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By Dr. Jerry P. Abraham, director, Kedren Vaccines at Kedren Health in Los Angeles

California has made great strides in fighting the pandemic. The state continues to set new records, achieving test positivity under one percent as of mid-May and holding one of the lowest rates of new coronavirus cases in the nation, for the first time since testing began. But there is so much more work to do, especially in our communities of color.

Vaccinations are particularly important for communities of color that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. We are about three times as likely to contract the virus and about twice as likely to die from COVID-19 compared to non-Hispanic whites. As the focus now shifts to our younger population who remain susceptible to the virus, the best way we can protect them is to get them vaccinated. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that as of May 2021 youth now account for 22 percent of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S., when this time last year youth cases were only around three percent. As more older people receive vaccinations, it is important to get young people vaccinated to prevent new cases from increasing, starting with our 12 to 15-year-olds. 

Young people have been heroic throughout this pandemic, donning masks and putting their lives on hold, they have suffered extreme stress and isolation. Now it is their turn to join their older loved ones in getting vaccinated.

When more Californians become vaccinated, we can feel safer as restrictions are lifted and life begins to return to a sense of normalcy and to the things we love to do like church, traveling and gathering together without worry. 

When more Californians become vaccinated, we can feel safer as restrictions are lifted and life begins to return to a sense of normalcy and to the things we love to do like church, traveling and gathering together without worry. 

We understand that some parents and legal guardians may have questions. However, it is important to recognize that clinical trials have shown the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is safe and highly effective in protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death in those aged 12 to 15. As a result, the FDA granted emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine – the same vaccine already safely administered to millions of Californians ages 16 and older – for this next eligible age group. The Western States Scientific Safety Review workgroup convened immediately upon CDC review of the FDA’s authorization, issuing its recommendation just days later. 

The science is there. Pfizer’s phase three clinical trial enrolled 2,260 adolescents 12 to 15 years of age in the United States. The researchers recorded 18 cases of symptomatic coronavirus infection in the placebo group, and none among the children who received the vaccine, indicating that it was highly effective at preventing symptomatic illness. 

We also understand that there are youth who are afraid of getting the vaccine and parents and legal guardians want to know how to encourage them that this is the right thing. 

Start by acknowledging that it is normal to be concerned about any kind of immunization, particularly one of this magnitude. There has been more conversation around the COVID-19 vaccine than probably any other vaccination, with an overwhelming amount of misleading information out there. Share with your child that the injection is nearly painless, side effects are minimal and that inoculation against COVID-19 is a critical step toward helping end the pandemic.

Your family doctor or nurse practitioner can also answer any questions or concerns that your child may have about the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine with accurate, reliable and reassuring information. Additional information can be found at VaccinateALL58.com and you can visit MyTurn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255 to schedule an appointment. 

Availability will increase in the coming weeks, and the state is working closely with local health departments, schools, community partners, the faith-based community and others to provide vaccines equitably to underserved youth, including those who are experiencing homelessness or in foster care.    

The bottom line is these are life-saving vaccines. This is our path to normalcy. California is ready to safely deliver vaccines to young people ages 12 and over. 

PACIFIC OCEAN—-Fire Controlman (Aegis) 2nd Class Chase Davis, from Crestline, Calif., operates a console in the combat information center of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) during a damage control drill, May 15, 2021. Russell, part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, is on a scheduled deployment conducting routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Erik Melgar)       

By Tara Lynn Gray | Special to California Black Media

Reflecting on the murder of George Floyd a year later requires that we as Black Americans, Americans as a nation, honestly look at all the meaning that this tragedy embodies. The symbolism is palpable. For life has been, and continues to be, snuffed out of Black Americans in many ways, on many fronts.

Many people across the nation and around the world watched in horror the film footage of veteran police officer Derek Chauvin pressing the life out of George Floyd with that defiant, inhumane stare as he pushed his knee against Floyd’s neck with utter disregard for what—we learned during the trial a year later—lasted nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds, long after life had left George Floyd’s body. Chauvin was so enraged he kept killing Floyd long after he was already dead. He showed no concern about the potential consequences of his action as alarmed and pleading citizens stood by, eyewitnesses, watching helplessly.

Today, some may have found a bit of justice with the recent murder conviction of Derek Chauvin. But what does that really mean? What does it mean when it comes to achieving real justice for the known and unknown number of wrongful deaths of Black men and women by the hands of policemen and other law enforcement officers? The real question, and more importantly, what will be done to bring about systemic changes to stop this age-old, generation-old practice of snuffing out the life, literally and figuratively, of Black men, and Black people in many aspects of American life?

Blacks in America have had knees on their necks in all strands of the American experience, not just in terms of police brutality. American history is replete with evidence of oppression and inequality when it comes to how Blacks are regarded and treated. For decades and across generations, first it was slavery, then Jim Crow, and now the seemingly endless fight for civil rights and voting rights. In addition to police brutality today, too many states have introduced laws to restrict voting, with the state of Georgia leading the way. Many, not just rogue policemen, are about the business of snuffing out the will and denying those privileges and opportunities to Blacks that are afforded to other Americans.

These egregious practices can be seen in education, employment, and business—whether it is business in a large corporate environment or in the small business sector that is the bedrock of America. Despite their value, their quality, their contribution, Black employees and Black businesses are all too often under-valued, under-supported, and lack adequate investment capital. If they barely can survive today, how can they expect to participate in the technological advances and become sustainable in the future?

As we look at all the facets of what happened to George Floyd and so many others, and what their lives and deaths truly represent, caring Americans must focus on the mistreatment of Blacks, the ravages and denial of Black progress historically and now, across all areas of American society that breed a disproportionate level of poverty, crime, injustice, and unequal opportunity. America must acknowledge and value what Blacks bring to the table.

For those of us Blacks who have first-hand experience with rogue policemen, an unequal educational system, a discriminating employer who persists in treating you unfairly no matter how excellent your work history has been, or as a small business owner that struggles to survive year after year, there is more to be done and more to endure.

This is a call to action to our communities, our state, and our nation to realize that the death of George Flood and others is only symptomatic of larger systemic problems that need to be fixed. America will never be all it can be until it does.

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media

A year ago this week, the world watched in disbelief the cellphone video that captured Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on the neck of George Floyd for more than 9 minutes, leading to the African American man’s horrific death — and triggering widespread protests and some incidents of rioting around the world.

In California, members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) are reflecting on Floyd’s brutal murder, the progress the state and the country have made since it happened and taking stock of their own racial equity and police reform efforts in the Legislature, vowing to never give up their fight for fairness and justice.

“One year after the murder of George Floyd, we continue to be met with resistance at any attempt to answer the calls for meaningful police reform,” said Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Gardena), chair of the CLBC.

Bradford pointed out that California has always been on the leading edge of progressive change in America, but the state, he says, has been dragging its feet on rooting out some of the negative aspects of law enforcement.

“California remains one of four states without a decertification process to hold rogue cops accountable. As a state, we have to remain dedicated to setting the standard in this nation,” he said. “As legislators, we have a moral obligation to answer the calls for comprehensive police reform. We owe that much to George Floyd and all victims of police brutality here in California.

The George Floyd protests were the largest unrest in the United States since the civil rights movement, the intensity of it heightened by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The world was brought to a standstill as people sheltered in place at home, away of each other, in the greater interest of public safety.

In boardrooms and living rooms, it inspired a national reflection on race relations – and a collective confronting of historical racial injustices – and the mainstreaming of the slogan, “Black Lives Matter,” once a progressive rallying cry embraced largely by the political Left; but met with strong resistance in many other corners of America, or varying degrees of skepticism or indifference.

Corporate America responded, too, with programs and pitches, making decisions to promote racial equity. Black-focused organizations were flooded with donations. Most of America, both the public and private sectors, promised to review long-standing diversity issues with a fresh eye.

“To say that 2020 was a tumultuous year is a gross understatement. The COVID-19 pandemic changed every aspect of our lives — how we work, how we educate our students, go to the doctor, and communicate with one another, among other things,” said Bradford. “What did not change was the cycle of brutality and violence against Black and Brown communities by the hands of rogue cops in law enforcement.”

Since Floyd’s murder, members of the CLBC have introduced five different bills geared toward eliminating police use of excessive force and encouraging safter and more responsible law enforcement procedures. That’s in addition to six other pieces of legislation that members had already introduced the previous year.

“In the last year we saw millions of people from all walks of life in the streets chanting ‘Black Lives Matter,’ but now, it is translating into policy reforms,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena). Today, we remember the man who was George Floyd, and tomorrow we continue our work towards justice for him and the countless victims of deadly and excessive force by police officers.”

Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-San Diego), the newest member of the CLBC — she won a special election in April – said, as the mother of two Black boys, Floyd’s death was “extremely painful and personal.”

“We all felt a riveting emotional reaction, and it was particularly devastating for the Black community who has repeatedly been subjected this this type of trauma for generations,” said Weber, who is also a medical doctor.

“This tragedy once again highlighted the urgent need to take action because much work still needs to be done to establish equity for all,” she added. “We must do better for our future generations.”

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom called Los Angeles community organizer Isaac Bryan on Saturday morning to congratulate him for winning the 54th Assembly District special election.

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office reported that, as of Friday, May 21, Bryan was leading with 50.7% of counted ballots (21,388 votes) over his closest opponent, fellow Democrat Heather Hutt.

Hutt was trailing Bryan with 24.9% (10,489 votes).

Hutt served as the former state director for Kamala Harris when the current Vice President of the United States was California’s junior United States Senator.

Bryan’s projected victory – pending final certification by authorities – would push the California Legislative Black Caucus’s (CLBC) membership back up to 10.

The CLBC – the body of African American elected officials serving in the State Legislature – recently lost two members. In December, Gov. Newsom appointed former Assemblymember Shirley Weber, who represented the 79th District in the San Diego area, California’s 33rd Secretary of State. And last year after the general election, former state Sen. Holly J. Mitchell resigned to serve on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

The race Bryan won was announced after Sen. Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles) won a special election to represent the 30th District in the upper house of the California Legislature, replacing Mitchell.

“The Governor called this morning. We really did this,” the 29-year-old Bryan posted on his Twitter account, expressing gratitude to Newsom for reaching out to him.

“My name is Isaac Bryan, but my friends call me Mr. Assemblymember- elect,” Bryan tweeted before that in a separate post on May 21.

Bryan’s commanding lead puts him comfortably above the 50-plus percentage mark required to avoid a runoff with Hutt.

The special election was held May 18. By the end of the night, Bryan had locked in 49.62% of the votes. Hutt’s tally stood at a distant second with 24.61% of the vote. None of the other four candidates in the race — Cheryl Turner, Dallas Fowler, Bernard Senter and Samuel Robert Morales — won more than 10% of the vote.

“Can’t wait to have you up here on the green carpet @CABlackCaucus,” Kamlager tweeted, congratulating Bryan and welcoming him as a state lawmaker and new member of the CLBC. Kamlager is vice chair of the CLBC.

Before Bryan’s win, the CLBC welcomed another member, Dr. Akilah Weber (D-La Jolla), who won her mother Shirley Weber’s former Assembly seat in another special election in April.

Bryan is the founding director of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Black Policy Project (BPP). The BPP is a research initiative housed within the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies.

The project says its primary focus is producing community-centered research that helps ignite policy change, serving as the bridge between Black scholarship generated at UCLA and the ideas that inform policymaking.

Bryan’s supporters praise him for leading efforts to pass Measure J in Los Angeles County. The ballot initiative now mandates LA County to dedicate no less than 10 % of its general fund to spending on racial equity programs, including investments in youth development, supportive housing, alternatives to incarceration, job training, small business development, and more.

U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA-37), Mitchell, and Kamlager all endorsed Bryan.

By Gustavo F. Velasquez & Tunua Thrash-Ntuk | Special to California Black Media Partners

Due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, paying rent has become a real struggle for millions of Californians. But help is available to renters and landlords through the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program.

Based on income level, qualified applicants can receive assistance with unpaid rent and utilities and with future payments.

Funding comes from the $2.6 billion in federal emergency rental assistance provided to support both state and local rent relief programs in California. The CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program isn’t the sole resource for rent relief for California renters and landlords; many cities and counties are either currently administering their own rent relief programs – or launching one soon.

Cities and counties with populations greater than 200,000 are employing one of three rent relief options: option A) the state-administered CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program; option B) a local city- or county-administered program using the same eligibility criteria as option A; and option C) a local city-or county-administered program using different eligibility criteria, in some cases, in combination with a portion administered by the state.

While the programs vary, the goals are the same: Keep people housed and provide quick assistance to those at the highest risk of eviction. To simplify access to rent relief programs in California, the state launched HousingIsKey.com. The website directs renters and landlords to the programs that they may qualify for, based on where they live. After applicants provide the address of their rental property (landlords) or their residence (renters), they are sent to a website where they can review eligibility criteria and complete an application. Applicants can also call the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Call Center (833-430-2122) to find out which program to apply for and get help in a variety of languages.

By Tyler Shaun Evains

Legislation to help a family reap a portion of the benefits of their ancestors’ lost wealth could get approval from the state Senate this week.

Senate Bill 796 — which would allow L.A. County to return two parcels of oceanfront land it owns in Manhattan Beach back to the descendants of the original Black owners — is scheduled for a full Senate vote on Thursday, May 20, according to the office of the secretary of the senate.

The item is on the Senate’s consent calendar, office of the secretary of the senate said. And since the consent calendar is a set of uncontroversial items that get voted on all at once, the bill will almost certainly pass unless a senator pulls it off for discussion.

State Sen. Anthony Portantino, chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, determined the bill had no significant costs to California and sent the bill to the Senate floor on Monday, May 17, according to the office of Sen. Steven Bradford, D-Carson.

The two parcels at the heart of the bill were once part of a flourishing seaside resort owned by and operated for Black people in the early 20th century, during a time when African Americans had limited coastal access.

Willa and Charles Bruce ran a flourishing resort for Black people on that land in Manhattan Beach in the early 20th century, providing refuge for the people who at the time had limited coastal access.

But the original owners, Willa and Charles Bruce, as well as those who visited the resort and Manhattan Beach’s other African American residents, faced harassment and terrorism from some White neighbors who didn’t want Black people in the community.

Manhattan Beach leadership condemned the land, as well as that of other Black property owners, in 1924 and took it over through eminent domain.

The city still owns the largest portion of the former resort, which eventually became Bruce’s Beach Park.

But the two parcels closest to the surf became state-owned in 1948. The state gave those two parcels — and larger swaths of the beach — to L.A. County in 1995.

The county currently operates a lifeguard station there.

But under the 1995 transfer agreement, the county cannot sell or give the land to anyone else.

SB 796 would undo those restrictions and allow the county to return the land.

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors last month directed county officials to come up with a plan to return the parcels.

The County CEO’s Office, County Counsel and the executive director of racial equality, in consultation with the county fire chief, have until June 19 to report back to the board with a plan for how to deed the property to the Bruce family.

That plan, which the supervisors would have to OK, will include a timeline, options for addressing property tax issues after the transfer and ways the county could either lease the property from the Bruce family or relocate the lifeguard facility there.

If the bill passes the state Senate with a two-thirds vote by June 4, it would then go to the state Assembly, which would have to vote on it by Sept. 10. After that, the bill would go to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for his signature.

Getting the land back, though, is only a part of what the family is seeking, said Bruce family historian and representative Duane Shepard.

“We wanted the land restored, punitive damages for the police department terrorizing our family and restitution from lost revenue those enterprises would’ve had right now,” Shepard, a distant relative, said in an April interview. “Giving back the land doesn’t replace generational wealth.”

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

Last week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that he has created a new bureau within the Department of Justice (DOJ) dedicated to fighting discrimination and investigating hate crimes.

Bonta said the new Bureau of Racial Justice, which will be housed under the Civil Rights Enforcement Section, will also support the California task force that the state has charged with studying the impact of slavery and Jim Crow and coming up with reparations recommendations for Blacks in California and around the country.

In September last year, Gov. Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 3121 into law. The legislation, introduced by current California Secretary of State Shirley Weber when she served in the Assembly, requires the state to set up the task force.

Bonta has not yet spelled out how the bureau will contribute to the state’s reparations efforts, but he stressed the urgency of creating it.

“Throughout California’s history, too many of us have felt the sting of hate and discrimination,” said Bonta. “The fact is: No part of California is immune to hate. Too many Asian, Latino, Black, Native American, people with disabilities, LGBTQ, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh Californians all across the state are hurting.

According to the DOJ, the bureau will focus on six areas: hate crimes and organizations; implicit and explicit bias in policing; law enforcement best practices; campus climate issues; and the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans.

Bonta says the DOJ will work with the Big City Mayors, a group of officials from the state’s 13 largest cities, on its anti-discrimination and anti-hate crime initiatives. The cities are Los Angeles, San Diego, San José, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Riverside, Santa Ana, and Stockton.

At the end of this month, the DOJ says Bonta will host a virtual meeting with the Big City Mayors.

“Drawing on the expertise of local elected leaders, the virtual convening will seek to raise awareness around regional concerns involving hate crimes, support those who have been impacted by hate, and secure commitments for direct action across California,” the DOJ said in a statement.

The California Legislative Black Caucus welcomed the news. The group comprised of African American members of the State Legislature says, “California, after its acceptance into the union in 1850 until the end of slavery in 1865, actively supported the enslavement of Blacks.”

The CLBC says the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparations will increase understanding among Californians at a time when racial and political divisions divide Americans.

“As Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, I am humbled to be a part of this groundbreaking task force and look forward to having the difficult but necessary conversations on the age of enslavement here in California and across the nation,” said Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Gardena), who is also chair of the CBLC and a member of the reparations task force.

“The remnants of slavery and Jim Crow are still alive and well today and need to be addressed. We have found ways to not only apologize but also provide reparations to every group wronged in America and around the world except for African American decedents of slavery,” Bradford pointed out.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- San Bernardino County continues to make great progress vaccinating its residents, and recently opened opportunities for children ages 12 and up (with parental consent). More than 1,000 youth between the ages of 12-15 have been vaccinated since last Thursday, and the County recently launched a school vaccination program in partnership with local districts.

“We are very excited with our partnership with superintendents throughout the County, who helped to facilitate 1,942 vaccinations at our high schools,” said San Bernardino County’s Chief Executive Officer Leonard X. Hernandez. “There’s been a lot of interest from parents and students wanting to get vaccinated before graduation ceremonies.”

Ten high schools were served last week, with another 14 scheduled for this week.

“Needles Unified School District reached out and we were able to get them connected with an event,” said Hernandez. “Any school district that’s interested can contact Public Health and we’ll get an event scheduled.”

By Lue Dowdy

A call out to African American Men! We hear you; We see you; You are not alone!

Please save the date and log on Saturday, June 5 at 9 a.m. for “Express Yourself Beautiful Black Man Part Ii: From A Males Perspective’! The event will be presented by the African American Health Coalition and sponsored by Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health, San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, The Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce, LUE Productions, and The African American Family Wellness Advisory Group.

Our Purpose is to introduce, connect, and provide African American men with available information and resources that they need. The goal of the 1-day virtual workshop is to bring educational resources to help empower Black men and equip them with tools that can be maintained in their daily LIFE. The workshop will kick off with meditation and yoga and will end with a gut busting comedy show. Below is a list of our awesome speakers along with their workshop titles.

Speakers of the day include: Clint Lewis, San Bernardino County Behavioral Health Department ; Dean Chambers, LCSW – Depression and the Blues in Our Community- A Cognitive Perspective!; James Woods, Dat Yoga Dude –  From “Yelling 2 Yoga” Black men healing for improvised mental health and wellness; Jerrron E. Clark, WellWrx80 –  Black Manhood & Mental Health: What It Looks Like!; Martinez Sellers, Marsell Consulting MHS – Knowing my IDENTITY as a Black Man; and Tyrome Thompson & Kevin Davis, C.S.U. – Coping Using Comedy: An alternative stress relief! 

For more information or how to register, please visit the African American Health Coalition website at theaamhc.org or the Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health website at www.rcdmh.org/ccp. For questions please contact Linda Hart at 909.571.4964 or Lue Dowdy 909.567.1000.