Keeping it Real: The Supreme Court Rules on Race and Redistricting or Did It?

by S.E. Williams

Larrea Middle School ready for launch

New school welcoming incoming 7th-graders

Community News

Thursday and in a surprising decision by the conservative court upheld Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Credit: Steven Frame via Shutterstock

The old adage that reminds us even “a broken clock is right twice a day,” recently proved true even for the nation’s currently rightleaning and ultra conservative U.S. Supreme Court.

In a ruling last Thursday that surprised many of the high court’s critics, including myself, by a vote of 5-4, the “justices” ruled in favor of “justice”.

In what has been described as “a major voting rights decision” a majority of justices agreed that Alabama’s new congressional map “likely” violates Section 2 of the seminal 1865 Voting Rights Act.

Now, I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth but when all of Alabama’s Black folks were packed into one of the state’s seven congressional districts it was hard to see how even this court could ruled otherwise–especially when data shows that about 25.9 percent the state’s residents identify as African American or Black.

Resident Population

Distribution of Alabama in 2021, by race and ethnicity*

Sadly, however, I’m equally as sure the court just as easily could have found some archaic justification to rule to the contrary–fortunately in this instance, it did not.

After the court’s ruling last week, the question remaining on the table is how will this ruling impact states like Louisiana where almost a third of the state’s population identifies as African American/Black and yet, there is only one Black congressional

*This graphic shows a slight decrease in the African American/ Black population of Alabama from the 28.6% reflected in the 2020 Census on which the congressional maps were based. (Graphic source: statista.com 2023) district in the state while the remaining five are majoritywhite. Or, in Florida for example where the power of the Black vote has also been diluted and at least one congressional seat lost since 2020.

Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act clearly bars election practices that result in a denial or abridgement of the right to vote based on race and although it is clear the high court ruled correctly last Thursday, it does not absolve it from its blatant and abysmal failure to do the right thing before the November election last year when it blocked a lower court ruling by a threejudge panel that had reached the very same conclusion reached by the Supreme Court on Thursday–that Alabama’s congressional map “likely” violated the Voting Rights Act.

By blocking the lower court’s ruling last year, the Supreme Court intentionally opened the congressional electoral door in favor of Republicans.

As a result, Republicans won six of Alabama’s seven House seats in November and gained control of the U.S. House of Representatives by the slimmest of margins.

“In a democratic society, the purpose of voting is to allow the electors to select their governors. Once a decade, however, that process is inverted, and the governors and their political agents are permitted to select their electors. Through the process of redistricting, not allow a school to be named after someone who passed away less than five years prior (Diaz passed in 2021). The Board and Superintendent Carl Coles said at a recent meeting that they are committed to naming another facility after Diaz in the future.

VICTORVILLE — With a name chosen and a principal in place, Larrea Middle School is set to welcome incoming 7thgraders for its inaugural school year beginning in August.

Joe Williams has been selected as the principal of the Victor Valley Union High School District's newest school. Williams is a longtime VVUHSD employee who previously served in assistant principal roles at Lakeview Leadership Academy, Silverado High and Goodwill High / Victor Valley Virtual Academy.

A mascot will be decided by the 7th-grade students who attend Larrea in the coming school year.

Juneteenth 2023: California Celebrates Black Freedom

Edward Henderson | California Black Media already been free. And then the years that followed were still filled with violence, hatred and bigotry towards us.”

History of Juneteenth

Juneteenth marks the anniversary of June 19th, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were notified by Union soldiers that they were free under the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Even before that national proclamation, Juneteenth had been recognized as a holiday in California.

California Black Media spoke with Ronald Preston Clark, a writer and educator in San Diego. He shared his perspective on the holiday and how, even though he grew up in a family connected to Black culture, he did not really appreciate the full significance of the Juneteenth until he was a student at Hampton University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Virginia.

“I didn't start to look into celebrating it until being surrounded by the excellence at Hampton. As I've gotten older, and further into my teaching career, I have been more intentional with my celebration and understanding of Juneteenth. I am now sure to educate others on its significance,” he said. Clark is not alone in his experience. For many Americans – including some Black Americans -- Juneteenth was not celebrated in their families or taught in schools. It wasn’t until activists and historians led grassroots movements for decades that the holiday became more widely recognized.

While Clark says he is happy to celebrate Juneteenth with his family and to see the holiday gain national recognition, he doesn’t want it to turn into a commercialized event like other cultural holidays.

“We should always remember that the reason for the holiday is that our ancestors were set freetwo years after they should have

Two and a half years earlier, on December 31st, 1862, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes across the country to celebrate what was known as “Freedom’s Eve.”

They were anticipating news that President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation that ended slavery in Confederate States had become official on January 1,1863.

However, not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation took effect in 1863, it could not be implemented in some places in the Deep South still under Confederate control.

As a result, in Texas, the westernmost Confederate state, enslaved people would not be free until approximately 2,000 Union troops led by Major Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston Bay on June 19, 1865. and announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were free by executive decree.

Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation commemorating Juneteenth in California.

“This Juneteenth, I urge all Californians to reflect on the ongoing cause of freedom for Black Americans remembering that, though General Granger’s announcement in 1865 called for “absolute equality,” that vision was, and remains, far from complete.”

Here is a snapshot of some Juneteenth 2023 celebrations taking place around the state: continued on page 4 continued on page 3

The California Black Women’s Collective is joining GirlTrek, a national Black women’s health movement, to celebrate Juneteenth with a walk in solidarity with others across the country.

The organization is encouraging women around the state to organize a local walk in their neighborhoods on June 17, wear blue and amplify their activities online with pin drops, a printable digital poster, and the hashtags #GirlTrek and #WelcomeWalks.

“I’m extremely humbled to be named the first principal of the newest school in our district,” Williams said. “As our community grows, so do the expectations of our district to make sure we produce students who are college bound, career tech ready and are productive members of our society. I can’t wait to get started on our next chapter here at VVUHSD!”

Larrea hosted a well-attended enrollment fair for prospective 7th-graders last week, and enrollment is growing quickly, Williams said. To register a student for Larrea Middle School, visit www.vvuhsd. org/enroll for enrollment information and a link to start the online enrollment process.

Larrea is serving only 7th grade in 2023-24, then the campus will expand to include grades 7-8 in its second year.

A committee composed of district staff, district leadership, community members and students convened earlier this year to choose possible names for the new school, with the VVUHSD Board of Trustees making the final choice. The Board settled on Larrea, which is the name of a genus of plants that includes the creosote bush — a native Mojave Desert plant.

Another possible name put forth by the committee was Felix G. Diaz Middle School, in honor of the longtime local resident, community leader, teacher and Army veteran. Though several board members said they favored naming the school after Diaz, the board bylaws do

Larrea is located at the site of the former Cobalt Middle School in Victorville, across from Silverado High School. The campus was renovated by VVUHSD maintenance crews after being mostly unused since 2013, when Cobalt Middle School was expanded to grades 7-12 and renamed Cobalt Institute of Math & Science, moving to another location.

Larrea Middle School’s grand opening on Aug. 7 will coincide with a reduction in class sizes to 25-to-1 for middle school core classes (English, math, history and science) at all three of the district’s comprehensive middle schools, including Hook Junior High and Lakeview Leadership Academy. All three schools will see less-crowded campuses and smaller classes.

“The heart of education is the connection between a teacher and a student,” Coles said. “Smaller class sizes help that connection to flourish; it’s a win-win for teachers and students. We believe this strategy will raise proficiency in core subjects and improve literacy, which is a key to success for all students.”

The school’s attendance boundaries lie mostly west of Interstate 15 between Bear Valley and Palmdale roads. Larrea will serve students who are currently 6th-graders at Brentwood School of Environmental Studies, Discovery School of the Arts, Galileo School of Gifted and Talented Education, Liberty School of Innovation and Creativity, and Park View Preparatory School of 21st Century Learning. Transfers from other areas are also welcome.

The school will offer bussing, and the planned start time is 8 a.m., Williams said. Visit lms. vvuhsd.org to learn more.

Micah May Named Omnitrans Director of Information Technology

Community News experience, along with his performance optimization skill set, will be invaluable as we seek innovative technology to enhance service,” said CEO/ General Manager Erin Rogers.

“I am looking forward to working with the IT team to strengthen and develop systems that benefit internal and external Omnitrans customers,” said May.

Omnitrans Director of IT Micah May

(San Bernardino, CA)

Omnitrans is pleased to welcome Micah May as the agency’s new Director of Information Technology (IT).

As leader of the IT Department, May will oversee agency network systems infrastructure, cybersecurity, emerging technology, and business continuity while managing the agency IT team.

“Micah’s public sector

Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino receives a $70,000 Nourishing Neighbors grant from Albertsons and Vons Foundation’s Breakfast for Kids Program!... continued non-perishable food for children to eat when the school district is closed for summer vacation.

Prior to Omnitrans, May served as Deputy Court Executive Office – Technology CIO for the Superior Court of California County of San Bernardino and Assistant Deputy Court Executive Officer for the Superior Court of California County of Riverside. May is a graduate of American Intercontinental University, and currently is working toward his Master of Business Administration degree from West Texas A & M University

Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino receives a $70,000 Nourishing Neighbors grant from Albertsons and Vons Foundation’s Breakfast for Kids Program!

(Riverside, Calif – June

8, 2023) – Feeding America

Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) received a $70,000 grant from the Albertsons and Vons Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Program. The grant was provided by the Albertsons Vons Foundation and will be used to provide the summer meals project, which aims to provide breakfast items and other continued in next 2 columns

“We’re excited to partner with Albertsons and Vons to help our community’s children start their days with a nutritious breakfast,” said Carolyn Solar, CEO of FARSB. “Together with the Albertsons and Vons Foundation, we’ll continue to tackle the ongoing food insecurity issues in our community.”

FARSB is the leading hunger relief and food rescue organization serving the Inland Empire region through partnership with over 250 local nonprofits. The food bank operates multiple nutrition programs and works to create a hunger-free reality for children, seniors, veterans and neighbors in need.

“We’re pleased to partner with FARSB to address hunger

SBCUSD Celebrates Successful Completion Of Forklift Training And OSHA Safety Program For Special Education Young Adults...continued

issues in our community,” said Kevin Curry, Southern California Division President. “Nourishing Neighbors, together with partners like FARSB, is making our neighborhoods better for our most vulnerable community members.”

Nourishing Neighbors is a charitable program of the Albertsons and Vons Foundation. The program aims to eradicate hunger in America by keeping food banks stocked and supporting meal distribution programs at schools. In 2022, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the Company contributed more than $200 million in food and financial support, including over $40 million through our Nourishing Neighbors Program to ensure those living in our communities and those impacted by disasters have enough to eat.

SBCUSD Celebrates Successful Completion Of Forklift Training And OSHA Safety Program For Special Education Young Adults

Community /Education News

In a remarkable display of dedication and determination, a group of special education young adults, ages 18 to 23, successfully completed a free vocational training program in forklift operation and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety.

This significant achievement of the students who participated in the Working on Real Careers

Program (WORC) not only highlights the potential of individuals with special needs but also showcases the power of inclusive education and vocational training in creating meaningful opportunities for their future. The San Bernardino City Unified School District offered the training in collaboration with continued in next 2 columns the San Bernardino Community College District Workforce Development and the SBCUSD Bridge to WORC program headed by Special Education teacher Francine Apacible.

Recognizing the importance of inclusive education and vocational training, SBCUSD and the college district came together to support individuals with special needs in acquiring essential skills that give them more opportunities to find skilled work. Through this comprehensive program, these young adults were given an equal chance to develop their talents, gain practical knowledge, and enhance their employability prospects.

The vocational training program centered on two vital areas: forklift operation and OSHA-10 safety regulations. Participants were provided with hands-on training in operating forklifts, which included mastering essential skills such as maneuvering, loading, and unloading. Simultaneously, they learned about OSHA safety guidelines, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of workplace safety practices and protocols, Apacible said.

The WORC program takes a tailored approach, considering the unique needs and abilities of each participant. Trained instructors and educators provided personalized support and guidance, adapting teaching methods to suit the learning styles of individuals with special needs. This inclusive approach fostered a supportive environment that encouraged growth, self-confidence, and skill development among participants.

“The journey towards completing the vocational training program was not without its challenges,” Apacible said. “But the participants’ resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment shone through as they tackled obstacles and honed their skills.”

In fact, 2 participants achieved full certification in all 4 levels of training, 7 students were certified in operating a pallet jack, and 8 students earned the OSHA-10 safety training.

The recent successful completion of the forklift training and OSHA-10 safety program is a milestone worth celebrating, said SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano.

“It represents not only the accomplishments of these exceptional individuals but also the limitless potential and abilities of the special needs community,” said Arellano. “Their achievements stand as a testament to the power of providing inclusive vocational training opportunities that empower individuals with special needs to lead independent and fulfilling lives.”

Equipped with valuable vocational skills, these special education adults are now better prepared to enter the workforce and pursue meaningful employment opportunities. The acquired forklift operation and OSHA safety knowledge position them for various job roles in industries such as warehousing, logistics, and manufacturing. With the right support and inclusive hiring practices, they have the potential to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the workforce. And since the students completed the training through the community college district, they are also eligible for employment services.