WSSN Stories

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People California-Hawaii State Conference (NAACP Cal/Hi State Conference) hosted its annual “Legislative Day” at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space on May 20.

The day of activities is organized to inspire members to participate in the political process at the state level.

“NAACP CA-HI Day at the Capitol provides a platform for our branch members and youth leaders across California to partake in dynamic, collaborative sessions and dialogues with our state legislators who directly impact policy impacting communities of color,” said Rick Callender, President of the NAACP Cal-Hi State Conference.

NAACP members attending the day-long event came from over 50 branches all over the state, including areas of the state with the highest Black populations: Los Angeles, Oakland, San Bernardino, Stockton, San Jose, San Diego, San Francisco and Stockton.

Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) spoke on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus during the morning session. He explained the importance of the oldest civil rights organization, how it is essential to the Black community, and its effect on the legislative process.

“Let me just simply say that I appreciate each and every one of you because America would not be America if it wasn’t for the NAACP,” Gipson said. “I am grateful for the NAACP. Though there are only 12 members of the California Legislative Black Caucus, we would not be where we are today if it weren’t for you.”

The NAACP Cal-Hi State Conference advocates for legislative and policy reforms in areas critical to improving the lives of African Americans and all people who have been historically marginalized or underserved during legislative proceedings.

Representatives of Cal-Hi State Conference discussed six reparations and environmental justice priority bills it supports this legislative season at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in downtown Sacramento before the attendees visited the State Capitol in the afternoon to engage lawmakers.

The six bills are: Assembly Bill (AB) 1827, Low-Water User Protection Act; AB 3089, Formal Apology for Chattel Slavery; Senate Bill (SB) 1050, Racially Motivated Eminent Domain; SB 1403, California American Freedmen Affairs Agency; AB 1567,  Climate Resilience Bond Bills; and SB 867, a measure that proposes to fund projects that reduced fire risk and protects wetlands, waterways, coastal resources, and fish and wildlife populations.

Teneicia Herring, Cal-Hi State Conference’s Government Relations Specialist, and Carolyn Veal Hunter, the Cal-Hi Political Action chairperson, provided an overview of each bill, detailed how a bill becomes law and explained the role of a lobbyists.

CLBC members, Assemblymembers Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) and Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) served as guest speakers at the orientation held at the Sheraton Hotel. After that, Callender led the large group, marching three blocks to the State Capitol and nearby Swing Space.

The spacious Capitol Annex Swing Space is a temporary home for legislators and staff while the 73-year-old State Capitol undergoes a $1.2 billion facelift. It is located at 1021 O Street in Sacramento.

“We made it where we were going to have an impact,” Callender said of members of the NAACP meeting with lawmakers. “We made sure that they understand what is important to us.”

Calendar, Cal-Hi State Conference’s Second Vice President Zephanii Smith-Eisenstat, and State Director Lujuana Bivens accompanied the NAACCP members to the Swing Space to meet and discuss bills with legislators and legislative staff.

“This (was) a jammed-packed week for the legislators as they were processing bills (in the Assembly and Senate),” Herring said. “The fact that they were taking their time to meet with us, we asked everyone to be respectful of their time.”

On Monday, June 10, the NAACP Cal-Hi State Conference will hold its  12th Annual Legacy Hall of Fame celebration  honoring our 2024 inductees, Civil Rights icon Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown, and film actor Danny Glover.

The event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Sacramento.

By Bo Tefu, Lila Brown and Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

The California Assembly passed a bill that would legalize cannabis cafes, inspired by Amsterdam-style restaurants and clubs where marijuana is openly smoked.

If the bill passes in the Senate and is signed into law by the Governor, Assembly Bill (AB) 1775 would grant local governments the authority to approve cannabis clubs that make and sell non-cannabis food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) said he proposed the bill to benefit small businesses and help them expand their goods and services.

“This is a bill that supports our legal small businesses that just want to diversify their businesses and do the right thing,” Haney said.

The bill allows small businesses to compete with the illegal drug market, Haney added.

“The illicit illegal market is continuing to grow and thrive, while our legal cannabis market is struggling,” he said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed an earlier version of the bill last year to “protect smoke-free workplaces.” The updated version of the bill, however, separates cannabis consumption from other workspaces.

Haney is confident that Newsom will not veto the updated version of the bill. Under the new bill, consumers are prohibited from smoking cannabis in the back of restaurant kitchens and food prep areas to protect non-smoking employees.

Currently, California has four cannabis cafes in operation — two of them are in West Hollywood and the other two in Palm Springs. The cafes are similar to lounges and offer cannabis-infused snacks and prepackaged foods.

However, it is illegal for food establishments to offer alcohol and cannabis under the same roof.

The bill would give city officials the power to approve the cannabis lounges.

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

Planning for the future without planning for one’s eternal future. How crazy is that! Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. [James 4:14]. You can’t assume that you will even be alive one minute from now. Planning for the future without planning for one’s eternal future. The depth of foolishness!

Man boasts that he is ultimately in control of his life and future. Man says that he is “Master of his fate” the “Captain of his soul.” Lies, all lies! So many people today have become hoodwinked into believing that they are actually in control of their own lives and destinies. They believe that if they just work hard enough, look good enough, position themselves in the right places, or posture themselves in the right ways, that all of their dreams will come true. We hear it all the time our cultural clichés: “I can do anything if I set my mind to it!” “Where there is a will, there is a way!” “You just have to follow your heart!” “It’s my life, I can live it however I want!” All of these lines initially sound good and right, but they are the lies of the devil.  How much control do you think you have over your life? Are you unconquerable? Do you think that you are the master of your own fate and the captain of your own soul? Contrary to the belief that we are all the masters of our own fate and captains of our own souls, the doctrine of the sovereignty of God affirms that the Lord rules over all. All things belong to His kingdom and are under His dominion. Nothing is plainer and express in Scripture than both His reign and the extent of it [Psalm 93:1-2; Psalm 97:1-2; Psalm 99:1; 1 Chronicles 29:11-12; 2 Chronicles 20:6; Psalms 103:19; Nehemiah 9:6].

How easy it is for us human beings to be deceived into thinking that we are in control of our own lives. But no worries, God has ways of showing us that he is sovereign, and we are not! He uses many life circumstances to humble us and remind us that we are not in control.

Humble yourselves,” writes Peter, “under the mighty hand of God” [1 Peter 5:6]. For pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall [1Corinthians 10:12]. As [Ephesians 5:15-16] says—the wise man lives life carefully, not carelessly, for these days are evil.

Every breath that you take, and all your ways is a gift from God— [Daniel 5:23]. For it is the Lord who gives to all life, breath, and all things” [Acts 17:25]. For in Him we live and move and have our being” [Acts 17:28]. Don’t get it twisted!

Being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; [Ephesians 4:18].

The Depth of Foolishness! Repent- Jesus is Coming Quickly!

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

On May 16, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted 5-0 to advance legislation that would require social media platforms to report cyberbullying incidents and remove posts depicting youth violence online.

Senate Bill (SB) 1504, titled “Cyberbullying Reporting and Accountability,” “addresses the online safety for youth,” said the bill’s author Sen. Henry Stern (D-Calabasas).

“We must do everything in our power to protect our children from the dangers of social media,” Stern said. “By establishing a mandatory process for removing and blocking cyberbullying material and providing transparency to survivors and parents, we aim to create a safer online environment for all.”

Senators Brian Jones (R-San Diego) and Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) abstained from voting. California Legislative Vice Chair Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) was one of five Democrats who voted for the bill. It now moves to the Senate floor for a full vote.

SB 1504 is designed to make social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and others “respond compassionately and predictably” to reports of cyberbullying or they must explain why the content is “aligned with their platform’s policies,” Sen. Stern said at a May 14 news conference in front of the State Capitol.

Another child safety focused bill, SB 1444 — titled the “Parents Choose Protection Act of 2024” — died in committee on May 16 “due to fiscal implications,” Stern stated. This bill would have required companies to issue alerts to parents about potentially harmful content.

Two fathers, Samuel P. Chapman and Chris Didier, who lost their young sons to Snapchat drug dealers came to the Capitol to support the child safety bills.

“Social media has become a super-highway of illegal and nefarious activity that is bringing harm to our youth,” Didier said. “It is time for new legislation to bring needed and appropriate safeguards to protect our communities.”

According to Stern’s office, 56% of teens have reported being cyberbullied, and that youth are likely to struggle with depression and substance abuse due to online intimidation.

Black or Hispanic teens are more likely than their White counterparts to be targets of cyberbullying, according to the California Department of Justice (DOJ). ??Black teens are about twice as likely as Hispanic or White teens to express that their race or ethnicity made them a target of online mistreatment, according to a 2002 survey by the Pew Research Center.

Cyberbullying has been associated with suicide or the newly termed “cyberbullicide,” according to a February 2023 report by the Journal of the Academy Psychiatry and the Law (JAPL).

The phenomena of cyberbullying and teen suicide are becoming more common. Data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the JAPL report states that 14% of adolescents have been cyberbullied and 13.6% percent of teens have made suicide attempts.

If passed, SB 1504 would “authorize any person,” including, “a parent or legal guardian of a minor,” who bring forth a report of cyberbullying to the “social media platform, a city attorney, a district attorney, or a county counsel to bring an action to enforce the act.”

Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa-Bogh (R-Yucaipa), the first Republican Latina to serve in the Senate, is the co-author of SB 1504.

“I’m happy to co-author SB 1504 to help safeguard our youth and empower families to pursue legal action against platforms that fail to remove cyberbullying content, providing much-needed recourse in the face of online harassment,” ??Ochoa-Bogh said at the May 14 news conference.

Stern said the legislation will help combat the growing popularity of “fight pages” created by adolescents and uploaded to social media platforms.

Those fight pages feature videos of elementary, middle school and high school youth physically fighting in bathrooms, classrooms, lunchrooms, playgrounds and other places. In many cases, campus violence happens in unsupervised spaces and in the presence of adults.

The popularity of the videos caught the attention of Stern. He shared the story about a teen from a local high school in his area who was paralyzed after three of his peers approached him “out of the blue” while he was walking down a street, Stern said. The aggressors were members of a “knockout club.”

“It was three kids. One with a camera and one got their phone on,” Stern said. “They cold clocked him. Not just knocked him out but paralyzed him and put him in a life of trauma that he can never recover from.”

Stern said the fight pages are “proliferating everywhere.” Earlier this year, a report stated that 14 schools within the Fresno Unified School District were identified as having social media pages promoting school fights.

The social media accounts were not administered by the schools, but the fight pages did display schools’ logos, and mascots and urged other students to contribute videos of fights for viewership.

“Incidentally, there are also pages around sexual content of students rating people using artificial intelligence to generate nude images. (SB 1504) covers all bad behaviors,” Stern said. “That kind of bullying, we nip it in the bud before it starts. When those fight pages emerge, anyone observing it can report it to that platform. They would have to respond to it within a matter of days and actually in a matter of hours.”

Act Your Age” is now streaming on Netflix, featuring all sixteen episodes. This comedy follows the journey of three accomplished women in their 50s from the DMV area, each at a personal turning point. Together, they discover that the best way to navigate life is by embracing it with humor and heart, starring Kym Whitley (“Next Friday”) and Tisha Campbell (“My Wife and Kids”), with a special appearance by Yvette Nicole Brown (“Community”).

Whitley portrays Bernadette as a driven and accomplished real estate developer. Campbell brings to life Keisha, the unpredictable member of the group who is always embarking on new adventures. Lastly, Brown embodies Angela, the former First Lady of Norfolk, Virginia, seeking to rediscover herself after the loss of her husband, a highly esteemed career politician.

This captivating series was brought to life by Alyson Fouse, the brilliant mind behind “Big Shot,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” and “The Wanda Sykes Show.” Alyson created the series and leads as showrunner and executive producer. Mark Burnett, Barry Poznick, and Bradley Gardner, known for their work on “Hot in Cleveland,” join as producers. Ken Ornstein, co-executive producer of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” rounding out the talented team.

The beloved multi-generational sitcom features the talented Mariah Robinson (“The Wrong Valentine”) and Nathan Anderson (“All About the Washingtons,” “Richie Rich”) as the engaging young adult children of Angela and Bernadette, bringing a fresh and dynamic energy to the show.

Act Your Age comes from Eric C. Rhone’s & Cedric The Entertainer’s production company A Bird & A Bear Entertainment.

Be sure to keep up with the cast on Instagram by following @kymwhitley, @tishacampbellmartin, @yvettenicolebrown, @hotboynato, and @themariahrobinson don’t forget to hashtag #ActYourAgeNetflix.

Struggling schoolteacher Madison strikes a lucrative book deal to help solve her financial troubles. As she dives into her dark past surrounding the “College Town Slayings,” she realizes it may still be a part of her present after all.

Queen Rising follows a young woman, Madison, who’s on the brink of losing everything. Struggling to make ends meet as a schoolteacher, Madison is approached with a life-changing opportunity: to turn her dark past into a thriller novel. Skeptically, Madison accepts, and dives into her history of a once terrorized community during the “College Town Slayings”.

As her trauma unfolds, Madison discovers unsettling connections and soon realizes her past may not be as dormant as she once believed. With the specter of danger looming over her, she must confront the demons to secure her future, navigating a treacherous journey of redemption and self-discovery where the line between fiction and reality blurs.

QUEEN RISING is directed and produced by Princeton James. Written by Allison Chaney and Henry E. Reaves III. Produced by Emily James, Mitch Martin, and May Todd. Executive produced by Reaves III. Edited by Martin. Cinematograpy by Jordan Danelz. A Nero Studios production. An Enhanced Media production.

Genre: Mystery, Drama

RT: 82 min | Not Yet Rated

Language: English | U.S.

LOS ANGELES, CA— For several decades now, casting director Jacqui Pitman, owner/CEO of Pitman Casting Inc. and PartyPit Productions Inc., has played a crucial role in the success of numerous long-standing TV shows.

With her creative insight, Pitman has contributed to over 500 shows, including iconic staples like “America’s Most Wanted,” “Price is Right,” “Let’s Make a Deal,” “Face Off,” and “Big Brother 2.” Pitman served as the casting director for ABC’s “The Golden Bachelor” and is now casting for the highly anticipated spinoff series, “The Golden Bachelorette.”

Pitman’s contributions to the world of dating shows and reality television are extensive. Her career began in the late ’80s with classic courting shows like “Love Connection,” Fox’s “Studs,” and as the notable casting director of CBS’s “Big Brother 2” which was said to be the season that revitalized the series. In 2004, when she was Senior Vice President of Development at Lighthearted Entertainment, Pitman created, and executive produced the MTV hit dating show “NEXT” which was inspired by her own dating life. She also developed and co-executive produced ABC’s hit show, “Extreme Makeover.” In 2017, in partnership with Asylum Entertainment, Pitman created, executive produced, and cast Bravo’s “To Rome for Love,” a groundbreaking series following five single African American women in Italy, produced under her PartyPit Productions Inc. banner.

“My television career has been AMAZING! From casting to developing, to executive producing and creating my own shows, I have had the opportunity to interact with some of the most fascinating people. Casting itself is like a big puzzle where we find the pieces that we think will fit naturally. But I must admit, dating shows are my thing! From “Love Connection” to MTV’s “NEXT” to the ultimate fantasy of living in one of the world’s most romantic places, Rome, Italy, while filming “To Rome for Love,” playing Cupid over the years has taught me so much about men and women. It’s clear pursuing love is a never-ending quest, no matter how old we are. But who could ask for a better day job than mine? It truly has been an unimaginable experience,” reveals Pitman.

Under PartyPit Productions Inc., Pitman specializes in all facets of reality show production, from casting hosts and experts to overseeing logistical aspects like background checks and casting finals. Her expertise extends across various platforms, including Fox, NBC, Discovery, OWN, Lifetime, WE and streaming services like Amazon, Netflix, Snapchat and Hulu. She continues developing original reality show concepts, with recent options at GSN, ABC, and CBS Studios.

Born in New Jersey and raised in foster care, Pitman’s childhood experiences have shaped her compassionate persona. She has long been involved in philanthropy, organizing annual drives to support children in the foster care system. Currently, she’s launching “Marvin Cares for Kids,” a non-profit named after her late brother, aimed at helping foster children transition into careers in the entertainment industry.

Don’t miss what casting director Jacqui Pitman and her casting team have in store for you next!

For upcoming opportunities with Pitman Casting Inc., visit https://pitmancasting.com.

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

Daughter of man, speak to your people and say to them:  When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their daughters and make her their watchman, and she sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head.  Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood. Well not on my watch. Sounding the alarm!

How Foolish to Ignore God’s Warnings!

A loving God who loves us so much that he warns us of upcoming impending judgment and doom, and what do you do, you ignore His warnings. Woe unto you! How foolish it is to ignore God’s warning. Ignoring God’s warnings ALWAYS breeds tragedy.  Learn from past history and do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Return now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not listen or give heed to Me,” declares the Lord. [Zechariah 1:4]. How foolish to ignore God’s warnings. Learn from the Past!

Before God destroyed the world the first time with a flood of water, He raised up Noah, a man of righteousness, and allowed him to prophecy and forewarn the people of his day for 120 years. Did they listen? No. Tragedy!

Before Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed with fire and brimstone from heaven, God allowed Abraham to intercede for the people there. Did they listen? No. Tragedy!

God used His prophets to forewarn the children of Israel that, if they did not change their ways, they would be led away captive by the Babylonians for a period of seventy years. Did they listen? No. Tragedy!

Listen, God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? [Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18].

God’s warnings always precede His judgment. But those who want to self-destruct don’t repent. Instead of repenting and sparing themselves the negative repercussions, they continue on their wrong journey and ruin their lives. Come back to your senses as you ought and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame. [1 Corinthians 15:34].

A Vision of Chaos-

I looked at the earth, and it was formless and void, at the heavens, and there was no light there. I looked at the mountains; they were quaking, and all the hills moved back and forth. I looked, and no people were there. All the birds of the sky had gone. I looked, and the fruitful land had become a desert. All its towns were broken down because of the Lord, because of his burning anger. For this is what the Lord says: “The entire land will be devastated, but I won’t completely destroy it. Because of this, the land will mourn, and the heavens above will be dark. Because I have spoken and decided, I won’t turn back from doing it. [Jeremiah 4].

Ignoring God’s Warning ALWAYS Breed Tragedy!

As a senior leader and key advisor reporting to the C.E.O., Crystal Crawford will oversee strategic partnerships to expand the impact and efficacy of the Weingart Foundation.

LOS ANGELES, CA—- After an extensive national search, the Weingart Foundation, a private grantmaking foundation that partners with communities across Southern California to advance racial justice, has chosen Crystal Crawford to serve as its first Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships. In this newly created role, Crawford will oversee strategic partnerships and manage relationships with key stakeholders to expand the impact and efficacy of the Weingart Foundation.

“Crystal Crawford is an experienced and strategic leader who has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing justice and equity for vulnerable communities across California,” said Joanna S. Jackson, interim President and C.E.O. of the Weingart Foundation. “As a nationally recognized leader in fighting poverty and advancing health and well-being, particularly in communities of color, she will be a tremendous addition to the Weingart team. We look forward to working with Crystal to cultivate meaningful partnerships that will help us strengthen our work serving communities most impacted by systemic inequities.”

Crawford, who has extensive experience in the legal, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors, currently serves as Executive Director of the Western Center on Law & Poverty, a trailblazing legal and advocacy organization that works to bring about systemic and structural change in every branch of government. Previously, she was a program director at The California Wellness Foundation where she developed the organization’s groundbreaking Women’s Initiatives, a multi-million-dollar investment that advanced the health and economic security of women of color. Before joining Cal Wellness, she served as C.E.O. of the California Black Women’s Health Project, the first statewide organization solely devoted to improving the health of California’s Black women and girls through policy advocacy, education and outreach.

Crawford said: “I have been a long-time admirer of the Weingart Foundation’s outstanding commitment to racial justice and racial equity. Its impactful work has helped to transform communities and systems. At this time when work advancing racial justice and diversity, equity and inclusion is under heightened attack, I am looking forward to working with my colleagues as we deepen the Foundation’s work in communities and forge new partnerships with courage and boldness.”

Crawford is active in the leadership of numerous civic, advocacy and community organizations, including serving as chairperson of the five-member Los Angeles County Public Health Commission. Originally from Harlem, New York and Teaneck, New Jersey, Crawford earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Dartmouth College and law degree from the New York University School of Law. She is admitted to the bar in California, New York and New Jersey.

ABOUT THE WEINGART FOUNDATION

The Weingart Foundation is a private, nonprofit grantmaking foundation that partners with communities across Southern California to advance racial, social, and economic justice for all. Our vision is a dynamic and effective social change sector that is creating equitable systems and structures needed to achieve justice. Founded in 1951, the Foundation has to date granted over $1 billion to organizations, strengthening their efforts in human services, housing, health, education, and community power building. In addition, the Foundation builds networks and collaboratives with philanthropic, public sector, and community leaders to advance equity and justice together.

By Rhonda Smith | Special to California Black Media Partners

In 2008, I received news no one ever wants to hear. I was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer, with an ER/PR positive tumor type.

The road to recovery was tough, taking more than a physical toll on my body. I grappled with the emotional and mental strain of navigating a health care system that too often fails to address the unique needs of Black women. There was no manual to guide me through this journey, no prescription to ease the burden, and no roadmap to help me navigate the challenges ahead.

The stark reality that Black women are 41% more likely to die from breast cancer than White women is a grim reminder of the systemic inequities that pervade our health care system. According to the American Cancer Society, Black Americans have the highest death rate and shortest survival rate of any racial or ethnic group in the country. This disparity extends beyond breast cancer, impacting colorectal, prostate, and lung cancers, among others.

To help overcome these inequities, we need to attack cancer at its roots; we must catch it early, and we must ensure the means to catch cancer early are accessible to the communities most at risk. I consider myself fortunate to have received a Stage 1 diagnosis. Yet, it pains me to know that for many others, their breast cancer is often detected in later, more advanced stages. It is a sobering reality – one that underscores the need for action.

Fortunately, there is hope on the horizon. Some California congressmembers — particularly U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25) — are taking decisive action. Ruiz is a lead sponsor of a bill to dramatically expand access to cutting-edge early detection tools for Medicare beneficiaries, including millions of Black Americans in underserved communities. With bipartisan support from a strong majority of his colleagues in Congress, as well as many of our state’s representatives, this bill is closer than ever to passage.

Named in honor of Nancy Gardner Sewell, a civil rights leader and passionate advocate for health justice, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act would ensure Medicare has the latitude it needs to cover an exciting new class of cancer detection tests as soon as they’re cleared by the FDA.

These tests utilize the latest scientific achievements to identify cancer signals in a patient’s blood stream. They can pinpoint many different types of cancer from a single blood draw, dramatically improving doctors’ ability to detect cancers early and at stages where they are most treatable.

The importance of early detection in improving cancer outcomes cannot be understated, especially for African Americans, who often face later-stage diagnoses and poorer prognoses.

A recent study estimates that preventive cancer screenings in the past 25 years have given Americans at least 12 million more years of life, translating to a remarkable $6.5 trillion saved in health care costs. Too many cases are diagnosed after the cancer has spread and treatments, no matter how advanced, are less effective. And even for those forms of the disease, like breast cancer, for which there are screenings, patients can remain asymptomatic until the cancer has metastasized.

That’s why MCED tests are such a game changer, especially when it comes to cancers we currently can’t detect.

Any health care provider that can draw blood already has the tools to administer an MCED test. One of the largest obstacles to the widespread adoption of these tests isn’t technical – it’s the fact that Medicare has no pathway to cover new cancer screenings like MCED in a timely manner, even though people over the age of 65 are at the greatest risk of developing cancer. Without the possibility of Medicare coverage, MCED tests won’t be available for the underserved and older adults who would benefit the most.

The next phase of our fight against cancer – and the disproportionate toll it takes on Black Americans – starts by urging Congress to pass the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act and ensuring the benefits of this legislation reach all corners of our communities.

I don’t advocate for change for myself, but for every Black woman who has faced, or will face, a similar battle. Please heed my words – for yourself and your health. Ask for the necessary tests or screenings. If you’re unsatisfied with their response, don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion. We’ve got the power to take control of our health.

Together, we can rewrite the narrative of health care, catch and treat cancer early, and ensure that every woman has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of her race or background.

About the Author

Rhonda Smith, Executive Director of the California Black Health Network, leads initiatives to advance health equity for Black Californians, leveraging her expertise from roles including consulting and spearheading health disparities initiatives for BIPOC communities. With an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech, Rhonda has led transformative projects like the LiveHealthy OC Initiative and the Susan G. Komen® Circle of Promise California Initiative to address health disparities and promote whole person care approaches.