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This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate program. The program is supported by partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www.cavshate.org/

By Aldon Thomas Stiles

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), hate crimes targeting the LGBTQIA+ community in California were on the rise between 2022 and 2023, despite the state seeing a decline in overall hate crimes.

While the frequency of overall hate crimes reported to the California Attorney General’s Office (OAG) between 2022 and 2023 decreased by 8.9%, 24.2% of all hate crimes reported to the OAG were LGBTQIA+ hate crimes.

According to the California DOJ, anti-LGBTQIA+ hate crime incidents grew by 86.4%.

“As this report makes clear, homophobia and transphobia can all-too-easily morph into something even more dangerous,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta in a letter of this year’s DOJ State of Pride report. “This rise of hate is unacceptable, and we will not stand for it.”

On July 9, the DOJ’s Office of Community Awareness Response and Engagement (CARE) held their annual hate crime report briefing during which members of the CARE Team discussed the report’s findings on overall hate crimes and how the state plans to address them.

Among the next steps the state plans to take based on the report are reaching out to communities that, on average, are reporting less hate crimes than other communities, billboard campaigns, regular updates for underserved communities and “community-specific engagement” through grants and partnerships, including a subgrant with California Black Media.

During the presentation, the DOJ identified organizations that they are partnering with to quell hate crimes in the state, including the California Department of Social Services, the California State Library, and the OAG.

The DOJ intends on taking a “community-centered approach” to their efforts to address hate, ensuring collaboration with community organizations.

These next steps include connecting with culturally competent resources, improving hate incident and crime reporting and continued training in cultural competency

Of the reports made to the OAG, 18.4% cited discriminatory treatment, 16.7% reported verbal harassment and 16.7% reported incidents of the use of slurs.

According to the report, 29.9% of these incidents were reported to occur in residential areas, 9.7% in the workplace and 9.1% in public facilities.

“Everyone has a part to play as we continue to fight prejudice and create safer communities in California,” Bonta stated in a press release. “I urge everyone to review the data and resources available and recommit to standing united against hate.”

In the press release, Bonta spoke about the responsibility of the state to address these issues.

“The California Department of Justice has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hate, and will continue working with law enforcement, elected leaders, and community organizations across the state to keep our communities safe through education, prevention, and enforcement,” he said.

To report hate incidents or crimes, visit the California Civil Rights Department website, or call 833-8-NO-HATE.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate program. The program is supported by partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www.cavshate.org/

By Aldon Thomas Stiles

On July 16, Zócalo Public Square and the University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences hosted a panel titled “How Does the Inland Empire Strike Back Against Hate?”

Moderated by Professor Emeritus of Cal State San Bernardino’s School of Criminal Justice Brian Levin, the conversation centered around the Inland Empire’s history with hate crime as well as the current state of hate in the region.

“In a civil, democratic society, we have to build spaces that actively support strategies to diffuse the underlying elements that give rise to violence and hate crimes,” stated Moira Shourie, executive director of Zo?calo Public Square, on UCR’s events web page. “Our goal with this program is to examine the past, present, and bright future of the Inland Empire’s fight against injustice that local policymakers and advocates in the region are spearheading.”

Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson (D-Riverside), one of the event’s panelists, claimed that there is much work to be done to combat hate in the region.

He also stressed the importance of historical context.

“We are not doing enough in the Inland Empire,” said Jackson. “I think that we have to remember the history of the empire and this rise of hate, only to me, shows me that it’s going back to its roots and we have got to do all that we can to fight against that.”

Near the beginning of the event, organizers played a video of California Attorney General Rob Bonta discussing hate crimes, citing hate crime statistics.

“Between 2022 and 2023, we witnessed a 20% increase in overall hate crimes. Crimes based on race, religion, and sexual orientation,” said Bonta. “Hate against any one of us is hate against all of us. That’s not something we can ever stand for.”

Panelist Luis Nolasco, Senior Policy Advocate and Organizer for ACLU’s Southern California Inland Empire Office, spoke about the immigrant experience in the state and his involvement in projects meant to improve it.

He said that during election years, immigrants tend to be “scapegoats” for the nation’s woes and that the Inland Empire is “no different.”

“I think one of the biggest projects has been ensuring that our localities are implementing policies that are proactive in defending and affecting our immigrant community,” Nolasco said.

Jackson said that one step the Inland Empire can take toward reducing hate crime is to build anti-racist institutions.

He mentioned the Commission on the State of Hate, California’s Civil Rights Department’s commission dedicated to identifying, addressing and preventing hate activity statewide.

“We are making sure that we are upholding what other generations did for us so that when hate, racism and xenophobia raises its ugly head, we’re going to beat it back into the shadows where it belongs,” said Jackson.

Project Director of Mapping Black California and speaker on the panel Candice Mays spoke about reporting hate crimes and how crucial that is for understanding the scope of these types of crimes in the region.

She asserted that citizens need to be made aware of how to report hate crimes and who to report them to, considering that sometimes the perpetrators of hate crimes are those sworn to protect the citizenry from them.

“I think the first hurdle to report a crime is how do you tell the police on the police,” said Mays.

In terms of victimization, Jackson stated that no one is safe from hate crime, saying that “we are all on the menu.”

“As a matter of fact, it is starting to become a buffet when it comes to hate,” he said.

During the event, Inland Valley News inquired of the panel what measures the state can take to improve upon how they respond to reports of hate crimes.

“When instances of hate arise, the Civil Rights department cannot respond to it unless someone calls them and asks them for support,” Jackson said. “So we’re changing the law to say that they can be proactive so that they can begin. And their direction is going to be to send someone into the community, provide them with training, help them build coalitions and the infrastructure to prevent it from happening again or to respond in a better way.”

He went on to emphasize the crucial role lawmakers play in addressing hate.

“The idea is that we have to make sure that we’re eliminating legislative legal barriers, but also unleashing the power of the state to actually be the in the forefront of anti-hate,” he said.

PERRIS, CA – This past Saturday, July 27th, the community gathered for Assemblymember Dr. Corey A. Jackson’s first annual Community BBQ Competition, an event that celebrated local culinary talent and brought together over 1000 community members. The competition featured four local BBQ small businesses, each vying for top honors in the categories of Best Meat and Best Side.

The participants included Mama T’s Food for the Soul (Moreno Valley), D.E.N. Catering (Riverside), Coronado BBQ (San Jacinto), and Nini’s BBQ (Menifee). Attendees had the delicious task of tasting the offerings and voting for their favorites.

The winners are:

• Best Meat: D.E.N. Catering earned top honors with their expertly prepared and flavorful BBQ meats.
• Best Side: Nini’s BBQ delighted voters with their outstanding side dish, securing the win in this category.

“We are thrilled to have hosted this event and look forward to it becoming a beloved annual tradition,” said Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson. “Events like these showcase the incredible talent and entrepreneurial spirit within the 60th Assembly District and the Inland Empire.”

This event was not only a culinary celebration but also an excellent opportunity to support our small businesses. All BBQ competitors are proud local business owners who contribute greatly to their community.

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

At a rally held in front of City Hall on July 22 in San Francisco — where Kamala Harris served as D.A. from 2004 to 2001 before becoming Attorney General of the state — Bay Area elected officials, advocates and other stakeholders gathered to show support for one their own.

“Right now. she needs us more than ever,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed told a cheering crowd of well-wishers.

“We as Democrats, we don’t have time to waste,” Breed leaned in. “We don’t have time to mess around and figure things out. Kamala Harris is the person.”

The event was held one day after President Joe Biden announced his decision to drop out of the 2024 race for President and endorse Harris.

In various cities across California and around the country, Black women are coming together and echoing a similar level of passion to Breed’s as they express their full-hearted support of Harris’ run for the White House.

California State Controller Malia Cohen — a former San Francisco official herself – described the diverse makeup of the Democrats attending the San Francisco rally and called on them to commit to Harris’s winning Donald Trump in November.

“One thing we have on this stage is the united understanding about what we need to do, which is get Harris elected,” Cohen told the crowd.

On July 22, the California Black Women’s Collective PAC (CBWCPAC) wrote an open letter to Vice President Kamala Harris signed by more than 1300 Black women from around California.

“As the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first South Asian woman to hold the office of Vice President, you have not only broken historical barriers. You have also served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless individuals who see themselves reflected in your journey,” the CBWCPAC letter read.

“Madame Vice President, your steadfast dedication to addressing systemic inequities, championing comprehensive healthcare, and advocating for criminal justice reflect the values we need in a leader right now,” it went on.

On June 22, Kellie Todd Griffin, Convener of CBWCPAC, organized a call with over 10,000 Black women from across California. Another 9,932 registered for the call but could not log on because of capacity limits.

“We stand at a crossroads in our nation’s history, where the path we choose will shape the destiny of future generations,” said Todd Griffin.

Vice President Kamala Harris has the vision, the courage, and the unwavering commitment to lead us towards a more equitable and just society that is inclusive of all voices and issues we face today.”

Todd Griffin added that California Black Women are rallying behind Harris “united in our shared vision for a brighter, more inclusive future.”

We know that our greatest strength is the way in which we use our collective power to transform the nation into the perfect union it proclaims to be. Vice President Harris is not just a candidate for the President of the United States; she is a catalyst for the change that is needed now,” Todd Griffin stated.

The night before, an estimated 90,000 Black women and their allies – about 44,000 of them on Zoom and tens of thousands more on other digital platforms – rallied to show their support for Harris.

The historic Zoom call, on which more than $1 million was raised for Harris’s campaign in three hours, was organized by #WinWithBlackWoman, a political advocacy organization that boasts of a diverse network of Black women.

Among the women on the call were U.S. Reps Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30) and Joyce Beatty (D-OH-3); former Democratic National Convention Chair Donna Brazile; the Rev. Berniece King, daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr; D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser; and Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore.

“President Biden’s endorsement of Vice President as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States is a pivotal moment for our country,” said Jotaka Eaddy, founder of #WinWithBlackWomen.

“As we gathered, we expressed our gratitude for the extraordinary work President Biden has done, while we affirmed our individual commitment to stand united in unwavering support of Vice President Kamala Harris as the leader our nation needs.”

Eaddy says she is ready to confront the challenges ahead.

“The Journey to proclaim our democracy and advance our shared values begins now with unwavering determination and unified vision,” Eaddy continued. “Unity among not only Black women, but all Americans is not just vital to the state of our democracy but necessary to propel our nation forward.”

On July 21, California Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed support for Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination at the Party’s convention this August.

Newsom posted on the social media platform X, praising Harris for being, “Tough. Fearless. Tenacious,” through her political career.

“With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President, @KamalaHarris,” Newsom wrote.

Although some Democrats showed interest in an open convention that allows a competitive race between multiple candidates, most delegates have openly expressed support for Harris. Gov. Newsom defended his decision to back Harris and clarified that he has no intention of running for president at the DNC in Chicago. Despite being selected as one of President Joe Biden’s surrogates during the campaign trail, Newsom has shown unwavering support to both Biden and Harris.

California U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA-10) said that Biden’s endorsement “slammed the door” for other Democrats hoping to bid for a presidential candidacy.

“I think we’ve got a terrific opportunity with Harris,” he said.

Sign up To be an Election Volunteer With CBWCPAC.

Support CBWCPAC: Make an online contribution.

By Bo Tefu, Joe W. Bowers Jr. And Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media  

California’s personal income increased by 8.2% in the first quarter of 2024 due to higher wages, salaries, and property income, stated the July report released by the state Department of Finance last week.

The report indicated that California’s real gross domestic product grew by 1.2% in the first quarter of this year. In the past two years, national inflation rates decreased by 6.1%, slowing down inflation to 3% in June 2024.

However, the report showed that the national unemployment rate gradually increased by 4.1%, a total of 162,000 individuals are without formal jobs. However, California’s unemployment rate remained at 5.2% in June this year. The state’s labor force increased by 7,200 people and civilian household employment grew by 17,500 jobs. A majority of the jobs created by the state were driven by trade, transportation, and utilities. Other sectors such as government, private education, health services, and hospitality and leisure added jobs in the past year. However, the manufacturing sector experienced the largest job loss, losing nearly 3,000 jobs in June. Other sectors that suffered great job losses included construction followed by mining and logging.

The state permitted a total of 106,000 housing units in May, a 5.1% increase from last year. The median sale of a single-family home now costs approximately $900,720 in June 2024.

California’s Preliminary General Fund agency cash receipts were $361 million, a little above the forecast for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

“June is an important month for personal and corporate income tax receipts because it contains the due date for second quarter estimated payments,” the report stated.

According to the financial report, personal income tax cash receipts were $145 million in June, remaining slightly above the forecast for the current fiscal year. Annual withholdings, a percentage of an employee’s earnings paid directly to government-mandated collections, decreased by 9.9 %.

The report highlighted that single-month readings are often misleading and inaccurate due to calendar changes that affect the timing of payments and stock-based compensation.

By Bo Tefu, Joe W. Bowers Jr. And Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media  

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) hosted a press conference on July 26 at the Proud Bird Event Center Tuskegee Room near LAX to rally behind Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.

The event brought together election officials, community leaders, faith-based organizations, and notable figures from South Bay Los Angeles County cities.

“This is a pivotal moment in our nation’s history,” Waters declared. “I urge everyone to get involved and help us bring about the change we want to see by supporting a leader who truly represents our values. Kamala Harris is from California, and we need to stand behind her.”

Key supporters spoke at the event:

The Rev. Robert Shaw II and Rev. Ann Champion Shaw from First AME Church Los Angeles (FAME) offered an invocation, praying for Harris’s protection and success.

Antonio Villaraigosa, former Los Angeles Mayor, highlighted the importance of unity. “We need to stand up for women’s reproductive freedoms, immigration reform, and sensible gun control,” he said. “Kamala Harris can bring these changes.”

Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) praised women’s leadership. “If you want something done, ask a woman to do it. Kamala Harris will get it done as our next President of the United States.”

Former State Senator Rod Wright emphasized the stakes. “If you read the platform of Donald Trump, some of y’all might have to learn how to pick cotton again. You might have to learn how to tap dance. We’re talking about the future of your existence in this country. Kamala will be the president. What she will do is protect the future of your children.”

Yvonne Wheeler, president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, emphasized labor support. “We got to get our children registered to vote. They will move us ahead.”

Sweet Alice Harris, a longtime community activist, added her passionate support. “We got to be ready to work hard and make sure Kamala Harris gets to the White House. It’s time for a change, and she’s the one to make it happen.”

The rally showcased California’s unified effort to ensure a strong voter turnout for Kamala Harris, emphasizing the crucial role of voter participation in shaping the nation’s future.

San Bernardino has a rich history of early Black pioneering that can be traced back before the county’s official founding in 1853. Perhaps you’ve heard the names Charles Rowan, Lizzy
Flake, Grief Embers, Toby Embers, and Martha Embers. Much less is known about Hannah
(who went by several different surnames, including as Embers and Smiley) than her famous
companion, Biddy Mason. Both Hannah and Biddy were brought to San Bernardino by Mormon slaveholders in 1851. They lived on Jumuba ranch and worked throughout the colony as skilled midwives until they won their freedom in 1856 in Los Angeles. Hannah returned to San Bernardino to live out the rest of her days. Her daughter, Martha, married Israel Beal, who was a prominent Black pioneer in Redlands.

In collaboration with the National Underground Railroad Network for Freedom, the Santa
Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and Hannah’s descendants, we are asking the
greater San Bernardino and Redlands area for help. If you have any information or insights into the history of Hannah, Jumuba Ranch, or early Black San Bernardino, please feel free to
contact us. With your help, we aim to preserve, celebrate and uplift the often overlooked history of Black pioneering in the Inland Empire.

What we are seeking: on Jumuba Ranch and Hannah

• Oral histories
• Family archives
• Newspaper clippings
• Maps
• Sketches
•  Diaries

Contacts
Angela Wilkinson (angela.ingham.wilkinson@gmail.com): direct descendent of Hannah and
Israel Beal

Dr. Kevin Waite (kevin.a.waite@durham.ac.uk): associate professor of history and project
director

Christella Maldonado (christella_maldonado@partner.nps.gov): PhD student and research
specialist in Jumuba Ranch and early San Bernardino

SACRAMENTO, CA – Last week, Governor Newsom announced that the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR ) awarded $31 million in California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship (COYA) grants to 51 projects across the state. Assemblymember Holden’s legislation, Assembly Bill 2273, Paid Career Technical Education Internships sought to strengthen and fund Career Technical Education Internships to ensure students are given the opportunity to explore careers and enter the workforce with valuable experience. Designed to create inclusive and accessible opportunities for disadvantaged youth, COYA grants include specific criteria that achieve AB 2273’s intended goals of prioritizing foster youth and disabled youth.

“It takes a collective effort to expand opportunities for our youth across the state and that’s why I want to thank Governor Newsom for including proposed amendments to my legislation in this important funding project. Our young people will benefit greatly from these apprenticeships and because of these guidelines it will be harder for eligible young people to miss out.”

DIR is summarizing the target population for COYA with the term “opportunity youth,” which in the context of this funding opportunity includes individuals from 16 to 24 years of age who are at risk of disconnection or are disconnected from the education system or employment, unhoused, in the child welfare, juvenile justice, or criminal legal systems, living in concentrated poverty, or are facing barriers to labor market participation.

RICHMOND, VA– The Metropolitan Junior Baseball League (MJBL) will present its 33rd Annual Inner City Classic and Black World Series starting on July 30 in Washington, DC. The country’s oldest continuous, national inner city baseball tournament will begin its competition at Maury Wills Field in the Nation’s Capital at 6 pm after their 20th Annual Bobby Bonds Memorial Symposium at the Congressional Auditorium on Capitol Hill.

The symposium, hosted by representative Jennifer McClellan (VA- 5 district), is a think tank on how baseball and education can improve the lives of African Americans and their communities. Congressman Donald Davis (NC- 1st district) is a member of the Democratic Congressional Baseball team and will also bring remarks to the audience. Justin Journette, the Norfolk State University slugger, will be presented with his plaque from the Black College Nines as they named him the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Most Valuable Baseball Player.

Journette’s power is well known by MJBL followers as he played in the Classic and won the home run derby last year. Also during the program, Evan Smith, who played with MJBL last year, will make a monetary check presentation to the league from the non-profit organization he started in Maryland called Equal Shot 4 All. Smith started the organization to make funds available to less fortunate youth so they can experience the fun, excitement and life lessons the game provided him.

The event is already receiving national attention, with Charlie Wells commenting about it. Wells, who played catcher for the Philadelphia Stars in the Negro Leagues, was one of the players Major League Baseball honored in Birmingham at Rickwood Field said, “There are no African American catchers in the majors today. It’s extremely disappointing to see the steadfast decline of our young people in the game. I’m pleased that MJBL is going to Capitol Hill to champion this issue and make the public aware of their awesome work in the black community.” Wells will have two great nephews out of Virginia participating in the Classic.

Panelists for the Capitol Hill Symposium are former MLB player and manager Dusty Baker via Zoom, Paxton Baker, Washington Nationals minority owner, Sonja Stills, Commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, David James, VP of Baseball and Softball Development for MLB, Jarvis Stewart, founding partner of the Washington Nationals, and Ricky Clemons, a Howard University professor. The symposium and games are free and open to the public. Details for broadcasting and streaming will be provided later for those unable to attend in person.

Free Home COVID Antigen Tests and PPE Available – Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

(Black Wednesday Report) – The Los Angeles County Public Health Department reported 262 new COVID-19 cases among Blacks, up by 26 cases. The County also recorded 0 deaths among Blacks since last week, up by 2 souls. In Los Angeles County the total diagnosed Black cases are 198,631 with 3,335 deaths. Black Women Rally for Action – Los Angeles County mourns with all the family members, friends, and individuals who have experienced losses and illness.

Over a nine-week period, starting just before Memorial Day and through the 4th of July, new COVID-19 case rates have increased by 524% among Blacks. The nine-week increase compared to 2023 and 2022 are significant: In 2023 there was an increase of 26%; In 2022 there was a 123% increase.

Los Angeles County has experienced increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations every summer over the past three years. Data from the last four weeks has shown a rise in the number of reported positive COVID-19 cases. With traveling and gatherings increasing during summer, protection from COVID infection remains important as new variants have begun to circulate nationwide. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reminds residents to take common-sense precautions to avoid becoming ill with COVID, especially residents who are at an increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID. Residents should also wash their hands often or use hand sanitizer, especially before eating, after sneezing or coughing, or when in public places. People should stay home if they have any symptoms of illness, including coughing, sneezing, a fever or sore throat, and consider talking with friends and family so they know to be cautious about gathering if they show signs of infection.  In addition to antigen tests, LAC DPH is continuing to assist the community with COVID-19

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needs, such as gloves and masks. PPE requests can be submitted as frequently as needed through our survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XRRJPGN.

Black Women Rally for Action – Los Angeles County is a coalition of individuals and groups who provide a mechanism for Los Angeles County Black women to advocate on behalf of their health and well-being. The coalition, which does not accept government grant funding, is dedicated to advancing health, economic, and social equity for all Los Angeles County Black women through direct action and connection to effective resources.  In April 2020, the group launched a COVID-19 social media outreach campaign to address COVID-19’s impact in the Black community.  https://www.facebook.com/blackwomenrallyforaction