SB American News Week Ending 10/4

Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what people will submit to and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them and these will continue till they have resisted either with words or blows or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance those of whom they suppress.

California Has a Critical Shortage of Black Teachers

Antonio Ray Harvey| California Black Media

Numerous studies have shown that Black teachers can improve Black students’ academic outcomes, but in California, where Black Students are the lowest performing sub-group of all ethnic groups, the state has an extremely low count of African American instructors working in school districts across the state

According to the California Department of Education’s 2018-2019 Ethnic Distribution of Public-School Teachers, Black teachers disproportionately make up 3.8% of the state’s 12,000 public school classroom instructors.

Blacks account for about 5.7% of California’s total population of almost 40 million people.

“Addressing the educator shortage is one of the most important things we can do to support student achievement,” stated Tony Thurmond, the state’s Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“We must increase compensation, prioritize training, improve working conditions, and pursue all strategies that can help our schools add staff to help our students thrive,” Thurmond

continued.

Thurmond made this assessment at a news conference before he hosted a Teacher Recruitment Summit at the California Department of Education (CDE) in Sacramento last month.

The Teacher Recruitment Summit was opened to individuals from all organizations focused on reducing the teacher shortage. The event formally launched a coalition to engage in direct recruitment of teacher candidates statewide, The summit included information about teacher credentialing programs affiliated with school districts and county offices of education, pipeline programs, and AmeriCorps programs.

CDE is addressing the needs of Black educators but there some people who found channels to enter the profession outside of the traditional process, including Nisha Britton who is employed at Angelo Rodriguez High School in Northern California.

Britton, 37, is a Special Education specialist at the school located in Fairfield, 45 east of San

Francisco. She just started her first year working with special education students where there are about five Black teachers among the faculty.

Britton, who has a bachelor’s degree in communications/ Journalism from Morgan State University -- a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Maryland -- says she is aware about the shortage of Black teachers in the state. She’s motivated to combat the issue on multiple levels.

“There is a lot of diversity at this school, but I feel like these kids need someone like me,” Britton told California Black Media (CBM). “I want to help these kids figure out what they want out of life.”

Angelo Rodriguez High School opened in 2001 and is the newest of the three comprehensive high schools in Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. Angelo Rodriguez High School is located in Fairfield.

Britton is not fully certified as an educator. She found a pathway through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing program (CTC)

which certifies her for two years. CTC is committed to ensuring the integrity, relevance, and high quality in the preparation, certification, and discipline of the educators who serve the state’s diverse students, according to the organization’s website.

There were more than 10,000 teacher vacancies across California during the 20202021 school year. The state has allocated $3.6 billion in funding over the last four years to improve recruitment, training, and retention.

Dr. Travis Bristol, Associate Professor of Teacher Education and Education Policy at Berkeley School of Education, was one of the guest speakers at Thurmond’s news conference.

Through his extensive research, Bristol has been at the forefront of increasing Black male participation in public school education.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s the State of Racial Diversity in the Educator Workforce,” educators of color account for less than

Lila Brown | California Black Media

Environmental justice advocates in California petitioned Gov. Gavin Newsom this past summer, asking the state to direct a portion of the millions in federal and state dollars California is investing in cleaning and greening communities to Black and other minority organizations.

The California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA) say the programs they have in place to restore decades of environmental devastation and neglect in minority communities can play a key role in achieving the state and federal green goals to enforce regulations and distribute resources more fairly and equitably.

“There's systemic racism that we are trying to dismantle that is beyond the usual American

concepts of environmentalism and there's a lot of interrelated and intersecting issues that we're trying to fix on the ground, Mari Rose Taruc, CEJA’s energy Director, told California Black Media.

Taruc says environmental groups recognizing the harm done to communities of color in the past – and their implication on the local level -- is a critical part of the environmental justice movement.

“Environmental justice was born out of the, the Civil Rights Movement and that is to the credit of, of Black organizers that came out of the South to raise consciousness of environmental pollution and destruction of dumping grounds primarily

Minority Environmental Justice Orgs Want to Connect to Millions in EPA Funding for California IMPORTANCE

It allows black community leaders to disseminate information of the black community

It advocates emancipation and contributes to rebuilding Black communities.

It unites local, regional and national audiences which helps to foster a sense of community and shared interests among African Americans living in different areas of the country.

OF SUPPORT FROM AD AGENCIES

LACK

Last week, 34 ad agencies created 101 new media plans with a total budget of over $4,000,000.00.

How much of the budget was received by the Black Press? $0 How can this lack of support be reversed? ADVERTISE WITH THE BLACK PRESS

Advertising can be ‘tricky’ if you do not receive sufficient advertising, it be difficult to increase distribution or pay the cost for certifications or audits or pay for the cost of distribution and salaries.

The end result.....Black Businesses in the Black Community are in jeopardy!

EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman visits Los Angeles to tout President Biden’s Investing in America agenda (Lila Brown/CBM)

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced an effort to recruit teachers at the California Department of Education recruitment summit in Sacramento on Aug. 14. CBM

Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

At Dominguez High School in Compton, University of California Berkeley professor Dr. Travis Bristol moderates a discussion about equipping Black teachers with the resources they need to be successful in the classroom. Photo: Courtesy of Travis Bristol.

The California Department of Education held a teacher recruitment summit in Sacramento. Members of organizations focused on direct recruitment of teacher candidates and credentialing programs attended the event held on Aug. 14. CBM Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

20th Anniversary for Mr. and Miss Cardinal Pageant

20th Anniversary for Mr. and Miss Cardinal Pageant ...continued

Alexis Quinteros, Angel Ramon Jauregui, Carlos Andres Robb Godoy, Victor Cham Rodriguez, and Nicholas Sebastian Virgen.

This year’s Miss Cardinal City contestants are Jocelyne Aguilar, Alexandra Xitlalli Barrera, Leslie Caldera, Angelina Cipres, Stephanie Dominguez, Alisson Janine Duque, Andrea Gonzalez, Victoria Ilene Guerrero, Wendy Madariaga, Dalia Aracely Mendoza, Camila Martinez Vargas, Lisa Mariah Morfin, Daisy Torres, Danielle Francesca Villanueva, Kayanna Aaliyah Marie Walker, and Angelina Lucy Waterson-Lopez.

SB City Unified Superintendent Hosts Forums to Form Vision

and become the cornerstone of success in their academic, professional, and personal lives.”

As part of preparing for the pageant and possibly being crowned Mr. or Miss Cardinal City or being a member of the Cardinal City Court, all contestants volunteer many hours of service to San Bernardino and travel around the community.

On Saturday, Sept. 23, San Bernardino High School (SBHS) will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Mr. and Miss Cardinal City Pageants.

Beyond the pomp and circumstance, this event has focused on academics and it has helped hundreds of former students gain real-world skills that have led to success beyond high school.

Pageant founder and Bilingual School Outreach Worker Jaime Rios conceived of the pageant as a way to promote SBHS and the City of San Bernardino through the young people who he said are the future of the community.

“The Miss and Mr. Cardinal pageant isn't just about glitz and glamor,” Rios said. “It's a platform where character is honed, leadership is cultivated and resilience is fortified. Our participants aren't merely contestants, they are the embodiment of ambition, grace, and unwavering determination.”

Gustavo Alvarez is one of those former students. He credits the pageant with helping him

become the man he is today.

As the SBHS Class of 2012 alum and former Mr. Cardinal City, he is currently a doctoral student in mechanical engineering at Cornell University.

“Being Mr. Cardinal provided a space that encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. As a truly shy high school student, I was able to gain more confidence in myself and my abilities to give back to the community,” said Alvarez.

Alvarez also works at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source and with Argonne National Laboratory. His research into the study of heat transfer to semiconductors is on the nanoscale. If all that sounds like rocket science, that’s because it just might be. The applications of Alvarez’s research could lead to space probes that can study the outer corona of our sun.

This year’s Mr. Cardinal City contestants are Alejandro Davalos, Oswaldo Diego, Salvador Gaeta, Isaac Garcia,

“They have dedicated countless hours to refining their talents, perfecting their public speaking skills, and mastering the art of self-expression. They have navigated the ups and downs of competition, exemplifying the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie,” said Rios. “But what truly sets this program apart is its profound impact on our students' futures. It fosters the ability to communicate confidently, work tirelessly, and strive for excellence. These are qualities that transcend the stage

Alvarez said of his experience, “Mr. Cardinal provided me the opportunity to experience San Bernardino County in a new perspective as Jamie (Rios) and I attended several community service and pageant events. I am truly grateful to all that the Mr. Cardinal pageant had to offer.”

The public is invited to attend the Mr. and Miss Cardinal City Pageant on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and are available by contacting Jaime Rios at (909) 881-8217 or jaime.rios@sbcusd. k12.ca.us.

Due to ongoing construction at SBHS, this year’s pageant is being held at Indian Springs High School, 650 North Del Rosa Drive in San Bernardino.

Attendees at the first Superintendent's Forum held at San Gorgonio High School

(Photo by Steve Moore and provided courtesy of SBCUSD)

SAN BERNARDINOSan Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) is seeking feedback from District employees, students, families, and community partners in order to identify and align key priorities for the District.

“I’ve been spending time meeting with our staff, families, elected officials, community partners, groups and organizations so that together, we can start to build out our multi-year vision for what we would like San Bernardino City Unified to look like in 2030,” said Superintendent Mauricio Arellano. “We need to identify what is working well and should therefore be continued, what needs to be polished or enhanced, and we also need to know what needs to be put in place because it is in the best interest of our students.”

There were eight in-person forums held, four were for employees to voice their concerns and their desires for

the District, while the other four were for students, their families and the community at large. Among the topics covered during these forums were transportation and pedestrian safety near schools; praise for the District’s award-winning career-technical programs called Linked Learning; the need for more parent and community engagement, as well as the improved morale that resulted from Superintendent Arellano’s appointment as the District’s leader in April of this year.

An additional opportunity is now available for the community at large to anonymously share thoughts and perspectives directly with Superintendent Arellano using ThoughtExchange at https:// my.thoughtexchange.com/ scroll/469439367/welcome.

Thoughtexchange closes on Friday, Sept. 22 at 11:59 p.m.

USDA Expands Access to School Breakfast and Lunch for More Students

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26,

2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that it is giving an estimated 3,000 more school districts in high-need areas the option to serve breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost, by expanding the availability of the Community Eligibility Provision, commonly known as CEP.

“Today’s announcement comes as we approach the oneyear anniversary of the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, where the Biden-Harris Administration promised to advance a pathway to healthy school meals for all students,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA has taken an important step toward fulfilling that promise by expanding access to CEP. Increasing access to free, healthy school breakfast and

lunch will decrease childhood hunger, improve child health and student readiness, and put our nation on the path to better nutrition and wellness.”

CEP is a simplified meal service option that allows schools to provide meals at no cost to all students without requiring families to apply for free and reduced-price meals. Instead, school districts receive federal funding based on a formula using existing data from SNAP and other programs, and local or state funds must fill any gap between program costs and federal support. Before this final rule, at least 40% of students had to live in households participating in certain income-based federal assistance programs, in order for a school, group of schools, or school district to be eligible for CEP. This final rule lowers that threshold from 40% to 25%.

•

While this change in CEP applies across the country, it will be particularly impactful in states and school districts which commit to supporting healthy school meals for all students with their own funds.

Eight states have taken additional permanent actions to make sure hunger is not a barrier to children’s success, in addition to allowing eligible schools to participate in CEP. California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont passed state laws allowing their schools to serve healthy school meals to all their students at no cost. In these states, schools that previously were not eligible for CEP can now take advantage of this final rule to experience more efficient, streamlined school meal

Public outrage after video shows teen slammed to ground by deputy in San Bernardino County

By KCAL News Staff

San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies are being scrutinized after video came to light over the weekend, showing one deputy slamming a teenager to the ground, resulting in their hospitalization.

The incident happened at around 6:30 p.m. when authorities were called to the scene in response to a fight that had broken out near Victor Valley High School, where a football game was underway.

"Upon arriving, the first deputy on scene discovered multiple parties involved in the fight. The deputy deployed pepper balls toward the ground in an effort to disperse the crowd, but the effort was ineffective, and the parties began moving toward the deputy" said a statement from SBCSD.

As additional deputies began to arrive to the scene, they deployed another pepper ball towards the crowd, which included a 16-yearold girl.

At this point, the statement alleges that the girl grabbed the pepper ball launcher from a deputy.

"A deputy pulled the female away causing her to land on the ground," the statement says.

"During the incident, a 16-yearold male punched one of the deputies in the face."

The teenage girl was hospitalized with injuries sustained when she was thrown to the ground and the teenage boy was arrested.

According to family members, the girl has been discharged from the hospital.

On Sunday, a large gathering of people protested what they called an excessive use of force displayed in a video that has since gone viral, showing the moment that the deputy says they pulled the girl away.

The girl's mother spoke with KCAL News outside of the protest, saying that while she knows her physical wounds will heal, she's worried about the emotional impact the event will have on her daughter.

"He attacked my daughter from behind," said Priscilla Jeffers. "She's 16-years-old. He was a grown man and he attacked my daughter. Now my daughter is scarred, now she's messed up and I don't know how long she's gonna be messed up because of this."

2022 Miss Cardinal City Anne Martinez and Mr. Cardinal City Michael Torres (Photo by Steve Moore and provided courtesy of SBCUSD)

Superintendent Maurcio Arellano (right) shakes hands with attendees of the second Superintendent's Forum held at the Professional Development Center.

(Photo by Corina Borsuk and provided courtesy of SBCUSD)

What Payment Methods are Telltale Signs of Scams?

By Selen Ozturk

Payment methods that scammers insist you use — like gift cards, cryptocurrency and wire transfer — are telltale signs of scams, the Federal Trade Commission reported in a Friday, September 22 briefing it presented with EMS.

payments in the thousands and tens of thousands through cryptocurrency and wire transfers, “there may be an ‘expert’ online who wants to teach you how to get rich quick trading cryptocurrency, or becoming an entrepreneur by selling on eBay,” she added.

Governor Newsom Issues Statement on the Tentative Agreement Between WGA and AMPTP

be liable for more than $50 — many banks won’t even charge you that,” said Siddiqui.

Payment methods that scammers insist you use — like gift cards, cryptocurrency and wire transfer — are telltale signs of scams, the Federal Trade Commission reported at a Sept. 22 Ethnic Media Services news briefing.

For the first six months of 2023, $4.4 billion dollars were lost across over 1.1 million reports of consumer fraud, per the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network — “and we know from our working experience, and from surveys, this is only the true tip of the iceberg,” said Lois Greisman, Associate Director of the FTC Division of Marketing Practices.

Forms of contact, payment

Lois Greisman, Associate Director of the FTC Division of Marketing Practices.

The primary point of contact that scammers use to reach people is social media, by which $658 million was reported lost in the first half of 2023. Phone calls have the highest per person reported losses, with a median loss of $1,400 per person.

“Just as scammers like certain forms of contact, like the telephone, which are most effective at getting someone to part with their money,” said Greisman, “they like certain types of payment because they can take the money with very little trail, while for the consumer it’s virtually impossible to get this money back.”

By far the greatest losses by

payment method owe to bank transfers, for which $901 million was reported lost in the first six months of 2023 alone.

An example of this scam: “I get a call. I am told my grandson has been in a car accident, can’t find an insurance card, and needs surgery right away. The only way he can get it is if I go to my bank and I ask them to transfer $7,895 to an account in Canada,” Greisman said.

Other common payment methods include wire transfers, by which $164 million was lost in the first half of 2023; credit cards, by which $123 million was lost; gift cards, by which $109 million was lost; debit cards, amounting to $106 million; and payment apps like Zelle and Venmo, and Cash App, amounting to $102 million.

Much of these losses owe to imposter, lottery, investment, and business fraud — for example, “You get a phone call from the IRS that you owe back taxes, or from the sheriff’s office that there’s a warrant out for your arrest, or you’ve won the lottery and all you have to do is pay a processing fee” by sending or reading aloud the numbers of “a gift card for $100, or a few hundred,” Greisman said.

It’s not always easy to spot a scam, especially because scammers are incredibly persuasive and can also be very threatening and scary, says Lois Greisman, Associate Director, Federal Trade Commission Division of Marketing Practices, Washington D.C.

In the case of larger

Sophia Siddiqui, an attorney for the FTC Division of Marketing Practices, said that due to low regulations, cryptocurrency has been on the rise over recent years as “the payment method preferred by scammers. Through online trading groups or social media, they’ll say they’re making millions in cryptocurrency, and that they’re offering investment advice for a limited time for an upfront $10,000 fee. You pay using their link, they put that money in their crypto wallet, and never contact you again.”

Never send money “to someone you don’t know or trust, who pressures you to pay immediately, or says that a certain payment method like a wire, gift card, or crypto is the only way to pay,” said Siddiqui.

Sophia Siddiqui, Attorney in the Division of Marketing Practices at the Federal Trade Commission, says scammers favor certain types of payment, including gift cards and cryptocurrency.

Owing to low regulations and small paper trails, it’s very unlikely that money lost to cryptocurrency and wire scams, and gift cards can be recovered. Conversely, credit cards offer the best protections under federal law.

Stopping scams

“If you call your bank and say you didn’t authorize a charge on your credit card, they have to investigate, and you shouldn’t

Likewise, for a gift card like Amazon, or a wire transfer like Western Union, “contact the company and ask them to reverse the charge. If you send cash or a gift card in the mail, ask USPS to intercept the package. If you give a scammer your social security number, go to identitytheft. gov to see what steps to take, like monitoring your credit,” she continued. “If you give a scammer access to your phone or computer, update your security software, run a scan, and delete anything problematic.”

Those facing a scam can report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and find information on how to avoid scams in various languages including Arabic, Chinese, Hmong, Korean, Spanish, Russian, Tagalog and Vietnamese at ftc.gov/languages.

Red flags

The best weapon in the fight against scams is, by far, education, Greisman and Siddiqui agreed. Never underestimate how persuasive a scammer can be,” said Greisman. “What most helps is informing people about red flags. The bottom line is that how they want you to pay is the red flag. If you get a call or message asking with threats or promising returns for a gift card, a wire transfer, crypto — hang up, delete it, go offline, do whatever you need to do to stop contact. That’s not how a government entity or other institution would reach you.”

Likewise, Siddiqui added, it boils down to this: “Only a scammer will guarantee that you will make a lot of money with no risk.”

Minority Environmental Justice Orgs Want to Connect to Millions in EPA Funding for California...continued

from page 1 located in BIPOC communities,” she said.

CEJA is a coalition of the 10 biggest environmental justice organizations that coordinate efforts to protect the health and wellbeing of Black, Indigenous, Latino, and Asian Pacific Islander communities in California. The organization also develops programs and raises money to tackle some of the new challenges communities are facing due to the climate crisis.

In July, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Regional Administrator Martha Guzman presented $2 million to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to revitalize the Taylor Yard along the Los Angeles River, turning a former freight railyard into urban green space. The project reinforces President Biden’s goal for Environmental Justice to restore the damage that has been done from previous administrations ranging from decades of neglect to the lack of enforcement as it pertains to environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Historically, railyards contaminated nearby ground and waters with petroleum and other dangerous contaminants.

Guzman spoke with California Black Media about policies that led to disadvantaged and lowincome communities being the areas where toxic and hazardous wastes were disposed, as opposed

to more affluent neighborhoods.

“This can be traced to many of our origins, be it slavery or the taking of indigenous lands here in the West,” she said. “We see where all these facilities are, and we know that race is the largest determinant of pollution.”

Guzman says the Biden administration is keeping equity and environmental justice front of mind.

“We have to invest in these communities because we have to be intentional about dealing with those generations of neglect and land use decisions that led to a disparate impact to our communities,” says Guzman who leads the EPA efforts to protect public health and the environment for the Pacific Southwest region spanning Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the U.S. Pacific Islands territories, and 148 Tribal Nations.

The investment strategy, she says, intends to heal legacy issues and now the EPA’s number one priority is enforcement.

According to Bass’ office, the City of Los Angeles plans to restore this site as part of a greater LA River initiative to restore ecosystems and habitats, form walkable trails along 52 miles of the river, and create easy access points for residents to enjoy what the river has to offer.

Throughout California, EPA awarded $9,299,566 in total

funding from the Fiscal Year 2023 Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Funding through 12 separate grants.

According to the EPA, a brownfield is a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. It is estimated that there are more than 450,000 brownfields in the U.S.

“This funding provides unprecedented resources and highlights how President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are delivering environmental and economic benefits for California,” according to a press release from Guzman’s office.

The EPA is investing nearly $100 billion nationwide to deliver clean water and clean air, advance our transition to clean transportation, and enact environmental justice (EJ), especially in communities that have been disadvantaged and underserved, many of which are low-income communities or communities of color. In addition, President Biden's Executive Order 14008 –Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad announced Justice40, which mandates

SACRAMENTO – Governor

Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement in response to the tentative agreement reached by the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers:

"California’s entertainment industry would not be what it is today without our world class writers. For over 100

days, 11,000 writers went on strike over existential threats to their careers and livelihoods — expressing real concerns over the stress and anxiety workers are feeling. I am grateful that the two sides have come together to reach an agreement that benefits all parties involved, and can put a major piece of California’s economy back to work."

Official Statement Statement From Mayor Debra Jones

County/Government News

As City leaders, we join with members of our community who have concerns about the incident that occurred at Victor Valley High School last Friday night. We have been in communication with the leadership of both the Victor Valley Union High School

District and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident. I ask for the community's patience as the investigation is conducted.

SWCreatives works with Black businesses to boost their social media presence

By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com

we work on supporting Blackowned businesses, especially in the Baltimore City area, in terms of getting them more online visibility,” said Woods. “The overall goal is to help bring more money into the Black community by empowering small, Black businesses.”

that at least 40% of the benefits of specific federal programs-including Brownfields and those created by BIL and IRA -- must flow to disadvantaged communities. In April 2022, EPA committed to meeting and exceeding this mandate.

Taruc says CEJA has not received any of the EPA funds, but the organization continues to find opportunities for different organizations throughout the state to be able to connect to funding programs focused on environmental justice.

One of the ways that CEJA ensures communities are recipients of funds is through programs such as “Solar for All” so that low-income households receive solar panels to improve their homes and lower their fossil fuel consumption, which reduces emissions.

Taruc says one focus of CEJA is ensuring people – particularly disadvantaged minorities who have been disproportionately impacted -- live in safe and clean environments.

“Most environmental justice groups believe we should not build housing next to oil drilling sites and there should be a buffer zone of where you build new housing. We've been fighting to close these oil wells because housing should be built in places that are not only affordable but safe,” Taruc concluded.

In 2020, Siraaj Woods began his journey into social media marketing. Now he has created his business, SWCreatives, which looks to bolster Black businesses’ social media presence as postlockdown promotion has gained more online traction. (Photo courtesy of Siraaj Woods)

When Siraaj Woods joined Kappa Alpha Psi’s Zeta Chapter at Ohio State University, he took charge of the fraternity’s social media. A sophomore at the time, Woods didn’t have experience in social media marketing. He was studying to become a computer scientist.

But, Woods quickly realized he had a knack for the trade. He even started a side hustle, making social media flyers for other students and organizations on campus.

In 2020, during his senior year, Woods decided to take a leap of faith and switch his major to digital marketing and entrepreneurship. He also opened his social media marketing agency, SWCreatives.

“We specialize in helping small businesses improve their content strategy on social media. What really separates us is the fact that

Starting during the pandemic gave Woods the opportunity to lend his services to businesses that were starting or moving online. He was also able to help businesses ramp up their social media presence to keep customers engaged while the world was forced to stay at home. Woods redesigned logos and websites, created flyers and helped businesses gain more followers on social media.

“The two most important things you can do in business are marketing and selling. I feel like social media has now pretty much surpassed all other forms of marketing,” said Woods. “I think it’s probably the most powerful form of marketing.” When Woods secures a client, he starts by creating a social media document that identifies their objectives, the platforms they use, the influencers they have in their company, the hashtags they like to use and their industry niche.

SWCreatives then devises a content strategy and creates a social media schedule to ensure posts are timely and consistent. Woods uses a data-tracking software to automate content posting and analyze the posts’

(Kanchanara photo via Unsplash)

Is Stress Causing Your Weight Gain?

Managing stress, slimming down

Whatever a person’s basic approach to eating, lingering stress can scuttle any efforts to lose weight. In the words of a report from the American Psychological Association, “Weight loss is never successful if you remain burdened by stress and other negative feelings. If you’re facing twin battles against stress and weight, calming your mind should be your first priority.

Black Health Matters Summit & Expo Returns to Los Angeles...continued

SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS

Exceptional sessions on vital topics such as asthma, dermatology, kidney transplants, heart disease, multiple myeloma, small cell lung cancer, sarcoidosis, mental health and more.

N. Bronner, PhD, Director Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Clinical Trials, Janssen and so many more. DaShaun Johnson, aka "The Guru of Abs," Fitness Expert will lead energizing workout sessions throughout the day.

Ding Dongs and Doritos have never solved anyone’s problems, but that doesn’t keep us from seeking solace in food. When work gets hectic, when plans fall apart, when relationships founder, we often try to calm our minds by filling our stomachs.

Everyone has their own comfort food. A bag of chips, a big plate of macaroni and cheese, or a carton of mocha fudge ripple ice cream can all make a person feel better, at least temporarily.

Food therapy has an obvious downside: While it may be comforting, it’s also fattening. Everybody knows that obesity rates have been climbing steadily over the decades and that we live in stressful times. Is it possible that we’re simply trying to eat our way to happiness? Could stress be making us fat?

In recent years, scientists have uncovered surprising connections between stress, appetite, and weight gain. Simply stated, the chemicals that we produce during stressful times can help determine what we eat and how we store fat in our bodies.

Despite what some latenight commercials claim, this new understanding has not led to any magic-bullet treatments for weight loss; you can’t slim down simply by taking a pill that supposedly blocks stress hormones.

But recent research does help drive home a point that many psychologists and weight-loss specialists have been making for years: Managing stress can be a crucial first step toward slimming down.

The cortisol connection

When we feel stressed out, our bodies resort to chemical warfare.

Looming deadlines, traffic jams, or arguments turn on an alarm in the brain that triggers the release of stress hormones. As a key part of our defense, the adrenal gland starts releasing large amounts of the hormone cortisol, a chemical that helps prime the body’s “fight

or flight” response. Cortisol gets a lot of attention in both medical journals and the press, and for good reason. For one thing, it seems to play a major role in all sorts of stress-related health problems, including heart disease and weakened immune systems.

It also helps control the buildup of fat, a process of deep interest to just about everyone. In times of stress, cortisol can collect fat from the blood and other storage places in the body and move it to the belly. Cortisol can also increase the size of individual fat cells. For some people, waist size may be an outward sign of stress. A study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that women with mostly abdominal obesity tended to produce especially large amounts of cortisol when faced with a difficult task.

Cortisol isn’t the only hormone released during stress, and it’s certainly far from the only hormone that controls appetite. For these reasons, it’s overly simplistic to say that cortisol alone causes weight gain. Likewise, she says, it’s unrealistic to think that so-called cortisol-blocking supplements could aid in weight loss — and that’s assuming such products can even reduce cortisol levels in the first place.

Still, there’s little doubt that cortisol affects food choices.

Studies in both animals and humans suggest that the hormone may help stoke an appetite for high-energy foods loaded with fat, sugar, or both. As reported in an issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, rats that have their adrenal glands removed suddenly lose all interest in sugary drinks, but will still happily eat their rat chow. (Interestingly, they no longer want to run in their wheels, either.) When injected with the rat equivalent of cortisol, they suddenly develop a taste for things like sugar and lard — at

the expense of their regular food.

The same study found that sweets and fats can quiet the stress alarm in a rat’s brain. The flood of stress hormones slows down, and the rat suddenly acts less annoyed. If it could talk, the rat would probably say it feels calm — the same feeling that humans often find at the bottom of an ice cream carton.

It’s often hard to translate findings from animals to humans. Still, a few studies suggest that cortisol can encourage people to overeat, too. For example, a study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology found that women who produced large amounts of cortisol during stressful situations also consumed more calories afterward.

Stressful binges

As reported in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, subjects who were prone to eating binges tended to have higher levels of cortisol both when they woke up in the morning and after they completed a physically stressful task.

Researchers have found that stress may be especially dangerous — and especially fattening — for anyone with binge-eating disorder, a condition that causes people to periodically go on eating sprees that are beyond their control. As Gluck and colleagues noted in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, roughly 30 percent of people who seek medical treatment for weight loss have the disorder. The researchers point to stress as a key trigger of the disorder’s onset. However, binge eaters aren’t the only ones who overindulge when times get tough. While binge eaters feel like they lose control over food, other people may make a conscious decision to go for that extra brownie or slice of pizza, perhaps with the idea that a stuffed stomach will take their minds off their troubles.

Laurel Mellin, a clinical psychologist at the University of California at San Francisco Medical School, has designed a weight-loss program that addresses this issue. To drive down the urge to overeat, she says, people must first find the tools to nurture themselves and set limits. Among other things, she recommends simply asking yourself two basic questions at least five times a day “How do I feel? What do I need?” Besides learning how to detect and deal with often buried feelings and needs, she suggests 30 to 90 minutes of exercise a day to help relieve stress and find balance.

Of course, there’s no onesize-fits-all remedy for stress. Some people find relief through physical activity, relaxation exercises, yoga, or meditation. Others need to see a psychologist who can help them adjust their outlook on life and their approach to food. Still, others may need to make lifestyle changes, perhaps including more long walks and fewer late nights at the office.

The American Psychological Association does offer a few other tips for people trying to lose weight:

Think about what you eat and why you’re eating it. Do you tend to overeat when you feel upset or sad? If so, remember that there are healthier, more effective ways to cope with stress.

Avoid radical changes in your diet or activity level. Trying to reinvent yourself overnight will only add stress to your life. Instead, make changes slowly. For example, you can cut down the portion sizes of foods you already eat instead of switching to entirely new foods.

Get support from family and friends. Encourage your entire household to make healthier food choices and find an exercise buddy. As a bonus, you’ll find that social support is an excellent buffer against stress.

Ice cream and chips can make a person feel better, but the feeling won’t last. In the end, staying healthy is the ultimate victory over stress.

Black Health Matters Summit & Expo Returns to Los Angeles

HEALTH SCREENINGS AND EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- After a triumphant debut in Los Angeles in 2022, Black Health Matters (BHM) is once again bringing its nationally acclaimed health summit series to the west coast. On Saturday, October 7, 2023, the Black Health Matters Fall Health Summit & Expo will be held at St. Anne's Family Services Conference Center, 155 N. Occidental Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026, from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM PST/11:30 AM to 6:30 PM EST. The Summit is FREE, open to the community, and offers attendees the option of attending either in-person or virtually. This event is like none other, connecting medical clinicians, authorities on health, wellness and chronic illness, patient advocates and celebrity guests who are eager to bring

health awareness to the public. Attendees will be treated to stimulating and informative panel discussions, presentations,

energizing fitness sessions, and free health screenings and immunizations. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be

The stellar list of hosts, presenters and panelists includes DL Hughley, Comedian, Actor, Radio Host, Author, and Original King of Comedy; James Pickens, Jr. , Actor, Producer, Philanthropist and Summit Co-Host; Wendy Raquel Robinson, 2021 and 2022 Emmy Award Winning Producer, Philanthropist, Actress, NAACP Image Award recipient and Summit Co-Host; Courtney B. Vance, Tony and Two-time Emmy Award-winning Actor, Producer and Author; Dr. Robin L. Smith, Licensed Psychologist, Media Personality, Best Selling Author, Keynote Speaker, and Ordained Minister; Tony Cornelius, Executive Producer; Mavis W. Billips, MD, Dermatologist; Randy Hawkins, MD, Pulmonologist; Denise

Everyone who attends the Black Health Matters Summit & Expo will be able benefit from free on-site health screenings and testing, such as mammograms, diabetes, hypertension, heart function, anemia, blood glucose, blood hemoglobin, adequate oxygenation, plus more to be announced.

The Black Health Matters Harlem Week Summit & Expo is sponsored by a stellar list of sponsors including Allergy & Asthma Network, American Cancer Society, aTyr, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Janssen, Regeneron, Research Includes Me, Sanofi, That's My Word, Travere, and Vertex. Radio Free KJLH 102.3 is the Summit's media partner.

CDC Releases Data on Chronic Diseases and Related Risk Factors

2022 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) are now available through CDC’s easy-to-use webbased tool. Data topics include health-related behaviors, chronic health conditions, health-care access, and use of preventive services.

Topics include:

Alcohol Use

Arthritis

Asthma

Cancer Screening

Diabetes

Healthy Days

Heart Disease

HIV Testing

Immunizations

Mental and Physical Health

Obesity and Overweight

Oral Health

Physical Activity or Exercise

Tobacco Product Use

The tool allows users to understand important health issues in their states and make state comparisons quickly and

easily. It also offers various ways to display survey results from more than 445,000 residents across all 50 states, D.C., and participating U.S. territories.

When: September 26, 2023

Where: The BRFSS Prevalence & Trends Data at https://www.cdc.gov/brfss/ brfssprevalence

Background: BRFSS is the largest continuously conducted telephone health survey system in the world. It provides a sound basis for understanding health issues in states, assessing and maintaining public health programs, improving public health, and advancing health equity. The prevalence and trends tool offers fast access to a large portion of the 2022 data set and can be a helpful resource to reporters, students, public-health officials, and decision-makers. The tool is updated every year.

Submission Deadline is MONDAYS by 5pm

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

Submit legals to website: sb-american.com

offered, and FREE giveaways and prizes will be distributed throughout the day. To register go to www.bhmfallsummit2023. com for in-person or virtual attendance.

JOIN US IN PERSON & VIRTUALLY TO EXPERIENCE HEALTH EDUCATION FROM ANY TIME ZONE

"We are thrilled that Black Hollywood is rallying behind us to help us inspire, inform, uplift and empower people by linking leading health experts and advocates with attendees," says Roslyn Young-Daniels, founder, and president of Black Health Matters. "No other organization grants free access to this many health education opportunities and screenings in one setting, in one day."

California

Has

a Critical Shortage

challenges. s.

of Black Teachers...continued from page 1 10% of all public-school teachers across the country. Black males represent 1.9% of that total.

Based on CDE’s 2018-2019 figures, Black male teachers in California accounted for one percent (3705) of 307,470 instructors in the state. The student population in the state was 6,186,278 during the last school year.

While doing research in Boston, Bristol discovered that Black male educators had one of the highest rates of turnover. Most of them left the profession due to poor working environments, feelings of isolation and the perception that they are the overseers of problematic students rather than educators, and the inability to receive adequate tools from school administrators.

Bristol and other Black educators have facilitated professional learning networks across the state where Black male teachers can discuss their

Bristol, who majored in English as an undergrad at Amherst College, expressed gratitude and urged caution in recruitment, saying that there are other “critical issues” as to why there is a low count of Black men and women educators. The UC Berkeley professor said he does not advocate for a “replacement theory.” White students perform well academically and benefit from having Black teachers, too.

“The research and evidence is are clear that when students of color have a teacher of color they persist in school. They are less likely to get suspended, and have higher achievement,” Bristol said. “But as we spend some time thinking about recruitment, let us not lose sight of thinking about and pushing for recruitment, supporting and sustaining ethnic racial diversity in the workforce.”

"Empowering Our Communities from Coast to Coast" FREE

Writers' Strike Ends with Tentative Agreement

by Shelly Palmer

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have reached a tentative agreement. While the 146-day-old strike is not officially over, picketing has been suspended.

The deal, achieved after five days of continuous negotiations, is said to include provisions regarding the use of generative AI. My Sunday essay, "Certified Human – The Future of Copyright Law," explores some fundamental realities of the "Generative Era" and offers some suggestions for framing the future of intellectual property protection. As my essay discusses, it may not matter (in practice) what the new WGA

What to do if you’re billed for an SBA EIDL or PPP loan you don’t owe

By Rosario Méndez Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

contract says about AI.

The WGA will release the contract details after final language completion. A vote by the WGA's 11,000 members is anticipated soon after to ratify the agreement and formally end the strike. Many industry observers believe that a successful end to the WGA strike will hasten the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike. Let's hope that's not just wishful thinking.

As always your thoughts and comments are both welcome and encouraged. Just reply to this email. -s

P.S. Wishing those who celebrate an easy fast.

USDA Expands Access to School Breakfast and Lunch for More Students...continued from page 2

operations as well as predictable federal funding levels.

CEP – and all models for providing healthy school meals for all at no cost – is a win-win for schools, kids, families and communities and provides many benefits, including:

Lowering food costs for families;

Increasing food and nutrition security, especially for students from households that barely miss the cutoff to be eligible for free and reduced-price school meals; Eliminating school meal debt;

Reducing social stigma for students who eat free or reducedprice meals, while other students pay full price;

Increasing student participation in school breakfast and lunch programs, which increases revenues and helps schools offer healthier meals; and

Saving time by simplifying program operations for hardworking school nutrition staff.

“Healthy school meals are an essential part of the school environment — just like teachers, classrooms and books – and set kids up for success and better health,” said Stacy Dean, USDA deputy under secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. “More children are fueled for learning and development when they can count on tasty, nutritious meals at school. While there is still more work ahead to ensure every K-12 student in the nation can access healthy school meals at no cost, this is a significant step on the pathway towards that goal.”

USDA is also supporting expanded access to healthy school meals by offering extensive financial support for schools, including providing:

50 cents more per lunch and 18 cents more per breakfast for school year 2023-24, compared to last school year’s base reimbursement rates, through annual inflation adjustments and Supply Chain Assistance;

$30 million in Healthy Meals Incentives grants to 264 small and rural school districts nationwide;

$30 million in Equipment Grants for states and school districts operating school lunch

Did you get a bill for a Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan or COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) you never applied for?

If the answer is yes, an identity thief probably used your personal information to get the loan. Here's how to report this problem and start the SBA review process to help you clear up any credit problems the identity theft may have caused.

Step 1. Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov.

You’ll get an FTC Identity Theft report and a personal recovery plan.

Save a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report. You’ll need to submit it to the SBA. Follow the personal recovery plan to stop further misuse of your personal information and help repair the damage the identity theft caused.

Step 2. Visit the SBA’s website at sba.gov/idtheft.

Follow the steps there to report the identity theft to the SBA. This step is required to start the SBA review process.

Step 3. If the identity theft involved a PPP loan and you know the private lender that issued the loan, contact the

lender, too.

Explain that an identity thief used your personal information to get the PPP loan without your knowledge or authorization. Tell them the loan is fraudulent. Ask the lender to release you from the loan and to take all the steps needed to remove information about the loan from your credit files.

Ask the lender to send you a letter explaining the actions it’s taken.

Write down who you spoke with and when. You may need to contact the lender again. Know that the lender may require a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report and other documents. This sample letter can help you get things started.

For questions about COVID-19 EIDL identity theft, contact SBA COVID-19 EIDL Customer Service at 833-853-5638 or by email at IDTRecords@sba.gov.

For questions about PPP loan identity theft, contact the SBA by email at PPPIDTheftInquiries@ sba.gov.

Note: This blog, originally posted on March 9, 2021, has been updated with revised steps for reporting identity theft involving SBA loans to the FTC and SBA.

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programs; and

Nearly $11 million in Farm to School Grants, serving 1.2 million children.

USDA also continues to expand its Direct Certification for Medicaid Demonstration Projects, which ensure that eligible children in households receiving Medicaid benefits automatically receive free or reduced price school meals without their families filling out an application. The demonstration projects have been implemented in 38 states, and USDA continues to invite more states to participate. In school year 2019-2020, 1.4 million students received free and reduced-price school meals thanks to direct certification through Medicaid.

Related Resources:

Webpage: Community

Eligibility Provision

Webpage: USDA School

Meals

Webpage: USDA Support for Schools

FNS works to end hunger and improve food and nutrition security through a suite of 16 nutrition assistance programs, such as the National School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs, the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Together, these programs serve 1 in 4 Americans over the course of a year, promoting consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food essential to optimal health and well-being.

FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. FNS’s report, “Leveraging the White House Conference to Promote and Elevate Nutrition Security: The Role of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service,” released in conjunction with the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September 2022, highlights ways the agency will support the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy. To learn more about FNS, visit www. fns.usda.gov and follow @ USDANutrition.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: JORETTA CALVERT

DECEDENT

CASE NO: PROVA 2300019

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: JORETTA CALVERT A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by: STEPHEN A. CALVERT in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that: STEPHEN A. CALVERT be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person 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: 12/12/2023 Time: 9:00 a.m.

Dept: F1

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO

17780 Arrow Boulevard Fontana, CA 92335

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.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to

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California Bans Book Bans and Textbook Censorship in Schools

California has met this historical imperative and we will be ready to meet the next one.”

“AB 1078 sends a strong signal to the people of California — but also to every American — that in the Golden State — we don't ban books — we cherish them,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

“So, You Mean to Tell Me, You’re Not Concerned At All?”

By Lou K. Coleman

California outperformed most states — including Florida and Texas — in mitigating learning loss during the pandemic, and through historic levels of school funding, the state is building a cohesive structure of support for educators and students that reflects a focus on equity, inclusion, and academic success.

Lou K. Coleman

SACRAMENTO — Building on his Family Agenda to promote educational freedom and success, Governor Gavin Newsom today signed AB 1078 by Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), which bans “book bans” in schools, prohibits censorship of instructional materials, and strengthens California law requiring schools to provide all students access to textbooks that teach about California’s diverse communities.

WHAT GOVERNOR

NEWSOM SAID: “From Temecula to Tallahassee, fringe ideologues across the country are attempting to whitewash history and ban books from schools. With this new law, we’re cementing California’s role as the true freedom state: a place where families — not political fanatics — have the freedom to decide what’s right for them.”

“When we restrict access to books in school that properly reflect our nation’s history and unique voices, we eliminate the mirror in which young people see themselves reflected, and we eradicate the window in which young people can comprehend the unique experiences of others,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

“In short, book bans harm all children and youth, diminishing communal empathy and serving to further engender intolerance and division across society. We Californians believe all children must have the freedom to learn about the world around them and this new law is a critical step in protecting this right.”

“It is the responsibility of every generation to continue the fight for civil and human rights against those who seek to take them away,” said Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson. “Today,

SWCreatives works with Black businesses to boost their social media presence...continued from page 3 engagement and reach.

“I really feel like I was made to market on social media, and I’ve been blessed to have this opportunity,” said Woods. “I want to give other people the opportunity to use their Godgiven talents to make the world as best as possible.”

Geri “Coach G” McCarter, executive director of Coach G Academy, employed SWC Creatives to boost her organization’s visibility. Coach G Academy is a mentoring program, and it’s home to Baltimore’s only city-wide step team, Fatal Attraction.

Although the step squad performed at noteworthy events and won first place in several out-of-state competitions, McCarter felt that not enough people recognized their impact and success.

“We were doing so many amazing things and not getting the visibility and recognition that we deserved,” said McCarter. “We performed at Gov. Wes Moore’s inauguration, AFRAM, and Artscape, all these places and we didn’t really have any private donors supporting our efforts.”

McCarter met Woods at a pitch competition. Woods was judging the competition and approached McCarter after to

explain why he didn’t score her well. McCarter said she felt refreshed by his professionalism and his constructive critiques.

Although she had always been skeptical about paying for social media marketing, she decided to follow up with Woods and learn more about his business.

“I didn’t really see the value because we’re a grassroots organization. I thought it could be costly, and I could be putting the money toward programming or something else that could benefit the girls,” said McCarter. “But, eventually the visibility helped benefit the girls. Now, I’m just going to work it into the budget because it’s very necessary.”

Woods identified a target audience for McCarter, enhanced her social media captions and ensured posts were being published consistently. With the help of SWCreatives, Coach G Academy’s social media reach grew from less than 1,000 people to more than 10,000.

“In 2024, we’re hoping to go to the largest step competition. It’s in Texas,” said McCarter.

“We’re starting a campaign for that next month, and Siraaj will be leading it.”

Megan Sayles is a Report for America Corps member.

City Of Victorville To Host 20th Annual Fall Festival:

VICTORVILLE, Calif. — Victorville Fall Festival, the High Desert’s largest street fair experience, is Oct. 7 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Victorville City Hall located at 14343 Civic Dr. The community is invited to join in this family-oriented event expected to draw more than 15,000 visitors.

This year’s celebration marks the 20th Anniversary of the Fall Festival hosted by the City of Victorville. The event will feature live music, entertainment, hands-on activities, KidsZone, a food court and beer garden, vehicle displays, maker’s booths, and information vendors. The KidsZone includes a skate park,

“This law will serve as a model for the nation that California recognizes and understands the moment we are in - and while some want to roll back the clock on progress, we are doubling down on forward motion. Rather than limiting access to education and flat out banning books like other states, we are embracing and expanding opportunities for knowledge and education, because that's the California way.”

AB 1078 provides the Superintendent of Public Instruction the authority to buy textbooks for students in a school district, recoup costs, and assess a financial penalty if a school board willfully chooses to not provide sufficient standardsaligned instructional materials for students. The law also prohibits school boards from banning instructional materials or library books on the basis that they provide inclusive and diverse perspectives in compliance with state law. While other states ban books, California is making tens of billions of dollars in strategic investments to improve education outcomes and literacy.

As part of the Governor’s Family Agenda, California is ensuring parents and caregivers have the opportunity to actively participate in their children’s education. Parents in California have a seat at the decisionmaking table for key budget, programmatic, and curricular decisions, including the creation of Local Control and Accountability Plans. In the past two years, in partnership with the Legislature, Governor Newsom has required schools to make it easier for working parents to participate in school decisions, invested $4.1 billion to convert one in four schools into community schools with deeper parent engagement, and invested another $100 million in the Community Engagement Initiative for more proactive collaboration with parents.

California provides instruction and support services to roughly 5.9 million students in grades transitional kindergarten through twelve in more than 1,000 districts and over 10,000 schools throughout the state. Education funding in the state is at a record high, totaling $129.2 billion in the 2023-24 budget.

City Of Victorville To Host 20th Annual Fall Festival: Oct. 7...continued

3:45 p.m.: ‘Live from Earth’: A Pat Benatar Tribute

6 p.m.: ‘DSB’: A Tribute to Journey

Community Stage Lineup

1:45 p.m.: Opening Music

2 p.m.: Monique Dance Team

3 p.m.: Donut Eating Contest

3:30 p.m.: Cheer Demo

4:30 p.m.: Superhero Training

This community event is made possible by sponsorships and support from local businesses including Diamond Sponsor – Burrtec; Gold SponsorsBNSF Railway, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), El Dorado Broadcasters, and Walmart; Silver Sponsor – Heritage Victor Valley Medical Group; Bronze Sponsor – Green de Bortnowsky LLC; Community Sponsor – Kiwanis of Victorville; Neighborhood Sponsor – Global Credit Union; and Friend Sponsors – T-Mobile and Skate Riot.

Victorville Fall Festival is free and open to the public. For more information, call (760) 2455551 or visit VictorvilleCA.gov/ SpecialEvents.

Oct. 7

Gellyball, slot car racing, train rides, water bubble rollers, and more.

Plenty of parking next to City Hall in the San Bernardino County Courthouse parking lot is accessible from Seneca Drive and Roy Rogers Drive. All activities and parking are free of charge.

Victorville Fall Festival Main Stage Lineup

1 p.m.: Opening Ceremony

1:30 p.m.: Grupo Suavemente

If you live or work in the following cities, this email is for you! Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Montclair, Upland, Chino and Chino Hills

Dear Partners and Friends,

As an important member of the Inland Empire community, particularly in the West End of San Bernardino County, you are invited to join the inaugural meeting of the Thrive Inland SoCal subregional planning group.

Date: October 5, 2023

Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Location: Ontario Airport Hotel Lunch will be served

This initiative will bring in several million dollars over the next few years to our region. Your input is needed to make sure it is invested in the jobs and economic development that is best for you, your neighbors and your businesses.

Read more about the Inland Empire work here, and about the statewide work here. Reach Out was selected to be the West End subregional lead and we look forward to working with you.

Thrive Inland So Cal is the new name of the Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF), a $600 million state program, and was created to promote a sustainable and equitable recovery from the economic distress of COVID-19 by supporting new plans and strategies to diversify local economies and develop sustainable industries that create high-quality, broadly accessible jobs for all Californians. Key to the program is empowering the state’s diverse regions and residents to meaningfully participate as leaders in this process.

Please register today to ensure your voice is heard.

https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001-iQlt_Mrc7xi5fg_8JS6NrnEtLeAoe1Tqcco1 PQY0mAdXCB_2TEymGxGSgqcX6VyTYD01CJdRQWGi6oQZnPQbsY4 ZvM3uwc-aqpzTRdxzZTpYR-FfUBU7TYfbHx4lDkm7TRiA205T9P8NB 3qsM1qT8LuKtI9CtuZGufThVrRhgVFIx07eAjkT62YBbItWy8QKth4M9_ B8DvI3-e8oNYd8LCd2pfVy9P1bPH3W66vbcXqh5RwOmywoZlNPjbSlc 58IY62uQ26DJt8Pct2wAUNe6UvbGgR8h31aF17tKTi2OIrHU6hZB8cnd ZhcmJYQ-80IZ5PyzVf6E=&c=UDA15LQbSehvPyQ9xK8auCCnduCZ19 78j270AnpIqr3gb-xHK58pGQ==&ch=F60ZC-p-8iFfYUiRM2bOmPE68o 9a7coitMZtClHgHoHoFfxmSkhOYg==

Your whole world is about to be turned upside down and you are not concerned. What’s wrong with you? We are constantly moving forward toward the Biblical description of the last era of human history prior to Christ’s return and you aren’t concerned. Woe unto you! Repent before it is too late! For “My spirit will not always strive with man.” And know that every tender warning, every word of mercy, every expression of compassion, every act of grace and every extended breath within the framework of My patience is not to be treated

lightly or trivialized. Right now, you are living in a time of grace. Enter the ark, before it is too late! If you do not, death and destruction will be your portion. I the Lord have spoken! Final Invitation. Final Instructions. Final Response. Final Judgment. [Genesis 7:124].

God is not a man that He should lie…If God says it, He means it. And the Bible warns us in the New Testament…that Judgment is coming again…and the earth will be destroyed one more time. [Jeremiah 4:5-7]. Burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” [Malachi 4:1]. But nobody responded.

WITNESS FOR JUSTICE #1170

"Large" Policy

Peter Makari

One hundred and twenty-five years ago, the United States was in the throes of a most vibrant debate over the issue of expansion. Should the US seek to exert its power and sovereignty over lands beyond the 48 contiguous states? The issue was prompted by the fighting of the so-called Spanish-American War from April to August, 1898. The Treaty of Paris, signed in December, 1898, resulted in the US gaining forms of control over Puerto Rico, Cuba, Guam, and the Philippines. In the same year, the US annexed Hawai’i. Arguments in Congress, newspapers, and society more broadly over whether and how to expand, and the nature and rationale for expansion, were heated, pitting expansionists against anti-imperialists.

The debates drew on themes of history, morality, religion, commerce, and politics, and were flavored by ideas of racial and religious supremacy as well as a sense of destiny. President McKinley, an advocate of expansion, spoke of the US acquisition of the Philippines, saying that the US acted “under the providence of God and in the name of human progress and civilization” (132). Theodore Roosevelt, who had led the Rough Riders in battle against the Spanish in Cuba and was a staunch advocate of expansion, stated, “All men of sane and wholesome thought must dismiss with impatient contempt the plea that these continents should be reserved for the use of scattered savage tribes whose life was but a few degrees less meaningless, squalid, and ferocious than that of the wild beasts with whom they held joint ownership” (137). More to the point, perhaps, was that the Philippines were seen as a commercial entryway into the grander market of China. Each place has offered perceived economic and/or military benefit. The particular relationship of each has taken its own turn. Puerto Rico, for example, is neither a sovereign nation nor a US state, but a US protectorate. Puerto Ricans enjoy some benefits but not complete rights nor the right to vote.

Andrew Carnegie, a fervent anti-expansionist, pointed to the hypocrisy of an American assertion of the value of liberty when he spoke, “With what face shall we hang in the schoolhouses of the Philippines our own Declaration of Independence, and yet deny independence to them?” (68–69). Booker T. Washington spoke of the military victory over Spain by drawing attention to racism still festering in the US.

“Until we conquer ourselves, I make no empty statement when I say we shall have, especially in the southern part of our country,

a cancer gnawing at the heart of this Republic that shall one day prove as Dangerous as an attack from an army from within or without” (84).

The expansionists won the day in the Senate in 1899 when the Treaty of Paris was ratified, William McKinley won reelection in 1900 with Theodore Roosevelt as his vice-presidential running mate, and the “Large” Policy—expansion—was enacted. In reading about these debates, I was struck by how little the settlement of land and displacement/dispossession of Indigenous people during the acquisition of territory across the North American continent was discussed—except by those who favored expansion. Henry Cabot Lodge, an active proponent of expansion in 1898, drew on that history to justify expansion, saying, “We took Louisiana without the consent of the governed, and ruled it without their consent…. Then came the Mexican war, and by the treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo we received a great cession of territory from Mexico, including all of the California coast…. There were many Mexicans living within the ceded territory. We never asked their consent.”

Never was the rightness of US westward expansion and settlement questioned. It was accepted as a fait accompli. Such a pattern brings to mind the debate about the occupation of Palestinian land, including East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, which has continued since 1967. Seldom has such a focus included—or allowed—acknowledgement of the Palestinian Nakba, or “catastrophe,” following the declaration of the establishment of Israel seventy-five years ago in May 1948, which resulted in the destruction of more than 400 Palestinian towns and villages and the displacement and dispossession of more than 750,000 Palestinians, who became refugees.

In both cases—and in innumerable others around the world and in the US—the voices of Indigenous and oppressed people are lost or suppressed. To recover and amplify those voices is to appreciate their authenticity, to respect their agency, and to recognize their authority. It is to open the door to a more complete understanding of history, with implications for the present. It is to acknowledge that injustices have been done and a first step to address those injustices so that they are not perpetuated.

Citations are from Stephen Kinzer, The True Flag. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2017, which is recommended for further reading.

Governor Newsom and Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson

The world’s deadliest industry is trying to rebrand itself as your friend. Big Tobacco wants to be put in charge of, get credit for, and profit off solving the number one cause of preventable death and disease – the smoking epidemic they created. Their dangerous and hypocritical rebrand promises a “better tomorrow” and “smokefree future” with dangerous, addictive vape products while they continue selling six trillion cigarettes each year, including launching new cigarettes in California just last year.

When Californians voted to end the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, Big Tobacco quickly rolled out new cigarette brands to keep their deadly products on the shelves and pull in profits. These new cigarettes are marketed specifically to Californians through online promotions, catchy marketing, and deep discounts. This, from the same industry that says cigarettes are a thing of the past and new, “safer” tobacco products are the future.

Big Tobacco claims they are driven by product innovation to help people quit smoking but they’ve conveniently ignored the growing body of research that shows vaping increases the risk of serious long-term diseases like lung cancer and stroke and amplifies mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Research shows that many people who use vapes to quit smoking cigarettes end up using both products, making Big Tobacco a killing.

The tobacco industry has spent decades funding studies to give their claims the illusion of credibility, paying big bucks to influence public perception, securing ‘special editions’ of scientific journals, and releasing self-funded research that says their vape products are safer

Vape use is an urgent public health concern in California, especially among young adults. Currently, 11.2% of young adults use vapes,

the highest among any age group. These young adults were among middle and high school students during the height of the tobacco industry-created youth vaping epidemic. Big Tobacco actively preys on youth to be “replacement” customers because their products kill their existing ones. And research shows kids who vape are three times more likely to be daily cigarette smokers in the future.

The real best way to undo the damage of Big Tobacco is by helping people who are addicted quit and prevent kids from starting. As Big Tobacco kills 110 Californians each day, and 30 more suffer from tobacco-related diseases, it’s critical that people who are addicted have access to free, proven quitting methods, including medical support. Using counseling and medication together gives you the best chance of quitting for good.

Big Tobacco’s “smoke-free” future is a dangerous reality for us all.

“Big Tobacco claims they are driven by product innovation to help people quit smoking but they’ve conveniently ignored the growing body of research that shows vaping increases the risk of serious long-term diseases like lung cancer and stroke and amplifies mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.”