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By Joe Bowers | California Black Media

Dr. William “Bill” Spriggs, an educator and one of the economists serving on the California Reparations Task Force, passed away on June 6.

The chief economist for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and a former chairperson of the Economics Department at Howard University, Spriggs, 68, held several economic policy positions in the federal government, spanning two presidential administrations.

Among those mourning his passing is U.S. President Joe Biden. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bill Spriggs, a man who brought as much lasting brilliance to economics as he brought joy to his friends and colleagues,”  Biden shared in a written statement. “Bill was a towering figure in his field, a trailblazer who challenged the field’s basic assumptions about racial discrimination in labor markets, pay equity, and worker empowerment. His work inspired countless economists, some of whom work for our Administration, to join him in the pursuit of economic justice.”

In March, Spriggs was among four economists who developed formulas estimating that the amount California owes Black residents who are descendants of enslaved people in the United States is likely to exceed $800 billion.

“Devastated to hear the news of Dr. #BillSpriggs’ passing! He left a tremendous mark on society, contributing to the first-in-the-nation California Reparation Task Force, including the compensation section of our final report (releasing on June 29). Rest well!,” California Reparations Task Force Chairperson Kamilah V. Moore tweeted on June 7.

By Carrie Stanton, DMV Regional Administrator

The REAL ID is here, and it’s easier to get than you think.? What is the REAL ID and why do you need one?

The REAL ID is an identification card or driver’s license that is also considered a federally accepted form of identification.

Beginning May 7, 2025, federal laws will require air travelers aged 18 years and older to have a REAL ID, valid passport, or another federally approved form of identification to fly within the United States and enter secure facilities such as military bases.

If you haven’t applied for the REAL ID yet now is the perfect time!

You can do it online with the necessary documents to complete the application – one proof of identity such as a valid passport, original or certified copy of birth certificate or valid permanent resident card; AND two documents to prove California residency such as a utility bill or bank statement. You can check DMV’s REAL ID checklist to see if your documents qualify as a REAL ID document.

Once you complete the online application and upload the needed documents, you will receive a confirmation code and be asked to make an appointment online to visit your local DMV office.

Many people have completed the in-office visit in about 15 minutes with an appointment.

Over 15.8 million people in California have their REAL ID as of May 2023. Though the REAL ID isn’t required and is optional, regular California driver’s licenses and identification cards will have limits federally.

When traveling, you want to get through the airport as quickly and as simply as possible. Starting May 7, 2025, if you don’t have a REAL ID you will need to bring a passport to travel domestically.

This may cause some headaches for those who don’t have a REAL ID and aren’t used to traveling domestically with a passport. But when you have the REAL ID, it eliminates having to remember to bring your passport to fly within the United States.

Start your REAL ID application now to avoid the rush when you need it later.

Visit dmv.ca.gov/realid and get started today!

The Inland Empire’s Old School 70’s Summer Jam will be held on Saturday, July 1, at 6:30 p.m. at 8443 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. The Jam will be presented by Stone Gas Entertainment-A Bromatics Production and will feature the Bromatics-Performing Motown Hits. There will be other special performances by: The Five Tempting Men; The SoulTones -Harold Melvins Blue Notes; Melodik-singing the hits of the Marvelettes; and Kim Caffey-A Gladys Knight Tribute. The show will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with the doors opening at 6 p.m.

Purchase your tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inland-empires-old-school-70s-summer-jam-tickets-634369806167.

INLAND EMPIRE—- The Inland Empire Immigrant Youth Collective (IEIYC) is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated Undocumented Mentorship Academy Photovoice Art Exhibit, a transformative event that aims to amplify the narratives of BIPOC, first generation immigrant youth residing in the Inland Empire. This remarkable exhibition will take place at the San Bernardino County Museum on Friday, July 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p m.

Recognizing the power of artistic expression, IEIYC has curated an exceptional art exhibition that provides immigrant and undocumented youth with the creative freedom to delve into their identities, foster a sense of community, and employ photography as a means of personal and political expression. The event promises to be a truly cultural experience, shedding light on the unique stories and experiences of BIPOC, first generation immigrant youth, while making art accessible and inclusive for those interested in the arts.

The exhibit will serve as a celebratory space, offering attendees an opportunity to rejuvenate, connect with loved ones and friends, and cultivate moments of learning and connection within the larger community. It will be a platform for immigrant youth living in the Inland Empire to share their experiences and perspectives.

To attend the event and support the ongoing efforts of IEIYC, tickets can be purchased at https://givebutter.com/UMAExhibit. While general admission is free, donations are being accepted an upgraded experience that includes unlimited appetizers and beverages and range from $15-$25 per person. Donations of any amount are also being accepted to support the organization’s programming, stipends for youth, wellness materials, and emergency mutual aid.

“We are honored to curate the UMA Photovoice Exhibit, providing a profound platform immigrant youth in the I.E., to share their powerful stories through the art of photography,” says Angel Fajardo, IEIYC Executive Director. “This event embodies the spirit of resilience, cultural expression, and community connection. We invite the community to witness the transformative narratives of these talented youth and stand alongside them in support.”

For more information about the Inland Empire Immigrant Youth Collective and its initiatives, please visit www.theieiyc.org or call (951) 800-3006.

REDLANDS, CA— The Old School R&B review singing group, The Bromatics, was in the house during the Sunday, June 11, radio broadcast of Empire Talks Back. They are headlining the music presentation at the San Bernardino Juneteenth event on Saturday, June 17 at San Bernardino Valley College.

The Juneteenth Committee Vice President, Ronecia Miller, discusses the other aspects of Saturday’s Juneteenth event. The broadcast began with a report by Jordon Culberson highlighting the Empire Wrestling Federation.

ETB is broadcast each Sunday Morning from 10:05 a.m. to 11 a.m. on KCAA 1050 AM and 106.5 FM. The podcast of the show is available on most platforms. Ask for Empire Talks Back on iHeart for audio only or KCAA-TV for video.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.

Even before that national proclamation, Juneteenth had been recognized as a holiday in California.

California Black Media spoke with Ronald Preston Clark, a writer and educator in San Diego. He shared his perspective on the holiday and how, even though he grew up in a family connected to Black culture, he did not really appreciate the full significance of the Juneteenth until he was a student at Hampton University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Virginia.

“I didn’t start to look into celebrating it until being surrounded by the excellence at Hampton. As I’ve gotten older, and further into my teaching career, I have been more intentional with my celebration and understanding of Juneteenth. I am now sure to educate others on its significance,” he said.

Clark is not alone in his experience. For many Americans – including some Black Americans — Juneteenth was not celebrated in their families or taught in schools.  It wasn’t until activists and historians led grassroots movements for decades that the holiday became more widely recognized.

While Clark says he is happy to celebrate Juneteenth with his family and to see the holiday gain national recognition, he doesn’t want it to turn into a commercialized event like other cultural holidays.

“We should always remember that the reason for the holiday is that our ancestors were set free – two years after they should have already been free. And then the years that followed were still filled with violence, hatred and bigotry towards us.”

History of Juneteenth

Juneteenth marks the anniversary of June 19^th, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were notified by Union soldiers that they were free under the Emancipation Proclamation.

Two and a half years earlier, on December 31^st, 1862, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes across the country to celebrate what was known as “Freedom’s Eve.”

They were anticipating news that President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation that ended slavery in Confederate States had become official on January 1,1863.

However, not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation took effect in 1863, it could not be implemented in some places in the Deep South still under Confederate control.

As a result, in Texas, the westernmost Confederate state, enslaved people would not be free until approximately 2,000 Union troops led by Major Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston Bay on June 19, 1865. and announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were free by executive decree.

Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation commemorating Juneteenth in California.

“This Juneteenth, I urge all Californians to reflect on the ongoing cause of freedom for Black Americans remembering that, though General Granger’s announcement in 1865 called for “absolute equality,” that vision was, and remains, far from complete.”

Here is a snapshot of some Juneteenth 2023 celebrations taking place around the state:

The California Black Women’s Collective is joining GirlTrek, a national Black women’s health movement, to celebrate Juneteenth with a walk in solidarity with others across the country.

The organization is encouraging women around the state to organize a local walk in their neighborhoods on June 17, wear blue and amplify their activities online with pin drops, a printable digital poster, and the hashtags #GirlTrek and #WelcomeWalks.

Los Angeles

LEIMERT PARK JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL (JUNE 19)

4395 Leimert Blvd., Los Angeles 90008

Monday, June 19 – Noon to 9 p.m.

The Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival will feature 300-plus Black-owned businesses, three main stages, two DJs stages, a spoken word stage and more.

You can find a complete list of Juneteenth events in the Los Angeles area here.

East Bay

JUNETEENTH-IN-BERKELEY

Alcatraz-Adeline Corridor

Sunday, June 18 – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Juneteenth-in-Berkeley, held annually in June on Father’s Day, is produced by Berkeley Juneteenth Association, Inc., a non-profit, serving the community since 1986. They rebranded as Berkeley Juneteenth Cultural Celebrations to pursue and sponsor more cultural events throughout the year.

You can find more Bay area Juneteenth events here.

Sacramento

SACRAMENTO JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL 2022

William Land Park

Friday, June 16 – 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, June 17 – 11 a.m.  to 6 p.m.

Sacramento’s 20th Annual Juneteenth Festival will kick off on Friday Night with a “Gospel Under the Stars Concert” featuring two stages of live entertainment. On Saturday, there will be a parade, talent show, Black history exhibits, food vendors and more.

You can find more Sacramento Juneteenth events here.

San Diego

Black Biz Flea Market: Juneteenth Celebration

WorldBeat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Boulevard, San Diego, United States

Sunday, June 18 – 12 noon to 5 p.m.

The Black Biz Flea Market Juneteenth Celebration! will feature 30-plus Black-owned businesses, great eats, music, shopping, giveaways and more.

You can find more San Diego Juneteenth events here.

Inland Empire

2023 JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM

Civic Center Amphitheater, 14075 Frederick Street, Moreno Valley

Saturday, June 17 – 1 to 5 p.m.

The community is invited to celebrate an afternoon full of entertainment, children’s activities, food booths, retail vendors (jewelry, clothing, and art) and local artists.

Contra Costa

2023 LET FREEDOM RING East Contra Costa County JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

Contra Costa Event Park 1201 W. 10^th Street, Antioch

Saturday and Sunday, June 17-19 12 Noon to 5 p.m.

This event will feature carnival rides, food, craft & arts, a job fair, community resources and live entertainment.

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

The California Reparations Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans will hold its last in-person meeting on June 29 in Sacramento. The meeting will take place in the First Floor Auditorium of the March Fong Eu Secretary of State Building, located at 1500 11th Street.

The task force will submit its final report to the California legislature. If approved, California could become the first state to provide reparations to the descendants of enslaved Black Americans.

Task force vice-chairperson Rev. Amos Brown said the state legislature must “do the right thing” before leaving San Francisco for a speaking engagement in Jackson, Miss., to recognize the 60th year since NAACP field secretary Medgar Evers was killed on June 12, 1963.

“It’s now time for some deliberate action,” said Brown, the pastor of Third Street Baptist Church in San Francisco. “If they don’t provide support, action, or forms of reparations in this nation, and in this state, they will be giving credence to bigotry, racism, and inhumanity towards Black folks.”

During the past 24 months, while the state reparations task force held public hearings and listened to expert testimony to uncover historical wrongdoings and discriminatory policies against descendants of enslaved Blacks in order to determine appropriate compensation, some cities in California started their own reparations efforts.

In June 2021, the city of Los Angeles established the Reparations Advisory Commission (RAC), a seven-member task force comprised of activists, academicians, attorneys, racial justice advocates, and more. It is supported by Los Angeles’ Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department’s Office of Racial Equity.

The RAC advises the city on the formation of a reparations pilot program for Californians who are descendants of enslaved Black Americans in the Los Angeles area, according to Khansa T. “Friday Jones” Jones-Muhammad, a member of the commission. The RAC provides recommendations for the format, function, and goals of the initiative, including strategies and opportunities to seek public or private funding.

In April, RAC hosted its first in-person forum at the California African American Museum.

“African Americans in Los Angeles are overrepresented in homelessness and underrepresented in generational wealth. It is the result of a system that has denied African Americans the ability to fully exercise their God-given liberties,” said RAC Chairperson Michael Lawson at the meeting.

Lawson is the CEO and President of the L.A. Urban League.

“The closure needed is a mutual recognition of the wrongs that have been meted upon the members of the victimized community. I am grateful to everyone who joined us as we take this step forward together,” he added.

In December 2020, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance establishing the 15-member San Francisco African American Reparations Advisory Committee (AARAC).

Over the course of two years, AARAC developed a San Francisco Reparations Plan that addresses institutional and city-sanctioned wrongdoings against Black communities in San Francisco.

AARAC specifically focuses on improving different aspects of Black life, including education, housing, workforce development, economic opportunities, financial stability, small businesses, access to public transit, and food security. The committee is committed to reducing violence, addressing health disparities and preventing over-criminalization of African Americans.

In March, AARAC presented to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors over 100 recommendations, including a proposal to pay each qualifying Black city resident a one-time lump sum reparation payment of $5 million.

In an interview with San Francisco’s KRON 4 News on March 24, Eric McDonnell, the chairperson of AARAC, stated that the recommendations are an estimation of the atrocities experienced by Black Americans.

“Our task (AARAC) was to do the appraisal, and it’s the city’s task to determine, based upon recommendations, what they decide to adopt,” McDonnell said.

In 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, San Diego established the Department of Race and Equity (DRE) to address disparities experienced by individuals in the city. This initiative was led by San Diego City Councilmember Monica Montgomery-Steppe, who is a member of the state’s reparations task force.

Last year, the city of Sacramento began developing a municipal reparations initiative committed to “truth telling and trust building” called the Sacramento Centered on Racial Equity (SCORE) plan.

SCORE is designed to interrupt patterns and processes rooted in dominant cultural patterns that perpetuate systemic racism and racial hierarchy within the city.

Betty Williams, the President of the Sacramento Branch of the NAACP, praised the work SCORE has started but she wants to further expand discussions on reparations for the Sacramento Black community.

“I want an outreach team to go out in the community to ask the critical question: ‘Do you want a (reparations) task force and what should it look like?’” Williams told California Black Media. “That’s the discussion I’ve had with Mayor (Darrell) Steinberg on how to put something like this together. It’s not just monetary. Education, housing, small business — all of those things should be part of the recommendations and of what reparations should look like for Black Sacramentans.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The Riverside County Black Chamber of Commerce (RCBCC), First Community Capital (FCC), and Jacquetta Green Marketing Services (JGMS) are teaming with San Bernardino’s 66ers Minor League Baseball team to present a combined community meet and greet, recognition ceremony, and a special tribute to the Negro Baseball League in honor of its 103rd anniversary.

To pay great homage, there will also be a resource fair providing free COVID-19 vaccines, low-cost health insurance, housing assistance, transportation assistance, job assistance, and more!

RCBCC’s mission is to empower and inspire minority entrepreneurs in their indigenous communities to be successful, and to partner with like-minded individuals, companies, and nonprofit organizations to achieve this mission.

FCC is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that helps low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs who lack sufficient training and education to gain access to capital and thereby delivering long-term economic small businesses recovery and resiliency. They often lend to borrowers that may not meet mainstream institutions’ underwriting criteria, helping to bridge the gap between conventional lending standards and the needs of hard-to-reach borrowers by currently providing low-interest loans via the BIPOC Loan Fund.

JGMS’s mission is to be a vessel to uplift and empower others by living in purpose for the greater good by bringing the community together on every level – Cultural events, local politics, Community Meetups, Business & Individual Achievements, Acknowledgements & Awards Ceremonies, Cosmetology & Barbering Industry professionals platforms & Hair Shows, Modeling & Talent scouting, with much regard in Economic Diversity and Growth.

This tribute will honor the Negro League & recognize players in the Hall of Fame: Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth, Oscar Charleston, and Josh Gibson. These men were great heroes in their community, and they should be treasured and appreciated the way all ball players are. In 2020, Major League Baseball announced it would recognize Negro Leagues between 1920 and 1948 to major league statistics, making the records of those players an official part of MLB history. The community leaders & organizations will also be honored for their excellence in education, civic engagement, business excellence, and outstanding individual achievements.

 

With the goal of preventing wildfires and injuries resulting from Fourth of July celebrations, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors is continuing the “If You Light it, We’ll Write it” illegal fireworks enforcement activity and education campaign.

“It’s critical that everyone understands that illegal fireworks are just that – illegal,” said Board Chair Kevin Jeffries, First District Supervisor. “These fireworks have serious costs to homes, hillsides and pets. Now there are also serious costs to the individuals transporting or setting them off.”

Enforcement activity targets the sale, transportation, and use of illegal fireworks – with fines ranging up to $5,000. In recent years, the increasing number of displays of dangerously illegal fireworks and explosives prompted calls countywide to stop this dangerous activity.

The public education portion of the campaign launches today and runs through the Fourth of July holiday, will focus on delivering critical messages to the public through multiple mediums, including road signs, social media graphics, and public service announcements.

Key county departments in this effort, include the Sheriff’s Department, County Fire Department, Code Enforcement, Department of Animal Services, Veterans Services, and Riverside University Health System.

“Illegal fireworks are dangerous and cause serious injuries – sometimes fatal injuries,” said Riverside County Fire Chief Bill Weiser. “The fires ignited by the ember and remains of these fireworks damage property and cause devastating wildland fires. Across the county, great efforts are made to provide safe and enjoyable public fireworks shows. Please visit www.rvcfire.org to find a safe, professional and public fireworks show near you.”

By local ordinance, California-approved “safe and sane” fireworks are only permitted within the city limits of Indio, Coachella, Blythe, and Desert Hot Springs.

Residents can report illegal fireworks on Riverside County Sheriff’s app, website or by calling their non-emergency toll-free number at (800) 950-2444.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino County Museum is lovely during the day, but it’s even cooler after dark! Join us on the first and third Thursday night, June 1 through August 17, 2023, for Summer Nights events throughout the summer to beat the heat while doing something neat!

Summer Nights at the museum will kick off on Thursday, June 1, 2023, with live music by
DJ Eturnal, vendors with yummy treats including cotton candy, ice cream and hot dogs, lawn games, family-friendly activities, and much more! Museum galleries will also be open during throughout the evening. All events are subject to change. For tickets, click here.

Summer Nights @ the Museum schedule:

June 1: Summer Kick-Off
June 15: Movie in the Courtyard
July 6: Coffee and Cake with Curators
July 20: Trivia Night
August 3: Concert in the Courtyard
August 17: Summer Arts Festival

The San Bernardino County Museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane in Redlands. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military/senior), $7 (student), and $5 (children ages 6 to 12).

Children 5 & under and Museum members are free. Parking is free and the museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information, visit museum.sbcounty.gov/summer-nights.

The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional, cultural and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.