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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

Tour Has Hosted Thousands of Educators on Immersive Tours Retracting the Steps of Freedom Seekers from Kentucky to Canada

RIVERSIDE, CA— The third and final “Footsteps to Freedom Underground Railroad Study Tour” of summer 2024 will take place from Tuesday, July 23, to Tuesday, July 30. Founded by Black Voice Foundation Inc., and now produced by Footsteps to Freedom LLC, the eight-day trip provides a unique Underground Railroad study tour experience. Led by experienced conductors and subject matter experts, the tour has hosted thousands of educators on immersive tours retracing the steps of freedom seekers spanning two countries, four states, and over three thousand miles from Kentucky to Canada.

Tour stop highlights include Rankin House, John Parker House, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Oberlin College Archives, Charles Wright Museum for African American History, North Buxton Historical Site, Walls Family Farm, Women’s Rights Museum, Harriet Tubman homesite, and Frederick Douglass NorthStar Newspaper site.

Founded by Cheryl Brown, retired California Assemblymember and Black Voice News Publisher Emeritus, the tour celebrates its 27th anniversary this year. Brown’s children, Paulette Brown-Hinds, PhD, Founder of Voice Media Ventures and Publisher of the Black Voice News, and Hardy Brown II, Chairman Emeritus Black Voice Foundation, and Managing Principal, Footsteps to Freedom, serve as the tour’s lead executives. “Our mother started the Footsteps to Freedom tour to provide an immersive, educational experience that brings to life the rich history of the Underground Railroad, one of our country’s greatest freedom movements,” Brown-Hinds and Brown share in a joint statement. “She believed that understanding the struggles and triumphs of those who sought freedom is crucial to appreciating our collective history and fostering a more inclusive society. Today, the tour remains as relevant as ever, reminding us of the importance of resilience, courage, and the ongoing fight for equality and justice.”

The tour is a transformative learning opportunity built on a foundation of historical empathy that expedites professional and personal growth. “We believe through historical empathy, participants can connect more deeply with the past, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the experiences of others,” Brown-Hinds and Brown add. “This approach not only enriches our historical knowledge but also helps to build a more compassionate and empathetic society.”

Conductors include lead historian and retired history professor Dr. Daniel E. Walker and Kenneth Morris, co-founder and president of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives. “Participating in the Footsteps to Freedom Underground Railroad Study Tour for 19 years has been a profound honor,” Morris says. “As a direct descendant of Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington, I’ve had the privilege of inspiring and empowering thousands of educators over the years with the remarkable stories of my great ancestors and the brave freedom seekers whose resilience and courage we study and honor.”

The tour partners include the Black Voice Foundation, Mapping Black California, Black Voice News, Howard University, The Jerry Gore Collection, and various school districts in California.

The City of San Bernardino has announced that Kenneth Chapa has joined its leadership team as the new Economic Development Director. Chapa’s first day on the job was on July 15.

“Ken Chapa has a distinguished background in economic development and tourism,” said Acting City Manager Rochelle Clayton. “We are thrilled to have him aboard and look forward to him hitting the ground running.”

Chapa has over 20 years of experience in economic development and tourism at both the municipal and state levels in Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan. Most recently, he spent the last four years as the Director of Economic Development and Tourism in Avondale, Arizona, where he oversaw the creation and implementation of the Phoenix suburb’s first Economic Development Strategic Plan since 2008, and its first ever Tourism Plan.
“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the City of San Bernardino team,” said Chapa. “I look forward to working with our residents, business community, and city leadership to grow our economy and showcase San Bernardino as a premier location to do business.”

Prior to his time in Avondale, Chapa spent nearly four years as the Economic Development Officer in Henderson, Nevada, and worked for Detroit, Michigan; Mesa, Arizona, the Arizona Commerce Authority, and the Arizona Department of Commerce.

“Everywhere Ken’s has experienced significant growth in commercial development, residential development, and tourism,” added Clayton. “He knows the recipe for success
and is bringing it to San Bernardino.”

San Bernardino’s Economic Development Department was recently separated from the Community Development Department into its own unit. The Department includes both the Economic Development and the Real Estate Service Divisions.

Chapa holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Western Governor’s University.

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media

A study on disparities revealed that Black people in California experiencing unstable housing are more likely to struggle with mental health at a higher rate, stated a report by the Center for Health Policy Research (CHPR) at the University of California Los Angeles.

The report details problems associated with housing insecurity and related mental health challenges, stating that 45% of people with unstable housing experienced psychological distress including depression and anxiety.

However, only 22% of adults with housing issues used mental health care to help manage the stress. People of color experienced the highest rates of housing insecurity, the majority of whom reported that they often worry about paying their rents or mortgages.

A total of 5.2 million people described their housing situation as unstable. Consequently, 26% of Black Californians reported that they faced housing insecurity, 44% higher than the national average. The study attributed this crisis to decades of redlining, a system of discrimination that denied people financial services including mortgages and insurance loans based on race and ethnicity.

Sean Tan, a co-author of the study and senior public administration analyst for the research center said that the state’s housing crisis has become a public health concern.

“Our study reinforces what research has demonstrated for years: Access to affordable housing affects a person’s health,” said Tan, regarding the state’s housing crisis. “It also spotlights the critical need for more affordable housing in California.”

The lack of affordable housing across the state has disproportionately impacted Black people. In California, approximately 43% of Black adults reported that they often worry about being able to pay their rent or mortgage.

Joelle Wolstein, a CHPR research scientist and co-author of the study, said housing insecurity has a ripple effect that goes beyond finances and worsens existing disparities.

“Housing is the largest regular expense for the vast majority of people, so it follows that people who typically have lower wages and fewer assets would have more unstable housing and worry more about paying their bills,” said Wolstein.

The CHPR study provided various recommendations for California lawmakers, including investments in creating and preserving affordable housing, connecting mental health services with housing resources, and enacting inclusive housing assistance policies.

By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach

GREAT LAKES, Ill. – Sailors are some of the most highly trained people on the planet, and this training begins at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, otherwise known as boot camp. Every enlisted sailor starts their Navy journey at boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL), Illinois.

Chief Petty Officer Laurence George Cerezo, a native of San Bernardino, California, is currently stationed at NSGL as an instructor with Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).

Cerezo, a 1994 graduate of Juan C. Laya San Manuel Pangasinan High School in the Philippines, joined the Navy over 18 years ago.

“I joined the Navy to provide better opportunities for my family’s future with the benefits of military life in both honor and pride,” said Cerezo. “After all, being the fifth generation of my family to join the military, it is significant for me to continue the legacy.”

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in the Philippines.

“The town in the Philippines where I grew up, has taught me the priceless quality of being selfless,” said Cerezo. “Living my childhood in poverty caused me to have the mindset of putting others first, which drives me every day to care. It’s about staying patient, being considerate, being an advocate for myself and striving to help bring out the best in people.”

During the 10 weeks at RTC Great Lakes, sailors learn five warfighting competencies – firefighting, damage control, seamanship, watchstanding, and small arms marksmanship.

NSGL is the Navy’s largest training installation and the home of the Navy’s only boot camp. Located on over 1,600 acres overlooking Lake Michigan, the installation includes 1,153 buildings with 39 on the National Register of Historic Places. NSGL supports more than 50 tenant commands and elements as well as more than 20,000 sailors, Marines, soldiers, and DoD civilians who live and work on the installation.

Two commands at NETC are Surface Warfare Engineering School Command Great Lakes (SWESC GL) and Surface Combat Systems Training Command Great Lakes (SCSTC GL). Every surface Navy engineer, quartermaster, boatswain’s mate and deck seaman attends SWESC GL for technical training. These sailors leave SWESC GL as surface warriors, ready to perform aboard ships operating around the globe. Instructors at SCSTC GL provide a culture of excellence and warrior toughness by building a surface warrior mindset to complement the technical and tactical skillsets.

“The thing I enjoy most about training and mentoring sailors is the challenge of seeing people from different backgrounds with aspects of life and unique individual skills, communicating efficiently to bring their ability to a real-world scenario, such as on deployments or when assigned missions,” said Cerezo. “It’s heartwarming and rewarding in itself to see that I’ve had an impact on students during the weeks we share honing more and more knowledge. I enjoy supporting the command’s mission of Excellence, Ownership and Sustainability (E.O.S.), because my part in bringing capable warfighters, and the next generation of leaders and sailors with bright futures to the fleet, brings feelings of pride to me and my career.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Cerezo serves a Navy that operates forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Serving in the Navy means being a part of the larger mission to keep peace among the vast seas warships that come and go for trade, whether it be myself physically serving on a ship or sending others with the knowledge I have given them,” said Cerezo. “It also means the strength of camaraderie between sailors from diverse backgrounds.”

Cerezo is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I will always thank God for giving me the patience to experience life as a Navy sailor,” added Cerezo. “I especially want to thank my wife, Pernita Dabalos Cerezo. She has sacrificed many opportunities, special occasions and her career just to support mine. I would never have served for as long as I have without her being by my side and raising our children, Larence Prinz Cerezo and Larene Precious Cerezo. She has spent all her time raising them and they’ve become my pride and joy. Lastly, I would like to thank my friends and relatives who have supported me throughout my Navy career.”

By Darrell Frye

Good afternoon, Fam! Darrell Frye here, President of the Black Young Dems (IE)! Get ready for the dopest event of the summer!!! Join us on Saturday, August 17th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the City Center SB for an incredible Artivism experience.

Come and explore music, art, and vendors all dedicated to making a difference! Artivism is about using art to create social change – and we plan to create a space that does just that!!! This event will be free with RSVP!

The City Center is located at 455 W. 4th Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401. To RSVP as a guest, vendor, or artist, please click here.