Vol. 63 No. 14 | Thursday, April 06, 2023

How California Reparations Proposals Could Become Law

By Janie Har and Sophie Austin

To Soar With SNAP Cuts

ARTICLE CONTINUATION

FOOD:

Continued from cover REPARATIONs:

On the frontlines, activists fighting the twin scourges of hunger and homelessness, like Anne Miskey, Kymone T. Freeman, and Daniel de Pielago, contend that this and other crises were avoidable.

“Yet, although the SNAP extra allotments, stimulus funds, and other assistance from the federal government helped stave off hunger and homelessness during the COVID crisis, Kymone T. Freeman said, the politicians have inexplicably allowed a critical lifeline to expire.

“This sounds like more austerity to me. The fact that they are cutting anything now is obscene and immoral. All it means is more hardship for the poor,” said Freeman, a social justice activist, playwright, and co-founder of WEACT Radio in Washington, DC. “This will increase crime, poverty, distress, and misery. The cuts are contributing to hunger. Thirty percent of the children in Washington, DC, live in poverty. A budget is a moral document, and this is where their morality lies.”

Miskey, executive director of Union Station Homeless Services in Los Angeles, California, agreed.

“Much of the inflation and high prices we’re seeing is because of corporate greed. We’re expecting homelessness to skyrocket,”

Miskey said. “During COVID, we rented all these hotels and shelters. We managed pretty well during COVID as local, state, and federal money poured in. But with the funding money gone, we’re trying to figure things out. The cost of living, rent, and evictions are going up. The cost of living is driving people into homelessness. Things are going to get pretty bad because of the cost of living.”

Miskey contends that separating food insecurity from gentrification, low wages, displacement, and homelessness is impossible. COVID-19 has laid bare the structural, institutional, economic, and racial inequities that separate African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans from their white counterparts,” she said.

“Healthcare workers, people of color, and immigrants are making horrible wages,” Miskey said.

“They cannot afford afterschool care for kids, don’t have money for affordable housing, and struggle to make ends meet. This is a war against the poor. They tell people that they did this to themselves.

The SNAP emergency allotments were designed to alleviate food insecurity and stimulate the US economy throughout the COVID pandemic public health emergency. According to DC Hunger Solutions, the cuts to SNAP benefits will affect more than 90,000 people in the District of Columbia. On average, when this “hunger cliff” hits, each SNAP participant will lose over $90 a month, DC Hunger Solutions officials explained on the website.

“As a result, average SNAP benefits will fall to a meager $6 a person a day. The “hunger cliff” will hit all age groups and all parts of the District of Columbia. The steepest cliff will be for many older adults who only qualify for the minimum SNAP benefit — dropping from $281 a month to $30,” staff said.

The “hunger cliff” — a perfect storm of a striking reduction of benefits in the face of high inflation and climbing grocery costs — will exacerbate food insecurity and hardship in the District of Columbia and elsewhere. The District will lose more than $14 million in

benefits monthly. Emergency food providers can’t fill this gap. Even before the cuts, food banks, pantries, and soup kitchens have reported high demand for assistance, DC Hunger Solutions said.

“It doesn’t take much: a single income, losing a spouse, an increase in the cost of housing. People are precariously housed.” said Miskey. “People are stealing to survive. People need help, but needing help is seen as something weak or bad. Of course, the Republican Party sells the lottery mentality. People figure they’re going to be up there one day and dream that they’re going to get there.”

Daniel del Pielago agrees with Miskey that Republicans and others who support their ideas and agenda are committed to former President Donald Trump’s promise to dismantle the administrative state.

Del Pielago, organizing director of Empower DC, said these cuts and Republican plans to disembowel the social safety net — including Medicare and social security — is a deliberate policy choice aimed directly at the working class, lowincome households, and the poor in this country.

“… I think our systems have massively failed people,” she said. “I shouldn’t say that. I don’t think our system has failed. I think our system was set up to fail. They are set up to keep up the status quo, ensuring that those people of privilege and wealth maintain their privilege and wealth.”

Matthew Desmond, a Princeton University sociologist and the director of the university’s Eviction Lab, said America has a poverty problem, and poverty and food insecurity are deeply intertwined.

“Poverty is measured at different income levels, but it is experienced as an exhausting piling on of problems. Poverty is chronic pain, on top of tooth rot, on top of debt collector harassment, on top of the nauseating fear of eviction,” said Desmond. “It is the suffocation of your talents and your dreams. It is death that comes early and often. From 2001 to 2014, the richest women in America gained almost three years of life while the poorest gained just 15 days. Far from a line, poverty is a tight knot of humiliations and agonies, and its persistence in American life should shame us.”

Desmond said housing assistance and food stamp programs are “effective and essential, protecting millions of families from hunger and homelessness each year,” he said in a March 16 column in the New York Times. “But the United States devotes far fewer resources to these programs, as a share of its gross domestic product, than other rich democracies, which places America in a disgraced class of its own on the world stage.”

That disgrace is illustrated in the stats showing that 33 percent of Americans live in households making less than $55,000, he said.

“Many are not officially counted among the poor, but there is plenty of economic hardship above the poverty line,” Desmond said. “And plenty far below it as well. According to the Supplemental Poverty Measure, which accounts for government aid and living expenses, more than one in 25 people 65 or older lived in deep poverty in 2021, meaning that they’d have to, at minimum, double their incomes just to reach the poverty line.”

He said Americans must commit to becoming poverty abolitionists to break this cycle.

WHAT WILL LAWMAKERS DO NEXT?

Two task force members are also state lawmakers and will spearhead efforts to turn the panel’s recommendations into legislation that can pass the Assembly and Senate and get the support of Gov. Gavin Newsom.

State Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer said they aim to introduce reparations legislation in January. Legislation usually takes months before passing both chambers and reaching the governor’s desk.

State. Sen Steven Bradford introduced a bill to keep the panel going for another year so members can assist lawmakers as they consider the group’s recommendations.

WHERE WILL CALIFORNIA GET MONEY TO FUND REPARATIONS?

Bradford has suggested setting aside 0.5% of the state’s annual budget — or $1.5 billion — every year for a reparations fund that could pay for ongoing programs for free health care, education and homebuying assistance, among other things.

Democratic Assemblymember Lori Wilson, who chairs the Legislative Black Caucus, said it’s too early to know where money for reparations plans would ultimately come from, but she looks forward to “that robust discussion.’’

California Senate Pro-Tem Toni Atkins said in a statement it’s too early to comment on any possible

Continued from cover Graffiti: Continued from cover

“Like abolitionist movements against slavery or mass incarceration, abolitionism views poverty not as a routine or inevitable social ill but as an abomination that can no longer be tolerated,” he said.

This includes appropriately addressing the housing crisis, which forces most poor renting families to devote at least 50 percent of their income to rent and utilities; immediately expanding housing vouchers to reduce the rent burden; pushing for “more transformative solutions” like scaling up the country’s public housing infrastructure; building out community land banks; and providing on-ramps to homeownership for low-income families.

reparations legislation. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon “looks forward to studying” the task force’s final report, spokesperson John Casey said in an email.

WHAT ARE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REPAIR?

The task force recommends lawmakers establish a California American Freedmen Affairs Agency to help people with reparations claims, among other duties.

Other policy proposals include paying incarcerated inmates market value for their labor, establishing free wellness centers in Black communities and adopting a K-12 Black studies curriculum.

CALIFORNIA WAS NEVER A SLAVE STATE. WHY IS IT CONSIDERING REPARATIONS?

A groundbreaking report issued by the task force last year lays out how California and local governments used racist laws and policies to discriminate against African American residents in a host of areas, including housing, labor, education and the criminal justice system.

Black people are overrepresented in state prisons and county jails. They also make up about 6% of the state’s population but 30% of its homeless population.

WHAT ARE THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST REPARATIONS IN CALIFORNIA?

In general, critics of reparations say current taxpayers who never owned

slaves should not have to compensate the descendants of slavery. Some people say the federal government should be responsible for paying descendants.

Bob Woodson, a prominent Black conservative, calls reparations impractical, controversial and counterproductive. “No amount of money could ever ‘make right’ the evil of slavery, and it is insulting to suggest that it could,” he said.

HOW DID THE TASK FORCE START?

Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signed legislation in 2020 creating the nine- member task force. The panel began meeting in 2021. Its charge was to document slavery and its effects on descendants today, recommend ways to educate the public on the task force’s findings, and propose how the state can repair the harm, including an apology, policy changes and financial compensation.

WHAT’S THE STATUS OF OTHER REPARATIONS EFFORTS?

Similar attempts are moving along in other parts of the country although reparations proposals have stalled at the federal level. In New York, lawmakers reintroduced legislation this year to create a commission to study reparations. In San Francisco, the Board of Supervisors expressed general support of a reparations plan drafted by an advisory committee but stopped short of endorsing specific proposals.

The previous policy required the property owner to pay graffiti removal costs. Under the new program, residents in the unincorporated area can schedule the graffiti removal through the County, and a contractor will remove the unwanted graffiti free of charge.

The initiative aims to beautify the region without placing a financial burden on property owners. Close to 90 percent of graffiti cases are reported in areas of the region where residents often struggle to pay the removal cost.

If you want to report a graffiti issue in the unincorporated area, there are several ways to do so:

1. Download the Tell Us Now App from the Google Play Store or Apple Store

2. C all the 24/7 hotline at (858) 694-2705

3 Email PDS.CodeCompliance@sdcounty.ca.gov

4. Report the issue in person at the County Operations Center –5510 O verland Ave., Suite 300

Reparations Task Force meeting, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Sacramento, Calif. She said her ancestors had land in Coloma taken by the state parks system. The leader of the reparations task force said it won’t take a stance on how much the state should compensate individual Black residents.

PHOTO: Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee/AP

REMEMBERING THE ASSASSINATION OF DR. KING

By Dr. John E. Warren Publisher, The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

Fifty five years ago this week, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated at the a ge of 39. His death rocked the world and America’s African American community in particular which responded with riots and destruction in our cities and streets. During the years since, we have seen many of his dreams for a better America come to pass. But what Dr. King said he had seen “going to the mountain top” the night before his death, has still not materialized in part.

Yes, we have had our first Black President of the United States and our first Black Vice President who happens to be a talented Black woman who was a United States Senator and former Attorney General of the State of California, but equality still eludes us as Black and African Americans continue to lag behind White America in life expectancy, income, home ownership and just about every other area.

As we celebrate Dr. King’s Birthday each year with what is now a national holiday, let us remember why and how he died as a sacri -

fice for all of us and the benefits so many enjoy today. We keep his death from being in vain by continuing the fight against poverty, discrimination and the “Insufficient Fund” check he said Black America had been given instead of equality, freedom from segregation and a second class citizenship so many of us have been forced to live with. Let us remember some of his most important statements like “give us the ballot and we will elect people with a moral righteousness about the fairness we are most concerned about.” But what good is the ballot, if we don’t vote and won’t vote; what good is Civil Rights and Voting Rights Laws if our only concern is about ourselves instead of the collective that Dr. King fought and died for. Today, our cities are not burning as they were 55 years ago when we learned of the death of Dr. King. Instead of crying out in righteous indignation, too many become tranquilized with the wine of “just enough”, no longer having the passion or concern for the struggle we still live with 55 years after his death. Let’s remind ourselves and others that Dr. King did not die in vain. Let’ rise up and fight voter suppression, the gutting of the Voting Rights Act, police murders in and out of custody and the war of real Black history in America. As the song says “...wake up everybody, no more sleeping in bed..”. Time to join the struggle in remembering why Dr. King died.

YOU HAVE A DO-OVER!

By Terry Allen Texas Metro News

Big Mama stood very proudly with her hands-on-hips stance, “God is a do-over God giving you a chance for a do-over boyee!” When she identified an error, she would spin a story of knowledge, support and gratitude.

One really obvious way that God tries to get your attention is repetition. That is, when something jumps out at you repeatedly. God was preparing you for another journey, but you and I cannot see because God is already ‘round the corner we are about to turn!

Humility asks me to stand before God and recognize who I really am, to accept that I am not God but a creature in need of God’s love and mercy! Fishing was a common trade around the Sea of Galilee, Cuevas said, where Jesus carried out 85 percent of his ministry. It is great to have historical recall but even greater when we look to TODAY and apply, encounter, obey

HEALTH INSURANCE GIANTS MUST TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY!

By Jessica Tyson NNPA

As the incessant flu and COVID outbreaks continue to plague t he U.S. this winter season, it is not unheard of to take further precautions to keep your health in good shape. Whether that’s getting your flu shot, taking essential vitamins, or even washing your hands a few more times a day, lots of people are taking the extra step to avoid the seemingly never-ending sicknesses being passed around. While these rituals seem to work for the majority, few find that not even their daily multivitamin can protect them from coming down with something.

In the 2021-2022 flu season, there were more than 4 million medical visits and over 10,000 hospitalizations for the influenza virus alone. Combining the 10,000 hospitalizations from the flu alongside of COVID hospitalizations for the 2021-2022 winter months, the number of people visiting and staying at healthcare facilities in this short time frame is pushing well into the millions. As these numbers continue to rise, so does the cost of healthcare. Since 2010, individual insurance premiums have risen over 58 percent, and family insurance premiums have risen more than 63 percent. Despite these skyrocketing numbers, health insurance still manages to cover less and less each year.

While health insurance companies are moving further from coverage and closer to profit, more and more Americans are drowning in medical bills, struggling to make ends meet. The top five health insurance companies, (UnitedHealth Group, Anthem, Centene, Humana, and Blue Cross Blue Shield) collectively generated a profit of over $720 billion in 2022 alone. The largest of the five insurance companies, UnitedHealth Group, raked in over $324 billion dollars this year and is projected to bring in more than $360 billion in 2023. These record-breaking profits are an embarrassment to our healthcare system as hospitals are struggling to keep the lights on and patients are unable to cover these absurd costs.

In 2017, with full control of Washington, Republicans worked to repeal Obamacare only to come up short. Now that they have the majority again, we need to encourage the new leadership to offer a bold new vision that puts patients over profits and offers legislation that would protect American patient’s access to affordable care. This is an opportunity for Congress to finally implement policies that will hold insurers accountable.

and abide in an E.G.O. (Easing God Out) free Do-Over!

WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO DO LIFE WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO MOVE FORWARD UNTIL YOU DO IT!

Many times, I have seen individuals cast their net then and not get their results and give up! Even in my Journalism Family, it has happened. It just recently happened to me when I revived a call being charged with things that were grossly untrue! We have given up good intention feedback, applied built-in default judgements and levied quick criticism of someone who fails is a clear sign that we did not let our E.G.O get out the way.

Eliminating a DO-OVER is a team building killer and it proves once again that choice is a divine teacher. To produce fruit, your trust in the Lord must be more powerful and enduring in a spir-

itual appetite than your selfish confidence in your own personal feelings, unhealed insight and limited experiences.

Are you ready for your DO-OVER? Don’t forget to rest and breathe, drink water, and explore with your needs.

Terry Allen is an award-winning media professional, journalist, and entrepreneur. He is also the founder of City Men Cook and 1016 Media. Reach him at terryallenpr@gmail. com

A survey taken in 2019 shows that Americans collectively owe around $195 billion in medical debt and that number will only continue to rise. The US healthcare system is clearly no friend to anyone; however, this system is especially cruel to minority groups. While Americans owe around $195 billion in medical debt, the burden is unevenly distributed among American citizens. 28 percent of Black households hold medical debt compared to 17 percent of white households. Surveys have shown that in parts of the US, people living in communities of color are four times more likely to have medical debt compared to those living in predominantly white communities. The racial disparities in healthcare continue to devastate minority groups and the price gauging of health insurance companies is of no help.

As year 3 of the COVID-19 pandemic begins and flu season is in full throttle, health insurance companies need to start becoming our allies rather than our enemies. These insurance companies are bringing in enough profit to wipe out all medical debt several times over, yet millions of Americans, and especially minorities, are consistently losing sleep over how to pay off surprise medical bills and monthly premiums. A system put in place to help patients get the health care they need is now strictly serving big insurance. It’s time for health insurance giants to be held accountable, and work for their patients instead of against them.

Jessica Ann Tyson is President of the Frederick Douglass Foundation Michigan Chapter.

OG Sandbox Crew Hosts annual E A S T E R E G G H UN T

By Darrel Wheeler CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The OG Sandbox crew put together their annual Easter Egg Hunt party last Saturday at the historical Mountain View Park. Kids were welcome to participate in gathering as many of those colorful plastic eggs on the park lawn or behind the trees as they could seek, find, and enjoy. The Easter eggs were loaded with sweet treats and some very special golden eggs stashed with cash. The kids and their parents were also treated to a BBQ lunch, games, and prizes.

“I think things went well today. The kids seemed like they truly enjoyed themselves. Man, I haven’t gotten this many thank yous from kids in I don’t know how long,” OG President Aaron Gibson shared. “Like the kids, the parents were also very appreciative to us for putting this together. That was very encouraging to hear.”

The OG crew and their friends put plenty of big smiles on the little faces of the Happy Easter celebrators.

“It was hard work putting all this together with a limited staff, but it was worth it and it was fun. You know how we do. Anything we can do to help our community, that’s us,” OG VP Darnell Meals shared.

PHOTOS: Darrel Wheeler

Treganza Third Grade History Essay Competition Sets Record

Courtesy of Helen M. Ofield

Lemon Grove Historical Society

Lemon Grove’s third graders have set a record: 144 entries in the 2023 Treganza History Essay Competition--the largest number in 33 years, or since Dr. Amorita Treganza launched and endowed the competition. She was also a founder of the Lemon Grove Historical Society (LGHS), which sponsors two annual history competitions annually for third and eighth grades.

“These competitions, together with our free History Alive lecture series are our most important public projects,” said Laura

Hook, LGHS president. “We owe this record to the hard work of our board Education chair, Roberta Bulling, and to the outstanding work by our third grade teachers in the Lemon Grove School District.”

“I could not be more thrilled,” said Bulling. “Our jury will decide the winners in March and awards will be presented on April 18 at 6 p.m. at the Lemon Grove City Council meeting. All are welcome to hail these eight-year-old scholars.”

Treganza founded the competition to help third graders learn local history and appreciate their pioneer forebears. For use in the class-

room, Bulling prepared a lively slideshow about the Parsonage Museum, a historic building packed with appealing displays about local history.

Lemon Grove’s multicultural community is 60% Hispanic, 17% African American and 23% White, Asian and Native American. District enrollment is about 3,400. The 2023 essay competition drew 48% of some 300 third graders.

For more information, visit www. lghistorical.org or call the museum, 619-460-4353.

Supervisor in Tyre Nichols’ Death Retired Before Firing

By Associated Press

The Memphis police supervisor on scene when Tyre Nichols was beaten to death by officers retired with his benefits the day before a hearing to fire him, according to documents filed to revoke his law enforcement certification.

California to Seek Beds for Mental Health, Drug Treatment

By Associated Press

California voters would decide whether to fund a major expansion of housing and treatment for residents suffering from mental illness and addiction, under the latest proposal by Gov. Gavin Newsom to address the state’s homelessness crisis.

Newsom announced Sunday that he will ask allies in the Democratic-controlled Legislature for a measure on the 2024 ballot to authorize funding to build residential facilities where up to 12,000 people a year could live and be treated. The plan is the latest by the governor who took office in 2019 vowing to own the issue of homelessness in a state where an estimated 171,000 were unhoused last year.

The governor called the plan the next step in how California expands services for unhoused people, especially those with psychological and substance use disorders.

“We have to address and come to grips with the reality of mental health in this state and our nation. The question is, what can we do more and do better?” Newsom said at a news conference.

California, home to nearly 40 million people, has nearly one-third of the nation’s homeless population, and their numbers are growing much faster than in other states, according to an analysis of federal data by the

Public Policy Institute of California. Tent encampments have popped up on sidewalks and under freeway overpasses, and people in clear mental health crisis are a common sight on city streets.

The initiative would be partially funded by general obligation bonds that would raise between $3 billion and $5 billion to go toward construction of “campus-style” facilities along with smaller homes and long-term residential settings, Newsom said.

In addition, it would overhaul California’s Mental Health Services Act, an initiative approved by voters in 2004 that charges a 1% tax on incomes greater than $1 million to fund mental health services. Some lawmakers complained that money from the initiative bypassed those who needed it the most, and Newsom’s office said the new version would improve oversight for counties.

“Modernizing it will lead to $1 billion every year for housing, treating substance abuse disorders, and more,” said a statement from the governor’s office.

The California State Association of Counties, representing all 58 counties in California, said in a statement Sunday that it would work with the governor and lawmakers to establish “clear responsibilities, accountability and funding for all levels

of government” to address the homelessness problem.

State Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, D-Stockton, will introduce the measure, which would also earmark money to house more than 10,000 homeless veterans across the state, according to the statement.

Newsom unveiled details of the plan during a stop Sunday afternoon in San Diego. The governor is in the midst of a five-day statewide tour that he’s using to highlight his major policy goals. The tour replaced a traditional State of the State address.

On Thursday, Newsom announced a plan to spend about $30 million to build 1,200 small homes across the state to help house people living on the streets. The homes can be assembled quickly and cost a fraction of what it takes to build permanent housing. Federal courts have ruled cities can’t clear homeless encampments if there are no shelter beds available.

Recent polling shows half of California voters believe the heavily Democratic state is headed in the wrong direction, including a majority of independents. And after years of growth, the state’s population has been dropping as people look elsewhere for more affordable homes and a better quality of life.

Lt. DeWayne Smith was identified in records obtained by media outlets as the officer that officials said earlier in March had

retired before his termination hearing.

Some Memphis City Council members were upset an officer was allowed to retire before steps could be taken to fire them, including the council’s vice-chairman JB Smiley Jr., who said it didn’t seem fair that the then-unidentified officer could keep pension and other benefits.

“I just don’t like the fact that his parents are paying

See TYRE page 16

Left to right: Alexia Martinez, Aaliya Cervantes, Nathanaelle Simeon

PHOTO: Courtesy of Helen M. Ofield

PHOTO: AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

Protestor holding sign at Tyre Nichols protests that occured at the Ohio State House in Columbus, Ohio

PHOTO: Becker1999 via Wikimedia Commons

ARTS & CULTURE

The Vatican Renounces “Doctrine of Discovery,” Used to Justify Colonialism

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Sr National Correspondent

The Vatican has responded to Indigenous demands and formally repudiated the “Doctrine of Discovery,” the theories backed by 15th-century “papal bulls” that legitimized the colonial-era seizure of Native lands and form the basis of some property laws today.

A Vatican statement said the papal bulls, or decrees, “did not adequately reflect the equal dignity and rights of Indigenous peoples” and have never been considered expressions of the Catholic faith.

The statement, from the Vatican’s development and education offices, reportedly marked a historic recognition of the Vatican’s own complicity in colonial-era abuses committed by European powers.

It was issued under history’s first Latin American pontiff, exactly one year after Francis met at the Vatican with Indigenous leaders from Canada who raised the issue.

Thanks to dialogue with indigenous peoples, “the Church has acquired a greater awareness of their sufferings, past and present, due to the expropriation of their lands … as well as the policies of forced assimilation, promoted by the governmental authorities of the time, intended to eliminate their indigenous cultures,” according to a joint statement issued by the Dicastery for Culture and Education and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

The document states that the “Doctrine of Discovery” – a theory that served to justify the expropriation by sovereign colonizers of indigenous lands from their rightful owners –“is not a part of the teaching of the Catholic Church.”

It further affirms that the papal bulls that granted such “rights” to colonizing sovereigns have never been a part of the Church’s Magisterium. NPR noted that the doctrine was laid out in a series of papal “bulls,” or decrees; the first one was issued in 1452. They authorized colonial powers such as Spain and Portugal to seize lands and subjugate people in Africa and the “New World,” as long as people on the lands were not Christians.

The outlet further noted that scholars widely note three bulls: Pope Nicholas V’s Dum diversas (1452) and Romanus Pontifex (1455); and Pope Alexander VI’s Inter caetera (1493).

“Back in the 19th century, it was used as a precedent which gave people a sense of title to land that had not been owned with an official title in deed,” Rev. David McCallum, executive director of the Program for Discerning Leadership based in Rome, told NPR.

So what began as a religious decree in the 1400s then became the basis for a legal concept in the U.S., when the Doctrine of Discovery was invoked in an 1823 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Indigenous people had only rights of “occupancy,” not ownership, over lands they had long lived on.

The land, then, was open for the taking.

“As a result of this being written into the American property law, it was actually considered a precedent,” McCallum said, including citations as recent as a 2005 case in upstate New York, involving the Oneida Indian Nation.

Invoking the Christian mandate to respect the dignity of every human being, the Vatican said on Thursday, “The Catholic Church therefore repudiates those concepts that fail to recognize the inherent human rights of indigenous peoples, including what has become known as the legal and political ‘doctrine of discovery.’

“I know there’s a lot of other news clogging the airwaves right now but this action by Pope Francis and the Vatican is by far the most important that is happening in the world right now,” environmental justice pioneer, civil rights and racial justice advocate Vernice Miller-Travis wrote on Twitter. “Few things have done more damage the world over than the papal ‘Doctrine of Discovery.’”

Democrats Join Push to Ban TikTok from American-held Devices

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Sr National Correspondent

HUD Secretary Pledges to Change Spending with Black-Owned Media

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Sr National Correspondent

With the federal government spending a pittance of its advertising dollars with Black-owned media and President Biden demanding that agencies expand co ntracting opportunities for historically disadvantaged businesses, including those owned by women and people of color, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge has made a specific pledge to African American publishers and media company owners.

“I will take a look at it, and if [advertising spending] is where you say it is, we will change it,” Fudge declared

“It’s been on our minds,” said Beth Lynk, the assistant secretary of public affairs for HUD. “We are asking [all contractors] what is your spend? Not just Black reach, but Black ownership in the media.”

Adjoa Asamoah, the senior advisor for Racial Equity for the Office of the Secretary of HUD, called Fudge a “secretary of, with and for the people.”

“I had a conversation recently with the Deputy Secretary of HUD (Adrianne Todman) and we will increase our spend with Black and brown media,” Asamoah asserted.

Democrats in Congress have made it clear that they want to ban the Chinese app TikTok in the U.S. Reported national security concerns over massive amounts of data that TikTok collects on its millions of American users sit at the core of why lawmakers want the app banned.

Democrats and Republicans alike have said certain information of serious concern could be transferred to China, making it a national security issue. However, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has repeatedly denied that it shares user data with the Chinese government.

“TikTok is a modern-day Trojan horse of the [Chinese Communist Party], used to surveil and exploit Americans’ personal information,” said Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “It’s a spy balloon in your phone,” McCaul said, alluding to a February incident in which a spy balloon from China traversed American skies.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee members pushed for a bill that would give President Biden the power to ban TikTok on all mobile devices in the U.S. However, Democrats voted against the measure. Democrats in the U.S. Senate did offer support late last year for a bill that would ban TikTok on federal devices, and a bipartisan group of senators, led by Mark Warner (D-Va.) and John Thune (R-S.C.), also introduced a bill that would let Biden ban TikTok and other apps that come from other countries.

Five Democrats and five Republicans have signed on a co-sponsor on that legislation. President Biden reportedly supports the measure and has indicated a willingness to ban TikTok, which has more than 1.53 billion users globally as of 2023, with 1 billion monthly active users.

In February, Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado called on Apple and

“Unlike most social media platforms, TikTok poses a unique concern because Chinese law obligates ByteDance, its Beijing-based parent company, to ‘support, assist, and cooperate with state intelligence work,’” said Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), who has demanded that Apple and Google remove TikTok from their app stores.

following a question from National Newspaper Publishers Association

President & CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. about the inequitable distribution of advertising dollars with the Black Press.

“You can hold me to that,” Fudge asserted.

Chavis, Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes, and media mogul Roland Martin all pressed Fudge and others during a Black Media R oundtable at HUD in Washington.

The federal government spends about $600 billion annually on consumer goods and services. A small portion of that money goes to small businesses owned by women, minorities, and those otherwise disadvantaged. The m ost recent Government Accountability Office study found that federal agencies spent more than $5 billion on advertising over five years, with just $51 million, or 1.02 percent, going to Blackowned businesses.

“A couple of things. We are disrupting the present systems with disrupting how we do money. We recognize that the federal government is the largest consumer of goods and services and roughly 10 percent has traditionally gone to Black, Brown, and small, and disadvantaged businesses.”

Asamoah continued:

“That’s not 10 percent each. We’ve been tasked by the President with leveraging the full power of the federal government’s procurement power.

“While ad spending directly is what we will look at, under Secretary Fudge we have looked at how we are spending our dollars and adjusted accordingly. Every single notice of funding opportunity that goes out this door, [the contractor] is required to state how you have demonstrated your ability to advance racial equity and what will you do in the future to advance racial equity. We are doing things differently.”

During a national television appearance, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said a TikTok ban “should be looked at.” The economic battle between the U.S. and China has been ongoing, with escalating tensions leading to threats of a potential armed conflict. White House Press Secretary Karine JeanPierre even alluded to the conflict in her remarks attacking a House Freedom Caucus budget plan.

“Extreme MAGA Republicans’ proposals would ship manufacturing jobs overseas, in a crushing blow to states from Ohio to Georgia to Arizona – and would provide a windfall of economic benefits to China,” Jean-Pierre stated.

TikTok spokeswoman Brooke Oberwetter argued that a U.S. ban on TikTok would ban the export of American culture and values to over a billion people who use the app worldwide.

“A ban would stifle American speech and would be a ban on the export of American culture and values to the billion-plus people who use our service worldwide,” Oberwetter declared.

The 18th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Marcia Fudge PHOTO: hud.gov

VP Harris Unveils $1 Billion African Investment

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA

Vice President Kamala Harris’ historic trip to Africa continued with the launch of global initiatives on the economic empowerment of women, totaling more than $1 Billion.

America’s first Black and female vice president spoke fervently during the trip about how “immensely powerful and moving,” the visit to the Motherland was.

She further was moved while visiting Ghana’s Cape Coast Castle, where the vice president reflected on the painful horrors of where heartless slave owners captured their prey.

“The horror of what happened here must always be remembered,” Harris stated. “It cannot be denied. It must be taught. History must be learned.”

Harris and President Joe Biden have made outreach to Africa an important initiative of the administration. In addition to Ghana, the vice president visited Tanzania and Zambia.

In each country, Harris touted investments that would bring economic and gender equity to Africa.

The vice president convened a roundtable with several African women business owners where the discussion centered on how America and private-sector businesses could form a partnership with African nations that would advance gender equality.

“Promoting gender equity and equality is a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy in Africa and around the world,” administration officials said in a Fact Sheet.

“Advancing the economic status of women and girls is not only a matter of human rights, justice, and fairness—it is also a strategic imperative that reduces poverty and promotes sustainable economic growth, increases access to education, improves health outcomes, advances political stability, and fosters democracy.”

The digital gender gap undermines women’s full participation in the 21st century economy, officials asserted.

Globally, approximately 260 million more men than women were using the internet in 2022—and this gap has increased by 20 million in the last three years.

The gap is especially acute across Africa, where International Telecommunication Union data show that sixty-six percent of women do not use the internet.

To address this disparity, Harris pledged that the administration would continue to work with other governments, private sector, foundations, and multilateral organizations to help close the digital divide, improve meaningful access to equitable digital finance and other online services, and address social norms that prevent women from participating fully in the digital economy.

More broadly, the BidenHarris administration would continue to promote the economic empowerment of women, the vice president stated.

In support of those goals, Harris announced a series of investments and initiatives that total $1 billion.

She also made a series of announcements to foster women’s political, economic, and social inclusion in Africa, building upon initiatives launched at the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit in December 2022, includ-

ing the Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA) Initiative.

Harris made clear that education remains key.

She hammered home that point as a message to Republican governors who continue to ban history in school curriculums.

“All these stories must be told in a way that we take from this place — the pain we all feel, the anguish that reeks from this place,” Harris reflected as she traversed Cape Coast Castle.

“The descendants of the people who walked through that door were strong people, proud people, people of deep faith; people who loved their families, their traditions, their culture, and carried that innate being with them through all of these periods; went on to fight for civil rights, fight for justice in the United States of America and around the world.

“And all of us, regardless of your background, have benefited from their struggle and their fight for freedom and for justice.”

Former Atlanta Fire Chief Says Slavery Was God’s Plan

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA

A review of the Louisville police department by the U.S. Department of Justice found that officers conducted searches based on invalid warrants and illegally carried out raids without knocking and making an announcement.

In a lengthy report, which the DOJ issued on Wednesday, March 8, noted that for years, the Louisville police department “has practiced an aggressive style of policing that it deploys selectively, especially against Black people, but also against vulnerable people throughout the city.”

“Some officers have videotaped themselves throwing drinks at pedestrians from their cars; insulted people with disabilities; and called Black people ‘monkeys,’ ‘animal,’ and ‘boy,’” the DOJ investigation revealed. Further, federal investigators discovered that police officers routinely and illegally stopped and arrested suspects while primarily discriminating against African Americans.

The department also showed little kindness to those with behavioral health disabilities, notably when dealing with a crisis.

“This conduct erodes community trust, and the unlawful practices of LMPD and Louisville Metro undermine public safety,” DOJ investigators wrote.

The review comes after two years of a DOJ investigation sparked by the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, an unarmed Black woman whom police shot and killed in 2020 after entering her apartment in a botched and unannounced raid.

Last year, the DOJ charged four officers with federal civil rights violations and perjury.

Former detective Kelly Goodlett pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges, while the Louisville department fired Sgt. Kyle Meany.

A jury acquitted officer Brett Hankinson, the only cop who discharged his weapon, on

state charges, but he’s still facing a federal case.

Former detective Joshua Jaynes also faces charges of conspiring to deprive Taylor of her civil rights.

The DOJ found that one high-ranking department official lamented that Taylor’s killing “was a symptom of problems that we have had for years.”

“The findings are deeply troubling and sobering, and they compromise LMPD’s ability to serve and protect the people of Louisville,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.

“We are committed to working with Louisville on a path forward to constitutional policing and stronger police-community trust. Although police reform won’t happen overnight, focused effort and sustained commitment will bring us closer to transformed relationships, safe communities, and this nation’s promise of justice and equality under the law.”

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division added that people in Louisville deserve policing that’s constitutional, fair, and non-discriminatory.

“Our investigation found that the police department and city government failed to adequately protect and serve the people of Louisville, breached the public’s trust, and discriminated against Black people through unjustified stops, searches, and arrests,” Clarke stated.

“The police used excessive force, subjecting people to unlawful strikes, tasings, and canine bites.

“The police sought search warrants without justification and carried out no-knock warrants unlawfully, evading the constitution, defying federal law, and putting ordinary citizens in harm’s way.

“Today marks a new day and a new chapter for the people of Louisville.”

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA

In a videotaped lecture that many called out as teeming with self-hate, a former Atlanta fire chief ridiculously opined that it was God’s divine plan that permitted Americans to enslave Africans.

NBC News reported that Kelvin J. Cochran, who is Black, lectured at a Georgia Department of Labor event honoring Black History Month.

The outlet noted that Cochran explained how his religious beliefs were consistent with the nation’s founding.

The network reported that Cochran began “his patriotic speech” by claiming that the United States “has been a part of God’s divine plan from the beginning of time.”

Later, he mentions slavery, implying that the entirety of American history is “His story.”

God was not taken aback by slavery in the United States, Cochran argued.

The enslavement of Africans in the Americas was sanctioned by God, who “in his sovereignty” allowed it to happen, he asserted.

A social, spiritual, and economic famine was imminent in Africa, and it has persisted to this day, Cochran claimed without providing any evidence to support his rhetoric.

Hence, God was responsible for the Middle Passage slave trade that delivered six million Africans to the Americas, he said.

It also was God’s divine design to enslave the nation of Israel, as Cochran put it, and God’s sovereignty “enabled Africans to be brought to America in bondage.”

Cochran referred to the Bible, namely Genesis, where God foretold that Abraham’s off -

spring would be imprisoned and tormented for four hundred years.

He said slave owners were committed to educating their slaves about religion, and that slaves would often congregate outside of churches in order to listen in on the worship services.

Cochran sent copies of his self-published Bible study book, “Who Told You That You Were Naked?” to his employees in 2013. The book reportedly contains statements like “naked,” “wicked,” and “ungodly” as it described sinners as gay and those who have sex outside of marriage.

Homosexuality, he added, was a “sexual perversion on par with bestiality.”

The fire department suspended Cochran without pay for 30 days in November 2014 for failing to obtain approval or provide sufficient notice prior to the publishing of the book, which had been flagged as a concern by an assistant fire chief in October 2014.

Cochran was let go in January 2015 after a campaign he launched following his suspension. He claimed he was terminated because of his religious views.

The Atlanta City Council voted in October 2018 to settle Cochran’s claim, paying him $1.2 million.

Cochran currently works as a senior fellow and vice president of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conversative and religious group that represented him in the lawsuit against the city.

“Here’s the bottom line,” Cochran asserted. “We all got here on different boats, but now we’re in the same boat. I thank God for America and I thank God for American history,” he said.

PHOTO: Courtesy of NNPA

Louisville Police Routinely Call Black People ‘Boy,’ ‘Animal,’ and ‘Monkeys’

PHOTO: Fire Chief Kelvin J. Cochran/NNPA

KENYAN TREE PLANTING ACTIVIST REMEMBERED WITH CALL TO INVEST

By Lisa Vives Global Information Network

The Wangari Mathai Foundation observed the late Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai’s birthday on April 1 with a call to invest in the planet.

“Wangari literally invested her life from a young age in this planet,” foundation CEO Njeri Kabeberi said. “As we celebrate the day God gave her to the world, and in the run-up to the International Mother Earth Day (April 22), let us begin to contemplate what each of us shall invest in the planet.”

Dr Wangari Muta Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977 to plant trees across Kenya, alleviate poverty and end conflict. She mobilized Kenyans, particularly women, to plant more than 30 million trees in 30 years, and inspired the United Nations to launch a campaign that has led to the planting of 11 billion trees worldwide.

More than 900,000 Kenyan women benefited from her tree-planting campaign by selling seedlings for reforestation.

She was, notably, a woman of many firsts. Wangari was the first woman from Central and East Africa to earn a doctorate, obtaining her PhD from the University of Nairobi in 1971, and the first Black and African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize ‘for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace’ in 2004.

After graduating, Maathai became involved in a number of humanitarian organizations, including the Kenyan Red Cross, the Environmental Liaison Centre and the National Council of Women of Kenya.

Maathai’s work led her to observe a correlation between poverty and

environmental degradation, based on experiences of food security and water scarcity in rural Kenya. Environmental issues in Kenya today include deforestation, soil erosion, desertification, water shortage and degraded water quality, flooding, poaching, and domestic and industrial pollution.

Prof. Maathai was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem, the world’s “second lung” after the Amazon Rainforest. Her four books (The Green Belt Movement, Unbowed, The Challenge for Africa, and Replenishing the Earth) and the documentary Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai expanded on and deepened the key concepts behind the Green Belt Movement’s work and approach.

The work of Professor Maathai and the Green Belt Movement continues to stand as a testament to the power of grassroots organizing, proof that one person’s simple idea—that a

community should come together to plant trees, can make a difference. Her legacy truly lives on through the Movement which to date remains in the frontline of advocating for environmental conservation in Kenya, and making great progress on reclaiming and restoring forest land. The Green Belt Movement has inspired similar movements in many other African countries and continues to help combat rural hunger, desertification and water crises in over 30 countries.

Yet her story and her accomplishments remain virtually untold throughout the global North, despite her activism creating significant change and a lasting impact on women’s lives and the environment today.

Maathai died in 2011 at the age of 71.

The Foundation will launch its second strategic plan this month on International Mother Earth Day with the theme ‘Invest in our planet’.

KENYAN OPPOSITION LEADER URGED TO SUSPEND RALLIES

By Lisa Vives Global Information Network

Defeated in national elections

last August, the 78 year old opposition leader is now leading street protests in Nairobi neighborhoods, drawing thousands of followers who face growing poverty, surging living costs, joblessness, and police brutality.

Odinga and his party, Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition, have been calling for the resignation of President Ruto saying he wasn’t validly elected in last year’s poll. As his convoy came under a barrage of tear gas and water cannons shot by police, marchers shouted “Ruto must go” in reference to William Ruto, the new president who got his start under hardliner Daniel arap Moi.

Amnesty Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission have criticized police violence while the African Union has called for calm and dialogue. Four protesters were reported to have been killed since the marches began last week.

Violence also erupted in two Nairobi slums which have long been Odinga bastions and at his gas cylinder manufacturing firm.

Property owned by former president Uhuru Kenyatta was set o n fire as seen on footage from Citizen TV.

While Ruto did not get a visit from Vice President Kamala Harris during her recent Africa tour, he

By Lisa Vives Global Information Network

It’s the biggest criminal conspiracy you’ve never heard of.

“Gold Mafia - The Laundry Service” - is a shocking tale of corruption in high places, illicit gold smuggling and its powerful enablers who slip through international borders with gold and return with billions in American dollars.

Called a “jaw-dropping undercover investigation” by the Al Jazeera news service, the documentary has just been released after it was nearly derailed by threats from the Zimbabwe government against award-winning anti-corruption activist Hopewell Chin’ono whose defense of Gold Mafia on a TV news station was broadcast throughout the country.

The first two parts of the film can now be seen on YouTube.

According to the South African business news publication, Moneyweb, Al Jazeera’s latest film purportedly uncovers a $4.5 billion-a-year gold smuggling racket that evaded the harsh economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. Congress on Zimbabwe.

“The film lends credence to the long-held view in Harare and abroad that there are powerful forces profiting from sanctions and an illegal gold smuggling racket reckoned to be worth more than $370 million

a month operating relatively freely in the country,” writes Moneyweb’s Ciaran Ryan.

Eddie Cross, former opposition parliamentarian and Harare-based businessman commented: “To be frank, (news of the gold smuggling) is not anything new around here. The most shocking part of the film is the involvement of the Monetary Authority in Zimbabwe. My big fear is that we could end up back on the ‘greylist’ after we were removed a year ago.”

A country is placed on the U.S. greylist to warn the financial community that the high-risk country is not putting in the required effort to combat financial crime. Other countries on the greylist are Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Turkey, the UAE, Jordan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Last year, the Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Movement attempted to have sanctions declared unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid. The case was brought in a South African court and named President Biden, president of the US senate, speaker of the US House of Representatives, major US banks and others as respondents. Last week, the case was tossed for lack of jurisdiction.

was feted by other American visitors including U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del) and U.S. investors at a meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce in Nairobi.

President Ruto was among the keynote speakers at the Chamber’s summit even as the Biden administration complained that corruption and a lack of a transparent tax policy were discouraging corporate interest in Kenya.

Ruto also met with US ambassador Meg Whitman, a high-powered business executive named in the Forbes list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World. Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama is said to be settling in Kenya for at least a year as Special Envoy for US Diplomacy, a deployment which he said “makes me truly grateful as I pay tribute to the land of my father and forefathers”.

Obama is expected to jet into the country on June 13 to set up an office outside Nairobi where he plans to shoot his much anticipated documentary “In The Land of My Father”, enlisting, in part, Morgan Freeman and Sir David Attenborough for the narration.

Gold smuggling, organized by individuals linked to the ruling establishment, deprives Zimbabwe of an estimated 36 tons of gold annually – according to a new report by the Center for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG).

Relative to its size, Zimbabwe has the second-largest gold deposits in the world, whose extraction provides the main source of its export revenues as Zimbabwe currency has no value for commercial transactions. Smuggling occurs mainly in the artisanal gold mining sector, which produces around 60% of Zimbabwe’s gold. Originally providing livelihoods to rural communities, the sector has been captured by political elites, moving in to harvest the artisanally mined gold for their personal enrichment.

“Gold dealers, who are protected by the ruling Zanu-PF party officials, use state apparatus to capture and control gold-rich areas throughout the country,” says the report, or about 36 tons of gold annually. That amounts to more than half of Zimbabwe’s total gold production of 29.6 tons in 2021..

Deprived of the revenue that could be obtained by the legitimate sale of gold, Zimbabwe suffers from reduced revenue for health, education, transport, energy, agriculture and infrastructural development. Countries which enable smuggling, says Al Jazeera, with the connivance of the authorities, are South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique. Gold is then sold in Dubai

Meanwhile, the government has said nothing publicly since the documentary’s screening. Officials of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe called the snippets of the documentary they had seen “sensationally wild, false and malicious.” Alleged smuggling kingpins, secretly filmed, don’t represent the central bank, said the Reserve Bank.

The report is skeptical about Zimbabwe’s capacity to curb the smuggling, as politicians with a vested interest in the illicit gold trade tend to intimidate relevant authorities when they take action against the perpetrators. “While the media has been raising alarm over gold smuggling, the government has not demonstrated seriousness in punishing offenders,” it says.

Kenya’s opposition leader, Raila Odinga, is not going away quietly.

PHOTO: GIN

Activist Hopewell Chin’ono (L) and alleged gold dealer Uebert Angel (R).

PHOTO: GIN

A Local Connection to A Community Supporting Its Own

Damon Banks’ Kidney Walk in Sacramento

Courtesy of Yvette Porter Moore and Mike Norris

It was a clear and beautiful day in Sacramento, not a cloud to be seen in the sky. Many thanks to all who attended an incredible event held on March 25 in Sacramento, CA. A kidney rally and fundraiser marathon was organized by Miko Norris-Banks, the daughter of San Diego photographer Mike Norris in Sacramento, California. The marathon event was a total success, attended by 300+ family, friends and contributors.

This fundraising campaign was for Damon Banks, Sr. and his Kidney Transplant Donor. In 2013 Damon was diagnosed with kidney disease and renal failure. He was blessed the following year with a successful volunteer Kidney Donor and transplant. For seven years Damon continued to live a vibrant healthy enjoyable life. Unfortunately, Damon contracted Covid-19 at the end of 2021. The virus attacked his kidney, causing it to ultimately fail. For the last year, Damon has been on dialysis treatments three times a week.

Damon has now been blessed to have a volunteer Kidney Donor that is ready to help give him

another chance at a normal healthy life again. The operation will take place soon. The love and support of family and friends will help with the after-care costs.

“My son-in-law, Damon Banks, is an outstanding human being,” Mike Norris said.

PHOTOS: Mike Norris

Celebrating 67 Years of Community Service ENCANTO LITTLE LEAGUE

By Darrel Wheeler

A month after opening day, Encanto-Skyline teams are in full “Hey! (batter-batter)” swing-mode and ready to compete.

Encanto Little League has been a big part of the community’s landscape for 67 exciting years as they now include the Skyline area as part of their District 66 make up. They will be exchanging curve balls, grand-slams, double-plays and strike-outs with Lemon Grove, Southeastern, SD American and Las Palmas for some thrilling inter-league action.

The Gray’s are a team of 10, 11, and 12-yearold Majors, under the direction of community treasure Mike Ivy. Mr. Ivy is a living baseball encyclopedia with an urgent desire to share his passion and knowledge of the game. His commitment to his community is undeniable after three decades of service to the boys and girls of Encanto Little League.

“What we like to do here is teach sportsmanship and fundamentals of the game. It’s not all about wins and loses, but we do want to show them how to win and lose with dignity,” Mr. Ivy shared. “We want them to have some fun, make life-long friends, be the best they can be, and also respect the game and be good students and good people.”

Little League Baseball, at its best, at the same location on 1121 Klauber Ave for 67 years.

By Malachi Kudura

Sunday, April 2, 2023, Afropanda Entertainment hosted the Afro-Diaspora Day Party 2.0 at the Quartyard music venue. This event had music, dancing, games and the food was provided by Abule Afro Market & Eatery.

This is Afropanda Entertainment’s second Af-

ro-Diaspora Day Party and this one was bigger than the first. After the first successful event and positive reviews they were excited about putting on this event. “We appreciate you covering our last Afro-Diaspora Day Party. Seeing our event in the Voice and Viewpoint newspaper gave us inspiration and direction,” said Ayo Oshodi of Afro Panda Ent.

He continued, “As an immigrant from Nigeria who is dedicated to curating events that

trafficking?

unite the Afro community, being Black to me means a shared history, culture, and experiences that transcend borders and nationalities. It means acknowledging and celebrating the diversity within the Black community, while also recognizing the common struggles and challenges that we face as a group.”

“It is important for Africans and AfricanAmericans to come together at events like this because we are one people,” said Maxine Amaru (majoring in Africana Studies at SDSU). She continued, “Africa means everything. The creation of every human being came from an African woman. We can transfer this event’s energy to our community by decolonizing our minds, educating ourselves about our culture and being open to people that look like us are us.”

Crystal Walker said, “Being Black to me means being resilient, strong and proud. We’re creators and innovators. These events

are important because they allow us to have a good time with one another, meet people within our community and just celebrating us through music and good vibes. I recently came back from Florida and I’ve been looking for something like this.”

Afropanda Entertainment is a California based talent management, event production, and entertainment consulting group founded by Ayo Oshodi. It celebrates and promotes the vibrant and diverse culture of Africa. “Afropanda Entertainment is changing the world, one beat at a time,” said Ayo Oshodi.

PHOTOS: Darrel Wheeler

PHOTOS: Malachi Kudura

Tips for Nurses Struggling With Their Mental Health

Wh ile the worst of the pandemic is behind us, if you’re a nurse, you know its effects live on. Ongoing staffing shortages spurred by pandemic-related layoffs and resignations have created conditions in many healthcare settings that are untenable for workers, inspiring nurses in some areas of the country to go on strike.

In this climate of high stress and tension, anxiety, depression and burnout are common, but industry experts say that if you’re a nurse experiencing these mental health issues, there are steps you can take to feel better, including rethinking the way you deliver self-care and care for your patients.

“Nursing is largely about caring for others, but it’s important to take time each day to focus on your own wellness,” says Jennifer Sheets, president and chief executive officer of Interim Healthcare Inc.

In an Interim Healthcare Inc. survey, 71% of licensed medical professionals reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has led them to consider a career shift to home healthcare as a way to reconnect with why they got into healthcare in the first place. Fortunately for patients and nurses alike, the home healthcare field is growing in size and scope. Once associated primarily with senior care, it now extends to many other facets of care -- from caring for acute illnesses like COVID-19, to complex medical care for children, to specialized care for chronic diseases, dementia and hospice. In fact, much of the technology and clinical capabilities of the hospital are available at home, making home care possible for more patients, and ultimately allowing for more nurses to make the switch.

Beyond rethinking your role in the nursing industry, Sheets offers these additional mental wellness tips:

• Understand the symptoms of mental health issues, like anxiety, depression and burnout. If you are living with these issues, talk to a trusted friend or family member about what you’re experiencing and consider addressing your concerns with a mental health professional. Telehealth is making it easier to fit counseling or therapy into a weekly schedule, particularly one that changes from week to week.

• While depression and anxiety can feel lonely, know that you’re not alone. Other nurses are feeling the same way right now. Lean on colleagues for support.

• I mplement activities around self-care and set aside time for yourself. Breathing exercises, meditation and yoga can be powerful stress relievers, and studies consistently show that even just a few minutes of regular moderate or vigorous exercise can reduce your risk of depression.

• Simplify daily tasks to ease mental health symptoms. Whether it’s relying on apps to help you check off items on your to-do list, or being more realistic about the social commitments you make, there are many ways to ensure your life outside of work doesn’t unduly add to your stress.

• Look for job opportunities that will make you happier. Those in home healthcare let you make your own schedule, match you with assignments that fit your needs and preferences, and offer variety, support, flexibility and better nurse-to-patient ratios. To explore these benefits, visit careers.interimhealthcare. com.

During the ongoing challenges plaguing the nursing industry, it’s important to focus on your wellness. Doing so can help you get back to focusing on making a difference in the lives of your patients. StatePoint

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects nearly half of adults in the United States, and only about 1 in 4 with this condition have it under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hypertension can be dangerous and in many cases, fatal. In 2020, it was a primary or contributing cause of more than 670,000 deaths nationwide. Medical experts say that controlling your blood pressure is possible and it starts with having the right information.

To get on the right track, consider these tips and insights from the AMA:

1 Know your numbers. Hypertension is diagnosed when your systolic blood pressure is greater than 130 mmHg or your average diastolic blood pressure is greater than 80 mmHg. Visit ManageYourBP.org to better understand your numbers.

2 Monitor blood pressure. Once you learn your blood pressure numbers, take and keep regular records using an at-home blood pressure monitor. For an accurate reading, the CDC says to sit with your back supported for 5 minutes before starting and wait at least 30 minutes after drinking or eating a meal. You should also avoid stimulants for at least 30 minutes beforehand, as the CDC says that smoking and drinking alcohol or caffeine can elevate your blood pressure. If you take medication for hypertension, measure your blood pressure before your dose. Share your numbers with your health care provider.

3 Eat right. Reduce your intake of processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Eat less red meat and processed meats, and add more plant-based foods, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and olive oil to your diet. Also, reduce your consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and drink more water instead. Drinking

sugary beverages, even 100% fruit juices, is associated with a higher all-cause mortality risk, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.

4 Drink alcohol only in moderation. If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans -- up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.

5 Be more physically active. Do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity. Be sure to include a mix of cardiovascular exercise, strength training and flexibility. Obtain guidance from your doctor if you aren’t sure if it is safe for you to exercise.

6 Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, losing as little as 5 to 10 pounds may help lower your blood pressure. Consult your doctor about safe ways to maintain a healthy weight.

“Unmanaged hypertension can have life-altering consequences,” says Dr. Resneck. “The good news is that there are many ways you can take control of your blood pressure and your health.”

StatePoint

was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 3, 2023

This fictitious business name will expire on April 3, 2028 4/06, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9007022

Fictitious business name(s): Cybertron Solutions Located at: 2533 Ulric St. San Diego, CA 92111 County of San Diego 31853 Victoria Pl. Menifee, CA 92584 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to

CLASSIFIEDS / LEGAL NOTICES

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

CA 92131. Upon completion, all contractors will proceed to Nye Elementary School, 981 Valencia Parkway, San Diego, CA 92114. Contractors and subcontractors must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s new online Planroom at sandiegousdplans.com. All bids must be received electronically at or before 1:00 p.m. on APRIL 27, 2023. Firms interested in submitting a bid package must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” number” CP23-0955-24-00-00 Provide Asphalt Repairs at Miramar Ranch and Nye Elementary Schools. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $710,000 and $750,000. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: A, C-12, or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, Linda Hippe, Director, Purchasing and Contracts, Strategic Sourcing and Contracts Department CP23-0955-24-00-00

Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services to: PROVIDE ASPHALT REPAIRS

Wilson filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME: Jasmine Peter Wilson PROPOSED NAME: Jasmine Mary Wilson 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: May 10, 2023

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

Name (JC Form #NC-120).

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 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 3/30, 4/06, 4/13, 4/20

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA County of San Diego 330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Hall of Justice

37-2023-00009437CU-PT-CTL

Petitioner or Attorney: Alan W. Cheung, Esq. 185615 Goodrich and Cheung LLP

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Warren Alfred Cranmer, Jr. filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME: Warren Alfred Cranmer, Jr.

PROPOSED NAME: Warren Alfred Cranmer

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.

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 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/06

SUMMONS (Family Law)

NOTICE TO RESPONDENT (Name) AVISO AL DEMANDADO (Nombre):

Cesar Payunan Robea Jr

You have been sued. Read the information below and on the next page. Lo han demandado. Lea la información a continuación y en la página siguiente.

Petitioner's Name is: (Nombre del demandante): Carina Cruz Quilatan

Case Number: 21FL001535C

You have 30 calendar days after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-120) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter, phone call, or court appearance will not protect you. If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your marriage or domestic partnership, your property, and custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay support and attorney fees and costs. For legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. Get help finding a lawyer at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courts.ca.gov/selfhelp), at the California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpca.org), or by contacting your local county bar association.

Tiene 30 días de calendario después de haber recibido la entrega legal de esta Citación y Petición para presentar una Respuesta (formulario FL120) ante la corte y efectuar la entrega legal de una copia al demandante. Una carta o llamada telefónica o una audiencia de la corte no basta para protegerlo. Si no presenta su Respuesta a tiempo, la corte puede dar órdenes que afecten su matrimonio o pareja de hecho, sus bienes y la custodia de sus hijos. La corte también le puede ordenar que pague manutención, y honorarios y costos legales. Para asesoramiento legal, póngase en contacto de inmediato con un abogado. Puede obtener información para encontrar un abogado en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en el sitio web de los Servicios Legales de California (www.lawhelpca. org) o poniéndose en contacto con el colegio de abogados de su condado.

NOTICE—RESTRAINING ORDERS ARE ON PAGE 2: These restraining orders are effective against both spouses or domestic partners until the petition is dismissed, a judgment is entered, or the court makes further orders. They are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of them.

AVISO—LAS ÓRDENES DE RESTRICCIÓN SE ENCUENTRAN EN LA PÁGINA 2: Las órdenes de restricción están en vigencia en cuanto a ambos cónyuges o miembros de la pareja de hecho hasta que se despida la petición, se emita un fallo o la corte dé otras órdenes. Cualquier agencia del orden público que haya recibido o visto una copia de estas órdenes puede hacerlas acatar en cualquier lugar de California.

FEE WAIVER: If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. The court may order you to pay back all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for you or the other party.

EXENCIÓN DE CUOTAS:

Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario un formulario de exención de cuotas. La corte puede ordenar que usted pague, ya sea en parte o por completo, las cuotas y costos de la corte previamente exentos a petición de usted o de la otra parte.

The name and address of the court are (El nombre y dirección de la corte son): Superior Court of California, County of San Diego Central Division, Central Courthouse, 1100 Union St. San Diego, CA 92101

The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner’s attorney, or the petitioner without an attorney, are: (El nombre, dirección y número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante si no tiene abogado, son): Carina Cruz Quilatan 7541 Goode St. San Diego, CA 92139 Tel No. (619) 434-3189

Clerk, by (Secretario, por) A. Puerto, Deputy (Asistente)

STANDARD FAMILY LAW

RESTRAINING ORDERS

Starting immediately, you and your spouse or domestic partner are restrained from:

1. removing the minor children of the parties from the state or applying for a new or replacement passport for those minor children without the prior written consent of the other party or an order of the court;

2. cashing, borrowing against, canceling, transferring, disposing of, or changing the beneficiaries of any insurance or other coverage, including life, health, automobile, and disability, held for the benefit of the parties and their minor children;

3. transferring, encumbering, hypothecating, concealing, or in any way disposing of any property, real or personal, whether community, quasicommunity, or separate, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court, except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life; and

4. creating a nonprobate transfer or modifying a nonprobate transfer in a manner that affects the disposition of property subject to the transfer, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court. Before revocation of a nonprobate transfer can take effect or a right of survivorship to property can be eliminated, notice of the change must be filed and served on the other party.

You must notify each other of any proposed extraordinary expenditures at least five business days prior to incurring these extraordinary expenditures and account to the court for all extraordinary expenditures made after these restraining orders are effective. However, you may use community property quasi-community property, or your own separate property to pay an attorney to help you or to pay court costs.

ÓRDENES DE RESTRICCIÓN ESTÁNDAR DE DERECHO FAMILIAR

En forma inmediata, usted y su cónyuge o pareja de hecho tienen prohibido:

1. llevarse del estado de California a los hijos menores de las partes, o solicitar un pasaporte nuevo o de repuesto para los hijos menores, sin el consentimiento previo por escrito de la otra parte o sin una orden de la corte;

2. cobrar, pedir prestado, cancelar, transferir, deshacerse o cambiar el nombre de los beneficiarios de cualquier seguro u otro tipo de cobertura, como de vida, salud, vehículo y discapacidad, que tenga como beneficiario(s) a las partes y su(s) hijo(s) menor(es);

3. transferir, gravar, hipotecar, ocultar o deshacerse de cualquier manera de cualquier propiedad, inmueble o personal, ya sea comunitaria, cuasicomunitaria o separada, sin el consentimiento escrito de la otra parte o una orden de la corte, excepto en el curso habitual de actividades personales y comerciales o para satisfacer las necesidades de la vida; y

4. crear o modificar una transferencia no testamentaria de manera que afecte la asignación de una propiedad sujeta a transferencia, sin el consentimiento por escrito de la otra parte o una orden de la corte. Antes de que se pueda eliminar la revocación de una transferencia no testamentaria, se debe presentar ante la corte un aviso del cambio y hacer una entrega legal de dicho aviso a la otra parte.

Cada parte tiene que notificar a la otra sobre cualquier gasto extraordinario propuesto por lo menos cinco días hábiles antes de realizarlo, y rendir cuenta a la corte de todos los gastos extraordinarios realizados después de que estas órdenes de restricción hayan entrado en vigencia. No obstante, puede usar propiedad comunitaria, cuasicomunitaria o suya separada para pagar a un abogado que lo ayude o para pagar los costos de la corte.

NOTICE—ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE:

Do you or someone in your household need affordable health insurance? If so, you should apply for Covered California. Covered California can help reduce the cost you pay towards high quality affordable health care. For more information, visit www.coveredca.com. Or call Covered California at 1-800-300-1506.

AVISO—ACCESO A

SEGURO DE SALUD MÁS

ECONÓMICO: ¿Necesita seguro de salud a un costo asequible, ya sea para usted o alguien en su hogar? Si es así, puede presentar una solicitud con Covered California. Covered California lo puede ayudar a reducir el costo que paga por seguro de salud asequible y de alta calidad. Para obtener más información, visite www.coveredca.com. O llame a Covered California al 1-800-300-0213.

property acquired by the parties during marriage or domestic partnership in joint form is presumed to be community property. If either party to this action should die before the jointly held community property is divided, the language in the deed that characterizes how title is held (i.e., joint tenancy, tenants in common, or community property) will be controlling, and not the community property presumption. You should consult your attorney if you want the community property presumption to be written into the recorded title to the property.

ADVERTENCIA— IMFORMACIÓN IMPORTANTE

De acuerdo a la ley de California, las propiedades adquiridas por las partes durante su matrimonio o pareja de hecho en forma conjunta se consideran propiedad comunitaria para fines de la división de bienes que ocurre cuando se produce una disolución o separación legal del matrimonio o pareja de hecho. Si cualquiera de las partes de este caso llega a fallecer antes de que se divida la propiedad comunitaria de tenencia conjunta, el destino de la misma quedará determinado por las cláusulas de la escritura correspondiente que describen su tenencia (por ej., tenencia conjunta, tenencia en común o propiedad comunitaria) y no por la presunción de propiedad comunitaria. Si quiere que la presunción comunitaria quede registrada en la escritura de la propiedad,

HUD Awards Millions to HBCUs for Housing and Community Development Research

By Stacy M. Brown

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced awards totaling $5.5 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to conduct housing and community development research.

The announcement came during a Black Media Roundtable hosted by HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge.

Adjoa Asamoah, HUD’s senior advisor for Racial Equity; Melody Taylor, regional director for the Mid-Atlantic Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity; Alanna McCargo, president of Ginnie Mae; and Erica Loewe, the director of African American Media at The White House, also participated in the roundtable.

“HBCUs create economic opportunity both for their students and throughout the communities they serve,” Fudge stated.

“At HUD, we are proud to partner with HBCUs to expand the voices in the housing research space to support strong communities, build affordable housing, create job opportunities, revitalize neighborhoods, and promote homeownership.”

HUD will provide the funding to Texas Southern University ($3 million) and North Carolina AT&T University ($2.5 million) to establish or bolster their existing Centers of Excellence that conduct housing and community development research.

At Texas Southern, the school’s re-

search will focus on individual and community wealth building, and housing security and stability. It also will focus on planning and infrastructure inequity that affects underserved communities.

At North Carolina AT&T, the funds will allow the university to establish a center with research that would focus on the production of affordable housing, homeownership, renewable energy, sustainable communities, and post-disaster recovery.

“This funding will bolster efforts HBCUs are making to expand opportunities for underserved communities and strengthen community development,” Fudge stated.

Under Fudge, HUD has worked to advance racial equity and ensure steps to make homeownership more accessible for Black Americans.

In a Fact Sheet, HUD officials noted that through the Federal Housing Administration, the agency has implemented major reductions to the annual premiums it

This Program for Black Teens Makes College Success a Reality

By Aziah Siid

Word In Black

Founded in 1996, the nonprofit, Chicago Scholars, works with students from under-resourced backgrounds for a seven-year cycle that covers the transition to college, through college, and beyond college toward their careers.

Every year about 5,000 students participate in Chicago Scholars programming, from current high school students to college graduates. The nonprofit has proven to be an ally for Black students, particularly Black identifying young men who sit at a 74% six-year college graduation rate.

Jeffery Beckham, the CEO of College Scholars, he joined the team at 38, with the intention of making a difference by supporting the educational ambitions of Black youth.

“I was in tech for a long time, and working in technology — particularly healthcare — I would go t o conferences all over the country, as a software engineer, or sales engineer, and walk into rooms and either be the only African American, if not the only African American male, probably one of the youngest in the room,” Beckham tells Word in Black.

“It was really telling to me because everybody in the room made six figures for jobs that sometimes didn’t even require a college degree,” he says.

The Rebirth of Golf at Florida’s Oldest HBCU

By Helen Ross PGA Tour Special to NNPA Newswire

The uniforms were the start. Black skorts and orange, purple, red and white polos with a glow-in-thedark logo. The young women on the Edward Waters University golf team really, really liked that oneof-a-kind logo.

The six asked their coach, Kelly Allen, if they could leave practice early. They wanted to wear their new uniforms back to campus “because the students didn’t really know that we had a golf program,” freshman Leiahnni Smith explains. They took pictures of each other in their new gear.

One of Allen’s soccer players had swung a golf club before, but she had never played a hole on an actual course when she became a member of the team. Allen says that another, Arianna Aschenbrenner, didn’t even know how to hold a club when she started – but she has progressed rapidly, even parring her very first hole at Brentwood.

Smith and her teammates had already gone home for Christmas break when they found out Allen had been hired. He immediately put together a Zoom call to introduce himself and he told them he expected a lot of them, as well as himself. He said was going to push them.

charges homebuyers for mortgage insurance.

Officials said the action will help Black low-and-moderate income residents save an estimated $600 million in the next year, and billions over the next decade.

Additionally, HUD’s Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity issued a policy statement in 2021 about making way for lenders to resolve inequities in homeownership that individuals of color face.

Previously, the agency published a notice of proposed rulemaking to restore the department’s Discriminatory Effects Standards and allow policies that unjustifiably exclude people from housing opportunities to be challenged.

The powerful tool for HUD and private plaintiffs to address policies that cause systemic inequality in housing, includes policies on criminal records, zoning requirements, lending and property insurance policies that impact equal access to housing opportunities for Black people, HUD officials stated.

And with that simple sartorial surprise, Smith and the other members of the Edward Waters women’s golf program, resurrected this season after a seven-year absence, finally felt like a team.

The groundwork for the rebirth of the program at Florida’s oldest HBCU actually was laid in May of 2021 when officials from THE PLAYERS Championship went to EWU’s Jacksonville campus to announce a $50,000 donation from the tournament.

The grant from the PGA TOUR’s signature event was earmarked to fund scholarships, cover operational expenses and secure a head coach, among other necessities. In addition, past PLAYERS tournament chairmen, who are members of the Red Coats, also delivered more than $10,000 in golf supplies like push carts and backpacks for the team.

Allen wasn’t hired until December of last year, but he knows how important the support of THE PLAYERS has been — and will be — to his program. The tournament also invited the team to TPC Sawgrass on Thursday where many will see the TOUR’s top pros play for the first time.

The height of the learning curve has been more like the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

Allen knows that Smith has a trusted mentor in Duncan, although he does try to add structure to her practice sessions with a variety of chipping and putting games. Her talent and work ethic set a bar for the rest, and Smith in turn has helped teammates like Aschenbrenner be patient as the soccer converts get more comfortable with the game.

In some ways, Allen is running a business, too. He needs to find a way to get better sets of clubs for his all golfers and transportation for the team. He’s also working on building relationships with other golf courses so he can give the girls new experiences and places to play.

Mix in academics and real life drama with lessons for his soccer players and nine holes at Brentwood and Allen has found that golf is about 20 percent of his job. At times he feels like a big brother – “I’ve worn a lot of hats in the last three months,” Allen says. But he’s grateful to have a chance to mentor young black women, which he says is one of the “most marginalized demographic in the world.”

It wasn’t long before Beckham turned that observation into action, transitioned into working in education, and eventually found his footing at Chicago Scholars.

There’s no GPA requirement for the application to the program. A student just must demonstrate a desire to soar academically.

“When a student applies to be a Chicago Scholar, they are saying they want to go to a four-year college, which they already have that self mentality like hey, I want to do this,” says Derrick Martell Fleming Jr., the organization’s managing director of strategic engagement.

“However, that does not mean because they are first generation or from a low-income community they understand how to navigate the college-going process.”

This is why the program is broken into three phases, College AccessLaunch , College Success- Lift , and College to Career- Lead , where students are provided intense mentorship, counseling, and support systems beginning in their junior year of high school and culminating as late as two years post-college graduation.

The “Launch” phase of the program is geared towards incoming high school seniors — about 500700 students every year.

Unlike the typical high school student, who may receive one to two hours of college counseling during

their senior year, Launch Scholars receive anywhere between 13 and 16 hours of counseling through eight 1-on-1 sessions. After helping students find the right college fitwise, students are asked to submit six applications to the organization’s list of nearly 200 college partners.

The second phase of the program, “Lift,” is dedicated to supporting

students once they’ve enrolled at a partnering institution, providing them with the continued support that most Black students need.

The Class of 2022 — representing 75 neighborhoods and 105 high schools — collectively received 2,000 college acceptances and was awarded more than $64 million in merit aid.

The last phase of the program, “Lead,” supports recent graduates entering the workforce — provid-

ing them with an alumni network and helping them land their first job, internship, or entry into a graduate program.

Scholars are offered job shadowing, internships, and full-time employment opportunities, equipping them with the resources, training, and network they need to become leaders in their field.

This article originally appeared on Word In Black.

ARTICLE CONTINUATION

TYRE:

Continued from page 5 this officer to go on and live and that’s troubling,” Smiley said. The attorney for Nichols’ family said the department should not have let Smith “cowardly sidestep the consequences of his actions” and retire after 25 years.

‘’We call for Memphis police and officials to do everything in their power to hold Lt. Smith and all of those involved fully accountable,’’ attorney Ben Crump said.

Seven other Memphis officers were fired after Nichols died following a traffic stop on Jan. 7 and five of them are charged with second-degree murder. Smith is not charged in Nichols’ death. Nichols, 29,

was pulled roughly from his car as an officer threatened to shock him with a Taser. He ran, but was chased down. Video showed five officers held him down and repeatedly struck him with their fists, boots and batons as he screamed for his mother.

The decertification documents against Lt. Smith reveal additional details about his actions that night. Smith heard Nichols say “I can’t breathe” as he was propped up against a squad car, but failed to get him medical care or remove his handcuffs, according to the report.

Smith also didn’t get reports from other officers about using force and told Nichols’ family he was driving

under the influence even though there was no information to support a charge, the documents said. Investigators said Smith decided without evidence that Nichols was on drugs or drunk and video captured him telling Nichols “you done took something’’ when he arrived at the scene.

Additionally, Smith did not wear his body camera - violating police department policy. His actions were captured on the body cameras of other officers, documents said. The U.S. Department of Justice is currently reviewing the Memphis Police Department policies on the use of force, de-escalation strategies and specialized units in response to Nichols’ death.

PHOTO: via NNPA

PHOTO: Courtesy of Chicago Scholars via Word In Black

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We are a non-denominational full fellowship of believers dedicated to reach our community with the gospel and providing a place for believers to workship, learn, fellowship, serve and grow into the fullness of Christ Jesus. This ministry is to build people of Purpose, Prayer, Power, Praise and Prosperity. This mandate is being fulfilled by reaching the reality of the gospel in a simplistic fashion, and a result, learning how to apply it in everyday life.

“We are waiting for

Thelma Clara William Bernard

Hinson Richard

Hicks, Sr.

SUNRISE 12/5/1924

SUNSET 03/22/2023

Services will be held

Monday, April 17, 2023 9:30 a.m. at Exodus Church 3295 Meade Ave. San Diego Internement with Full Military Honors at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at 1:30pm.

Sylvia Ann

SUNSET 03/09/2023

ARRANGEMENTS BY ANDERSON-RAGSDALE MORTUARY

Funeral services were held on 03/23/2023 at Greater Victory Church, with a burial following at El Camino Memorial Park. Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson Ragsdale Mortuary.

Sylvia Ann Pippins was born August 06, 1935 in Thomaston, GA to parents Wilbert T Searcy and Bertha Morris. Siblings: Shirley Bentley, Virgil Morris, Ike Morris Jr, and Carrie Faye Lowery. Her first son David L. Searcy was born January 30,1951.

Sylvia Moved to Berkeley, CA in 1955 with Aunt Mosell and cousins Pat, Jojo, Michael, Allen, Terry, & Regina.

She married her soulmate & husband Charles A. Pippins in 1958 and had two sons, Charles A. Pippins, Jr. born April 26, 1960 and Stephen A. Pippins born September 18, 1964. The Navy moved the family to San Diego, CA 1964 where they settled and raised their family.

Sylvia worked for Scripps Memorial for 35 years as a dietician and was a friend to many at Scripps hospital. She loved to host keno parties, dinner parties for the holidays, take trips and hangout with her friends.

She was a member of Fountain of Life COGIC under Bishop Blake, Jr. where she was deaconess and served on the hospitality committee; she was an avid member of Sunday school.

Mother, as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren, their friends and all who loved her, always kept a smile on her face. She was the best grandmother and auntie ever.

Sylviia passed on March 9, 2023 and was preceded in death by her husband Charles A. Pippins and son David L. Searcy. Survivors; Her sister Shirley Bentley; sons Charlie and Stephen Pippins; granddaughters Lashawn Amin, Latoya Pippins, and Latreece Owens; grandson Stephen Pippins Jr.; eight great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends.

ARRANGEMENTS BY ANDERSON-RAGSDALE MORTUARY

Funeral services were held on 03/21/2023 at Community Baptist Church with a burial following at Greenwood Memorial Park. Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson Ragsdale Mortuary.

Thelma Cooper was born Thelma Clara Bartholomew in New Orleans, Louisiana on June 14, 1930. She was the youngest of four children born to Lewis Bartholomew and Mary Roussell. In 1936 at the age of 6 Thelma’s father passed away leaving her mother as single parent, but to the credit of her amazing brother who stepped up financially to help his mother provide for his three sisters. Coming from a close and loving family, Thelma maintained close relationships with her siblings throughout her life - her brother Dave and her two sisters Alvera and Louise.

After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School and receiving her cosmetology license from KDE Wickum in New Orleans, Thelma headed to San Diego. In San Diego she met the love of her life, Sidney Cooper and opened the Powder Puff Beauty Salon.

As a small business owner and entrepreneur, she became a pillar in the community along with her husband. Together they founded one of the first Juneteenth Celebrations in San Diego, and after her husband’s passing, she carried on the tradition with the help of her children.

Thelma discovered her singing voice in grade school and loved the choir. She continued her love for music and singing by joining several church choirs throughout her life in San Diego. She later joined the Southeast Presbyterian Church choir.

Thelma passed on March 11, 2023. From Thelma and Sidney’s union they had four children: Shelly Cooper-Ashford, Marla Cooper-Anders, Lana CooperJones, and Sidney Cooper Fr; five grandchildren: Kerry Holifield Jr., Monique Brown, Marcellus Jones, Maliya Jones, and Shane Cooper; seven great-grandchildren: Kerry Marie, Bailey, Khonner, and Cydney Holifield, Nasir and Kyrie Brown, Aryiah Jones; a very special nephew, Amani Che Miller; three son-inlaws: Earl Ashford, Marcellus Jones, Anthony Anders; daughter-in-law Flora White-Cooper; granddaughter-in-law Marie Holifield; grandson-in-law Terrence Brown; as well as a multitude of loving and caring extended family who were never forgotten in her thoughts.

To honour you...

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 secret

ARRANGEMENTS BY ANDERSON-RAGSDALE MORTUARY

Funeral services were held on 03/22/2023 at Church of Christ with a burial at Riverside National Cemetery. Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson Ragsdale Mortuary.

William Bernard Lynch was born in Santa Fe, NM, on July 23, 1949 to Dorothy Williams. He was the oldest son out of four siblings. Bernard was an US Army Veteran who served during the Vietnam War. He was a faithful Sergeant who dedicated 14 years of his life to the military. In his early thirties, he decided to work for Trailways as a bus driver. He drove across the county for several years. Bernard was a strong believer in the Lord. He gave his life to God early in life. Bernard Lynch passed on February 22, 2023 and was preceded in death by his mother, father, and two sisters: Patricia Williams and Ernestine Williams. Bernard joins his wife Synthia Ann Lynch where they will be reunited at Riverside National Cemetery. Ms. Lynch went to be with the Lord in 2001. They had a beautiful marriage and Bernard loved her dearly.

Bernard is survived by one brother; Edward Williams; two daughters: Nancelia Evans Jackson, Sabrina Lynch; five sons: William D. Lynch (Gwen), Terrance D. Lynch, Tyrone K. Lynch, William B. Lynch, Labar Lynch; grandchildren: Dalenesha (Orondi), Dalenequa (Chris), William, Dalesean, Charlie (Stephanie), Kenneth (Katie), Alonzo, Kianna, Latifah, Markees, Samuel, Sean, Bernard, Toni, Zarhya, Aaliyah, Kamani, Trevon, Terrance, Antonia, Tyrri, Ondria, Jaheaven, Shayna, Sade’, Ja’Sean, Shamar, Simone, and Chris; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

To Honour You

Connie F. Kiefer Byrd

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.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

4 Tips to Grow Cash Flow For Your Small Business

As every small business owner soon learns, growing sources of revenue and cash flow are key to survival, particularly during a venture’s first few years. While this is easier said than done, small businesses can focus on attracting new customers, building partnerships and scaling up sustainably to improve cash flow.

1 C reate an action plan: Don’t just make a business plan, put it into action. Tech tools can help. For example, the Silver Lining Action Plan, a data-driven software service from the American Small Business Growth Program, provides wideranging support and structure so you can develop behaviors and drive actions that lead to long-term, sustainable growth. The program also offers the opportunity to build

New Year, New Tech:

capital, lending money to business owners based on their behavior in the program, not their credit history.

“Having access to a trusted expert in business and financial planning can be a game-changer for any small business owner to get their initial footing and grow for the long-term,” said Jenny Flores, head of small business growth philanthropy at Wells Fargo.

2 Expand your network: Expanding your network can be a powerful path to attracting new customers, contracts and cash flow. In addition to joining your local chamber of commerce, consider opportunities like Wells Fargo’s Connect to More program, which through the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center,

places women entrepreneurs from across the country into “circles” that receive virtual and in-person peer and professional coaching over 12 weeks, plus the support of a growing network of fellow business leaders.

3 Scaling up: From streamlining operations to adjusting the business model, there are many moving parts to scaling up a business. Look into programs that can help you develop a growth mindset and provide you with an empowering ecosystem of support needed to make it happen.

4 Get certified : If you’re a diverse business owner, consider getting certified with a third party, such as the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce or Disability:In. Doing so can open up lucrative opportunities.

For more small business ideas that will help you take action and increase your opportunities for business success, visit https://smallbusinessresources.wf.com.

“As a bank that serves millions of small business customers, we know that success is hard to come by without support,” said Flores. “That’s why we’re always trying to connect entrepreneurs to valuable resources and contacts. It’s important to find the right expertise for where you are on running or growing your company.”

Top 4 Upgrades You Need in 2023

2023 is off to a roaring start, and according to a recent YouGov poll, 37% of Americans have set a goal to accomplish this year. Whether you made a resolution or not this year, upgrading your tech can help you be more productive. Here are several ways to refresh and update the tech in your life this year.

1. Reset Passwords: With cyber fraud and security threats always present and ever changing, it’s a good periodic practice to set new passwords on all your accounts. From social media accounts to bank accounts, make it a habit to reset your passwords every few months to prevent fraudulent activity.

2. Upgrade Your Smartphone: The average American is forecasted to keep their smartphone for more than two and a half years,

according to Statista. However, more regular upgrades may benefit you. Upgrading your smartphone will allow you to utilize enhanced security features, better battery life, faster performance and the latest 5G network.

3. Purge and Delete: If a new smartphone isn’t in the budget quite yet, there are a few ways you can refresh your phone to give it new life and improve performance. First, remove all large files taking up space. Next, clear your storage and internet browser history to speed up your phone. Apps that track your activity tend to drain your battery life. Delete apps you haven’t used in more than six months. If you’re still at full storage, try uploading items to a cloud provider or your computer and reset your smartphone.

In an effort to better align with consumers’ values, many industries have made reforms to reduce their impact on the environment while better protecting workers. However, a new report says that for grocery stores, it’s business as usual when it comes to the way they source tuna.

The Tuna Retailer Report from Greenpeace USA, found at www.greenpeace. org, evaluated and graded the 16 largest grocery retailers in the U.S. market, looking at how careful the corporations were in ensuring that their tuna supply chains respected environmental sustainability and human rights standards. The bottom line: none of the retailers received a passing score on human rights issues or is doing enough to combat forced labor and modern slavery.

“We cannot afford slow or incremental progress when talking about these issues – these are people’s lives,” says Mallika Talwar, senior oceans campaigner at Greenpeace USA, who notes that due to the isolated nature of deep sea fishing, workers are particularly vulnerable to mistreatment.

At the same time, the retailers are making slow but steady improvements in the area of environmental sustainability, with just two of the 16 retailers scoring a passing grade in this category.

Advocates say that U.S. consumers have largely been kept in the dark about these realities and retailers continue to make profits without making changes, but that the $42.2 billion industry can chart a different course.

4. Revamp Your Workspace: Whether your workspace is a traditional desk from home or the office, on your feet or in a vehicle, make sure you have all the necessary tools to help you work smarter, not harder this year. Upgrade your workspace setup to be more ergonomically friendly – making sure your head and neck are straight, you have a chair with lumbar support and your computer monitor is about an arm’s length away. Invest in a Bluetooth headset and get your work apps connected to your smartphone so you can take calls and send important documents on the go.

Give your tech an upgrade and you’ll see success throughout the year.

“America’s largest grocery retailers have the economic power to influence change through their sourcing decisions and business practices,” says Talwar.

According to Talwar, it’s a growing problem. Nearly 6 million metric tons of tuna are removed from the ocean every year, an amount that has increased 1000% in six decades, according to researchers from the University of British Columbia and the University of Western Australia. In 2018 alone, tuna vessels worldwide netted $11 billion, while grocery stores earned almost four times that amount from their sales of tuna products in the same year.

“We need at least one retailer to step forward and lead the way on human rights in the tuna industry. One company could be all that’s needed to start a trend that would make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of workers around the world,” says Marilu Cristina Flores, senior oceans campaigner, Greenpeace USA. “Consumers can also play a role in increasing visibility of these issues. As they’ve done with clothing manufacturers and other economic sectors, they can press their retailers to source their tuna responsibly.”

StatePoint

2004

DASIA TAYLOR BORN

Teenage scientist and inventor Dasia Taylor was born on April 6, 2004, in Chicago, Illinois, to LaDonna Phillips.

Taylor’s discovery of beets as a source of dye that can be used in the early detection and prevention of surgical site infections, is a significant development in medical science. She received the Glenn T. Seaborg Award, recognizing and encouraging research and education in nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry.

TODAY IN

BLACK HISTORY

2008

DONALD ULYSSES WALDEN DIES

Jazz musician Donald Ulysses Walden was born to Gracie Buck and Louis Walden on July 12, 1938.

In 1981, Walden created the original Detroit Jazz Orchestra (DJO), which included a 16-piece string section and which received much national critical acclaim. In 1985 he received the Michigan Governor’s Art Award and in 1996 he became only the sixth Detroit musician to receive the Jazz Master Award from Arts Midwest. Other accolades of note include the Legends of Jazz International Hall of Fame Award and the Alain Locke Award. Donald Walden passed away in Detroit on April 6, 2008, at the age of 69. Walden is survived by two daughters, Deidre and Aisha Walden. Donald Walden passed away in Detroit on April 6, 2008, at the age of 69. Walden is survived by two daughters, Deidre and Aisha Walden.