Local

NEW YORK, NY— The African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), America’s oldest Black Christian denomination, is now on record supporting the struggle for reparations. At the recent 52nd Session of the General Conference, a reparations resolution passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 1394 to 50.

The resolution stated that the African Methodist Episcopal Church “stands in solidarity with both our ancestors and brothers and sisters across the globe demanding reparations for the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, chattel slavery, Jim Crow, racial terror, mass incarceration at the hands of an unjust criminal justice system, housing discrimination, political and physical assassinations, and the exploitation of natural and human resources on the continent of Africa. Furthermore, this resolution calls on the AME Social Action Commission on the historic 60th Anniversary of its existence to make reparations a major policy point of advocacy with its own sub-committee during the forthcoming quadrennial.

The resolution was written and introduced by Rev. Dr. Robert Turner, long-time reparations champion and pastor of Baltimore’s Empowerment Temple AME Church. Pastor Turner is also a commissioner on the National African American Reparations Commission (NAARC) and over the past year has walked some 40 miles each month from his Baltimore Church to the gates of the White House in a silent vigil calling on the Biden Administration to establish a national reparations commission by executive order.

Fellow NAARC commissioners praised Pastor Turner for his breakthrough initiative. Dr. Ron Daniels, convenor of NAARC, described it as “historic”, Commissioner Justin Hansford called it “fantastic,” Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Grills characterized it as “an awesome accomplishment” while Commissioner Robin Rue Simmons congratulated Dr. Turner and thanked him for his leadership.

“The AME Church is a global Christian denomination and in voting for this resolution, delegates from all over the world shows people of the African Diaspora supporting reparations for both past and current atrocities such as slavery, Jim Crow and the economic exploitation of people of African descent,” said Dr. Turner. “It urges members to go back to their districts and fight for reparations, inspired and equipped by God.”

The resolution also noted that whereas economic incentives have been widely and freely shared with whites and denied to blacks, from the New Deal to the GI Bill, which saved the American economy after the Great Depression, blacks were also denied home loans until 1968 and redlined into undervalued neighborhoods with no compensation to date.

“Moreover, reparations using taxpayer dollars have been given to Japanese Americans, Jewish Holocaust survivors, indigenous Americans, and even to slave owners and veterans of the Confederacy, to date, there have been no reparations paid to the African American community,” the resolution stated.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded by freed, formerly enslaved persons such as Richard Allen with a goal of assisting in the social and political upliftment for Africans and their descendants in America.

The resolution noted that today, the AME Church is located all over the globe “in places where people of African descent have been brutalized, enslaved, marginalized, sexually assaulted, economically exploited and politically oppressed, with no compensation nor justice to date.”

Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, covers one in three Californians, including more than 50 percent of the state’s youth. In California, nearly 300,000 youth are coping with depression, and 66 percent of them do not get the help they need, according to Governor Newsom’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health.

Black children and children of color make up nearly 75 percent of children on Medi-Cal, yet they face significant barriers to accessing mental health services. Despite an overall decline in the suicide rate in California, youth — particularly Black, Latino, and female Californians — have seen disproportionate increases in suicide rates. According to data from 2022, about 4.3 percent of low-income teens on Medi-Cal have undergone depression screenings and received follow-up treatment. Among Indigenous youth, the screening rate is a little more than half that (2.3 percent). However, more screenings are probably occurring that are not being reported due to data capture issues.

To improve access to Medi-Cal mental health services, DHCS implemented a “No Wrong Door” approach to seeking care. In other words, any Medi-Cal member can receive timely access to covered mental health services regardless of where they first seek care, whether at a county mental health office or their Medi-Cal health plan.

Medi-Cal Covered Mental Health Services

Medi-Cal covers a wide range of services to support the emotional, psychological, and social needs of members. Medi-Cal can cover such services as:

• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Crisis counseling
• Case management
• Medication for mental health conditions
• Depression and anxiety screenings
• Drug and alcohol treatment services
• Other treatments for significant or complex mental health as necessary

Paula Wilhelm, Deputy Director for Behavioral Health at the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), emphasized the state’s commitment to transforming behavioral health services, which covers both mental health and substance use disorder treatment, under Medi-Cal.

“Mental health is just as important as physical health, and all of our health outcomes are intertwined,” Wilhelm said. “DHCS is partnering with health plans and care providers to transform the way behavioral health services are delivered to Medi-Cal members.”

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is a monumental investment in strengthening mental health services for young Californians. This initiative focuses on prevention, wellness, screening, assessment, outpatient, and community-based treatment.

Mental Health Virtual Services Apps

In January 2024, DHCS, in collaboration with Kooth and Brightline, launched two mental health virtual services platforms, which you can download as android and apple apps, BrightLife Kids for children aged 0-12 and Soluna for teenagers and young adults aged 13-25.

These platforms connect individuals to free coaching and provide educational content, assessment tools, care navigation services, peer communities, and crisis and safety protocols to all California youth and their families, regardless of insurance coverage.

These services aim to complement existing mental health services by offering additional care options and resources for parents, caregivers, children, youth, and young adults in California. If you experience long wait times to see a mental health counselor, check out these apps to connect to individual or group coaching.

Get Started Today

If you or your child need mental health services, contact your Medi-Cal health plan, which will assess your needs and refer you to get help.

In Riverside County and San Bernardino County, Medi-Cal members can contact:

*   Inland Empire Health Plan: 800-440-4347

*   Kaiser Permanente: 855-839-7613

*   Molina HealthCare of California Partner Plan, Inc.: 888-665-4621

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Some individuals have dedicated their lives to serving others, going above and beyond in their contributions. “We are looking for Black Heroes and Sheroes in the IE,” said Carl M. Dameron, President of the Black Culture Foundation.

On Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., the Black Culture Foundation will honor and celebrate the remarkable work of these individuals at the 33rd Annual Black Rose Awards in the Santos Manuel Student Union at Cal State San Bernardino.

“If you know of a remarkable Black leader or someone deeply committed to improving the community for everyone in the Inland Empire, the Black Culture Foundation is eager to learn about them. We are actively seeking nominations for the 33rd Annual Black Rose awards,” said Dameron.

“We are searching for individuals whose volunteer efforts surpass their job-related activities,” said Black Rose Founder Jim King. “These are the unsung heroes—individuals who volunteer with multiple organizations or dedicate their spare time to one or more. They do not seek recognition but endeavor to improve their community and make it a better place to live.”

To nominate a remarkable person for a Black Rose Award, go online to sbbcfoundation.org. Nominations are due by September 30, 2024, at 5:00 pm.

As Dameron explained, the awards program is dedicated to honoring the Black community in the Inland Empire. However, it’s important to note that recipients of the award are not required to be Black.

Over the years, numerous community leaders in law enforcement, education, and other public arenas have been celebrated and presented with an award for their impactful contributions to the Inland Empire.

“Join us in celebrating and honoring the significant contributions of the Black community in The Inland Empire. By becoming a committee member, you can play a vital role in shaping the Black Rose Awards program and the Black History Parade. To take the lead as a member or committee chair, sign up online at https://sbbcfoundation.org,” said King.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Scores of advocates from across California protested at the State Capitol Saturday after the Legislature failed to bring two critical reparations bills to the floor for a full vote on Aug. 31, the final day of the legislative session.

Chanting “What do we want? Reparations! When do we want it? Now!,” the advocates expressed their outrage and disappointment that Senate Bill (SB) 1403 and Senate Bill (SB) 1331 — both authored by Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) — had stalled.

Despite advancing smoothly through much of the legislative process this year, the session concluded without a vote on both bills, leaving the future of reparations in California hanging in the balance.

“This is becoming a political disaster. It’s our own people holding this up,” said Chris Lodgson, reparations advocate from the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC), blaming members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC).

Lodgson said the Legislature’s decision to pass another bill, Assembly Bill (AB) 1840, on Aug. 28, only heightened his frustration.

AB 1840, authored by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno), would allow eligible undocumented immigrants to purchase homes with state-backed financing through the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loan program.

AB 1840 passed the Assembly on Aug. 28, and is now moving on to the governor for his consideration, prompting some in the Black community to feel overlooked.

“This tells me and Black Californians who are ancestors of slavery, who built this country we are not as important,” Lodgson said. “We’re not a priority or important as those other programs. That’s what is most infuriating and that’s what Black legislators are telling their people. That’s not going to be accepted.”

Tiffany Quarles, a reparations activist and supporter of Bradford’s bills, drove from Los Angeles to Sacramento to watch what she thought would be the passage of a historic vote.

“I am not disdained, and I am not discouraged. I came here to fight for Black Americans whose families were enslaved in this country. My family was enslaved in this country. So, I am not giving up. If they think that this is over, they are wrong,” said Quarles. “We still demand lineage-based reparations.”

Quarles said she believes Democratic leaders decided against advancing the bills because they are worried their decision would hurt V.P. Kamala Harris’s chances of winning the presidency.

“They will sacrifice Black America just to get her in, and that’s not right,” stated Quarles.

According to Bradford, the Governor’s Office expressed some concerns over his reparation’s bills.

“They offered up some amendments that weren’t accepted by me. We had no indications of any amendments up until Monday (Aug. 26) of this week,” said Bradford.

“We had legislation that made it out of Assembly Appropriations committee without one single amendment — not a single amendment was offered up. We moved these bills with the understanding that we had the votes to take it up on the Assembly floor,” Bradford explained. “It was just some simple amendment that pretty much would have gutted SB 1403 and made it an additional study.”

Bradford, who served on the Reparations Task force, said California researched reparations for two years and delivered a 1,100-page report to the legislature. Therefore, there is no need to conduct an additional study.

The CLBC issued a statement on the final day of the legislative session confirming that SB 1403 would not be brought to a vote this session and would be reintroduced next session.

“The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) remains steadfast in our commitment to advancing the CLBC 2024 Reparations Priority Legislative Package,” the statement read. “The CLBC has chosen to concentrate our collective energy on the legislative priorities that the entire caucus has voted on and those that positively impact Black Californians.”

The CLBC reaffirmed its commitment to its 2024 reparations priority legislative package, despite SB 1403 and SB 1331 not being part of the original package.

The CLBC statement emphasized the complexity of the legislative process and its ongoing dedication to advancing reparative justice for Black Californians.

SB 1403 aimed to establish the California American Freedmen Affairs Agency to recommend measures for compensating Black Californians who are descendants of enslaved people. SB 1331 proposed the creation of the Fund for Reparations and Reparative Justice in the State Treasury to fund policies approved by the Legislature and Governor that address the harm done to descendants of enslaved African American persons who experienced chattel slavery or free Black people living in the U.S. before the end of the 19th century.

Another bill in the CLBC’s legislative package, SB 1050, authored by Bradford and introduced for the vote by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), calls for the establishment of a process for California to review and investigate public complaints from individuals who claim their property was taken without just compensation as a result of racially motivated eminent domain. The legislation would also establish a process for providing compensation to the rightful owner. That bill passed with a 56-0 vote on Aug. 29, marking a significant victory for those advocating for reparative justice.

“We understand that the legislative process is complex and does not always unfold as initially envisioned. However, we remain committed to our long-term goals and recognize that this is a multi-year effort,” the CLBC statement continued.

According to the CLBC, the work of advancing reparations and achieving justice for Black Californians is “far from complete.”

“We will not be distracted from our mission. We will stay focused on the work at hand, united in our purpose, and dedicated to the cause of reparations and equity for all. The CLBC will continue to lead with integrity and purpose, ensuring that our legislative efforts are impactful and meaningful for the communities we serve,” the statement concluded.

Los Angeles Attorney, Kamilah Moore, who served as chair of the Reparations Task Force, called the turn of events “unconscionable.”

“The bills sailed through various committees and people expected them to be introduced to the floor for a vote,” Moore said. “What happened was unexpected. It’s causing a lot of confusion and different emotions from the community.”

“I think it was unconscionable that no legislator had the courage to get up and introduce the bills, particularly the California Legislative Black Caucus. The CLBC is such an esteemed institution. They had the chance, and still have a chance, to do something historic.”

By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media

Over 36,000 Black Californians maintained coverage with a health insurance provider through the 14-month Medi-Cal to Covered California redetermination process led by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Covered California

This number does not include Californians who have employer or private insurance or those who have been enrolled in Medi-Cal or Covered California and have met all the eligibility requirements for both programs.

In total, more than 158,000 Californians retained their health coverage through the statewide redetermination initiative, which began in April 2023 and ran until June of this year, according to DHCS.

Covered California Chief Medical Officer and Chief Deputy Executive Director Dr. S. Monica Soni said the availability of affordable health coverage can help prevent negative medical outcomes in the Golden State’s Black communities. That coverage includes Medi-Cal, California’s version of the Medicaid program — which offers free or low-cost health care access to low-income people across the nation — or one of the affordable health plans offered through Covered California, the state’s health insurance exchange.

“We know primary care is one of the ways to have good health and wellness — from behavioral health to physical health to instances where someone has a substance abuse disorder,” said Soni, also a primary care doctor and the first Black Chief Medical Officer at Covered California.

“Our communities are some of the most incredible community-oriented, health-seeking ambitious folks,” Soni continued. “We have a lot of assets in our communities, but it is true we have higher rates of death for many cancers. We have more obesity. We have really higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure as well.”

The redetermination project kicked off when Medi-Cal resumed its renewal process to establish eligibility for over 15 million of its members following the end of the federal continuous coverage requirement put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Covered California automatically enrolled individuals in one of its low-cost health plans with insurers such as Aetna Health, Anthem Blue Cross of California, Health Net, Molina Health Plan, or Valley Health Plan if they lost Medi-Cal coverage and qualified for Covered California.

Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman said people who received health insurance through Covered California didn’t experience a gap in coverage.

“We are proud of these results so far, and the Medi-Cal to Covered California program is now a mainstay in our effort to keep Californians covered with comprehensive, affordable health insurance,” she said in a statement.

Soni said continuing the automatic enrollment beyond the redetermination process helped to keep health insurance accessible for state residents.

According to a survey conducted last fall on behalf of Covered California by NORC and Slosar Research, 82% of people in the Medi-Cal renewal processes were covered through employer- insurance; were already enrolled with Covered California, or returned to Medi-Cal.
Soni stated that the main obstacle that prevents people without health insurance from selecting a plan through Covered California is a belief the price will be out of their budget.

“Sometimes people are worried about the cost,” she explained. “We have zero-dollar and $10-a-month plans, depending on household income. Regardless of what health plan you choose all of your primary care costs are the same. We believe you should be able to shop for the health plan you want.”

Covered California’s open enrollment period runs from November of this year to January 2025. Soni said Covered California will have record levels of support and affordability during the upcoming year.

“Incredible support we are getting from the state and federal government makes us able to do that,” she said.

Everyone should use their health coverage to see a doctor as required, based on their individual or family medical history, Soni said, recalling her experience working at a Los Angeles area hospital.

“I’ve had many circumstances where someone wasn’t going to see a primary care provider and showed up in the emergency room with an advanced cancer that could have been caught early and treated, but now it is too far advanced to really get treatment,” she recalled. “That is a 40-year-old, that is a young person, who again with earlier care, all of that could have been prevented.”

The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra is proud to present The Josh Nelson Ensemble performing “This is Jazz: A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Baker,” on Saturday, September 7th at 3 p.m. at the historic San Bernardino Valley College Auditorium.

Previous Symphony attendees will remember Nelson’s outstanding piano skills from past editions of our annual jazz series, and this year his musical colleagues include vocalist Angie Wells, trumpeter Kye Palmer, bassist Chris Colangelo, drummer Dan Schnelle, and vocalist/pianist John Proulx.

Symphony Associate Conductor Raphaela Lacerda, who recently conducted the cinematic score for Beverly Hills Cop 4, will host the event.

The repertoire – which begins with a duet to “They Can’t Take that Away From Me,” will be filled with Ms. Fitzgerald’s iconic covers including “Summertime,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Cheek to Cheek,” and “Someone to Watch Over Me,” and some of Mr. Baker’s most beloved tunes including “But Not for Me,” “Let’s Get Lost,” “Long Ago and Far Away,” “My Funny Valentine,” and “I Fall in Love Too Easily.”

A Queen and a Prince

Regarded by many as one of the finest ever jazz singers, Ella Fitzgerald – sometimes referred to as the “First Lady of Song,” “Queen of Jazz,” and “Lady Ella” – was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, intonation, and a “horn-like” improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing.

After a tumultuous adolescence, Fitzgerald found stability in musical success with the Chick Webb Orchestra, performing across the country, but most often associated with the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Her rendition of the nursery rhyme “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” helped boost both her and Webb to national fame (plan to hear that September 7th!) After signing with Verve Records, she recorded some of her more widely noted works, particularly her interpretations of the Great American Songbook.

Fitzgerald also appeared in films and as a guest on popular television shows in the second half of the twentieth century. Outside her solo career, she created music with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and The Ink Spots. These partnerships produced songs such as “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” “Cheek to Cheek,” “Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall,” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).” Her accolades included 14 Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts, the NAACP‘s inaugural President’s Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Chesney Henry “Chet” Baker Jr. was an American jazz trumpeter and vocalist. He is known for major innovations in cool jazz that led him to be nicknamed the “Prince of Cool”.

Baker earned much attention and critical praise through the 1950s, particularly for two albums featuring his vocals: Chet Baker Sings (1954) and It Could Happen to You (1958). He regularly collaborated and with jazz greats Charlie Parker and Gerry Mulligan.

Jazz historian Dave Gelly described the promise of Baker’s early career as “James Dean, Sinatra, and Bix, rolled into one.” Sadly, his well-publicized drug habit also drove his notoriety and fame and Baker was in and out of jail frequently before enjoying a career resurgence in the late 1970s and 1980s. But his talent did not fade and he was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1987, into the DownBeat Magazine Jazz Hall of Fame in 1989, the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in 199, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001.

Tickets and Location Details

Tickets for “This is Jazz” are available at $20-$100 per seat and may be purchased by clicking any photo in this email, or by going online to the Symphony website at www.sanbernardinosymphony.org, or by phone at (909) 381-5388 Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Seats for students and Active military are available for $15.

San Bernardino Valley College is located at 701 S. Mt. Vernon Avenue in San Bernardino. The Auditorium located in the north end of campus facing Mt. Vernon. Free parking is available adjacent to the Auditorium on concert day.

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media??

On the opening night of the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 19 in Chicago, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass commended Vice President Kamala Harris, describing her as a role model who fights to protect children.

During her speech, Bass recalled working together with Harris on youth homelessness and fixing the child welfare system over a decade ago when she served as the head of the California Assembly and Harris was a state prosecutor.

“Our bond was forged years ago, by a shared commitment to children,” said Bass, honoring their 20 years of friendship.

“A belief that it is everybody’s responsibility to care for every child, no matter where they come from or no matter who their parents are,” she said.

A well-known advocate for children, Bass created the Bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and worked closely with Harris. The Vice President worked closely with Bass to help young people in the juvenile justice system when she served as the California Attorney General.

Bass spoke highly of Harris’ dedication as a public servant and advocate for young people.

As a leader Harris, “feels the importance of this work in her bones. When Kamala meets a young person, you can feel her passion. You can feel her heart. And you can feel her fearlessness,” said Bass.

“That is what defines a commitment to children: being willing to fight fiercely for every child. And trust me, Kamala has done that her entire life,” she added.

Both Democrats made history in their current leadership roles when Harris became the first female vice president of the United States and Bass became the first woman mayor of L.A. in 2022. Harris swore Bass into that role, an act both women agree sent a powerful message to young girls that they too can become leaders.

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media??

California Senate and Assembly Republicans are rallying against Senate Bill (SB) 94, legislation that would allow people sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole to petition the court for a lighter sentence.

The bill authored by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), would enable the court to resentence people imprisoned without the possibility of parole if the individual has served a minimum of 25 years and if their offense occurred before June 5, 1990.

According to SB 94, only individuals convicted under “special circumstance murder” would be eligible to petition for a new sentence. The proposed law would not apply to individuals that committed murder in an egregious manner such as torture, poison, lying in wait, rape by instrument, mayhem, and other offenses, according to Cortese.

Republican Senators released an extensive analysis of the bill outlining how it undermines public safety and arguing that the early release of violent criminals is “an affront to victims, their families and people concerned about crime rates statewide.”

At a press conference on Aug. 22, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego), joined other GOP lawmakers in denouncing the bill, asserting that freedom is a right reserved for law-abiding citizens.

“When violent murderers brutally take a life, they lose their right to freedom,” said Jones.

“Now, radical Democrat politicians want to bring these violent offenders back into our communities. Releasing heinous murderers after promising justice to the victims’ families is not just disrespectful, it’s dangerous,” he said.

Pushing back on the criticisms from across the aisle, Cortese put out on statement stating that Republicans are spreading misinformation about the bill. Cortese reiterated that the bill would not release people from prison, rather it would send people to judicial court, State Parole Board, and the Governor. .

“At each level, public safety is paramount, by utilizing the four-tiered process we are ensuring that only those who have rehabilitated pursuant to a Judicial Court, the Parole Board, and our Governor have the potential to be released. All three must agree. Only those having already served a minimum of 25 years may request a hearing,” said Cortese.

“I would encourage everyone to read the bill and read our proposed amendments,” Cortese added.

By Regina Wilson | California Black Media

Last week, California arrived at a turning point in the decades-long quest to find a solution to the news crisis in our state.

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) brokered a deal that promises to change the future of news in our state. This isn’t just another plan — it’s a unique collaboration that brings together the State of California, news publishers and tech companies, to give our newsrooms the financial support they desperately need.

It also includes the launching of a new National AI Accelerator to explore how artificial intelligence can help journalism thrive in today’s digital world.

This partnership couldn’t come at a more critical time. Local journalism is on life support across our state. Across the country, news outlets are shrinking or shutting down at an alarming rate, leaving communities without vital information. A recent study from Northwestern University found that two and a half newspapers in the U.S. close every week. Since 2005, we’ve lost two-thirds of our newspaper journalists. In California alone, over 100 newspapers have disappeared in the last decade.

Assemblymember Wicks, along with the state and other key players, have come up with a pragmatic way to address this crisis. They’ve created an agreement to revive local journalism in California by using tech industry and public resources — without raising taxes on Californians.

Over the next five years, more than $250 million in public and private funding will go to California’s newsrooms, especially small, local, and community-focused outlets. The plan is to invest $100 million in the first year to get things started. This money will help hire hundreds of new journalists, strengthen existing newsrooms, and rebuild a strong press corps across our state. This isn’t just about saving what’s left. It’s about creating a future where journalism can be strengthened enough to resume its critical roles as interpreter of current events; watchdog of developments in business and public policy; and reliable source of news and information.

At the center of this initiative is the News Transformation Fund that will be managed by the UC Berkeley School of Journalism. This fund will provide financial support to California-based journalism, with help from both the tech sector and the state. The focus is on helping news organizations fill the gaps in local news deserts, serve underrepresented communities, and prioritize California coverage. Small, independent publishers — the ones closest to their communities and most in need.

As the Executive Director of California Black Media, I can’t stress enough how important this initiative is for ethnic and community media outlets. We’ve always been the trusted voices for historically underrepresented communities, providing news and information that larger outlets often overlook or under-explore. But many of our outlets are struggling to survive, often relying on just a few dedicated people to keep going.

This new partnership recognizes the crucial role of ethnic media in California’s diverse landscape. It offers immediate and much-needed help, allowing our newsrooms to adapt to a changing media world, embrace new technologies, and continue our important work. For many of us, this funding could mean the difference between staying open and closing down.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s support for this initiative, along with his backing of AB 1511, authored by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), demonstrates the administration’s strong commitment to local and underrepresented media. AB 1511 seeks to increase the state’s investment in marketing, advertising, and outreach dollars directed specifically to our local community news providers.

It’s important to note that this partnership is just the beginning. As Assemblymember Wicks said, this effort is about laying the foundation for a free and vibrant press in California. The National AI Accelerator will provide even more resources to explore how AI can help solve some of the toughest challenges facing journalism and society.

This isn’t just about money. It’s about reaffirming the essential role that journalism plays in our democracy. It’s about making sure all Californians have access to reliable and trustworthy news, no matter where they live or what language they speak. It’s about empowering local news outlets to keep telling the stories that matter most to their communities.

As we move forward, I encourage all stakeholders — publishers, journalists, community leaders, and policymakers — to come together and make the most of this opportunity. The future of California’s media landscape is at a crossroads, and with the right support, we can ensure it is incrementally funded to become more diverse, dynamic, and democratic.

About the Author

Regina Wilson is the Executive Director of California Black Media.

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

Every one of you follows your stubborn, evil will, refusing to listen to Me. [Jeremiah 16:12]. You have turned to Me your back and not your face. And though I have taught you persistently, you have not listened to receive instruction [Jeremiah 32:33]. My Word is an object of scorn to you, which you take no pleasure in it. [Jeremiah 6:10]. You have stiffened your neck that you might not hear and receive instructions. [Jeremiah 17:23]. This has been your way from your youth, that you have not obeyed My voice. [Jeremiah 22:21]. Although I persistently sent to you all My servants the prophets. [Jeremiah 25:4]. For years My Word has come to you, but you have not listened. [Jeremiah 25:37]. Circumcise yourselves to Me, remove the foreskin of your hearts. [Jeremiah 4:4; Jeremiah 9:25-26] If you do not, I am going to bring disaster upon you that you cannot escape. For you have provoked me to anger with the work of your hands to your own harm because you have not listened. [Jeremiah 25:7].

Though they will cry to Me in their troubles, I will not listen to them. [Jeremiah 11:11] So do not pray for them or lift up a cry on their behalf. [Jeremiah 11:14]. I have spoken to them persistently, but they have not listened. [Jeremiah 35:14].

I want you to understand, there comes a day when God’s patience runs out, and when it does, the results are disastrous. [Jeremiah 35:17]. God has good plans for us, but if we refuse to listen, He will not reward our disobedience. What is true for the nations is true for us: “If at any time God declares concerning a nation or a kingdom that He will build and plant it, and if it does evil in His sight, not listening to His voice, He will relent of the good that He had intended to do to it” [Jeremiah 18:9-10].

I tell you, refusing to listen to God is the Ultimate Foolishness! If we hear God’s Word, but only obediently listen when it is convenient, we will be undone. This is a key in [Jeremiah Chapter 42] which tells the story of Johanan and the remnant of Judah after most were taken away in the Babylonian captivity. Jeremiah was asked to pray to God on behalf of the people and pledges, [Jeremiah 42:6]. But when Jeremiah prays, God tells him the opposite of what Johanan was hoping to hear. God said, “Don’t go to Egypt; don’t be afraid of the Babylonians; I’ll protect you. But since God’s word was not what Johanan wanted to hear, he insisted, “You are telling a lie. The Lord our God did not send you to say, ‘Do not go to Egypt to live there” [Jeremiah 43:2]. God’s word could not have been clearer. But Johanan refused to listen. God destroyed him and his insolent companions.

This is how many people “listen” to God’s word. They are willing to hear, but they are not willing to obey when it is inconvenient. Instead, they look for every possible excuse to obscure and dilute the plain voice of God in Scripture. I tell you, Samuel’s response should be ours: “Speak, for you servant hears.” [1 Samuel 3:9-10] because refusing to listen to God is the worst kind of stubbornness and the ultimate foolishness, since it ends in our own harm: certain judgment by the hand of the Almighty.

How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert! [Psalm 78:40]. Therefore, He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them. [Isaiah 63:10].

I tell you; Refusing to obey the Lord is the Ultimate Foolishness!

Repent!