"If
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. —Fredrick
Douglass
(1849)
By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Correspondent
Craighead.
On November 23, PresidentElect Donald Trump announced the nomination of Scott Turner for the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Turner is the first African American selected by Trump for his cabinet or any other highlevel Administration position. The former NFL player has also previously worked in government. Turner was the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council.
He also is a former Texas state representative.
Though it is becoming increasingly clear that Trump’s Administration is guided by the goals as published in Project 2025, Turner could lead an agency that is responsible for policy that impacts the lives of many African Americans. How much control members of Trump’s cabinet will have remains to be seen. During Trump’s first Administration,
and
there was a great deal of turnover in cabinet-level and senior stafflevel positions.
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shapes policies that connect to the enforcement of fair housing laws, government money that subsidizes lower-income rents and mortgages, and other policies, including: Fair Housing: Enforcing fair housing laws and ensuring equal housing opportunities
Homeownership: Supporting homeownership through mortgage insurance programs
Turner currently serves as chair of the Center for Education Opportunity at the America First Policy Institute, a group with ties to Trump’s transition team.
“I am pleased to nominate Scott Turner, from the Great State of Texas, as the Secretary of the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Scott is an NFL Veteran who, during my First Term, served as the First Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (WHORC), helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities,” the Trump transition team said in a statement.
“Those efforts, working together with former HUD Secretary Ben Carson, were maximized by Scott’s guidance in overseeing 16 Federal Agencies which implemented more than 200 policy actions furthering Economic Development. Under Scott’s leadership, Opportunity Zones received over $50 Billion Dollars in Private Investment,” the statement concluded.
During Ben Carson’s tenure as Trump’s HUD Secretary, millions
were allocated for new housing developments in Norfolk and Newport News, Virginia using TIGR grants. The Newport News development is almost complete. Turner served alongside Sec. Carson at the time. Turner was drafted in 1995 by the Washington Redskins and played cornerback for the Redskins from 1995 to 1997 and then became a coach for the team.
Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the publisher of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears regularly on #RolandMartinUnfiltered and speaks on Crisis Comms on YouTube @ LaurenVictoriaBurke. She can be contacted at LBurke007@ gmail.com and on twitter at @ LVBurke.
Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
The California Commission on Aging (CCoA) has published a Housing Policy Brief that offers recommendations for reducing housing insecurity and homelessness among older adults in California.
The brief summarizes a more in-depth report titled “Housing Those Hardest Hit: Addressing Older Adult Homelessness.” It also includes seven actionable recommendations to mitigate older adult homelessness in three settings: permanent housing, independent housing, and assisted living.
“Expanding housing capacity across all settings in the older adult continuum of care is critical
as our state confronts the pressing issues of housing insecurity and homelessness among older adults,” stated CCoA Executive Director Karol Swartzlander.
“The need is urgent, and the time to act is now,” she emphasized.
The CCoA serves as the principal advocating body for older Californians, and it administers programs that support and celebrate Californians as they age. In addition, the CCoA advises the Governor and Legislature, along with state, federal, and local agencies on programs and services that affect older adults in the state.
2017 to 2022, the
California Takes Steps to Address Rising Homelessness Among Aging Adults...continued
According to CCoa, the commission blends housing solutions within a comprehensive continuum of care, presenting policymakers with targeted strategies that accommodate the diverse housing and supportive service needs of older adults.
Efforts to address homelessness is now one of CCoA’s top priorities, says Swartzlander.
“The need is urgent, and the time to act is now,” she added.
In 1990, 11% of the homeless population was over the age of 50 while in 2023 older adults represented nearly half of the state’s homeless population. Among this population, 41% first experienced homelessness after the age of 50.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's annual Point-in-Time Count, 38,028 adults aged 55 and older experienced homelessness in California in 2023. Furthermore, the report stated that 41% first experienced homelessness after the age of 50.
Former Assemblymember Cheryl Brown (D-San Bernardino), who just completed a six-year term as chairperson of the CCoA, said there must be policies in place to “remedy the problem” of older adults becoming homeless in the state.
The lack of accessible and available housing, healthrelated behaviors, medical problems, social isolation, and limited resources are some of the root causes of homelessness and poverty among aging
Californians. Speaking on own her behalf -- not representing CCoA -- Brown said more alternatives for affordable housing and services would provide a much-needed safety net for older adults in the state.
“We need to go back to square one and come up with some policies that would help older adults have options,” Brown said. “It’s a tragedy that these people have paid into the system (taxes, social security), and did it the right way, and they still need these services.
In the policy brief, the CCoA presents seven recommendations to mitigate aging adult homelessness. They are exploring a statewide subsidy for older adults at-risk of homelessness; developing a state homeshare program; expanding ministerial approval for smaller assisted living facilities; reforming housing laws; expanding assisted living waivers; and funding community care suggestions. For the last five years, homelessness among African Americans nationally and in California has seen a continued uptick. Black Californians are disproportionately likely to experience homelessness, according to the California Budget and Policy Center (Budget Center).
Black Californians roughly consist of 5% of the state’s population. However, they comprised over 1 in 4 unhoused people who made contact with a homelessness service provider
By Liz Courquet-Lesaulnier
Walmart made big promises after George Floyd’s murder. Now, under pressure from “anti-woke” activists, it’s axing its racial equity center and ditching DEI. Does the company still deserve a piece of Black America’s $1.8 trillion spending power?
Let’s be clear: Walmart needs Black America a heck of a lot more than Black America needs Walmart.
Wielding roughly $1.8 trillion in spending power this year, Black folks’ economic clout is undeniable. We get to choose where we spend our hard-earned cash during the holiday shopping season and beyond. But Walmart — one of many companies that made lofty promises about fighting systemic racism after George Floyd’s murder — just pulled the plug on its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Now, three weeks after Donald Trump’s election, they claim they want to be “a Walmart for everyone.” And the anti-woke bros on the right are trading high-fives, claiming they forced the retail giant to abandon its DEI initiatives.
Yes, DEI, the root of all so-called reverse racism in America. Because for some
folks in this nation, DEI is code for anything that gives the appearance of supporting Black people, communities or businesses. It’s not that Black folks thought the post-George-Floydmurder racial reckoning would last forever. Our ancestors lived through Reconstruction, so we know better.
But back on June 12, 2020, just days after Floyd’s murder, Walmart’s CEO Doug McMillon emoted in a blog post about how the company’s goal was “to help replace the structures of systemic racism, and build in their place frameworks of equity and justice that solidify our commitment to the belief that, without question, Black Lives Matter.” McMillon pledged to examine every aspect of Walmart to ensure the company was prejudice-free. He waxed poetic about a conversation he had with a Black woman employee about racial microaggressions.
Thursday, December 5, 2024
As California’s wildlife crisis deepens amid forester job shortages, the state has launched a new initiative to build up its forestry ranks.
By Selen Ozturk
As California’s wildlife crisis deepens amid forester job shortages, the state has launched a new initiative to build up its forestry ranks.
California has 33 million acres of forest land; for the 4 million of these that are highly managed, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has launched the California Forestry Sector Jobs Initiative to recruit workers, particularly from underrepresented communities, to fill about 1,000 forestry jobs.
These jobs, ranging across vocational and educational levels, include logging, manufacturing, engineering, bioenergy production, forest management, mapping, park guiding, environmental analysis, biology, accounting, HR, electrical work and distribution driving.
Open jobs, with pay and location, are available here; the positions are largely near Northern California cities and towns like Eureka, Chico, Ukiah, Redding, Anderson, Quincy and Red Bluff.
Forestry in California
For the past three decades, California’s forestry workforce has been aging and declining while reliant on previously successful strategies of “feeding its needs from within” by recruiting from rural Northern California, said Matt Dias, president and CEO of the California Forestry Association (Calforests). “But now our needs have gone well beyond our workforce, especially with climate challenges.”
Matt Dias, President and CEO, California Forestry Association, discusses the urgent need to fill jobs in the forestry sector and how the California Forestry Sector Jobs Initiative is working to do that.
Calforests, representing the state’s private forestry business sector, received a CAL FIRE grant to carry out the jobs initiative.
Dias, a forester for 25 years, grew up in Sacramento where he lives now, and learned about forestry “by happenstance in college because, like many Californians, I didn’t even know it existed here,” he explained.
“When I was coming into this industry, the gender and cultural diversity was low. We’ve seen shifts over the last 15 years, primarily toward gender equality, but culturally, there’s still a vacancy,” he added. “Forests are not static in nature. They’re constantly growing, dynamic systems … We’re now moving away from relying upon that happenstance by piquing folks’ early interest in working together to maintain these systems.”
“Traditionally, a lot of forestry jobs in rural communities, and even the equipment, have been handed down from mothers and fathers to daughters and sons, so we haven’t had a huge amount of opportunity for more folks to come in,” said Chief Matthew Reischman, deputy director of resource management at CAL FIRE.
“But now, we have a forest management issue. We can do a better job utilizing our natural resources and commercializing timber while creating wildfire
COUNTY, Calif. – On November 26, 2024, San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office prosecutors in our Office of Traffic Safety Unit filed multiple felony charges including murder against Alexis Jose Garcia (28) of San Bernardino. On the evening of November 24th, Defendant Garcia was allegedly driving under the influence, and ran a red light in Rialto t-boning a vehicle with a family inside, resulting in the death of two toddlers.
Alexis Jose Garcia is charged with the following:
· Two counts of PC187(a)
- Murder
· Two counts of PC191.5(a)
– Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated
· One count of VC20001(b)
(2)
– Hit and Run Resulting in Death
· One count of VC23153(a)
– Driving Under the Influence of alcohol Resulting in Injury
· One count of VC23153(b)
– Driving with a .08% BAC or More Causing Injury
Our office has also alleged
resiliency across the state,” he continued. “Based on the fire activity we’ve seen over the last five to 10 years, we have a huge amount of acres that need to be reforested, and we truly need all the help we can get.”
In 2024 alone, 7,668 wildfires have burned 1,040,146 acres statewide as of November 15; the most recent five-year average is 1,284,570 acres burned annually.
Chief Matthew Reischman, Deputy Director of Resource Management, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), discusses efforts to diversify California’s forestry sector and why that’s important for the sector and state.
California has “very, very protective forest practice laws that require us to be growing more trees than we would ever cut,” said Reischman. “But there’s often a misconception that if it’s green, it’s healthy … If you consider the average fire-return interval in the Sierra Nevada, for instance, it’s every seven to 12 years for an acre. And while some stands haven’t seen fire in 50 or 60 years, brush keeps growing in to make them weaker and more susceptible.”
“Every five to 10 years, stands will regrow, but if we don’t maintain them, we’ll continue to see large and catastrophic fires,” he added. “As a fire department, we have to make fast decisions; often, people’s lives and property depend on it. But if we have an opportunity to pause and diversify the way we work together, as through this initiative, we’re ultimately more informed to make better decisions.”
Foresters’ stories
“As an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, I originally wanted to be a wildlife biologist, but my first year in 2010 I was drawn to forestry because how much you have to know to care for an entire forest — like hydrology, soil science, botany and wildlife ecology,” said Brita Goldstein, licensed forester and community affairs representative at timber
manufacturer Green Diamond Resource Company, which manages about 400,000 acres of redwood on the North Coast.
There are about 1,500 registered professional foresters (RPFs) in California, according to the California Licensed Foresters Association.
Brita Goldstein, Community Affairs and Communications Representative, Green Diamond Resource Company, says the demand for forestry workers has grown dramatically in the last ten years and discusses the types of jobs available.
“I then studied in a forestry program at Berkeley composed 80% of women, which is highly unusual,” she continued. “After graduating in 2014, I learned my craft by consulting with small family forest owners to manage their lands,” she continued. “After earning my RPF license in 2018, I now work in the private sector promoting forestry education.”
Amid intensifying climate change and wildfire risk, Goldstein said she sees increasing demand for forestry jobs since she started a decade ago — and with that demand, increasing wages: “I was very excited to have my first job at $13 an hour. Now, my company will pay someone in a similar entry position starting more in the range of $20 to $22 an hour.”
“Forestry is so valuable because we work on such a long-term time scale, sometimes a century — I won’t get to see all the trees that I plant reach their full height, but I do it anyway, and I think that drive to make our forests resilient for the future is what builds the integrity of this field,” she continued. “That said, our work does reward us with incredibly tangible results and purpose, like treating fuels to prevent wildfires, or harvesting trees and selling logs to support a family.”
J. Lopez, Public Member, California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, discusses the many products that rely on continued on page 4
The Thursday E-Edition of The San Bernardino AMERICAN NEWS
multiple special allegations for fleeing after committing vehicular manslaughter, great bodily injury and driving with .15% or more BAC.
“Here we have yet another tragic DUI related death that was completely preventable and born out of selfish and reckless behavior.” said San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson. “Given the amount of education from advocates like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and countless ridesharing alternatives there is absolutely no excuse for anyone to get behind the wheel intoxicated.”
“Those two little girls should be writing their letters to Santa, but instead their family is dealing with the unthinkable task of writing their eulogies. We send our deepest condolences to their loved ones “ Our Office as well as Rialto Police Department have filed motions recommending No Bail. Defendant Garcia is scheduled for arraignment on November 27th, 2024 at Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse.
is available weekly on our website: sb-american.com
By Dr. Brian Hainline
Sixty million children in America participate in organized sports annually. More than 26% of those kids "specialize" before puberty, meaning they engage in intense, year-round training in a single sport.
Specializing in a sport too soon can harm kids' overall development, well-being, and love of the game -- whichever game that may be.
As someone who was a Division I collegiate athlete, I recognize why coaches and parents believe early sports specialization fuels success. Excelling in any activity takes years of practice. But this belief is misguided, and the consequences to the developing child are often
Why Early Sport Specialization Could Be Sabotaging Your Child's Athletic Future...continued
long-term excellence. The foundation of long-term sport excellence is athleticism: agility, balance, coordination, speed, stamina, strength. Playing multiple sports nurtures athleticism. A singular focus on one sport before puberty develops the player -- not the athlete.
Twenty-two-year-old Claire Carson, a national champion in rowing, recently warned of the risks from early specialization. She described how years of overtraining left her "stuck with a broken back" -- and in need of disc replacement surgery -4 years after graduating high school. As a sports medicine physician, I have treated innumerable athletes like Claire. The injuries, the disappointment, the disconnect from sport and family are haunting stories that need not be.
Burnout is another concern. Athletes who focus on a single sport too soon are more likely to experience emotional and physical exhaustion and a diminished sense of enjoyment.
Perhaps the saddest part of early specialization is that it isn't necessary. I was a multi-sport athlete. Playing multiple sports didn't diminish my ability to succeed on the court. I'm hardly an outlier -- about 90% of NCAA athletes participated in multiple sports growing up.
As president of the U.S. Tennis Association, I love tennis. No two shots are the same, which
allows developing brains to improve executive function, and which provides a pathway for young athletes to adapt, control their emotions, and bounce back resiliently for every serve. Even though tennis is the healthiest sport on the planet, I would never advise any child to only play tennis. Trying multiple sports helps kids build a variety of skills, develop athletically, and grow physically strong. To foster a lasting love for sports, it's crucial that the pathway to sport is based on a low-stakes, fun, and educational environment where children can thrive.
Rather than training kids to be professional athletes in grade school, we should encourage them to play multiple sports, learn from each of them -- and most important -- have fun. That’s the most effective way to develop not only a fine athlete, but also a well-rounded human being.
Brian Hainline, MD is Chair of the Board and President of the United States Tennis Association and recently transitioned from the NCAA as their Chief Medical Officer. He co-chaired the International Olympic Committee Consensus Meetings on both Pain Management in Elite Athletes and Mental Health in Elite Athletes. Brian is a Clinical Professor of Neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
California Takes Steps to Address Rising Homelessness Among Aging Adults... continued from page 1
during the 2021-22 fiscal year, according to the Budget Center’s “Who Is Experiencing Homeleness In California?” report.
“Long-standing racist policies and practices have also concentrated marginalized communities in undervalued occupations, increasing their economic insecurity which is a primary driver of experiencing homelessness,” the March 2023 Budget Center report stated. “We see this today as people of color are largely pushed into lowerpaying occupations, the first to lose their jobs during economic downturns, and experience the highest rates of unemployment.”
According to the 2020 Profile of African Americans Age 65 or Older, the African American population age 65 and older was 4,979,133 in 2019 and is projected to grow to 12.1 million by 2060. In 2019, slightly more than half (52%) of all older African Americans lived in 304, 751 older African Americans lived in California, according
to the POAA report. - needs to be rewritten Overall, numerous factors contribute to the increase in older adult homelessness. Scattered employment, lowwage employment, and time serving as a family caregiver, result in low wages throughout significant working years.
“As state and federal policymakers consider choices that will affect California’s unhoused and vulnerable communities, it is important to understand the unique housing, economic, and health conditions older unhoused adults face,” the Budget Center reported. “By doing so, policymakers can act on proven policies and interventions that can help solve homelessness among older adults.”
Editorial Note: California Black Media will follow up this article with more investigations into the lived experiences of older adults impacted by the of homelessness and housing insecurity crisis in the state
tragic.
Children who concentrate on a single sport before age 12 are 70% to 93% more likely to suffer from an injury than their multi-sport peers. Early specialization places intense pressure on developing preadolescent bodies. It can overtax specific muscles, ligaments, and joints that are not physiologically ready for such behavior, leading to serious long-term injuries. Half of injuries in youth sports result from overuse, primarily caused by repetitive movements in a singular sport.
Importantly, early specialization does not predict
14th Annual CA Green Building & Community Awards Announced Winner Locations across CA: Beverly Hills, Burbank, Crafton Hills, El Segundo, Fountain Valley, Irvine, Los Angeles, Malibu, Martinez (Contra Costa), Mountain View, Newport Beach, Puente Hills, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Joaquin Valley
Awards to be Presented at the 20th Annual USGBC California’s Green Gala on Dec. 11th in Hollywood
OC Sanitation, L’Oréal, SBCCD, EJ Center at Puente Hills Landfill Park, Contra Costa County Admin Building, Rising Sun and Green Sports Alliance to be Awarded, Among Others
LOS ANGELES (December
2, 2024) – On December 11th at the 20th Annual Green Gala, the USGBC California (USGBCCA) community - for the first time representing the entire state - will honor movers and shakers from across the state’s green building industry during the 14th Annual California Green Building Awards and Community Awards. The Orange County Sanitation District Headquarters, designed by HDR, has been selected as Project of the Year, with a deeply sustainable and cost-effective design that exceeds EPA standards, offers Fountain Valley's first pedestrian bridge transporting hot water, generating 60% of new Headquarters’ power, and provides a strong civic space.
Twenty additional exceptional individual projects are being awarded, from entertainment, tech, cultural and educational institutions to hospitality, county buildings and parks. USGBCCA is also proud to recognize Community Leaders, people or organizations that reflect the spirit of community, including Rising Sun, Bottom Line Utility Solutions, Green Sports Alliance and NBCUniversal (full list below).
“This has been a remarkable year where we brought together leaders of our industry, unifying green building communities across California to accelerate the scope and scale of our work in response to the climate crisis,” states USGBC-CA Executive Director Ben Stapleton. “Our California Green Building Awards now represent the leading buildings across this beautiful and diverse state, raising the bar
for what is possible for our built environment to better support the communities they serve, not just here, but everywhere.”
The California Green Building Awards (formerly known as the Sustainable Innovation Awards) affirm a project team’s commitment and leadership in creating a sustainable built environment for all. The awards are merit-based, for built and designed (unbuilt) projects, that go above and beyond in demonstrating innovation, sustainable strategies, and exemplary performance in the fields of sustainability, occupant health and community engagement. These awards are open to California projects, and while a certification (or pending) under any sustainability rating system is preferred, it is not required.
CA GREEN BUILDING AWARDS -- Project Teams at the end:
Project of the Year
Clothing manufacturer Dickies moves headquarters from
SACRAMENTO – Dickies, a Texas-based apparel company, recently announced it was relocating its headquarters from Fort Worth, Texas to Orange County, California. This announcement brings new jobs to California, adding to the state’s world-leading economy.
“California continues to lead the way with a strong job market and consistent economic growth. We are pleased to welcome Dickies to the Golden State — the fifth largest economy in the world and a welcoming place to grow and support their ongoing success.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
Dickies, a workwear and lifestyle apparel company, will open its new headquarters in Costa Mesa, California in early 2025. Its parent company, VF Corporation, also manages Vans, another well-known Californiabased apparel company.
California is the 5th largest economy in the world for the seventh consecutive year, with
a nominal GDP of nearly $3.9 trillion in 2023 and a growth rate of 6.1% since the year prior, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. On a per capita basis, California is the second-largest economy in the world among large economies.
Most companies on the Fortune 500 list
This move puts Dickies in good company. California is home to the most Fortune 500 companies — beating out all other states, including Texas and Florida. California is home to 1.7 million private sector businesses that account for nearly 87 percent of California's jobs. California is also home to 32 of the world’s 50 leading AI companies. California has one of the most equitable tax systems in the entire country, and is #1 in the nation for new business starts, #1 for access to venture capital funding, #1 for manufacturing, #1 for high-tech business, and #1 for agriculture.
Most revenue-generating companies
California also tops the list of Inc. Magazine’s annual rankings of the top 5,000 companies for revenue growth over the past three years, with 672 businesses generating 874,940 jobs and $317 billion in revenue over three years, and a median revenue growth of 1.637%.
Orange County Sanitation
District Headquarters (Fountain Valley) - complete information below
Energy / Operational Carbon
Honor - Orange County Sanitation District Headquarters (Fountain Valley)
Merit - BUCK Los Angeles (Los Angeles)
Merit - Crafton Hills College
Performing Arts (Crafton Hills)
Merit - Edwards Lifesciences Campus Expansion (Irvine)
Merit - Malibu High School (Malibu)
Merit - San Bernardino Valley College, Technical Education Project (San Bernardino)
Merit - NBCUniversal THE COMMONS (Burbank)
Merit - May Lee State Office Complex (Sacramento)
Environmental Justice Honor - The Environmental Justice Center at Puente Hills
Landfill Park (Puente Hills)
Honor - Westlands Solar Park (San Joaquin Valley)
Merit - The Village SF Wellness Center (San Francisco)
Health + Well Being
Honor - L’Oréal’s El Segundo Office (El Segundo)
Honor - Google - Gradient Canopy (Mountain View)
Merit - My Angel Apartments (North Hills, Los Angeles)
Merit - SFO Alaska Airlines T1 Lounge (San Francisco)
Merit - The Burbank Studios / Warner Bros. Discovery Second Century (Burbank)
Water Honor - San Bernardino Valley College Career Pathways 2 (San Bernardino)
Merit - Waldorf Astoria (Beverly Hills)
Zero Waste and Circular Solutions
Honor - Contra Costa County Administration Building B (Martinez)
Merit - Environmental Nature Center (Newport Beach)
Merit - Gateway to Chinatown (San Francisco)
[For an ONLINE TOUR of all the California Green Building Awards recipients, visit the USGBC-CA EcoMapCA. HONORS awardees currently posted; MERITS will be up by Dec. 11 latest. High resolution images of all projects available upon request.]
Orange County Sanitation District Headquarters (Courtesy of HDR)
The annual Project of the Year embodies not only premier green building practices but reflects
continued in next 2 columns
Black America doesn’t have to shop at Walmart...continued from page 1
He pledged $100 million to a Center for Racial Equity that would “address the root causes of gaps in outcomes experienced by Black and African American people in education, health, finance and criminal justice systems,” according to Walmart’s website.
Walmart, he vowed, was on a “journey in support of racial justice and equity.”
One thousand, six hundred and twenty-eight days later, that journey is over.
The Center for Racial Equity? Closing. Racial equity training for employees? Not today, Satan. Using the phrase “DEI” in corporate communications? Axed.
Walmart now says it wants to foster “a sense of belonging.” Apparently, as journalist Judd Legum quipped on Bluesky, “Walmart has solved racism.”
Right-wing anti-DEI activists like Robby Starbuck are popping champagne, claiming they pressured the company into ditching its “woke” policies. Starbuck, a former music video director, regularly posts lines like: “It’s a fact that DEI is antiwhite,” and “DEI IS racism and deserves to die,” on X.
In a lengthy post on the social media platform, Starbuck insinuated that his conversations with Walmart — the nation’s biggest, most influential retailer — led to this rollback, a move that will “send shockwaves throughout corporate America.”
“This is the biggest win yet for
Let’s call Walmart’s abandoning DEI efforts what it is: a slap in the face to the Black folks who’ve kept their registers ringing for decades.
Black America doesn’t have to shop at Walmart...continued Amazon and Target, he said, “should be very nervous that their top competitor dropped woke policies first” and should brace themselves for losses. Which begs a simple question: Should Black America keep shopping at Walmart when it seems Walmart might have forgotten who helps keep its lights on?
This isn’t just about Walmart, though. Across corporate America, anti-DEI crusaders are attacking anything and everything related to leveling the playing field for Black folks, the Latino community, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.
And companies are nervous about Trump 2.0, as well as a Supreme Court that’s overtly hostile to anything that smacks of affirmative action.
But here’s the kicker: Black America is not powerless. Walmart, like every other company, runs on dollars. And Black dollars matter — a lot.
If Black shoppers took their spending power elsewhere, the fallout for Walmart would be seismic.
Starbuck, though, doesn’t think Black folks have a choice.
“I’m happy to have secured these changes before Christmas when shoppers have very few large retail brands they can spend money with who aren’t pushing woke policies,” he gloated.
“I think America has figured out that if you dish out racism and bigotry subtly one drop at a time and not in a direct overt manner the Black community is OK with it,” Isaac Hayes III wrote on X about the situation. “Kneel on their necks and kill one of them they get mad. Dismantle systems that level the playing field for them and they just accept it and still continue to spend money with us.”
A company that caves to racist attacks coded as “anti-woke” does not respect Black America. It doesn’t deserve our loyalty. Because loyalty isn’t free — and $1.8 trillion in purchasing power can go a long way somewhere else.
This article was originally published on WordinBlack.com.
14th Annual CA Green Building & Community Awards Announced Winner Locations across CA: Beverly Hills, Burbank, Crafton Hills, El Segundo, Fountain Valley, Irvine, Los Angeles, Malibu, Martinez (Contra Costa), Mountain View, Newport Beach, Puente Hills, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Joaquin Valley...continued
the complete spirit of the CA Green Building Awards. The new Orange County Sanitation District Headquarters builds on the District’s long commitment to sustainable wastewater treatment that exceed EPA standards. For decades they have been collecting on-site biogas and running it through a central cogeneration plant to generate electricity, hot water, and steam, which reduced CO2 emissions by 95%. Their new Headquarters continues this commitment to high-performance, cost-effective design that achieves Net Zero
Energy with an innovative strategy to capturing excess hot water from the plant and bringing it across Fountain Valley's first pedestrian bridge to provide 60% of new Headquarters’ power. Prior, they had over 3000 visitors per year, and with their new Headquarters and deep commitment to serving their community, they aim to attract even more visitors with a community board room and interactive exhibits to educate the community about wastewater treatment, public health, and sustainability.
Clothing manufacturer Dickies moves headquarters from Texas to California...continued
our movement to end wokeness in corporate America,” Starbuck posted on X.
Walmart touts itself as Black America’s biggest private employer and has long been a retail giant in the Black community. A 2023 analysis by Collage Group identified Walmart as our favorite brand, due to the company’s investments “in Black enrichment, and taking a stance on social matters.”
But here’s the other side of the coin: research revealed that Walmart stores in Black and Latino neighborhoods consistently get worse reviews for service quality. Walmart’s been hit with multiple discrimination lawsuits. Remember that $17.5 million class-action lawsuit?
Yeah, the 2009 one where Walmart settled claims that it discriminated against Black folks trying to get truck driving jobs? That was a thing.
Just two years ago, an Oregon jury ordered Walmart to pay $4.4 million to a Black man after a White Walmart employee racially profiled and harassed him in one of their stores.
A quick internet search nets plenty of other examples of people suing Walmart over shopping-while-Black experiences, Black employees suing for being repeatedly passed over for promotions, and Black employees suing because they were being called racial slurs in the workplace.
Highest level of tourism spending California has the largest market share of tourism in the nation. Travel spending in the state reached an all-time high of $150.4 billion last year, surpassing the record $144.9 billion spent in 2019 – spending that is 3.8% higher than 2019 and 5.6% higher than 2022. The new travel-spending record generated $12.7 billion in state and local tax revenue by visitors in 2023, marking a 3% increase over 2019. Tourism created 64,900 new jobs in 2023, bringing total industry employment to 1,155,000.
WDB, Roadtrip Nation partner to inspire and connect San Bernardino County Youth in ‘Paths Across San Bernardino’
Our San Bernardino County youth have felt pressured by the narrative that they must look to Los Angeles or Orange County to find a job. The San Bernardino County Workforce Board’s Youth Forward program and Roadtrip Nation have partnered to show the world that the opportunities of their dreams are right here in San Bernardino County.
Amelia, Ansh, Lovely, Luis, and Melissa, all residents of San Bernardino County, set out on a road trip to meet inspiring local professionals who are creating meaningful careers and fulfilling lives in our county.
The Roadtrippers traveled several paths across our county to learn about healthcare, education, construction, logistics, government and manufacturing opportunities throughout the region. They had discussions with industry leaders in these sectors and our region to discover more about the diverse career opportunities available in San Bernardino County.
“We are proud to showcase the
depth of our county's economic and workforce opportunities. From the industry professionals to the young adults featured, the ‘Paths Across San Bernardino’ film demonstrates a few of our many exciting possibilities,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe.
“This is just another example of the ongoing commitment of this board’s collaborative efforts with the many partners and stakeholders to inspire, connect, and prepare our youth for exciting and life-changing careers in San Bernardino County,” said William Sterling, WDB Chairman. “We are excited for the world to see an example in these Paths Across San Bernardino episodes.” Watch the five young adults as they set out across San Bernardino County, get the advice to carve out their own career paths in the place they call home, and prove that many
Thursday, December 5, 2024
By Roy Betts, UNCF Communications
HBCUs have long been pillars of educational excellence and economic engines, driving prosperity in their communities and across the nation. Despite these contributions, chronic underfunding threatens their ability to sustain this impact.
Transforming Futures: The Economic Engines of HBCUs, underscores the urgent need for equitable and sustainable funding to ensure HBCUs can continue their vital role in promoting social mobility and economic growth and calls on the public to advocate for these essential institutions.
“As UNCF observes its 80th anniversary, one of the highlights of our yearlong celebration is the release of the sequel to our groundbreaking 2017 report. This report reaffirms what we have always known about the resilience of HBCUs: despite a deadly pandemic, social unrest caused by the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and the economic uncertainties of the past seven years, HBCUs continue to do more with less—
not only in preparing the next generation of leaders but also in contributing to our nation’s economic impact,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. “At this critical moment, with a crucial election on the horizon, we all must immediately actualize our commitment to these cornerstone institutions.”
Key findings in the 2024 HBCU Economic Impact Report include:
HBCUs generate $16.5 billion in direct economic impact nationally.
If they were a company, the nation’s HBCUs would place in the top 50 of the nation’s Fortune500 companies in job creation.
Collectively, 136,048 jobs exist because of HBCUs.
On average, for each job created on campus, 1.5 offcampus jobs exist because of spending related to the institution. HBCUs are far more accessible to students and more successful
With Climate Change Intensifying, California Launches Initiative to Fill Forestry Jobs...continued from page 2
wood and therefore the proper management of our forests. Learn more at caforestryworkforce. com.
“There’s not only a broad array of what you need to know in forestry, but a broad array of what you can do with it,” said J. Lopez, public member of the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and executive director of the California Wildfire Mitigation Program, run through the state governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Over 40 working years, “I started in forest management and nursery work in Southern California, in the rainforests of southern Mexico and in the high elevations of Northern Mexico … then went into the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Forestry Division,
and into work with the state,” he continued.
“The beauty of forestry is in keeping our resources renewable — how, in properly maintaining the wood, we can properly harvest and make it into something used by everybody, like a pencil, your house, even toothpaste and space satellites,” Lopez explained. “The knowledge you have in how to renew a disrupted ecosystem means you can make the difference in how an area is maintained and used.”
“What we do, we’re not going to see it fully. What we do is always going to be for somebody else. Having that impact in the future of this world through forestry is the most rewarding part,” he added. “This work means understanding the legacy that we can leave behind.”
The 14 Different Types Of Headaches: Which One You’re Experiencing?
We've all experienced the throbbing, distracting discomfort of a headache. Headaches vary. Everybody gets headaches. Types of headaches differ in cause, duration, and severity.
Most Common Primary Headaches
Primary headaches typically involve head pain. Your headache isn't going to be caused by illness or allergies.
These headaches can be episodic or chronic:
Episodic headaches may occur up to 15 times a month. They might last 30 minutes to hours. Chronic headaches recur. More than 15 days every month. Pain treatment is needed in these circumstances.
at moving students from the bottom 40% of a country’s income distribution to the top 60%, signaling social mobility.
The 51,269 HBCU graduates in the class of 2021 can expect work-life earnings of $146 billion, 57% ($53 billion) more than the $93 billion they could expect without their degrees or certificates.
The 2024 HBCU Economic Impact Report is a continuation of the landmark 2017 study, HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which showed that HBCUs’ economic benefits extend beyond the students they educate. In addition to the comprehensive report, a website has been launched where users can explore state-specific data and insights for individual HCBUs. This resource allows users to explore the localized impact, emphasizing the critical role HBCUs play in communities across the nation.
“Transforming Futures: The Economic Engines of HBCUs represents the latest chapter in a longitudinal research initiative by UNCF’s Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute.
By leveraging robust methodology and extensive data, we highlight how HBCUs continue to be critical drivers of economic growth and social mobility,” said Dr. Nadrea R. Njoku, assistant vice president, of Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute, UNCF.
“This report not only underscores the substantial economic benefits generated by HBCUs but also contextualizes the broader challenges they have faced over the past three years, including the far-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the threats of violence that have been levied against many of these institutions.”
“Now more than ever, we must recognize the indispensable role HBCUs play in shaping not just the future of their students but the future of our nation. This report is not just a call to awareness but a call to action,” said Lodriguez Murray, senior vice president, of public policy and government affairs, at UNCF. “As we move forward, it is imperative that we leverage this data to galvanize our communities and demand the necessary support from our policymakers by voting for HBCUs. We urge every supporter to make their voices heard, to advocate for the equitable funding our HBCUs deserve, and to ensure that these institutions can continue to thrive and contribute to America’s future.”
To view the brief and full report for Transforming Futures: The Economic Engines of HBCUs, visit: UNCF.org/ HBCUImpactReport.
For more information on how to actualize a commitment and be a voice for HBCUs, visit: UNCF. org/EquityPledge.
WDB, Roadtrip Nation partner to inspire and connect San Bernardino County Youth in ‘Paths Across San Bernardino’...continued from page 3 lucrative and exciting career opportunities are available right in their own backyards.
The new two-episode series, “Paths Across San Bernardino,” will air on KVCR and online on Tuesday, November 19. It follows the five San Bernardino County youths on the journey that opened their hearts, minds, and opportunities.
Visit https://bit.ly/3YbYiQz to watch the episodes online! In addition to Youth Programs, WDB offers resources that include employee recruitment, financial assistance, individualized resume
Tension headache Tension headaches cause a dull, agonizing pain across the head. Non-throbbing. Neck, forehead, scalp, or shoulder muscles may be irritated. Tension headaches are common, as stress causes them.
Cluster headache
Cluster headaches are sharp and searing. They appear around, behind, or on one side of one eye. Signs include: swelling, redness, flushing, and sweating on the side that's affected by the headache nasal congestion and eye tearing on the same side as the headache Multiple headaches develop. Every headache lasts 15 minutes to 3 hours. Cluster headaches cause one to four headaches a day, generally simultaneously. Another headache shortly follows. Cluster headaches may last months. Symptom-free months separate clusters. Spring and autumn are cluster headache seasons. Men get them at three times the rate of women. Doctors don't understand
assistance, job search and career placement, skills certifications, information on unemployment benefits, COBRA, 401(k) options, the Affordable Care Act, child support assistance, services and resources for veterans and more.
To access these workforce resources and more, please visit our website, call (800) 451-JOBS (5627), visit one of our county’s three America’s Job Centers of California, and follow us on social media at @ SBCWorkforce.
FOR JUSTICE Issue #1232
Cassandra Saunders
Content Warning: This piece contains mentions of suicide and mental health. Please prioritize your well-being when deciding whether or not to read.
When I was sixteen, I was a mess. Attending a conservative, anti-LGBTQ church in the Bible Belt plus repressing my sexuality plus being an overachiever with undiagnosed mental health conditions equaled one stressed and lost teenage girl. I scoured the internet, desperately searching for affirmation of something I was too afraid to put a name to. I drowned in what-ifs and repeatedly spiraled about spending eternity in hell.
One night, overcome by a panic attack, I broke down sobbing to my mom and confessed how I was feeling. She hugged me and reassured me that God loves me no matter what. But she still couldn’t fully understand what it was to be queer and Christian. Since then, I’ve learned that it’s terrifying and beautiful all at once.
That week, I begged God for a sign. A sign that it was okay to be me, a girl who might just like girls. A few days after I had that conversation with my mom, I
was sitting outside of the library, alone. A complete stranger, a kind woman in grey scrubs, approached me and said: “I don’t know how I know this, but you need to know that Jesus loves you.” The heavens all but split open as I sat there in absolute awe. That woman probably has no idea that this one moment changed my life and I will always be grateful to her and God for sending me this divine message at a time when I needed it most. I am one of the many queer and trans youth who disproportionately struggle with their mental health.1 There is a devastating but preventable public health crisis of LGBTQ+ youth suicide in this country.2
In 2023, forty-one percent of LGBTQ+ youth ages 13–24 seriously considered attempting suicide. For queer youth of color, trans, and non-binary youth, the numbers are even higher. Fourteen percent of queer youth attempted suicide in 2023. We know that respecting pronouns, making schools gender-affirming and inclusive, and having supportive loved ones lowers suicide rates. We also know that anti-LGBTQ policies,
still. But we are not alone, nor are we something that needs changing. We are queerfully and wonderfully made. I leave you with a quote from the “Desiderata,” penned by Max Ehrmann, which says: “Be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. Keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.”3
1 Strategic Plan – About The Trevor Project’s Mission & Vision
2 Desiderata: Original Text
3 The Trevor Project: 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People
Queerfully and Wonderfully Made...continued as well as anti-LGBTQ bullying, worsen the mental health of queer youth significantly. Lawmakers who write these hateful laws, many in the name of supposed Christian values, do not represent God’s vision of a just world where all are welcomed and loved. While homophobic and transphobic voices may be loud, we can and must be louder. Let us proudly use our Christian values for love instead of hate. And if “they will know we are Christians by our love,” and our mandate is to love our neighbor as ourselves, we must first love ourselves. In a world full of discrimination and misunderstanding, being a queer child of God is hard. Fully, truly loving yourself is even harder
“I Tell You; The Only Thing Worse Than Being Lost and Going to Hell is-”
By: Lou K Coleman
K Coleman
Being lost and going to Hell, thinking you were going to Heaven. A line from a Negro spiritual says it well, “Everybody talkin’ ’bout Heaven ain’t goin’ there.”
You see, Jesus makes one of the most startling statements in the entire Bible. He says, not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven. [Matthew 7:2127]. Some people who will think they are saved are, in fact, still lost and headed to Hell! Why? Because Jesus says that not all who profess Him possess Him. [Titus 1:16].
So, you can sing, “When We All Get to Heaven” if you want to; But if you are not doing what the song says, “Trusting, Serving Every Day; Being Truthful and Faithful,” you can forget about it. [Matthew 7:21-23; Hebrews 10:26-31; Revelation 21:8; Galatians 5:19-21; Jude 1:7].
As Paul wrote to the people in the Church at Corinth, examine yourself to see if you are truly in the Faith. Prove your own self, giving diligence to make your calling and election sure. For if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. [2 Corinthians 13:5; 2 Peter 1:10] because professing Christ and not possessing Him you will be excluded from Heaven. Beside you can appear to have your act together with the Lord, but God knows the true condition of each man’s heart. For He says in [Mark 4:12; Jeremiah 17:910] the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.
I tell you, so many people think they are saved because they consider themselves good people, because they have said a “Sinner’s Prayer, been Baptized, Pray, Read the Bible, Fast, Pay Tithes, Do Good Works, Go to Church, Hold a Position in Church, Speak in Tongues, Heal, Cast out Demons, Prophesize and do Miracles in Jesus name which is all good but as [Titus 1:15-16] says, none of them will get you into Heaven if your conscience is defiled.
Such people claim they know God, but they deny Him by the way they live. That’s why Jesus says, for many will say to Me in that day, have we not prophesied in Thy name, cast out devils, and done many wonderful works in Thy name? And then I will profess unto them, I never
knew you: Depart from me, ye that worker iniquity. [Matthew 7:22-23]. Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: These people say they are mine. They honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me, and their worship of Me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote. [Matthew 15:7-9; Mark 7:6; Isaiah 29:13; Jeremiah 12:2]. Don’t recite My Laws no longer, and don’t pretend that you obey Me. For you refuse My discipline and treat My Laws [God’s Word & God’s Commandments] like trash. [Psalm 50:16-22]. You draw near to Me with your mouth. You Honor Me with your lips, you worship Me, but you are not saved. On the outside you look Righteous and Holy, but you are not. While you did all this, I remained silent, and you thought I didn’t care. But now I will rebuke you, listing all my charges against you. [Psalms 50:21]. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. [1 Timothy 4:2]. They seek to enter Heaven. They knock at God’s door. They pray and call upon the name of the Lord. [Matthew 7:21]. They take Communion. They say to Me, “Lord, Lord. They prophesize in My name. They cast out devils in My name. They do many wonderful works in My name, yet they perish. What a terrible day that is going to be for so many people who believe they lived good lives and should be allowed into Heaven. [Proverbs 14:12].
The Bible clearly states you must: Repent and Believe the Gospel, Forsake all Sin, and Obey God’s Word. [John 3:3,7, 36; John 5:24; John 6:28-29]. So, follow Jesus command: so that you may enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” [Matthew 7:13–14]. For many are called, but few are chosen. [Matthew 22:14].
Then I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad, 12,000 from the tribe of Asher, 12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh, 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon, 12,000 from the tribe of Levi, 12,000 from the tribe of Issachar, 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed. [Revelation 7:4-8].
I Tell You; The Only Thing Worse Than Being Lost and Going to Hell is Being lost and Going to Hell, Thinking You Were Going to Heaven.
San Bernardino, CA –December 3, 2024 – The entrepreneurial spirit meets holiday giving as the Black and Brown Opportunities for Profit (BBOP) Center hosts its heartwarming Year-End Holiday Celebration on December 17th from 12 pm to 2 pm. This festive gathering isn't just about celebrating success – it's about creating smiles for local children while showcasing the power of women-led businesses in the Inland Empire.
In its role as San Bernardino's premier business incubator for women of color, the BBOP Center has become a beacon of hope and economic empowerment.
The Center provides crucial resources, mentorship, and a supportive ecosystem where women entrepreneurs can transform their business dreams into profitable realities, breaking down long-standing barriers in the process.
"Every successful business we help launch represents a family's future transformed," says Vanessa Perez, CEO of the BBOP Center. "This celebration honors those transformations while paying it forward to the next generation."
The holiday event will feature a toy drive benefiting homeless
children supported by Time for Change Foundation. Guests bringing unwrapped toys for children ages 0-6 will receive raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes from local women-owned businesses.
Amidst seasonal treats and festive networking, attendees will hear inspiring success stories from entrepreneurs who have flourished through BBOP's programs.
Event Details:
* Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2024
* Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (PST)
* Location: 599 N. Arrowhead Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92401
The BBOP Center, launched by Time for Change Foundation in 2023, has emerged as a vital force in addressing systemic inequities in business ownership. Through its comprehensive business services, the Center provides:
Business development
workshops
Mentorship
Access to capital and funding opportunities
Networking events
Co-working spaces
Childcare center
Marketing and branding support
The Year-End Holiday Celebration represents more than just seasonal festivities – it's a testament to the power of community investment and the rising tide of women entrepreneurs reshaping San Bernardino's business landscape.
AB 31 would combat Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis and remedy safety perils created by decades-old federal statute; AB 53 would give retired veterans and spouses a state tax exemption on military pensions
SACRAMENTO –
Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) reintroduced a public safety bill to grant state peace officer status to tribal law enforcement under a pilot program and a bill to grant a state tax exemption on military pensions.
AB 31 Tribal Peace Officers
Ramos introduced AB 31, the tribal peace officer status proposal to confront California’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) crisis and address critical ongoing public safety issues created by a 1953 federal statute, Public Law 280 (PL 280). Last year’s bill, AB 2138, passed during the last legislative session unanimously.
“PL 280 transferred responsibility for law enforcement and criminal justice on tribal lands to six states, including California. The law resulted in fewer resources for public safety on reservations and created confusion among federal, state and local law enforcement jurisdictions. “Tribal sovereignty, transparency and granting of specific powers are issues we were not able to resolve last year despite good will and determination to overcome the inequities and dangers created by the federal statute,” according to Assemblymember Ramos. California ranks fifth in the nation in the number of unresolved MMIP cases. “We must continue to press forward our efforts to prevent and resolve these cases that result in loss of life and great trauma for future generations in Indian Country,
Thursday, December 5, 2024
Ramos reintroduces two measures...continued
funding and infrastructure, lack of equipment and training, and a greater mistrust of policing.
If AB 31 is approved, the DOJ would monitor, evaluate and support the program that will not be construed to infringe on tribal sovereignty. A tribal officer designated as a peace officer would have authority on tribal lands and also in any place in the state specified in the bill such as:
When an immediate danger to persons or property exists;
When making an arrest where there is probable cause to believe a public offense has occurred on tribal land and with prior consent of the police or sheriff;
When an officer is in hot pursuit of a suspect involving a crime committed on tribal land; and
When delivering an apprehended person to the law enforcement authority or magistrate in the city or county where the offense occurred.
In working on last year’s bill, Ramos discussed why this measure was important to curtailing violence on reservations and a tool in reducing the state’s MMIP caseload in an op-ed.
AB 53 Tax Exemption on Military Pensions
Ramos also introduced AB 53 that would allow military retirees and their surviving spouses to claim a state tax exemption on their armed forces pensions. Last
year’s bill was AB 46. AB 53 marks Ramos’s third attempt to secure the tax relief for retired armed forces personnel and tenth legislative attempt to grant such an exemption. California is the only state that taxes all or part of military retiree pensions.
“I’m not one to give up on something I think is important,” Ramos said. “California is the only state to tax the pensions of our military personnel. We need to make the state more veteran friendly and honor the many sacrifices of our armed services personnel and their spouses.”
Ramos added, “Ramos said the tax relief would help make California more veteran friendly. “Military retirees bring benefits to our state such as stability, job skills used in second careers, and federal funding. These men and women served our nation in a variety of valuable capacities, and they and their families have frequently done so at great personal sacrifice. California needs to more fully acknowledge the contributions they make.”
The lawmaker noted that although California is home to the largest number of active-duty military personnel in the country, its military retiree population has realized a steady decline dating back to 2010. “Military retirees contribute to the state's workforce development where they chose to retire. Our state loses out on millions of dollars in federal funds that follow military retirees after retirement,” Ramos stated.
How One Community is Trying to Break the ‘Vicious Cycle’ of Child Care and Housing Crises...continued from page 6 screen,” Burrus said.
How One Community is Trying to Break the ‘Vicious Cycle’ of Child Care and Housing Crises...continued find the money, Shaver joked, “Fish frys! And we’re gonna do a lot of bake sales!” She knows they’ll likely take out a loan for some of it, but the Board is also seeking philanthropic donations and other funding sources to reduce the size of that loan. “We’re willing to beat any bush, look under any couch cushion, meet with anybody who asks,” Shaver said. When the units are complete, HCEF plans to offer them for yearly rent to teachers first, then other essential workers who need time to secure permanent housing. And they’ll use any profits to make further investments in early care and learning, including opening birth-to-2 classrooms. “One of the reasons I’m excited about this Hycienda Heights property, if we can obtain that as well, is that it has a community center there on site that could be easily formed into that zeroto-2 [space],” Shaver said. The same goal exists in Ocracoke. “On the island, that’s kind of how we do things; we do take care of each other,” Owens said.
opportunities aligned with the values and priorities of the Ocracoke Child Care Board. Owens said it’s about more than aligned values, though. It was about doing what’s best for their neighbors. “I think us being so small, it truly is about community,” Owens said. “So, while we are talking early childhood education, it’s almost like, ‘Well, yes, they’re part of who we are, and we are going to take care of our littles.’ The Ocracoke Child Care Board sold their building to the district for $10. The Outer Banks Community Foundation and a local Occupancy Tax Board each donated $25,000 to help HCEF get architectural plans and cost estimates drawn up. Shaver identified a similar opportunity to develop workforce housing on the mainland at a shuttered 26-unit public housing development called Hycienda Heights. With 10 units planned for the Ocracoke Child Care site, the total estimated cost of purchasing both properties and converting them to workforce housing is about $4 million. When asked where HCEF would
and
The 14 Different Types Of Headaches: Which One You’re Experiencing?...continued from page 4 cluster headaches well.
Migraine
especially when the violence leaves children without parents,” Ramos said.
AB 31 would authorize the state Department of Justice to grant tribal police from three California tribes state peace officer status if they meet the same California requirements and standards as other police officers in the state. Enactment of AB 31 would assist all law enforcement by clarifying jurisdiction and permitting tribal police to assist communities close to reservations. The bill would also allow participating tribes to enter into agreements to share liability and collaborate on MMIP cases.
Ramos states that PL 280 resulted in fewer resources for public safety and created jurisdictional confusion among federal, state and local law enforcement and less safety overall on reservations.
Last March, the Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs and the Public Safety Committee conducted an informational roundtable about the impact of the federal law in California and how it contributes to the MMIP crisis. The hearing featured tribal leaders and police, victims and University of California, Los Angles author and distinguished research professor Carole Goldberg, an authority on PL 280. Negative impacts of PL 280 include the absence of peace officer status for tribal police; the inability to arrest non-Native persons committing crimes on tribal lands, less support for
Shaver called early childhood education “critical” and said, “It does make a difference with your kids. It makes a difference not only on their readiness [to learn], but their social ability and their emotional intelligence to be able to then come and transition into a school.” For children who have been affected by trauma like Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 — or more recently, Hurricane Helene for children in western North Carolina — stability is key to their healthy social and emotional development. “And so I think looking at early childhood is one piece of that root cause, but looking at that housing piece is another,” Shaver said.
Breaking the ‘vicious cycle’
Since Hurricane Dorian hit the island in 2019, the school district has been using the Ocracoke Child Care building as classroom space for their youngest students while the Ocracoke School was being reconstructed. As Shaver began to prepare for the Ocracoke School’s official reopening in 2023, she started thinking about how the childcare building would be sitting empty once again. And she was still wondering how she would hire new teachers when there was nowhere for them to live and no space to build multi-family housing units on the island, even if someone was inclined to do so.
Then she had an idea — maybe the empty Ocracoke Child Care site could be converted to workforce housing. Shaver realized that the HCEF hadn’t been used for 15 years, so she went about reviving it as a nonprofit entity that could address two crises at once by supporting the development of workforce housing and enhancing early care and learning opportunities.
The HCEF by-laws state: “The Foundation recognizes that due to the remote nature of Hyde County, and the housing shortage, the development of housing will provide both the Mattamuskeet and Ocracoke School communities and others the opportunity to partner with the Hyde County Board of Education and others in a common goal of improving public education by ensuring adequate housing.”
HCEF’s Board of Directors is made up of an equal number of mainlanders and islanders because, as stated in the by-laws, “the Board acknowledges that just as mainland Hyde may not know or understand all
the nuances for Ocracoke, Ocracoke may not know or understand all the nuances of the mainland. Anytime a decision directly affects an area, an equal or majority number of board members from that area is needed for a vote.”
With the HCEF re-established and a new board in place, Shaver took the first step toward fulfilling its mission — Hyde County introduced universal pre-k for 4-year-olds when the Ocracoke School reopened in 2023. Because Hyde County Schools had already been providing NC Pre-K to eligible 4-year-olds, adding the rest of the county’s 4-year-olds was a logical place to start filling the community’s early care and learning gap.
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Then Shaver went about finding members of the defunct Ocracoke Child Care Board, so they could start having serious conversations about the property by changing hands. She learned that board members had been holding out hope that the center would be able to reopen one day, and they remained passionate about their commitment to providing early care and learning to Ocracoke’s youngest residents. So, Hyde County Schools extended its universal pre-k program to 3-year-olds, to add programs for birth-to-2 students in coming years. In addition to NC Pre-K funds, the district uses Title I funding and grants to finance the expanded Pre-K program.
Jordan described how parents on the mainland reacted when she announced that all 3-year-olds — not just those with special needs or on the island — would be eligible. “I’m gonna cry, but they was like, ‘Oh my God, thank you Tekisha!’ And I’m like, ‘No, oh my God, thank you Dr. Shaver!’” Jordan said. In its first year, the multi-age pre-k classroom at the Matamuskeet School on the mainland has 18 students, and the one at the Ocracoke School has 13. “The whole school benefits when we get them earlier,” Jordan said. “We take them at 3, they transition to 4, we get them ready for kindergarten. If there are any delays, it’s normally picked up in kindergarten. The kindergarten teacher and the pre-k teacher collaborate, sit in on IEP meetings, and then it just follows from kindergarten to first grade. The whole school benefits.”
The district’s commitment to expanding early care and learning
Migraine pain pulses deeply in the brain, creating daylong discomfort. Migraine symptoms hinder regular tasks. You get throbbing, one-sided migraine discomfort, light and sound sensitivity, and possibly other symptoms, including nausea and vomiting.
Visual problems may precede migraines; this is called a migraine aura. Auras can also include tingling on one side of your face or in one arm and trouble speaking. One-third of people encounter these symptoms before headaches.
flashing lights
shimmering lights zigzag lines stars blind spots
Hemicrania continua
Hemicrania continua is a mild, one-sided headache that lasts three months. It causes 1% of headaches with women having double the risk, according to researchers. Several times a day, you may sense greater intensity.
This headache may cause:
tearing or eye redness
nasal congestion or runny nose eyelid drooping forehead sweating miosis
restlessness or agitation
Ice pick headache
Primary stabbing, or ice pick headaches, are brief, sharp head sensations. These headaches might be frequent and sudden. Ice pick headaches may be single or many stabs migrating about the head. If in the same location, this may indicate an underlying problem.
Thunderclap headache
Thunderclap headaches are intense headaches that peak in under a minute. It might be innocuous or indicate a severe disease needing medical treatment. Thunderclap headaches may signal:
blood vessel tears, ruptures, or blockages
stroke brain injury reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) pituitary apoplexy (bleeding into or loss of blood from an organ)
First-time thunderclap headache sufferers should seek medical help. If another ailment doesn't cause
your headache, you may consider therapy for future thunderclap headaches.
Most Common Secondary Headaches Another condition causes secondary headaches. Chronic headaches might result from a recurring secondary headache cause. Treating the source relieves headaches.
Allergy or sinus headache
An allergy may cause headaches. These headaches generally cause nasal and frontal discomfort. American Migraine Foundation says 90% of "sinus headaches" are migraine. Chronic allergies or sinusitis might cause these headaches.
Hormone headache
Women often get hormonal headaches. Menstruation, birth control medications, and pregnancy influence estrogen levels, causing headaches. Menstrual migraines are headaches that may happen before, during, and after your menstruation and ovulation.
Caffeine headache
Caffeine impacts cerebral blood flow. Too much caffeine may cause headaches, as does stopping "cold turkey." When your brain is habituated to coffee, a stimulant, you may develop a headache without it. Caffeine may affect brain chemistry, causing withdrawal headaches.
Exertion headache
After strenuous exercise, headaches develop quickly. Weightlifting, running, and sexual activity cause exertion headaches. These activities may increase blood flow to your skull, causing throbbing headaches on both sides. A headache from strenuous activity shouldn't linger. This headache generally lasts minutes or hours.
Hypertension headache
Hypertension causes headaches, and this is serious. Dangerously high blood pressure commonly affects both sides of the head, worsening with exercise and causing a pulsation.
Rebound headache
Rebound headaches, sometimes called pharmaceutical overuse, may be dull, tension-type, or migraine-like. If you routinely use OTC pain medicines, you may be more vulnerable. Overusing these drugs increases headaches.
by Tre Campbell
Salima’s Purpose: Easy, Peezy Recipes is a cookbook for everyone who wants to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying life.
Whether you are a parent, social worker, or busy professional and wish to introduce a child to the kitchen, optimize your time with a quick and healthy dish, or encourage independence and self-determination for someone with physical or neurological challenges, Salima’s Purpose: Easy, Peezy Recipes is for you! Easy, Peezy Recipes, a cookbook, is the second book from author Salima Ragland and includes 117 pages of quick and easy recipes for people and their pets. Recipes are 5 ingredients or less, mostly plant-based, and made with little or no sugar. These short recipes with tall flavors are ideal for people who
want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying life. Rounding out the book is Salima’s strategy for charcuterie and a list of practical tips, such as drinking water, eating a rainbow of foods, washing fresh fruits and vegetables, and learning to set the table to support quality meal time.
Easy, Peezy Recipes is now available on Amazon Kindle at the following link. It will also be available on Amazon in hardcover soon with more than a dozen colorful images of Salima and some friends, dishes, and tips. https://www. amazon.coms?k=salima%27s+ purpose&i=digital-text&crid=3 GNU5USHFDY0Y&sprefix=s alima%27s+purpose%2Cdigitaltext%2C328&ref=nb_sb_noss.
In addition to being an author, Salima is earning a certificate in Language Studies at Glendale Community College to enhance her appearances as an American Sign Language Performer; acts as an ambassador for School Choice; serves as a mentor and role model to persons with neurological differences; and, wants to become a hand model. Scott Turner served as the photographer for Salima’s Purpose: Easy, Peezy Recipes and for the cover of her first book, Salima’s Purpose: Unfolding Her Umbrella of Love & Gratitude. Salima resides in Phoenix, Arizona with her family.
The Celebration of Life and Legacy
Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church
Obituary News
(Sacramento, CA) The Celebration of Life and Legacy Service for Dr. Ephraim Williams will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Sacramento’s historic Oak Park neighborhood. The public viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by the celebration of life service. The church is located at 3996 14th Avenue. The service will be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook.
Pastor emeritus of St. Paul Baptist, Williams, passed away on Nov. 9. He retired in June 2020 after nearly 50 years of shepherding the church. He was born in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. Under Dr. Williams's leadership, St. Paul grew from 171 parishioners to more than 4,000. His wife, Carrie Sue Williams, was by his side. Ms. Williams left this life on May 6, 2009.
Dr. Williams was the overseer of two significant establishments, including the church building on 14th Avenue and the Family Life Center, which bears his name. Both of the properties’ mortgages
were paid off before the due dates.
Dr. Williams proudly served in various religious and civic organizations such as the National Baptist Convention, USA Inc, California State Baptist Convention, United Pastors of Sacramento, Northern District Baptist Association, and the Southern Baptist Convention. In addition, the pastor did spiritual work with the Sacramento Urban League, NAACP, Sacramento City Unified School District, Women’s Civic Improvement Center, and Sacramento Black Alcoholism Center, to name a few.
Condolences may be sent to the family of Dr. Ephraim Williams, Harry A. Nauman, and Son, 4041 Freeport Boulevard, Sacramento, California, 95822. Resolutions may be sent to Fjohnson@saintpaulsac.org.
Additional information can be directed to Lamont Harris, Executive Pastor, at (916) 2141542 or email lharris@stpaulsac. org. Celebration of Life Service can be viewed on Dec. 4 at 11:00 a.m.
The 14 Different Types Of Headaches: Which One You’re Experiencing?...continued from page 7
When OTC drugs are taken more than 15 days per month, rebound headaches are likely. These overthe-counter medications: acetaminophen ibuprofen aspirin
naproxen
Post-traumatic headache
Now that the election is over, a number of people are experiencing high levels of uncertainty. We should not think that life as we know it has ended. This is a defeatist attitude. What we should remember, especially as Black people, is that if we survived slavery and past Republican presidents, we can survive four years of Donald Trump. We must reset our thinking as to what is important and what we must do as a collective people going forward.
Our first order of business during this time must be a return to prayer rather than party politics. We must remember that it was collective prayer by those who came before us that brought us this far. We must learn to act collectively “in spite of” and not “because of” the obstacles in front of us. While this is easier said than done, we must start at our level of interaction with those around us, many of whom we may not like.
Next, we must adopt an attitude of “no permanent friends, no permanent enemies,
just permanent interest.” This means that we must re-educate ourselves on how the government works. We have two years to prepare to take back the House of Representatives, which the Republican Party has won by a few seats, perhaps less than five. While we are looking at retaking national parts of government in terms of what’s in our own best interest, we must not ignore local and state issues that will be influenced by the Trump Administration. History has taught us that local attitudes are influenced by national attitudes and the national attitudes have shifted to the extreme right based on Trump’s election.
This is not a time for fear but a time for planning and faith that we can win even under adverse circumstances.
We must restart our local discussion groups. The Black Press, our most trusted messenger, should play a key role in providing such forums but in conjunction with other community organizations and groups.
What do you think?
Head injuries may cause posttraumatic headaches. These headaches feel similar to a migraine or stress headaches. They last 6-12 months following damage.
Spinal headache
Low cerebrospinal fluid pressure after a lumbar puncture causes a spinal headache. Postdural puncture headaches are similar. This headache might be in your:
forehead temples
upper neck back of the head 10 to 40% of lumbar punctures cause spinal headaches, according to research. Symptoms typically appear within 2 to 3 days but may take months. Spinal headache symptoms include:
nausea neck pain
dizziness
visual changes
tinnitus hearing loss radiating pain in the arms
When To See A Doctor
Some headaches need emergency medical intervention. If you have any of these symptoms with your headache, get medical attention immediately:
stiff neck rash the worst headache you've ever had vomiting confusion slurred speech fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher paralysis in any part of your body visual loss
Diagnosing A Headache & Treatment
There are several ways to diagnose headaches, as there are different varieties. To treat your headache effectively, you must determine whether it's primary or secondary. Physical exams and medical history are used to diagnose headaches. Each headache should include:
duration
Hemicrania continua
Hemicrania continua have a complete response to NSAID indomethacin. Low doses three times daily with meals ease symptoms in 24 hours. Indomethacin may have adverse effects, particularly at large dosages, taking the lowest adequate amount.
Ice pick headache
Preventive interventions may lower the frequency or severity of future headaches. Included are: indomethacin gabapentin cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors melatonin external hand warming Thunderclap headache
If another ailment causes your thunderclap headache, address that issue. Primary thunderclap headaches are produced by nothing else. NSAIDs like indomethacin may help. Other therapies include: calcium channel blockers beta-blockers topiramate lithium triptans
Allergy or sinus headache
Mucus buildup causes sinus pressure and headaches. Examples:
Nasal steroid sprays OTC decongestants like phenylephrine (Sudafed PE) antihistamines like cetirizine
A sinus infection might cause a headache. In such circumstances, your doctor may prescribe medicines to remove the infection and reduce your symptoms.
Your PCP may recommend you to a neurologist. Some headaches may need testing to pinpoint the reason. This includes:
MRI or CT scan
lumbar puncture blood tests
Headaches are treated differently. Not everyone responds to the same headache remedies. Treatments vary from dietary changes to invasive treatments. If you can't treat your headaches, see a doctor.
Tension headache
An OTC pain medication may cure your occasional headache. These painkillers include:
aspirin
ibuprofen (Advil) naproxen (Aleve) acetaminophen and caffeine
If OTC isn't working out, your doctor may recommend prescription medication, such as: indomethacin meloxicam (Mobic) ketorolac
Cluster headache
A doctor may recommend these meds to provide relief for the symptoms:
oxygen therapy
sumatriptan (Imitrex)
local anesthetic (lidocaine)
Your doctor will establish a preventative strategy after a diagnosis. The following may reduce cluster headaches:
corticosteroids melatonin topiramate (Topamax) calcium channel blockers
Migraine
Triptans may be used if OTC pain medications don't treat migraine discomfort. Triptans reduce brain inflammation and blood flow. Sprays, tablets, and injections are available. Options:
sumatriptan (Imitrex) rizatriptan (Maxalt, Axert)
Consult a doctor about daily migraine medication if you have: debilitating more than three days a month somewhat debilitating four days a month lasting longer than six days a month
Preventive migraine meds include:
propranolol (Inderal)
metoprolol (Toprol)
topiramate (Topamax) amitriptyline
Pain treatments like naproxen (Aleve) or frovatriptan (Frova) may help. Alternative medicines may reduce headaches each month. Helpful hints:
relaxation techniques
yoga acupuncture eating a modified diet
Caffeine headache
Caffeine headaches may be prevented by limiting or discontinuing caffeine.
Exertion headache
OTC pain medications like aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil) usually help. If you have exertion headaches, visit a doctor. In certain situations, they may signal a severe illness.
Hypertension headache
After blood pressure is controlled, these headaches usually disappear. As long as hypertension is controlled, they shouldn't return.
Rebound headache
Wean yourself off pain medication to combat rebound headaches. The discomfort may aggravate initially but should lessen after a few days.
Post-traumatic headache
Doctors regularly prescribe these headache medications:
triptans
sumatriptan (Imitrex)
beta-blockers amitriptyline
Spinal headache
Pain medications and fluids are often prescribed for spinal headaches. Avoid standing up. After a week or two, symptoms usually disappear.
Hormone headache
Victorville, CA – November 25, 2024 – Community leaders from the High Desert Black community have raised concerns about recent changes in the assignment of felony cases at the courthouse. On November 18, 2024, the San Bernardino Superior Court in the Victorville District began transferring 60% of its incoming pre-preliminary hearing (PPH) cases to Rancho Cucamonga. This decision aims to address the Victorville court’s capacity issues in light of its increasing caseload. Approximately 250 cases per week will now be moved to the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse for prepreliminary hearings, which will involve around 80 individuals in custody and 150 individuals out of custody. These changes will affect all criminal cases.
Reimagining Our Communities (ROC), a group for Black leaders under the Millionaire Mind Kids organization, is shocked that the court did not publish this proposal or allow for public comment. Many clients affected by this change come from challenging financial backgrounds, and they are now burdened by a solution to a court issue that has persisted since 2012. That year, the court closed several outlying criminal courts and consolidated all criminal cases at the Victorville Courthouse. This consolidation forced individuals from surrounding areas to travel several miles to attend court, resulting in overcrowding in the courthouse's public hallways and holding cells. Now, they are expected to navigate the Cajon Pass for their court appearances.
To reduce the proposal’s impact on clients, the courts will permit out-of-custody clients to waive their requirement to be present for the pre-preliminary hearing calendar if they are unable to travel to the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse.
If a client wishes to accept a plea agreement or decide to proceed with a preliminary hearing, the court will transfer their case back to Victorville. For incarcerated clients, they will be transported to the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse, where they can accept plea deals and enter their pleas. However, cases that move forward to a preliminary hearing will return to Victorville for that hearing.
This move sets a dangerous precedent where courts, in addressing their operational challenges, burden
vulnerable clients with problems that should be resolved by the system. Transferring cases to distant courts may disproportionately affect individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and creates confusion for clients and their families as cases move back and forth between different courthouses.
Ensuring equitable treatment for all clients, regardless of their financial or transportation difficulties, is essential for maintaining public trust in the justice system. Moreover, asking out-of-custody clients to waive their court appearance is problematic. For such a waiver to be valid, it must be made knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently. If clients believe that no reasonable alternative exists, they are essentially being coerced. Noncustody clients who wish to appear in court may feel compelled to waive their constitutional right to be present at all critical stages of their court proceedings due to financial pressures, inclement weather, or unreliable transportation.
ROC acknowledges that the court system is state-run and funded, serving San Bernardino County. However, despite its complexities, communities in the High Desert are being used as pawns to solve operational problems. Instead, the State of California should adequately fund a budget that protects critical services, ensures public safety, and builds courthouses that meet the population's needs. After all, an arrest has no impact if the resources for fair litigation do not exist. Court funding is essential for increasing access to the courts, allowing the County and local agencies to protect their public safety interests. The court should reconsider its proposal in light of the inequities that will arise from its implementation. In its wisdom, the court should recognize that such disparate and arbitrary treatment is unfair and inequitable. The proposed practice violates the principle of fundamental fairness enshrined in the Constitution. ROC stands with the High Desert communities in advocating for a more just system that ensures equal treatment for everyone.