Claudine and LeRoy Henderson’s 71st Anniversary
By Leah Lewis
Lizet Angulo was appointed as the President of the 28th District Agricultural Association by California Governor Gavin Newsom
Mom and Dad want to see Texas one more time before they lose each other to time and I promised that I would get them there as a celebration of life and the monumental love that has lasted a lifetime. This is a true love story that has lasted seven decades. So many folks have asked how have you done it? It’s a complex answer which requires time and observation to see and understand how to accomplish such a task with grace and dignity intact. All of which we thank them for as we learned to love and live through their ways as a family. But taking upon the
My parents LeRoy (95, USAF veteran) & Claudine (89) have been in love for 70+ years — a real-life love story that’s survived wars, segregation, and so much history. Their one wish now is one last trip to their hometown, Mexia, TX, to say goodbye. I’m trying to make it happen so my mission is to share my parents' love story with others enough to take my elderly parents to their historic home town of Mexia in the great state of Texas for a week this summer to celebrate their unbreakable platinum love story of my veteran father LeRoy Henderson, 94, and Claudine Henderson, 89 blossomed for over 70 years. That of which has been written by two news outlets calling for people's admiration of my parents’ unwavering love for each other! Like in an article by The Press-Enterprise, they highlighted both parents coming from humble beginnings as a field worker picking cotton, had a dream to do, and become something more than what the cotton fields of Mexia held for him and ultimately our entire family tree. They speak about how his dream carried his actions and how my parents still chased that dream through all of life’s challenges of segregation all through history just coming out of the great depression as children, Jim Crow, Korean, and Vietnam wars, Watts riots, earthquakes, JFK assassination, the Great Wall of China falling, Pearl Harbor and most recently the coronavirus just to name a few occasions they have lived through. Just speaking about it now brings tears to my eyes!
responsibility of their wellbeing onto our collective family has not been easy on us. Our trials and tribulations through the years have been unavoidable as much as they are tremendously taxing on many areas of my families life. All of which has made this dream trip for my parents an exceedingly farther away milestone.
I’m doing this for my parents to give them a gift on behalf of my family and myself with the help of the observers of this love story. Just as they've blessed us. A thank you and recognition for their troubled life and my fathers service to the United States as a retired Air Force veteran.
I’m asking for exposure and/or
donations for my ‘gofundme’ for help with a week's stay, gas, food and beverage to finance my parents trip to Mexia, Texas where myself, my brother, and an assigned caregiver from the VA. It's on us to make it happen because they've lost their ability to be fully independent given their age and walking ability and are unable to achieve their once believed concrete plan for their last goodbye. This mission really has a hold on me and means so much to me, I want to give my parents the love I have for them and essentially give them their flowers before the headstone. I feel it only makes sense to be the guide of their story and give them a happy ending my parents deserve. It would feel absolutely wrong not to try my hardest to flourish their love and make the most out of their twilight years since they are unable to accomplish this long time dream trip on their own, physically and financially. I believe in the Lord and the kindness of warm hearted observers of this love story to share it, donate and help in any way possible to make their last embrace a moment in history. I know the Lord will bless my parents to have a blissful drift. My other mission is to raise money to buy mom a new mattress and the carpet for her bedroom. I would also like to make some repairs around the house such as fixing the back fence. Stopping the water leak and the parents bathroom sink and the leak in the front yard.
Former SoCal football star identified as gunman who killed 4 people in NYC building
By Leanne Suter KABC
A former Southern California football standout has been identified as the gunman who killed four people inside a Midtown Manhattan building Monday, including an off-duty police officer.
The 27-year-old gunman, identified as Shane Tamura, played football while attending Granada Hills Charter School in Los Angeles County.
Those who knew Tamura when he was a young athlete say they never saw any signs of any problems and that all he was focused on was football. Tamura, wearing body armor and carrying an M4 assault rifle, shot and killed four people, including an off-duty New York Police Department officer who was working security in the Midtown Manhattan office
building. After apparently barricading himself on the 33rd floor, Tamura was found dead from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. File video shows young Tamura celebrating a win out on the gridiron for Granada Hills Charter school, where he graduated in 2016 after transferring from Golden Valley High School in Santa Clarita. Tamura is heard in the video saying, "Definitely had to stay disciplined. The coach just kept telling us don't hold your heads down...hold your heads up high and then a good result's gonna come."
Now, his former teammates are speaking out after learning Tamura is accused of the killings. One teammate described
Tamura as a "goofball."
Another, who didn't want to be identified, said Tamura was a good guy.
"He was a great teammate. He was a great guy in general. He didn't cause any problems actually at all in the locker room or on the field," he said. "He was just a guy who really enjoyed the sport, not problematic at all so when I found out the news, I was really shocked, I really couldn't believe it."
There are also reports that one of Tamura's parents may have been a retired Los Angeles Police Department member.
The LAPD put out a statement regarding those reports that read in part:
"The Los Angeles Police Department is aware of the online rumors and media inquiries suggesting a possible connection between the individual involved in the recent New York shooting and our department. We take these matters seriously and are actively investigating the information. At this time, we are working to confirm details and gather the facts."
The department added that they expect to have more information soon.
During a press conference
on Monday evening, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Tamura had a "documented mental health history." He recently drove from Las Vegas to New York, and officers found additional ammunition, a revolver, a backpack, and medication inside his vehicle.
The initial investigation shows his vehicle traveled through Colorado on July 26, then Nebraska and Iowa on July 27, and then in Columbia, New Jersey, as recently as 4:24 p.m. on Monday, with his vehicle entering New York City shortly thereafter, Tisch said.
Tamura recently lived in Las Vegas, where he was issued a concealed firearms permit by the Las Vegas Police Department. He was previously issued a work card by the Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board, which has since expired, according to records reviewed by ABC News. His last known address was in a gated community in Las Vegas.
The motive for the deadly shooting is currently under investigation, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said earlier on Monday.
ABC News contributed to this report.
On July 23, 2025, Lizet was elected as the President of the 28th District Agricultural Association, San Bernardino County Fair, Board of Directors. "I'm excited on this new role and look forward to work along side with Michael Wubker, Jr., Vice President and our Board of Directors s colleagues. We shall collaboratively strategize a plan for our fairground to extend to its fullest possible to increase revenue, additional attractions, and more community focus events."
Last year March 1, 2024, Governor Newsom announced Lizet's appointment.
Lizet, a resident of Victorville.
She is President of Management Business Services and Ladies
Taking Key Opportunities (aka Ladies TKO) Founder/ CEO since 2016. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Everest University; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Higher Education Management from Florida Metropolitan University; and Associate in Business Management. Currently, she is the Chair of the Victor Valley Democratic Club; California Democratic Party, Veterans Caucus - Spouses & Military Families Chair; and a member of the American Culinary Federation (2023 National American Culinary Federation Cutting Edge Recipient), High Desert Hispanic Chamber of Commerce member and lifetime member VFW Post #8620.
Nationwide — Donald Trump recently called for Beyoncé to be prosecuted, claiming she was illegally paid $11 million to endorse Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign. But public records and fact-checkers say no such payment ever happened. The claim focuses on Beyoncé’s appearance at a Harris campaign rally in Houston, Texas, in October 2024. Trump accused Democrats of paying the singer $11 million for her support. However, campaign finance records show only a $165,000 payment made to Beyoncé’s production company, listed as a cost for event production, not for an endorsement.
According to CNN, the Harris campaign clarified that they don’t pay celebrities for political support. They said federal law requires them to cover certain event-related costs when public
figures appear. That $165,000 went toward production services, not to Beyoncé personally. Fact-checkers from PolitiFact and FactCheck.org reviewed the $10–11 million claim and found no proof to support it. Beyoncé’s team also denied the rumor. Her mother, Tina Knowles, publicly called it a “lie” and said Instagram flagged posts spreading the claim as false. A spokesperson for the singer also called the allegation “beyond ridiculous.” Trump repeated the baseless claim in a social media post while in Scotland. He also accused the Harris campaign of illegally paying for endorsements and said those involved “broke the law” and should be prosecuted. But there’s no federal law banning paid endorsements, and Trump has provided no evidence to support any of his accusations.
Thursday, July 31, 2025 THE
The
Kid Angle
Kid-focused news from First Focus on Children
Clawbacks: The newest weapon in the Administration's War on Children
The March of the Recissions continues, apparently with an even greater focus on hollowing out supports for children.
The Trump Administration is planning to claw back Congressionally appropriated funding from the Department of Education, according to reports that surfaced this week, moving another step closer to effectively disabling the one-andonly federal agency devoted to children.
Rescissions appear to be the President’s newest weapon in his War on Children. Lawmakers handed $9 billion back to the Administration last week, funding drawn largely from foreign assistance, including international programs that support children, such as development assistance (which funds clean water and sanitation), refugee programs, UNICEF, and aid to victims of international disasters. A bipartisan group of senators did successfully preserve $400 million in funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief — better known as PEPFAR — which included monies to feed and protect orphans and vulnerable children abroad.
The threat of rescissions at the Department of Education comes on the heels of other targeted — and likely illegal —
Administration actions around the department’s funding.
The Trump Administration withheld nearly $7 billion from education programs earlier this month. This funding already had been appropriated by Congress, signed into law, and accounted for in school budgets. The Administration recently released $1.4 billion of this money for after-school and summer programs but continues to withhold more than $5 billion. The stalled funding was appropriated to support teacher preparation and retention, English language learners, and other student supports. A bipartisan group of lawmakers appropriated this funding. Ten Republican Senators recently sent a letter to the Administration demanding release of the funds.
P.S. All of this happened just as the Supreme Court ruled that the Administration also could fire roughly 1,400 Department of Education employees. When added to previous cuts — the Administration cut the department from 4,000 employees to 2,200 earlier this year — the additional reduction in force will mean the department cannot meet its mission to serve our nation’s students, schools, and early learning programs.
Statement from EdTrust Vice President Allison Socol on the Release of Withheld Federal Education Funds
“This is a win for students, but the Great American Heist isn’t over.”
WASHINGTON – “The Trump administration’s announcement that it will release more than $5 billion in previously — and illegally — withheld education funding is a major victory for students, families, and advocates across the country. This comes on the heels of the administration’s recent decision to release $1.3 billion in funding for summer enrichment programs that had also been wrongfully impounded.
“Parents, families, students, school leaders, education advocates, and Democratic and Republican lawmakers demanded that the administration follow the law and release the funds Congress appropriated. This victory belongs to them.
“But to be clear, this funding should never have been held hostage in the first place.
President Trump and Secretary McMahon have treated America’s students like unwitting characters in a reality TV show. It took an overwhelming wave of bipartisan and public pressure to get them to do what the law requires. And even still, we wait to see if these funds will be conditioned on the exclusion of undocumented children or other children who are the target of this administration.
“And while some funding is being restored today, the president’s proposed budget would cut additional education investments and eliminate crucial programs altogether. It
San Bernardino Tenants Speak Out Against Slumlords
Tenants across San Bernardino are living in slumlord properties, with neglected maintenance and predatory practices linked to a complex web of property management companies operating out of an office on East Highland, including Bridge Management, Hightower, and PAMA Management. In the words of the complaint filed by the California Attorney General, “Defendants are well aware of the rampant habitability defects that tenants face from the innumerable complaints that residents make, from the thousands of code enforcement violations they have received, from the dozens of private lawsuits that are filed or settled every year, and from online reviews on Yelp, Google, and the like that consistently pan the Property Management Entities as ‘slumlords.’ With blatant disregard for their tenants and the law, Defendants maximize their profits while skimping on maintenance and on other management operations that are vital to keeping the properties in habitable condition. The manner in which the Nijjar Companies choose to conduct business guarantees that their properties will often be out of compliance with the basic habitability
requirements of California law. This conduct deprives tenants of the benefit of their bargain as parties to a rental contract: their right to habitable housing. It also forces tenants to overpay— repeatedly, each month of their tenancy—for property management services that they do not receive, including the timely provision of maintenance”
"I’m hoping this press conference unites renters in San Bernardino and brings awareness to the Tenants Union. My hopes are that people learn how to educate themselves with tenants rights to protect oneself against slumlords in the hopes to decrease homelessness."
Ashley Dial, resident of a PAMA property & San Bernardino Tenant Union member.
The scale of the operation is staggering:
Nijjar’s shell companies collect rent from 3,082 San Bernardino households.
Based on median rents ($2,500 for single-family homes and $1,560 for multifamily units), these operations extract an estimated $5.8 million per month ($69 million annually) from the residents of the City of San Bernardino alone. Statewide, they own 21,988 properties.
FARSB Hunger Resource Center Acquisition Marks 1st Anniversary
is imperative that these critical investments be protected in the forthcoming federal budget this fall, and that the president’s deeply harmful proposed budget be rejected.
“For some, this relief comes too late. Programs have already been canceled. Educators have already lost their jobs. Students have already missed out on opportunities they need and deserve.
“The damage doesn’t stop here. The administration will still be moving forward with implementing an immoral wealth transfer from public schools to private institutions through an uncapped voucher tax credit that favors wealthy families. What’s more, the draconian cuts to Medicaid and SNAP will devastate working-class families.
“The Great American Heist is not only about the misuse of public dollars — it’s about an ongoing, deliberate attempt to dismantle public education as we know it. Today’s announcement, while welcome, is proof that we can win — but it does not mark the end of the fight.
“EdTrust will not pause. We will continue to advance a bold vision for public education, one where investments are increased, civil rights are protected, privatization is rejected, and opportunity is expanded for lowincome students and students of color in every zip code and at every level of education.”
Riverside, CA, July 29th, 2025— Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) celebrates as FARSB Hunger Resource Center in Riverside hits their 1st anniversary milestone, marking the first full year of operation as the food bank’s second building – which encompasses a Learning Center, the Fresh Start Pantry by Goodman, and a CalFresh Resource Center.
“This journey has allowed us to strengthen our connection with our community, offer more intentional services, and become a beacon of hope,” said Carolyn Fajardo, CEO of FARSB. “We’re excited to keep adapting to meet emerging needs and are incredibly thankful for the support that’s helped us
continue to reach and impact our neighbors in new ways,” Fajardo continued.
Within the first year, the CalFresh Outreach team has submitted over 2,100 applications for qualifying individuals, served an average of 200 households per month since the opening of the Fresh Start Pantry by Goodman in January 2025, and opened 27 additional volunteer shifts for the Grab n’ Go child hunger program alone. There were four additional volunteer shifts each week for pantry neighbor assistance and restocking food items, totaling over 100 new available shifts for volunteers to choose from.
The Hunger Resource Center is a major expansion for FARSB as it moved the administrative staff and housed the first on-site choice pantry in the food bank’s history.
Along with the pantry, the food bank has hosted resource fairs, cooking demonstrations, and child nutrition education classes. With the acquisition of the new space, the food bank aimed to expand with the growing needs of the Inland Empire community and has plans to continue with that goal.
For more information about FARSB’s programs, please visit: FeedingIE.org.
Early Signs Matter: What Looks Like Aging in Loved Ones Could Be Alzheimer's
By Carl V. Hill, Ph.D., MPH
When Zelda Hill was in college, he began noticing subtle changes in his father. The man who had always been precise began forgetting current events, mixing up dates and times, and getting lost in familiar places.
Zelda had seen memory loss in his grandparents before, and like many people, assumed it was a normal part of aging. With his father, though, he was more attuned to the changes in behavior, and the family sought medical advice.
First came a diagnosis of dementia, then Alzheimer's disease. Zelda's father was only in his 50s.
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a progressive, degenerative brain disease that impairs memory,
Early Signs Matter: What Looks Like Aging in Loved Ones Could Be Alzheimer's...continued
progressed.
That's why it's so important to educate people on how to distinguish between "normal aging" and early signs of Alzheimer's.
There are several key warning signs that families and friends can learn to distinguish Alzheimer's from normal aging:
For example, occasionally forgetting a name and recalling it later is normal. But frequently forgetting recent information or asking the same question repeatedly can be a sign of disruptive memory loss.
Forgetting your umbrella on a rainy day isn't necessarily cause for concern. However, consistently engaging in risky or unusual behavior -- like leaving the stove on, falling for phone scams or wearing a heavy coat in hot weather -- can be red flags.
Feeling frustrated from time to time is a normal part of life, but becoming unusually anxious, withdrawn or suspicious for extended periods can be early indicators of Alzheimer's.
For Zelda, Alzheimer's changed everything. His father, once gentle and dependable, became confused, sometimes agitated and eventually unable to recognize those who loved him.
Because Zelda recognized the signs early, he and his family were able to provide his father with the care and support he
deserved. Zelda's story is proof that identifying patterns of cognitive and behavioral change early can make a profound difference in quality of life.
That is especially true for Black Americans, who are nearly twice as likely as white Americans to develop Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, but are less likely, due to societal stigma and a lack of access to competent care, to receive any type of diagnosis.
When we're able to recognize the signs and reach out when we're concerned about people we love, we can help ensure they receive the best possible care.
One call to the Alzheimer's Association's 24/7 Helpline connected Zelda's family to programs, support and a community that truly understood what the family was going through. Today, Zelda serves as a community educator, helping other families like his and working to close the diagnosis gap.
Some changes come naturally with age, but Alzheimer's isn't one of them. Recognizing that difference in your loved ones -early and compassionately -- can make all the difference.
Carl V. Hill, Ph.D., MPH is the chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at the Alzheimer's Association.
City Of Barstow Renews Partnership With Barstow Humane Society To Expand Animal Control Services
BARSTOW, CA – July 28, 2025 – The City of Barstow announced today a renewed service agreement with the Barstow Humane Society aimed at enhancing animal control services throughout the community. Effective July 1, the agreement includes the construction of new City Kennels on the Humane Society’s property at 2480 E. Main Street, where the organization has served the region since 1948.
The City of Barstow and the Barstow Humane Society share a long-standing relationship, having previously maintained a 45-year service agreement.
Both organizations are excited to renew this collaboration and further their shared commitment to animal welfare.
As part of the updated agreement, the Humane Society now provides two field-based animal control officers who play a vital role in addressing animal-related issues across the community. The construction of dedicated City Kennels will further strengthen Barstow’s ability to shelter, rehabilitate, and care for rescued animals.
“This expansion represents a significant step forward in the
city’s efforts to protect and care for animals, especially those found in remote desert areas,” said Barstow Mayor Tim Silva. “This positive move in collaborating with this partnership is a win-win all around.”
Construction of the new kennels is underway and is expected to be completed by August. Both the City of Barstow and the Barstow Humane Society are excited about this development and its impact on the well-being of animals in the community.
“The Barstow community is full of compassionate, animalloving residents,” said Linda Glaudel, manager of the Barstow Humane Society. “This renewed partnership gives us the resources and space to help more animals in need.”
The hours of operation for the Barstow Humane Society are from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The Barstow Police Department can be contacted after hours for emergency situations or for suspected animal abuse cases. Also, the police department’s non-emergency line is 760-256-2211.
Washington's Policy Shifts Are Driving Capital Away From Life-Saving Research
By John Stanford
thinking and behavior.
Today, more than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's. By 2060, nearly 14 million Americans are expected to be living with Alzheimer's.
Adult children like Zelda are often the first to notice when something seems off with their loved ones. Spouses, siblings and close friends may also pick up on early signs.
In my work, I've seen how early detection can lead to better outcomes. Acting on those early signs can make a profound difference, giving families more time to plan care.
Unfortunately, many families don't receive a diagnosis until the disease has significantly
Prescription drug policy is back in the spotlight, with policymakers debating everything from price controls and research funding cuts to tariffs.
But the impacts of recent policy changes are no longer hypothetical. They're here.
Most biotech CEOs warn reference pricing models -- which tie U.S. drug prices to those in foreign countries -- would make it harder to launch new medicines here at home, according to a recent survey we ran at Incubate.
This is concerning given President Trump's "Most Favored Nation" executive order, which would tie U.S. drug prices to those in countries with government-run healthcare
systems. Most Favored Nation proposals are the latest in a series of government pricing interventions that threaten innovation. Sixty-seven percent of biotech CEOs say Medicare's "pill penalty" has chilled capital formation for companies working on small-molecule drugs -- the everyday pills Americans take, making up more than 90% of all prescriptions.
The pill penalty is a provision in the Inflation Reduction Act. It sets a timeline for when price controls kick in under Medicare -- nine years for small-molecule drugs, compared to 13 years for biologics, which are typically given via injection or infusion.
Photo credit: Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino
Riverside County Probation Launches Mobile Service Centers to Remove Transportation Barriers for Clients
County/Government News
The Riverside County Probation Department (RCP) announced the rollout of two fully equipped Mobile Service Centers designed to bring community supervision services directly to unhoused individuals and clients who face transportation challenges. The new units will travel throughout the county, to local parks, public libraries, shelter parking lots, and resource fairs, making it easier for clients to check in with officers, attend counseling sessions, and access supportive services without missing critical appointments.
Community members are invited to tour the vehicles immediately following the Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 29th, 2025, at the County Administrative Center.
“Reliable transportation should never be the deciding factor in whether someone succeeds on probation,” said Chief Probation Officer Christopher H. Wright. “By meeting people where they are, our Mobile Service Centers remove a major obstacle, helping clients stay on track, fulfill court-ordered requirements, and ultimately move forward with their lives.”
Each climate-controlled vehicle functions as a “probation office on wheels,” featuring:
Secure interview space for confidential check-ins and riskneeds assessments
Remote Court Appearance opportunities that allow clients to appear in front of a judge virtually, without traveling to the courthouse
Telehealth stations for virtual counseling, substance-use disorder treatment, and mental-
health appointments
Document printers and scanners so clients can sign, submit, and receive paperwork immediately
On-site referrals to housing, employment, and vocational training partners, reducing the number of homeless clients living on the streets
Wi-Fi access that allows clients to complete job applications, schedule medical appointments, or connect with social-service portals
According to Assistant Chief Natalie Rivera, early pilot testing was well received by clients, who were excited about adding the Mobile Service Center. “We firmly believe that the addition of these units will lead to fewer violations, fewer warrants, and more success stories,” Rivera said. “When clients can focus on rebuilding rather than scrambling for a bus ticket, everyone— families, neighborhoods, and taxpayers—wins.”
Funding for the Mobile Service Centers was made available through a California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) grant. The initiative aligns with the County Board of Supervisors’ strategic goal of reducing recidivism through evidence-based, community-centered practices.
About Riverside County Probation The Riverside County Probation Department protects public safety and supports positive change by combining accountability with rehabilitative services. Serving adults and juveniles, RCP focuses on evidence-based interventions that help individuals become productive members of the community.
As Medicaid Turns 60, Immigrant and BIPOC Communities Face an Uncertain Future
Denice Zeck American Forum
July 30th marks the 60th anniversary of Medicaid, a program that since 1965, has provided critical healthcare coverage to millions of people in the U.S. It was created as a promise: that no one should be denied medical care because of their income, background, or zip code. But as we mark this milestone, that promise is in jeopardy, especially for immigrant, BIPOC, and rural communities who rely on Medicaid the most. Legislation that included deep cuts to Medicaid was signed into law by the President as part of a broader budget package. While many of these cuts won’t take effect until 2027, their impact will be devastating. These changes will severely limit access to coverage for millions, particularly those already living at the margins.
Medicaid is more than a public program. For many, it is the only way to see a doctor, receive
As Medicaid Turns 60, Immigrant and BIPOC Communities Face an Uncertain Future...continued
Immigrant families, including many with U.S. citizen children, will be among the hardest hit. Years of anti-immigrant policies have already led to fear and confusion about accessing public benefits. Now, eligibility restrictions and additional red tape will create further barriers for families in need of prenatal, postpartum, or emergency care.
At the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP), we are already seeing the strain. We work with pregnant people from across the country— many in rural or under-resourced areas who can’t afford abortion care or find it nearby.
This isn’t just policy. It’s people trying to stay healthy, raise their kids, and survive.
Black and Latina women are already more likely to rely on publicly funded clinics for reproductive care. These communities are also more likely to experience hospital closures and provider shortages. Cuts to Medicaid only deepen existing racial and economic disparities in care access.
As a nonprofit, WRRAP is nonpartisan, but we are not neutral when it comes to justice and survival. Medicaid is turning 60. Instead of weakening it, we should be strengthening its reach and renewing its purpose for the next generation.
Here’s what you can do right now:
· Learn more: Many of these changes are complex and delayed, making it easy to overlook their real impact. Follow trusted sources like WRRAP and Guttmacher Institute.
· Donate: Support abortion funds like WRRAP that help cover the gap when people are denied abortion care. Every dollar helps a real person.
Padilla,
prenatal care, or access family planning. It’s the largest payer of reproductive healthcare in the United States, covering 42% of all births and more than 75% of publicly funded family planning services. For people in rural areas or health care deserts, Medicaid is the last lifeline. And yet, it’s being chipped away. In rural America, where over 60% of pregnant people rely on Medicaid and OB-GYNs are increasingly hard to find, any change in funding can be catastrophic. Patients already drive hundreds of miles for basic services—cancer screenings, contraception, abortion care. Add new hurdles to coverage, and these journeys become impossible for many.
These cuts won’t just affect undocumented immigrants.
· Know your elected officials: Meet with them now and learn what their commitments are to their communities.
· Register and help others register to vote in 2026: While we are nonpartisan, we strongly believe that civic participation matters.
· Talk about this: Bring it up at work, school, places of worship, and in your group chats. When we break the silence, we build momentum. History has never changed through silence, it changes when we speak up, stand up, and refuse to back down.
· Advocate locally: Your state can expand or protect Medicaid access regardless of federal changes.
When our rights are under attack, compliance is complicity. The decisions being made today will shape access for years to come. Immigrant and BIPOC communities cannot afford to lose Medicaid. They shouldn’t have to fight for the right to care.
As we celebrate 60 years of Medicaid, be loud, be unapologetic, be unrelenting. Because healthcare is not a privilege. It is a right. And it is worth fighting for.
Sylvia Ghazarian is Executive Director of the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP), a nonprofit abortion fund that provides urgently needed financial assistance on a national level to those seeking abortion or emergency contraception. She is an active Council member on the California Future of Abortion Council and past Chair of The Commission on the Status of Women.
Gallego, Salinas,
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the nation observes Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), along with Representatives Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.-02) and Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), introduced the Mental Health for Latinos Act, legislation to improve mental health outcomes among Latino and Hispanic communities.
Barriers to mental health care within Latino communities cause far too many individuals to suffer in silence. Only 47.4 percent of Hispanic adults ages 18 or older with any mental illness received services in 2023. Between 2010 and 2020, the suicide rate among male Hispanic adults (ages 20 to 64) increased by 35.7 percent, and the rate among women specifically increased by 40.6 percent. Even those who can access services rarely receive the effective, culturally competent care they need.
“No one should suffer in silence,” said Senator Padilla. “We need to break down the barriers that keep Latinos from getting the mental health care they need, when stigma and language access can make it even harder to ask for help. The Mental Health for Latinos Act would improve mental health outcomes by reducing stigma in the Latino community and encouraging people to reach out for help. As we tackle the rise in mental health challenges, it’s critical that we acknowledge the distinct needs of our diverse communities and develop solutions that meet people where they are.”
“Too many Latinos, especially men, shy away from seeking help because they’re afraid of being judged, and that only makes the problem worse. This issue is personal to me. This bill would help break the stigma around
Washington's Policy Shifts Are Driving Capital Away From Life-Saving Research...continued from page 2
That four-year gap may sound minor, but in biotech, it can mean the difference between attracting funding and walking away from a promising candidate. Since the IRA passed, Incubate has identified 51 research programs and 26 drugs that have been discontinued.
Pfizer scaled back its small molecule oncology pipeline. Novartis dropped several small molecule cancer drugs. Novartis' CEO said companies are "deprioritizing small molecule medicines for the elderly due to the IRA."
The good news is there's a fix. The EPIC Act would level the playing field by giving smallmolecule drugs and biologics a flat 13 years before Medicare price-setting.
Unfortunately, the executive order and pill penalty are just two examples of a larger trend. Biotech companies are being squeezed on multiple fronts.
Seventy-eight percent of CEOs say recent layoffs and hiring freezes at federal agencies are delaying or derailing their clinical trials. Ninety-three percent report reduced government funding for basic science is harming their company's prospects. Eightyeight percent cite tariffs as a direct threat.
And these concerns aren't just
coming from company leaders. In a survey with investors, 76% said drug pricing restrictions will reduce investments in biotech startups.
When the people building companies and the people funding them are waving the same red flag, policymakers should take note. This policy environment discourages risktaking at the moment we need it most. Startups are being forced to make hard choices: shelve promising programs, pull back on trials, or pivot away from entire classes of cutting-edge drugs.
What's needed is a course correction. Congress and the Trump administration can start by passing the EPIC Act. They should stabilize operations at the NIH and FDA. Finally, they should strengthen U.S. intellectual property protections while resisting price control policies.
If Washington doesn't act, capital will move elsewhere. Once it's gone, the research it supports disappears with it. John Stanford is the executive director of Incubate, a Washington-based coalition of life sciences venture capitalists. This piece originally ran in Biospace.
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Barragán Introduce Mental Health for Latinos Act
mental health and make it easier to get care from people who actually understand our community. I want everyone to know that they’re not alone and that getting help is not a weakness,” said Senator Gallego.
“As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus and a proud Latina, I know how crucial it is to end the stigma around mental health care and improve outcomes and access to care among Latino communities,” said Representative Salinas. “I’ve been on the other end of a phone call with someone who is having a mental health crisis. I see how important it is for people not only to have access to mental health care, but also to be able to get the culturally competent care that meets them where they are.”
“This legislation is a first step to breaking down the unique barriers that prevent our Latino communities from receiving the help they need. Mental health is a challenge that many Americans bear silently — but they shouldn’t have to,” said Representative Barragán. “Ensuring that our communities in need receive specialized resources and outreach will help break down cultural stigmas and language barriers that prevent Americans from accessing mental health care that is essential to their overall health and well-being.”
Informed and culturally competent resources, education materials, and outreach programs are vital to addressing the mental health crisis. The Mental Health for Latinos Act recognizes the unique mental health challenges of the Latino community, aiming to reduce cultural stigma and rectify health care disparities that prevent people from receiving lifesaving mental health services. As our nation confronts a worsening mental health crisis, this critical legislation reinforces the message that there is zero
shame in asking for help and that seeking support is a sign of strength.
Specifically, the bill would: Require the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop and implement an outreach and education strategy to promote behavioral and mental health among the Latino and Hispanic populations that: Meets diverse cultural and language needs and is developmentally and ageappropriate, Increases awareness of symptoms of mental illnesses, Provides information on evidence-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate adapted interventions and treatments, Ensures full participation of community members, and Uses a comprehensive public health approach to promoting behavioral health by focusing on the intersection between behavioral and physical health. Require SAMHSA to report annually to Congress on the extent to which the strategy improved behavioral and mental health outcomes among these populations.
The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii).
The Mental Health for Latinos Act is endorsed by organizations including American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Illness, UnidosUS, American Mental Health Counselors Association, Inseparable, American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, Psychotherapy Action Network (PsiAN), Global Alliance for Behavioral Health & Social Justice, American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists
(AAPP), American Group Psychotherapy Association, Epilepsy Foundation of America, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the International Society for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN), and the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).
Senator Padilla is a leading advocate for expanding mental health care access, especially for underserved communities. In 2023, Padilla launched the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus to serve as a forum for Senators to collaborate on and promote bipartisan legislation and solutions, hold events to raise awareness of critical mental health issues, and destigmatize mental health. Earlier this year, Padilla condemned the Trump Administration’s proposed dissolution of SAMHSA as part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) restructuring plan and the White House Office of Management and Budget’s HHS budget proposal. Padilla also led 12 Democratic Senators in warning HHS Secretary Kennedy that additional staffing cuts at SAMHSA would have disastrous ramifications for millions of Americans struggling with mental and behavioral health challenges. Previously, Padilla applauded the Federal Communications Commission for making critical improvements to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by adopting the main provisions of his Local 9-88 Response Act of 2023. Additionally, Padilla introduced bipartisan legislation earlier this year to combat the growing youth mental health crisis in America through early intervention and prevention services. Padilla previously introduced bills to address the unique mental health needs of military children and farm workers.
Thursday, July 31, 2025
THE SAN BERNARDINO AMERICAN NEWS- LIFESTYLE/HEALTH/RELIGION
Palestinians are Not Starving in Gaza. They are Being Starved!
By Dr. Wilmer J. Leon, III
(TriceEdneyWire.com) - “The UN took a strong stand against apartheid; and over the years, an international consensus was built, which helped to bring an end to this iniquitous system. But we know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.” - Nelson Mandela 1997.
Recently I was listening to an NPR program talking about Palestine and the genocide in Gaza and the point was made that Palestinians in Gaza are starving. People need to be very clear on this point: Palestinians in Gaza are not just starving! I repeat, that’s just not true. The fact is that Palestinians in Gaza are being starved to death. This is not a distinction without a difference.
It would be appropriate to say that Palestinians are starving if they were the victims of a natural catastrophe or an act of God, such as a drought. One could say that Palestinians are starving if crops could not be grown and grass were burned so the animals could not graze, such as in Sudan. When natural disasters damage the food supply, people go hungry and starve to death. That brand of horror is called famine. If a massive swarm of locusts descends upon an area, consuming all vegetation in their path and causing widespread damage to crops, this would be another cause of famine. As with drought, people would go hungry and starve to death.
That’s not what’s happening in Gaza. In Gaza, there is food relief available. There is medical aid available. Both are rotting in trucks on the border because Israel will not allow them into the country. People are not starving. They are being starved. Israel’s final solution to its “Palestinian
problem” is to weaponize food and medical aid to starve the Palestinians into submission and ethnically cleanse them from their homeland.
Leaders in the Israeli government such as Prime Minister Benjamine Netanyahu, Ben Gavir, Bezalel Smotrich, and their American guardians such as President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the US Congress are complicit in these heinous crimes. They have chosen to deny water, food and aid to Palestinians as Israel continues its inhumane assault on children, women, medical professionals, press correspondents covering the genocide and international aid workers.
According to Haaretz, Israeli soldiers in Gaza have been ordered to deliberately fire upon desperate Palestinians near aid distribution sites over the past month. Doctors say aid distribution sites have become ‘a slaughterhouse’ as Palestinians have been lured to their deaths under the pretense of receiving aid. Over 550 Palestinians were killed trying to get aid in the month of June alone.
After years of using precise calculations to limit Palestinians daily caloric intake, denying access to potable water, polluting accessible water with sewage and within the last week preventing Palestinian fisherman access to the Mediterranean Sea, the Zionist Israeli government claims it will allow a limited amount of food aid into limited areas.
As convoys of trucks sit at the border with Egypt awaiting Israeli government clearance to deliver lifesaving aid, Netanyahu decides to recklessly “air drop” small amounts of supplies into limited spaces in the suffering region. This is analogous to trying to extinguish the recent California wildfires with an eyedropper and calling it “action”.
The rationalization of “justification” for this ethnic cleansing is codified in Basic Law: Israel—The Nation-State of the Jewish People (the NationState Law). According to Honaida
National Medical Association Installs Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD, as its 126th President NMA Names New President During 2025 Annual Convention
Health News
(CHICAGO – July 22, 2025)
The National Medical Association (NMA), the largest and oldest organization representing the interests of Black physicians and their patients in the United States, inducted Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD as its 126th president during its 2025 Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly. He succeeds Virginia A. Caine, MD. Dr. Mitchell’s theme for his year-long presidency is “The New Reconstruction: Mobilizing Healthcare Justice for A New America -- Our Patients, Providers and Policy.” This new appointment upholds the NMA’s longstanding commitment to advancing an equitable health care system for all. The ceremonial installation took place Tuesday, at the Hilton Chicago.
Dr. Mitchell is the president of Howard University Hospital and is board certified in anatomic and forensic pathology by the American Board of Pathology. He is a tenured professor of Pathology at Howard University and serves as the director of the Howard University Center of Excellence for Trauma and Violence Prevention, leading outreach efforts to decrease gun violence in the District of Columbia. Additionally, Dr. Mitchell serves as the Chair of the Performance Improvement Committee for Howard University Hospital. He previously served as the Chair of the Department of Pathology at Howard University College of Medicine.
Prior to his service at Howard University, Dr. Mitchell worked
Ghanim in Israel's Nation-State Law: Hierarchized Citizenship and Jewish Supremacy, “The exclusivity of rights in the “Land/State of Israel” is the central organizing principle of the Nation-State Law. Jews are deemed the sole people deserving national and collective rights.
Furthermore, the law applies not only to the Jewish citizens of Israel but also to Jews from all parts of the world— regardless of the extent of their relationship, affiliation, or even desire to become part of this entity.” This is at the expense of all other non-Jewish indigenous inhabitants (Palestinians) in the area. This is also why I quoted the late President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. The parallels of apartheid between South Africa and The Occupied Territories are undeniable.
The Washington Post is now reporting, “It was not immediately clear how much more aid would enter Gaza, but U.N. officials said recently that Israel appeared willing to loosen some policies at a critical juncture when the territory is nearing a humanitarian tipping point.” By allowing “relief” into the region, Israel is not trying to solve the hunger problem, it is trying to address a political problem. The optics of starvation have become politically inconvenient for Netanyahu and his henchmen.
While Palestinians are being starved to death, American politicians are engaged in hypocrisy and equivocation.
US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez voted against Fellow Democrats Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar and supported the bill to send more military aid to Israel. According to Al Jazeera, another Democrat, “Congresswoman Grace Meng said in a statement that “as a mother”, her heart breaks to see children in Gaza starve, but…it’s important to recognize that Israel has facilitated the entry of over 1.8 million tons and over 96,000 trucks into Gaza, while Hamas continues to hold hostages, extort the aid system, and refuse
ceasefire deals to stay in power and prolong the war…”
What Ocasio-Cortez and Meng, as well as other Democrats like Hakeem Jefferies and Gregory Meeks fail to recognize is that the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip have been under illegal Israeli occupation since 1967. This is according to international humanitarian law (IHL), including the Fourth Geneva Convention. International law recognizes the right of occupied peoples to resist foreign occupation and to pursue self-determination. Even though, some US Democrats are calling for aid to urgently be provided to Palestinians in Gaza, very few of them can find the backbone to condemn Israel for its deadly blockade and war crimes.
As we examine the difference between starving and being starved, it’s about causation, decisions, and solutions. If starvation is caused by “Acts of God”, other nations can assist in ameliorating the circumstance, they won’t solve the problem, but their support will minimize the number of people who are starving. In Occupied Palestine, people being starved to death is the result of a decision to weaponize food, withholding food and causing people to die.
You can’t negotiate with drought, you can’t change or control the weather, you can’t negotiate with locusts. You can change a conscience decision; you can stop starvation by allowing people to be fed. Failing to do so is collective punishment. This is a war crime. This is ethnic cleansing! This is genocide!
Dr. Wilmer Leon is a national broadcast radio talk-show host. Author of Politics Another Perspective, he is also host of the podcast Connecting the Dots w/ Dr. Wilmer Leon and columnist for the Trice Edney News Wire. Go to wilmerleon.com or email: wjl3us@yahoo.com. twitter. com/drwleon and Dr. Leon’s Prescription at Facebook.com © 2025 InfoWave Communications, LLC
Black Church and Black Press Unite to Empower Black America...continued
justice, economic opportunity, and access to capital. These challenges are not new. The coalition intends to put an end to fragmented responses and speak with one clear, concise and consolidated voice.
The Black Church and Black Media, two institutions that have long anchored and uplifted Black America, are now coming together with renewed focus and purpose.
This partnership is grounded in shared values, spiritual conviction, cultural empowerment, and an unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and progress.
The coalition will focus on five core initiatives:
Shaping a unified national narrative that challenges harmful stereotypes and amplifies stories of Black resilience, excellence, and innovation
Mobilizing faith-based and media networks to address community disparities through solutions-focused advocacy and outreach
Holding corporate America accountable by demanding responsible reinvestment in Black communities through sustainable partnerships, economic equity, and community-led development
Empowering the next generation by reclaiming our narratives and creating new pathways for education, leadership, and entrepreneurship Holding elected officials
accountable by spotlighting those whose policies do not align with the interests of the Black community. To earn our votes, they must heed our voices.
“This is more than a symbolic gesture; it is a strategic and spiritual alignment.” When the Black Church and Black Media speak as one, we can ignite a movement. When we organize as one, we can shift the narrative. When we act as one, we cannot be ignored or denied,” the coalition stated.
The coalition invites all stakeholders, faith leaders, media professionals, community organizers, educators, business leaders, and concerned citizens to join this movement for unity, justice, and progress.
Coalition Leaders,
Dr. Boise Kimber, President National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.
J. Drew Sheard, Presiding Bishop Church of God in Christ
Dr. Samuel C. Tolbert, President National Baptist Convention of America
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. President and CEO
National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Civil Rights Leader and Publisher
Holy Listening, Hard Conversations
Hannah Santos
in the District of Columbia (DC) government for seven years, including as the Chief Medical Examiner, Interim Director of the Department of Forensic Sciences and Interim Deputy Mayor for Public Safety & Justice. He worked closely with emergency healthcare services during the height of the COVID pandemic and led a multidisciplinary group of departments, including Fire, Police and 911/311 during his tenure as Deputy Mayor.
In addition, Dr. Mitchell has been published in numerous peer reviewed journals and has given nearly 200 lectures on a myriad of forensic and leadership topics. He is the co-author of Death in Custody: How America Ignores the Truth and What We Can Do About It and recently appeared on the PBS Frontline documentary, Documenting Police Use of Force. He is also the co-host of the recent NAACP Image Awards nominated podcast Official Ignorance – “The Death in Custody Podcast.” “I humbly and graciously step into my new role as president of the National Medical Association, where a legacy of excellence meets a commitment to equity and justice in health care,” Dr. Mitchell said. “I am grateful for the foundation that was laid by Dr. Virginia A. Caine and am prepared and excited to take the NMA to new heights. With the current national changes to public health, medical education and vaccine recommendations, the NMA stands ready, willing, and able to advocate for truth and fairness.”
Deadline
To Submit Press Releases & Legals Is
Mondays By 5pm
By BlackPressUSA
Nashville, TN — July 25, 2025: In a historic announcement, a coalition of leading Black faith organizations and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) unveiled a strategic partnership and plan to confront systemic disparities impacting African American communities nationwide.
Dr. Boise Kimber, President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.; Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Pre- siding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC); Dr. Samuel Tolbert, President of the National Baptist
Convention of America; and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., veteran civil rights leader and President of the NNPA,
the
“There is strength in unity. There is power in our collective voice. There is hope in our actions,” said Dr. Boise Kimber.
For generations, African American communities have endured deep-rooted inequities in healthcare, education, criminal
The most challenging conversations I’ve ever had about faith and justice haven’t been with strangers, but with people I’ve known and loved my whole life. There is a unique type of heartbreak when someone you love sees the world so differently than you. Keeping the dialogue going can feel Sisyphean. Even as someone with many years of working in the intersection of politics, religion, and storytelling, these past few months have had me struggling to find the words.
I am neither the first nor the last person to struggle with this. Yet, in my personal life, I do believe that staying in relationship with those who view the world differently than us is a sacred undertaking in the struggle for justice.
At the heart of Jesus’ ministry was a radical openness not just to the marginalized, but also to those seen as immoral actors. In Luke 5, we hear the story of Jesus eating with the tax collectors, a group associated with Roman oppression and largely considered as traitors. When questioned why he would break bread with such immoral individuals, Jesus famous replies: “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick; I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:27–32).
To me, this story is emblematic of the tradition of radical love put forward in the gospels. The message of openness gives me hope for the transformative power of relationship. It also, in my experience, can be an extraordinarily difficult message to live out.
The work of loving thy enemy does not come easily. Even when the individual is someone you have known your whole life,
maintaining these relationships can be exhausting, painful, and at times destructive. Knowing when to step away is crucial, yet the boundaries of that decision are elusive. When does a clash of values become a denial of dignity? When should we gently correct others when they misstep vs. offer a bold and prophetic condemnation? When should we resist the temptation of comfortable echo chambers vs. intentionally surround ourselves with likeminded friends and collaborators? These are questions I find myself constantly navigating in our divided world and I don’t pretend to have figured out the answer.
But I try to have faith in the transformative power of relationship. My approach to religion is one that is not solely about the content of beliefs, but the posture with which we hold them. We can show up fiercely in our moral convictions and show up tenderly in our personal relationships. This is not an either/or. I write this reflection not as a prescription, but as an invitation. This work of staying in dialogue looks different for each of us, especially for individuals and communities who experience historical and ongoing harm. Not all relationships or dialogues are able to yield productive fruit. But for those who keep trying to build bridges in divided times—I thank you. I am especially grateful for those individuals who clam up during difficult conversations at the dinner table but choose to stutter their way through regardless. This is holy work.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Hannah Santos (she/her) is the Communications and Campaigns Specialist at the UCC Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington D.C.
Black Church and Black Press Unite to Empower Black America
are leading this collaboration between
Black church and Black Media.
Dr. Boise Kimber, President, National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., President and CEO National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Civil Rights Leader and Publisher.
the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court's lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación. Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. CASE NUMBER (Número del Caso): CIVSB2512864
The name and address of the court is (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): San Bernardino Superior Court 247 West 3rd Street San Bernardino, CA 92415-0210 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff's attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is (El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono
Thursday, July 31, 2025
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If you’re like most people, when you think of Alzheimer’s Disease, you picture an old person who can’t remember things or someone losing his/ her memory. But in recent years, younger people have been diagnosed with the disease. Recently, a 19-year-old was diagnosed with the debilitating disease, causing concern for the next generation.
The case, presented in a recent issue of the Journal for Alzheimer’s Disease, described a male teenager from Beijing, around age 17-years old at the time, started experiencing memory deterioration and had difficulty concentrating on his high school studies. He was unable to recall where he placed his belongings or what had happened on the previous day and experienced delayed reactions and reading difficulties, the authors of the case also said. The cognitive decline worsened, and a year later, he started suffering from short-term memory loss.
The patient’s brain imaging revealed memory-related hippocampal shrinkage, and his cerebrospinal fluid suggested usual indicators of this most prevalent type of dementia.
Alzheimer’s is typically considered a disorder of the elderly. However, early-onset instances, which include people under the age of 65, account for up to 10% of all diagnoses.
Pathological gene mutations can explain Alzheimer’s in nearly all patients under 30, classifying them as having familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD).
The younger a person is at the time of diagnosis, the more likely it is due to an inherited defective gene.
When researchers from the Capital Medical University in Beijing analyzed the genome, they found no evidence of any normal mutations that cause early onset of memory loss, nor any problematic genes.
Before this recent diagnosis in China, the youngest Alzheimer’s patient was 21 years old. They had the PSEN1 gene mutation, which causes aberrant proteins to accumulate in the brain, generating toxic plaque clumps, a typical hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
How Young is Too Young for Alzheimer’s?
While it’s more common in people over 65, there are documented cases of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in their 20s. In this early-onset form, also called younger-onset or familial Alzheimer’s disease, is typically associated with genetic mutations. While rare, including one 19-yearold.
Here’s a more detailed
explanation:
Early-onset Alzheimer’s: This occurs when symptoms begin before age 65, often in the 30s, 40s, and 50s.
Familial Alzheimer’s: This rare form is caused by specific genetic mutations that are passed down through families, leading to early onset.
Sporadic Alzheimer’s: The majority of people with Alzheimer’s have sporadic Alzheimer’s, which is not attributed to a specific genetic cause.
Young-Onset Dementia: This is a broader term encompassing various types of dementia that affect people between 18 and 64.
Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease to Look for Just like the rest of our bodies, our brains change as we age. Most of us eventually notice some slowed thinking and occasional problems with remembering certain things. However, serious memory loss, confusion and other major changes in the way our minds work may be a sign that brain cells are failing. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, here are 10 warning signs and symptoms to pay attention to.
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stage, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking the same questions over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
What’s a typical agerelated change?
Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
Some people living with changes in their memory due to Alzheimer’s or other dementia may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
What’s a typical agerelated change?
Making occasional errors when managing finances or household bills.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
People living with memory changes from Alzheimer’s or other dementia often find it hard to complete daily tasks.
Sometimes they may have trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
What’s a typical agerelated change?
Occasionally needing help to use microwave settings or to record a TV show.
4. Confusion with time or place
People living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
What’s a typical agerelated change?
Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
Some people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia could experience vision changes. This may lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading. They may also have problems judging distance and determining color or contrast, causing issues with driving.
What’s a typical agerelated change?
Vision changes related to cataracts.
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
People living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have trouble naming a familiar object or use the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “handclock”).
What’s a typical agerelated change?
Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
A person living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. He or she may accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses.
What’s a typical agerelated change?
Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.
8. Decreased or poor judgment
Individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money or pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What’s a typical agerelated change?
Making a bad decision or mistake once in a while, like neglecting to change the oil in the car.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
A person living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may experience changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation. As a result, they may withdraw from hobbies, social activities or other engagements. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite team or activity.
What’s a typical agerelated change? Sometimes feeling uninterested in family or social obligations.
10. Changes in mood and personality
Individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may experience mood and personality changes. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, with friends or when out of their comfort zone.
What’s a typical agerelated change?
Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
Alzheimer’s Has No Cure, So What Can You Do?
Even though Alzheimer’s has no cure, two treatments — donanemab (Kisunla™) and lecanemab (Leqembi®) — demonstrate that removing beta-amyloid, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, from the brain reduces cognitive and functional decline in people living with early Alzheimer’s. Other treatments can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with living Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Today, there is a worldwide effort underway to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset and prevent it from developing.
By Christian Carter |
Scott Bill Targets USDA Discrimination as Trump Ends DEI Protections
By Stacy M. Brown Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
As the Trump administration moves to eliminate key diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) protections at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Democratic Congressman David Scott of Georgia has introduced legislation aimed at safeguarding the future of Black farmers and reversing decades of systemic discrimination.
On July 17, Scott, a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, introduced the Black Farmers and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Increased Market Share Act of 2025. Illinois Democratic Congressman Jonathan Jackson, also a member of the committee, co-sponsored the bill, which aims to expand market access and enforce civil rights protections for farmers who have historically been denied equitable treatment by the federal government. “Generations of Black farmers have lost their land and livelihoods because of systemic discrimination and the federal government’s failures to meaningfully intervene,” Scott said. “Whereas they comprised over 14% of all U.S. farmers less than a century ago, they now represent less than 2%.” In 1920, there were nearly one million Black farmers in the United States. But today, fewer than 50,000 remain, Jackson said. “That’s a staggering 95% decline. This did not happen by accident — it is the result of broken policies, discriminatory lending practices, and a lack of market access,” he stated. The bill establishes a competitive grant program to support new and expanding food hubs that enable Black and minority farmers to access wholesale, retail, and institutional markets. It offers a 25% tax credit for agricultural products purchased from those food hubs. It also requires the
USDA to prioritize procurement from socially disadvantaged farmers and establishes an independent Office of the Civil Rights Ombudsperson to assist farmers through civil rights claims. Additionally, the measure reforms USDA policies to provide monetary relief to farmers denied access to loan and payment programs due to discrimination.
The bill’s release follows a sweeping policy reversal by the USDA, which recently announced it will no longer use the term “socially disadvantaged” to define farmers affected by racial, ethnic, or gender-based discrimination. That designation, first adopted in the 1990 Farm Bill, had been a critical foundation for programs that served Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian producers. According to Capital B News, the agency’s decision came in response to executive orders issued earlier this year by President Donald Trump that eliminated any mandates or programs supporting DEI. The USDA stated that it has “sufficiently” addressed its history of discrimination and that moving forward, it will adhere to a race- and gender-neutral framework.
Lloyd Wright, a Virginia farmer and former USDA official,
Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed
By Bo Tefu | California Black Media
Report: California Crime Rate Hits 30-Year Low — But Shoplifting Increased
California saw a drop in most types of crime last year, including homicide, car breakins, and auto theft, according to new data from the California Department of Justice.
But while overall crime is down, shoplifting is on the rise and remains a concern for businesses and law enforcement across the state.
Violent crime decreased by 5.5% and property crime dropped by 10% in 2024. The state’s property crime rate is now the lowest it has been in nearly 40 years. Notably, car theft fell by 16.8% in its first decline since 2019, but it remains nearly 20% higher than pre-pandemic levels.
All categories of violent crime, including homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, showed improvement. Still, violent crime overall is nearly 10% higher than in 2019, mostly due to continued elevated levels
of aggravated assault. Despite the positive trends, shoplifting rose by nearly 14% last year and is nearly 48% higher than before the pandemic. When combined with commercial burglary data, overall retail theft rose by 3% in 2024 and is nearly 23% higher than 2019 levels.
Experts note that some of the rise in reported shoplifting could reflect changes in how incidents are tracked. After Proposition 47 reduced penalties for some theft offenses, some retailers reportedly stopped reporting minor incidents. However, increased media attention and recent legislative efforts –including the approval of Prop 36 last year — may be prompting more consistent reporting.
Theft of car parts, including catalytic converters, has also declined, reversing a pandemicera spike. Car break-ins, too, have dropped by nearly half compared to 2019.
stated that the change will disproportionately affect Black farmers. “They’re eliminating socially disadvantaged and anything else dealing with DEI,” Wright told Capital B. “[The government] is going to take back the money — the little bit we were getting—and some of the outreach money will be clawed back.” Rep. Shontel Brown of Ohio, a viceranking member on the House Agriculture Committee, added that the USDA’s decision was part of “Trump’s resegregation agenda.” She called the rule “a deliberate and disgraceful step backward,” and said the “socially disadvantaged” label was long overdue recognition of the systemic denial of land, credit, and opportunity. Rep. Shomari Figures of Alabama said the administration should be working to ensure Black farmers are never subjected to such discrimination again, not reversing policies that acknowledged that history.
Tiffany Bellfield El-Amin, founder of the Kentucky Black Farmers Association, noted that while the label itself may have had flaws, its removal leaves Black farmers more vulnerable. She said Black producers are often left to navigate USDA programs without the same outreach given to white farmers, and that many
with large operations were never disadvantaged to begin with. The USDA’s move comes in response to pressure from white farmers and conservative legal groups. A Wisconsin farmer, Adam Faust, has sued the administration, claiming he faced reverse discrimination in multiple USDA programs. Faust previously led a successful lawsuit against the Biden administration in 2021, halting a $4 billion loan forgiveness program aimed at aiding farmers of color. Black farmers continue to challenge federal agencies in court. The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association recently sued the USDA for allegedly excluding them from the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program, which provided help to over 43,000 farmers who suffered discrimination before 2021.
Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia said the administration’s actions amount to political theater. “Instead of working to create more certainty for our nation’s farmers and adopting a stable trade agenda, this administration is focused on divisive publicity stunts that will hurt our agriculture industry long-term,” he said.
Scott’s bill builds on years of advocacy, including his efforts to expose that just 0.1% of a $26 billion USDA pandemic relief package went to Black farmers. As Farm Bill reauthorization talks continue in Congress, Scott said this moment must be used to embed equity into agricultural policy. “Congress has a responsibility to reverse the decades of inaction by restoring trust, creating new market opportunities, and ensuring USDA supports our Black and socially disadvantaged farmers,” Scott said.
Study: Black Californians Exposed to Dangerous Toxins for More Than 40 Years
A new study reports that Black, Latino, and other communities of color in California have experienced worsening disparities in exposure to harmful short-term nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution over the last four decades, even as overall pollution levels declined.
Researchers from Yale University and partner institutions used a deep learning framework to analyze daily NO2 concentrations across California from 1980 to 2022. The study, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials this month, found that while NO2 exposure dropped statewide, relative disparities between racial and ethnic groups grew over time.
In 2020, Latino residents in California experienced nearly three times as many days with NO2 concentrations exceeding 50 micrograms per cubic meter compared to non-Hispanic White residents.
In 1980, the gap was just 32%.
Black Californians and other non-White groups, including Asian, Pacific Islander, American Indian, and Alaska Native populations, were also disproportionately exposed to high levels of NO2, a pollutant linked to respiratory illness, heart disease, and early death.
“Communities of color have long faced unequal environmental burdens,” said lead author Riyang Liu. “Our data show these disparities haven’t gone away — they’ve
DoorDash Expands Grocery Access from the West Coast to the Midwest with Trusted Local Grocers
Six beloved local grocers are now live on DoorDash
Today, we’re excited to expand grocery delivery offerings across the country with the addition of six beloved local grocers. These new partners join DoorDash at a time when more consumers are ordering groceries through the platform than ever before.*
Now available on DoorDash:
Bi-Rite Market: A San Francisco institution with three locations throughout the city, Bi-Rite is committed to offering the most delicious food in the Bay Area. Shoppers can enjoy everything from local, organic, peak-of-season produce, to sustainably sourced meat, poultry, and seafood, staple and specialty grocery items from entrepreneurial artisans and makers, and of course, BiRite’s own housemade meals and famous Bi-Rite Creamery ice cream.
Dave’s Markets: With twelve locations in Northern Ohio, Dave’s Markets prides itself on bringing its customers the freshest cuts of meat, fresh baked goods, farm fresh produce, and more.
Dorothy Lane Market: A gourmet, family-owned supermarket in Southwest Ohio, Dorothy Lane Market offers local shoppers all the staples with an emphasis on made-in-house prepared foods, scratch bakery, local produce, all-natural meat, and specialty foods at its three stores.
Lucky’s Markets: With four locations in Ohio, Lucky’s Markets offers organic foods, delicious made-in-house foods, and local delights in a unique atmosphere.
actually become more severe relative to the White population.”
The researchers overcame gaps in historical monitoring data by combining chemical transport models, land use changes, and deep learning techniques to estimate daily NO2 exposure at a neighborhood level. This allowed for the first detailed, statewide analysis of racial and ethnic disparities in short-term NO2 pollution over a 42-year span.
NO2 is mainly produced by traffic, power plants, and industrial sources. It often builds up in populated urban areas with limited green space and heavy road traffic – communities that are more likely to be home to low-income and minority populations.
The findings add urgency to calls for stronger environmental justice policies in California and nationwide.
“Reducing overall pollution is not enough,” Liu said. “We need policies that directly address unequal exposure in Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities.”
The study was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health.
The study highlights growing pollution disparities affecting Black, Latino, and other communities of color in California.
selection, consumers can find domestic and imported products, fresh produce, seafood, and more at Lunardi’s Markets' eight locations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Superior Grocers: Superior Grocers is a cornerstone of communities across Southern California, the Central Valley, and Nevada. With seventy-four locations, the grocer provides an extensive selection of produce, meat, international foods, and more.
As DoorDash continues to broaden its selections so consumers can enjoy on-demand access to the best local businesses in their neighborhoods, almost 1 in 2 consumers in the US who are new to ordering delivery in the Grocery, Convenience, and Alcohol categories through a third-party marketplace placed their first order on DoorDash in 2024.** The new partners announced today bring shoppers across the West Coast and Ohio more grocery choices, joining several other grocers of all sizes in these regions on DoorDash. The new partners announced today are available on DashPass, DoorDash’s membership program that offers $0 delivery fees, reduced service fees, and exclusive benefits on eligible orders from thousands of restaurants, grocery, and convenience stores nationwide.***
*As of Q1 2025. **Based on third-party data of consumer share for consumers new to the applicable categories.
Lunardi’s Markets: Known for personalized service and maintaining high-quality
***DashPass benefits apply only to eligible orders that meet the minimum subtotal requirement listed on DoorDash for each participating merchant. Other fees (including service fee), taxes, and gratuity still apply. After signing up for DashPass, you will be charged the then-current renewal price (plus applicable taxes) automatically on a recurring basis until you cancel. DashPass terms (including how to cancel)
African American Farmers
Bill to Reclaim Land Lost to Unlawful Eminent Domain Gets Bipartisan Support in California Senate
By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), won bipartisan support last week for her bill aimed at helping victims of racially motivated eminent domain — and their descendants — recover lost property.
On July 15, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Assembly Bill (AB) 62 with a unanimous 13-0 vote.
The bill now heads to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations, where it is scheduled for a hearing at 10 a.m. on Aug. 18 at the State Capitol Swing Space Annex in Sacramento.
“AB 62 responds to these harms by authorizing local and state agencies to evaluate past eminent domain takings, and where inappropriate or unjustified takings are identified,” McKinnor told members of the Judiciary Committee during the hearing.
“This bill is about righting historical wrongs and creating a process to address and repair the damage still felt today,” she added.
Asm. Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood). CBM file photo by Antonio Ray Harvey McKinnor noted that AB 62 was drafted “in the spirit of Senate Bill (SB) 796,” a measure authored by former Sen. Steven
AB 62, a bill Asm. Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) authored, will be heard in the Senate Committee on Appropriations in August.
Bradford, who represented an L.A. County district that includes Inglewood and Gardena.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 796 into law in September 2021.
That bill played a key role in returning Bruce’s Beach — a property in Los Angeles County — to the descendants of Willa and Charles Bruce, the Black couple who owned the seaside resort before it was taken through eminent domain in 1924.
According to the bill’s language, AB 62 establishes a process for reviewing claims of racially motivated eminent domain via a designated agency’s Office of Legal Affairs. The legislation defines such takings as property seizures for public
Major Study Produces Good News in Alzheimer’s Fight
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Brain activity, Human brain damage, Neural network, Artificial intelligence and idea concept
A major clinical trial has found that structured lifestyle changes can lead to greater improvement in brain function for older adults at risk of cognitive decline, compared to less intensive, selfdirected approaches. The peer-reviewed study, titled “Effects of Structured vs Self-Guided Multidomain Lifestyle Interventions for Global Cognitive Function: The U.S. POINTER Randomized Clinical Trial,” was published this week in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto. It provides a large measure of hope against an illness that has long had many in fear. Researchers enrolled 2,111 participants between the ages of 60 and 79 who were at elevated risk for cognitive decline and dementia due to factors such as sedentary behavior, poor diet, cardiometabolic conditions, and family history of memory loss. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two lifestyle interventions, either a structured, high-intensity program or a lower-intensity, self-guided version, and followed for two years. Both groups focused on improving physical activity, nutrition (through the MIND diet), cognitive stimulation, social interaction, and cardiovascular
health. However, the structured group attended 38 facilitated meetings over two years and followed detailed activity plans, while the self-guided group attended six meetings and was encouraged to pursue goals independently without coaching. Both groups in the study— those who followed a structured lifestyle program and those who made changes on their own— showed improvement in overall brain function. However, the group that followed the structured plan improved more over the two years. Researchers measured this improvement using a standard scoring method that looks at multiple aspects of thinking, such as memory, attention, and speed. On that scale, the structured group improved by 0.243 points per year, while the self-guided group improved by 0.213 points per year. The difference between the two groups—0.029 points— was small but statistically meaningful, meaning it’s unlikely to have happened by chance. The structured group also did better when it came to executive function, which involves planning, decisionmaking, and self-control. Their scores improved slightly more each year—by 0.037 points—compared to the selfguided group. The structured group also had slightly better scores in processing speed, or how quickly the brain handles information, but that difference wasn’t strong enough to be considered significant. When it came to memory, there was no clear difference between the two groups.
The participants included 68.9% women, and 30.8% identified as part of a racial or ethnic minority group. Thirty
use without just compensation, motivated by the owner’s race or ethnicity.
If a claim is confirmed, the office would certify the claimant’s right to the original property (if still held by a public entity), a comparable public asset, or monetary compensation.
The only two Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee –Sen. Roger Niello (R-Roseville) and Sen. Suzette Martinez-Valladares (R-Acton) — joined Democrats in supporting the bill.
Niello, the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, says he supported AB 62 because it doesn’t place the full burden of compensating victims on the state. It also holds local
jurisdictions — where the wrongful eminent domain occurred — accountable.
In the Assembly, GOP lawmakers cast the only “no” votes against AB 62 when it was approved with a 57-4 margin. Those four holdouts were Alexandra Macedo (R-Tulare), Heather Hadwick (R-Alturas), Stan Ellis (R-Bakersfield), and Carl DaMaio (R-San Diego).
AB 62 is one of 16 bills in the CLBC’s “Road to Repair” legislative package, which seeks to deliver justice and equity for marginalized communities, focusing on reparative action and future protections.
Several bills in the package have already cleared the first house and are moving through the Senate.
Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-La Mesa), chair of the CLBC and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, voted in favor of AB 62.
Weber-Pierson said she was pleased that her colleague Niello found common ground to make a formal proposal to the committee to consider the vote and to reach a solution acceptable to both parties.
“We love bipartisan support on our priority bills,” Weber Pierson said, referring to Niello’s support for the bill.
“It builds on the work that former Sen. Bradford had started,” Weber Pierson added.
Major Study Produces Good News in Alzheimer’s Fight...continued
percent were carriers of the APOE-e4 gene, a known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Retention was high, with 89% completing the final two-year assessment. Researchers reported that the structured intervention produced benefits regardless of sex, age, race, cardiovascular health, or APOE-e4 status. The cognitive improvement was more pronounced in participants with lower baseline cognitive scores. The study was conducted at five clinical sites across the United
States from 2019 to 2025, with oversight by Wake Forest University School of Medicine and approval from a centralized institutional review board. It is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT03688126.
“Among older adults at risk of cognitive decline and dementia, a structured, higher-intensity intervention had a statistically significant greater benefit on global cognition compared with an unstructured, self-guided intervention,” the researchers wrote.
Learning How to Better Serve African American Children and Families
By National Head Start Association
The National African American Child and Family Research Center (NAACFRC) at Morehouse School of Medicine is designed to provide national leadership and excellence in community-engaged research to better serve African American children and families served by the Administration for Children and Families, including those enrolled in Head Start. The National Head Start Association spoke with Dr. Azaliah Israel, NAACFRC’s co-lead for dissemination and communication, about the Center’s work since its inception. Narratives are the stories we tell to make sense of the world. As a graduate student, I became fascinated with the influence narratives have in our everyday life, the power they have to create and sustain meaning. As practitioners, narratives influence how we perceive the families we serve. Unfortunately, narratives about Black families have often been told through a lens that highlights dysfunction but ignores historical and cultural context.
In my exploration of Black families, I found that the
recurring narratives around “deadbeat fathers” and “welfare queens” influenced how service providers interacted with them. While completing my dissertation, I conducted dozens of interviews with practitioners in the federal and non-profit sectors, seeking to use research to change how Black families are viewed in society. One of these interviewees shared something that completely shifted my own perspective and the direction of my research: “Instead of focusing on changing the narrative, we must change the narrator.” It reminded me how important it is to elevate the voices of Black families that are not often heard. The majority of research centered around African American families has been
Learning How to Better Serve African American Children and Families...continued
conducted using a comparative framework where the behaviors, experiences, and outcomes of white Americans are viewed as the standard. And it has largely been conducted by individuals outside of the African American community with very little input from the community itself. This framework often ignores the important historical and cultural context of African American life and, inevitably, places these families at a disadvantage compared to white families. It’s long past time for change.
The National African American Child and Family Research Center (NAACFRC) prioritizes community-engaged research to learn how to better serve African American children and families.
The Center seeks to change the cultural and institutional narratives about African American families by conducting research that takes into account their unique experiences and the existing social inequalities.
This requires a broad scope of research, including:
Early childhood education
(Early Head Start and Head Start)
Child care assistance (Child Care and Development Fund)
Social and economic mobility
(Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Healthy relationships,
including fatherhood and supportive family relationships
Early Head Start and Head Start, whose service population is 30% Black or African American, are a primary focus for the Center’s early childhood education research. NAACFRC’s primary goal is to illuminate the assets, needs, and experiences of African American families and parents participating in Head Start programs to improve the provision of services.
To do so, the Center partners with parents, teachers, and administrators to better understand the needs of African American children and families.
The Center is particularly interested in learning from and supporting Head Start families who live in rural areas, have family members who are involved in the criminal justice system, and have health/disability issues. In addition, NAACFRC highlights the experiences of African Americans in the child care and early education workforce. Changing the narrative around Black families by lifting up their voices and shifting the research framework is essential to changing our society’s perceptions. NAACFRC’s research with Head Start is an important piece in working towards this goal.
Happy parents with their girls and a dog spending time at home.