SB American News Week Ending 4/3

that Maryland’s juvenile justice system was established with the stated intention of rehabilitating kids– not locking them in a cycle of detention and incarceration–which is precisely what the Maryland state legislature bills SB744/HB814 would do should they be signed into law.

In SB744/HB814, legislators have proposed extending how long children can stay on probation, expanding the number of youth eligible for detention, and expanding the number of 10 to 12-year-olds who can be arrested and detained, effectively undercutting reforms made in 2022. Should the proposals submitted in SB744/HB814 become law, the cumulative effect will be more kids, especially Black and Brown kids, arrested and detained – not safer communities. To get serious about safer communities, we need fewer pathways into the system and more investments in the resources children need to avoid system involvement altogether.

Growing up as a young Black child in East Baltimore, my journey through adolescence was uniquely shaped by the challenges of navigating a tumultuous environment. Raised by my grandmother alongside eight other grandchildren, our household faced the daily struggle of making ends meet and ensuring everyone’s well-being. The sheer weight of these responsibilities made it a formidable task for my grandmother to provide the individual attention and support

each of us needed. Instead of systems of support for young people that would have made it easier growing up, my neighborhood was flooded with law enforcement harassment.

As a young Black child, I was constantly stopped and questioned while simply walking to the store to get items for our household. I would be told not to hang outside on the front steps of our home with friends because they felt like we were doing something illegal. Neither my education nor accomplishments mattered to the police because–to them– I was just like every other Black boy whom they saw as a problem child. Not far away, in the South Patterson Park neighborhood, where the socioeconomic makeup is starkly different, young people didn’t face the same police confrontation.

The lack of available community resources needed to alleviate poverty and violence had a direct impact on my own experience with the legal system.

My dad was incarcerated, and my mom was criminalized for having a mental illness. I had my first engagement with the juvenile justice system as a young person due to a nonviolent misdemeanor. Engaging in activities with my friends like normal kids do, my peers, and I were labeled “thugs.” Unlike our counterparts in a more affluent community, we didn’t get a slap on the wrist or have access to opportunities to make up for our mistakes with age-appropriate accountability and community reconciliation. Eventually, I gained access to a mentoring program called the U.S. Dream Academy, which taught me how to be a youth leader, organizer and advocate.

Through organizing and advocacy, I understood that I didn’t have to become a product of my environment or the product of the juvenile justice system. With more mentoring, counseling, leadership development, arts and other enrichment programs available in

abundance, I could have avoided system involvement altogether.

As Marylanders, if we truly want to get serious about creating community safety, we need more investments in resources to help children develop into positive, successful adults, not more ways to lock them up and label them as criminals.

As a policy and research fellow at the Juvenile Justice and Reform lab at Drexel University and the senior manager of memberships and partnerships at REFORM Alliance, I’ve come to understand that increasing probation terms, expanding detention and involving more young children in the juvenile justice system only increases the chances that young people will become locked in a cycle of system involvement and exacerbate community feelings of vulnerability.

What works for youth success and community safety is ageappropriate accountability with rehabilitation when young people make mistakes, along with addressing the underlying factors that contribute to the young person’s behavior. Communitybased programs, mentoring, and support services help prevent system involvement and support assisting children to reintegrate into society successfully.

Maryland can lead the way in redefining juvenile justice by rejecting more criminalization and embracing more community investments. My own experience and research show that what works for safer communities is addressing economic stability, family support and mental health and creating pathways to youth leadership development, selfexpression and agency. It is time to prioritize the future of our children, recognizing that they deserve an opportunity for rehabilitation and growth rather than becoming casualties of an outdated and punitive approach to justice.

Padilla, Booker Announce Bill to Make Access to Equitable Health Care a Protected Civil Right

WASHINGTON, D.C. — (3/26/24)U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) announced the Equal Health Care for All Act, bicameral legislation that would make equal access to medical care a protected civil right to help address the racial inequities and structural failures in America’s health care system that have led to higher mortality rates in communities of color.

The Equal Health Care for All Act would establish a definition for inequitable health care to help ensure that hospitals provide

the same high quality health care services to all patients, regardless of race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, or religion. Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif.-30) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

“For far too long, inequities in our health care system have led to disproportionately worse health outcomes for women and people of color,” said Senator Padilla. “Congress has a duty to right the wrongs that have resulted in the lack of access to

high quality health care for so many communities. The Equal Health Care for All Act will make this unequal care a form of prohibited discrimination, treating equitable health care as a civil right to provide all patients with the access to the high-quality care they deserve.”

“Healthcare is a fundamental human right, and this legislation will help ensure that equal access to medical care is delivered free from discrimination,” said Senator Booker. “Communities of color bear the disproportionate burden of poor health outcomes

due to unequal access to affordable, quality care. The Equal Health Care For All Act will create a health care landscape where everybody can receive dignified, equitable care regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, disability, or age.”

“Americans deserve topof-the-line health care. Yet, communities of color often face unequal treatment in health services, leading to greater risks of severe illness and mortality,” said Representative

Congresswoman Maxine Waters Introduces New Initiative to Combat Maternal Health Crisis in Minority & Low-Income Communities

“Nothing could be more important for women and their families than healthy pregnancies and healthy babies,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Yet, maternal and infant deaths in the United States are tragically and unacceptably high, and the crisis is especially severe among African American mothers and their babies.”

The Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act is urgently needed to improve maternal and infant health.

County/Government News

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee, introduced the Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act, with the support of 28 of her congressional colleagues. The bill will establish a new initiative to expand and improve maternal and infant health services in minority, low-income, and medically underserved communities.

“Nothing could be more important for women and their families than healthy pregnancies and healthy babies,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Yet, maternal and infant deaths in the United States are tragically and unacceptably high, and the crisis is especially severe among African American mothers and their babies.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), maternal mortality rates for all racial groups increased significantly since 2018. By 2021, there were 33 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births in the United States. Among black women, there were 70 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births. Furthermore, black infants have 2.4 times the infant mortality rate as white infants, and they are almost four times as likely to die from complications related to low birthweight as white infants. Moreover, African American mothers are twice as likely to receive late or no prenatal care as white mothers.

“We cannot accept such high rates of maternal and infant deaths in the United States of America,” said Congresswoman Waters. “We can do better!”

The Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act will create a new competitive grant program for community health centers and other public and non-profit health care

providers that serve minority, low-income, and medically underserved communities. Grants will be used to expand maternal health services, including prenatal care, postnatal care for infants, and postpartum care for mothers; improve health outcomes; and reduce disparities.

“The Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act is urgently needed to address the maternal health crisis throughout the United States,” said Congresswoman Waters. “I am proud that so many of my colleagues have joined me in this important effort.”

Full list of original cosponsors:

Representatives Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Alma Adams (D-NC), Nanette Barragán (DCA), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Andre’ Carson (D-IN), Troy Carter (D-LA), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Emanuel Cleaver (DMO), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Jonathan L. Jackson (D-IL), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Hank Johnson (D-GA), John B. Larson (DCT), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), David Trone (D-MD), and Juan Vargas (D-CA).

Over-the-Counter Birth Control: A Step Forward for Reproductive Rights, but What About the Abortion Pill?

By Sylvia Ghazarian

In recent years, there has been a monumental shift in access to reproductive healthcare, marked by the availability of the first over-the-counter birth control at pharmacies, convenient stores, and grocery stores - Opill. This significant milestone has empowered individuals to take control of their reproductive health like never before. However, as we celebrate this progress, it's crucial to recognize that there's still much work to be

done, particularly concerning the accessibility of abortion pills. The approval of over-thecounter birth control is a landmark victory for reproductive rights advocates. It signifies a departure from antiquated regulations and underscores the importance of ensuring equitable access to contraception. By eliminating the need for a prescription, individuals are granted greater autonomy over their reproductive

Derrell Frazier is a senior memberships and partnerships manager at REFORM Alliance and a Next100 Policy Entrepreneur at the Century Foundation. This week, he discusses how to make communities safer by investing in resources for youth. (Courtesy photo)

Opinion: Unveiling the Hidden Truth in The Battle Over Books in American Schools

Craig J. DeLuz | Special to California Black Media Partners

In the ongoing debates about book bans in American schools, there is one narrative that dominates the discussion: those who oppose certain materials in school libraries are merely “book banners,” seeking to censor and limit the free exchange of ideas.

However, a controversy last year that unfolded at a Miami public school reveals a more nuanced narrative.

Reports about the incident, which attracted international attention, suggested that the K-8 school banned Amanda Gorman’s celebrated poem that she recited at President Biden's inauguration. In reality, the school in question opted to relocate Gorman's masterful work from the elementary section of its library to the middle school division. This measure was not taken with the intent to censor the piece, but rather as a strategic choice to align the poem with the appropriate age group.

In a similar vein, the head of the United Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, wasted no time in voicing her outrage over the termination of a Texas educator who chose to read Anne Frank's iconic memoir

to her students. Taking to the popular social media platform X, Weingarten declared, “The blatant dismissal of a teacher for exposing her students to The Diary of Anne Frank speaks volumes on its own!”

However, it is essential to clarify that the book, “Anne Frank's Diary,” is not the original work that has touched the hearts of millions. Instead, it’s an adaptation that emphasizes sexual passages. It was not, as many have claimed, a “censored” version of Anne Frank's story, but one that deliberately highlights the most salacious and explicit elements. The educator tasked her eighth-grade pupils with reciting and debating a sexually suggestive excerpt from the adaptation, where Anne inquires if her friend would be willing to expose their breasts to one another and expresses a strong longing for a kiss. Unbeknownst to many, this incident, branded as a potentially oppressive, stemmed from concerned parents’ reaction to the educator's focus on erotic themes within the beloved Anne Frank story.

It’s unsurprising that parents objected to its inclusion in

their children's school libraries, alarmed by the presence of explicit material in such a sacred and esteemed work.

However, instead of addressing these valid concerns, the education establishment and media paint these parents as narrow-minded and bigoted. They have been accused of attempting to ban a book that is considered a literary staple and a symbol of resistance against oppression. Yet, the truth is that the majority of these objections were not about race or LGBTQ identity, as it has often been portrayed. In fact, only a mere 7% of these objections mentioned LGBTQ without also including the word "sexual." And of the 10 books that were the most frequently omitted, all of them included shockingly risqué references to sexual encounters. For example, the top-voted book “Gender Queer” showcases a graphic illustrations of sex acts being performed and includes a lewd section of text.

Then there is Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, published in 1970; a tale chronicling the journey of a young Black girl grappling with feelings of inadequacy due to her lack of blue eyes. While critically acclaimed for its commentary on race and racial identity, this novel also delves into themes of pedophilia, rape, and even incest. It’s this content (not its racial commentary that led to frequent calls for censorship and its banning from classrooms in numerous school districts across the United States.

These examples highlight the deceptive tactics used by those who seek to paint concerned

parents as intolerant and hateful.

However, the heart of these book bans lies in the moral disconnect between the majority of Americans and the education establishment. While most Americans believe that sexually explicit material has no place in school libraries, the education establishment continues to champion the idea that it is necessary and even "inclusive" to expose children to explicit images and descriptions of sexual acts.

It is not about censorship or restricting the free exchange of ideas, as some suggest. Rather, it’s about safeguarding the innocence and well-being of our children. It is about standing up against the normalization of sexually explicit material in places where children should feel safe and protected. Ultimately, it is about upholding societal values and principles.

In the ongoing debates about book bans, we must not allow ourselves to be swayed by misleading narratives and manipulative language. Honest and open discussions are crucial to understanding what truly hangs in the balance of our society’s moral compass and the wellbeing of our children. Anything less would be a disservice to future generations.

About the Author

Craig J. DeLuz has almost 30 years in public policy and advocacy. He is currently President of the Robla School District Board of Trustees where he has served for almost 20 years. You can follow him on X at @ CraigDeLuz.

Nvidia CEO Unveils Processing System Named for Black Mathematician

Tanu T. Henry | California Black Media

Nvidia, the third largest corporation in the world valued at $2.3 trillion, held its annual Global Technology Conference and expo at the Convention Center in San Jose from March 18 to 21.

An estimated 17,000 guests attended.

During his Keynote address on March18, CEO Jensen Huang unveiled a new groundbreaking Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) system developed by the company. This cutting-edge platform is named in honor of the renowned African American mathematician and statistician David Blackwell.

Huang told the audience that the Blackwell system is the “most advanced GPU in the world today.”

“This GPU is named after David Blackwell, an American mathematician and statistician whose work has had a lasting impact in mathematics as well as the specific domain of AI,” said Huang.

“Mathematician. Game theorist. Probability,” said Huang of the computer scientist. “We thought it was a perfect name.”

“Blackwell is not a chip. Blackwell is the name of a platform,” Huang continued.

This is an important piece of the conversation as this technology advances,” said Stewart, a member of the Board of California Black Media, who served as moderator.

The “Bridging the AI Divide” panelists were three African Americans who are advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion in AI: Kieran. Blanks, Vice President of Workforce Systems, Cortex Innovation District; Angie Bush, Founder, Black Women in Artificial Intelligence and Abran Maldonado , Co-Founder, Create Labs. “I know it’s under attack, but diversity is important,” said Bush. “The facts are when you have a diverse workforce, your product just got better. When men walk in the room, your product just got better. When women walk in the room, your product just got better. When people with different abilities walk in the room your product just got better.”

Black-Owned College Prep School With 100% Graduation Rate Continues to Make History

Educational News

Nationwide -- The Wilson Academy, a Black-owned College Prep School based in the Atlanta area known for its unique academic approach and consistently high-performing students, is making history again. The school hosted its first-ever Legacy Leaders Gala on March 23, 2023, at 7:30pm to celebrate community leaders and raise funds to support students like Sodiq Adeniyi, Isaac Machot Majok Gol, and James Turic Chol Gol; young men whose lives were transformed through education and basketball.

Here are several of the students’ personal stories:

Sodiq Adeniyi, born in Lagos, Nigeria, overcame tremendous personal challenges including the tragic loss of his mother. Sodiq secured an academic scholarship to The Wilson Academy, where he also excels on the basketball court. His story exemplifies the impact of education and mentorship on young lives.

Isaac Machot Majok Gol, 17 years old, from Rumbek, South Sudan, found a passion for basketball at a young age. With the support of his uncle, Isaac moved to the United States to escape poverty and violence, and pursue his dreams of a better life. He is currently a student at The Wilson Academy where he continues to develop his skills in the classroom and on the court.

James Turic Chol Gol, 13 years old, also from South Sudan, feels fortunate to have escaped the ills of civil war. Since coming to The Wilson Academy, James has made significant strides in both academics and athletics, thanks to the support of his teachers and coaches.

“The Legacy Gala is a unique

opportunity for us to gather and celebrate community leaders, honor the accomplishments of our students and their families, and invest in establishing a legacy of excellence,” said Byron F. Wilson, Headmaster and Founder of The Wilson Academy. “Every year, our graduates earn millions of dollars in college scholarships, as we have fostered a proven path to academic success. But our students still need support.” The gala will honor exceptional leaders and entrepreneurs who have demonstrated a commitment to community and creating lasting legacies, including:

Shareef Abdul-Malik: Founder of WeBuyBlack.com; he has pioneered a global movement that has become the largest outlet promoting Black-owned businesses.

Jhavaun and Maudelyne Green: Owners of Green Love Kitchen; they have designed innovative, vegan and healthy culinary experiences for underserved communities and beyond.

Mario Johnson: A visionary restauranteur and real estate investor from Metro Atlanta, GA, whose entrepreneurial spirit has opened doors for aspiring young entrepreneurs.

The Legacy Leaders Gala is an opportunity for everyone to play a vital role in shaping a legacy of excellence. Through generous donations and active participation, supporters can contribute to scholarships, resources, and opportunities to empower young minds like Sodiq, Isaac, and James, to reach their full potentials. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at TheWilsonAcademyGala.com

The San Bernardino

AMERICAN News

Submission Deadline: Mondays By 5 pm

Blackwell, who was awarded a Rosenwald Fellowship at Princeton also taught at three HBCUs: Southern University of Baton Rouge, Clark Atlanta University and Howard University, where he served as chair of the Department of Mathematics.

According to Nvidia, the Blackwell GPU pairs two Blackwell GPUs to a Grace CPU. Together, they generate 720 petaflops of training performance.

During the conference, Nvidia organized a panel discussion

Blackwell, who was born in Centralia, Illinois, earned a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Illinois. He was the first African American inducted into the National Academy of the Sciences. A former professor at the University of California at Berkeley, Blackwell passed away in 2010 at 91 years old.

titled Bridging the AI Divide: Expanding Access and Training to Nontraditional Talents and Underserved Communities.”

During that discussion, panelists talked about what companies can do to make AI Technologies -- and the industry, more broadly – accessible to Black Americans and other minorities, particularly those with who live in areas with limited digital infrastructure and opportunities.

Louis Stewart, Head of Strategic Initiatives, Developer Ecosystem, NVIDIA, welcomed panelists and guests to the session and talked about the critical role of diversity in shaping the future of AI. “I am excited by this panel. I’m excited that you all attended.

The panelists unanimously emphasized that it is always a good time to get started in AI. Because the technology is evolving rapidly, they encouraged individuals to find an area of interest and dive in. Black employees at Nvidia also hosted a separate panel discussion at the organization’s headquarters followed by a reception and networking event.

“This conference is definitely inclusive,” said Shonda Witherspoon, a member of Black Girls Code, who attended the conference. “Seeing Black representation and attending a panel like this focused on diversity was pleasantly unexpected, but definitely made us feel included in this scary new world of AI. This just lets us know that a path is being carved for us, and for us to participate, you have to show up.

David Blackwell

"Bridging the AI Divide" Panel: Featuring Louis Stewart, Head of Strategic Initiatives at NVIDIA, Angle Bush, Founder of Black Women in Artificial Intelligence, Abran Maldonado, Co-founder of Create Labs, and Kieran Blanks, Vice President of Workforce Systems at Cortex Innovation District.

Black Women in AI founder Angle Bush panelist and members of the Black Women In AI community attended the panel discussion.

SF DA Brooke Jenkins, Other Leaders, Weigh in on Prop 47 and Retail Theft

Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

On March 21, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins shared her perspectives on Proposition 47 (Prop 47), a controversial ballot measure that has been inflaming debates and influencing law enforcement action in California. The 10-yearold proposition has significantly impacted legal proceedings related to crime and punishment in the state.

At “A Conference on Crime,” a daylong event hosted by Capitol Weekly, Jenkins said Prop 47 started as a proactive way of reducing penalties for certain crimes. However, she added, it has evolved from a “pure” and “noble” effort into a “revolving door” for many individuals charged with low-level crimes.

“I think what we’ve seen are a few unintended consequences particularly when it comes to retail theft,” said Jenkins, the keynote speaker at the event, held

at the California Endowment Conference Center near the State Capitol. “But I don’t want to blame it on Prop 47 alone.

I think there are a number of factors that played into what came after Prop 47.”

Organizers say the conference focused on the most challenging law enforcement issues facing California today: organized retail theft, the lethal fentanyl crisis, and the growing debate on whether or not to amend Prop 47.

Prop 47 was passed by California voters on Nov. 5, 2014. The initiative reclassified some non-violent property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors, where the value of item involved does not exceed $950. In addition, Prop 47 converted some drug possession offenses into misdemeanors.

Retail thefts that exceed the $950 threshold are defined as commercial burglaries, a crime

that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. On Jan. 4, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) released a report revealing that robberies of commercial businesses were up in 9 of the 15 largest counties in the state in 2022 compared to 2019.

The state’s most populous county, Los Angeles, experienced the highest commercial robbery rate in 2022, followed by San Joaquin, Sacramento, and Kern.

“We now have watered it down to the point that misdemeanor charges are basically legalized when it comes to retail theft. There’s just not much we can do,” Jenkins told California Black Media. “So, from my vantage point, again, unintended consequences. I think there are just some adjustments that have to be made in order to get us to a point where we have something that incentivizes people to engage

in the change they need for their lives.”

Sharp increases in fentanyl use and the growing frequency of retail thefts were other concerns discussed in depth at the conference. Fentanyl has been linked to thousands of opioid-related deaths across the state over the last three years and images of individuals wearing masks brazenly storming retail stores in smash-and-grab heists continue to haunt business owners, leading to store closures up and down the state. Panelists participating in the discussion on Prop 47 included Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), Marc Beaart from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Division, Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper, and Lenore Anderson from the Alliance for Safety and

Ramos honors 2024 Woman of the Year and Women of Distinction at annual event

SAN

BERNARDINO—

Assemblymember James C.

Ramos (D-San Bernardino)

today recognized San Bernardino Brenda Dowdy as “Women of the Year” for the 45th Assembly District which he represents and 11 other women leaders from cities in his district.

“It’s my privilege to host this tribute to the women of the 45th Assembly District. This is a small sampling of the many distinguished women in the district. They demonstrate what it means to live a life of service and contribute in a wide array of ways to ensure thriving communities.

I thank them all. This year we selected Brenda Dowdy for her unfailing devotion and care for some of our most vulnerable young people, homeless youth.”

The honorees are:

From San Bernardino:

Woman of the Year Brenda Dowdy has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of homeless students in the San Bernardino County. For more than 17 years she has served as the Homeless Education Project Manager in the Innovation and Engagement Branch for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. In that role, she has students and their families receive the resources they need to assist them in becoming self-sufficiency and obtain their desired educational opportunities.

Veronica Ramirez Amerson is director of the Educational Opportunity Program and Renaissance Scholars Program at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUB). She has dedicated her career to providing access to higher education to historically lowincome students and leading retention programs within three higher Ed systems for the last 26 years. She also oversees the

Renaissance Scholars Program at CSUSB, which serves current and former foster youth pursuing higher education.

From Rialto: Lynn Summers, a lifelong San Bernardino County resident, is a dedicated professional, community leader, and entrepreneur. Summers worked for 20 years as an emergency room technician at Kaiser Hospital and is trained in disaster preparedness. She also served as a United Steelworkers organizer and commissioner on the San Bernardino County District Behavioral Health Commission. Summers is passionate about farming and food preservation. She is a county Master Food Preserver and Master Gardner and volunteers her time to share her knowledge with others. Her interest in agriculture led her to start a business, Summersprep. It integrates farming, preserving, and survival skills.

Dr. Rhea Gibbs, Ed.D. is a deputy superintendent in the Rialto Unified School District where she has been employed for 30 years. She is currently the Lead Strategic Agent in the district and has formerly served as teacher, program specialist, assistant principal, elementary principal, middle school principal, and Lead Personnel Agent. Gibbs is a 36year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; former member of The Inland Empire Chapter of Jack and Jill of America; member and former president of the San Bernardino Valley Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and former Western Area nominating committee and election chair for The Links, Incorporated.

From Fontana: Daisy Welsh is the co-

founder and executive director of Working Dogs for Warriors – a 501c3 nonprofit organization working to save lives from PTSD-related

suicide. While serving as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher with Fontana PD for 8 years, Welsh was inspired to provide recovery tactics for first responders and veterans who are continuously exposed to traumatic calls for service. Assistance programs include service dogs, CARE Team K9s, support groups, a private helpline app, and reading safaris with K9s are her tools in helping our local community members every day.

Arely Moreno is a proud veteran who served in the Army Reserve for six years. Throughout Moreno’s career, she demonstrated her passion for helping veterans with their educational endeavors. She chairs the Veterans and Government Affairs committee for the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce. Through the committee, she develops and maintains relationships critical for veterans in the region. Moreno also serves as a public health community liaison for the Service Center for Independent Life, working with targeted populations such as veterans, disabled individuals, and seniors.

From Highland:

Denise Moreno is the Volunteer Services Coordinator with the City of Highland. Moreno recruits volunteers and organizes community events. Moreno volunteers with the Highland Woman’s Club as a member and was past president. She is also a member of Radiant Rubies of Highland, a Red Hat Society group.

Ramos honors 2024 Woman of the Year and Women of Distinction at annual event...continued Coastal Division located in San Luis Obispo. Valerie Gutierrez has been a teacher for 21 years and will soon celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary with her husband, JP. Her volunteer activities include Christmas at the Burrage Mansion event, Mentone Highway cleanups, Mentone Elementary garden project, Mentone Elementary Christmas gift set up, Crafton Elementary Christmas gift distribution and Mentone Days celebration history booth.

hundreds of hours in the AdoptA-Highway Program, leads donation and sponsorship drives for Mentone Days, Casino Night, and the Annual Film Festival. She has helped paint murals, clear land for a garden for the local elementary school, and make countless phone calls to secure funds, equipment, assistance, volunteers, vendors and locations needed for local events. She also assists in preparing weekly food bags for the homeless. She recently retired from a 25-year career as Division Supervisor for the California Highway Patrol

State Treasurer Fiona Ma Announces $100 Million Milestone for Home Energy Financing Program

GoGreen Home enables affordable financing for energy efficiency upgrades

SACRAMENTO – State Treasurer Fiona Ma today announced that the GoGreen Home Energy Financing Program (GoGreen Home) has financed more than $100 million in home

Energy

appliances, and efficient windows. The program launched as a pilot in July 2016 and became a permanent program in April 2020. The program has helped over 6,000 California households make a combined $100.9 million in improvements.

Erin Freeman 21 years is principal of the Serrano Middle School in the San Bernardino Unified School District. Freeman is an active community supporter and volunteer in local breast cancer awareness walks, toy and food drives, and works with community groups, including the Highlanders Boxing organization.

From Redlands: Marissa Congdon is a distinguished professional in the fields of special education and behavior analysis. Beyond academia, Marissa has actively served her community in various capacities, volunteering for the Autism Society of the Inland Empire and serving as a behavior consultant for local school districts. During her tenure as faculty at a local university, she assumed the role of Faculty Director of the Disability Sports Festival, advocating for inclusivity and empowerment through sports and recreation. Currently, Congdon serves as the Vice Chair on the board for Autism Heroes, where she champions the rights and well-being of neurodiverse individuals.

Esther Martinez is an 11year US Navy veteran and has worked for the City of Redlands since 2017. She visits local high schools to speak about life in the military and to introduce Emergency Management as a career. Esther hopes her passion for Emergency Management inspires others to volunteer or pursue a career helping others.

From Mentone:

Jacqueline Napolitano serves as the Vice Chair for the Mentone Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Mentone Area Community Association. Napolitano has volunteered

GoGreen Home is administered by the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA), which Ma chairs as state treasurer, and enables lenders to offer low interest rates, extended terms for affordable monthly payments, and broader eligibility, including accepting borrowers with lower credit scores. GoGreen Home manages a loan loss reserve fund that serves as a backstop for lenders, providing up to 90 percent reimbursement in the event of default by the borrower. GoGreen Home serves owners and renters, and there is no property lien with the financing.

“Reaching $100 million in lending is a major milestone for the GoGreen Home program and proves there is a strong desire for an affordable financing mechanism to make energy efficiency upgrades,” said Treasurer Ma. “GoGreen Home gives us a great blueprint of how California can achieve its climate goals with good policy and programs. My office will continue working to scale the GoGreen Home program to make energy saving projects accessible to even more Californians.”

GoGreen Home offers standard loans from credit unions for larger purchases (up to $50,000) as well as marketplace microloans for the purchase of energy-efficient appliances (up to $5,000).

The $100 million in GoGreen Home projects were funded with $15.7 million in credit enhancement funds from utility ratepayers. The program’s credit enhancement facility operates as a revolving loan fund. To date, more than $1.3 million has come back as loans have been paid off and is now ready to be redeployed to finance other energy upgrades.

Notable GoGreen Home data and facts:

Loans Made: 6,182

Amount financed: $100.9 million $99.4M in standard loans (5,223)

Average interest rate (last 12 months): 5.07%

Average rate for same lenders without GoGreen Home: 9.4%

Average term length 110 months (market average 60 months) $1.5M in marketplace microloans (959)

Average interest rate 9.58% (Best Buy credit card: 25.74%)

Equipment

3,442 high-efficiency HVACs

1,033 heat pump HVACs

12,152 individual EE windows installed (945 projects)

insulated

714 Energy Star washers and dryers through utility marketplaces

214 Energy Star refrigerators through utility marketplaces

Energy savings More than 748,000 therms

More than 5,035 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions averted -- like taking 1,000 cars off the road for a year, or Californians NOT driving 11.7 million miles!

The $100 millionth dollar was lent to a homeowner in rural Yuba County who installed a cool roof at a cost of $23,600 with a fixed interest rate of 4.99% and a 180-month (15-year) term. Cool roofs can save more than 1000 kWh per year by reflecting solar radiation and reducing the need for air conditioning.

County of San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins delivered the keynote speech at Capitol Weekly's Conference on Crime in Sacramento on March 21, 2024. The conference examined three challenging issues: rising retail theft, the fentanyl crisis, and the ongoing effects of Prop 47 in the state. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

Former member of the State Assembly and current Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper, right, believes Prop 47 is tied to the increase of retail theft and other low-level crimes. Attorney and co-founder of Alliance for Safety and Justice Lenore Anderson, left, said Prop 47 is "overwhelmingly successful." CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

Experts weigh in on diabetes in the Black community

By Gene Lambey, Special to the AFRO

Diabetes has been a known disease that has widely affected the Black community— but it is a disease that can be managed.

According to a report from the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes is categorized as a chronic longlasting condition that affects how the body uses food for energy. Diabetic people cannot produce enough insulin naturally, leaving an excess amount of blood sugar in the bloodstream.

In the data collected from the CDC, there are over 38 million Americans that have been diagnosed with diabetes. One in five Americans are unaware that they have the disease.

“Diabetes can be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors,”said Perina V. Gaines, president of the Black Nurses Rock D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) Chapter.

Gaines told the AFRO that in Washington D.C, there are approximately 42,900 adults that have had a diabetic diagnosis based on CDC data. 13.5 percent of diabetic adults in D.C, are Black or African-American.

Type 1 diabetes is primarily an autoimmune response when, “the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas,” Gaines stated, adding that Type 2 diabetes may result from lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity and poor diet. Lesser forms of diabetes include gestational,

which occurs in pregnancy and monogenic diabetes, caused by mutations in a single gene.

Prediabetes, defined by the Mayo clinic, states how the body’s blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but are not high enough for a person to be diabetic.

“The Black community can confront childhood obesity and its potential link to diabetes through various approaches. These may include promoting access to healthy and affordable foods, increasing opportunities for physical activity, providing education on nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices, and addressing socioeconomic factors that contribute to disparities in healthcare access and resources,” said Gaines.

(Graph courtesy of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

“Consuming excessive amounts of unhealthy foods high in sugar, saturated fats, and refined carbohydrates can lead to obesity and insulin resistance, increasing the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. Regular physical activity helps control weight, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces the risk of diabetes.”

In speaking on why the Black community is more susceptible to diabetes compared to other ethnic groups, Gaines said it is a “combination of genetic predisposition, socio-economic factors and disparities in

Padilla, Booker Announce Bill to Make Access to Equitable Health Care a Protected Civil Right...continued from page 1

Schiff. “That’s why I was proud to reintroduce the Equal Health Care for All Act, and to partner with Senator Padilla who is leading the charge in the Senate. Together we can make equal access to quality and affordable health care a reality for every American, ensuring the highest standard of medical care for everyone regardless of background.”

The Equal Health Care for All Act aims to remedy structural and systemic failures in America’s health care system that have led to Black, Hispanic, and indigenous individuals disproportionately suffering from a range of illnesses, from asthma to heart disease. Black women are more likely than white women to die from breast cancer and during childbirth. Hispanic individuals suffer from higher rates of chronic diseases, including an 80 percent higher rate of diabetes.

Specifically, the Equal Health Care for All Act would:

Require the HHS Secretary to promote regulations requiring health care providers and facilities to disaggregate data on health outcomes by demographic characteristics;

Require inclusion of quality measures of equitable health care in hospital value-based purchasing programs; Empower Medicare and Medicaid providers to enforce equitable health care standards; Rename the HHS “Office on Civil Rights” to “Office of Civil

healthcare access and quality.” She noted that in some cases genetics could play into “higher rates of insulin resistance and metabolic disorders.”

“Socio-economic factors such as limited access to healthy foods, lower rates of physical activity, and higher levels of stress due to systemic racism and discrimination also play a role,” said Gaines. “Additionally, healthcare disparities, including lack of access to preventive care and diabetes management resources, further exacerbate the risk of diabetes in the Black community.”

When it comes to medications for diabetes, Gaines spoke about medications for lowering glucose levels, blood pressure and cholesterol. She said antiplatelet medication, neuropathy medication and insulin delivery packages are useful.

“Addressing the affordability of these medications and supplies is crucial to ensure that diabetic patients can access the comprehensive care they need to manage their condition effectively and reduce the risk of complications, said Gaines. “The Affordable Care Act’s provision to reduce the price of

insulin is a significant step in the right direction, but further efforts may be needed to address the affordability of other essential medications and supplies for diabetic patients.”

The AFRO asked Gaines what are the solutions or steps that need to be taken. She emphasized solutions such as a comprehensive health initiative, nutrition and food access, physical fitness and wellness programs, community engagement and education and health equity and social determinants of health.

The D.C. Collaboration for Equitable Health is a partnership between the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and the University of Michigan School of Public Health. “Through these collaborative efforts and initiatives, the partnership between Black Nurses Rock DMV Chapter, The D.C. Collaboration for Equitable Health, and supporting organizations demonstrates a commitment to addressing diabetes risk factors and promoting health and wellness within the Black community.”

Five Tips to Help Safely View the Upcoming Solar Eclipse

How San Bernardino Residents Can Safely Protect Their Eyes

Five Tips to Help Safely View the Upcoming Solar Eclipse...continued

as “eclipse blindness.”

To help avoid that, here are five tips from Prevent Blindness to help safely view the solar eclipse:

Get protected. It is unsafe to look directly at the sun at any time and during a partial or total solar eclipse, other than if you are in the path of totality during the brief total phase. Proper eclipse viewing glasses, which are heavily tinted – much more so than regular sunglasses – can enable you to see the moon track across the orb of the sun until it creates a total eclipse, revealing the sun’s corona. Avoid fakes. Use certified solar eclipse glasses, specifically ones that have been reviewed by the International Organization for Standardization, and look out for fake viewers that may be sold. A list of vendors that sell certified solar eclipse glasses is available here. And make sure to read and follow any instructions packaged with or printed on the glasses.

Don’t add other devices. Even while wearing approved solar eclipse glasses, it’s important not to look at the sun through a

camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device. Doing so may concentrate the solar rays and damage the filter, enter your eyes, and potentially cause serious injury.

Use caution during the moment of totality. If you are planning to watch the eclipse from along the 13-state path of totality, eclipse glasses should be worn during the entirety of the partial eclipse phase and may only be removed once the moon completely blocks the sun. Once the sun reappears, glasses should be replaced.

Consider a comprehensive eye exam. If you or a loved one experience eye discomfort or vision problems following the solar eclipse, visit a local eye care professional for a comprehensive exam. Importantly, comprehensive eye exams may also identify vision problems while helping with the potential detection of other health issues, including diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.

The upcoming solar eclipse can be a fun and educational opportunity, provided you take the necessary precautions to protect your eye health.

This Little Light of Mine in Space: Topper Carew sends Payload up to the International Space Station: It was launched on January 30.

Project Description:

This Little Light of Mine is named after the song. It is an inspirational song that many people know. I have conceived

and plan to launch a Space Payload in January (2024). The Little Light Space Payload will be transported by a Space-X rocket up to The International

continued on page 6

Over-the-Counter Birth Control: A Step Forward for Reproductive Rights, but What About the Abortion Pill?...continued from page 1

choices, which is a fundamental aspect of bodily autonomy and gender equity.

Rights and Health Equity;”

Prohibit health care providers from providing inequitable health care to patients; Establish a Federal Health Equity Commission; and

Authorize grants for hospitals to promote equitable health care outcomes.

Senator Padilla has long been a leader in the fight to make health care more equitable in the United States. Last year, Padilla, Booker, and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) introduced a Senate Resolution to declare racism a public health crisis. Padilla also announced the Health Equity and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Community Inclusion Act, legislation that would help make sure the federal government accurately recognizes the experiences and needs of members of MENA communities. As a co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, Padilla introduced a trio of bills to address the unique mental health needs of military children, Latinos, and farm workers. Previously, Padilla joined Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) in introducing the Kira Johnson Act to address the maternal mortality crisis, especially among Black moms and other birthing people of color.

Additionally, he introduced the bipartisan Urban Indian Health Providers Facilities Improvement Act to pave the way for increased investment in the renovation and construction of urban Indian health facilities.

By Dr. Premilla Banwait, Vice President of Clinical Programs, UnitedHealthcare

For people in San Bernardino and hundreds of millions more nationwide, the upcoming solar eclipse offers a great opportunity to view a rare celestial event.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon blocks any part of the sun.

On April 8, virtually everyone across the country will have the chance (weather permitting) to see at least a partial solar eclipse, while over 31 million people in a narrow path from Texas to Maine will have the opportunity

coverage will reach a maximum of 48.9% at approximately 11:12:20 AM PDT.

While the solar eclipse is a fun and educational opportunity for everyone, there are precautions you should take to help maintain your eye health while safely viewing this spectacle. Looking at a solar eclipse without proper protection may cause serious eye damage, including blurry vision that can last months, or even permanent problems such

Yet, while over-the-counter birth control represents a significant step forward, it also serves as a stark reminder of the glaring disparities in reproductive healthcare access. Despite its efficacy and safety, the abortion pill remains inaccessible to many individuals due to restrictive regulations and bans.

Mifepristone, one of the two medications used in medication abortion, has been proven to be safer than commonly available drugs like Tylenol, Penicillin and Viagra. However, its distribution is heavily regulated, placing unnecessary barriers in the path of those seeking abortion care with a medication that has been approved by the FDA and known to be safe and effective for over 20 years. In the meantime, Walgreens and CVS have begun steps to stock and prescribe Mifepristone at many of their locations in states where abortion is legal.

Currently, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) faces a pivotal decision regarding the accessibility of the abortion pill. The question at hand is whether Mifepristone can continue to be prescribed and mailed to individuals in the same manner as other medications. This decision holds immense implications for reproductive rights, particularly for marginalized communities who already face significant challenges in accessing healthcare services.

In this critical moment, organizations like the Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Program (WRRAP) play a crucial role in bridging the gap in access to abortion care. Since April 2022, WRRAP has been funding access to the abortion pill by mail, providing crucial support to individuals in need. Our success rate speaks volumes about the effectiveness of this approach, demonstrating that it is not only safe but also incredibly impactful in expanding access to abortion care.

As we reflect on the progress made in reproductive healthcare access, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing reproductive justice for all. Over-the-counter birth control is undoubtedly a significant achievement, but it cannot be the end goal. True bodily autonomy can only be achieved when individuals have unimpeded access to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare, including abortion care.

It's time for SCOTUS to recognize the importance of protecting access to the abortion pill and take a meaningful step towards ensuring equitable access to abortion care for all.

If SCOTUS decides in favor of allowing continued access to abortion pills by mail, it would represent a monumental victory for reproductive justice. It would signify a recognition of the importance of protecting equitable access to abortion care, regardless of one's geographic location or socioeconomic status. However, failure to do so would only exacerbate existing disparities, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities who often lack access to abortion clinics.

Lifestyle News

(Unsplash/Sweet Life)

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Backlash: Women’s history month in a post-Roe world

By Martha Burk

It’s 2024, but it feels like we’re back in 1991 this Women’s History Month.

Back then, President George H.W. Bush was following in the footsteps of his predecessor Ronald Reagan by continuing to appoint conservative judges to the federal bench, and Roe v. Wade was expected to fall.

Radical anti-abortion activism had gained prominence and strength. Popular media was awash with stories pushing the myth that women were dissatisfied and unhappy — and feminist ideals of women’s empowerment were to blame.

Then a blockbuster book hit the streets: “Backlash” by Susan Faludi.

It came out just as the legal notion of “fetal personhood” was taking shape. Among other things, the book captured the horror of giving a fetus, even a hypothetical potential fetus, precedence over an actual living person. Backlash posited that any so-called women’s unhappiness was not the fault of feminism, but the fact that the struggle for equality was far from finished.

Faludi anticipated by over 20 years the deadly choices that women and their doctors are now being forced to make in a post-Roe world.

She was distressed at the prospect of backward momentum — of a world that treated women as vessels for childbearing above all. “What unites women is the blatant, ugly evidence

of oppression,” she said at the time, “that will come with the inevitable demise of Roe vs. Wade.”

Faludi was right. There’s a new backlash, all right — but this time it’s not against women’s progress, but against the loss of women’s rights and their own personhood. Since Roe was overturned, at least three states have blocked new abortion bans, and 16 more have strengthened existing pro-statutes with new protections.

Safeguarding women’s autonomy was also front and center in last November’s midterm elections.

Ohio was the epicenter. Advocates put forth a bold ballot question on whether to amend the state constitution affirming the right of individuals to make their own reproductive health decisions — including abortion. The outcome? No contest. Voters opted to enshrine abortion rights by a margin of 57 to 43 percent.

Abortion was also on the ballot indirectly in Virginia. Gov. Glen Youngkin was pushing voters to flip the state Senate to Republicans while keeping the Republican majority in the House of Delegates.

That would have allowed the anti-choice governor and his lackeys in the legislature to pass a 15-week abortion ban. That grand plan went down in flames — pro-choicers took full control of both houses of the General Assembly after two years of

SF DA Brooke Jenkins, Other Leaders, Weigh in on Prop 47 and Retail Theft...continued from page 3

Justice.

Anderson was the campaign chair and co-author of Prop 47, explained that the proposition was designed to minimize incarceration and reallocate prison funding to reform efforts involving mental health and drug treatment, kindergarten to 12th grade education, and victim programs.

Anderson, an attorney, told attendees that Prop 47 has been “overwhelmingly successful” since it became law 10 years ago, adding that it has helped to alleviate prison overcrowding.

“That’s a huge victory,” Anderson said.

Cooper, a law enforcement agent with over 30 years of experience and a former member of the state Assembly, said shoplifting and low-level crimes are “directly related to Prop 47.”

divided power.

The latest trend in the reproduction wars comes from Alabama. Another attack on women’s rights to self determination — but this time from the other end of the argument.

In a first-of-its-kind ruling, Alabama’s Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children and anyone who destroys them can be held liable for wrongful death. At several facilities in the state, the decision has virtually stopped in-vitro fertilization in its tracks for women who are trying to conceive.

It’s reminiscent of struggles of the past. It took nearly a century and a half after independence for women to win the constitutional right to vote in 1919. Winning abortion rights took even longer — until 1973, when Roe guaranteed it under the 14th Amendment. But that ruling lasted only 49 years. One step forward, two steps back.

Women — both those who want abortion to be legal and those who want to become pregnant through in-vitro fertilization — are furious.

The upshot? Women are the majority of the population, the majority of registered voters, and the majority of those who actually show up at the polls. It’s a good bet they’ll remember in November.

Hell hath no fury like a woman deprived of her basic rights.

This Little Light of Mine in Space: Topper Carew sends Payload up to the International Space Station: It was launched on January 30...continued from page 4

“In L.A. County we’ve decided to allocate our resources in the most efficient way possible,” Beaart said. “We do not prosecute low-level drug offenses. We use our resources for higher and better prosecution that have an impact on the community.”

Overall, PPIC analysis of crime data indicates that retailers are the main targets of crime in various parts of California. Shoplifting incidents rose in the Bay Area, Los Angeles and other urban areas. Commercial burglary and robbery are also more prevalent across the state, according to PPIC.

By 2022, commercial burglary was up in 21 of California’s 58 counties primarily in large urban counties. Commercial robberies rose in 25 counties.

“Right now, we have a system where it’s a revolving door for many of these folks,” Jenkins said. “They just come with a new case. Some of them 20 times and there’s nothing we have to sort of usher them in a different direction.”

“If Prop 47 is working so well, why do we have over 20 bills introduced this year in the legislature to deal with Prop 47 issues?” Cooper asked. “The proponent says, ‘Hey, crime is down.’ It’s not down (because) it’s underreported.” Beeart is the Bureau Director for L.A. County’s Fraud and Corruption Prosecutions. His office files conspiracy, receiving stolen property, and smash-andgrab robbery charges against violators. The bureau also focuses on prosecuting “ring leaders” of mob-style retail theft. Beaart said the $950 misdemeanor limit established by Prop 47 “is a red herring for the public,” suggesting that it is misleading to focus on it as causal.

Space Station (ISS). The Payload will broadcast a film of children’s choirs from around the world singing “This Little Light of Mine” back to Earth. It will circle the Globe 16 times a day for 30-45 days where during which the recording will be downloaded periodically throughout the mission and hosted on the This Little Light of Mine in Space website at http:// ThisLittleLightofMineinSpace. com.

On the website, you can also track the film as it circles the Globe. You can also see the ISS space-to-earth version and the originally made version of the film. The project is financed by Carew with monies he earned as a Co-Creator of the long-running “Martin” television series. It is a way of giving something back to supporters and fans of the show.

Why are we doing this:

The Little Light of Mine lyrics are symbolic, positive, and memorable. They radiate a message of hope, healing, peace, love, joy, coming together for the common good, and being our sister’s and brother’s keepers. The Planet could use some good energy right now. It is the basis of this project.

How the project originated:

Dr. Topper Carew was invited to China pre-pandemic to design a prototype for a Mars Colony. As a result of Carew’s space interest, his dear friend Milton Kotler introduced him to Jeffrey Manber of Nanoracks, a global leader in providing access to space. Carew proposed the project to Manber who then introduced Carew to DreamUp. DreamUp is a spacebased STEM education company. Nanoracks is its parent company. He proposed the This Little Light of Mine in Space project to them, and they responded positively. Thus, the project materialized.

The Science:

As a result of his media research, Dr. Carew with a team of Nanorack engineers developed a shoe box-sized Broadcast Studio that fits into the Payload container. The Payload container will ship to the ISS, attach, and plug-in, making it possible to broadcast the film as data back to Earth.

The Awareness campaign:

A Behind the Scenes Documentary of the entire process is made and will be available to Broadcasters on an open-source basis. It will be accompanied by a public awareness and social media

Submission Deadline is MONDAYS by 5pm & 12 noon TUESDAYS when holiday falls on Monday

Email Press Releases to: mary@sb-american.com Submit legals to website: sb-american.com

This Little Light of Mine in Space: Topper Carew sends Payload up to the International Space Station: It was launched on January 30...continued

campaign.

How to see the film being broadcast back to Earth:

The Payload will circle the Planet for approximately 1.5 months. There will be a “This Little Light of Mine in Space” website with a tracker to indicate when the Space Station is passing over your location. At night, it will appear as the 3rd brightest Star in the Sky. One will be able to access the film version sent up to the ISS as it broadcasts back to Earth to the website on any of your devices. In the window next to the ISS broadcast, you will be able to see and compare its image quality to the originally made film.

Importance of the project

To Children. Engraved on the Payload are the following…This is dedicated to the Children of the World…because you matter.

To All Young People. By introducing and exciting America’s youth to Space technology, more young people will explore it as a career possibility.

To the Historically Black Colleges and Universities. HBCU’s and HBCU students will be encouraged to pursue careers in the Space field.

To America. As more of America’s young people and HBCU students join the space workforce, America can more competitive and continue to lead the international Space quest.

To History. This project originated with, Topper Carew, an African American from Roxbury. It may be the first time an African American has independently originated, financed, and sent up a Payload to the International Space Station.

Martha Burk, director of the Corporate Accountability Project for the National Council of Women’s Organizations (NCWO), speaks on reproductive freedoms in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Institute for Policy Change)

Young Scholars Participate in 36th Annual Oratorical Contests

California insurance market ‘in chaos,’ says former insurance chief. Can this chief fix it?

Insurance non-renewals continue even as Commissioner Ricardo Lara introduces regulations favored by the industry.

BY LEVI SUMAGAYSAY

With more California homeowners just discovering their insurance policies are getting canceled — and hundreds of thousands of others stuck with a pricey option of last resort — state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s efforts to fix the home insurance market can’t come quickly enough.

Lara has introduced two main regulations, with more to come. The first, unveiled last month, aims to streamline rate reviews.

State law gives the Insurance Department the power to approve or deny insurers’ requests to raise premiums. Insurance companies complain the process has been holding up the increases they seek as a result of what they say are increased costs due to rising climate-change risks and inflation.

$100.00

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Mu Xi Lambda Chapter in partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Nu Omega Chapter celebrates its 36th Annual Oratorical Contest on March 23, 2024, at Rancho Cucamonga High School. Participants and winners range from Elementary to High school.

Young scholars demonstrated their public speaking skills in three distinct categories: Grade School, Middle School, and High School. The topic for the competition, “Reducing Achievement/Opportunity Gaps for More Equitable Systems.”

The audience included parents, family members, friends, and community. Certificate of recognition provided to all participants. Winners in each category received a monetary award.

Elementary Xavier Buffong - 1st place$200.00.

David Eoff V- 2nd Place-

Langston Buffong - 3rd Place$75.00

Middle School Amando Howell - 1st Place$300.00

Lauren Stewart - 2nd Place$200.00

Jerneigh Manning - 3rd Place$100.00

High School Isaiah Buffong - 1st Place$500.00

Sophia Barrett - $300.00

Cecil Howell - 3rd Place$150.00

We are proud of these young scholars and look forward to their participation next year as we celebrate the 37th year of the Oratorical Contest offered to students in the Inland Empire. Scholars who will be attending college in the fall of 2024, we wish them much success in their educational and career goals.

The second regulation will let insurers use catastrophe modeling — which combines historical data with projected risk and losses — along with other factors when setting their premiums. California is the last state to allow for catastrophe modeling.

“We’re undertaking the state’s largest insurance reform,” Lara said during a press conference earlier this month. “We can no longer look solely to the past to guide us to the future.”

He said catastrophe modeling will lead to “more reliable rates,” “greater insurance availability” and “safer communities,” because he said it would further encourage and reward wildfire mitigation by homeowners and communities. Insurance Department spokesperson

Michael Soller said success will mean fewer homeowners needing to turn to the FAIR Plan, the state-mandated insurer of last resort.

Insurance trade groups, which stand to benefit most from the new regulations, agree with

Lara’s support for catastrophe modeling and support his socalled sustainable insurance strategy. So do fire chiefs, to an extent. But almost everyone else — homeowners, consumer groups and former insurance commissioners — has lingering concerns.

U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, a Democrat representing parts of Solano and Contra Costa counties, had two stints as state insurance commissioner in the mid-1990s and early 2000s. He says the insurance market is “in chaos” — and that Lara should be holding public hearings and demanding insurance company executives testify to explain to Californians why their premiums are rising.

“One of the critical things a commissioner does is to analyze the market and provide the public with information,” Garamendi said in an interview with CalMatters. “(Lara) didn’t use his power to control the industry and second, to inform Californians.”

The criticism drew a retort from Soller: “Commissioner Lara is fixing decades-long neglected issues that have led to this crisis. He is focused on safeguarding the integrity of the state’s insurance market, not second-guessing from predecessors who had their chance and failed to act.”

Dave Winnacker, chief of the East Bay’s Moraga-Orinda Fire District, said the upsides of catastrophe modeling include being able to credit what homeowners, communities and governments do to lessen

continued in next 2 columns

Black Americans Continue to Face Hurdles to Homeownership: CFPB and National Association of Realtors cite drawbacks White House plan proposes solutions for an estimated 3.5 million first-time buyers

By Charlene Crowell

(March 21, 2024)The

approaching spring season signals not only a change in weather; but an annual surge in homebuying. Underscoring this long-standing trend is the annual April observance of Fair Housing Month.

Enacted in 1968, the Fair Housing Act banned discrimination on the basis of race, religion, and national origin in the sale or rental of housing by banks, insurers and real estate agents.

But fair housing for whom?

While homeownership has been the primary means for most American families to build and pass on inter-generational wealth, Blacks rank last in their ability to achieve the wealth-building benefits of buying a home.

According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2024 Snapshot of Race and Home Buying in America report, disparity between Black homeownership rates and those of other racial and ethnic groups has actually grown larger since 2012. Only 44.1 percent of Blacks owned homes compared to majorities of Asian-Americans (63.3 percent), and Latinos (51.1 percent).

“The connection between homeownership rates and net worth is a critical one. Net worth, or the total assets minus

household liabilities, is an essential indicator of financial stability and economic wellbeing,” states the report.

After more than 50 years of federal laws – envisioned and enacted in hopes of helping Black America reduce lingering wealth disparities – NAR lists a litany of familiar reasons for homeownership disparities that read like a set of falling dominoes: Median household income disparities between whites and Blacks continued to grow over the past decade. In 2012, the income gap between these two groups was $21,540. In 2022, the income gap grew to $27,840.

This gap in income is a determining factor in home affordability. In 45 of the nation’s 50 states, according to NAR, Black renters face greater affordability challenges than their white counterparts. The ability to save for a home down payment is seriously diminished when rental costs are already a financial stretch.

Another problem for wouldbe homeowners is that due to lower incomes and lack of savings, many Black borrowers often have high debt-to-income ratios. Together, these two factors frequently lead to higher rates of mortgage application denials. In 2022, the highest mortgage

denial rates occurred in three Southern states: Mississippi (34 percent), followed by Arkansas and Louisiana (each at 31percent).

A related and independent perspective from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) notes yet another hurdle to homeownership: closing costs.

“While home prices and interest rates often command our attention, closing costs also contribute to borrowers’ monthly burdens. One measure of closing costs is total loan costs,” wrote Julie Margetta Morgan in a March CFPB blog. “Total loan costs include origination fees, appraisal and credit report fees, title insurance, discount points, and other fees increased by 21.8 percent – nearly $6,000 – from 2021 to 2022. From 2021 to 2022, median total loan costs rose sharply, increasing by 21.8 percent on home purchase loans.”

“Often, closing costs are simply rolled into the total loan amount, racking up interest for the life of the loan,” Morgan continued. “Borrowers who can't bring cash to the table often have to pay more, through higher interest rates or mortgage insurance payments.”

But a new proposal by the Biden Administration has the potential to lessen the financial heft of these homebuying

California insurance market ‘in chaos,’ says former insurance chief. Can this chief fix it?...continued wildfire risk. That includes being able to account for the numbers and proximity of firefighters in certain areas, Winnacker said.

“Depending on where you are in a state, and that’s tied to population density, the number of firefighters available could affect the outcome (of a wildfire),” he said, adding that catastrophe models should reflect that.

He also said he and other fire chiefs are working to make sure the interests of consumers, fire professionals, insurers and the state are aligned. Insurers may not know what homeowners, communities and local fire departments are doing to reduce wildfire risk. One idea: a database to share that information.

“There is no future in which we can price our way out of this crisis with just premiums,” Winnacker said, adding that everyone needs to work together.

Dave Jones, the state insurance commissioner for eight years before Lara took over in 2019, said he is “trying to avoid looking over the shoulder of my successor.”

Jones is now director of the Climate Risk Initiative Center for Law, Energy & the Environment at UC Berkeley School of Law. He said it is good for consumers that the catastrophe-modeling regulation could take forest management into consideration. But he said he’s not sure Lara’s actions will be sufficient.

Before the end of the year, Lara is also expected to issue a regulation that will allow insurers to factor reinsurance costs into their rates. Reinsurance is insurance for insurance companies in the event of large payouts. That plus the other new regulations may “help in the short to mid term,” giving insurance companies the ability to raise premiums, Jones told CalMatters.

But he said those actions may “ultimately be overwhelmed by our failure to stop the fossil-fuel industry, which is contributing to rising temperatures” and therefore insurance losses.

Jones also pointed out that Florida has long allowed insurers

continued on page 8

Black Americans Continue to Face Hurdles to Homeownership:

CFPB and National Association of Realtors cite drawbacks

White House plan proposes solutions for an estimated 3.5 million first-time buyers...continued

“If policies created the inequities that we have, then we have to have policies to reverse them,” noted Bailey. “The only way to do that is to actually talk about Black People, Latinx

people, Native Americans very specifically because it’s going to take very specific and targeted community investments to make those changes.”

Lest We Forget

WITNESS FOR JUSTICE Issue #1196

Karen Georgia Thompson

March 1 is commemorated annually as Remembrance Day in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Formally known as Nuclear Victims’ Day and Nuclear Survivors’ Day, this RMI public holiday remembers and honors lives that were lost and disrupted because of the United States nuclear testing which began in RMI in the 1950s. Remembrance Day 2024 marked the 70th anniversary of the Castle Bravo test in the Bikini Atoll, RMI. Bravo was the most powerful weapon ever tested by the United States and was equivalent to 15 million tons of TNT—1,000 times the strength of the Hiroshima bomb.

issues. In a March 12 speech before the Urban Institute, a DC-based progressive thinktank, Lael Brainard, the Biden Administration’s Economic Adviser, shared the White House plan.

“In today’s market, too many households that want to buy their first home are locked-out by high costs, while many homeowners looking to right-size their housing needs are locked-in because the rate they’d get on a new mortgage is higher than the rate on their current mortgage,” said Brainard.

Central to the administration’s plan are targeted tax credits that would enable more than 3.5 million middle-class families to purchase their first home. Eligible consumers would receive up to $10,000 in mortgage relief credit for two years – the equivalent of reducing mortgage rates by 1.5 percentage points on a median home.

“These tax credits would serve as a bridge,” explained Brainard, “as rates are projected to continue to fall with inflation and as our supply investments come online.”

Peggy Bailey, vice president for housing and income security with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reacted favorably.

continued in next 2 columns

In acknowledging the International Day for Disarmament and Nonproliferation on March 5th, the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights noted the following: “Between 1946 and 1958, 67 known nuclear weapons were tested in the Marshall Islands by the United States while it was under United Nations trusteeship. As recognized by the HRC in its resolution 51/35, ‘toxic nuclear waste and nuclear radiation and contamination from decades ago continue to have an adverse impact on the human rights of the people of the Marshall Islands, including persons belonging to displaced communities’ and on a wide range of their human rights, including their rights to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, to life, health, food, housing, water and their cultural rights.’”

In November 2023, I led a World Council of Churches delegation to the Marshall Islands. Our group spent a week on Majuro, listening to stories and concerns, hearing ways our churches can help, and attending Sunday worship. The delegation experienced the visit as a part of the WCC’s pilgrimage of justice, reconciliation, and unity, a framework which exemplifies the journey we are on together as member churches with different challenges and yet held together

as the one body of Christ. During our visits we heard of the many challenges facing these islands because of this nuclear legacy. They include:

Displacement of the people because of nuclear contamination, and the resulting lack of belonging.

Health concerns that plagued those who survived the testing and continue for another generation.

The reliance on processed food and canned food, which creates concerns for the nutrition of all, especially children.

High incidences of cancer and other illnesses.

Barriers created by the United States government to access the truth about the testing and the results it had on communities and the land.

US funds provided over the years are not enough and do not address the long-term challenges faced by those whose lives are affected by the nuclear testing.

Seventy years is a long time for anything and is an even longer time when waiting for change and justice. The testing in RMI was identified as being: “For the good of mankind and to end all wars,” but it betrayed a cruel disregard for the lives and humanity of people who were deemed expendable and less important than others by the US government. The absence of care and concern 70 years later is a part of the ongoing violation of the human rights of the Marshallese people.

The UCC has an ongoing commitment to continue journeying with our Marshallese siblings in the quest for justice. Our witness for a world where nuclear disarmament is realized must be a priority. We must continue to advocate for the changes we want to see with the Marshallese and other communities where nuclear testing was conducted. This is a part of our commitment as people of faith and followers of Jesus Christ who demanded justice of the oppressors, colonizers, and occupiers of his day.

All participants and members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Photo L/R: Dewayne Cezere, Vice President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Mu Xi Lambda Chapter, Twillea Evans-Carthen (Chair), High School Winners, Isaiah Buffong, Sophia Barrett, Cecil Howell, Middle School Winners; Amando Howell, Lauren Stewart, Jerneigh Manning, and Elementary School Winners; Xavier Buffong, David Eoff, Langston Buffong, Ruth Rembert, President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc Eta Nu Omega Chapter and Richard Martin (Chair).

Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed

Tanu

A Squeaker:” Voters Pass Proposition 1 With Razor-Thin Margin

“This is the biggest change in decades in how California tackles homelessness, and a victory for doing things radically different,” said Newsom, who moved his State of the State address last week, in anticipation of the results.

“Now, counties and local officials must match the ambition of California voters. This historic reform will only succeed if we all kick into action immediately – state government and local leaders, together,” Newsom added.

Opponents of the measure called Newsom’s win on Prop 1 an “embarrassing squeaker that contains a strong warning.”

“Prop. 1 does not just ‘reform’ the mental health system, it reduces funding for mental health services by redirecting $1 billion per year. Prop. 1 could be a humanitarian disaster if it is not well managed,” read a statement from Californians Against Prop. 1.

“Prop. 1 was poorly designed because it relies on $10 billion in debt and stealing money from existing mental health services. The governor's campaign succeeded only by concealing the way this measure is paid for. They barely got away with it,” the statement continued.

New Bill Would Authorize Police Officers to Make Warrantless Arrests

To combat the surge in burglaries and retail thefts in

California, lawmakers have introduced Assembly Bill (AB)

1990. The proposal making its way through the State Legislature would authorize police officers to make arrests without first obtaining a warrant.

“This bill would authorize a peace officer to make a warrantless arrest for a misdemeanor shoplifting offense not committed in the officer’s presence if the officer has probable cause to believe that person has committed shoplifting,” reads the bill language.

Authored by Assemblymembers Wendy Carillo (D-Boyle Heights), Mike Gipson (D-Carson) and Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton), AB 1990 is drawing bipartisan support.

“I am proud to join my colleagues Assembly Members Gipson, Villapudua and Carrillo as a co-author to AB 1990 STOP Act. This bill will support law enforcement’s efforts in

“Our

protecting our communities against retail theft, said Assemblymember Juan Alanis, a Republican who represents a district that stretches from the Bay Area to parts of the San Joaquin Valley.

“Although there is a lot of work to be done, this is an important step to addressing this critical issue. I look forward to continuing the fight against retail theft in the Legislature.,” continued Alanis.

Opponents have begun to speak out against the bill currently under reviewed by the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

“Please say no to AB 1990 #Stop Act,” wrote Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) on Facebook. “Bad for Black and Brown folks. Please share so our community can know what is happening.”

California insurance market ‘in chaos,’ says former insurance chief. Can this chief fix it?... continued from page 7

to use catastrophe modeling and has let them factor in reinsurance costs in their rates — yet its insurance market is in worse shape than California’s.

“Florida has done what insurers are asking for,” Jones said. Yet “Florida’s rates are three or four times the national average.”

Mark Friedlander, spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute, an industry group, confirmed that the group estimates that Florida’s average home insurance premium was $6,000, or three-and-a-half times the national average, in 2023.

In addition, Jones said Florida’s version of California’s last-resort FAIR Plan — called the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. because it’s funded with a surcharge on policyholders — has more than 1 million policies. California’s growing FAIR Plan, run by a pool of insurers, has 373,000 policies, its president told state lawmakers recently.

“That raises the question,” Jones said. “Giving insurers (higher rates) and shifting the burden to all Californians… whether that’s going to be enough in the face of growing background risk associated with climate change.”

“There is no future in which we can price our way out of this crisis with just premiums.”

DAVE WINNACKER, CHIEF OF THE EAST BAY’S MORAGA-ORINDA FIRE DISTRICT

Meanwhile, last week State Farm said that it is not renewing policies for 30,000 California homeowners, as well as refusing to cover all commercial apartments by not renewing 42,000 of those policies.

This is happening despite California approving State Farm’s requests to levy doubledigit premium increases last year.

“One of our roles as the insurance regulator is to hold insurance companies accountable for their words and deeds,” said Soller, the Insurance Department spokesperson. “State Farm General’s decision… raises serious questions about its financial situation — questions the company must answer to regulators.”

State Farm spokesperson

Sevag Sarkissian would not comment beyond the statement the company put on its website last week, which read in part: “This decision was not made lightly and only after careful analysis of State Farm General’s financial health, which continues to be impacted by inflation, catastrophe exposure, reinsurance costs, and the limitations of working within decades-old insurance regulations.”

briefing. “We are at our best when we work together, when we collaborate, when we team up, when we share information.”

Bonta said his office will continue to crack down on organized retail crime.

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief of Detectives Alan Hamilton also celebrated the effective coordination and cooperation among various law enforcement agencies across the state.

Sarkissian also referred CalMatters to the Personal Insurance Federation of California, which counts State Farm as a member. The industry group’s president, Rex Frazier,

said in an email last week that allowing insurers to use catastrophe modeling would help with insurance availability. Yet in its statement, State Farm acknowledged the actions Lara is taking to try to fix the insurance availability and affordability crisis in California, even as it announced its decision not to renew tens of thousands of homeowners.

Joyce Kaufman, a retiree in June Lake in Mono County, recently got a notice of nonrenewal for her homeowners insurance with Farmers, which she said she and her husband were dreading but expecting.

“I’m not really sure what the state’s trying to do, both at the commissioner and legislative level,” Kaufman said. And losing the ability to renew her policy is affecting her other insurance needs, she said. As her broker helps look for an alternative, her auto premium is now going up about $300 a year because it will no longer be bundled with home insurance.

As the new regulations give insurance companies what they had asked for, one part of Lara’s strategy — which he first laid out last year after an executive order by the governor — is conspicuously missing. Lara had said insurance companies would be required “to commit to writing at least 85 percent of their statewide market share in wildfire-distressed underserved areas.”

That provision is nowhere in the text of Lara’s unveiled regulations so far — an omission not lost on consumer groups or former commissioner Jones.

“Where is that 85 percent?” asked Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog. Soller, the Insurance Department’s spokesperson, said that part of the commissioner’s strategy is coming.

Balber also said she is concerned that the catastrophemodeling regulation “appears to not comply with the transparency requirements of Prop. 103,” the voter-approved law that regulates the insurance industry.

According to the text of the regulation on catastrophe modeling, the public will be able to take part in reviewing catastrophe models before they’re deemed acceptable. But anyone who helps review the models will be required to sign a nondisclosure agreement.

“If a big chunk of your insurance rate is behind a ‘black box,’ then that’s not what the voters passed,” when they passed Proposition 103 in 1988, Balber said. “At the end of the day, if the commissioner passes something that hides something behind closed doors, we’ll have to consider challenging it.”

For the record: This story has been revised to identify Rex Frazier as president of the Personal Insurance Federation of California.

the suspects were charged with 27 felony robbery and grand theft charges resulting in more than $309,000 in losses in six different counties: San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, Alameda and Santa Clara.

“Organized retail theft crime is no longer local,” said Hamilton. “A strong economy, and a feeling of safety should not be disrupted in any community by a delinquent few. We will continue to strengthen public safety and build trust with our businesses and consumers alike, through the incredible work of our local and regional partners.”

“I want to thank first and foremost our law enforcement partners” said Bonta at the press

Bonta said stores targeted in the raids included Burberry, Prada, Sunglass Hut, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Michael Kors, Gucci, Coach, Versace, and Maison Margiela.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta recently shared data compiled in the Depart of Justice’s latest crime, juvenile justice, guns, homicide and use of force reports for 2022. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.