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)
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — the Trump administration is “actively looking at” suspending the writ of habeas corpus — a constitutional right that allows individuals to challenge unlawful detention.
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire
a command from a court to the custodian of a particular individual (usually the state or federal prison system) to release that individual. A petition for a writ of habeas corpus is a common mechanism by which a criminal case can be reviewed even after the appellate process has run its course.
Senior White House adviser Stephen Miller confirmed the Trump administration is “actively looking at” suspending the writ of habeas corpus — a constitutional right that allows individuals to challenge unlawful detention. Though framed as a move against undocumented immigrants, historians and legal experts warn the consequences could be far more sweeping, especially for Black Americans. “The Constitution is clear,” Miller told reporters. “The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in time of invasion.” Miller cited immigration at the southern border as justification, using language similar to what President Trump has repeatedly described as an “invasion.” But
By April Ryan
civil liberties advocates and Black historians say suspending this right — a cornerstone of due process — would reopen legal pathways used throughout U.S. history to detain, punish, and silence Black Americans. From the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 to Reconstruction-era terror and Japanese internment in World War II, the right to habeas corpus has been both a shield and a last resort for marginalized people. Its suspension has consistently led to devastating consequences. “Black Americans remember what happens when the government has unchecked power to detain,” wrote historian Amanda Tyler, author of Habeas Corpus in Wartime. “This isn’t new. It’s the same mechanism that was
used to capture fugitive slaves and suppress Black resistance during Reconstruction.”
In 1850, Congress passed a law that denied suspected fugitives any right to testify in court or even seek habeas relief. Free Black Americans were captured alongside escapees. “It meant no Black person in the North was safe,” wrote historians James and Lois Horton, who documented how the law turned states like Massachusetts into hunting grounds for slave catchers backed by federal power. The parallels are striking. Today, many of the deportation cases the Trump administration wants to fast-track involve habeas claims — legal challenges asserting that the government
has no lawful basis for detention. One such case involves Rumeysa Öztürk, a Turkish student at Tufts University, who was jailed for 45 days without charges.
A federal judge in Vermont ordered her release after she filed a habeas petition, arguing her detention was based on her political speech and not any crime. Miller hinted that such judicial checks on the executive branch are part of the reason for considering suspension. “It depends on whether the courts do the right thing or not,” he said. That sentiment echoes past abuse. During Reconstruction, Congress had to pass the Ku Klux Klan Act in 1871 to protect
prominently placed the famous bust next to the fireplace in the Oval Office. The sculpture was frequently captured in videos and pictures during meetings with those presidents and other leaders.
This bust is just one of many pieces of artwork around 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., which is not only the president’s home but also a living museum. The bust was created by AfricanAmerican artist Charles Alston in 1970, two years after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was the first image of an African American on public display at the White House.
The bust has been on a longterm loan from the Smithsonian since 2000, and has resided in various areas of the White House, from the library on the lower floor to the Oval Office in the West Wing. The King bust has never been positioned on the State Floor of the White House because the civil rights leader was a civilian.
By Edward Henderson | California Black Media
The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) announced that its Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) resumed collection of its defaulted federal student loan portfolio on May 5. The department has not collected on defaulted loans since March 2020.
‘Collections on defaulted federal student loans are resuming. This means that your tax refund or other federal benefits may be withheld,” reads an email affected borrowers in California and around the country received from the DOE last week.
“Later this summer, your employer may also be required to withhold a portion of your pay until you begin to repay your defaulted federal student loan,” the email continues.
According to the DOE, 42.7 million borrowers owe more than $1.6 trillion in student debt. More than 5 million borrowers have not made a monthly payment in over 360 days and their loans have been declared “in default.” Another 4 million borrowers are in latestage delinquency (91-180 days). As a result, there could be almost 10 million borrowers in default in a few months. If this happens, almost 25% of the federal student loan portfolio will be in default.
“American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies,” said U.S.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon in a release. “The Biden Administration misled borrowers: the executive branch does not have the constitutional authority to wipe debt away, nor do the loan balances simply disappear. Hundreds of billions have already been transferred to taxpayers. Going forward, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Treasury, will shepherd the student loan program responsibly and according to the law, which means helping borrowers return to repayment — both for the sake of their own financial health and our nation’s economic outlook.” The DOE is urging borrowers in default to contact the Default Resolution Group to make a monthly payment, enroll in an income-driven repayment plan, or sign up for loan rehabilitation. Later this summer, FSA will send required notices to begin administrative wage garnishment. Student loan debt statistics among racial and ethnic groups reflect dramatic differences in financial health, habits, and resource availability from one community to the next, according
By Stacy M. Brown
As the nation approaches the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, a new Pew Research Center study reveals a sobering assessment from Americans: the heightened focus on race and racial inequality following the 2020 protests has largely failed to improve the lives of Black people. In the immediate aftermath of Floyd’s death at the hands of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of murder and manslaughter and sentenced to over 20 years in prison, public attention surged. Millions joined protests across the country. Support for the Black Lives Matter movement peaked, with 67% of Americans backing the cause, and 52% believed at the time that the national reckoning would result in meaningful change for Black Americans. Today, only 27% say those changes materialized. Pew’s new survey, conducted February 10–17, 2025, among 5,097 adults, finds that 72% now say the increased focus on racial inequality has not improved life for Black people. Even among Democrats, optimism has waned significantly — just 34% believe the racial reckoning made a difference, down from 70% in 2020.
Support for Black Lives Matter, which surged in 2020, has dropped to 52%. Favorability has remained highest among Black adults (76%), Democrats (84%), and adults under 30 (61%), while only 45% of White adults and 22% of Republicans express support. “The justice system is not fair when it comes to Black people,” said a Black Republican in their mid-40s, one of many respondents offering open-ended reflections. “When convicted of crimes, Black people always get heavier sentences than their White counterparts, even when they have no prior convictions.” The study also finds that Americans have become more pessimistic about the future of racial equality. Among those who believe the country hasn’t gone far enough on equal rights, only 51% now say it’s likely that Black people will eventually achieve equality with White people, down from 60% in
Thursday, May 15, 2025
577 Students Honored in Celebration of Achievement, Generosity, and the Power of Community
(SBVC) proudly celebrated the achievements and aspirations of 577 students at its annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Held in the college’s historic Auditorium, the event marked a major milestone, with 825 scholarships awarded, totaling an impressive $800,000 in financial support exclusively for SBVC students - the highest amount ever disbursed to students in a single year.
The evening began with a special donor reception honoring the individuals, families, and organizations whose ongoing generosity made the scholarships possible. The reception offered donors a unique opportunity to meet the students who received their endowed awards. Among the esteemed guests were community leaders, SBVC faculty and staff, and loyal supporters committed to uplifting local students.
San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., a proud SBVC alumnus, delivered heartfelt remarks, reflecting on both his and his mother’s time at the college. He spoke about the lasting impact of scholarships in opening doors for students from
all walks of life. His words echoed the evening’s theme: community investment as a catalyst for student transformation.
“It wasn’t the dollar amount of the scholarship; it was that someone took the time to invest in me,” Baca reflected. “These scholarships are an investment in you.”
SBVC President Dr. Gilbert Contreras also addressed the audience, highlighting how reducing financial barriers enables students to focus on their education and future careers.
“For almost 100 years, people have come here with a dream and left with a future,” said Contreras. “At San Bernardino Valley College, 70% of our students experience at least one form of basic needs insecurity. Scholarships matter at San Bernardino Valley College.”
SBVC President Dr. Gilbert J. Contreras addresses student scholarship recipients and attendees.
The audience was moved by two exceptional SBVC nursing students, Lina Feng-Yang and April Ruelas, who shared their inspiring personal stories.
Feng-Yang, whose family immigrated from China to Venezuela, boldly moved to the United States on her own
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Enrollment grew to 1,751,109 children nationwide, an increase of more than 111,000 from the previous year. Ten states saw enrollment growth exceeding 20%
By National Institute for Early Education Research
A new analysis of state-funded early childhood education programs for three and fouryear-olds shows that preschool investments across the United States are at an all-time high. However, the increases in funding and enrollment are skewed by a small number of states making progress — and quality remains highly uneven from state to state.
The National Institute for Early Education Research’s 2024 State of Preschool Yearbook presents a critical snapshot of preschool education in America. The 20232024 school year set records for state-funded preschool enrollment and spending. Currently, 44 states and DC fund preschool programs. Most state pre-K programs continue to primarily or only serve fouryear-olds. Nationally, enrollment reached 37% of four-year-olds but only 8% of three-year-olds. States spent more than $13.6 billion on preschool in 2023-
2024, including $257 million in federal COVID-19 relief dollars. This represents an increase of nearly $2 billion (17%) over the previous year. However, just four states— California, New Jersey, New York, and Texas— accounted for half (51%) of total national preschool spending. Preschool investments increased in all but five states with existing programs. Six states — California, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Texas — each boosted preschool spending by more than $100 million. Enrollment grew to 1,751,109 children nationwide, an increase of more than 111,000 from the previous year. Ten states saw enrollment growth exceeding 20%: Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Ohio. California and
to pursue a better future. She is graduating this May with a 3.9 GPA and began the SBVC nursing program in 2024. Her passion for equitable healthcare and language accessibility promises to make her a compassionate and effective provider.
Her fellow speaker, Ruelas, a local student from the Inland Empire, spoke about her journey as a single mother striving to break generational cycles and build a better life for her family.
“Échale ganas, mija,” she recalled, which translates to “Keep going, daughter”—a powerful mantra that fuels her determination to succeed and inspire her child.
The event celebrated not only academic excellence but
also the strength of the SBVC community and the perseverance of its students. Over the past four years, the SBVC Foundation has awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships and over $5 million in support for campus programs, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to educational equity and student success.
SBVC scholarship recipients Lina Feng-Yang (left) and April Ruelas (right), pose with San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.
For more information about the SBVC Foundation or to contribute to student scholarships, please visit www. sbvcfoundation.org.
By Antonio Ray Harvey | California
The Assembly Committee on Education passed previously stalled legislation after an agreement was struck to strengthen early childhood literacy efforts in the state by equipping educators with the necessary tools and training.
Assembly Bill (AB) 1454, authored by Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), and Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), unanimously passed out of committee with a 9-0 vote.
The evidence-based reading instruction bill, supported by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) CaliforniaHawaii State Conference, now moves on to the Committee on Appropriations for review.
“This legislation is essential, important progress, and it reflects agreement and robust consensus on ways to provide educators the evidence-based tools they need to support California’s diverse students,” Rivas said in an April 30 statement. “We must make sure every child, no matter their background, has the opportunity to become a confident and thriving reader.”
Supporters of AB 1454 from around the state attended the hearing. The Assembly Education
public comments at an Assembly Education Committee hearing for AB 1454 on May 1. CBM photo by
9-0 vote. It is now headed to the Committee on Appropriations for review. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
AB 1454 would require the California Department of Education to identify effective professional development programs for educators primarily focused on teaching reading in transitional kindergarten through fifth grade.
It also requires the State Board of Education to adopt updated English language arts and English language development instructional materials. Additionally, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing would be required to update school administrator standards to include training on how to support effective literacy instruction.
The legislation was authored and introduced by Rubio as AB 2222 last year. She said was designed to implement evidencebased methods, also known
Childhood Literacy Bill Supported by NAACP, CTA and Advocates Moves Closer to Becoming California Law ...continued as “the science of reading,” a scientifically-based research approach that advises how pupils are taught to read.
The bill stalled in April 2024 when the California Teachers Association (CTA) and other education stakeholders opposed the bill, questioning a mandate that would have required all school districts to standardize instruction and required training.
Rubio reintroduced the bill as AB 1121, but it too failed to advance, prompting Rivas to create AB 1454. After multiple rounds of negotiations, an agreement was made that reading instruction training would be discretionary.
Patricia Rucker, a legislative advocate for the CTA and former State School Board of Education member, said the agreement reached required each party involved to make concessions about implementation.
“Reasonable people can disagree on reasonable things, but we also can show the world how you can disagree and come together,” Rucker said during the hearing held at the State Capitol Swing Space. “We’re committed to continuing the work on this bill to keep the bill moving forward.”
Rubio said she was close to surrendering the fight for the bill,
stating that the process “by far, has been the hardest thing that I have ever done in nine years as a legislator.”
“Sometimes I was ready to walk away,” she said, “but for the coalition (of supporters), parents, family members, and of course, our Speaker, for finally sitting us down and saying, ‘Get it done. Get it done.’”
Marshall Tuck, the CEO of EdVoice, told California Black Media that one-third of states have integrated evidence-based reading instruction into their early literacy policies and have done so with measurable success.
For example, Mississippi rose from 49th in the nation in 2013 to 9th place in fourth grade reading in 2024, Tuck said. Louisiana improved from ranking 50th, the last in the country, up to 16th. California ranks 33rd in overall fourth grade reading proficiency, 39th out of 42 states for Black students, and 38th out of 48 for English learners, according to 2024 data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
“Reading is a civil rights issue, and it demands urgent action,” Tuck said. “There are a lot of challenges that go into reading,
New Research Highlights the State of Early Childhood Education...continued
Colorado alone added more than 30,000 children each, together accounting for over 60% of the national enrollment increase.
Ominously, several states that have been leaders in universal preschool continued a long-term decline in enrollment, including Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. “Preschool access in the United States continues to be highly dependent on your zip code. While states as different as California, Colorado, Mississippi, and New Mexico have made remarkable progress in expanding preschool, many states are trailing further and further behind,” said Allison Friedman-Krauss, Ph.D., lead author of the report.
Alabama, Hawaii, Michigan, Mississippi, and Rhode Island remain the only states nationwide to meet all 10 of NIEER’s recommended benchmarks for preschool quality. NIEER’s benchmarks measure essential preschool quality indicators, including teacher qualifications, class sizes, early learning standards, and program assessments. Conversely, 21 state-funded preschool programs meet five or fewer of these quality standards—including three of the nation’s four largest programs, California, Florida,
and Texas. Nationally, more than two-and-a-half times as many children attend lowerquality programs (meeting five or fewer benchmarks) compared to programs meeting nine or all ten benchmarks.
“When states put money into quality preschool programs, they are investing in children’s futures and can expect to see strong returns on their investments,” said W. Steven Barnett, Ph.D., NIEER’s senior director and founder. “For those who invest in low-quality programs, it may look like they are saving money, but those programs are not likely to support children’s development enough to result in lasting academic and other gains that ultimately deliver savings for taxpayers.” Additional information about the State of Preschool Yearbook, including individual state profiles and interactive maps, graphs, and state rankings, can be found at http://www.nieer.org. The National Institute for Early Education Research at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education, New Brunswick, NJ, supports early childhood education policy and practice through independent, objective research and the translation of research to policy and practice.
Thursday, May 15, 2025
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The agency estimates that under the proposed changes, as many as 8.6 million people could lose Medicaid coverage, and up to 3.9 million would become uninsured.
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Medicaid newspaper headline on hundred dollar bills with US Capitol in Washington DC
A newly released analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has confirmed that proposals pushed by Republicans in Congress to slash Medicaid spending would result in millions of Americans losing health coverage. The analysis arrives just days before the House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to vote on several of these drastic policy changes. The CBO report, addressed to Senate Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden and House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr., outlines five Republican-backed Medicaid policy options that would significantly reduce federal spending. The agency estimates that under the proposed changes, as many as 8.6 million people could lose Medicaid coverage, and up to 3.9 million would become uninsured. “This CBO report further confirms what we already knew – that Republicans
in Congress are willing to sell out millions of working families to give their billionaire friends another massive tax break,” said Kobie Christian, spokesperson for Unrig Our Economy.
“Republicans in Congress have been gaslighting the American public by claiming to be against Medicaid cuts, while actively trying to take away health care from millions of working-class Americans.”
The proposals outlined in the CBO’s letter are capping federal contributions to Medicaid, reducing the matching rate for states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, and repealing enrollment rules designed to streamline access to Medicaid and CHIP. Each of the first four policy options would force states to respond by cutting provider payments, reducing benefits, and slashing enrollment. The fifth option alone—repealing the Eligibility and Enrollment final rule—
By: Olivia James - Bargain Shopper Extraordinaire
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would eliminate coverage for 2.3 million people, most of whom are low-income seniors and people with disabilities. “Donald Trump and Rubber Stamp Republicans in Congress are lying to the American people about their plans to enact the largest cut to Medicaid in our nation’s history,” warned Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The CBO analysis confirms House Democrats’ warnings that the GOP proposals would force states to raise taxes, cut education spending, or push people off health insurance,” Jeffries said. “Rather than working to improve the Medicaid program, congressional Republicans are continuing a 15-year-old fight to repeal the Affordable Care Act,” noted Andrea Ducas, vice president of Health Policy at the Center for American Progress. “This new CBO report confirms that each of congressional Republicans’ latest proposals would kick millions of the most vulnerable Americans off their health care, all to pay for tax giveaways for the president’s billionaire donors.”
The report also arrives as Senate Republicans voted 53–47 to confirm Frank Bisignano— former Wall Street executive and self-described “DOGE person”—as the new head of the Social Security Administration, drawing harsh criticism from Democrats and advocates. During his confirmation hearing, Bisignano dodged questions from Senators Bernie Sanders and Ron Wyden about the
agency’s cuts and the use of cryptocurrency-related tools in sensitive federal databases.
In recent months, under the Trump administration, the SSA has shuttered field offices, laid off 7,000 employees, and made it harder for Americans— especially seniors and rural residents—to access benefits.
Reports from outlets including Axios, NPR, and the Washington Post highlight the collapse of customer service at the SSA, long wait times, and the inability of many Americans to apply for benefits online or by phone.
“Republicans just handed over the future of Americans’ Social Security to Frank Bisignano, a Wall Street stooge,” said Ken Martin, Chair of the Democratic National Committee. “Just like Trump and Musk, Bisignano will gladly put Social Security on the chopping block to line the pockets of billionaires and special interests.”
Democrats argue the Republican strategy—cutting Medicaid and destabilizing Social Security—amounts to an all-out war on working-class Americans. The CBO report estimates the GOP’s Medicaid policy shifts would reduce the federal deficit by as much as $710 billion over the next decade, but at a devastating cost: loss of care, rising out-of-pocket expenses, and widening inequities in health access. “Crafting health care policy is not an academic exercise; for tens of thousands of Americans, it’s a matter of life or death,” Ducas noted.
The National Medical Association (NMA), representing the interests of the 50,000 African American physicians in the U.S., has issued the following advisory regarding diabetes awareness:
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Diabetes is a major chronic disease that impacts over 37 million adults in the US and is anticipated to impact 54.9 million adults nationwide by 2030. Black people are disproportionately impacted by the diabetes epidemic, with 12.1% of Black people having the disease, compared with 7.4% of their white counterparts. Additionally, Black people are three times as likely to end up hospitalized for diabetes-related complications and are more than twice as likely to undergo diabetes-related leg or foot amputation.
What to Know:
29.7 million people, including 29.4 million adults, have been diagnosed with diabetes in the US.
8.7 million people are undiagnosed in the US.
In 2023, Black adults were 1.4 times more likely than non-
Hispanic white adults to be diagnosed with diabetes.
In 2021, Black people were 40% more likely than nonHispanic whites to die from diabetes.
Smoking cigarettes can increase a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes along with various complications as related to diabetes.
Losing even a small percentage of body weight can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Getting enough sleep can positively impact blood sugar control and reduce the risk of diabetes.
Diabetes increases the likelihood of contracting some illnesses. To alleviate this, be sure to speak with a healthcare provider for information on relevant vaccinations.
For more information on diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association (ADA) at diabetes.org, the African American Diabetes Association at africanamericandiabetes.org, or speak with your healthcare provider.
Student Loan Collections Have Resumed: Here’s What You Need to Know...continued on page 1
to the Education Data Initiative.
Black and African American college graduates owe an average of $25,000 more in student loan debt than White college graduates (Black and African American bachelor’s degree holders have an average of $52,726 in student loan debt).
Four years after graduation, Black students owe an average of 188% more than White students originally borrowed.
Black and African American student borrowers are the most likely to struggle financially due to student loan debt making monthly payments of $258.
“The level of concern here really depends on the reasons a borrower has not paid their federal student loans. If they don’t have the capacity, they
Student Loan Collections Have Resumed: Here’s What You Need to Know...continued
Affected borrowers can visit their loan servicer’s website for assistance if needed. Setting up auto pay to ensure on-time payments is recommended. Individuals are also encouraged to review many loan forgiveness options and qualifications.
Most programs have strict eligibility requirements, but student loans can be forgiven under programs such as the following:
Public Service Loan
Forgiveness for people who
work for eligible government and nonprofit employers Teacher Loan Forgiveness for people who work in eligible teaching jobs
Income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness for people who repay their loans on an eligible IDR plan
Total and permanent disability discharge for people with a disability that severely limits their ability to work Learn about other loan forgiveness programs at Studentaid.gov.
“If There Is One Shred of a Desire to Be Saved ─ Act On It NOW!”
By: Lou K Coleman
Time is running out! End time prophecies are happening in rapid succession; one after another. Jesus is urgently letting us know how soon His coming will be and “Soon” is no longer just a hope or a distant reality, it is right upon us. So, if there is one shred of a desire to be saved, act on it NOW! Even though it is impossible to know the exact day and hour of Jesus coming at this time, we are instructed by Jesus that we need to carefully “watch and pray” and know His coming is “even at the doors.” [Luke 21:35 & Matthew 24:33].
As the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover." The person who thinks he can live in sin and plan to repent at some future date either does not know what repentance is or he thinks that God is a fool. The sinner’s cry at the end of life is one of regret, desperation, and hopelessness. But it is also a warning to those who are still alive. We have the opportunity to make the right choice now, to embrace Christ and live in light of eternity. Let us not wait until it is too late to heed the call to salvation. There is no time like
K Coleman
the present to secure our eternal future in Christ.
The entire message of Jesus is summed up in these words: “Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15). No one likes to be commanded to do anything. But here is a command from Almighty God that applies to every man, woman, boy and girl born on this planet. God says you must repent. No excuses will be accepted. If you do not obey God’s command, you will someday face a divine court-martial. It would be terrible to go to hell because you never repented of your sins. Terrible because God has already done everything necessary for you to go to heaven. He sent his own son to die on the cross, bearing your sins, taking your place, paying your penalty. If you have any desire to be saved, act upon it NOW! Time is running out!
Thelma
Anissa Glaser-Bacon
When I first moved into the house that is now my home, Thelma introduced herself. She and I became quick friends. She accompanied me on many mornings as I drank my cup of coffee and woke up for the day. She helped me to start my day on a positive note and reminded me of the importance of stopping for a moment to breathe. Last week, Thelma became sick, and we had to let her go. As I blessed her on her way, I realized that my day to day would change dramatically. I knew how much I would miss her.
may be overstretched,” Michele Raneri, vice president and head of research at TransUnion, said in a statement. “They may not know they have to pay them, may not be able to find the information on how to do so, or may not have a willingness to pay for one reason or another,” she said.
Top tips to manage any pending student loan payments include reviewing your student loan balance on your Dashboard. Choose a repayment plan based on your income and you can also utilize a loan Simulator can help you decide which plan is right for you.Loan servicers can be an important resource, allowing the borrower to pay his or her student loans online through their loan servicer’s website.
Thelma was a 180-220 yearold, 85-foot Norway spruce along the neighbor’s fence line in my backyard. She was struck by lightning two weeks ago, which split the trunk from her base to about six feet up the trunk. We had no choice—she could not survive that injury. I am very sensitive to and about trees in general. Raised in a game preserve in rural Maine, I have always been surrounded by trees. Trees were friends. They accompanied the reading of books, dinners with family, and more. As my faith grew, so did my awareness that trees are not only an integral part of my existence, but are an essential part of my human awareness and knowing. I know who I am and where I am by observing the trees around me.
Eventually, I learned that trees were also a large part of my spiritual identity as well. From the tree in The Garden in
Genesis to Revelation, which states “The leaves of the [Tree of Life] were for the healing of the nations” (Rev. 22:2), trees are an unspoken partner in many of the stories of our faith and for our biblical ancestors who have inspired that faith. Our scriptures are filled with trees that represent life, growth, wisdom, knowledge, resilience, connection to God, and representation of unity in diversity in the people of God. Some say that, besides humans and God, trees are the living thing mentioned most in the Bible. The grief of losing Thelma has made me reflect on these things and the importance of recognizing our role in creation as a partner with God. Our environment is lifechanging—for us and for those people, things, and situations around us. A lost tree, or a new tree growing, has physical and mental impacts on our psyches and the way we approach the world. Seeing new growth inspires us to enact new growth in the world. As a tree sets a slow-growing pace, so may we be patient with ourselves and others as we are learning and serving. As a tree drives its roots in solid earth, so may we root ourselves in our deep relationship to scripture and in God and one another. As Thelma, who was evergreen and lived and shaded this neighborhood for 200 years, may we be witnesses to faithfulness, care, and justice beyond our years.
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer
Experts say the increase of artificial intelligence (AI) could offer new tools to improve mental health care for Black women and girls in the U.S. to overcome barriers such as access, affordability and cultural disconnects with providers.
Black women and girls are generally not getting the mental health care they need.
“AI can help dismantle some of the barriers to obtaining mental health services,” said Nijima Smalls, an emotional wellness coach and author of “The Black Girl’s Guide to Healing.”
“Many people find it such a challenge to access mental health services in terms of finding a provider that’s a good fit for them,” added Smalls. “You have to find someone that accepts your insurance, and then you have to go through this interview process to see if it’s a cultural fit.”
Smalls said this process can often be so cumbersome that people become jaded from the process and stop pursuing mental health care altogether. If appropriately implemented, AI
Unsplash/ Solen Feyissa) tools could help connect people more efficiently with services and culturally competent providers.
“It’ll also help in our areas where there are many underserved Black women and girls, where case managers and social workers are overburdened, so case managers do not get burned out,” she said.
Evon Inyang, a licensed associate marriage and family therapist and founder of ForwardUs Counseling, said AI could play a key role in early intervention.
“I believe AI-powered screening tools could flag signs of depression, anxiety or emotional disconnection earlier, especially in new parents who don’t have access to therapy or feel safe speaking up,” said Inyang.
According to Davidson, an assistant professor of Business Technology and Analytics at Butler University, AI can support creativity and personalized care.
“AI can train,” said Davidson. “It can be trained to learn from its inputs and, as you communicate with it, can learn things about
Food Bank Serves 300 Households with Mother’s Day Holiday DriveThru Food Distribution
L E G A L S / C L A S S I F I E D S Riverside, CA, May 13th, 2025— In honor of Mother’s Day, Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) held a special drive-thru food distribution at its Riverside warehouse, providing critical nutrition support to families facing food insecurity. During the two-hour event, FARSB served approximately 300 households, distributing shelfstable food boxes, fresh produce, and whole hams to help make the holiday weekend brighter for local mothers and their families.
“While donations have declined, the need in our community remains as urgent as ever, especially for mothers and grandmothers working hard to keep their families fed,” said Carolyn Fajardo, CEO of FARSB. “We’re deeply grateful for the support that made it possible to bring this special holiday weekend distribution to those who need it most,” said Fajardo.
Participants who attended
the food distribution were instructed through social media to register online for the event held on Friday, May 9th, and were directed to drive through the warehouse lot while staff and volunteers loaded food commodities into their vehicles.
This special distribution was in addition to FARSB’s regularly scheduled food distributions and other hunger-relief programs. FARSB hosted the drive-thru event with support from the Spark Good Local Community Grants from various local Walmart stores in the Inland Empire. Walmart has many great ways for customers can support their favorite nonprofits. Check out Walmart.com/Nonprofits to learn more.
To sponsor an upcoming FARSB holiday drive-thru food distribution, please contact Angela, FARSB Development Director, for more information. Email: ajugon@ feedingamericaie.org.
you.”
“You can use it as a way to get creative, you can use it as a way to find diverse perspectives that you wouldn’t have necessarily thought of,” Davidson added.
Experts emphasized that AI must be designed and guided by mental health professionals and members of the Black community.
“It takes human interaction to program AI in a way that makes sure people aren’t left with more trauma than they came to the table with,” said Smalls. “It has to be for us by us…free of microaggressions, free of unconscious values, free of assumptions and negative stereotypes.”
Jessica Gaddy, a licensed clinical mental health therapist and founder of Nia Noire Therapy and Wellness, stressed the need for Black professionals to get involved in this work.
“There’s a gap in the research and in the market for applications that attend specifically to our cultural needs,” said Gaddy.
“We need Black researchers, physicians and providers to contribute to this body of literature, because no one else is doing it.”
“Black women find coping and strength in community,” added Gaddy. “Building an app that is centered around spirituality, community and language feels connected to who we are, instead of something so sterile and medicinal.”
Smalls urged Black women and girls to have a wellness plan in place.
“Life is going to happen,” she said. “Be prepared. Don’t wait until a crisis comes.”
Childhood Literacy Bill Supported by NAACP, CTA and Advocates Moves Closer to Becoming California Law ...continued from page 2 but this is a big step forward to make sure that at least every child in a public school in California is going to be taught based on what the research says is the most effective way for children to read.”
By the numbers, some educators are concerned about students’ reading development by the time they reach the third grade. EdVoice has produced data indicating that many children in California are not reading on grade level by the end of the third grade and a large number of them complete elementary school without the language development and literacy skills required.
Statewide, about 1.6 million students are enrolled in kindergarten through third grade, and 63% are from low-income communities. From that pool, 75% are Black or Latino, and 34% are English learners. Only 2 out of 10 Black students were
reading at third grade level, according to EdVoice.
Tonya Craft-Perry, an educator and member of the Black Parent Network, supports AB 1454. She told CBM that poor literacy skills, particularly at the third-grade level, affect Black and Latino students disproportionately – a disadvantage that could lead them into the “school-to-prison pipeline.”
When students experience academic struggles, it can lead to dropping out of high school, and ultimately, incarceration, said Craft-Perry.
Craft-Perry added, “Literacy is the one thing that is going to take you through all parts of life. Yes, we want students to be able to read and able to write, but also to understand how to use critical thinking skills, how to research, and know how to present information in a way that shows that they understand what they have read.”
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Thursday, May 15, 2025
THE SAN BERNARDINO AMERICAN NEWS - COUNTY/WORLD /BUSINESS
By Charlene Crowell
In the In the first 100 days of the current Trump Administration term, over 250,000 federal employees have had their jobs cut, planned to be cut, or have taken a buyout, according to a recent New York Times tally. With a 46 percent staff reduction – 1,380 employeesthe Department of Education is among the hardest hit agencies.
The recently released FY 2026 budget plan underscores the administration’s determination to shutter the agency and eliminate programs that support the nation’s strides to remain educationally competitive and economically viable in a global economy.
“The President’s Skinny Budget reflects funding levels for an agency that is responsibly winding down, shifting some responsibilities to the states, and thoughtfully preparing a plan to delegate other critical functions to more appropriate entities,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon in a related statement.
“The federal government has invested trillions of taxpayer dollars into an education system that is not driving improved
student outcomes – we must change course and reorient taxpayer dollars toward proven programs that generate results for American students.”
For the fiscal year that begins October 01, an additional 15.3 percent agency cut would drop education funding another $12 billion from FY 2025’ $78.7 billion. Among these proposed cuts are programs that speak to 21st Century dynamics affecting higher education:
$980 million – an 80 percent reduction to the Federal WorkStudy (FWS) program; $75 million for Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) for campus-based childcare services to parents of low-income parents enrolled in postsecondary education; $64 million cut to Howard University, only federally chartered Historically Black College and University; and $49 million from its Office of Civil Rights, a 35 percent reduction to the office that investigates claims of race, sex and other discrimination in schools.
These specific and modest programs respond to the needs of today’s college students that are quite different from those of yesteryear. The historical 4-year completion rate for an undergraduate degree at a young age has been shrinking for several years. Instead, the growing percentage of college students trend older in age, take longer to graduate, and in the case of Black students, often have children to care for as well. Even after graduation, today’s marketplace demands an ongoing challenge to update skills and education to remain competitive.
According to, Black Student Parents’ Access to Affordable Child Care Support at Community Colleges, a recent policy brief by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Development:
“Black college students are more likely to be parents than other racial groups at both community colleges and fouryear institutions. Over one in three (36 percent) of Black students enrolled in community colleges in 2020 were parents. Forty percent of Black women in college are raising children. Black single mothers comprise 30 percent of undergraduate students who are single mothers, and nearly 70 percent of Black single-mother students are firstgeneration college students. Black fathers make up 19 percent of student parents and are less likely to have access to childcare assistance than fathers of other races.”
CCAMPIS is designed to address this growing need.
Competitive federal grant administered by the U.S. Department of Education,
help colleges fund on-campus childcare for Pell-eligible students. Unfortunately, the program’s funding has never been enough to meet student parents’ needs. Fewer than 4,000 parent students have benefitted from the program when there are approximately 1.5 million student parents who have children under the age of six, according to the D.C.-based New America.
For now, the popular Pell Grant program continues to serve more than 6 million students from low-income households. But its maximum award per student is $7,395 for the 2025-2026 school year – not enough to cover the anticipated family contribution many schools expect for tuition and other expenses.
With this kind of demonstrated need for college assistance, it’s hard to understand why the Federal Work Study program would face the budget ax. Through its part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, the monies earned lessen the need to borrow loans, while also encouraging work related to the student’s course of study or community service – with a very modest government investment.
When 78 percent of Black student parents have no family financial support for college, as the Joint Center report found, funding college financial support is not only good for Black America – it’s in the nation’s long-term interest.
The budget bottom line should recognize the huge difference between a handout and a hand up.
Opinion: The great unraveling: How this week marked the legal end of constitutional America...continued from page 3
this invokes the constitutional clause for suspension in cases of “rebellion or invasion” . Legal scholars and civil rights advocates warn this would eliminate due process for both migrants and citizens.
2. Reopening Alcatraz
President Trump ordered the reopening of Alcatraz, closed since 1963, to house “repeat and ideological offenders.” Federal agencies including DHS, DOJ and ICE have been mobilized to identify candidates for incarceration under expanded definitions of “domestic threats” This symbolic return to fortress-style incarceration serves as both a physical and psychological warning to dissenters: protest may now be punishable by imprisonment.
3. Arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka
On May 9, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested outside Delaney Hall, a reopened ICE detention center operating without city permits. Baraka was joined by U.S. Reps. Rob Menendez and Bonnie Watson Coleman, and State Rep. LaMonica McIver, attempting to inspect the facility. Federal agents arrested Baraka for “trespassing,” despite his legal authority to inspect city infrastructure. Civil rights groups have condemned the arrest as a direct assault on First Amendment rights and local governance, warning that federal force is being used to suppress lawful political dissent .
4. Border exit surveillance expands
Citizens attempting to leave the U.S. via Canada or Mexico now
face facial scans, questioning and secondary inspection. Customs and Border Protection claims this is an anti-smuggling effort, but privacy advocates note that monitoring exits is a major shift in policy. This “soft lockdown” resembles practices used in surveillance states like China and Russia .
5. Newark Airport radar blackouts and infrastructure failures
For the second time in weeks, radar systems at Newark Liberty Airport failed, prompting walkouts by air traffic controllers and widespread flight cancellations. The Department of Transportation has been accused of negligence and interference, as critical aviation infrastructure appears to be deteriorating without oversight .
III. Project 2025 is no longer theory — it’s in implementation
Project 2025 is a 900-plus-page plan produced by the Heritage Foundation that includes:
Firing up to 50,000 civil servants and replacing them with loyalists
Centralizing agency power under the president
Using the Insurrection Act against domestic protests
Redefining citizenship and revoking birthright protections
Eliminating DEI mandates and civil rights enforcement
This isn’t a hypothetical conservative platform. It is the administrative architecture of a soft dictatorship—and it is being executed.
IV. Legal identity and belonging have become conditional
What happens when citizenship becomes revocable?
When crossing a border requires permission to leave?
When protest equals criminal conspiracy?
You get a system where rights are no longer guaranteed but granted based on compliance, identity and political loyalty.
This is not democratic pluralism. It is legalized stratification, systematized through executive orders, court decisions and silence.
V. Trade wars, empty ports, and food insecurity: The collapse beneath the crisis
As constitutional protections are dismantled, America’s economic foundation is crumbling under the weight of an aggressive and poorly calibrated trade war.
Trump’s Tariff Blitz
In April 2025, President Trump imposed a sweeping series of trade restrictions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA):
A 10 percent universal tariff on nearly all imports
“Reciprocal” tariffs on more than 50 countries, ranging from 11 percent to 50 percent, including:
China: 34 percent (up to 145 percent in targeted sectors like steel and electronics)
India: 26 percent
Japan: 24 percent
South Korea: 25 percent
European Union: 20 percent
A 25 percent tariff on all imported automobiles, excluding those compliant with USMCA
Opinion: The great unraveling: How this week marked the legal end of constitutional America... continued
(Sources: Food & Wine, CSPI, May 2025)
Conclusion: From inflation to scarcity to control
This is not just economic policy. It is economic warfare against the population, with tariffs weaponized not to protect jobs—but to centralize control.
The trade war is not a side story to the republic’s collapse.
It is a strategic front: starve the people, break their independence, and replace survival with dependence.
What we must do now
1. Document and Protect
Apostille key documents (acquire certificate that verifies the country of origin)
Backup IDs and legal records offline
Prepare to verify your status without institutional help
2. Mobilize and Educate
Build neighborhood defense and food networks
Teach basic survival: canning, seed saving, filtration
Distribute print resources and bypass censored platforms
3. Speak and Refuse
Call this moment what it is: engineered authoritarianism Refuse to normalize soft martial law, disappearing mayors, or grocery rationing
Hold public spaces, stories, and memory
VII. Emergency Preparedness Is the New Front Line
You cannot protest if you are hungry.
You cannot organize if you are isolated.
You cannot resist if you are unprepared.
Preparedness is resistance. It is civic power.
standards ()
Port Chaos and Supply Chain Breakdown
As a result of these sudden and sweeping tariffs:
Major container shipping companies have canceled routes between Asia and the U.S., slashing capacity by over 1.3 million 40-foot containers annually
U.S. port traffic is down 35 percent, with warehouse backups and idle longshore labor growing along both coasts
Import-dependent sectors— from groceries to electronics— are experiencing weeks-long delays or outright shortages
()
The price of isolation: American families hit hard
According to a report from Yale’s Budget Lab and the Center for Science in the Public Interest:
The average U.S. household will pay up to $4,900 more annually for groceries if current tariffs remain in place.
Fresh produce costs have already surged 5-8 percent, due to the country’s reliance on imported vegetables and fruits.
Staples like rice, cooking oil, canned fish and baby formula have risen 30-50 percent in some markets.
Grocery chains like Kroger and Target are initiating ration limits in urban and rural locations alike.
Meanwhile, food banks and school meal programs are experiencing record shortfalls, especially in Black, Indigenous, and immigrant communities.
Build Your Kit Now: Visit this Emergency Storefront Water (First Priority)
LifeStraw Personal Filter Water
Canned Goods + Manual
The Constitution is being rewritten without votes.
Groceries are vanishing.
Elected mayors are arrested.
But we’re still here. And that means we still have power.
The question is not whether America survives. The question is whether you, your community, and your people survive it with your dignity, agency, and memory intact.
Start your kit.
Share this article.
Resist. Prepare. Rebuild.
Drawing inspiration from the original authors of the Federalist papers’ use of “Publius” (referring to Publius Valerius Publicola, a founder of the Roman Republic), we use “Civitas” as our pseudonym.“Civitas” is Latin for “citizenship” or “community of citizens,” emphasizing both the rights and responsibilities of citizens in maintaining a constitutional republic. This pseudonym reflects our focus on civic engagement and the collective effort required to preserve democratic institutions in the face of current challenges.
By
April Ryan Mayor Ras Baraka Taken Into Custody During Migrant Solidarity Action
Social media is still abuzz after the optics of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s arrest at the Delaney Hall immigration facility in Newark, New Jersey, Friday.
Rachel Noerdlinger, communications strategist for the Ras Baraka gubernatorial campaign, posted on Instagram, “One way or another, we’re going to get democracy back.”
On Instagram, many people have expressed how appealing and “infuriating” it was to watch the viral moment of congressional leaders locking arms and holding down the mayor of Newark, New Jersey. The attempts to stave off an arrest were unsuccessful.
New Jersey congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman said she and the congressional leaders working to protect the mayor from arrest were “roughed up.” They were there to view the new facility.
According to reports in The New York Times, congressional leaders were differentiated from the mayor. “Congressmen are different,
congresswomen are different,” a Homeland Security Investigations agent told the mayor. We also hear the agent sternly add, “That is the last warning.” You will be placed under arrest.” Mr. Baraka was forcefully taken into ICE custody and charged with trespassing. He was transported and held at another Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Newark for five hours before his release.
Greg Meeks, New York representative and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said, “He is the Mayor of Newark doing his job along with members of Congress. The rest of the democratic world is wondering what has happened to the United States.” Democrats inside and outside the state of New Jersey believe this focus on Mayor Baraka’s arrest has raised attention to ICE behavior. “A Black mayor is standing in full solidarity with South American migrants who have rights not just in this country but as human beings,” added Noerdlinger. Yesterday’s viral moment also raised attention to Ras Baraka and his political prowess, including his run for governor of New Jersey. Noerdlinger emphasizes, “Ras Baraka became the face of the opposition to Donald Trump’s inhumane policies the second federal law enforcement slapped those handcuffs on his wrists.”
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Community
from (left to right) Nefertiti Long; CEO of Alta Loma Enterprises, President of the Alliance of Black Women Accountants, and Immediate Past Board Chair of IECF, Vickie Lobo; CEO and Founder/Executive Director of Knock Knock Angels and Tammy Tumbling; President of the Orange County Community Foundation and Founder of the African American Alliance Fund.
Nearly 300 community leaders, partners, and supporters gathered at the stunning Pacific Palms Resort for the San Gabriel Valley Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (SGV-NCNW) 2nd Annual Gala—an unforgettable evening of celebration, purpose, and unity. The event spotlighted extraordinary heroes from across four California counties—Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino—honoring individuals who are making meaningful, lasting contributions to their local communities through advocacy, innovation, and service. So many powerhouses and dignitaries were in attendance, adding to the excitement and significance of the evening.
This year’s gala celebrated an
The SGV-NCNW recognized the Albertsons Foundation as its community partner during the Gala Awards Dinner. The Albertsons Foundation presented the NCNW with a $25,000 check. Shown above from (left to right) Sheree Person; SGV-NCNW Board Member, Courtney Carranza; Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Albertsons Companies Foundation, Southern California Division, Ashley Boyd; Regional Learning Representative and AAALC Co-Chair, Albertsons Companies Foundation, Southern California Division, Denise McPheeters; SGV-NCNW President and Marie Paula Thermidor; SGV-NCNW Immediate Past President / First Vice President
inspiring group of Community Icons including: Abbey Howell, Vickie Lobo, Nefertiti Long and Tammy Tumbling. SGV-NCNW also proudly recognized its dedicated community partners, Southern California Edison and Albertsons Companies Foundation.
Community Change Makers were honored for their leadership and commitment. The 2025 Change Makers include: Josiah Bruny, Founder of Music Changing Lives and Rev. Dr. Najuma SmithPollard, faith leader and social justice advocate.
The evening included a moving tribute to those impacted by the Easton Canyon Wildfires, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to disaster relief and long-term recovery efforts. Proceeds from the gala supported
both emergency assistance and SGV-NCNW’s vital scholarship and community programs.
A surprise highlight of the night came when the Albertsons Companies Foundation, through its Nourishing Neighbors program, presented SGV-NCNW with a generous $25,000 donation to support the organization’s Grocery and Meals Program. This critical initiative provides nutritious food and resources to families facing food insecurity in Altadena and Pasadena.
“This gala was more than a celebration—it was a declaration of purpose. It reminded us that when community, compassion, and commitment converge, real change takes root. We are deeply grateful for every partner and honoree who makes this work possible,” said
The SGV-NCNW recognized Josiah Bruny with its Community Change Maker Award. Josiah Bruny; President & CEO of Music Changing Lives (right) is shown above with his father MacNeal Bruny.
SGV-NCNW President Denise McPheeter.
“Watching the growth of this event and the impact it fuels is incredibly fulfilling. SGVNCNW’s work is grounded in legacy, lifted by love, and powered by people who show up—for each other, and for their communities,” added Marie Thermidor, Immediate Past President.
Founded almost 35 years ago, the San Gabriel Valley Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. is a volunteer-based organization whose mission is to lead, advocate for, and empower women of African descent, their families, and communities. Rooted in the legacy of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, SGV-NCNW continues to serve as a force for positive change throughout the region.
