SB American News Week Ending 9/27

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California Congressional Black Caucus Launches Statewide Reparations Education Campaign

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Reginald Jones-Sawyer, a member of the reparations task force, illustrated the urgency of the matter with a compelling analogy: “If you were to buy something, and then later on, you find out that it was stolen property, you wouldn’t keep that property. You wouldn’t take advantage of it. Well, the labor of African Americans was stolen for centuries. And now we’re asking for us to restore our dignity, restore what was taken from us. And any legal system would tell you that is the appropriate measure that you should take. And I think any American, once they are educated, would understand why it’s so important to have reparations.”

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

found out

exact

injustice

wrong which will be imposed upon them and these will continue till they have resisted either with words or blows or with both. The

Social Lite, Inc. Charter Member Edna Noble Celebrates 90th Birthday in Style!

Twillea Evans-Carthen Social Lites, Inc. Publicity Committee

in 1956 to help young African American high school students through the Beautillion Program to continue their education beyond high school.

We salute Ms. Noble who was president of the Social Lites, Inc. in the late 60s when she took the lead with the establishment of the first $1,000.00 scholarship to California State University, San Bernardino. This was announced at the Social Lites, Inc. annual Ebony Fashion Show scholarship

A recent poll by the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) revealed that California residents have differing opinions on cash reparations for Black people. In response, the state’s Congressional Black Caucus intends to launch a campaign across the state to educate citizens about the significance of reparations for Black communities affected by slavery. Caucus members said the campaign will push for direct financial compensation for African Americans.

A survey by the Berkeley IGS found that 60% of California voters believe that the legacy of slavery is still impacting the current situation of Black residents in the state. Approximately 20% say they see some effect, and 13% say they see little.

The views compare to 31% who don’t think it has any impact. Further, the opinions of Democrats and liberals diverge considerably from those of Republicans and conservatives. Most Democrats and liberals in the state believe that the legacy of slavery has a significant or at least some impact on the lives of Black residents. In contrast, about two in three Republicans and conservatives take the opposite view and think the legacy has no effect today.

Most California voters (59% to 28%) oppose the state Reparations Task Force’s recommendations to provide cash payments to the descendants of enslaved Black people, according to the poll.

“The findings reveal California voters’ racial, political contradictions,” IGS co-director

Cristina Mora said in a news release. “While many can empathize with the plight of Black Americans, not all these feelings will translate into support for policies that address longstanding racial harms. And though this might be an information issue for some groups, the fact that even liberals are divided indicates that campaigns for racial redress will face a steep uphill climb.”

Reginald Jones-Sawyer, a member of the reparations task force, emphasized that the poll results show a big lack of awareness about California’s long history of slavery and other forms of racism that have caused lasting harm to Black families.

“Polls can be skewed because usually enough information isn’t given to the people so that they don’t have a full understanding of what’s going on,” JonesSawyer told NBC News. “If each individual that they polled had read that 400-page document we did last year, which proved how California was complicit in chattel slavery, and read the 1,100-page document that we printed out this year, which talked about what reparations should be, there’s absolutely no way you would believe that [there] shouldn’t be some type of compensation.”

To bridge this knowledge gap, Jones-Sawyer said the Black Caucus would initiate a fundraising campaign to secure the services of a firm that delivers “clear, concise, and direct messaging” about the report. He emphasized the need to combat efforts to undermine the task force’s findings.

A big challenge is educating the members of the California Assembly. They are expected to sponsor legislation based on a 1,000-page report published in June by the task force. The state Reparations Task Force report addressed many areas and advocated for over 100 statewide policies to rectify generations of discrimination.

The text does not specify the amount of money that will be given to individuals who can prove their ancestry as either enslaved African Americans or free African Americans before 1900.

Jones-Sawyer illustrated the urgency of the matter with a compelling analogy: “If you were to buy something, and then later on, you find out that it was stolen property, you wouldn’t keep that property. You wouldn’t take advantage of it. Well, the labor of African Americans was stolen for centuries. And now we’re asking for us to restore our dignity, restore what was taken from us. And any legal system would tell you that is the appropriate measure that you should take. And I think any American, once they are educated, would understand why it’s so important to have reparations.”

However, the absence of a specified monetary figure remains a point of contention for many within the Black community.

Cathy Adams, president of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of educating the public about the

historical injustices.

“This isn’t about Black people looking for a check, a handout,” Adams told NBC. “This is bigger than that. The harms of slavery are real. We are dealing with a number of disparities and inequities in the Black community that stem from what was denied or taken from us, our ancestors.” Denise Branch, an antiracism educator and racial equity consultant, interpreted the poll results as indicative of lingering attitudes towards Black Americans. Branch argued that the lasting financial ramifications of slavery on Black communities cannot be dismissed.

The California Black Caucus is working with the Legislature on recommendations for reparations for Black Californians. They will involve the public in gathering insights and ideas to influence decision-makers. They plan to present their recommendations to Gov. Gavin Newsom in early 2024.

“Some of the best ideas we ever got did not come from elected officials, did not come from academics, did not come from a bureaucrat,” JonesSawyer affirmed. “They came from real people. And that’s going to be the thing that will get us over when we start talking to our fellow legislators about why this is so important and why they need to vote yes on it. We’re not going to get them all. But we don’t need them all. We just need the majority in the assembly. And I think we have a good clear path to that.”

Current and past members of Social Lites, Inc. along with over 100 family and friends were on sight on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at Jassan Banquiet Hall in San Bernardino to pay tribute to longtime resident of San Bernardino and honorary member, Ms. Edna Noble, at her 90th birthday celebration. Ms. Noble was among the charter members of this organization

fundraiser.

Ms. Noble is a member of Temple Missionary Baptist Church who received recognition from City Council Member, Kimberly Calvin, Sixth Ward on behalf of Mayor Helen Tran along with a plaque from Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes of the California State Assembly presented to her from representative Prince Ogidikpe.

Black youths suffer the most from gun violence in America

by Hazel Trice Edney

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading cause of death among America’s Black children and young adults ages 1-44 is homicide by firearms.

(Photo by Jose Alonso on Unsplash)

(TRICE EDNEY

NEWSWIRE) – Sierra Jenkins, a former news assistant for CNN and reporter with the Virginian Pilot newspaper, was headed for the peak of her career. Her colleagues praised her for her journalistic acumen and her respect for reporting excellence. But when her editor called her to assign her to cover a shooting in downtown Norfolk, Va., on March 19 last year, he could get no answer━way out of character for this young journalist, known for her professionalism and accountability. But, there would be a reason for her non-response that would shock the world.

The 25-year-old was one of the victims of the very shooting that her editor sought her to cover.

As her phone rang, she lay dead outside a popular pizza

restaurant, felled by a bullet shot during an argument over a spilled drink. She was not involved in the dispute and the bullet was never intended for her. Nor was it intended for 25-year-old former high school honor student and football linebacker Devon Harris, also killed in the gunfire that night. The news devastated the community, their co-workers, family and friends.

Fifteen months later, on June 6 this year, and only about 90 miles away from that popular pizza place, 18-year-old Shawn Jackson was also a promising young African American taken too soon. Having just graduated from Huguenot High School 30 minutes earlier, he lay dead outside Richmond’s Altria Theatre alongside his stepfather, Renzo Smith, a U.S. Army veteran. Both were killed by bullets from a gun wielded by a 19-year-old man who targeted the two men, according to police.

Whether the shootings were unintended or criminally intended for their victims, across the nation ─ coast to coast ─ Black people are disproportionately dying, being wounded by or mentally suffering from gun violence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading cause of death among America’s Black children and young adults ages 1-44 is homicide by firearms.

From left to right: Lucindy Lawrence Jurdon, Age 79; Nathan Beauchamp, Age about 92; and Tempie Herndon Durham, Age 103. Photos from “Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936 to 1938 (603),” Photo: Library of Congress.

Ms. Edna Noble

In Publishing, Diversity Depends Not Only on Who’s Portrayed But How

By Selen Ozturk

To change unequal representation for people of color is to change not only how many are portrayed, but also how they’re portrayed, a new study of racial representation in U.S. school books by The Education Trust finds.

very much hidden on the page.”

118 of the books had groups of color (39%), with less than a third of these (31%) doing so with complexity “by avoiding stereotypes, immersing people in culture, and portraying groups of color positively and as equally valuable to other groups,” per the study. Over half did not (54%).

Biden- ━ Harris Administration Secures Voluntary Commitments from More Artificial Intelligence Companies to Manage the Risks Posed by AI...continued and unreleased model weights.

A new study of racial representation in U.S. school books by The Education Trust holds that numbers alone don’t cut it: To change unequal representation for people of color is to change not only how many are portrayed, but also how they’re portrayed.

It’s a uniquely qualitative approach. Racial diversity in books may and should increase over time, but if characters of color are represented simplistically, stereotypically, or negatively, these books disservice U.S. grade students, over half of which are now nonwhite.

Representation gaps

The study, published on Thursday, September 14 and written by Drs. Tanji Reed Marshall and William Rodick, reports numbers to support this disservice: Among 300 U.S. grade school books — randomly chosen, evenly across grade levels, from publishers commonly used in English language arts curricula like Scholastic and Penguin Random House — nearly half of the people of color are portrayed negatively.

This portrayal takes many forms: Individually, people of color are often portrayed as “onedimensional” or without agency, per the study; groups or cultures of color are often portrayed with associated stereotypes or as lesser than others; and historical or social topics are “almost always sanitized, told through a singular perspective.”

“There has always been representation in curricula — and that representation is predominantly white,” said Dr. Marshall. Those wanting to fill representation gaps, “must also push for including books with characters of color who

are fully realized and positively represented.”

This imbalance extends to the creators of the books themselves: 232 of the 300 books had at least one white author or illustrator (77.3%), 6.8 times more than the next-highest category: Black creators, who were involved with 34 books (11.3%).

Determining complex representation

The study divides the criteria it uses to determine complex, partial, or limited representation between three categories: historically marginalized individuals, groups or cultures, and historical or social topics.

On the level of individuals, questions are suggested of their multidimensionality, agency, and (positive or negative) influence; those of groups or cultures include stereotypes, positive assets, and value in relation to other groups; those of historical and social topics include sanitization or oversimplification, inclusion of historically marginalized perspectives, and relation of the topic to students’ experiences. 280 of the 300 books had central characters, essential to the story or information. Of these, 124 had people of color (44%). Only 53% of these people were portrayed with complexity, however, while another 44% had limited representation.

Dr. Rodick said “At first, we were pleasantly surprised that half of the characters of color were represented with complexity. And then we were surprised that we were surprised, because that’’s such a low bar. We want far more than just half. We were also surprised at how rare overlaps of identity were, including varying family structures, genders, disabilities, relationships with the carceral system — those stories were still

73 out of the 300 books in the EdTrust study feature at least one person who is white. (Source: EdTrust)

On the sociohistorical front, 137 books involved historical or social topics (46%), and few did so with complexity (16%) “by avoiding sanitization, including a marginalized perspective, and connecting the topic to student realities.” The vast majority did not (80%).

“Like the rise in bans of books which may expose students to diverse representation, imbalances in this representation is not new,” Rodick said.

PEN America reports 1,477 individual U.S. book bans during the first half of the 2022-2023 school year — 28% more than the prior six months. 40% of books banned from July 2021 to June 2022 had protagonists or prominent secondary characters of color; 21% had titles indicating race issues.

Examples of such banned books include “I Am Rosa Parks,” “I Am Martin Luther King, Jr.,” “The Bluest Eye” and “The Hill We Climb.”

Although greater representation is an uphill battle on the legislative front, some states like Illinois — which, in June 2023, became the first to pass a ban on book bans — and California, which passed a similar bill in September — are making historic progress.

“As we work toward more freedom in this nationwide,” said Rodick, “We’ll be using our report as a basis to work closely with publishers, teachers and curriculum advocates to make guides for reviewing what kids are reading, understanding the limits of how people, groups, and topics are portrayed in these books, and deciding how to present these books for the fullest understanding of what’s being portrayed.”

Balancing limited

representation

“An increase of Black characters in children’s books is great,” said Rodick, “but we want to push beyond the count — not just whether they’re portrayed, but how often they’re portrayed in negative ways.”

“We don’t want anyone to remove or censor any books on the basis of their representation, or deem them bad or good; many which are limited are of indispensable value,” he continued. “We want to recognize the value of these limited books by adding more perspectives to them, to engage students with them more deeply.

If a book presents a topic in a very problematic way, it’s not about whether the reader should approach it, but how they can approach it best.”

One of the books examined, for instance, is the autobiography “Ruby Bridges Goes to School.” In it, Bridges frames racial segregation as a personal issue, whereby certain white people think they should not befriend Black people.

Per the study, a more complex view of an adjacent topic is presented in the picture book “Nasreen’s Secret School,” set in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. In the story, the eponymous girl’s parents disappear and the regime forbids her to attend school and leave the house without a male chaperone or burqa. In defiance, Nasreen’s grandmother enrolls her in a secret school, where the girl takes solace in an outlawed world of art and literature at the encouragement of her teacher.

That Ruby Bridges’ personal perspective conveys a more limited representation of educational segregation than Nasreen’s does not mean that it isn’t an invaluable way to learn about it, Rodick emphasized. It does mean, however, that readers would learn more about it if the book were taught with others which present segregation in its social, economic, or legal dimensions, beyond this personal limitation.

In short, representation doesn’t stop at a mirror.

“We engage students not only when they can see themselves come to life on the page, but when they can see others come to life on the page, when they can step into others’ worlds through their experiences,” said Rodick. “A whole understanding of the people who have these experiences, however, you can’t get that through a single story — by anyone.”

Biden-━Harris Administration Secures Voluntary Commitments from More Artificial Intelligence Companies to Manage the Risks Posed by AI

Newswire Senior National Correspondent

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA

senior administration officials scheduled a meeting with industry leaders at the White House on Tuesday, Sept. 12, to announce that eight companies— Adobe, Cohere, IBM, Nvidia, Palantir, Salesforce, Scale AI, and Stability—have pledged to help develop AI technology safely, securely, and with trustworthiness.

“The most important aspect of an AI system is its model weights, which organizations agree must be released only when necessary and security threats are assessed,” administration officials wrote in a release.

“The businesses [must] promise to help third parties find and report AI system problems. After an AI system is released, a robust reporting process can find and fix any remaining faults.”

Further, the firms will create watermarking systems to alert viewers to AI-generated content.

“This boosts AI creativity and production while reducing fraud and dishonesty,” administration officials declared. They said corporations would disclose their AI systems’ capabilities, limitations, and suitable and inappropriate use.

According to the White House, this would address security and societal threats like fairness and bias.

Additionally, the corporations would prioritize AI system social hazards research, including avoiding negative bias and discrimination and preserving privacy. The history of AI indicates the potential size and prevalence of these threats, and organizations commit to implementing AI that mitigates them, officials stated.

The firms also promise to create and implement robust AI systems to solve society’s biggest problems. Administration officials asserted that, if managed well, AI can improve prosperity, equality, and security through preventing cancer, mitigating climate change, and more.

“Today’s announcement is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to securely and responsibly develop AI, defend Americans’ rights and safety, and prevent harm and prejudice,” officials declared.

Black youths suffer the most from gun violence in America...continued from page 1

Amidst this crisis, sociologists, Black mental health experts and medical workers say one thing is certain: The travesty has taken its toll on Black mental health ─ largely through fear, stress and grief ─ while the gun industry is reaping billions of dollars.

“The volumes of guns are now so high that many people just use a gun to solve conflict when even that person might have tried something different in the past,” says psychiatrist Rahn Kennedy Bailey, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Louisiana State University in New Orleans. “Our streets have been flooded with guns, a lot of guns. Where people have always had conflicts and had to resolve it in different ways, now they might grab you and shoot you…. The sheer volume of guns is so high, a lot more violence happens.”

According to a report by the Center for American Progress, between 1986 and 2008, an average of 3.8 million firearms were manufactured in the United States. The report titled, “The Gun Industry in America: The Overlooked Player in a National Crisis,” then illustrates the rapid annual growth of gun proliferation. The 3.8 million between 1986 and 2008 “doubled to an annual average of 8.4 million firearms per year from 2009 to 2018,” the most accurate recent count by the ATF.

million Americans have died in gun-related incidents. By comparison, approximately 1.2 million service members have been killed in every war in U.S. history,” according to estimates from the Department of Veterans Affairs and iCasualties.org.

Everytown.org, a gun violence prevention organization, reports that Black people “experience 12 times the gun homicides, 18 times the gun assault injuries, and nearly 3 times the fatal shootings by police of White Americans.” But, the disparate impact on the Black community is not new. It has been long known by experts that African Americans ─ just as in the cases of most other tragic social statistics ─ bear the brunt of the pain of gun violence physically, mentally and emotionally; gun violence even dramatically affects educational outcomes such as test scores, experts said.

A study, led 20 years ago by Hampton University endowed professor Zina T. Mcgee, concluded: “Studies based on children raised in communities in which violence occurs have shown that direct encounters with violence (either as a victim or witness) increase the likelihood of experiencing anxieties, depression, social withdrawal, and difficulties in concentrating.”

President Biden and Vice President Harris announced they have taken decisive action to limit Artificial Intelligence (AI) risks and maximize advantages. The White House said it is working on regulations for AI and partnering with top AI companies to improve

responsible AI development.

For example, in July, the BidenHarris Administration received voluntary commitments from seven prominent AI businesses to enhance stable, trustworthy AI.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, and

The Biden-Harris Administration said its holistic approach to AI’s promises and risks includes several commitments that bridge government action. The Administration said it would develop an Executive Order and pursue bipartisan legislation to promote responsible AI development in America.

The firms’ immediate promises emphasize three fundamental AI principles—safety, security, and trust—and are a crucial

step toward responsible AI. As innovation accelerates, the Biden-Harris Administration has pledged to act decisively to defend Americans’ rights and safety.

Among the pledges made by top AI startups include:

Ensuring product safety before it is publicly released.

Building security-first systems.

Earning the public’s trust.

Even as innovation accelerates, the Biden-Harris Administration will act decisively to defend Americans’ rights and safety. The White House noted that independent specialists would conduct tests against biosecurity, cybersecurity, and the societal impacts of AI.

AI corporations would invest in cybersecurity and insider threat protection for proprietary

In the year 2022 alone 4.2 million people in America became new gun owners, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearm industry’s trade association. In a report , the NSSF estimates “in 2022 the firearm and ammunition industry was responsible for as much as $80.73 billion in total economic activity” in America. This does not count the thousands of socalled “ghost guns,” weapons not traceable because they are purchased secretly online or even made at home.

The compilations of resulting deaths have come from multiple directions. An NBC News analysis of data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, “More Americans have died from gunshots in the last 50 years” than in all of the wars in American history. “Since 1968, more than 1.5

Based on information collected from African-American youth “residing in areas plagued with violence and crime,” Mcgee’s 2003 study states, “With regard to social class, research indicates that low socio-economic status serves as one of the many environmental factors that can contribute to the use of violence to resolve conflicts.”

Despite credible conclusions that most gun-related homicides occur in low-income Black communities, it is clear that without the proliferation of guns the shootings would not be possible.

Dr. Valda Crowder, director of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Harrisburg, Pa., witnesses the carnage up close on a regular basis. And it’s gotten so bad that while treating victims, she and other medical professionals must also protect themselves.

(Photo by Suad Kamardeen, via Unsplash)

The White House said it is working on regulations for AI and partnering with top AI companies to improve responsible AI development. Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA.

Batteries and Black workers: The stakes of the UAW strike

By Willy Blackmore

Black youths suffer the most from gun violence in America...continued from page 2

jump-start domestic production.

“With battery jobs set to grow as all these new factories come online, the question is if they will be good-paying union jobs for the many non-White workers who are likely to be hired there…”

In June, Biden’s Energy Department gave $9.2 billion to help fund three plants jointly owned by Ford and the South Korean battery maker SK that will be built in Kentucky and Tennessee. Because such factories are only partly owned by an automaker, they aren’t included under the UAW’s contract.

Shawn Fain, the newly elected UAW president, was furious about the loans, saying they were made with “no consideration for wages, working conditions, union rights or retirement security.”

“Many emergency departments now have armed guards because there have been threats against emergency medicine physicians, nurses and hospitals. There have been actual shootings where emergency medical physicians were killed,” Crowder said in an interview. “So many now have armed guards as a result of the increased threats. Many also have machines that you have to go through just like the airport and metal detectors. Patients are sometimes wanded. Those things used to never occur 20 or 25 years ago. I think people should realize that any person or entity that anyone could get mad at is a potential victim.”

Crowder is among those struggling to end the carnage. Among a list of unique initiatives to end gun violence include the following:

“the only thing that assault weapons are good for is killing many people quickly.” He said there is also a need for sizable gun magazine limitations. There are actually limitations on the size of a gun magazine to protect ducks but no limits on the size of gun magazines to protect people, he said.

(WordinBlack) – For the first time ever, the United Auto Workers is striking against all of the Big Three automakers: Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, which manufactures Chrysler, Dodge and Ram, among other brands. The strike is unlike others in the past for a number of other reasons too.

Rather than shutting down all union shops, the UAW’s so-called standup strike (a nod to the historic sit-down strikes in Flint, Mich., that gave birth to the union) will close plants on a rolling basis. On Sept. 15, thousands of workers walked off the job at three plants, one from each of the Big Three.

“This is a strike aimed to ensure that the auto industry of the future is not only green, but union too.”

The stakes are different too because in addition to the usual contract issues like pay and benefits, the union is pushing to get workers at electric-vehicle battery factories – which tend to be joint ventures between automakers and battery

manufacturers – included in the UAW’s master contract. This is a strike aimed to ensure that the auto industry of the future is not only green, but union too.

While UAW doesn’t keep demographic info, Black workers are the most likely to be represented by a union, and it’s estimated that the majority of U.S. factory jobs will be held by minorities as early as 2029.

Meanwhile, electric vehicle sales broke a record in the first quarter of 2023, accounting for over 7 percent of the total number of cars sold for the first time ever, and that’s only expected to rise in the years to come. In a report, Bank of America said that internal combustion engine dominance is over.

But the shift, driven in part by the generous tax credits offered through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), represents something of an existential crisis to autoworkers:

EVs have about 30 percent fewer parts than traditional cars and trucks, and some 35,000 jobs at engine and transmission plants

could be lost because electric cars simply do not need those components. But rather than resist the inevitable shift to electric vehicles, the union is instead looking to the new battery factories that are being built both in the Midwest — a UAW stronghold — and the far less union-friendly South as organizing opportunities.

The IRA includes the stipulation that, in 2024, 60 percent of battery components must be made in North America for a car to qualify for tax credits; come 2029, that will rise to 100 percent. That requirement has sparked a surge of onshoring in battery manufacturing: in 2019, there were just two EV battery plants in the U.S., while today, there are 30 in some stage of planning, construction or operation. Not only are the automakers set to benefit from the tax credits available to consumers, but they are also receiving huge amounts in lowcost government loans to help

The loans have hurt President Biden’s relationship with the union; UAW is currently withholding its endorsement for his reelection over the administration’s EV policies.

In another battery factory in Ohio that is jointly owned by General Motors, wages start at $16.50 and rise to $20 over seven years; at a nearby GM plant that was shuttered in 2019, UAW workers earned upward of $32 an hour. Currently, UAW represents one Ohio battery factory, which voted overwhelmingly to join the union.

With battery jobs set to grow as all these new factories come online, the question is if they will be good-paying union jobs for the many non-White workers who are likely to be hired there, or if they will be low-paying ones. With this strike, UAW is making a strong case for the answer that it wants to see.

Willy Blackmore is a freelance writer and editor covering food, culture, and the environment. He lives in Brooklyn.

This article was originally published by WordinBlack.

Allen Media Group and the AP to host discussion on race and democracy

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

influential scholar, activist, and award-winning media personality, Hill is a professor at Temple University and hosts “The Grio News with Marc Lamont Hill” on theGrio Television Network.

• Moderator Noreen Nasir: Nasir is a national video journalist on the AP’s race and ethnicity team, known for her comprehensive reporting on racial disparities and injustice in the U.S. Her coverage ranges from racial justice protests to the impact of pandemic restrictions on rehabilitation programs in prison.

Byron Allen, founder of Allen Media Group

The event will be broadcast on theGrio and AP’s television, audio, and digital platforms, offering an opportunity for a diverse audience to engage in crucial conversations surrounding race, democracy, and social justice in the United States.

(NNPA NEWSWIRE) – Allen Media Group’s multimedia platform, theGrio in collaboration with The Associated Press is set to present what organizers called a thought-provoking panel discussion titled, “Race and Democracy: The Facts and the Fury.” The event will be broadcast on theGrio and the AP’s television, radio and digital platforms, offering an opportunity for a diverse audience to engage in crucial conversations surrounding race, democracy and social justice in the United States. The panel, scheduled to air on Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. ET, will be

hosted by Aaron Morrison, the AP’s race and ethnicity editor, alongside a lineup of experts. The panelists include:

• Aaron Morrison: A distinguished multimedia journalist and the AP’s race and ethnicity news editor, Morrison has a track record of in-depth reporting on civil rights, politics and grassroots social movements, including the Black Lives Matter movement.

• Ayanna Alexander: As a member of the AP’s democracy team, Alexander focuses on race and voting. Notably, she provided

extensive coverage of the trial of former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin, a case that led to his conviction for the murder of George Floyd.

• Christina Greer: A respected political scientist, author and commentator, Greer is known for her insights into American politics and race relations. She hosts “The Blackest Questions” on theGrio Black Podcast Network and holds a position as public scholar at The City College of New York.

• Marc Lamont Hill: An

Crowder recalls how the historic photo of the mutilated body of Emmett Till, published in JET magazine, stunned the world and has been credited with sparking the modern day civil rights movement. Crowder believes that same kind of stunning moment could work again by placing on display bodies that have been mutilated by gun violence. “In 1955, the open-casket funeral of Emmett Till drew international attention to the savagery of Jim Crow segregation, spurring a national civil rights movement,” Crowder wrote in an op-ed early this year.

“Now almost 68 years later, we must ‘do something’ to stop the gun violence. Opening the casket of someone who was shot by an assault rifle in a mass shooting may be the shock the nation needs. It may be the photograph that launches a bigger, broader movement overwhelming the clout of gun manufacturers and other entrenched influences.”

U. S. Rep. Bobby Scott, who held a Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable in 2019 following an incident in which 13 people were killed in a mass shooting, listed a string of Virginia killings and gun injuries near the area where Sierra Jenkins and Devon Harris were killed. “We have evidence available to show that effective policies can reduce these shootings,” Scott says. “When they are implemented, background checks work. Every day, background checks stop nearly 250 dangerous individuals from being handed a firearm. However, these same people can go to a gun show and purchase a firearm without any background check.

“Virginia laws are among the worst in the country,” he added, describing the commonwealth as the “gun-running capital of the world.”

Scott says an assault weapons ban must be instituted because

After a rash of mass shootings, including the racist killings of 10 people at a Buffalo, N.Y. grocery store by a 19-year-old White man, the U. S. House and Senate finally passed a historic bipartisan gun bill that was signed into law by President Joe Biden on July 11 last year. The first significant gun legislation in more than 30 years, it includes enhanced restrictions on gun ownership by people convicted of certain violent crimes, including domestic abuse. But, it still fails to include restrictions on large bullet magazines. In fact, a similar racist killing of three Black people in Jacksonville, Fla., on Aug. 26 was by a 21-year-old White man, who reportedly bought the AR-15style rifle legally. Biden said he didn’t get all that he wanted in the new law, but he vowed to keep trying.

Still, good old-fashioned home training that instills non-violent morals and values is the best way to deter violence, says Bailey.

“The respect for life, how your parents raised you matter.

If you believe human beings are valuable you wouldn’t shoot someone at all, let alone shoot them for a non-violent offense,” Bailey said. “But in many shootings now that are not selfdefense or life or death, people are said to have a beef over something that’s non-violent and the person escalates it to violence by grabbing a gun and shooting someone.”

Parents, teachers and school officials could be in on this training in conflict resolution, Bailey says.

“Children are on the playground bumping into each other all the time. How teachers and counselors handle it goes a long way in teaching a little kid that it’s normative to jump around and bump into each other. But it’s not normative to bump into each other and knock them down and not try to help them or try to offer them assistance. Those are the kinds of things that start the process. The other thing is you can also do role play of arguments so that young people can recognize what you should and should not say in the middle of a really big argument. Young men are often 18, 19, 20 years old so they can drive and move around. They just may not know how to handle conflict. We should be very involved in this process.”

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In a news release, TheGrio noted that the discussion would delve into pressing issues, such as efforts to restrict race-related education, targeted racial violence and threats to democracy.

Organizers said the collaboration between theGrio and the AP showcases a commitment to fostering informed conversations on critical topics affecting the nation.

“Race and Democracy: The Facts and the Fury” will premiere on “TheGrio News with Marc Lamont Hill” on theGrio Television Network at 7 p.m. ET on Oct. 4, with a simultaneous broadcast on theGrio television and streaming platforms. The discussion will also be accessible to AP customers via APNews. com at 7:30 p.m. ET.

For more information, visit www.thegrio.com and www. apnews.com.

Members of #UAW Local 551 in Chicago. (Credit: UAW International Union/Instagram

(Courtesy Photo)

Thousands of Californians are losing Medi-Cal every month What to do if you lose coverage

BY SHREYA AGRAWAL

Thousands of Californians are losing Medi-Cal every month. What to do if you lose coverage... continued

about disenrollment, you can request a Fair Hearing and appeal the loss of coverage. This will ensure that your benefits continue until the hearing is resolved.

“Many people take the letter verbatim and they don’t read it and they don’t appeal,” she said.

According to the state Department of Health Care Services, adults under the age of 26 or over age 50 can qualify for Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status. Medi-Cal does not share information with the immigration office, so undocumented Californians should not be afraid to seek help. Starting Jan. 1. Californians of all ages will be able to qualify for Medi-Cal irrespective of immigration status.

I got disenrolled because I no longer qualify. How can I get health insurance?

Tens of thousands of Californians are losing health insurance every month as the state resumes checking people’s eligibility for Medi-Cal, which it suspended during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

About 16 million people in California will be evaluated for eligibility from June 2023 to May 2024. About half of those up for a review were automatically renewed because officials were able to verify their information in the system. Others were sent yellow renewal packets that they were supposed to fill out and send back to their county Medi-Cal office.

More than 300,000 Californians have lost their Medi-Cal eligibility since July 1. The majority of lost coverage in June and July due to procedural reasons, such as not sending their renewal forms back or having incorrect information in their forms, according to state data.

Some people losing coverage are no longer eligible because of changes in their personal lives, such as starting a job with higher pay. But some might see their coverage lapse because of paperwork mistakes or simply missing a notice in the mail.

“It’s because it’s been such a long period where folks have not had to renew their health

coverage,” said Cary Sanders, senior policy director at the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network. “There could be up to 2 to 3 million Californians who could lose their health coverage just by virtue of this change, because there would be people who wouldn’t know what to do.”

Here are some answers to questions about what you can do if you lose coverage, including how to appeal.

How do I know if I got disenrolled from Medi-Cal?

You will get notified through mail. If you didn’t receive a notification but still believe you might have lost coverage, you can call your local MediCal office to check eligibility or go to your regular clinic or hospital where they can look this information up for you.

For any questions about MediCal eligibility, you can contact the state Department of Health Care Services, which manages the Medi-Cal program. Its MediCal Eligibility Division can be contacted at (916) 552-9200.

I qualify for Medi-Cal but still got disenrolled. What should I do?

Your next step depends on how much time has lapsed since you

lost your coverage, as stated on the official notification letter.

The state has instituted a 90day appeal period in case you lost coverage even though you qualify.

If you are within the 90-day period, you should immediately fill out the yellow renewal packet, or supply any missing information, and send it to your county Medi-Cal office. If you lost the packet or sent the packet but still got disenrolled, call your local Medi-Cal office or go to your regular clinic or hospital to figure out the next steps.

If you are unable to send your information to your local MediCal office due to accessibility issues and are running out of time, ask the office staff to accept your documents electronically or through the phone.

If you are past the 90-day period, you will be required to reapply for Medi-Cal benefits. This means starting a new application entirely.

How can I appeal?

Tatiana Fassieux, training and education specialist at Medicare advocacy nonprofit California Health Advocates, said people should remember that they have appeal rights.

If you received a notification

If you no longer qualify for Medi-Cal, you may still be able to get low-cost health insurance through Covered California, which is the state’s marketplace for health insurance plans.

Those who earn up to 250% of the federal poverty level ––or $33,975 for an individual or $69,375 for a family of four –– would qualify for lowpremium plans through Covered California. You may also be eligible for additional health insurance subsidies through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including the Advance Premium Tax Credit and Cost-Sharing Reduction plans.

If you are over the age of 65 or have disabilities, you may also qualify for Medicare, which can help pay for hospital costs, medical care and even prescription medication.

How can I make sure I don’t get disenrolled in the future?

Keep an eye out for any mail sent to you from your county Medi-Cal office. If you recently moved, make sure to update your address on the Medi-Cal website or by calling your local office. You will be expected to renew

Thousands of Californians are losing Medi-Cal every month. What to do if you

lose coverage

By Ashley Williams, Press Secretary for the California Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications

I’ve always loved summertime, but this year feels different for me now that I’m expecting during a year when California is experiencing record-hot temperatures.

As a Black woman and soonto-be mom navigating her first pregnancy, extreme heat has taken on new meaning. I've come to understand that I’m at greater risk during extreme heat events.

And now, beyond the normal preparations for my first child, my days are filled with thoughts about how I can best protect my growing family.

Staying healthy while expecting is no joke, especially as a Black woman. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than our white counterparts. Sometimes

we forget that pregnant people are more vulnerable to the impacts of extreme heat because carrying children disrupts the body’s ability to regulate sudden changes in temperature. Knowing how to navigate extreme heat when rocking a baby bump isn’t something to be played with.

This is definitely true for me. Once I feel overheated, I’ve discovered that it takes me much longer to cool back down. However, I have found ways to manage these changes by developing a plan to ensure my well-being.

I started by switching things up to fit the evolving needs of my growing child. Now I keep an extra vigilant eye on weather forecasts and heat advisories. When I’m out and about, you can find me in the shade and in loose, lightweight clothing. My walks happen during the cooler hours of the day,

usually in the mornings, or I exercise in environments with air conditioning or that prioritize comfort and safety such as at home in my living room. My spouse and I made sure to learn the signs of heat exhaustion, which include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and headaches. It helps to have someone else nearby who is aware and can help spot the signs of heat illness. Lastly, I always have a bottle of water by my side to stay hydrated and a damp towel for a quick cooldown to help prevent heat illness symptoms.

As I look forward to welcoming my child into the world and embracing motherhood, I’ve also taken proactive steps to better understand the impacts of extreme heat on young children, particularly those ages 0-4 years old. After becoming pregnant, I learned that infants and children don’t sweat like adults do, reducing their ability to cool down on their own. And since infants can’t tell us why they’re uncomfortable, it’ll be my responsibility to watch for any signs of heat illness. Signs to look for in young children include less urine, no tears when crying, dry or sticky mouth, crankiness, and fatigue.

I also understand the need to be hyper-vigilant about car safety. Once I learned that temperatures

and update your Medi-Cal coverage every year, so keep all your important information in an accessible place.

“You should have your documents like tax returns and health records handy,” Fassieux said.

You can sign up for renewal reminders through the state’s renewal website: keepmedicalcoverage.org. That resource also is available from the state in Spanish.

Are there any other resources I can use for help?

The state’s Department of Health Care Services has several resources to help, including contact information for your local Medi-Cal office, schedules of community events and health fairs where you can get information in person, and guides on what to do if you lost Medi-Cal coverage.

For assistance with MediCal re-enrollment, you also can call the Office of the Medi-Cal Ombudsman. The office is a neutral resource that can help you deal with any issues you may have with the program. You can contact the Office of the Ombudsman at (888) 452-8609.

There are also several thirdparty services that can help you get back on Medi-Cal.

Health Consumer Alliance is a free assistance program funded by The California Endowment, Covered California, the state Department of Managed Health Care, and the Blue Shield Foundation. It provides legal services and can help you renew your Medi-Cal coverage. To get in touch, you can read their guide on renewing Medi-Cal or call their toll-free number, 888-804-3536.

You can contact BenefitsCal which also provides assistance with Medi-Cal. The website has translations in 20 languages.

Will seniors and other vulnerable populations get special assistance?

According to health policy organization Justice in Aging, seniors and those with disabilities have experienced higher rates of disenrollment from MediCal. Seniors, pregnant women, and certain children under 21 experienced a disenrollment rate of 26.7% in June 2023, compared to the overall average rate of 21%, according to the Department of Health Care Services.

Tiffany Huyenh-Cho, a health attorney at Justice in Aging, said seniors and people with disabilities are dual-eligible, which means they qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal.

“Dual-eligibles are a very diverse group with really high chronic needs, and they are more likely to be a person of color,” she said. “Their health disparities and chronic conditions are exacerbated by the loss of Medicaid.”

Often seniors and other dual-eligibles use their MediCal benefits to cover their Medicare premiums as well as any wraparound services not included in Medicare. The loss of Medi-Cal means they may lose these additional benefits and face the deduction of Medicare premiums from their Social Security checks, said HuyenhCho.

“That puts people at risk of not being able to pay for rent and other needs, like clothing, food and utilities,” she said. “One of the big concerns that we have is it puts people at risk of economic insecurity and potentially at risk of homelessness because of that loss of income.”

Those who require additional assistance can reach out to statesupported enrollment navigators, which are community-based organizations and social service agencies that help vulnerable populations through the process.

The Department of Health Care Services has also released a social media toolkit to spread awareness about redeterminations, so people can renew their coverage before they get disenrolled. This kit is available in 19 languages.

Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter And Former Congressman Kendrick Meek Champion Natural Gas As A First Step To Equitably Fight Climate Change

in a parked car can rise almost 20 degrees in minutes, I decided that there’s absolutely no way I will ever leave my child in the car unattended, even for a quick stop with the window cracked open. The risk is simply not worth it.

I recognize that as my child grows, I’ll need to continue being an observant and engaged parent, but that this journey won’t be taken alone. It requires a village and will involve the child’s future doctors, teachers, and coaches. By understanding all the strategies for handling extreme heat and integrating them into my child's daily experiences along with my own, I can help ensure a balanced and safe environment.

The reality is that extreme heat is becoming more common, so everyone must understand how to assess their risk for heat-related illnesses and take the proper precautions to keep themselves and their families safer from extreme heat. As my personal journey has shown, expectant mothers and families with young children must be on top of it. I strongly encourage everyone to visit HeatReadyCA.com to create a personalized extreme heat plan that fits their unique needs to create a safer environment for ourselves and our vulnerable loved ones.

Together, we can build a heatresilient, healthy community.

in a growing number of leaders to put their signature on natural gas as a solution to combating climate change. Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future today announced the two are joining the Natural Allies Leadership Council. Mayor Nutter and Rep. Meek will serve alongside former Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and former Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) to advance the vital partnership between natural gas and renewable energy to reach our collective climate goals. Underlying this decision is a commitment to accessibility and equity for Black and Brown Americans and the need to address the problem as an energy justice issue.

Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future (PRNewsfoto/ Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future)

The impacts of climate change continue to disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities nationwide. At the same time, energy costs

are unaffordable for many low-income families across the country, with one in six U.S. households experiencing overdue power bills. Nearly half of these households report some level of energy insecurity. Disadvantaged households feel a greater impact from the rising costs of energy. A partnership between natural gas and renewable sources will improve access to energy for historically marginalized communities.

"Natural Allies has become the leading voice for a pragmatic approach to energy policy, recognizing that climate, reliability and affordability are all connected," said Mayor Nutter, who served two terms as Philadelphia's Mayor. "As Democrats, we agree that climate change is a global problem that must be addressed. But we also need to be mindful of the best strategies to get us to a clean

continued on page 6

Photo credit: Shutterstock Health/Lifestyle

Thursday, September 21, 2023 WORLD/POLITICAL NEWS/LEGAL/CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

FTC Warns Tax Preparation Companies About Misuse of Consumer Data

FTC says five firms could face civil penalties if they use or disclose data collected for tax preparation for unrelated purposes

The Federal Trade Commission is warning five tax preparation companies that they could face civil penalties if they use or disclose confidential data collected from consumers for the purpose of preparing their taxes for other unrelated purposes, such as advertising, without first obtaining consumers’ consent.

“Consumers trust tax preparers with sensitive information about their finances, marital status, children, and health,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Companies that violate American’s privacy by seeking to monetize personal data without consent can face significant financial consequences.”

The FTC is using its penalty offense authority to remind tax preparation companies of the law and deter them from breaking it. By sending a Notice of Penalty Offenses, the agency is warning recipients they could incur civil penalties of up to $50,120 per violation if they misuse personal data in ways that run counter to the original purpose for which this information was collected. The penalty offense authority allows the agency to seek civil penalties against a company that engages in conduct that it knows is unlawful, and that

has been found unlawful in a previous FTC administrative order, other than a consent order.

The notices sent to the tax preparation companies detail the acts and practices that were found to be a violation of the FTC Act in a previous administrative case against Beneficial Corp. In that case, the FTC found that the company engaged in unfair and deceptive practices in violation of the FTC Act by using information collected for tax preparation services for unrelated loan solicitation purposes and ordered the company to halt such practices.

In the notices sent to the tax preparation companies, the FTC warned that the following practices may be deceptive or unfair under the FTC Act if companies fail to first obtain affirmative express consent from consumers:

using information collected in a context where an individual reasonably expects that such information will remain confidential for purposes not explicitly requested by the individual; using such information to obtain a financial benefit that is separate from the benefit generated from providing the product or service requested by the individual; and

using such information to advertise, sell, or promote products or services.

The notices further warn that it is unlawful to make false, misleading, or deceptive representations concerning the use or confidentiality of such information. The Commission specifically warned the companies that it considers it an unfair or deceptive practice to use tracking technologies such as pixels, cookies, APIs, or SDKs to amass, analyze, infer, or transfer personal information in the ways outlined above without first obtaining consumers’ express consent.

The Commission vote to authorize the notice and its distribution was 3-0.

The lead staffers on this matter are Michael Sherling and Manmeet Dhindsa from the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and protect and educate consumers. Learn more about consumer topics at consumer.ftc.gov, or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc. gov. Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.

GUARD DOG STORAGE OF HESPERIA,17147 Lemon St, Hesperia, CA 92345, (760) 956-7500. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to Section 21700 of the Business & Professions Code, State of California, the undersigned will sell at Public Sale by Competitive Bidding On September 26, 2023 @10 AM at Guard Dog Storage of Hesperia, County of San Bernardino, State of California, the goods, chattels or personal goods and property of the tenants, household goods, tools, toys etc. Brittney Boyce x2, Michael Hopkins David Brown Davinci, Erica Bruner, Larry Bruner, Penny Carrol/Jeff Tongate x2, Gary Thompson, Cheryl Cochran & Tracy sands, Brent Collins, Ashley Curtis, Evelyn Duhaime, Timothy Krigbaum, Dean Murphy x2, Shaw Sheldon, Herbert Brown and Diane Vanlund, Shawn Aline Elizabeth Bowen Reinman. Purchased goods are sold as is and must be removed within one day of purchase. Payment is to be with cash only and made at the time of purchase. The sale is subject to cancellation without notice in the event of settlement between owner and obligated party.

Auctioneer:John Cardoza, License # 5860870,(209)667-5797 Published in The San Bernardino American News September 14 & 21, 2023.

Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter And Former Congressman Kendrick Meek Champion Natural Gas As A First Step To Equitably Fight Climate Change...continued from page 4 energy future in the fastest way possible, without inadvertently widening the energy gap between those who can afford it and those who can't. We can and should be growing our renewable capacity to drive down emissions, and we should partner those sources with natural gas as an alternative to coal and oil to accelerate our path to a clean, reliable and affordable energy future."

"I am excited to join Natural Allies and this prestigious leadership team alongside Senator Landrieu, Congressman Ryan and Mayor Nutter," said Rep. Meek, a former four-term Florida Congressman who previously served as the youngest Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

"These are challenging times for communities across our country as millions of Americans struggle to pay rent and make ends meet. As a Floridian on the front lines of climate change, it's obvious we need to act now by embracing an energy policy that is pro-climate without sacrificing reliability and affordability for families and businesses across the United States. Natural gas is critical to that equation as we continue to grow and expand renewable energy."

Natural gas is an affordable and proven carbon reduction strategy that can be expanded quickly to address the growing racial disparities in energy access. The Natural Allies Leadership Council is committed to raising awareness on the vital partnership between natural gas and renewables to achieve an equitable and just energy future.

"We are thrilled to welcome Congressman Meek and Mayor Nutter to our organization," said Sen. Landrieu and Rep. Ryan. "They are respected and

accomplished leaders and we are eager to work alongside them to accelerate our clean energy future. Together we will advocate for fair and inclusive climate initiatives that do not leave our most vulnerable communities behind."

The Natural Allies Leadership Council continues to advocate for realistic and practical energy policies like permitting reform and building the infrastructure necessary to move natural gas and renewable power where it's needed at home and abroad. The Biden Administration has acknowledged the importance of natural gas and its infrastructure as part of the clean energy future, in working with renewables, like stabilizing our European allies abroad with secure natural gas, developing technologies like carbon capture, and investing in zero-carbon fuels of the future like hydrogen.

"Together, alongside Mayor Nutter and Congressman Meek, our Leadership Council is committed to raising awareness on the vital partnership between natural gas and renewables to achieve an equitable and just energy future for all Americans, as we build a healthier planet for generations to come," added Sen. Landrieu and Rep. Ryan.

Mayor Michael A. Nutter

From 2008 to 2016, Michael Nutter served as the 98th Mayor of his hometown of Philadelphia. As mayor, he managed Philadelphia through the Great Recession, and the City's credit rating was upgraded to "A" by the three major credit agencies for the first time since the 1970s. Prior to his tenure as Mayor, he served almost 15 years in the Philadelphia City Council. Mayor Nutter and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu

recently launched Cities United, an initiative -- in affiliation with the National League of Cities -dedicated to creating partnerships between cities, non-profits, and others to combat violence and crime among young Black men and boys. Mayor Nutter is a past President of the United States Conference of Mayors as well as the Pennsylvania Municipal League. During the Obama Administration, he served on My Brother's Keeper Advisory Council. Mayor Nutter holds several board positions including the Advisory Board of the African American Mayors Association and the Board of the Urban Institute, among others.

In 2022 he was appointed by the U.S. Treasury to serve as Chair on the inaugural Formal Advisory Committee on Racial Equity.

Congressman Kendrick Meek

From 2002 to 2010, Rep. Meek represented the 17th Congressional District of Florida. During his time in Washington, Congressman Meek's open-minded and bipartisan outlook allowed him to navigate a broad cross-section of Congress to achieve results for his constituents. Building on a strong legislative record in the Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives, Congressman Meek secured a spot on the House Ways and Means Committee. In 2011, President Obama appointed him as Special Representative to the United Nations. He was the youngest Member of Congress to serve as Chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and he was recently named Director Emeritus - one of only two former Members who has held this position.

files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: 10/30/2023 Time: 9:00 a.m. Dept: F1 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO 17780 Arrow Boulevard Fontana, CA 92335 Fontana District IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

Driving the Inland Empire Economy

Black folks and the risk of poverty in retirement... continued questions should help evaluate your longevity fitness level and clarify the next steps.

Do you have enough income to last so you won’t outlive it?

Have you taken care of your mental and physical health?

How are your social connections with family, friends, and the greater community?

Black folks are at high risk of economic insecurity without understanding what it takes to retire and maintain comfort over several years. They could have to re-enter the workforce or live in poverty.

Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac, Chancellor of Riverside Community College District talks to the attendees at last years conference.

“Educational and economic transformation in the Inland Empire is fundamentally impossible without cross-sector, region-wide collaboration, cooperation and alignment. When we all work together, everyone wins,” said Ann Marie Sakrekoff, Growing Inland Achievement’s Interim CEO.

INLAND EMPIRE, CA – Growing Inland Achievement (GIA)

will host its 7th annual Toward a Shared Vision summit on October 25–26 at the Riverside Convention Center. GIA is a nonprofit that networks education, government, nonprofit and business partners in the Inland Empire.

The summit theme, “United in the Journey,” embodies the need for a collective impact approach that harnesses the combined efforts of the business community, the Inland Empire’s 56 K-12 school districts, 12 community colleges, two public universities, five private universities, many nonprofit organizations, economic development agencies, and government entities to address complex regional educational challenges and opportunities.

A video invitation from Ann Marie Sakrekoff, Growing Inland Achievement’s Interim CEO https://youtu.be/KMrcxXGOg4?si=7kF8WC4J1NRfkbgS

GIA expects 300 local leaders from the IE’s leading organizations to tackle longstanding regional educational and economic challenges.

“Educational and economic transformation in the Inland Empire is fundamentally impossible without cross-sector, region-wide collaboration, cooperation and alignment. When we all work together, everyone wins,” said Ann Marie Sakrekoff, Growing Inland Achievement’s Interim CEO.

GIA believes fostering an efficient, high-quality education system that creates access for all residents is critical to regional growth and prosperity. This commitment extends to building equitable structures to eradicate systemic racism, ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has an opportunity to succeed.

Sakrekoff underscores the significance of uniting together, stating, “We understand that it takes all stakeholders' collective efforts and collaboration to drive transformative change.”

Participants will engage in collaborative discussions, workshops and team breakouts, focusing on strategies and solutions to expedite equitable educational opportunities and pathways to student success.

Two distinguished keynote speakers will highlight the event: Dr. Anton Treuer and Dr. Victor Rios.

Dr. Treuer is a renowned author and Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University, recognized for his work in race relations and indigenous languages.

Dr. Rios, the MacArthur Foundation Chair and Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, specializes in equity, anti-racism, cultural responsiveness, resilience, closing the opportunity gap, teacher well-being and restorative justice.

To secure a seat, attendees are encouraged to register early, as availability is limited. Early bird registration is $109 until September 30, 2023, and $129 after. Conference registration includes access to all keynote and breakout sessions and event parking, as well as breakfast and lunch on both days. All proceeds from the event will support GIA’s student scholarship fund.

Learn More about GIA in this 90-second video: https://youtu. be/9kwl6QycvSQ

For more information and to register, please visit the GIA website at InlandEmpireGIA.org.

Black folks and the risk of poverty in retirement

By Bria Overs,Word In Black

Planning for retirement requires

“longevity literacy,” which is the ability to estimate how long you live after retirement and how much money you will need to cover that time. (Photo courtesy of Unsplash / Towfiqu barbhuiya)

Working for a lifetime is rarely any person’s dream. As people get closer to age 65, they start putting together their plans for living out the rest of their lives in a welldeserved retirement.

However, too many Americans lack the “longevity literacy” to prepare for retirement properly.

In a study of the TIAA-Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center’s Personal Finance Index (P-Fin Index), only 12 percent of adults had “strong longevity literacy.” These adults understood how long 65-year-olds live and the likelihood of living well past that age. An estimate for 2021 from health policy research organization KFF showed the average life expectancy

But, improving financial literacy is only one piece of this puzzle.

How to save for retirement

While social security is one way to keep an income in retirement, it doesn’t cover nearly enough. In fact, the administration found that benefits represent about 30 percent of the income for older adults.

To keep an income after leaving the workforce, retirees must turn to other assets and savings, Kolluri says.

There are several tools for saving for retirement, like general highyield savings accounts, pensions, or other investment vehicles. People often start with an employeesponsored 401(k), 401(a), 403(b), 457 plans, and IRAs to begin saving.

If an adequate amount of money has not been saved or invested — a common issue — it’s not enough to be ready for retirement. Studies from Northwestern Mutual and Charles Schwab found that Americans feel they will need at least $1.27 million to $1.9 million to retire.

People need to earn decent money to contribute to their retirement accounts, but before that, they need to be able to cover their monthly expenses, invest, and save. Occupational segregation is a unique barrier to wealth-building and retirement preparedness for Black women.

“The caregiving industry, for example, which may not have specific retirement plans available, that’s [a job] where Black women

have been historically very active in the labor force,” says Angelino Viceisza, professor of economics at Spelman College and president of the National Economic Association.

In his research with the Urban Institute, Viceisza found that Black people had the “second-lowest retirement wealth” at $11,157 for women and $19,382 for men.

This institutional racism has serious multigenerational consequences. Retirees may rely on younger family members to help cover costs. As a result, younger generations have reduced the ability to create generational wealth. Access to better jobs with higher pay and better benefits could make a significant difference.

Finding more ways to prepare As people age, they should reassess their retirement savings and other investments to ensure they’re on the right track to have what they expect to need. There are also “catch-up contributions,” allowing those over age 50 to make additions yearly.

Not everyone will have access to employer-sponsored retirement accounts. Fortunately, alternatives are out there. Some states offer automated savings programs to increase access to retirement preparedness, including California, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia.

While these alternatives can help, Viceisza says, reparations would have the most considerable impact in getting Black people the wealth and preparedness they need for retirement. The next best way, in his opinion, would be eliminating occupational segregation and glass ceilings.

“There is, in my mind, no other way to really inject enough wealth back [into the Black community],” he says. Without it, Black folks will continue to be generations behind, with an increasingly entrenched racial wealth gap. This article was originally published by Word In Black.

HBCU x Fashion X Press

“The UN 2030 AGENDA – A Satanic Agenda Make No Mistake About It!”

By Lou K. Coleman

aside. [Psalms 53:2-3].

Then, I looked, and there before me was a white horse! It’s rider held a bow, and he was given a crown and he rode out as a conqueror bent on a conquest. [Revelation 6:2].

Lou K. Coleman

A New World Order; Global initiatives; International law, and Social Revolution, I tell you, your spiritual antenna should be beeping; Beep; Beep; Beep; Beep, alerting you that Time is Almost Up! The current world chaos is too well orchestrated to be a mere coincidence. Read the second chapter of 2 Thessalonians which provides a glimpse into Satan’s master plan. It speaks of an evil, sinister force working behind the scenes. It speaks of a villainous, devious, charismatic world-leader, whom Paul identifies as ‘the man of lawlessness,” who in the last days will ascend to power out of nowhere and would usher the world into a global economy and a universal religion. I tell you; your spiritual antenna should be Beeping. Beep; Beep; Beep; Beep; Beep! For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work. [2 Thessalonians 2:7].

This is how we know it is the last hour. [1 John 2:18]. The UN 2030 AGENDA –Recognize - Be sober and be vigilant, Time is Almost Up!

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them has turned

Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. It’s rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. [Revelation 6:4].

Then I looked, and there before me was a black horse! It’s rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine! [Revelation 6:6].

Then I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green like a corpse. And Death was the name of its rider, who was given authority over one-fourth the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals" [Revelation 6:7-8].

Then there was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like a sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth. Then the sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. [Revelation 6:12-14].

Because they did not listen, the destruction that DID come found the people unprepared. [Luke 17:26-30].

WITNESS FOR JUSTICE #1169

Profits Over Responsibility

Karen Georgia Thompson

The climate crisis has been identified as the most pressing global issue of our time. Global warming and the rising temperatures it brings are contributing to the Arctic melting, rising sea levels, natural disasters as well as food and water insecurity. As evidence of this crisis continues to be seen in communities around the world, there is an ongoing call for concrete action that will reverse the effects of climate change being witnessed around the world. There is grave concern that the damages done to the environment over these many years will take time to reverse, although there is optimism that this fight for climate change is one that can be won.

marketed and sold in Puerto Rico accelerated climate change and the concomitant likelihood that Puerto Rico and thus the Plaintiff Municipalities would be ravaged by dangerous, deadly storms. Once the Defendants obtained this information, they jointly and severally embarked on a corporate worldwide strategy to hide that information from the Plaintiffs through a campaign of climate change denial and obfuscation of the ominous threat of storms to Puerto Rico.”

for Americans has declined since 2019 from 78.8 years to 76.1. Black people are down to 70.8 years from 74.8.

Still, people live longer than they ever have, often unexpectedly. And their retirement savings and preparedness must match that, if not surpass it.

The National Council on Aging found that 20 percent of older households have no assets to pull from as they age, and 80 percent do not have the financial resources to cover long-term care or financial strain.

“If they underestimate life expectancy and end up living longer, and did not plan for income, they are short on funds,” Surya P. Kolluri, head of the TIAA Institute, says. “So, correcting the notion of how long people live will help them plan better.”

Longevity literacy is part of the foundation of retirement readiness.

“Longevity literacy should lead to longevity fitness,” he says. “Ask yourself: ‘What are the components that make me feel fit in my longer years?’”

The factors Kolluri refers to are questions to ask as you age. These

Atlanta, GA- The Divah Filez is proud to announce our Fall Fashion celebration honoring 50 years of Hip-Hop on 9/29/23 at Da City Hookah Lounge located at 809 Hollywood Road Northwest #Unit A Atlanta, GA 30318. If you have talent who would like to walk in the show or attend, please complete the talent interest form below. In light of recent events happening at Clark Atlanta University, we are now raising money for displaced students who were affected by the fire and flooding. All Ticket Sales are going to help students. Divah Filez is one of the leading HBCU brands across the country and we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary next January. We have become a staple in the HBCU community and hope to have your talent in the building.

For Talent interested in attending or walking in the Fashion Show https://forms.gle/kra5rHADjTr9x2SG8

For Press register here:

https://forms.gle/6kn99vvMYGAorG3J9

If you would like to support the cause by purchasing a ticket click here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shade-of-melanin-celebrates50-years-of-hip-hop-with-a-fashion-showcase-tickets708850901127?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Divah Filez- Created by an award-winning journalist; Jazmyne Courtnii Byrd, The Divah Filez has helped over 200 HBCU students get internships and job opportunities post-graduation in the fields of mass communication and journalism. The goal is to continue to help students gain the experience that they need and help them meet their financial needs while in school. For more information: www.thedivahfilez.com

Attention to this crisis is universal. As attention began turning to how it can be addressed, journalists discovered internal memos showing that the Exxon oil company knew from studies it conducted in the 1970s that its fossil fuel products could lead to the kind of global warming we are seeing today. Their studies showed that the use of gas, coal, and other forms of fossil fuels would have a severe impact on the planet. Even with the results of these studies in hand, Exxon was silent about the burgeoning crisis and went as far as downplaying the voices of those who were warning global warming was coming fast. Now, in addition to the impacts facing the earth, there are warnings about the negative effects global warming will have on the health of some of the most vulnerable among us.

Lawsuits have been filed by countries and municipalities against Exxon. including one by the mayors of Puerto Rico. In their lawsuit, the plaintiffs cite: “Decades ago, each of the Defendants’ companies and their subsidiaries sought and obtained scientific information establishing that products they

At General Synod 29 in 2013, the United Church of Christ became the first denomination to call for divestment from fossil fuel companies. This action was to reinforce the UCC’s commitment to reversing climate change and ensuring the dependence on fossil fuels be decreased. With the evidence before us that Exxon was intentional in its strategies of misinformation and had knowledge climate change would happen as it did, more must be done to hold Exxon accountable for the impacts of the climate crisis.

The lives of millions are at stake, and this number is increasing with each day as global warming worsens. As people of faith and advocates for justice and human rights, we must continue to call for reduced dependency on fossil fuel products, and our voices must be heard in the call for accountability from Exxon and others for their complicity in hiding what they knew from the projections in those studies they conducted over fifty years ago. They chose profits over responsibility for what they knew, and they must be held accountable for the results being experienced globally as the earth continues to warm.

Karen Georgia A. Thompson is the General Minister and President for the United Church of Christ.

Inland Empire News

Asm. Chris Holden Played Key Role in Brokering $20-Per-Hour Fast Food Worker Pay Deal

Antonio Ray Harvey| California Black Media

After months of heated political fights, and just before the Sept.14 deadline for passing bills introduced during the 2023 legislative session, the California Assembly passed Assembly Bill (AB) 1228, the “Fast Food Franchisor Responsibility Act.”

Just before midnight, the Senate did the same with a 32-8 vote.

Should Gov. Gavin Newsom sign the bill, an estimated 550,000 fast food workers in California would earn a minimum wage of $20 per hour.

Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), who authored the bill – and who later became a key dealmaker in negotiations critical to the passage of the legislation -- expressed his satisfaction that opponents and proponents were able to reach a compromise that is mutually beneficial.

“I think it was important that we were able to get a resolution to

the conflict between the coalition of businesses with franchisees and franchisors,” said Holden, a member of the California Black Legislative Caucus (CLBC). “But also making sure that we accomplish a goal of setting a council to the ongoing ways of looking at the workplace and making sure that the workers had a safe place to go to work.”

Holden said the bill will improve protections and foster a healthy work environment in California’s fast-food industry.

AB 1228 enforces a jointemployer liability theory between a fast-food restaurant's franchisor and franchisee, by requiring the franchisor to share “all civil legal responsibility and civil liability for the fast-food restaurant franchisee's violations.”

To secure its passage, Holden, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office, and labor unions brokered a compromise to stave off a

referendum scheduled for the November 2024 General Election that aimed to repeal A.B. 257, also known as the Fast-Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act.

“I thought it was a good outcome for all parties,” Holden told California Black Media of the negotiations. “They were sitting at the table with us as we were presenting the bill (Sept. 12).”

AB 257, which was signed into law in September 2022 facilitated the creation of a “Fast Food Council” composed of employees, advocates, franchisors, franchisees, and government officials tasked with overseeing wages and working conditions in fast-food facilities.

In May, a group known as The Stop the Attack on Local Restaurants coalition, which includes social justice advocates, local restaurant owners, small businesses, ethnic business

Rising temperatures mean rising risks for Black Californians.

Be ready with an extreme heat plan:

Stay

Stay

Stay connected with loved ones. Check in on family, friends, and neighbors on hot days.

leaders, restaurant brands and trade associations, expressed their concern that AB 1228 would cut off inroads to business ownership for minority entrepreneurs.

On Sept. 11, the Save Local Restaurants coalition announced that a “comprehensive legislative agreement had been reached regarding quick service restaurants” and legislative and regulatory issues in California.

“(The agreement) provides meaningful wage increases for workers, while at the same time eliminates more significant – and potentially existential – threats, costs, and regulatory burdens targeting local restaurants in California,” said Matt Haller, President and CEO, International Franchise Association.

All 12 members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), including Holden, voted for A.B. 1228.

The members were CLBC chair Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), vice-chair Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood), Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Ladera Heights) and Assemblymembers Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), Mike Gipson (D-Carson), Corey Jackson (D-Riverside), Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) and Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa).

Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), Minority Leader of the California Assembly, said complicated bills such as AB 1228 should not wait “until the 11th hour” to be voted on.

“If it’s anything after 8 p.m. it usually not good,” said Gallagher, who voted against Holden’s bill.

Environmental Justice Community Forum Series (EJCFS)

Addresses Critical Environmental Issues in Underserved Communities for Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Hispanic Caucus

Washington, DC– The Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCCC) and Clean Fuels Alliance America (Clean Fuels) proudly announce the launch of the Environmental Justice Community Forum Series (EJCFS), a collaboration aimed at raising awareness and fostering dialogue on environmental justice (EJ) and the vital role of biodiesel in underserved or disadvantaged communities. The forum series kicked off on Thursday, September 14 at the National Black MBA Association Conference in Philadelphia, PA and will be coming to Washington, DC for the Congressional Black Caucus Conference and Congressional Hispanic Caucus on September 21 from 2:30-4:30 PM at the Courtyard Marriott Washington Downtown/Convention Center in the Horne Room.

What: Environmental Justice Community Forum Series (EJCFS) - DC

Where: Courtyard by Marriott Washington Downtown/Convention Center - Horne Room, 901 L Street Northwest

When: 2:30 - 4:30 PM EST

Registration: https://EJCommunityForum-01-092123.eventbrite.com

The EJCFS campaign will run from August to the end of October 2023, with a series of community forum events and participation in key national conferences. EJCFS events will be held in NYC, Boston, MA, Burlington, Vermont, and Camden, NJ.

The EJCFS aims to share the insights of the Trinity Study with stakeholders and community members in disadvantaged communities to build a national case for the role of biodiesel in environmental justice. The focus will be on raising awareness of the urgency to accelerate biodiesel adoption in disadvantaged communities. Considering the health-related consequences of diesel fumes, particularly on vulnerable populations such as children and seniors, biodiesel is a solution that can be implemented now to reduce the negative impacts of diesel emissions.

Many disadvantaged communities are not included in the growing conversations about climate change, despite often bearing the brunt of environmental disasters caused by climate change. Clean Fuels Alliance America and GWRCCC are eager to accelerate these conversations in response to the increasing climate crisis and its associated risks such as forest fires, extreme temperatures, hurricanes, and flooding while improving community health outcomes. The EJCFS Forum Series will begin the conversations necessary to ensure that no community is left behind in the transition to cleaner energy.

"The EJCFS Forum Series is about sharing knowledge and building a case for biodiesel in environmental justice. We must urgently accelerate biodiesel adoption in disadvantaged communities to protect vulnerable populations from the health risks of diesel emissions. These communities have often been left out of climate discussions, yet they face the worst climate impacts. Together with Clean Fuels Alliance America, we aim to change that.

Learn

The EJCFS Forum Series starts the conversations needed to ensure no community is left behind in our transition to cleaner energy." -Antoine M. Thompson, Executive Director of GWRCCC Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCCC), focused on the Washington, D.C. metro area, is one of nearly 80 coalitions in the U.S. that fosters economic, environmental, and energy security by working locally to advance affordable, domestic transportation fuels, energy efficient mobility systems, and other fuel-saving technologies and practices. Find out more at https://gwrccc.org.

Clean Fuels Alliance America (Clean Fuels): Representing biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, Clean Fuels Alliance America will advance the interests of its members by supporting sustainable biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel industry growth. Clean Fuels serves as the industry’s central coordinating entity for technical, environmental and quality assurance programs and will be the strongest voice for its advocacy, communications and market development. https://cleanfuels.org/

Asm. Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) talks to his colleagues after the State Assembly passed his bill, AB 1228, with a 53-17 vote on Sept. 14, 2023. If Gov. Newsom signs AB 1228, called the Fast Food Franchisor Responsibility Act,” into law, an estimated 550,000 fast food workers in California will begin to earn a minimum of $20 per hour. (Antonio Harvey/CBM)