): f. Decedent was survived by next of kin, all of whom are listed in item 8.
8. Name and relationship to decedent Age Address
PATTI MARIE MARTIN SPOUSE 79 9127 CLOUD VIEW AVENNUE, HESPERIA, CA 92344
KARIN MARTIN-DANIEL. DAUGHTER 55 9551 RIGGINS ROAD, PHELAN, CA 92371
DARREN ALAN MARTIN SON DECEASED DECEASED 02/23/2009
JULIE ANN MARTIN-STONE DAUGHTER 61 9127 CLOUD VIEW AVENUE, HESPERIA, CA 92344
JEFFERY WARREN MARTIN. SON 59 9127 CLOUD VIEW AVENUE, HESPERIA, CA 92344
Date: FEBRUARY 20, 2025 IN PRO PER KARIN
MARTIN-DANIEL
Date: FEBRUARY 20, 2025 Signature Of Petitioner Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper March 27, April 3, 10, 2025.
PETITION FOR PROBATE (Probate-Decedents Estates)
ESTATE OF: DARREN KENNETH MARTIN DECEDENT
PETITION FOR: Probate of Authorization to Administer Under the Independent Administration of Estates Act
FILED: Feb 26, 2025 By Briana Flores, Deputy CASE NUMBER: PROVV2500067 HEARING DATE: 4/8/25 Time: 9:00 AM. DEPT.: V12 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO 14455 CIVIC DRIVE VICTORVILLE, CA 92392 VICTORVILLE DISTRICT
1. Publication will be in The San Bernardino American Newspaper
b. Publication to be arranged 2. Petitioner: KARIN MARTINDANIEL requests that a. decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate b. KAREN MARTIN-DANIEL be appointed
(1) executor and Letters issue upon qualification
c. full authority be granted to administer under the Independent Administration of Estates Act.
d. (1) bond not be required for the reasons stated in item 3e.
3. a. Decedent died on 2/27/2024 at PROVIDENCE ST MARY MEDICAL CENTER, APPLE VALLEY (1)
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Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper April 3, 10, 2025. The San Bernardino American News Publishes The Following Legals:
L E G A L S / C L A S S I F I E D S
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Those escorted out included individuals who had accepted buyouts and retirement packages, leaving them all the more perplexed and concerned about whether the Trump administration will keep its word on the separation agreements.
By Stacy M. Brown
Thousands of federal health employees faced sudden job losses Tuesday as mass firings and forced resignations swept through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under a new directive from the Trump administration. According to Endpoints News, some FDA staffers arriving at the agency’s White Oak campus in Maryland discovered their employment had ended when their security badges failed to activate. Guards then escorted them to gather their belongings. Witnesses, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described a chaotic atmosphere as longtime employees were abruptly cut loose.
Those escorted out included individuals who had accepted buyouts and retirement packages, leaving them all the more perplexed and concerned about whether the Trump administration will keep its word on the separation agreements.
“This is confusing,” said one individual who previously
accepted a retirement package and was told their last day would be later in April. “Do I need a lawyer?” the individual wondered. Among the affected was Dr. Peter Stein, director of the Office of New Drugs at the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Stein said he was presented with a reassignment to a newly created position in “patient affairs” — or the option to leave. He rejected the offer, calling it “ridiculous,” and was placed on administrative leave.
The sweeping changes will affect roughly 3,500 FDA employees — nearly one-fifth of the agency’s workforce. The Biden-era leadership structure is being dismantled under the direction of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has installed new personnel and removed several high-ranking officials, including those working on cancer therapies and biologics.
Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA’s top
By Bo Tefu | California Black Media
Anticipating federal cuts to scientific research and vaccine programs, California State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) has introduced a bill to establish the California Institute for Scientific Research.
The proposed state-funded agency aims to support biomedical and climate research while expanding vaccine access.
The bill, introduced March 27, comes as the Trump administration moves to cut funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and as Health and Human Services
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expresses an aversion to vaccine mandates.
President Donald Trump has proposed slashing $4 billion from NIH grants, a decision that is currently held up in legal battles. Meanwhile, Kennedy’s vaccine policy has drawn scrutiny, especially amid a measles outbreak affecting several states.
“California is a global leader on science in our own right, and we must step in to protect our scientific institutions from the new administration’s antiscience, Make America Sick Again onslaught,” said Wiener
The proposed agency would provide grants and loans to research institutions affected by
vaccine official and longtime director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, also resigned. He cited what he described as a dangerous erosion of public trust in science under Kennedy’s leadership. “If Peter Marks does not want to get behind restoring science to its golden standard and promoting radical transparency, then he has no place at FDA under the strong leadership of Secretary Kennedy,” an HHS spokesperson said.
Marks, who led the FDA’s biologics division since 2016, played a central role in the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He oversaw emergency use authorizations for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines and was instrumental in Operation Warp Speed — the Trump administration’s publicprivate partnership to develop and distribute vaccines. In his resignation letter to acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner, Marks condemned what he called the promotion of misinformation from the agency’s top levels. “Undermining confidence in vaccines is irresponsible, detrimental to public health, and a clear danger to our nation’s health, safety, and security,” he wrote.
Marks said he had initially hoped to collaborate with Kennedy on efforts to improve vaccine transparency but became disillusioned. “It has become clear that truth and transparency
are not desired by the secretary,” Marks wrote. “Rather, he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.” Kennedy, a prominent vaccine skeptic, has questioned the safety of widely used immunizations and filed a 2021 petition to revoke FDA authorization of COVID-19 vaccines, calling them the “deadliest vaccine ever made.” He has also made misleading claims about the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, telling Fox News host Sean Hannity that it “does cause deaths every year.”
According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America, no deaths have been linked to the MMR vaccine in healthy individuals. The vaccine is not recommended for immunocompromised individuals. Marks’ resignation also pointed to the current measles outbreak in the U.S., which is especially severe in Texas, as a direct consequence of the growing distrust in science. “The ongoing multistate measles outbreak that is particularly severe in Texas reminds us of what happens when confidence in well-established science underlying public health and well-being is undermined,” Marks wrote. “Measles, which killed more than 100,000 unvaccinated children last year in Africa and Asia owing to pneumonitis and encephalitis caused by the virus, had been eliminated from our shores.”
Bill Would Create California Version of National Institutes of Health...continued
of Defense activities to support the Department of Homeland Security in the unlawful relocation of migrants.
Padilla, who is the ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration moving illegal immigrants from the United States to Guantanamo Bay.
“After examining the migrant relocation activities at Guantanamo Bay, we are outraged by the scale and wastefulness of the Trump Administration’s misuse of our military. It is obvious that Guantanamo Bay is a likely illegal and certainly illogical location to detain immigrants. Its use is seemingly designed to undermine due process and evade legal scrutiny,” said Padilla in a
federal cuts, including areas like drug safety and climate change. Additionally, it would direct California’s existing prescription drug program, CalRX, to expand vaccine procurement, ensuring continued access despite potential federal policy shifts.
California has historically taken independent action on public health. During President Trump’s first term, Gov. Gavin Newsom collaborated with other Democratic-led states to review COVID-19 vaccine safety outside of federal oversight.
While the bill is expected to face opposition from California’s Republican minority, the greatest challenge may be securing funding amid the state’s budget constraints and Medicaid shortfalls.
If passed, the bill could position California as a selfreliant scientific leader.
Sen. Padilla: Housing Migrants at Guantanamo Bay Is Costing Americans Tens of Millions
Monthly
Last week, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) visited the U.S. Naval Station in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO) with a group of other senators to conduct oversight of what he called “the ongoing Department
statement.
“The staggering financial cost to fly these immigrants out of the United States and detain them at Guantanamo Bay — a mission worth tens of millions of dollars a month –is an insult to American taxpayers. President Trump could implement his immigration policies for a fraction of the cost by using existing ICE facilities in the U.S., but he is obsessed with the image of using Guantanamo, no matter the cost,” Padilla continued.
According to the New York Times, there are about 1,000 U.S. government employees, mostly military personnel, working at Guantanamo Bay. There are also about 70 contractors from the Department of Homeland Security stationed at the facility.
Padilla blasted Trump for “undermining the readiness of the U.S. Military.”
Last week, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) visited the U.S. Naval Station in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO) with a group of other senators to conduct oversight of what he called “the ongoing Department of Defense activities to support the Department of Homeland Security in the unlawful relocation of migrants.”
Padilla, who is the ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration moving illegal immigrants from the United States to Guantanamo Bay.
“After examining the migrant relocation activities at Guantanamo Bay, we are outraged by the scale and wastefulness of the Trump Administration’s misuse of our military. It is obvious that Guantanamo Bay is a likely illegal and certainly illogical location to detain immigrants. Its use is seemingly designed to undermine due process and evade legal scrutiny,” said Padilla in a statement.
Padilla blasted Trump for “undermining the readiness of the U.S. Military.”...continued
day-to-day military missions behind in order to build tents that should never be filled and guard immigrants who should never be held there,” Padilla said.
“Our troops will always answer the call and get the job done, but their invaluable time and
resources are being carelessly wasted by the President on this mission.”
Last week, the Center for Effective Lawmaking rated Padilla the second-most effective U.S. Senator in the 118th Congress.
The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into California’s ban on ‘forced outing’ of students’ gender identity to parents, escalating tensions between the state and the Trump administration over LGBTQ+ rights and parental access to student records.
The probe, announced March 27, targets a 2024 California law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, which prohibits schools from automatically informing parents if a student changes their name, pronouns, or gender identity. Federal officials argue the law may violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which guarantees parental access to student records.
“Teachers and school counselors should not be in the business of advising minors on consequential decisions about their gender identity and mental health,” said U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
“That responsibility lies with parents.”
If the law is found to be in
violation of federal regulations, California risks losing billions in federal education funding, including grants supporting low-income and special-needs students.
State officials defended the law as a vital protection for LGBTQ+ youth. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond emphasized that students must feel safe in order to learn, adding that “forced outing” policies put vulnerable youth at risk. The governor’s office dismissed the federal probe, arguing that FERPA does not mandate schools to disclose gender identity changes unless parents request their student’s records.
The investigation is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to limit LGBTQ+ protections in education, including executive orders restricting gender-affirming care and limiting transgender participation in school sports. Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for how federal law applies to student privacy and parental rights in education.
California Committee on Aging Appoints Dr. Lenore Tate and Jeannee Parker Martin
The California Commission on Aging (CCoA) has announced the appointments of Dr. Lenore Tate and Jeannee Parker Martin, effective January 2025. Both appointees bring a wealth of expertise to the Commission’s mission of addressing key issues affecting California’s older adults.
Dr. Tate, a licensed psychologist, has an extensive background in mental health, public policy, and advocacy, specializing in neuropsychology, geropsychology, forensic psychology, and trauma. She has worked with state government as a Principal Consultant for both the California Assembly and Senate, and currently leads Wraparound Enterprises, a nonprofit focused on mental health services, workforce development, and social support for marginalized communities.
Dr. Tate is passionate about healthy living, solo aging,
“The staggering financial cost to fly these immigrants out of the United States and detain them at Guantanamo Bay — a mission worth tens of millions of dollars a month –is an insult to American taxpayers. President Trump could implement his immigration policies for a fraction of the cost by using existing ICE facilities in the U.S., but he is obsessed with the image of using Guantanamo, no matter the cost,” Padilla continued.
According to the New York Times, there are about 1,000 U.S. government employees, mostly military personnel, working at Guantanamo Bay. There are also about 70 contractors from the Department of Homeland Security stationed at the facility.
Padilla blasted Trump for “undermining the readiness of the U.S. Military.”
“We met with dozens of servicemembers who were rushed to Guantanamo Bay without notice, leaving their critical continued in next 2 columns
caregiving, dementia, and equity for marginalized populations.
Jeannee Parker Martin, President and CEO of LeadingAge California, has led the organization’s efforts to improve housing, care, and services for older adults across the state. She has contributed to key advisory committees, including the President’s Coronavirus Commission on Quality and Safety in Nursing Homes and the California Governor’s Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Committee.
Together, Tate and Martin will enhance the CCoA’s advocacy efforts to support equity, inclusion, autonomy, and respect for California’s aging population. The Commission advises state leaders on policies that impact older adults and promotes programs to improve their quality of life.
Approximately thirty scholars grades 1st through 12th presented speeches with confidence on “The power of truth; transformative learning experiences in Black History” to an audience of approximately 150 made up of family, friends, and members from the community on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Rancho Cucamonga High School at the 37th annual Oratorical Contest sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Mu Xi Lambda Chapter and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Nu Omega Chapter.
All participants received a certificate of recognition for their participation.
A group of people standing in front of a podium
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L/R: Dewayne Cezere (President, Alpha Phi Alpha, Mu Xi Lambda), Wanda Jones (President, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Eta Nu Omega), Langston Buffong, August Johnson, Xavier Buffong, Audrey Seraile, Landon McClain, Lauren Stewart, Isaiah Buffong, Alexis Chambers, Twillea Evans-
(Chairman), Marlon Ware (Chairman). Not featured in picture: Rashad Martin. Contest winners below received cash prizes and trophies:
Elementary School
1st Place (200.00): Xavier Buffong - Savant
2nd Place ($100.00): August
Johnson - Perdew Elementary School
3rd Place ($75.00): Langston Buffong - Savant
Middle School
1st Place ($300.00): Lauren Stewart - Sierra Middle School
2nd Place ($200.00): Landon
- Santiago Middle School
3rd Place (100.00): Audrey Seraile - Vista Innovation and Design High School
1st Place ($500.00): Alexis Chambers - Carter High School
2nd Place ($300.00: Isaiah Buffong - Ontario Christian High School
3rd Place (150.00): Rashad Martin - Los Osos High School
Congratulations to all scholars! Stay motivated! “The best is yet to come!”
By Barbara Wilson and Dynastii Wynn, members of the Booker T.ECO Group
At the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center— San Francisco’s oldest Blackled nonprofit – generations come together to share wisdom, challenge stereotypes and build a more connected community. Through the Senior Victory Club and Black Legacy Builders Teen Fellowship Program, seniors and youth engage in meaningful conversations that foster respect, understanding and appreciation. These programs create safe spaces, strengthen bonds and promote a more inclusive future. As a result of their work, Booker T. received an Equity Community Organizing (ECO) Group grant from a funding partnership between The SCAN Foundation, the California Health Care Foundation and Metta Fund, and with the support, chose to create an intergenerational advocacy group to identify health equity issues in aging—particularly among marginalized communities— and develop strategies to address them. With this support, Booker T. helps seniors continue to age with grace, purpose and connection.
For me, Barbara Wilson, as the Senior Advisory Committee CoChair, I find deep purpose in my role at the Center. I help support the daily needs of the older adult program, ensuring support for seniors to age with dignity, respect and joy. The Senior Victory Club offers a welcoming space where seniors can connect, share meals and feel valued. In a city like San Francisco, where attacks on seniors are rising, having a sanctuary where we feel safe, heard and appreciated is essential. The kindness and support we receive from youth is truly heartwarming. For over 60 years, I have volunteered with various organizations, always cherishing the opportunity to connect with young people. Booker T.’s programs reaffirm that commitment. One of the most rewarding aspects is the curiosity of younger generations.
They ask thoughtful questions like, “What was it like when you were my age?” and teach us in return—like when they explained Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance. We share experiences they’ve never known, like phone booths and typewriters. These exchanges keep us engaged with the evolving world and foster meaningful connections between generations.
Beyond conversation, Booker T.’s programs have strengthened my mental, physical and emotional health. A couple of years ago, I suffered a heart attack, and the support from the center and young people helped me through it. Our care for one another is genuine. Seeing youth show kindness to seniors makes a real difference—it teaches respect and reinforces the importance of treating others with dignity. My message to other seniors is simple: You are appreciated, and there is a community for you. It is never too late to find family, both young and old. As a youth leader, I, Dynastii Wynn, have seen firsthand the vital role young people play in intergenerational conversations. Since joining Booker T. in my sophomore year, my experiences have been life changing. Through the Black Legacy Builders Teen Fellowship Program and the ECO Group, Booker T. provides events and discussions
that integrate both age groups, making these interactions natural and impactful. These exchanges allow us to educate while being educated. Now, at 18, I understand the importance of youth engaging with older generations—not just to learn from them, but to share our own perspectives.
Being part of this program has transformed my mindset and strengthened my relationships with elders, including those in my family. It has given me confidence and taught me how to navigate intergenerational spaces. Too often, my peers have lost respect for elders and feel disconnected from them. I believe that if more youth had access to programs like this, it could change their lives.
Through our work together in the ECO Group, I’ve gained patience, trust in the process and a greater sense of self-worth. The seniors at Booker T. make me feel confident and remind me that I am enough. I’ve become a better communicator and now approach conversations with openness and understanding.
Understanding our past is crucial to building a better future. As youth, we carry the responsibility of ensuring that future is one of unity and respect. Booker T.’s ECO Group is more than a program— it’s a movement. By sharing experiences and learning from one another, we are building a
future that honors the past while embracing the possibilities of tomorrow.
Booker T. Washington Community Service Center is the Bay Area’s oldest Blackled and serving nonprofit. A beacon of Black joy and selfdetermination for the last 106 years, the Center has nurtured over five generations of Black San Franciscans in the Fillmore/ Western Addition and across the city.
The SCAN Foundation is an independent public charity dedicated to creating a society where older adults can access health and supportive services of their choosing to meet their needs. Our mission is to advance a coordinated and easily navigated system of high-quality services for older adults that preserve dignity and independence.
The California Health Care Foundation is an independent, nonprofit philanthropy that works to improve the health care system so that all Californians have the care they need. We focus especially on making sure the system works for Californians with low incomes and for communities who have traditionally faced the greatest barriers to care.
Metta Fund is a private foundation dedicated to advancing the health and wellbeing of San Francisco’s growing older adult population.
Bridging Generations: Strengthening Community Connections...continued
Through grantmaking and community partnerships, Metta Fund prioritizes areas where systemic change is needed to address health inequities. We believe everyone deserves to live a healthy life, at every age. For more information, visit mettafund.org. Additional background: Ms. Barbara Wilson has been a fearless organizer and advocate for more than 60 years. Serving as the longtime board member of the Freedom West Housing Cooperative, she led the push for state-of-the-art improvements for the cooperative and throughout the surrounding area. As a board member of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, she has helped actualize the thriving, diverse and bustling commercial corridor we see today. Ms. Wilson also shattered glass ceilings, being one of the first Black and African American women to work at UCSF, from the late 1960s to her retirement in the early 2000s. She has been a dedicated volunteer for a myriad
of organizations throughout the city and beyond, from the American Heart Association to the African American Art and Cultural Complex to the SF Symphony. As the Senior Advisory Committee co-chair at Booker T. Washington Community Service Center, she supports the daily programmatic needs of the Center’s older adult program, ensuring that seniors can age with utmost dignity, respect and joy.
Dynastii Wynn is a high school senior who founded her school’s first Black Student Union. Dynastii aspires to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) after graduation, where she plans to pursue a career in psychology and as a professional dancer. She has been an active member of Booker T. Washington Community Service Center’s Black Legacy Builders Teen Fellowship Program for several years, finding a second family among the staff, students, and the broader community.
Line Dance: Monday & Thursday 11:15am-1:30pm Poker: Tuesday 10am -3am Soul Line Dance: Wednesday 9:15am Bid Whist: Thursday 11am-2pm
Pinochle: Friday 10am-3pm