Legislature Approves Five Black Caucus Reparations Bills, Sending Them to Newsom
By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
Assembly Bill (AB) 62, authored by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (Inglewood), passed in the Assembly with a 66-4 vote on Sept. 9. It now advances to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for a signature or veto by Oct. 12.
The measure — part of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) multi-year “Road to Repair” legislative package — is a reparations bill aimed at providing restitution for victims of racially motivated eminent domain and their descendants.
“I feel so hopeful that the governor will sign it,” McKinnor told California Black Media (CBM) on Sept. 11 at the State Capitol. “Actually, it will help the descendants of chattel slavery at the top, but it helps every Californian whose home or property was taken through eminent domain.”
McKinnor’s bill defines “racially motivated eminent domain” as the acquisition of private property by a state or local government for public use without just compensation, motivated by the owner’s race or ethnicity.
According to AB 62’s language, the California Civil Rights Department, upon appropriation by the Legislature, will be directed to review, investigate, and make certain determinations regarding applications from persons who claim they are the dispossessed owners.
Republican Assemblymembers Carl DeMaio, Stan Ellis, Alexandra Macedo, and Heather Hardwick voted no on AB 62. A day before its final Assembly floor vote, the bill passed 30-7 in the Senate. AB 62 builds on the momentum of California’s decision to return Bruce’s Beach in Los Angeles County to its original owners.
In September 2021, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 796 into law, granting Los Angeles County the authority to transfer the Bruce’s Beach
Last week, the Senate concurred with Assembly amendments to Senate Bill (SB) 437, authored by chair of the CLBC Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego), with a 29-10 vote.
property back to the descendants of Willa and Charles Bruce, who were unjustly stripped of their beachfront land without consent.
“People must understand, most of the time when homes were taken by eminent domain, it was the poor people’s homes – Black and Brown,” McKinnor said. “I think this is a good bill for California and a good way that Californians get paid back for their land. It’s similar to Bruce’s Beach.”
In February, the CLBC introduced its multi-year Road to Repair legislative package based on recommendations included in the state’s 2023 reparations task force report. Several other reparative justice bills by CLBC
members are on their way to Newsom’s desk, including the following.
On Sept. 11, AB 766, legislation authored by Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-San Diego), passed out of the Assembly with a 48-14 vote. It mandates state agencies to perform a “racial equity analysis” on new regulations and budget requests.
AB 742, authored by Assemblymember Sade Elhawary (D-Los Angeles), passed 59-16 out of the Assembly on Sept. 10. It requires state licensing boards to expedite applications for individuals who are certified as descendants of American slaves.
Last week, the Senate concurred with Assembly amendments to Senate Bill (SB) 437, authored by chair of the CLBC Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego), with a 29-10 vote.
The bill’s purpose is to direct the California State University (CSU) to research and develop methods for verifying an individual’s status as a descendant of a person who was enslaved in the United States. SB 437 would authorize the use of up to $6 million to enable the CSU to conduct the research.
Weber Pierson’s SB 518 also advances to the governor’s desk after receiving a 30-10 vote in the Senate on Sept. 10. The bill establishes the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within the California Department of Justice. The bill, part of a larger reparations effort, aims to address past and ongoing harms caused by slavery and discriminatory policies against Black Californians.
SB 437 and SB 518 are “one step closer to the Governor’s desk and to becoming California law,” Weber Pierson said last week.
The members of the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC), a grassroots reparations organization, have been forcefully fighting the passage of Weber Pierson’s bills, claiming the measures are “undermining real reparations.”
Chris Lodgson, the lead organizer and advocate for the CJEC, said in a statement that SB 437 and SB 518 “divert, delay, and diminish the urgent demand for reparations.” He is asking that the governor veto both bills.
“Reparations delayed are reparations denied. California cannot study, stall, or divert its way out of its responsibility,” Lodgson stated. “Our movement will continue to demand Reparations be enacted with respect, safety, and urgency — and we will not accept halfmeasures that undermine that goal.”
The Black Press: Two Centuries of Truth— But Who Will Save It?
By Stacy M. Brown
The Black Press is two years away from its 200th anniversary. Two centuries of carrying our story when others denied us a voice. Two centuries of fighting mobs, resisting Jim Crow, surviving fire, and standing against lies. And now, in its hour of need, as corporate America cuts ties and Washington turns away, the silence of Black America’s billionaires is as loud as the betrayals of history. We know their names. David Steward, Robert F. Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Jay-Z, Rihanna, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Tyler Perry, Tope Awotona, Sheila Johnson, and Tiger Woods. Add to them Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Patrice Motsepe, Strive Masiyiwa, Abdulsamad Rabiu—giants whose fortunes shape nations. Together, they command nearly $100 billion in wealth. Yet the institution that once defended its very humanity now struggles to keep its doors open. We are not begging for handouts; we are asking you to stand with the very
press that once stood for you. When you unveil a new film or a book, when you seek to raise a cause, when your friends or your ventures deserve the light, do not look only to the white press. Bring your ads here, bring your stories here. Share us as you share yourselves, for the truth is simple: if the Black Press falls, the story of who we are falls with it.
White men like Mark Cuban have reached into their pockets. Organizations like the New York Islanders have stepped forward. But the very institution that gave this nation Frederick Douglass and Ida B. Wells, Ethel Payne
and Daisy Bates, the Chicago Defender, the New Pittsburgh Courier, the Baltimore AFRO, EBONY, and the Amsterdam News—now gasps for breath without the lifeline it deserves. The Black Press has never been an abstraction. It has always been the frontline. In 1921, when white supremacists torched Tulsa, they burned down Blackowned newspapers to silence the truth. During Jim Crow, it was the Black Press that funneled guidance to families navigating terror. When Mamie Till thrust her son’s mutilated body before
The Black Press: Two Centuries of Truth— But Who Will Save It?...continued
the world, it was the Black Press that carried the pictures. When Dr. King and Malcolm X needed their words to reach their people, when the white press dismissed them as agitators, it was the Black Press that published their vision. And today, it is still more than 200 family-owned newspapers, many of them run by Black women. These women carry the weight of history, fighting to keep their presses alive. Yet in Trump’s America, while policies drive Black women’s unemployment to the highest levels in modern history, their institutions are being starved of the resources that sustain them. That double assault—on their livelihoods and their legacies— should haunt this nation.
To our billionaires: this is not a call to shame, but a call to conscience. You rose from the communities that these pages sustained. Your names and fortunes live because the Black Press fought to keep the truth
alive when no one else would. And while some may ask, “Where are you?”—we instead ask, “Will you stand with us now?” Because if the Black Press falls, so too falls the memory of our people. This is not charity. It is survival. It is legacy. It is standing on the right side of history. Those who wish to answer this call can do so today—through our sponsorship opportunities as the Black Press prepares for its 200th anniversary, or directly through a GoFundMe at https:// gofund.me/240152783. The door remains open. The need is urgent. If the Black Press dies, no tribute, no hashtag, no brand campaign will erase the record: that when the institution that carried Black America for two centuries cried out, those with the power to save it stayed silent. And so, the question remains: Who among you will step forward? Or will the flowers laid on the Black Press’s grave be bought with the coins of indifference?
Federal Cuts Strip $350 Million From HBCUs and Minority-Serving Institutions
By Stacy M. Brown
The U.S. Department of Education has announced the cancellation of $350 million in federal grants that had been designated for historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that the department will “no longer award Minority-Serving Institution grants that discriminate by restricting eligibility to institutions that meet government-mandated racial quotas.” She added that the administration intends to redirect the money toward programs “that advance Administration priorities.” The funding has supported initiatives including laboratory equipment purchases, classroom improvements, student tutoring services, and endowment growth. The cuts immediately drew criticism from leaders of colleges and universities who said the loss would harm students and damage institutions that depend on the resources.
“Without this funding, students will lose the critical support they need to succeed in the classroom, complete their degrees on time, and achieve social mobility for themselves and their families,” said Mildred García, chancellor of the California State University system. “These funds strengthen entire campuses, creating opportunities and resources that benefit all students, especially those pursuing STEM fields, as well as enhancing the communities where these colleges and universities are located,” said David Mendez, interim CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
University of Hawaiʻi president Wendy Hensel added that the cuts will affect “all of our students, the programs that support them, and the dedicated staff who carry out this work.” The department’s
announcement follows a lawsuit filed in June by the state of Tennessee and Students for Fair Admissions, which argued the programs were discriminatory because of enrollment eligibility requirements. In July, the Department of Justice said it would not defend the grants, with Solicitor General D. John Sauer writing that they violated the constitutional right to equal protection.
According to HBCU Buzz, the decision has sent shockwaves across campuses, with advocates warning that programs supporting mentorship, STEM pipelines, and scholarships are at risk. Lawmakers, including Senator Patty Murray, have said the Education Department acted unilaterally without consulting Congress. The debate over funding arrives as HBCUs continue to face historic underfunding. CNN fact-checkers reported that while the Biden-Harris administration had directed $16 billion to HBCUs from 2021 to 2024, Trump previously proposed more than $100 million in cuts to HBCU programs during his term, despite later claiming he had been uniquely responsible for funding the schools. The Education Department confirmed that roughly $132 million in mandatory congressional allocations for fiscal 2025 will still be distributed, though officials said they are continuing to review the legal questions surrounding those funds.
Asm. Sharpe-Collins: Asm. Sharp-Collins’s Assembly Bill
December 29, 2024, Washington, DC: Department of Education building in Washington, DC with American Flag (Photo by Greggory DiSalvo)
Thursday, September 18, 2025
What Is Montessori Education?
By
Dr. Maria Montessori, the Italian educator and scientist who, more than 100 years ago, developed the system of education that bears her name, knew that during the period from birth to age 3, your child’s brain develops more rapidly than at any other time, and more learning takes place than at any other stage of development. Yet many parents don’t seek out formal education until their children have passed the toddler age.
Recognizing the importance of these formative years, the Montessori approach to infants and toddlers supports starting earlier than that.
In a Montessori environment, your infant or toddler will be with teachers—loving, nurturing, and rigorously trained in child development—who create peaceful, supportive, and safe environments for our youngest children. In these spaces, a child’s natural passion for wonder, curiosity, exploration, independence, and discovery comes alive.
Montessori Infant & Toddler programs offer so much more than childcare. The classroom design fosters your young child’s emerging independence and desire for exploration. The environments are designed to promote your child’s growth in all areas of development. Additionally, Montessori Infant & Toddler programs provide support and guidance for families through programs that may include parent education and parent/child group experiences.
Key underpinnings:
Honors the human spirit and the development of the whole child-physical, social, emotional, and cognitive.
Encompasses a view of the child as one who is naturally
eager for knowledge.
It is based on ideals of equity, inclusion, and social justice.
Also focuses on care of self, others, and the environment.
Additional distinctive features:
Classes are multi-age (typically 3-year age span).
Individual students follow their own interests while also learning from others.
Time is given to enable students to explore and internalize concepts and ideas at their own pace while working toward individualized learning goals.
Teachers serve as guides and mentors, systematically observing and assessing students’ progress and providing them with support/tools so that they may take ownership of their own learning and growth.
Learning takes place across a variety of modalities: visual, auditory, tactile, etc.
Given the freedom and support to question, probe deeply, and make connections, Montessori students grow up to be critical thinkers, confident, enthusiastic, and self-directed learners and citizens, accountable to themselves, their community, and the world.
Core Components of Quality Montessori
AMS recognizes 5 components as essential to high-quality programs. While not all Montessori schools incorporate them–any school can call itself Montessori, regardless of its fidelity to the philosophy and practice—they are a vital part of any school accredited by the American Montessori Society. Currently, about 15% of our member schools fall into this elite group.
Warning: HBCUs Under Credible Threats
By April Ryan
Aerially passing over an educational institutions college campus that is primarily vacant because of spring break which gives a comfortable feeling similar to a quaint but prestigious village (Photo
Berberich)
Multiple Historically Black Colleges and Universities are on lockdown and or canceling classes due to what are called “credible threats.”
Spelman, Clark Atlanta, Southern University A and M College, Bethune Cookman, Alabama State, Virginia State, and Hampton University are taking precautionary actions amid threats. Clarke University in Atlanta currently has a “shelter in place” order. These threats came a day after the deadly shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. The suspect is still at large.
Reverand William Barber of Repairer of the Breach, in a written statement, says, “We are facing a
Properly trained Montessori teachers – Teachers hold credentials for the level at which they teach. They have a rigorous command of Montessori philosophy, Montessori curriculum, classroom management, and child development.
Multi-age classrooms – Students benefit from differentiated learning based on abilities, not age. Selfesteem is built on personal accomplishments rather than comparison with same-age peers.
Use of specially designed Montessori learning materials – Hands-on, interactive, and engaging, they enable students to learn through discovery.
Student-directed work –Students are intrinsically motivated, and learn about their personal strengths and ability to improve.
Uninterrupted work periods –Working freely and at their own pace on self-selected activities, students develop concentration, time-management skills, and a love for learning.
More school districts are including Montessori programs as a parent choice. Currently, more than 500 public schools nationwide offer Montessori programs. Public Montessori education is a popular option for preschool through high school students attending all types of publicly funded schools— neighborhood, magnet, and charter. Because they are publicly funded, public Montessori schools are open to all children. They do not generally require incoming students to have prior Montessori experience; however, some restrict the admission of children without Montessori experience to lower Elementary levels only. Students are often admitted to public Montessori programs by lottery because there tend to be more applicants than openings.
While public Montessori programs are tuition-free, tuition may be charged for 3- to 4-year-olds in public school prekindergarten classes that are not fully covered by state funding. If required, pre-kindergarten tuition is usually paid on a sliding scale, depending upon the family’s eligibility for the National School Lunch Program (free, reduced, or full-pay).
Additional details are available at the Black Montessori Fund at http://www.blackmontessori.org.
Volunteers to Clean Up Martha McLean-Anza Narrows Park on Sept. 20 As Part of 41st Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day
Inland Empire Waterkeeper, Caltrans Partnering to Remove Litter & Improve Local Waterway
Community News
What: Local volunteers to join Caltrans for a river and park cleanup on the 41st Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. The cleanup is among hundreds being organized statewide and comes before heavy autumn rains can wash trash, debris and other waste into area waterways.
Volunteers are invited to register here.
When: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 9 to 11 a.m.
Media interviews will be available onsite. Virtual interviews upon request.
Where: Martha McLeanAnza Narrows Park 5759 Jurupa Ave. Riverside, CA 92504
Visuals: Pollutants being cleaned from the park
Community cleanup volunteers and local businesses, including Inland Empire Waterkeeper and Caltrans Evidence of waterway pollution (Santa Ana River) Weighing and sorting of collected litter
RSVP: Media are requested to RSVP to Amanda Scott at 310413-8269.
Our Submission Deadline Is MONDAYS by 5 pm
Our print date is Thursdays Weekly
Email Press Releases to: mary@sb-american.com
Warning: HBCUs Under Credible Threats... continued
rights leader stressed, “Colleges and Universities should be a place of free expression and debate in a way that’s respectful, engaging, and productive.” He emphasized that “what we have seen in the
dangerous moment in our nation— violence should not be justified when we disagree with someone’s politics, nor should it be justified to use lethal force and military power to repress vulnerable communities.” Regarding the threat against the HBCU campuses, the schools listed in this article decided to lock down and cancel classes after receiving threats.
North Carolina Congresswoman Alma Adams, Founder and CoChair of the Bipartisan, Bicameral HBCU Caucus, expressed, “I am distressed to learn that colleges and universities across the country are being forced into lockdown due to credible threats of violence against their campuses. I am actively monitoring these situations and am praying for the safety of everyone.”
Reverend Al Sharpton of the National Action Network says his organization is also monitoring the recent threats against these HBCUs, emphasizing, “We have seen too much violence on our campuses, whether it was the brazen murder of Charlie Kirk yesterday or the threats against these HBCUs today.” The civil
CARES Program Hosts World Peace Day Celebration: “Act Now for a Peaceful World”
Community /Education News
The CARES Program invites the community to participate in a World Peace Day Celebration scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2025, at New Hope Family Life Center.
This global observance, recognized by the United Nations each year, is devoted to strengthening peace awareness both locally and worldwide. This year’s theme, “Act Now for a Peaceful World,” is a powerful reminder that peace is not passive; it is built through everyday actions of kindness, compassion, and unity.
Our peaceful event will bring together families, schools, organizations & law enforcement across San Bernardino to celebrate acts of peace through creativity, service, and youth engagement.
Some of the featured activities include: Kids Peace Art Wall where children create drawings of what peace means to them. Peace pledges and Tree of Kindness, where families write pledges for
peace and them on a tree in the community. Chalk the Walk for Peace, which include youth and families drawing and writing peaceful and positive messages on sidewalks, and an arts and craft station where kids makes bracelets with peaceful messages and exchange them with friends and family. Other activities include a poetry and reflection board, kindness cards and a peace meal.
“We encourage everyone to share their acts of peace on social media with the hashtags: #IChoosePeace | #Pledge4Peace | #CARES4Peace,” said Che’ Wright, CEO of the Women’s Inspiration Network (W.I.N.) and organizer of the World Peace Event at the New Hope Family Life Center. “We want the community to join us as we model peace for the next generation and answer the call to Act Now for a Peaceful World. Together, we can inspire kindness, unity, and hope throughout our community,” concluded Wright.
Hire & Inspire: Workers’ Rights Job & Resource Fair to Connect Local Employers and Job Seekers in Apple Valley
Community /Education News
Apple Valley, CA –November 18, 2025-The Way Resource Center is proud to host the Hire & Inspire: Workers’ Rights Job & Resource Fair on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Apple Valley Conference Center, located at 14975 Dale Evans Pkwy, Apple Valley, CA 92307 This one-of-a-kind fair is designed to bring employers, hiring managers, recruiters, and community partners together in a single accessible space to connect with local job seekers. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore open positions, participate in onsite interviews, and connect with organizations eager to hire.
The event will also highlight Certified Workforce Now Ready graduates, individuals who have successfully completed workforce readiness training and are equipped with strong employability skills, resilience, and dedication that employers value.
Event Highlights: • Onsite interviews with hiring managers
Dedicated employer booths and networking opportunities
Access to resumes (when collected in advance)
Spotlight on Workforce Now Ready graduates prepared to enter the workforce
• Free participation for employers and community vendors
“This is more than just a job fairit’s a chance to inspire hope, build relationships, and open doors for local talent who are ready to make an impact,” said Minnie Grisset, Project Lead at The Way Resource Center.
Employers and community organizations are encouraged to apply by November 1, 2025 to secure their space. There is no participation fee, but tables are limited.
For more information or to register, please visit thewayresourcecenter.org.
Evidence-Based Early Literacy Bill AB 1454 Passes California Senate With Unanimous Vote (38-0), Taking Major Step to Close Literacy Gaps...continued
deserves the chance to succeed, and reading is the foundation for success,” said Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park).
last two days is anything but that.” In 2022, the FBI offered HBCU training after a series of largescale bomb threats against HBCUs during Black History Month that year.
Evidence-Based Early Literacy Bill AB 1454 Passes California Senate With Unanimous Vote (38-0), Taking Major Step to Close Literacy Gaps
Landmark Early Literacy Bill Now Heads to Governor's Desk
Educational News
SACRAMENTO, CA –
Assembly Bill 1454, jointly authored by Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), and Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), passed the full Senate floor on September 12 with a resounding 38-0 vote, marking a historic step toward transforming reading instruction for millions of California’s children.
The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for final signature. California’s reading achievement gaps by income and race have been persistent for years, and are among the widest in the nation. Currently, only 4 in 10 third graders read at grade level, with
outcomes even worse for English learners and low-income Black and Latino students. AB 1454 directly addresses these disparities by ensuring classroom materials are aligned with decades of cognitive research on how children learn to read. As a result of strong advocacy efforts led by EdVoice and its partners, a key component of AB 1454 – equipping elementary school teachers with effective training in reading instruction – was incorporated in Governor Newsom’s ‘25-‘26 state budget, with $200 million allocated for evidence-based literacy training.
“This is a turning point for California’s children. Every child
“AB 1454 will give California’s teachers the tools they need to teach literacy, and our students the skills they need to tackle reading. This bill confronts the staggering literacy gaps we’ve seen in California. Our state is making a historic investment in our children’s future and I am honored to have been a part of leading this incredibly impactful legislation forward.”
“Transforming California’s education system requires a coordinated approach rooted in proven solutions,” said Marshall Tuck, CEO of EdVoice. “The overwhelming support from both the Legislature and Governor’s administration for evidence-based reading instruction demonstrates California’s commitment to bold change, so all children have access to the quality education they need and future opportunities they deserve. This is progress in action –and EdVoice is proud to champion big policies like AB 1454 that will uplift academic outcomes for millions of California’s children.”
Key provisions of AB 1454 include:
Requiring the State Board of Education (SBE) to adopt a new list of English language arts/ English language development instructional materials that align with evidence-based literacy instruction. Local Education Agencies must follow the SBE’s
guidance when updating materials or certify that their materials meet SBE criteria.
Requiring the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to update standards for administrator and reading specialist credential preparation to include training on effective means of teaching literacy and certify that programs are following the updated standards.
AB 1454 is a bipartisan bill coauthored by Senators Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa), Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana), Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego), Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), and Assemblymembers Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay), Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), Josh Hoover (R-Folsom), and Dr. Darshana Patel (D-San Diego County). The bill has garnered unprecedented support from more than 90 education and social justice advocates from across the state who have come together – including EdVoice, Decoding Dyslexia CA, the NAACP CA/ HI State Conference, Families In Schools, and others – to transform how California students learn to read.
With Senate passage complete, AB 1454 now awaits Governor Newsom’s signature – the final step needed to change reading instruction for millions of California students.
For more information, visit www.CaliforniaKidsRead.org.
American Montessori Association (AMA)
Black Montessori Education Fund helps provide scholarships for Black Montessori students and funds Black-led Montessori schools and educators. Photo: BMEF
by Thomas
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Immigrant Data-Sharing Threatens Privacy of All Americans
By Selen Ozturk
The federal expansion of immigrant surveillance is increasing political targeting, identity theft and data breach risks for all Americans.
The federal expansion of immigrant surveillance is increasing political targeting, identity theft and data breach risks for all Americans.
The second Trump administration has raised alarm from experts that government use of personal data under the banner of fighting fraud, stopping crime or detecting undocumented immigrants — including an immigrant name and address data-sharing agreement between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) — could threaten the privacy rights of residents nationwide, including citizens.
Last May, a federal judge denied a preliminary injunction against such data-sharing between DHS, the IRS and Immigrant and Customs Enforcement (ICE); this effectively greenlit the first-ever time the IRS formally agreed to provide taxpayer information for immigration enforcement under a memorandum of understanding.
“These practices go far beyond just privacy violations. They actively erode trust in public institutions,” said Nicole Alvarez, senior analyst for technology policy at the Center for American Progress, at a Friday, September 5 American Community Media briefing. “When people share their personal information with a government agency, there is an expectation — sometimes rooted in law, sometimes just in practice — that the information will only be used for that specific purpose.”
A ‘digital watchtower’
Alvarez warned that the Department of Government Efficiency’s pushes to centralize raw data currently siloed among different agencies is fueling a “digital watchtower, which is a rapidly expanding system of
surveillance that threatens not only the immigrant communities currently being targeted by this administration, but the privacy rights of all Americans.”
Since Trump’s March 20 executive order eliminating “information silos” and urging inter-agency data sharing, several lawsuits have been filed alleging that one unified federal database would violate the Privacy Act of 1974, the main law governing how federal agencies handle personal data by limiting datasharing to the purpose for which it was given, ensuring no single part of the government can access all records of a person’s identity at once.
“The problem with the Privacy Act is that it has simply not kept up with the times,” said Alvarez. “It was written before the internet existed, before mass data storage, before agencies could link massive databases. Today, the law offers very limited accountability when data is reused, repurposed or shared across agencies in ways that were never expected.”
Last April, in response to the immigrant data-sharing memorandum between the IRS and DHS, Trump-appointed IRS Commissioner Melanie Krouse announced her resignation, citing privacy violation concerns.
“When people see the government repurpose their information in ways that feel retaliatory or unpredictable, they begin to opt out. They may avoid filing taxes. They may forego needed medical care for themselves or their children,” explained Alvarez.
“And when people disengage from public systems, those systems inherently become weaker, more unfair and less democratic,” she continued. “Ironically, it undermines longterm goals like fraud prevention and civic participation.”
“Surveillance of immigrants is just the starting point. History shows us that tools created for surveillance rarely stay in their original box,” she added. “Once these systems and practices are in place, it’s easy for the scope to quietly expand, which leaves everyone vulnerable, not just the groups that the administration claims to be targeting in that moment.”
‘A great chilling effect’
A 2022 report published by the Georgetown Center on Privacy & Technology, American Dragnet, found that ICE already uses digital surveillance to monitor the lives of most people in the U.S.
According to the report, ICE has scanned the driver’s license photos of one in three adults; has access to the driver’s license data of three in four adults; and could locate three in four adults through their utility records.
A 2024 Georgetown report following this research, Raiding the Genome, involved the first in-depth analysis of the drastic expansion of a DHS program to take DNA samples from thousands of people daily for criminal policing and prosecution, adding the samples to a forensic federal policing database called CODIS.
The report found that profiles were added regardless of whether individuals had committed a crime or been charged with one.
Emerald Tse, associate at the Georgetown Center, said “Law enforcement across the country can search the profiles in this database to identify people who have committed crimes in the past. But we also found that the federal government has defended DNA collection from immigrants as a way to predict who might commit crimes in the future.”
Between 2008 and 2021, ICE
surveillance technology spending ballooned from $71 million to $388 million a year, totalling $2.8 billion spent over the past 14 years.
The surveillance industry is only continuing to grow.
In her keynote during the annual Border Security Expo last April, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem called for more government data-exchange partnerships with private tech companies, particularly to monitor immigrants’ social media activity.
In 2019, during the first Trump administration, the U.S. State Department began requiring nearly all visa applicants — immigrant and nonimmigrant — to provide all the social media usernames they had used over the previous five years. This policy continued under Biden.
“There’s a great chilling effect … inhibiting freedom of speech,” said Sophia Cope, senior staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). “Citizens who might be the colleagues or the family members or friends of the visa applicants themselves might not want to speak out publicly on certain things for fear that they’re either going to affect their loved one’s ability to even get a visa, or that they themselves are going to be caught up in the surveillance.”
Last March, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) proposed expanding this social media surveillance beyond visa applicants to include those of other statuses, including asylum seekers and citizenship applicants.
In 2017, EFF and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on behalf of 11 travelers — 10 U.S. citizens and one lawful permanent resident — whose electronic devices were searched at the border without a warrant.
In deposition testimony, ICE and CBP officials “readily admitted that they will seek to search the device of a traveler, not when the traveler is the target of the investigation or is under suspicion, but because they think that traveler might have valuable information on someone else that they’re associated with,” Cope explained.
“The current administration has already targeted and detained people regardless of their immigration status, and that it has already used its surveillance tools available for immigration enforcement to suppress free speech and punish political dissents,” added Tse. “This surveillance puts everyone at risk, not just immigrants.”
Democrats intensify push for full release of Epstein files
By Ashlee Banks Special to the AFRO
House Democrats are intensifying calls for the release of all remaining documents connected to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein, arguing that full transparency is long overdue and essential for justice.
Survivors of Epstein’s trafficking ring have joined lawmakers in pressing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to act, saying too many unanswered questions remain more than four years after the financier’s death.
U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.04) told the AFRO that his patience with the Justice Department has run thin.
“I can recall the attorney general a few months ago saying she had the list on her desk. They were going to release the files any minute then all of a sudden, it turned into, well the deputy attorney general wants to interview Maxwell,” Ivey said,
referring to Epstein’s longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking in 2021.
“Disclosure, transparency, accountability, all make sense here,” he added.
For Ivey, the most significant moment in the ongoing fight for accountability came earlier this month, when survivors of Epstein’s network traveled to Washington, D.C., to confront lawmakers directly.
“The real powerful moment was when those women who were survivors of this human trafficking ring came to the U.S. Capitol and were able to step beyond the pain and the exploitation and the violence that they’ve gone through and say we think justice needs to be done here,” he told the AFRO.
On Sept. 3, nine women who say they were abused by Epstein stood on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, sharing painful testimony
and urging the DOJ to release all remaining files.
The women said many victims remain afraid to speak publicly, citing threats, the risk of lawsuits, and the lack of protection they experienced in the past.
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas-30) told the AFRO that real justice requires more than sympathy. It requires systemic change.
“Number one, allowing those people not to continue to hide in the shadows would be one form of justice and outing them,” said the Texas lawmaker. “Number two, I think making sure that we fix what went wrong so that others that are currently suffering through similar systems do not end up facing the same type of pain.”
She added that listening to victims in real time is just as critical.
“Number three, I think that we need to make sure that when
Democrats intensify push for full release of Epstein files...continued
Schumer (D-N.Y.) attempted a surprise move by attaching an amendment that would have required the DOJ to release all Epstein-related files within 30 days. The measure was narrowly defeated, tabled by a 51-49 vote, with Republicans maintaining their majority.
Rep. Ivey blamed the GOP directly for obstructing transparency.
“Republicans and the Trump administration stand in the way of the release of these documents,”
the Maryland Democrat said. Republicans, however, argue that full disclosure could damage the reputations of individuals who had no connection to Epstein’s crimes. Party leaders in both chambers have generally resisted sweeping releases of material, framing the effort as reckless and politically motivated. Survivors and their allies strongly reject that defense. They insist that withholding the files only perpetuates secrecy and shields the powerful.
Two Overlooked Victims Killed on Day of 1963 Church Bombing to be honored in Birmingham
By Joseph D. Bryant | jbryant@al.com
Donnell Jackson,13, and Shirley Floyd
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by two white teens the same day the four girls died at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. Ware's body lay for years in an unmarked grave until he reinternment at Carver Memorial Gardens. (Tamika Moore, AL.com FILE)
As the 62nd anniversary of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing approaches, a group of Birmingham residents and historians want to ensure that two young men killed in racial violence that day are remembered. Virgil Ware, a 13-year-old Black boy was shot and killed on Sept 15, 1963 while riding on the handlebars of his brother’s bicycle. The boys were in Docena, an unincorporated community just outside Birmingham. The two white male youths involved in the shooting never served time for their actions.
That same day, 16-year-old Johnnie Robinson was shot by police during a racially charged incident downtown after the bombing.
The newly created Virgil L. Ware Institute and Lecture Series was formed to preserve the memory of Ware and Robinson. While the victims of the church bombing, 11-year-old Denise McNair and 14-year-olds Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley, are well documented, Ware and Robinson’s stories are not as widely known.
The initiative was championed by Roderick Royal, a former longtimeinstructor of African American history at Miles College and UAB.
“The city and many residents are interested in telling the story about Virgil Ware and Johnny Robinson and I believe that every story that helped in the striving toward freedom in Birmingham ought to be known by the public,” said Royal, who is also a former Birmingham city councilman who
victims come forward, they are heard in that moment,” she added.
“We know that people started coming forward – at least, from what we can tell as early as ‘94 –talking to the FBI, that’s another one of those loopholes that we’ve got to make sure that we literally tie down.”
While survivors continue to share their accounts, lawmakers in both chambers are battling over whether the files will ever see the light of day. In the House, Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.-4) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17) have teamed up in a rare bipartisan effort to force a vote requiring the DOJ to release the records. To succeed, they will need 218 signatures, including support from at least six Republicans.
The push has been more contentious in the Senate. On Sept. 10, Majority Leader Chuck
once served as interim mayor. The institute also aims to create a memorial dedicated to both young men. The speaker’s series is designed to educate the public on historical and contemporary issues regarding civil rights. The first speaker’s event is at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 16 at the Birmingham Public Library downtown.
Birmingham historian Horace Huntley will conduct the first lecture.
“I contend that we have a form of amnesia and that amnesia goes way back when,” Huntley said. “I’m going to be talking about the necessity to remember to say the names of Virgil Ware and Johnny Robinson and give instances of other names that we need to remember as well.”
Huntley has served as director of oral history for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and is a former professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Both Ware and Robinson in 2013 were posthumously inducted into Birmingham’s Gallery of Distinguished Citizens. Ware’s father was present for the dedication. He died a month later.
“Virgil Ware and Johnny Robinson’s story are important when we consider the many struggles toward freedom in Birmingham,” Royal said. “This committee and I are concerned with the story being tied into the permanent fabric of Birmingham’s civil rights movement. We hope that by engaging the public we can ultimately have a permanent marker for future generations to see.”
From 9-to-5 to business owner: Two women share their path to entrepreneurship
By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer
While some entrepreneurs set out early to become their own boss—or inherited a family business—others took the leap to launch their own enterprise after years of working a 9-to-5 job.
of The Wine Concierge, took the latter path.
Though Veney didn’t open her business until 2019, her interest in design and construction began when she was a child. She recalled constantly rearranging the furniture in the small bedroom she shared with her sister.
“As I got into middle school, I thought about construction and building things but it was such a male-dominant industry that I felt like it was too masculine for me,” said Veney. “Then, as a first-generation college student, I wanted to choose what felt like a safer route.”
The construction field is not
Image via Canva.
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Shirley Peoples carries a portrait of Johnny Robinson and leads a procession of family and others during a wreath laying ceremony in memory of Robinson at New Grace Hill Cemetery that was part of the 44th anniversary Foot Soldier’s reunion in 2007. Robinson was killed in 1963 during the Civil Rights struggle. (Bernard Troncale, Birmingham News File)
Tiffany Veney, owner of Madison Street Build and Design Group, and Leslie Frelow, owner
Thursday, September 18, 2025
‘I’m important too’: The role of self-care in postpartum healing
By Andrea Stevens AFRO Staff Writer
Postpartum is often described as a time of physical recovery, but for many mothers it also marks the beginning of a deep identity shift. The journey of becoming a mother isn’t just about caring for a baby. It’s also about rediscovering who you are in the wake of birth. At the heart of this transformation is self-care—not the kind tied to luxury or free time, but the essential kind that reminds a mother she matters too.
Destinee Richmond, a postpartum nurse and mother of two now in the eighth week of postpartum recovery, reflects on the evolution of her identity.
“I feel more like myself now than I did going from zero to one. With this second baby, it’s not as much of a culture shock. I had a starting point this time — I wasn’t building from scratch,” Richmond said. What helped her the most
the second time around was remembering to give herself space to care for her own needs.
“I had to take a second to step back and realize that I’m important too. Your baby is OK. As long as they’re fed and breathing, they’re OK. You can get to bath time later. Take the time for yourself. It really does make a difference in feeling like you again,” said Richmond.
He experience highlights something many mothers come to learn—postpartum isn’t about going back, it’s about becoming someone new with pieces of the old still intact.
doula with the Womb Room, sees this transformation in nearly every client she supports.
“A lot of people want to go back to who they were prebaby, and I tell them you’re never going to be that person again,” said Meehan. “You’re becoming a new version of yourself, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s about rediscovering who you are now.”
That rediscovery often requires time, intention and support. As a postpartum nurse, Richmond found that her professional experience helped ease the transition.
“At 22, I was in nursing school, stressed and just trying to figure it out. Now at 28, I’m more financially stable, mentally stronger, and I’ve learned how to handle my emotions. That makes all the difference,” said Richmond. “Now I do this all day long with babies. It’s my job. I struggled so hard with nighttime feeds the first time. I felt very prepared this time around. I had a lot of resources to help me.”
Even with preparation, the emotional landscape of new motherhood is complex. Guilt, especially, is a heavy burden.
“You are a human being outside of being a parent. It’s OK to want something for yourself, and it’s OK to feel guilty about that. But we work
From 9-to-5 to business owner: Two women share their path to entrepreneurship...continued from page 3
only primarily male-dominated, it’s also largely led by White professionals. Notably, just 11.2 percent of all construction workers were women in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency also reported that a mere 6.5 percent of all construction workers were African American in 2024.
Veney, a Baltimore native, ultimately decided to study finance at Bowie State University.
Upon graduation, she worked as a mortgage-backed securities analyst for a few years before becoming a mother of two and staying at home to take care of the children.
When it came time for her to re-enter the workforce, Veney knew she didn’t want to return to her former career. She spent a couple of years as a real estate agent, but it was her introduction to project management that laid the groundwork for Madison Street Build and Design Group.
“I was overseeing some rehab projects, and that’s when I realized that I wanted to be a part of this world,” said Veney.
She continued with project management for about two years, but she became frustrated with the lack of direct control over the construction teams she was responsible for.
Leslie Frelow, founder of The Wine Concierge, created a wine business centered on underrepresented makers after pivoting from a long career in public service. (Photo courtesy of The Wine Concierge)
“I decided I was going to start my own company so I could have more control over the finished product timelines and more say-
so in the projects,” said Veney. “I initially thought that I would just be doing some small interior design projects and little things here and there, but the business actually exploded as soon as I put it out there on social media. I didn’t even do any major marketing.”
Today, Madison Street Build and Design Group offers commercial build-outs, residential remodels and interior design services. It also creates 3D renderings for clients who might not require construction but need help visualizing their projects.
Veney’s favorite project so far has been helping the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture finish its “Lynching in Maryland” exhibit, which opened in 2024.
“I never would have pictured myself working in the museum, doing construction. I also grew up in the neighborhood. As a kid, I walked through that area and passed that building,” she said.
“To be a part of its history in installing one of their exhibitions was a full circle moment of me putting the work in and letting my path lead me into doing things I couldn’t have imagined.”
For Frelow, it was finances and fear that made her hesitant to start her own business. The Landover, Md. native spent much of her career in public policy and administration, working for the state of Maryland and managing a multimillion-dollar broadband access fund at a national not-forprofit.
But, eventually, she realized that chapter of her career had run its course.
While attending a wine festival, she saw a posting for culinary school and remembered that she once had a passion for food and drink. However, a high school career counselor squashed the dream, telling her she wouldn’t earn enough money to support herself.
In 2013, Frelow began exploring wine as a side hustle and established Vino 301 Wine Concierge. On weekends,
through that guilt because meeting your needs doesn’t take away from your journey as a mother, it enhances it,” said Meehan.
She encourages mothers to name what they need and take action.
“It’s hard to pour from an empty bucket. Be honest about what you need. If that means hiring a sitter, taking a walk, or just getting some sleep, do it,” said Meehan. “A lot of hospitals send you home unprepared. You’re tired, overwhelmed, and everyone expects you to just figure it out. That’s where postpartum doulas come in. We’re here to hold space, answer questions and remind you that you’re not alone.”
In a world where new mothers are expected to bounce back and do it all, self-care can feel like rebellion. But as both Richmond and Meehan remind us, it’s not indulgent, it’s necessary.
Postpartum rediscovery begins the moment a mother gives herself permission to breathe, to step outside for a walk, to ask for help, or to say, “I need this for me.” That’s where healing starts. That’s where identity is rebuilt. And that’s where motherhood becomes something sustainable, not just survivable.
The San Bernardino AMERICAN News Submission Deadline: Mondays By 5 pm
she would rent a car and take people on tours of Maryland vineyards—while still working full-time. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and in-person tours were no longer possible, she pivoted to virtual tastings.
That transition led to the launch of The Wine Concierge in late 2020. With aid from a COVID relief loan, Frelow was finally able to turn her side hustle into a full-time venture.
She ultimately decided it was her excitement about the business’ possibilities that pushed her to quit her day job.
“When I thought about continuing in my situation it was so unsettling, and I saw so much potential and a niche that wasn’t being fulfilled,” said Frelow. “We have an underlying mission to support small, Black businesses, and I saw that as my social calling to do.”
An e-commerce platform, The Wine Concierge features a variety of wines from boutique vineyards that are produced by women and minority makers. The goal is to give small, underrepresented brands exposure to a vast customer base without burdening them with distribution costs.
The Wine Concierge also runs a quarterly wine club called, “Shades of Vino,” and a number of wine tasting events and festivals.
For people who find themselves daydreaming about starting their own business while working a traditional job, Frelow advised that they find a mentor in the industry they want to enter. That person may have insight that can be especially helpful to budding entrepreneurs as they’re starting out.
“Intern and shadow people because it may be something that you’re interested in and seem exciting, but after you do it for a while you may realize it’s just a hobby and not a business,” said Frelow. “Don’t be afraid to try things on a small scale and see what they’re like before the big leap.”
What Parents Need to Know About Concussions as Students Compete in Fall Sports
By Savannah Kirchner and Micah Hardge | UAB News
As athletes head back to the fields and courts this season, parents and coaches should be mindful of one of the most common, and potentially serious, injuries in youth sports: concussions.
Experts from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Family and Community Medicine say being informed and precautious of this injury is key to keeping studentathletes safe.
What is a concussion, and how does it affect the brain?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that occurs when a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body causes the brain to shift inside the skull. This sudden motion can injure brain cells and disrupt normal brain function. While concussions are sometimes referred to as mild TBIs, or mTBIs, they can range in severity and, in some cases, lead to permanent impairment.
Spotting the warning signs
Concussions can present in a variety of ways. While some individuals will feel symptoms right away, others may not realize anything is wrong until hours or days later. Concussions can affect the body, thinking skills and emotions.
“Most concussions are functional injuries, rather than
WITNESS FOR JUSTICE Issue #1273
structural,” said John Lax, M.D., assistant professor in the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine and provider with UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine.
Parents, players and coaches should watch for these symptoms during and after games:
Dizziness or balance problems
Nausea or vomiting
Headaches Trouble focusing or remembering Irritability, anxiety or unusual emotional reactions
Loss of consciousness
Sensitivity to light or noise
“As a reminder, losing consciousness is not a requirement for a concussion,” Lax said.
If any of these signs are present, the athlete should be removed from play immediately and evaluated by a health care professional.
“Appropriately removing athletes from play is the most important intervention we can provide after a head injury,” Lax said. “When in doubt, hold them out.”
Lax says many times the adrenaline of the game and the fervent desire of the athlete to get back into competition can mask or minimize symptoms of concussion. He stresses it is imperative that parents, coaches and medical personnel keep a level head and prioritize the long-term health of the athlete over the game at hand.
Reducing risk
Head injuries are never a welcome aspect of sports participation; however, they are common. Although sports concussions cannot be completely
continued on page 6
Porch
Talks: Sacred Space for Community Thriving
I grew up in Hyde Park near the University of Chicago. During walks in the neighborhood, I rarely saw people sitting, lounging, or having conversations on their porches. Some of the houses were grand, architecturally opulent designs by Frank Lloyd Wright.
In African American communities in the North and South, families, friends, and neighbors who could afford homes often sat on the front stoops and outdoor or enclosed porches. This was the gathering space where community conversations took place. It was also the place where parents could watch their children play and summon them home when the streetlights came on.
During my visits to be with my great-grandparents in Durant Mississippi, I’d watch with awe and curiosity at my great-grandmother on the front porch at the crack of dawn with a broom in her hand beating her tick mattress. The tick mattress was an added layer of support and went on the top of the main mattress. I learned this process was meant to refresh the mattress by beating the dust out from the previous night’s sleep.
The porch was sacred. It is where sweet tea, homemade ice cream, and church gossip happened. It was also the space where neighbors shared
Velda Love
their concerns about racism, segregation, lynchings, and ongoing injustices in their communities, small towns, and across the country.
I grew up in a Black church that preached liberation and freedom from Jim Crow Laws and racial violence against Black communities. As a child of the sixties, I listened to sermons and speeches by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Even as a child I knew he was bringing about legislative changes towards desegregation and anti-discrimination, advocating for voting rights, and talking openly about America’s racist practices and injustices across the country. When the news story broke that King was assassinated while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis Tennessee, I wept. I remember speaking these words out loud that one day I would be a Drum Major for Justice.
On August 23, 2025, my Drum Major instincts kicked in as I stood on the porch where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood 60 years ago. It was a gift and blessing to be with the members of East View UCC, Plymouth UCC, and Heights Christian Church—all located in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith extended the invitation to be this years’ Porch Talks speaker.
One of the major highlights
of the 60th Anniversary Porch Talks for a Beloved Community was listening to the scholarship winners of the MLK Essay Contest. Their essays were in response to the prompt, “What can be done to ensure that everyone in the diverse Greater Cleveland community has an equal opportunity to share their gifts and talents?”
Porch talks are spaces for nurturing and encouraging youth and young adults’ gifts and talents. Porch talks are sacred spaces where neighbors gather and develop ideas for addressing the government’s anti-democratic policies, and eradicating legislation ensuring voting rights, inclusive cultural education, and advocating for antiracism and climate justice. Porch talks can be spaces where Drum Majors for justice discover their gifts and talents and become community organizers, movement makers, and build beloved communities of solidarity and transformation. Thanks to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. a Drum Major for Justice (1929-1968), porch talks are sacred for community thriving.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR The Rev. Velda Love serves as the Minister for Racial Justice and the Lead Minister for Join the Movement in the National Setting of the United Church of Christ.
As both a postpartum nurse and a mother of two, Destinee Richmond reflects on how experience, preparation, and putting herself first helped her feel more like herself the second time around. Credit: Courtesy Photo/ Destiny Richmond
Victoria Meehan, a postpartum
62 years later, the world remembers four little girls from Birmingham
by Victoria Mejicanos
little girls lost their lives as they prepared to worship inside of the 16th Street Baptist Church of Birmingham, Ala. Shown here, a photo collage of the lives taken on that fateful day: Addie Mae Collins (top, left); Cynthia Wesley (top, right); Denise McNair (bottom, left) and Carole Robertson. (Courtesy photos)
On Sept. 15, 1963, the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., was bombed, killing four girls in the church’s basement and shocking the nation.
Sixty-two years later, the attack is remembered as a turning point in the civil rights movement and a reminder of the role Black churches continue to play in the fight for justice.
she lost her right eye in the aftermath.
In honor of the tragic anniversary, Bernice A. King took to social media, calling on people to remember the girls.
with two mothers. Addie Mae was one of eight children, according to the article, and her other siblings either walked 20 blocks to church or took the bus regularly.
ALERT: The ‘Kissing Bug Disease’ Is Spreading... continued
Both are diseases of poverty. In the Americas, Chagas is mainly a problem of the “bottom 100 million” people who suffer from at least one of the so-called neglected tropical diseases. Both diseases carry significant stigma. In the U.S., undocumented workers infected with Chagas disease may not seek treatment due to fear of deportation. Both diseases are treated with drugs that are in short supply. Both diseases are treated with
expensive drugs. Lack of access to medical care complicates both the Chagas and AIDS epidemics. There is no vaccine either for Chagas disease or for HIV/AIDS. Whether Chagas disease really is the “AIDS of the Americas,” as Baylor College of Medicine’s Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD, and colleagues suggest, is in the eye of the beholder. By karissa lang | Published June 4, 2025
What Parents Need to Know About Concussions as Students Compete in Fall Sports...continued from page 4
avoided, parents, coaches and players can take proactive measures to reduce the risk of head injuries and ensure any suspected concussion is recognized and treated quickly.
Experts strongly suggest parents, coaches and student-athletes develop escalation plans prior to an event. Speak with teams, parents and local resources about where to go following an injury.
Fourteen-year-olds Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair and Carole Robertson, and 11-year-old Cynthia Wesley were dressed in their Sunday best, ready to sing and serve as ushers at the adult service that day. They had been together in the ladies room mere moments when an explosion ripped through the building.
“Sixty-two years ago, the 16th Street Baptist Church (Birmingham) bombing shook this nation. The deaths of #FourLittleGirls, killed by the bombing at the hands of vicious White supremacists, further fueled the civil rights movement,” she said, via her X (Twitter) account.
“In his eulogy for the girls, my father spoke of the need for concern about ‘the systems, the way of life, the philosophy which produced the murderers.’ That concern, translated into compassionate, strategic work, is still necessary.”
Addie’s younger sister, Sarah, had been with her when the bomb exploded. Though she survived,
In June 1996, the then managing editor of the AFRO wrote about the children through interviews
Carole Robertson, like many young people, still was not set on a career path, but had interest in becoming a stewardess at the time of her death. The article stated “Sunday was to be a big day for Carole. She was to serve her first time as an usher at the church.” the article also stated she wore a white dress just for the occasion
Sarah Collins Rudolph still regularly shares her story of survival. According to previous AFRO coverage by Zenitha Prince in 2013, Collins Rudolph did not want to accept the Congressional Gold Medal that at the time was being considered, but instead wanted restitution, which to this day she has never received.
ALERT: The ‘Kissing Bug Disease’ Is Spreading
Source: Bugout
A little-known life-threatening illness, Chagas Disease–or the “Kissing Bug” disease–caused by blood sucking insects should now be considered endemic in the United States, experts say – and without recognition that it’s a constant presence in some parts of the country, more people will suffer unnecessarily.
A report on the topic was published early September 2025 in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the authors say they hope that growing global attention on the new paper means Chagas could finally get the surveillance, prevention and testing efforts and research funding it deserves in the United States. The World Health Organization considers Chagas a neglected tropical disease, and the Pan American Health Organization says it is endemic – with a constant presence or usual prevalence – in 21 other countries in the Americas, not including the United States. Chagas is one of the leading causes of heart disease in Latin America, and it causes more disability than other insect-borne infections, even more than malaria and Zika, studies show.
The said disease was once largely contained to Latin America but is now spreading into the United States due to the increases in travel and migration. Chagas is usually transmitted from the bite of bloodsucking insects called Trypanosoma cruzi which releases a parasite into the victim’s bloodstream.
According to a report, the parasitic illness called Chagas Disease has similarities to the early spread of HIV. The shocking comparison has put this neglected tropical disease in headlines around the world.
Experts warn that more cases of Chagas and other neglected tropical diseases are being reported in the U.S. An estimated 12 million Americans have one or more tropical infections, including an estimated 300,000 with Chagas disease.
In Texas, one in every 6,500 blood donors are infected with Chagas disease, compared with
one in every 27,500 donors across the country.
Chances are, if you have it, you don’t know it. That’s because the parasite stays dormant for years and because American doctors are uneducated about the infection.
Chagas disease isn’t new to Texas, and neither is the dimesize kissing bug that spreads the infection. The first case in the U.S. was reported in 1955, and kissing bugs have been spotted in Texas since the early 1800s.
Surveillance is limited, but the CDC estimates that about 280,000 people in the US have Chagas at any given time. It’s unclear how many have the more serious form of the disease or how many deaths are caused by Chagas each year.
Scientists have found kissing bugs in 32 states, the new report says. The blood-sucking insect mostly lives in warmer Southern states, but with climate change causing more bug-friendly temperatures, there’s a good chance they have spread farther.
Who’s at risk? Is Chagas really as bad as AIDS? Before fear runs rampant, it’s important to know the facts.
What Is the “Kissing Bug” Disease?
Chagas disease is caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. The parasites multiply within cells of the body. Infected cells burst, releasing parasites into the bloodstream.
Kissing bugs live in rats’ nests and wood piles or in the nooks of your furniture or cracks in your house. They earned their name by biting us around our eyes and mouth. They poop where they eat, and when you rub the irritated bite, you rub the poop — and the parasite — into your skin. The infection is also spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants and, during pregnancy, from mother to baby.
Chagas disease was first recognized in the modern era by Brazilian doctor Carlos Chagas in 1909. But the disease has been around for 9,000 years. Chagas parasites have been found in the remains of mummies from the ancient Chinchorro culture of South America. The most common complication of chronic Chagas disease is a heart condition called chronic Chagas cardiopathy. These complications include an enlarged heart, heart failure, severely altered heart rhythm, and heart attack.
Some patients with chronic Chagas disease get intestinal complications. These may include
enlarged esophagus (causing difficulty swallowing) or enlarged colon (causing difficulty passing stool).
How Is Chagas Disease Spread?
There are several ways Chagas disease is spread.
The most common way is through the bite of a family of blood-sucking insects called triatomes. They’re better known as kissing bugs, assassin bugs, cone-nosed bugs, and reduviid bugs.
While most cases of Chagas disease are in Central and South America, 11 different species of the bugs live in the Southern U.S. They may be found as far north as Pennsylvania in the East and Northern California in the West.
Inside houses, the most common places to find the bugs are near pet resting areas (a good reason not to sleep with your pets), in areas infested by rodents, and in or around beds (particularly under mattresses or bedside tables).
These bugs usually come out at night. They feed on the blood of humans and other mammals, birds, and reptiles. The bugs are attracted to the lips — hence the nickname “kissing bug” — although bites may occur on other parts of the body.
The bug bite itself doesn’t spread Chagas parasites. But while feeding bug droppings are left near the wound. When these droppings get into the wound or mucous membranes (as when a person touches the droppings and then rubs his or her eye), the parasites enter the body.
Chagas can also be spread:
By getting a blood transfusion or organ transplant from an infected person.
By eating undercooked foods contaminated with infected bugs or their droppings.
By eating undercooked game infected with Chagas parasites.
From mother to child during pregnancy or during breastfeeding.
In laboratory accidents.
In South America, people have been infected with Chagas parasites through contaminated cane juice, acai juice, guava juice, and palm wine.
While the burden of Chagas disease falls mainly on people in Central and South America, the disease is spreading worldwide.
Cases have been seen in Japan and Western Europe. And Chagas is becoming more of a problem in the Southern U.S., particularly in
Texas and the Gulf Coast.
What Are the Symptoms of Chagas Disease?
People with acute-phase Chagas disease may not have any symptoms at all. Mild symptoms of acute Chagas disease are similar to other illnesses: fever, fatigue, body aches, headache, rash, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting.
One unique sign of Chagas disease is called Romaña’s sign: swelling of the eyelids and around the eye on the side of the face near the bite or where infected bug droppings have been rubbed into the eye.
But these acute-phase symptoms usually go away on their own even though the infection does not.
When chronic symptoms occur, they are the symptoms of severe heart disease or severe intestinal disease.
What Is the Treatment for Chagas Disease?
Children and adults under age 50 should be treated as soon as possible after infection with Chagas parasites. For adults 50 and older, treatment decisions should be individualized based on age, health, and personal preference.
Treated early enough, the disease can be cleared in most children and in about 80% of adults. Even when treatment does not totally eliminate the parasite, it can greatly reduce the odds of severe chronic disease.
There are only two drugs used to treat Chagas disease: nifurtimox and benznidazole. Neither of these drugs is approved by the FDA and, in the U.S., must be obtained by doctors through the CDC. Treatment must continue for 60 to 90 days. Side effects, some of them severe, are common.
Some 9 million people worldwide have Chagas disease, with about 20% to 40% suffering from chronic disease. Both drugs used to treat the disease are in short supply. Even when they are available, the cost of treatment can be as high as $1,000 or more.
Why Is Chagas Compared To AIDS?
In some ways, the comparison of Chagas to AIDS is unfortunate. Unlike HIV, the AIDS virus, Chagas parasites cannot be spread via sex. Untreated HIV infection is almost always fatal, while 70% to 80% of people with Chagas disease do not develop severe heart disease. But Chagas disease does share some features with AIDS:
“In football, the most effective interventions we can do to safeguard players is developing key fundamental skills in the sport while glorifying and rewarding form,” Lax said. “Poor tackling techniques are a common cause of concussion and head/neck injury, so parents, coaches and league leadership need to continue to prioritize skills training, especially early in the season.”
A TBI expert in the UAB Department of Neurosurgery offers several tips to minimize the risk of student-athletes sustaining a concussion:
Play smart: Teach athletes proper techniques and to avoid unnecessary collisions.
Check the gear: Ensure helmets, protective equipment and uniforms fit properly and are in good working condition. Enforce the rules: Coaches and referees should always hold players to safety and sportsmanship standards.
When in doubt, sit them out: Remove athletes from play if a concussion is suspected, and never allow a player to return until clearance has been issued by a health care professional.
Return to play: When is it safe?
If a concussion is sustained or suspected, the athlete should be removed from play and evaluated by a health care professional. “I would encourage all parents to defer management decisions to properly qualified medical personnel,” Lax said. “If none are immediately available, I would recommend emergency department evaluation if your child is persistently confused, reports a severe headache, is persistently vomiting, has any seizure-like activity or is acting ‘off.’” Players should not return to practice or competition until symptoms have resolved and an official medical clearance has been issued to the athlete. Returning too soon increases the risk of another concussion and can lead to longer recovery times.
Parents and coaches play a critical role in protecting studentathletes. By staying informed, promoting safe play and taking concussion symptoms seriously, adults can help ensure young athletes stay healthy, on and off the field.
Documents Show Trump Lied About Fed Reserve’s Black Governor Mortgage Fraud Allegations
National News
Nationwide — Federal Reserve
Governor Lisa Cook is being vindicated by newly revealed documents that undercut allegations of mortgage fraud leveled by the Trump administration. Financial forms obtained by NBC News show Cook’s Atlanta home was consistently identified as a “vacation home” and never claimed as her primary residence, directly contradicting accusations that she misled lenders. The records suggest that the case against Cook was built on shaky ground and may have been driven more by politics than fact.
At the center of the dispute are claims by President Donald Trump and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, who argued that Cook posed as a primary resident of the Atlanta property to obtain better loan terms. Yet, a loan summary from the BankFund Staff Federal Credit Union dated May 2021 explicitly states “Property Use: Vacation Home.”
Further review of Fulton County, Georgia, records shows Cook did not seek tax exemptions tied to a primary residence, reinforcing her consistent classification of the property as secondary.
According to NBCS News, another piece of evidence further bolsters Cook’s position. In a national security questionnaire filed with the Biden administration in 2021 and later submitted to the Senate, Cook clearly identified the Atlanta address as her “2nd home.”
These disclosures, paired with the absence of any documentation
suggesting otherwise, make it increasingly difficult to sustain the Trump administration’s narrative. Critics now argue that officials exaggerated or misrepresented facts in order to discredit Cook. Despite the mounting evidence in her favor, Pulte escalated the accusations, referring the matter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and claiming Cook falsified records not only in Atlanta but also in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Trump echoed the claims on Truth Social and declared he was removing her from the Federal Reserve. But a federal judge blocked the move, allowing Cook to retain her permanent vote on the Fed’s powerful interestrate setting committee. The administration has since appealed, but its case appears weakened by the very documents it overlooked. Cook’s legal team has stood firm, stating in court filings that she “did not ever commit mortgage fraud.” They point to the transparency of her filings and the consistency of her disclosures as proof she acted lawfully. The Federal Reserve, meanwhile, has made clear it will abide by the outcome of her case, underscoring confidence in the judicial process rather than bowing to political pressure. The episode raises larger questions about credibility within the Trump administration, as the evidence suggests officials advanced allegations that do not hold up to scrutiny. With documentation pointing to her innocence, Cook now stands as both a central figure in defending the independence of the Federal Reserve and as someone whose reputation has been unfairly targeted. The case has become less about her conduct and more about whether the administration attempted to mislead the public in pursuit of a political objective.
National News
Sept. 15 is forever remembered as the day that four
Thursday, September 18, 2025
New CBCF Policy Playbook Targets Racial Wealth and Justice Gaps
By Stacy M. Brown
A still life of a working business plan book. A fundamental document that guide a business venture, its strategy, positioning, market, administration, management and all aspect of any business.
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) has released Forward Together: The Black Policy Playbook for an Equitable America, a sweeping set of recommendations designed to dismantle systemic barriers and chart a course toward racial equity in the United States. Published in 2025, the playbook arrives at a critical moment, with Black communities confronting deep disparities in wealth, health, education, and criminal justice.
Authored by Jonathan Cox, Vice President of the CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis and Research, and his team,
the playbook outlines a bold agenda that ties equity directly to America’s long-term prosperity and democratic stability. It argues that structural racism remains a defining obstacle to national progress, and it sets out specific strategies to close the racial wealth gap, expand access to quality education, achieve health equity, and reform the criminal justice system. “Equity is not just a moral imperative — it is a national necessity,” the playbook declares, calling on lawmakers, business leaders, and civic institutions to work in concert
Trump Thinks Black People Have Lower IQs Than White People
By Legrand H. Clegg II
Nationwide -- On August 3rd, 2025, President Donald Trump referred to Charlemagne Tha God, a popular Black talk show host, as a “low IQ individual” because of the comments the host had made about Trump on Fox News. Journalist Brittany Wong noted that, “When it’s a public figure who is a person of color he’s attacking, [Trump] tends to denigrate them on the basis of their intelligence level.” There are numerous examples of this.
On August 4, 2018, Trump wrote that “Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do.” Trump has also referred to Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Jasmine Crockett as “low I.Q.” However, he appears to have reserved his most scathing attacks for former Vice President Kamala Harris, his opponent in the 2024 Presidential campaign. He referred to her as “dumb”, “mentally unfit”, “slow”, “stupid,” and “an extremely low I.Q. person.”
Carrie Gillow, a linguist and co-host of the podcast, Vocal Fries, has stated that [i]t’s absolutely evident that [Trump] thinks Black people have lower I.Q.’s than white people—and believes IQ is an important and real way to measure intelligence, and that there is only one kind of intelligence”.
The idea that Black people are genetically inferior to whites, specifically as to intelligence, has persisted in the United States since the days of slavery. We were once labelled “3/5th’s” of a man, the cursed descendants of Noah’s son, Ham, and subhumans with no history prior to slavery and colonialism.
By and large, we as African Americans have long chosen to
ignore White claims about our inferiority and striven as a group to prove ourselves equal to all other people on this planet. While such a response is noble and laudable, it has not resulted in a cessation of White supremacist propaganda emanating from either the White masses or the White House. At this juncture in history, then, we must address these insults head-on whenever and wherever they appear, lest we lose another generation of Black youths to the forces of racism that have instilled in too many of them a sense of hopelessness and inferiority.
Before all of the books are banned and the museums shut down by Donald Trump, let us glance at the historical record.
Astrophysicist Thomas Brophy and Egyptologist Robert Bauval have written that “scientists in the field of genetics have been pointing out that it may actually be correct to say that the world was created by black people.”
The words of White author Flora Lugard shed light on the grandeur of Blacks in antiquity: “The annals of all of the great early nations of Asia Minor are full of them. The Mosaic records allude to them frequently; but while they are described as the most powerful, the most just, and the most beautiful of the human race, they are constantly spoken of as black, and there seems to be no other conclusion to be drawn then that at that remote period of history, the leading race of the Western World was a black race.”
Another White scholar, Richard Poe, reveals that among ancient people there was the “presumption that dark skin connoted higher intelligence.” In other words, in the ancient world, the blacker you were, the more intelligent you were assumed to
to ensure Black Americans can fully participate in and benefit from the nation’s economic and social fabric.
Among its central recommendations are investments in affordable housing, protections for voting rights, universal access to health care, and targeted support for Black-owned businesses. The playbook also warns that without deliberate policy shifts, the wealth gap between Black and white households will continue to widen, with generational consequences for
families and communities. The report is also forward-looking, connecting today’s struggles to the future of democracy itself. It stresses that attacks on voting rights, book bans in schools, and the rollback of diversity and inclusion efforts represent not only threats to Black progress but to the country’s core democratic principles.
The CBCF plans to spotlight the playbook during its Annual Legislative Conference, scheduled for September 24–28, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The conference theme, From Vision to Victory: Amplifying Black Voices, aligns closely with the playbook’s roadmap for action. Policymakers, advocates, and grassroots leaders will use the document as a touchstone for discussions on how to transform vision into measurable outcomes.
Cox and his team insist that accountability will be key. The playbook is not meant to sit on a shelf, but to be used as a guide for legislation, executive action, and community organizing.
“We must hold institutions accountable,” the document states, urging that progress be tracked not only in policy language but in lived realities for Black Americans.
Trump Thinks Black People Have Lower IQs Than White People...continued
be. Why did the ancients view Black people with such respect and reverence?
The answer is clear. DNA evidence traces all human beings back to one Black woman in Africa. Her offspring migrated from inner Africa down the Nile Valley and founded the ancient Egyptian civilization. From Africa, these Black people spread around the world and laid the foundation of civilization in Greece, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley of India, Southern China, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, Australia, and the New World.
In spite of widespread racism and discrimination, Black people have also made vast contributions to the modern world in general and America in particular. Not only was California named after the legendary Black queen Calafia, but also Chicago was founded by the Black pioneer, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. Brilliant Black scientists and
inventors, such as Dr. Henry T. Sampson (The Gamma Electric Cell), Granville T. Woods (The Induction Telegraph), Dr. Valerie L. Thomas (The Illusions Transmitter), Lonnie Johnson (The Thermoelectric Energy Conversion System), and Dr. Patricia Bath (the Laserphaco Probe) have also made immeasurable contributions to this nation.
For President Trump, whose cabinet has been labelled the most mediocre in American history, to constantly demean Black people as “low IQ” is ironic, racist, and absurd. According to White scientists, Black people are the genetically dominant parents of the human family who laid down the foundation of global civilization. Let this sink in before all the history books are banned or burned!
Legrand H. Clegg II is the City Attorney Emeritus of Compton, California, and a published historian.
Unplug to recharge: Why more people are turning to digital detoxes
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer
As technology increasingly dominates daily life, people are turning to “digital detoxes,” usually defined as intentional time away from screens, social media and constant connectivity.
“Too much is coming at us at such a fast pace,” said Lynn Berger, a licensed mental health counselor. “It is impossible to keep up and stay focused on simple tasks.”
A Global Web Index (GWI)
study found that one in five people have completed a full digital detox, while seven in 10 have chosen only to limit some of their online activity. The detox worked for eight out of 10 who tried it. The survey included 4,438 internet users, ages 16 to 64, in the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
“Snap out of scrolling and into
Unplug to recharge: Why more people are turning to digital detoxes...continued your life,” said Julie Potiker, author and certified mindful selfcompassion instructor. “We miss out on valuable moments of our lives and real-world connections when we spend too much time immersed in our phones, unconsciously scrolling through social media or ‘doomscrolling’ the news.”
A Global Web Index survey highlights the top reasons people reduce their online time, with spending more time with family and doing other things being key drivers. Credit: Chart courtesy of Global Web Index
The GWI study shows that people are responding to increased technology use differently. Some take extended breaks from social media, cellphones or laptops, while others adopt subtler measures, such as avoiding phone use at bedtime or during dinner. Some remain unconcerned about their daily screen time.
A Pew Research Center study found that 98 percent of Americans possess a cellphone, with about 91 percent owning a smartphone in particular. The survey included 5,626 adults and was conducted from Feb. 1 to June 10, 2024.
A report by Gitnux, a market research platform, found that the average smartphone user picks up their phone 58 times a day. Around 61 percent of young people say they are addicted to their devices, and mobile device addiction can increase the risk of depression by up to 27 percent.
As people seek balance, experts say digital detoxes reflect a growing awareness of technology’s toll and a proactive effort to manage its impact on daily life.
Finding ways to detox may be especially important for Black Americans. Psychologists note that cell phones are highly addictive since they are accessible nearly everywhere and make it effortless to check social media.
According to the Pew Research study, 19 percent of Black Americans rely on their smartphones as their only way to access the internet, which may increase their risk of technologyrelated addiction.
Potiker noted that being absorbed in technology every day increases stress and can harm emotional and mental health.
A chart from the Pew Research Center illustrates the varying percentages of smartphone dependency among U.S. adults by race and ethnicity from 2013 to 2024.
Credit: Chart courtesy of Pew Research Center
“If the news is compromising your sense of wellness and inner peace, as it is for many, it may be time to look at a new way forward,” she said.
People are finding that way forward by deleting smartphone apps, limiting routine activities like checking emails or texts, turning off notifications and distancing themselves from devices.
Berger recommends an occasional digital detox, even if only for a few hours.
“It heightens mental acuity and clarity,” said Berger.
Potiker recommends her SNAP (soothing touch, naming the emotion, act and praise) method when feeling overwhelmed by technology.
She suggests soothing yourself by placing your hands over your heart or over your stomach, identifying the emotion and taking deliberate action to care for yourself, such as limiting technology. Lastly, acknowledge and pat yourself on the back for taking positive steps forward.
“Power off your phone, leave your television and computer off and give yourself the gift of some quiet, reflective time,” said Potiker. “Write in a journal, take a walk in nature, read a book that engrosses you or spend quality time with people you love. However you spend this time, experience it fully without technology and enjoy being fully present in your body and your life.”
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People are taking intentional breaks from their smartphones and social media, practicing digital detoxes to reduce stress, improve focus, and reconnect with their daily lives. Credit: Unsplash /Tashi McQueen
School’s In & Scholarships Are Too: Inland Empire Families Can Now Claim Their Share of $354 Million in CalKIDS Scholarships
Inland Empire, CA — Now that the new school year is in full swing, it’s the perfect time for Riverside and San Bernardino County students and families to jumpstart their year with CalKIDS, California’s landmark scholarship program for college and career training.
More than 7 in 10 public school students from the Inland Empire are eligible for up to $1,500 in CalKIDS Scholarships, part of a $354 million investment already allocated to students in the region.
Launched in 2022 by the State of California and administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board (SIB), CalKIDS expands access to higher education by creating scholarship accounts for eligible students, offering families a simple and meaningful first step toward their child’s future education.
“Back-to-school is the perfect time to claim your CalKIDS Scholarship!” said Fiona Ma, CPA, California State Treasurer.
“These funds aren’t just dollars—they’re an investment in our children’s dreams and in
California’s future. Every child deserves both the belief and the support to make their dreams real.”
Who’s Eligible from the Inland Empire
More than 74% of Inland Empire public school students in grades 2–12 are eligible for a $500 CalKIDS Scholarship. Students in foster care receive an additional $500, and students experiencing homelessness receive another $500, for a total scholarship worth up to $1,500.
How CalKIDS Works CalKIDS Scholarships can be used at accredited colleges, universities, community colleges, and career training programs across the country. Eligible education-related expenses include tuition and fees, books and school supplies, and computer equipment. Over time, CalKIDS Scholarship Account funds may earn extra money because they are set aside and invested until the student is ready for college or career training.
"Having a CalKIDS Account
Buys T.D.s and Buys/Lends on Partial Interests
had helped me a lot," said Abigail Lopez, CalKIDS Recipient and Student from CSU San Bernardino. "I found out about it my first year of college and wanted to use it to pay my tuition, books, and housing. It relieved some stress I had about paying for things for school. I will forever be grateful for the money I had received from CalKIDS."
Research shows that children with even modest education savings are 3x more likely to attend college and 4x more likely to graduate. By claiming a CalKIDS Account, families are taking a powerful step toward building a path to higher education.
How to Claim a CalKIDS Scholarship Claiming a scholarship is quick, easy, and can be done entirely online:
● Go to CalKIDS.org and click “Confirm Eligibility.”
● Enter your child’s Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), a 10-digit number which may be found on the student’s K-12 school portal, transcript, report card, or by contacting their school directly.
● If eligible, follow the prompts to “Claim Account”
● Once the scholarship account is claimed, funds can be used when the student enrolls in an accredited college, university,
community college, or career training program.
“When regional and statewide agencies establish innovative partnerships focused on providing a competitive edge to future generations, every student in California stands to benefit,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “The stories yet to be told by the CalKIDS data over the next decade will reveal how the promise of funds to pay for college fundamentally changes the mindset about pursuing higher education.”
Now Is the Time California recently passed legislation requiring schools to share information about CalKIDS as students complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), ensuring that high school seniors are introduced to this important funding resource.
More than 630,000 students and families across California have already claimed their CalKIDS Scholarships. This school year is the perfect opportunity for Inland Empire students and families to do the same and take an important step toward their future.
To learn more or claim a CalKIDS Scholarship, visit CalKIDS.org.
Local News Gets Lifeline with State-Approved $10 Million
Yearly
By Gloria Zuurveen The Southern Truth
14874 S. Mojave Dr. Victorville CA 92395 760-245-5018
Bingo: Saturday September 27, open 10:15am / games start 11:00am
Bunco: Friday September 19, at 1pm -4pm, $10 in advance or $12 at the door.
Paint & Learn: Tuesday September 23, 2025 11:00am (FREE)
Arts & Crafts: 3rd Friday of the month, October 17, 2025 12:30pm (FREE)
For additional information regarding Membership & Hall Rental Availability Call 760-245-5018
Now more than ever, local news needs a lifeline to keep the public informed and government transparency at the forefront. California lawmakers, in a late-night move, agreed to appropriate $10 million per year toward funding local news. At the same time, Google has committed an additional $10 million, making this a joint public-private investment in what is being called the New Civic Journalism Fund. According to reports, this breakthrough came in the wee hours of Saturday morning, giving struggling local outlets a reprieve and a measure of relief from the devastating effects of digital monopolies.
Local News Gets Lifeline with State-Approved $10 Million Yearly...continued
taxpayer-supported funds.
As with any bill, the true measure of its impact depends not on the words on paper, but on the fairness and transparency of its execution. The Southern Truth must remind our readers: we
are watching. We are watching GoBiz. We are watching Google. We are watching Sacramento lawmakers who promised that local journalism would get a lifeline.
Galaxy Nights Coming to County Library’s Lucerne Valley Branch Sept. 20 and kids at heart.
The stars are aligning for a night of discovery, creativity, and community as the San Bernardino County Library’s (SBCL) Lucerne Valley Janice Horst Branch teams up with Avantus to present Galaxy Nights, a free, family-friendly event set for Saturday, Sept. 20, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Held under the wide-open High Desert sky, Galaxy Nights invites visitors of all ages to explore the cosmos and enjoy an evening filled with space-themed activities, interactive partner stations, and prizes—all centered around the magic of the night sky.
The highlight of the evening: telescopic stargazing, where guests will have the chance to view stars, planets, and other celestial wonders with the help of trained library staff and high-powered telescopes. Stargazing will also be made possible through an on-site observatory, offering an even more immersive look into the night sky.
(CBM), under the leadership of Executive Director Regina Wilson, deserves high praise. Wilson has been diligent in keeping publishers, media owners, and stakeholders informed through weekly Zoom calls about SB 155 and its companion bill AB 155. She has broken down the complexities of the legislation, explained its implications, and kept the Black Press engaged throughout the process.
At the same time, some CBM members have voiced concerns about the California News Publishers Association (CNPA) appearing to have a larger presence on the state’s Advisory Board than other groups. This issue remains under discussion, and Wilson is actively working to ensure balance and fairness as the implementation phase unfolds and the funds begin to flow into local newsrooms.
At first, the California State Library was expected to oversee the distribution of funds. But in the final hours, responsibility was shifted to California’s Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GoBiz). This move has raised eyebrows and stirred some controversy, but with Wilson at the table—as a voice for the Black Press—there is reason to believe that the Black press will not be left out when it comes to benefiting from these
“We’re excited to offer this unique experience for our community,” said SBCL Events Coordinator Jenni McCormick. “Galaxy Nights brings together science, art, and literacy in a fun and memorable way.”
In addition to stargazing, attendees can enjoy:
Partner activity stations hosted by Mojave Desert Land Trust, Sierra Club, Desert Crossroads Garden Club and more.
Galaxy-themed crafts for kids
Coffee and specialty drinks by Brew and Moo Coffee.
An exciting grand prize drawing!
To be eligible for the grand prize, visitors must check out 10 items during the event. Each checkout counts toward unlocking a universe of knowledge—and maybe even a special prize.
This special evening is made possible through a partnership with Avantus, a clean energy leader that champions STEM and education. Their donation of telescopes and telescope equipment for Galaxy Nights – and their ongoing support of community programs in Lucerne Valley – helps ensure events like this are free and accessible to all.
“Avantus is proud to partner with the SBCL Lucerne Valley Janice Horst Branch to promote science and learning through engaging and hands-on community events,” said Avantus Director of Permitting Jennifer Jackson. “It’s a perfect night to bring the Lucerne Valley community together to celebrate curiosity and connection.”
Join us for an out-of-this-world evening—mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 20, and bring your curiosity, your library card, and your sense of wonder. For more information about the San Bernardino County Library system, visit library.sbcounty.gov, call 909-387-2220 or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Students and families at Rosa Parks K-8 School learn the importance of saving for college while claiming their CalKIDS Scholarship Account.
photo: CalKids
CalKIDS shares essential resources at EDD Paid Family Leave Event. photo: CalKids
Regina Wilson
California Black Media
Gloria Zuurveen