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The Southern Poverty Law Center has identified 1,371 hate and antigovernment extremist groups operating across the United States in 2024. In its latest Year in Hate & Extremism report, the SPLC reveals how these groups are embedding themselves in politics and policymaking while targeting marginalized communities through intimidation, disinformation, and violence. “Extremists at all levels of government are using cruelty, chaos, and
constant attacks on communities and our democracy to make us feel powerless,” said SPLC President Margaret Huang. The report outlines how hard-right groups aggressively targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives throughout 2024. Figures on the far right falsely framed DEI as a threat to white Americans, with some branding it a form of “white genocide.” After the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, a former Utah legislator blamed the incident on DEI, posting “DEI = DIE.”
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Cheryl Robertson, a Lemon Grove School District Board Trustee, remembers the gut punch when she learned the Trump administration had terminated funding for their school's mental health programs.
The challenges already facing public education, stacked with alarming trends in youth mental health, made the news sting even more.
“It feels like they are cutting us off at the knees while taking the wheels off our wheelchair,” said Robertson.
By coincidence, Robertson, joined by District Superintendent Marianna Vinson and other local education officials, was in Washington the
day they received notice. The group was part of a statewide coalition fighting to save other education services on the federal chopping block, such as Medicaid and special education programs.
While in the taxi back from Capitol Hill, an email was forwarded to the group from the Department of Education notifying the group that another lifeline for students would be shuttered: mental health services.
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By Bo Tefu
Barbara Lee Sworn in as Oakland’s First Black Woman Mayor
Barbara Lee was sworn in on May 20 as the 52nd mayor of Oakland, becoming the first Black woman to hold the city’s highest office. The longtime East Bay congresswoman received a standing ovation as she entered Oakland City Hall to take the oath of office following her victory in a special election.
Before her swearing-in ceremony, Lee revealed she has been collaborating with interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins on a comprehensive budget proposal that includes job cuts at City Hall, while prioritizing funding for public safety. Lee emphasized the urgency of addressing the city’s fiscal challenges alongside her broader goals. Lee expressed a commitment to revitalizing the community.
“I want to restore hope, create opportunities for our young people, ensure a safe path for our sons and daughters to have long, productive lives and to be housed in our own homes in a safe, clean city,” said Lee.
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To address California’s maternity health crisis, Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) and Sen. Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) authored Senate Bill (SB) 626.
On April 30, the Senate Health Committee voted 11-0 to advance the legislation. It now moves to the Senate Committee on Appropriations for consideration.
Also known as “Perinatal Health Screenings and Treatment,” the legislation would require a licensed health care practitioner who provides perinatal care to screen, diagnose, and treat patients for a “maternal perinatal mental health condition,” according to the bill’s language.
“SB 626 is not just legislation — it’s a declaration that the lives of birthing people matter,” said Smallwood-Cuevas, a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC).
Tactics ranged from local policy manipulation to threats of violence. The SPLC documented bomb threats at 60 polling places in Georgia, traced to Russian email domains. Similar threats hit Jewish institutions and Planet Fitness locations after far-right social media accounts attacked them for trans-inclusive policies. Telegram, which SPLC describes as a hub for hate groups,
The April 29 letter notified schools that funding for the award, which provided $1 billion in mental health grants to schools nationwide to hire mental health workers and counselors, “no longer serves the best interest of the Federal Government.” The grant’s funding came from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law by former President Joe Biden in June 2022.
Lemon Grove School District was one of the handful of California districts selected to receive the award. Granted $2.7 million from 2023 to 2027, the funding has been used to hire five additional social workers to address emerging student mental health care needs.
Funding supporting the 3,200-student district is expected to dry out by December 2025. Finding themselves now caught in national political crosshairs, the district is calling upon local, state, and federal leaders to fight against the cuts and help find solutions.
‘Kids are dying’
The timing of mental health support needed in schools is consequential.
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was signed into law in June 2022 in response to the Uvalde school shooting massacre, which left 19 students and two teachers dead.
Mental health experts, including Dr. Andy Keller
helped extremists cross-recruit between neoNazi, QAnon, and white nationalist spaces. The platform’s lax moderation allowed groups like the Terrorgram Collective—designated terrorists by the U.S. State Department—to thrive. Militia movements were also reorganized, with 50 groups documented in 2024. Many, calling themselves “minutemen,” trained in paramilitary tactics while lobbying local governments for official recognition. These groups shared personnel and ideology with white nationalist organizations.
from the Meadows Mental Health Institute, testified that the teenage gunman responsible had exhibited mental health warning signs leading up to the shooting, such as notable absenteeism from classes.
“He is the kind of person who exactly fits the profile of what we would see for multisystemic therapy,” Keller said, during a 2022 Texas Senate hearing after the shooting event.
The mental health needs of marginalized communities add another layer.
Studies from Pew Research show that Black adolescents are significantly less likely than their peers in other demographic groups to receive mental health care, attributable to systemic inequities and cultural mistrust in the health care system.
In the classroom, Black teens with untreated anxiety or depression may disengage, act out, or miss school. Rather than receiving care, they’re often punished–deepening health inequities. Culturally responsive mental health resources are critical to breaking this pattern.
The Lemon Grove School District primarily serves marginalized students, with Hispanic students comprising 65% of the student population and Black students making up 13%. As a result, the district sought to utilize grant funding to hire mental health workers representative of the community they serve.
‘Filling the gap’
Sam Put, known to students as Mr. Sam, is one
The manosphere continued to radicalize boys and young men. The Fresh & Fit podcast, now listed as a hate group, promoted misogyny while mocking and attacking Black women. Manosphere influencers used social media algorithms to drive youth toward male-supremacy content. Turning Point USA played a key role in pushing white nationalist rhetoric into mainstream politics. Its leader Charlie Kirk claimed native-born Americans are being replaced by immigrants, while the group advised on Project 2025 and organized Trump
of the five social worker positions filled by the grant.
In a role that encompasses “many hats” his dayto-day looks like leading social-emotional learning lessons, managing student behavior plans, conducting group and individual counseling sessions and connecting families with housing, transportation, and other basic needs.
The district was obligated to meet certain objectives through the grant. This included hiring diverse mental health providers, lowering provider-to-student ratios and providing oneon-one services to students. Other grant goals tied to mental health include lowering chronic absenteeism and in-school suspensions.
Two years into the grant, Burton says the district has met all of its goals. Chronic absenteeism among LGSD students has dropped by over half, from 47% in 2022 to 24% in 2025. The ratio of mental health staff to students improved from 1 for every 250 students to 1 for every 166.
While the letter received by Lemon Grove officials did not explicitly state why their grant was terminated, it did include language stating that the programs employed were identified to “violate” Federal civil rights laws.
Looking ahead, Lee said her administration plans to engage a diverse group of residents, promising that within 100 days, people “from all walks of life” will help City Hall better serve the community and “usher in a new era of prosperity and progress.”
Sen. Rosilice Ochoa Bogh Praises U.S. Senate for Voting to End Taxes on Service Workers’ Tips
In a unanimous vote on May 20, the U.S. Senate voted to eliminate federal taxes on tips for service workers.
California State Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Redlands) praised the U.S. Senate for passing the bill, which was introduced by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
“I applaud the U.S. Senate for putting service workers first and providing much-needed tax relief. Now it’s California’s turn,” said Ochoa Bogh, who has authored similar legislation in California, Senate Bill (SB) 17. The U.S. Senate bill, which codifies into federal law a campaign promise made by President Trump, establishes a tax deduction of up to $25,000 for tips for employees who earn less than $160,000. The deduction is limited to cash tips workers earn and report to employers for withholding on their paychecks.
campaign events. “We know that these groups build their power by threatening violence, capturing political parties and government, and infesting the mainstream discourse with conspiracy theories,” said Rachel Carroll Rivas, interim director of the SPLC’s Intelligence Project. “By exposing the players, tactics, and code words of the hard right, we hope to dismantle their mythology and inspire people to fight back.”
In a statement provided to The New York Times Madi Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for communications for the U.S. Department of Education, said the grant recipients “used the funding to implement race-based actions like recruiting quotas in ways that have nothing to do with mental health and could hurt the very students the grants are supposed to help,” said Biedermann.
The contrast between the grant’s clear benefits and the reason for its cancellation has left many outraged. For Robertson, the idea that this initiative somehow infringed on the civil rights of white people is not only misguided, it’s offensive.
“There are kids in our community who are struggling with so many levels of trauma that you couldn’t even comprehend—and we’re cutting this grant because you think it’s DEI and that it is violating the civil rights of white people? It is insane,” said Robertson.
In the meantime, Lemon Grove officials are working on appealing the determination of their grant by the end of May, and are also exploring litigation options with other impacted districts.
for students with learning disabilities to attend religious private schools, marking a major shift in longstanding state policy. The change follows a court settlement reached May 19 between state officials and a group of Orthodox Jewish parents who had challenged the state’s exclusion of religious schools from its funding program.
Since 1993, California law has permitted the use of public funds to cover the cost of private school education for students with disabilities, but only at nonsectarian institutions. That requirement was declared unconstitutional by a federal judge after the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in October that the law appeared to violate the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious freedom.
“For too long, California has discriminated against children with disabilities simply because of their faith. This settlement puts that injustice to an end,” said Daniel Mitzner of the Teach Coalition, affiliated with the Orthodox Union, which backed the legal challenge.
The challenge drew support from 22 states led by Idaho and religious groups such as the California Catholic Conference and the Rabbinical Council of America. The California Department of Education, led by Superintendent Tony Thurmond, did not issue a statement, but attorneys for the department agreed in court that the settlement was “fair and equitable” and would not be appealed.
Recreational
Psychiatrist
Peer
“Tipped workers are taxed on inconsistent and unpredictable income causing instability in their families already struggling to make ends meet,” said Ochoa Bogh.
However, on May 23, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to send Ochoa Bogh’s no-state-tax-on-service-workers bill — along with hundreds of others — to the “suspense file,” where bills are sent for further consideration of costs to the state.
California will now allow public funds to pay
California Seizes $123.5 Million in Illegal Cannabis in LargestEver Enforcement Operation
In the largest coordinated crackdown to date on California’s illicit cannabis industry, a state-led task force seized more than $123 million worth of illegal cannabis during a week-long operation in the Central Valley. The multi-agency enforcement, carried out in early May, targeted unlicensed growers and distribution sites across Kern, Kings, and Tulare counties.
This latest action adds to more than $534 million in illegal cannabis seizures made by the task force in 2024 alone. Since its establishment in 2022,
and
By Sonya Young Aadam SPECIAL TO CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA PARTNERS
At California Black Women’s Health Project, we believe a healthier future is possible when women are empowered to make choices in an environment where equal access and health justice are community priorities.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised budget proposal includes the California Department of Health’s complete elimination of the California Reducing Disparities Project (CRDP), a devastating move that would dismantle critical, community-driven mental health programs across the state. This includes our own Sisters
ByRhonda M. Smith EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CALIFORNIA BLACK HEALTH NETWORK
Mentally Mobilized – Advocate Training Program, which trains and supports Black women as mental health advocates and change agents in their communities.
Let’s be clear: this funding saves lives. CRDP supports 33 trusted, culturally rooted programs led by and for Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+, AAPI, and Native communities — populations most often excluded from and neglected by traditional mental health systems. Stripping these resources away sends a painful message: Our healing, our leadership, and our lives are not valued.
When the system fails us, we lean on each other. That’s what the CRDP makes possible, and that is now at risk. The outcome would be devastating to communities already crippled by mental health disparities and limited resources.
mately 15 million Californians and about 1 million of the state’s nearly 3 million Black Californians who are at risk of losing their healthcare.
Now is not the time to disinvest from the mental health of our communities. We are calling on our state leaders to uphold California’s commitment to health equity and mental health disparities reduction by restoring this funding and protecting the vital work of community-based organizations like ours and the many others making a continuous impact in our communities.
Because when Black women are well, families are stronger. Communities thrive. And California moves closer to the just, inclusive future we all deserve.
Sonya Young Aadam is the CEO of the California Black Women’s Health Project.
Shortly after last year’s election, I hopped into a Lyft and struck up a conversation with the driver. As we talked, the topic inevitably turned to politics. He confidently told me that he didn’t vote — not because he supported Donald Trump, but because he didn’t like Kamala Harris’ résumé. When I asked what exactly he didn’t like, he couldn’t specifically articulate his dislike or point to anything specific. In his words, he “just didn’t like her résumé.”
That moment really hit hard for me. As a Black woman, I’ve lived through enough election cycles to recognize how often uncertainty, misinformation, or political apathy keep people from voting, especially Black voters whose voices are historically left out of the conversation and whose health, economic security, and opportunities are directly impacted by the individual elected to office, and the legislative branches and political parties that push forth their agenda.
That conversation with the Lyft driver reflects a troubling surge in fear-driven politics across our country. We’ve seen White House executive orders gut federal programs meant to help our most vulnerable populations and policies that systematically exclude or harm Black and underserved communities.
One of the most dangerous developments we’re seeing now? Deep federal cuts are being proposed to Medicaid, the life-saving health insurance program that covers nearly 80 million lower-income individuals nationwide. That is approxi-
Medicaid, called Medi-Cal in California, doesn’t just cover care. It protects individuals and families from medical debt, keeps rural hospitals open, creates jobs, and helps our communities thrive. Simply put; Medicaid is a lifeline for 1 in 5 Black Americans. For many, it’s the only thing standing between them and a medical emergency they can’t afford, especially with the skyrocketing costs of health care. The proposed cuts mean up to 7.2 million Black Americans could lose their healthcare coverage, making it harder for them to receive timely, life-saving care. Cuts to Medicaid would also result in fewer prenatal visits, delayed cancer screenings, unfilled prescriptions, and closures of community clinics. When healthcare is inaccessible or unaffordable, it doesn’t just harm individuals, it weakens entire communities and widens inequities.
The reality is Black Americans already face disproportionately higher rates of poorer health outcomes. Our life expectancy is nearly five years shorter in comparison to White Americans. Black pregnant people are 3.6 times more likely to die during pregnancy or postpartum than their white counterparts. Additionally, one in five pregnant and postpartum people experience maternal mental health challenges, yet 75% do not receive the treatment they need -- often because they can’t afford it or don’t have access to it. These disparities are symptoms of a system that’s been underfunded and neglected for generations. Slashing Medicaid would only exacerbate the problem.
These policies don’t happen in a vacuum. They are determined by who holds power and who shows up to vote. The 89 million
Americans who sat out the 2024 election may have believed they were staying neutral, but inaction is never neutral. When we don’t vote, we surrender our voice, our power, and our rights to people who may not represent our best interests. Silence is inaction, and inaction gives power to those who often misuse it at the expense of others.
Showing up, on the other hand, amplifies our voices. Taking action and exercising our right to vote is how we express our power. That’s why political engagement isn’t optional. We can’t afford to tune out until the next presidential race, or even the mid-term elections. Every election matters; local, state, and federal elections impact whether we have affordable housing, clean air and water, access to healthcare and our basic needs.
Our right to vote was hard-fought. Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, and so many others, fought for our right to vote. They made incredible sacrifices that helped build the very foundation of our democracy. We must reject the false narrative that our voices and our votes don’t count. Because they do. They always have. We just have to believe it and act.
I urge you to start today. Call your representatives, on both sides of the aisle, and demand they protect Medicaid (Medi-Cal), the Affordable Care Act (Covered CA), and access to food assistance programs, maternal health resources, mental health services, and protect our basic freedoms and human rights. Stay informed, talk to your neighbors and register to vote.
Most importantly, show up to vote. We’ve got the power to make change and influence policy.
President Trump signed an executive order to help secure Federal elections to ensure that only verified US citizens are allowed to vote in our elections. The order is also to ensure all votes are received by election day. Executive Order #14248 has seen some pushback with commentary stating it threatens to undermine America’s elections. Some have even called it racist.
The executive order is laid out as “preserving and protecting the integrity of American Elections.” The order’s overall tone is to confirm everyone who is voting in an election in the United States shows up at the polls with some form of government ID. Seems like an
easy one. I have never showed up to vote and not been asked for my ID and I have always had it.
There are certain states that might have a different set of rules, my friend in New York was told he did not have to show his ID when he voted in the November election. He asked why he didn’t need to show it and they would not answer him. The order is also about confirming that everyone’s vote is accounted for by Election Day. What does that mean, no meaning hanging around for days waiting for the results of an election that not long ago was called on election night.
For the mail-in ballot voter, it means your vote must be received, not just postmarked by Election Day. This is important because no matter the side of the aisle you are currently sitting on, voter confidence as of late has completely dropped. Many are saying this executive order will bring back some of that lost confidence. This executive order is supported by
a bill known as the Safeguard America Voter Eligibility Act or SAVE Act.
What is astounding to me is it has been introduced into Congress for a second time now since it failed to pass on the first attempt due to Democrat pushback. I wasn’t sure of the reason why Democrats did not want voter integrity to be at the forefront, but it was explained to me by a minority man. He said the argument is because the blue has decided a voter ID requirement is racist.
He said he disagreed with this argument and took offense to the fact that Democrats believe minorities are more likely not to be able to obtain an ID due to the cost, the time that it takes to get proper identification and not having reliable transportation that it takes to get to the offices like the DMV. “I don’t know about you, but I think if you are telling an entire group of people they are too poor or too stupid to simply get an ID that is kind of…,” he said on a social media post.
He also pointed out in the November election only two of the 20 jurisdictions that Democrats won required voter ID. He said even so, in these same states you need an ID to go fishing, drive a car, buy alcohol/tobacco, and get a job. Others say what is really confusing about the Democrats voting this down is that it seems to be one of the most agreed-upon political issues across the country. There is a poll that shows 80% of voters agree that a person should have to show some form of photo ID to vote. Another factoid is that the US isn’t trying to break new ground here; almost every country in the world requires voter ID. Why then are there certain politicians in the US who have decided the US should become a country where voter ID requirements are a problem?
Rita Cook is a world traveler and writer/ editor who specializes in writing on travel, auto, crime, and politics.
619.264.1454
“Maternal health must be treated as a human right, not a privilege. This bill moves us toward dismantling the inequities that have left too many Black, Brown, Indigenous, and marginalized families behind,” she added.
SB 626 includes key provisions such as requiring all perinatal providers to screen, diagnose, and treat maternal mental health conditions.
The bill would also require an insurance plan that covers mental health services during the perinatal period, including case management, care coordination, and at least one FDAapproved medication.
The third action of SB 626 requires health insurers and service plans to report annually on the usage and results of maternal mental health services and publicly post the data on their websites.
“As a legislator and a mom of triplets, I understand the issue both professionally and personally. That is why I am so proud to co-author SB 626,” stated Cervantes. “California has a responsibility to ensure no parent suffers in silence when help should have been within reach.”
According to information provided by Smallwood-Cuevas’ office, the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed nation, and perinatal depression – a mood disorder that emerges during pregnancy or after childbirth – is the leading cause, with only 15% receiving treatment.
In addition, the crisis disproportionately impacts Black women, people of color, low-income, and marginalized families due to obstacles in obtaining culturally competent care. The dilemma costs California $2.4 billion annually.
According to the Office of the California Surgeon General, the leading causes of death among mothers in the state are tied to heart disease (23%), hemorrhaging (14%), behavioral health (12%), and infection (12%). Perinatal mental health conditions are considered the leading complication of pregnancy and childbirth, affecting 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers.
On April 29, over 100 survivors, clinicians, community leaders, and advocates from across the state convened at the State Capitol for the daylong event, “From Pain to Power: A California Storytelling and Advocacy Day.”
The occasion featured storytelling by parents, a documentary screening, and legislative visits focused on the passage of SB 626.
The list of speakers included Jessica Walker, founder of Be Mom Aware; Gabrielle Brown, the Black Maternal and Infant Health Program Manager for Black Women for Wellness Action Project; and Cassie Gardener-Manjikian, co-founder of California Coalition for Perinatal Mental Health and Justice (CCPMHJ).
CCPMHJ is a survivor-led alliance united to reshape the perinatal mental health system through passionate storytelling, movement bonding, and policy advocacy. The founding partners include Black Women for Wellness Action Project, Maternal Mental Health NOW, PSI-California, and the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health.
SUNRISE 04/13/1956
SUNSET 04/23/2025
ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL
Service was held May 12, 2025 at Pilgrim Progressive Baptist Church. ***************************************************************************
William Harrison Fife, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, departed this life on April 23, 2025, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 74 years old. Born on April 13, 1956, he was the fourth of eight children to the late Vinson Elton Fife, Sr. and Wilyne Chambers Fife. William was raised in a Christian home in the rural South where faith, family, and hard work were the foundation of life. He grew up alongside his siblings: Vinson Elton Fife, Jr. of Jonesboro, GA, the late Evelyn Doris Stubbs, Jessie Yvonne Leverette (Pastor Walter) of Oceanside, CA, the late Pastor Samuel Fife, Sylvia Arlene Wyatt (Samuel), the late Christopher Charles Fife, and Drusilla Maria Fife—all of Alabama.
At age five, William lost his father, a hardship that deepened the family’s bond. Raised by their mother with unwavering faith, William embraced responsibility early, working on the family farm and learning farming from his cotton-farming uncles. He found joy in operating tractors and growing food that nourished his family—experiences that shaped his character. He attended Hatcher Elementary and graduated from Cherokee County High School, where he excelled both academically and athletically. A standout football player, he helped lead his team to local and state honors.
After graduation, William joined the National Guard, then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He trained as an Army Tanker and Service Specialist, earning the rank of Private First Class and an Honorable Discharge. His dedication and patriotism remain a source of pride.
William shared a lifetime of love and devotion with his wife, Barbara Fife. Their marriage was a testament to enduring love, partnership, and faith. Together, they built a joyful life and raised a loving family.
He is survived by his wife Barbara, six children; Yvonne and Yvette Garret of Rome, GA, Lewieko and Kenya Fife of Detroit, MI, Ernest Antoine (Yolanda) of Atlanta, GA, and Levonn Hall of El Cajon, CA, mother-in-law Mae Antoine, three sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law; 15 grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
William’s faith guided him throughout life. He accepted Christ as a child and later rededicated his life under the late Rev. Dr. Joseph Foxworth, Sr. at Pilgrim Progressive Baptist Church. Even during illness, his devotion never wavered. William will be remembered for his resilience, integrity, and heart. His legacy lives on through all who knew and loved him.
I get up every day and take a breath. And start another day without you in it.
To honour you...
I laugh and love with those who knew your smile And the way your eyes twinkled with mischief and
SUNRISE 06/05/1977
SUNSET 05/03/2025
ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL
Service was held May 20, 2025 at North Park Apostolic Church. ***************************************************************************
Danny Joey Harvey II was born on June 5, 1977, in San Diego, CA. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Danny Joey Harvey Sr. and Belinda Elizabeth Waggoner. Danny received his formal education in the San Diego Unified School District, graduating from Hoover High School in 1995. After high school, he relocated to Great Lakes, IL, to continue his studies. He attended ITT Technical Institute in Schaumburg, IL, and graduated in 1999. He then returned to San Diego, where he worked in the IT field for many years. Later, Danny became a manager at the University of California, San Diego, where he remained employed until his passing.
Danny was a light in our family, the biggest jokester with a great smile - he kept the family laughing. His greatest joy in life was raising his daughter, Danye. She was the light of his life and he took pride in guiding her as only a father can. Baseball was a passion for them both, and Danny took great pride in coaching Danye’s softball team for many years.
On Saturday May 3, 2025, Danny transitioned from time to eternity.
Danny leaves to mourn his passing his beloved daughter Danye Albritton, her mother and his greatest supporter Gretchen Mills, his Goddaughters; Tiana (Caleb) Mineo and Amaya Newton, both of San Diego, CA. He is also survived by his sister Malika Hollins of San Diego, CA, his cousin/brother Ramon (Marsha) Davis of Menifee, CA, cousin/sister Myisha (Tyree) Newton of San Diego, CA, aunts; Bettye Flowers of San Diego, CA, and Juanita (James) Nelson of Zion, IL, uncles; Willie J. Hill and Michael (Tina) Harvey, both of San Diego, CA, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and dear friends who will miss him deeply.
Danny’s warmth, humor, and unwavering love will forever live in our hearts.
By Connie F. Kiefer Byrd
secret knowledge.
To honour you...
I take the time to appreciate everyone I love, I know now there is no guarantee of days or hours spent in their presence.
To honour you... I listen to music you would have liked, And sing at the top of my lungs, with the windows rolled down
To honour you...
I take chances, say what I feel, hold nothing back, Risk making a fool of myself, dance every dance. You were my light, my heart, my gift of love, from the very highest source. So every day, I vow to make a difference, share a smile, live, laugh and love. Now I live for us both, so all I do, I do to honour you.
“ Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. ” †¢
“Black mothers have long carried the heaviest burdens in a healthcare system that was never designed with us in mind,” said Brown, a maternal health advocate with CCPMHJ. “SB 626 marks a critical step toward reimagining that system — one where every parent’s mental health is prioritized, every life is valued, and every family is given the support they deserve.”
Elyse Springer, Policy and Advocacy chairperson for Postpartum Support International; Joy Burkhard, CEO for the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, and documentary filmmaker and women’s health advocate Devorah Herbert participated in the discussion and explained the essence of SB 626.
“SB 626 doesn’t reinvent the wheel. It realigns the spokes to ensure new parents are seen, heard, and cared for. It’s a first step toward building the just, coordinated system our communities deserve,” said Manjikian, a public health practitioner and postpartum psychosis survivor.
Did you know you can submit a Protest Form for the proposed Trash Fee?
Recently, the San Diego City Council reviewed a proposal for a trash fee linked to Measure B. The Environmental Services Department (ESD) presented an operational plan for the waste collection model, which will be implemented if approved in June.
If you oppose this plan, Proposition 218 allows you to submit a protest form. You can
access the form directly through www.sandiego. gov/environmental-services/trash-service-updates/proposed-solid-waste-management-fee Deadline: June 9, 2025.
Only formal written protests will be considered under the city’s Proposition 218 protest tabulating procedures and must be received before the close of the public hearing, either in person at the public hearing or via mail to the city clerk, 202 C ST., MS 2T, San Diego, CA 92101.
Protests delivered in person should be submit-
The County’s Behavioral Health Services (BHS) has been awarded $29.1 million in state funding that will be used to create new mental health and substance use treatment services in the region.
The California Department of Health Care Services announced the local awards last week. The funds come from a bond voters approved
in March 2024 to expand behavioral health treatment, residential care settings and housing to support people with mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
Before submitting two funding applications last year, County BHS gathered community input to identify critical needs, looked at local data and conducted stakeholder outreach. The Board of Supervisors approved the request to submit two funding applications in July 2024. Both applica-
ted in the first-floor lobby of 202 C ST., San Diego, CA 92101, at the office of the city clerk reception counter.
Please note: You must provide your own postage for mailed-in protest forms. The public hearing will be held June 9, 2025, at 2:00pm. Only one protest form per household/parcel will be accepted. 115,001 protest forms are required to reject the proposed fee. Written protests must contain a statement of opposition to the fee. Electronic protests (email, social media messages, etc.) will not be counted.
Additionally, Measure B may have affected
your eligibility status. If implemented, you may fall into one of the following categories:
Newly Eligible – Customers transitioning to City collection.
Ineligible – Customers shifting to Franchise Hauler collection.
Measure B Prop 218 Notice – All those potentially affected by the proposed rate.
For questions or assistance, contact the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department at (858)694-7000 or email trash@sandiego.gov.
tions have been approved for funding.
The larger award, $21.1 million, will be used to create the new Substance Use Residential & Treatment Services (SURTS) facility. It will include up to 73 new substance use residential treatment beds and 16 recuperative care beds for people who are eligible for Medi-Cal.
The second award, which totals $7.9 million, will help fund a new Children’s Crisis Residential Care facility within the County’s Polinsky Children’s Center in Kearny Mesa.
The project will create 16 new children’s crisis residential beds, which will be the first of their kind locally. Crisis residential care can be an alternative to hospitalization for children and youth with serious emotional health needs.
Five other behavioral health providers within San Diego County were also awarded.
The other awardees include:
• Palomar Health Foundation, $49.9 million for an acute psychiatric hospital in Escondido.
• InnerTribal Treatment, $19.9 million for an adult residential SUD treatment facility in Pauma Valley.
• McAlister Institute for Treatment & Education, $34.5 million for an adult residential SUD treatment facility in San Diego.
• Casa de Amparo, $19.9 million for a psychiatric residential treatment facility in San Marcos.
• Epidaurus (Amity Vista Ranch), $31.5 million, for an adult residential SUD treatment facility in Vista.
Thanks to the BHCIP funding, these seven grants are anticipated to add approximately 375 treatment beds and 1,538 treatment slots in the region.
If you or a loved one is in need of mental or behavioral health support, learn how you can get help. Call 9-8-8 or 1-888-724-7240 to speak to a trained specialist.
On Wednesday morning, the California Black Power Network (CBPN) convened more than 100 community advocates to march through the streets of Sacramento and rally on the steps of the State Capitol. The event was organized to urge legislators to support a legislative package aimed at repairing past harms and protecting the future of Black Californians.
“Today, we brought the voices of over 832,000 Californians from across the state to the forefront. The policies we are championing for 2025 mark a significant stride in our mission to Repair the Past and Protect Black Futures,” said James Woodson, Executive Director and Co-founder of the California Black Power Network. “At the California Black Power Network, we are unwavering in our commitment to systemic and structural reforms that uplift the most vulnerable communities. Our fight is clear—we will hold the California legislature accountable to address the needs and priorities of Black communities with the urgency and justice they deserve.”
Several members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) joined the rally to speak in support of the proposed legislation. Assemblymember Sade Elhawary spoke on the importance of creating a pathway forward for incarcerated community members through her bill, AB 1380, the California Firefighter Certification Program. She emphasized the value of second chances and equity in employment.
“This bill will support our communities, our folks who have [been] impacted by mass incarceration, so they can have a real
chance to move forward,” said Elhawary.
Assemblymember Isaac Bryan addressed the crowd in support of his reparations-focused bill, AB 7, the Legacy of Harm & Exclusion Consideration Act. The bill would allow California State University, the University of California, and private and independent institutions of higher education to consider admissions preferences for applicants who are descendants of U.S. chattel slavery.
“For many generations, we weren’t allowed to read and write, then they kept us in separate but unequal schools,” said Bryan. “Then, for many generations after that, we were barred from higher education. We helped build these institutions of higher learning. It’s about time that we get full participation in them.”
Two additional bills authored by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor—AB 57 and AB 62—also address the call for reparations. AB 57 proposes reserving a portion of the California Home Ownership Assistance Program for descendants of formerly enslaved people, while AB 62 would
provide a pathway to repair for victims of racially motivated eminent domain.
Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D., Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, added broader context to the day’s legislative push.
“Repairing the harm caused by American Chattel Slavery and Jim Crow-era policies is a moral obligation that California must fulfill to address historical injustices against Black Californians,” said Weber Pierson. “Organizations like the California Black Power Network amplify the voices of residents demanding leadership in reparative justice. SB 518 is a pivotal step toward building the infrastructure needed to administer reparative benefits effectively. By prioritizing meaningful legislation like SB 518, alongside initiatives such as AB 62 for Black homeownership and AB 7 for equitable college admissions, California can lay the foundation for a more just future that benefits all residents. When Black Californians thrive, California thrives.”
In addition to legislative demands, community members also called on Attorney General Rob Bonta to investigate the emergency response to the Eaton Fire. Advocates noted the fire disproportionately impacted Black and Brown neighborhoods and raised concerns about potential negligence, inequitable resource deployment, and broader public health consequences.
The rally was held in partnership with the Black Equity Collective, Black Equity Initiative—Inland Empire, Bold Black LA, and LiveFree California. With statewide representation and strong legislative backing, the event reflected a growing call for the state to not only acknowledge historical injustices but also take meaningful steps toward lasting repair.
U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) condemned the Trump Administration’s revocation of hundreds of international student visas—many on ideological grounds—citing violations of due process and First Amendment rights. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the Senators criticized ICE’s termination of California students’ SEVIS records and the State Department’s AI-powered “Catch and Revoke” initiative, which monitors international students’ social media for alleged extremist ties.
“These visa revocations and record terminations constitute unprecedented and unconstitutional attacks on freedom of thought and expression,” the Senators wrote. They urged an immediate halt to the surveillance program, restoration of revoked visas, and full transparency.
The Senators detailed cases of ICE detaining students at campuses and homes without legal notice, often based on vague social media activity or political affiliations. “If true, these practices... violate students’ First Amendment rights,” they said.
Padilla and Schiff highlighted that California’s 140,000 international students contribute $6.4 billion to the U.S. economy and support over 55,000 jobs. “These institutions serve as beacons of opportunity,” they wrote, warning that ongoing visa actions threaten both economic growth and America’s global leadership in science, research, and innovation.
By Barbara Smith Contributing Writer
s a client is leaving Jaja’s African Braiding Salon, newly coiffed after an extraordinary day of immersion into the complicated lives of the braiders, she sighs, “It feels like I moved in for the day.” And for us in the audience, it feels like we have moved in too. From the very first moment, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding , which opened at the La Jolla Playhouse last week, opens a door to a front row seat in a world of challenges and resilience in the immigrant community. As each of the skilled West African braiders’ stories unfolds, while particular to their cultural milieu, we connect deeply on a human level.
Written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Whitney White, the Tony-nominated play enjoyed a twice-extended run on Broadway. Now on its national tour, the show plays at La Jolla’s Mandell Weiss Theatre through June 15. The story opens on a scorching summer day in Jaja’s Harlem salon. Things heat up quickly, and not just because the AC goes on the fritz. Braiders and customers share stories that are at turns thought-provoking, humorous, and emotionally resonant. Bold and brash Bea (Claudia Logan) accuses the popular braider Ndidi (Aisha Sougou) of stealing her customers. Idealistic Miriam (Bisserat
Tseggai) wants desperately to earn enough money to bring her child from Sierra Leone to the US and confides her dream to aspiring journalist client Jennifer (Mia Ellis), who delights in her braider’s adventurous spirit, yet is filled with empathy for the losses she has endured. Tempers simmer, hearts open as stories are revealed. It’s an eye-opener to the lived experiences of African immigrants and yet a personal story that touches us all on themes of family, female entrepreneurship, connection, and cultural identity.
“To many people, they are just ‘hair braiding ladies,’ random women people pass by on the street; but, to me, they are heroes, craftswomen and artists with beautiful, gifted and skilled hands,” says playwright Bioh. And in the masterful hands of the Ghanaian-American writer, we alternately laugh at the antics of these highly spirited stylists and reflect with compassion at the challenges of those seeking a better life and integrating into a new society.
Acting in this 90-minute performance is superb. Bea and best friend/gossip buddy Aminata (Tiffany Renee Johnson) stay on each other’s cases in outrageous exchanges about men, money, and all manner of mischief.
Melanie Brezill and Leovina Charles in triple roles are brilliant as clients with over-the-top demands, like Chrissy (Brezill), a flamboyant Beyoncé wannabe, who enters the salon sporting chains, sequins and booty-hugging shorts, then exits, astonishing all with exquisite, floor-
length blond braids, which she tosses in gleeful ecstasy. Huge kudos go to Nikiya Mathis’ wig design genius.
Nigerian-born Onye Eme-Akwari is a scene stealer in multiple roles as James/Sock Man/Jewelry Man/DVD Man. We’ve all known the street hustler hawking socks and watches or the smooth operator/player husband who woos his woman back with sweet brother talk. He plays each of these with spot-on comic flair.
Political references to the current anti-immigrant attitudes are unmis
takable and were met with rousing applause. Jaja, the title character, makes her appearance toward the very end of the show in a spec tacular entrance. Victoire Charles is breathtakingly ele gant, curvaceous in her white satin figure-alluring gown (fit tingly, the multi-Tony nomi nated play won in the Costume Design category). She is dressed for her “green card wedding” to a Caucasian American, who Jaja sees as insurance to protect her immigrant status and advance her dream of providing a promising future for her d aughter Marie (Jordan Rice), a straight-A student who lives under a false name to remain safe from immigration. Does her scheme work? You’ll have to see the play to find out.
It’s been said that you can’t hate someone whose story you know. In Jaja’s African Hair Braiding , Jocelyn Bioh has woven a world of characters
whose stories we need to know. For ticket information, visit lajollaplayhouse. org.
health care for all that is you.
Kaiser Permanente is a proud supporter of the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper.
Kaiser Permanente provides inclusive and affirming health care and services, from employees and physicians who reflect the diverse communities we serve. We are proud to be with you on your health journey, in ways that reflect all of who you are today, and all that you’ll be tomorrow. Learn more at kp.org/sandiego
For all that is San Diego. For all that is you.
By Darrel Wheeler CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Celebrating their 100th year anni versary Homecoming family reunion last weekend for three days of worship, fellowship, and remi niscing, this very important event was hosted by Bishop J.A. Blake Jr. and Lady Dorothy Blake.
On Friday night, gospel music, praise, prayer, shared memories, joy, and an old-fash ioned fish fry set the tone at the historic build ing’s special occasion.
“My mother used to bring me here since I was a little kid. I've been coming here for almost 70 years, praise God,” Greater Jackson Memorial member Cleo Williams shared.
“Tonight was a special experience and I know the next two days will be the same.”
Inez Murphy shared similar comments when asked about this Centennial celebration last Friday.
“This was really nice, and I'm looking forward to Saturday and Sunday. I will be here celebrating with family and friends, this has been my place of worship since I was five years old, and I’m in my 50s now, God be the Glory.”
Greater Memorial Fountain of Life Church of God in Christ, on 3805 Ocean View Blvd, continues to honor the past, inspire the present, and pave the way for the future.
This spring, a group of 27 students graduated from San Diego State University while still incarcerated. The students are part of SDSU’s Valuing Incarcerated Scholars through Academia (VISTA) program.
degree and meet the transfer requirements for admission to SDSU. Founded by Annie Buckley, a professor of visual studies at SDSU, and director of the Institute for the Arts, Humanities, and Social Justice,
The university celebrated these students’ hard work and dedication, reaffirming the transformative power of education in fostering second chances and changing lives on May 15 at Centinela State Prison in Imperial, CA.
SDSU’s Bachelor of Arts program at the allmale Centinela State Prison currently offers two-year completion degrees to incarcerated individuals who have earned their associate
the program includes three areas of study: Communication, Journalism and Media Studies, and Art and Design.
The VISTA program, started in August 2023, empowers incarcerated individuals to pursue higher education, offering access to rigorous academic courses, mentorship, and support that challenges traditional barriers to education. By focusing on intellectual growth, collaboration, and self-empowerment, the program provides participants with the tools to rebuild their lives and become positive, productive members of their communities.
After remarks from university leadership, and student speakers, the graduates — wearing caps and gowns — waited for their name to be called before each walking across the commencement stage.
For many, it marked a moment they once thought was out of reach.
“Obtaining my bachelor’s degree means that I will have a new opportunity in life once I earn my freedom. It also allows me to set forth an example to my children, that in spite of any circumstances that life finds you in, if you put in the hard work and change your perspective you will persevere,” said Ruben Vargas, one of the more than two-dozen incarcerated students who participated in the inaugural ceremonies. “Earning my bachelor’s degree renewed my confidence, my sense of self and transformed my outlook on life. That transformation enabled me to visualize endless possibilities for my future going forward.”
cantly lower recidivism rates for those who successfully complete college programming.
In spring 2024, SDSU received a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to expand its VISTA program at Centinela State Prison. As a result of the grant, SDSU faculty and fellows are working on assessments of student learning,
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) data points to signifi-
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan expands doula services to reduce disparities in maternal health
For Black families and those who identify as African American, pregnancy should be a time of joy – but too often, it is overshadowed by fear. Despite medical advancements, Black and African American people in the United States are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white mothers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Contributing factors such as inadequate prenatal care, systematic bias in health care, and a lack of support during labor and postpartum recovery continue to put Black mothers and their babies at risk.
California is facing a maternal health crisis. Every five days, a Californian loses their life to pregnancy-related complications, according to the CDC. In 2023, non-Hispanic Black or African American women experienced a maternal mortality rate of 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, significantly higher than white women, according to the CDC. Furthermore, Blacks and African Americans women over the age of 40 face a maternal mortality rate nearly five times higher than those under 25. These figures underscore the need for more comprehensive and culturally congruent care.
Doulas Make a Difference
Across the country, maternal health advocates are embracing new solutions to improve maternal health – and doula care is making a significant impact. Doulas are non-clinical professionals who are trained to provide non-medical support, including emotional, physical, and informational care before, during, and after birth. They also guide families through pregnancy loss, miscarriage and the post-partum period with compassion and expertise. They are passionate about supporting families during the pregnancy journeys and their child’s first year of life.
People with doula support are more likely to have a healthier pregnancy, fewer birth complications, and better birth outcomes, according to
the National Library of Medicine. With Black and African American mothers facing disproportionate risks, doulas play a crucial role in improving maternal health outcomes by providing personalized continuous care.
Studies show that doula care leads to better health outcomes for both mothers and babies. Research has linked doula support to lower rates of C-sections, reduced epidural labor times, and fewer low-birthweight and premature deliveries, according to the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute.
“Black and African American mothers often face unique challenges in the healthcare system,” said Nicole Evans, senior manager, Maternal, Infant and Child Health Equity at Blue Shield Promise.
“Having a doula can make a critical difference in ensuring that Black and African American families receive the respectful, empathetic, nonjudgemental and intentional support they deserve during their birthing experience contributing a positive birth outcome.”
The emotional support provided by doulas also helps ease emotional strain during labor, while increasing the feeling of empowerment and satisfaction with the birthing process. Mothers with doula support are also more likely to have successful and longer breastfeeding experiences.
Gestation Period: During pregnancy, Black and African American expecting families often face challenges in receiving the respectful and attentive care they deserve. In some cases, this can lead to delayed care, and a higher risk of complications. Doulas help mitigate these challenges by offering emotional support. They educate mothers about their birthing options and encourage regular prenatal care, ensuring that they make informed decisions and reduce the likelihood of complications throughout their pregnancy. With a doula’s support, Black and African American expectant families feel more confident and empowered to advocate for them-
selves and their babies, ensuring their voices are heard and respected in medical settings.
Labor and Delivery: Doulas continue to provide invaluable support during labor and delivery. They offer both emotional and physical assistance, reducing stress and anxiety, which can lead to smoother deliveries. Studies have shown (Sobczak et al., 2023) that with a doula present, mothers are more likely to experience better labor outcomes, including a reduction in the need for medical interventions. Their continuous presence reassures mothers, helping them remain calm and in control. Doulas also ensure that mothers are fully informed about their options during labor, empowering them to make decisions that align with their birth plan.
Postpartum and Infant Care: After birth, doulas remain a critical source of support.
They help new moms navigate the challenges of breastfeeding and monitor signs of postpartum depression, which disproportionately affects Black and African American families. Doulas can connect families with additional resources, ensuring they have the support they need during this crucial period. Mothers who receive doula support then experience lower rates of postpartum depression and are more likely to successfully breastfeed, improving both maternal and
Complete your ballot in the comfort of your
Sign and date your return envelope, seal your completed ballot inside, and return it through the U.S. Postal Service – no stamp needed!
Return your ballot to any of the Registrar’s official ballot drop boxes around the district starting Tuesday, June 3 through Election Day, Tuesday, July 1.
Avoid long lines by taking advantage of early voting! Starting Saturday, June 21, seven vote centers will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On Election Day, Tuesday, July 1, thirteen vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Find a ballot drop box or vote center near you at sdvote.com.
infant health outcomes.
Building on this success and recognizing the urgent need to support Black and African American families, Blue Shield Promise is working to expand access to doula care. The program, currently available for Medi-Cal mothers, is designed to provide equitable maternal health care by:
• Increasing and training for all doulas and recruiting more Black and African American doulas to better serve their communities
• Providing Medi-Cal covered doula services for all eligible mothers
• Raising awareness about the life-saving role doulas play in Black and African American maternal health
• Partnering with local organizations to improve healthcare accessibility in underserved areas
To learn more or find a doula near you, please visit: Maternity Program | Blue Shield of CA Promise Health Plan at https://www.blueshieldca.com/en/bsp/providers/programs/ maternity-program.
Sp ending a good portion of each day on camera is no longer a job description reserved for the rich and famous. Working professionals across a wide range of industries spend more time than ever on video chats and virtual meetings.
Avoid exhaustion, burnout and digital eye strain with these tips:
Avoid digital eye strain: Back-to-back virtual meetings can leave your eyes dry and exhausted. The most important consideration in protecting your eyes is taking frequent breaks. Experts recommend the 20-2020 rule: look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This lets your eyes rest and minimizes the physical and mental exhaustion of screen time.
Create a comfortable setting: There’s nothing worse than realizing halfway through an important meeting you’re either too hot or too cold. Rather than visibly disrupting the meeting, make sure you have what you need to adjust your climate in easy reach, such as a fan you can flip on or a blanket you can pull over your lap. Invest in a chair you’re content to sit in for extended periods of time, and if you’re prone to fidgeting, be sure to get up and move around before your meeting starts. Look your best: It’s human nature to worry about your appearance on camera, so take a few minutes before the meeting to smooth your hair and straighten your collar. Wearing video-ready attire and accessories can put you ahead of the game.
Eliminate disruptions: It’s not easy to stay focused and engaged in a video meeting when you have noise and disruptions in your background. In fact, it’s a good way to get flustered. Turn off your music and mute your phone. Put curious cats and friendly pups in a safe place, and if you share your workspace, consider closing your door and hanging a sign that indicates a meeting is in progress.
Be mindful of lighting and angles: Lighting that comes from behind your screen will illuminate your face without awkward shadows. Avoid overhead lights or a table lamp behind you if possible. When it comes to setting your camera, be sure it sits at eye level or slightly
By Voice & Viewpoint Staff
above for the most flattering angle. A good rule of thumb is to have the same portion of your upper body (head and shoulders) visible as you would in a traditional head shot photo so your colleagues don’t have a
Looking for podcasts that fuel your mind, sharpen your voice, and deepen your understanding of politics, justice, and Black leadership? This list highlights podcasts that explore politics, civic engagement, social justice, and Black leadership. Whether focusing on democracy, community organizing, or political analysis, these podcasts provide a range of perspectives on key issues shaping society today.
1. The Michelle Obama Podcast (Spotify Exclusive)
While broader in theme, Michelle’s episodes often delve into civic engagement, public service, and the inner workings of leadership—especially powerful when discussing democracy with Barack and other leaders.
2. Pod Save the People (CrookedMedia,hostedbyDeRayMckesson)
A sharp, activist-driven look at politics, social justice, and current events with guests including politicians, organizers, and cultural thinkers.
3. #TellBlackStories (byColorofChange)
Spotlights Black creatives, organizers, and politicians—elevating the impact of storytelling on justice and politics.
4. What’s In It For Us? (TheGrio)
Hosted by Dr. Christina Greer, this unapologetically Black podcast unpacks the week’s biggest political stories from a Black perspective.
5. Stacey Abrams Interviews (onPodSaveAmerica,TheDaily,and others)
Stacey Abrams offers consistently incisive political analysis on democracy, voter suppression, and civic power. Search for her on:
• Po d Save America
• The Daily
• Ca ll Your Girlfriend
6. Revolutions Per Minute (BlackYouthProject100–BYP100)
A movement-centered show amplifying radical Black voices organizing around political change and liberation.
7. Black Power Moves (REVOLT)
Interviews with Black political, business, and social leaders focused on shifting power and policy in our communities.
of your face the
By Leigh-Ann Jackson
After experiencing a braiding debacle two years ago, Chrystal Thomas, a student at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the City University of New York, set out to find an answer to this very question.
Thomas says she went to a professional stylist to have braids done using what she recalls was the popular synthetic hair brand Kanekalon. Her problems started that same day, she says: “I couldn’t sleep well, my throat felt irritated, and I had trouble focusing on any type of work I was doing because of the smell. The smell wouldn’t go away even after washing my hair multiple times.”
CR tested the samples for heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium, and lead. None had detectable arsenic. “Three had cadmium, but our analysis found the levels did not pose a risk,” Rogers says. “All nine lead-containing products could expose regular users to a level of lead that could be concerning over time.”
Prolonged lead exposure can cause significant health issues, including brain damage, immune system suppression, reproductive issues, kidney damage, and hypertension. Lead is particularly harmful to children, potentially delaying brain development.
CR contacted all brands for comment. Only Sensationnel and Magic Fingers responded. Both companies challenged CR’s methodolo -
Thomas is not the only person to have this experience. Black women are the primary users of these products, and people of African descent are the largest group of consumers of hair wigs and extensions. In 2023, the U.S. market for these products was valued at $2.79 billion and is expected to reach $6.34 billion by 2029.
To understand the risk synthetic braiding hair poses, CR scientists tested 10 popular synthetic braiding hair products for heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Top findings:
• Carcinogens were detected in 100 percent of the samples.
• Le ad was detected in nine of 10 products.
• O ther VOCs, including acetone, were detected in all products.
gy and stood by the safety of their products. Neither company responded to questions about product testing for contaminants.
“Symptoms include redness, swelling, and rashes on the scalp, neck, or face,” Rogers says, adding it’s linked to allergens and dyes. Dr. Tiffany Mayo notes that neck skin can be more sensitive and that negotiating with patients over hair choices is often necessary.
The FDA does not appear to have specific information on braiding hair safety or recalls. So how are consumers supposed to navigate the synthetic hair aisle safely?
READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT WWW. SDVOICE.INFO.
Every year, approximately 800,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke, however, as many as 80% may be preventable with healthy lifestyle changes and screening for risk factors. During May, American Stroke Month, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is raising awareness nationwide that stroke is largely preventable, treatable and beatable.
A stroke can happen to anyone, even young people. Know the stroke signs, risk factors and how to protect yourself:
1 S pot a stroke F.A.S.T. If you see Face drooping, Arm weakness or Speech difficulty, it’s Time to call 911. Explore what the warning signs may look, feel or sound like in the interactive F.A.S.T. Experience.
2
U nderstand your risk factors and ask a doctor how you can prevent a stroke. High blood pressure is a leading cause and controllable risk factor for stroke.
3 S troke recovery is within reach. Track your health, medication and more with the Heart & Stroke HelperTM app for stroke survivors and caregivers.
A stroke happens when normal blood flow in the brain is interrupted. When parts of the brain don’t get the oxygen-rich blood they need, those cells die. Quick identification and treatment of stroke improves the chances of survival and recovery.
Learn the warning signs
Stroke is an emergency. If someone is having a stroke, they must get medical attention right away.
Use the acronym F.A.S.T. to identify the most common signs of stroke:
1 Face Drooping - Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?
2 A rm Weakness - Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms.
Does one arm drift downward?
3 Speech Difficulty - Is speech slurred or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue."
4 T ime to Call 911 - If you notice any of these symptoms, even if they go away, call 911 and get to a hospital immediately. Quick action can save a life.
Take steps to prevent stroke
Black and Hispanic adults in the U.S. face disproportionately higher stroke risk, driven in part by higher rates of high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes , as well as socioeconomic factors that impact access to care and prevention .
A large majority of strokes can be prevented:
1 Manage your blood pressure – Lowering your blood pressure reduces your risk of stroke. According to the 2025 American Heart Association Statistical Update, nearly half of adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, and many don’t even know it.
2 L ive a healthy lifestyle – Eating well, staying active, quitting smoking and managing stress can all help lower your stroke risk . The Association’s Life’s Essential 8 provides key steps for improving and maintaining cardiovascular and brain health.
3 Monitor health conditions – Conditions like atrial fibrillation (AFib), diabetes and high cholesterol increase stroke risk. Work with your health care provider to manage them.
4 Reduce risk for a second stroke - Nearly 1 in 4 survivors will have another stroke, in some instances because they don’t know what caused the first stroke. Testing to identify cause and additional risk factors can help you and your health care team develop a plan to prevent another one.
This American Stroke Month, take action and inspire change by learning the signs of a stroke and talking to your health care team to manage your risk factors.
Nineteen San Diegans received their high school diplomas on Tuesday, May 6, in a ceremony at San Diego Central Library honoring the 2024 and 2025 graduates of the Adult High School Diploma Program.
Marking 10 years since the program’s launch in 2015, friends and families cheered as graduates crossed the stage in Neil Morgan Auditorium and were recognized as having successfully completed their high school careers. Adult High School Diploma Program graduates now have an accredited high school diploma and can continue their education, expand their career opportunities or apply to enter the military.
SDPL offers two high school diploma programs. Students enrolled in Career Online High School have 18 months to complete their
high school diploma coursework and can also earn a certificate in one of 10 high-demand career fields. Gale Excel High School allows students 24 months to complete the program and offers 40 elective courses in addition to the core subjects for high school study.
Since 2015, the Adult High School Diploma Program has awarded hundreds of San Diegans with a high school diploma. The program is designed to be accessible and affordable — all course materials are available online with 24/7 access to accommodate busy schedules.
Laptops can be borrowed after enrolling and being awarded a scholarship.
People who wish to participate in the program can begin the registration process on the Adult Education webpage. Registration is open to those who reside in or work for the City of San Diego and are age 19 or older.
U.S. President Donald Trump
showed a screenshot of a Reuters video taken in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of what he falsely presented on Wednesday [May 21] as evidence of mass killings of white South Africans.
“These are all white farmers that are being buried,” said Trump, holding up a print-out of an article accompanied by the picture during a contentious Oval Office meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
By Omar Faruk
Associated Press
The cries of distressed children filled the ward for the severely malnourished. Among the patients was 1-year-old Maka’il Mohamed. Doctors pressed his chest in a desperate attempt to support his breathing. His father brought him too late to a hospital in Somalia‘s capital, Mogadishu. The victim of complications related to malnutrition, the boy did not survive.
“Are you certain? Did he really die?” the father, Mohamed Ma’ow, asked a doctor, shocked.
The death earlier this month at Banadir Hospital captured the agony of a growing number of Somalis who are unable to feed their children — and that of health workers who are seeing hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. support disappear under the Trump administration.
The U.S. Agency for International Development once provided 65% of Somalia’s foreign aid, according to Dr. Abdiqani Sheikh Omar, the former director general of the Ministry of Health and now a government advisor.
Now USAID is being dismantled. And in Somalia, dozens of centers treating the hungry are closing. They have been crucial in
a country described as having one of the world’s most fragile health systems as it wrestles with decades of insecurity.
Save the Children, the largest non-governmental provider of health and nutrition services to children in Somalia, said the lives of 55,000 children will be at risk by June as it closes 121 nutrition centers it can no longer fund.
Aid cuts mean that 11% more children are expected to be severely malnourished than in the previous year, Save the Children said. Somalia has long faced food insecurity because of climate shocks like drought. But aid groups and Somalis alike now fear a catastrophe.
Former Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalin told state-run TV last month that USAID had provided $1 billion in funding for Somalia in fiscal year 2023, with a similar amount expected for 2024.
Much of that funding is now gone.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson in a statement to the AP said “several lifesaving USAID humanitarian assistance programs are active in Somalia, including programs that provide food and nutrition assistance to children,” and they were working to make sure the programs continue when such aid transitions to the State Department on July 1.
SOJOURNER TRUTH GIVES FAMOUS “AR’NT I A WOMAN?” SPEECH
Sojourner Truth (c. 1797–1883) was one of the most renowned Black women orators of the 19th century. Born into slavery in New York and freed in 1827, she became a powerful voice for abolition and equal rights for both women and men. Her most famous speech, “Ar’nt I a Woman?” was delivered at the Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio, on May 29, 1851. The speech powerfully challenged the exclusion of Black women from the women’s rights movement.
Two versions of the speech exist. The widely quoted one was published decades later, while a contemporaneous version appeared in the Anti-Slavery Bugle in June 1851. Without an official transcript, Truth’s exact words remain uncertain.
In fact, the video, published by Reuters on February 3 and subsequently verified by the news agency’s fact check team, showed humanitarian workers lifting body bags in the Congolese city of Goma. The image was pulled from Reuters footage shot following deadly battles with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
The blog post shown to Ramaphosa by Trump during the White House meeting was published by American Thinker , a conservative online magazine, about conflict and racial tensions in South Africa and Congo.
The post did not caption the image but identified it as a “YouTube screen grab” with a link to a video news report about Congo on YouTube, which credited Reuters.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment. Andrea Widburg, managing editor at American Thinker and the author of the post in question, wrote in reply to a Reuters query that Trump had “misidentified the image.”
She added, however, that the post, which referred to what it called Ramaphosa’s “dysfunctional, race-obsessed Marxist government”, had “pointed out the increasing pressure placed on white South Africans.”
The footage from which the picture was taken shows a mass burial following an M23 assault on Goma, filmed by Reuters video journalist Djaffar Al Katanty.
“That day, it was extremely difficult for journalists to get in… I had to negotiate directly with M23 and coordinate with the ICRC to be allowed to film,” Al Katanty said. “Only Reuters has video.”
Al Katanty said seeing Trump holding the article with the screengrab of his video came as a shock.
“In view of all the world, President Trump used my image, used what I filmed in DRC to try to convince President Ramaphosa that in his country, white people are being killed by Black people,” Al Katanty said.
Ramaphosa visited Washington this week to try to mend ties with the United States after persistent criticism from Trump in recent months over South Africa’s land laws, foreign policy, and alleged bad treatment of its white minority, which South Africa denies.
Trump interrupted the televised meeting with Ramaphosa to play a video, which he said showed evidence of genocide of white farmers in South Africa. This conspiracy theory, which has circulated in far-right chat rooms for years, is based on false claims.
Trump then proceeded to flip through printed copies of articles that he said detailed murders of white South Africans, saying “death, death, death, horrible death.”
The original story appeared first on Reuters.
The problem, aid workers say, is the U.S. hasn’t made clear what programs are lifesaving, or whether whatever funding is left will continue after July 1.
The aid group CARE has warned that 4.6 million people in Somalia are projected to face severe hunger by June, an uptick of hundreds of thousands of people from forecasts before the aid cuts.
The effects are felt in rural areas and in Mogadishu, where over 800,000 displaced people shelter. Camps for them are ubiquitous in the city’s suburbs, but many of their centers for feeding the hungry are now closing.
Some people still go to the closed centers and hope that help will come.
Mogadishu residents said they suffer, too. Without the food assistance they had taken for granted, many Somalis are seeing their children waste away.
More than 500 malnourished children were admitted to the center for malnourished children at Banadir Hospital between April and May, according to Dr. Mohamed Jama, head of the nutrition center.
He said such increases in patients usually occur during major crises like drought or famine but called the current situation unprecedented.
1973
THOMAS BRADLEY BECOMES LOS ANGELES’ FIRST BLACK MAYOR
Thomas J. “Tom” Bradley (1917–1998), born in Calvert, Texas, was the grandson of former slaves and became the first Black mayor of Los Angeles, serving five historic terms from May 29, 1973 to 1993. A former LAPD lieutenant and city councilman, Bradley built a powerful coalition of Black and white voters and worked to reform police oversight, develop downtown L.A., and secure the 1984 Olympics for the city.
Bradley twice ran for governor of California, narrowly losing in 1982. Though later criticized during the Rodney King era, his legacy endures through landmarks like LAX’s Bradley Terminal and his transformative impact on Los Angeles.
San Diego County on April 24, 2025 This fictitious business name will expire on April 24, 2030 5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/19
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9009838
Fictitious business name(s): Busy Bee Cleaners LLC Located at: 815 E St #120134 San Diego, CA 92101 County of San Diego PO Box #120134 San Diego, CA 92112
This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above This business is hereby registered by the following: Busy Bee Cleaners LLC PO Box #120134 San Diego, CA 92112 State of Incorporation/ Organization California
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 19, 2025 This fictitious business name will expire on May 19, 2030 5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/19
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9009942
Fictitious business name(s): Leather Care Help Located at: 4831 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, Apt. 404A San Diego, CA 92117
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: A Married Couple
Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above This business is hereby registered by the following: Yevhen Oznobishyn 4831 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, Apt. 404A San Diego, CA 92117
Maryna Oznobishyna 4831 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, Apt. 404A San Diego, CA 92117
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 20, 2025 This fictitious business name will expire on May 20, 2030 5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/19
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9009849
Fictitious business name(s): SimplyCertified Notary
Services Located at: 9922 Leavesly Trail Santee, CA 92071
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual
The first day of business was: 05/19/2025
Valley, CA 91977 State of Incorporation/ Organization California
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 19, 2025 This fictitious business name will expire on May 19, 2030 5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/19
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9008170
Fictitious business name(s): Casas Painting & Junk removal Located at: 7656 Normal Ave La Mesa, CA 91941
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above
This business is hereby registered by the following: Gabriel Casas
7656 Normal Ave La Mesa, CA 91941
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of
This fictitious business name will expire on May 07, 2030 5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/19
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
2025-9009842
Fictitious business name(s):
Spshelle Inspires
Located at: 514 62nd St Unit 20 San Diego, CA 92114
County of San Diego
P.O. Box 740065 San Diego, CA 92174
This business is conducted by: A Trust
The first day of business was: 07/14/2024
This business is hereby registered by the following:
Spshelle Faith GordonTrustee of the Spshelle's Family Trust
P.O. Box 740065 San Diego, CA 92174
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 19, 2025
This fictitious business name will expire on May 19, 2030 5/22, 5/29, 6/5, 6/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
2025-9008319
Fictitious business name(s):
Healthcare Access Project Located at: 1111 Eucalyptus St. Oceanside, CA 92054
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by:
A Limited Liability Company Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above
This business is hereby registered by the following: Golden Spiral LLC 1111 Eucalyptus St. Oceanside, CA 92054
State of Incorporation/ Organization
California
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 28, 2025
This fictitious business name will expire on April 28, 2030 5/22, 5/29, 6/5, 6/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
2025-9008296
Fictitious business name(s): Araiza Service and Repair Handyman Located at: 257 Woodway Ct. San Diego, CA 92114 County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual
The first day of business was: 06/22/2011 This business is hereby registered by the following: German Araiza 257 Woodway Ct. San Diego, CA 92114
This business is hereby registered by the following: Chanel Dreamé Lenoir 9922 Leavesly Trail Santee, CA 92071
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 19, 2025
This fictitious business name will expire on May 19, 2030 5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/19
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9009031
Fictitious business name(s): Higher Deeds Woodworking
John Seng Located at: 3250 E Virgo Rd San Diego, CA 92105 County of San Diego This business is conducted by: An Individual
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 28, 2025
This fictitious business name will expire on April 28, 2030 5/22, 5/29, 6/5, 6/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9008818
Fictitious business name(s): Ledge
Munch & Balance
Located at: 773 Caminito Estrella Chula Vista, CA 91910
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above
This business is hereby registered by the following: Sofia Aldrete 773 Caminito Estrella Chula Vista, CA 91910
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 05, 2025
This fictitious business name will expire on May 05, 2030 5/22, 5/29, 6/5, 6/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
2025-9009078
Fictitious business name(s): TW Notary Located at: 1450 Market St. Apt. 524
San Diego, CA 92101
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above
This business is hereby registered by the following: Tammy LaNell Williams 1450 Market St. Apt. 524 San Diego, CA 92101
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 08, 2025
This fictitious business name will expire on May 08, 2030 5/22, 5/29, 6/5, 6/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
2025-9008233
Fictitious business name(s): The Good Fruit Initiative Located at: 8747 Navajo Road Unit 6 San Diego, CA 92119
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: A Corporation
The first day of business was: 04/24/2025
This business is hereby registered by the following: Arete Theological Ministries 8747 Navajo Road Unit 6 San Diego, CA 92119
State of Incorporation/ Organization California
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 25, 2025
This fictitious business name will expire on April 25, 2030 5/22, 5/29, 6/5, 6/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9008932
Fictitious business name(s): Golden State Total Cleaning Located at: 1110 A Grove Ave. Imperial Beach, CA 91932 County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: A Corporation
The first day of business was: Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above This business is hereby registered by the following: Ramirez Total Construction Inc. 1110 A Grove Ave. Imperial Beach, CA 91932 State of Incorporation/ Organization California
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 6, 2025
This fictitious business name will expire on May 6, 2030 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9008871
Fictitious business name(s): The Munchie Machine Located at: 2829 Ulric Street San Diego, CA 92111
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual
The first day of business was: Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above
This business is hereby registered by the following: Farhad Fredericks 2829 Ulric Street San Diego, CA 92111
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 6, 2025
This fictitious business name will expire on May 6, 2030 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9009172
Fictitious business name(s): Connect IQs Life Scalers Located at: 14051 Carmel Ridge Rd
San Diego, CA 92128
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company
The first day of business was: 05/05/2025
This business is hereby registered by the following: Vista Resource Group LLC 14051 Carmel Ridge Rd San Diego, CA 92128 State of Incorporation/ Organization California
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 9, 2025
This fictitious business name will expire on May 9, 2030 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9007607
Fictitious business name(s): Magic Chest 619 Located at: 672 Robert Ave Chula Vista, CA 91910
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual
The first day of business was: 03/01/2025
This business is hereby registered by the following: James Patrick McKeon 672 Robert Ave Chula Vista, CA 91910
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 17, 2025
This fictitious business name will expire on April 17, 2030 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9008988
Fictitious business name(s): Advanced Massage & Wellness Center
Advanced Massage & Wellness Located at: 6280 Jackson Dr, Suite 3 San Diego, CA 92119 County of San Diego
1003 Dimarino St San Diego, CA 92114
This business is conducted by: An Individual
The first day of business was: Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above This business is hereby registered by the following: Taylor Harris 1003 Dimarino St San Diego, CA 92114
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 7, 2025
This fictitious business name will expire on May 7, 2030 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9009032
Fictitious business name(s): Parradise Delights Located at: 926 La Presa Avenue Spring Valley, CA 91977 County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual
The first day of business was: Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above
This business is hereby registered by the following: Edgar Parra 926 La Presa Ave Spring Valley, CA 91977
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 7, 2025
This fictitious business name will expire on May 7, 2030 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9008665
Fictitious business name(s): Lanare Books Located at: 421 Broadway #5105 San Diego, CA 92101 County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual
The first day of business was: 05/02/2025 This business is hereby
registered by the following: Stephanie Lanare Maxwell-Robles 421 Broadway #5105 San Diego, CA 92101 This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 2, 2025
This fictitious business name will expire on May 2,
FICTITIOUS
Located at: 421 Broadway #5139 San Diego, CA 92101 County of San Diego This business is conducted by: An Individual
The first day of business was: 05/02/2025
This business is hereby registered by the following: Stephanie Lanare Maxwell-Robles 421 Broadway #5139 San Diego, CA 92101 This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 2, 2025 This fictitious business name will expire on May 2, 2030 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9007285
Fictitious business name(s): Forward Motion Development
SoundVision Located at: 7514 Girard Ave #1600 La Jolla, CA 92037 County of San Diego This business is conducted by: An Individual The first day of business was: Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above This business is hereby registered by the following: Gail Yolanda Taylor 7514 Girard Ave #1600 La Jolla, CA 92037 This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 11, 2025 This fictitious business
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by:
A Corporation
The first day of business was: 08/01/1995
This business is hereby registered by the following: Higher Esteem Non-Profit Organization Incorporated 6223 Varney Drive
To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree
Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree
Changing Name and Order
Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.
A certified copy of Decree
Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree
Changing Name and Order
FICTITIOUS
Case Number 25CU026006N
Petitioner or Attorney: Elizabeth Lilly Roberts
To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Elizabeth Lilly Roberts filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:
a. PRESENT NAME: Elizabeth Lilly Roberts
PROPOSED NAME: Jana Elizabeth Kreul
THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
NOTICE OF HEARING
Date: July 11, 2025
Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 25
(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)
NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.
The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).
If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.
Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.
If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.
If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.
A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date
Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.
The address of the court is: 325 S. Melrose Drive Vista, CA 92081 5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/19
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA 330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Hall of Justice
Case Number 25CU024237C
Petitioner or Attorney: Dina Michelle Flores-Beebe
To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Dina Michelle Flores-Beebe filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:
a. PRESENT NAME: Dina Michelle Flores-Beebe
PROPOSED NAME: Dina Michelle Flores
THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
NOTICE OF HEARING Date: July 8, 2025
Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61
(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)
NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.
The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).
If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.
To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree
Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree
Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.
A certified copy of Decree
Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree
Changing Name and Order
Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.
If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.
If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.
A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date
Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.
The address of the court is: 330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 5/22, 5/29, 6/5, 6/12
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA 330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Hall of Justice Courthouse Case Number 25CU024435C
Petitioner or Attorney: Eddie Muhammad AKA Eddie Anderson
To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Eddie Muhammad AKA
Eddie Anderson filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:
a. PRESENT NAME: Eddie Muhammad AKA Eddie Anderson
PROPOSED NAME: Eddie Muhammad
THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
NOTICE OF HEARING
Date: July 8, 2025
Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. C-61
(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)
NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.
The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).
If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.
To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree
Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree
Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.
A certified copy of Decree
Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree
Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.
If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.
If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.
A RESPONDENT
OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN
OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date
Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.
The address of the court is:
330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 5/22, 5/29, 6/5, 6/12
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA
330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101
Case Number 25CU024049C
Petitioner or Attorney: Teri Thy Tran
To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Teri Thy Tran filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:
a. PRESENT NAME: Teri Thy Tran
least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
NOTICE OF HEARING
Date: July 7, 2025
Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61
(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)
NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.
The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).
If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.
To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.
A certified copy of Decree
Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.
If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.
A RESPONDENT
OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date
Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.
The address of the court is: 330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5
The Optional Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held virtually via Microsoft
from 10:00 to 11:00 AM PST/PDT. The deadline for electronic Proposals submittal
2025, by 4:00 PMPST/PDT unless otherwise stated in an addendum.
A copy of the solicitation documents and any communications or addenda can be
www.bidnetdirect.com/sandag.
a. PRESENT NAME: Gwieth Gezahegn Ojulu [First] [Middle] [Last]
PROPOSED NAME: Gwieth Ojulu Gezahegn [First] [Middle] [Last
b. PRESENT NAME: Ebawia Gezahegn Ojulu [First] [Middle] [Last]
PROPOSED NAME: Ebawia Ojulu Gezahegn [First] [Middle] [Last]
c. PRESENT NAME: Makrok Gezahegn Ojulu [First] [Middle] [Last]
PROPOSED NAME: Makrok Ojulu Gezahegn [First] [Middle] [Last]
d. PRESENT NAME: Oman Gezahegn Ojulu [First] [Middle] [Last]
PROPOSED NAME: Oman Ojulu Gezahegn [First] [Middle] [Last]
THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
NOTICE OF HEARING Date: June 30, 2025 Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. C-61
(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)
NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.
The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).
If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.
To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.
specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.
If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.
A RESPONDENT
OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN
OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date
Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.
The address of the court is: 330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA
330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Hall of Justice
Case Number 25CU022774C
Petitioner or Attorney: Ronald Wells and Connie Castillo Morales, on behalf of a minor
To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Ronald Wells and Connie Castillo Morales, on behalf of a minor filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:
PRESENT NAME: Ronald Jaden Wells
PROPOSED NAME: Jaden Wells
THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
NOTICE OF HEARING Date: June 26, 2025 Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61
(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)
NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.
document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of
PROPOSED NAME: Teri Thy Lee
THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA 330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Hall of Justice Courthouse Case Number 25CU022763C
Petitioner or Attorney: Ojulu Damene on behalf of minors
To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Ojulu Damene on behalf of minors
filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:
A certified copy of Decree
Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree
Changing Name and Order
Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.
If all the requirements have not been met as of the date
The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).
If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. To change a name on a legal
warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinto.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court's lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.
¡AVISO! Lo han demandado.
Si no responde dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación.
Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta.
Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte. ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretano de la corte que le de un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios
legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de Calitornia Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www. sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 o más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.
Case Number:
37-2024-00001372-CU-PACTL
The name and address of the court is (El nombre y direccion de la corte es): San Diego Superior Court Hall of Justice, 330 West Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff 's attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es):
Lillian Sedaghat (SBN: 236962) 9454 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 830 Beverly Hills, CA 90212
DATE (Fecha): 01/12/2024
Clerk By: A. Gidron
Deputy Clerk 5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/19
SUMMONS (Citation Judicial)
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (Aviso al demandado): Ofer Koren
YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF (Lo esta demandado el demandante): Victoria Ann Morgan
NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.
You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served
on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.
There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinto.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court's lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.
¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación.
Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de
California (www.sucorte. ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretano de la corte que le de un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de Calitornia Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www. sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 o más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.
Case Number: 25CL017018C
The name and address of the court is (El nombre y direccion de la corte es): San Diego Superior Court Hall of Justice, 330 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff 's attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): Victoria Ann Morgan, Pro Per 4815 33rd St. San Diego, CA 92116
DATE (Fecha): 04/03/2025
Clerk By: R. Stille Deputy Clerk 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29
•
•
•
• Facility: UC San Diego Health, Hillcrest Medical Center.
• Service Affected: Senior Behavioral Health Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).
• Proposed Effective Date: No sooner than 90 days from the date of this notice (May 29).
• The SBH IOP provided intensive outpatient group therapy services for older adults diagnosed with behavioral health conditions, with the majority of patients treated for major depressive disorders.
• Between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2024, the SBH IOP served 141 unique patients. Patients were primarily aged 65 and older and represented a racially and ethnically diverse population, with the majority identifying as White/Caucasian.
• The SBH IOP has served patients covered by Medicare and commercial insurance plans.
• Less than 5 personnel are expected to be impacted by the change in services.
• Aggregate demographic and service data will be shared with Medi-Cal managed care plans in compliance with SB1300.
• This change is part of a broader initiative to enhance behavioral health services at the UC San Diego Health East Campus Medical Center, including the expansion of higher levels of care such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), increased home-based care, and further integration of outpatient behavioral health programs.
• The transition is intended to improve access, streamline care delivery, and better meet
• Closure and relocation of the 14-bed inpatient unit for seniors experiencing behavioral health conditions at Hillcrest to a consolidated behavioral health hub at East Campus.
• Continued availability of inpatient psychiatric care for adults at both Hillcrest (age >18) and East Campus (age >50).
• Integration with expanded outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, and home-based care at East Campus.
• Impacts to less than 50 employment positions, with reassignment efforts underway.
Public Comment: The public can provide comment in one of the following ways:
1. Attend the meeting in person.
2. Participate remotely via Zoom:
o Zoom Meeting ID: 899 3753 3157
o Registration is required: https://bit.ly/3SAS1do
3. Submit written comments prior to the meeting.
4. Agenda:
o 6 p.m. – Welcome and opening remarks, Steve Koh, MD, MPH, MBA, Chief of Clinical Psychiatry, UC San Diego Health
o 6:20 p.m. – In-person public comment (3 minutes per speaker)
o 7 p.m. – Virtual public comment (3 minutes per speaker)
o 7:50 p.m. – Comment wrap-up and closing remarks
o 8 p.m. – Adjourn
• The relocation allows for current senior behavioral health resources to be congregated
medical-psychiatric inpatient unit on a UC San Diego Health campus that also
and home-based
new
• The transition aims to improve access, streamline care delivery, and better meet the behavioral health needs of the region.
• Proposed Effective Date: No sooner than 120 days from the first date of this notice.
• The SBH Inpatient Unit, consisting of 14 beds, provided inpatient treatment for a variety of behavioral health conditions commonly experienced by older adults, as categorized under Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Groups (MSDRGs); these included a broad mix of psychiatric conditions managed in an acute care setting.
• The SBH inpatients served over the past five years have been covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal, and commercial insurance plans.
• Between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2024, the SBH Inpatient Unit discharged over 1,100 patients, averaging approximately 244 discharges and 190 unique individuals per year. Patients were primarily aged 65 and older and represented a racially and ethnically diverse population, with the majority identifying as White/Caucasian and a portion of patients choosing not to disclose demographic information.
• Aggregate demographic and service data will be shared with Medi-Cal managed care plans in compliance with SB1300.
• Potential impacts may occur to less than 50 employment positions which will be prioritized for re-deployment within UC San Diego Health where possible.
• UC San Diego Health will continue to provide inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services at Hillcrest Medical Center (age >18) and East Campus Medical Center (age >50).
The closest comparable facilities offering inpatient geriatric behavioral health services are: San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital (3 miles)
3853 Rosecrans Street, San Diego, CA 92110
Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital (5 miles)
7850 Vista Hill Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123
Paradise Valley Hospital – Bayview Behavioral Health Campus (14 miles) 330 Moss Street, Chula Vista, CA 91911
The facilities are contracted with Medi-Cal, Medicare and various commercial insurance plans for inpatient behavioral health services.
• A public hearing will be scheduled within 60 days; details will be posted at https://health.ucsd.edu/policies-notices
•
By Dr. John E. Warren
This Seventh Annual Minority Health Special issue updates and expands upon what we have presented, during the past six years, on those ethnic groups that are our Minority Health communities. This issue is a compilation of information gathered from a number of sources such
as the Office of Minority Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the San Diego County Department of Health and Human Services and other data in the public domain.
Because of the importance of the information contained in this issue, we have published this year’s report in a pullout magazine format to increase its shelf life to indefinite use of the materials provided. This will also increase awareness of the groups identified in this issue: Black/ African American, Asian American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native
Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, all of whom have members here in San Diego County. This year we have allowed links to electronic ads that sponsors will run on our website connected to their ads in the magazine.
We extend our deep appreciation to those members of the healthcare industry who have made this issue possible with their generous support.
The Seventh Annual Minority Health Special Issue will be available through the Voice & Viewpoint as long as copies last following this publication date.
Inc. STREET ADDRESS 3619 College Ave. • San Diego, CA 92115 MAILING P.O. Box 120095 • San Diego, CA 92112
TO ADVERTISE Print and Online: Phone: (619) 266-2233 • Fax: (619) 266-0533 Email: ads@sdvoice.info
SEND PRESS RELEASES TO: Email: news@sdvoice.info
AD DEADLINES Announcements, Classifieds, Obituaries, and Display Ads are due: Tuesday by 12:00 Noon,
Black people make up 14.4% of the population in the United States as of July 2024, according to the most recent US Census Bureau data. The Black population has grown by nearly 33% since 2000, with the increase in foreign born Black people playing a significant role in this growth. As the population has grown, it has become more diverse, with an increase in the share of Black people who identify as multiracial and/or Hispanic.
The share of the population who identified as people of color has been growing over time, with the largest growth occurring among those who identify as Hispanic or Asian. The racial diversity of the population is expected to continue to increase, with people of color projected to account for over half of the population by 2050.
Demographic Overview: In 2023, 39.6 million people in the United States were nonHispanic Black alone, or 14.4% of the total U.S. population of 340.1 million. Blacks/ African Americans are the second largest minority population in the United States, following the Hispanic/Latino population. In 2022, most of the US population lived in the South (56% of the total U.S. population) The Midwest and Northeast each had 17%, and the West had 10%, according to Pew Research center. The states with the largest Black populations overall between 2010 and 2022 were Texas, Florida, and Georgia.
Educational Attainment: As of 2023, about a quarter (27%) of all Black U.S. adults ages 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more education. More Black women than Black men had earned at least a bachelor’s degree (28.9% vs 22.8%). In 2023, 11% of Black U.S. adults earned an advanced
degree, according to a Pew Research Analysis of 2023 American Community Survey.
Economics: According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2023 Report, the average Black household income was $56,490 in comparison non-Hispanic white household income of $84,630. 21% of Black individuals lived in poverty in 2023, versus 10% of white individuals, based on KFF U.S. Health Facts. In 2023, the unemployment rate for non-Hispanic Blacks 25 years and over was 4.5%, higher than that of nonHispanic whites at 2.9%.
SOURCE: US CENSUS BUREAU Population Estimates, July 2024 (V2024)
insurance coverage: In 2023, 9.5% of Black people under the age of 65 were uninsured, compared to 6.5% of white individuals, according to a KFF analysis of the 20102023 American Community Survey. Also in 2023, 38.2% of Black people relied on Medicaid or other public health insurance.
health: According to Census Bureau projections, the 2022 life expectancies at birth for Blacks are 72.8 years, with 76.5 years for women, and 69.1 years for men. For nonHispanic whites, the projected life expectancies are 77.5 years, with 80.1 years for women, and 75.1 years for men.
Demographics/health Overview: This population includes people having origins in any of the original peoples of North, South America, and Central America, who maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment. Studies on urban American Indian and Alaska Native populations have documented a frequency of poor health and limited health care options. Leading diseases and causes of death among AI/ AN are heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries (accidents), diabetes, and lower respiratory disease. Reports from Indian Health Services show AI/ANs also have disproportionately higher rates of mental health problems such as suicide, posttraumatic stress disorder, violence, and substance use disorders.
Demographics/health Overview: This racial group is defined as people having origins in any of the original peoples of East Asia, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent. Some negative factors influencing Asian American health include infrequent medical visits, language and cultural barriers, and lack of health insurance. Asian Americans are most at risk for: cancer, heart disease, stroke, unintentional injuries (accidents), and diabetes, with a high prevalence and risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, smoking, tuberculosis, and liver disease. In 2023, Asians accounted for 36.2% of all TB cases in the U.S., continuing to represent the largest proportion among racial/ethnic groups.
Continued on page 6
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. SDOH can be grouped into five domains.
SDOH have a major impact on people’s health, well-being, and quality of life.
SDOH accounts for as much as 50% of county-level health outcomes, and within SDOH, socioeconomic factors contribute to wide health disparities and inequities. For example, people who don't have access to grocery stores with healthy foods are less likely to have good nutrition. That raises their risk of health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity — and even lowers life expectancy relative to people who do have access to healthy foods.
Just promoting healthy choices won't eliminate these and other health disparities. Instead, public health organizations and their partners in sectors like education, transportation, and housing need to take action to improve the conditions in people's environments.
SOURCES:County of San Diego Health and Human ServicesAgency Public Health Services Community Health Statistics Unit report,“Racial Equity:Framework & Outcomes Brief County of San Diego”,September 2024; Domestic Policy Council Office of Science andTechnology Policy,“Social Determinants of Health”; Healthy People 2030,U.S.Department of Health and Human Services,Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Retrieved [May 14,2025],from https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health
Continued from page 5
Demographics/health Overview: This racial group refers to people having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands. Significantly, in comparison to other ethnic groups, Native Hawaiians/ Pacific Islanders have higher rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity. They also have less access to cancer prevention and control programs. Leading causes of death include: cancer, heart disease, unintentional injuries (accidents), stroke and diabetes. Other prevalent health conditions and risk factors among Native Hawaiians/ Pacific Islanders are hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis, with 2022 tuberculosis rates at 24.4 per 100,000 people.
Demographics/health Overview: This ethnic group includes any person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or ori-
gin, regardless of race. In 2022, the CDC projected that the life expectancy at birth for Hispanics is 80.0 years, with 82.8 years for women and 77 years for men. Some negative health factors include language/ cultural barriers, lack of access to preventive care, and the lack of health insurance. Significant causes of mortality for Hispanics include chronic lower respiratory diseases (including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), liver disease, influenza and pneumonia, suicide, and kidney disease. Hispanics have higher rates of obesity than non-Hispanic whites.
Demographics/health Overview: 2020 marked the first time U.S. Census respondents could report MENA heritage. Between 2010 and 2019, around 342,000 individuals immigrated to the U.S from MENA countries, with Lebanese, Iranian, and Egyptian populations representing nearly half of the
3.5 million who reported MENA descent in the 2020 Census. MENA immigrants were less likely to be uninsured than the total foreign-born population (10 percent versus 18 percent) in 2022. Educational attainment among MENA residents aged 25 and over is notably higher than the general population, with 48.1 percent holding a college degree or higher. However, economic disparities persist, as almost 31 percent live in poverty, and lack of federal data hinders efforts to address these issues. Notably, health data for MENA Americans remains significantly understudied—largely because the U.S. Census and federal health surveys historically classify them as “White,” obscuring disparities in chronic disease, mental health, and access to care.
SOURCES: Martinez and Passel, Pew Research Center, “Facts About the U.S. Black Population”, January 23, 2025; Marrow and Batalova, Migration Policy Institute, “Middle Eastern and North African Immigrants in the United States”, June 12, 2024; Guzman, US Census Bureau, “Median Household Income Increased in 2023 for First Time Since 2019”; Hill, Artiga, and Damico, “Health Coverage by Race and Ethnicity, 2010-2023, Published: Feb 13, 2025
Health data for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities remains understudied due to their classification as "White" in federal surveys, masking disparities in chronic disease and healthcare access. Recent legislative efforts aim to correct this, but have yet to pass Congress:
• H.R.2730 (2023): Health Equity and MENA Community Inclusion Act of 2023
Seeks to classify MENA as a distinct racial/ethnic group under the Public Health Service Act.
• CA AB 2763 (2024): The California MENA Inclusion Act
Advocates for future collections of MENA demographic data requirements across California state agencies.
MENA includes:
• Middle Eastern: Afghan, Bahraini, Emirati,Iranian, Iraqi, Israeli, Jordanian, Kuwaiti,Lebanese, Omani, Palestinian, Qatari, Saudi Arabian, Syrian, Turkish, and Yemeni.
• North African: Algerian, Djiboutian, Egyptian, Libyan, Mauritanian, Moroccan, Sudanese, and Tunisian.
• Transnational Middle Eastern and North
• African: Amazigh or Berber, Armenian, Assyrian, Chaldean, Circassian, & Kurdish
Key Updates:
March 2024: The Office of Management and Budget added MENA as a federal reporting category (SPD 15). Federal agencies must adopt these changes by March 2029, ahead of the 2030 Census
Dec. 2024: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced plans to integrate MENA-specific race/ethnicity questions.
SOURCES:OMB SPD 15,HHS.gov,Congress.gov;ArabAmerican Civic Council, National Library of Medicine
By Macy Meinhardt V&V STAFF WRITER, CA LOCAL NEWS FELLOW
When floods devastated Southeastern San Diego in January 2024, displacing thousands, recovery became a community-driven initiative that continues to this day. Among those still showing up is JIREH Providers Inc.’s, delivering care and resources to survivors where systemic aid has fallen short.
“Disaster recovery is not straightforward; it is a step-by-step journey with ups and downs and periods of progress coupled by periods of setbacks,” said Samantha Williams, JIREH’s CEO.
More than 1,200 residents, many of whom are low-income, were displaced, and almost 5,000 businesses and homes were damaged from a historic atmospheric river that slammed into San Diego. More than a year and a half later, recovery efforts from the disaster are still underway, with up to 300 families still displaced. “Disaster recovery is much more than the city rebuilding streets and homes; it’s helping to rebuild lives,” Williams emphasized.
From the moment the storm hit, JIREH Clinic has worked side-by-side with survivors for the past 15 months. The storm altered JIREH’s trajectory for 2024 as they learned how to shift from just providing health services to broader disaster case management.
Going beyond just the quick fixes, JIREH’s service to the community addresses the multifaceted nature of disaster recovery, raising awareness of the interconnected social, physical, mental, financial, and spiritual dimensions of healing.
Emerging from the pandemic, JIREH set out to make healthcare resources accessible to marginalized communities.
life and death for some folks, and they have been left with a very, very traumatic experience,” said Williams.
Part of Williams’ vision for JIREH is to ease her community's distrust within the healthcare system, adapting many basic services provided by a standard brick-and-mortar clinic to instead fit an accessible and culturally representative mobile setting, one that looks like them. Services provided include education, vaccinations, testing, preventive care, minor treatment procedures, and referring patients to trusted healthcare options.
JIREH’s collaborative efforts helped deliver support, including crisis counseling, medical screenings, resource navigation, supply distributions and disaster case management to flood victims in their time of need.
JIREH’s contributions didn’t stop there. They hosted a series of community wellness events in the hardest hit neighborhoods, such as Shelltown and Southcrest. With three chefs on the team, JIREH was instrumental in distributing home-cooked meals, among other resources, to neighbors in need.
The storm’s mental and emotional toll was significant, Williams said. The loss of homes, possessions, and in some cases, the loss of loved ones, has resulted in prolonged psychological suffering for some.
“Sometimes, when folks look at the flood and they think about what people lost, we don’t often really acknowledge that it was
Recovery efforts today from JIREH largely entail showing up, checking in to assess changing needs, and ensuring no one impacted feels forgotten or left behind.
“One story that stays with me is visiting a woman who had been displaced with her grandchildren. She shared that for weeks, no one had come to check on her until JIREH knocked on her door. She said, “You made me feel like I wasn’t forgotten.”
“Moments like that remind me that our work is not just about services—it’s about restoring dignity and hope,” said Williams.
Today, Williams says the most urgently needed resources among flood victims are mental health support, housing referrals, and continued access to primary care.
Goals for 2025 entail upgrading their mobile health care vehicle, expanding partnerships with senior recreation centers and organizations like the Jackie Robinson YMCA, attending more youth health resource events in the community, and getting further involved in the maternal health space.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., with coronary artery disease (CAD) being the most common type. CAD can lead to heart attacks. Risk can be reduced through lifestyle changes and, sometimes, medication.
• In 2023, Black adults were 20% more likely than white adults to be diagnosed with high blood pressure.
• Black women were nearly 50% more likely to have it.
• 2022 data shows that in Central San Diego, Black residents were 65% more likely to be hospitalized for heart disease than white residents (267 vs. 162 per 100,000 people).
• Black residents in the Central Region had the highest rates of death, hospitalization, and ED discharge from hypertensive diseases compared to those in other regions.
• Nutrition: Eat a healthy diet (more fresh fruits and vegetables, lower salt intake)
• Weight: Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise: Be physically active (seek advice from your doctor)
• Smoking: Do not smoke
• Alcohol: Limit alcohol intake
Nationally:
• Between 2019 and 2021, about 4.2 million African Americans had asthma.
• By 2023, they were 30% more likely to have the condition.
• In 2021, African American adults were 2.5 times more likely to die from asthma than white non-Hispanic adults, and children nearly 8 times more likely. Secondhand smoke raises children's risk of respiratory issues, especially those in poverty who often have higher levels of cotinine, a nicotine byproduct.
In San Diego County:
• Black residents were hospitalized for asthma at a rate 375% higher than white residents (632 vs. 133 per 100,000), with the highest rates in the Central Region.
• While asthma’s exact causes are unclear, children exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke—especially those in poverty—face higher risks of acute respiratory infections and elevated blood cotinine levels.
SOURCES: CDC. High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. High School Students Who Had Obesity, 2023; County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Services, Community Health Statistics Unit, September 2024; CDC, 2024. Deaths: Final Data for 2021. National Vital Statistics Report, Vol. 73, No. 8; SEER*Explorer: An interactive website for SEER cancer statistics. Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute; 2024 Apr 17. [Accessed 10/16/2024]
Cancer refers to diseases where abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and can invade other tissues. These cells can spread through the blood and lymph systems. Cancer is not just one single disease, but many diseases.
• In 2019, Black residents in San Diego County had the highest cancer death rate—171 per 100,000—compared to 151.4 for white residents.
• Black San Diegans also faced higher mortality rates from breast, lung, prostate, and liver cancers.
• Making healthy choices, keeping a healthy weight
• Avoiding tobacco
• Limiting alcohol intake
• Protecting your skin. Screening tests can find some cancers early, when treatment works best.
• Vaccines (shots) can help prevent or reduce your cancer risk (example: HPV, hepatitis)
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body turns the food you eat into energy. It involves problems with insulin, a hormone that helps sugar (glucose) enter your cells. Without proper insulin function, blood sugar levels rise. Over time, diabetes can lead to serious issues like heart disease, vision loss, and kidney damage. There is currently no cure.
Obesity poses serious health risks. Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher are considered obese. For children, overweight is defined as a BMI between the 85th and 95th percentiles, and obesity as at or above the 95th percentile. BMI is calculated from weight and height. Obesity is linked to major causes of death, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
According to the CDC, mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how we think, feel, act, handle stress, relate to others, and make choices throughout life. Behavioral health focuses on the actions people take in response to situations and is often shaped by their mental health.
Black residents in San Diego County faced the highest rates of various mental health conditions, including ADD, anxiety, mood and personality disorders, PTSD, schizophrenia, and substance-related issues.
• In 2022, they had the highest inpatient treatment rate for mood disorders (280 per 100,000) and the highest
hospitalization rate for suicide among all racial and ethnic groups.
A stroke, or brain attack, happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked or a vessel bursts, damaging brain cells. It can lead to lasting brain damage, disability, or death.
• In 2022, Black San Diegans in the central region were the highest ethnicity to be hospitalized for a stroke
• Black men are 70 percent more likely to die from a stroke.
• African American women are twice as likely to have a stroke.
California, home to the most culturally diverse population in the country and the fifth-largest Black population of any state, has a major opportunity to be a leader in health equity. But, again and again, research has shown that racism and structural barriers in the health care system prevent Black Californians from achieving the health they actively seek.
SOURCE: Listening to Black Californians: How the Healthcare System Undermines Their Pursuit of Good Health by Linda Cummings, PhD, California Care Foundation, October 4, 2022
The study involved hour-long interviews with 49 Black men, four focus groups with 26 participants, and surveys from 1,235 Black men across California, representing a diverse and large sample.
Create community forums
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Source: Listening to
By Macy Meinhardt V&V STAFF WRITER, CA LOCAL NEWS FELLOW
When Kierra King, a 26-year-old Black woman, walked into Perlman Clinic for routine lab work, she expected standard medical care. What she received instead was a degrading reminder of how deeply racism persists in healthcare. A medical assistant labeled her test tube with the name “King Kong”—a blatantly racist slur historically used to dehumanize Black people by comparing them to primates.
“I felt so small,” said King, as she described the March incident during an interview with Voice & Viewpoint
The medical assistant in charge of creating the label claimed she was typing too fast and didn’t double-check the name. Despite being “filled with rage” on the inside, King said she remained calm when she confronted medical staff, documenting the exchange on her phone, which she later uploaded to TikTok. The video went viral. Her composure was out of necessity, King said. As a Black woman, had she reacted any differently, “Then I am ghetto, or have an attitude, or I’m the aggressor,” she said, in describing the ‘Angry Black Woman’ trope.
Within days, her video amassed millions of views, exposing ugly truths. While many believe racism is a thing of the past, Black patients still face dehumanization in places meant to heal and provide care. The level of disbelief—as evidenced in thousands of comments under her post— further layers the harm, proving how badly people misunderstand racism’s persistence.
“This is just one instance,” said King, “stuff like this is happening all the time. But it’s my story, and it’s an experience that I refuse to be silent about,” King said.
Perlman Clinic declined to respond to Voice & Viewpoint for comment. For King, the clinic’s nonresponse only compounded the damage. The medical assistant claimed “King Kong” was a typing error.
“I felt she was trying to gaslight me into thinking that we went over the label when I know for a fact that we did not,” said King. King recounted that the medical assistant gave King her name and said she was welcome to report her.
After the video went viral, Perlman issued a social media apology but later deleted it and replaced it with a generic statement about diversity—a pattern King recognized as damage control. King said a representative from Perlman later reached out to her to apologize and requested a one-on-one conversation with her.
“I made the decision that I didn’t want to speak with them. I felt like all they were going to do was try to cover themselves and try to save their reputation,” said King.
Medical studies show that such incidents aren’t isolated. A 2023 KFF survey found that Black adults are more likely than their White peers to report unfair treatment or disrespect by a health care provider due to their race and ethnicity and to report certain negative experiences.
King’s advice to others is clear: protect your peace. She’s now set on finding representative healthcare, preferably a Black female primary care provider, a move she considers both healing and safe.
“Although the experience was terrible, it’s now a part of my story and I now get to advocate further for women and people of color,” said King.
Infant mortality, defined by the CDC as the death of an infant before their first birthday, is measured by the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births. This rate not only reflects maternal and infant health but also serves as a key indicator of a society’s overall well-being.
• African Americans had the highest infant mortality rate among all racial and ethnic groups.
• Non-Hispanic Blacks/African Americans have 2.4 times the infant mortality rate as non-Hispanic Whites.
• Non-Hispanic Black/African American infants are almost four times as likely to die from complications related to low birthweight as compared to non-Hispanic White infants.
• In 2022, Non-Hispanic Black/African American infants had 3.2 times the sudden infant death syndrome mortality rate as non-Hispanic Whites in 2022.
• In 2022, non-Hispanic Black/African American mothers were twice as likely to receive late or no prenatal care compared to non-Hispanic White mothers.
Did you know that compared to San Diego County infants overall, San Diego’s African-American infants are:
• Over 5 times more likely to die, about 50% more likely to be born premature, and twice as likely to be born with low birthweight than White infants
• Nearly three times more likely to die during their first year of life
• Nearly 60% more likely to be born premature
Women who give birth find it difficult to access treatment for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Lack of time for screenings due to work or childcare, transportation limitations, language barriers, unaffordable mental healthcare, and lack of access to quality mental healthcare in the community, along with other societal and structural barriers.
OF SOCIAL SUPPORT
SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS HISTORY OF SEXUAL/ PHYSICAL VIOLENCE POOR ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE POOR ACCESS TO EDUCATION
STRESS
HISTORY OF DEPRESSION
Mental health conditions are a leading cause of maternal mortality. Black women not only face a higher chance of developing perinatal mood disorders than white women, but they are also less likely to receive treatment due to factors such as fear of stigma, involvement of child welfare services and financial barriers.
3-5x BLACK WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM PREGNANCYRELATED DEATHS COMPARED TO WHITE WOMEN
>50% MOST PREGNANCYRELATED DEATHS OCCUR IN THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD
# 1 PERINATAL MOOD DISORDERS ARE ONE OF THE LEADING COMPLICATIONS OF PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
Mental health conditions are a leading cause of maternal mortality. Black women not only face a higher chance of developing perinatal mood disorders than white women, but they are also less likely to receive treatment due to factors such as fear of stigma, involvement of child welfare services and financial barriers.
The mental health of Black moms is in crisis. Weathered by a lifetime of systemic racism, discrimination, and structural inequities, black women experience high levels of trauma exposure that deteriorate their physical and mental health. This increases the risk of mental health disorders among Black birthing people.
40% BLACK WOMEN EXPERIENCE MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH SYMPTOMS
"After birth, I cried for weeks. I felt so down I had no support from my OB doctor. I didn't get to see her after six weeks. It would be nice if there were more support for new mommies."
By Tihut Tamrat
VOICE & VIEWPOINT STAFF WRITER
For nearly two decades, Dr. Carolle JeanMurat stood as a singular force in San Diego County’s medical landscape—the only Black female OB/GYN in the region for 17 years. A native of Haiti and descendant of a long line of healers, shamans, herbalists, and midwives, Dr. Jean-Murat brought more than medical expertise to the exam room. “Healing is not just about medication or surgery,” she says. “It’s about connection—between doctor and patient, between mother and child, and most importantly, within yourself.”
ean,” continues Dr. Jean-Murat, “But some people [give labor] in 2 minutes or some might need 3 hours, every woman’s body is different and there was no leeway!” she exclaims. “I knew I had to step away in order to truly help women the way they deserved.”
Dr. Jean-Murat left conventional practice to pursue a more expansive vision of healing. One that she wholeheartedly believes in. “I’m an intuitive healer,” she explains, “ I connect with my patients in order to calm them.”
Embracing her intuitive and spiritual gifts as an energy and trauma release healer, her approach weaves together intuitive knowledge, energetic alignment, and active listening—elements often ignored in modern healthcare. A learned practice that was inspired by her late grandmother, Eugénie Jean, who influenced her to always listen to her intuition
Frustrated by the limitations of traditional Western medicine, Dr. Jean-Murat unfolds the truth about the medical system. “The protocols were rigid. It became more about procedures than people,” she says. One such protocol is the rules and regulations surrounding a cesarean (c-section), a surgical procedure where a baby is delivered through incisions made in the mother's abdomen and uterus.
“If a patient is in labor for over 2 hours then it is required by the hospital to do a cesar-
and her patient. “My grandmother was my spiritual back up. Whenever something would be off, I call my grandmother. Then she lights a candle and says, ‘You are going to listen. The Holy Spirit will guide you’, and it always got resolved.”
At the heart of her method is the belief that wellness is only possible when the mind, body, and spirit are in harmony.
Dr. Jean-Murat educates in her published books, (Strengthening Your Spiritual Foundation for Optimum Health: 18 Ways to Unleash Your Innate Powers and Mind, Body, Soul & Money: Putting Your Life in Balance) that the body is not just a vessel for medical intervention but a spiritual structure, which she likens to a “primitive house” model. In her model, the mind forms the windows, doors, and walls of the house; the body is the roof—but it all depends on a strong spiritual foundation. Without it, emotional wounds, especially unhealed trauma, can manifest physically.
Her insight is particularly significant when it comes to addressing the experiences of Black women. “Black women are more likely to be inappropriately touched, more likely to be raped, to be in intimate partner violence, and be therefore disconnected with their body—especially during childbirth,” she explains.
Dr. Jean-Murat says this systemic disregard and overexposure to trauma not only affects health outcomes but also the experience of motherhood itself. “Pregnancy is one of the most sensitive times,” she notes, “but too often, the mother is isolated and she finds herself by herself and vulnerable because she is going into a system where she doesn’t feel heard, instead of being in a beautiful moment.”
Rather than merely identifying these problems, Dr. Jean-Murat offers solutions—starting with a cultural and spiritual reclamation of birth. One of her proposed methods is Built Well for Birth, a pre and postnatal coaching program designed to empower women long before they arrive at the delivery room, founded by Andrew Martinez. The Built Well for Birth method helps women practice pushing, release fear and tension, and connect their minds to
“By the time you’re in the hospital, it’s often too late to reclaim control. We have to prepare our women ahead of time—to remedy and empower themselves.”
— DR. CAROLLE JEAN-MURAT
their baby’s movements—all with the aim of making birth a powerful, even transcendent, experience.
“It’s about building confidence,” she says. “By the time you’re in the hospital, it’s often too late to reclaim control. We have to prepare our women ahead of time—to remedy and empower themselves.”
Dr. Jean-Murat also strongly advocates for Black doulas, midwives, and birth advocates who provide culturally affirming support. These caregivers, she says, are key to creating safe spaces where expectant mothers can be seen, heard, and honored.
“Pregnancy is a natural thing,” she reminds us. “We need to leave the negative emotions behind. Birth is sacred.”
Though she no longer practices in a hospital setting in the U.S., Dr. Jean-Murat’s legacy reverberates throughout the lives she’s touched. Dr. Jean-Murat is currently a cancer remission specialist and emotional trauma release expert. She is also the coadministrator of a nonprofit organization called CODEVA-Coude-A-Coude pour le Développement de La Vallée (Elbow to Elbow to develop La Vallée) which built Hôspital St. Joseph in La Vallée de Jacmel in the southeastern region of Haiti of which she contributes regularly. Fluent in five languages, Dr. Jean-Murat also provides free medical care and preventive health education to women of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
“My work focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of trauma, offering sustainable, culturally responsive care that avoids unnecessary testing and treatment, reduces suffering, and enhances quality of life. I’ve learned that healing often begins when we stop fighting and start listening to our bodies, pain, and voice within,” says Dr. Jean Murat, “My mission is to help you reconnect with your inner power and allow your body to heal naturally, gently, and profoundly.”
Resources for Doula Service:
1. For The Village - (https://www.forthevillage.org/) info@forthevillage.org; (619) 657-3384
2. HappyMama Doula Ser vices - (http://HappyMama.global); (619) 800-6443
3. Frontline Doula Ser vices - (https://www.frontlinedoulas.com); Support Hotlines
Wellness Services for Women:
1. Movement Matters - (www.movementmatterscollective.com)
2. Thriving While Pregnant & Beyond(https://tobeboundless.com/about-boundless-womens-fitnesspilates/); thrivingwhiepregnant@gmail.com
Social Service & Counseling Programs:
1. Healthy Start - Global Communities(https://globalcommunities.org) - (858) 279-9690
2. Urban Restoration(https://urbanrestorationcounseling.org/#b1424)
Alternative Pregnancy and Postpartum Services:
1. San Diego Community Birthing Center(https://www.sdcommunitybirthcenter.com/)
2. Root & Soul - (https://www.rootandsoul.com/)
3 Radiant Family Chiropractic(https://radiantfamilychiropractic.com/About)
Additional Support Services:
1. Black Infant Health Program(www.neighborhoodhouse.org/blackinfanthealth/)
2. Postpartum Health Alliance(https://postpartumhealthalliance.org/)
Black Maternal Mental Health Resources:
1. Shades of Blue - (www.shadesofblueproject.org)
2. Postpartum Support International (PSI) - (www.postpartum.net/)
SOURCES: Iris Payne, Director of the Black Infant Health Program and Nikki Helms, Owner and Director of the San Diego Community Birthing Center
African Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health problems than the general population. Adult African Americans:
• Liv ing below poverty are two to three times more likely to report serious psychological distress than those living above poverty.
• Are m ore likely to have feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness than are adult whites.
• Though less likely than whites to die from suicide as teenagers, Black teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide than are white teenagers (8.2 percent v. 6.3 percent)
• Of al l ages are more likely to be victims of serious violent crime than are non-Hispanic whites, making them more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Organizations with a focus on outreach to Black and African American communities:
San Diego Black Nurses Association
National Black Nurses Association
National Medical Association
Lee Thompson Young Foundation
SOURCES: Census.gov/quickfacts, Mental Health America
Only about one-quarter of African Americans seek mental health care, compared to 40% of whites. Here are some reasons why:
• Distr ust and misdiagnosis
• Socioeconomic factors
• A lack of African American mental health professionals
• Medications
• Provider bias and inequality of care
• Suicidal thoughts among Black young adults (18–25) increased by 3% from 2018–2023, continuing the upward trend noted in prior surveys.
• White and Multiracial adults were more likely to receive mental health services than Black, Hispanic, or Asian adults in 2023.
• Bla ck adults with mental illness are 2x more likely to binge drink and 1.5x more likely to misuse prescription opioids compared to those without mental health conditions.
• Over-represented in jails and prisons , with nearly 40% in the prison population
• Ill-s erved - less than 4% of APA members are Black or African American.
• Subject to stigma and judgment , research indicates that Blacks and African Americans believe that mild depression or anxiety would be considered “crazy”.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2024), Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health” (SAMHSA 2023)
Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems? The following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:
EXCESSIVE WORRYING OR FEAR
CONFUSED THINKING OR PROBLEMS CONCENTRATING AND LEARNING
EXTREME MOOD CHANGES, INCLUDING UNCONTROLLABLE “HIGHS” OR FEELINGS OF EUPHORIA
PROLONGED OR STRONG FEELINGS OF IRRITABILITY OR ANGER
AVOIDING FRIENDS AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
DIFFICULTIES UNDERSTANDING OR RELATING TO OTHER PEOPLE
CHANGES IN SLEEPING HABITS OR FEELING TIRED AND LOW ENERGY
CHANGES IN EATING HABITS, LIKE INCREASED HUNGER OR LACK OF APPETITE
SOURCE: NAMI
CHANGES IN SEX DRIVE
DIFFICULTY PERCEIVING REALITY (DELUSIONS OR HALLUCINATIONS)
LACK OF INSIGHT INTO CHANGES IN ONE’S OWN FEELINGS, BEHAVIOR OR PERSONALITY
OVERUSE OF SUBSTANCES LIKE ALCOHOL OR DRUGS
MULTIPLE PHYSICAL AILMENTS WITHOUT OBVIOUS CAUSES (HEADACHES, STOMACH ACHES, VAGUE “ACHES AND PAINS”)
THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE
INABILITY TO CARRY OUT DAILY ACTIVITIES OR HANDLE DAILY PROBLEMS AND STRESS
AN INTENSE FEAR OF WEIGHT GAIN OR CONCERN WITH APPEARANCE
The San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council’s Annual Report to the Community 2024 revealed a shocking statistic: Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States and in San Diego County. It is a complex public health issue that requires a multifaceted approach to prevention and intervention. Although data can be a powerful tool in addressing suicide, we can never forget that this data represents real people – our family, friends, neighbors, and community members.
• From 2021 to 2023, the suicide rate for Black residents in San Diego County increased by 51%
• In 2022, suicide attempt /emergency department encounter rates were highest among residents who were female, aged 10-24, Black, or living in the Central Region.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 19 years old. For Black kids, the suicide death rate more than doubled from 2007 to 2017, jumping from 2.55 per 100,000 to 4.82 per 100,000, increasing at a faster rate than any other racial and ethnic group.
• The most common method of suicide death for NonHispanic Black and White residents is reported as firearm.
• Dial 1-888-724-7240 to connect to the San Diego Access and Crisis Line for free and confidential behavioral health resources & referrals, available 24/7 in over 200 languages. Find more resources at the It’s Up to Us website www.up2sd.org.
SOURCES: “Ring the Alarm: The Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America,” 2020 report commissioned by the Congressional Black Caucus, The San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council’s Annual Report to the Community 2024, SANDAG 2019-2022
By Fernanda Lopez
Group Communications Officer at the County of SD HSSA
Recognizing that chronic and infectious diseases can affect communities differently, the County of San Diego Public Health Services is committed to promoting health, preventing disease, and protecting the public’s health throughout the region.
San Diego County has some of the highest rates of Tuberculosis in California and the nation. Last year, the rate was 7.5 cases per 100,000 people.
The highest numbers of TB diagnoses are found in the southern and central parts of the county. Hispanics make up the highest proportion of people diagnosed with TB at 58% followed by Asian/Pacific Islanders at 28%.
The TB rate among people born outside the U.S. was more than seven times higher than the rate of U.S.-born people and varied by birth country.
To address these disproportionately high rates of TB among diverse local communities, County Public Health offers:
• TB risk and testing training to organizations, healthcare providers, schools, and others.
• A TB Clinic at 5055 Ruffin Road that serves uninsured individuals.
• TB testing is also available at regional public health centers.
African-American infants in San Diego County are five times more likely to die than White babies. Gaps in access to health care and racism contribute to this problem.
Free support for pregnant and postpartum
African-American mothers (16+) through Black Infant Health.
Funds support bias training for providers and a fatherhood program.
Programs shaped by a community advisory board.
Nearly half of all adults may have untreated prediabetes. This is a condition where a person’s blood sugar is higher than normal, but not at the level of diabetes. And most of the time, people don’t know that they have it. If untreated, many people with prediabetes could develop diabetes within five years.
African-Americans are twice as likely as other racial groups to visit an emergency room or go into the hospital because of diabetes. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent the progression of prediabetes into diabetes. Talk to your doctor to learn more about your risk for diabetes by getting a blood test, lower your weight if you are overweight and include exercise into your daily routine.
People can find the closest program to help with lifestyle changes by calling 2-1-1. For free nutrition resources visit the County of San Diego CalFresh Healthy Living webpage and to learn more about prediabetes in general, visit The Surprising Truth About Prediabetes, on the CDC website.
Heart disease and stroke are among the top five leading causes of death in San Diego County, with high blood pressure a leading risk factor. Historically, Af rican-American adults have been burdened with higher rates of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
Smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise play a negative role in heart health and
The County leads initiatives to:
• Re duce new HIV diagnoses.
• Support individuals living with HIV.
• Train contracted providers to offer accessible, stigma-free, and welcoming services.
County Public Health Services (PHS) conducts outreach in vulnerable communities to:
• Educate about safer practices.
• Promote the use of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (postexposure prophylaxis).
• Connect individuals to additional
Raw sewage contamination continues to affect South Bay communities near the Tijuana River Valley. In 2024, the County and CDC conducted two major assessments on community health impacts.
Full results available at sandiegocounty.gov/southregionhealth .
Steps to reduce exposure to sewage odors:
• Limit outdoor activity if odors are strong.
• Ke ep doors and windows closed.
• Air out your home once odors fade.
• Have rescue meds ready if you have a respiratory condition.
• Se ek medical care if symptoms persist or worsen.
Mental health resources are available for anyone feeling emotionally af fected by the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis through the San Diego Access Crisis Line by calling 1-888724-7240 or 988.
smoking is a big contributor. Chemicals in cigarette smoke cause the cells that line blood vessels to become swollen and inflamed. This can narrow the blood vessels and lead to many heart conditions as well as stroke and blockages in the arms, legs, hands, and feet.
Smokers who quit, lower their risk of heart attack and stroke dramatically.
resources such as substance use, mental health, and housing support.
People recently diagnosed with HIV receive:
• Assistance in quickly linking to treatment.
• A go al of connecting at least 50% of newly diagnosed individuals to care within three days.
For people living with HIV:
• PHS ensures follow-up to maintain care connection.
• Services are provided regardless of
Over time, the risk for these conditions can drop to that of a nonsmoker.
Make heart health a priority by visiting Kick It California, a free counseling service that has helped more than 100,000 Californians quit smoking successfully. Services are offered over the phone, online, through text, and the Kick It mobile app.
insurance status or ability to pay.
Progress in addressing disparities:
• Significant improvement in viral suppression among Black residents in the Ryan White program.
• As of 2023, 91.8% of enrolled Black residents achieved viral suppression, up from 84% in 2017.
Additional resources:
• Information on testing and services is available through the County’s Getting to Zero app, downloadable from the App Store or Google Play.
County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services is developing a mental health messaging campaign, set to launch in ea rly 2026, which will highlight how chronic stress from broken systems contributes to many health issues facing the Black community. Community and stakeholder input will inform the design of campaign materials to reflect the lived experience of the Black community in San Diego.
The County also provides opportunities for partnership and ongoing engagement on mental health topics with community groups across San Diego County.
• In March, BHS welcomed Black Leadership Alliance Coalition (BLAC) as a Live Well San Diego Recognized Partner.
• The North County African American Women’s Association (NCAAWA) during their general board meeting and the Becoming a Global Citizen mentorship program, to share critical information on youth mental health, wellness, and other key behavioral health resources with middle school students, their families, and NCAAWA members, as well as the Black Leadership Alliance Coalition. Groups or organizations interested in receiving a presentation on mental health services visit the Connect with BHS page and complete a Community Request Form.
By Keenan Abercrombia
Courtesy of California Department of Public Health
Iwas 10 years old when I first snuck one of my mom’s cigarettes. By 15, I was smoking regularly. Where I grew up in Compton, smoking wasn’t just a habit—it was a way of life. My mom smoked. My family smoked. Everyone I saw hanging out around the neighborhood and at the corner stores smoked. It was normal. Cool, even.
Looking back, I realize how much I was shaped by the world around me. Nicotine was everywhere, woven into the fabric of my life, and before I even understood addiction, I was hooked.
After years of smoking, my addiction only worsened when I became a culinary chef. Kitchens are high-stress environments, and for a long time, smoking felt like the only way to take the edge off. The vast majority of chefs smoke—it’s part of the culture.
At one point, I was smoking two packs a day, often smoking back-to-back cigarettes during my breaks. I tried quitting a few times. I even started vaping thinking it would help me cut back, but the flavors didn’t do it for me, and the headaches only made it worse. Clearly, I wasn’t ready to quit because I went right back to smoking cigarettes.
Then life started hitting me in ways I couldn’t ignore. I started losing family members to illnesses caused by smoking. I had to face my addiction head-on.
When I finally quit, I did it cold turkey. No patches, no vapes, no crutches— just pure willpower and the realization that I wanted better for myself. I threw myself into my work as a private chef and focused on raising my kids.
I also immersed myself in my roots with the Compton Cowboys, caring for horses
and mentoring youth. Horses have a way of grounding you, teaching patience and discipline. Now, I use that platform to show young people there’s more to life than the streets. More than addiction. More than the habits we inherit.
Today, at 33, I am committed to choosing life. I share my story because I know the struggle firsthand. I don’t judge anyone still in the cycle—I’ve been there. I
know how easy it is to think you have time until you don’t. I tell my loved ones and friends who still smoke to start now. Get ahead of it before it gets ahead of you because breaking free from the cycle of addiction is worth it. You are worth it. Science-based quit programs like Kick It California provides trained Quit Coaches to help people break the deadly cycle of tobacco addiction – for free.
• San Diego Family Care: sdfamilycare.org/
• Better Cuts Mental Health Alliance: Barberishop network www.bettercuts.org/
• It’s Up 2 Us San Diego: up2sd.org/information/bipoc/
Mental Health Training:
• The San Diego Mental Health First Aid program: 619-543-0412, mhasd.org.
• The San Diego Suicide Prevention Council: Free, 858-609-7960.
Need Immediate Help?
• San Diego Access and Crisis Line: a 24/7 resource helpline. (888) 724-7240
• 211 San Diego: A free 24/7 hotline: (800) 523-5933, 211sandiego.org
Services for Older Adults:
• (EMASS) program: upacSD.com
Services for Veterans:
• The Courage to Call Program: 24/7 helpline. 1-877-698-7838 or 2-1-1 Option 4.
Services for First Responders
• Fire Captain Ryan J. Mitchell's First Responders Behavioral Health Support Program: (1-833-983-4778), www.sdfirstrespondersprogram.org/
By Macy Meinhardt V&V Staff Writer and CA Local News Fellow
Across the nation and locally to Southeastern San Diego, access to nutritious food is not just a matter of convenience. It is a fundamental human right that is often compromised in communities of color due to deeply rooted systemic disparities. As a social determinant of health, community food environments affect health, and can create or perpetuate conditions that contribute to health disparities and inequities.
Community food environments are defined by the type of grocery stores, eateries, and corner stores that are in a local area and the community's proximity to them. Historically, Southeastern San Diego has had a high prevalence of food insecurity, lacking sufficient access to grocery stores and markets offering nutrientrich foods that help maintain a community's health. This is also known as a “food desert” - a designated title given by the USDA
for Southeastern San Diego. Food deserts and food insecurity contribute to high rates of diet-related illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease within the area, specifically among people of color.
Why are there fewer fresh food markets here compared to other parts of San Diego? Economic disparity. Building a grocery store in
Our healthcare is under attack! Cuts to Medicaid and care programs will hurt low-income, people of color, and immigrant families the most. UDW is fighting back to protect our healthcare and our future.
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Southeastern San Diego costs the same as elsewhere, but lower profits dissuade developers from investing. Typically, because there is an overabundance of fast food chain restaurants, liquor stores, and ultra- processed food options. Low-income families lack access to vehicles and/or juggle multiple jobs while raising young children, so they often rely on these easily accessible yet unhealthy food choices as their main source of meals throughout the week.
Community food environments are defined by the type of grocery stores, eateries, and corner stores that are in a local area and the community's proximity to them. Historically, Southeastern San Diego has had a high prevalence of food insecurity, lacking sufficient access to grocery stores and markets offering nutrientrich foods that help maintain a community's health. This is also known as a “food desert” - a designated title given by the USDA for Southeastern San Diego. Food deserts and food insecurity con-
"It wasn't just about people not having food, but the way food was distributed in the food chain."
- Diane Moss, Project New Village Managing Director
tribute to high rates of diet-related illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease within the area, specifically among people of color. Why are there fewer fresh food markets here compared to other parts of San Diego? Economic disparity. Building a grocery store in Southeastern San Diego costs the same as elsewhere, but lower profits dissuade developers from investing. Typically, because there is an overabundance of fast food chain restaurants, liquor stores, and ultra- processed food options. Low-income families lack access to vehicles and/or juggle multiple jobs while raising young children, so they often rely on these easily accessible yet unhealthy food choices as their main source of meals throughout the week.
Founded in 1994, Project New Village is a community rooted organization focused on bridging the gap for residents in Southeastern San Diego to have access and education to healthy food options.
After securing the vision to build an alternative food ecosystem, neighbors in Southeastern San Diego expressed interest in starting a community garden and farmers market to grow and sell their own produce—an initiative to boost both community health and the economy. Eventually, the idea for a Mobile Food Truck became a reality. Securing a grant from the State of California, the traveling truck buys produce from local farmers in the area and sells to people all over the neighborhood six times a week.
“There's no other truck like this anywhere in San Diego County, and I've made the conscious decision to serve our [local] area. We call all of these areas together ‘The Good Food District’. So we want to see our impact in that area.” said Moss on the
Addressing food insecurity in San Diego demands a multifaceted approach, encompassing community-driven initiatives and broader systemic changes, including policies that incentivize the
development of grocery stores in underserved areas. Efforts like those of Project New Village highlight the importance of grassroots solutions. By combining community-led efforts with policy reforms, San Diego can move closer to ensuring equitable access to nutritious food for all.
Visit https://projectnewvillage.org/ to learn more.
San Diego: ‘Hunger Doesn’t Wait—Neither Can We’
The San Diego Hunger Coalition, a county-wide network of local social service and healthcare providers, government agencies, and school districts, estimates that, as of December 2024, 1 in 4 (25%) San Diegans experience nutrition insecurity, totalling 822,000 residents including 212,000 children, 176,000 older adults, and 133,000 people with disabilities. Local areas with the greatest need include Chula Vista, El Cajon, City Heights, Logan Heights, Encanto, and the College Grove Area.
"We’ve streamlined operations to protect core services, but we need urgent support to continue meeting rising needs. Hunger doesn’t wait—neither can we."
- Alondra Alvarado,
and
Nutrition insecurity disproportionately impacts Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color. SOURCE:
By Emily Kim Jenkins
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Important conversations about mental health are becoming more common, an important step to protect internal wellbeing. But how much have you thought about your brain’s health recently?
The Alzheimer’s Association reports that nearly 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, with older Black Americans nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with dementia than older white Americans. In 2015, “Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias” (ADRD) was the third leading cause of death in San Diego County, and the sixth in the nation. In San Diego County, an estimated 84,405 people aged 55 and older were living with ADRD in 2018, and by 2030, that number is projected to increase to over 115,000.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association,
the disease is a combination of what are commonly known as “plaques” and “tangles” in the brain. These plaques and tangles prevent vital cell communication and function, slowing the brain’s ability to work within the body.
The numbers tell a grim story, but with diagnoses rising, research is also quickly advancing. UC San Diego Health is currently conducting 8 mild cognitive impairment clinical trials of Leqembi, a drug that may slow the progression of the disease, 6 of which are open to eligible people.
Despite the significantly higher risk that certain demographics run of being diagnosed with the disease, there are patterns of inequity in research and understanding what leads to these disparities. Groups like Black in Neuro are seeking to change that by con-
necting Black doctors and students, such as Dr. Kacie Deters, a Black in Neuro seminar series lead.
Dr. Kacie Deters is a UCLA professor and scientist researching the racial disparities in Alzheimer’s, specifically understanding why rates are higher among different populations.
“Understanding the intersection of risk factors that drive cognitive decline and dementia in the Black population is critical to accurately assess, predict, and develop interventions for cognitive health,” she wrote on the UCLA Deters Lab research page. “My goal is understanding the intersection and contributions of genetics and social/environmental factors to cognitive decline and AD [Alzheimer’s disease].”
A study from the National Institute on Aging found that, although Black adults are at higher risk of developing ADRD, they’re less likely to be formally diagnosed, especially early on.
“Many Black older adults tend to seek medical treatment when they encounter neuropsychiatric symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and personality changes, but delay help for memory problems, which are often viewed as a normal part of aging,” the study says.
While scientists aren’t completely sure what causes Alzheimer’s, there are certain lifestyle factors that influence its development—the CDC recommends keeping an eye on health factors including blood sugar, blood pressure, hearing loss, physical activity and sleep habits, among others.
A healthy body includes a healthy brain, and ensuring these habits are in order may be a factor in preventing a memory disease.
By Emily Kim Jenkins CONTRIBUTING WRITER
From research to volunteer clinics to event planning and organization, there’s no question that Afflalo loves the San Diego community. Whether it’s her work in research, volunteer clinics, decades of family medical care or community event planning, there is no questioning her dedication to the care of those around her— especially the Black and Brown families of southeastern San Diego.
Afflalo was born in Jamaica as the fourthborn of five children. Her mother immigrated with Afflalo and two of her siblings when Afflalo was six years old. Her mother took up several jobs to support the young children, and Afflalo credits this work ethic modeled in her mother as the reason she’s so dedicated to her own work.
”I never saw her yelling, screaming, crying, she didn’t beat us. She didn’t curse. She didn’t drink, she didn’t smoke. She was just a wonderful role model,” Afflalo said. “Hardworking, dedicated, loving—so our household was loving.”
When they arrived in the United States, the family settled in Los Angeles, where Afflalo graduated from St. Mary’s Academy for high school. She knew she wanted to be a doctor at age ten, when her mother went back to school to become a nurse.
seemed like a very natural fit for me. I do feel like my personality probably is suited for it, meaning, the patience, the compassion, the empathy, the willingness to be selfless.”
After graduating, she returned to Jamaica for a brief period, initially applying to the University of the West Indies. The waitlist
“Going into medicine seemed like a very natural fit for me. I do feel like my personality probably is suited for it, meaning, the patience, the compassion, the empathy, the willingness to be selfless.”
— DR . SUZANNE
AFFLALO
was several years long, so Afflalo returned to Los Angeles and attended Loyola Marymount University before going to George Washington University for medical school. Her residency was completed at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles, which began a decades-long career at Kaiser as a primary care physician.
Afflalo knows the responsibility of the role she plays. “If I’m in a space, I’m going to represent the community that I serve and speak honestly,” she added.
venting chronic diseases,” especially those which African-Americans are at higher risk for.
“[Of] all the patients I had at Kaiser, the Black and Brown folks are always at the top of the list for blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, heart attack, strokes, dialysis, all that stuff. And it’s like, we [the healthcare industry] gotta do better,” Afflalo said.
She also started the Community Health & Resource Fair, which takes place at the Jackie Robinson YMCA on the first Wednesday of every month. Attendees can get free screenings from Afflalo and her team for common chronic diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, breast cancer and more.
“My only mentor in life was my mother,” she explained. “Going into medicine
In 2014, Afflalo founded A Healthier Me, an organization with a mission to “improve the overall health of underserved communities in San Diego by controlling or pre-
Speaking about her mother, Afflalo said, “I tell myself, if I was one-tenth of the woman she was, I’ve done my job.”
Read the full article online at www.sdvoice.info.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how Californians receive medical care - diagnosing diseases, predicting patient needs, streamlining treatments, and even generating medical notes for doctors.
Black Californians experience some of the worst health outcomes in the state due to systemic inequities, limited healthcare access, and exclusion from medical research.
AI can be a powerful tool to close racial health gaps—but only if it’s developed responsibly, tested for bias , and used transparently. Active legislation, oversight, and patient advocacy are essential to ensure AI works for Black communities rather than against them.
• Faster, more accurate diagnoses through analysis of scans, lab results, and patient history.
• Improved personalization of treatment , especially in cancer care and diabetes management.
• Early detection of serious conditions like heart disease, sepsis, and stroke.
• Streamlined healthcare operations , reducing administrative burdens for doctors and improving patient interaction.
• Enhanced access to medical care in underserved communities.
• Algorithmic bias: AI trained on nondiverse data may misdiagnose or overlook conditions in Black patients.
•For example, skin conditions like melanoma are often missed due to underrepresentation of darker skin in datasets.
• Automation bias: Healthcare providers may over-rely on flawed AI recommendations, risking patient safety.
• Discriminatory AI decisions: Insurance companies have used AI to wrongfully deny care or coverage.
• Historical data issues: AI systems may learn from and perpetuate past discriminatory medical practices.
• Environmental impact: High energy
and water consumption in AI infrastructure disproportionately affects communities of color already vulnerable to climate change.
• Undermined DEI efforts: Reduction in federal support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion threatens progress in fair AI development.
• S B 503 (Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson): Requires AI in healthcare to be tested for racial bias before deployment.
• SB 1120 (Sen. Josh Becker): Prohibits insurance companies from using AI alone to deny/delay care.
• AB 3030 (Asm. Lisa Calderon): Mandates patient notification when AI is used in their care.
• Attorney General Bonta’s Legal Advisory: Bars AI from unfairly denying care or falsifying medical records.
• G ov. Newsom’s Executive Order
See AI page 26
First-year medical students 2024-2025
•American Indian or Alaska Native students - 15.4% decrease
•Hispanic, Latino or Spanish students of origin - 2.2% increase
•Black or African American students - 2.8% increase
•Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander - 6.9% decrease
•Students of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin comprised 12.3% of total students in medical school in 2024.
•Black and African American students comprise 10.3% of total students in medical school in 2024.
Percentages of Black Physicians Over the Decades
2025: 4.7% of physicians in the US are Black. 13.7% of the U.S. population is Black.
2024: 5.7% of physicians in the US are Black. 13.6% of the U.S. population is Black.
2021 : 5.7% of physicians in the US are Black. 12% of the U.S. population is Black.
2018: 5.4 % of physicians were Black. 12.8% of the U.S. population was Black.
1940: 2.8% of physicians were Black. 9.7% of the U.S. population was Black.
1900 : 1.3% of physicians were Black. 11.6% of the U.S. population was Black.
1.Use Trusted Sources for Medical Information:
• Check the author, source, and date of online content.
• Ask your doctor for trusted patient educational resources.
2.Prep for Appointments:
• Read reliable material beforehand to make visits more effective.
• Be cautious of internet bias or misinformation.
3.Use Patient Portals Wisely:
• Access test results, notes, and history through secure portals.
• Wait to discuss results in follow-up visits rather than reacting right away.
4.Understand Provider Workload and Timelines:
• Give doctors time to review test results before following up.
• Understand that medical urgency , not speed, guides their responses.
5.Communicate Effectively:
• Use your doctor’s preferred method (email, phone, video, etc.).
• For complex concerns, schedule an appointment instead of sending multiple messages.
6.Be Thoughtful with Telehealth:
• Use video or phone visits for convenience.
• Send online messages sparingly, knowing doctors manage high volumes.
7.Build Strong Relationships:
• Match your communication style to your provider’s to improve understanding and rapport.
• Foster trust, respect, and openness for better care in the digital era.
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(2023): Directs state agencies to assess and regulate AI’s healthcare impact, prioritizing consumer protection.
• Ask healthcare providers if AI was involved in diagnoses or treatment.
• Request second opinions when AI-driven recommendations seem unclear or wrong.
• Advo cate for inclusive AI legislation like SB 503 and AB 3030.
• Support and engage with organizations like the California Black Health Network (CBHN) that champion equitable AI in healthcare.
• Stay informed and vocal about AI’s use and its impact on healthcare decisions.
Solutions for Black Patients Seeking Culturally Competent Care
Ask for Patient Recommendations
• Seek referrals from other Black patients rather than relying solely on institutional listings or doctors.
Leverage Black Networks
• Use t rusted community resources like:
•The National Medical Association
•Local churches, fraternities/ sororities, and NAACP chapters
Use Specialized Platforms
• MyBlackTeleHealth.com – to access Black physicians virtually.
• AskTia.com – specifically for Black women’s health and wellness.
“At the end of the day, your physician has to be a professional that meets your needs. Somebody that's willing to listen to you. Somebody that's going to be available to see you. Somebody who works with you -- whatever your situation is.”
–Dr. Glenda Newell-Harris Oakland-based internal physician and medical advocate
• Use online platforms, such as social media groups focused on Black wellness in your region, for recommendations and reviews.
Be Prepared to Travel or Dig Deeper
In underserved areas with few Black doctors, finding culturally competent care may require:
• Traveling to nearby cities.
• Doing additional online research.
• Keeping and following up with personal contacts and referrals.
Consider Telehealth (Strategically)
• Use for consultations with distant Black specialists.
• But it is not a substitute for in-person primary care— important diagnoses should be handled face-to-face.
Build Long-Term Physician Relationships
Look for doctors who:
• Understand health disparities.
• Prioritize listening and trust-building.
• Make you feel safe and culturally understood.
SOURCES: Joe W. Bowers Jr., “AI Is Reshaping Black Healthcare: Promise, Peril, and the Push for Improved Results in California,” California Black Media; Census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/ US#; AAMC at aamc.org; Association of American Medical Colleges, “Medical School Enrollment Reaches A New High in 2024”; The California Black Health Network (CBHN); Edward Henderson,“Finding the Right Doctor: Black Californians Weigh the Burden and Benefits” California Black Media’s California Black Health Journalism Project
1
We have the right to a culture of health that values our whole wellbeing and allows us to achieve optimal health.
This article calls attention to the concept of a “culture of health”—a term coined and widely disseminated by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation—as a broad vision to characterize requirements for a society that enables and supports health and health equity.
2
We have the right to receive respectful and dignified healthcare .
Being a ‘patient’ is, by definition, a subordinate role. The rules of engagement are determined by policies in medical practices, hospitals, and large health care systems. However, these systems are also obliged to respect individual value as human beings, honor their basic rights, and deliver care that preserves dignity and does not discriminate based on personal or group characteristics.
3
We have the right to healthcare that is culturally sensitive and that incorporates cultural humility and structural equity. These terms reflect three important dimensions of the delivery of medical care and other health services.
Culturally sensitive health care.
Cultural humility raises the bar for health care provider behavior.
Stuctural equity calls for fairness in all aspects of health care systems—awareness of and removal of barriers that impinge on equity in health care.
4
We have the right to approach solutions to Black health from a strengths-based approach that incorporates a decolonized and intersectional lens to health equit y.
Effects of slavery did not end with emancipation. These effects are “intersectional” in their differential impacts on gender-age groups in Black communities. For Black Americans “decolonized” approaches means countering these longstanding effects.
5
We have the right to transform our health by reclaiming our power and autonomy.
We must have opportunities to do more than remove health threats left over from slavery. In the spirit of selfdetermination, we must have the power, resources, and autonomy to create opportunities for optimal health and well-being.
6
We have the right to honor and incorporate lessons from our past, present, and future as a Pathway to restoring our health.
Black Americans have shown historic resilience in the face of incredible challenges. This history should be acknowledged and applauded but not viewed as an excuse for perpetuating such challenges.
7
We have the right to have our full humanity honored and valued .
The principle that health is a human right is fundamental. The principle that all people are valued equally and that, therefore, Black people have full human rights.