Spring 2018 issue of THE HUB Magazine

SPRING 2018 | www.sacculturalhub.com

STEPH & AYESHA CURRY BEAUTIFULLY BALANCE HOME, PROFESSIONAL LIVES p. 8

Glamping Breakout Actress JEANTE GODLOCK Soars in Lifetime’s The Simone Biles Story p. 17

in Northern California p. 12

Seeking Justice for

#StephonClark p.36

YOUR BREAST HEALTH MATTERS

and starts with getting the proper screening.

Log onto the Sistahs Saving Sistahs Transportation HUB website to learn more about how and when you should seek breast cancer screenings and or treatment in your area.

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YOUR DENTAL HEALTH Presented by Terri Speed, D.D.S.

SPRING CLEAN YOUR TEETH

MAILING ADDRESS 7902 Gerber Road, #367 • Sacramento, CA 95828 Ph 916.234.3589 | Fax 866.302.6429 E-mail contact@sacculturalhub.com CHIEF EDITOR, CEO & FOUNDER – SACCULTURALHUB.COM Pleshette Robertson | pleshette@sacculturalhub.com ADVERTISING & MARKETING TEAM Twlia Laster | 916.662.3502 • twlia@sacculturalhub.com Lesley Leatherwood | 916.838.9267 • lesley@sacculturalhub.com Michael P. Coleman | 916.715.2996 • mcoleman@sacculturalhub.com STAFF WRITERS/NEWS REPORTERS Neketia Henry Keadrian Belcher-Harris Donna Michele Ramos

Add a dental visit to this year’s spring-cleaning list. A professional dental cleaning at least twice a year can improve your oral health, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education.

It is strongly recommended that a dentist or hygienist perform a dental cleaning every three to six months, says Dr. Murray. She discourages consumer use of over-the-counter tooth polishing instruments.

“People with healthy teeth and gums typically do not experience soreness after a cleaning,” says Dr. Murray. Those with less-thanperfect oral hygiene habits may experience discomfort or heightened sensitivity during a dental cleaning. The dentist can use a topical anesthetic before the cleaning to alleviate pain.

What is a dental cleaning?

Diagnostic services may include:

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Michael P. Coleman Valarie Scruggs April Jean Jasmyne A Cannick Patrisse Cullors Malaki Seku-Amen Heather Niemann

•

• • • • • • •

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Vicki Blakley

Reviewing and updating medical history, including heart problems, cancer treatment, pregnancy, diabetes, joint replacement, medications, surgeries or any other major changes in health history Blood pressure check Oral cancer examination and screening Evaluation of gum tissue Checking biting, chewing and swallowing patterns X-rays, examination of teeth to detect decay Treatment planning Referral to specialists for specific treatment

Preventive services may include:

PHOTOGRAPHY Rayford Johnson | Npaphoto.com 916.714.5840 Khiry Malik | Magiceyephotos.com 916.730.5405 Creative Touch Media Services (CT Media) Robert Briley – 916.579.1806 Giacomo Luca | linkedin.com/in/giacomoluca

• • • • •

Removal of plaque and tartar Stain removal Fluoride application Sealants Polishing of fillings or crowns

Educational services may include: • • •

GRAPHIC DESIGN­ Heather Niemann | Tingible Design

• • •

COVER PHOTO: ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo Circulation THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine has an estimated readership of more than 500,000 African American residents in Northern California. Copies are available at numerous storefront locations and distributed quarterly: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.

Tooth brushing and flossing instructions Nutritional counseling Recommendations for future treatment: when to return for following hygiene treatment, periodontal concerns, restorative options, etc.

Evaluation of possible cosmetic enhancements Evaluation of self-care effectiveness Tobacco-cessation counseling

http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=D&iid=184&aid=1207

Advertising THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine offers affordable rates to meet your business needs and marketing budget. Ads are due 45 days prior to the next issue. Call (916) 234-3589 or e-mail contact@sacculturalhub.com.

Letters to the Editor Letters should include the writer’s full name, address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for space, clarity or style. Name and address may be withheld upon request. Mail to: THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine, 7902 Gerber Road, #367, Sacramento, CA 95828.

THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine is printed quarterly in the United States. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photography or illustration without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the magazine. THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine is not responsible for errors and omissions in regard to content of ads in which events were cancelled or rescheduled, or phones that have changed abruptly.

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Dr. Terri Speed is a family dentist in practice at 9098 Laguna Main St., Suite 4, in Laguna West.

www.terrispeeddds.com (916) 686-4212

FOUNDER’S ROOM | LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

During Stressful Times, Remember To Take Care Of

YOU

This has been, without a doubt, a very challenging season for all of us in Sacramento.

Photos by A-Love - facebook.com/AprilJonesTaylor

As we all prepared for the start of Spring, and we at THE HUB finalized this issue, we found ourselves in an uproar as we mourned the death of Stephon Clark, the latest in a line of unarmed African American men becoming victims of brutal and unjustifiably violent police practices. His death is the result of flawed law enforcement and criminal justice systems. All of our hearts break for Clark’s family and loved ones, and we salute those who have spent weeks While many of us protesting and marching and trying tend to look after to change our world for the better.

others first, we must take

To say our community has care of OURSELVES, then been under siege is, sadly, an our families, our homes, understatement. As I reflect on that, I must borrow a phrase from one and THEN everyone else of my mentors and heroes, Oprah — especially the next Retirement. As I look at the piles and piles of work to Winfrey, and share what I know be done, just on my desk, THAT is funny! It seems like generation. for sure: we all need to develop a retirement’s a long way off, doesn’t it? But the clock will fitness plan that will help us stay continue to tick, and let’s face it: none of us are getting afloat in the treacherous waters in any younger. which we have found ourselves. It is so very easy to get wrapped up in trying to save the world, and in While I am thinking about it, the Michelle Obama event was not the process forget what our priorities need to be. the only exciting event of the last few months. In fact, this issue of While many of us tend to look after others first, we must take care of OURSELVES (mentally, physically, financially, and spiritually), then our families, our homes, and THEN everyone else — especially the next generation.

Nationally, we have just seen young people lead the way with the move for more effective gun ownership and usage legislation. We should not have been surprised to watch that movement grow, as young people in this country have led the way during every great social movement of the last century.

Earlier this spring, I was reminded of the need to focus on our youth when I attended the Evening With Michelle Obama Lecture in the Bay Area. Our former First Lady was just SO inspirational, encouraging us to work in our communities to prepare the next generations for “the bench” as she put it. Obama said we need to start working with our millennials and those coming after to get them ready to WORK, so that those of us who have been at it for awhile can eventually move aside and retire, leaving the work that has to continue to capable, qualified hands.

THE HUB features stories on our recent Black Physicians Forum, the State of Black Women event, 4 Best Friends Only Soiree & Luncheon, and the California Black Health Network Policy Summit.

Give them all a look, and as we have just redesigned THE HUB magazine, please give us feedback at contact@sacculturalhub.com.

Let us know how we’re doing.

Peace & Blessings,

Pleshette Robertson CEO & Founder Sac Cultural Hub Media Company & Foundation facebook.com/pleshettemarie

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Inside every issue of THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine there are things to do, places to go and people to see, with a calendar of events, spotlight and feature articles on major event reviews, career profiles and business services. This magazine celebrates the urban lifestyle of African-Americans living in Northern California.

Northern California’s Most Popular Urban Entertainment Magazine ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 2006

CONTENTS | FEATURES 8

Steph and Ayesha Curry Beautifully Balance Home, Professional Lives

4 Best Friends Only Soiree and Luncheon | State of Blacl Women Conference | CBHN Policy Summit | Black History Month Luncheon | FLOTUS Experience with Michele Obama

10 Mariah Lawson - New Faces of Click Models 12 Black Business Owner Spotlight- Glamping with Brennan Anderson 34 Justice for Stephon Clark

16 | CENTERSTAGE Ruben Studdard CD Review | Jeante Godluck Movie Review | Black Book Authors

T H I R D T H U R S D AY S 6:30 PM

WERE YOU THERE? 36 | Black Physicians Forum |

Enjoy food and music by Don Gato Latin Band starting at 5:30 PM.

THURSDAY, M AY 17

CAPITAL JA ZZ LEGACY THURSDAY, JUNE 21

50

| IN EVERY ISSUE

ALI RYERSON Q UARTET

5 Founder’s Room

THURSDAY, JULY 19

52 Things To Do, Places To Go

L AVAY SM ITH & H ER RED H OT SKILLET LIC KERS

54 Advertiser Index

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16

M ARCUS SH ELBY

27

| BLACK CHILD LEGACY CAMPAIGN

ID YOU KNOW? 22 | DBWOPA | Community

TICKETS: $8 MEMBERS • $16 NONMEMBERS • $24 MEMBER SERIES TICKET FOR THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE, BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR

Advocate News | Music Spotlight: Deniece Williams

SPONSORED BY

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. Send your opinions and thoughts about what you think of our new format for THE HUB Magazine publication.

We changed the size from the tabloid size to the standard 8.5” X 11”. contact@sacculturalhub.com facebook.com/Sacculturalhub1 instagram/THEHUBLIVE

216 O Street • Downtown Sacramento • (916) 808-7000 crockerart.org • @crockerart fil

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CENTERSTAGE

Steph & Ayesha

CURRY

Beautifully Balance Home, Professional Lives

By Contributing Writer, Michael P Coleman

W

ith so much having been written and said about the erosion of the African American family, THE HUB loves an opportunity to visit with one of the families who help debunk that long-standing myth.

Meet The Currys of Alamo, California.

Wardell Stephen “Steph” Curry II married his longtime girlfriend, Ayesha Alexander, seven years ago, just two years after signing his rookie NBA contract with the Golden State Warriors, and straight out of college. The two had met as teenagers in a church youth group in Charlotte, North Carolina.

While neither could date in high school, their enduring friendship eventually led to romance…but not as quickly as Steph would have hoped. In fact, Ayesha dodged Steph’s first attempt at a kiss.

“He was in mid-conversation and came flying at my face like a thief in the night,” Ayesha laughingly recalled. “So I was like, ‘No.’ “Yep, I struck out,” Steph shrugged.

As we well know, that didn’t last! The couple married when they were in their early 20s, quite early by some standards. But Steph said he knew what he wanted, and he went for it.

“I was 23, and she was 22,” Steph recalled, “but I knew I had found the right woman and I wanted to start a life with her.”

Steph has basketball in his blood, as he’s the son of former NBA player Dell Curry and the older brother of current NBA player Seth Curry. The 6’3”, 190 pound, twotime MVP led the Warriors to their first championship since | 8 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

PHOTO CREDIT: ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo

1975 during the 2014-15 season. During the 2012-13 season, Curry had set the conference record for regular season three-pointers, only to surpass his own record in 2015 and again in 2016! And last year, of course, Steph led the Warriors to another NBA championship.

Never one to be content as a “basketball wife,” Ayesha is a cook, author, and television personality in her own right. With the encouragement of her husband but without any formal training, she started her culinary career just a few years ago. Since then, she’s expanded her popular blog into an equally-popular YouTube channel and her own Food Network show, Ayesha’s Homemade. In 2016, she co-launched a popup restaurant in the Bay Area, International Smoke, and published her first cookbook, The Seasoned Life.

The Currys are the proud parents of Riley Elizabeth, 5 and Ryan Carson, 2. Despite their demanding careers, both Currys play a very active role in raising their children. Because he’s on the road so much, Steph relies on technology to help stay connected to his family.

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“I feel like I’m at home even though I’m not,” Steph said of his frequent FaceTime chats with his kids. “My girls get to see me, and Riley is at the age where she asks where I am and when I’ll be back, counting down how many ‘sleeps’ until Daddy gets home.”

“I feel like I’m at home even though I’m not,” Steph said of his frequent FaceTime chats with his kids. “My girls get to see me, and Riley is at the age where she asks where I am and when I’ll be back, counting down how many ‘sleeps’ until Daddy gets home.”

Adorably, little Riley has also been known to stop calling her father “Daddy” and calling him “Steph Curry” when she sees him in uniform! And earlier this year, the Currys announced they were expecting their third child.

At press time, Warriors fans find themselves praying for Curry, as a Grade 2 MCL sprain has kept him largely out of the last several games. The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time, as the conference is headed into the playoffs, and fans hope for a repeat of last year’s winning season. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr says Curry won’t play in the first round.

Terence Blanchard featuring the E-Collective FRI, APR 20 • 8PM Socially conscious music rooted in the Black Lives Matter movement, the ensemble’s debut album is dedicated to Eric Garner. In Blanchard’s words, Breathless captures how “music and art have the power to change hearts and souls.”

Curry hopes otherwise.

“Hopefully, I prove what coach said was wrong and put myself in position to get back as soon as possible,” Curry optimistically said. “But right now, who knows?

[I’ll] just try to do my job in the rehab process and get back as soon as I can.”

No matter how the season turns out, we can count on The Currys to continue to represent the very best of families. THE HUB salutes them! n THE HUB thanks our colleagues at parent.com and espn. com for their assistance in connecting with The Currys.

And Sacramento-based freelancer Michael P Coleman thanks you for checking out his site (michaelpcoleman.com) and his Twitter feed: @ColemanMichaelP

Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra FRI, MAY 11 • 8PM One of the finest jazz groups working today, the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra thrives on w cross-cultural collaboration and uy Noeats!

B s cutting-edge improvisation. best

for

#mondavicenter

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mondaviarts.org T H E H UB MAGAZI NE | 9 |

ripddenim.com Model: Mariah Lawson Make up by: Stephanie Nalls

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One of the NEW FACES of Click Models in New York--MARIAH LAWSON

By Chief Editor, Pleshette Robertson

M

ariah is 5’8” from Sacramento, graduating from Monterey Trails High School in 2011, moving to Los Angeles in February 2016 seeking a modeling career and recently signed with New York agency Click Models in January 2018. Since then Mariah has appeared in New York Fashion Week Runway Shows in February 2018 and completed campaigns with Adidas, Dior Makeup, Fila, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Iamplus Headphones.

THE HUB: What do you like most about New York?

MARIAH: The energy. I love Harlem, I’m there everyday.

The food, fashion, New York accents, exploring new places to hang out at, and a lot more. Even at the times you have a reason to dislike New York, you sort of just love it because it’s NEW YORK! THE HUB: What do you miss in Los Angeles?

MARIAH: My other half James, the beach, and my bed.

THE HUB: What’s on your bucket list?

MARIAH: To travel out of the country for the first time, and it be for a modeling job. Paid to travel!!

THE HUB: Your beauty icon?

MARIAH: Grace Jones THE HUB: Your 5-minute beauty regimen?

MARIAH: Burts Bee’s face wipes; Face cleanser; Face moisturizer; Facial Rose Water (Mario Badescu) THE HUB: Your favorite look on a man?

MARIAH: @brandnewjames THE HUB: What does your exercise regimen include: MARIAH: 5minute Yoga warm up; Abs Abs Abs; Leg Workouts; Stretch Stretch Stretch THE HUB: Favorite place to eat in New York?

MARIAH: I love them all! But you can never go wrong with a .99 cent pizza!!! n See more about Maria at: instagram.com/mariahlawson

THE HUB: Do’s & Dont’s while in New York?

MARIAH: DO’S 1. Be open to exploring different places in each borough and parts around the city.

2. Wear layers when it’s cold.

3. Invest in a good everyday backpack, nobody carries purses! I mean if your like me in the city all day you need to pack for a daily day trip. Hygiene kit, snacks, extra socks for rainy/snowy weather, a book/iPad, etc.

4. Support your local businesses because the franchises are trying to push local business owners out the community. Sorry I’m not here for gentrification!

5. Carry a portable charger pack for your cell phone.

6. Learn the correct way to swipe your metro card for the subway.

DONT’S 1. Do not walk slow. Everyone has somewhere to go and be, and they will not wait for you to move.

2. Don’t stand in the middle of the sidewalk.

3. Don’t eat at a chain restaurant you have at home.

4. Don’t be scared to ask for directions.

THE HUB: What are some beauty tips you can offer us?

MARIAH: Find a daily skin regiment that works for your skin type. Try to do a face mask at least once a week.

My homemade go to is a oatmeal mask. Oats, Egg Yolk, Honey, Lemon Juice.

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CENTERSTAGE | BUSINESS OWNER SPOTLIGHT

GLAMPING in Northern California

by Contributing Writer, Donna Michele Ramos

I’m used to roughing it, having been in the boy scouts and being from the south.

I decided to give it a try and fell in love with it.

B

rennan Anderson is originally from a small town in North Carolina.

After spending 6 years experiencing the excitement and adventure of California he was ready to launch his own business enhancing other’s experiences in this beautiful state. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism and has almost completed his Master’s Degree in Recreation and Hospitality Management. His passion for hospitality started at an early age and he has spent over 15 years serving others through the hospitality industry.

THE HUB: What’s your definition of glamping?

ANDERSON: Taking the luxuries of home you leave indoors and putting them outdoors. Our mission - the mission of Creative Excursion is to deliver exceptional services that enhance outdoor experience by providing the comforts of home to the places you love.

When not at work, Brennan loves to spend time at the lake or camping with friends and family.

THE HUB: How long have you been in He realized how much effort goes into the The mission business? setup and cleanup for these activities of Creative and saw a great opportunity to put both Excursion is to deliver ANDERSON: We are in the process of it, we’ve been working on it for the past 1 his passions together. And so became exceptional services ½ years, we will launch in April 2018. We Creative Excursion. that enhance outdoor experience by providing are having a launch party for family and friends 4/22/18, prior to our launch. the comforts of home THE HUB: How did you come up with to the places you the idea for your business? love.

THE HUB: I know it’s early in your business, ANDERSON: Customer service is nothing but do you have any plans for expansion? new to me, I have an Associates, a Bachelor’s ANDERSON: We want to get this year under our belt first and soon I’ll finish my Masters in Hospitality, so I’ve been in this industry for years. Hospitality is second nature but we do have places we want to expand to. Currently we have a two-year contract with Folsom Lake. to me, making sure customers are taken care of. I started working in restaurants at 16. I did an internship at the Sacramento Convention Center in the catering program.

THE HUB: What kind of experience does your company I worked in event planning at Wise Villa Winery and did offer? wedding/event planning for the Delta King. Last year I took a day trip to Folsom Lake with my girlfriend and friends; we ANDERSON: There are several experiences: glamping is the most intimate, even though you’re outside, you’re went on Memorial Day to have fun. We were going to the essentially in a hotel room. There are festivals and day car to pack it up to leave; I had the dog, the grill, a canopy packages. A one-day use is for 5 hours in and out. There and a table, I told my friend “I’d pay someone to do this”. are so many summer holidays. I think this will be the My girlfriend Becca asked me if I ever heard of glamping, most popular, everyone wants to go to the lake, it’s for 4 I said no. She explained it to me and showed me pictures. | 1 2 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

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people but we can add more people if needed. We offer a day package for Saturdays in which we go out and set up everything before you arrive. We meet you and escort you to where you are set up and see what you need. We stay on premises to make sure you are taken care of. For example, if you forget ice we will run get some for you. You can add specialties on to your packages we offer: a bike package, fishing package, painting package and a grill master package.

THE HUB: How far in advance does a person need to make a reservation?

ANDERSON: At least 3 days in advance, you can call any time to see if we’re booked and what’s available on that date. Or you can check the website and book it online.

THE HUB: What locations do you service?

ANDERSON: Folsom Lake, Beal’s Point, Negro Bar and Peninsula Campground. You can pick your own site at Folsom Lake and reserve it through Reserve California.

THE HUB: Brennan, is there anything we have not covered that you’d like to add?

ANDERSON: We do backyard parties, kids sleepovers and outdoor weddings. We have a wedding coming up that is on a ranch and the bride is going to use our glamping tent as her dressing room for her and her bridesmaids.

We do private rentals anywhere. Also, we have a blog, my girlfriend does tips and trips for camping. Starting in April, every other week new articles will be posted. n

THE HUB: I’m sure summer will be your busiest season but what month do you project will be the busiest?

For reservations, call (916) 672-0730 or use our website: creativeexcursion.com, or email: info@creativeexcursion.com

ANDERSON: I think July 4th will be very busy, kids are out of school and everybody wants to be outside since it is so hot.

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ADVERTISEMENT | HEALTH & FITNESS

Benefits of Water During Exercise Nearly two thirds of the human body is water. Water is an essential nutrient that is involved in every function of the body. It helps transport nutrients in and waste products out of cells. It is necessary for all digestive, absorption, circulatory, and excretory functions as well as for assimilating water-soluble vitamins. Water also helps maintain proper body temperature.

Always drink plenty of water. You can live without food for several weeks, but you can go less than a week without water.

Water must be continuously replaced in the body. On average, you lose 250 milliliters of water daily just through breathing. The old rule of thumb, eight glasses (or 2 liters) of water a day, is a good minimum. While experts have not agreed on one universal amount, it is accepted that performance declines with dehydration. By drinking an adequate amount of water each day, you can ensure that your body has all it needs to maintain good health. The best way to get water into your body is by drinking plain water. Other beverages, such as fruit juices, milk, and noncaffeinated drinks, can hydrate the body because they contain a high percentage of water. In addition, fruits and vegetables can be good water sources. If you work out in high altitude or a desert environment, both of which will have very low humidity, or if you work out on an exceptionally hot day, remember to boost your minimum intake of clear fluids.

Starting out hydrated is a good choice for morning exercisers. Drink water before your workout; you lose water while you exercise even without heavy perspiration.

Ingesting at least a glass of pure water shortly after rising is a good way to hydrate your system. Adding a small squeeze of lemon for taste also helps stimulate the bowels to evacuate soon thereafter, which will help you feel more comfortable during your workout routine.

Many of you are probably morning coffee or tea drinkers. If you must have some caffeine in the morning, go for it—but | 1 4 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

consider having a large glass of water first. Although many physicians consider caffeine a diuretic, some recent studies

improves the quality of your workout, reduces fatigue, reduces recovery time, and increases your level of satisfaction, it is especially important for you to hydrate yourself before as well as after your workout session. Keep in mind that thirst is not the best scale by which to measure whether or not you are well hydrated.

If your urine is the color of lemonade, you’re doing well; if by chance it is leaning toward the color of apple juice, you need to reach Because proper for another glass of fluid. hydration improves Also, some symptoms the quality of your of dehydration are workout, it is especially headache, poor important for you to hydrate yourself before concentration, tiredness, have questioned this belief. and constipation. If as well as after your As with any fluid, coffee may you happen to feel you workout session. send you to the bathroom need extra electrolytes a little more frequently, but a because you were sweating major report by the U.S. government’s excessively, you can mix your Institute of Medicine concludes that own electrolyte cocktail using 1 cup coffee quenches thirst as effectively as (237 milliliters) plain water, 1 cup orange water and does not deplete bodily fluids juice, and a pinch of salt. I personally (McAuliffe 2005). And, because coffee like those Emergen-C packets by Alacer reduces muscle fatigue and boosts speed Corporation. They come in a variety of and endurance, enjoying a cup of Joe flavors; they are full of electrolytes, B before your workout may enhance your vitamins, and vitamin C; they taste good; efforts. Sport psychologists attribute and they are easily portable. n these benefits to caffeine’s potent ability to release adrenaline, which in turn strengthens muscle contractions and fosters the creation of energy from fatty acids. So, enjoy your cup of coffee or tea If you are interested in learning more in the morning, and get your a.m. boost. It about an exercise and nutrition plan seems to have no negative effect on your that best fits your health needs, hydration, and you can always have a contact Carl Fears, Owner and Certified glass of water first just to be sure.

Personal Trainer at Got Muscle Health Club at (916) 381.1221 or visit Hydration is particularly important for the www.got-muscle.com morning workout enthusiast. Remember, you’ve just awakened from a 8-to 10SOURCE: http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/ hour fast. Because proper hydration excerpts/benefits-of-water-during-exercise S PRI NG 2 0 1 8

What if all your little questions just tripled?

SOMETIMES, ESPECIALLY REGARDING YOUR HEALTH CARE CHOICE, ALL YOU HAVE ARE QUESTIONS. But when life comes knocking on your door in a big way, it’s reassuring to know you can come right back with some big answers.

Find them at UC Davis Health, where an entire network of experts in obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine and pediatrics can help give your growing family the best start possible.

Do you have questions? Start at answers.ucdavis.edu.

GET THE ANSWERS YOU NEED TO THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION YOU CAN ASK. answers.ucdavis.edu

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CENTERSTAGE | CD REVIEW

HUB EXCLUSIVE: RUBEN STUDDARD

Settles Into Comparisons To Luther Vandross With Exceptional New Tribute Album, National Tour with Sacramento Stop

By Contributing Writer, Michael P Coleman A few years ago, American Idol alum Ruben Studdard teased his new Ruben Sings Luther album with a cover of Vandross’ “If This World Were Mine.” At the time, he told me that he hadn’t always been ready for the comparison to Vandross.

Four years later, as Studdard releases his incredible new tribute album, it’s clear that he’s waded fully into Luther’s water. And blessedly, fans of Vandross will find that, for Studdard, the water is just fine.

sonics alone — the clarity of sound — are going to be different.” Studdard explains. “Also, having Luther, Donny learned a lot about Luther, his favorite singers Hathaway, and Nat were female. He loved Diana Ross, and “King” Cole were all when you listen to Luther, a lot of times you artists I aspire to be can hear that breathiness, that airiness that like...To be compared Diana used on her vocals.”

“I think the comparison to great song interpreters is a valid one,” Studdard, 39, EXCLUSIVELY tells THE HUB. “I to them is nothing but “It’s so sweet, and it’s hard to recreate understand where it comes from more a compliment. because I haven’t been a student of Diana’s than ever, and certainly more than I did like Luther was,” Studdard continues. “My when I was starting out at 23 years old. favorite singer is Donny Hathaway, so a lot of times, Luther, Donny Hathaway, and Nat “King” Cole you can hear that influence of Donny and other singers I were all artists I aspire to be like, and they were the same listen to in the delivery of my vocals.” way. To be compared to them is nothing but a compliment.

“And then,” Studdard adds with a hearty laugh, “I’m just I try my best to give respect, clarity and integrity to the Ruben, so there’s that!” songs that I cover.”

With one listen to the new Ruben Sings Luther, you’ll understand — and feel — the respect for Vandross of which Studdard speaks. The album’s ten songs are exceptional, from his covers of Vandross originals like “So Amazing,” “Never Too Much,” “’Til My Baby Comes Home,” and “Don’t You Know That,” to Ruben’s takes on songs that Luther reinvented, like “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” and, yes, “A House Is Not A Home.”

With Ruben Sings Luther, being “just Ruben” is more than enough!

Studdard just brought his Luther Vandross tribute show, Always & Forever, to Sacramento for a sold-out performance. If you get a chance to see him live, do it: the Velvet Teddy Bear we met on American Idol all of those years ago has grown up! n

I asked Studdard for his take on the differences between his approach to the material, and Luther’s own.

Information on the new Ruben Sings Luther album, and the Always & Forever tour, is available at rubensingsluther.com.

“With ‘A House Is Not A Home,’ you have to understand that Luther’s version was produced in the 80s. So the

Connect with Sacramento-based freelancer Michael P Coleman at michaelpcoleman.com or on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP.

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CENTERSTAGE | MOVIE REVIEW

Breakout Actress

anything just to get by.”

JEANTE GODLOCK

Soars In Lifetime’s The Simone Biles Story

By Contributing Writer, Michael P Coleman If you caught Jeante Godlock last month in the lead role in Lifetime’s The Simone Biles Story: Courage To Soar, you caught a star on the rise. In her first leading feature role, Godlock more than held her own with veteran actors Tisha Martin-Campbell (Martin) and Julius Tennon (How To Get Away With Murder).

Acting was Godlock’s first passion, but life, she says, took her on a detour. Luckily for fans of great acting, Godlock has found her way back home.

“I starting acting when I was really young,” Godlock said in an EXCLUSIVE interview with THE HUB. “I fell in love with it, and I held onto this dream of acting and one day having my own series. But as time went on, life took me in every which way, and it became less and less my focus. I was kind of in survival mode: doing

“Then, in my last year of college, I took an acting class, and I realized that I really wanted to get back to acting, to what fulfilled me,” she continued. “So I did. And here I am!”

“It was such an amazing experience,” Godlock recalls of filming The Simone Biles I starting acting Story with Martinwhen I was really Campbell and Tennon. “I young...fell in love with watched Martin growing it, and I held onto this up — I’ve probably seen dream of acting and every episode. So it was one day having my just insane to me, such own series. a crazy experience. Tisha was amazing, like little mama bear on set, looking out for me.

And Julius was my little cheerleader, telling me I was doing great. To get that encouragement from those veteran actors was just so fulfilling.”

Godlock took pride in showing viewers a different side of the legendary Simone Biles.

“Everyone knows Simon as this great Olympian,” Godlock declares, “but we don’t see a lot of her home life. So I really wanted to do those scenes with her family justice. Her road to the top was her family and her friends really pushing her and standing by her.” n Go to sacculturalhub.com to read our full feature on Jeante Godlock, including more of our EXCLUSIVE interview.

Connect with Sacramento-based freelancer Michael P Coleman at michaelpcoleman.com or on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP

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CENTERSTAGE | BLACK BOOK AUTHORS

publishers found out I was nine years old, they would not make a contract with me at that time but told me to come back when I was 15 years old. Long forgotten by 15 I was into what every other young girl was into, clothes and boys.

It wasn’t until after I got hooked on the romance novels that all the women in my Wall Street bank were reading, that I figured out the formula and decided I could do it too and I tried my hand at it. I’d write but not knowing what to do with my manuscripts, they went into shopping bags in my hall closet. Eventually I went back to school and forgot all about writing. Fast forward to 2005, I figured out how to self-publish my first book “HIGH RISE.” I was too dumb and inexperienced to know I had a lot against me; the book was 600 pages and the paperback price was set by the publisher at $26.50. I was told many times by book stores, nobody is

By Contributing Writer, Donna Ramos going to by this book, it’s too long, it costs too much money for a nobody. Yes, it was true I was unknown and not a even books in print, and four on the way, “writing is famous author, yet, but I knew it was a good story and I in my blood.” I don’t write daily but when the mood hits me, usually 1 a.m. or later I can stay up for hours writing believed in it, so I didn’t listen. After my first New York City book signing, I was shocked and thrilled until the sun comes up. Sometimes to find my book debut on Essence.com’s the mood lasts for days or even weeks best seller list in the 10th position and and I can’t get my thoughts down fast After my first New York on BlackBookplus.com’s best seller list in City book signing, I was enough. I used to get upset that as soon the 5th position. I could hardly believe shocked and thrilled to as I was ready to fall into a good sleep it and it pushed me to keep writing. Fast find my book debut on all these thoughts come tumbling out Essence.com’s best seller forward to now, I am writing full-time: of my mind. Now I am resigned to no list in the 10th position my dream. sleep when necessary, once I realized

Persistence Pays Off for Best-Selling Author DONNA RAMOS

S

this is when my best thoughts come to me. Probably because my mind is finally clear right before falling to sleep and my imagination and creative mind come out to play.

and on BlackBookplus. com’s best seller list in the 5th position.

I got started on this literary road in the fourth grade when my teacher liked my composition so much she showed it to the principal, who liked it too and read it to the school over the P.A. system. At lunch, I was surprised to find that I was something of a celebrity, I liked it! So, I started cranking out children’s books. I almost got a book deal until the | 1 8 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

I self-published 4 books solo and partnered with another author, Brooklen Borne to write a 4-book series, “ABSORPTION.” Brooklen started writing in high school, published his first book in 2008 and has several books out in addition to our 4-book “ABSORPTION” series. “ABSORPTION” is a real departure for me, from my multi-cultural contemporary and historical romance novels. “ABSORPTION” takes place in 4 cities across the United States. It is a science fiction thriller about a serial killer, with a touch of romance. Brooklen had the

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idea of the absorption bullet for a story he was working on and we came up with the idea of a serial killer and incorporated his special bullet into the story. This genre was out of my wheelhouse but I really enjoyed creating and co-writing it; if I say so myself, we did good LOL! In the first book, “ABSORPTION VEGAS” a serial killer emerges and our female homicide detective Kehli Joyce chases him to “ABSORPTION MIAMI” and “ABSORPTION NEW YORK”. The series ends with “ABSORPTION LOS ANGELES.” So many people have helped me along the way; I appreciate that and always try to give back. I held a literary conference a few years ago that was very well attended and received. So much so that people didn’t want to wait a whole year for the next one, so they convinced me to do things thought the year. I did a series of quarterly workshops on writing, publishing, advertising and agents. I have mentored several workshop attendees. I’m proud to say one of my students published his book and it is a gorgeous book, it traces his family’s story from slavery until now. He was blessed to present it to his elderly aunt, who answered questions for him on the family’s history before she passed away. I get so excited when I see the progress someone’s made on their manuscript. I plan on doing a few book signings this summer, I really miss connecting with my readers.

Sometimes they have insights on my books I did not see, it’s always fun to hear their take on the story or answer their questions.

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Many opportunities have come to me and I’ve been blessed to be asked to be a keynote speaker, part of a panel, workshop presenter and participant of “Authors on the Move”, a huge formal dinner fundraiser of the Sacramento Public Library. I try to make myself available to participate in events, whenever I’m asked. I speak at schools as much as possible, it’s wonderful seeing kids light up when I ask them for their story ideas. My first paid workshop was for the City of Sacramento Public Library. I stopped holding workshops because they take so much time and work and I decided that I want to get my work onto the big screen or tv screen, so I’ve been focusing on that and getting an agent. I have two manuscripts to finish and get to agents. All my time and attention is focused on this. My next project is to teach myself how to screen write so I can turn my novels into screenplays to submit to studios and agents searching for fresh new scripts.

continued...

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CENTERSTAGE | BLACK BOOK AUTHORS Here’s a listing of my books/eBooks on Amazon: HIGH RISE – A fast-paced, fun, sometimes gritty story about three women, at different stages in their lives.

It delves deep into your heart eliciting numerous strong emotions as you experience all their joys, heartbreaks, devastation, pain and rebirth.

Co-author Series:

BORROWED TIME – The ultimate love triangle. Feel happy, outraged and even cry as you go back in time with Fawn and everyone who enters and/ or leaves her life. As her life alternates between New York and Virginia in the time before, during and after the Civil War. The danger of war, hardships of slavery and ecstasy of love are all totally experienced by you as you are drawn into her world.

HAWAII THREE–0 – A trilogy of Hawaiian stories. HAWAIIAN LOVE: Autumn and Chad (contemporary).

Despite the three of them planning and paying on their Hawaiian trip for seven months. Autumn winds up traveling to Honolulu alone. Because Zoe gets a new, better paying job with no vacation for six months and Keisha decides she can’t be away from her boyfriend for a whole month. Autumn doesn’t care, she is a big girl, she can travel alone. She has been looking forward to this trip for too long and she really needs a vacation. Nothing is going to stand in her way… she meets Chad, they are inseparable for the rest of her trip. But is this the start of a long-lasting relationship or just a vacation fling?

SCANDALOUS (sequel to High Rise) – The ruckus, the madness! Deceit, lies, infidelity and blackmail abound. Take your seat in the boardroom, corporate intrigue and backstabbing are on the agenda.

BSORPTION LAS VEGAS (Book 1) – Kehli A Joyce (KJ) is a driven L. A. homicide detective, who is ordered by her hardnosed lieutenant to take leave after her partner is ambushed and murdered. Not wanting to lose her job for disobeying an order or be charged with insubordination, she reluctantly goes to Vegas for some needed rest and relaxation. During her forced vacation, she meets well known author Gino Bartolinni and has a steamy affair with him.

BSORPTION MIAMI (Book A 2) – Former LAPD homicide detective Kehli Joyce (KJ) is now a federal agent working for Homeland Security. She has been assigned to a special task force sent to Miami to investigate the latest shootings by the elusive serial killer, nicknamed The Ghost Killer by the media.

BSORPTION NEW YORK (Book A 3) – Federal Agent Kehli Joyce and her team, descend on the Big Apple, after Donald Strickland the infamous Ghost Killer strikes again, this time in Brooklyn. Just when the agents think they have him cornered, he does another disappearing act.

BSORPTION LOS ANGELES (Book 4 is due for A release Summer 2018) On the solo side, currently I am working on the second edition of “HIGH RISE” to be reprinted by the summer and “MADNESS & MAYHEM”, the last book in the “High Rise” series. Also, I’m working on “CHOCOLATE IN THE CITY” an urban girlfriend book. My first tweener book “DEAR DIARY…NOT QUITE” is finished and ready for publication.

My first children’s story book,” LITTLE MISS DIVA” is currently being illustrated. There’s lots on my plate but I don’t know any other way to work, I love it! n For appearances at book clubs, schools or other events, please contact: Ramosdm77@gmail.com.

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CENTERSTAGE | BLACK BOOK AUTHORS

OUT OF THIS WORLD: AUTHOR CHRIS ALCUTT

By Contributing Writer, Donna Michele Ramos

Prolific local author Curtis Alcutt, has 10 books in print, 5 screenplays written and 5 books that he collaborated with another author on, including the well-known author Zane. Three of his collaborations are the Black Widow and Sandman series written with Deatri Bey King. His latest two books are “OF THE DARK” a paranormal good and evil story and “DARK KEISHA”, the third action thriller in the Black Widow and Sandman series.

He and Ms. King won the2017 Reading Warriors Choice Award, Best Duo Award. His first publishing contract was in 2005 with Black Pearl Books.

THE HUB: When did you start your writing career?

ALCUTT: In the third grade I won a writing contest and was hooked.

THE HUB: At what event did you think, I’ve made it, I’m an author?

ALCUTT: In 2006 when I went to the Book Expo of America in New York at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.

THE HUB: How do you write? Do you write a certain number of hours a day or when ideas come to you?

ALCUTT: Most of the time, I like to write between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. It can vary but that’s my favorite time to write. If I don’t write, I look over what I wrote. Being a writer is a 24-hour thing, it never turns off.

THE HUB: What are your goals for this year?

ALCUTT: To get the sitcom on the air and have it performed on a regular basis and to get 3 episodes on air this year. I am also working on a new book “CRUSTWALKERS”; it is a sci-fi novel. I will again host writing workshops this summer at Carol’s Books and have other locations to be added. I want to do more screenplays, I love writing them now that I’ve got the hang of it. In addition, I am working on an animated sci-fi series too, hopefully I’ll get to that this summer. n Website: authoralcutt.com

THE HUB: What is y0our proudest accomplishment to date?

ALCUTT: My 2010 publishing contract with Simon and Schuster under the Strebor imprint is neck in neck with writing my first screenplay in 2015, “Black Widow and the Sandman.”

About Curtis Alcutt: Some may find Curtis a heartfelt, kindspirited adventurer, while Lamar lingers in the dark, awaiting any opportunity to take you to the underworld. Trailing not far behind will be Alcutt, joining both worlds in the middle.

THE HUB: What’s something your readers would be surprised to learn about you?

ALCUTT: That I’m interested in astronomy, extra-terrestrials and I am highly spiritual.

Severely introverted, reading and writing provided him a safe haven from the world. He would spend nearly every minute of recess time in the library, nose buried in a book. At the age of ten he won a creative writing contest, hosted by his elementary school. His teacher saw he was a gifted writer and assisted in the development of his writing skills.

THE HUB: What are you working on now?

ALCUTT: A 30-minute episode sitcom based in Sacramento.

The first episode is done, I have a cast. It will be in front of a live audience and then streamed. I came up with the idea two months ago.

THE HUB: You have several collaborative writing projects, do you prefer solo writing or collaborating?

ALCUTT: I like solo writing because I can dive into my own self, there’s more freedom to run amuck and go crazy. But I do enjoy both types of writing.

His love of writing followed him. Growing up, he wrote music lyrics, short stories and comic strips on a regular basis. Over a decade ago, he challenged himself, and penned his first novel in a mere 90 days. A short time later, he landed his first publishing deal.

Coached by a few great mentors, his writing flourished, culminating in a two-book deal with Simon & Schuster. Seeking a new challenge, he turned his attention to script writing and implemented a plan to convert his novels into movie scripts. Screenplay writing, along with novel writing, is now a burning passion of his.

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DID YOU KNOW? | COMMUNITY ADVOCATE NEWS

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) plans to utilize its historical influence to incite political change in Sacramento!

by Contributing Writer, April Jean

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017 was deemed the year of black women in politics. It highlighted an increase of black women engaged in politics and brought national attention to the effectiveness of black women within the political realm.

However, we have miles to go before we sleep.

The killing of 22-year old Stephon Clark, by the Engaging the next hands of Sacramento generation of change agents, the 18-25-year law enforcement, in olds, is the first step in our own city, not only building political capacity sparked national outcry, in Sacramento. When the it intensified the work of youth can understand the local organizations like intricacies of the political BWOPA Sacramento. process, how policies are created, how they can BWOPA Sacramento enact change, then we understands that progress. everything that affects the quality of life in the black community is in most ways political. Therefore, BWOPA’s current charge is to harness the energy within our community to dig deeper into the political process so that we can see systemic changes.

To that end, BWOPA Sacramento is currently refocusing efforts in order to be an active voice to change the face of law enforcement in Sacramento. “It will take our collective effort to elect officials who value justice for black people” | 2 2 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

said Kula Koenig, BWOPA Sacramento Chapter President.

“Until we do this, we all suffer the consequences that result from injustice.” This is why our chapter focuses on building political capacity.

It has been said that, “if you don’t get it right for black people, you don’t get it right for anyone.” BWOPA wants to get it right for black people in Sacramento. Engaging the next generation of change agents, the 18-25-year olds, is the first step in building political capacity in Sacramento.

When the youth can understand the intricacies of the political process, how policies are created, how they can enact change, then we progress. If we are successful, they will remain engaged continually in the betterment of their communities and not just when tragedy strikes. From now until June, we will be conducting hands-on training within our community about the local political process to this target age group.

In addition to conducting advocacy training, we seek to change the face of law enforcement and usher out elected officials who do not want to get it right for black people. In our recent endorsement process, candidates were interviewed and asked questions based on how they would represent the best interest of our community.

For example, candidates were interviewed by a panel of BWOPA members and asked questions specific to the black experience. With a focus on the Sheriff and District Attorney races, we will promote the candidates we endorse and embark on efforts to secure their election in upcoming months. This process is to force our elected officials to have an agenda that focuses on getting it right for black people. We need those who care to vote, walk, phonebank, etc for these candidates. This is our community call to action!

In these endeavors, BWOPA Sacramento also seeks to challenge the male centered narrative around police involved shootings. Black women TOO are victims of police racism. A recent study by researchers at the University of Washington found that nearly 60 percent of black women killed by police were unarmed at the time of the interaction. BWOPA Sacramento believes this alternative narrative must be uplifted and repeated. Black

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Black women TOO are victims of police racism.

A recent study by researchers at the University of Washington found that nearly 60 percent of black women killed by police were unarmed at the time of the interaction. BWOPA Sacramento believes this alternative narrative must be uplifted and repeated. Black women are at the front lines fighting for our black boys but we cannot forget the violence that is inflicted upon us. WE MATTER. OUR LIVES MATTER. women are at the front lines fighting for our black boys but we cannot forget the violence that is inflicted upon us. WE MATTER. OUR LIVES MATTER. Join us in this fight! Who are we? After expanding from a smaller group called the Bay Area Women for Dellums, Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) was formed in 1968 by 12 women in the Bay Area of California.

In 1970, Dezie Woods-Jones would become BWOPA’s first president and it was through her involvement, that BWOPA’s political action resulted in the election of the first African American women representatives in their areas. It is from this legacy that we are active today.

BWOPA Sacramento understands that collective impact and allyship is the most powerful weapon in fighting injustice which is why we support the Build.Black.

Movement. We need all of our allies on board! n Contact us at bwopasac@gmail.com and follow us on facebook @BWOPASacramento to join the movement!

MICHAEL’S MIND’S EYE: RIP TOYS R US…AND A FINAL LESSON FROM GEOFFREY

by Contributing Writer, Michael P. Coleman

I

“m a Toys R Us kid!”

You remember the jingle. Toys R Us’ ubiquitous ad campaign was music to the ears of several generations of children. Geoffrey, the company’s gangly spokes-giraffe, was almost as recognizable as Mickey Mouse.

Soon, we’ll be filing those memories away for good. At press time, Toys R Us had just announced that they’ll be closing all of their US stores.

But as Geoffrey fades from view, he has a final gift for us: a lesson — if we’re willing to hear it.

My family couldn’t afford to shop at Toys R Us’ regularly, so trips there were reserved for birthdays, Christmas, and those magical summer evenings when we’d done an extra good job cutting several acres of grass at my Grandma’s house just outside Detroit. Later, I kept that tradition with my own children, making a trip to one of their cavernous stores a special pilgrimage.

I’ll never forget the early 90s Christmas that the chain delivered a special-order Talk Boy (the handheld cassette recorder from one of the Home Alone movies) for my eldest. A few years later, on Christmas Eve, another Toys R Us employee handed me one of the scant number of Tickle Me Elmos that the store had received — just in time for me to help Santa out a little bit with gifts for another of my little ones.

Soon thereafter, an Photo courtesy of Coleman Communications. invention we initially called “the world wide web” beckoned. Toy-buying life, and shopping in general, quickly changed. Along with Blockbuster Video, Borders, Circuit City and others, Toys R Us faced a formidable competitor with a seemingly-endless inventory that was just a couple of clicks away from their core consumers. That competitor, Amazon, also teased the promise of home delivery.

Toys R Us failed to respond quickly enough to change. Instead of bolstering their own web presence and pricing themselves competitively, Toys R Us let Amazon steal their business. The toy market — and the retail world — had changed, but Toys R Us tried to sell us toys the same way they had when the company launched in the late 1950s.

REMINDER! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! • •

June 5, 2018 – California Statewide Direct Primary Election November 6, 2018 – U.S. Elections and California Governor’s Race

And therein lies Geoffrey’s final lesson to us. “Change” is life’s only constant, and if you aren’t able to adapt and roll with it, in your personal and professional lives, you’ll find yourself joining dinosaurs like home video stores, big box bookstores, and, now, toy stores: shadows of a world that has moved on.

Comprehensive Voter’s Guide of Recommendations now being composed by the Sacramento Sister Circle (sacramentosistercircle. com) in partnership with Sacramento Chapter BWOPABlack Women Organized for Political Action (facebook.com/ BWOPASacramento) and will be posted on Sacculturalhub.com

No matter how old or gray I get, I’ll always be a Toys R Us kid. But this kid will also, always, be ready to adapt to changes around him. THIS “Geoffrey” plans to be around for a while. n Connect with Sacramento-based freelancer Michael P Coleman at michaelpcoleman.com or on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP

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DID YOU KNOW? | COMMUNITY ADVOCATE NEWS

PARENT INVOLVEMENT AND ADVOCATING FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

By Contributing Writer, Donna Michele Ramos

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eketia Henry is the mother of two sons and she has been advocating for children with learning disabilities for the past 6 years. Special Education is nothing short of complex- from mental incapacities to IEP’s (Individulaized Education Plans) to behaviorial challenges to 504 Plans and so much more, it is no wonder how so many children with learning disabilities get left behind. As she began helping various families and friends with their children, she noticied there was one thing that many school districts within Northern California had in common....NON-COMPLIANCE. THE HUB: What made you decide to become an Advocate for students with learning disabilities?

HENRY: I began advocating for students with learning disabilities in particular because I had experience with my own sons and I saw there was a need, especially within the African American community.

THE HUB: What are some specific challenges that you face?

HENRY: One of the biggest challenges I consistently see across the board is the issue of non-compliance. Many students have accommodations and/or modifications set in place, however I find quite often that the teachers and administration do not follow exactly what is written in the student’s plan. Often times, the students are placed in a general educational setting, and depending on their learning disability, many of them are not able to keep up with the same pace as everyone else. So when you have that on top of accommodations/modifications not being followed, the students suffer academically and begin to lose confidence in their abilities. Another I began advocating for challenge I face as an students with learning advocate is not being disabilities in particular respected by many of the because I had experience site administration and staff with my own sons members. Because I know the rights of families and I and I saw there was a truly have the best interest need, especially within of the students at heart, I the African American do not take no for answer community. when it should be yes. I’ve attended meetings where counselors have talked over me, Vice Principals have walked out while I was advocating and even hung up on. It is certainly not for the faint of heart!

documented by email so that there is a paper trail. Instead of waiting to speak with the teacher after class, or showing up unannounced in the morning to talk to the Principal, send an EMAIL. When emailing the teacher, always cc: the principal, vice principal and counselor. Another way to be involved is to sit in your child’s class in which there is a discrepancy or problem. Physical presence of a parent/guardian goes a long way! If there’s no resolution at the school level, escalate the issue by filing a formal complaint within the student’s school district. A lot of families don’t file formal complaints and unfortunately this leaves a zero track record for the particular school....if it’s not in writing, it didn’t happen.

THE HUB: What are some resources that families can use when advocating for their children?

HENRY: Disability Rights of CA has a great manual called SERR- Special Education Rights & Responsibilities that families can download online. n

THE HUB: What are your best recommendations for other parents having trouble with schools?

HENRY: Parents/guardians must know that everything needs to be in writing. That means that everything should be | 2 4 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

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www.disabilityrightsca.org/pubs/PublicationsSERREnglish.htm

ANOTHER LOOK

Hair Loss During Menopause Menopause is a natural biological process thal all women experience at some point in their lives. During this time, the body goes through numerous physial changes as it adjusts to fluctuating hormone levels.

The increase of testosterone and decrease of estrogen and progesterone in your body, causes many women to have unpleasant symptoms during menopause, including hot flashes, mood swings, and insomnia. Hair loss is another common occurrence.

Most women experience overall hair thinning rather than noticeable bald spots. The thinning can occur on the front, sides, or top of the head, dullness, dryness and thinning of your skin, hot flashes mood changes, decreased sexual desire and increased facial hair.

Fifty is the average age for menopause, but changes to your hair can begin long before, and is one reason why hair thinning during menopause is difficult to counteract. Nobody over 40 has the same volume of hair they had in their twenties, but menopause is an extra accelerating cause. The pattern of menopausal hair thinning is similar to the early stages of male pattern hair loss.

Follow these tips to keep your hair loss during menopause.

Eating a balanced, low-fat diet is your best defense against hair loss.

Make sure you include an adequate amount of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in every meal. It’s also important to incorporate mono-saturated oils, such as olive oil and sesame oil, into your diet.

Drinking green tea and taking vitamin B6 and folic acid supplements may help restore hair growth as well. Essential fatty acids also play a crucial role in maintaining hair health. These fatty acids can be found in the following foods: • • • • •

salmon tuna flaxseed oil walnuts almonds

Load up on H20 all day long and pass on juices, sodas, and other flavored drinks that contain more sugar than your body needs. The amount of water needed varies from person to person and depends on various factors, including overall health and exercise intensity.

As a general rule, however, you should aim to have eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.

Tracy Brown Professional Hair Stylist and Co-Owner of Another Look Hair Salon (916) 688-7704

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Son Volunteer Living with depression

Mental Illness: It’s not always what you think.

For additional information and resources, go to:

StopStigmaSacramento.org Call 2-1-1 Deaf or Hard of Hearing? Call 7-1-1 to connect to 2-1-1.

This program is funded by the Division of Behavioral Health Services through the voter approved Proposition 63, Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).

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Special Advertising Section: Black Child Legacy Campaign

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www.blackchildlegacy.org

OP-ED: CALLING OURSELVES TO ACT IN LOVE

By Rev. Alice Baber-Banks Our call to action for the community is for each of us to ask ourselves, “How can I help educate the people around me about saving our children?” “How can I connect with people in our neighborhoods and help them get linked to resources?” “Who can I connect with to improve health access for children, parents and families?”

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8 The diversity of Sacramento County is something that we celebrate. We have neighbors from across the nation and globe that have made Sacramento home for generations, bringing together rich histories, traditions and innovations to build a stronger community.

Unfortunately, our community in Sacramento finds itself with a particularly difficult challenge. In our county, African-American children die at twice the rate of any other ethnicity.

Together, let’s make Sacramento County a place where all children are healthy and nurtured so that they may live long, productive lives.

GLORY: Giving Love to our Rising Youth conference April 19, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

South Sacramento Christian Center 7710 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento http://blackchildlegacy.org/glory-conference/ Rev. Alice Baber-Banks is the pastor of Christian Fellowship Ministry Church in North Sacramento and is a member of the Steering Committee on Reduction of African American Child Deaths.

This alarming information from Sacramento County’s Blue Ribbon Commission report and the Child Death Review Team led the Board of Supervisors to create the Steering Committee on Reduction of African American Child Deaths in 2013. The Steering Committee’s charge is to reduce deaths among African-American children in the county by between 10 percent and 20 percent by 2020.

In 2016, the Steering Committee created a community-driven movement called the Black Child Legacy Campaign to take its work directly to seven neighborhoods most impacted by child mortality.

Organizations in each of the neighborhoods are providing education, intervention and prevention services to parents and families in efforts to reduce the four leading causes of child death: perinatal conditions, infant sleep-related deaths, child abuse and neglect, and third-party homicides.

An important part of the Black Child Legacy Campaign’s work includes community events as a way to increase awareness of the campaign and services available in the seven neighborhoods.

The campaign also is partnering with the African-American faith community to increase their access to resources and information to benefit the people they serve.

Each year, we put faith into action at the GLORY: Giving Love to Our Rising Youth conference. We invite community members from throughout the county to join us at this powerful event on April 19 at the South Sacramento Christian Center. This is a day when we create linkages to make Sacramento better for all children. We ask that faith leaders and others join us to work in and with the community we serve to build a healthier community.

Special Advertising Section

Seven Neighborhoods. Seven Organizations Making Change.

These seven neighborhoods in Sacramento County have the highest numbers of African American child deaths.

These neighborhoods are where the Black Child Legacy Campaign’s work is focused.

Arden-Arcade Zip codes 95821, 95825, 95864 Mutual Assistance Network Arden-Arcade Community Ctr 2427 Marconi Avenue Sacramento 95821 www.mutualassistance.com

Del Paso Heights/ North Sacramento

COMMUNITY INCUBATOR LEAD ORGANIZATIONS Community Incubator Leads are trusted hub organizations providing prevention and intervention services, advocacy and mini-grants to build capacity of grassroots organizations within their neighborhoods. Community members who want to learn more about the Black Child Legacy Campaign in their neighborhood can connect with their local Community Incubator Lead.

Zip codes 95660 and 95842 Liberty Towers 5132 Elkhorn Blvd.

Sacramento 95842 www.impactsac.org

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Zip codes 95820 and 95824 Building Healthy Communities HUB 4625 44th Street, Suite10 Sacramento 95820 www.sacbhc.org

Meadowview Zip codes 95822 and 95832 Focus on Family Foundation 2251 Florin Road, Suite158 Sacramento 95822 www.fofsactown.com

Zip codes 95815 and 95838 Roberts Family Development Center Greater Sacramento Urban League 3725 Marysville Blvd.

Sacramento 95838 www.robertsfdc.com

North Highlands/Foothill Farms

Fruitridge: Stockton Blvd.

Valley Hi

Oak Park

Zip codes 95823 and 95828 South Sacramento Christian Center 7710 Stockton Blvd.

Sacramento 95823 www.myfaithconnects.org

| Special Advertising Section: Black Child Legacy Campaign |

Zip code 95817 Greater Sacramento Urban League 2331 Alhambra Blvd., Suite 300 Sacramento 95817 www.gsul.org

www.blackchildlegacy.org

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COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE:

WRAP YOURSELF IN LOVE: CULTURAL BROKERS BRING LOVE TO THEIR COMMUNITY U.S. Navy as an Aviation Electrician and was active during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following his service in the Navy, Bryson attended Full Sail University, where he will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Recording Arts in 2018. While living in Florida, he felt called to do this work and moved to Sacramento to do street outreach. Since living Margo was born and raised in Sacramento, he has been actively in Oak Park. After attending involved in the Roberts Family Navarro College in Texas, she Development Center and St. Paul transferred to Sacramento City Baptist Church. Bryson says “I work College and later moved to in the community because there’s Del Paso Heights, where she a need. For healing – restorative has lived with her family for healing. There’s a lot of brokenness 32 years. Margo previously and we need all hands on deck. worked at Grant High School Love will heal the wounds we and Foothill High School, have.” Bryson is now serving as a and is a proud member Cultural Broker and a Community of Community Mothers of Leadership Roundtable Member.

95838-15 and the True Life Margo Santana and Bryson Bush “Cultural Brokers are boots on the Ministry Worship Center. ground. You’re standing in the way as a bridge, as an advocate. It’s vital,” he says, “because it is for Margo says, “The reason I got involved in my community is our kids. I am honored to be a part of it.” because there’s a lot of CPS issues. I saw how hard it was to navigate because we don’t always understand the process.” Margo recently completed training to serve as a Cultural Broker to help The Community Leadership Roundtable is a group of 20 volunteer members who live or work in Sacramento County and represent the seven focus neighborhoods. families navigate the child welfare system. She says “I love it Partnering with the Community Incubator Lead in their neighborhood, members because it’s going to be the piece of the puzzle that will slide right are liaisons between the Steering Committee and the community, responsible for in to help parents reunify with their children and have a healthy relaying information and bringing forth concerns and questions. home. I became a neighborhood advocate because people need support – they might be scared and nervous and parents need that Learn more about the Community Leadership Roundtable and how you can become a member on the Get Involved page at www.blackchildlegacy.org. support from one another. It’s a blessing to be able to do this.”

Bryson grew up in Hamilton, Ohio. He served four years in the Margo Santana and Bryson Bush both serve as Community Leadership Roundtable (CLR) members in the Del Paso Heights area, as well as Cultural Brokers for the Black Child Legacy Campaign.

Community Heroes Celebrated!

Sierra Health Foundation hosted a community screening of the movie Black Panther on Feb. 23 at the Esquire IMAX Theater in Sacramento, honoring the people of the Black Child Legacy Campaign. About 380 community heroes, including 250 children and youth from the seven Black Child Legacy Campaign neighborhoods, came together to recognize and celebrate their work. | Special Advertising Section: Black Child Legacy Campaign |

www.blackchildlegacy.org

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Black Child Legacy Campaign:

Steering Committee on Reduction of African American Child Deaths

Uniting Families and Communities for a Healthy Future “See something, do something – just being involved is how we take back our communities … it takes a village.” - Miesha Kelley Miesha Kelley is one of the many parents connected to the Black Child Legacy Campaign, the community-driven movement established by the Steering Committee on Reduction of African American Child Deaths, which is working to reduce deaths of African American children in Sacramento County.

The Black Child Legacy Campaign brings together community members, local agencies, healthcare providers and faith organizations to address the causes and disproportionate rate of African American children dying in the county.

In Sacramento County, African American children die at twice the rate of any other ethnicity due to four leading causes of death: PERINATAL CONDITIONS Deaths due to pre-term birth, low birth weight, maternal complications and birth defects are the leading cause of African American child mortality. Perinatal condition deaths include infants from the second trimester of pregnancy up to one year of age.

INFANT SLEEP-RELATED DEATHS Infant deaths occurring in the sleep environment, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome, are in this category. Infant sleep-related deaths affect infants from birth and generally up to 1 year of age.

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT HOMICIDES These deaths are caused by abuse or neglect perpetrated by a caregiver, such as a parent, guardian, babysitter or family friend.

Child abuse and neglect homicides can involve children from birth up to 18 years.

THIRD-PARTY HOMICIDES Third-party homicides are deaths caused by strangers, acquaintances or friends who were not acting as a caregiver and can be intentional or accidental. Children up to age 18 can be included in this cause of death.

In 2011, Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna convened the Blue Ribbon Commission on Disproportionate African American Child Deaths.

Alarmed that in Sacramento County African American children die at very disproportional rates compared to other children, the Commission was an effort to activate the Sacramento community and engage resources to do something about it.

The Steering Committee was established by a resolution of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors in June 2013. Its members created strategic and implementation plans, they provide coordination and oversight of efforts, and evaluate and report on progress toward reducing the disproportionate number of African American child deaths.

The Steering Committee is funded by the County of Sacramento, City of Sacramento and First 5 Sacramento, and is managed by The Center.

Learn more about the Steering Committee at www.shfcenter.org/raacd.

CONTACT US •

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For general inquiries, e-mail us at raacd@ shfcenter.org For media inquiries, e-mail us at raacdmedia@ shfcenter.org To place an event on the community calendar, go to www.blackchildlegacy.org/ events-calendar

FOLLOW US! @raacd_sac @RAACDSac @raacd_sac

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| Special Advertising Section: Black Child Legacy Campaign |

www.blackchildlegacy.org

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DID YOU KNOW? | MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

HUB EXCLUSIVE! Deniece Williams, Kool & The Gang, Other Legends Prep For Shows In Northern California This Spring, Summer stories. It’s going to be an incredible time.”

After a successful stint as a background singer for Stevie Wonder, Williams burst onto the national scene as a solo artist with her 1976 debut album This Is Niecy and the stunning “Free.” Williams’ voice is a glass-shattering, four octave wonder that propelled hits like “Silly,” “Black Butterfly,” and the multi-format smashes “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” and “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” (the first of her many duets with Johnny Mathis) to the top of the charts.

Williams said she’ll never forget that first recording session with Mathis.

“I walked into that studio with utter respect,” Williams said. “He’s a legend! And I was a neophyte, having just recorded my second project. I was so scared because I didn’t know what was going to happen or how he would be as a person. He came over and gave me a hug, and he started singing some of my music. I was so blown away that he would even know my music! I told him I’d been in dress rehearsal for that duet for years — I used to watch Johnny on television, and I would be singing and harmonizing with him. I loved his voice and of course how handsome he was and stuff.”

“We went in and we sang it together,” Williams recalled of that first magical duet with Mathis. “It just came out so beautifully.”

“I start every show with a gospel song and a lot of times we

by Contributing Writer, Michael P. Coleman From the beginning of her end it that way, as well,” career, Williams also incorporated Williams said. “I have to ans of great R & B and pop music in gospel and inspirational music into give God His first.” northern California have a few good reasons her recordings, blazing a trail for

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to celebrate over the next few weeks.

The phenomenal Deniece Williams will be taking the stage for two shows at Yoshi’s in Oakland on April 28. At press time, Williams’ first show was sold out, but there are still tickets available for her 9:30pm show.

In an EXCLUSIVE interview with THE HUB, Williams promised an unforgettable night of music and memories.

“We’re gonna have a lot of fun,” the 67-year-old Williams exclaimed with an exuberant, still-girlish giggle. “I always take the attitude that people are sitting in my living room, and we’re just conversing and talking with one another and hanging out, enjoying some great music and some funny | 3 2 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

everyone from Whitney Houston to BeBe & CeCe Winans. As she did so, she also racked up a handful of Grammy awards and collaborated with artists like Natalie Cole, Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey, and Contemporary Christian artist Sandi Patty.

Williams promised that fans could look forward to her trademark fusion of pop, R & B, and gospel during her upcoming Oakland shows.

“I start every show with a gospel song and a lot of times we end it that way, as well,” Williams said. “I have to give God His first.”

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If fans are lucky, Williams will share a preview of her upcoming album, her first ever jazz project, during her Oakland concerts. If she performs jazz anywhere near as well as she’s sung R & B, pop, and gospel for the last four decades, fans will be in for an extra treat.

Also, the California State Fair has announced their 2018 concert series, and Kool & The Gang will be performing July 16. Other Fair concert highlights include Con Funk Shun and The Spinners. As always, concerts are free with the purchase of an admission ticket to the Fair on the day of the show. n Look to THE HUB (sacculturalhub.com) for more of our EXCLUSIVE interview with the legendary Deniece Williams.

Information on Deniece Williams’ Oakland shows is available at yoshis.com, and information on the artist is available at deniecewilliams.com Information on Kool & The Gang, Con Funk Shun, The Spinners and all California State Fair concerts is at CAStateFair.org.

Connect with Sacramento-based freelancer Michael P Coleman at michaelpcoleman.com or on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP

SAVE THE DATE and Remember us!

Sac Cultural Hub Media Foundation Thursday, May 3, 2018...

Big Day of Giving - BDoG 2018

Support the URBAN HEARTS of the Community!

Working to promote healthy lifestyles of African Americans and communities of color in Northern California. Your donation/ gift helps to provide youth and women of color with mentorship, leadership, and entrepreneurship opportunities along with academic scholarship awards.

Making an advance commitment is EASY: 1. Donations can be contributed online at www.sacculturalhub.com/media-foundation 2. Call us with your commitment at (916) 234-3589

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WERE YOU THERE? | #JUSTICEFORSTEPHONCLARK

SEEKING PEACE AMIDST CHAOS: WRITERS SPEAK OUT ON THE SHOOTING DEATH OF STEPHON CLARK

SEEKING JUSTICE AND CHANGE ONCE AND FOR ALL

By Chief Editor, Pleshette Robertson

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here have been countless news articles, videos, and many public meetings, panel discussions from local to regional to national levels for what has happened with the police shooting death of Stephon Clark in South Sacramento. It has literally been a city under siege of continuous marches and protests in seeking justice for Stephon Clark which have been led and coordinated by several groups that include: Black Lives Matter, NAACP, Sacramento Act and BuildBlack. There have been considerable highs and lows of tension amongst local residents, community leaders, police, and politicians. I along with one of my colleagues, Zoritha Thompson, CEO & Broker of Goree and Thompson Real Estate attended one of the special city council meetings on “Open Community Dialogue with the Sacramento City Council” on March 27th and we both can now honestly attest to what it might of felt like back in the 1950s and 1960s with what we both witnessed and experienced during that evening.

As Stephon Clark’s grandmother pleads for justice “They didn’t have to kill him like that”, prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced Friday, March 23 that he would be representing the Clark family. Crump has represented families in other controversial police shooting cases, including the families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Tamir Rice.

Courtesy ABC10/Giacomo Luca

#BUILDBLACK

Front row: Kindra Montgomery-Block, Sierra Heath Foundation Pastor Les Simmons, South Sacramento Christian Center Cassandra Jennings, Greater Sacramento Urban League Berry Accius, Voy, Inc, Kellie Todd, Sistallect Back row: Ryan McClintock, Sacramento Act Vince Carter, Sacramento Kings, Garrett Temple, Sacramento Kings Doug Christie, Sacramento Kings

Funeral services for Stephon Clark were held at Bayside of South Sacramento Church with the family’s pastor, Darryl Scarbroug on Thursday, March 29th. Services were open to the public with Activist Rev. Al Sharpton providing the eulogy.

Courtesy ABC10/Giacomo Luca

Courtesy ABC10/Giacomo Luca

Stevonte Clark, the brother of Stephon Clark, who was killed by police on March 18th, speaks at Sacramento City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 27th. | 3 4 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

Faye Kennedy, community activist and Founder of Sacramento Area Black Caucus who has attended and covered numerous meetings stated the following on March 28th on her Facebook page: “We must thank the leaders and activists on the Front Lines of change and social justice who carry the load and put themselves in harms way; mentally, physically, financially and emotionally. Let’s support in whatever means we can individually and collectively. We must love them and support them! Thank you!!”

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WERE YOU THERE? | #JUSTICEFORSTEPHONCLARK Facebook page of Pleshette Robertson on 3/27/18

Courtesy ABC10/Giacomo Luca

Courtesy ABC10/Giacomo Luca

Courtesy ABC10/Giacomo Luca

Courtesy ABC10/Giacomo Luca

I am currently in the media room at Sacramento City Hall where over 1,000 people have gathered seeking justice for #StephonClark, and I may not get a chance to speak giving my 2 minute comment to City Council members so I will make my statement on my page about the police shooting death of #StephonClark in South Sacramento: “First I want to say how SORRY and HEARTBROKEN I am for the family of Stephon Clark and all what you are going through as my youngest daughter attended Sac High with Stephon Clark.

I, Pleshette have been a 17 year resident of South Sacramento as a small business owner. I have been BEYOND DISMAYED by the EGREGIOUS ACTIONS of the Sacramento police in their pursuit and killing of Stephon Clark – another unarmed young black man, who was approached and gunned down as if he was not human, as if his very existence beyond that day did not matter. I nor the community understand why it has become the new NORM to kill black people BUT then this is NOTHING NEW cuz innocent black men have been HUNG, CASTRATED, & BURNED by those in Eurocentric power since the 1900s. Why is it becoming the cultural of Sacramento Police Department (as well as throughtout law enforcement throughout the United States) to continue to assassinate Black people? Our Caucasian and Asian brothers and sisters

do not worry about the police killing them.

They are not in the news across the nation almost daily crying, begging, pleading and protesting for justice. They still feel that the police and those who make policies that govern police are here to protect and serve the entire community.

Unfortunately, Black people are angry and fearful because we see that the law enforcement system in THIS city is failing US. YOU as the city council are failing us by not insisting that police officers are punished by losing their jobs and prosecuted to the maximum extent of the law for unlawfully killing of our people.

The NAACP, ACLU, Black Lives Matters, Sacramento ACT, and other groups have sat down on several occasions to discuss these issues. I understand that RADICAL CHANGES in procedural laws and policies were to be addressed and implemented – when will police officers be held accountable? Hopefully RESOLUTION will be done thru the Sac DA and the Attorney General FIRING the officers who murdered Stephon Clark and then working with the Police Chief to make changes in procedural policies...

THIS IS IN ORDER and must take place!!!

THE HUB: What is the purpose of Build. Black.?

Pastor Les Simmons: The Build. Black. initiative is spearheaded by a coalition group of activists, non-profits, legal support teams, youth advocates, faith leaders, police accountability and policy experts, and Sacramento community leaders in the fight for equity. We have come together in the wake of yet another tragic death of an unarmed Black man at the hands of police to commit our time, our resources and our considerable experience to a shared mission of proactive investment and radical transformation for Black communities.

The Build. Black. Pillars to create lasting change: a) Uplifting Black Youth Voices b) Health Equity and Access c) Justice and Policing in Black Communities d) Investment in Black Neighborhoods and Businesses

Courtesy ABC10/Giacomo Luca

THE HUB: Can you expand on the new partnership that Build. Black. has with the Sacramento Kings?

Pastor Les Simmons: The Kings are partnering with Build.Black. to support transformational change for Black communities in Sacramento, the Sacramento Kings are creating a multi-year plan in partnership with the Build. Black. Coalition to support the education of young people and to provide the workforce preparation and economic development efforts needed to truly #BuildBlackFutures. The Kings have also set up an education fund for Stephon Clark’s children.

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WERE YOU THERE? | #JUSTICEFORSTEPHONCLARK

CA LEGISLATORS ANNOUNCE PLAN TO RESTRICT POLICE USE OF DEADLY FORCE California. He listed several familiar names, such as Oscar Grant, Philando Castile, Eric Garner and Tamir Rice, black men who were killed by police.

By Manny Otiko |California Black Media

Betty Williams, president of the Sacramento NAACP chapter, described AB 931 as a “great step forward.”

Weber added that California, one of the nation’s most progressive states, should be leading the way in changing police policy.

In 2017, police shot and killed 162 people in California, only half of whom were armed with guns. California police departments have some of the highest rates of killings in the nation: Bakersfield, Stockton, Long Beach, Santa Ana and San Bernardino are all in the top 15. Police in Kern County have killed more people per capita than in any other US county, according to a 2015 report.

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lmost two weeks of protests over the shooting of Stephon Clark has had a result. On Tuesday, April 3rd, two California legislators revealed a bill that would restrict the police’s ability to use deadly

force.

Assemblymember Dr. Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) and Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) announced they had co-sponsored Assembly Bill 931, legislation that requires police to use lethal force, only when justified. AB 931 was sponsored by groups such as the ACLU and Black Lives Matter Sacramento. Currently, police are allowed to shoot suspects “if they feel threatened,” which can lead to several gray areas.

Weber, who was surrounded by members of the California Legislative Black Caucus, co-sponsors of the bill and community activists, said recent shootings have shown police seem to have a double standard when it comes to black and white suspects.

THE REAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT It’s time to end the scourge of mass incarceration and elect prosecutors that have the will and discretion to reform structural racism within our criminal justice system.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT District attorneys are among the most powerful local elected officials in the U.S. These officials have broad discretion to either reinforce or reform structural racism within our criminal justice system.

“How could Stephon Clark be killed but the Parkland shooter be taken alive?” said Weber.

She was referring to Nikolas Cruz, who killed 17 people at a high school in Parkland, Fla. recently. Cruz was taken into custody alive. Clark, who was unarmed, was killed within minutes of Sacramento police arriving.

She added that police treatment of Cruz and other nonblack suspects proved that they were perfectly capable of using non-lethal force when it was needed.

Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, said police shootings of unarmed black people was not a problem unique to | 3 6 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

“It’s time for California to modernize our century-old deadly force standard,” said Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. “Our current law enforcement use of force threshold does not work. Revising California’s use of force standard will help law enforcement transition to a police system that can prevent the deaths of unarmed individuals and build much needed public confidence in how we keep all our communities safe.”

The Real Justice PAC works to elect reform-minded prosecutors at the county and municipal level who are committed to using the powers of their office to fight structural racism and defend our communities from abuse by state power.

Don’t wait. Join the effort. facebook.com/realjusticepac

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Courtesy ABC10/Giacomo Luca

WERE YOU THERE? | #JUSTICEFORSTEPHONCLARK

WHY STEPHON CLARK’S KILLING IS A WAKE UP CALL REGARDING INDEPENDENT CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS

By Jasmyne A. Cannick & Patrisse Cullors | Special to California Black Media

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he tragic fatal shooting of Stephon Clark has captured the nation’s attention and elevated the conversation around whether police can and should investigate themselves, especially when the public’s trust weighs in the balance.

The 22-year-old father of two was an unarmed black man who was fatally shot on March 18 by Sacramento police officers eight times, mostly in his back, according to an independent autopsy released Friday.

The Clark family has accused the police department of trying to cover up misconduct by its officers and decided to conduct its own autopsy.

In the wake of Stephon Clark’s death, there are deafening calls from the community for more transparency and accountability regarding the investigation into his death. These calls also include answers to the lingering question of why did the officers decide to mute their audio.

Ironically, the one group put into place to be a link between the community, City Hall, and the police won’t be able to help.

Police reform has been a serious issue in Chicago in the wake of the release of the video showing the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald.

McDonald was a black teen who was shot 16 times after walking away from police --contradicting the police’s story that he was threatening or had “lunged at” cops. In the aftermath of the video’s release, thenpolice Superintendent Garry McCarthy was fired, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez lost re-election, and officer Jason Van Dyke became the first Chicago cop in decades to be indicted for first-degree murder for a fatal officer-involved-shooting. Currently, community groups are proposing the creation of a civilian board with the power to fire Chicago’s police superintendent and to set Police Department policy.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has not taken a position of support or opposition.

In Los Angeles, efforts have begun to change the charter of the county via ballot measure to provide their Civilian Oversight Commission with subpoena power to effectively investigate deputy misconduct. The Reform L.A. Jails ballot measure also seeks to ensure that the Los Angeles County Board Courtesy ABC10/Giacomo Luca of Supervisors, the governing body for America’s most populous county and largest jail system, invests some of the $3.5 billion planned for building new jails into providing alternatives to incarceration. Proponents need to gather over 150,000 signatures of registered voters to place it on the highly coveted November gubernatorial ballot. Reform L.A. Jails will hold a campaign kickoff for their signature-gathering drive this week.

The 11-member Sacramento Community Police Review Commission was established in 2017 by the City Council last year as part of a package of police reforms after the community complained that a previous version of the commission didn’t have enough oversight capabilities.

But like most citizen watchdog groups established by mayors and city councils in cities in the wake of Civilian oversight bodies are put into place Courtesy ABC10/Giacomo Luca mounting concern over the question of “Who polices because the public has lost faith in their scandalthe police?,” the Sacramento Community Police Review Commission is ridden beleaguered police departments. But these groups often end up merely advisory. being more of conciliatory gesture from local governments to placate Most independent oversight commissions lack independence. They are unable to conduct their own investigations, subpoena records or to compel the testimony of police officers and their superiors accused of wrongdoing.

In March, a judge stripped Newark’s Civilian Complaint Review Board of its subpoena and investigatory powers but said it could still conduct oversight of the police department.

The board was conceived following a report released by the U.S. Department of Justice in July 2014 that found Newark police failed to provide sufficient constitutional reason for about 75 percent of pedestrian stops and that despite hundreds of citizen complaints from 2007 to 2012, just one complaint of excessive force was sustained.

In San Diego a proposed charter amendment would replace their Citizens Review Board on Police Practices with a new Commission on Police Practices that would among other things have the power to “to subpoena civilian witnesses, compel their attendance, administer oaths and affirmations, take evidence, and require by subpoena the production of any books, papers, records, or other items material.” The amendment also says that the commission “must seek and receive legal advice from independent legal counsel, not the Office of the City Attorney.”

the public in troubled times. They are prevented from doing the very work that both city officials and police departments claim they want to be done--improving public accountability and transparency. To root out misconduct, bring about real criminal justice reform and avoid having Bonnie investigate Clyde, these civilian bodies that hold the trust of the public must have two things—independence and power. Without it, they’re just for show. Oversight with no site. Overnight with no bite. n For more information the Reform L.A. Jails ballot measure, please visit www.ReformLAJails.com.

Jasmyne Cannick is a nationally known writer and commentator on political, race and social issues. She is a political consultant working on the L.A. County ballot measure to Reform L.A. Jails.

Patrisse Cullors is the New York Times bestselling author of “When They Call You a Terrorist” and the co-founder of Black Lives Matter, Dignity Power and Now and JusticeLA. She is a proponent on the Reform L.A. County ballot measure to provide subpoena power to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Civilian Oversight Commission.

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WERE YOU THERE? | BLACK PHYSICIANS FORUM 2018

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2018 BLACK PHYSICIANS FORUM ON FRIDAY, MARCH 23RD

By Contributing Writer Valarie Scruggs

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he conversation at the 8th Annual Black Physicians Forum on ‘Modern Day Drug Addiction in Relation to Health and Poverty in the African American Community’ challenged thoughts and emotions, which was held on Friday, March 23 at UC Davis Health School of Medicine in Sacramento. The keynote speaker, Dr. Carl Hart (Chair of the Department of Psychology at Columbia University. Dirk Ziff Professor of Psychology in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry) and panelists: livia Kasirye, M.D. – Public Health Officer, Sacramento O County Department of Health and Human Services . Westley Clark, M.D. – Dean’s Executive Professor of H Public Health, Santa Clara University Tamu Nolfo, PhD – Principal of Nolfo Consulting, Inc. …did an excellent job of conveying varying perspectives and identifying the multiple factors that influence attitudes and social policies around substance use. They demonstrated how dialogue can quickly lead to disparate positions and conclusions when we look Photocredit: CT Media/Robert Briley at substance use through different lenses. Lenses such as historical and cultural practices of psychotropic substance use; adult agency and freedom of choice; and views on the rationality of decisions to use substances for coping with social pressures or a desire to heighten intimacy.

Larger roles of poverty, housing insecurity, discrimination, education, food insecurity, transportation, and environmental conditions also contribute to substance use and present additional interests in the decision making arena.

fear and moral judgement; public safety; racism; media narratives; and financial gains to law enforcement, courts, corrections, and pharmaceutical companies. Our medical model also weighs in on substance use often focusing on issues such as deaths, treatments, natural youth development and experimentation, pharmacology and differing states of substance use, dependence, and addiction.

Photocredit: CT Media/Robert Briley

Dr. Kasirye, Public Health Officer presented Photocredit: CT Media/Robert Briley audience members with data on the impact to Sacramento families; real stories of health issues and deaths of residents that received street drugs that were laced with fentanyl; and the propensity for youth prescription drug abuse to begin in the home because of undisposed of medications from older family members.

Sacramento County Health Department responded by forming a Substance Use Coalition; creating drug take back sites; outfitting police with Narcan, an antidote to overdose; and provider education campaigns on restrictions for the amount of opioids that can be distributed to patients by providers. These public health interventions are designed to protect the public through environmental and systems changes.

Photocredit: CT Media/Robert Briley

Dr. Hart entreated audience members to understand that annual deaths from automobiles are roughly equivalent to the current rate of deaths from opioids over the last decade. However, our response was not to ban cars but to institute speed limits, driving guidelines, licensing training and testing, and education to make it easier and safer for Americans to use cars.

Our institutional practices provide yet another layer onto substance use attitudes and policy that involve the roles of | 3 8 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

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Photocredit: CT Media/Robert Briley

WERE YOU THERE? | BLACK PHYSICIANS FORUM 2018 The current opioid crisis response as a public health concern has been raised based primarily on the increased number of deaths of young white males from opioids in the last decade. This is in contrast to the earlier response to substance abuse among African Americans with criminalization. Change is occurring as lenses shift to allow new information, behaviors, and public opinion to be realized. Dr. Clark asked a critical question of audience members, “Is it deaths that should be driving our substance use policy decision making or is it health that should be driving our substance use policy decision making?”

Many of the substance use concerns that we struggle with today have no definitive answers and have changed over time, geographical regions, cultures, and criminal The Sac Cultural Hub Media Foundation thanks our justice systems. As health professionals, community co-presenting sponsor, Office for Equity, Diversity & advocates, public servants, and residents it is our Inclusion at UC Davis Health School of Medicine along responsibility to continue to work through these issues with our 2018 Corporate Sponsors, Community Partners, together, enable our communities to thrive, provide and Scholarship Contributors on the 8th Annual Northern evidenced based solutions, distill the harmful effects, California Black Physicians Forum which included: educate the public, and be willing to re-evaluate our positions as new information becomes available. n

AFSCME 3299 www.afscme3299.org African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council www.savingblacklives.org BBVA Compass www.bbvacompass.com

Photocredit: CT Media/Robert Briley

Captivating Ladies Acquiring Successful Standards Yearly (C.L.A.S.S.Y.) www.classymbrsonly.org Capital Medical Society www.capitalmedicalsocity.org City of Sacramento – Councilmember Allen Warren – District 2 www.cityofsacramento.org/MayorCouncil/Districts/District2 Coleman Communications www.michaelpcoleman.com

Photocredit: CT Media/Robert Briley

Fortune School www.fortuneschool.us Leatherwood Marketing leatherwoodmarketing@yahoo.com

Northern California Medical Billing & Coding Institute www.ncmbci.com One Community Health www.onecommunityhealth.org Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services www.dhhs.saccounty.net Sierra Donor Services www.sierradonor.org The Gospel Vine www.thegospelvine.com The SOL – Saving Our Legacy, African Americans for Smoke Free Safe Places Project www.thesolproject.com Twlia Makes It Happen!

(916) 662-3502 UC Davis Office of Campus Community Relations http://occr.ucdavis.edu United Health Care www.uhc.com VisionStep (916) 397-4501

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WERE YOU THERE? | BLACK PHYSICIANS FORUM 2018

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WERE YOU THERE? | 4 BEST FRIENDS ONLY SOIREE & LUNCHEON

HIGHLIGHTS OF 4 BEST FRIENDS ONLY SOIREE & LUNCHEON ON SATURDAY, MARCH 10TH From the Facebook page of Chief Editor – Pleshette Robertson: Words to describe today’s special event are CLASSY, FANCY, & EMPOWERING at the Arden Hills Resort Club in Sacramento. So wonderful to see so many beautiful ladies in elegant stylish clothing of Beige, Creme, and Khaki at the 1st annual 4 Best Friends Only Soiree & Luncheon featuring the DYNAMIC Rapper, YOYO, who brought that FEARLESS & SEXY ENERGY with her phenomenal performance.

APPLAUSE goes to the production team (Founders of #4BestFriends), Tavia Jenkins, Tresla Gilbreath, Latasha Thompson, and Jennifer Clark on presenting such a FANCY event for the strength of women and sisterhood with a great panel of guest speakers: Sharie Wilson (Hairstylist & Owner of Dream Girls Hair Salon in Elk Grove and Los Angeles), Courtney Dempsey (News Anchor on Good Day Sacramento), Keith Powers (Hollywood Actor), and Dr. Michelle Hamilton (Director of School Leadership & Support – Student Services at Natomas Unified School District) and YoYo blessed us with some powerful words of encouragement while sharing her personal testimony, and THANK YOU First Lady Latrina Davis of BLESSED Faith Ministries in Sacramento for that beautiful opening prayer! This crew, Tres, Tav, Latasha, and Jenn brought the Hollywood flare and the Hamptons set to the Capital City. #4BestFriends | #SacHubMedia

Classy, Fancy, Empowering!

Over 250 women came together for a high class networking social affair from all over Sacramento, the Bay Area and Los Angeles to celebrate friendship living up to the #4BestFriends only pledge: Loyalty, Commitment, Trust, Support, Respect and Love.

Over 250 women came together for a high class networking social affair from all over Sacramento, the Bay Area and Los Angeles to celebrate friendship living up to the #4BestFriends only pledge: Loyalty, Commitment, Trust, Support, Respect and Love.

About 4 Best Friends Only and the Founders-The ‘4 Best Friends Only’ Team consist of four women, who now in their forties, have been best friends for over 30 years.

Since childhood, they have weathered the storms of high school, college, marriage, children, and careers; while still managing to water their relationship which has stood the test of time.

All four ladies are very successful in their own right. Tavia Jenkins, mother of two, is a hairstyle veteran and 20 year Double Take Hair Gallery owner which is located in the heart | 4 2 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

Hairstylist Derrick Dennis had this to say on his Facebook page: I cannot begin to tell U how proud I am of these young ladies!! Their event #4bestfriendsonly at the beautiful #Ardenhillsresort was a sold out event!! They were the epitome of what sisterhood should be.

They also had the legendary female MC YoYo as the host. Not to mention Keith Powers leading the male panel. To wrap it up in one word....#EPIC!!!!! D. — with Jennifer Clark, Tresla Gilbreath, Latasha Thompson and Tavia Jenkins of Downtown Sacramento on J Street, as well as Co-Owner of Top Tier Hair, an extension hairline. Jennifer Powers, mother of four, owner of Avionce cosmetic brand, Co-Owner of Top Tier Hair, an extension hairline, mother of celebrity movie star Keith Powers, Co-Founder of Keith Powers Foundation. Latasha Thompson mother of two, 20 year AT&T engineer for the greater Sacramento region. Tresla Gilbreath President and CEO of Multi Facet Management Group, a Beverly Hills based Talent Management Group, Founder of Purpose and Favor Foundation, and a Peace Officer for Los Angeles County Probation.

This team identified an absence of opportunities in the local social scene for successful, professional, women of color to come together in an upscale environment. To fill this void, they created an event to introduce a new lifestyle to the City of Sacramento. n

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www.4bestfriendsonly.com

WERE YOU THERE? | 4 BEST FRIENDS ONLY SOIREE & LUNCHEON

Fancy

Fearless & Sexy Energy!

Thank you!

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DID YOU KNOW | CITY OF SACRAMENTO CANNABIS UPDATES

DEAR CITY OF SACRAMENTO: PLEASE DON’T TURN MARIJUANA INTO ANOTHER COTTON, TOBACCO OR SUGAR INDUSTRY

By Contributing Writer Malaki Seku Amen

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Expensive application fees waived (potentially).

ithin the depths of my soul I have wanted to believe that the City of Sacramento would go beyond half-stepping in policy to ensure that the wealth from marijuana, and the annual $4 billion in economic output expected for our region, does not continue the cycle of racialized law enforcement that kills our children instead of repairing the trauma and impacts of the Drug War.

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$1M in one time funding over a 2 year period for experts to provide of business development and technical assistance services to eligible populations. While the $1M is a start, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to over $6M now directed per year for policy and enforcement activities. The definition for who is eligible for CORE still hasn’t been officially developed.

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City Manager charged to explore creation of a revolving loan fund. The City Manager has still provided no indication that this is being worked on.

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Remove the ban on ex-offenders with drug related felonies.

However – unlike other California cities with equity programs - Sacramento officials have refused to STOP approving licenses for the general population until the people who were most hurt by the Drug War can simply turn in their applications.

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It was also my hope that our City officials would be unequivocal in making sure that legal weed in Sacramento doesn’t become an industry like cotton, tobacco and sugar, where Black people were literally imprisoned ( via the bondage of slavery, working for free and being tortured in every imaginable way), but reaped none of the ownership benefits.

While city officials have blazed numerous trails of compassion and innovation for marginalized people in our city and around the state, equity in business and real wealth creation opportunities for African Americans have always been the dead last priority. Now it appears they are willfully turning away from a rare opportunity to help heal the economic impacts of Sacramento’s Drug War role, which destroyed the lives of thousands of Black families and children; leading to generational poverty, social and physical dysfunction in our community, widening racial wealth gaps and inhumane gentrification. This is completely unacceptable!

The R+HEMP Network, a coalition led by the California Urban Partnership and Youth Forward to advance racial and health equity in marijuana policies, brought together over 35 local Black grassroots organizations and activists last year. After pressuring the City for over 8 months to follow the example of marijuana reparations policies in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland, the network won Sacramento City Council approval of the Cannabis Opportunity, Reinvestment and Equity (CORE) program on November 28, 2017.

The CORE program’s intent is to help populations destroyed by marijuana arrests and jail sentences benefit as business owners in the Sacramento region’s legal cannabis market.

Although the CORE program vote was a very important milestone, it was watered down, weak and left too much uncertainty about timetables, fairness and whether it would truly be more than what Mayor Darrell Steinberg has referred to as “just a start.” When the Mayor declared that CORE would be improved in the program implementation process, and that he expected the R+HEMP Network to hold him accountable for a goal of granting 50 percent of all cannabis operation licenses to populations most impacted by the Drug War, coalition members believed him, cautiously. CORE then moved forward with the following elements:

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City officials in Sacramento have been saying that because there is no limit on the weed business licenses that can be approved, there will – again – be no doing what has already happened in other parts of the state, which is the use of a 1:1 ratio formula guaranteeing that for every license granted to the general population, one license shall be issued to an eligible CORE program applicant.

An extremely unsettling situation now is a lot of talk in City Hall about setting a limit on all licenses. This has been affirmed by a recent City website update. There is already a total cap of 30 retail stores in town. Of the 30 stores, only one is African American owned, and one Latino owned. As these developments have unfolded over the past 16 months, the City of Sacramento has approved over 80 conditional use permits for over 2 million square feet of commercial cannabis operating space. This is without having all the necessary components of the CORE program in place.

So far, no business operations permits (BOPs) have been approved. Having the City put a hold on granting BOP licenses for recreational weed until CORE is implemented, and using a 1:1 ratio formula, would at least provide a short term guarantee that Black and Brown communities will not be locked out of the local industry.

The city’s architects of cannabis policy in Sacramento, neglected repeated requests in 2017 from African American community leaders for a city study on marijuana arrests, and impacts on families, children and neighborhoods. The City’s director of weed policy and enforcement, said he had no authority to specifically target his outreach and education efforts last year on collecting input from communities of color. City staff overall somehow thought they already had enough data to move towards a City Council vote on the CORE program, and there would be no need for Sacramento to press pause on approving all licenses until the equity program is implemented. n To continue reading this article, go online to: www.sacculturalhub.com/core-cannabis-updates Malaki Seku Amen is president of the California Urban Partnership (CUP), an economic justice organization supporting local communities of color. In collaboration with Youth Forward, the CUP manages the R+HEMP Network (Racial and Health Equity in Marijuana Policy), which includes Sierra Health Foundation, Sacramento’s Urban League, NAACP and numerous other grassroots organizations and activists.

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WERE YOU THERE? | STATE OF BLACK WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

HIGHLIGHTS OF STATE OF BLACK WOMEN IN CALIFORNIA ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14TH

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rom the Facebook page of Chief Editor Pleshette Robertson:

So glad to have been a part of today’s State of Black Women in California conference presented by Sistallect at the Sierra Health Foundation. The engagement of these beautiful, intelligent, and dynamic African American women was astounding. It felt like a treasure box to gain a world of wisdom in 6 hours with listening to other Black women share their personal and professional experiences that you can directly RELATE to and feel so at home with HUGS, LAUGHTER, KISSES, INTELLECTUAL CONVERSATION, and REAL TALK amongst friends, colleagues and new friends. When BLACK WOMEN converge on the scene like this there is definitely that Black Girl MAGIC that occurs. THANK YOU Kellie Todd (Founder of Sistellect) for initiating this conference and bringing together a FANTASTIC group of women along with a STUDIOUS panel of speakers to present tremendous data/info on the state of Black Women with regards to: Health & Wellness, Violence & Safety, Poverty & Opportunities, Political Participation, Employment & Earnings, and Work & Family. The Break Out reports of SOLUTIONS was fantastic - I always learn so much with new terms with fresh/different perspectives on dealing with issues that impact us from sessions like this. Dezi Woods-Jones, Founder of BWOPA-Black Women Organized for Political Action - WE LOVE YOU LADY for your HISTORICAL TRUTH to POWERFUL words that HIT HOME on so many levels - you are truly amazing and Elika Bernard of Black Women United you are true a FIRECRACKER and so on fire for our Black Women - such a young person with a great mind, sense of humor, and powerful words that DIG DEEP to the soul of taking ACTION with a COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING & FIXING ISSUES that affect US! I just LOVE US for being OURSELVES and being transparent so we can learn from each other to be of GOOD/NEEDED SUPPORT for one another in our social welfare, community activism, spiritual guidance, and business endeavors - THIS IS SO CRITICAL FOR THE SURVIVAL & OVERALL SUCCESS OF BLACK WOMEN & GIRLS!!!

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One of the attendees, Kula Koenig stated on Facebook State of Black Women in CA Forum: Ain’t nothing like being in a room full of passionate, intelligent, caring, woke black women. Happy to facilitate the rich and real political participation breakout session. Loved BWOPA founder Dezi Woods-Jones and Elika Bernard lunch convo. Like someone said “Let’s turn black girl magic into black girl power!” n

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WERE YOU THERE? | FLOTUS EXPERIENCE

FLOTUS EXPERIENCE WITH MICHELE OBAMA

by Chief Editor, Pleshette Robertson

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E NEED OUR GIRLFRIENDS! stated former FLOTUS Michelle Obama

I’m still basking in the FLOTUS experience from Michelle Obama’s visit to the Bay Area on Wed-3/28. Oracle Arena in Oakland was packed with people (over 15,000) from near and far for an intimate conversation event with former First Lady Michelle Obama.

All of us were so inspired by Michelle Obama as she shared with us that she will definitely not be going into politics but rather going into service with her and her husband at The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.

Michelle’s demeanor with us was so incredibly authentic as she was honest while being extremely witty about her childhood stating, “we were poor”.

Michelle shared her love for kids and her passion for education with supporting children, young women and getting us to stand together working with one another rather than in silos. Some of her most notable words that stuck with me was how she was going to strive to be less redundant and told us in closing remarks: “BE ENCOURAGED!”

I along with thousands stood immediately in applause as Michelle Obama took the stage to speak at about 8:15 pm. She spoke for about an 1 hour and 15 minutes. The session was moderated by Stacy Brown-Philpot, CEO of Task Rabbit.

My colleagues of who are my close girlfriends were in total amazement throughout the conversation. I don’t know how a person can be incredibly HUMBLE, but yet so GREAT with POISE ... as Michelle Obama does this all so EFFORTLESSLY ...super amazing smart mother, wife, attorney, author, philanthropist, and FLOTUS with such graceful beauty.

Michelle talked about the highs and lows of living in the White House that included: inviting children for special activities of whom may never see the inside of the White House to come celebrate with her and her family and the lows of the Sandy Hook shootings and gold star families losing loved ones.

My girlfriends: Twlia, Valarie, Vicki, Zoritha, Neketia, Stacy, Linda and my mom Ms. Cherry will cherish this 1-day very fun #GirlsTrip getaway where it began with dinner at Kincaids Restaurant at Jack London Square in Oakland - such great and exquisite dining with fried brussell sprouts, sweet potato fries and oysters, clam chowder soup, shrimp and grits, key lime pie with sorbet and lemon drop martinis. It was so nice and a surprise to see so many other groups of women who had the same idea as us and were also dining at Kincaids prior to attending the “An Evening with Michelle Obama” at Oracle Arena. n

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Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or you’re well-versed in the process, buying or refinancing a home can be an exciting and rewarding experience with PrimeLending. We take the time to listen and we’ll work with you to find a home loan that fits your needs.

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WERE YOU THERE? | CBHN POLICY SUMMIT

HIGHLIGHTS OF CBHN POLICY SUMMIT ON FEBRUARY 12-13

by Chief Editor, Pleshette Robertson

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The California Black Health Agenda Policy Summit, hosted by California Black Health Network (CBHN) at the The California Endowment Los Angeles Conference Center was a 2-day (Feb 12-13) statewide convening of thought leaders, policy analysts, healthcare providers, and community activists committed to improving the health and well-being of California’s African-American community. n

Sac Hub is and continues to PROMOTE & ADVOCATE for more African Americans to take on legislative positions and political appointments to push for CHANGE IN POLICIES for WELLNESS & LONGEVITY of #HEALTHYBLACKPEOPLE and Black Communities that matter to us... it’s about having effective and transparent political and economic power in our communities! #HopeIsNotAStrategy #ThoughtLeaders talk about ACTION STEPS to eradicate institutional racism and how to rebuild disenfranchised communities #CBHNPolicySummit #SacHubMedia

Speakers on the Health Policy In Practice panel from left to right: Dr. Flojuane Cofer (Public Health Advocates Director, State Policy + Research); Cathy Kennedy (California Nurses Association Board Member); Russell Lowery (Competitive Edge Advantage President + CEO); Ronald Coleman (Ronald Coleman Associates President + CEO); William Winters (Courage Campaign Director, Online Campaigns); Malaki SekuAmen (California Urban Partnership President + CEO); Dahir Nasser (Health Program Specialist California Department of Public Health, Office of Health Equity).

MODELS FOR CHANGE, Kindra F. Montgomery-Block (Senior Program Officer for Reducing African American Deaths-RAACD at The Center-Sierra Health Foundation) gives a PROFOUND presentation on the Black Child Legacy Campaign .... breathing life into the Black Community. CBOs-Community Based Organizations are in gratitude for your devotion to this work, the diligent work and commitment from the RAACD Committee, and for the support of the Sierra Health Foundation and of its partners. #CriticalThoughtLeader #SavingBlackBabies #SavingBlackChildren #CBHNPolicySummit #HealthyBlackPeople #SacHubMedia Faith without works is dead!

Speaking with conviction Bishop Yvette Flunder from The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries encouraging faith based ministries working in the community to serve the community as a welcoming focal point of health from a multi purpose strategy. #HealthyBlackPeople

Pleshette with Keynote Presenter, Michael Eric Dyson, Professor of Sociology, Georgetown University, Author & Radio Host

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#BeARefugeOfLove #ShowingUpMakestheDifference #CBHNPolicySummit #SacHubMedia

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Subscribe Today!

THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine

SUPPORT the Sac Cultural Hub Media Foundation by subscribing for a 1-year subscription to THE HUB Magazine | 5 0 | T H E   HU B MA G A Z I N E

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WERE YOU THERE? | BLACK HISTORY MONTH LUNCHEON

3RD ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH LUNCHEON WITH ASSEMBLYMEMBER AUTUMN BURKE

by Chief Editor, Pleshette Robertson

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Presented by the Sac Cultural Hub Media Foundation - 3rd Annual Black History Month Luncheon held on Tuesday, February 27 at Sandra Dee’s BBQ & Seafood Restaurant. Keynote Assemblywoman Autumn R. Burke - District 62 presented her personal experiences and how VIP it is for residents of the African American community to be active in the election and voting process of our local to national 2018 Elections in June and November and the California Governor’s Race. n

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THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO GO

For more events in Sacramento & beyond, go to www.sacculturalhub.com and list your event for free online. | APRIL | SPOKEN WORD COMPETITION APRIL 26 6 PM TO 9 PM The African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC) presents its 2nd Annual “What’s Menthol Got to Do With It? Everything!” Spoken Word Competition. Taking place on Bayview Opera House, 4705 3rd Street in San Francisco. Perform an original piece linking TOBACCO and SOCIAL JUSTICE for your chance to win! FIRST PLACE: $750, SECOND PLACE: $500, THIRD PLACE: $250.

This event is FREE and open to ALL communities! Live DJ, catered food, safe space and more. facebook.com/ events/2051337815113928 SAC FRY FEST IN DOWNTOWN APRIL 28 Sacramento sacfryfest.com/tickets | MAY | 7TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE: BREAST CANCER & AFRICAN AMERICANS MAY 5 7:30 AM TO 3:30 PM South San Francisco Conference Center, 255 S. Airport Blvd. No Cost!

Seating limited and provided on a

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first-come, first-serve basis!

Register online at: tinyurl.com/2018BCAA.

Center in Sacramento.

Tickets available at: huskyshows.com or 800.595.4849

22ND ANNUAL HIP HOP IN THE PARK MAY 5 12 PM TO 5 PM People’s Park, 2556 Haste Street in Berkeley, CA. This a FREE, family friendly event, so bring your friends and family along and hang out with Students for Hip Hop as we transform People’s Park into a fun filled hip hop festival for the day! facebook.com/ events/1596314673827668

2018 KOMEN SACRAMENTO VALLEY RACE FOR CURE MAY 12 7:30 AM Race Day registration at 7:30 am and race starts at 9 am. komenccalifornia.org

THE SART CONFERENCE MAY 9-10 It Takes a Community is a multi-disciplinary event for Law Enforcement, Justice Centers, Medical Personnel, CPS and Social Workers, Mental Health Professionals, etc. Taking place at McClellan Conference Center, 5411 Luce Ave., McClellan Park.

Registration is now open. cce.csus.edu/SARTconference HUSKY SHOWS 2018 SUMMER JAZZ SERIES PRESENTS NATHAN EAST AND JAZMIN GHENT MAY 12 The Hangar @ McClellan Conference

FESTIVAL OF PRAISE PRESENTS TEXTURE OF A MAN CONCERT MAY 17 7:30 PM Bob Hope Theatre in Stockton Festival of Praise presents Texture of a Man concert featuring: Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Take 6, James Fortune, and Pastor Charles Jenkins. ticketmaster.com 47TH ANNUAL BLACK FAMILY DAY MAY 19 11AM TO 6 PM Don’t miss the 47th Annual Black Family Day event held at UC Davis East Quad. Activities include: music, performances, food, children’s fair, jumper, games, stompfest and more.

Spread the word - invite your friends and family. http://ccc.ucdavis.edu/ africandiaspora.html or (530) 752 -6620.

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STONE SOUL CONCERT MAY 26-27 Concord Pavilion. 2-day Stone Soul Concert with over 12 artists that include: Frankie Beverly & Maze, Babyface, Keith Sweat, Joe, Johnny Gill, Musiq Soulchild, Stokley, Angela Winbush, Ro James, Leela James, Rob Base, and Zapp. ticketmaster.com | JUNE | 5th Annual Sacramento Black Book Fair (SBBF) JUNE 1-2 5th Annual Sacramento Black Book Fair (SBBF), “CREATING A LEGACY” taking place in the Historic Center of Oak Park - headquarters for checkin at Women’s Civic Improvement Club, 3555 3rd Ave in Sacramento (at 35th and Broadway). There are several venues that will be sites of activities and events located in Oak Park and include: Brickhouse Art Gallery, Underground Books, The Guild Theatre, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s House (near Oak Park Preschool). For more info e-mail faye@bluenilepress. com or call (916) 484-3749 or visit sacramentoblackbookfair.com

THE WINE AFFAIR: SIP, STROLL & SAVOR THE SOUND JUNE 2 Queen Sheba Ethiopian Cuisine, 1704 Broadway in Sacramento. Come out to network and wine taste with some exotic premium wines with the smooth sounds of a band. $10/ person. A portion of the proceeds will be going to fdyc.org FASHION SHOW FUNDRAISER JUNE 7 6 PM TO 9 PM presented by the Sacramento Realtist Association. Showcasing Macy’s clothing. At Macy’s on the 2nd floor, 414 K Street in Downtown Sacramento. Private reception starts at 6 pm. Fashion Show from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm and then exclusive shopping 7:30 pm to 9 pm (attendees receiving 30% discount on selective items that day). For tickets and more info call Zoritha Thompson at (916) 601-7653 or visit sacramentorealtist.com.

ANNUAL BLACK WOMEN’S MARCH JUNE 9 9 AM TO 12 NOON Join Black Women United for the 2nd

Annual Black Women’s March at the California State Capitol. If you missed last year’s monumental and powerful event, come out this year and make history! The theme for this year’s march is #CanILive which represents the social injustices and challenges that Black women face every day.

Black women experience inequalities within healthcare, civil rights, education and so much more. This is an event created by and designed for Black women, but allies and supporters are more than welcome to attend. When we #RiseUpAsOne, everyone wins! bwusac.com 2ND ANNUAL MAHOGANY FESTIVAL JUNE 9 10 AM TO 6 PM William Lee College Prep, 3300 Stockton Blvd in Sacramento.

Celebrating Black culture, unity, natural hair, music, Black business, Black economics, Black education and Black people. Live performances, guest speakers, vendors, soul food, and activities for all ages. FREE to the public - bring out the family with your lawn chairs and blankets.

Presented by Fortune School and

Malikspeaks. mahoganyfestival.com V1101.1 SUMMER JAM AT THE THUNDER VALLEY AMPHITHEATER JUNE 9 6 PM Doors opening at 5 pm and show time at 6 pm featuring: TLC; Nelly, Tony! Toni! Tone!; DJ Gino. worldonepresents.com

SACRAMENTO AFRICAN AMERICAN MARKET PLACE on the 1st Saturday of the Month located at 2251 Florin Road (nearest cross street is 24th) in South Sacramento – open from 10 am to 5 pm. For more info go to facebook.com/SacramentoAMP or call (916) 730-6386.

| ONGOING | OPEN MIC AT MAHOGANY URBAN POETRY SERIES every Wednesday night inside Queen Sheba Restaurant located at 1704 Broadway in Midtown Sacramento (at 17th and Broadway). (916) 446-1223 BOOK SIGNINGS, LECTURES, ART EXHIBITS, AND POETRY/ SPOKENWORD EVENTS AT UNDERGROUND BOOKS, 2814 35th Street in Oak Park, Sacramento.

(916) 737-3333 or undergroundbooks.com ART EXHIBITS, OPEN MIC POETRY, WORKSHOPS at Brick House Gallery, 2837 36th Street in Oak Park cramento. (916) 475-1240 or thebrickhousegallery.net

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Call 916.234.3589 contact@sacculturalhub.com

SACRAMENTO COUNTY StopStigmaSacramento.org SACRAMENTO REALTIST ASSOCIATION http://sacramentorealtist.com

CROCKER ART MUSEUM www.crockerartmuseum.org

SANDRA DEE’S BBQ & SEAFOOD www.sandradeesbbq.com

CRYSTAL’S HAIR SALON 916.549.8972

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FORTUNE SCHOOL www.fortuneschooL.us HEALTH4ALL www.health4allca.org THE GOSPEL VINE www.thegospelvine.com GOT MUSCLE HEALTH CLUB www.got-muscle.com HAIR BY MS. CHERRY (916) 549-9276

Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter

SACRAMENTO BLACK BOOK FAIR www.sacramentoblackbookfair.com

COLEMAN COMMUNICATIONS www.michaelpcoleman.com

DOUBLE TAKE HAIR GALLERY www.facebook.com/tavia.jenkins

4 issues

1007 12th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

TERRY SPEED, D.D.S. www.terrispeeddds.com

WALK-INS WELCOME

UC DAVIS www.ucdavis.edu UC DAVIS HEALTH answers.ucdavis.edu UC DAVIS OFFICE OF CAMPUS COMMUNITY RELATIONS http://occr.ucdavis.edu UNIVERSITY OF PACIFIC www.pacific.edu

JAMES THE BARBER & STYLIST (916) 514-2539

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THIS IS WHO WE ARE. Camille Iman Woods ’16 B.A. English High School English Teacher Sacramento, California I’ve always looked for mentors in my professional spaces, and having black female faculty members at UC Davis was a cultural necessity. Their support and willingness to work with me was very motivating. UC Davis really values culture, which helped build my cultural competence and has led me to become a better teacher.

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